We are alive!

I know I've been away from the good ole blog for far too long, but just thinking of trying to catch up was overwhelming. I guess I had enough of blog guilt, so I'm finally updating today.


I haven't taken many pictures lately, but here is some of what we've been up to:

• I took the kids (minus Kamryn) to the magic show that comes to town every Christmas. Wes was bummed he had to miss it due to mutual. The kids absolutely loved it, especially the belly dancer...Hallie does a fairly accurate depiction of the belly dancer that is hilarious. Santa came at the end and gave each kid a toy.



Jax got a bike!






• All of Wes's family came in town for Christmas. We had a great week with them...lots of good food and company. The kids played well together. We were bummed that we didn't get a white Christmas this year, but the kids were all able to play with their new bikes and scooters outside.

• Hallie went to the dentist for the first time! She did great, and wanted to go back the next day! No cavities for her (I wish I could say the same for myself). Jaxson was jealous and wanted a turn but he will have to wait.
• Our good friends gave our kids this jumper thing for Christmas, they really love it! We put it in Hallie and Jaxson's room and they have played with it every day. Hallie and Jax took turns sleeping in it at night, and by day they pretended it was their swimmimg pool, hence the bathing suits.

• We didn't do anything for New Years Eve. Wes was sick, so we stayed home. Although we woke up at midnight when we heard fireworks (our dogs hate fireworks and bark up a storm whenever they hear them).
• Jaxson is now in Primary. He is becoming such a big boy, and talking better all the time. My goal is to potty train him in February. Wish me luck with that! If that goes well, I'm going to tackle Kamryn this summer!
• I have made a few quilts, that sadly I didn't take pictures of before I gave them away. I will have to get some pictures sent to me, so I can have them in my file.

Of course, there is lots of other stuff that has been going on too, but this at least gets me most of the way caught up.

Hallie's 5th Birthday

We celebrated Hallie's 5th birthday at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. It was super crowded the day we went, but we still had enough space to enjoy it!

Waiting for the train

Kendilyn, Hallie, and Savanna

Hallie has been talking about her birthday for months, and was so excited to finally be 5! Out of all the cousins her age, she is the youngest (and smallest), so she has a bit of a hard time with that. Unfortunately, she'll probably always be smaller than them. Even her cousins that are younger by 2 years are passing her up!

The only picture of me the whole weekend, taken by my 5 year old niece (she didn't count to 3)

The kids all had a fun time playing, the weather was perfect, it was just a nice afternoon. Skyler and Luke brought a football and soccer ball, so that kept a lot of the adults busy playing too.

Kamryn and Shawnie

Hallie blew out the candles, opened her presents, then we went to get in line for the train ride. I didn't get any pictures on the train ride because all the kids ended up getting in the stock car, with Wes as the supervisor. We also rode the carousel right before we left, but my camera was already in the car at that point.
Waiting for the train

We love you Hallie girl!!

Thanksgiving 2010

We went to Mesa for Thanksgiving. I was so glad to be in some warmer weather! My parents hosted my dad's side at their house, so it was good to see some cousins/family that we don't get to see very often. Now that I'm home and looking through my pictures, I didn't take nearly as many as I thought I did! OH, well.

Don't mind the dirty faces and messy hair!

Jax holding Finley

Wes pulled Kamryn all around the backyard with her in this toy tractor. She loved it! And when he was done, she pulled it around herself.

The kids loved being able to spend time with all their aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents. Hallie is so attached to Meadow, but Meadow never seemed to mind having a mini me.

They all loved holding baby Finley (me too). Luke blessed Finley on Sunday morning...I know Shawnie has a lot of pictures on her camera of my kids holding him, so hopefully I can get those from her.

We did some shopping on Black Friday (a perk of being in a big city!), and got ready for Hallie's birthday.

We had Hallie's party Saturday afternoon, but I'll post about that later. I can't believe my baby is 5! She is getting so old!