I love Fall

Liam and his best friend/cousin Taryn

This time of year couldn't be better. Crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and beautiful colors. Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the weather. Don't go away Fall :)

The Gang

Why post a picture as random as this you may be asking? Because this is the only picture we were able to get with all 6 cousins. When they get together (6 kids under 3) you would think a tornado just hit. But, it is a BLAST!!!! I love the memories and that they will have cousins, Aunties, and Uncles to love. We have found that team parenting works the best. They all are the best of friends.

They Are So Perfect

I wish I could have Josh in the picture. Then the title would be absolutely perfect :)

I have been blessed. My sweet little family means more to me then I could have ever imagined. I have a husband who works so hard for our family. Not just at work but each day at home. He is amazing with our kids. He has a gift. They adore him with good reason. He is a man of great faith, humility, integrity, humor and love. He takes great care of us and always will.

Liam is a perfect example of loving the gift of life. He is always smiling and talking about something he is excited about. It always makes my day brighter. He loves pirates, gardens, and most of all his family. He reminds me daily that we are an eternal family. What a wonderful blessing that is.

Layla, is the cutest little girl. She has told me multiple times in her short little life she loves me more then  anyone else I know. It melts my heart every time. I hope she knows I love her and her brother so much in return. She keeps us laughing and I am always blown away at how much she understands at 1 year old. She is adorable.

Liam and Layla can be found like this all day every day. Side by side. They are so close. I know Liam will always be a great role model for sweet little Layla and Layla will always be a loyal friend to him.

This quote has stood out to me a lot lately:

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured"
-Gordon B. Hinckley
Life always seems to have its hardships. We all are faced with different trials at different times. As these things come I hope to have the humility of my husband, the optimism of my son, and the determination of my daughter. Even though I haven't been feeling well this summer my wonderful family and friends have helped make my old time rail journey FILLED with beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. I have complete faith in our Father in Heaven and his will as we do all we can to grow nearer to him.
My sweet little family is so perfect and I have a beautiful life.

Swimming at Papa's

What would summer be if we didn't hit up the pool. Josh and my Dad were kind enough to take the kiddos swimming the other day when I wasn't feeling well. Thanks guys :) I enjoyed watching on the sidelines.

Family Pictures, Why Bother?

We asked Liam to put the comb away. I can see now he didn't.

This is Layla upset that the cat ran for her life

Poor girl. I little sad that the cat got away...

Could be cute if she had a different pose and background

Josh was working hard at making them laugh. I shouldn't of had him standing above me. Mental note...

I would like this one if it had a different back drop.

It makes perfect sense really. If the people taking the picture are trying to make you laugh why not return the favor?

I think the kids are getting a little burned out of pics...

Work with me Josh.

I thought getting the car might help... It sure didN'T

Getting Closer but still WAY off

Layla looks comfortable

Layla having the kitty on her lap. She was so excited. She is so darling.

I guess I didn't notice the cat ran off. Layla did.

He wasn't willing to give a normal smile so the picture taking ended. I couldn't stop laughing at his faces. He was trying so hard to smile normal. It just kept ending up looking a little like this...

We had a hour to spare before church. We were all dolled up so I thought, why not go outside and take some pictures... I would really like to get family pictures soon so I figured this will be good practice. Well we didn't even make it past the front door while trying to take pictures. I was hoping to take some in the yard around the roses etc. It was very funny I couldn't stop laughing because it was impossible. I even threw in the cat in hopes the kids might be more involved. Now my arm is scratched and the cat I think hates me. Ohhh well. The memory was worth it even if the pictures didn't turn out. Seriously, this is how family pictures should really look. Do you have any secrets with family pictures or taking pictures of kids?

Tonight Liam told me he loves me as big as a bean stalk. It made my heart melt. I love being a mom and I love my family way bigger then the biggest bean stalk (I am assuming bean stalks are HUGE).

All Grown Up!!!

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Our new front door. Josh worked SOOOOO hard to get it just right. I LOVE IT!

I can't believe Liam had his first day of Preschool today. He was so excited and practiced writting his name outside for a while this morning with chalk. Then I took him to school where they have the kids find their name and trace it. He just drew a picture on his name... It was cute and so Liam. He was so excited and kept trying to tell on Layla this morning. He would say, "Mom Layla thinks shes going to school but she is to little!". Layla, really had no idea what was going on. I was doing his hair and told him how handsum he looked. He then told me he was really worried that girls were going to try to kiss him and that is disgusting. He then said, "Mom I will just tell them that only Grandma Holly and Mommy can give me kisses!". My heart melted. He is very into being a Sheriff right now and wears his cowboy hat and cardboard star every where we go. As many of you know, he NEVER stops talking. He goes all day long and never takes a break. It is so funny. One of my Grandparents favorite story to tell me was when I was around Liams age and we went on a road trip some where. They said I talked the whole way.... I now wish I could thank them for their patience :) Liam is such a happy kid and loves life. He is pretty laid back and has a HUGE imagination. We love you little guy!!!

Sweet and Spicey Layla Dee

Thank goodness for Ribbons and Bows... Otherwise Layla would have the same hair cut but much cuter face :)

Layla, continues to bring such joy to our lives. She is talking more and more. Her new thing is to YELL your name over and over. Once you say what she will say in a sweet voice "I love you!". It always makes us smile. She loves her big brother and big kids. She is such an easy toddler in so many ways. As long as Layla knows what to predict she is so easy. Nap time and bed time can be so easy. It is so sweet watching her crawl up in her little toddler bed and to hear her say, "Night, Night". She is such a ham and loves to make people laugh. She is so chipper. As long as this girl has sleep and food she is soooo easy and fun (I understand). She is much different then Liam was at that age. She is very independent and wants nothing to do with being a baby other then her binky. She has started to ask to go potty. She says, "Biper off, potty" and then will go sit on the toilet and go both 1 and 2 (TMI but I know other parents understand). We aren't pushing it only if she asks but she does several times a week. With Layla's personality I am not surprised. She wouldn't care if we gave her candy after, I honestly know she does it to feel like a big girl. Today we took Liam to preschool for the first time. Layla the whole way home kept asking, "Where Liam go?" It was so sweet. She is a hard little worker as well. She is determind to get things done and do them right (just like her Daddy) We love you Layla!!!

Busted!

I was up in the area a few weeks ago and decided to swing by Farm Country with the kids to let them ride the ponies. It was so fun as always.On our way out however I caught Liam stuffing some Candy in his pockets. He had a break down when he saw that I saw him and kept telling me he didn't want to go jail I told him not to worry he wouldn't have to go and jail is for big people since kids are still learning the rules... I was trying not to laugh. We had him put it back and attempt to say sorry (he was crying to bad). The whole 30 minutes home he was crying and telling me how he is just sooo hungry for candy. Then once he calmed down he said, "I don't want to steal things anymore Mom. It is my job to keep this town safe!" I think he learned his lesson.

Education Week

My Mom and April came down for education week at BYU. I feel so blessed to have something so wonderful so close to us. I was able to go all day Monday. It was amazing. I hope to go with Josh next year. On Friday night we went to, "Annie, Get Your Gun". I LOVED IT!!! No surprise, I was obsessed with the play as a child. I was Annie Oakley for Halloween in the second grade. I am such a poser Cow Girl. I always will be :)

Great Friends and Great Memories

So pretty!

Liam jumped right into the bear cave.

A "bear cave" Layla has mixed feelings..

I will be very dissapointed if these two don't end up married. They have so much fun together. Something about arranged marriages actually make sense to me :)

You can imagine how happy this made me!

He might be the cutest little boy EVER... So sweet.

We had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with some of our dearest friends. Thank you Jensen family!!! We were in HEAVEN as you can tell by the pictures!