Wednesday, February 27, 2013

This morning

This morning while I was getting ready Easton was playing with my phone and taking pictures of Avery who was at my feet. I am constantly finding pictures just like this on my phone. I love this stage of life so much. I know even though its crazy and busy and I get stressed out sometimes, one day these kids will be grown and I am really going to miss it. I attended "time out for women" about a year and a half ago and Hilary Weeks was one of the speakers. One of the things she said was "I will know my children for an eternity as adults but only for this small amount of time as children." I love that. Puts things into perspective. At least it does for me.
Easton and Avery at the park a couple of days ago. Love these warm Arizona winter days.
She's on the move! Avery is now officially crawling as of a couple of days ago.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

35

Cort turned 35 today. Hey Cort, when did we get so old??? We did a little family party here at the house for him on the big day and then I made us all a fancy dinner that night when we got home from church. The kids were so excited to celebrate and have him open his presents. I would say the day was a success. Hopefully Cort felt super special cause he totally is!
The birthday boy

Taylor and her dad with his birthday present she made him at school

Easton has always been a daddy's boy. They have a very special connection. He loves his dad.

We all love this guy so much!

35 things I love about Cort
1. He is always willing to help. Doesn't matter if it is setting up chairs at the church last minute, or a stranger with a flat tire on the street when he has somewhere to go, he will stop and lend a hand every single time. He is always willing to give and he never complains about it.
2. He rarely complains about anything. He is one of the busiest and hard working guys I have ever known. He goes to school full time, works two jobs, is currently the Elders Quorum President in our ward, add our 5 kids and me on top of all that and you could say is plate is pretty full. He truly goes and goes until he drops in bed at night and even then he usually will rub my back without me asking him too, which leads me to number 3.
3. He gives great back massages. :)
4. He's empathic and non-judgement. He always gives people the benefit of the doubt.
5. He is very personable and can hold a conversation with just about anyone about anything. He wins people over very easily. He's very easy to love.
6. He's a hard worker. Doesn't matter what he is doing, he works hard at everything he does.
7. He gets up with the kids in the middle of the night. Even when Avery wakes up he will get up go and get her bring her to me and then take her back to her bed once she's done eating. He says it's his favorite to carry her back to her bed after she's eaten cause she's totally in that milk coma.
8. He's athletic. When we were first married he played on several baseball teams and it was always fun to go and watch him play. He is also an incredible runner. Before we had kids, we use to go running together almost every night those are some great memories.
9. He is determined. He sets goals and he achieves them. He has now run 5 marathons, I think. Maybe more and completed a half-iron man and several Tris and half marathons. He also is 3 months away from his doctorate in Pharmacy. I love that he doesn't settle and he follows things thru until the end.
10. He's focused. He once did no sugar for an entire year.
11. He loves coaching our boys in anything and is always willing to do so even though he doesn't have a lot of time to spare, he always makes it work.
12. He's not a gossip. Nothing drives me more crazy then listening to people talk bad about other people. I'm so grateful he doesn't do this.
13. He helps around the house. He does the dishes almost every night. And even after a long 12 hour day at work and school, he will come home and start folding laundry.
14. He's not much of a TV watcher. I wish I didn't like TV so much. Such a waste of time. He rarely sits down and watches shows.
15. He hates confrontations. He is a peace maker.
16. He has the best smile. Truly it lights up entire face.
17. Hes an awesome cook. Hands down he is way better than me in the kitchen. But don't tell him I said that.
18. He is always willing to help me with my little projects, even though I know he doesn't enjoy it, he still does it.
19. He honors his priesthood.
20. He reads scriptures with the kids in the morning.
21. And he makes the kids lunches almost every morning before he heads off to school.
22. He's supportive and supports me with anything I want to do.
23. He is handy. He built Easton's toddler bed from scratch, put paneling up in Taylor and Avery's rooms, painted the entire house, and laid tile in our last house. Really this list could go on and on.
24. He can fix just about anything, from things around the house to the car.
25. Although I know that he hates to drive in the car, he indulges me because he knows how much I love road trips.
26. He is a spiritual giant. He truly tries to do whats right in every situation.
27. He's loyal.
28. I know he doesn't talk about me behind my back. We decided when we were first married that we wouldn't talk about each other to anyone. I know that he doesn't talk about me and I'm so grateful for that.
29. He doesn't look down on others. He doesn't think he's better than anyone and he doesn't try to be. In fact I don't think his mind even works that way.
30. He's easy going. I can sometimes be some what of a worrier, when I worry and stress, he always puts things into perspective for me. He has a positive outlook on life, believing that things will always work out, strangely enough they always do!
31. He can talk anyone into anything. This comes in handy when we are out shopping or trying to get a deal on something. He is my secret weapon as far as getting a good deal goes, for some reason people will tell me no but they rarely say it to Cort.
32. He's fun to be with. There is no one else I would rather hang out with.
33. He's extremely smart.
34. He's honest. There have been times when we haven't been charged for something and he always speaks up and makes sure everything is right.
35. He is an amazing father, he always makes time for the kids.
My family always tells me and him, how lucky I am to have him. I couldn't have made a better choice in choosing you Cort. So glad you choose me too. I love you! Happy 35th!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Happy love day

For Valentine's Day this year we did our annual family Valentine's day dinner by candle light, and the kids each came home with lots of treats and goodies from their classmates and friends at school. At dinner that night we talked about what we love about each member of our family and then me and Cort gave them each a little valentine from us. It was a great day.

Taylor and Chase with their valentine day boxes right before heading off for school. Got to love Pinterest! What did I do before it was around? I think they turned out so cute and they were super easy to make. Simple and cute, I love that combo!

Talans class didn't actually have a party this year, but they did exchange valentines and he was just fine with that. Easton's little play group did have a party and he loved every minute of it, once i got him to go that is! How does a kid go from loving his little play group so much, (see video below) to tears every time I take him within a two week time period??? Hopefully it is a phase and he will be back to normal soon. Regardless hes still the cutest 3 year old i know! ;)
Talan and Easton checking out their loot and Chase and his buddy posing at their class party

And of course, couldn't do a post without our Avery on her very first Valentines, she enjoyed the day too. :)
Lots of love going on around here, so grateful for that.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Flying high gymnastics meet

Saturday Taylor had her first meet of the spring season. And she rocked it! I am amazed at how much she has improved over the last month or so. She is quite the gymnast! There's nothing else she would rather do. She placed in all five events and placed second for her floor routine. Her score for floor was 9.175. Which is an incredibly high score for floor. So proud of you Tay and how hard you work. The sky's the limit for you, not only in your gymnastics but in everything you do!