Sawyer's blessing...

We had planned to bless Sawyer in church on Sunday, but since Kendyl was sick Saturday night, we ended up blessing him at our home. It actually turned out rather nice and much more personal having the blessing at home with just family and a few close friends.

Sawyer with Mom and Dad.

Steve gave Sawyer a very nice blessing.

Looking handsome on his big day.


We tried to get him to smile, but didn't have any luck.

Brityn loves to hold him and he did smile then, but we didn't quite catch it.

Our family photo with Kendyl in her pajamas. At least she was feeling a little better and we were able to all be here for the blessing.

Thanks to all the family and friends (and the bishop) who changed plans at the last minute to be with us for Sawyer's blessing. We love you!

Jumping fun...

We had family in town for the holiday weekend and Steve came up with a brilliant idea...instead of dragging ourselves and all the kids out for a day of fun, why not rent a jumphouse for the backyard! Again, I say brilliant idea, because the kids played outside the entire day, little ones could take naps in the afternoon, no hunting down bathrooms for potty trainers, and the adults could watch the Olympics without having to compete with the kids.



I've never seen a more happy bunch of kids. They were jumping and sliding from the moment it was set up until they came and picked it up.


Gabrielle probably spent the most time outside.

Ethan having a great time.

Brityn sliding down on her back.

Kendyl had so much fun jumping all day, she ended up getting sick that night! Too much of a good thing, makes this girl sick.

It was Kennedy's birthday on Monday, we hope you had a fun time. Thanks for spending your birthday with us!

Ryder had lots of fun going down the slide all by himself.

Steve couldn't resist going down the slide and jumping too.

Aunt Kaylene couldn't let Steve have all the fun.

And then Grandma went down the slide...

Grandpa Jerry went down the slide...

And Grandpa Herbie succumbed to the peer pressure!

Valentine's...

We started a tradition a couple of years ago with these Valentine mailboxes. We write little "love notes" for each other to say thank you or I love you or anything nice.



The kids love waking up each morning or coming home after school to "check the mail" and are so excited whenever they see their flag up on the mailbox. They are also very disappointed when there is no mail, so we try to write daily. The girls always say our house is filled with love because of all the "love notes"!


This year we made heart-shaped cookie Valentines. Brityn helped me shape the cookies in the heart cookie sheet.

Then we wrapped them and tied each one with some ribbon and a card. They turned out super cute!

We added a little bucket of chocolate candy for their teacher Valentine's.

Good thing Grandpa Jerry was here this week to hold Sawyer so we could make all the Valentine's!

Ryder was our #1 taste-tester--yummy!

Brityn had to taste her hard work too. Both girls had Valentine's parties at school on Friday and came home with almost as much candy as Halloween!

First smiles...

Sawyer has only given us smiles in a sleepy, semi-conscious state, but yesterday he started grinning at us fully awake!



I wish my camera could take a quick succession of pictures, because I felt like I always just missed the shot.

The kids had fun trying to make him smile.



Just so cute!