St. George with Prama Holly

We had the opportunity to go to St. George with Grandma Holly. We had so much fun even though the weather wasn't what we hoped... We took the kids to some little sand dunes which they loved. It was so nice to get away for a few days and even nicer to get to spend time with my Mom!

Life at home...

Liam makes this Pirate all on his own daily. I would like you to notice the peg leg, sword, hook, and one eye.

Liam hard at work with his snapping blocks!

Laim is slowing moving away from pirates and into this character (it's a coon hat not a wig).

Layla and her Tutu. We put it on and she started walking on her toes. It was so funny. She will also twirl in a circle. She also has been walking around with a purse lately. I love having a little girl!

We took Layla to Cabella's and this is the face she made every time she saw a bear.

We Loved our Visitors!

This picture made me laugh. This is her face all the time. Just as happy as can be.

Hanging out with Summer is like hanging out with my sisters. I laugh a lot and it is always uplifting!

Maci was sooo patient with Liam and his love for pirates. She is such a sweet heart!!!

Layla finally had some girl toys to play with!

The Bell Family (Josh's sisters family) came to visit us this month and we loved it. It went by way to quick for two reasons, we loved hanging out with them and they were only here one full day. I had a blast laughing and visiting with Summer, Jared and Josh giggled like little girls the whole time (they were so excited to see each other), Maci is the most obedient little girl I have been around and is soooo darling. As for Paige, she is a CRACK UP!!! Summer and Jared have the funniest kids. It was so thoughtful of them to drive out here. We hope to see them again soon for some more hang time!!!

February Happenings

Liam pretending to be Layla. He was right on.

If Layla was an outfit it would be this one

It is safe to say February flew by! We had some wonderful visitors, The Davis family. What amazing people! Josh and I spoke in church. He did a wonderful job. He has a gift when it come to understanding the gospel. I hate to say that though because he also studies books, scriptures, etc. to help that gift blossom. I was truely touched by the things he prepared. I really lucked out marrying that guy.

Liam keeps us laughing and is full of life. Liam wouldn't call me Mom one day just "Person". He is enjoying primary and loving life as usual.

Layla really has become an easy toddler. I earned it! She throws her regular tantrum but for the most she loves to cuddle doesn't make a mess, goes to bed easy etc. She was a harder baby then Liam but an easier toddler. I wonder if that is how it works.

Happy Valentines Day

I just wanted to say Happy Valentines day to my honey! I can honestly say I am more in love now then ever. Just like all marriages we have had our good times and our not so good times. Through those hard times I have seen how amazing he really is. As weird as that may sound. I have seen someone humble, quick to apologize, and always wanting to do better.  He has a testimony and knows right from wrong. He works so hard for our little family. He really is a GREAT Dad and does so much to help with kids. They love him and are always happiest when they are with their Daddy. Dad's just have a way of being so much fun. Plus he lets them crawl and jump all over him. I love you Josh and amazed and the person you are and have become.

A Turtle Family

We were driving and Liam said, "We are a Turtle Family huh, guys!". We realized he means Eternal Family. So cute!!!

Art Time

We love to draw around here. Liam honestly is really talented. I am blown away at his art for his age. I didn't realize how talented he was until other parents started pointing it out and I started seeing other kids work. Yes, I know this post is me bragging but I love how into drawing he is. He will sit and draw for a good hour. He does it every day. Layla, loves to color on her face and body. She likes to put the lids on the markers. We always do "art" prior to bath time.

January Update

Since this is our family journal I am going to end each month with an update. As for this month we all got the flu the first part of the month. In my 3 years of parenting I had to clean up vomit from one of children (poor little Layla) for the first time (multiple times). I had just told someone I had never had to clean up puke and just a few days later it was everywhere! It took a few days for it to go through everyone in the home but now we are healthy.
Layla is starting to talk more and more. It is so cute. She really is so bubbly and loves to laugh so hard. Like her brother she has a very unique laugh. She is in LOVE with Josh. I realized today she thinks he is in the toy closet all day while he is at work. She goes over there saying, "Da Da" and tries to open it. I will open it for her and she seems so confused. She loves to ride his "back back". She just laughs the whole time. She wants to do ANYTHING Liam is doing. And loves her Papa. She loved looking at a picture of him yesterday and kept saying his name. It was so cute. I am sooo happy she is a Daddy's girl.
Liam started another round of Gymnastics. I wish there were a little more boyish activities but there aren't any in the area. He has been saying some of the funniest things lately. The other day we were driving and he was very quiet and I asked him what he was thinking about and he said, "Mom, I don't even know who my parents are?!?!" I tried to explain that Josh and I were his parents. He told me he thinks he just wants Prama Holly to be his parent. Today while we were driving he said, "Mom, sometimes when we are in the car I pick bugers out of my nose." I think he saw nothing wrong or gross with this. He just wanted to share what he does. He loves to draw and be VERY active. He LOVES pirates and swords. A little too much actually. It is ALL he talks about or draws. I try to hide his swords and he will always find something and have that be a sword. A hanger, spoon, ANYTHING.
I started P90X this month and LOVE it. What a great work out. I am not totally right on schedule but I do it as often as possible. I would recommend it to anyone. I fill my spare time with my calling at our church and taking the kids to Library etc. I feel so blessed to be at home with our children. It isn't always easy but is worth every minute. I'm sure you stay at Mom's understand what I am saying. The other night I was wondering if I should considering doing a little something on the side for extra money during this time in the economy. I felt overwhelmed with a feeling that my kids need to know that I am always here for them 100%. I want them to know I will be here all the time. Then today while we were driving Liam said, "Mom you know what I love about you. When Daddy goes to work you stay at home with me!" It melted my heart. It made feel so lucky to be at home and a have hubby who works so hard to have me be able to do so. I know it is hard sometimes financially but also mentally. Being at home can take a lot out of you. But at the same time I can't think of anything more rewarding then watching my little ones at the library for story time, having the help me make lunch, cuddle time in the afternoon for quiet time, the things the say and do to make me laugh, the list could go on forever. I recognize it isn't an option for all the Moms out there to be at home full time especially at this time. Our family really is blessed.
Josh is working hard at providing during tough times. He has been studying church literature non-stop the last few months. He really loves it. I have such gratitude that he has picked up this hobby. I really can tell such a difference in his character and even the spirit in our home. He has changed so much for our little family and is always working on being better. His heart is in the right place. I feel so lucky to have a husband who has the foundation he does in a world full of pressure. There is so much evil out there. I know it isn't easy for anyone and we all may fall into temptation at different times throughout our life. It is in those times that true character shines through. It is when you see people cling to the gospel for help and guidance or go the other direction and stray away (the easier direction). I love Josh and his example. He amazes me.

My Golden Birthday

Liam loves the Birthday card he and Layla got me. It's every girls dream to have a card with this creepy pirate on it, right? It was so cute and I am sure Layla would of had more of a say if she could talk.

This year was my golden Birthday. I turned 27 on the 27th. It was a wonderful day thanks to my hubby. I woke up to 27 roses, 27 balloons, and a list of 27 things he loves about me. He later took me out to a super fancy dinner and we had mint chocolate chip ice cream cake when we got back with the family. Thanks Dad and Leslie for babysitting. Everything was perfect. To top it off I got a DARLING jacket Josh helped me choose. Thank you Josh for making this birthday so special. I love you and you are so thoughtful!

First Day of Primary!!!

Liam went to Primary for the first time this month. He did alright. It takes him a while to sit down with his class. This past sunday he was sure he needed to sit with CTR 6 class. I think he gets confused with me being in primary and I am constantly walking in and out. He either looks around the room to find me and will give me a thumbs up with a smile or a very sad face. I love that I am in there and am able to watch him. This sunday I was able to do sharing time. Liam managed to fall out of his chair and later burst into tears while I was sharing my testimony. To top it off it was the week the Stake Presidency was there. I have no idea what I said. I am pretty sure I made no sense. But, most of the time the kids in jr. primary make very little sense. A fair trade right? Senior Primary went much better. I love my calling and feel so lucky to watch my favorite little boy in Primary!