Switching the Pictures

I get the kids pictures taken once a year, around their birthday. This year was a little different because I got them all done at the same time. I have an 8 by 10 of each kid hanging up in the hallway leading to their bedrooms. Each year I switch the pictures out, but I always leave the old ones still in the  frame behind the new one. So every year it's a trip down memory lane as I look at how the kids have grown.

 

 I'm missing the first two from Hallie, hers start at age 2.  She was such a spitfire when she was younger, and has outgrown that little personality. She is becoming a beautiful little lady, inside and out.

When I starting looking through Jaxson's I started crying, because I have already forgotten so much of how he looked as a baby. Look at his 1 year old picture...it doesn't get cuter than that. And I think Addison looks so much like his 3 year old picture on the middle right.

Kamryn's hair has lightened up so much from when she was younger. Kimber looks so much like her to me.

And my chubby Addi-baby. Oh how I loved her rolls of chub!

Of course I think my kids are pretty darn cute. But it's always bittersweet at the changing-of-the-pictures. They are growing up to fast for me, I wish time would slow down. But at the same time I love the people they are becoming. Here's to hoping the next time I pull these out I won't be a mess of tears!

Kimber-5 months

Kimber is a pretty happy baby. Unless she is tired, which for a little baby is a lot. But she is always full of smiles, even then. I think of all the kids Kamryn adores her the most. I tell Kamryn on a daily basis to please not lay on her (she says she is giving her hugs).

Soccer season is officially over, but Kimber is always with me. Sometimes I lay her on a blanket to play instead of holding her. The last few weeks we have had super cold practices, but the last one was good weather so she got to play.

 She likes to pull a blanket close to her face when she sleeps. Usually she will suck her left thumb and bring a blanket to her face with her right hand.

 

 This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago and she is even more bald now. She still has a thick spot right about her neck, but is pretty bald every where else. The hair that is coming in is really light, but her eyebrows and lashes still have some red, so I am predicting strawberry blond hair.

 

 I've been working out a couple of mornings a week with a few friends. It's getting colder now, so Kimber is usually bundled up in her beanie and snow suit.

 

I put a toy on her carseat and she likes to pull it and play with it.

 

Wes got out the bouncer and cleaned it all up so Kimber could use it. She likes it most of the time and does a good job of holding her head up.

We love you Kimber-roo!

Drawstring Bags

I made these drawstring bags last week to use as gift bags. I used this tutorial. They came together pretty quickly once I had made one. I did mess up on the drawstring part, but that was my fault for not reading the pattern all the way through. I would recommend this pattern to anyone! I foresee many more of these making their way into our home.

 

A Day Trip to Mesa

 We went down to Mesa for our nephew's baptism at the end of September. I got to take the little girls down a couple of days beforehand and Wes brought Hallie and Jaxson down the day of the baptism so they could go to school and their soccer games.

 

It happened to be homecoming for my alma mater so I took the kids to see the parade. They were sure happy to with all their candy they got.

I didn't take many other pictures. But we enjoyed getting to see our friends and family. And I got to get in some shopping too. We had a great time at the baptism with all of Wes's family. Hallie is super excited for her upcoming baptism.

One night my parents took us on a drive out to see the new LDS temple being built in Gilbert. It is massive and so pretty, especially when its lit up at night. We are hoping to go to the open house when its completed.

We came home after the baptism, which made it a day trip for Wes, Hallie, and Jax. It can be done!

Jaxson's 6th Birthday

This little boy had a birthday last week. Lucky for him his cousins were in town on a school break, so he got to enjoy lots of time with them. Jaxson decided he wanted waffles for his birthday, so we had a waffle bar. (I should have taken a picture) Lot of fruit toppings and syrups and a couple different types of waffles.

 

 (someday I'll blog about this table Wes built)

 Because we are lame parents, we didn't get the bike we wanted for him in time. It should get here this week, but in the meantime he had to open a picture of the bike.

Jaxson has been anticipating this quilt from his Nana for months now. He picked out all the fabric...

He was very excited to get a football.

A new jacket for fall and spring.

Jaxson always chooses an ice cream cake for his birthday. This year they had orange oreos, he was so excited about it.

Jaxson is a pretty fun-loving kid. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, but he loves to be surrounded by friends.  It is super easy to get him to smile. He hates being teased about "girlfriends" or anything to do with getting married or being a dad someday.  He giggles like a girl. He is super into flames and skulls, much to my dismay.  He likes all things boy-playing outside, playing sports, wrestling, pushing his sisters buttons. I'm glad to have him around to experience all these things. He brings a great dynamic to our mostly-feminine household.

More Soccer

The soccer season is winding down so I thought I would put up a few more pictures. These are all from last Saturday's games. When we first arrived for Hallie's game it was 27 degrees! The kids have all really enjoyed playing this year.

 

 

 

 Papa keeping a cold Addison warm.

 

 

 Kamryn really likes playing too even though she rarely gets her foot on the ball. She is content to run around with the "pack". Considering her small size, she does pretty well at keeping up.

 

 

Jaxson has done really well this season and usually scores several goals each game. He is not much of a defender at this age. He has made a great new friend that is on his team, and that has made it all the more fun for him.

 

I wish my kids could always play on the same team! It made it so easy for me. This is the only year it will ever work out that way though...next year Jaxson moves to U8, with all boys.

Hallie has learned a lot and improved a lot this year. Wes has coached most of her games (there was no assistant for her team, and they always split the team to play on two fields at the same time, so having another coach is necessary.) She learned so much from him. After last year I wasn't sure if she would want to play again. But she is a whole different player out there this year and seems to really enjoy it.

 

 

Trying to keep Kimber warm...but I always have to leave her left hand out so she can suck her thumb!

 

The kids were able to have both sets of grandparents and many aunts and cousins come to their games this year. I appreciate the support because I know how much it means to them!

Fall Photo Session

My friend Megan is an amazing photographer. She was doing fall sessions a few weeks ago and I jumped at the chance to have professional pictures of my kids done. Visit her website here: http://www.shaheenphotography.com/. She is awesome. I love how the pictures turned out!

 

I've already posted a couple of them, but here are some more: