The joy of older kids!

So, one of the best things about having older kids is their ability to help out. Last week Devin was trying to get some work done outside, so he gave Austin & Hunter the assignment to give the babies rides on their bikes. Brinley & Brigham had so much fun; and it kept them out of trouble for an hour!! They really do love their older brothers and sisters. When the boys get home from school every day they squeal and clap and run to the door to greet them. Brinley will take the time to give each one of the boys a huge hug, and then of course Brigg has to follow sister and do the same. I love it! It really makes me happy to see the love that they have for each other!

Silly Liberty!

Silly Libbs! This picture has nothing to do with this post I just thought it was funny that one morning Liberty decided to have her bowl of cereal on the top of Devins truck! :) She has been quite the crack up lately. Afew days ago she was laying on the couch with me and she stuck her belly out and said, "mom, I'm about to have my baby" "oh you are huh?" "yeah, I am having a girl, so you don't have to" "oh, so what am I having then?" "you aren't having one, I am" I responded with, "well, I sure hope I am cuz this belly is awfully big!" "it's ok mom, we can just cut it off" I really don't know where she comes up with this stuff!!! Oh, and if you ask her what the baby is, it is ALWAYS a girl and her name is Savley. Don't ask me where she came up with that one either!! Thank goodness I have my kids to keep me laughing!

We Love You!

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We love all of our wonderful friends and family! We hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day!!

Love,

Devin, Kristina, Austin, Hunter, Mason, Emberlyn, Liberty, Brigham, Brinley AND Paisley, or, Ryker, or Riggdon, or Oakley :)

Finally Devin all to myself!

So I am the BIGGEST believer in husbands and wives getting away together, alone, without kids, at least once a year. Unfourtunately life gets in the way and this isn't always possible. I have been DYING to get a quick little vaca with my sweetheart. We have done pretty good about going somewhere about once a year, but since the twins were born havn't managed to get away; until now! :) For Christmas my wonderful parents gave us $$ for a hotel and a gift card to the Olive Garden and told us they would watch our kids so we could go somewhere for the weekend. PLUS, two years ago for Christmas our awsome friends the Allens, gave us a gift certificate to the Marriott hotels that we never used. So, on Devins Birthday we had the kids all packed up and distributed them to my sisters and mom and off we went for some R & R in Flagstaff. We got to stay for 2 nights & we were so lazy! It was awsome! We did drive to the Grand Canyon, which I didn't even know that Devin had never been, so that was fun! The weather was geourgeous and we just absolutly enjoyed hanging out together. We are pretty good about going on dates, but thats still not the same b/c then then whole night is, "oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about this with school or work or finances"--not always the funnest topics of conversation. But when you are gone for awhile like that you get finished with all that mumbo jumbo and actually get to talk about "stuff", stupid stuff, silly stuff, non-important stuff, or even conversations that you don't normally get to have. I remembered why I love getting away with him like that! I feel like I met my boyfriend all over again! We talked and talked and talked and the most amazing thing happened, never once were we inturupted by "mom, dad, mom, dad; I need, I need, I need" Don't get me wrong, I adore my kids, and I worry about them while I am away (not for their safety as much as the sanity for the person who is watching them!) but it is so important that we never forget about our sweet compainion and that all of this started out with him! I love my hubby to pieces and I was SO greatful to get to spend some one on one time with him. It was really hard to come home and have to share him with everyone and everything!! :(

Thanks Mom, Dad, Tiffany and Amanda for making it possible for us to get away! We love you!

Happy Birthday Devin!!

Last Thursday, January 31st my husband turned the anchient age of 34! WOW! What an old guy! :) I don't even know where to start when I think about all the reasons I love this man. He truly is my very best friend and I couldn't live life without him. I know he thinks it's because I would die without someone else to clean the kitchen, but really I couldn't live without his companionship. He is my hero and my strength, I love how much he knows about the gosple and how passionate he is about the scriptures. I adore his love for our children, he is the best Dad any kid could ask for! My favorite is how my little girls have their Daddy wrapped around their finger, it ought to be interesting when they are teenagers! He is such a hard worker, and no matter how many curve balls life throws at us, I always know that somehow he makes it work. He treats me like a princess; especially when I am big and huge with a baby in my belly. At night if we are laying in bed watching TV and I ask him if he has any water his response is always, "no, but I will go get you some" and off he goes. He really spoils me way too much!! I love having babies with him, because he loves it so much and there is nothing more precious & sweet than when he is cuddled up with our new baby. Makes my heart melt! He always makes sure that I am happy and taken care of. He is the most dedicated father and husband I know and I love every minute that I get to spend with him. At 12 years old I flipped head over heals for this guy; I NEVER in a million years knew that life with him would be this great!! I love you Devin!

Happy Birthday Dad

January 24th my Dad turned 54! Thats still such a youngin' if you ask me! There are so many things I love about my Dad! My most favorite are expressed in these pictures. The love that he has for his kids and grandkids. Especially babies, my Dad loves babies! He will sit and hold them forever, and I love it! This weekend he took on quite a feat and helped watch the twins so Devin & I could get away for the weekend. I was so greatful that he took the time to chase my little monsters around for 2 days, so we could have a break. My Dad is such a great example to me and always has been. He has always made sure that his children knew how important the gosple is and how important it is for us to strive our best to make good choices and live our lives in such a way that would be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. He has never been shy about bearing his testimony to us or being a great example when it comes to church callings. Never have I heard him complain about any calling that he served in. I always have counted myself very blessed for the strong gosple foundation that was created for me and my brothers and sisters at a young age; alot of times I forget that everyone didn't grow up with that. He can always make me laugh and most of all, I know that no matter what, my Dad will always be here for me and that even as an adult I can still go to him in times of need. I love you Dad! Thank you for the wonderful Father that you have always been!!

President Hinkley

Today in church there was so much talk about President Hinkley that I thought, "wow, I can't believe I didn't think to blog about his passing" So here I am, better late than never I guess. Last Sunday, January 27th, President Hinkley, our beloved prophet passed away. I havn't got to watch the broadcast of his funeral yet (we were out of town) but I guess some comment was made about how quickly the word spread due to text messaging. I had to laugh, because even though I'm not a kid, that's exactly how I found out!
It was such a shock, but I must say, my first reaction wasn't of sadness, but of happiness for him that he had gone Home to his sweet wife. He always made it known how much he loved and missed his dear companion and I can only imagine the joy that was felt when they were able to hold each other again! Devin found this quote for me from the October 2004 conference. "As I held her hand and saw mortal life drain from her fingers, I confess I was overcome. Before I married her, she had been the girl of my dreams, to use the words of a song then popular. She was my dear companion for more than two-thirds of a century, my equal before the Lord, really my superior. And now in my old age, she has again become the girl of my dreams." That is just too sweet! What an amazing man he was. I remember when he announced the goal of building 100 temples and what a HUGE deal that was, and here we are with 127 temples! That is so incredible! I think the thing I love about him the most was his love and sinciere desire for the people of this church to do good. You could always feel of his love when he addressed us. I am very greatful for his example and his love while he was on this earth; he will truly be missed!