January 2014

January was a fun month. Although we were mostly "shut-ins" (trying to keep baby healthy) we were still able to take a weekend trip down to St. George. It was a blast and so nice to see some blue skies and mild temps. Nathaniel got to ride and we got to spend a lot of time together as a family. We went on some family bike rides, visited some red rocks, and took the kiddos to the Children's Museum (which I HIGHLY recommend, so fun!) Here are some random pics from the month.

Kinley had her first braid! I absolutely love watching her look at herself in the mirror. She beams. I hope she always looks at herself that way and can always see how completely beautiful she is.

Bath time for Asher! He is still not sure how he feels about baths but he gave me a cute smile after I got him all snuggled up. 

Speaking of snuggling, Easton loves his little brother! They adore each other. 

Nap time in St. George. Guess who took the nap?

Nate riding in St. George

My little smurf - she loves eating markers

Boys night out! (minus the baby!) Nathaniel took Easton to is first hockey game. He LOVED it.

The big little sister

These two. I swoon.

Photo bomber!

The only way to roll playdough is with goggles and an apron :)

 Children's Treehouse Museum 

Easton's Birthday

I can't believe my baby boy is FOUR! We went on a walk last night and he rode his pedal bike, with NO TRAINING WHEELS! He amazes me. Watching him grow is amazing. I can't believe how smart he is, how kind he is. I am so incredibly proud of him!

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We had a blast on his birthday! We decorated his room with balloons, it was a fun surprise for him to wake up to. He loved it! He wanted to go to the Hill Airforce Base Museum. We went last year and he loved it. This year he was even more thrilled.

That night we did cake and presents. I think that was his favorite part of the whole day, his cake. I'm not particularly crafty, I don't have huge birthday parties with beautiful decorations and party favors, but each year the kids get to pick their own birthday cake and I do my best to create it. Easton chose a dragon. He was so thrilled with it. He talked about it all day. That was my happiness, seeing his face when we lit the candles in the dragon's mouth.

  

 

So grateful for our very first miracle. When he asks why my belly was broken until we found him I tell him it was because God was telling us to go find him. And his birthmother loved him so much that she took such good care of him and found us too.

Love love love.

FOUR

January 31, 2014

Easton,

Last night I put a three year old boy to bed and woke up to a four year old little man! You are growing so fast Easton boy. Each day you surprise us
with the things you are learning. You are a SPONGE. You hear and see everything. You have lots of questions about everything you see, hear, feel, and smell. You are busy. You have big ideas in mind and you always make your ideas a reality. Sometimes this scares Mommy & Daddy when your ideas include leaving the house or spray painting the basement....and the dog....bright red. You are a preschooler now. You love learning and exploring with friends. Winter is tough for you. You can't stand being cooped up! You have always been my out and about boy, even if its running endless errands. I love taking you with me to run errands because you are so much fun and such a good sport! And we have our best conversations in the car. It is Mommy's favorite.

You are a builder. You have wonderful ideas for building projects and we are constantly amazed at how you bring your ideas to life. You can build with ANY material, there are no limits to your creativity. You love anything with a motor: trains, trucks, tractors, planes, motorcycles, helicopters, etc.

You are determined and persistent. You are going to do big things my boy, BIG things. Whether or not there is a way, you will find it! I have no doubts that you will accomplish what you set your mind to.


You are an avid camper. You have had SO many campouts with Daddy this year and a few with our whole family. You love camping. You talk about it every single day. You are just like your Daddy, you love being outdoors, in the mountains, in dirt, COVERED in dirt. You love adventures, 4wheeling rides, motorcycle rides, hiking, and exploring. You do NOT like moose.

You are a big brother, times two. You are a fantastic big brother. You are always looking after your baby brother, sharing your toys, replacing his binky. You love your sister, most days. You two have so much fun together and get into so much trouble. Your reach things for her she can't get to. She squishes into little nooks to get things you can't get to. You love chasing eachother, sliding bean bags, watching movies together, going on walks, and destroying my bathroom. You really love that she is getting bigger and able to play more games with you.

You, my boy, have a big heart. You care about everyone and every living thing. You ask questions like, "Mommy are you sad?" Or "Oh it's okay Kinley sweetheart, I take care of you". You are a tough army guy with a big soft heart.

Easton, you are our miracle. We prayed for you for so long. We waited so anxiously for you. We are so grateful every single day that through the great love and faith of an incredible woman and the guidance of our Heavenly Father you are our son. We cannot fathom any greater blessing than that.

We love you son!
Mommy & Daddy

Two Months

AH that handsome boy! He is now nearly 11 pounds (only 8 more pounds and he has caught up with his big sister!) And is *considering* sleeping at night. He is a good eater. Huge smiler. Loves cooing. And had his own version of laughing. Oh how we love our Asher J! 

What does an army guy do?

He bakes cupcakes.

He colors using EVERY crayon. 

Hangs out with his army guy buddy.

Drinks root beer at the Halloween party

Decorates cookies

Cheats at the donut eating game

 Carves pumpkins

Wears snow clothes OVER his army clothes, need those muscles!

Rides with his sister

Saves the damsel in distress AKA put sister in her chair that she can't reach on her own.

That is one handsome army guy! Easton told me the other day, "Mama when I grow up big like Daddy I will be so sad because then my army guy costume won't fit! Mama can you buy me one in grown up size?"

Absolutely, you can wear it to prom :)

*I do wash this army guy costume that gets worn nearly every day, usually by sneaking it away at night and returning it by morning. I don't want to mess with the army guy!