Kessler's 1st set of stitches

I am surprised he even made it to 16 months without stitches  The kid is a big dare devil. He has been jumping from the coffee table to the couch for months now. I don't know exactly how it happened because all I saw was him lying on the floor by the coffee table doing one of those cries were he doesn't breathe at first and then he lets it all out. So according to Brynlee he was jumping back and forth in between the couch and table and landed on his face on the table. He bit through his little lip. Of course it was a Saturday at 6:30pm so we ended up at the ER. Brad had to hold him down while they stitched him up. Kolby and I watched on and both felt so bad for him. Kolby was pretty still and quiet in my arms while he watched. So Kessler now has 4 stitches, a fat lip and a scraped chin to show off how manly he is. He is such sweet demeanor about him. When he doesn't feel well he doesn't complain much just wants to be snuggled and both Brad and I fight over them.

Building

Everyone told us that building a home is way stressful. Very true, but also very fun. I have really enjoyed this process thus far. We have the kitchen designed ( which i think is this most important), and are starting to decide flooring and other details. We bought the appliances for the kitchen and the windows go in next week. Things are moving right along. We are hoping to move in May, June or July. I hope our home now sells, we have had a few people come look. We are not moving far, just about 2 or 3 miles up the hill. The main reason is to be close to the farm. The back of our new home faces the farm.  We have a great view. I look forward to the boys being so close to work and creating wonderful memories on the farm.

Brynlee's 4th Birthday

So I may have spoiled her a little, at least that's what her brothers say. Her Birthday fell on a Sunday this year so we celebrated Saturday. She invited her friend Addy and we went to lunch, Brynlee's only request was salty fries (that's my girl). We went and got them manicures, went to Cocoa bean and got cupcakes and yummy drinks, then they went and played on some toys for awhile. They had a wonderful time and I enjoyed doing girl stuff with her. This year she wanted purple cupcakes with cherries on top. 

A little about the princess:

She talks extremely well

is bossy, but to her defense she has to stand up to all her brothers

makes up songs for FHE and sings and dances for all of us

makes friends with everyone, mostly adults 

loves shoes, tutus, make-up, nail polish

Conner's 7th B-day

Conner had his very first friend's b-day party this year. The only problem is his b-day falls in between Christmas and New Years and most families are away. He had two friends from class, his two cousins Kyler and Brenner and Ryker. We played some minute to win it games and made bow and arrows. I think all the boys loved that. He wanted another soccer ball cake. After the party Conner, Ryker, Brynlee and Brad headed to Salt Lake City to see Greg and Brooke. Brad told him how easy and nice the trip was with the three oldest. It gives up both hope for the future. I stayed back with the babes and watched a whole season of Downton Abby. Anyways Happy Birthday Conner. We are so glad you are ours! We love you!

A little about Conner:

has a very tender heart, feels bad easily

Still wants my hugs and kisses and offers them freely

tells really long stories

loves soccer

has the best laugh

is a good little runner already ran 50 miles at school

loves salami and cheese sandwiches

a picky eater, but getting better

tough as nails

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012

The twins destroyed my tree. After moving all the ornaments up higher, they learned to push a chair over to it  to reach more. They are always thinkin! As far as activities go we spent a FHE going to the live Nativity here in town. We also made gingerbread house, lots of candy, cookies and treats. We spent Christmas eve at Terrill and Heather's with Dave and Alea's family also. We acted out the nativity. Christmas day was lots of fun. The kids didn't even wake up until 6:45 or 7. We had a nice long relaxing morning. The twins loved there new bikes and all the wrapping paper and boxes. We wrapped up a note telling Ryker he was starting basketball, which he has been begging to do, and that was his favorite gift. Conner loved his legos and snowboard. Brynlee squealed about every gift so that's hard to say. Brad also made the boys a lego table which has been used every day. That evening Terrill's Family and Daves's family came over for our 2nd annual prime rib and shrimp dinner. It was so yummy. Thanks to my wonderful neighbor who makes the most incredible pies we had like 5 desserts. It was a fun evening!

Thanksgiving

This year we braved the 12 hr trip and headed to Washington for Thanksgiving. Both of my brothers and there families had not yet met the twins so I was excited to go and see them all. The extra Bonus is that Courtney just moved back to Washington and I have missed her too much so it was fun spending lots of time together.
We stopped in Basin City for a day and saw Rick and Lana. The kids always have so much fun there. Grama and Brynlee made cookies, we tied a quilt, have an eventful FHE and picked some apples. I put shoes on the babies and they were in heaven roaming the farm. We are so glad we made a stop to see them we miss visiting them.
Tuesday we headed for Edgewood. We arrived at lunch time and have a nice afternoon talking and letting the kids play. That night Dan's family and Court's family came for dinner. Dan and Jenni just recently had baby Camden, so it was nice snuggling him for awhile. He is very cute! The next day my mom spent the day cooking and Brad  and I + 5 headed to Courtney's new house for lunch. We then met up with Jenni and her kids and went to a bouncy house for awhile. The kids loved being together and it was nice to just sit and talk with Court and Jenni. That night Brent's family arrived. It was fun seeing there girls and how much they changed. It is amazing how much you can love your nieces and nephews even though you don't see them often. My mom arranged for a babysitter and all the adults went to dinner. We had lots of fun! Later that night, we had a very scary and life changing experience. I was upstairs talking to my mom and Brad went down to the family room in the basement to put Ryker and Conner to bed. They were sleeping on a air mattress and he laid down in between them and talked to them for awhile and then heard them both breathing loudly  assuming they were asleep, and fell asleep himself. 30 min or so later he wakes up to go get in his bed and tucks Ryker in and rolls over to tuck Conner in and he is gone. So he starts looking around wondering if he came upstairs or went to the bathroom. Unable to find him he comes upstairs to see if Conner had come up. I tell him no, so he heads back down stairs and checks again. He came up again and told us Conner was no where to be found. At this point I thought nothing of it. I go downstairs with him and starting looking in all the closets and hiding spots I know. I noticed the back sliding door by were he was sleeping was unlocked. Thats when I started to panic. My mom and Dad joined in on the search and we searched for about an hour. Going in each room 10 times just to be sure. My mom called my brothers and my brother-in-law and they were headed over to help. Brad and I went outside and circled the house a couple times calling his name. By this point we were frantic. Brad and I said a prayer. I got in the car and went around the neighborhood looking for him and calling his name. Brad stayed back and called the police. When I got back the police officer arrived and he questioned us for a  while about our marriage and custody and if Conner was happy and if he took his shoes or a toy. Finally he started search the house. I was thinking the whole time he was looking, get on with this he is out there somewhere and someones got him. I was worried he had been kidnapped. He searched every room and closet too. We get the back storage room and there is a utility shelf in there that my mom stores blankets on. in front of it was a step stool. As soon as we entered Conner stuck his foot out of the blankets. The officer threw all the blankets off of him and asked up if that was who we were looking for. I grabbed him and started bawling. We woke him up and he was a little confused what was going on. I guess every time we went in that back storage room looking for him he was completely covered. If he would have not stuck his foot out at the moment we probably wouldn't of found him till morning. The next morning I told Conner and Ryker I had a crazy story to tell them. Conner didn't remember any of it. He had slept walked back there. We are so grateful to our Father in Heaven for that tender mercy that night. I am so grateful I did not have to live through that tragedy.
Thanksgiving day was filled with food and fun. The grand kids and the dads played capture the flag. It was a wonderful day to be surrounded by family. Friday we did some Black Friday shopping, Saturday we went to Dan and Jenni's for cute little Sadies 3rd Birthday. Sunday we went to church with my parents and left at 7pm that night and drove all the way back to Rexburg. What a fun and eventful trip.

Vegas BABY

So since both of my sisters are rude and moved far away from me, We decided it was time to have a girls weekend. We invited my mom and headed to Tiff's in Las Vegas  I arrived on a Thursday and Courtney and my mom were already there so they all picked me up at the airport. We went straight to shopping. I have never been to Hobby Lobby so that was lots of fun. We then ate some lunch and headed to the strip. We had tickets to see America's Got Talent. That was fun, then we ate again. Tiff showed us around some of the cool hotels and then we headed to the Monte Carlo to talk and sleep. The next morning Tiff and I rode one of the roller coasters. Court is pregnant so she can't and mom is wimp. I will say it has been a very long time since i have ridden one and Tiff and i screamed our guts out. We then spent the whole day shopping. We shopped for clothes, house accessories  crafts, and my favorite jewelry. They took me to Charming Charlies were the selection is endless. We went to eat at Macaroni Grill and then got a little bundt cake from the cutest little shop called "Nothing Bundt Cakes." We stayed up and talked too late again. On Saturday we made hair-bows and Christmas cards at Tiff's house. She is so crafty. Sunday morning we got up really early and headed home. I had so much fun but it really made me sad that I don't see them all often enough. I love them all so much and are so grateful they are part of my life and my families. Miss you girls!!!!!!!