We are trying to get back into this . . .

This is our family now.  More to come later.

Baby Katie

Our sweet baby Katie came on June 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. The kids adore her and are so sweet with her.

I guess it is time...

I guess it is time to post a blog. We have been so busy, but I will try to give a good update.

School started the end of August. I walked the girls to school and cried when Ashley entered the kindergarten doors. No looking back she just marched in. Brooke of course was more than happy to go back to school. She loves school!! Max and I just hang out now and try to get as much accomplished as I can.

Brooke was baptized in August and we are so happy that she made the decision to be baptized. She was so excited to be baptized.

I have been doing my best getting the kids where they need to go and keeping them well fed and clean. Mike is still working hard at BTJD and enjoys his job.

Right now I'm enjoying sitting at my table while the kids play with moon sand. Not exactly my favorite since it is very MESSY!!! But they have been sitting and talking to each other for the past half hour and are not getting bored so I'll take the mess.!!!

Life

As I sit here with no one around, but me and my thoughts and the noise of fireworks outside I decided that maybe I should take a few minutes to update our blog. There is so much that has happened in the past 6 months: birthdays, our anniversary, other fun holidays like Easter, and Memorial Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day. The list goes on and on. I can't believe how quickly time goes by. As I think about that I get worried and think, "Do my kids know how much I love them?" Do they know that I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the atonement and the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?" Do I do enough with them that they'll always remember the fun things we did rather than the nagging of please clean your room or please go practice like I asked you too. This causes me stress and I often feel that I am not filling the role as a mother like they need me too or like I want too. Even though I don't feel adequate in the job I am doing I love my family so much and enjoy being with them.

In June Mike and I celebrated our 11th anniversary. Wow!! It is hard to believe that we have 3 kids and that we lived in Boston for 6 years. We have been through so much and I am happy that I have Mike by my side to help me raise the kids and to be my best friend. He has accomplished so much and I am proud of all that he has done. He always made his family and church a priority and everything else seemed to fall in place after some time.

Brooke is finally starting to get some of her adult teeth in. We have been calling her snaggle tooth for a while, but she takes it all in stride. She will be 8 on August 1 and will be baptized and we are so happy that she has made that decision. She is smart and beautiful and she always has such a quick smile. She'll be starting 3rd grade this fall and is happy that she doesn't have to move to a new school.

Ashley turned 5 and what a crack up!!!! She is hilarious. She picks up on jokes and phrases so quickly. One of her favorite movies is Monsters vs. Aliens. Her favorite line is "in fact I think that jello gave me the wrong phone number. She is looking forward to kindergarten. How do they grow up so quickly?

Max is a hand full. He is all boy. Everything he touches turns into a ball or a sword. I love there little imaginations. Yesterday he was playing with a stick and ended up scratching his eye (the cornea that is) and he was such a trooper. He is what we call our little surfer boy. He is tan and has curly white hair and looks like he belongs on some warm beach. He is definately a momma's boy.

There has obviously been many more things that I could say, but it would take much too long to write. Here are some random pictures so enjoy.

Here are some more pictures.

We're Back!

After a six month hiatus we have decided to return and update our blog. Things are going well. As you can see from the pictures we got a trampoline and can't seem to get the kids off of it. They jump for a few minutes then run to the swings and then run back and jump. It is nice to have them want to be outside so much. Now if we could only get the weather to cooperate.

Brooke finished second grade and was awarded the Golden Falcon Award. She was very proud and gave us a big toothless smile as she received her certificate. Ashley is getting geared up for Kindergarten and asks on a daily basis when we are moving back to Boston. (Sorry kid, we are staying here for a while). Max is learning to communicate and has learned to scream MOMMY!!!! WHERE ARE YOU? in the middle of the night . . . what a pleasant alarm clock. When he gets past this stage we will need to buy a rooster just to keep things real.

For anyone who cares

As I mentioned in our first installment today we have been super busy. Just for and update on the happenings of our family Mike still loves his job!!!! He is very busy, but he really enjoys it. He hopes to have more time to go golfing this year because he did not get to go last year. He loves wrestling with the kids and chasing them around the house. He is very patient and a great husband and father.

I have been busy trying to get my house organized and keeping up with the kids. Mike and I have also been trying to get our house all painted. We have spent many late nights painting, but it is now paying off. We have almost the whole main level of our house painted and it looks awesome. I am in the Orchestra on Temple Square and it has been such a great opportunity for me to play my viola!! I do love it.

Brooke is in the second grade and she loves school. She is doing very well and she is so confident which is great since she really struggled last year. She loves her little brother and sister and they love her so much as well. When she get home from school she is often tackled with hugs from them.

Ashley is in preschool and loves her teacher. She has learned so much this year. She is a riot and is cracking us up constantly. The other day she called her Grandma Wood and said, "Will you come pick me up and take me shopping?" She loves to go shopping!!!

Max is a busy little boy. He loves balls!!! Basketball, football, baseball any ball!!! Yesterday I was at Costco and he had brought in a little basketball. He kept saying hi to everyone and then showing them his ball and saying ball. Then as I was ready to checkout he layed down on the floor with his basketball in hand and yelled touch down, touch down. Obviously we need to help him learn the right lingo for each game.