Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! We are so grateful to have each of you in our lives and hope you have a fantastic day filled with love and laughter!

Live from the cell phone!

So we are all still alive here....unfortunately our laptop isn't in doing quite so well! Of course this comes just as i decide to get the blog all caught up! Hopefully we'll be back soon!

29 AGAIN....

Mark celebrated his 29th Birthday for the 4th year in a row...I think it might have been his best 29th yet! In honor of his big day I thought I would share 29 of my favorite things about him....the pictures are from his birthday, where he did his very best to hide from the camera!
1. He's super hot stuff (what can I say, I'm shallow...lol)

2. He is an awesome husband

3. He is such a fun Dad

4. He is the most sarcastic person I know

5. He puts up with me

6. He knows more about sports than anyone I know

7. He knows more about most things than anyone I know

8. All of the kids in our neighborhood think he was a clown before we met

9. He loves to make me listen to crappy 80's music on You Tube

10. He thinks he is an awesome hip hop dancer

11. His pop-a-wheelies are AWESOME....ask him to show you

12. He loves that I blog and when I slack off he will leave the page up as a hint

13. He loves Mandy Moore's "Candy" song

14. He can almost always get me to crack a smile, no matter what the situation

15. He is a rockin' game player

16. He wears short sleeve shirts year round
17. He has awesome green eyes

18. He totally steps up to help me out when I am prego, and takes such good care of the kids

19. We have fun no matter what we're doing

20. He is a "diva" on the Hannah Montana Wii game

21. He looks cute in his BYU jersey, even though I hate jerseys

22. He teases the girls relentlessly....and they love it....

23. Cooper had 60 "Cars" cars by the time he was 6 months old

24. He puts up with my need to shop

25. He LOVES Disneyland and is so fun to go with

26. He has an amazing testimony and is an awesome priesthood holder

27. He is the most kind-hearted person I know

28. His family is his #1 priority and loves to spend time with us
29. He is an amazing provider for our family and works so hard

Love You Babe!

Pumpkin Patch!

Anyone that knows me know that I LOVE Halloween and all thing fall! I have been so sad that in the past we have had to go to Walmart and buy our pumpkins, but this year we heard about this cute little pumpkin patch!The kids got to search for the perfect pumpkin and then cut it right off the vine. It was awesome!

They also had cornstalks for my front porch, which made me very happy because I couldn't find them anywhere! I had even been out stalking the local corn fields and was ready to commit a crime to get my corn stalks...:). Mark doesn't quite understand my love of cornstalks, but was a good sport about stuffing them in the car. The girls loved the ride home!

Details, details...

So did we suprise you all?! Guess what? You weren't the first to be suprised...lol! We really thought that our family was complete, but I guess The Big Guy knew something we didn't! To say we were instantly thrilled would be a lie, I was scared to death! Not to have another baby, (although, that certainly hadn't been in the plan) but the thought of being pregnant after JUST being pregnant FREAKED me out! I still have some days that I get a little freaked out! I just have to keep thinking that Heavenly Father knows I can handle this, it wouldn't have happened if he didn't! Also, I keep telling myself that He must not think I am the worst mother in the world if He trusts me with another sweet little spirit.


We are getting very excited for this new little person in our family. I have always wanted 4 kids and have always thought it was the perfect number. In fact, just a few weeks before we found out I was telling my Sister-in-law, Becky, that just had her 4th this week that I thought it was so cool she was going to have 4 because it is the perfect number. (I think I also followed that up with, "I'm just glad I don't have to do it." LOL) I am so excited that Coop is going to have a buddy to grow up with also! There are 4 1/2 years between Brook and Cooper and it will be fun for him to have someone close in age.


So the details....I am almost 12 weeks along and am due May 10th! Have I been sick? Well up until this week I have been doing really well compared to my other pregnancies. I am eating all the time instead of not being able to eat at all, so that is a welcome change, but I am afraid I am going to be the size of an elephant by the time I am done! We went to Disneyland last week which was amazing I was able to do that and I felt great. It was such a blessing!! However, I either wore myself out, or Heavenly Father knew we needed this trip and blessed me with feeling better until we got back because this week has been a trial. I am hoping I bounce back quickly!


Thank you all for your well wishes! We weren't sure the kind of reactions we would get at first...lol! Your comments all meant so much to me! We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such loving and supportive family and friends!


I am also so grateful for my sweet Markie, I couldn't do this with out him. He is so willing to help me out when I am not feeling up to something and is just such a constant support to me. I think I might be wearing a straight jacket right now, if it had not been for the sweet, comforting, powerful blessing he gave me when we found out. He has been unwavering and although we often look at each other, laugh, and ask, "How did we get ourselves into this" he hasn't doubted for a minute the blessing this baby is to us. I love you Sweetie!


P.S. I forgot to add a funny story....When we were at Disneyland, we were with some friends and the guys had gone off to do a big ride and left my friend and I to take the kids on the carousel. When I went to get Cooper out of the stroller I realized that he had fallen asleep and asked my friend if she would mind taking Brook and Syd with her along with her two boys. When she was getting off the ride, a lady asked in amazement, "Are these ALL your kids?" My friend laughed and told her no. When they came back to find me she told me the story and we both started laughing hysterically when we realized that soon I WOULD have that many kids. We were dying.

P.P.S. So what do you think? Boy or Girl!?

Suprise!

We have a...

What does your blog say about you.....

So I found the coolest website ever the other day! You can put in your blog address in and it will make a picture out of the words that you write the most....how cool is this?

"Holey" Cow...

Saturday I took the kids down to the Gateway to do some shopping with my Mom and after HOURS there, I remembered that Syd had been asking me if we could get her ears pierced. I had told her when she turned 8 she could get them pierced and we just hadn't had the chance, so I figured , "Why not?!" I was so nervous, but she was a pro. She barely even blinked when they did it! She picked out little pink diamond studs and they look so cute!

Cooper is 9 months!!

I can't believe my baby Coop is already 9 months old! Time is moving WAY too fast! Coop is also moving way too fast....he has turned into a marathon crawler and is cruising around and between the furniture. He also loves all the little nooks and crannies in our house. He loves to climb onto the bottom shelf of my end table, I am always finding him under the girls beds, and he loves to play in the tree behind the couch! He is also getting very adventurous....I didn't really understand why everyone told me that boys are so different than girls....until now!! He is into everything! It's so funny to watch the wheelS spinning in his little mind, you can almost see the trouble! A couple of weeks ago, the girls had been playing in the basement and had come upstairs and left the gate open about 6 inches. From where I was sitting it looked like it was closed and about 10 seconds after I had checked it, I heard Coop falling. It was one of the worst sounds I have every heard. When I got to him he seemed pretty OK and had just bumped his lip but as the night went on he started throwing up. At first, I thought it was spit up but after we had put him to bed I smelled myself and I totally smelled like throw up. The next day he was acting OK, but when he woke up from his nap his bed was covered in throw up. I called the Dr and we ended up having to take him in for a head CT. Everything was good, but they said he had a mild concussion! I keep telling Mark that we are going to throw him a HUGE 2nd birthday when he turns 2 to celebrate the fact he is still alive!Besides getting into things, Coops favorite thing to do is eat. He is getting teeth 6, 7 ,and 8 right now and is eating almost everything we eat. He is a bottomless pit! His favorite things are fruit puffs, black beans and tomatoes. My favorite thing about Coop getting bigger is seeing his sweet little personality. He is so cuddly and follows me around the house saying, "Ma Ma, Ma Ma, Ma Ma." It's so sweet! :) He loves his Daddy so much and gets so excited when he comes home! He also loves to play with the girls, but he has learned that hair pulling is his best defense...lol! He also loves to "dance" and play "pat-a-cake"!

Coopie I love ya...Happy Birthday!

P.S. Between chasing ants, eating leaves, and trying to crawl off the porch....these pictures were as good as it gets!!

The big 4-0...

40 years ago today Mark's Mom and Dad were married in the Salt Lake Temple and I just wanted to wish them a Happy Anniversary! Can you believe it? 40 years! What a remarkable accomplishment and milestone. In this time they have raised 6 beautiful, successful, spiritual children. They are grandparents to ALMOST 17 grand kids. They have attended countless baseball games, football games, piano recitals, school events, dance recitals, all to make their kids and grand kids feel so special. They have served as Bishop and Relief Society President. They have served countless friends, family members and neighbors. They have been examples to so many around them. And they have shown us how to have a happy marriage, filled with love, compromise and respect. I truly lucked out in the in-law department and am so grateful to be able to call them Mom and Dad! Happy Anniversary!!

Nie Nie Day

I just wanted to share a story that has touched my heart this week. I have read on several different blogs about a couple that were severley burned in a plane crash. Stephanie, was burned over 80% of her body and her husband, Christian, over 30%. There were just 3 people on board and the pilot was killed in the accident. This couple has 4 children that were not with them and a LONG recovery ahead of them. Today several bloggers are holding auctions on their websites to help this family out....if your are interested in reading about this amazing family or donating, click on the link above!

My good friend Amanda, who is an AMAZING photographer is donating a family photo shoot worth $400 dollars if any of you are interested! 100% of the proceeds will go towards helping the Nielson family. Check out her awesome work and get all the details... http://amandasimages.blogspot.com/

School Days, School Days...

Well it's official...both my girlies are back in school! I can't believe that summer is over already, it seems like we were just counting down the days for it to start. I am excited for the girls to be back in school because they both love it so much and could definitely use some time apart, but it makes me sad when they are gone! I have to admit though, I am enjoying having a bit of quiet time around here!

Syd started last week and I have to say that her first day was one of my hardest days I have had as a Mom. I hesitated writing about this because 1) it was such a hard thing for me 2) it's kind of embarrassing and 3) I was totally THAT mom...you know, the annoying helicopter mom. It was such an amazing experience for me though that I don't want to forget it!

It all started a few weeks ago when we found out that Syd wasn't going to be in the class that she thought she was going to be in . At the end of last year there was a chance that her 2ND grade teacher was going to move up to 3rd and we asked her if she wouldn't mind putting Syd in her class if she did. We finally heard a few weeks ago that she was going to move up and Syd was so excited. She been telling everyone who her teacher was going to be, but when the lists came out she wasn't in her class. Syd was pretty devastated and was especially sad because a few of her good friends were going to be in the class. I decided that I would go over to the school and see if I could switch her teacher and had to write a written request. A couple days later I was at the school for Brook's Kindergarten tests and asked about the request. It had been denied because the class she was in was smaller than the other. I kind of just though, "oh well" and told myself I had tried and it would be fine either way. Syd was also getting used to the idea of being in the other class so I figured we were set.

Then, the night before school started I couldn't sleep and was so sick to my stomach. I couldn't stop thinking about Syd and her class. I was honestly ready to home school her I was feeling so bad about things. I spent the morning praying and trying to figure out what to do. I finally felt like I knew what I had to do. I felt very strongly that I needed to go in to talk to the office first thing in the morning and to ask for a different teacher than I had originally requested. I hadn't ever thought of doing this before.

When Syd woke up I told her what I was thinking and she started to cry. Great. Syd isn't a big fan of change and she had finally accepted she was going to be in one class and wasn't ready to change again. I was feeling so torn. Do I do what I felt so strongly about and make my little girl sad?! I told her I would think about how she felt and I would see how I felt when we got to school. We went a little early to leave us time to go into the office and Syd really just wanted to go to her class. We walked to the back of the school to her class and I was nearly in tears. I just felt sick. We walked right up to the class and we saw her teacher. She was darling and was so sweet when she was greeting the kids. I was very impressed, but still totally sick. I pulled Syd away and we were walking back towards the office when she saw her one good friend in the class. Syd was so excited to see her and told me she just wanted to go back to her class with her friend. Honestly, I didn't know what to do. I knew she was going to cry and feel sad if I made her leave, so I took her into her class. Her teacher was very sweet and I even took a picture with her and Syd. I said goodbye to Syd and walked back out of the room.

My car was really close to where I was and instead of leaving I ended up walking through the hallways of the school trying not to cry. Now, I cry every year when I drop them at school, but this was different. I was so sick. I don't remember the last time I had felt so bad. I knew I couldn't leave her there. I ended up back at the office and had to wait to talk to the secretary. I really didn't know what to say. They had already turned me down on switching Syd to her old teacher and I really couldn't say I had a problem with the teacher because I had really felt like she was very sweet when I had met her. I then remembered that I had felt like I should ask for a different teacher. I told the secretary that I was wondering if I could try to switch Syd to another class and she told me the others had even more kids than the first class. She then asked me what was going on and I lost it. She was so sweet and sat and talked to me and took me into the Principal's office so I could talk to him. I was so embarrassed and was trying to collect myself while I waited for the principal. I thought I was going to have to go through the whole story with him, but when he walked into the room he thought Brook was Syd and asked her if she was ready to go to Mrs. Slade's class. I was shocked! He sat down with me and instead of making me feel silly or embarrassed, he simply said, "Thank goodness for the inspiration of mothers." I was floored. He had talked to the secretary and had already been down to arrange for Syd to join the class we had originally requested. He also mentioned that he appreciated that I was wiling to be flexible with the teacher to switch her to, but that he thought it would be fine to put her in her old teachers class. I honestly think that because I was willing to switch to another teacher, he knew that it wasn't just about getting my way and having her in the class I wanted.

The principal went and excused Syd from her class and I met her outside her new class. I was so worried that she would be upset, but the principal had told her that she was going to be in her old teachers class so when I saw her she was all smiles! I was so relieved! I told her I was sorry to take her out of the class and quickly told her how important I felt to was to switch her and we both got a little misty eyed. It was such a special moment. We had just had a FHE that Monday night about feeling the spirit, and I think she really understood!

Ever since then, I have wondered why I felt the way I did. I really don't think it was the teacher, but I guess I will never know. I am just so grateful that things worked out the way I KNOW they were supposed to. I am so grateful for answered prayers and guidance and comfort when things are hard!

My sweet girl ready to go!

So my Brooker-bee is officially a Kindergartner and her first day should have been my teary day, but it was such a great day for Brook. She got a great teacher who she knows, has a TON of friends in her class from our ward and was just so excited to go to school with Syd! (She is still trying to convince me to let her walk home with Syd.) This week has been amazing and she has been so happy. We have tried several times to get little readers for her at the library, but she hasn't shown a lot of interest...until now. We went to the library on Tuesday and got her three books and she has already learned all the words in all three books. I can't wait to watch her learn and grow this year!

My Brookie-Cookie

Ready to go...

Brookie and Avery

Brook and Mrs. Hyre....does she look a little nervous? lol

P.S. My BABY is a KINDERGARTNER!!

August Rush...

August is a BIG month for birthdays in our family, so I just wanted to tell these people I love SO much, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

First, is my sweet sis eMiLy! I feel so lucky to have her as a sister. But most importantly, as a friend. We have become very close and it means so much to me to have her in my life. My kiddos also love Em, she is so sweet to them and and so fun, she is SUCH a great Aunt. While we were at Bear Lake, Syd was Em's shadow. If Em went to the pool, Syd wanted to go. If Em was going on the jet ski, Syd wanted to go with her. She looks up to you so much! Em, you are such an amazing woman and I love you SO much!

Mark's brother MaTt also had a birthday this month and this month was also special because we actually got to see him! Summer time has become such a fun time for my kids because their Uncle Matt, Aunt Noriko, and cousins visit from Japan. The girls count down for them to come and get especially excited to see them. Matt is always teasing or playing with the girls and they LOVE it! Matt, we hope you had an awesome day and we are all missing you here! Love you!

My super cool nephew jAcObturned 9 this year which blows me away! I remember him in his cute little suit as a baby at our wedding! Jacob is such an amazing kid and is so much fun to be around. He has such a wonderful sense of humor and we all had a blast with him in Park City! Jacob, you are turning into such a great young man and we hope you had an amazing Birthday! We love you and miss you buddy!!

Next, JoNaH, also turned 9 this year! Watching Jonah grow up has been so fun for me. He reminds me a little of what I think my Markie was like as a boy. He is so sweet and kind-hearted, but also has a killer sense of humor! Jonah, I was so proud of you as I watched you sing with your family last week and saw your candy machine in your room. I am so impressed you are preparing to go on your mission now! We all love you so much! Happy Birthday!

And last but not least HaNnAh turned 7!! Hannah is one of the sweetest girls I know! She has such a sweet spirit and the cutest smile EVER! Hannah is so full of life and I love to watch her dance....she has got MOVES. :) Hannah we love you so much and are so glad that we get to see your smile often (Although NOT often enough...hint, hint.) You are turning into such a beautiful, smart, & caring young lady and we can't wait until your baptism!!

Love you all....

New Tunes

I just wanted to share an awesome website that my friends are all using....you can download songs for 20 cents and albums for $1.98! Syd got an Ipod for her birthday and I was able to get all of her favorite songs for her! I also now have more than 15 songs on the Ipod I have had since Christmas...lol. Once you sign up you can also tell your friends and get free credits, so if you are interested check out my site!

http://www.mp3fiesta.com/?user=3700174

Syd's BIG day(s)!

August has been a busy month so far for Syd! She turned 8 (CRAZY!!)on August 1st and was Baptized(even CRAZIER!!) on August 2nd! It has been such a wonderful opportunity to watch Syd learn and grow and especially neat to watch her testimony grow. She was honestly more excited to be Baptized than she was for her Birthday. I am so proud of her and her decision to be Baptized! It was such an awesome experience, and I was tearing up for the opening song! My Dad said the prayer, Bry lead the music, and Mark's Dad gave a wonderful message about being Baptized. Bry and Mark's Dad were the witnesses. When it was time for Syd to be Baptized she just had a HUGE grin and was so excited. Mark and her both looked so cute in their white outfits. I loved meeting her in the dressing room right after, I felt so lucky to be the Mom of the amazing little girl that was walking towards me!

Mark confirmed her right after and did such a beautiful job. I am so grateful to have such a worthy priesthood holder for a husband. After the confirmation, Syd and 5 of her friends sang "Baptism Song" and it was beautiful. They did a great job! Here is a link of a video of the girls practicing their song that I stole from our friends the Allens, whose daughter Millie got baptized with Syd.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5932365699860420254

Syd and her Daddy

Our Little Fam

My Sweet Kiddos

Syd and her Baptism Buddy, Millie

Syd with G&G Parry

Syd with G&G Wilson

Syd & Grandma Farmer
Syd and her Pop

Bry, Syd & Em
Hannah, Steve, Syd, Monique, Hayley & Brook
Syd & my hunka-hunka-burnin'-love

Mark the Grill Master

Our attempt to get a family picture :)

Syd also celebrated her Birthday with her friends with a Pool Party! We rented out out neighborhood pool and we were a little worried the day of, as the skies were filled with dark clouds. We arranged to have the girls come to our house first instead of having dinner and stuff at the pool. Just as the party started thought, the skies cleared and it was absolutely beautiful out! The girls had such a blast and Syd was in heaven!