Aly and her scriptures

Tonight Aly seemed to want to participate in family scripture reading like the other big kids. She had my first Book of Mormon and kept trying to open it on her own.

Looking so handsome

Dylan got his new glasses on Friday. As we drove home he said, "wow these really help me see better. Look! I can see the branches on the trees!"

Looks who's got piggy tails?

The day arrived today--Aly had enough hair for "piggies" as we call 'em round these parts! Simply adorable!

Aly

She's growing up too fast. 11 months already. Here she is getting into Madi's drawers. She thinks she's pretty awesome.

Madi in swim lessons

It may be 28 degrees outside but it is 89 degrees in the pool! Madi loved it.

Does anyone know where the toilet paper went?

Little Aly had a blast unrolling nearly an entire toilet paper roll. And I stood by and watched! Yep! It was 40% because I needed to dry my hair and she was whining for me to pick her --that is until she found the toilet paper. The other 60% is because she is our baby #4 and I've lightened up. I get how it's "cute" and how "I'll miss these days" etc. I adore Aly and love seeing her explore but don't want it to happen too fast. I want to cherish my "baby"
awhile longer.

"Puppy, I'm so glad you're back!"

The new puppy arrived today. Madi was thrilled to say the least!

Ben's new talent

The kids are thrilled with their Christmas gift from the Mumfords. Ben is a natural! Who knew he had so many gifts!

We love the Rockettes!

I love having girls!!! We had the first of hopefully many nights out
together. Aly can join us soon!

Madi's in her glasses

"These help me see better Mom!"

Aly the Lion

After her bath.

Pioneer Madi

Madi asked me to take her picture in her bonnet Nanna bought her.

Pilgrim Picture

From Miss Kristy: "Madi was the Super hero for Class B. And Madi helped her mom with the laundry. And when she goes on a trip she makes sure to pack Cheetos and suitcases. Thank you Madi for bringing your Pilgrims to class for show and tell. Your a great student."

And the Pinewood Derby winner is...

Dylan Swallow!!!!

Republican campaign rally

Halloween dress up day at dance class

Madi loves Miss Bethany and dance class!

First Snow of the Season

Yep, it is October and we woke up to our first snow!!! Utah weather is so ... FUN!

Madi checking out the crazy first snow of the season!

Supergirl

Today Madi was the Super Star at preschool.

Good food, good times, good memories!

Good food, good times, good memories!

BYU Football Memories

Ben and I love taking Kate and Dylan to BYU football games. Dylan is learning a lot about the game and Kate enjoys the cheerleaders, Cosmo, Cougarettes, CougarTails (maple bar donuts) and the Dippin' Dots!  Oh well, it creates fun memories. 

Cherishing Aly

This is a self portrait. Why, you ask? Because as I sit here rocking my sleeping baby I keep thinking I never want this to end and yet I know it must. Aly is 7 months tomorrow and I am sad it is going by so fast. She'll be crawling any day and I am sad that this baby stage is coming to a close. I love the next stage of walking and taking and her little personality emerging but right now I just want to freeze this moment. It's so real to me how fast it all goes-after all the house is quiet because Dylan and Kate are in school all day and Madi is at preschool. How did that happen? I remember thinking the days of Dylan as a challenging 3 year old would never end but now I sit with baby #4 thinking this could be the last. So when I saw my iPhone and thought maybe if I snap a picture it will help solidify this motherhood moment. Aly, I want you to know I love you and adore this time we get together. You have been pure joy to me since you arrived. I love you.

Our Funny Girl

Madi is happy 99% of the time. She dances and makes up words to songs she'd heard, such an "taco belly taco belly taco belly" instead of "talk about it talk about talk about it" and "hot n cold" and "Barbie world". It makes us laugh as she performs her songs with her hips shaking. The other funny thing about Madi is that she has a huge vocabulary but some sounds aren't exactly right. For example she says with all kinds of enthusiam "ahh, it's fundering and yightning" when it is storming outside. Her new one is "cwapping" which sounds super close to crapping but she thinks she's saying "clapping" as in "Look Mom, Aly's clapping!". Seriously, I adore this kid!!!

Bite his toe?

I love hanging out with a three year old! This is what she sang to me in the car today--"Eenie meenie miny moe, catch a tigger, bite his toe, if he hollaas let him go..." Apparently I've been wrong all these years. Now I know it is BITE HIS TOE? For some silly reason I always thought it was "by his toe." Good thing she set me straight!

Sweet sleeper

Aly still has trouble sleeping through the night and wakes 1-2 times
in the night screaming. Amazingly she rarely wakes her two big sisters
that share her room. After a tiresome night I found her sleeping so
peacefully this morning. It is funny how she always manages to end up
on her tummy. I love how she used her hand like pillow. Adorable!

"Look at me!"

Aly is so proud of herself as she learns to push herself up. Yea Aly!

Aly & Poppa

Poppa Roger and Aly are pals! Poppa adores Aly and Aly thinks he's pretty funny. I am grateful that Nana Sandy and Poppa Roger are so close and so involved with the kids. 

True to BYU!

Dylan shared his BYU hat with Aly and it was too cute to pass up. Ben and I took Dylan and Kate to the BYU v. U of WA game. It was a great time. Kate says she wants to go to BYU and be a courgarette. Watch out boys!

Coasters & Slides

We spent the kids first day off of school at the alpine slides and coaster. It was a fun day. Madi didn't want in this picture but her favorite part was the coaster. Dylan and Kate loved bungee jumping on the trampoline.

First Day of School

This was Kate's first day of all-day school (First Grade) and Dylan's first day of 4th grade. Aren't they so adorable! I love you both so much. ~Mom

Last day of summer fun

While the neighbor kids went back to school we enjoyed a quiet day of mini golf, bumper boats, go carts, roller coaster rides and arcade games! They soaked each other on the bumper boats! We loved having Spencer and Caleb with us too. Now it's time to head back to school.

Dylan wanted to let his hair grow this summer and I thought that'd be fun too but now it's time to go back to school and time for the long locks to go.

And they're off!

Dylan was thrilled to get his braces off before going back to school. He'll need "phase 2" in a few years but they are looking great so far!

Chillin' in the tub.

Chillin' in the tub.

Miss Madi

Most of the summer Madi's hair was in pigtails so when I saw how adorable she looked with her hair curled under I just needed to snap a picture. What a cutie!

BYU camp

Dylan and his friend, Caleb, had a great time at all-sport camp. They had to be there by 8am. Dylan was up and ready each day with tons of enthusiam. What a fun week they had!

There is nothing sweeter...

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

Cute, clean baby

Aly loves her bathtime. She especially loves seeing herself in the mirror. What a sweetie she is!

Dylan's new room

Dylan's room was a mismash of furniture so we decided it was time to do something fun for him. We worked on it late one night when he was sleeping over at Nana and Poppa's. He loves it.