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!

Prama Holly and the Hogle Zoo

<>We had the opportunity to have Grandma Holly in town this weekend. As always, we had a blast. Grandma's might be the most wonderful people alive :) or at least ours is. We went to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake. It was a blast. We also drove by my Moms old stomping grounds (from when she was 4 years old) and saw the house my Grandpa built up the hill from the Zoo. It was fabulous day.

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Layla was in Heaven. This girl LOVES animals. She wanted to observe every animal.

It is a little Creepy I took a picture of a strangers home and posted it on my blog. But my Grandpa helped build it.

24th of July

Here in Utah, the 24th of July is Pioneer Day and is almost as big as the 4th. I had no idea the date even existed as a holiday until we moved here. What a fun and great holiday it is. We had so much fun.  My Dad was there. It has become a tradition for us to spend this holiday with Grandpa. I am not sure if the kids enjoyed the fireworks more or having Grandpa there to watch with. This is the first year Josh was there to celebrate.  It was wonderful. The Mapleton fireworks were FANTASTIC!!! We will go again next year for sure and invite you to join :)

Sllllooowww Dooowwwnn

As many of you know out of the past 7 weeks we have had visitors for 6 of them. I have loved every minute of it. I love building those relationships, watching my kids play with cousins, laughing etc. This past week we had to ourselves. I can tell my kids needed it. Layla, had a hard time adjusting to sleep and by the end of our visitors REFUSED as many of you witnessed. I am pretty sure that didn't help my mono (I hope it is gone). These past few days I actually mopped my floor and folded laundry which felt nice. The other day some cute neighborhood kids set up a stand selling homemade Lolly Pops. Here we are enjoying a few on a relaxing afternoon. Visitors are great and being your own little family is amazing as well. We need a bit of both.

I love my children so much. I feel so blessed in this crazy economy to still be at home. What a blessing it is to have my two sweet children. My life has changed over the last few weeks after following this story Patrickandashley.blogspot.com of our friends little niece. Although, we don't know this amazing family personally I am in awe at these parents strength and testimony. I have never second guessed being at home or having my children, but after reading their story it gave me a new appreciation for God trusting me with these two amazing spirits. I have also come to realize that as we go through out our lives we need to do all we can to stay close to God and help our testimonies grow. We are mortal, lifes trials will come our way but so much of that load can be made lighter the closer we are to Our Father in Heaven. There is a sense of peace and comfort when we come to  truely understand Gods plan. I hope to always be worthy of such a gift.  

July Fun with The Perriton's

So the first few weeks of July felt like one big reunion. We had the chance to see a lot of Josh's family. Sondra and Joey have been here for the summer, Cale and Suzettes family came for the 4th, followed by the Bells coming and Mom/Dad in Cheyenne for Uncle Alan's and Auntie Mary's homecoming talk. Where we got to see a lot of cousins and extended family. What a sweet blessing family is. We had so much fun going on a hike with the Cale's family and watching fireworks. I had a blast planning games with sweet Maci for Summer's birthday and every time Josh's parents come to visit I am humbled to know my kids and I are blessed with such selfless and loving Grandparents/parents. It was also amazing to hear Uncle Alan and Auntie Mary's talks. What a honor it is to have them as role models. I hope to one day serve a mission with my husband. Actually, I can't wait for that day.

Layla loved sparklers

Liam fractured a little bone on the top of his foot right in time for visitors. I have no idea what happend. The kid cried for maybe 2 minutes tops...

Layla doesn't mind the dirt :)