The Ensign Olympic Games

Taylor and I were sitting on the couch. We heard Mckay tumble down the stairs, he started to cry. Nothing new at our house. We waited for him to walk to us, because we knew he was ok. We talked and hugged, he laughed, and off he went. Cassidy from the background yells, "Dad we need you to come catch us so Mckay doesn't run into the wall again." We went to check and this is what they were doing.

My two cents

Valentine's Day was great. I love that there is a Holiday just to celebrate that we love people. The Tuesday before Valentine's Day I was reminding Cassidy that it would be Sunday and explaining to Mckay what it was. I told them we would make Valentine's for our cousins and cards for other people that we love. I then went upstairs to shower and get ready for the day. When I came down to check on the kids Cassidy had gotten crayons and paper and both kids had made cards for Taylor, with no prompting or help from me. Cassidy folded the papers into a book and even helped Mckay write an M on the front so Dad would know it was from Mckay. For the next 5 days, Mckay took the card in the car, the grocery store, and any place that he could. He was proud of his work, and very excited to give Dad his card.

Cassidy helped with the inside of Mckay's card.

I love spending every day with Taylor, not just Valentine's day.

I love my kids. They are thoughtful and caring. They made Valentine's day extra special.

FHE Painting

After seeing how much fun Mom and Dad had painting on real Canvas, the kids asked if they could paint on canvas as well. So for Family Home Evening this week we sat around the kitchen table and turned Cassidy and Mckay loose with paint, brushes, canvas, and their imagination. Cassidy (Top Two on Left) Alisa (Top Right)

Taylor (Bottom Left) Mckay (Bottom two on Right)

Alisa successfully painted a side-by-side design of Cassidy and Mckay.

The kids had a fun time, and we had a fun time watching their imaginations at work.

Happy Valentines Day!

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A Really Fun Valentines Day.

Thank you Alisa for being My Valentine!

(Yes, We painted each other's portrait, and Yes,

they look like they were done by fourth graders.)

Our Valentines Day evening didn't go quite as smoothly as the day. We put the kids in the bath, where they decided it would be really fun to splash water all over the bathroom floor.Alisa went down to the kitchen where she found water all over the kitchen floor....

It didn't take long to discover that the water from the kid's "splash-time" had traveled through the floor and was leaking through one of our kitchen can lights. The joys of parenthood!

Happy Valentines Day!

Busted

Disney Channel's Phineas and Ferb is the most watched children's show in our house. The story line is basically the same every time. The character, Candace, is always trying to "bust" her brothers for inventing and building incredible things. Every time Candace is about to bust her brothers, the inventions disappear.

The other day I was getting ready to go to work and Mckay saw a candy on Taylor's night stand. "Mckay, that is for Dad. I know you like that. If you want some you will have to ask Dad to share tonight."

"Ok, Mom"

When I got home from work Cassidy showed me some pictures she took while I was gone.

Candace may not be able to bust herbrothers, but Cassidy can.

When I asked Mckay if he ate Dad's candy, he just looked at me. I reminded him, "You get in more trouble for lying than for making wrong choices," then I showed him the picture.

He then readily agreed that he ate it and to apologize to Dad when he got home.

Cassidy-ism

Driving home from the Post Office today this is what I heard:

Cassidy: Do you know what true happiness is? True Happiness is Love.

Mckay: Why is it that?

Cassidy: Because when you love each other you are happy.

Cousins

Today I want to say one thing that I am grateful for.

I love that my children have cousins to play with.

So today, this post it dedicated to all of my nieces and nephews who are such great cousins to my kids. There are eight cousins on my side of the family and six cousins on Taylor's. It doesn't matter what family event we are at, there is always someone fun around.

This year I have been especially grateful that my kids to get be with cousins while I work. Some days my sister-in-law Michelle, and her son Owen, come to my house to watch my kids. Other days, my kids go with Uncle Mckay, Aunt Molly and Graham. Occasionally, my kids will go play at my sister's house with her 5 kids. I love knowing that my kids are having fun, and that they are with family while I work. It leaves me feeling at peace when I have to leave my kids. So thank you to Molly and Mckay, Michelle, Valerie, and all other family that have watched my kids while I work. Below are some photos of my kids cousins.

This is baby Damon. Cassidy and Mckay love to hold him, feed him his bottle and try to make him laugh.
This is the rest of the cousins on my side. (Damon was sleeping, so we didn't make him get out in the cold for the picture)
On the bottom left is Carter. Cassidy loves to color with Carter. He has even taught her to play X Box. He was even nice when she beat him.
In the green coat next to Mckay is Corbin. Corbin loves to wrestle and Mckay loves to join in.
On Cassidy's right is Mckenna. Cassidy absolutely loves playing at Kenna's house, doing the big girl things that Kenna likes.
On the top left is Brianna. Mckay has always felt safe with Brianna. Often times when the kids are playing and Mckay needs help, he will ask Brianna before Mom. The kids love it when Brianna babysits them.
Caden is sitting on James' lap. He is the sword fighter, and loves balls. Mckay loves to play with Caden. We are glad that he lives close by now.
Jeff is sitting next to the bride. Mckay will often say that Jeff is his favorite cousin. Jeff will always play and wrestle with him. Mckay loves playing football with him and tackling him. Jeff is nice to always let all the younger kids win!
Last, but not least is Bracken. He is the same age as Cassidy, and he loves cars and trains just like Mckay. Mckay loves Bracken's bedroom and all his toys. He especially loves it when Bracken will build the train tracks for him or do a puzzle with him.
On the left is cousin Easton. When Uncle Hunter and Cousin Easton get together, Mckay loves to chase the big boys around. This particular time, they all sat down playing their Ninteno DS.
Paxton, Mason, Cassidy and Hazley
Cassidy loves to play Barbies and makeup with Hazley.
Mason is the same age as Cassidy, and they run wild. Chasing and making up all sorts of games. Normally they get an uncle to come and throw them around some.
Paxton and Mckay are the closest in age. They play and get into all sorts of trouble. Normally they start the raiding of the candy drawer at Grandma's.

This is Owen. He comes to our house twice a week. The kids love Owen to come over. They will always look for their old baby toys to share and do dances to make him laugh.

Graham, the Burger.

He is at our house a couple of times a week, and our kids go there.

Cassidy loves to hold, squeeze and carry Graham all over the house.

Mckay will feed him his rice and beans for lunch. If you watch carefully you will see him give Graham a bite and then take one for himself.

I feel so blessed to have so much family so close by. We can go and see all of our cousins in less than a 30 minute drive. Cousins make our life grand!

The "Doughnut Factory"

While watching the Food Network with the kids a few weeks back, a clip showing Krispy Kreme came on and the kids kept saying they wanted to go to the "Doughnut Factory." I guess it is fortunate that a Krispy Kreme happens to be in Orem. Two Saturdays ago we took the kids down and watched as they made the delicious doughnuts. All happy to have a Factory Hat, and a warm doughnut!

Video Tour of the goodness being made.

Dinner and a Comedy Show

When I was growing up, my father would take me downtown to Lamb's Grill and Cafe. It is said that Lamb's is the oldest restaurant in Utah, and was opened in 1919. It was always a treat to go downtown with my Dad to Lamb's. Alisa and I recently had a fun date night that started with a Lamb Shank and Lamb's Grill and Cafe. The lamb was very tender and very delicious. If you've never been to Lamb's, then you really ought to make sure you stop in next time you are on Main Street in Salt Lake City. After dinner, we rushed over to Abravanell Hall for the comedy act, "The Colin and Brad Show," aka Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from Whose Line is it anyway. Having seen them before we were excited to see them again and made sure we bought our tickets early so we would have good seats. Sadly, because we were sitting so close, the lighting made our pictures turn out less than ideal. The self-taken photograph after the funny show. Thank you Alisa for being such a fun date!

Guess what we found cleaning the Freezer?

Cleaning the Freezer and what did we find?

Do you know what these are?

If you answered really old Frozen Breast Milk, then you would be correct.

To answer the question you are now asking, "Yes, we haven't done a deep clean of our freezer in over two years."

How bout them Jazz Autographs

Recently had the opportunity with some friends to attend an autograph session with the Utah Jazz. Had a great time meeting the team and getting a few autographs. AK was great with the fans and stuck around after the signing session was over and welcomed a photo opportunity.
Coach Sloan and Sundiata Gaines

Fesenko and Koufus

Price

Wesley Matthews

Memo Okur

Paul Millsap and Ronnie Brewer

AK 47

Deron Williams

Kyle Korver