TIME FOR PRAYER

Brinley has now learned how to fold her arms and she evan bows her head and closes her eyes.


I promise, I didn't actually snap this shot while we were having prayer. Aren't the so cute and so precious!!!

I went some time ago to a stake enrichment and it was about motherhood and families. One of the talks was about family scripture study and family prayer. We haven't been successful yet on scripture study, but family prayer has been great and the kids love it. When it's time for bed, they are the ones asking to have prayer. Hopefully, I've done something right.

Taiylor's growing up!!

I couldn't post the picture I really wanted because well it may have been "inappriopriate" for the internet; however, I posted a sweet innocent picture of my sweet almost 7 yr old girl. Last night she was getting ready for bed and taking a while when she came out of my room. Dad asked what were you doing and she said, "just getting dressed in your bathroom." I didn't think a thing about it until I went into my bathroom and saw my bra on the floor. I asked her why it was there and she got a big smile on her face. I then said Taiylor were you trying it on? She replied, "Yes, mom over my clothes, I wanted to see what it would look like (as she held out her chest.)" I had to laugh. Oh, how they grow up and get so curious about life and everything that comes with it. Where has all the time gone?

Brinley's New Interest

Taiylor's Sunday Shoes. She is so proud to be in her big sister's shoes!


Cameron's snowboots. She was determined to get them on!


Pictures a little dark, but Cameron's boot on backwards with a SO BIG!!

She loves to put on everybody's shoes. She walks around the house with a huge smile. She is such a blast. Everday she is learning new things and her personality is bursting!!

HAPPY EASTER

Don't they look so cute and innocent in their Easter clothes!!


Grandma Bybee's Easter bags that the kids made for the hunt.


Going on the hunt, fill those bags


Yeah, I got an egg!!


Grandma Horne's hunt. Brinley loved to find the eggs.
She now has a new love...Jelly Beans!


Don't you miss the days on Easter Egg Hunts

Coloring the eggs. Gotta love the mess!

Spoiled from the Easter Bunny

Another spoiled kid from the Easter Bunny.

What a weekend full of play and family time. The kids had a good time on their hunts at Grandma's and home. Every year Easter morning our kids are sent on a scavenger hunt to find the baskets and Taiylor was up at 645 after a late night snooping around for her clues. We had to ask her to go to the playroom until Cameron and Brinley were awake. How fun it was as a kid, all the excitement every Holiday. However, as a parent after all is done it is a lot of fun to experience the excitement with them. Happy Easter & may we all be grateful for the real reason for this Season!

Just like old times

Trainers in learning

Where's the dog?

I vividly remember watching my dad growing up wrestling with all our dogs. Dad came over lastnight to check out Macy and to give Travis some pointers. I have a feeling he will be coming over a lot to help out Travis to teach this dog. Cameron was right there by their side. It seems that Travis's spare moments have been spent with the dog. I am starting to get jealous. I have to compete against a puppy.

Cameron's New Job

We had to get a special shovel for Cameron's Job.
Just his size.

Look at that happy, proud face. Hopefully he will
aspire for bigger & better things when he gets older.

Finally, it's in the bag.

When we got Macy, our dog. Cameron was told he would have to do chores for his hunting dog. I asked him and Taiylor that in addition to feeding & playing with her they would have to clean up his "landmines." Cameron instantly replied "I will pick up the poop, mom." He even said it with a smile. He is so proud to help take care of the dog. One day he and Taiylor were trying to clean up a mess with a metal dustpan & Taiylor stands there for support holding the bag while Cameron does all the work. Cameron yelled at me and said, "I can't get it." Taiylor then replies,"try using the edge of the dustpan." I was in the house just laughing. Cameron then shouted, "I got it, oh it smells bad." After clean-up tonight with dad. Cameron comes into the house holding his back and said his back hurt from bending over to shovel the poop. Dad replied, "It's hard work." Way to go Cameron.

Taiylor's First Basketball Game

Anything for a quick shot in the spotlight!


Our first team huttle. Just giving my team some little
words of wisdom.

Not sure if that was a pass or a shot. Oh, Well.
They were a lot of fun to watch.

Doesn't that look like an intimidating team!!

Even from the back side she is just cute!!

The only way I could figure out how to let Taiylor play ball was to coach the team, so I had control of the practices. I forgot how basic coaching is for 6-7 yr olds. I would say things in practice and they would just stare at me like what are you talking about? Then it dawned on me, I needed to start from the very beginning. It was a lot harder than I thought, but a lot of fun. It's fun to see and experience the excitement with the kids. During the game, Taiylor was jumping all over the place, hoping she was where she was suppose to be. She had a huge smile on her face everytime she had the ball. A couple times she would come to me and say, Mom my side hurts. Is it time for a break yet? After the game, she talked about the other team and there was a pretty aggressive little girl. Taiylor just thought she was mean. She said, "I had to get rid of the ball fast or that girl was going to tackle me." We had a blast & they did great!

OUR NEW DOG

Love at first sight-you'd think it was our daughter


It was a huge suprise for the kids that morning.


Brinley was a little nervous & a blast to watch


The kids love this dog & they are getting along.


Nothing better than a little Father-Son time!!

Our dog is a yellow lab and her name is Miss Lady Macy. We call her Macy. I was quite hesitant and had to lay down a few rules. One being the dog doesn't cross the laundry room and the lawn is to remain clean. It's great chores for our kids and Travis. However, I have to admit that our kids and Travis have had a blast with her and they have been a lot of fun to watch. We suprised the kids yesterday morning when they woke up and got her the night before. They were shocked, especially that mom finally said yes. I have to say though, she is a dang cute puppy. If only they stayed small. The bond I have seen in the last two days has been awesome. I'm sure there will be more adventures to come with Macy.

My morning with mom

My first cinnamon rolls without the bread machine and with the Bosch machine. Mom walked me through them. Growing up my mom use to make these all the time and I loved them. My family isn't much for sweets, but my kids were sure excited when they got home to eat fresh cinnamon rolls. Let me add, they turned out delecious and I have gained at least 5 lbs. The true test comes if I can make them again without mom.

Riveria Maya, Mexico

Panoramic Views of the Ocean at Xel-Ha & our hotel pool

Our Hotel and our new pet Iguana (they are so huge)

Travis cliff-jumping and me taking the shots. I chickened out.

Dolphins were amazing

Playa Del Carmen

We had such an amazing time & hated to come back to the cold and to reality. We missed the kids, but enjoyed the break. The transition back to reality can be kind of hard. It was so nice to relax everday and just purely enjoy each other's company. We spent a lot of time on the resort and had some crazy times in the Mexican vans going to Xel-Ha & Playa Del Carmen. They are crazy drivers. We just kept hoping we would get their safe as we would drive by the Mexican police with their Uzi's (big guns). Their were so many different cultures. The French Canadian shocked me at times with their culture; which made me grateful for the culture & upbringing I've been given. After all the travel we really only had 3 whole days and it would have been nice to have a couple more to see more sites and experience more, but we had a blast & can't wait for another opportunity! As for now it's back to reality, but the memories will last forever.

Mexico Trip

Well, tomorrow is the big day and we will be heading to Akumel, Mexico. I am very excited for the warm weather and to have time to play and relax. However, I am sure nervous and stressed to leave everything especially my kids for a few days. Despite the chaos of motherhood they are my true joy. Stay tuned for some pictures.

Boys Having Fun

Cameron (Batman) and his best buddy Tanner.

This is one thing Cameron loves to do is play with
his friends!!

Nothing like Batman and Spiderman Wrestling

Not a lot to blog about this week & unfortunately I don't have any new pictures. However, I have tried to make a committment to myself that I would try to put an entry in weekly as a journal entry for my family. I unfortuantely have been at work a lot this last week and I have come down with the nasty sinus infection/bronchitis so all I really want to do is sleep. So needless to say I have a long week a head of me getting caught up on house chores and playing with the kids. We are still in search of the perfect dog and my son is set on the name "PEPSI." I actually think there is a little part of me excited for my husband and kids (I just don't want the work.) Hopefully more pictures to come in the next entry. I am learning that my camera needs to come with me to capture those precious moments!

Dog Gone Bad

Well, Travis and Cameron were about 2 miles away from picking up "PEPSI" when they recieved a phone call from the owner stating that the dog was pregnant. Okay, so I had to draw the line. Not only was she pregnant, but pregnant with muts & I was already having a rough time taking in 1 dog let alone 6-9 dogs. Travis broke the news to Cameron and he was devastated (along with his dad). After seeing how upset the were, I knew despite my dog fears we had to find a dog. So, we have been looking all day and Cameron continues to ask if we have found one yet. What an adventure!!

A DOG

I can't believe it, but my husband and son are currently on their way to get a chocolate lab. My son has already name it "PEPSI." ( I prefer Mountain Dew) I was raised with dogs, but truly never wanted one. I am really having mixed feelings. I spent a lot of money on my new yard and the hygiene of a dog just makes me cringe. On the other hand, it is a great thing for my husband and son and they are so excited. It's already almost 2, so we are out of the puppy stages. All I can say is there is going to be a lot of adjusting for me and a lot of responsibility for my son and husband. Any words of advice would be appreciated. Stay tune for some pictures.