Our Utah Vacation

Last week we were able to drive to Utah to see Seth's little sister, Mary, get married in the Logan Temple. We had a very nice trip. The weather was perfect, the leaves were beautiful, and the kids did wonderfully.

Since it was fall break that week we decided to go a day early and take the kids to temple square.The leaves were so beautiful while we were there.

First we took a tour of the conference center. We have never been on an official tour of the building and Ethan especially was interested as we just watched conference a few weeks ago. Ethan was able to see where the prophet talked to us from and he thought that was pretty neat. Then we went to the top of the Conference building and took a picture of us up there.

Then we went across the street to the Temple and the visitors center. We really had a nice time touring and feeling the Spirit. We hope that our kids will always remember what they saw and felt while we were there.

I had Ethan and Ciara touch the wall of the Salt Lake Temple just as President Monson instructed us too. I think Ethan especially felt and began understanding the importance of the Temple and really felt the Spirit as we viewed the Christus and walked around the temple.

 The view from The Joseph Smith Memorial building. After telling Ethan that is used to be  hotel he wanted to go in and see what the rooms looked like. He said he thought it would have been neat to stay in one of those rooms a while ago. I would have to agree with him.

My beautiful baby girl- She did really well for being so little and so far from home.

Then we were able to watch Mary get married in the Logan Temple. The sealing was beautiful and I am glad that we were able to be there with her.

Seth's Mom and Dad, Mary and Matt, and our little family

 The leaves and flowers at the Logan temple were amazing and so I had to take a lot of pictures of my little princess in front of these gorgeous flowers.

And then one with Mary. When we got home Ciara put on her princess dress and said she was getting marrried to a handsome prince. Ethan even made invitations for Seth and I to come to Ciara's wedding and we ahd to bring the party favors. So that is what we did for Family Home Evening when we got home.

 Then all of my kids with the new bride.

It was a great trip!

Ethan's Big Race

Ethan ran a marathon! Ethan joined the running club at the elementary school where they meet three days a week before school and ran 1.25 miles each time. They ran so many miles that it equalled a marathon! The best part was that the final mile that they ran was an official race at Eliche's where they had a start line, a finish line, running numbers, and medals after they were done. It was so much fun to see Ethan run in his first race.

Before the race

 Seth would get up with Ethan and take him to the school to run. Most mornings Seth ran with him and so they also let him run the last mile with Ethan.

Warming up in line

 About to begin

Cute little Ciara with the poster I made for Ethan. She was so excited to be the cheerleader.

 Almost done! Ethan has turned into a great runner. Seth wold say he was one of the faster kids and would beat a lot of the older kids in the mornings. I have even taken him to run with me some mornings and he runs the whole time and I even have to try to keep up with him. I am so glad that he enjoys doing something that Seth and I like to do and that we can do it all together.

 All done!!! Way to go Ethan!

 The medal he got, they are actually pretty cool and Ethan thinks it is AWESOME and I had to make him take it off!

 We had to get pictures of him at the finish line.

 Ethan and his running buddy Sean with their PE teacher who was in charge of the running club.

 Our family

 Just waiting for Ethan to be done. I am amazed at how well Ciara does in just waiting and being patient. It doesn't even bother her that she isn't the center of attention or can't do the things that Ethan can do. She already supports him and cheers for him and gets excited for him and thinks Ethan is just plain awesome. She was such a good girl that morning!

The first matching outfit that I have bought my girls and I thought today would be the perfect day to show them off and I think that they just looked adorable! I will be doing this more often.



A Bunch Of Firsts

This is Bella's first night in her crib! She looked so small in there but has slept wonderfully!

Some more pictures of my sleeping beauty

Bella's 1 month photo shoot!

Bella's beautiful first smiles!

Just some fun pictures of Bella that I have taken lately!

Look at those cheeks!

I have had so much fun having another girl. She is such a sweetie! She smiles and talks to you so easily. She is round and chubby and I don't even mind that she wants to be held all day, I would do anything for her!

Ciara's Magical Day

Ciara turned 4 years old!!!! She had a WONDERFUL day celebrating! She first woke up to a decorated house, a Tinkerbell balloon, Tinkerbell cupcakes, and donuts that her Dad went out and got her. She was so excited that it was finally her special day

I decided to have a little lunch party for her with some of her friends from church.  It was a very busy morning and I started to get nervous on how I was going to handle all the little girls and Bella by myself but the party went so well. As we were getting ready she kept asking when her friends would be there, this was her first real friend party. As they arrived she would go and open then door real exited that they had come to play with her. I had Ciara's dollhouses and blocks in the living room and all the girls played with the toys for a while. They were so quiet and nice and got along so well with each other. When everyone got there we watched a part of Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure and then the girls went on a treasure hunt to find their fairy wands and necklaces that I made them. After they found their wands they had to dance to the Tinkerbell music. It was so cute to watch them make the Pixie Dust fall. Then we helped Tinkerbell fix her broken wand by playing a version of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game that I made. Afterwards the girls ate pizza and we opened the presents. Ciara got so many cute girl gifts and has played with them non-stop. Then it was time for Tinkerbell cupcakes, a little play time, and it was time to go.

When I looked over at Bella this is what I saw, poor baby!

It was by far the best birthday party that I have ever done. The girls were all so nice and sweet, and I think they had a really fun time. Ciara loved her party and thought that is was fun to have some friends come over, be the center of attention with Ethan being at school, and getting fun toys.

 Then she was able to take in a snack to her preschool class where they had her wear a birthday crown, and sing to her.

Then we took her to McDonalds to have a small family party with Grandma and Grandpa and Casey and Brynn's family. It was the perfect birthday spot because they got to play and run wild and have a happy meal with a toy. Ciara opened more presents and got such a cute baby doll from my parents that is now her favorite baby. Then we sang happy birthday to her again and ate Tinkerbell cupcakes. It was a great day!

Our little princess is such a sweet, loving, and beautiful little girl. 4 years have gone by so fast. I love having a little girl that loves dresses, curling her hair, pink, glitter, dolls, and everything girl. I had so much fun making the fairy wands for her birthday and feel so blessed to be able to do fun girl things with her. Even though she is a little spoiled she is a wonderful big sister, a great helper, and has such a sweet little spirit. I am thankful for her and for the special little person she is.

  Happy 4th Birthday Sweetheart!