Wy Toot Turns 4!

We spent the afternoon playing at Mack Park on Wyatt's birthday.









Wyatt always gets so excited for his birthday. He starts the day after his birthday planning his next birthday. He couldn't wait to turn 4 since he has 4 other cousins who were already 4 and now he is "finally" the same age as them. He is the silliest kid and we can't get enough of his giggles. He is such a character and keeps us all on our toes, practicing patience, or rolling with laughter.

Bear Lake 2012

We had such a fun vacation with the Goodliffe Family at Bear Lake in July. We had a couple of beautiful/perfect days at the beach and got to spend 4 fun filled nights sleeping together in a cabin. It was wonderful to get away and enjoy being with family.


Our fearless baby girl!

Eating some sand...yum!

Haydo so did not want to ride the tube...is it bad to force a child to overcome their fears. He actually loved it after about 60 seconds of riding.

Hannah and Mommy soaking in the sun and fun boat rides.

Wyatt and Uncle Jeffery trying out the wave runner for the 1st time.

Wyatt just loving life.

Austin, Macie, and Emry laying in the "warm" water.

Even Hannah had a 1st ride on the wave runner.

Silly Austi hoot!

Haanah is 1

Our baby girl is already 1! It is so hard to believe how fast that she is growing up. She is walking, yelling/talking (she likes to talk really loud), eating...eating...and eating (her small size has nothing to do with lack of food intake), she has her brothers wrapped around her little finger, she is opinionated, stubborn, cuddley, a huge binkey fan, a good sleeper (most of the time), and the cutest little girl. We love her bunches and bunches!!!

Her birthday was pretty low-key. We took her swimming at the Aquatic Center since the girl loves water. Her grandparents came over and spoiled her rotten. She had her fill of chocolate also. That girl loves chocolate!

Our life lately (through pictures)

Hannah's 1st Easter

Growing up so fast

Swimming lessons

Wyatt's 1st swimming lesson

Austin and his teacher (always has 1:1) lucky boy!

Hayden loves to swim

Cannonball!

Hannah and I observing from the sidelines

Double trouble

Color for Tessa~ 1st 5k this year

Wyatt conquers his bike

Hayden finished 2nd grade "most successful" award

Wyatt's face meets concrete while falling off his brother's bike

Fun hike at Willow Flat

Silly girl

Crazy boy

Quiet Austin

Funny Haydo

Life is full of daily adventures. We are loving our summer break from school. Our days consist of daily "homework", reading, and chores. Then we play at parks, swim, play with cousins and friends, go on picnics, fishing, camping, go on bike rides, run some, and laugh often.

4th of July

Dayton Parade -Uncle Bri and Aunt Wen letting the kids ride in the fire truck.

Hannah and I watching the parade.

Hey wait...there's cousin "O"

All the Taylor grandkids ice blocking at the park

Landon trying his best to "organize" the kids

Our day started early since we ran in the Dayton 5K. That makes 4 this year! This was by far the best one yet. My parents fixed us a yummy breakfast after and then we went to see the parade. Oh boy was it an exciting parade too. We watched a truck rear end a semi right in front of us and then a drill team girl fell out of the back of the golf cart and landed on the back of her head (again right in front of us). Who says small towns are slow and boring. Not I says me! After all that excitement we headed up to Jeff and Erin's in Pocatello. All the grandkids had a lot of fun playing together. The fireworks were amazing as always, and we made it safely homes to our waiting beds at 1:30 am.

They say it's your birthday!

Since all 4 of our children have summer birthdays, we had a big birthday bash on the 3rd of July to celebrate with family and friends.

We rented water slides and they were a huge success!

1! 4! 6! 8! (too bad Hannah isn't 2)

Hannah lovin' the ice cream

And Hannah lovin' the cupcake

It was such a fun day. I think our kids were in 7th heaven all day long. Poor Austin had a dentist appointment right before the party to have a cavity fixed. He didn't let a numb cheek and lip slow him down though.

Making Strawberry Jam

I have been wanting to make strawberry jam for years now. My mom and sister kept telling me how simple it is. So, last night while I was at the store I spotted strawberries for a great price. I got 8 pounds of berries and planned to make the jam this morning. Hannah went down for her nap so easily this morning and Austin and Wyatt were playing outside with neighbors, so everything was perfect. I decided to do both batches at once since I had a huge pot and all of the containers ready. I followed the directions to a "T" (I know family- that is hard to believe), but I really did. I noticed that after I got the berries and pectin boiling that it was going to be a tight fit with all of the sugar. I poured in the sugar though and we still had room without everything going over. Then, it happened when the jam started to boil - it went right over the sides of my pan. I quickly removed the pan from the burner, but forgot to turn off the hot plate. Soon there were flames burning, but I thought to myself, it will burn itself out. Then the flames got bigger and started to spread. I quickly grabbed my trusty baking soda and doused the flames. As smoke filled the air I surveyed the damage. The jam was saved but my stove was a sticky black mess. To top it all off the smoke alarms in every room in our house started to sound. I stood there and laughed. Hannah who was up from her nap by now, started saying "uh-oh". Yeah she knows trouble when she sees it. I am just thankful that since I have a cold and allergies combined, I couldn't smell any of it. I never knew that making strawberry jam could be such an adventure. FYI: the only other time I have started a fire cooking was in my parents' microwave over 10 years ago :)

A new day a new word

Today was such a beautiful day. I love the weather when it hints of Spring. We actually put our running shoes on and went for a jog this afternoon. It wasn't extremely far, but we did it. Next time Wyatt rides in the stroller with Hannah. (bike + Wyatt + jogging = very slow) Here's to our 1st 5K this year in May and hopefully more this summer!
Also, little Hannah Nannah said her 1st real word (besides mamamamama) it is.... ought oh!!! We love it. When she drops something or gets into things we say ought oh and she repeats it. So cute :)

Testimony almost

Today was Fast and Testimony meeting. I kept thinking all week how it had been such a long time since I had gotten up to bear my testimony in Sarcrament Meeting. I always use the excuse that I can't leave 4 kiddos on a bench alone and that since Colby always gets to bear his testimony that is sufficient for our family. While I was sitting listening to others bear their testimonies, I thought that maybe today was my day. Then, a sweet brother behind me said that he would hold my baby for me if I wanted to get up and bear my testimony. I thought hey this definintely means that it is my turn. Well when I was just getting the courage to do it, Hannah spit up all over both of us. By the time I got us both cleaned up there was 10 minutes left. I wasn't going to let it get me out of it. But, there was never a break between testimonies and the line of those who were getting up to bear theirs. So, I didn't make it. I have no shame or embarrassment to post my testimony for all to read it... so here is what my testimony would have been today.
I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me! He knows me. He hears me when I pray to Him and He forgives me when I repent of my ever present mistakes. I loved that someone said today that He knows what we want in life, but He also knows what we need. I needed to hear that today! For, sometimes life takes turns that we don't want it to take, but it is just what we need.
I know that Jesus is my Savior. He is who made it possible to be with my family FOREVER! I know that we belong to His true church here on this earth,
I know the Book of Mormon is true. It is so fun to read together as a family. I love seeing a 7 year old read ahead to see how the story ends so that he doesn't have to wait until tomorrow.
I am so very blessed, and I know that it is all from my Heavenly Father that loves me!

To all my sisters...

Today in RS our lesson was on being unified as sisters in Relief Society. It made me realize just how blessed I am to have such amazing sisters in my life. I have 2 of the bestest blood sisters ever. Our relationships haven't always been perfect, but they are solid. I have 6 amazing sister-in-laws on this planet. I couldn't have hand picked a better bunch. I have so many amazing friends that surround me. Some have moved away, but are never forgotten and continue to be examples to me. All I have to say is... Thank You! Thank you for loving me, laughing with me, crying with me, falling with me, for picking me up, and for accepting me for who I am.

9 Years!

It's been 9 years since I married my best friend. We've done a lot in those years - 4 children, 6 moves, 5 different jobs, 5 different cars, countless different callings, so many late nights spent talking about "life", struggling to learn how to parent 4 very different children, laughing together, crying together (ok maybe that was just me) ... but one thing remains unchanged. He's still my best friend!

This little lady

Can you see her? She is adorable huh! We love her bunches and bunches. Lately she has been showing quite the stubborn streak. Ok, so it's only been the last 4 days. But holy cow is she ever fiesty and grumpy!!!! It all started on Sunday. I had to take her out during Sacrament meeting. No big deal right. I tell you this is a 1st for her. She has been such a good baby. On Monday she would scream anytime her brothers came near her. She refused to nap, refused to eat her baby food and wanted to be nursed almost every 2 hours. This has continued on thoughout the nights and through the morning today. Cross your fingers because she is taking her 2nd nap today as I type. We have wondered if it is teeth (can't feel or see anything), an ear infection (no fever, no pulling at her ears), we tried supplementing with a bottle  (which she refuses to drink). Personally, I think this little lady is just showing us who is the boss around our house.
Is it weird to anyone else that her favorite place to play is under our bed. Apparently she has no problem with tight dark places. Holy Claustraphobia Baby!

A camping we will go

Wyatt got a tent for Christmas. All 3 boys were so excited and made plans for their first campout. They had it all set to pitch the tent on our front grass area (a spot barely big enough for the tent) and to sleep outside on the night of Dec. 25th. They talked about it all day and told everyone that they could. They could not wait. We thought that surely they would realize that it was in the single digits outside at night. We do live in Cache Valley after all and it is winter time (even if we lack some snow). No, they didn't care that it was cold, they would just use lots of blankets. Needless to say, mom destroyed their plans about 7:00 that night. They were not going to sleep outside and that was final. The tent was pitched in the living room with the temp set at 67 cozy degrees. They all snuggled in and were soon fast asleep.

This is the picture Colby took about 2:00 in the morning. Yeah, I think there would have been some cold kiddos if mom wouldn't have ruined all the fun!

Times a flyin'

Hannah is 6 months old already! I think it's been the fastest 6 months of my life.

We are so grateful to have our little princess. She is one very loved little girl!

Here are some of the things we love about her...

• she has the cutest smile that will melt your heart
• her baby blue eyes are always taking everything in
• she has become quite the roley poley bug
• she can sit up on her own
• she sleeps through the night (most of the time)
• she loves her baby food (especially her greens - gag)
• she is not a fan of rice cereal or oatmeal
• she already knows how to tattle on her brothers
• she growls like a bear (her dad taught her how)
• she shakes her head "no" (also taught by dad)
• she loves to bath
• she hates getting dressed
• her nicknames are "sis", hannie-nannie, and princess
• it's a workout to get her to laugh
• her brothers fight over her every chance they get

Sometimes I wish that I had a remote control on life so that I could put our days in slow motion. I guess that is why she can get me to hold her during her entire afternoon nap. Before I know it she won't want me to cuddle and rock her anymore :(

Sacrament meeting in a nutshell

Have you ever had one of those days where your children do exactly the opposite of what you tell them to. That was the Goodliffe family during Sacrament meeting. Boys that are told to be quiet repeat things even louder the next time. Then, a little boy who smiles and laughs as he is running back and forth from sitting on the stand with his dad and sitting on the bench with the rest of us. Entertaining/funny... I don't think so. Somehow, I think that we need a few more lessons on appropriate church behavior.