CHARLY TURNS 1

I know I'm a little late...one month to be exact. I really can't believe that Charly is 1 already! Well, she is really 13 months tomorrow. She is such a little stinker. We just adore her and she adds another personality to the family. She has been the most laid back baby and very happy little thing. She thinks that she is a pretty funny girl. She really is though. She decided to put this ring on her head and everytime I took it off she would scream and grab it and put it back on. She LOVES elmo. She is crawling all over and getting into EVERYTHING! She likes to cruise along furniture and when she is feeling a little daring will let go and balance for a second with the biggest grin on her face. I am so blessed to have these wonderful girls in my life. They have taught me so much about life and to slow down and remember what truly is important. I wish there was a pause button for them though. They are growing up WAY too fast! I love you Charly to no end! Happy Birthday!

CAMPING

Over Labor Day weekend and Nate's birthday (Jessica's husband), we decided to take the kids camping. I was a little nervous about it since it would be Charly's first camping trip and I didn't know how she would do sleeping in the pop-up. The other girls have always been fine and we've been camping with them since they were little. BUT....Charly decided that she would break the mold. She also learned to crawl that weekend so she was ALL over the place. I finally got her to sleep after a day of no naps at about 9pm. Then she decided to wake up at midnight and party til almost 3am! She wasn't crying, but just playing and talking and kept us up. T'chad decided to take her for a little midnight stroll but that just got her more wound up. She finally fell asleep and slept until 6am. On a better note, the girls always have a blast camping and especially when they have their cousins there as well. The highlight was probably roasting marshmellows over the campfire. Overall, it was a fun little getaway but I think we will wait a little while until charly is walking to go again. :)

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL

Well, another school year has begun! Addisyn started Kindergarden this morning and Taiyah started 1st grade. I can't believe how big they are getting. Taiyah was very excited that she is not "the babies of the school" anymore...AKA, Kindergardeners. Addisyn is so excited to be at Taiyah's school and to have the same teacher as Taiyah did last year. The girls did great! Taiyah doesn't want me to hold her hand anymore once we get into the doors because "that's not cool" and Addie was ALL smiles as we left her with her teacher. Quite a different experience than last year. I sat in the parking lot last year with tears streaming down my face and didn't know what to do with myself. I'm sure that being 9 months pregnant had something to do with how emotional I was, not a lot, but some. I did find myself getting a little teary eyed while I said goodbye to Addie, but I held it together. It was hard to be sad when she was SO excited. This school year is going to be great!!! I can't wait until 4pm when I get to pick them up.

ADDIE'S 5TH BIRTHDAY

This little princess turned 5 on August 9th! I know I say this ALL the time, but seriously...WHERE IS THE TIME GOING??!! We celebrated her birthday on the 8th because T'chad was at work for the next two days. She got to open presents and had a special lunch with mommy and daddy of her choice...she chose Red Robin. Then I took her out for ice cream and we had a birthday cake later that evening. Since Taiyah and Addisyn's birthdays are so close, we have decided to do a joint birthday party in between both bdays. Sooooo, in a few weeks we will have a big bash for all the friends. Addie is such an amazing little girl. She brings such a sweet spirit to our family. She is always smiling and hopping up and down excitedly as she tells you something. The little PRINCESS of the family. She has such an appreciation for anything beautiful and sparkly. She is the "TINKER" of the family. She loves to take things apart and put them back together again, just to see how it works. If I can't get something right, I take it to Addie because I know she can do it. I am so proud of her and love this little girl to NO END!!! Happy Birthday Addisyn!!

THE GIRLIES

It honestly seems like just yesterday that I was a little worried that it was the first day of summer and how I was going to keep these kids occupied. Now, summer is wrapping up with a only a few days left of vacation for the girls. They are ready though. They are so excited to get back to school and Addie can't wait to start Kindergarden. She has Taiyah's teacher from last year who is just wonderful! My girlies are growing up so fast. I'm so grateful that I am able to stay home and raise these beautiful girls. They are such wonderful blessings.

PRECIOUS PRESLEE

This sweet angel has touched my life! She is a miracle. I came across a link on facebook from someone in my old ward growing up. Preslee was 18 months old. She was playing with her little friends in Idaho when she fell into a canal and was found 2 miles down by some farmers who were working in the water at the time. She was in the hospital for a week, hanging on, making some progress they thought when Heavenly Father had a different plan for this sweet angel. She passed away a week later surrounded by her amazing parents and loved ones. I can't even BEGIN to express how this little girl has touched hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, myself included. I have thought about her and her family everyday. I was feeling very sorry for myself at the time when I came across her story. It changed my WHOLE perspective once I read about her and her families strong faith. I began to speak a little kinder, hug and kiss my children a little more, turn off the t.v. and other distractions and sit and play on the floor with my own little angels. Realizing that in an instant life can change and I don't want ANY regrets! I honestly feel like I am mourning with her family. I can only imagine the depth of their grief. What a sweet blessing it is to have the knowledge that they were sealed as a family and will be reunited with their beautiful daughter again. Preslee and her family has rebuilt my testimony and my heart is filled with gratitude for this angel who has gone home to her Heavenly Father and her amazingly strong family. I am forever changed. Thank you Preslee!

Charly's 9 1/2 months!

Can't believe that Charly will be already a year old in a couple short months! She just had her checkup and is doing wonderful! She is 16lbs, 10 oz. and is 20% in weight and 90% in height! Another tall one! She is currently trying so hard to learn to crawl. When we put her on all fours she rocks back and forth. She really is THE happiest baby and loves to say mama and dada and nigh nigh...she loves to sleep! She cracks up every time she sees a picture of herself. She ADORES her sisters and they are so smitten with her as well. They are such amazing big sisters and help me out so much. I am soooo blessed to have these 3 wonderful little girls in my life!

Taiyah's Graduation

A few days ago, Taiyah had her graduation from Kindergarten. I was such an emotional wreak before I even sat down in the seats. I don't understand why I'm having such a hard time with these precious girls growing up. They are still so young, but I feel like their entire lives are flashing before me. Congratulations to our two graduates, Taiyah and Addisyn. We love you both so much!

Addie's Preschool Graduation

I know that I'm supposed to be happy that my little one has graduated from preschool, but it was actually a very emotional time for me. Between the baby growing so fast and Addie graduating from preschool and Taiyah graduating from Kindergarten all in the past 3 days I've been having a "moment." I've been trying to hug them more and be in the "present" and cherish everyday with them. They grow too fast and before I can blink they won't want to have slumber parties with me in my bed and movie nights. Such a bittersweet time for us. I'm so proud of the girls. They amaze me each day! I'm so blessed to be their mom.

Charly's 8 months!

I cannot seem to wrap my mind around how fast this little one is growing! Charly turned 8 months today and is turning into a little character. I haven't quite yet figured her out completly...she is changing everyday, but for the most part she is a VERY mellow and happy little girl. Always smiling and babbling to anyone that will give her a second. I remember back when I found out when I was pregnant with her and I cried and cried because I wasn't sure I was ready for another one. Sorry Charlize. But I seriously could NOT begin to imagine my world without her. She definitely fits right in this crazy and fun family. She has mastered sitting on her own a couple of months ago and now she is just ready to go...but can't go because she hasn't figured it out. I love this precious girl and the girls are smitten with her. So excited everyday to see what she will be like.

DISNEYLAND

While we were in San Diego visiting my family and doing the 1/2 marathon, we thought it would be fun to get the cousins who live there to go to Disneyland. They had such a blast. I have so many wonderful memories of when my parents used to take us when we were little and of course I had to have that rub off on our children as well. The girls highlight of the day was getting to meet Tinkerbell and Rosetta from Pixie Hollow and getting their face painting. The babies did sooo good with nothing more than a 20 min. nap and getting to bed past 11pm! Thank you everyone for going with us! It was so much fun.

LA JOLLA 1/2 MARATHON 2010

I'm so proud of myself! I've done a handful of 1/2 marathons, but not so soon after I had a baby. My goal wasn't about my time this one around....it was about NOT walking, and I DID IT! I did have an amazing partner to keep me motivated though...my sister Brooke. It was her first time running one and she is totally hooked now. We had such a blast doing it. It was such a huge accomplishment especially because both of us were still getting up during the nights to feed the babies and still managing to muster up the energy to train. It was the most beautiful 1/2 marathons that I have run. The Torrey Pines hills were killer, but we did it...and with smiles on our faces. Now that it is over we are looking to do the triple crown next year...3 1/2 marathons in January, April and August. Thank you Brooke for training and doing this with me! WE ROCK!!!

SWIMMING AT THE CASTLE

On Easter Sunday, we all went to T'chad's Aunt Gert's castle for dinner. It LITERALLY is a castle. It is amazing. Well, all the kiddos got a little restless waiting for dinner to be ready so they all went in the pool. They had fun splashing around. It was Charly's first time in the pool and she loved it! So excited for summer!!!

MY FAVORITE HATS!

Well, Grandma has done it again! She has made more of THE most adorable little hats for Charly! I LOVE them! My mom is so talented and we get stopped DAILY in stores from people asking where did I get my hats and does my mom sell them. My response now, sadly is NO...they are special just for her grandchildren. Thank you mom for making another round of beautiful hats. We just love them!!