Ensign Ranch...we had a great time. Never had been there before, but will definately go back.

Journaling my life... our lives

I found out this evening that my dear friend not only has breast cancer but it has metastasized to her liver. It is incurable.  She is in her early 40's and has 3 beautiful children.  My heart is breaking for them all... how does a family survive without their mom?  It seems near impossible. 
  It has caused me to think about my life and my family.  I could someday be in my friends situation and what would I regret?  What would I rush to do?  Lot's of things unfortunately.  But, I'm going to work on shortening that list, starting with journaling.  And so starting today I hope to better capture and preserve the moments that are my life.  I am so thankful for all those little moments... like tonight when it was time for personal prayers and Campbell whispered his in my ear.  I could feel his warm breath on my cheek and was so thankful for this little crazy boy in my life.... so grateful to be his mom.

Carson turns 2!

 This boy is way too much fun!  He is very "busy" but loves to be cuddled and sit and read books.  It is so fun to listen to him learn new words.  He calls balls and balloons "bums" and we giggle when we go to target and he points to the red cement balls out front and he gets super excited and yells "Big Bum!  Big Bum!".  He also likes to dance to the music playing in the stores and moves his head side to side with the music then he pats my arms and says "mum, mum" until I join him and we both walk around the store nodding our heads from side to side. 

 Carson loves old people.  He likes to wave at them and say hi.  The other day there was a really old lady driving a scooter at the store and Carson saw her and was determined to give her a "hi-5".  The lady waved and drove by then she realized what he wanted so she put her scooter in reverse (beep, beep, beep) and backed up  to us.  Carson gave her a hi-5 and waved good-bye.  It was a sweet moment and the lady was grinning from ear to ear.  He is such a perfect example of loving everyone and I find that when he is with me I am more friendly too!

Carson's siblings adore him and everyone wants hugs from Carson after family prayer (as soon as we say amen Carson stretches out his arms and says "huuuuuug.").  He is a ray of light in our lives and we feel so blessed to have him in our family.  Happy Birthday Carson!

February find

 When we first looked for a home in Tri-cities (we still lived in Kentucky) we wanted a larger lot and tried to find something with at least .5-2 acres but couldn't find a house that would fit our family on a large lot for sale.  We really liked the country feel of West Richland but couldn't find anything there that fit our list so we bought our house in Kennewick which we have loved. 

 

Over the last 3 years (has it been that long?!!) we have kept our eyes out for some land but just never found what we were imagining.  So, we decided that we would refinance our current house and buy a hot tub... Naturally, 2 weeks later we found this house in W. Richland:

 It is very similar to our house now in size and layout with one major difference:

It is 2.5 acres (past the grass and out to the tree-line) and has plenty of space for 5 kids and some farm animals. 

 Oh... and there is THE SHOP (which is almost bigger than the house as you can see). 

I guess that means there are 2 major differences.

Trevor is in heaven.  He might change his mind however, when it's time to mow the lawn!



January 2013

 New Years Fondue night!!  We did our traditional fondue night new years eve.  Trev was working as usual (he chooses to work New years over Christmas) but we had a great time together bringing in the new year.  :)

 A few pictures of Carson...

 Carson's first haircut!  Handsome boy.

 Campbell got a helicopter for Christmas and we all enjoyed flying it.

 We had some beautiful days in January and enjoyed some bike rides.

 Davis wanted all the boys to "match" so we put on their matching pjs and he insisted on pictures.  :)

Photo shoot January 2013

 I got some new backdrops for Christmas and talked some of the kids into posing for me. :)

 

December 2012

 Yes, I am STILL trying to catch up!

Our December started with pulling out the Christmas decorations and putting up the tree.  The kids helped and it was fun (and messy and a little overwhelming but fun).

 Davis celebrated his 4th birthday December 2nd.  He just keeps growing.  He is 1 inch shorter than Campbell and 1 pound heavier than him.  They share the same clothes and Davis prefers to be called "Campbell 4". 

 Davis loves bugs!  He also loves the beach and asks to go there almost daily.  He refers to the beach house we've rented at "our other house" and wants to move there and sell this house.

 His favorite gift was this piggy bank.  He STILL sleeps with it.  Funny kid.

Happy Birthday brown-eyed-boy.   Sure do love you!

 Carson found my scarf and I had to take a few pics of his brunette locks.  He would make a pretty girl I think.   ;)

 Megan wanted me to capture December 12, 2012 so we took a picture.

 Christmas Eve our friends came over for the nativity and some treats.  So grateful for good friends who substitute as family during holidays and special events.

 Christmas morning the kids were ready in their new pj's to open presents. 

 We were ALL excited for Megan to open this gift, an insulin pump!!  Wahoo!!

 We had a wonderful surprise Christmas day as it snowed more than it had all year.  It was the only snow we had all winter that was deep enough to make snowmen.

The kids made a whole snow family...

 including tink...

 and snowbaby Carson.

 Campbell was done with the snow and ready to ride his new skateboard!