Saying Goodbye.

I am so proud of this man! This is my only big brother, Jared. He is headed to Afghanistan in a few weeks and is now in Miami training hard there. He is such a strong person, amazing Dad, Husband, great priesthood holder and most of what I saw, a great brother. (of course there was the occasional pushing me out the window thing, but I'm over that :)) He has always been there for me in my greatest times of need, and most dramatic times in my life. I'm so lucky to call him my brother and we are already missing him. Jake is so proud of him to and tells me he is going to be a GI Joe like Uncle Jared. I'm OK with that because I couldn't ask for a better example for my son to look up too. What he stands for in life, and eternity is what I am so proud of him for. Good luck big brother, I love you!

Our Cute Pirate turns Five!

I can't believe how big my little buddy is getting. He turned five on February 23rd. We sure partied hard. He got to have his first friend party. Thank goodness for amazing friends, or else I would have never survived all those pirates. Jake is very spoiled with some amazing cute little friends. With allot of fun and many meltdowns we all came out alive. On his birthday we had a great family party at Pirate Island (which is now our favorite place ever!) We got two bigger than the world pizza's and had so much fun playing in the arcade! He was also very spoiled with lots of love from Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and Grandad, and sweet Aunt Mer. Thanks to everyone who helped make this birthday so memorable for him. He is an amazing kid and so dang smart. I learn more from him than I think I could from anyone else. I love my Jake!

Birthday fun!

Jake was so excited to give Eva a present. Even though he has been playing with it more than she has.

Eva got her first dolly, a cabbage patch which Jake named LooLoo. I have to admit, I'm the one who really wanted it, I loved my Cabby when I was little, which ended sadly by it getting eatin' by the dog. So I guess I will live vicariously through my daughter and her toys.

A family in our ward brings everyone, I mean everyone (even the babies) cookies and sings to them the Sunday before their birthday. They are an amazing family and so were the cookies!

Eva is a big fan of the water. Aunt Laura had a great idea and suggested we take her swimming. It was a hit. Jonni, Grandma, Grandad, Gabi, Uncle Gary (Aunt Laura couldn't make it, she got sick), big brother, and even dad took off work early and made it (which was a special treat!). She had a great birthday and slept well after all the partying!

Bug is One!

Febuary 28th was an emotional day for this mommy. My beautiful baby girl turned one. Jake was so excited this morning he could hardly stand it. He had wrapped her presents the day before. It was like Christmas all over again. Both of them walked out and started squealing when they saw the balloons and presents out in the kitchen. Dad stayed home long enough to open presents this morning and it was so much fun. We then went to her favorite place and had her favorite lunch. Grandma and Grandads, grapes and chicken nuggets and mandarin oranges. She had been such an amazing baby and joy in my life. I thank my heavenly father for every minute with these kids! I rocked her for her nap and couldn't help remembering the first day I got to hold her. It is simply just heaven on earth to be next to her and hold her. Now she is tearing up the house, walking, and giggling when she gets in trouble. She loves her brother ans puts up with his smothering. I defiantly know these two were supposed to be here together. We ended her birthday with being spoiled be Brent's Aunt Mary and Uncle Kent by going out to dinner with Auntie Kelly. (whom she shares a birthday with) It was such a fun day and one for the memory books!