Making Memories

A brief update on what we have been doing the last almost 3 months. Life is so busy that my blog rarely makes the "must do" list.




In October we got the privilege of going to Zion National Park with Aunt Bobbie aka Grammy. We went in her motorhome and had a wonderful time camping right in the park. We love Zion National Park and is was so neat to get to stay in the park this time. Brianna and Kierra loved traveling in the motorhome and staying in the "trailer" as they called it. Brianna earned her second Jr Ranger badge, the first was from Grand Canyon earlier this year, and Kierra earned her first Little Jr Ranger Badge. She was so proud of herself. Thanks Grammy we had a great time.

We also had our first field trip with our homeschool group in October. We went to Oak Glen to the apple orchard. The girls got to make apple cider, johnny cakes, and corn husk dolls. Daddy got to go with us which we all enjoyed and was a huge help to Mom.





We managed a quick visit to Great Grandma's house.

Ethan's first time in the swings at the park. (Sorry don't know why this picture won't rotate but too tired to try again).

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Great Grandma and Wesley's family. We forgot to take a picture until we were about to leave and Ethan was asleep. The girls had been playing hard outside with Papa. The girls got to stay there with Grandma and Papa for a couple of nights and Mom and Dad and Ethan headed home so Mom could go to work.

Ethan started "army" crawling. He could get wherever he wanted to go.

Made Daddy proud, playing with a light saber the girls left lying on the floor.

Thanks to Daddy the Christmas tree got put up and the house got decorated for Christmas. Thanks Daddy. The girls helped a lot too.

Ethan got a hold of the Flaming Sword and was trying to "read" it but then decided to try to eat it so Mom took it away.

The girls with their friend, Bonnie, at a tea party birthday party for our friend, Brandy. They really enjoyed the party.

Brandy, the birthday girl, and Ethan and his buddy, Elisha.

Ethan learned to sleep in his crib. He still doesn't really like it (he would much rather sleep with Mom), but sometimes he does fairly well and other nights not so good. This is still a work in progress. Hopefully some day he will sleep through the night.


Ethan also learned to pull up to things and has started cruising around furniture or whatever he can hang on to.

Kierra learned to pump her legs and swing herself on the swings. She can even start herself. She is growing up way too fast.

This past Sunday night was our Christmas service at church. This was taken after the service. Both girls participated and Ethan was good and took a nap. Thanks Grandma for the new Christmas dresses.

Today we went horseback riding with our friend, Miss Sonya. We haven't been able to go for a long time and the girls love riding. It was cloudy and a bit cold but we had a great time anyway and the girls prayed for no rain and it did not rain a drop. Kierra LOVES to ride. I think she could ride forever.

Brianna taking Ethan on his first ever horsey ride. He loved it too. Brianna is a great little rider and had a great time riding again.

Cousin Sammy was spending the day with us so she got to ride too. This was her first ever horseback ride too. She loved it and I think wants to go back with us again sometime.

Thanks for checking in on us. I would say I will try to blog again soon but that may not happen. We are blessed beyond measure and just trying to enjoy every moment with the children and as a family. We hope you all have a blessed Christmas.

"Snake" bite!

Brianna has been getting some type of bug bites the last few days. Last night before bed she showed me one of the bites and said that is was getting swollen like one she had on her finger before.

Then she said, "I think it was a snake that bit me."

I kind of laughed and said it wasn't a snake.

Brianna said, "Mom, there is a snake that they say, when it bites you it causes pain but usually doesn't kill you, and it can cause mild swelling."

She was quite serious. Thankfully she walked out the bedroom door right after she said it because I lost it laughing. That child is something else and she is only in 1st grade! Hoping we can keep up with her. (I believe that snake information was in a book she has about reptiles but not sure.)

Brianna's "snake" bite:) (It really isn't even as red as the picture makes it look.)

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord for taking care of Ethan during his surgery on Tuesday. He had to have a urology procedure done. They said the surgery could take 45 minutes to 2+ hours depending on what they found once they got started. Thank the Lord it ended up being less complicated than they thought it might be so it was only about an hour and a half from the time they took him until they let us be with him in recovery. After about an hour in recovery we got to take him home and we are so grateful. He had a rough evening that day but by yesterday was doing pretty well. Thanks to all who prayed for him and us. Mommy struggled with some fear before the surgery but God is good and helped me through that too. The surgery center doctors and nurses were wonderful and took good care of Ethan and us. Another answered prayer that day. He had to go several hours without eating prior to surgery and as you can tell by looking at our boy he LIKES to eat. He was getting fussy while we were waiting for them to take him back and he was tired and wanted to nurse but Mommy was praying and thankfully he fell asleep and took a nap until they came to get him.

Leaving home to go to surgery. Poor boy had no idea what was about to happen.

Playing with Daddy before they took him back.


After surgery and on our way home :)

Family vacation

We are so blessed that MomMom, Aunt Shaley, Aunt Dana, Uncle Larry, Papa Great, Kartyr, and Karlye were able to come visit us. We had a wonderful time with them all. The kids enjoyed being together to play and we enjoyed visiting. We celebrated several birthdays that are all close together. One day we went to Knotts Berry Farm and had lots of fun. The rest of the time we mainly spent at home. Papa Great flew home on his 83 rd birthday. Thanks Papa for coming to visit us. We so loved having you all here. We were sad to see them leave but are very thankful for our time together. Thanks all of you for coming. These aren't in order but I am too tired to rearrange them so here they are.

Ethan the smiley boy. Can't believe he is 6 months old already.

Kierra and Karlye spent hours playing outside in the yard and in their car.

Four generation picture.

Kartyr, Nana, and Kierra driving the race cars at Knotts Berry Farm.
MomMom braved the spinning sombero ride with 3 of the kids.
Kartyr and Brianna flying.
Kierra flying.
Uncle Larry bought Ethan a Snoopy dog.
Papa Great enjoying watching the kids ride the rides.
Karlye getting her face painted.
I love this picture. The big kids got their faces painted first and Karlye wanted to but was a little scared until Daddy held her hand. Everything is OK if Daddy is holding your hand.
4 painted hooligans.
Kierra's butterfly face paint.
Bri's princess crown face paint.
One very adorable Spiderman. Kartyr with his face paint.
We all rode the big train which got "held up at gun point." The kids gave the thieves some coins and in exchange the robbers gave the kids some shot out bullet shells. The robbers told the kids that those shells were special and allowed them to "1. Stay in the park until it closes and 2. Ride all the rides for FREE for the rest of the day." The kids of course fell for that hook, line, and sinker and were so very impressed and told all of us what those special shells would allow them to do. We got a great laugh out of that. At the end of the ride the robbers offered to take a picture with the kids :)
Aunt Dana and Ethan
Some semi trucks the kids could "drive." One of only 2 rides that Ethan got to ride. This was his first ride and then the big train.
Kierra's favorite ride in the whole park. A little mine car that she had to make go herself by pushing and pulling on the little handle bar. So funny. She rode it so many times I lost count. Thankfully the place wasn't busy so she could ride that many times.
Papa Great saying goodbye to one of the characters.
4 of the kiddos with Snoopy.

Brianna's Kindergarten Graduation

Brianna graduated from Kindergarten on May 26, 2011. We are so proud of her. Mom Mom flew out for a few days to be here for the big occasion. Thanks Mom for coming. We loved having you here. Grandma and Papa came for the big night too. Thanks.

Brianna and her friend Mia

The 2 kindergarteners in front with all the preschoolers behind them.
Getting her diploma and her tassel turned.
The cutest cake made by one of the preschooler's Mom.
Kierra and Ethan with Brianna.
Enjoying the outdoors.
Smiley boy. He is growing way too fast.