Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago.... Dean and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a great day full of family, friends, and no more wedding plans!!! The past 8 years have been wonderful and I can't wait to see what the next 8 will bring. I know most couples say "we've had our ups and downs", but I can honestly say that there have been very few downs and most of them have been short lived thanks to Dean's sense of humor. I married the man of my dreams and I am so lucky to have him (something he continually reminds me of with a smile on his face!) He occasionally says, "Thanks for marrying me!" And I'll tell him, "Thanks for asking!" (As a side note he only had to ask me once,... asking my dad required a few more times.... ) What a great day that was and I love that I can look back on these past eight years with a smile on my face. I love you babe!

Then...

And Now... (We just look "healthier", not older, right?!)

( After we got married we headed to Hawaii for a week in paradise. On Tuesday we will head out for a week of pulling hand carts and sleeping under the stars for our stake youth pioneer trek. I just realized that in our wedding photo there is a hand cart in the background! What a coincidence! It will be an "anniversary trip" to remember! More on those upcoming adventures to come... )

Mother's Day and an E.R. Visit...

Ever since Kayden joined our family we seem to have fewer "uneventful" days around here. He has found energy in me that I never thought I'd see again after having kids. Somedays I don't know how I find the energy to clean up after or just plain keep an eye on that little rascal. Mother's day was no exception for him.... But the day didn't start out that way....

First the kids have been waiting all weekend to give me their mother's day presents from school. So first thing they brought them into my room and yelled "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" Ryman made breakfast for everyone (cold cereal without even spilling!). After Church we were lazy and looked at all the pretty flowers Dean bought the day before & planted in our flower beds. Including a beautiful hanging basket just for me! Then our good friends the Bleazards came over for dinner that the boys had prepared. They made dinner for us last year and did such a good job that it is becoming a new tradition at our house! Dean even made a centerpiece for the table! Now how many of you ladies have had an ice sculpture made just for you on Mother's Day?

And check out the delicious potatoes made by Dean, and the beautiful jello that Kevin made!

I know it looks like a lot of ice cubes frozen together and shaped the exact size of our ice box, but all that detail took weeks of time to become so perfectly formed into one giant ice cube!

The man and his masterpiece! Beautiful honey! The meal was truly amazing! Ribs, jello, & cheesecake from Kevin and twice baked potatoes, rolls, and salad by Dean.

And then, just as we were finishing our wonderful meal and relaxing day, Kayden announced that he needed to go to the bathroom. And since it was mother's day and all, Dean had the pleasure of escorting him. After a few minutes Dean yells out, "Oh my Gosh Candria! Kayden has a hernia!" Well, long story short, Dean couldn't get it to go back in, the kids headed home with the Bleazards yet again for another hospital emergency (seriously we are going to wear out this friendship fast!) After consulting with a nurse, a P.A., and our wonderful Aunt Shauna who happens to be a pediatrician that is always just a phone call away, we headed to the E.R. in fear of some "strangulation of the intestine" (I have no idea if that's the right way of explaining it those are just some words I heard thrown around during all of this) Kayden was such a good sport through it all. Turned out to be some sort of cyst, not a hernia (you'll have to ask Dean about the specifics, I'm no good with the medical lingo!) So we headed back home and off to bed! Thank you Kayden for making Mother's Day even more memorable! I love this little stinker and I'm so glad we didn't end up in surgery last night!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's, and daughters out there! Especially my mom! And my kiddos and hubby who in his words made it possible for me to celebrate yesterday! I love you all!

Michael is Going To.....

(This post is long overdue... I've been without a computer all week... Sorry Michael!)

Poor Michael... After waiting and waiting last Friday for the postman to call and say the big envelope was here (benefit of living in a small town) and knowing that a few other people had gotten their calls on Thursday, everyone started to wonder if maybe it had gotten sent to his apartment in Provo instead of my parents house. After a few phone calls and hours of first asking the apartment staff nicely, and then not so nicely, to go check his mail box.... Sure enough! It was in Provo. We tried to come up with a quicker way to get his call here, but he, Kirk and a friend finally hit the road and headed for Utah! My Uncle Mike that lives in Sandy was nice enough to drive down to Provo and then meet them at his house to save some time, but he still didn't get back until after 10:30 that night! What a fun adventure to get your mission call!!! So, where is he going?....

Richmond, Virginia!!!!!!

And what will he see? (I know you all enjoy this!) :)

Very Nice!

Not bad for long walks...

Hey, I think I saw a few of those kids when looking for pictures for Kirk, looks like you're missions will have some similarities!

And let's not forget the best part.... Good, ol', southern comfort food!

Now doesn't that look tasty! And you thought Kirk was going to have to rough it!....

We are so excited, happy, and proud of you Michael! Thanks for letting us be there to watch you open your call, although the whole waiting all day long for it to come was like torture even though you stayed calm through it all! I think I'm going to have the kids start writing their letters now with all the mail we'll be sending out soon. Don't want anyone to get writer's cramp! Hooray for twin brothers keeping life exciting for us! We love you!!!

P.S. He leaves June 24th!

Not feeling so sorry anymore....

So, getting rid of the pacifier went a lot better than expected and the topic hasn't even been brought up in almost five days now. However, the whole finding things to do to replace the time spent pacifying has been quite an adventure.... I thought the terrible twos were starting to mellow a little with this one, but I think we've entered a new phase.... This is where I found Kayden yesterday.....

Dean wasn't all that surprised considering how much this kid loves water, it was bound to happen sometime! He's just lucky that the machine stops when you open the lid!

I should have removed the red eye, but isn't there a little devil inside every two year old little boy?

Don't worry, there's more! And as a reminder this all happened YESTERDAY!!!

Dean has made some great connections being a dairy vet and one of those has been free compost, in other words... cow poop! Yes, Kayden knew he was sitting on poop. Too bad he got in the washing machine before and not after this.....

Kayden is just like his dad in so many ways. He loves to follow him wherever he goes. And all that poop actually made our garden nice and pretty. In fact it was so pretty that Kayden couldn't resist playing in it some more.....
(For some reason there is a delay between picture and sound on the videos, sorry!)

Water and dirt.... That is what my little boy is made of.

A few things I didn't get the chance to take pictures of... During one of Kayden's four baths there was a small tsunami causing a small lake to form on my bathroom floor. Incredible, I know! Not to mention the amount of dirt I cleaned out of the tub after each bath.. Or the pile of mail for Dean sitting on the counter next to the washing machine that I later found in pieces amongst the load of laundry that Kayden decided to help with...

And I can't leave out what a brave little girl Brylie was yesterday during her kindergarten shots. She had to get two in each leg and even through the whincing she held back her tears. I was so proud of her. I however was not so brave when the nurse accidentally stuck one of the needles through, yes as in from one side to the other, my thumb. No tears from me, but I'm sure there was a strong look of horror staring at the dangling syringe. What a great day of adventures we had... Today is seeming so boring....

Poor Kayden....

The sad and fateful day of saying goodbye to the pacifier or "plug" as it is affectionately called at our house finally arrived for poor Kayden. The tradition in our house is to throw the plugs in the garbage can just as the garbage truck arrives and watch that terrible and mean garbage man take away my children's sense of peace and comfort. I have let Kayden keep his plug longer than the other kids for a number of lame excuses, so we knew the bond was a little stronger for him and some added enticement would be necessary. So, on Tuesday when the UPS man delivered a special package, Kayden chose to trade in his beloved plugs to the evil garbage man for a shiny new toy.... Seems like a pretty good trade to me.... He gave up this..

For this!

Things were going great. He gladly rounded up the spares and threw them in the garbage can. Playing with his new toy took up most of the new hours of spare time he now had, but a whole new world of opportunities had opened up and he needed to find other new experiences to enjoy with his new freedom from the plug.... Hours after the trade in, this is what I found.....

Yes, that is lotion! Not shampoo!

Is that not a good "uh-oh" picture?!!

And a little video for your enjoyment. If it hadn't been such a traumatic day, I probably wouldn't have smiled so much at this.... 4 baths and 2 days later, he is still smelling and smiling pretty. He has had his moments of remorse, but overall he has been a champ! I think it's been harder for me not to give in to those bright blue eyes than it has been for him.

Easter Weekend Adventures...

What a good Easter weekend we had...... Where to begin..... First we had our 3rd annual neighborhood egg hunt on Friday in our backyard with the Knights and Bowdens! I need to go back and find pictures from years past of all these cute kids. I think it has been cold every time, but you wouldn't be able to guess that from what Brylie is wearing....Before,

During,

& After!
Thanks neighbors for a great easter egg hunt as always! We're so lucky to have great neighbors!

On Saturday, we headed over to Candace's for another great easter egg hunt! There were so many good friends there and plenty of eggs! Thanks for a great time Candace!


Brylie didn't have to look far to get her basket full!

Ryman was excited that there were some jumbo eggs in the mix!

Kayden had caught on to what was happening this time, so he found a few and then sat down to enjoy his treasures and watch everyone else run around!

On Sunday we rounded up our "families away from our families" and had a feast! Dean grilled up some mean flank steak and even tried to cook it to everyone's liking from Alayna's beef jerky to Claire's slight pink in the middle. Way to go honey! We had a kitchen full of great people and our stomachs were full by the end! Thanks everyone for coming and sharing your yummy food! We love our "extended family" here in Jerome!

We got the adults and Ryman and Eli to fit at the dining table (time to buy a table cloth that fits it all pulled out!)

The little girls sat at the card table.

And the little boys at the picnic table! Even Alison and her boys joined us in time for dessert! Thanks for a great Easter Sunday friends!!!!

Kirk's Mission Call Came!!!!

We have been waiting and waiting this week for my little brother's mission call to come. It finally came today and with all the guessing and betting where he was going to go I don't think any of us would have ever guessed this one!! GHANA!!!! Where is it that you ask? AFRICA!!! I am so excited for him!!! I know he will be a wonderful missionary especially to the people in Ghana. Boy will he have stories to tell..... Congratulations Kirk! We are so happy and proud of you for choosing to go on a mission! I wonder how much postage is going to cost.....

The Ghana Flag

He will get to see some of these......

and these.....

Ooooh, and maybe some of these....
My guess is most missionaries don't come home with many love interests.....

Did I mention he has a twin brother? Hurry up Michael! I'm even more excited to see where you are going now!!!!