Family Pictures

So my cousin Tina took some family pictures for us. She is awesome! I wasn't sure how they would turn out because Jed was trying to run out of all the pictures, and the ones he isn't on his way out, his mouth was full of candy. So of course I was frustrated with him and hoped my smile wasn't forced in the pictures. Then there is Josh who rarely keeps his eyes open for any pictures, McCaden's fake smile, and Austyn's unpredictable moods. All you mothers know exactly how I was feeling, THE PRESSURE OF FAMILY PICTURES!

That is why I think Tina is so awesome, we have a lot more great pictures, but here are a few. You are quite the proffesional Tina, Thank you for giving us such beautiful reminders of our family at this time. Just click on the picture for a closer look. Check out some more of Tina and her awesome photograpphy at www.tinabeanphotography.blogspot.com you will love it.

We never take pictures of us as a couple they were long over due.

I love this picture of Josh and the girls, all their beautiful brown eyes. We also got one of Jed and I and our almost matching eyes.

These were two of my favorite pictures they were laughing and Tina caught their perfect little faces the way I see them when they are truly happy. The one where McCaden is kissing her just reminded me how nurturing McCaden is and Austyn's freckles are priceless!

Those smiles right there make it all worth it.

With all the fake smiles we actually got some really good ones of McCaden. When I look at these I can't believe how grown up she is looking.

She is actually quite the poser lately and did so good for Tina.

Oh this boy such a trouble maker but cute enough to get away with it.

Christmas Fun

Our family had a wonderful holiday season. I love Christmas but I have to admit it is a very emotional time for me, and has been since mom died. I blame a lot of it on stress and just being tired. Yet, I know this is not the only reason for my suppressed emotional issues to resurface. My mother made Christmas amazing at our house, the spirit, the love, the magic, the tradition, all of it. The holidays as sweet as they are bring back the reality of her absence, reminding me of what I am missing not having her here, and I struggle to enjoy it every year. Don't get me wrong I know I am blessed and I am thankful for all the Savior has given me. My favorite Christmas gift was watching these beautiful, happy, healthy children enjoy the season. Love you all and have a happy new year.

Christmas Morning! It was fun to see Jed playing with all these boy toys. We don't have many but our collection grew this Christmas. We could not get him to open any presents he was fine with whatever was out, so the girls opened everything for him. I love the picture on the left because he is so excited about his 2 dollar walmart candy cane that says meow. He still loves that thing.

McCaden wanted a guitar last year and got one that just made noise. She told us this year that she still wanted a guitar. A real one this time not a fake one! Oops! Austyn didn't ask for anything except a notepad and a pen. Adorable as this was I had no idea what to get her, she loved the guitar. The girls also got a barbie house from us, so Santa brought them Ken dolls in their stockings. McCaden opened hers and literally threw it across the room screaming "Gross it is a boy Barbie, that is disgusting" Austyn watching this all, opens her Ken and repeats the exact same thing. Josh and I could not stop laughing that was not the reaction I was going for, but the fact we have it on tape makes it so worth it. They now like their Ken Barbie once they realized that he could be Troy and the girls could be Gabrielle. (They love High School Musical)

Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma Fellers. She always gives the kids matching PJ's and they love it. Here is a picture of the girls and boys. Jed refusing to have his picture taken again.

There are 24 grand kids and things can get a little crazy. This is a picture of all the grand kids listening to Grandpa read the Christmas Story. I love it because all these kids know the story of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. You wonder with all the chaos and excitement for presents if they really know what this season is all about.

These pictures are mostly for my sisters I remodeled our barbie doll house we had growing up for the girls. I was nervous to do this because it was still the way my mom had made it from the very beginning, but it was so dirty from being in a garage the last few years. Anyway I was really happy with how cute it turned out and my mom would love it too. I feel bad sometimes when I think of all the crafty things I try and do now days, my mother use to beg us to do crafts and scrap booking with her.

The kids with their PJ's from Mom and Dad. Jed refused to stand by them for a picture. He is letting me know here that he is furious with me, and I still think he is cute.

We took the kids to see the lights on temple square. We try to do this every year that we don't have a newborn or very small child, because as you can tell from our noses it gets cold.
We met some friends we haven't seen in awhile and had dinner and then rode tracks down to temple square. They have three kids and in the same birth order as we do 2 girls then a boy. As we were getting their coats on McCaden and their oldest daughter pointed out that the kids that were the same age, had matching color coats. They thought this was very fun.














Oh how cute, we all have bright red noses.






Austyn is always the first one done with the cold.
When she is tired she tells us her "legs are done working" She said she just needed to rest a minute, she got up quickly once she realized sitting makes you colder.










Here is a picture of the kids and their matching coats. Poor little Jed had to be strapped in the stroller after this picture, there was way to much water and he wanted to play in it all. Brrrrr.....








Jed and Austyn on the train ride home. Jed sat like this with his arms crossed almost the whole time. He thought he was so big on the seat with the kids.

Tooth fairy

McCaden has finally lost her first tooth. She is 61/2 and all of her friends have lost several teeth. She has been waiting for this for some time. She has had a loose tooth for a month now, but would not let anyone touch it. We kept telling her all it needs is a little push and it will come out. She refused any interference. Then on Saturday her and Austyn were wrestling and Austyn kneed her in the face. (Just one little push) She came to me crying, her tooth was bleeding and barely hanging on. I told her it was bleeding and that she needed to have dad look at it. (I don't think I could pull her tooth out it made me sick to watch Josh do it) The word blood literally makes McCaden crazy, it surely means the end of all things to her. Josh said let me see, grabbed the tooth and pulled, out it came. She is still screaming and I am yelling McCaden your tooth is out, your tooth is out. Silence, she looks in the mirror, smiles because it didn't hurt and it is gone, then panic "it's bleeding" she continues crying. As soon as the blood was no longer in sight it was very fun for her, she spent most of the day in front of the mirror sticking her tongue through the hole in her mouth.

The next morning the girls woke up and I could hear Austyn say, "McCaden did the Angel fairy come and take your tooth." McCaden said, "You mean the tooth fairy." Austyn, "No, the angel fairy did she give you monies?"

For those of you who would like to know how to make your blog private. Just got to settings, then look at the tabs the last one says permission, click on it. Then just click on "only people I choose."

Children's Safety

So I meant to set my blog up as private from the beginning, but I just learned how to do this. After watching ksl.com last night I feel it is something I need to do for my kids sake. I actually haven't even given my blog address out to many people but I love that some of you have found my blog. Still since it will be mostly about my children and their lives please leave your email in my comments and I will invite you. I will be changing to private on Nov. 9.

Traditional Halloween

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.........................

One happy, scary family. The kids were so excited that Josh and I got involved. It was a little more work but worth the reactions that we got from the kiddies. Austyn didn't know I was going to paint my face and when she came in the room she jumped and ran. I called her name and she walked back in slowly to check and make sure it was me.

So I was totally excited that McCaden wanted to be something besides a princess. When we went to get a costume for her to be a witch I quickly learned that she didn't mean scary witch. She NEEDED sparkles! Oh well she looked cute and hey it is a start.

Austyn looked so cute. She told us a month ago she wanted to be a cat and she never changed her mind. She was so excited about the tail, in fact she wouldn't leave it alone and by the end of halloween night she had ripped it of its little clip that connects it and we went through several safetypins to reconnect it. She had to constantly swing it and tickle peoples faces.

Jed was not happy about any of this we could not get him to smile no matter how much candy we gave him.

Just having a little fun. It was the most beautiful day and night for trick-or-treating.

Almost Done

We are almost done with our basement. We did everything ourselves with a ton of help from our neighbors, brother in laws, friends and family. We had no idea how to do any of this from the framing to the carpet. Bryan our brother in law would come and teach us what to do and then we would work on it late into the nights. Our neighbors let us borrow every tool they own it was very sweet of them. All we have left is the framing in the windows and the molding around them, hopefully we will get that done this coming week. We also haven't finished the bathroom that will have to come with time. It is amazing how much more space a living room, and a bedroom gives you. We love our new space. These pictures are of both sides of the living room.

This is the little hallway. There are 5 doors in this little spot the bathroom, bedroom, furnace room, stairs, and storage closet.