My well OVERFLOWETH! 4/10/12

Anyone who knows me knows my kids are my life! (Seriously, I don't do much of anything else. It seems . . .:) )

I try to spend one-on-one time with them every chance I get (which is very few, far, and in-between), but it does happen.

I have to take pictures so that on those days when my mind needs to unwind I can reminisce:)

 Teagan loves to play with cars right now.  And Coleston's binkies.  And Coleston.  And his metal baseball bat (Yikes!).

Coleston loves to read books.  I was off doing something that needed to be done and I came back to find Coleston had pulled books off the bookshelf and was entertaining himself.  So CUTE!  He is a very good baby and just wanders around finding things to do.  His new favorite thing is to lay on the ground and roll around.  He loves to press his cheek to the ground. Yuck!

His new favorite thing is to throw the cutest tantrums ever!

Treydon amazes me with how well he does in school.  Not that I don't expect it.  Don't get me wrong.  But he works hard and will get his homework done without being asked.  He never comes home with extra homework.  He has this A.R. reading program at school where they read books and take tests on them.  He comes home the second week into the semester telling me he already has enough A.R. points for the semester.  That is ten books atleast, that he already took tests on!  WHAT!  Again, hard worker.  And he loves to accomplish things.  I love this about him!

This is a picture of him with his Star Reader Award from third semester (he has gotten one for each semester).  They have the awards assembly right at naptime and I TOTALLY FORGOT about his second semester awards assembly.  So we made sure we were there for this one.  I might have had two cranky little boys but this big boy had the biggest smile on his face when he saw us at the assembly. 

Ashelyn is my girl.  And always will be!  I love having a girl, even if there is drama and the whole schebang!  She loves to play with friends, and play school, and help me, and color, and do crafts.  She reminds me of myself in many ways.

She gets so excited to do things with her friends and this particular day ( a Saturday in May) her friend Asa had invited her to a favorite stuffed animal contest at the library.  SHE WAS SO EXCITED!  Lol!  She wanted a picture of her with the library reading dog.

Easter Sunday 4/8/12

After church the kids and I were waiting for Quin to get out of a meeting.

So I attempted some pictures. . . .

I love how Coleston is mad because there are two arms around his neck.  Teagan and Ashelyn love to hug their little baby brother.  And then I was laughing because he was trying so hard to get them to let go! 



We tried again at home in the front yard.  The boys are showing their BYU ties.

Treydon wanted me to take his picture by this tree.

Then, of course, Ashelyn did too!

(Note the sticker on her hand.  That is pretty normal most days around here.)

It amazes me how big these two are getting.

My favorite picture of all!

I LOVE THESE MONKEYS!

I have this picture as a background on my phone right now.  Teagan and Coleston's favorite thing to do is make my phone turn on and point at the picture and laugh with each other. 

(Then somehow they keep googling things on the internet, or buying games.  The other day they actually texted somebody.  Lol!  These two are definitely trouble makers!!!)

Treydon's Baptism - Jan. 21, 2012

The title alone officially makes me feel old.  I feel like life is running away from me, way too fast.  I can't hold on to my little kids anymore.  They are growing up, 

WAY TOO FAST!

I feel inadequate to have an eight year-old with all the responsibility that it holds.

YIKES!

Let me just say that one more time.

YIKES!

Treydon has been looking forward to this day for a while.  Some people say they talk to their kids about baptism and let them decide.  I didn't have to do any of that.  I was told, by Treydon, he was getting baptized.  Fine by  me!  He did want to get baptized in Utah, though, and we were torn on the decision to wait or do it right after his birthday.

He decided to get baptized right after his birthday in Fresno. 

I loved the idea because Treydon and I got to plan the whole baptism ourselves.  Treydon was excited to deligate!  He really wanted all of his family there, but he also wanted to invite a lot of his non-mormon friends.  Another good decision on his part.  We had close friends from church, family, and friends who mean a lot to us that showed up.

My favorite part of the baptism, besides Teagan who screamed to get in the font with dad, was Treydon's beaming face.  He truly had the Holy Ghost with him the whole baptism.  Since it was just centered on Treydon I loved giving him a talk on the Holy Ghost.  He lit up as I told stories about him!  Quin mentioned that next time Nicholle (Treydon's Aunt) and I gave talks we shouldn't cry.  But who wouldn't cry if they felt the Holy Ghost so strong!?! 

I truly loved this day and I am so proud of Treydon and his decision to become a member of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The day started out with a good old game of basketball.  Performed by Treydon.

We had to entertain our guests while they were in town and we took them to a good old Mexican restaurant right in the middle of downtown Fresno.  Downtown definitely isn't the prettiest and I am sure our visitors were wondering where in the world we were taking them to eat when we parked next to a rundown laundromat and there was graffiti all over the wall.  But if you ask them it was the best service and Mexican food they have had!!!

 Proud daddy and Treydon

 Cousins for life!  Treydon has been waiting for this day since we went to his cousin Connor's baptism in July.

 Family who came

 My family sure is growing!

Newly baptized Treydon in his new suit with his baptism cake!

Treydon wanted to end the night at John's Incredible Pizza.

We only frequent this  $$$ joint when Grandpa and Grandma Young come out and allow the kids to convince them we should go!

 The younger kids enjoying a train ride(yes, all of them act younger!!!)

 Coleston with grandpa

 Treydon and Connor never left each others side

 Teagan likes to live on the dangerous side

A Fresno trip is never complete without a dip in the pool ( or hot tub if its January!)

We were so happy to have Shawn and Nicholle and their kids come spend the weekend with us.  Plus Grandpa and Grandma Young who stayed a whole week.

We are truly blessed!

Easter

Happy Easter!

We enjoyed a weekend full of egg hunts, candy, yummy food, good friends, and pondering Christ.

I see one!  This kid enjoyed Easter the most this year, even if he only found a few eggs here and there.  It probably didn't help that he begged to wear an oversized jersey just to be like his brother!!!

Coleston enjoyed some eggs!  He literally enjoys the yokes the most!

Treydon had to find the biggest basket so he could get as many eggs as possible.

Ashelyn ended up sharing all her eggs, as my sharing little mother hen usually does.

Egg dying went well until I (yes ME!) kept spilling the egg dye.

Hope it was a meaningful holiday for you too!

Spring Break 2012

Spring Break started off with a drive down to San Diego where we met my mom, dad, sister Candice and brother Nick at my sister Kirstin's house.

The next day we PLAYED!

It was also conference weekend so we spent some time listening, and playing, and listening, and playing!

 We got to meet cute little baby Chase.  He was so fun to hold!

We also got to meet up with Quin's brothers' family and some long missed cousins!

 The little girls caught up on a lot of playing store, finding lady bugs, selling things, dress up, performing, and laughing.

Swimming
(Amanda had to bribe the kids with candy to get into the COLD water)
Their faces were priceless!

Coleston interfered a couple of the boys dart gun fights.

The dads arranged some soccer and baseball games held in the backyard.

We played tennis. LOTS! 

Went to the beach!

Sisters!

And just hung out!
.................

Ahhh!  That was fun!

Coleson's 1st Birthday 3/12/12

Happy Birthday to our baby!

Coleston loves all kinds of bikes

and toys

and brooms!

For his birthday dinner I splurged (wink! wink!)

and bought rotisserie chicken.  Chicken is his absolute favorite dinner!

As you can tell, he couldn't control himself and dug right in!

He got to open his presents the next morning.  Daddy gave him some basketball cards.  He also got some sand toys and a lego wagon.

(Daddy got home late and Treydon had a baseball game)

He didn't get cake on his birthday so the next day we had brownies and icecream with all the toppings.

As you can tell, he decided that was ok!!!

Coleston has been such a fun baby.  He has just gone along with whatever is going on in our lives, from sports practices and games, to church callings, to getting woke up from a nap for a reason (or not!), to getting put down because another sibling needed loves.

He has always been a happy and smiley boy.  He loves to give hugs and pat your back and nuzzle his head into my shoulder when he is hungry. 

He loves to follow around his siblings and you will find him wherever they are, trying to master whatever they are doing. 

I love his determination.  He has recently learned to walk, without any of our help or coercing.  He has just done it on his own. 

 He has learned if he wants something he will point and whine until someone catches on and helps him.

He loves water - puddles, gutter, kitchen sink, and his favorite the bath tub!

He loves the swing, and sandpile, and dirt, and picking flowers!

He is our Loving Baby!

Love you!

Visits from some of our favorites!

Leprechaun day also brought some of my sisters!

Yahoo!

Teagan would play every day nonstop and sometimes zonked out unexpectedly.

We picked up the school bound kiddos every day after school.

Scavenger Hunts

 Aunties Janelle and Camille

 Playing Just Dance on PS3

Walks every day

Auntie Camille brought boyfriend Jake.

Treydon immersed him into the life of an addicted baseball playing second grader!

Poor Jake's arm may never recover.

Ashelyn convinced all of us we wanted to play games all day long!

Clue was her favorite that week.

Coleston gave loves at random!

The gardeners were entertaining, as ususal!

Auntie Brittany took care of all of our hair needs.

Quin even asked her to cut his hair this time, which is quite a compliment for her since he would prefer just to take the clippers on the number two setting and cut away.

Teagan showed everyone his basketball moves.  That is all he wanted us to do.  He would come up and ask "Wanna pay baskethoop wiff me?" All while trying to hold three or four basketballs in his hands at a time!

We sure had fun with our visitors and hope they come back soon!  Love you!