Parker and Carson Turn 12

Parker and Carson (my BIG babies) turned 12 on September 12th. It was a really crazy weekend. We had their cousins (Jake, Jamison, Carter, and Harry) over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Parker, Carson, and Kyle went on an overnight campout with the 11 year old scouts on Friday. Kyle and I went to the temple with the Strombergs, Kennards, Tanners, and Behlings, on Saturday to do Grandma Cook's temple work and some temple work for other family names. Thanks mom for your help so that we could attend that awesome event. (she watched my 5 kids, Sean and Melissa's 4 kids, and Jake and Lea's 4 kids; it was their anniversary. If you are counting that is 13 kids....Mom you rock. Dad you do too.) Sunday was the BIG event. The boys turned 12 and were ordained Deacons in the Aaronic Priesthood. We had a birthday party Sunday and Monday. I can hardly believe that my little boys' are now young men that hold the prieshood. Pretty darn surreal and I guess that must mean I am getting old.

Parker and Carson at the Stromberg Birthday Party Monday night.

Blowing out the candles.

We celebrated Grandpa Shepherds, Parker and Carsons, Great Grandpa Shepherds, and Conrads Birthdays Sunday night at Jake and Lea's

Singing Happy Birthday to all the Birthday Boys

Ali brought a pinata to the birthday party. Carly knocked it down with an awesome swing.

Ali made Parker and Carson a candy gram for their birthday.

Parker and Carson with the mounds of presents.

You can hardly see Parker and Carson behind all the gifts.

Conrad did not want his picture taken

Traditional cooked breakfast on your birthday.

Salsa and 14 Years

Kyle and I celebrated 14 awesome years of marriage on September 6th. We commemorated the occasion by canning SALSA. 40 pints and 16 quarts to be exact. Our anniversary fell on Labor Day this year and I was trying to figure out when I would have time to can Salsa. I told Kyle I really wanted to can Salsa and asked him if he would like to help. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Kyle was really excited at first but after a few hours he realized the ENORMOUS task before us. Thankfully we had really celebrated our anniversary the Friday before Labor Day by going out to dinner. My sweet sister-in-law Melissa took the kids for the night and we watched a movie and went to breakfast the next day. We also decided to get a dog for Parker that day. See what happens when you get a few hours to yourself....you loose the ability to think clearly and you get a little giddy.

I am so lucky to be married to this man. I had no idea that I was getting such an awesome catch the day I married him. He likes to cook, he willingly goes to the grocery store, he loves me despite my many faults, and he likes my spunkiness or so he says. EAT YOUR HEART OUT, LADIES. I loved him then, but I am more in love with him today than I was 14 years ago. Thanks Honey for being my rock and helping me keep my head on straight. Kyle truly helps me keep things balanced in my life. Nobody can make me laugh like Kyle can...he has the ability to do this even when I am upset (an absolutely remarkable talent). I LOVE YOU!!!

Katelynn and Joy School

Katelynn started Joy School, like preschool only parents are the teachers and you take turns having it at your house, on September 7th, 2010.
Mrs. Moon was the brave mom that offered to have it at her house first. Mrs. Moon also has been my kids piano teacher and second mom. Here are Katelynn's preschool buddies. Katelynn was so excited to go to school just like the big kids.

Katelynn buckling herself. She loves that she gets to ride in the front seat since I only have to drive her through the neighborhood.

Parker and Ellie

I really wanted to title this entry as "World's Best Parents or We Didn't Think We Were Crazy Enough....Take Your Pick." Parker got an early birthday present yesterday. Did you already guess. It is Ellie. He has been begging for a pet for a while now. Carson and Parker went camping with my dad this summer and caught a chipmunk...Parker tried to talk us into letting him bring it home and have it as a pet. GREAT IDEA....GRANDPA. A wild animal sounds perfectly safe. Well I talked Kyle into giving Parker a pet for his birthday..I was thinking a hamster or a lizard...turns out Kyle caved when I suggested a dog. I think it reminded him of his childhood pet dog Winkie. Ellie is so sweet. Parker and her bonded instantly. She loves to play fetch, tug-of-war, and she will play endlessly with the kids. Buster thinks she is absolutely obnoxious....we have decided that Buster isn't a dog PERSON. Ellie seems really smart and she is pretty close to being housebroken. She loves Parker and Parker loves her...the two of them remind of the comic strip Red and Rover. Kyle and I have got to be the coolest parents ever!!!! Usually we are the meanest parents ever, so I am reveling in our current title.

1st Day of Preschool - September 1st, 2010

Katelynn started preschool on Wednesday!!! I will now have 4 days of the week with no kids. OOOOHHH the freedom!!! I am sad that I don't have any more babies, but thrilled that I am FREE. Okay it is only a couple of hours a day, but WOW.


Katelynn seems pretty excited too!





Katie's teachers name is Miss Katie.


Katelynn has a couple of friends in her class. Jessica and Aubrey

Don't they grow up so fast. She is my little angel.

GORGEOUS

NOW IF I COULD GET HER TO STOP HAVING ACCIDENTS IN HER PANTS.

DUTY CALLS I MUST GO CLEAN HER UP!!

Friends and S'mores

Last weekend Ashleigh, Max, and Katelynn invited some friends over to do s'mores. Parker and Carson were at a birthday party.


Katelynn and her friend Jessi

Ashleigh and Calli


The three amigos. Logan, Zach, and Max or ie.. T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Max wanted me to include this picture because he thought it was cool.

My baby girl is 4

I can't believe it! My baby girl is 4. She got a new bike for her birthday. It has a baby seat on the back of it so that she can take her baby dolls for a ride. She picked ebelskivers for her birthday breakfast. We weren't able to have a birthday party that night so we celebrated on the following Saturday with family. Last year she cried when we sang Happy Birthday to her, but this year she was reveling in the attention.

Katelynn with Grandma and Grandpa Stromberg.

The birthday girl with mom and dad and Buster.

Katie bug with Grandpa & Grandma Shepherd

Grandma and Grandpa Sanders couldn't make it to the birthday party so they came over and had dinner with us the following night. Katelynn was so excited to have a tea party with them with the tea set that Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd gave her.Katelynn blowing out her candles.

Opening Presents

After all of the kids left for school Katie and I took her new bike outside and she took it for a spin. It was an absolutely beautiful morning. I do love fall.

Katelynn enjoying her ebelskiver breakfast and blowing out the candles!




Katelynn sitting pretty on her brand-new bike.