Girlys

These Girly Girls love each other so much.  I love being their momma.

Zoo Boise

Jordynn's Preschool took a trip to Zoo Boise.  I know there are no actual animals in these pictures, but these girls are a whole lot cuter.

Jordynn and her friend Ashley at the Penguin Exhibit.

The girls had tons of fun and ran from one exhibit to the other.

Braelynn's favorite part of the zoo was chasing geese.  Not sure what she would have done if she had caught one, but it was hilarious.

May 5

Happy Birthday Princess Diva!

Braelynn's birthday was on Sunday so we kept it low-key but she didn't mind.

After breakfast we had an Easter Egg hunt and the kids had a blast.  I had bought Easter Eggs around Easter time but we never got around to having our hunt.  So we did it Braelynn.

This Cake.  Hmmm. Yummy.  Braelynn decorated it herself.  Can you tell?  She had tons of fun squeezing icing all over it.  She wanted chocolate and pink.  So that's what she got. 

Braelynn, At 3 years old you are fierce.  There is fire in your veins.  Stubborn.  I love it.  You know exactly what you want in life and you aren't afraid of failure.  You are determined to keep up with the older kids.  And if they upset you you let them know.  You love when they read to you.  And they love you so much they almost always sit down at your request/demand and read.  You love wearing sunglasses and skirts.  You tell me often to just call you Princess Diva.  The name suits you.  You have high expectations.  I hope that never changes.  I hope you always insist that people treat you right.  For as fierce as you are sometimes I'm surprised at how soft you can be as well.  You love your baby sister beyond words.  You love to be held.  Your blanket is never far from you.  You giggle all the time.  And your giggle always makes me smile.  I love you Princess Diva.

17 April

Happy Birthday my beautiful 5 year old!

 

Jordynn was SO excited about her castle pinata. Except she can't pronounce pinata.  She calls it empanada.  Love this girl.

 

Jordynn at 5 years old you are beautiful and confident.  You love school and you are always talking about all the new friends you make everyday.  You are a great big sister and you are always willing to share.  You are completely spoiled and know how to manipulate people to get what you want, especially your Uncles.  One minute you are as rough and tough as the boys and the next minute you are a giant Diva.  I love your enthusiasm for life.  You have a great desire to be obedient and a very tender heart.  You bear your testimony EVERY fast Sunday.  And every Fast Sunday we cross our fingers as you take over the podium.  We never know what you will say.  But it is obvious that you are developing a great testimony and I'm proud of you for being willing to share it with others.  My favorite memory of you sharing your testimony was when you recounted the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision.  You were so animated.  It was hard not to laugh.  But nobody could deny that you had a testimony.  It was honest and pure.  Thank you for teaching me so much.  I love you with all my heart.

Spring Break 2

Katie and Kyle took us to Bridal Veil Falls.  The kids loved running around but the boys were disappointed that they couldn't climb the waterfall.

We also got to see Marcie and Daniel and their beautiful kiddos.  It was so nice to see everybody again.  Our kids really miss out on getting to know their cousins.  Someday I hope we have the opportunity to live closer to family again.

Spring Break

For Spring Break this year we had the opportunity to take a few days and visit family in Utah.  We took the kids to Temple Square and wandered around for awhile.

 

In the church museum there they have a video of Spanish dancers and costumes for the kids to wear.  The girls LOVED dancing.  I had to drag them away from that corner.

 

The Conference Center was really impressive.  Massive building.  Our tour guide said the placed this fountain in the middle of the large foyer because President Hinckley said water was soothing and with a crowd that large it would make people more comfortable.  People throw coins in the water and the money is donated to a children's hospital.  If I remember right the guide said they emptied it twice a year and each time collect around $16,000.

 

Kade's face in this next picture kills me.  This boy.  Always has to be different.

Space Derby

Dad rigged Trayton's rocket to his drill.  It worked like a lathe.  Trayton was so excited to not have to sand it completly by hand.

And it came out perfectly round and smooth.

The derby was pretty awesome.  The boys all had a good time.  Trayton did pretty well too.

He won first place and crowd favorite.  Since he won two prizes Trayton let the fourth place winner take home the prize for crowd favorite.  That act of kindness made me more proud of him than winning the competition.  This kid is pretty fabulous and I'm so glad he's mine.

Reenlistment

The Colonel swearing in Jonathan for another 4 years of service.  I never thought I'd be a military wife but watching him makes me glad I had the faith to follow him down this path.  It has been a bumpy ride but we have learned so much along the way.  People often ask us when he'll be getting out.  This reenlistment is a big one for us.  It will put us past the ten year mark.  We always said if we go ten we will have to go twenty.  We are halfway to retirement.  So it looks like we are going to be lifers.  Of course life has a way of changing plans but I would be honored to be a military wife for 10 more years.

As if I don't have enough reasons to be proud of this man.  On May 1st Jonathan became a Technical Sergeant.  He worked long and hard for this promotion and I'm so happy for him.  I love you babe!

Chef Kade

For Christmas Kade asked for a cookbook.  I found one that features simple kid friendly recipes from around the world.  Each recipe has a paragraph about where the food comes from and how it has changed over the years.  Kade has loved cooking and I love watching him grow.  This recipe is called Pavlova.  If you ask Kade where it got its name he could tell you all about it.

Four Months

Emersynn's first taste of rice cereal.  She's not quite sure what to think.  Such a beautiful baby.  Love her so much.  At four months she is long and skinny.  My biggest baby at birth is only about 12.5 lbs.  She's very active and already rolling around.  And the drool.  Oh this child can drool like crazy.

Choir Concerts

Kade is such a ham.  I went to take his picture and he ducked so I couldn't see him.  Then 30 seconds later he was practically in tears because I quit trying to take his picture.  Eventually he stopped messing around and started singing.  But I still wasn't allowed to take a picture until he signaled I could.

Trayton takes everything very seriously.  He was really nervous and so glad when it was over.  But he did a great job.  Love these boys.

First Bath

I love that Dad has given all of our kids their first bath. I'm not sure Emersynn is loving her bath. I still can't get over how dark her hair is. 

With me not being able to carry Emersynn (crutches and baby don't mix well) or stand at the sink for very long, Dad has had to give Emersynn a lot of baths. I'm so thankful he is such a hands on dad. My kids are lucky to have him.

On a side note Emersynn is 5 weeks old and today I was able to bathe her for the first time. It was a little awkward but I feel awesome having finally progressed enough to accomplish such a simple task.

CrAzIEs!!

I love being a Mom!

Emersynn's Blessing

We decided to bless Emersynn on November 26th so that Grandma and Grandpa Crandell could be there with us. 

Even with several helping adults it was quite the adventure trying to get all 5 kids ready before 9 am. So we took this picture after church. Kade was not too happy with me. I finally bribed him with candy to get him to even look at the camera. This was the best I could get of them all.

We Love you Emersynn!

Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. I have been so blessed.

We wore Grandma and Grandpa out. Dad and Grandma cooked a FEAST. We had 6 pies just for our family! And I kept Grandpa busy all week working on installing baseboard and trimming closet doors. Thanks to both of you.

And lucky us Katie and Kyle chose to spend Thanksgiving with us. It was so AWESOME having you here. Please come back soon.

Two weeks old!

Where does the time go? Emersynn, how I love you. You are such a gift. Before being released from the hospital the nurses weighed Emersynn and became very concerned because she had lost 9% of her birth weight. Hospital Policy says if the baby loses 10% of her birth weight they cannot be released until they put some weight back on. I pleaded with the nurses to release us. I promised if I was worried about her I would bring her in. At her two week check up not only had she put on all of the weight she lost but she had gained an additional 5 ounces. I knew we could do it baby girl! Just don't feel the need to grow up too fast.

Siblings

 

I admit there have been times in my life where I have wondered what it would be like to have been an only child. But, when it comes down to it I am so thankful for my siblings. They are pretty awesome. And I am incredibly thankful that my children have siblings. Brothers and sisters are such a blessing.

 

I LOVE the look of anticipation and excitement on the girls faces when they were about to meet Emersynn for the first time.

 

Could this little girl be any more loved? I think not.

 

The boys didn't get to meet her until they came home from school that afternoon. It was a mad race inside with lots of shouts of "Where is she?"

Oh Emersynn.  Welcome to the Family!