So I really HATE....

playing blog catch up!! But, since it's been about six months since I've posted ANYTHING...it's either catch up or give up altogether.

I am really not at keeping a journal, or at writing anything down at all. So I feel like I don't want to give up on this, even if I'm the only one that ever reads it.

Cody and I were just talking about how busy we are and how we feel like we don't even have time to breathe, or talk to eachother. But I suppose that's just the way it is with three kids, crazy job hours, church callings, soccer, piano, activity days, friends, family, and all the other things I'm supposed to be doing, but I'm probably not.

 So, if I don't take time to enjoy something, and document my life and my children, and take pictures...I'll probably forget this time completely, and that would make me really sad!

I will be updating, with pictures...soon!

Avery....

First of all...it's SAD how little I blog anymore. Especially since this is the only place I document anything.....story of my life lately. Not doing enough , or having enough time for all the things I should be doing! Oh well....

Now I'm thinking about my sweet Avery.

Her journey began on an Easter Sunday in 2003. What a day!! Our first baby, our sweet little girl. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in a hospital room! We had so many visitors the first few days it was crazy! (including Cody's ENTIRE motorcycle squad, in uniform, in my hospital room)

Here she is on the day she was born, in a big ol' Easter Basket

We were so happy, and I swear Cody cried more than I did. He was so tender and sweet with her (and stil is)

She was a roly-poly little thing who always had a smile on her face

This is her 2nd birthday. I miss those curls!!

another Easter, with her cousin Caleb

with her cute, furry bunnies

This was on her 8th birthday. She seems so grown up to me lately. A few things about Avery...

• She was named after her Great Grandma Pearl...Legend has it she was the sweetest person ever. A perfect namesake for our girl
• She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She is ALWAYS concerned about other people, and their feelings. She gets really stressed when she hurts someones feelings, even if it's on accident. 
• She is an amazing big sister. She has so much patience, even with her pesky little sister who is always in her stuff.
• She always tries to do what is right, and is almost always completely obedient
• She is a deep thinker, she asks so many intelligent questions everyday
• She is a great student, and loves school
• She loves to read
• She's a great artist, and storyteller
• She loves to sing, and would love to be on American Idol one day
• She says the sweetest, most thoughtful prayers
• She is so excited to get baptized

I love my Avery Pearl, and I treasure every day I get to be her mom.  We are proud to be her parents, and so happy with the choices she makes and the person she is becoming... 

Cody says all the time that we deserve crazy Emrie, and that it makes sense that we have a child like her, but he wonders why we were blessed with one as sweet as Avery. He doesn't think we deserve her....and he's probably right!

Kindergarten Zoo Trip

I cannot believe the kids are already on spring break. It's crazy to me that my little man is almost done with Kindergarten!! He's doing great. He loves his teacher, and is super smart. The adjustment to all day school was a piece of cake with him.

I got the chance last week to go to the zoo with the entire kindergarten. It was a beautiful sunny day, we had good company, and a great time.

He would not smile when I wanted a picture. He had to strike a pose every time. I think he was trying to look tough, but he just looks cute to me!

 the giraffe was the favorite of all the kids. that thing had it's tongue wrapped all the way around his arm, and he loved it!

another tough guy pose...



It was a much needed, fun day with my big guy. I feel like I don't get enough one on one time with each of them and I need to take every opportunity when I do!



Christmas....

Twas the night before Christmas...the craziness at grandma's was over. The kids are all tucked in new jammies and ready to read a story. Cody's mom went to the actual North Pole this summer and got this book signed by THE Santa Clause. The kids thought it was amazing!

Liam wanted dougnuts for Santa, I have no idea why. But it was easy. Avery is a letter writer. She writes the tooth fairy, easter bunny, and Santa. And...she wants a reply. They are very insightful letters full of real questions. It's quite sweet really.

We went to Cody's Aunt's on Christmas night. (Cody was working...who plays football games on Christmas!?! Whatever...)

She has a life size Santa that you can sing Christmas carols with...Emrie was our star of the evening.

Always a little awkward when they try to pose...but still super cute. This is our traditional, Sunday before church tripod Christmas picture. Cody's mom bought those cute skirts and glammed them up for the girls so they could match (which Avery still loves)

Craziness at my moms...I thought Emrie was smiling for the picture, apparantly she thought she was taking the picture.

this picture is purely to document Emrie's "velcro" head...which she wakes up with everyday!

Me and my sweet Liam after the Kinder winter concert...

We had a crazy, fun, Christmas season. We love to spend time and celebrate together and with our extended family and friends. We hope yours was fabulous too!

Bye, bye 2010



Family...

Christmas seemed to come and go in a blur of the usual parties, gatherings, school functions, etc! We had a great time, but unfortunately didn't do a great job documenting. I'll post some of what I have. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays, and time off with families. I feel like I'm just now getting into the swing of things again.

Had I really sent out Christmas cards...which I am no good at. I would have used one of these pictures. The first is of Cody's whole family while we were in Alaska over the summer. The second is a more recent one!