My Baby Girl

A few weeks ago I decided to play around with my camera and take some fun pictures of Aubriella.  Matt helped me rearrange the furniture upstairs so I could set my camera up by the window (I needed some good lighting), and then he was my patient assistant as I played around.  I had so much fun!  Here are are a few of my favorites.

 

A Getaway

We decided we needed a little getaway.  I am tired of the boys just wanting to play the Wii and watch Cartoon Network all day!  They seem to think that that is the only fun thing to do around the house and when I don't allow it, they wine at me all day long!  They are struggling with their creativity these days and it has been such nice weather outside.  So, to get them out of the house, we decided to go down to the cabin at the property for the weekend.  Grandpa joined us on Friday and took Dakota down early with him.  As soon Daxton was out of school, we left to join them.  Grandpa and Dakota greeted us on the four-wheeler at the exit.  After checking out all the new improvements (the lodge and the dock) we pulled out the BBQ to cook up some hotdogs for dinner.  Later, we lit a fire and roasted marshmallows for s'mores.  Grandpa left when it was time to get some sleep; at least try (hoping Aubriella would not be up all night).  She actually slept really well, and I felt like I got caught up on my sleep from the night before.  On Saturday we just let the boys play around, and we took turns giving them rides on the four-wheeler.  It was so peaceful and relaxing (a nice change for me).  The boys seemed to get along much better with a whole lot less arguing and wining.  We will definitely be doing this a lot more often.  

On the way home, we stopped by Mike and Kelsey's new house.  They still had everything in boxes but it looked like a great place.  I think they will love it there.  The boys sure enjoy spending time with Alex and Wes. 

The boys found a furry friend and they watched it throw dirt out of its hole and pick weeds that it hauled back down. 

Aubriella-snug as a bug!

The boys had a stick race down the river.  Here they are throwing them in to start the race.  Matt threw a stick in for me and mine won!

Matt gave the boys a lesson in tent building.....

I watched....

...and they were so proud of their tent.

Pizza n' S'mores

For family night on Monday, we met our friends, the Browns, up the canyon for some pizza and s'mores. The kids were so excited be in the mountains for the first time this year. Aubriella loved being outside. I thought she would sleep the whole time being bundled up, but she was wide awake the whole time. The boys loved the fire and were begging to throw anything they could in it. The kids enjoyed setting the marshmallows on fire and feeding the ones they didn't want to the Brown's dog, Gabby. The kids were all sticky and Daxton smeared a marshmallow through his hair. The nearby river was also a big hit and just like the fire, the enjoyed throwing anything they could over the bridge into the water. It was a little chilly, but we had a great time. We definitely will have to do that a lot more this summer.

What a fun family night!

Marissa, Daxton, and Ethan biting into their s'mores.

Bradin enjoyed the s'mores but he was freezing so he hung

around in Matt's sweatshirt that hung to the ground.

Austin made me feed him his s'mores because he

doesn't like getting his hands dirty and the sticky

marshmallows were to much for him to hold.

2 Week Check-Up

On Monday Aubriella had her 2 week well-baby check up.  The doctor reported that she is growing like a weed!  The goal is to be back up to their birth weight at this age but she is about a pound more than that weighing 7 lbs. 13 oz.!  She is finally starting to get a double chin and a few small rolls on her thighs.  I can't believe how good natured she is.  She is always so happy and alert.  Other than the lack of sleep, I am still having so much fun playing with my baby girl

Wedding Adventures

Last week was a little crazy but it was so much fun.  Brian and Sarah's wedding reception was on Thursday evening.  It was fun to dress all my kids up but that always gets a little crazy.  Austin decided to go head first down the stairs in the garage as we are headed to the car.  Despite the bloody swollen lip, he managed to keep his new shirt and tie blood free.  (we sure lucked out)  At the reception, we attempted to assign Dax and Kota the responsibility to collect the presents.  They thought that was pretty cool for the first few minutes and then we spent the rest of the evening kicking them off of the elevator, bringing them back up the stairs, and chasing them out of the kitchen.  But, they were sure having a good time.  Aubriella looked like a little angel in her new dress and we enjoyed showing her off.  She was so perfect and I don't remember her making a peep the whole night.  We had such a good time seeing all of our friends and family.  It sure was a beautiful reception.

Despite the late night, we were able to get up bright and early to head up to the temple for the wedding.  Matt's parents were inspired to show up at our doorstep a half hour before we had to leave to offer some help.  That sure was a blessing and helped us get out the door on time. They followed us up to the temple with Ashley to watch our kids while we attended the wedding. We are sure blessed to have family so willing to help.  The spirit was so strong in the sealing room, and what a blessing to have my Grandpa Hal there to seal Brian and Sarah for time and all eternity.  We hung around for pictures afterward and then took the Trax over to Jason's Deli to visit a little more with our family and Sarah's family.  Even though we had my parents there to help us hold on to our kids, it was still a little crazy having 5 kids to keep track of.  Wow what an adventure. I think next time we should bring a few leashed for the boys!

It's official!

Even though wedding plans have already been in the works, it is finally official!  Yesterday, between conference sessions, Barrett took Brooke to a special spot up Rock Canyon and proposed. We are so excited for them; they are so perfect for each other.   I am so excited to have Brooke as a sister-in-law.  They will be getting married in the Kona temple in Hawaii the end of June. 

(Looks like a good excuse for us to take a vacation!)