So much has happened...

Meet Ella... She is one now. Yes it has been a while. Being a mother of 4 is no joke. 

Here are some more family pictures...

I didn't want to bore you with a ton of pics but it is my blog after all so here it goes...


I love these fellas!

 Dan is such a sport and let me dress him. Why didn't I let him wear jeans? I have no idea. I wanted to mix it up and not have a sea of jeans on the bottom but I think he would have been more comfortable in his jeans. I do think he is so so handsome though. I feel like we grow closer everyday. We figure each other out a little more and I am excited to keep going down this path forever.

Sweet air Ander!

 The boys were laughing hysterically because we were all jumping even dad, mom and Mary.

My Andersen is growing up so much! When did this happen? I have 6 year old! He loves to learn and help. I am one lucky mama. I had to take him out of school early one day to go to the airport. He was so worried that he was going to miss something at school. Definatley his father's son.

Mr. Henry is so handsome. I just want to eat him up. He acts like a big boy and he is a big boy. I forget sometimes that he is only 3. When I remember and snuggle him up like my baby that he is we both eat it up and his big boy facade melts away.

Noah totally beat me up during these last few shots. I didn't have the one edited that he slapped me across the face. Little stinker!He is learning though. Look at that sweet face. I love him.

 Wish he'd give me some kisses...

family pics 2012

 I love them. Here are a few...

I love the lighting.

 This was such a fun shoot. I feel like I have been a little stressed and uptight in past pics so I don't know why I was so relaxed this time but it was much better.

 Andersen was happy to pose. He is such a sweet boy.

 Hen was the king of the goofy smile at this shoot.
I am glad we got one that was just a sweet smile, although I really do love the goofy-Hen smile too.

 I love his chicken fluff. He got his hair cut right after this.

 I love that Dan and I have a few pictures together. I think the last one was at our wedding.

 

It was a fun shoot. Thanks Mary ! I will add more later...

the boys are starting school

Look how handsome and big they are...

Andersen loves to ride the bus.

This is bittersweet. I am sad that the boys aren't home all day but they love school. Andersen started kindergarten, all-day kindergarten. I was so worried, but he is loving it. I picked him up from the bus the other day and asked how is day was.He said it was "GREAT". I asked which part and he said all of it. I am glad I waited til this year to send him though. I think he is more confident and I love the domino effect of it all too. Hen will only be 2 years behind him is the biggest plus.

Henry doesn't go to school until after lunch but he likes to get ready with Andersen.

Henry loves his school too. He likes to call it his school now (it used to be Ander's). His teacher says he is very observant and even helps the other kids "share". I am not sure what this means...ha ha. Maybe a little Robin Hood going on, you know steal from the rich and give to the poor.

 Hen is a very tender boy.

mY sWeEt BoYs

This picture really tells a lot. My happy and obedient Andersen. Hen is caring and makes me laugh. Noah is calm and content. I LOVE these little guys. They are all perfect in their individual ways. I feel so blessed that they are here on this earth with me. Dan and I thank our Heavenly Father everyday for these sweet and active boys. Sometimes I go deep in thought and things make perfect sense but it could just really be a lack of sleep. I was thinking the other day how my babies are going to be men. Imagine 3 grown men lying head to head (to head). Why does that make me want to be a better mother? This time is so short when they are small. I want to soak them up and build up their armor for the future. I want them to know that I love them and that I will ALWAYS love them. I want to teach them that their Heavenly Father loves them and wants them to be happy and wants to help them become the strong men that they are meant to become. Sometimes it helps me prioritize to just take a step back from the laundry, dishes, chocolate handprints, squealing, and all the other things that make my days seem overwhelming and just hug my babies and look into their bright eyes and see their potential future and then do what I can to help them get there. I know kinda deep/random. It is 1am and I'm talking crazy ;)

In case you were wondering what happened to us...

we've just been snuggling Noah.we love him to pieces.

announcement by: CheekyCards

maple syrup and dreams of warmer weather...

Here is Andersen enjoying his fresh maple syrup breakfast! It really was delicious!
Here are the trees the yummy syrup came from.

Yeah that is a tiny horse pulling some kids down the road. Awesome!!


But this is what I really want..... WARM WEATHER!!!!!

Then I would go to Kirtland...
And Chagrin Falls...

It's going to happen for me. I just know it is...

December in pictures...

The boys loved to watch the snow when it was REALLY coming down.
I loved to drink hot chocolate with whipped cream and try to get the rest of my family to indulge.
Sunday dinner includes: roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, some kind of green veggie, rolls and in this case sparkling apple juice. Yes, Henry has my apron on. I did make him one though. Maybe I will post it later.
Let's just face it Christmas isn't Christmas without mint brownies, Russian tea cakes and chocolate crinkle cookies.
Before the boys came in.
Darling Sunday outfits Grandma Heidi got the boys. Henry would NOT put his vest on. Oh well, still handsome.
My new flip video recorder that Daniel got for me. I love it! I shall post a video now.

Brunch

This recipe is from my mother-in-law, who is a great cook. She makes this for brunch for General Conference twice a year. She also makes monkey bread, and other delicious treats but this is my fave.

RECIPE:
6 slices white bread (buttered on 1 side)
1 tube of Jimmy Dean sausage (sage flavored) - BROWN BEFORE
1 4oz can diced green chilies
1 package shredded cheddar/jack cheese (a little less than 2 cups)
6 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dry mustard
- LAYER in a 9x13 glass baking dish -
Bread - buttered side down
Cheese - sprinkle evenly over bread
Sausage - browned
Chilies - try to distribute evenly on top
Egg Mixture - all remaining ingredients mix together and pour on top
(make sure all spices are mixed well or you could get a few flavorful bites and the rest bland)

Refrigerate overnight

Bake uncovered at 350 for 45-50 min.

Let stand 10 min.

ENJOY!

monkeys, monkeys and more...

MONKEYS

It all began around the time Andersen turned one. He would make monkey noises and loved Curious George. So I decided to have a monkey birthday party. Here is the cake...

This also marked the time of "Baby Monk".If you have ever been around Andersen for very long you would know that he carries around this little monkey that was given to him on his first birthday. Baby Monk even dressed up for Halloween as a ghost and Peter Pan. I will probably do a whole post just on Baby Monk at a later date.

Andersen keeps picking out sock monkeys for Henry lately.

Paul Frank is so much fun! Especially since Target started carrying that brand. Andersen loves to match with Hen.

We can't forget about George! I don't know who is responsible for giving CG a makeover and bringing him back but I am really happy they did. We love all things CG: books, movies, PBS shows, stuffed animals, etc.

Happy Birthday Henry!

Hen was a little angel on his birthday. He kept giving me kisses and saying "dak ooo" - which is Hen for "thank you". We had a few baby friends over for birthday soup and cupcakes. I can't believe my baby is "1" already. We are so happy to have him in our family. The other day Andersen said, "Remember when Hen wasn't here and we weren't a family?" Silly Andersen we were still a family but we do feel more complete with the Henners.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>HENRY REWIND<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<