Valentine's Day 2016

Brett and Grant had fun Valentine parties at school and came home excited about their treats and cards from friends.

We mailed Valentine cards and stickers to our cousins and other out-of-town family.

The day before Valentine's Day I made up some Valentine fruit kabobs, just like I did last year, and we delivered them to our parents, great grandpa, a favorite babysitter, and an elderly neighbor lady.  I love giving something that's healthy since there are plenty of sweets to go around already.  Plus they're so cute and fun to make!

 Keith's grandpa was excited for our Valentine delivery.  We stayed for a while to visit and help with a few things.  The kids love checking out the fun toys he has for them to play with, and of course they got a little treat out of the candy dish.  I love how he always says to our kids, "I like you!  You're a keeper!"

 The kids woke up to find a hand made card from Keith and me and a super cute book.  It's called In My Heart, a book of feelings.   We found it on our date to LGO the weekend before.  The cover of the book called to me from the shelf, but the words were so perfect we knew it was coming home with us!  

Keith and I exchanged homemade cards and he gave me the most beautiful bright pink flowering indoor tree thing.  I'm not sure exactly what kind it is, but I love it and it brightens up our bathroom really nice.

It's always fun to have a reason to spread some extra love!  Happy Valentine's Day!

Camille turns 2!

Our little Camille turned two last Sunday!  How the time has flown since she was born!

We decorated and set up her  presents the night before.

 Her brothers led her down the hall and into the family room the next morning.  She ran to her new little table and was so excited to sit there.  We also gave her a couple new outfits and a necklace.  What girl doesn't love some new clothes for her birthday?!

 I got her cake put together.  Lucikly I had the cake waiting in the freezer already and the frosting and filling all ready in the refrigerator.  It was a white cake with lemon filling and lemon buttercream frosting, then covered in cut up gummy candies.

 My parents came over to share homemade pizza and soda.

 My mom made Camille a little apron and my parents also gave her a little baking set for her kitchen.

 Cake time!  She just kept staring at those candles like that the whole time we sang.  It was so funny!

 She definitely looks older, don't you think?  We sure love this little girl!  She is strong physically and personality wise.  She loves to sing and dance and dress up fancy for church.  Yet she also loves playing with the boys and she can really fend for herself.  She's going to do fine being in a houseful of boys!  Happy Birthday Camille!

Kids in December and 10 years

We've had a fun cousin over a few times to play with Brett during the day.  They stay busy building houses and stuff like that.  :)

 Camille woke up from her nap one day with a fever.  You know this busy girl isn't feeling well when she just wants to lay down and snuggle.  Luckily the fever went away that night and she was herself again the next day.

 Eating popcorn from the big bowl.

 Keith was in charge of our ward's breakfast with Santa.  I helped decorate.  Our friends have this awesome Santa chair.  We were so excited to be able to use it.  Keith's dad got to be Santa since the real Santa was busy getting ready for Christmas.  Our boys totally figured it out, but were good at not sharing the secret.

 We scored a rubber ducky nativity set as a white elephant gift.  Camille thinks it's pretty awesome!

 Brett and I made gingerbread men and trees.  We ate a few and then put the rest in the freezer for next week.

 Christmas dancing in the family room!

Keith and I will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this weekend.

We took our family pictures at the Mesa Temple this year to mark the occasion.

A little over 10 years ago this handsome man of mine proposed to me at this spot.

This is the day I went to the temple for the first time.

Afterwards Keith promptly took me to buy my first set of golf clubs!  :)

 We went to San Diego for our honeymoon.  My, we sure look young here!

 10 years later we've added these three cuties to our family, plus their baby brother who's busy growing in my tummy.  :)

Happy 10 years Keith!  And many more to come!

An update

Thanksgiving....  After Keith and a bunch of other guys played football at the park (and practically killed themselves doing it.  Really, they think they are so young and then they can't walk the next day!), we went on a walk as a family before heading home so I could make rolls.  I had my pies made the night before so it was great to just have one thing to do.  We headed to my brothers house in the late afternoon and enjoyed the best turkey I've ever had.  My brother was in charge of the turkey and he brined it and cooked it to perfection.  I'm still dreaming about that stuff!  All the other food was amazing too!!!

The kids all had tons of fun running around with each other.

The next day we spent at home, with Christmas music playing non-stop, setting up Christmas decor.

Camille loved our Little People nativity this year.  She's played with it a ton!

The boys set up the Christmas train.

We got the tree up.  As much as I LOVE a real tree, it sure is nice to pop it up and have the lights on it already.  Especially when there are eager little people waiting for Mom to get done with the matching ornaments so they can put on all the rest.

Camille playing with the nativity again that night.

She also can't get enough of these Santa hats.  She wears one every day.

Handsome coat boy before heading out to school.  It was so cold here after Thanksgiving!

 Coat girl!

 As I was doing some baking the other day, Camille was busy at the sink "washing" dishes.

I think she's really going to love what I've heard Santa is going to bring her this year!

 Our Relief Society hosted another Backyard Bethlehem complete with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, live animals, shepherds, and music.  It was lovely.  They opened it up for bringing families, friends, and neighbors this past Sunday and there were about 300 people that came!

Keith took our packages and cards to the post office this morning and most of our Christmas treats have been delivered.  I'm excited to make a few more treats just for us and start relaxing a bit more.  Just a week and a half left of school before the kids will all be home.  I'm so excited!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow is the big day and I am so thankful that all I'm making are two banana cream pies, rolls, and whipped cream!  The pies crusts are waiting to go in the oven right now!  I am definitely a side dish/dessert person when it comes to preparing turkey dinner.  Turkey's and I have yet to get along!

We put up this thankful tree last week for Family Home Evening.  We all added things that we are thankful for.  I'm sure we could have come up with more (maybe when the kids are older), but it has been a great reminder to me of being grateful for things, people, and experiences.  I've added a few more myself throughout the past week.

 One of my favorites on there is "Mars."  That was Brett's.  I didn't even know he knew about Mars.

That kid surprises me all the time!  Hope you have a happy day!

Grant's Piano Recital

Grant had his third piano recital this past weekend.  He played three songs, including Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.  He had practiced a bunch, and it paid off.  He sat there in his suit and played with confidence.  It was a proud parents moment for sure!  I love watching him progress and see him enjoy his talents!