The next Swimsuit model:)

Addison loves to get in dance leotards or swimsuit, mostly Mckaela's, turn the music up and dance around the house. Here is my favorite one so far:) (taken yesturday) She is looking good!!! you just have to laugh and I do everytime I look at this cute girl:)

When I knew.

Ten years ago today is the day I fell in love with Ryan Parker my other half. On this day every year I always think about our first Valentines because it was truly the day I fell in love with this man. So let me share a little story of why I was swept off my feet by this amazing man.

We had just started dating about two weeks when Valentines was coming around and of course we were feeling the pressure of where were we in this relationship, do we do gifts, make plans, make- out all night:) (haha) it was all still new. Well Ryan took action and decided to make all the plans for the special day. I was really excited to be going out with him because at this point I was already crazy about him, having it all be so new and different this time I just knew this "one" was special. I remember I had to work and I got off work a little late, so I was rushing to get home and be all ready (couldn't exactly wear my scrubs). He looked so cute and a little nervous:) (Don't worry this was not when he proposed, that was the next day.J/K we just started dating people). So he takes me in his car and blindfold's me. We drove around, which seemed like hours, but finally arrived at our destination. He come around and got me out of the car, takes my hand and start walking and I could hear music playing. I'm thinking maybe we are going dancing(which I loved to do) but right then we stop he takes my hand and the blindfold off and there was this.....



Ryan had decorated his little garage with string lights, hearts on the wall, music playing and then in the center of it all a table set for two with candles and dinner. Home made lasagna, rolls, salad and dessert. It was so yummy but the fact that he went to all this just to make it a special night met the world to me. It was a perfect night and right then I knew....he was it for me!! Now to think that was TEN years ago just blows my mind. What a journey we have been on but I knew what I know now....I love this man. Happy Valentines day babe!!!

Surprise....here we go.

So Ryan and I had planned a big surprise for the kids. They were going to be off track and we thought it would be fun to go do something while they had a break and finally last week, Thursday we were finally able to tell them about it....it was so hard to keep it a secret because we were so excited ourselves. (I think they were excited too:) I had a video but I can't get it to work:(

She doesn't even know what's going on but man is she excited:)


What a fun trip it turned out to be. The kids did awesome, with a few melt downs, but over all it was just nice to be all together. We decided it would be better to drive (which i hate being in the car that long, ahhhh) but we made a couple stops along the way to help break up the long drive to California. We stayed one night in St George and one night in Las Vegas. Did some shopping, walked around and of course couldn't leave Vegas with out our $20 bag of M&M's:) The kids did great though for how much we were in the car. They just played and watch movies. (It helped that I got them a few surprises for the drive). Once we got to California we did Disneyland for three days. One of the days it was raining so hard we had to buy ponchos but it was still so much fun and there were no line and over all the weather was perfect. This was Addison's first time and she was having a ball. I think her favorite things were: meeting the princesses, (we took the kids to Ariel's Grotto for breakfast to meet them all) the rocket ride and then anything that was on a boat. Mckaela was so much more daring this time and she loved screaming California, tower of terror and thunder mountain. Brendan too was more daring then last year, he did all the scary rides at least once but his favorite was: we called it the "mouse ride" (like the one at lagoon) toy story and toontown. What made it fun too was that we had company with us. My parents came the whole time and then Kellie, Ryan's sister, came for a couple days. We really had a great time and hated that it had to come to an end.

Here are a few pics from the trip. Can't wait to go back...maybe in a couple years:) We have our cruise to look forward to now:)

fun times around here:)

So for Christmas we gave the kids a build-a-bear gift card and I'm finally getting around to getting the picture's off the camera from when we went. This was Addisons first one and she was having so much fun, but once she brought it home I don't think she has touched it once. O'well made for some cute pictures and some fun for the kids.

Then last week I decided it was time for the little one to get her ears pierced, and they

look so dang cute. Yes she did cry for the first few hour or so...J/K . only a few tears were shed but then she was so excited that she had earrings like her big sissy. And did I mention how CUTE she looks:)

This is Addison's favorite spot on my bed. I will put in a movie for her to watch and she gets in all the pillows until you can't see her.

Now if you don't have a strong stomach I suggested you don't go any further!!!

On Friday I get that dreaded phone call from our neighbor, (which I swear we just had) Brendan has fallen off the tramp and split his forehead open and I'm pretty sure he will need stitches. He jumped off the tramp slipped and fell on the cement. When he came into the house he wasn't really crying but just holding his head and saying "will I need stitches?" So I rushed over there to see this..... R U READY?

It's a third eye. You could see the bone. It was so gross and looked worse than the last time.
So we ran him over to the ER and then they were able to put him back together.



one of the many faces he was pulling. He was totally out of it but had his eyes opened.

We had them put him to sleep because last time he was freaking out and really scared so you can imagine what he was going through again...but really over all he was a tough boy and handled it all really good. He is becoming a pro with all this. I told the Doctors we will start a push card and our next visit should be free:) Poor thing!! So seven stitches later, better then 16, and about an hour of waiting for him to wake up, which was hilarious, he was saying the funniest things which Ryan recorded on his phone, we took our boy home and pray that he will from now on stay safe and unharmed, wishful thinking I know!!

So now we definitly need a break...the kids are off track so we are going to suprise them with a little vacation. Can't wait!!

Baptism day.

What a special day it has been for our Mckaela. I just can't believe that she is eight and being baptized. She has been looking forward to this day for a long time and to now finally have it here...let's just say its very overwhelming, but in such a good way. She has alway been such a good example for her brother and sister and actually the rest of us. I'm am just so proud of her and so honored to be her mother. I sure love her and hope she will remember this day forever.

The proud parents.

We went looking for a dress and just couldn't find that perfect "white" dress, so she chose something a little different and it was beautiful on her. Look at that proud smile:)

j Her two witnesses and proud grandpa's. Ryans dad and mine.

and the grandma's plus her great-grandma.

she had so many fmail and friends come to support her. These are friends from are old neighborhood and her BFF-cousin Kaitlin. Addison had to jump in too:)

The festivities of December...

This month to say the least has always been busy for us. We have three birthdays, so lots of parties to plan on top of all the Christmas parties, dance recitals and then we had a my grandpa's funeral right before Christmas which made the last week a little tough but we got through it all and I have to say this year it was just a very fun and special time for us all. We were able to do a Sub for Santa family, give to Toys for Tots, and help out family. That is what this season is all about, giving to others.
Giving of our time, money(if able) and our love. Doing what our Savior does for us every single day. How blessed we our!! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and will enjoy the beginning of a new year.
Here is a wrap up of the past month for us!
Christmas morning...
Don't you just love the excitement on two of three faces. They first woke up at four, sent them back to bed and then again at six but couldn't make them wait any longer...Addison had to be woken up, which as you can see she was thrilled:)

Christmas eve..
We get together with Ryan's family Christmas eve and this year we had a big surprise for Ryan's parents. He has eight kids in his family so it's fun to plan things for his parents because they're so many that can pinch in and make it that much better and more special. This year we re-did their living room by getting new couches, some new decor and then we will paint the room as well. It was lots of fun working together as a family and putting it all together...and they loved it!!

The kids are on the look out for when Grandma and Grandpa will be home..(we sent them away to a movie) Loving their new room. I wish I had a good picture of their surprised faces..that was the best.
Think it turned out really nice.

then we go home and the kids can unwrap a present from us, which is always PJs and a then also a build a bear gift card which they are so excited about.


Neighborhood party...
Our neighborhood has a very fun tradition for Christmas. Instead of giving neighbor gifts they decided it would be better to spend the money and put it to good. So someone will hosts at their house a Toys for Tots party and have Santa there to greet the kids and roast marshmallows. It was so much fun to be apart of that and to have the kids go to the store and pick out a toy knowing it will be giving to another boy or girl that doesn't have much.



Festival of Trees.
Mckaela performed at the Festival of trees this year and it was so fun to have everyone there to support her and to support Primary children's hospital. Can I just say she was awesome:)




Temple Square.
We love going and looking at the lights at temple square each year. Sometimes the kid only last about 15 min of walking around in the freezing cold weather, it was soo cold that night!! But at least we can go for a little bit, take it all in and enjoy beautiful temple square.



It has been a great December and now looking forward to bring in a good New Year:)