4 weeks old

Happy 30th Birthday Taylor!!!

September 29th was the BIG day for Taylor. We were excited to be able to celebrate with him. We sent the kids to school and Taylor and I (along with the baby) went on a lunch date. When the kids got home we celebrated with gifts. The kids helped wrapped their gifts, then they colored on the outside of the wrapping paper. They were proud of the gifts they had to give their Dad, and this year, he even got to open them himself.

We are so grateful for what an awesome person Taylor is. He has been the glue that has held everything together the past year or so. He works hard to build his business, he takes such great care of the kids and me, and always helps keep the house looking good. Thank you for all you do Taylor, we love you!

The camera was out so we needed to snap photos of the kids.

Cassidy and Kelsey

Our greatest blessings....

and the reason we practice Zone Defense and not man to man
This is the view we see almost all day. Mckay getting close to his baby sister and giving her lots and lots of kisses

Two weeks old

Kelsey is such a joy to have in our home. She is a calm, happy baby. Well, unless you put her in the car or try and change her diaper. Kelsey is a good sleeper. She has even slept through the night already. We are realistic and know that it may not last, but we will take any night's sleep that we can. Kelsey loves to have time to herself to lay on the ground and stretch. She is the first child that we have had that likes to lay on the ground by herself. Luckily she loves cuddle time too. The whole family fights over who gets to hold her. Her big brother Mckay always has plenty of kisses to give her. We are so glad she is here and a part of our family.

The things kids say...

I love being a mom, and hearing all the funny things that kids say. Recently there have been many funny stories at our house. Here are two of my favorite:

During general conference we were listening to one of the apostles speak. As he started to close his talk he turned to a side and looked directly in the camera. As he did this Mckay's eyes got really big and he started leaning backwards. He turned to me and said, "Mom, Can he see me?"

One afternoon Cassidy had a friend ask to play. I reminded her that today her room had to be clean before she could play with friends. I was really hopeful this would help motivate her to clean it up. I sent her up to her room to start and told her I would be there in 3 minutes to help her. About two minutes later she came downstairs and with a bit of attitude said, "Mom, would you rather me clean my room or study the gospel!!!?
While shaking my head I replied, "Right now you are supposed to be cleaning your room, so I would like you to clean your room."

"But Mom," she said while holding up a Book of Mormon, "I am already to Alma!"

It was a nice effort on her part, but she still had to clean her room.

One week old

The Tanning Bed

Traditionally I have to take my kids to test Billirubin levels 24 hours after hospital discharge. Kelsey is the first of my children to have her levels sky rocket high enough to have to use the lights. She was on the fancy tanning beds for 4 days. She was a good sport and slept pretty well while she was on the lights. We even got a "Billi Blanket" which is a smaller light that you place on their tummy or back while you hold them. It was nice to be able to hold her some of the time and still be able to have her under the light.

Our newest addition

Our little lady....Kelsey

We are so glad that Kelsey is here safe and sound. We were a bit surprised at how large she was...I never thought I would deliver a 9 pound baby but now I have. Things went smoothly with labor and delivery. Labor was a little longer than we expected but I was able to sleep through some of it, so I was not complaining. Our stay at American Fork Hospital was great. The nurses and staff were exceptional, and the dining room service was awesome. We had a lot of family stop by to visit. We are grateful for all those that helped with our other kids, and those that came to keep us company during my stay in the hospital. We could not have done it without all the love and support!


We were able to take Kelsey home two days after she was born. Her brother and sister were very excited to have her home. Mckay has showered her with kisses over and over again, and Cassidy always has a good dance to show off to her sister.

One of our favorite things about Kelsey is how she loves to stretch. She doesn't like to be swaddled, just lay flat with her legs straight out. It is especially cute how her legs just hang in the air. I am convinced that she had her legs straight most of the time she was in the womb now that I have seen how she likes to relax. We sure love this little girl!!

Mckay's first day of preschool

On September 6th Mckay started school. He is going to a new preschool with one of his close friends. To celebrate the start of his school we went to dinner as a family and then to his back to school night. We met his new teacher Mrs. Trisha and he saw the room he will get to play in for free time. He was excited to start school, even if you asked him directly he would tell you he doesn't want to go.

The morning of school Mckay took his traditional picture in the front yard, and then one in front of the home where he goes to school. Mckay is getting so big, I am glad we have this last year of preschool before he starts public school and is gone to school all day.

Kelsey has Arrived

Kelsey arrived today a little before 6 pm.

I'll create an additional post later, but wanted to announce her arrival.

9 pounds 3 ounces 21 inches long

Getting Checked out and cleaned up.

Mom and Baby are doing Great. Thanks to all the well-wishers.

1st Grade!

First Day of 1st Grade

"First day of School, First day of School!"

Never one to shy away from a good pose.

Cassidy was excited to tell her Grandma that she rides the BYU bus.

Sandwhich Du Jour

Cassidy and Mckay have entered the phase of life where they like to prepare food for their parents. The other day I was working on the computer when they brought me up this declicious looking sandwhich.
Looks good right?

Easy to make really, just take two slices of bread, coat with mayonaise, add provolone cheese, and top if all off with a generous portion of sliced strawberries. MMMmmm.

Thanks Kids!

I was super appreciative, and then we had a talk about the kinds of things Dad likes on his sandwhiches.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Show with Kids

Mom and Dad decided that before a new little sister joins the family, we would go out for a "big kid" date. We went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Hale Center Theater in West Valley. They had seen the show before at an outdoor venue and were excited to see it again. We didn't get tickets early enough however so we were split up sitting 2 and 2. Perhaps a bit hard to see, but Cassidy and I are sitting behind the older gentleman in the black tie. She was excited to watch as the performers came out onto the stage. Mckay with Mom.At intermission Cassidy and Mckay switched places. Still difficult to see, but now Mckay is with me. (Fourth row up behind the man in the black tie.)After the show was over, Cassidy wanted to go shake "Joseph's" hand and tell him what a good job he had done. He said it meant the most coming from the younger kids. We have so much fun with our "older kids." They are good kids who are kind to each other. We are excited however, as it won't be long now until a new "little one" joins our family.