Talan is FIVE!

Talan one day old. I remember the first time they placed him in my arms, my first thought was oh he is BEAUTIFUL! He was such a pretty baby. Everyone always commented on how pretty he was. We still call him our pretty boy.

 Talan 7 months old March 2008

Talan 2 years old 

Talan 3 years old

 Talan 4 year olds 

                                                                 Talan now 5 years old

Today Talan turned five years old. He seems so grown up to me today. It's like he grew up over night. I read Talan's birth story to him this morning and a couple other entries from his journal of funny things he's done over the past five years. I can't believe he is five. I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around it.
Five things I love about Talan:
1. I know I've said it before but Talan has the best imagination of anyone I know. He comes up with the funniest stuff and never ever have I heard him say his was bored. There's always something going on inside his head. Until recently he still has been taking naps and me and Cort are convinced the reason why he still has needed them at this age is because his mind is nonstop. He's always been my child that I have to make eat, he would much rather be playing than eating. Eating is so overrated as far as Talan is concerned. It's always a good time when Talan is around.
2. Talan is the epitome of cool. This kid just walks around like he owns the place. Nothing intimidates Talan. He is very secure in who he is.
3. His laugh. He has one of those laughs where when you hear it, you have to join in. It's so contagious. Also  his sense of humor. The kid is a crack up.
4. The way he talks. When he's telling a story he says "and then.." at the beginning of almost every sentence.
5. His cute little face. We call him our pretty boy and our ladies man. He has the best lips and sweetest smile.
The traditional birthday balloons. Before Talan went to bed last night he asked me "Do you think I will have balloons in my room in the morning?" He was not disappointed.

Playing Dentist with Easton on his birthday. The shoe, and the hanger and the cord were just a few of Dr. Talan's dentist "tools."

Talan loves ninjas, and swords and all things Power Rangers these days. Here's his cake. I made it, but Cort frosted it. We make a great team!

Talan's favorite things at the age of five:

Food: He is a carnivore. He loves meat! In any form really. It's the one thing I don't have to beg him to eat. He also loves peanut butter, he has a P & J for lunch almost every day.
Color: Red and Black and Gray
Scripture story: In Talan's words "I like the one where the guy tries to get the plates."
Favorite Thing to do: "Play with my family." And I would add to this playing with Lego's, and any of type of toy really. He also loves to ride his bike and play at the park. Can't wait til it cools off a bit so we can make that a part of our daily ritual again.

We love you our Tally Wally, Whacky boy! You are such a blessing to us. So grateful you are a part of our family.

Disneyland for the day

We took the kids out of school early Wednesday, packed up a few things and headed to California so we could spent Thursday in Disneyland. We got there around 7:00 pm Wednesday night did a few rides and then headed to the hotel around 11:00 and then spent the whole day there Thursday and left around 5:30 that night back to Arizona. That drive was a little brutal on the way home, all the kids fell asleep and me and Cort talked and tried to keep each other awake. A good time was had by all! Can't wait to do it again.

I didn't take my big camera out once while we were there, shocking! However, thank goodness my phone has a camera on it, so I was able to capture a little bits of our trip.
One of my favorite rides there is the Toy Story Mania ride. Got to ride it with two of my favorite boys.

 Easton is still talking about it. I want to go on the Buzz ride he will say!

Chase's face on Splash Mountain is priceless.

We saw Phineas and Ferb while we were there. Definite highlight. We all like that show.

Avery just hanging around.

Waiting in line for the Mater ride in the new cars land. Cars land is all Easton could talk about for weeks before our trip. The main ride there though was a two hour wait and we weren't willing to do that, and so we will check that one out next time. However, the Mater ride definitely was enough was Easton. He rode it twice.

Always fun to run into friends there. Luckily enough our good friends the Newtons planned their trip the same time as ours so we hung around with them for a bit. The kids loved it! We have matchy families, so everyone has a friend. It's perfect!

Me, Easton, and Avery did a lot waiting and hanging out while the big kids rode some rides.

Avery couldn't have been more of a angel. She's such a happy baby.

 Poor Easton. We wore this little guy out by the end of the day. If we would of let him I think he would taken a nap right there.

Easton really wanted to see the Aladdin show. But it was 45 minutes and we had to go back and meet everyone before than. He didn't take No for a answer though very easily. He just plopped himself down and told me "I'm not moving!" With my arms full with Avery all I could do was take a picture. So I did.

Until next time Disneyland! So excited to go again this fall with all the Halloween decorations out. Best time ever to go!

 

Avery's blessing day

Last Sunday was a very special day for us. Our sweet Avery Leone was blessed by her dad.

My sister Whitney and my brother Tyson and his wife Mikail made the long drive down from Utah for the occasion. It meant so much to me that they were willing to do that.

Chase and Holden couldn't have been more excited to be together again.

Uncle Tyson and the boys being boys.

My dad and Maryan and Cort's parents all made it for the big day too.

                                               
 My mom's sisters, and parents and lots of cousins came to support us as well. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so much family and love on such a special day. 

We all love this little one so much. So grateful to have her as part of our family. I feel so lucky that I get to be her mom.

                                    

Nothing quite as wonderful as family. It truly was a great day. Cort did a fabulous job, he always does, and Avery did too, she slept through the entire thing. :) It's moments and days like these that make me stop and remember how blessed I really am and how precious TIME is and how important it is that I cherish every single moment I have with the people I love the most.

back to school

Taylor and Chase started school again yesterday. I now have a 4th and 1st grader. That is crazy to me. We all walked them to school to drop them off, not the best of ideas since yesterday was a record 116 degrees! I pretty much had melted by the time we got home. Once we got to the school though, Taylor told us at the crosswalk that she could go the rest of the way by herself so we said her goodbyes there. And then once Chase met up with his class he got in line and never looked back. I felt a little sad as I stood there watching them go off with their friends and classmates without a worry or a care. But then Cort reminded me that it is a good thing that they are confident and independent. I just hate letting go. I'm not very good at it.

Fortunately though I still have these 3 little ones to keep me company at home.

On their first day

Taylor on her first day.

Chase on his first day.

Walking to school.

Chase standing in line.

It's going to be a great year!

VanEpps Reunion 2012

This past weekend was our VanEpps (my mom's side of the family) reunion up in northern Arizona. Our kids had a great time searching for treasure, running around outside to their hearts content, (You can't really do that down in the valley where we live right now, way too hot!) and being with a gazillion of their cousins. My mom's parents were able to make it too. They weren't sure if they would. My grandpa is now 92 and my grandma 88. Glad they were there though, I told them we couldn't have a VanEpps reunion without them! They have had a wonderful life with lots of adventures, four daughters, 23 grandchildren, and 37, I think, great grands with two more on the way. What a legacy. So glad we were able to make it.

Snowflake parade on Saturday morning

Hanging around the cabin

Minute to win it was a highlight Saturday night

Some blasts from the past. My aunt Diane blew up some pictures of a few of us at reunions from the past. So fun to see these pictures again.

Treasure hunt. Chase didn't leave this pit for over an hour and as a result whenever he was done he had found 5 dollars in change! Love his dedication. He's so focused

The boys checking out their loot

My brother and his cute April made it. So glad they did! They helped us represent the Peterson side of our family. Here they are with my grandma and grandpa with my girls (i love saying that!)

M grandpa and my Avery

My grandparents with most of their great grandkids

Cute brothers

Easton and his precious daddy. Easton has always been a daddy's boy. I don't blame him, Cort is pretty loveable.

The rocket was a HUGE hit (check out Easty's face for proof) :)

Handstand contest



Avery was a little angel and did this most of the time while we were there.

I LOVE this girl soooo much!