happy. love. day.

my other half: the love of my life...always up for some hardcore balloon tying entertainment for the kids; need i say more?!

i love love love my little E...and 100% totally agree with his onesie; don't you?

i love this little miss thing....even covered in rocky road ice cream and constantly dressed up in princess attire.

i love this little boy...especially with his blankie on his head. it makes it convenient to keep his security blanket with him always and his hands free to do what they please.

The Train Party

Cousin Kaylin was nice enough to help Robby play with all of his new toys!!

Happy Birthday Robby

Happy Birthday Bubba!

We can't believe that you are already two years old. The time has really flown by. Your daddy and I are so proud and happy to have you as our son. You make us laugh every day at the funny new things you come up with. You sure L O V E your pacifier and "bankie" right now, and will seriously beg for them. In order to keep your blanket with you while eating, you normally put it right on top of your head and eat meals like this. (it is a small 12x12 square soft blanket piece) You are OBSESSED with trains and basically anything that is a ball, car, truck, or plane. You love to tease your sister by taking something and then running around the room with a huge grin on your face, while she chases you to retrieve it. You hate to walk down the stairs all by yourself and will stand at the top and cry until I come to get you. Normally you are holding your blanket, toy stuffed lion, and a few cars in your hands and will proceed to hand them on over to me. After emptying your arms, you get a big grin on your face and reach your hands out to me so I can carry you down the stairs. You love it when I carry you like a backpack. You also love your daddy so much. You constantly ask me all day long "Where daddy go?" and I always repeat "he's at work." Normally you will then reply "oh..work" and nod your head like you suddenly remembered this. When daddy gets home you are the first to run to the daddy and yell "Daddy" with the biggest grin on your face. You always seem to reserve your biggest smiles and laughter for him. Some of the things you enjoy doing with daddy are rough-house, work outside, throw balls, drive cars all over the house, play horsey, and be thrown around. You are talking so much more now. You refuse to call Maddie by her real name and will only refer to her as "Sisee" no matter what I try to teach you. Some of your favorite phrases/words include: Hold you (hold me), Hi daddy, I sorry, afiee (pacifier), what dat?, I no know (I don't know), dere it is, ere going? You are already a pro at saying plane, train, car, tractor, helicoptor, ball, and boat of course! Even though you are a bit of a wild man and love to have a good time running around, you also have a tender side and love to have mom pick you up and hold you.

We sure love you and couldn't imagine our family without you in it!!

Random Happenings

Mommy and the "burrito" Maddie's favorite thing to do in the kitchen is to pull up a chair and help make food.
Baby Eli with daddy

Miss M LOVES to dress herself these days and it's always interesting to see what she comes up with

Carla's Wedding/Shower

Last Saturday marked the first day of the rest of their lives for my good friend Carla and her new hubby Aaron. I am so excited that she has finally found the perfect man to spend eternity with. She is probably one of the most selfless, kind people I have ever met. She can make me laugh like no other person around and knows some things that no one else does about me. She has been friends with me through good times and bad, seen me at my worst and still loves me just the same (amazing). Not only that, but she has now promised me that she would get going on trying to catch up with me on kids so we can have our fourth child together. Okay, okay the last one is not REALLY true, but I am hoping to have some kids around the same age that can play together :) Carla and Aaron coming out of the temple

Janelle, Carla and Tiffany at the temple

Bridal Shower:

Isn't she too gorgeous for words?! I am slightly jealous of how sophisticated she looks and how mommy-ish I now look. I might have to post some other fun pictures to even the score slightly :)

My mom holding little Eli with my Grandma sitting beside her

--side note: as I was busy preparing my part of the food for the shower Maddie climbed up to help me like she normally does. She asked me what I was making the food for. I then went ahead and explained that the food was for Carla's wedding party to celebrate her getting married. She looked right at me and said "Oh...I am getting married just like Carla." I decided it would be fun to press her for some of her wedding details. She told me she was getting married "morrow" (tommorow) and was marrying a prince. Needless to say, there was no wedding for her the next day :)

Eli's Baby Blessing

**updated**

WAY TOO EARLY 8am church

+beautiful babe in white

+tired, emotional mother

+late night cooking

+even later night cleaning

+loads of family piling into our chapel

=baby blessing fast Sunday!my handsome, growing chubbier and more squeezable by the day, little boy
It was such a wonderful day to have so many family members with us as Jesse was able to give our infant a name and a blessing. And to all the family who couldn't make it, we sure missed you! Jesse gave Eli a great blessing and I was blessed to only have Maddie sitting next to me during the blessing, so I could actually hear the prayer. He was blessed with the ability to draw close to his Heavenly Father, serve a mission and marry in the temple among other things.

After sacrament meeting, we had a brunch at the homestead. I made chicken salad and croissants and a yummy ice cream sandwich cake (Farrah's recipe), as well as supplying muffins. My mom and mother-in-law were so nice to help with the meal, bringing veggie trays and salad for the occasion. I truly am so blessed to have family always willing to pitch in and help out! Maddie decided she wanted in on the camera action at this point

the traditional "four-generation" photo-op

the three aunties: jo, esther, and abby with baby E, Miss M and tired looking Mom

Eli was being loved on by all the ladies of the family

I am constantly impressed by what a helpful big sister Maddie is to Eli. She will always drop what she is doing when he starts to cry and go comfort him. She imitates things that I say to him such as "it's okay Eli; I am right here; you'll be okay; life's not so bad; Momma's coming to feed you right now; etc."

She loves to sit right by him and pat his head or stroke his cheeks and is always wanting to hold him for me. Sometimes she even likes to "help" put his pacifier in when he is already asleep! Great-Grandma West Tyler and Jo sitting at the kids table with Chris and Stacia's little guy and Kaylin (Lori and Tyler's)

Jesse with his cousin Chris Aunt Ruth Flake with cousin Kent

Nona and Papa holding Baby E

Aunt Sharman and Uncle Roger from Pinetop Esther and Abby

My one picture of Robby in his church attire: he ditched the vest soon after and then DESTROYED his white shirt with food

Auntie Jo-Jo with Eli

After the food, came the fun for Maddie and Robby. Because it was a special Sunday, I guess it meant the kids could roam free in our dirt-pit of a backyard. They had way too much fun throwing the dead grass clippings all over themselves.

January Happenings

Top Ten of January:


10) Going to Rocky Point with Jesse and Eli for our six year anniversary! We had so much fun spending some almost one on one time together, even if I came back with some nasty GI problems :(


9) Maddie: "Was I ever in your belly, mommy....you know when I was little like baby Eli?"
Mommy: "Yes you were honey."
Maddie: "How did I get in there? Did I get in through your mouth?"
Mommy: (thinking) oh crap...I thought I had at least a few more years until I would have to answer a question like this.


8) Helping throw one of my bestest, favoritest friends her bridal shower a few weeks back! (I haven't put pics of this up until now because I look hideous and she looks like such a beautiful, blushing bride to be) It was also wonderful to attend her endowment session a few days before the wedding and also be there to see her be sealed to Aaron. It has definitely been a special January to see her moving forward in her life and taking the large LEAP into married life!

7) Surviving through more kid sicky bugs...RSV, ear infection, bronchitis, stomach flu. I seriously dread our Arizona "winter" every year because my kids are always sick.


6) Going to the SUNS game with Jesse and Eli. One of our first outings with the new babe. It always feels so nice to finally be able to get out after the house confinement we go through with a newborn at home.


5) Maddie: "Mommy, Nona doesn't like her doggies."
Mommy: "Why not?"
Maddie: "Because they were fighting. Nona yelled and had to get Papa to stop the doggies from fighting. Then Nona put Maggie (dog) in time out in the bathroom. Maggie and Roxy (dog) were so naughty."


4) Having Great Grandma West (my mom's mother) come to Arizona for a whole month. I love having the kids get to know their only Great Grandparent!


3) Maddie getting her use out of all of her dress up clothes by wearing them EVERY single day. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, etc..


2) Robby throwing a 10 minute temper tantrum because he didn't want to leave the beloved train table at the doctor's office. We have been to the doctor several times this month and he gets upset EVERY time we must leave. He is turning into such a two year old :) I am hoping he will LOVE his new train table for his birthday and consequently not care so much about the one at the doctor's.


1) Going to lunch WITHOUT KIDS (except for little E, who by the way slept the entire time and barely made a peep during the outing) a few weeks back with some very old friends from Gilbert 6th ward and high school: Jules, Leah, Dionne, and Ralae. It is always such a blast to catch up on their busy lives, as well as sit and laugh about the "old times." Thanks for a fun lunch date girls and WE WILL definitely have to do it again.