Katelynn's Birthday!

I wanted to have a post of remembrance of Katelynn and her special day. She means so much to me in so many different ways. At the time James and I were struggling to have children, and when I decided to change my life and I like to call it making a pact with heavenly Father he blessed me for keeping my end of the deal. August 14th 2000 is when I made this agreement. I have kept my end of the deal since. I have to say that when I found out that I was pregnant for the 6th time I was very scared. I was recieving the misisonary discussions at the time and had been praying for the answer to know this church was true. My ultrasound had confirmed that the lord is there and listening. My due date was set at August 14th 2001 one year from our so called pact. Katelynn of course was 5days late, but that did not matter to me. I knew that I had changed my life and was ready for motherhood. Katelynn was 8lbs. 14ounces. 21inches long. She was the loudest baby on that wing you could hear her the minute you walked through the doors. I love her so much. Katelynn is such a happy child and she is a rock with her beliefs. She knows that she is beautiful and no one can tell her otherwise. She is smart and very happy to be a big sister. I love her so much my heart swells to think about it. She is the sparkle in her daddy's eye she cannot do wrong. When we named her we decided we needed a meaningful name. Katelynn is not a family name, but means (Pure) and well (Faith) we truly had to have pure faith in the lord that he would provide us a way. I love you so very much Katelynn Happy Birthday!! Love mommy.

Katelynn's superhero Birthday!! (Part 1)

We decided to do low key this year, and let Katelynn have three friends over for a slumber party. Lizzie could not stay the night so she came an hour earlier to spend some extra time with her, and they decorated door hangers. My mother came out to help Thanks mom...


We had the sprinklers going and then I had made up a game of superhero's vs. villains. The object of the game was to go around the yard and find pictures of villains, and I gave each of them some silly string to shoot the bad guys along with some water balloons. It was so much fun to watch them run around and they seemed to enjoy it. I love homemade games they are great. !!!

Katelynn Birthday (part 2).

Then it was time for a movie and pizza the kids picked the Bee movie to watch and then we ate dinner. After that we went outside to do the pinata another homemade item. Can you tell that it is a bat symbol? It took awhile and I still had to help it along so that they could get their candy..

When we finished that we sang Happy Birthday and opened presents. Katelynn was so happy to get superhero toys she really loves the boy toys..(as she says)


When they finished cake and Ice cream I let the kids pick another movie and this time it was Harry Potter part 6, which they really did not watch it was just background noise. Then it was time for the nighttime activity PEDICURES, and MAKING BRACELETS.. The girls had stations two at a time for each activity.



They had a blast! Afterwards it was play with toys and sleepy time (11:30pm) Really late for my kids. My mom the next morning put on her clown costume and had some fun with the girls.
We had a blast this year and so did Katelynn. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!

BBQ in Afghanistan!!

So the guys got a break and were able to have a BBQ.Can you guess who was the cook. Yes you guessed it JAMES. He said he was out there for like 6hours grilling.WOW!!! I think that has to be a record even with our big family!!! Great job honey and you look great. Love ya

Our Ward Campout!

Ok so this was my first time going camping without James, and well it was a little difficult at times especially when your youngest only wants you or Grandpa. I was so grateful that the grandparents came during that week, and decided to join us on our trip. It was fun I only wish it would have been at least another day. It just seemed too short for all the effort we had to do for one night. The kids loved it they even had a zip line that Katelynn and Austin went on several times. Unfortunately I only video taped that sorry guys. It was so nice to get away and SO very cool. So wonderful to get out of the heat even if only for a day. Well we even got James' Grandma to come along.. WOW she is so vivacious at her age I hope I can be the same way when I get up there. Thanks for coming with me guys it was fun.

My umbrella!

Austin has been dying to play with his umbrella, so on a day where it was just sprinkling he got his chance... He was so happy to be able to open it and enjoy the rain drops falling on his umbrella and not him. The little things in life that children enjoy is so wonderful. I have to remember to take the time and look through their eyes every once in awhile.

Great Grandma doing the Wii

Ok so I totally had to share that when James' parents and his Grandmother came to visit I got her to play the Wii. She was enjoying herself, and actually bowled a pretty good game once she got the hang of it. Good Job Grandma!!! Can you believe she is 81 and playing a video game LOL... I love it. I also threw in a picture of James' mom too.