Body paint anyone?

So this is what happens when we have been in the house too long! Parker got into this really fast but Bella wasn't so sure. It was fun to get messy and see them have so much fun. I think we need to do this more often. You should have seen the bath water after this little adventure:) I love watching the kids grow and what good friends they are becoming other than all the little fights that believe it or not Bella starts. She has quite the grip and won't let go of toys that aren't hers. Just the other day as we were walking to the library Parker put his arm around Emma as we walked in. It melts my heart to see the love they have for eachother. They geniuely miss eachother while the other one is at school. As for Bella, she is still a spit fire but still loves to give kisses on the lips.

Picnic in November?

So the weather has been really nice up until today that is but about a week ago Parker came home from preschool and I was in the mood to enjoy the weather. I gave Emma and Parker the choice to have a picnic in the park or in the backyard. Suprisingly they picked the backyard. It was a good afternoon- warm, sunny and happy babies doesn't get better than that.

Halloween 2009

Parker as Bumblebee the transformer- costume curtsy of Grandma Rita.

Bella the Kangaroo.

Them being their crazy selves.

Emma the Witch...

The kids were crazy excited about Halloween. I can't even count how many times they asked me how close Halloween was. Parker and Emma were all about the trick or treating but towards the end of the night we went to a few houses that had scary sound effects and Parker decided he was done. I talked him into going to one more house and when we got up there they had a fake dummy that came to life and Parker freaked out. Bad mommy, shouldn't of talked him into the last one:( Emma was done about half way and ended up riding in the wagon the rest of the way. As for Bella she was happy to hold her bucket but was curious what was inside and tried to nibble on a few candies. As for Daryl and I, we spent a nice quite evening and watched a movie- nothing scary because that wouldn't be any fun.

California Part 3

So the last part of our California trip we spent with Dad and Pat at their house. Granpa Jim took Paker, Emma, and I to a fun but expensive pumpkin patch (thanks Dad), I guess that is California for you. The kids loved it but we were all exhausted, burnt and tired by the end. Earlier that day Pat showed the kids how to cook her famous cookies and bread. They loved it. It was fun to just hang out.

California Trip part 2

Bella playing peek a boo with Daddy!

So after Daryl worked the first two days in while we were in California we were ready to play when Friday came and around so we made our way to Laguna Beach. We thought it was going to be cold since it was raining the day before but were suprised with a beautiful day. The kids love the ocean, it was so fun to watch their excitement.

California Trip part 1

So Daryl came home one night a couple of weeks ago and said he had a business trip planned in Southern California. Then asked if we all wanted to go. So I said why not! It was fun but crazy at times-driving with three kids for over ten hours! We got to go see Grandpa Jim and Grandma Pat. The kids were in heaven with all their toys and pool in the back yard. They loved feeding the ducks with Grandpa, staying at the hotel and walking around down town Pasadena.

Saying goodbye to Mom and Shelley's B-day

This is what happens on Sundays when she doesn't get a nap. She was in the high chair for literally two minutes and fell fast asleep!

So we had a dinner/goodbye party/birthday party on the second week of October for Mom- who was going to AZ for the winter and celerbrated Shelley's Birthday. It was fun to get together with all the cousins. Good times:)

Paker's Last Soccer Game of the Season

So Parker got his first goal, go Parker! ( this was back in October, I am way behind on my blogging) So he wasn't so sure about the whole soccer thing at first but by the end of the season he was really getting into it. Although he does get a little distracted (see the last pic)!

Miss E

These are some pics I took of Emma while I was playing with my new camera. She is getting so big! She has actually stopped sucking her thumb! Which is huge, she has been sucking her thumb since she was two months old. So how did we do it, you might ask. Well, Daryl jokingly told Emma that if she kept sucking her thumb it would turn into a skeleton. Well she took it to heart and very shortly after that stopped sucking her thumb. She told her cousin Luke about it (sucks his thumb too) and has stopped since Emma scared him straight!
Emma new thing lately is when I put her to bed at night she asks me if she can tell me a story and then proceeds to tell me stories about princesses and cupcakes and outerspace(somehow she makes it work). I love her avid imagination.

Hiking with the cousins...

So the first week of October we headed up American Fork Canyon to go hiking with the cousins. Man it was cold but the kids loved it. Parker and Tate lead the pack for most of the time with us yelling after them. After our hike we headed to find a spot to have a camp fire. Daryl drove with Anthony and Angie drove with me. Twenty minutes later and a very bumpy ride on the back rodes with find the perfect spot. The kids loved roasting the hot dogs over the fire. All in all it was a fun night.

In Memory of Ashleigh

It has been over a month now that my dear friend Ashleigh lost her fight to colon cancer and I am still trying to process it all. I have wanted to write this post for awhile now so that I would have a place to honor her and remember what her friendship meant to me. But honestly I am still so heart broken for her and her family, that it is hard to put all my thoughts together. I met Ashleigh a little over two years ago when Daryl met her husband at work. Pretty soon we were having play dates with the kids at the park, watching each others kids for each other, and shopping. Ashleigh was an amazing Mother, she truly enjoyed her kids. I loved watching her interact with her kids because she always reminded me why motherhood is such a blessing. When she would pick them up or put their shoes on, it was always done with love.

Back in August Ashleigh and I decided to take the kids to the park and while we were there she started telling me about her health problems and concerns, just a week later she learned she had stage 4 colon cancer. She was so calm about the news and stayed upbeat, sending out emails and updates even updating her blog. Before Ashleigh was diagnosed she was going to make Parker's rocket cake for trade I would do her family pictures. She emailed me as she was getting out of the hospital and said she would still loved to do it. That was the kind of women she was, generous and kind. Of course I was having none of it and insisted she shouldn't worry about such things. But she did and ended up making instead Parker some home made bean bags. I just can't stop thinking about her and her family. I remember shortly after she was diagnosed going over to her house and talking to her. We were sitting on her porch talking and her oldest Sarah was laughing and I commented on what a great laugh she had. Ashleigh commented " Hopefully I get to live long enough to enjoy it" but in the same conversation she said " If Heavenly Father feels it is my time to go, then it is my time to go." She was so courageous and faithful, two things that aren't always easy. She worried about her husband and all he would have to do without her.

When I heard the news that she had passed, I could barely process it, it had been less than a month and half since she was diagnosed. As the weeks have passed I find whenever I have a quiet moment my thoughts turn to Ashleigh and her family. I want to help, I want them to heal but how to help her four beautiful child and her grieving husband.

Ashleigh- you were such a great example to me, full of energy, ever giving, and always up for a project! Thank you for your kindness, love and faith. You will always be remembered!