Surgery #2

Tomorrow we go in for surgery # 2 for this little girl. This one is her soft palate repair and thankfully the last surgery for a couple of years. A nice little break. I am super stressed and am having anxiety. After the first surgery, as I was walking out of the OR crying, a lady said to me, "Don't worry, the first surgery is the worst one." She was lying. It is just as emotional and heartbreaking. It is never ok to see your child suffer. I know it is necessary and she will heal fast, but I hate that she has to go through any pain at all. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you for all of your words of support and encouragement. It is appreciated and more comforting than you could know....

The Stockings Were Hung....

Yes, all of our Christmas decorations are up! I absolutely love the Christmas season. I mean, what's not to love? The smells, the baking, the shopping, the tree, the anticipation of the day... I could go on and on. Well, I have done a little bit of baking and a little bit of sewing. While going through all of my Christmas decorations I could not for the life of me find the stockings... Seriously so annoying. Well instead of buying more, I decided to take the opportunity to make some. I am in love. Seriously. I went with my sister in law, Vivian, and Darren's step mom, Julie to pick out the fabric and I had to get to work right away because I was so excited about seeing the finished product. So here they are in all their glory.....

Cute, right?

Darren's is on the far left and then Beckham's, Brinley's, Presley's and mine.

I love baking during the Christmas season. I usually stick with my favorite recipes, but this year I decided I was going to be brave and attempt some new ones. I must say so far I have found a couple of really good recipes.. I made Caramel Soaked Pumpkin Cupcakes.. Really rich, but oh so good. You can find the recipe here. This is what mine looked like... Not as cute I know, but just as yummy.

Then I attempted cake pops for Thanksgiving... Not as easy as they look. Again, they don't look as cute but still yummy.

There are a ton of different ideas for these here. I am going to try some for Christmas. Hopefully now that I have done it once, it will come easier next time. Hopefully, they turn out a little cuter.. But still super fun!! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

5 Years

(not a very good picture, I know. We don't have a lot of pictures of just the two of us)

On Friday Darren and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!! It has been a fantastic five years. I am so happy to have married my best friend and partner in crime. I love you babe! Thanks for these five years, can't wait to make so many more memories with you!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

We have done so many fun activities this halloween! It is so fun now that the kids get what is going on and can get excited about it. UVU had a family halloween party with trick or treating and a bunch of different crafts.

Brinley coloring her pumpkin..... of course it had to be pink

Presley just liked all the commotion... our little princess is getting so big!! She turned 7 months today!

Beckham concentrating really hard on his decorating.

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell

Then we went on the Halloween Express on Thursday night. It was seriously so much fun. You rode on this train through tunnels that were made into a spook alley. The kids loved it. Beckham still talks about going on the train.

Waiting in line... the had fun lights and songs going on the whole time you were waiting. It was never boring waiting in line

Waiting in line with the kiddos.. They were so excited!

On the train. Apparently they have one for Christmas too. Can't wait!

Lehi Legacy Center.

Fun carnival games, How to Train your Dragon Movie, Trick or treating and all the school mascots. Crowded, but worth it!

Cosmo dressed as Robin. Beckham was really nervous about all of the mascots. He liked the JAZZ dancers , but not so much the animals. Such a boy.

Our smiley girl.

Halloween Night

Tonight we went over to my brother in law and sister in law's house for a party. It was so much fun. Delicious food and of course the company was great as always.

The spooky science lab...

Our Family

Mr. Smee, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Pixie Dust, and Tiger Lily

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!!!

New Salon

I am at a new salon! I found one closer to the house so I can just pop in for lunch and time with the kids. I work on Tuesdays and Fridays and am loving it so far! It is called The Meadows Salon in Alpine. We do everything from pedicures, nails, facials and of course, all things hair! When you come we have a special where you get $10 off your first service when you book an appointment with me! The number is (801) 763-1936 or you can book an appointment online at www.themeadowssalon.com . Thanks for all of your support, see you soon!!

Our Birthday Girl

Our sweet baby girl turned 4 yesterday! Brinley is such a great little girl. She is the BEST sister -- She is always making sure that her brother is included and they play great together ( you know, besides the normal sibling squabbles) She loves little Presley and wants to hold her all the time. The other day I was on the phone with the hospital scheduling her next surgery and Brinley burst out crying saying "I don't want Presley to go to the hostipul, it will make her so ouchy." She is the little protector of her brother and sister. I feel like just yesterday she was handed to me in the hospital. This 5 lb 13 oz and 18 inch little girl had her daddy wrapped around her little finger the moment he saw her. She is precious in every sense of the word. We love you little Brinley Bug. Forever and ever.

The day she was born

Birthday #1

Two years old. Go cougars!

Third Birthday Party

Our beautiful girl!!

Our Family Filled Week

We have had such a fun week with our cousins! Darren's brother and his wife came to visit from AZ with their three kids. Carter and Brin are a month apart, Brielle and Beckham are 8 months apart and Addilyn and Presley are two months apart. So fun! We went to the zoo of course.

Brielle, Beckham and Jace

Presley just chilled thewhole time. She is seriously the BEST baby.

Beckham, Brinley and Carter

Brinley, Carter, Brielle and Beckham. Jace was there too, but being camera shy

Brielle, Beckham and Darren

We of course headed to Darren's dad's house for a yummy bbq.

Grandpa with three of the four little ones: Addilyn, Cole and Presley

Grandpa and grandma with all the kiddos

Uncle Landon giving horse rides

Between sessions of General Conference on Saturday we headed up the canyon and stopped for pictures and let the kids play in the water at Bridal Veil Falls. All the colors are changing and it was so pretty

Mt kids didn't want to cooperate. They would look everywhere but the camera

Daddy and Presley

Cousins... Can you tell Jace wasn't too happy to be in the picture?

We love our cousins!