Our baby is 4!

It's hard to believe that 4 years have passed since the birth of our last little baby! On June 20th, 2012, we celebrated our sweet Jayden's 4th birthday. I can't remember any of our children ever being as excited about a birthday at this age as Jayden was. He would ask each day, "How many more darks?" and was counting down. He couldn't wait to turn 4!

In order to properly celebrate his awesomeness, I want to first talk a little about Jayden. Then, I'll give a rundown of how we spent the special day.

Jayden is the baby of our family in every way. Each member of our family does their part to take care of him and he eats it up. While Jaxon is fiercely independent, Jayden loves the attention of being the baby and is more likely to ask for help, even when he's perfectly capable of doing it himself. He loves to snuggle. He is quiet, shy and sweet as pie. He falls asleep in random places at random times. Almost every week, he sleeps through primary. At the beginning of class, he will climb on the lap of his teacher and fall asleep. They will lay him down in the corner and he sleeps through a good portion of class. It's so cute.

Jayden is a bit of a computer addict. He loves anything with a screen. He asked for a Nintendo DS for his birthday but that wasn't going to happen. We have to limit him as it is or he would play the Wii or computer all day long. He enjoys talking trash to his dad and brothers when they play games. It's quite humorous when the older boys in the family ask for his help getting past a difficult part of a game. It's not uncommon to hear him come out of his usual shell when he's playing Wii by saying things like, "Dat what you get suckaaaa!" We can't help but laugh since he is usually so quiet and sweet.

Jayden has his dad wrapped around his cute little finger. Dan has commented often about how he wishes Jayden would stay little, just like he is now. Jayden also tells me often how he loves me sooo much- but he loves Mason more :) Mason and Jayden share a special bond and are two peas in a pod. Unless Mason is at school, you will rarely find one of them without the other. We are so blessed to have our beautiful baby boy in this family. 

Now back to the festivities!  As I mentioned before, Jayden asked for a Nintendo DS for his birthday. Instead, he got a brand new bike. If he wants to be a part of this family, he's going to have to stay active ;-)

It's  16" of bright green (his favorite color) Hot Wheels goodness, fully equipped with a fake speedometer and a handle bar you can twist and pretend to rev, while making "vroom vroom" noises. Suh-weet! Now if we can only convince our timid little guy to ditch the training wheels so he can keep up with his dare devil brother!

After Jayden got his bike, we piled into the car and headed to Trafalga for a day of family fun. It was ridiculously hot outside, but we had a fantastic time. Here are some pics of our fun day:

At Trafalga, the kids climbed the rock wall, rode several rides, drove the bumper cars and played laser tag. They had such a great time. After we left, they started asking when we can go back- and since we have season passes, we were able to honestly say, "Soon."

Around 6pm, we headed home with a tired brood of kiddos, where we celebrated some more with cake and ice cream. Jayden requested a Spider-man cake and unlike the DS, this was a request we were happy to grant. Our cute neighbor, Carson Wycherly, came knocking at the door just as we were about to start cake and ice cream, so we invited him in to join the party. He is a good friend with both boys and they were happy to have him over to celebrate.

After we all had cake and ice cream, we rushed Jayden off to his very first Tball practice! It was such a busy day for our little guy! He enjoyed every second of it- which is fitting since we have enjoyed every second of him. Happy birthday little guy! We adore you!

15 Years

This is the picture that went with our wedding announcement. I only have the teeny tiny file uploaded so it's really poor quality.

May 31st 1997- I woke up with a migraine and took some medicine to help with the pain. Because we had to be to the temple so early in the morning for the 8:30am ceremony, I didn't have time for breakfast.  My dad ran back to the house to get the ring- because I forgot that little detail. The rest of the story has been told many times (how I puked on my dress, how there was a tornado that day...) but as entertaining as that all is, it isn't what matters. That day was the start of everything we have built for the past 15 years, and everything we'll continue building throughout eternity.

A year after we were married- our trip to Lake Powell- May 1998

On May 31st, Daniel and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary. I could write a sappy blog about how amazing it has all been and how perfect everything is, but those who know and love us know that that isn't the reality of how our story has been written. The past 15 years have mirrored our wedding day in so many ways. Not much has been perfect. Sometimes one of us was ready for what was coming next while the other one drug their feet. Sometimes one of us- or both of us- forgot what was important. And yes, there has been plenty of puking ;-)  We've been through some really rough stuff. It's been touch and go for us at times. But here we are, in a great place. We are happy and in love and we have a beautiful family. I love our story. I love it because life isn't always about everything magically falling into place. Sometimes life is about fighting hard for what matters most. And fight we have ;-) We've gotten where we are with blood, sweat, tears, prayer, faith, and a lot of love and hard work- and it has been worth every single minute.

The birth of our first baby- Mason Wade- October 1999

Savannah's blessing day- October 2003

Family picture- December 2003

 

Family picture- June 2005

Looking back and reflecting on the past 15 years- all the good and bad- I would do it again in a second. The beauty of our story far outweighs our struggles. We are surrounded by so many blessings and so much joy. We have never been as happy as we are today. I don't expect the next 15 years to be a cake walk. We're knee deep in kids who will soon be teenagers. We're still going to be us- stubborn, spoiled and completely opposite in every way. We will have good days and bad days, good months and bad months, and most likely, good years and bad years. It is marriage after all. But what I know is this- I married the love of my life and I am incredibly lucky. There is not a person on this earth that I would rather be married to. He makes me laugh every day. He makes me love him more every day. And every time I look into those bright blue eyes, I still get butterflies.  Every memory we have made together is a piece in our own unique story. So while it hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine, it has been OUR story. It is beautiful.

In front of the Emperor's palace in Japan- 2004.

Jaxon's blessing day- Feb 2007

Jayden's birth- June 2008

Daniel, thank you for the past 15 years- and thanks in advance for the next 1,000. Thank you for loving me enough to see through the weaknesses, to stick by me when it's not easy, and to laugh sometimes, even when I'm not funny. Thank you for building a life with me. Thank you for teaching me so many things, and making me a better person. Thank you for trudging with me, hand in hand, through the mud, to the other side, where we have found so much happiness and true joy. We've made it here- together- and I love you with everything I have.

Our family as we are today <3

Valentines Day 2012

This year, Valentine's Day was different than usual. For one thing, Dan was in town :) That always helps! I put more effort into it for Dan and my kids than I usually do, and I think we all ended up enjoying the day. Here are a few highlights.

Prior to Valentines day, the kids and I made homemade valentines for their classes. We took a picture of each of them with their fist extended out in front of their faces, in front of one of my red backdrops. Then we bought suckers and stuck the stick through their fist so it looked as if they were actually holding the suckers (see pictures). We used Photoshop to add words (They said "Have a sweet Valentines Day! Love, Savannah/Mason").

I made breakfast for the kids- Pink, heart shaped pancakes with berry syrup, eggs and bacon. After that, I did Savannah's hair in a heart shaped do with red and white "I love you ribbons (see picture above).

In their lunches, I surprised them with a small box of chocolates. I gave the 2 little ones their own box of chocolates to enjoy during the day.

For Daniel, I went out and bought 15 different helium balloons (one for each year we have been together). I made 15 envelopes out of red paper and wrote a note to stick in each envelope. Each one was a memory we have shared together. I tied the envelopes to the balloons and put them all over our room. I also had a couple of bottles of sparkling cider and a few small gifts for him.

 
Daniel got me a box of chocolates (I love chocolate more than any sane person should) and I'll be painfully honest and admit I ate the whole box, by myself, in 24 hours. He also gave me beautiful flowers. Every one of us enjoyed the day and felt loved. What could be better than that?

Christmas 2011

Ever since we became a family, we've had basically the same traditions for our Christmas holiday. Besides a couple of Christmases when Mason was just tiny, we've lived very close to our families most of our lives. And those years when we didn't, we were a small enough family that it wasn't all that difficult to pack up and go home for the holidays.

This year, we weren't quite sure what we were going to do for Christmas. This was our first holiday season in our new home. We've been thinking about starting some new traditions, now that our family has grown and our kids are getting older. The thought of packing all 6 of us up, including all our presents, stockings etc, and driving to another state for Christmas, was not all that appealing. And yet, to our children, Idaho still felt like home. It was important to them that we be there for Christmas. So, in spite of the work involved, we decided to go ahead and make the journey. Next year, when the kids aren't missing their Idaho friends and family quite as much, we might stay here in our own home and enjoy the holiday.

A few days before Christmas- we packed up EVERYTHING you can imagine. We played vehicle Tetris and were able to fit all our crap everything in the car. I was thanking the heavens that we bought the Escalade before this trip, since it has so much more cargo room than our Expedition did. There is no way we could have fit it all! The kids were bursting with excitement to see their friends.

Savannah spent the first day in Idaho with the twins, Maycie and Taylie Ard (her best friends since they were babies). One of the hardest parts of our move was leaving them. They are the closest thing she has to sisters. She had a wonderful time catching up with them and exchanging presents. We love those girls!

Christmas Eve- Christmas Eve is "The Main Event" with the Miller clan. We all gathered at David and Dana's (Dan's brother) house. We have delicious food (way toooooo much of it, as my post-holiday waistline will attest) and play some of the same games each year. The kids open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa and then we eat some more food. Later on, we play some board games and eat some more food. After that, we finish up by eating some more food :) When the clock struck "too late for kids to still be awake", we packed it all up and went back to Dan's parents house and put the kids to bed. Each Christmas eve, we also let the kids open one present-their new pajamas. We did this, and then Savannah (who is clued into the whole Santa thing) and I finished up pre-Christmas duties and put everything under the tree. It was a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve.

Jaxon and Grandpa Miller

Savannah and Grandma Miller

 Savannah was asked to read a sweet story to the family on Christmas Eve. She did a great job!

 Playing the left/right game

Christmas Day- Usually, we open our presents in the morning and then visit my parents and spend a little time with them on Christmas. However, this year, my parents flew to Alabama to spend the holiday with my sister Rachel and her cute family. Our kids were up bright and early, ready to open thei presents ( I know this is a shocking fact). And that's just what we did! The kids were thrilled with their gifts. And then.....then we just enjoyed each other. We just chilled. We soaked in the beauty of being together as a family and enjoying the Christmas holiday.

 Jaxon and Jayden in their new pajamas

 Savannah with her Zebra Pillow pet and new PJs

 Ooooh- it's a pink Ripstik! Do you know that even when the other colors go on sale, the pink one doesn't? What's that all about?

 Mason with his brand new snowboard!

We spent a few more days in Idaho before heading back home to Utah. I did a little after Christmas shopping and picked up a new tree for next year. All in all, it was a very relaxing, enjoyable trip. I wasn't sure we would be able to get everything back in the car for the drive home, but we made it (with the exception of the tree- which I did have to leave!).

As a family, we are so blessed to have each other. Although we have moved to another state, we are still close enough to visit quite often, and see those we love. Our time together is priceless.

Must be Santa!

A few days before Christmas, there was a knock on our door. We answered it and who was standing there? Santa! We invited him in and he sat down for a little chat with the "believers" (The Js). Jaxon and Jayden had plenty to tell him about what they wanted for Christmas- starting off with MORE TRAINS! They promised him they would be on their best behavior! He rewarded them with a candy cane and was shortly on his way :)

Christmas 2010

Being blessed with such a sweet family, we can't help but have a great Christmas. As a family, we decided this year to have a smaller Christmas (I tend to go waaay overboard), and then take a fun family vacation the following week instead of spending oodles of money on toys the kids soon forget anyway. I would so much rather spend money on building memories with my children. So that's what we did.

As is our tradition, we spent Christmas eve at the Miller's. We had some yummy food, played some fun games, did gift exchanges, and then opened all the gifts to/from that side of the family. Grandma Miller is the queen of knowing just what to get every child, and as always, they were thrilled.


Christmas morning is always spent at our home. I made Egg nog french toast, eggs, fresh gapes and pineapple for breakfast. It was yummy :)


Going into Christmas, my sweet Mason, when asked what he wanted, just kept saying "I dont need anything mom. We're going on vacation and that's all I need." I did finally get him to tell us he wanted an action replay (yeah I didnt know what it was either) for his DSi XL. Apparently it's a thing you put in your DS and it gives you cheat codes to any game you can think of...He is so thoughtful and unselfish, and I am so grateful for such a wonderful boy. Savannah's list, as usual, was a mile long, but we reminded her we were having a small Christmas, so she wouldnt be getting everything she asked for, like she usually does. She was okay with that. We did get her an iTouch, which she has been enjoying, and her pillow pet was a smash hit as well. The boys wanted only Thomas the train stuff, and between Grandma and us, they got a lot of it. None of the kids seemed to mind one bit that we had less presents than usual.






Later on Christmas afternoon, we went to my older brother, Jared and his amazing wife Lyndi's (who also happens to be my Bff)house, where we had a delcious Christmas dinner and enjoyed time with my side of the family. We are so blessed to live so close to our familes. After Daniel and I both working retail hours for the years we did (he managed a jewelry store, I managed Victoria's Secret and a couple of clothing stores), we also love being able to take time off during the holidays to truly enjoy them.

We hope each of you had a fantastic Christmas as well!

Halloween 2009

I do realize it's January. Better late than never right? Halloween, oh Halloween. As always, there is the neverending "What will I be.." debate. This is how it stacked up. As you can see above, Savannah chose a beautiful "ballroom princess" costume. She fell in love with it when she first saw it and I thought she looked splendid. We had a blast doing her hair and makeup and she pranced around each time she got to wear it- at school, at her ballroom party, on halloween. Mason wanted to be a soldier, but I could not find a costume his size ANYWHERE. So we settled on this Army ranger costume. It came with a hat too, but he didnt want to wear it. Nor did he want to pose for any photos, so that's why they are all of Savannah. So as for how we spent our Halloween time...

Let's start with Daniel and I, who had a crazy fun time at Hidee's halloween party. I kid you not, this was the most fun I've had in years! Hidee and Torrie put together and AMAZING, Amazing Race party. I dont know how they did it all.

We all arrived at Hidee's house, in costume. See the evidence below:











Daniel and I got some good laughs. He was (obviously) a Cheerleader, while I went as Octomom, with 8 babies strapped to my belly. Awesome ;)

After we all arrived, we were split into teams of 3 couples. Each team was given an envelope with a code on it that had to be deciphered. While we were deciphering it, one teammate was taken away. As soon as we deciphered our code, we were given a clue and headed out to our cars. The clue told us to go somwhere in Rigby with a beach (Rigby Lake). When we got there, we ran down to the beach where we found mounds of sand with glow sticks sticking out of them. We dug and dug (all the while racing the other teams) until we found a locked box. Then we noticed some twine leading into the water. We pulled the twine to find a key tied to the end. We used to key to unlock the lock box to get our next clue. We got our box and key and heard people hollaring. We headed toward the hollaring to find our missing team member, chained to the playground. We had to use the code we had deciphered to unlock our team member. Then we headed to "the mat". After all the teams were there, we headed off. We had several different challenges, clues. We got a phone number at the cemetary. When we called it, it was a local gas station, so we headed there and had to purchase something that was exactly a dollar to get our next clue. We had to tie ourselves together at the playground and go through an obstacle course. We had to find different addresses before the other teams to get a clue....so many things. At one point, we were all departing one place at the same time, racing, and Tracy backed up, right into a basketball hoop at the elementary, knocking it to about a 45 degree angle. That was funny right there. Because it wasn't me! Anyhoo...long story short, it was insanely fun! We came in 2nd place. After we got back to Hidee's, we had some food and enjoyed being kid free for a while. It was just the fun my boring self needed!

When Halloween night arrived, our kids wanted to spend it with their cousins. Mason and Savannah went trick or treating around Grandma Miller's neighborhood. Afterwards, they went roller skating with their cousins and aunts. I stayed home with the Js, who wouldn't have been much fun at that time of night. Unfortunately, Michelle, Dan's sister, blew her knee out rollerskating and had to have surgery on it! But the kids had fun ;) I wish I could have been there. I felt sad all night that I was missing it but the little boys were not in any shape to be in public that night!

Everyone had such a fun time this year. I am so thankful that we live near family. My kids get to enjoy their cousins on a daily basis. I didnt really have many cousins my age, and the ones I did have lived far out of state. So I am glad my children don't have to miss out on the joy of cousins!

Carving Pumpkins- October 2009

Another October post. Our family has a busy last week of October, with Mason's birthday the day before Halloween! We squeezed in time for some pumpkin carving. Mason decided he wanted to do a contest- Him and me against Daddy and Savannah. While we both did great, I have to give the prize to Dan and Savannah, who got creative and used a Pillsbury grands biscuit to paint a face on and stick in the mouth of their pumpkin (red paint added no less) to make it look like it ate someone's head. It was pretty funny. Until the next day when Jaxon went out on the porch and ate it, red paint and all :)

Times like these are priceless. We love our family time!

Carmeled Apples with my girls- Oct 2009

Back in October (yes, that's how far behind I am. Shame on me.) I had a girl's day at Tammy's house. We made carmeled apples (YUM) with all kinds of goodies. Now, I myself am no domestic goddess. Nope. *gasp, really?* yeah, no one is surprised by this revelation. Anyhoo... so of course someone else's carmel recipe was required, as was much brain power from Tammy, Torrie and Erica (who we called in a panic after butchering the first batch of carmel without her there).

The apples were *voices from the heavens* glorious! I gave some to my visiting teaching families and kept a few for my own family. I had a great time (as I always do when Im with these ladies!) and ate waaayyy too much sugar!

Thanks guys for a fun time- and trying to teach me a thing or two! Let's hope it sticks!