Midland Country Fair

As WT as it makes us, we were very excited for the fair to come to town so that we could take our kids. We took Katelyn 2 years ago and she loved it, especially the Caterpillar Roller Coaster. Her feelings were quite different this time around however.

On the way to the fair

If you can look past my double chin, you'll see how happy Katelyn is

She did fine on the merry-go-round, until they passed the carnie and she flipped out. That happened on almost every ride we tried to get her on. She's terrified of those carnies.

The slide and fun house were the only "rides" she would go on.

She kept wanting to waste our money playing the games

How happy she was when we told her "no more"

At least Ben got to have some fun. And yes, he was probably more excited to go for himself than for the kids. He's actually going on a "guy's trip" next month with his dad and brothers to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio. Apparently, it's got the best or biggest roller coasters in the world. And apparently I have a ten year old for a husband:-)

Happy Birthday Bubba!

On April 3rd, Samuel turned one year old. My parents came into town to help us celebrate, but we ended up doing more shopping than celebrating. I had big plans for his cake but had no time to follow through, not like it would have made much difference. We were so excited to watch Samuel dive into his cake since Katelyn was seriously disappointing w/ hers. Even though Samuel did better than she did, it was still a tad anti-climactic.

.............Our cake to eat.................................Samuel's cake to destroy






The damage

New pajamas from Grandma & Grandpa

Big Sis helping Samuel open his presents

I hate to sound cliché, but Samuel has brought so much joy and excitement into our lives this past year. I remember being so scared to have some stranger disrupt our little family and come between Katelyn and I. And now most days I like Samuel more than Katelyn. Hee, hee! While it has been much more exhausting, it has also been so much fun this second time around. For some reason I've had way more patience with Samuel than I ever had with Katelyn, which is strange because Katelyn was a much easier baby. At least Samuel is FINALLY sleeping through the night (which started about a month ago) and he is off the boob. Yeah for me, but not for my boobs (or lack there of)! We feel extremely blessed and cannot ask for anything more:-)

Spring Break

We got to spend this week with Ben's family in Dallas. We stayed at Dave & Gillian's with Ben's sister Heidi and her family, and got to see Ben's parents. We shopped, swam, saw movies, hung out around the house, went to the Fort Worth Children's Museum, the dad's and big kids went to Six Flags while the mom's and little kids went to Jump For Fun, and of course we ate incredible food.


Katelyn loves her "Best Friend Claire" and trains!


Katelyn suckered Lauren into carrying her everywhere

Katelyn in front of the Cowgirl Museum



Katelyn with cousins Tate and Gabe

We had so much fun that we ended up staying an extra day. We can't wait 'till we get to see them again, whenever that will be:-) Thanks you guys!

I've Been Tagged

I was so afraid of this...

Here are the rules

1. Go to the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers

Our last family picture before Samuel joined us the following morning...April 2, 2008. Don't judge me:)

I tag Danielle, Jeffi, Meggie, and Sara G.

Take Two

So if you remember my post from a couple of months about our new dog we got for Christmas, you might have noticed I never mentioned what kind of breed she was. I purposely left that bit of info out because we had no idea. To make a long story short, 3 weeks ago we found out she was part PIT BULL. Although she was a wonderful dog from the moment we brought her home, and Pit Bulls can be great dogs(blah, blah, blah), we weren't willing to risk ANYTHING as far as our kids were concerned. So, after finding Copper a new home and realizing we still wanted a dog, the hours of research began to find a breed that would fit our family. I was nervous to get a big dog again for the kids safety, but soon came to find that all the small breeds we were interested in all said "not good with children." Then, Ben found an ad for a dog that is regarded as one of the best, most tolerant breeds with children and we didn't want to pass it up. So meet Barkley, our 8 week old purebred Great Dane! It may seem crazy, but we used to have a Lab/Great Dane mix before we had kids and she was the most beautiful, most amazing dog we've ever known and Ben's wanted another one ever since she was hit by a car:(

The day we brought her home

She's so sweet and calm

The couch is off limits but she's turned me into a softy

She's been incredibly patient with Samuel stepping, sitting, and crawling all over her.

So far she's proven to be perfect for us. Check back with me when she's full grown and I've got a horse in my backyard:)

Jumping time

A nurse that Ben works with was nice enough to invite us all to her 3-year-old boys birthday party last night. It was at this Jumping Party place here in Midland we had never heard of, but figured Katelyn would have a blast. We didn't think Samuel would have so much fun as well!

You'd never know how sick he is by looking at him

No fear

Happy Birthentines Day!

Four years ago today, at 7:16 am in American Fork Hospital, we received our greatest Valentine ever. Katelyn was born at 36 weeks, but still weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. Since she was early, her lungs weren't quite developed and she gave us quite a scare. But here she is 4 years later, healthy as can be and giving Ben and I a run for our money. Our baby girl is the glue that has held us together and helped us become the family we are today. She has proven to be an awesome big sister and a huge help around the house. She has always been extremely independent, but at the same time very lovable. We couldn't be more grateful.



Samuel and his buddy Charlie

Katelyn's birthday slipped by us last year, so this year she was spoiled with more of a birthweek. On Wednesday we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for her first official friends birthday party and it was so much fun. (Thanks to all who were there.) We were so excited when Ben's parents arrived at the party fresh off their mission from Alaska. That night we went to a delicious dinner at Outback.

Grammy & Poppy sent some festive chocolate covered strawberries

Yesterday we went and visited Baby Zach, went to breakfast at IHOP, did some much needed shopping with Grandma, and had another birthday celebration with the family at home. Grandma went above and beyond by baking three individual cakes each catering to Katelyn, Ben and I. (She totally spoils us!) We grilled some steaks, honored Katelyn's wishes by having a pinata, and opened some presents. Tonight she'll open some more presents and has a movie date with her daddy.



Samuel met his Grandma & Grandpa for the first time this week

I hate the fact that she was born on Valentine's Day. Not because I don't get to celebrate it anymore, but because her birthday will forever be over-looked and her husband will have it waaay too easy!