Coloring Eggs

Busy Busy Bryson!

This little guy is BUSY BUSY!  I don't think he ever stops.  :)

-I love this stage of life. 

Bryson is such a happy boy.  He's very curious.  He loves opening cupboards/drawers and pulling everything out of them.  He loves the bathroom.  Splashing in the tub and the toilet are the best!  Pulling tissues out of the box is right up there as well.  Oh, and I musn't forget,  grabbing dirt out of the plants. 

Bryson has 7 teeth right now, (3 on the bottom and 4 on top).  I'm still nursing him, but he's slowly weaning himself off.  He mostly nurses at night now.  I still can't get him to drink from a bottle, but he's starting to figure out cups pretty well.  Bryson loves to try anything that Mom and Dad eat.  He loves eating in his high chair,  although I would estimate that at least 85% of his food ends up on the floor.  I guess it's a good thing we have a dog.  

I am Bryson's favorite right now (He he).  -He will always go to me before anyone else. Aaron and Andrew are close behind tied for 2nd.  Bryson is picky about giving kisses, but when he does he gives the best open mouth slobbery kisses ever. 

Bryson loves music.  Whenever we hear a song on the radio or on tv, he bounces to the beat.  -So cute.  

Bryson still prefers to crawl when getting around.  He does walk around furniture though.  Bryson's arms are getting very strong.  This past week at church, Bryson  pulled himself up onto a folding chair.  -Ahh!  Lots more bumps and bruises I'm sure. 

Thankful For My Parents

     Today I'm giving a lesson in Relief Society.  My lesson is on L Tom Perry's conference talk  "Becoming Goodly Parents".  As I've reflected over this topic, I've really gained a great appreciation for my and Aaron's parents. 
     Our parents aren't just "Goodly" they're AMAZING!.  Friday night for instance, my mom took 4 out of my 6 kids and had them sleep over at her house.  Then Saturday morning she took all of them to a movie and lunch.  She knew I'd had a crazy stressful week, so she wanted to not just help me out, but also spend some quality time with her grandkids. 
     Like the song "I am a child of God," I really feel like my parents have "lead me" and "guided me" and they always "walk beside me."  They've "taught" and continue to "teach me all that I must do to live with Heavenly Father some day." 
     I'm so thankful for Kent and LouJean (My husband's parents).  They've raised an amazing son, husband and father.  I love that Aaron has such a close relationship with Heavenly Father.  I feel so blessed that we were married in the temple and that our children are sealed to us.  I pray that I can be a good example.  Not just to my children, but also to others.  -That I can be an instrument in Heavenly Father's hands.

Doug's Birthday

Yesterday was my brother in law's birthday.  We made Doug a cake and sang Happy Birthday to him.  Bree and Abby asked him how old he was?  He told them he was 32.  -Sounds good to me.  

Happy Birthday Doug!

A Most Traumatic Event

     Yesterday my youngest daughter Alyssa had a pretty traumatic experience.  It had been a very busy day at our house.  We had just finished dinner and most of the kids were outside jumping on the trampoline.  Aaron had turned on the television to relax.  I needed some alone “Kelly” time, so I decided to go for a little jog.  I gave Bryson to Aaron, and away I went.  I decided to go for a jog by the cemetery.  I love reading the headstones and visiting family members graves.  Anyway, about 45 minutes later, I made it back home.  As I came up the hill toward our home, I saw a police car parked outside a neighbor’s home.  As I got closer a policeman came out of the neighbor’s garage and stared at me.  I thought to myself, “I hope everyone’s okay.”  I didn’t dare to ask what had happened.  Then I started to think, “Thank goodness the policeman isn’t at my house.”  (We've had our fare share of phone calls to the police with Brody).  I walked in the door and Aaron called to me from the basement.    He said that he needed to speak with me.  I went down the stairs and Aaron told me a policeman had just returned Alyssa.   What?  Are you serious?  I got a sick feeling in my stomach. 

    Apparently, Alyssa heard me leave the house.  She tried to follow me, but couldn’t catch up.  I'm not sure exactly how far she followed me.  I don't think it was far because the neighbors who called the police only live 2 houses down the street on the opposite side.  We should know our neighbors, but everyone East of the stop sign is in a different stake.  I guess that's my excuse.  Anyhow, they could see Alyssa was upset, there was no parent around, she didn’t have a coat on, etc., so they decided to call the police.  The policeman asked Alyssa what her name was.  She told him,” Alyssa,” but couldn’t give him her last name.  He asked her who her parents were.  She replied, “Aaron and Kelly.”  Luckily the policeman stopped Kent (My father-in-law) and asked him if he knew a Aaron and Kelly.  He told him that we were a son and daughter in law and that we lived in his home. The police officer then told him about Alyssa.  He brought Alyssa home and Aaron filled out a report. I feel horrible.   I’m suppose to give a lesson on becoming a Goodly Parent this week.  Who am I to give this lesson, especially when I let something like this happen to my child?

Baseball Tryouts

My Andrew Magoo had baseball tryouts yesterday.  Kent, Abby, Alyssa, Bryson and I were all there to show our support.  I think Andrew did great!  I don't know what team he'll be on.  I'm guessing that we'll find out next week.  I'll try to keep everyone posted.

Living Planet Aquarium Field Trip

Alyssa's preschool class had a field trip at the Living Planet Aquarium yesterday.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the field trip.  Alyssa went with my brother Shane and his daughter Sasha.  Alyssa had a really good time.  She couldn't stop talking about the jellies.  After the field trip, Shane took the girls to McDonald's (Alyssa's favorite).  Thanks so much Shane!

Jr. High Registration ...Check

 I have a son that is registered for Jr. High!!!  -Yep, we got it done today.

I seriously can not believe it.  As I walked through the halls with him this evening, all I could think was "I was just here.  How is my baby old enough to be here?"  -Time just flies by way too fast.   

 Andrew is scheduled to take English 7, Integrated Science 7, Utah History, CTE Intro, PE 7, Intermediate Math, Reading 180, Keyboarding 1, Beginning Brass Band, and Explore Tech 7 (8 credits total).  I'm excited for all of his classes.  I'm especially excited about the band.  Andrew wants to learn how to play the trumpet like his dad. 

Love you Andrew.  We sure are excited for you.

Sleeping Beauty

Our little beauty fell asleep on the couch the other evening.  This is how Aaron found her.  :)

If You Believe...He Will Come

Aaron and I have always told our kids that we don't believe in leprechauns.  We've participated in the holiday (Wore green, dyed our food, etc.)  Just nothing above and beyond that.  

Last year our oldest daughter Abby slept over at her cousins house.  In the morning when they awoke on St. Patrick's Day, a leprechaun had come to visit them.  --And apparently Leah, (Abby's cousin) caught him.  Amazing I know.  

Anyhow, since that day Abby has been determined to have one come to our house.  Last night after Aaron and I came home from dinner this is what we found. 

 

 6 cups lined up with green ribbon inside.  Notice the clovers and the paper plate that states "Gold."

 

A sign on the front door that states, "Come to my hous Lep."

Instructions for the leprechaun:
"Please give us candy"
"then write a story about you"
"Next put it in a cup"
"Last know that we love you"

A necklace hung on the wall.

A green ribbon tied on the door knob

Some 4 leaf clovers

Letters from Bree and Abby

A white board ready  for the leprechaun to share his name and a story.  

With all of these amazing decorations, why wouldn't a leprechaun come?

Lenny the Leprechaun came to our house!  He left green treats (Skittles, gum and a sucker) and gold (Rolos).  I guess we're pretty darn lucky.  :)

Diamond Fork Hot Springs

Yesterday Aaron and I took our kids to Diamond Fork Hot Springs in Spanish Fork Canyon.  This was no easy venture. The hike is 2.5 miles each way, so 5 miles all around.  I carried Bryson and Aaron carried a pack with water, snacks and some towels.  Each of us took turns holding the kids hands.  There was still quite a bit of snow up there so we were slipping and sliding all over the place.  :)  The kids loved swimming in the springs.  If you're looking for something fun to do with your family, I totally recommend it.  Here are some pictures from our trip. 

The whole crew minus Bryson and I

Love this guy!

I didn't realize Bryson had pulled off his socks until after we'd been hiking for a while.  I wrapped my sweatshirt around him and that kept him pretty toasty.

There is a river next to the trail.  As you get closer to the springs, the water gets warmer and there is moss every where!

A little waterfall.

The temperature was just right!

There's a lot of dark mud in these pools.  People were rubbing the mud all over their bodies.  Apparently, it's suppose to soften and exfoliate (Did I say that right?) your skin. 

Would you like to go to Diamond Fork Hot Springs? 

From Spanish Fork, take highway 6 to mile marker 184.1 (about 11 miles from Spanish Fork) Here, go north on the paved/signed road Diamond Fork. Follow this road 10 miles to the trailhead on the right. The trailhead is well signed and easy to find. In the winter, this road can be snow packed and require 4-wheel drive, but under most conditions, it is accessible to all. The trailhead has a pit toilet and map, but does not allow camping.