Family Photos

We had our family pictures taken this year by our friend, Lyndsey. Here are some of my favorites of the kiddos. Couldn't you just eat them up?!

It MUST run in the Family...

Honestly, we've always sort of wondered where Hayden came from. He just doesn't look like us. Neither Tory or myself have ever had blonde hair. Tory's eyes are brown-green, mine are green. He doesn't have either of our face shapes. Or noses, or even body types. We think he just received a compilation of all of our recessive genes and is one of a kind. I mean, for two people as dark as we are to have a child as fair as Hayden, it's got to be a fluke, right?

Well, at least that's what we used to think. Before Gavin came along. It seems these genes aren't so recessive afterall. Our blonde, blue-eyed boys could be twins. Two boys that look just like each other and very little like us...We're left to deduce that it MUST run in the family!

Birthday Girl...belated!

This blog is long overdue! Miss Bella turned three July 16th! How I love this spunky, silly, sweet, full-of-life little girl. She has a passion for princesses, Strawberry Shortcake, batman legos, and blocks. She loves to dance and sing...and can't wait till she can play soccer and baseball. She adds some much needed femininity to our family but can hold her own with the boys. Her zest for life is contagious and we are so blessed to have her! We Love you, Baby Girl!

Confessions of a Bad Mom

I've never felt so guilty in all my life.

Well, except for the time I was cooking while holding Benson, leaned in too close to the stove and accidentally burned his leg on the pan.

Or the time Isabella got a hold of my rolling quilt cutter and I pulled it out of her hand to stop her from cutting herself and, well, cut her finger.

Or every time I look at Hayden and hope with all my heart that, as my first child, I haven't ruined the poor kid for life.

Or how I misjudged the width of our door frame several weeks ago and nailed Gavin's head, creating a welt and bruises.

Or when we were in Downtown Portland Maine, on the cobblestone street and I tipped the stroller on it's back wheels to push my 6 week old daughter up the steep hill and her blanket fell out the back of the stroller, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't her blanket, it was actually Isabella. I had forgotten to buckle her in her carseat after dinner. She had a goose egg the size of Rhode Island from that one.

Wait...that wasn't me. (Sorry Babe, but misery loves company and I didn't want to walk down this path of shame without you by my side.)

But with this one I really do feel horribly guilty. We were at the park for the ward fourth of July party and it was a cloudy day, but the sun broke through for five minutes. And it was in those five minutes that a friend grabbed Tory and I on our way to the shade to chat and I left my little baby exposed to the high noon sun. He was fried. I seriously nearly cried every time I looked at his sweet little smiling, chubby face for the next day. After 24 hours the burn was pretty much gone, but the guilt and the fear of skin cancer are imprinted on my mind forever.

They're Back!

I'm not sure what great evil Eagle Mountain has commited, but we have called down upon us the Wrath, like unto Egypt. Our plague is in the form of the Black Widow.

Last summer they crawled down the middle of the streets in broad daylight, they made their webs in our door frames, window wells, and porch chairs. I lived in mortal fear of my children walking outside without shoes on. I made the rounds each day, killing all in sight before allowing my children outside.

And now...two months ahead of last year, my eight-legged enemies have returned. I found this one next to the garage. Tory has found two more. And thus it continues. The curse of Eagle Mountain. *Shiver*

Pillow Talking Skulls

My boys love anything dark, scary, bloody and morbid. We truly have tried to curb their fascination but to no avail. They play "Mummy" in the dark basement, ask which would be the most painful way to die and tell the scariest stories they can think of. Nothing scares them. Frankly, it's a little unnerving.

This last time my mom was in town, she let the kids pick out fabric to make pillow cases with. Isabella picked out a cute little purple monkey print. The boys...well...see for yourself.

I know, I know. It's hard to know what to say at a time like this.

All I know is it's a little disconcerting to tuck them in at night.

Blessing Day

This Past Sunday Gavin was given a Name and a Blessing. I loved hearing all the wonderful things we have to look foward to with this little guy and being reminded of his potential.

He wore the same outfit worn by Hayden and Benson.

Tory's parents came from Colorado for the Blessing.


Trying to get four kids to behave for a picture is next to impossible!


I love these family pictures. A true depiction of our family!

Uncle Craig, Daddy, and Papa Jay.