Happy Birthday Ryder!

You are the cutest little boy ever! We love you so much and can't believe how much you've grown and learned in the last 2 years! Happy Birthday Ryder!!!!

Electrical and drywall...

The loft is moving right along. We got our inspection done yesterday and now they are mudding and taping today.

New loft...

We already have a loft, but we are getting a bigger, better version of it! Here are the before pictures...

Our house feels bright and open with the 2-story dining room.

However, it has always been too much of a temptation for kids to throw toys from the loft down into the dining room (big No-no!) and seeing them try to climb on the railing (bigger No-no!) gives me a heart attack every time.


So, in order to free up a bedroom for Sawyer, we decided to extend the loft over the dining room and move the office out in the loft.

It will not feel as open, but hopefully we'll have less issues of toy throwing.

And I'll actually be able to hang a nice light fixture above the dining room table.

And our loft will double in size, AND Sawyer will finally get to have a bedroom. :)

Honor roll...

Our smart little Kendyl got straight A's again this semester and made the Principal's Honor Roll. We are so proud of the great student that she is and even more proud of her for the sweet and helpful and caring sister that she is. Way to go Kendyl!! We love you!!!!

Birthday wishes...

Thank you Mom for always making sure I'm well fed and making food I like and that isn't gross. You make sure I have lunch everyday and when I forget to make it, you make it for me and when I forget again, you bring it to me at school. Thank you for doing my hair every morning and making me look cute. Thank you for always being at the gate after school so I don't have to worry about you picking me up. Thank you for buying me clothes that I love because you have good taste. I like when its just you and me and we get to go out to lunch at Olive Garden. Thank you for checking out library books for me when you take the little kids when I'm at school. Thank you for buying me shoes with a heel on them. Thank you for putting me to bed and laying by me so I can tell you my favorite part of the day. You are the best mom ever! Love, Kendyl



Thank you for taking me out to lunch, especially when I am scared by big dogs. Thank you for taking me to preschool and helping me with homework. Thank you for teaching me how to read and pump my legs on the swing. Thank you for tying my shoes everyday, one day I'll do it myself. I like looking at the pictures of our family in our home because you are pretty. Thank you for combing the tangles out of my hair and doing cute hairdos. Thank you for taking pictures of me and putting them on the blog so I can look at them. You make the best dinners and lunches and chocolate chip cookies! I love it when you give me hugs and kisses everytime I take a nap or go to bed. I love you cause you're the best. Love, Brityn

Thank you for playing with me and snuggling on the couch to watch Dora. Thank you for pushing me in the swing until your arm feels like it's going to fall off. I love to go with you to pick up my sisters from school. Thank you for changing my pull-ups and sitting in the bathroom with me while I learn to go on the potty. Thank you for always kissing my boo-boos and making me smile. Thank you for singing lots of songs with me and dancing. I love to give you hugs and kisses. Love, Ryder

Thank you for loving me and feeding me and taking care of me. Thank you for always changing my diapers, even if you just changed me twice! I love it when you hold me and carry me around so I can see what is going on. I smile whenever I see your face. Thank you for rocking me to sleep and knowing just what I need. I love to hear you sing to me, I calm right down. I am happiest when you are in the room with me. Love, Sawyer

Thank you for being the best mother, wife and friend a family could have. Thank you for giving of yourself all day, everyday, to keep us all organized, prepared, clean, and entertained. Thank you for the talents you share with each of us to make us all happier. Thank you for the great foresight, intuition, advice, and practical knowledge of business you provide. Thank you for your patience while we all try to keep up and on track. Thank you for being careful with our kids, our relationship and our conversations which continue to be full of trust and respect. Thank you for letting me eavesdrop when you are reading and I hear you giggle and cheer during your favorite parts. Thank you for letting me play volleyball every week. Thank you for 4 great kids. My life is better because of you. Love, Steve

A good day...

It is nice to sit down at the end of the day and feel good...like, there was a little more helping, a little less fighting, a little more kindness, a little less yelling, more laughter, less tears, and a lot more smiles.

It's hard to believe March is already here and passing quickly. Life is busy with four kids, but we've got ourselves in a good rhythm that seems to be working.

I just love Sawyer's smile! He is a good baby and has been sleeping through the night pretty consistently (more sleep = happy mom). He had his 2 month check-up and weighed in at 12 lbs. 6 oz. He has cute chubby cheeks that everyone loves to kiss. :) This kid gets mugged on all day long. Kendyl is a wonderful helper. She is super at getting her homework done and doing the dishes and helping her younger siblings. Thanks Kendyl, you're the most!


Brityn is sounding out words and reading beginning reader books. She gets so excited when she can do it all on her own. She has been working on learning to tie her own shoes. She was a terrific helper today when we went to Sam's Club. She helped load the cart, unload the cart, and unload the groceries from the car--all very cheerfully. :) Thanks Brityn, you're the best!

Ryder makes me smile every day. He is doing a good job potty training and it's great one-on-one time when we sing songs and read books. He loves playing with whatever his sisters are playing with, and often insists on having a turn.

He learned how to play hide and seek so now when I'm calling for him, he'll run and hide. He's good at being quiet until you can find him. Ryder you are awesome!