Fall is in the Air

It's been a long time since I've been on here so I thought I'd write a quick post on things. The boys started school a couple months ago...Kaden is in 6th grade now, and Gabe started Kindergarten. School seems to be going well for the both of them, the only thing we have a hard time with is the year round schedule. I think it's harder for me to adjust to than the boys, I don't like these long break-time intervals! Other than that, things are good.

Bella's 2nd birthday was yesterday, which is so hard to believe. Seems like it was just yesterday that I gave birth to her. She is such a joy to our family, and I love having her here. Having a girl is a completely different experience than a boy. I have to admit, it's been funner for me. She's a true girly-girl. Loves to dance, dress up, play with her dolls, etc...definitely like her mom! Don't get me wrong, little boys are fun, but I can relate with her so much more than the men of the house. I love it!

Anyways, for her birthday we made some cinnamon rolls for breakfast and Aaron made some tasty chili for dinner. Afterwards we took some cake and ice cream over to Lindsay's and she opened her presents. She got lots of cute outfits for the season which I can't wait to try on her. Her absolute favorite gift was a Jessie doll from Toy Story and a Pillow Pet...It was fun watching her little face light up as she opened them, last year she was too young to really understand but this year she knew this was her special day, it was all about her! I will post some pics on here in a little bit when I have more time.

All you Need Is Love

Valentine's Weekend is here. I'm a little bit disappointed how quickly it came...every year I bake the cute pink heart sugar cookies with the kids and I haven't done this yet. I remember when I was a little girl and how much I loved baking them with my mom. Maybe I'll have to whip some up tomorrow for my kids' sake!

Gabe had a very special time with yesterday with his Valentine's crush. Her name is Tiyana and she's in Kindergarten...he was so excited to go play with her at her house yesterday and made her a special Valentines. He insisted we also give her a picture of him along with the Valentines...he kept saying "I love her so much, I can't wait to see her!" over and over again. I can't believe my 4 year old is already crushing on a girl!

Tonight Aaron and I will be going to my one of my favorite restaurants, Tsuanami. And then we'll be going to see the movie Valentine's Day. Perfect Valentine's date I must say!

To end my short but sweet blog post, I wanted to tell express my love to all my family and friends with three simple words. I Love You. And Happy Heart Day to you all!

Goodbye 2009!

Well, I must say that the holidays came and went faster than the blink of an eye! We had a wonderful Christmas...Christmas eve was spent at the Cummings' Family, which is an annual tradition that I look forward to every year. We had a great time with all the siblings and nieces and nephews and their little ones. The kids all reinacted the Nativity scene. Gabe talked and prepared for this moment for days ahead! He pre-reserved the role for Joseph and called dibs on his cousin Audrey as Mary. Unfortunately Audrey wasn't able to make it since they went to her Mother's family this year, Gabe wasn't too happy about that to say the least! Lol, Bella took on the role of Mary since she was the only girl there, and baby Graham was Jesus this year. We all did a gift exchange of gift cards and the kids got toys ofcourse...Grandma and Grandpa gave the boys some new sleds, and they decided that the sleds would be fun to use on Grandma's stairs...Grandma didn't like that idea so much, but no one got hurt which I guess is a first with a houseful of rambunctious boys. After the party we hurried home and put the kids to bed to start the preparations for the arrival of santa! I don't know why I saved my wrapping for the last minute, but we were up til' midnight wrapping everything. Or let me rephrase that..."I" was up til' midnight wrapping everything since Aaron seems to think he's exempt from that job! Lol, he hurried and prepped my gifts in a bunch of gift bags...the easier the better I suppose.

Christmas morning came and the kids were filled with excitment and glee. This year we were able to indulge with the gifts, when last year times were hard for us, so it was very enjoyable and exciting to see their little faces light up with excitement. Their absolute favorite gift were legos and some remote controlled helicopters that Aaron had picked out. Bella's was her new baby doll which she kisses and rocks all the time! It's cute seeing a motherly instinct with a one year old, so sweet! My main gift was the best! Aaron competely suprised me this year and got me a new kitchen table! It's a smaller saloon-type table with the tall legs and tall chairs, I was so suprised and excited! He had hidden it in our garage and brought it out last after we were all done opening everything. I've wanted this for a very long time...we have a kitchen table in our front room/dining room area, but not one in our little kitchen, which is where we like to hang out and eat most of the time, and now we can sit down and have family meals on it every day! Anyways, after we had finished opening the gifts we went over to Aaron's parent's house for a gift exchange and breakfast...later on we made another stop to Grandpa Pehrson's house, and then to Lindsay's for some dinner with her inlaws and more gifts...At the end of the day I was lying in bed thinking about how sadit is that it all had come to an end, but also felt some relief that all the holiday spending, parties, food, gifts, decorations, etc. were done with, atleast for another year! It's good that this holiday comes only once a year, I think we'd all be broke with no sanity left! Lol...

New Year's was a fun time for us. We had originally planned on staying home with the kids this year and banging pots and pans. At the last minute Kaden's mother called and offered to watch them for a few hours since she was staying in and wanted some company, so we took her up on the offer and ended up going to a New Year's party at our friends, The McAlisters. It was lots of fun, although sometimes I think I'd rather be home porking out in my sweats and watching movies with the kids...I can't believe 2009 is over, and I have a feeling in my gut that 2010 is going to be a great year for my family with lots of goals to be reached and new accomplishments!

Aaron and I had the opportunity to go up to Park City January 2nd-3rd on an overnight trip with some friends. They had gotten a really nice suite for an awesome deal, and we went with 4 other couples for the night and went to a concert up there. We cooked a big dinner in the kitchen to save money and then we went to the concert...LMFAO is the name of the group that was playing, it's very good dance music but nothing you'd want your mama listening too! The next morning we went and got breakfast and then went and grabbed the kids from my mom's house...the kids had lots of fun going to church with Grandma, Gabe was excited to meet some new kids and wear his new sweater to their church...It was great picking up my little munchkins, even after just one night I had missed them immensely!

Wow, It's been a loooong time!

~So I've decided to try and take some time to get on our family blog and do some major updating since it's been way too long! Our page has been very neglected thanks to me:( Lol, with the holidays coming up I thought it'd be a good start (and my sister in law Tristen has been on me about this, so we can all thank her as well;)

Anyways, we had a fantastic falltime. The kids were so excited for Halloween, Gabe dressed up as Spongebob, Bella as a ladybug, Kaden as a grim reaper. October was a funfilled month for us all, including Bella's first birthday! A year came and went faster than the blink of an eye...I wish time would slow down for a second so I can enjoy these early years more....

My Day

Mother's day was just this last sunday, and what a great day it was. I was lying in bed, and I heard Bella babbling and yelling in her crib. I began to get out of bed to go to her, and Aaron jumped up before me and told me to go back to sleep...yay! So I snuggled up under my sheets and dozed back to sleep...actually in and out of sleep. I could hear little feet pattering around and pots and pans banging, and then the aroma of bacon, eggs, and sausage wafting into my room which made my mouth water....I gave the kids and Aaron a few minutes to finish things up , and decided to get up, where I found a nice breakfast feast waiting for me...along with cards, a huge bag of gummy bears (from the boys since they know its my favorite) and money for me to pick out a couple shirts for the summer....Aaron had also hired some guys to come weed our yard and get it looking good..they'd been here all week last week getting it done for me, and it looks awesome...what a great husband! Anyways, later we went over to my mother's house and bbq'd with all my siblings and their kids. The weather was perfect, and the kids spent the whole day playing on the trampoline and running around with the other little cousins...it gets pretty crazy with all the kids, but so much fun...I love attending these family gatherings at my mom's, and can't believe how fast my family is growing. And it's crazy to think happened all because my Mom and Dad fell in love and got married. None of us would be here if they hadn't gotten together. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful mother, she is a great example to follow, and her mother was also one to set a great example. I don't remember my Grandma Burt very much, but I have some fond memories of playing outside her house and picking flowers for her. I also remember her watching me and Lindsay when we were the age of 2 while our parents were out of town, and I remember her giving us baths and pushing us on the chair swing. Small memories, as I was only the age of 5 or 6 when she passed....I know she was a loving giving person, because she passed down alot of those traits to my mother. I strive to be better each day and be as patient and loving as they were as mothers....anyways, I am so grateful to hold the name "Mother". Having my children has been my biggest accomplishment and achievment, and I'm so grateful to have them, and that they chose me to be there mom!

YOU WERE THERE...
You were there when we took our first steps,

And went unsteadily across the floor.

You pushed and prodded: encouraged and guided,

Until our steps took us out the door...

You worry now "Are they ok?"

Is there more you could have done?

As we walk the paths of our unknown

You wonder"Where have my children gone?"

Where we are is where you have led us,

With your special love you showed us a way,

To believe in ourselves and the decisions we make.

Taking on the challenge of life day-to-day.

And where we go you can be sure,

In spirit you shall never be alone.

For where you are is what matters most to us,

Because to us that will always be home...
~Author Unknown~

Missing Camera

~So I've wanted to get on my blog and post recent pictures, but our digital camera is missing! I haven't been able to find it since february, and now I'm starting to feel bad...I feel like I'm losing a chunk of time without it, capturing memories of the kids and holiday memories...I think next week I'll have to hop on ebay and find a cheapo camera while I continue to search for the location of it...its a mystery...it's driving me crazy. Anyways, enough about the camera...we've really been enjoying the warm weather this week! The boys love being outside, riding bikes, exploring, and playing tball. Gabe is instantly into the sports thing, and is a pro already with hitting. Maybe we'll have a little athlete on our hands, that'd be nice;) I guess its time to sign him up for some leagues. Kaden just started school again, and he's already adjusting back to the swing of things. He was excited to go back and see his friends again, and his teacher this year is probably the best he's ever had. She's very patient and soft spoken, which is what he needs in a teacher. He's had some horrible teachers in the past so its refreshing to have one that's so relaxed and easygoing. Kaden isn't into sports like Gabe, he has more of a creative mind, he loves to draw as well as build things. And lets not forget the video games. Lol...I can't believe he's ten! It's amazing to me. I can remember when I was ten and what I enjoyed out of life as well as my everyday thoughts, and I can't believe how long ago it was. The older we get, the faster time flies. It's kind've depressing, but a part of life I guess. This is why I need my camera! I'm so frustrated...I definitely need one before the summer, I love taking pictures in the summer, especially the trips to lake powell and bbqing. I can't wait for the summer!
Since I don't have new pics, I'll post a few pics of some of my favorite summertime pics from the past...not in any particular order, just random fun in the sun pictures=)







These two pics were taken during the 24th of July primary parde. Gabe was age 2 and Kaden was 8 yrs old.

Cousin "Spiderman" Devin, Gabe, and friend Riley during a bbq at Lindsay's

This was taken summer of 2008 at the Heber Valley Railroad "Day With Thomas" event. We go every year, and Gabe really loves it.

Gabe and cousing Conner, taken in Arizona while visiting Aaron's mother who lives there.

These are some different trips to Lake Powell. We go twice every summer, one trip with friends and the other with family...

Behind on my blogging!

I've gotten so behind on here! I need to get on here atleast once a month and update...Anyways, Easter was just last sunday, and the boys were excited to see what the easter bunny brought for them. They got new summer outfits and a couple lego sets, as well as candy...not a whole lot of candy though, since the "Easter Bunny" got to the grocery store too late, and all the good stuff was gone! Lol...We had a nice relaxing easter, and thankfully the weather was nice that day...we went to Mom and Dad Cumming's house for dinner and then to the Pehrson's for a 2nd course.

Anyways, we are all doing good, Gabe is still enjoying preschool, and we're told he is doing really well and excelling in everything. Kaden is offtrack right now, and starts school again next week...he's in Webelos scouts in our ward and really enjoys it...Bella is growing each day, and has two teeth already! Her personality is starting to show, and she's always very happy and pleasant...hopefully she keeps it this way, she's such a delight to our family and Aaron rushes home each day from work just so he can see her smile and squeal when he walks in the room! I recently had her pictures done, and wanted to add some of my favorites...She is such a great addition to our family! I have to admit, I can't wait to have another one!:)