Birthday Celebration

How to celebrate turning 3-

Dress up in your new birthday clothes for church

Let your sisters spoil you (wait, that's every day)



Get a new Cars bike

Have lots of help to learn to ride

Ask your Mom to make a Hot Wheels cake and love it when all she does is put a few cars on top

Invite over your favorite friends for an evening of fun and celebration


Happy Birthday Cole-Man!

My Boy is 3!!

Happy Birthday to Cole-Man!!!! Can't believe you are already 3....how we love you, our little boy!!! We all adore you so much...and you certainly have all 5 of us wrapped around your finger. Of course, this morning I woke up thinking about the night you were born...we stayed at home as long as possible to make sure I was in labor...I remember being really uncomfortable and watching American Idol...we didn't even head to the hospital until about 10:30 PM and you were born 2 hours later. We just couldn't believe how lucky we were to have you...the boy we had waited so long for!!!! What joy you have brought to your parents and sisters. Just the other day, Jordan told me that she caught a glimpse of you sitting on the stairs and was "overcome by the amount of love she had for you." We all feel that way!!!

Some things about Cole at age 3:
-Loves all things that "go"- trains, trucks, cars, buses, etc.
-Asks several times a day to go outside to "drive his tractor"...loves to play outside
-Loves his sisters...gets into lots of mischief with his best buddy Regan...likes to destroy toys, legos, etc.
-Talks and talks and talks...you can tell by how he speaks that he has older siblings...the other day when his little friend went home, he called out the door to him, "Miles, email me!!!"
- Asks almost daily to go down to the farm to see grandpa and the trucks and horses
-Gets upset if doesn't get to say the prayer
-Is still not a good sleeper...still waiting for him to sleep through the night consistently...uggg!
-Is an unpredictable eater...sometimes eats a ton, and other times hardly eats at all...prefers rice, lasagna, mac and cheese, and minestrone soup. Loves soda and doughnuts and suckers. Doesn't like anything that has to do with bread.
-Still wants to be carried everywhere!!
-Likes everything "Cars".
-Can be a real pill in church, has to be taken out almost every week...likes to look at the pictures of Jesus especially the one of him knocking at the door
-Calls all my friends by their first names...as in, "Can we go to Amy's house?", "Where did Kim go?"
-Has a bit of a temper and can throw a mean tantrum...other times he is just as pleasant and easy as can be
-Loves tools and likes to play with Dad's real ones in the basement
-Is aware of everything....and makes sure that in this family of 6, his voice is always heard!!!

Happy Birthday Manny! We love you so much.

My Texas Trip

I was lucky enough to get to escape for a few days last week down to the sunny, warm land of Texas! My youngest sister, Katy had a new baby girl, and I was thrilled to be able to go and spend some time with them.


Stella Kim is an amazing baby...and I absolutely fell in LOVE with her. In fact, by the last day I was just trying to drink up her newborn smell to take home with me...since I no longer have babies at home. I loved snuggling her and cuddling her. I loved how we got to stay up late together each night so that her mama could get a few hours to sleep. I loved being able to spend time with my little nephew Sutton who is just the best kid ever and so much fun.


It is so hard for me to live so far away from this great family...I even adore my bro-in law, Nick. He and I have always been good buddies. Another bonus is that Tod's brother and family live in the same town, so I was even able to sneak in a few short visits with them- 3 more darling nieces and a nephew!


Katy and I had so much fun together- despite the strict feeding schedule, we planned an outing each day (to my favorite Texas stores!) and made some yummy meals together. We also spend hours and hours just talking together about everything under the sun...and laughing. She knows me and she gets me, and I just love her to pieces.

Everyone knows that the first few weeks with a newborn are incredibly difficult and exhausting...as the adoring big sister, I am so proud of Katy.

Of course, this trip wouldn't have been possible without Snarr jumping on board to keep my 4 little ones at home. He juggled cooking, cleaning, church assignments, car pools, basketball and tons of other things...and managed to do just fine...although he did admit to being more than ready for me to come home. He even surprised me with a new kitchen table!!! I missed my own family so much while I was gone.

I relished in the opportunity to have few days to slow down and relax. Hours and hours on a plane by yourself to read and think is not something that I take for granted. Same for the blocks of uninterrupted sleep I enjoyed. All in all, it was just a great get away for me....can't wait to do it again sometime!

Jordan's Special Weekend

Jordan had been looking forward to being baptized for a very long time...She had been planning and preparing for her baptism for many, many months...and so she was one excited gal when the time was finally here for her big day. Grandparents from Utah arrived on Friday night, along with Grandparents and cousins from Missouri. On Saturday morning, we all gathered along with many friends to see her be baptized. She was able to be baptized with her sweet friend Grace which was really neat too. Jordan look absolutely radiant in her new dress. She was so happy, and we were of course, thrilled for her to make such a good choice and a choice that we know will continue to bless her life forever.
Some things to remember about the day-
-It was a beautiful, crisp (very chilly), but sunny February morning here in Iowa

-The font water was very cold!
-Grandpa Kirk gave a special talk on baptism and Grandma Cindy said the opening prayer
-A group of Jordan's church friends sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me"
-We were surrounded by family and friends, all of whom really LOVE Jordan





-Jordan wore a CTR bracelet from Grandpa Kirk and Grandma Patsy, and a special necklace that was my mom's. I wore it on my wedding day and Ashton wore it on her baptism day. It is our special connection to our Grandma in heaven who we know is also proud of our children and their choices.


-Grandpa Steve and Grandma Cindy gave Jordan her own set of scriptures with a case- what a treasure for her!

-Grandma Patsy and Grandpa Kirk presented Jordan with a quilt made by Great-Grandma Mary...it is to help her remember the Holy Ghost as a source of "comfort" throughout her life.

-Jordan chose doughnuts as her baptism refreshment and boy, were those a hit!

-Jordan was so thrilled to not only be baptized and confirmed by her dad, but also by the Bishop!


-After the baptism, we had a lunch celebration- Jordan had planned the menu which included funeral potatoes, a meat/cheese tray, rolls, chips, jello salad, a veggie tray, and of course, chocolate cake.
-Later that day, we went over to the John Deere pavilion to see all the equipment. Then we went swimming at the hotel where Grandpa Kirk and Grandma Patsy were staying. After swimming, Tod and his mom took the little kids home, while Ashton, Jordan and I stayed at the hotel for some extra visiting. We soaked in every bit of time that we had with our family. We love it when they come to see us, and it is so hard to say good-bye! But we were so thankful they could share the weekend with us!

I hope Jordan will always remember this day. I know that I will. I love my Jordan so much- she is a source of laughter and a great help in our home. She is always trying to learn new things, is very loving and full of life. We are proud of her and thankful that we could enjoy this special time together.

Our Valentine's Day

Woke up to treats on the kitchen table- books and giant pencils for girls, a toy motorcycle for Cole

Packed up everyone's Valentines and boxes

Went to Regan's Dance Party

Enjoyed 3 Classroom Parties- Preschool, 2nd grade, 4th grade


Received beautiful flowers from my Valentine

Savored an entire day to think about and remember my special Valentine Angel...my mom who would have turned 62 years old! Love her so much and miss her every day...but especially on "love" day (her birthday) because she was so full of love.

Chinese New Year

I love traditions...and here at our local elementary school, they have a great 2nd grade tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year. The highlight is a parade where the entire 2nd grade goes underneath the "dragon" as it winds throughout the hallway and the other students come out to watch. The only way to identify your student is to know what kind of shoes they are wearing! Good thing Jordan wore her favorite black boots!


Regan and her friends (who will all be in kindergarten next year) got right down on the floor to try to get a better view of who was actually under the dragon.

Cole made himself right at home in the classroom to sample some ham fried rice. It was a great celebration!

2012 Snapshot

I found a blog that I really love to read (www.71toes.com). The author gives the idea of writing a "snapshot" each year to capture some of the ordinary, regular things about everyday life. I love the idea! When I look back on past years, I love to remember the big things...but I also want to be able to remember the beautiful, day-to-day things. So here is our snapshot for 2012.

We are still working on our never ending project of finishing the basement. We are getting much closer...in fact painting and carpet should happen next week! Bathroom won't be done for a while. I am most excited for the pantry/sewing room.

Mornings are so chaotic at our house. There is always so much going on. I have to wake the girls up every morning...except on Saturdays when they amazingly get up before 7 AM to go watch TV.

I used to wake them up with an obnoxious song...now, per Jordan's request, I use a whisper version of it. She does respond better.

Tod has been the Bishop now for almost a year. It is time consuming and stressful...but also a great blessing. I have gotten very good at doing bed time and Sundays on my own.

I still read to the kids every night. I look so forward to that time. This year we have read some fabulous books, including the entire Little House series.

I have the best calling in the church- Primary Music Leader. I love it! It is a calling I have dreamed about for years. I am also the Cub Scouts Committee Chair.

This year has been hard from the stand point of having several really good friends move away. We all miss them a lot. This coming year, several more dear friends will leave, too.

For the past several months, our lives have been consumed by basketball. I am coaching Ashton's team (Monday, Friday practices and Saturday games) and Jordan is playing (Tuesday practice, Saturday game) Coaching is something I love and something that makes me incredibly nervous even on a 4th grade level!

We have had some health scares the last couple of weeks. It very quickly makes you realize what your priorities are and how quickly life could change.

I am still teaching piano to 14 students. Most of the time, I don't really know why I am!

For the first time in almost 10 years, we don't have a baby around the house (Cole will be 3 next month) It makes my heart incredibly sad.

However, Cole still does not sleep through the night! He has recently graduated from sleeping in our bed to sleeping on our floor.

I made cinnamon rolls almost every Sunday morning last year. Now that we have early church, we are missing that tradition so much.

Having Regan do another year of preschool this year has been such a good decision. She has grown up so much and loves her school and her friends. Cole misses her so much when she goes off to school each afternoon.

Ashton and Jordan sometimes have a hard time being together or being apart. They argue a lot but also love to play together.

Cole wakes up crying every single morning. I don't know why since he is generally a happy kid.

We have our family prayer in the van before we leave in the morning. If Cole doesn't get to say, he screams throughout the prayer.

Ashton is getting very good at violin. I am still teaching both older girls piano and have started teaching Regan a little. We try to get music practice out of the way before Dad gets home since he doesn't love it.

I have given up on staying on top of the laundry or organizing our "papers". I will keep trying.

Our favorite family dinners are anything breakfast-ish, lasagna and roast with noodles. Jordan is the pickiest eater. Regan is the best eater. Cole prefers soda and candy.

The little kids and I go to Sam's Club every other Thursday. We always finish our trip with a drink and a soft pretzel.

Tod gets every other Friday off and we greatly look forward to our lunch date- Azteca, Hy-vee and Culvers are our favorites.

The girls have taken over cleaing the bathrooms. This has been awesome for me.