Carson and crazy fun

Why can't kids be good all the time? Carson is such a good kid, most of the time, but it's moments like this that make me so happy.

Payton wanted to play outside and Carson volunteered to watch her and play chalk with her. She loved every minute of it. She really loves her brothers, especially when they pay attention to her.

One thing we like to do at our house is let loose and be crazy, although we haven't quiet convinced Mr. Milan to join in on our fun yet. These are a few of our finer moments...

No more DIAPERS!!!

It's official, little miss Paytie is potty trained. She started out stealing Ethans underwear and refusing to give them back to him so we decided it was time to give her some of her own. It took us a while because just as we were getting the hang of it, her back got infected and it was too painful for her to climb onto the potty. Once that healed, we were back at it and she has caught on fast. We have only had a few accidents, which were probably my fault. She has been alot easier to train than the boys were. I hope I haven't jinxed myself.

Random January

I'm playing catchup like usual. We've had a busy January and the month isn't even over yet. The kids were so excited that it snowed, especially Miss Payton. Even though she has been raised in Texas, there is a Utah girl down inside of her. She absolutely LOVED the snow and screamed when I brought her inside to warm her up.

Company came to town and boy did we keep them busy. The boys both recieved awards at pack meeting and Ethan was so excited to race in the pinewood derby for the first time. This is the crew enjoying the race.

As Ethan enters into the boy scout program, he starts off as a bobcat. They had his dad hold him upside down while I pinned on the bobcat pin so that when he was upright the pin was upside down. When he does a good deed, then he can turn the pin the right way. He didn't waste anytime. He stayed after pack meeting with his dad and helped clean up so he could turn his pin around. He's definately not a procrastinator like his mom or dad. Wonder where he gets it from.

Carson crossed over from cub scout to boy scout. What an exciting day for him. He finally gets to be with his best buddy again. He is also excited to go on campouts, his dad-not so much.

This is Ethan's car, the silver shark. This kid has moved on from pirates to sharks. I think he likes the water or something.

Ethan couldn't have been more excited for his baptism. We gave him the option of doing it in Utah where all of his family could be there or doing it in Texas and only a few family would be able to come. He opted for Texas so that his little buddy down the street could come (and he did come). It was such a great day.

It was so nice to have my dad and sister come visit us again. Not living close by, I feel like I miss out on a lot of quality time with him. There is something comforting about a Father and having my dad here visiting was just that, comforting. Thanks Dad, I love you!!!

So, I probably embarrassed Annie to death and she'll probably never come again, but it was fun. There is a boy here in Texas that she's friends with and the sister that I am, didn't want her to feel like she missed out on any of that sister teasing that sisters do. I love you Annie!!! It was fun having her here to go shopping with and stay up late chatting with and playing board games with. Come back Annie!!!
Isn't he just the cutest father in law? I love this man. He comes to visit and my honey do list seems to shrink, even the things not on my list get done. Its wonderful.

Payton and Grandma were sitting at the counter and every move grandma made, Payton copied. It was so funny. She looked at me and said, "take picture", so I did. She loves her grandma.

And then we have Payton's back. I noticed Paytons surgery site was looking a little red, so I watched it. It started to get bigger, more red, and more painful. We went to the Pediatrician, who put her on an antibiotic and told us to go to the surgeon. So we are, today, hopefully he has good news for us. She doesn't usually complain, but she has lately so you know it hurts.

This is the first couch we bought when we moved into our first house about 13 years ago. It sat in our formal front room unused except for when the home teachers or visiting teachers came over, so it was in great shape. I decided to recover it instead of getting a new couch and I'm happy with the way that it turned out.

This is the BEFORE pictureAnd this is the AFTER picture.

Bring on 2011

I am excited for 2011 and happy to have 2010 behind us. I'm hoping that 2011 brings our family a healthier year. Payton will have to have an MRI in May, just for a follow up to the Syrinx in her spine, but otherwise I hope to have a quiet year. Some of my goals for the year are to get my house organized, learn to be more patient with my children, and more thoughtful of others needs. Each year we all make resolutions that we can't keep, I am guilty of that, but this year I want to try to be a little more simple in my resolutions. Maybe then I will be able to keep them. I hope the New Year will bring you happiness and joy. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people who have come into my life over the years and who I still think of often. Every one of you is a very important part of who I am. I love you and am blessed because of you.

Have a wonderful New Year!!!

Christmas 2010

Here it is, the KITCHEN you have all been asking to see. Finally finished!!! And I'm so happy that Payton loves it. She has played with it nonstop today. Milan asked me, now that I am done with it, would I do it again? and yes I would. It was alot of fun to build and seeing the look on her face was worth it. These are my favorite expressions today. Payton lay on the ground for a little bit while trying to wake up, but once she got the hang of presents, she just wanted to open all of them hers or not. Ethan and Carson were so excited to get the number one thing on their lists and they showed it. Now if I could only keep these expressions when I ask them to clean their rooms.

We are so grateful for wonderful family and friends who love us and are always there for us. We are so blessed this holiday season to have you in our lives. Merry Christmas!!!

Payton's Surgery

Payton had sugery to remove a Lymphangioma on her back and to have her hernia repaired. Surgery went well and she is doing amazing.

We noticed a few months ago that the mass on her back was getting bigger and changing color so the Doctor told us it would need to be removed. His concern was it becoming infected since it was bleeing into the mass. She must have bumped it and caused it to start bleeding. We're glad it's over with and that she is doing so well. She is one tuff little princess.