There once was a very young couple

who had three theories about raising kids.

They now have three kids,

and no theories.

(A qoute I heard somewhere, but actually fits us quite well)

Too much info.

Aubree - 7 1/2 months old. height: 25" (10%), weight: 16.5 lbs (25%), head circ. (75%). She takes after her sisters...(and her Daddy) :) She's getting so big so quickly, time just keeps going faster and faster for me. She'll be crawling pretty soon, but it seems like she should only be 3 months old. I can't even describe how much joy she brings into our home! I think the more kids you have the more you enjoy the baby stage. Preschoolers can sometimes be such a handful and kinda' sassy sometimes, but I never have to worry about Aubree throwing a tantrum (on purpose) or hitting me (to be mean) or saying she'll never play with me again. The worst a baby can do is nothing compared to a 5- or 3-year old!
Ellise - 3 1/2 years. And she is very aware of how she looks too - she brushes her long, beautiful, blonde hair about six times a day and is very picky about what she wears (which is usually a dress or a skirt). I think it's hard for her to be the second child (especially since her big sister has such a dominant personality). So, we have a lot of crying and whining from her, which drives me crazy, but my Mom keeps telling me that she's just trying to figure out how to be seen and heard. We still try to have her take a nap every day (but it usually only happens about 4 days a week). I asked Ellie what she wanted me to say about her on our blog and she said "I love you" - she is a very sensitive and loving person.


Carly - 5 years. People ask us all the time if Carly and Ellie are twins (Carly is only 1 1/2 inches taller than Ellie), which used to really bug Carly, but now she thinks it's funny that they always trick people! Her and Ellie have been getting along pretty well lately (only fighting 30% of the time instead of 60%), I just love to see them playing well together and make-believing with each other - they are so creative! Carly is definitely a leader - she is very good at directing all the other kids (neighbors and friends) when they play house (even if she is supposed to be the baby in the game). I asked Carly what she wanted me to say about her on our blog - "That I'm really nice" - well, she gets an "E" for effort. She really does try, but she takes after her Mom...(not a whole lot of natural patience). I've said this before, but she is just a very passionate girl. Aaron hopes that when she's older she gets called as the R.S. "Passionate" service leader (his version of compassionate service leader I guess) - ha ha!! She asks some of the most interesting questions - she is so curious and eager to learn.
hair-brushing train

Me - I'm not one of those superwomen who can keep up on a blog and be a good mother, wife, housekeeper, enrichment leader, etc. all at the same time. I'm really trying to work on my organizational skills! So, I've been blogging less and watching movies less and going to bed earlier and waking up at 6am (a few days a week) to go walking and read my scriptures (I realized that I need to start my days off better). The biggest reason I decided to start walking is because I usually go through every day feeling tired and in a fog. And I'm sick of feeling so worn out and having to miss out on motherhood because of it. I want my girls to have memories of me playing with them and being cheerful and excited about life. (As I said earlier "I'm trying".) Most people I talk to who do exercise say they can tell a difference in their energy level, so I'm hoping it works for me. Another reason I've started walking is because I've been blessed with a healthy body, and up to this point I've just taken that for granted, so I want to do something to show that I'm grateful to have a healthy body. I know walking isn't a big deal, but it's a starting point.


Aaron - Still has a job which is seriously a blessing (and a miracle considering how slow things are at his firm and how many landscape architects are out of jobs right now). But, it's still likely that he could lose his job at any time. I just wonder when things will pick back up again. It's interesting to think about where the future might take us! Aaron's been studying for the last two tests in the licensing exam and he takes the tests this weekend. I'm thinking he'll pass and then he will be official! He's also been getting really excited for his big hunt in two weeks with his cousin Terrance. Right now Aaron is carrying Aubree on his shoulders and supervising the other kids outside - such a good Daddy. (Sorry, no picture of Aaron - I just realized that Aaron and I need to actually include ourselves in some of the pictures.)

p.s. Another movie recommendation that I forgot about: BBC's Little Dorrit (based on the novel by Charles Dickens). Very highly recommend it - both Aaron and I really liked it! Sometimes BBC movies aren't very good with the acting and look low budget, but not this one. Seriously, WAY good acting, awesome story, very well made.

Recommendations

These are two movies that we have watched in the past few months and really enjoyed. They are both the inspirational and motivational type (not LDS though). I also read the book "Gifted Hands: the Ben Carson Story" and loved it even more than the movie (of course).

Happy 5th Birthday Carly Nicole!!!

Flashback to 5 years ago....

It was 16 days before the due date and I went in to my regular doctor's appointment. We were living in Rexburg at the time and I wanted to go to Utah for a family reunion with my siblings that weekend. Well, the doctor told me I wouldn't be going to Utah, but instead I would be going to the hospital (I was dilated to a 6 and didn't even know I was in labor). Ha ha!!

Well, NINE, exchrutiatingly painful hours later (with pitocin and without an epidural!) Carly Nicole was born. I never knew that I could fall in love with someone so fast - truly love at first sight!!! She was 6 lb 12oz and perfectly healthy. We had a hard time naming her. We couldn't decide between Nicole or Carly so we made Nicole her middle name. (We also liked the names Kelly and Aubree.)

I wish I had some baby pictures of her on our computer...maybe next year. But, here are some recent pictures of the little cutie.

For her birthday this year my parents came and took us to Lagoon. The girls of course LOVED it!

Even though Carly is barely old enough to go to kindergarten we decided (a long time ago) that we would hold her back. This way she won't be the shortest of the shortest when she starts school - she'll just be average-short :). And her and Ellie will only be a year apart in school which will be nice for them I think.

Today she woke up so excited that it was her birthday. She was sure that because she turned 5 she would finally be able to read. So, she picks up one of her books and starts reading it (the story line was right, but the words weren't exact) :). She is getting really close to reading on her own though. She knows all the letters' sounds and can sound out short phonetic words. She loves to write things with my help and just loves to learn in general. Aaron and I seriously think she's a genius (it's her birthday, so it's okay if I brag, right?).

She is the most amazing little singer - memorizes songs SO easily and has perfect pitch! The primary presidency is always commenting on how well she sings and they asked if she would sing a solo for the primary program this year.

Well, I could just go on and on about how smart and cute and wonderful Carly is, but I need to get ready for church. And chances are some of you are getting bored with this already (could it be possible?).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLY!

Our Breester

When someone first sees Aubree we get one of two comments (or both).

What would you guess they are?

Answers: "Oh, look at those cheeks!" (or something to that effect)

or "She has such beautiful blue eyes!" (These pictures don't do justice to how pretty her eyes really are.)

Stephanie and Bryant

June 6th, 2009
(Yeah, this is a little late - I keep waiting for Steph to post these pictures on her blog)

Ellie and Sophie

Family Reunion

Wow! It's been awhile.

So, earlier this month we had a family reunion on Aaron's side of the fam. (his parents and siblings). Aaron and I were the chair people of the reunion which was a bit stressful, but all in all I think things went well and everyone had an enjoyable time.

Aaron has 7 siblings (all are married except the baby of the family). There are 14 grandkids (with one due any day now). 29 people all together! Fun, fun, fun!!!

Aaron's oldest brother Justin is a photographer (among other things) and he took all of these pictures.

We started the reunion at Aaron's parents house which is where this picture was taken. (Aaron designed and built their awesome front patio.)

We went to Island Park to our brother-in-law's cabin for the last couple days.

Aaron's brother, Brett, was the host of the family Redneck Games. Some of the events included toilet seat toss, cherry seed spittin' contest (I won in the Women's Division), and hub cap throwing (the picture below was taken just before Justin ducked out of the way to save his life).
I think it was especially fun just to be able to have all the little cousins get together. The two oldest are 7 and the rest are all 5 and under. They have so much fun together (despite some of the battles)! Here are some of the girl cousins playing dress-up.

(Ellie, Carly, Kay-Lynn, Kaylie, and Megan)

Collecting wild flowers at the cabin.

King (and Queen) of the Hill. (Ashton and Carly)

It was fun to see the whole family! Thanks for everyone's enthusiasm and help! Love ya!