our family

Big shocker, I suck at social media. I have a blog, am on Facebook and Instagram, but I suck. I look at Facebook if someone I know is having a baby or getting married, or if I have to send someone a message and I don't know their email or cell number. My Instagram is mostly maintained by Ellie, she is taking and posting pictures and liking yours if we "follow" each other.

 I like the idea of social media, but I hate the pressure. I don't know if what I put out there is braggy, or TMI, or meant to be funny but comes across as weird. I do like seeing my friends' and families' kids and important events, but not very good at commenting on them. It just feels strange to put it out there for the whole world to see.

 It has been nearly two years since I have been on this blog, a lot of the things in our life are the same and a lot of things have changed. The kids keep growing, my beautiful mother died in January, my dad was remarried and I gained a great new grandma for my kids, a great friend for me, and fun new (step?) siblings.

 Jack is 11, and is attending O'Leary Middle School. He is smart and funny, and an awesome son and brother. He stays busy with whatever seasonal sport he is playing (football, basketball, baseball), piano, and Scouts. He is learning how to play the saxophone in band this year. He likes to always be on the go and have something to do.

 Ellie is 9, and is attending a Gifted & Talented Magnet Class for 4th graders in our school district. We got lucky and the class in held at our neighborhood school this year. She is liking it so far and making new friends. They seem to have some fun projects and field trips planned. She is taking modern dance, tumbling, piano, and singing lessons. She loves to read and has a cute dramatic sparkly personality.

 Lucy is 7, and in 2nd grade. She is a sweetheart and is loved by everyone. She loves to dance and sing and started piano lessons this year. She loves to read and ride her bike and is a good friend to Audrey and Beck. She can be sensitive and cries easily, but loves a lot. She will not let me hug or kiss her in public, even though Jack and Ellie still will.

 Audrey is 4, and is going to preschool twice a week but she wishes it was kindergarten. She wants to read badly, and loves to practice her letters and write notes. She likes walking the kids to school in the morning, but wants to stay there with them. She takes very good care of Beck, who loves her so much. 

Beck is nearly 2, but will be my sweet little baby forever whether he likes it or not! Jack taught him to wipe kisses off, so I have to give him a lot of kisses to make sure one sticks. He likes to wear underpants and pee in the potty, but isn't quite ready to do it full-time yet. He loves to be outside and to play with balls and blocks and to read books.

 Clint and I had our 15 year anniversary this July! That really seems like quite a long time. We spent it in Yellowstone with the kids, because we had a fun trip to Rome and Florence in the spring.

Beck was blessed by his dad yesterday in the Twin Falls 5th ward. Clint did a great job, and Beck looked so cute in his little outfit. We had a lunch afterward with all of the family, except Carrie & Jason (sorry guys!). I didn't get any pictures until that night, so it's just Beck.

Beck finally decided to make his appearance November 16th at 2:11 am. I felt like it might be the night and when my water broke at 1:00 am, we knew! Since Beck came so fast he had a purple bruised face for the first day, but he looks great now. He was 9 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches long. He is our first baby with blonde hair and light eyes, so we will see if that stays.
The kids all love him and have been great help to me. We are all doing well and are excited he is here!
Beck right after birth, with his poor bruised face.
This is the next day, he looks much better!
My two sweet boys!

Halloween was pretty low-key this year. We skipped the ward Trunk or Treat because Jack & Ellie had their Halloween Piano Recital and Lucy & Audrey were sick. I got to do Jack's school party which is always fun and then the kids went trick-or-treating.
Jack was a "Rapsta" (gangsta/rapper?), Ellie was Frankie Stein, Lucy was a butterfly, and Audrey was a monkey.

This fall Ellie and Lucy played soccer. It was the first year for both of them and they had a lot of fun. Neither of them are the most aggressive girls, but they each scored a goal by the end of the season.



Jack played tackle football for the first time this year. He has played flag football before, but he was very excited to be in full gear this year. His team was the Seahawks, and Jack got to play Quarterback for offense and Cornerback for defense. He loves sports and is quite athletic, it was a lot of fun to watch him play.

School started September 6th this year. We ended right after Memorial Day and started the day after Labor Day, so we had a nice long summer. I wish the school calendar would work that way every year! Lucy started kindergarten and was very excited, she has Mrs. Petersen in the afternoon. Ellie has Mrs. Whitney for 2nd grade, and Jack has Mr. Dong for 4th grade. They were all happy with their teachers and had some good friends in their classes. They all like school and I like getting back into a schedule, but I sure miss them and so does Audrey!

Audrey turned two on August 12th. Grandpa John, Grandma Nanner, and Jordan and her kids drove down from Boise to help us celebrate. Grandpa Cleve and Grandma Debbie came over for presents and cake and ice cream. Audrey had a lot of fun with the cousins and opening presents. I was lazy and bought a Dora cake from the store, but Audrey loved it. She did get shy when everyone was singing to her.


Audrey got some clothes, Fisher-Price snap dolls, a Ms. Potato Head, and a shopping cart with play food for her birthday. Happy Birthday Audrey!