Vacay! Day 2

Day 2 started out with the sand-turned-into-mud box. Followed by horse rides with Dad on Skip and Little Skip.

I didn't even have to ask Taysum to strike this pose! I said, "Smile!" and he threw his arm and leg up and said, "Yee Haw!"

That afternoon we anxiously waited with Mark and Alicia. Alicia was scheduled to be induced at the hospital. She kept calling the hospital and they kept saying, call back later! We played games and watched a movie to help the time pass. They finally got the call and were on their way! That evening, we went to Salt Lake and had a fun Bar-B-Q at Shane and Amanda's house. They had a cool tire swing in their backyard which was a big hit with the kids; especially Taysum!

Ryan, Sami and Adelaide

Handsome Hayden

They live just a couple blocks away from Michael and Eli's school which is right next door to the college where Shane and Amanda work; so it's a great location for their family! After dinner, we all walked to the playground and had a great time playing soccer, Frisbee (with a giant disc) in the sand, and on the playground equipment!

Ken, Bailey and Garrett

Funny Face

By the time we got home, the kids were pretty worn out!

At this point we were really excited for a new baby in the family and kept waiting for the phone to ring! It was nice to get a good night's sleep and rest up for another day PACKED with fun!

Vacay! Day 1

We went on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! And it was great! It wasn't really planned, but turned out perfect! Ken had to go to Utah for some training on a Thursday, so we were going to leave Wednesday night, take Friday off and come back Sunday. Well, then he won a bid for a job in southern Utah for the following Tuesday! So, we just stayed down there the whole week! It was so nice and we just loved being with his family and seeing some old friends! We love Grandpa Ned and Grammy Penny SO much for putting us up for a week!!

We had a pretty rough trip to UT and we didn't get in until around 4am! Ken only got a couple hours sleep before he had to be up and to the training! The kids were up bright and early and excited to see all the family we had been talking about! Grammy Penny was at a conference and Grandpa Ned was fixing a shower, so we just played in the yard. The kids LOVED the sandbox and we spent a lot of time out there!This was Hayden's first big trip and first time to Utah! He actually did the best out of all of us!!

Bailey wanted me to take her picture here and Taysum wanted in on it, too!

A little later in the day, we had some fun visitors! Aunt Leah came over and we got to meet little Lucy for the first time! We were so excited to meet her! We also got to see Aunt Alicia and Sammi and Ryan and Uncle Paul and Aunt Jessica with Garrett, Kymball, Addy and Cooper. It was so fun to see everyone! It was a little tough without Ken around, but he was sure happy to see everyone when he got back.

Ken and Lucy

I thought this was just a funny pose! Hayden really likes his hands and I wonder if we'll have a thumb sucker on our hands!? He is getting SO big! We had his 2 month appointment the day we left and he was 15 pounds and in the 97th percentile for height and weight!!

Later that night, we went and had an ice cream sandwhich/popcorn party at the Neilsens!

Meeting Aunt Holly

The crew

We were pretty exhausted after such a late night (early morning) before, but we were so excited to be there! We were off to a great start to the week!

Wonderful Weekends

June has been mostly cold and rainy, so on nice days, we really take advantage of the outdoors! Taysum has really been enjoying his bike and rides it all the time! There was even one day that was nice enough to play in the sprinkler on the tramp. Our kids LOVE it!!

Hayden is growing so fast. We just love, love, love having him in our family!!

A few weeks ago, Bailey woke up with 9 spider bites on her face! This picture is actually a week later. We put medicine on her face, but it still looks like it might scar; so we're hoping since she's so young they will fade and not be noticeable!

The weekend of the 11th we had a very special treat! Uncle Nick and Aunt Lindi were in town! Uncle Nick was up in Montana taking some tests to be able to apply to be a firefighter in Montana. He did very well on his exams and we're very hopeful they'll be moving closer to home the beginning of next year! It's been nearly a year since we have seen them, so it was wonderful to have them here!! It was great for Hayden to finally meet one of his uncles he was named after!

That night we had a wonderful Stake Women's conference about the temple! The Caldwells spoke (a family in our ward whom I really love; he's also our Stake President). I was reminded that when we decide to go to the temple, we need to let NOTHING get in our way! While I was at the meeting, Ken and the kids saw a beautiful rainbow in front of our house.

On Sunday we got together at Lindsay's for a farewell/early birthday dinner for Nick and Lindi. My Dad and Nick have the same birthday, so that makes it kind of fun. I just had to get a picture of Uncle Nick with Hayden Nicholas in his firefighter outfit!

We love our Aunt Lindi!

This picture reminded me of the little girl on that sunblock ad

Aunt Lindsay and Aunt Lindi

Carissa really likes our baby and Grandma is always good to help her hold him

Nick and Lindi with Grandpa

Ken is always so great with the kids

Nick, Lindi and Dad

Tyler, Grandma, Celeste, Mom and Hayden

You know that song, "Let Them be Little"? Well, this redifines the line, "Let them sleep in the middle!"

We're loving our summer so far; especially the weekends and the family that visits! The good times have just begun!

Memorial Day Weekend

We are getting ready to go on vacation this week and I wanted to get all caught up before we left! There will be A LOT to post when we get back, plus we'll be right in the middle of Mustang Days!! I'll be a busy blogger! :)

Saturday started out as an unlucky day for us! We wanted to play outside, but it was too rainy and cold. Then we wanted to go swimming, but the pool was closed. We decided to go get ice cream instead, which wasn't too bad of a trade off! :) Then I was going to take Taysum to the bowling alley, but it was closed as well! That evening, we went to Celeste's birthday party. She's a whole year old now!! Happy Birthday, little girl! We love you!! It was VERY cold and WET, but we still had a good time at a new park! This picture didn't turn out exactly how I had planned. Originally, Bailey had a hold of Ken's carpenter loop on his pants and was pulling him some where. It was a perfect example of their relationship! ;)

Sunday was sunnier, but still a little chilly. Ken was Super Dad this day! He made pinwheels for the kids and they went outside an played for a while. Then they made peanut butter cookies and they were awesome!

Then he and Hayden took a well-desereved nap!

Monday, we just enjoyed the day together as a family. We all had a bit of a bug (Ken had the worst of it) so we just took it easy. We went for a walk and it was really nice (other than I ended up with a blister). In the evening, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Anderson's house for a bar-b-q. We had some yummy food and great yard games:

Baseball

Tractor Rides Chillin'

Trampoline Jumping

and Badminton

We had a very nice weekend as a family. We're so thankful for the freedoms we have to enjoy family and excercise our beliefs. We enjoy so much in this country and I'm SO thankful for ALL those who have sacrificed so much that we may continue to have these blessings for our children. We're so thankful for our favorite veterans: Grandpa Cutler, Grandpa Anderson and Grandpa Garrick. They have served in the military and gone to war to make this world a better one for us and our children. We are so proud of them and their wonderful example of patriotism. We are also thankful for all those who are currently serving to continue that assurance! May God continue to bless America, our home sweet home!!

A Whole Life in a Weekend

A bridal shower, a birthday party, a baby blessing, an Eagle Court of Honor, a Seminary Graduation, a funeral, and a High School Graduation all in three days. It was a roller coaster of emotions, but very wonderful!

First of all, I had to include this picture of Taysum and his trains the day after his birthday. He had all three trains right with him all day. He's at the computer watching (care to guess?) Thomas!

This was just cute, I thought!We had this little onesie for Taysum and wanted to get a picture of Hayden in it as well.Friday night, Ken went on a campout and took Taysum with him. That night, or rather, Saturday morning, Ken's parents got to our house. It had been about 4 months since we've seen them, so it was good to have them here! The kids were SUPER excited to have Grandpa Ned and Grammy Penny here. It was fun to see them meet Hayden for the first time, as well! Later that morning, we had a Bridal Shower for my brother Matt's fiancee Megan. It was the first time Lindsay and I had met her. We just had a little gathering with the ladies of the family. We had a nice time just getting to know her. I really like her a lot! She just seemed to fit in so naturally and I'm really excited to get to know her better as a sister!!

After the shower, Ken's brother, Mark and his family had arrived at our house. They had been in Sheridan at a leather show. They go every year and then come over the mountain to stay with us for a few days. It's been a great tradition and we love having them! Our nephew, Quinn had a birthday that day, so it was back to the bowling alley! Grammy Penny, Taysum, Sami and I went. We had a great time! Happy 6th, Quinn!!

Taysum and Sami

Matt and Megan

This is silly, but I don't want to forget. I knew we'd get along just great when she offered me not only her turn to bowl, but her bowling shoes as well! Now, is that a sister or what!?!

This is my Grandpa Garrick (my mom's dad). His middle name is Taysum, which was his mother's maiden name. So, that is how Taysum got his name. We told Taysum this was Grandpa Taysum and he thought that was just the best thing ever! He thought it was so cool that Grandpa had glasses just like him too! After this picture, Taysum said, pointing to Grandpa, "Mom, can I talk to that guy?" I said, "Sure!" He said, "Grandpa Taysum, I love you!" Grandpa said he love him, too. He really connected with Grandpa Taysum and he still asks about him! We're excited to see him again in July at Matt and Megan's wedding!!

Grandpa Taysum and Grandma Garrick (and some one's hand ;) )

Grammy Penny and Sami

"Hanging out" with Uncle Matt

Birthday Party

It was so fun to watch the two engage-ees! I caught this pose and then...

...this one! I hope Matt and Megan are still as happy and as in love as these two, one day!

Little Celeste can be shy around people, but she sure liked her Uncle Matt!

Grandma was so excited to meet Hayden and they had some great times together! She was so good to hold him as much as she did; she was so tender with him. One time his blanket was a little jostled and she was really concerned that his feet would get cold. I just loved watching her hold him! She held him while I helped fold programs for Tyler's Eagle Court of Honor. It was so nice to get to visit with Aunt Janel. Then Lindsay, Megan and my Mom joined in later.

Sunday morning was Hayden's baby blessing. Ken did such a wonderful job with the blessing and the Spirit was so strong in the ward that day! This was the only of the kids' blessing where Ken was emotional, that I remember. He said it was because he was so touched by all the family there, plus, Hayden is our last one! It was so wonderful! Hayden was supported by many wonderful men in that circle: Great Grandpas Garrick and Anderson; Grandpas Anderson and Cutler; Great Uncle Russ, Uncles Matt, Chad and Mark, his Dad and Bishop Wolsey. We were so overwhelmed and thankful for all the family we had there! Both sets of my grandparents, both Ken's and my parents. My sister, her family and two of my brothers (and future sister-in-law) one of Ken's brothers and two of my aunts. It was quite a crowd and I couldn't pass up the chance to get some great pictures!

Parents and Grandparents

We're just missing Grandpa and Grandma Cash who wanted to come, but had other obligations; I'm sure Grandpa and Grandma Cutler were with us that day as well; it will be great to meet them one day!

Bailey was fascinated with this bell and Grandpa Anderson even rang it for her!

The Cutler Men

A great line of fathers

This was just one of those one-in-a-million shots. I caught him at just the right moment: not posing, just being his wonderful self!

Aunt Janel, Grandma Garrick and my Mom

Grandpa Anderson was wonderful with the kids! He was off playing with them while the other adults visited. Mark told us that Sami is super shy and they've never seen her warm up to anyone so quickly!

Our little blessing

The rest of the day was really busy as well! We went home and Grammy Penny and Grandpa Ned left for home in Utah. We played some games and enjoyed time with Mark and Alicia and their family. We wanted to give the kids a break, so just Hayden and I went to a family dinner at my parents. It was nice to get to spend some time with the Garricks and Warenskis. Then Ken, Bailey, Hayden and I went to Tyler's Eagle Court of Honor. I was so bummed that I forgot my camera!! We're so proud of all of Tyler's achievements! He has always been such a good kid and he is becoming a wonderful man! Right after the Court, he graduated from Seminary; we were sad to miss that, but again so proud of him! We went home and got the kids to bed and then stayed up late talking with Mark and Alicia! It was so great to have them here!!

Then next morning, I took the kids over to say goodbye to Uncle Matt and Aunt Megan. This is just another reason I love her already!!

More time for Hayden with Great Grandma Garrick

(the blanket is one she sent before he was born)

Next was a funeral. A friend of mine from school was killed and her funeral was that day. It was a very sad situation, but the funeral was so beautiful! Her parents are in our ward and they are just the greatest people! The Spirit was so strong and there was just a wonderful feeling of hope and comfort. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever and that a loving Heavenly Father watches so lovingly over his children.

Later that day was Tyler's Graduation Party and Graduation. I thought it would be too crazy to try and take three kids to the party on my own, but Ken volunteered to watch the kids so I could go to the Graduation. It was a very nice event and it was fun to watch my parents watch their baby "leave the nest!"

This is a shot of my cousin and Tyler in the program

Tyler was second to last in the march and he swooped up his marching partner and made a great show! :)

His name being read to receive his diploma. One special thing for all five of us kids is that our Uncle Dan has been on the school board all that time and each one of us has received our diploma and a hug from Uncle Dan!

Did I say he was the "baby" of the family?!?

Well, all of that in three days!! It was so wonderful to have so much family here and to share love, tears, hope and joy together. What a blessing, is family!!