Presidents day weekend 1 of 2

So Presidents weekend was fun. We had visitors and friends to meet up with so we kept busy. Sadly the actual day of Presidents day landed me in bed with the worse sinus infection. I was so miserable, Liam had it the next day... we took him to the doctor and he's doing much better. I however am just suffering through it praying it will go away soon because I am sick of being sick. Anyways back to the weekend prior to the awfulness. Wednesday night my cousin Coltin and his wife Candace came down. They stayed with Caleb and Steph and went to Zions and red rocks in Dixie. We also had a "family" dinner at LaRae's featuring our freshly butchered cow... Let me say those were dang good steaks. Coltin is a Steele which is my mom's side of the family. I love the Steele's. Did you know there is  A LOT of us. I think 84 first cousins. I'm number 56 or something like that. Anyways we like each other too.  And what's more amazing is that we haven't had a cousin pass away. It's amazing. Why you say? Well the Steele's aren't exactly normal. We have extreme sportists (is that a word), farmers, dare devils, soldiers, and just plain ol' bad luck that run through our family. Coltin is no exception. He cut off his foot last year. THE DAY BEFORE HIS WEDDING. literally the day before, and literally cut off. The prognosis wasn't good the doctors said it was a loss, but the Steele's don't go for that. My aunt Kris found a doctor who would reattach the foot. They said he probably wouldn't walk on it. He did though. It was so gross before... and be prepared it ain't pretty now but it is amazing.

Coltin's foot. Isn't it amazing what medicine can do these days?

His big toe ended up being removed, it just wouldn't work.  And the weird looking flesh... well that's one of his abs. Seriously an ab on his foot. They took one out put it there and BAM he's walking. It is so AMMMAAAZING in a "I think I just threw up in my mouth a little" way. Anyways happy ending, he got married to his sweetheart, and he can walk. So he was showing us his foot and Addy was totally engrossed in it. She loves "Owies". Coltin told her she could touch it. She did (I didn't even want to touch it). Then she plops down on the floor hikes her pant leg up and says 

look at my owie..... you can touch it.

Really Addy? She is so funny.

The rest of that night was spent watching the kids play, beat each other up, and dive bomb off a stool onto a mattress. On Friday Coltin's beautiful sister Malia showed up with her boyfriend. I'm sad I didn't get a picture. Malia is so funny and it was good to visit Friday night with her. They went to Vegas the next day and so I said goodbye that night. I love when family comes to visit. It's fun because we just like chatting and hanging out. Hope we can do that more this year!!!

4 on 1... sadly Gage brings this on himself quite often

ready, set

jump

free falling.

Sometimes you have to LEAP.

Mornings

Do you ever have one of THOSE mornings?

How do you get out of the funk?

(and no for the record I am not feeding my son a corn dog for breakfast, it's a sausage/pancake dog geesh what kind of parent do you think I am)

BE MiNE

It's Valentines Day!! It's also a happy birthday to friends from home Denise and J.D. , and to our cousin in China, Jordan! Valentines is kinda funny. Both Daniel and I never really had Valentines before we met so it's still new this day of love celebrating. Want to see what I got Daniel....

Let's take a peek shall we...

Hahaha Really?? Sorry but spending $58 plus on something silly isn't in my budget... however buying him my favorite body wash is practical, though we both laughed when we came out of "That" store with only something for him :) I also got him a tie, book, and 2 new King size pillows for our bed. Want to know what he got me?

Clothing for himself?!? Actually it's pretty funny. I told him that it was a hubby error that was going in the books. Just to clarify my hubby is very thoughtful, and not selfish. Now on to the story. Daniel talked Valentines day up this year... he had "plans" I told him it's no big deal but started wondering about these plans. When we took an unexpected trip to Provo to get our 1/2 a beef we ate out at a restaurant and I said oh this can be our Valentines, but he said nope I'm getting you something. Again with the hope raising. Anyways I decided to go get the pillows and book for him today thinking his plans were gonna show up my body wash and tie. He gets home with a big bag from Ross. Addy was so excited jumping up and down to show Daddy his "balentin" present that I didn't ask about the bag. As I was showing him his stuff, I said "oh, that shirt you have is new" He then said the shoes and pants are too and I got one more shirt. I started laughing saying sooo that's not for me? He turned red saying yeah my plans didn't work out I figure I'll just give you money for Valentines to go shopping. (Now in my defense I really don't care but he was building me up for a few days) I just laughed at him saying did you seriously buy yourself stuff today and come home to more gifts and not do anything for me? He told me all of his plans and I told him his problem was he was trying to make such a big deal out of Valentines. I didn't want a hotel suite reserved, or some fancy gift just a note saying have a fantastic day would have been the best. I told him next year don't tell me you've got big plans for us because it's hard not to feel let down. Live and learn huh. He was super sweet and watched mine & Stephs kids so we could go running. And he took me to the mall and to ice cream tonight. He cracks me up, telling me he's sorry I got a dud of a hubby. He couldn't be more wrong though. I don't know any other husband that is so willing to support in everything. He is always trying to encourage and pitch in, and that's worth far more than superficial gifts. Also he gave me best gift of all... a chance to be a mommy to these 2 love bugs

These two are so much fun to be with, they sure make my job easier!!!! Love you all and hope you had a great day with your loved ones, I know I did :)

Part 3 of 3

So during that full week I got to go do something I've been really wanting to do for a looooong time. Using my christmas/anniversary gift from Daniel (a new DSLR & lens) I went and met up with Gena from Gena Susan Photography. She's my cousin now, she married one of my bestest cousins Jeff Patten and I was sorta involved in their getting together so she must feel like she has to be nice to me :) Because she set up an engagement shoot in Vegas for me to come learn at. Of course she is super talented, so is her sister Tonya Joy who took this photo of Gena

So yeah now that we've established she's gorgeous, talented, and super sweet. Let me tell you about our day. I met her at her hotel room and then she taught me a few things with my camera, lighting, and tips for how she does things. We laughed, I cried (seriously had an emotional thingy) then we went out on the strip mid day to meet up with this couple who are engaged. I will leave you with some of the photos of this much in love couple. If you want to see more check out my youtube video of them. BTW I haven't edited any of these yet still decided on a program and such.

Part 2

If you read the last post you would have seen our days filled with horseback rides and teacups. We also had a day of Liam not taking this off.

Finally I suggested a shower (good Ol' shower)

I turned the water on, then told the kids to wait while I grabbed their shampoo from their bathroom... Liam is not good at waiting.

Later we finally got to go see Mary Jane and Kaitlyn and Vaughn who had got to LaRae's house Wednesday night. The kids were quite fond of Vaughn.

Addy though was enthralled with MaryJane. She immediately hugged her and the whole time she was here she was asking me about MaryJane. She especially loved the pigtails MaryJane gave her. She also may have LOVED having Kaitlyn around.

Kaitlyn was so funny she always says the most random things

Uncle Vaughn was visiting on leave from Iraq, he is back there now but it was good to see him. He brought the girls these necklaces (which they both loved) they have a tiny locket, we just need pictures for them. Addy is a necklace girl and I had a hard time convincing her to take it off at night. She loves it and I think Uncle Vaughn just bumped up on her list.

Though it was fun to see Vaughn and Kaitlyn I was so glad to get to spend some time with my big sister. It wasn't enough time but we did get a good walk in and chat. I sure do love her, she's always so kind and worried about others. She was always the peacemaker in our family, and made chores so much fun.

You know everyone's lives get tough sometimes, they get thrown curve balls. I remember in the same month, the same MONTH my sister had an appendectomy and a cholecystectomy. Her life has sometimes been an onslaught of lemons, but she's made lemonade. She may not think she's done well, heck other people may not think she's done well, but MY sister has made lemonade. And I respect her for that! Love you lots MJ hope we can see you down here again soon.

A full week part 1 of 3

You know sometimes I am flipping through pics that need blogged and think... man my week actaully was pretty full.

Last week Sunday night-Tuesday I babysat this guy again...

his Mama (comet) arranged for me to take him the last few days of her 2 week vacation to give the other babysitters a break

Wanna know where she's been? BALI .... can you say lucky? I mean it must have been tough having to have a 10+ hr layover in

Hawaii, then a first class flight to Tokyo then a 2 day stop in Syngapore. Bitter much? Ha, ha no every year Comet takes amazing "Mega trips" and has a fabulous time, I am just glad I get to look at photos of her lounging on beaches in Bali :) Or seeing the serenity of the rice fields there.

Speaking of serenity... my journaling/scripture study has brought me some. Keeping good habits is so hard but man do I feel like I have a more worthwhile existance.

Wednesday at the flat Heidi took the kids on a short ride. Addy LOVES horses, she use to be scared but now she begs Heidi for a ride... Liam not so much.

Didn't know we were so fancy did ya? Morning rides, drinking milk out of glass tea cups.

Sniffle

We're all sick... except for Daniel, he'll probably wait until I'm well enough to baby him before catching it :) Stuffed up, sneezing, watery eyes, ear aches. Thank goodness it was just starting Friday morning (I did something awesome Friday). Now we're just nursing our colds, hope we clear up soon!

TWO cute

Many of you know that my sister LaRae and I married brothers, making our kids double cousins. I feel like I have a pretty special bond with these 2 boys. Tyson was the reason I was down here when Daniel came home, and I also played with him everyday when we lived there for 9 months. And I was there at Lincoln's birth so even though I LOVE all my nieces and nephews these 2 hold a special place.

Tyson just wants to be a tough ol' boy, but it's a hard job acting tough when you have eyelashes that ARE TO DIE FOR.

It's also hard to put on a "mean" face when you have dimples so deep he could hide stuff in there :)

Then there's Lincoln. People will sometimes overlook Linky's cuteness because... well because he smiles like this...

and he might not be considered "debonair"

but those "quirks" just add to his cuteness factor and lets be honest he has gorgeous big brown's, he LOVES babies and is pretty much the funniest little guy around.

Speaking of Babies these boys are excitingly awaiting the arrival of another "Brudder" ETA: April. You know what else happens in April?

These 2 cuties turn 3, I wonder at the future of these 2. The older they get the closer they get. I have always had AMAZING relationships with my cousins, some who were my best friends, but these two will be THAT much closer and it will be interesting to see how great of friends they will be.