Some January Stuff

Here are some things I love about these pictures.  *Cam loves to cook.  She always wants to help and she wants to do things on her own.  Eggs has become her little specialty.  She makes eggs in every variety for the other kids each morning.  She is awesome.  *We have Gwen Shirley come over every Wednesday after school until dinner.  Her little brother, Boston, is currently undergoing chemotherapy each Wednesday, so we get to have Kendyl's BFF, Gwen play with us.  Here they are sitting in a box and pushing eachother down the stairs.  EXACTLY what kids SHOULD be doing :) *Kendyl took Tammy's snake, Pliskin, to Pet Day.  A few people almost ran out the door.  Nobody could believe that this sweet little girl was just walking around with this snake!  How cool is she :)  Calvy LOVES stories, especially this "Colors" board book that I picked up from DI.  He could thumb through it all day!  We iceskate a lot in the winter.  Usually outside at Station Park.  But this time, at the Rec Center for Dani's birthday party.  Have we improved?  poco.

Glamour Gals

When I was little, my favorite thing to do with my friends was Glamour shots.  We'd do makeup, hair, outfits, and hang a white sheet for a backdrop.  We could hardly wait to get the film developed and see how amazing we looked ;)  I decided to give these girls the same glorious experience at their sleepover with Dani and Dreya!  Haha.  They loved it....but sheesh, they looked way too old!

Answered Prayers

Sometimes it's hard to really know when your prayers are being answered.  I've always wished I was one of those people that could have these amazing experiences where their prayers are answered in such obvious, miraculous ways.  Well Nic and I each had an experience last week in which we received immediate answers to prayers.  The situations weren't anything big, but the fact that our prayers were answered to quickly and obviously was definitely a tender mercy.

Me: Credit card in the wind

I went to McDonald's to get a Redbox on the windiest night of the year.  When I pulled my credit card out to swipe it, the wind pulled that card right out of  my hand and it blew away like I'd never seen anything blow through the air.  It rounded the corner, 15 feet in the air and I didn't have a clue where it went.  I assumed it was in Idaho.  It was the last thing I needed at that moment.  I got in my car and said a prayer that I could somehow find my card....yeah right.  The wind was still blowing furiously, but I drove around the corner and parked near a dumpter, just to the side of the drive through.  I got out of the car and walked to where my headlights were shining on a little pile of snow.  There, sticking out of the snow and shining brightly for me to see....was my credit card.  I.  Could.  Not.  Believe.  It.  The chance of that happening was 1 in a million.  It was a tender mercy that I needed at that moment and I'll never forget it or the relief I felt.

Nic:  Nixon's Belly

The whole fam was at my parents house on New Years Day to watch football games and swim.  Right before it was time to leave, I found Nixon in the bathroom hovered over the toilet, heaving.  He thought he was going to throw up.  His belly hurt.  When that wouldn't work, he sat on the toilet for a while.  Nada.  He kept complaining about his belly and we didn't know what to do for him.  Finally, he went back into the bathroom and he and Nic said a prayer that his belly would feel better.  They walked out of the bathroom and about 10 seconds later....Nixon burped.  He felt better.  Although Nixon attributes this answered prayer to his Dad making him better, we're grateful to have received another answered prayer...another tender mercy.

All Things Christmas 2015

Christmas....the craziest time of the year!  Always so jam packed with fun parties, programs, activities, you name it!  This year was no exception and I'm sure in the years to come, things will just get crazier and crazier.  I actually kind of like the craziness :)  As the pictures show, the girls had a dance performance at the Festival of Trees and Cam ALSO performed with her violin group at the Festival.  There were school concerts as well.  We waited in a LOOOONG line at station park awaiting Santa's arrival and it ended up being worth it :)  He was so sweet and fun.  Nixon wanted a Baymax, Cam wanted Walkie Talkies, B wanted a bow & arrow, and Kendyl wanted little Popper animals.  They were happy to be there with cousins.  We were also lucky enough to get tickets to the MoTab Christmas concert with the Sesame Street Muppets.  The girls got to come with us and they were so excited!  It was awesome having them there.  They got a little bored here and there, but they liked it.  We had a Christmas party with Nic's family at Ashley's house where the kids exchanged presents and got way too much candy :)  Christmas morning was at our own house and Grandma and Grandpa Sellers joined us.  I'm sure they enjoyed watching our kids open presents.  They were so excited about everything they received.  I'm so grateful for kids who show honest gratitude for all they have and for all they receive.  They rarely complain and they're always very reasonable about what fair.  I love them so much.

Happy 1st Birthday Calvin Baby!!!!!

Oh, Calvy boy.

 It's been a year since you joined our family.  You've brought more joy to your brother, sisters, dad and me than you could ever imagine.  You have softened everyone's heart and have brought peace to our home in our most stressful moments.  You have snuggled with your mama, played with your siblings, given your dad big laughs and have entertained us endlessly.  Your sisters still fight to get you out of bed every morning and hold you during the day.  Nixon wants to play with you non-stop.  And your mom and dad could just stare at your cute, cute face and give you kisses all day long.  You've been incredibly independent, which comes with the territory in a large family, and you've kept yourself busy and happy.  Your favorite hangout is the toy box, although all you've really needed is a car to push around the floor or a ball to throw.  You've got a great arm and you make the best car noises :) 

          You've slept like a champ, eaten like a champ, traveled like a champ and have been nothing short of an angel baby.  I am glad we ended our child bearing years with such a great little boy.  All the sickness, aches and pains of pregnancy were worth every second I've had with you.  I can't wait to see what the future brings and I can't wait for you and your siblings to become best friends who love, play, and look out for each other.  I love you with all my heart,

*Calvin had a wonderful birthday.  He devoured his smash cake and was thrilled to get lots of cars to push around.  There were lots of cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents to smother him with hugs, kisses and presents.

Stats at 12 months.

Weight: 19 lbs 7 oz  (25%)

Length: 29.5"  (45%)

Head: 18.4"  (90%)

Kendyl's 6th Birthday

We just love this little sweetie.  She marches to the beat of her own drum.  I'm sure if she woke up tomorrow and she was on the moon, she wouldn't even skip a beat :)  She wanted to go to Jungle Jim's Playland again for her birthday party and it sounded easy enough for me!  We invited her cousins and they all had a blast.  Kendyl loves sharing a birthday with Great Grandma :)  Here are a few special things about Kendyl.   She is SMART!  When I go to Parent Teacher Conference, her teachers tell me she's an "academic superstar".  They seem fairly blown away with her ability to learn and be in control of herself at all times.  I'm so relieved!  She Loves to read and will stay up late at night to try and finish her fairy books :)  She still loves treats as much as ever and HOPES she'll get cavities so she can have them filled at the dentist (uncle Matt).  What?!  Crazy kid.  Boys love Kendyl.  I don't know what it is about her, but every friend I have with a little boy her age has told me that her son has a crush on Kendyl.... scary, I know.  This child is always messy, mismatched and looking for a good time.  She has the cutest smile and still gives me awesome hugs.  I just love her so much and I'm starting to panic that she's growing up!  I LOVE YOU KENDYL WENDYL!!!!

The Nutcracker

Grandpa (Dad), Tammy, Holly, Me and all our girls went to "The Nutcracker" at Ballet West.  It was magical...but like most things where you're required to hold still hour after hour....it got a little old.  It was fun seeing those red soldiers perform their part EXACTLY how I performed it when I was 12!  Oh man, I remember those auditions.  So nerve wracking!  I still can't believe I made it after so many cuts.  Practices were hard and intense.  But I really did love it and it brings back awesome memories.  We got to see the ballet with Dad because Mom was sick.