Courtney turns 6!

Courtney really wanted another Barbie cake for her birthday but I convinced her that we should branch out this year and we tried a bunny cake. I saw the picture in a magazine and the directions were so easy I had to try it. The decorations were the fun part. The kids really wanted to help, but I guess that is code for really wanting to eat the decorations. So I guess we all had fun. Courtney felt really special because she had Leanne and Chantel here for the party as well as the grandparents. She told me several times since the party that she really liked everything she got. She was also excited that she got a couple cards in the mail. I've always thought that there is something exciting about getting mail and I think that my attitude has rubbed off because I could tell she felt very important when there was a letter just for her. She got her very first big girl bike this year and has already had Clint take her out in the neighborhood a few times to ride. She loves it.

Happy Birthday Paige!

Paige had her first birthday party this weekend. I can't believe it has been a year already. I started this blog around the time she was born so its kinda fun to look back at this year and see just how much has happened. We couldn't imagine our family without her.

Paige never really got the idea of digging into her cake. She just calmly sat there and waited to be fed small bites. What a little princess. Thanks to everyone who came. We had both sets of grandparents represented and Amanda came with her boys because they happened to be at mom's that day doing laundry. The kids all had a blast with the balloons--I need to buy them more often.

Happy New Year!

I guess I missed making a Christmas post. Ah well, it is the new year and not a time for regrets, right? We did have a great Christmas this year. Santa spoiled the kids; I guess all the last minute good behavior paid off. And all the snow really made it feel like Christmas. Clint and I had a lot of fun spending time with family. We had a great Cooper Christmas party and were able to visit with my out of town siblings who managed to make it home for Christmas despite snow and ice. We couldn't have asked for more. Since it is probably not realistic for us to all live as neighbors, we try to make the most of our time together and it always reminds me how lucky I am to have such a great family.

I have a few New Years resolutions. Not too many as I hope to actually keep them, but here goes.
1. Be more organized. I have this whole cleaning system I've done in the past and I decided to dust it off and try to regain some good habits.

2. Get up earlier. Last year I was fairly successful at this, but I admit to slacking off recently. I think this is key to being able to keep the rest of my resolutions as well.

3. Exercise. I know this is on everyone's list, but we all need it right?

4. Dedicated time for personal scripture study. As a family we are doing pretty good, but personally I could do a lot better.

Ok so now that I have written them down I hope to be better at keeping them.

Steph's New Baby

Stephanie and Jess welcomed baby number 6 on Saturday December 20th. William Jess weighs in at a whopping 8 pounds 2 ounces. We braved the winter storm to go and visit Steph in the hospital. She is recovering well and feels that she has received the greatest Christmas present.

Let it Snow!!

Even though we live in Oregon, we do occasionally get a white Christmas, and this year is definitely it! Dylan and Courtney were so excited they ran outside in their pajamas the first morning we woke up to snow. And today we actually made a snowman! It has been fun despite the fact that it has been going on for about a week and we are all getting a little stir crazy from being stuck at home. On the plus side I now have all my presents wrapped and am getting caught up on the laundry.

As you can tell from the picture, Paige and I were in Temple Square last weekend. We were there for my cousin's wedding. Lindsay and I were roommates as well when we were in college and I promised myself I would make it to her wedding when the time came, so I went. It was great to see her again although you never get to visit with the bride too much, as they are so busy. But she was beautiful and the wedding itself was very emotional--I cried like a baby. The whole weekend was great. I got to see so much of my dad's family that live so far away I rarely get to see them. Paige was a very good baby despite being out of her schedule. Mason and Laura were there with their girls and it was so good to see them, I can't believe it has been a year! It was fun to get their little Audrey together with Paige since they are so close in age. I always leave trips like this with a head full of regrets for the things I didn't remember to say and the saddness of not knowing when we will get to see each other again. But I am grateful I went. Mom and Dad were there with me and took such good care of me. I felt like a kid again traveling with them. It reminded me of all the family vacations we took to Utah as kids. Mark and Kati were kind enough to let us stay with them as usual and I have Kati to thank for the pictures. These kind of trips also remind me just how blessed I am to have an amazing group of family and friends. This has been a great start to my holiday season.

Happy Halloween!

Well Paige wouldn't sit still for a picture and then fell asleep so this is her on Halloween. I'm not sure if you can see it, but she is wearing black cat ears. We decided she was catwoman to go with our superhero theme. The kids thought this was a great idea and had fun helping me to keep the ears on her head all night.

The justice league returns! Dylan is continuing his obsession with superheros and is batman this year. Courtney decided she wanted to be part of saving the day and not always be the one who is saved, so she wanted to be wonder woman. We went door to door trick-or-treating for the first time as well as the trunk-or-treat. They were exhausted, but they loved it.