Happy Holidays!! (plus some kinda BIG news)

We handed this picture out as our Christmas card this year. We gave it to my family over at Thanksgiving and to Chad's family last week at our Christmas party. It was funny to watch people and the ways they reacted to this picture. Some people didn't even get the hidden message. Did you?

Layton Half Marathon 2011!!

I don't know why all of these pictures downloaded in the wrong order, but atleast they're all on here right? I ran the Layton Half Marathon again this year. This year the course was a little different though. Instead of going out and back, we started out on the causeway and then through Syracuse and into Layton.It was a lot harder this year because it was ALL a slight uphill. Instead of having half be a slight downhill and half slight uphill. I felt good until mile 9 and then my legs were screaming at me to stop. I got cramps in my hamstrings even. I had to stop and walk a few times but only let myself walk for a few seconds each time. It was a hard run but I did the best I could that day. I finished exactly one minute slower then last year and got done in 1 hr 56 minutes 46 seconds.My sister in law Jenny ran with me. She finished with a good time also. I liked knowing she was out there with me. I'm not sure I'll do this race again, but I'd like to think that next time I'll finish one minute FASTER then last time.

This is at the end of the race. I was about five feet away from the finish line and I was so happy.

After the race. My legs were so sore already. In the background you can see Andrew and Jackson and tanner and Jenny's parents.

My support crew

The day before the race Chad got me flowers and a card. So thoughtful.

This is at the halfway point. Chad and the kids were there and when I saw them I got a lump in my throat and I was fighting tears for the next half mile. I was so happy to see them there. I love my family.

Fall Traditions!!

Every Fall, we take our kiddos up to the mountains to have a picnic dinner and take some pictures. We went to a new spot on the mountain this year and it was so PERFECT. We went on a little hiking trail and got some really good pictures. We love this time of year. I love being able to do all of our family fall traditions. What a fun time of year.

Synergy!!

Riley's soccer team, Synergy, just finished their outdoor season for the year. They finished in first place in their division. We love our little soccer team. We have an awesome group of girls and Riley has such a fun group of friends. Way to go Synergy!!

Captain Batgirl Underpants?

Riley can be a little goof ball sometimes. On this particular night, she grabbed a pair of undies and her halloween costume from last year and got in disguise.We all had a good laugh.

Paityn+Salt= One Big Mess

One night after dinner, Paityn was still eating, Chad and I were cleaning up and the kids were running around. Paityn was being good and quiet. Most of the time quiet is not a good thing when it comes to a two year old. So I checked on her and I found her playing with the salt shaker. I took the salt shaker away but it was too late. The mess had been made. She was covered in salt. Her tray was covered in salt. The table and floor were covered in salt. She was having fun that's for sure. It was into the tub with pait and clean up time for mom and dad.

Salty hands

Salty table

"I didn't do it!" (Look at Trev. He's looking at her like "Oh you're in trouble!")

Family Photo Shoot

I am so blessed to have such a great family!! Look at how great these pictures are. I am one lucky lady.

Why I Love Chocolate Pudding and Red Koolaid

No mater how hard they try, kids cannot keep chocolate pudding or red koolaid from getting all around their mouths and on their faces. I love that. I think it's stinkin' cute to see my kids with red mustaches and brown lipstick on. So at our house there will always be a supply of chocolate pudding and red koolaid.

Fun in the Shower

One night, I put Trev and Pait in the bath and Cami got in the shower. A little bit later I came back in and all three of the kids were in the shower. I went and grabbed my camera because they were being so cute. I love nights like this when all the kids are getting along with each other.

I told all the kids to come and stand together by the front of the shower. Notice Trev and his interpretation of doing what I asked? What a cute little bum. He's so funny.

Paityn and her squishy face. So funny.

Cami, she was being a ham. She loves to make me laugh.

The other end of Trev. I think this end is pretty dang cute too.

Happy Happy Birthday Cami Dear!!

Cami had a great birthday this year. She woke up to donuts for breakfast. After that she got ready for school and Chad told her that he was going to pick her up from school and take her out to lunch, her choice. She was so excited. She chose to go to McDonald's, what kid wouldn't want McDonald's? When they came home we asked her where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner that night. She said without pausing, Chuck E. Cheese!! We waited until Riley got home and Cami opened her presents from us and also got a package from Grandma and Grandpa Baker. After that we went to Chuck E Cheese and had pizza and played games and had a really good time. The girls are really good at getting tickets and all the kids left with handfuls of loot. That weekend we had a birthday party with her friends. We jumped on the trampoline, ate cake, opened presents and went on a treasure hunt. After that we had our family birthday party. We had pizza and bread sticks and played with cousins. All in all she had a great birthday. She's still talking about it so I guess that means it was a good one.

Donuts for breakfast

Package from Grandma and Grandpa

Enjoying her pizza at Chuck E Cheese

This was the game of choice for the girls. Look at all those tickets.

Birthday cupcakes

Presents from her friends

The treasure map. I made this map the night before and I cut it into four pieces and wrote clues on the back to let the kids know where the next piece was hidden. They figured it out really quick and then dug up the treasure that was hidden under our deck. Inside were ring pops, laughy taffy, chocolate golden coins and cheesy crackers.

We played a game of pin the flower on the hula girl that was made by my sister in law Kelly for Riley's birthday a couple of years ago.We still LOVE it.

Cami and all of her friends on the trampoline

Singing happy birthday at the family birthday party.

Cami June is Turning SIX!!

My Cam Jam is turning six today. I can't believe that she's six! She is growing up so fast. She loves to play soccer and she's really good at it. She averages about 4 goals a game. She likes riding her bike and she likes playing with all the kiddos from our neighborhood. I can't believe how fast she's growing up. Slow down Cami!

Dear Cami,

We are so proud of the lady you are becoming. You are such a good girl. We love how you are always willing to share whatever it is that you have. You always want everyone to feel included. We love how you are always cleaning up and surprising us and your brother and sisters by making our beds or cleaning up our rooms. You are so sweet. We admire how willing you are to give to anyone and help anyone no matter how much it costs you. You are a wonderful girl and we are so blessed to have you in our family. You are such a wonderful addition and you add so much laughter and happiness. We love you Cami. We hope that you have a great birthday and an even better year. Continues being a big helper and continue being a friend to everyone and share your light to all you meet. You are such a great example. You are such a sweetie and we love you so much. Happy Birthday!!

Love,
Mom and Dad

So fresh!!

One year old

2nd birthday

Turning three

Four

Fifth birthday

And today...Isn't she beautiful? What a great kid. Man I'm blessed!!