Another Birthday Boy!

Parker is 5!! Yesterday was his birthday, and he mentioned to me a few different times that, "This is my best birthday ever!"

We started off the day by opening presents....he picked the gift from Grandma Judy & Grandpa Bill....a set of Star Wars Lego's! Last week when Grandma C was here, she also got Parker a set, so he's having a blast with them all!

Next...a few new books....3 Scooby-Doo adventures!....the kid is totally into all the old Scooby-Doo shows & I've read these new books to both the boys a few times already!

Nothin' exciting about a much needed shirt for church...but, he'll sure look handsome in it!

Then, he got some Crayola Star Wars coloring pages...these have been a big hit too (when he isn't playing with the Legos)!!!

And...one more set of Legos (a Castle set this time), from Mom & Dad! A pretty big hit too!

At the end of the day, after going out to dinner (Parker picked Primo's...an all-you-can-eat Pizza place) we came back home for some cupcakes....

Making a wish & blowing out the candles!!

Hope you had a fantastic day, Parks! We love you!!!

We Have a Birthday Boy!

Today Connor is THREE YEARS OLD! He woke up this morning, came into our room & let me know, "Mom, today's my birthday!" After giving him birthday hugs & kisses and then getting a phone call to be sung "Happy Birthday" to from Grandma Judy, Nate, Sharyn & Shannon, we headed downstairs for Connor-man to open his gifts!!...

Some "Handy Manny" books...some of his favorite!

A "Handy Manny Fix It Phone" from Grandma Judy & Grandpa Bill...

And a new bike from Mom & Dad, along with a helmet & knee pads!
After opening gifts, we all got ready and headed off to Krispy Kreme for breakfast (Connor's choice, that he's been telling us for the last few months!).

At lunch time, I called, "Connor-man, come for lunch!" and he responded by saying, "I'm not Connor-man today, I'm Birthday Boy!" Too cute! I think he's having a good day....we'll finish it off tonight with some cupcakes for everybody! I sure am blessed to have this cute boy in my life!

3 Week Photoshoot

I think she gets more pretty every single day!! We love our Baby Allie!

More Showing Off! :)

These next few pictures are from when the kids came to visit Baby Allie and me later the day that she was born! I love seeing how much Allie is already adored by her older brothers & sisters!

Here's Parker getting to hold her for the very first time!

Connor climbed up on my lap & loved looking at (and kissing) his new baby sister!

Abbie loves holding Allie like this...

And a picture of my FIVE kids and me!!....I love every single one of them!!

Matt finally got a chance to hold Allie (without compitition with the other kids) when it was time for me to be discharged!!...he's a proud dad!!

Lastly....Allie in her "coming home" outfit!

I am SO in love with her already!!!

New addition...

Hi! This is Matt. This is my inaugural post (and probably the last, at least for along while - Meshelle does the blog thing). Just had to get on here and post some pics of our newest addition - Baby Allie!

For those interested, here's the stats: 7lbs 5oz, 20 inches, born at 9:40.

Abbie and Annie begged for months to let them go to the birth. Since Meshelle was induced, we let them come along. That's why they are in some of the pics.

Make-Overs at Monkey Dooz

One of the gifts that Abbie & Annie got for Christmas was a make-over at Monkey Dooz (a local kids salon)! So, last Saturday, I booked Abbie & Annie's appointments and the three of us took off while Matt stayed home with the boys. It was SO much fun to have a little "girl time" and I think it was a blast overall.

First, Abbie started with getting her nails painted. Currently, her favorite color it turquoise, so that was the color of sparkles she picked to go on them....which happened to match her earrings too! :)

Annie started by getting her hair cut!After Abbie's nails were done, she got moved to make-up. And, of course, she picked out turquoise to match her nails...

When Annie is finished with her haircut, she went to get her nails polished. Purple is one of Annie's favorite colors, so that's what she opted for... Next up, Abbie needed to get her hair cut as well. We cut about 4 inches off....but, I'm pretty sure still likes it!Annie got to move on & get her make-up done...she also picked a color to match her nails...purple!After Annie's make-up & Abbie's haircut, they both got to get their hair styled! So cute!Here's the finished product!...Abbie's wanted some blue (the closest they had to turquoise) coloring added to her hair, while Annie picked a pink/purple color!And...a picture of all 3 of us...

Aren't my girls beautiful? I love spending some fun girly time together with them!!

What do you know, it snowed!!

We got snow last night, like 3-4 inches of good, throwing & rolling (for snowmans) snow!!!...and the kids couldn't wait to go out and play in it this morning!

They made snow angels...

Parker had to eat some....

Connor had fun just checkin' it out, at first....

Then he started throwing the snow at Abbie....

The Abbie & Annie had a bit of a snowball fight....

They couldn't leave me out, so they threw some all over the back sliding door...

And, all four of them had fun trying to jump on the trampoline (Matt won't be too happy that I let them do it, but they were having so much fun!)....

Felix the Elf

Santa sent us a special surprise last week....his name is Felix the Elf!

Felix was sent by Santa to make sure our kids are being happy & helping at this time of year! A letter was included, letting us know that Felix would be around until Christmas Eve, but then Santa will pick him up when he stops by our house. Felix will let Santa know if Abbie, Annie, Parker & Connor have been good & if they deserve presents or coal....

But, Felix is also a little prankster...we all left to go shopping on Saturday, and when we got back, this is where we found him...swinging by the kitchen chandelier with toilet paper...

Yesterday while we were at church he threw his string cheese wrapper on the kitchen floor & climbed up the wall with ribbon...

Then, this morning, we woke up to find Felix in the kitchen getting into some of the candy I was using for Christmas baking...(Felix looks pretty proud of the messes he makes...)!

I wonder what he'll do next......whatever he does, the kids are behaving well & getting along for the most part. So, even if we have to put up with a few more pranks by Felix, hopefully he'll give Santa a good report on the kids!

Connor's Crazy Costumes!

Let me start by saying that Connor cracks me up....he seriously makes me laugh, a lot. Matt & I find ourselves doing some of his goofy mannerisms (currently he shrugs his shoulders every time "I don't know" is the answer) and talking about some of the funny things he says.

But, this last week, I've been looking for pictures for my sister & I realized I have a TON of Connor all dressed up & I don't think I've ever shared them with you....so, to indulge me, here ya go!

Rarely he goes with out a hat of some sort, combined with the sunglasses, even better!...

This is his "Knight" costume....

He wanted to show off his Pooh Bear snow boots, even though it was in the middle of the summer...

This was taken in July...Santa hat, Valentine's apron, and Belle's princess shoes...

And, not a costume, but plenty of make-up, courtesy of his older sisters....

Hope you enjoyed...and maybe had a few laughs too!! :)

New Game Favorites!

After a weekend of cold weather & snowy days, we now have 2 new favorite family games at our house! It started on Saturday when Matt & the boys were napping....I was playing "Clue" (an all-time favorite) with the girls. After playing a few games of that, I decided it was time to get into the game closet & teach the girls a new game....first up, Rummikub! Matt & I used to play this with other couples when we were at BYU....but, it hadn't been played for a LONG TIME! Abbie & Annie really got into it...they love a challenge & playing out their next move!

Then, Sunday morning (our church doesn't meet until 1pm), the girls were asking to play Rummikub again....but, for some reason, Matt pulled out Life! I don't think we have ever played it with them....but, both girls had a lot of fun with this one too....

We love games at our house...especially ones that we can play together! If you have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Our current favorites include: Clue, Mexican Train, Cranium (Family Fun Edition), now along with Rummikub & Life!! :)