Our Valentine's

The kids got their favorite chocolates-Lindor truffles


We had popeye/German panckes with toppings for breakfast.


My friend Carrie made us these to wear to church-I'm so suprised that the guys wore them! She got the idea off of Martha Stewart, they are made out of pipe cleaners.


Marlee found out how to pick her nose today & she loved all the attention she got.

Marlee got a sheep skin rug for her room & she loves how soft it is.

Here she is clapping with excitement

I love Marlee's scrunched face in this photo

Here we are sporting our flowers from Carrie. The boys flowers were pinned on their shirts, mine was a ring, & Marlee's was in her hair.

We went on a family drive up to Mt. Lemon

It was cold at the top & there was lots of snow

Port sliding down

Clay sliding down

Laun & Marlee sliding down

Marlee enjoying her new rug, again- she loves anything soft

Dinner was good- Laun grilled steaks & salmon, I made homemade baguette bread on my new pan from my mom.

We had cheesecake for dessert & I'm pretty sure Marlee enjoyed it the most.

Saturday

Marlee is upset that she is not outside with the horses. Port helped her outside & she went right for the horses so, she has to watch from the house.


The garden is growing...


Laun cleaned the horses in our back yard today

Our friend Carrie (Mom of the twin boys I babysit) came over to see the horses, she was VERY excited. She was making fun of our boys because once Laun loaded up the horses the boys said,"finally, we can ride our bikes". You think most kids would be a little more excited to have some horses in their backyard.

Sugar Cookies

Marlee knows she could do such a good job decorating a cookie if she could just reach the frosting.


The boys had fun decorating a cookie. Clayton made a football:


Porter piled on the white frosting:


The cute kids:

My Grandma Turley used to make her grankids a big sugar cookie shaped as a heart with our name on it every Valentines Day. I decided to carry on the tradition but, I'm a little lazier so, I just did their initial.

I decorated a cookie to look like the starfish on Sponge Bob but, Clay informed me that he is pink. But when I asked him who it was he knew right away.

Marlee watching the boys play outside:

A Daddy's girl for sure

She loves watching tv w/ her Dad & brothers


In Marlee's play pen- 2 is better than 1

I'm pretty sure that Marlee even thinks she should go to work w/ Daddy.

Such a big helper

Marlee loves to "help" do the dishes

Clayton decorated this carrot cake all by himself- he decided to make a smiley face out of walnuts. And no he is not growing facial hair already, it is just paint from this painting he made in art class.

Sweet Cooper

Last night Laun & I were looking at photos & videos of Cooper. He opened his eyes for the first & last time at 1 week old. I can still remember the excitement I felt that day to look into my precious baby boys eyes. I feel grateful that not only was I there to see that, but that I was also able to record it for Laun & my boys to see. It was truly a blessing from above. I will never forget that day & cherish it always. This experience has taught me so much: My Heavenly Father loves me & knows me personally, we are all children of God, the gospel is true, being sealed in the temple for time & all eternity is a gift, babies are miracles, children are priceless, life is fragile, motherhood/parenthood is a wonderful blessing, Heavenly Father knows best & has a plan for my family, with the help of my Savior I can get through hard times, faith & hope are so important, & my family is eternal. I miss Cooper so much but, I know we will be together again. I am so happy for all my children, they are Laun & I's sunshine.

Today when I was curling my hair, Marlee was getting into the drawers & pulling out the tooth brushes & hair stuff, pulling down the towels, & just being her busy self. I found myself feeling so emotional & thankful for this healthy, sweet, & busy little girl that we have been blessed with. I couldn't help but swoop her up & give her loves. I also love when my boys will give me hugs, too.
May we all cherish life & our loved ones always.

Temple trip

On our drive to phx. yesterday, Marlee got to sit in a big kid carseat for the 1st time- big mistake! She screamed a lot & I think it made her mad to see us, because she wanted us to get her out.

This is what her hair looked like when we started the trip:


And this is what it looked like after Marlee got a hold of it:

Clayton went to Cannen Hall's b-day & hung out w/ their family for the day, Porter & Marlee were babysat by Grandma Turley, & Laun & I went to the temple with Lucy.

Laun & his amazing Mom Lucy-outside of the Mesa Temple.

Before we headed home, Jeff treated us to a yummy dinner at Pedros.

A good read

When the boys take out the Book of Mormons for scripture time, Marlee pulls out "hers" too. I guess kids pay attention more then we ever know. The other day I was reading in the Gospel Principles book & it said that Jesus Christ taught the plan of salvation and exaltation by His word and by the way He lived. And it made me start wondering, do I do a good job teaching my children by my words & example?