Spring Break...

Steve set up the tent in our loft since it is completely empty and let the kids camp out overnight. This is totally my kind of camping...sleep in my own bed, got my own bathroom with a flush toilet...it was wonderful!


The kids loved it and that's what counts.


Kendyl and Brityn had fun and lasted most of the night. Brityn got up and slept in her bed at some point though.


Ryder got to try out his new Lightning McQueen sleeping bag...he only made it for about an hour and then wanted to sleep in his bed. Like I said, my kind of camping.


We decided to head to St. George and took the kids to see the temple. It always amazes me how white this temple is.












On our way back from St. George we stopped at Valley of Fire. We've never been so it was new to all of us.


The scenery is quite stunning with the red rock formations. It wasn't very crowded and the weather was perfect. Spring is definitely the time of year to see Valley of Fire. It probably earns its name during the summer.


This was rainbow rock with all of its pretty colors.
















The kids love taking road trips and it was nice to get away and take a break from the normal routine. Fun times!

Loft update...

Here are pictures of the new dining room ceiling with paint. I forgot to take pictures with all the tape and mud and wall texture.

They've already installed the electrical outlets and light fixtures and Steve put in the new baseboards downstairs. I'll have to take pictures once we finish caulking and touch-up painting.

We spent time taking out the old floor in the loft and also cleaning all the construction dirt and dust.

I can't wait to get the new floor put in in the loft!

Ryder's birthday pictures...

The birthday boy was very excited to see his new tricycle!


He picked it out himself and loves all the buttons that make noise and play music. He will watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and likes to sing and dance to the "Hot Dog Song". It's pretty funny. :)

He was totally into opening up his presents, but then so were his sisters.

They were very helpful in reading his birthday cards to him.

He got a wooden train set that he loves and plays with all the time as well as the little people garage--thanks Tutu and Papa Jack! He also loved the movies from Grandpa Jerry and Aunt Kaylene and birthday dollars from Grandma and Grandpa.

He really was excited to open all his presents and kept saying "Happy to You!"

This kid is into all sports and balls. He knew exactly what to do with his golf set. Of course later he was chasing his sisters and calling the golf clubs "whack-a-booms". I'm thinking he has them confused with "boom-whackers" which are musical tubes that you hit on the floor to make musical notes.





He loved blowing the candles out on his cake and we did re-light the candles several times.

Hope you had a fun birthday Ryder. You are such a fun, sweet, loving, little boy and we love you so much! You are AWESOME!!!!

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!