East Canyon

It may seem like we are always on the go. Well It's true.  Mitch and I have the blessing and the curse of living within 10 miles of BOTH of our families.  That means there are a lot of gatherings, a lot of reunions, a lot of cousins and tons of fun!  This weekend was no different.  We headed up to East Canyon for the Dorius family reunion.  We only got to go to 2 of the 7 day reunion due to Ellie being in year round school and really who can take off work for 7 days straight?  In those 2 days we partied hard and enjoyed every moment!

 Here is Pyper.  She was red hot mad that everyone else was getting a turn out on the EZ ski except her. So I relented and put her in the water. She was giggling and flapping her arms. She has a WILD and fun spirit.

 She just sat there smiling her toothless grin with big sister Ellie.

 Ellie surprised us by saying, 'I want to learn to wake board!'  Mitch and I jumped all over that and strapped the board on.  Uncle Val helped her out in the water and after 3 tries, up she went (well for about 5 seconds).  We were hootin' and hollering!!  I love it when she is fearless!

 Ashlee and I had enough of this sitting on the beach eating bom boms buisness.  So we threw the kids in the canoe and a paddling we went!

 Here is Lil and Pyper in a rare moment when they were sitting still.  They both fell asleep in the boat. So we made them a bed and they slept for a few hours. Seriously, boating bliss.

 Aren't cousins the best?! All the kid cousins could have tubed for hours if we let them. They would not get off! Here is Ellie, Elise, Ben and Luke.

 This kids cuteness just kills me. He thought he was pretty hot stuff out there.

 We had to tow the canoe back to the truck, so we made a ride out of it for the kids.

 So it's a good thing I was not on the boat for this one.  I would have yelled, SLOW DOWN!  Bridger, Carter, Dax, and Averee kept yelling, 'Faster, Faster!' So faster he went!

Okay last one of this cuteness.  (You'll have to forgive me for near doubles.  I print this off each Christmas and sometimes I just can't do without certain pictures!)

Zoo Day!!

Last year I won a Zoo season pass. So we have enjoyed many a trip to the zoo.  Actually, if I didn't win this pass I would probably not have gone at all in a year.  Don't get me wrong, I think seeing the animals is great and all. But whoever decided to put that Zoo on a gigantic hill was out of their mind.  EVERY time I go to the zoo, by the end all the kids are exhausted and I end up piling 3 kids onto my stroller and pushing them up that blasted hill!!!  Okay, i'm off my soap box.  

 Anyway, the pass expires this next weekend so I thought Id take a few pics at the zoo!

 Of course a pic in the Eagles nest.  How can you walk by this and not jump in?

 I took a few pics with me in it.  I usually am snapping so many of the kids that I forget it's fun to be in pictures every once in a while!

 Ellie was doing her awkward half smile, so I said, 'c'mon El, smile a big smile' and this is what I got. Go figure.

 What would a trip to the zoo be without the iconic lion of germs?

 If you have not been to the zoo in the last 5 years, you really need to go see the new safari project. It's really great! The best part is that they moved the Giraffes to the top of the zoo, Yeah for less hill!

Happy Zoo Day!

Ellie Bug

Meet 5 year old Ellie. Adorable right? She's almost 6 though, in just 3 short months. She is now in Kindergarten and seems to love it.  She thrives off of structure and has the blessing of obedience in school situations (home? well we are still working on that). Today was school picture day so what better reason is there for an impromtu photo op?

 This smile say's, are we done yet? It's picture #1 actually. That was about the point she was done with these pictures.   I like this picture because it shows the observant side of her. She is one to observe a situation and ask questions about it. One pressing thought on her mind these days is about the homeless.  They are seeming to be more prominent on the street corners. Although our state has asked us not to give them money but rather donate to their charity, we do try to fill their pockets with whatever snacks we have in the car.  Last weekend it was a peanut pack, Snickers bar, and a water.  We try to discuss what their situation might be that got them to that place.  We emphasize the fact that although they may look different and sometimes scary, they are still our brother and that Jesus loves them. Charity and compassion is one of her strengths, it will undoubtedly take her far.

 Here we have a rare moment of solitude from her.  This is the secret side of her personality. Inside she is STRONG WILLED, and perhaps a tad bossy.  When she is playing with her friends I have a secret sign of touching my nose to remind her to be kind and not so bossy in play.  She always smiles when I do it and eases up.

 This girl and her bike.  She rides her bike everyday, rain or shine. The outfit she has on today is clearly for school.  Most the time she is sliding across the grass and putting holes in her knees of her pants.  This bike is mismatched with the seat, wheels and bell thanks to a backing out mishap with her dad.  She left her bike behind his car tire and learned a good lesson.

 Oh Max,  her best follower.  Wouldn't be a post without him right?

 Here is a little taste of her true personality. I'M FREE!!!

 Although she is strong willed, her underlying trait is kindness.  In the heat of the moment it may not shine through but if she stops and thinks about her choices she always chooses kindness.

 My mom says, "Ellie, did you know your eyes smile?"  It's true, she has the best true smile.

 Okay, now thats the look I see too often.  This is her, 'i'm mad at you look'.  It's usually followed by some gritted teeth, a growl, and some stomping. This is bad news. It means she's mad. When I see it, it makes me mad too! It's such a mean face (i know it looks cute here, don't be fooled, it's mean). We are working on controlling our tempers, both of us. :)

 Sometimes she teaches us that seeing things her way is not wrong, but simply a new perspective. Learning never ends for any of us.

Finally, the free spirited perspective.  She teaches us that life is for fun.  I love it. I love her. I love my little Ellie bug.

Happy first Birthday Pyper Grace!!!

Pyper turned 1!  Oh how I love the age of 1.  It’s so fun to watch their little personalities come out and I love how babies are a little less fragile now. This makes me feel much better especially with ‘loving’ older siblings.

    Pyper is my right hand baby. She admittedly has had a fussy first year of life but in May of this year she got tubes in her ears and has been much, much happier.   Not to mention the continuous infections have made so she was only hearing about 50% of our speech.  This in turn has limited her speech and she had almost no words at the age of 1.  However the week following getting her tubes her speech has exploded and the screaming and tears have lessened considerably! Yeah!

      

 We took a family trip to the zoo to celebrate this cute girl.  She also adores her dad and loves shoulder rides!

 We had a small party to celebrate her, complete with chocolate pudding pie.  I have to say, she really indulged!

   She is now 15 months and is barely starting to walk. I love watching her toddle around and everyday she gets a little more happy and silly each day.  She LOVES using her little cow push car to follow Ellie and Max around and puts up quite a stink if they go off having fun without her.  This girl is my smallest child by far and maintains life in the 50 percentile.  This being compared to Ellie and Max who live in the 90 percentile.  I’m so glad she’s smaller as she constantly wants to be held and my back is not feeling it nearly as much.  At the age of 1 she had 2 teeth but now (almost 15M) she has 5 teeth and is starting to bite. OUCH! She just started waving and for sure has her favorite people. Some of her favorite cuddle buddies are Grandpa Lifferth  and Grandma Sherrill.

    

We love our little Pyper Grace, Happy First Birthday!!!

April showers bring May flowers

So many happenings! First off April was Autism awareness month so on April 2nd (wear blue day) we put on our blue to support our adorable nephew Tex.  Tex is so awesome and has worked so hard. Ellie just adores him and secretly they have a cute little cousin crush (don't worry we told them that's not aloud.) But I'm very glad they are friends.

 Ellie is such an amazing helper with the kids. I couldn't have asked for a better child. She is constantly mothering them and helping them. I love our relationship together and she is just one of my best friends.

With such a warm spring we had to get out! Grandma Lifferth took the kids to the candy store and let them get a snake.  The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. I am so grateful for Grandma's who love.

 Can we say TROUBLE!?  This cute Pyper is into EVERYTHING right now. She is crawling everywhere and just about to walk. Admittedly, she is a little bit of a cranky baby so she spends most of her time in my arms.  On her good days she is full of love and snuggles.  She got tubes put in her ears last week and has been a little bit happier.  Her speech has absolutely exploded this week since getting those tubes in.  I didn't realize just how much she was not hearing. Toilet paper and all she is a cutie. I love her so much.

 April is the month of coloring eggs!  Ellie is my crafting girl so she was just elated with this one. Next year i'll have to remember the trick to empty out the yokes so we can keep them on the counter all day!

 More cuteness.

 I took Robb and Carlie's kids to the zoo because Carlie just had her little baby Miles.  People were giving me some pretty crazy looks thinking that they were all mine.

 I thought these three monkeys were adorable how they were on their perch holding tails.

 Happy Easter Scary Bunny!  We went to Smith's for their easter candy hunt. We always come home with oodles and oodles of candy.  The kids really enjoy it  I for one go crazy when I have candy all over the house but I remember loving getting candy.  I do what I can to not stomp out their happiness on account of my OCD tendencies.:)

Oh, Max.  This kid is hilariously naughty right now.  I can't help but laugh. I try to be stern but just start laughing at his adorable face.  He has been potty training this week which has been semi-successful. Tonight he peed his pants just before bed. I stripped him down to take a bath and just as he was coming toward the tub he stepped up on the scale, looked down and said, "yep, it say's i'm a twublemaka!"  Seriously he is a heart melter.  These kids are my absolute happiness and I love being a mom!

Here is the love of my life. Mitchell. He is honestly awesome.  Here he is dancing with the kids.  His dance moves are really quite awkward and hilarious but he is so much fun.  We are constantly laughing at each other, secretly pinching each others bums as we pass by, and always enjoying each others company.  Every night I warm my feet up on him in bed and we fall asleep most nights holding hands until we turn over and fall asleep.  Never when I married him would I have imagined as much happiness as he has given me. XOXOXO To my man.