My new calling...

I was recently released from my most favorite calling to-date as a counselor in the primary presidency for 2 years. Seriously, it was the best, I loved the presidency we had so much fun together and it was drama free which was a bonus! The primary kids are amazing and I learned so much from them. My favorite part was listening to them singing, it always made me cry to hear their sweet little voices.

I was nervous about what my next calling would be...I am the new Girl's Camp Director for my ward! Wow, how exciting! I'm not a camping kind of a gal but...girls camp is always a blast. I haven't been to girls camp since I was 12 or 13, and I haven't been camping in 10 years... I don't know how to start a fire or put up a tent, but I will gladly learn.

Tinted moisturizer and mascara count as a camping necessity, right? Wish me luck. :)

Princess Party

Over the weekend Kelsey and Alexandra went to a princess party at the Disney Store. I had to force her dress on her but as soon as it was on we were golden! :)

Do you see where Kelsey is in the bottom right picture? Seriously, every 2 and 3 year old were sitting down paying attention and Kelsey was the only one grabbing at all the stuffed animals on their display and running around the store taking everything off the shelf!!! What the heck!

It was hard to not buy another cute dress and shoes...I guess we'll wait until she actually wants to put them on. (Do you like how I'm forcing her to dress up?! I just think its so cute. She will not be a tom boy, she will not be a tom boy, she will not be a tom boy...)

Our New Swagger Wagon

I'm hiding my face because I'm ashamed.
I'm ashamed because I always said "I will NEVER drive a mini van!"
I'm ashamed because after saying that for the last 10 years I actually am glad to have one. Still a little embarassed, mostly because of the image I had in my head about moms who drove them AND NOW I AM ONE OF THOSE MOMS!
I actually love it and I do have to say mini vans have come far in the last 10 years. I love that the middle seat in the 2nd row comes up closer so I can reach baby easier, I love the dvd player of course and the back up camera is pretty sweet.
No w, all I need to do is put my rhinestone license plate cover on and I'm set! haha :) Thanks to Jill!

And just in case you were wondering I'm not going to have a 'Soccer Mom' sticker on the back, its going to say 'Dance Mom' or 'Cheer Mom'. hee hee

Brooklyn's 4 months

Well, now she's about 4 1/2 months. Sorry I was slacking.
Stats: 14 lbs 2 oz (49%), 25" long (75%) and her head is in the 55%.

She is rolling over all the time and always has her hands in her mouth...she is definitely teething. All the cool babies have Sophie the Giraffe so I was sure to get one for her, which she loves! :)

The Dr. said she was a very active baby, she's always wanting to stand and is very aware of everything around her. She thinks Kelsey is hilarious and loves to watch her, from a distance. She knows now that Kelsey is a little unpredictable so gets a little weary when she gets too close (we are working on our personal space).

She just tried rice cereal for the first time 2 nights ago, I think it will take a little while to get used to. I'm just hoping it will make her sleep longer at night!

She's just as happy a baby as Kelsey was...probably means I have another crazy on my hands.

Mom

Four years ago today my mom passed away. This was a picture from my wedding, the last time I saw her. She was my best friend. I wish she were here so I can call her when I'm down, I wish she could hold my babies and see how crazy Kelsey is and I wish I could just give her one last hug, but I know she's in a better place and that's comforting.
And though I miss her more then words can describe I know I will see her again!
I love you mom.

Christmas Day

Cute n classy decorations by Traci.

We spent Christmas Day with Evan's family this year, it was the first time we have all been together so it was crazy fun. It included 12 adults and 16 children :)
Evan's parents rented out a beautiful home that we could stay in with them and one of his sisters. Just a nice big open space for all of us to congregate, it was awesome. I wish I had taken pics of the master suite, it was A M A Z I N G.
Get ready for picture overload (btw, got an amazing new camera for Christmas that snaps photos super fast and they turn out really nice so thanks Santa Faucette's)

Evan and I got to drive a Bentley (thanks Jake for trusting us). It goes really fast! heehee

Grandma stopped by and Kelsey was showing her her new book that reads out loud to her in grandma and papa's voice, pretty cool! (she now sleeps with it)




Michele, Evan, Traci, Mom, Dad, Laurie and James (one does not look like the others)

These little cuties had a lot of fun playing together.

Grandma's

Millie and Jace with their new DSi's (I think that's what they're called...we aren't there yet, thank goodness) I hate video games! :)

Cute matchy dresses. Isn't this one of the best parts about having sisters!

We blessed Hank on Sunday, this is all the fam.

Kelsey loves the Taylor boys. This is Mathew, she asked him if she could sit on his lap and then told him that at church she wanted to do the same thing.

Me and the girls...someone's a lil grumpy.

Holly, Justin and Logan came over, it was fun that they were there.

My chunky monkey.

Kelsey blowing bubbles in the kitchen. Isn't it a pretty kitchen!

Grandma doing crafts with the kids.

Grandma and Papa with the girls.

Maile came for a bite before leaving for Vegas.


Belle dress from grandparents, she is princessed OUT (and frankly I am too!)

Little Lizzy in her new cape, love the dazed look.
Laurie with new baby Hank, so sweet.

My two cuties Christmas morning. Wakey wakey.

Most of the cousins together.

Kelsey and what do ya know...Princess shoes!

The everyday madness :)

St. George Temple

This, of course, is our most favorite temple. Holly and Justin came with us to see the lights on Christmas Eve...unfortunately their light display was nothing in comparison to the LA Temple, but that's ok we still enjoyed it.

Kelsey had fun climbing up the big steps in the very front of the temple and running around with the other kids on the grass.

I had Holly take a pic of Evan kissing me at the doors you come out of after you're sealed just to have a before and after pic. :)

I can't wait to go back and actually go inside again!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with my family. We opened our gifts that night and had a delicious home made meal that Aunt Karen prepared, it was seriously sooooo good! (We wont mention the yams and marshmellows that formed into a volcano in the oven.)
We all usually spend Christmas in Santa Barbara at grams but since she's in St. George now we all migrated up there to Karen's. It was a lot of fun being together, its by far my favorite time of year.

Visiting Grandma in St. George

It was so nice to finally see gram, we haven't seen her since she moved from SB in October. Kelsey was so excited to see her, she just loves her so much. Her place was tiny but all 8 of us fit in there. It was fun activities she gets to do there, they keep her busy and of course she keeps herself busy by knitting infant hats for the hospital. I miss her being so close!!!