We had a busy day on Wednesday. Brian was able to take the day off & spend it with us. We relaxed in the morning, went and got Morgan from school at noon, opened presents & then went to pick up Brianna.
Brian loves chocolate & of course cadbury eggs. The other day I bought only ONE at the store for his birthday because it was 59 cents and I was trying to be careful with money (you know not buy unnecessary things) but I figured since it was his birthday I would get him one. Brian was so excited when he opened it. He held it up and said as Hallie looked at it, "She has no idea what is inside of here & how good it is!" He went on to open the last present (a set of scriptures) & while we were talking about it, I looked over and saw Hallie with the precious egg. I told her to put it back down and that it was Daddy's. We continued talking & I looked over again, just barely too late as she popped the ENTIRE EGG in her mouth!!! I said, "Hallie! Take it out!" Thinking that if she just spit it out we could clean it off and it would still be edible- but right then she decided to bite down. She didn't like the taste & then spit it out. Yes, Brian was definitely sad- I might have to buy him a new egg. Here is Hallie trying to kiss him for forgiveness- the look on Brian's face is of course out of disgust. :)
 
 
 
Part 2- Brianna's Homecoming
Morgan was so excited that Brianna was coming home from her mission to Texas. She kept counting down the days & asking when she would be here. We picked Brianna up at 2:00. It was such a neat experience. (I wasn't living at home when Cameron came home.) It was humbling to wait for her & then watch her walk towards our family with tears in her eyes, actually tears were in all of our eyes. I loved watching her hug my parents because I knew how much they had grown closer in the last 18 months- even though they hadn't seen each other, and only talked to each other a couple of times. I loved watching her hold Landon. He went right to her & she didn't put him down for a while because she hasn't held a baby for so long, and Brianna LOVES babies!
As we visited that night, it felt like she hadn't been gone. And then, at the same time, as I looked at her pictures, I knew that she had had one of lives most amazing experiences. When we were done at the airport, we went to Temple Square. Brianna talked to "every" sister missionary & told them that, "The mission is worth it & the best part of your life- just keep working hard!" Brianna was instant friends with each sister & it was neat seeing the love they had for their role as a missionary.
After Temple Square, we went to the best restaurant- Texas Roadhouse. Brian was fine going as long as they didn't sing to him. :) The food was wonderful, and we left with 4 boxes of leftovers!
When we were done with dinner we went to the stake center for her to be released from her mission. What Brianna didn't know was that this past Sunday, my Dad was called to be the new Stake President of their stake! Brianna would be the first missionary that he released from their mission. Brianna was definitely surprised. When my Dad was called last week, it was one more piece of evidence to show me that our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and that He wants us to experience those sweet blessings such as this- a father releasing his daughter from her mission. I know it is different for everyone, but I realized even more how much our Heavenly Father loves each of us & is so willing to bless us.
It is so nice having Brianna home! She was a wonderful missionary & I'm excited to see where life will take her.
**If you would like to know more about missions & the Mormon religion, go here www.mormon.org

Hallie and Jackson have always seemed to have a close bond. The other day they were playing together and it got really quiet. I know that when it is too quiet, that usually means either a mess or trouble. I yelled down the stairs to Jackson to ask what he and Hallie were doing. He replied- "Oh, I'm painting Hallie's toenails." I was a little nervous & surprised- this is what I found. I couldn't help but take a picture because it was so sweet!!!! Hallie was in heaven & Jackson was doing a sweet service for her. Much to their protest, I had to take the fingernail polish away because I knew Morgan wouldn't be very happy when she found out they had used her things. However, they quickly went on to play with something else. A couple of hours later, once again it was really quiet. I thought maybe they had turned a movie on & then I went into the bathroom and found Jackson "curling" Hallie's hair. Hallie was so patient, and was again in heaven. Jackson was so sweet to do anything that Hallie wanted him to do that day. He served her & loved her & more than anything- was not only her brother, but her sweetest friend.
 
 
 
 

There is a song that describes our Hallie perfectly...
"Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed
looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler
with a big popsicle grin-
Dancing with her Daddy
looking up at him..."
Hallie loves to dress up, and more than anything she loves to dress up beautiful like Cinderella. The other day she came to me and while putting her little hand on my hair & face she said, "Mommy, you so beautiful! I love you Mommy, You so pretty!" Yes, it melt my heart. Hallie is definatly our little Valentine baby (she was born Feb. 12) she is always so full of love and that same day she told me 10 times- "I love you Mommy!"
The other day she got so excited when she saw her Cinderella dress. She said with a surprised look, "Ah- you washed it Mommy! Thank you Mommy!" and then she quickly put it on. We played hide-n-seek & she danced around a little. I love how she is hiding in plain sight. Landon also found a new fun place to find.
I love my little Cinderella-- if only I could teach her to clean like Cinderella. :)
 
 
 
 

Landon is turning into quite the entertainer- must get that from Hallie & Jackson. He seems to think that he is pretty funny to & loves to get a reaction from each of us. I love the picture of Morgan playing the piano with him. She is probably playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" while he is just happy to be able to put his little hands on the keys. His new trick is putting his head on the ground while pretending that he is hiding-funny boy. I pretend like I am trying to find him & he gives me a huge grin. He took his first 2 steps yesterday, and after seeing that I was his personal cheerleader, he did it over and over again. I love it when a baby is walking for the first time- it takes so much work and concentration & yet is one of the first major accomplishmetns of life.
 
 
 
 

I love that we don't have to take the kids sledding anywhere. Thanks to Brian, the kids are able to sled on a big hill in our backyard. I had some errands to run, but before I left, the kids & Brian made sure that I had my turn sledding on the hill. I do have to admit that it was kind of fun- even with my fear of heights.
 
 
 
 

 
This is one of my favorite pictures. This past summer & fall, the kids would see Brian & I hug and then they would all sing, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" I always loved hearing it & of course being kissed too. :) When we did family pictures in the fall I asked my friend Shannon (who is an AMAZING photographer) to take a picture with them looking at us while we were kissing. She got this perfect picture! I love the look on each of their faces. I love that we weren't just posed, but that Shannon was able to catch a glimpse into our everyday lives. I love that each of the kids look happy & content. I hope that the love that Brian & I have for each other offers each of our children a sense of security & love. I hope that as they see us demonstrate our love for one another, that they will never question how much we love them.
I am grateful that 9 years ago today- I married Brian. He really is the man of my dreams. :) I love that our life together is an adventure that we both get to be a part of. I love that we have grown closer & loved each other more. Even with all the challenges & trials we have faced in our life together, I can honestly say, that I love him more today than I did on our sweet wedding day.
I never imagined that my life would be as beautiful as it is. I always knew I would have children & a husband, but I didn't fully comprehend the power of love that comes with those beautiful blessings. And so today, I write with gratitude in my heart for my sweetheart & all that he has done for me. Happy Anniversary!
 

Life with a 2 year old is very entertaining. All of our kids have been very sweet 2 year olds, that is until they hit 33-34 months and then the "terrible three's" start. Although with Hallie, she hasn't been "terrible" just well, um- let me explain it this way... crazy :)
You know you have a crazy & loving 2 (almost 3) year old when---
-She changes her clothes 4 or 5 times a day & over all- prefers to be naked.
-She can pull her clothes off, especially when it is bath time, faster than you can blink.
-Her favorite outfit to wear is a dress, preferably a "dress up" dress so she can feel beautiful
-every time you look at her she is wearing something new.
-you catch her putting on your lip gloss or purfume so she can be beautiful like Mommy.
-She sweetly & yet demanding tells you "she needs a snack" while she watches a movie. In other words, "I want marshmellows & pretzels in a bowl while I watch a moosie."
-She asks for snacks through out the day & isn't patient enough to wait until lunch.
-she runs around crazy & then calms down on your laps & loves reading books.
-Loves candy & can smell it where ever it may be- even when at a friends house, she can smell the candy & find what they didn't even know they had.
-she thinks that it's cool to act crazy like her older brother, especially if she can make people laugh.
-she is being rude & instead of waiting for the punishment, she tells you (the parent) that she is being mean and that she is going to go to her room. I love this phrase as she walks to her room, "I being mean!"
-she is the first one to come & apologize when she has done something wrong.
-she gives herself time out and comes out when she is ready
-did I mention demanding?
-she sees your friend in the ward (who works at your bank) during sacrament meeting & says, "Mommy, can we go to the bank and get a sucker?" :)
-she acts as though she is a football player & runs and attacks her Daddy & uncles. The other kids are cautious, Hallie gives it her all.
-her smile is so beautiful you can't help but be happy when you're around her.
-you ask her "What am I going to do with you?" She sweetly responds, "I don't know what your going to do with me Mommy."
-you say to her when she is half asleep, "Hallie, I love you to the moon and back," and she says, "Me too!"
-she says to you, "Mommy, do you wanna know what... I love you."
-despite all the craziness, at the end of the day, she has brought so much joy & happiness that you can't imagine life without her.
And that is my life with my crazy & loving 2 year old.
I love you my Hallie Belle.
 
 
 
 

With a smile that big and beautiful, how could she be anything but sweet? :) Our New Year's Eve was busy. We had all of my family over here for dinner & games. Even my grandparents from Heber were able to come & it is always so nice having them here. We all had such a good time & it was fun playing games & talking late into the night. The kids loved having their cousins sleep over & they ALL decided to stay up until 12 with us. Thankfully we slept in the next 2 days. Happy New Year!
 
 

My sister Jen (who is 14 months younger than me) and her family came down for Christmas. It was so nice & fun having them here. Jen & Jared's girls are SOOO creative & have great imaginations! I loved watching them interact with each other & especially with my kids. I went and took pictures of their cute little family one cold afternoon. I think the girls were freezing, but they look beautiful. They finally get to have a little brother in April or May. That little boy will be so lucky to have 4 extra Mommys. :)