Emma's sweater

Ok, so here's Emma's sweater which I have been working on for who knows how long! It took a while, and I just worked on it during shows or quiet time or whatever. This is, by far, the best thing I have ever knitted, and I just wanted to put it up here so you all can see how much time I must have on my hands!! Just kidding, but seriously, I'd rather do this than clean my house. Well, I'd rather do most anything than clean my house I guess. Isn't she cute??

Twilight!!

All of us girls waiting in line

Oh, Edward!!

So, instead of playing Bunko last month, we all decided to go see "Twilight" instead. It was so much fun just going to dinner, eating pizookies, and being the loudest people in the theatre...well, maybe that was just Cami...love ya! We had a great time, and so what if we were in line with a bunch of teenagers! Anyone can appreciate how hot Edward is, right?

Happy Birthday Paigey!!

Always added a bit of sunshine to a room!

Isn't this a complete outfit??

A good big sister

Some more of that sunshine!

As long as I'm on a blogging roll (after at least 2 months of not even looking at it), I thought I might as well give a shout out to my Paigey!! She is turning 5 in a couple of days (on the same day as like half the kids in my ward), and I just can't believe my baby Paige is getting so big. I can believe that Zachary is almost 7, and that Emma is almost 3, but it is hard for me that Paige is 5. That means she will be in school full-time next year, and that I will only be a part of her life during non-school hours. For Paige this will be great, because she is so social, and there will be lots of kids to tell on there...not just her little sister! I find that in the day-to-day of things, I find a lot more things my kids are doing wrong than things that they are doing right. I just want to let you all know some great things about Paige:

*she always has a smile for you

*she can find a friend anywhere...no names required

*she tells me she loves me 20 times a day

*hugs and kisses are free and plentiful

*if we didn't have a pet, Paige can become any animal in a matter of seconds

*her giggle is contagious

*she loves her siblings

*she is a snuggler

*she is a daddy's girl

*she loves to sing and dance

*she picked me to be her mom, even though sometimes I don't deserve it!

I love you, Paige! I hope you have a great 5th birthday, and many more to come!

Emily's wedding

Handsome as can be!

My sweet girls (Emma was clean earlier!)

The happy couple--Emily and Erik

Here are some pictures of my sister's wedding a week and a half ago. It was held at the Groves in Mesa. It was really nice, and the kids had so much fun! They were also really good all night. Emma especially loved the chocolate fountain, which explains why her dress ended up the way it did! Zachary was very debonair in his tux. He spun Paige around on the dance floor all night long! Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish you many long years of marriage and babysitting our children!! Ha!

Halloween Fun

Brooklyn carving away!

Paige posing for the camera (as always!)

Emma and Kennedy "decorating" their caramel apples

Zachary trying to dodge the camera! Good try!

We had so much fun getting ready for Halloween with the Hilderbrand's! We just ate, carved pumpkins, and made caramel apples. It is always lots of fun to be with them, and our kids are best friends. What better best friend than a cousin! We love you guys!

Families are Blessings

I know how most people feel about posts with no pictures, so I will try to keep this short. This week we lost a member of Brent's family--his mom's (Cherie) husband Kent. It was a tragic accident in which he was killed while riding his bike by a drunk driver. I don't think death is ever easy, but this has been extremely hard because it was so sudden. I just want to say that my heart goes out to Cherie and to all of Kent's family as well.
I can't say that I knew Kent extremely well, but I do know that he and Cherie had a great marriage, and he always welcomed us into his home. And, with us, all of her grandchildren for sometimes weekends at a time. Their house is what a grandparent's home should be--toy room, extra beds, tv's, cookies, trampoline, pool. No wonder all the kids always want to be there! But, even if they lived in a cardboard box the kids would want to be there. Cherie and Kent are the epitome of what grandparents should be, and my kids are lucky to have them.
There is always something to be learned from any trial in life and, if I have learned anything this week, it is to cherish your family. None of us knows how much time we have on this earth, and we should make the most of it. I want my family to know that they are the most important thing in my life, and I would trade anything for them. Family rallied around Cherie this past week, and we will continue to do so because we love her. Heavenly Father put us in families for that very reason. He also gave us the gospel, which is a huge blessing in our lives. We can be with our families forever. I am so grateful to have married into such a wonderful family, and to be surrounded by such wonderful members of my ward family. Each of you makes me want to be a better person. You all have touched my life so much.

Karate class

Zachary in class
Trying it out on his sister who, whiningly, wishes she could be in karate!
Bowing

Okay, so Zachary has decided he wants to try out karate. I know, I know....his dad would love for him to do basketball or soccer or even baseball. I'm hoping this is just a jumping off point for him, as he hasn't wanted to do anything before when we've asked him. Last night was his first class, and he loved it! His favorite part--the cool karate outfit! I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to trick-or-treat in it!