The 4th

Today was the 4th of July.  We had a lot of fun spending time with friends for dinner and playing, and then off to the fireworks.  Before all the festivities, we snapped some quick pictures of the kids in their red, white, and blue outfits.  That’s my favorite part of the celebrating. 🙂 As a side note, today Olivia got her ears pierced.  She did fantastic!!!  She didn’t cry at all.  She loves her new earrings.


Family Pictures

Before my friend Michelle moved back to Utah, we wanted to take photos of our families for each other.  Michelle is a photographer also.  Last Sunday evening we got everyone all dressed up and hair combed and headed out to do some family photos.  I love how these turned out.  I know that Taylor and Kaitlyn are missing, but kids grow up and move out, and taking family photos with those still living at home is still vitally important.  My younger kids aren’t simply going to stop growing and changing because their older siblings move out. 😉 So here we are, just the five of us…          Thank You Michelle!!!!!

Happy Father’s Day

As is tradition, we took photos of each of the kids with Dad.  There was just a bit of silliness going on.  After each photo Olivia would say, “it’s fine”.  She really doesn’t have much patience for me and my camera. Which is ironic considering she was the one who said, “we have to take pictures”. 🙂  Funny girl.

We are so grateful to have such a wonderful man as husband and father of our family.  He blesses our lives so much.


Happy Birthday Taylor!!!!!

Yesterday was Taylor’s 19th birthday.  His last milestone before he heads off on his mission in just a week and a half.  To the dismay of the other kids, Taylor picked shepherd’s pie for dinner. :-/  However, they didn’t mind the Death by Chocolate for dessert. 😉 Brian and I thought the younger kids would get a kick out of the “Avenger” decor, and we were right.

Happy Birthday Taylor!!!  We love you and are so proud of the decision you have made to serve a mission.

Pictures for my wall…

I was looking at the photos I have hanging on my wall the other day and realized that they are a year old.  I couldn’t believe it.  I have not let them get that old since I first got into photography.  I decided to do them the same way as last time (by the brick wearing something blue) because I wanted them to continue to match my living room colors.  It was also very easy just to step outside and take new photos.  I think I notice the biggest change in Caleb.  He has lost his chubby cheeks and he is growing up.  Of course Olivia’s hair has grown out a lot as well, but it is still curly. 🙂  I will have to take Kaitlyn’s photo when she comes home this summer so everyone’s will be current… at least for a little while. 😉

Green Smoothies

Green smoothies have become a part of our daily regimen in an effort to be more healthy.  Everyone has taken to them really well.   They even ask for them. 🙂  Yesterday Brian snapped some pictures of our smoothie.  Each day they are a different color, depending on what we put in them.  Yesterday’s turned out bright green, and the kids thought that was cool.