Clinger kid #5 . . . . It's a . . . .

This is our new Baby Boy who will appear in February 2012. We are excited. This little guy was our tie breaker.. Boys will now rule the roost at our house.

1st day of Preschool

Today was Eston's first day of Preschool! We switched teachers and schools this year. I thought it might make it easier on Eston and me if he was closer to home and I could carpool. Eston was so excited because his friend Kenzie gets to be in class with him along with Ethan. Eston's teacher for this year is Miss Amy!

We went inside to find his name on the apple tree. Eston can't wait to get started.

1st day of 1st grade

Sami started 1st grade about 2 weeks ago, however I am slow in posting things these days. She absolutely loves 1st grade. It tool a little adapting to a full day with her teacher, Mrs. Thomas, but she is in heaven. Every day she comes home and tells me about what she ate and how good it was. I have to ask about the school work part, but I guess my priorities are different.

Already her teacher has told me that she is the top reader in her class and is a delight to have in class.

My Little Man Turned 5 today!!

Today Eston turned 5 years old!! He had a really busy day. Grandma Brenda, Papa Dallas, and Aunt Kim stayed with us the night before and then Grandma and Kim partied with us today. We started the day out with a few presents and then headed off to the ZOO. Nothing that kid loves more than ANIMALS. We couldn't have picked a better place to go. After we went out for Hamburgers and Shakes and Eston went on a special shopping trip with Grandma.

Eston was just glowing all day long.

When Matt got home in the evening we had Birthday Cake, Wild Kratts style!! For any one who doesn't know what that is, it is only Eston's favorite show ever. It involves animals and special creature power suits. So of course we had to have a birthday cake in that fashion.

Eston received a Nerf gun, a Rescue Hero's figurine, an art picture of himself (by Sammie), Kangaroo figurines, and Wild Kratts creature power suits. (which by the way, Wild Kratts has no merchandise on the market. I had to create these myself.) Eston had been running around all night yelling, "to the creature rescue, activate creature power suits."

We love our Eston!! He makes our home full of life and is always willing to share with his brother and sisters. Eston is always telling me how much he loves me, showers me and everyone with hugs and kisses, tells me of my gorgeousness, and wants to help my around the house. Eston loves to be a GENTLEMAN and is always saying ladies first. He has a really kind heart, and wants to be every ones friend, even if it is the repair man, or someone in line behind us at the grocery store.

Eston loves:

the color blue

anything that  involves Animals or animal facts

learning to read

his quiet time in the afternoon without TWINS

His siblings

being outside

soccer

going on adventures

Wild Kratts

Camping with his dad.

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY my little GENTLEMAN!!!

Family Pictures 2011

I have been such a slacker the last several months. I love to blog and write down all the fun memories and experiences of our family, but have gotten out of my groove. I am going to try to be better (I know, everyone says that).

Over the last several months a lot has gone that I will probably just briefly mention and other things I will try to go back and blog about. One of the funnest things for us was that we had family pictures taken. Matt and I have never taken our family to get professional pictures taken. An opportunity happened to pop up and we took advantage of the chance to sit down and have some nice pictures taken. I love every single one of them. We went out to the International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake and had fun.

These are just a few of the pictures that were taken . . . 

I love how my kids will just hold hands for fun with no prompting. . .I really enjoy the relationship that my kids have with each other.

Each of the kids pictures show their personality almost perfectly.

Sophisticated Samantha in all her girla glory.

Fun Loving, Sensitive, Silly Eston giving the look.

Goofy, class Clown Logan

Energetic, Mischievous Lucy with a side of Shyness

I love the friendship that the twins have with each other. They have a special bond.

The last time that Matt and I had a nice professional picture taken of us was almost 8 years ago when we had our engagements done and then our wedding pictures. I love this guy!!

We enjoyed having our pictures done and look forward to the changes to come.

First Loves

Oh young love is in the air!!

The first love that I can remember was in 2nd grade. . . dear Branson. I dreamed about him during Mrs. Tuttle's class everyday.

Well, now my kids have taken wing in that area. I'm not talking about "I am going to marry my sister or my brother."  Oh no, they have each over the last 2 years developed feelings for someone special.

Sammi's started 2 years ago. My best friend from high school and I got together for old times and Sammi has never been the same. She feel instantly for Brock Hansen (who is an older man). If you ask they will both tell you that they are destined to be together. I think the words she uses are, "I'm going to marry him." We give Brock valentines, she constantly is telling her friends about this relationship and it has continued for 2 years. They best part is that they have probably seen each other about 4 times in those 2 years.

I guess the heart knows what it wants.

Brock and Sammi 

Eston recently found his first love. Her name is Charly. She is in Eston's preschool and according to the teacher she is the most wanted girl in class. However, Charly has decided that she has a good time with Eston. I don't know if her feelings are as strong as Eston's but they have a great time together. When asked about his day, Eston doesn't tell me about what they learned and what he drew. He instantly jumps into what Charly is wearing and her hair and something funny she did. It's really cute to see him that excited about her.

Charly and Eston

The twins are still in that oblivious stage and will be for a while. I'm glad because I think we can only deal with  two budding relationships at this time.

Eston Quote

Eston is a LOVER not a FIGHTER. He has the sweetest personality and is always trying to be "a gentleman." Eston has a deep love for animals as well, and is fascinated by what they can do, where they live, and any other facts related to them. After breakfast the other day Eston came up to me and said the following statement:

"When you and daddy are dead a vulture is going to come and eat you, because they eat dead things. And then Sammie and me will be the mom and dad to Logan and Lucy because you will be dead."

How sweet of him to plan our demise. I love my little gentleman.

Snow Day

Nothing like one good snow day!!

Busy life in the last 3 months . . .

We have had a crazy couple of months lately. We had a wonderful holiday and were able to focus on the things in life that matter most, The Gospel and Family.

There is nothing like a family trial to make you more appreciative of the things you personally have to endure.

My mom was recently Re-diagnosed with Colon cancer shortly after Thanksgiving. My mom was scheduled for surgery two weeks before Christmas. Upon operating the surgeon learned that my mom's tumor was inoperable due to the size and the positioning of the mass. This left us with the option of Chemotherapy with the hopes that they might be able to shrink the tumor down to nothing. She was in the hospital for just under 3 weeks (during Christmas) trying to regain her strength and heal.

Due to her being in the hospital this messed up the usual holiday traditions that we do. This year we spent Christmas eve at my Aunts house. We enjoyed doing the nativity, and actually were able to cut down on the amount of Marys that participated. We had 3 Marys 0 Josephs (last year there were 3), 2 Wisemen, 1 Shepard, 1 angel. Grandpa Burke read the nativity.

We then had my dad, two sisters and baby brother over to our house for the rest of Christmas Eve and to spend Christmas morning with us. We had a full house and lots of noise, but we loved every minute of it. The kids thought it was cool to have people over for the big morning. Later that day we got out of our pajamas and went up to the hospital for Christmas dinner with Nana and the rest of our family. It was a little different eating in the hospital cafeteria, but it was nice to spend part of the day with my mom.

Another big event at our house was the lose of Sami's first tooth. She walked into our room on Christmas morning to announce that her tooth was loose. It was barely hanging on. Two days later she lost her tooth. As Sami tells it, I pulled her tooth out with my sharp claws. She hasn't stopped smiling. She is trying to wiggle the other tooth free.

It is fun having a kid who can read. Sami will sit on the couch and start reading to the other 3 kids. They love it. It helps me have a little time to get things done around the house. I love to walk upstairs and see all four of them reading, and then swapping books with the others.

Matt had a cousin get married between Christmas and New Year's eve. We were able to attend that wedding here and then travel to Idaho for the reception and to celebrate the New Year. We enjoy the time that we spend up there and the chance to relax a little. Matt and I were able to go out and celebrate our Anniversary. We had dinner with Kim and her boyfriend and then went to Lava Hot Springs for a soak in the hot pools. I LOVE Hot Pools, tubs, baths,  . . yes i like the hot.

We have been rather busy lately but are grateful for one another and our friends and family that continually help us out and keep us laughing. We look forward to the 2011 year and what surprises it might bring.

7 years with my man!!

Matt and I spent last Thursday at his cousin's wedding. There is nothing like attending a Temple sealing with my man, especially a few days away from our Anniversary. His cousin had this song played at his luncheon and made me cry because of my feelings for Matt.  

Marry Me  by Train

Happy 7th Anniversary Baby!! I love you more than you could ever know. Thanks for picking me.