Sweet Miracle

Our newborn baby is quickly becoming just a baby, and not so new anymore. Sure she's only four weeks old, but really that's getting up there already. It's amazing how quickly the time goes by. On one hand it seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital after I had to be induced two weeks early because my fluid level was too low, and on the other hand it feels like she has been a part of our lives forever, perfectly, just like my delivery when she was born. All in all, we feel so blessed to have her. I couldn't have asked for things to go more smoothly at the hospital, and for the most part, things have gone so well since we've been home. She is a miracle, our sweet miracle, meant to be a part of our family. That's for sure. I think about how we could have lost her in the beginning of the pregnancy with the special circumstances back then, and then to have her come early because of the fluid level, NICU team in place, and not needing them at all, and also having her cord wrapped around her neck, not once, but twice. When I think of all these things it just makes me feel so amazingly blessed to have her here with me and healthy. I love my little miracle, I do.

These are some of the pictures from her newborn session when she was nine days old. If I could I would post them all. I love every single picture. Kellie with Elements Photography does such an amazing job capturing the beauty and innocence of a newborn baby. I'm glad she was able to get these priceless pictures. I think I'll have to post some more later.

Birthday Boy

It was Karsten's birthday yesterday. He is now officially in the terrible twos. I really think that starts a while before they officially hit two though. Don't you? Oh, he's a sweet little boy and we love him tons, but let me tell ya, as Danny was just saying a couple days ago, if he was our only child we'd be crazy busy just trying to keep up with him. Hmmm, the weird thing is that my mom said he reminds her of me when I was his age. Dang it. Oh well, my parents survived and I think we will too.

Karsten loved his caterpillar-worm-snake cake (or whatever you want to call it). When I finally got it done at 8 o'clock at night is when he really decided it was his birthday. What's a birthday without a cake?

His "bike" that he was so excited to get. Now we just have to teach him how to ride it. Happy Birthday little buddy! We love, love, love you...more than a million bucks ;)

Blue Eyed Girl?

I know that most babies start out with blue eyes, but none of mine ever have. So we're wondering if maybe Kenzlie is going to have blue eyes. Time will tell I guess, but for now Danny is enjoying finally having someone with his color of eyes.

I LOVE little baby features.

And I LOVE how little babies smell after a bath. Nothing compares to the original Johnson and Johnson baby wash, shampoo and lotion. Ahhhh, heavenly.

Maybe It's the Stairs

A couple nights ago this is how we found Kolter after thinking he had been asleep in his bed. First Karsten and now Kolter? I guess maybe our stairs are just really comfortable.

Our Sweet Kenzlie

She's Here!

A quick post because I know you're wondering. More of the details to come...

Special Moments

It's hard for me to believe that this pregnancy is coming to an end. It's kinda bitter sweet, really. My emotions are overflowing, and I don't know whether to be happy or sad. Happy to have a new baby almost here, or sad to have my pregnancy over. I guess I should just be grateful that I've been able to experience this special experience one more time. Pregnancy though tough, is also so sacred and spiritual. It's a miracle, no less. You love that which you sacrifice for, and perhaps that is why a mother's love is so great for her child even before she first lays eyes on her. I feel so blessed to be able to be here, 38 weeks pregnant, and expecting a baby girl any day. I'm excited, I really am.

My Baby...For Just a Bit Longer

I don't know how Karsten is going to handle not being the baby. He's growing up so much lately and I know as soon as the baby comes he will be forced to grow up even more. I love this little guy so much. He's so demanding, persuasive and persistent. I can just see him asking me for a "cookie" 50 times when I'm sitting down nursing the baby...he won't give up until you do. Maybe I'll have to keep a stash of them by the rocking chair, so I can give him one the first time he asks. ;)

A Good Day

Last Wednesday was a good day for me. First of all, I finished reading the Book of Mormon for our 60 day challenge and yes, I did it in 60 days! That was a big accomplishment for me. I am so glad that I did it. Next, the doctor told me I was dilated to a 3. Yipee! And last, I took Kambrie to Young Women's with me and the artist Julie Rogers (she's painting the mural at Santa Clara City Hall) was giving an art class there, and she sketched a profile of Kambrie as a demonstration, and then when it was over she asked if she could use Kamz as a model for one of her paintings. I was so happy, because I absolutely LOVE her art, and it would be a complete dream come true to have her paint Kambrie. Hmmm, not that I could afford to buy the painting, but hey, at least I could go look at it in her art gallery. lol

So anyway, all of these wonderful things happening to me in one day gave me the motivation to start the blanket for my baby girl that I have been wanting to sew since the first of the year. So the next day I started and finished it, and to make it even better, I totally love it! I'm not usually all that happy with my sewing projects when I finish them, but this one is an exception. I can't wait for baby K to get to use it.

Not Feeling Well

So I think the stress and busyness of trying to sell our house and having an open house during the Parade of Homes finally got to me. Yeah, I started getting sick on Kolter's birthday and it really hit me hard yesterday. I was wiped out and so was my little Karsten. We're both sick. So anyway, we stayed home from church yesterday to rest and not spread the germs. I was feeling terrible and was just laying on the couch trying to entertain Karsten cause somehow he wasn't acting so sick anymore. Well, the next thing I know I'm waking up in a panic hearing my front door open. Not really knowing what was going on I rushed downstairs to find Karsten asleep on the stairs. Yes, the stairs. It was so sad. I guess I must have fallen asleep on the couch and he left and went and did his own thing. When he tried to make it back up stairs his sickness finally kicked in again and he just couldn't make it and had to take a break...falling asleep on the second stair up. Poor little guy!

Oh and luckily the person at the door was just my neighbor, not someone who would turn me in for child neglect.

Pony Tails?

I just had to post this picture of Karsten last week before he got his haircut.

Happy 4th Birthday Kolter!

Well, Kolter is another year older. He doesn't understand why he doesn't feel any bigger though. He was a little disappointed about that, but he had a huge smile when I took him to the growth chart on the wall and he could actually see how much he'd grown in the last year. That's when he decided he really was "bigger."

For his birthday we took the kids to Jumpin Jacks and ate dinner at "Weiners" :) aka Wingers, Kolter's favorite place. We kept it simple this year and just tried to focus on Kolter. I think he had a good day, especially once Kyler got home from school and he FINALLY got to open his presents. Oh, and don't mind the cake. Yeah, it wasn't supposed to be monster trucks climbing in the mountains, jumping over the huge crack, but hey, I had Kolter convinced that it was really awesome. That's all that matters right?

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sensitive, loving and rowdy little Kolter.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's GIRL Time, Baby!

So I've been a little out of control gearing up for this lil' baby girl that we're expecting now in less than seven weeks! I'm getting really excited. It all started with the hot pink and black frames that I got from Elements Frame Co. Aren't they so cute?!?! Yeah, well I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the baby's room, but when I saw these frames I fell in love, and Danny said "Well, do her room in hot pink, black and white then." So, I got the frames, and the fun began. Next it was the stroller, (how did it happen to be in hot pink and black and be on sale too?)I can thank Danny and my parents for my Christmas gift card from Lil' Wee Kids Boutique and money for that. Then came picking fabrics for the car seat cover and for the crib bedding - of course all in hot pink and black and white. Then came the diaper bag. Yes, I splurged. BUT it was on sale at a semi-annual online outlet sale which doesn't offer all the Petunia products...somehow they happened to have the exact diaper bag that I was wanting (they only had two colors of about twenty from that line) and so I figured it was meant to be. ;) I couldn't resist. I still feel guilty about it, but I do love it. Now I'm just trying to figure out what I'm gonna do when it gets dirty? Dang it.

Anyway...as you can see I've been having fun. I got my maternity pictures taken too. I can't wait to see them. Yeah, I'm going all out for this last pregnancy. Now I just need to make a blanket and a few bracelets, get the room ready, get the clothes washed and pick a name. Any suggestions?

In With the New

Karsten has a new favorite toy...my old stick horse that my dad made for me when I was a little girl. He loves riding it around the house. It's so cute.




My mom has entered a new decade. She had her 60th Birthday on the 16th. We had fun celebrating with a family bowl off. I was rusty, but Kyle and Kim and Jamal proved that they're still keeping up with their league bowling scores. Actually Nev was right up there with them too. How's everybody doing with their 60 day gift?




Kambrie thought it was so cool to take her new doll to show and tell. It really does kinda look like her, don't you think?




We got a new dog...Iron Man. Kolter, our new primary boy loves going on our morning walks with him just as much as he loves going to Primary.

Out With the Old

Kyler finished up his flag football season. It was fun watching him play.



We had a snow day!!!! No school and lots of fun in the back yard. Kambrie had to make a snowman.


Karsten didn't let the cold bother him. He loved helping make the snowman.


I'll probably never see this out my front doors again. How pretty. I LOVE the snow. That's the Montana girl in me I guess.



Christmas came and went all too fast. The kids all had their Christmas wishes granted...Kyler got a DS Lite, Kambrie got her "Look Like Doll", Kolter got a Leapster and Karsten got a dump truck with legos. They all also got wiggle cars. They were the big hit.

It was so busy and hectic this year, but I did get my moment to enjoy the true Spirit of the Season when I got my surprise gift from Danny. He got me the new Willow Tree Nativity. When I first saw this at the store I fell in love with it. I didn't think I would get it though. I love surprises. I just think it's so precious how Mary is holding baby Jesus and how Joseph is standing close, protecting his treasures. When I opened it up and set it up on Christmas Eve, it just took me back to that still night many years ago. Thanks Babe!

Congratulations Kyle and Kim

My little brother "Spike" got married this last weekend. It was a fun and exciting time for everyone. Lots of family came to town, including my sister, Tara, from Pennsylvania, and it was so fun to be surprised with cousins traveling far distances that we didn't know were coming.

I'm so happy for Kyle and Kim. I think they are a darling couple and they totally "match." My love and congratulations goes out to them. I wish you the best as you begin your eternal journey together.


Along with all the fun over the weekend we also had a little scare. We had some intruders that managed to make their way into our garage and go through the cars and garage looking for anything they might want. Luckily, they only took the cash in my wallet-no cards or anything else. I usually don't even leave my wallet in the car, but I guess I was just too tired when we got home from the reception to really notice. My camera was in there too, but when I came in the house, Kyler was asleep on the couch and I had to get a picture (since every time I tried earlier he ran from me). So, I LUCKILY grabbed it and got the picture. Who would've known without that, I would have lost my camera and all the pictures from the wedding. I felt so relieved when I realized that. Unfortunately my brother Guy wasn't as lucky. He had his laptop, navigation and entire wallet stolen. :(

Just a reminder to us all...lock your doors and set your alarm if you have one. We didn't do either one that night. Heck, when you go to bed at 2am after a fun filled night of after wedding ping pong tourneys,(there's a new Sheriff in town now LOL!) who thinks of that? Well, I will from now on, no matter how tired I might be.

Halloween Fun

Just wanted to post a few pics from Halloween. We had a fun night with the Stuart cousins trick or treating around our neighborhood. Karsten sure LOVED the thought that he could get candy at every door he went to.