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!