14 years ago today...

I married my best friend!

And these 14 years have been the best years of my life... I love you!

Someone freeze time... please!

As you've seen in my previous posts... it's been "birthday season" at our house. (we are behind on birthday pictures this year. Hopefully we'll get those taken next month) They are all a year older... and it's been making Mommy a little sad! I feel like my babies are slipping through my fingers...

Now she's 11

Now she's 8

Now she's 5

Now he's 2

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

"Parents have the glorious opportunity of being the most powerful influence, above and beyond any other, on the new lives that bless their homes."
~ L. Tom Perry

"Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be." ~ David Bly

It's the simple things...

Justin and Daddy 2 years ago! LOVE his smiles!

Special Day for Tay!

Saturday, June 5th, our sweet Taylee was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! We are so very proud of her and her decision to follow our Savior.

I love this sweet picture of Taylee and her Daddy who gave her the most amazing blessing! You cannot deny the spirit that is felt on such a special day!

(please ignore my face... I was talking!)
But I LOVE my sweet family and I am Eternally grateful for them!
Taylee, we know our Father in Heaven is proud of your decision! We love you!
Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to support her. I forgot to take pictures after the fact and I am so bummed... but Thank You!

Another birthday girl!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you my little Brynnster! This is a big birthday for you... turning five means starting Kindergarten! I'll sure miss you during the day, and so will Justin! You are such a great sister and friend! Pure joy to be around! Love you so much Brynn!

Birthday girl!

Happy Birthday!


It is always amazing to me how quickly the years go by. I cannot believe my sweet, second child is already turning 8! I love you so much Taylee. You always make us giggle... always! How boring life would be with out your silliness! You are a fabulous sister to your siblings and a wonderful daughter! Thanks for making us proud to be your parents. We love you to pieces big girl!

Wedding in CaLiFoRniA!

We were lucky enough to make a quick trip to California this past weekend to see my brother and Sarah get married!

But let's not forget the two that "introduced" them in the first place! That's right... this is me and my good friend Michelle, who happens to live down the street! She is the sister of the bride... and I am the sister of the groom!

When I said quick trip... I meant it! We left Utah Thursday afternoon and caravaned with my sister and her family... (Brynn graduated that morning!)

and headed straight to Mesquite to stay overnight to help break up the trip a little!

Needless to say, the kids had a BLAST! We will definitely stay at that hotel again! From there we met up with my brother and his wife and hit the beach! Corona Del Mar was gorgeous! I've been to many California beaches... but somehow missed this one! LOVED it! (thanks Tara!)

And so did the kids! The weather was just right! Justin didn't want to get out of the water even though he was shivering like crazy!

Their wedding in the LA Temple (Saturday) couldn't have been more perfect! They are a gorgeous couple and the weather was beautiful!

The reception was gorgeous! I really wish I would have taken more pictures. I hardly took any. Maybe because my sister was the photographer, so I figured I'd get copies!

It was short... but it was perfect! We packed up and hit the road Sunday morning. I am so thankful for my awesome family and friends and look forward to creating memories with the newest member of our family! Welcome to the crew Sarah!

Pre-school graduate!

Congratulations Brynn! You are a pre-school graduate! On to the "BIG" school!

I honestly can't believe it. We have had 5 amazing pre-school years with Mrs. Amy.
This is April graduating after 2 years with her...

and Taylee after her 2 years.

We have enjoyed all of these amazing years with such an amazing teacher. I got emotional (so did Mrs. Amy) after this final graduation. We will no longer be using Mrs. Amy since Justin will be going to a pre-school of his own. (Even though she would be more than happy to take him! Tempting...)
I am proud of my Brynnster. I will now have THREE kids at the elementary school!

ALL boy!

So my girls have always had that "motherly instinct." Something that came to all three of them very naturally.
(2007)

But I NEVER realized that a boy would have his "manly instinct!" After having three darling girls... this boy thing has been so much fun!

A helicopter, hummer, and race car. Every boy's dream!

I love being a Mommy because...

your giggles make me giggle, your love notes touch me, you are my constant companion, your sloppy kisses come straight from your heart, I can watch my hubby be a daddy, your beautiful art is made special for me, you are my daily entertainment, you teach me patience, you give me excuses for eating fast food, being a Mom has deepened my friendships with other moms... especially my own, you tell me you love me for no particular reason, I realize my parents were right, we celebrate proud moments, I can fix boo-boo's just by a simple kiss, you teach me something new everyday...

Being a Mother has been the greatest blessing in my life. I will cherish you forever...

Look who's 2!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Justin slid down the stairs this morning and found his first birthday present! His very own table and chair set! Of course, he was more interested in the ball he saw sitting on the table! (it's the simple things...)

The traditional "birthday door decorations!" This time they were created by his sweet sisters!

It has always been tradition for Grandma and Papa Q. to get my kids their own chair for their 1st birthday. He wasn't quite ready then... but he sure is now! He climbs in and out like a champ! (perfect chair for watching baby signing time!)

There was NO WAY I was leaving the store the other day with out this! He was in heaven with this particular toy isle! Move over baby toys... Just is now a BIG BOY! (Thank you Grandma and Papa G!)

While Daddy was trying to get the toy out (you have to have an engineering degree anymore to open these boxes) ... Taylee and April read their darling birthday cards to him!

Finally... time to enjoy the toy!

Daddy was keeping him plenty entertained during lunch. The staff was sweet! The sang to him and brought him some ice cream... his all time favorite!

(Are you sick of the play by play yet?!)
We topped the day off with the cupcakes... which he thoroughly enjoyed!

You guessed it... once he was done, he wanted down. He headed straight for his tractor!

We LOVE you so much J-man! Happy 2 Birthday!