Mother's Day

I just LOVE this picture. It's so hard to find a really good picture of Chaddy. But here he's smiling so great, his eyes are so blue. He's so handsome. And on this Mother's Day, he treated me to an amazing breakfast in bed and dinner. He helps me in all I do as Mother. I couldn't do it without his help and support. He keeps me sane when I feel like going crazy. He always kills the bugs and opens the jars. He makes everything ok. I love you babe!

Nothing could mean more to me then the love of my 4 PRECIOUS children. They are my world. They have given me the title of Mother. They make me better than I ever could have become without them. How grateful I am for their amazing spirits, for their little hands that hold mine and their arms that hug me tightly. I love seeing the people they are becoming. I feel very inadequate at being a mother. I fail everyday. But I pray most earnestly that Heavenly Father will magnify my efforts. Thank you Riley, Emily, Shelby and Hailey. For without you, I could never be called Mama.



After our dinner, the weather was finally warm enough for us to go for a walk. We walked down by the river. We tried to take a picture with all of us in it...didn't turn out so fabulous... acutally, I love these pictures. So fun!


Riley went on a school field trip to the museum to see the exhibit "From Wolf to Woof." They had a great time.. probably more fun was the fact that Chad went with them.

Riley's Baptism

Riley was baptized on May 1 2010. It was such a special day. Grandpa Dean, Kolby and Marcie and the kids all came up to be here with him. So we had a fun weekend swimming in their hotel pool as well. I was able to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, which was special for us all. Our best friends the Hydes and Droegemuellers, as well as Luke Pope and the Douglasses were all able to be there. Needless to say there were many little children gathered around the font! Riley is such a good example to all of them. We are so proud of him and his choice to be baptized. Then, as a very nice ending to a good weekend, on Sunday in Sacrament meeting, Elder Hallstrom of the seventy was attending our ward. After the meeting he came straightway and gave Riley a hug and told him how proud he was of him! It was so neat! It sure was a wonderful weekend!

Chad was able to baptize him. Very special.

Me and my boy! How we all love this little man. We are so happy he's our oldest son and brother.

Smile!!

Here is little Hailey doing some tummy time! Just look at those blue eyes shining! She's so darling, none of us can get enough of her! She is just the sweetest little thing ever!

My beautiful Shelby! She was helping me unload the dishwasher, and she was just a talkin a way. It was so cute. I had to take a picture! I couldn't resist the cuteness!!! Love this little girl.

Riley and I were taking pictures of each other. This one turned out pretty good!

I love my handsome boy! He's such a good boy.

Twin Falls with Mike and Kristy

We took a day trip down to Twin Falls to visit Mike and Kristy for Atticus's Birthday. It was so fun. The weather was beautiful, so we went to this nice park for lunch, then the boys played a game of Frisbee golf while the girls just visited and played at the park! It was great fun!

Shelby actually went with the boys, we all just walked for a while!

Pretty girls sitting on a log chair! They thought that was pretty cute.

Hailey got to sit in Atty's bouncer! She loved it! Atty was a little protective of his toys!

This was supposed to be a "Dean Boy" picture.. but Emily had to pose with them! Say cheese!!


Chad went fishing one day and caught a whole bunch. He took a few pictures and wanted me to blog them... so here are some!! He's a good fisherman and he loves it. He take all the boys fishing, and he loves to teach people to fly fish.

Hoppy Easter Every Bunny!

As always, egg dying is a part of our Easter traditions. This time, after dying the eggs, there was sparkle paint to be put on. It was really fun!

Here are the kids holding up their Easter bunny treats, and their "golden eggs", as I like to call them - a little inside joke between me and Chad! They had fun searching for all the hidden treats. I kinda wish that the Easter Bunny and Santa would come every day... they went to bed so good the night before! Although they were up at the crack of dawn, and we wouldn't let them go out until 8:00! It was killing them!!! So funny.

This was SOOO funny. After hours of eating candy, Shelby came up to me and asked if she could have just one more egg. So of course I said yes, but only one more egg! So she runs to her room where her basket is stashed, and comes back with her huge chocolate egg!! You said only one more egg mom!!!!

Here is our little flower! She did not like to have this on! But she looked so cute!

Emily and Shelby are so darling. They wanted to go to the park, and I told them to go get dressed. So they put on matching outfits! They play so well together. I'm so grateful for these 2 beautiful daughters. They have so much fun together. It was a fun day at the park!

Precious!

Kolby and Marcie - Together Forever

After almost 10 years of marriage, Kolby and Marcie made it to the temple! We were so blessed to be able to be there. I have never seen something so magnificently special before. Chad and I talked about how this is like the Prodigal Son parable. So much rejoicing when one son returns to the fold. To see them so humble and innocent in the temple was something I'll never forget. Witnessing them be married for time and all eternity was beautiful. But nothing will compare to the spirit that came when the 3 children were brought in. All dressed in white, they were nothing short of pure angels. Kneeling around the alter to be sealed together was so joyful I couldn't contain my emotions. What a glorious plan of our Heavenly Father!! To be with our families forever, never to be separated! Truly it is a Plan of Happiness.


Marcie wore this dress - it was Rozann's. She looked stunning. It was so special, she said she wanted to have a piece of her with her. Marcie looks gorgeous in anything, but she sure radiated this day! I told Marcie that there was no where in all of the eternities that would be more important for Rozann to be, than there in the temple with them. She was there, I have no doubts.





Just had to throw this picture in. Hailey just chilling with Daddy. She is so special and brings such love and joy into our family. We all love her. She did so good on our trip to Utah. I was so worried about her being left with a babysitter for so long. She did almost 5 hours without eating, and hardly fussing. What a good little baby.

Happy 8th Birthday Riley!

So Riley has been studying Penguins in school. So I made him penguin cupcakes! They are so adorable! I love the icebergs with the rock candy on it! He loved them... so did I!!

The little penguin pulling his bucket load of fish! Love it!


We went to Leo's Place - a pizza place with a funland thing. Riley invited all of his best friends: Jacob and Conner Hyde, Jimmy and Sammy Droegemueller, Lucas Pope, and of course, Emily, Shelby, Hailey and Mom and Dad! Fun was had by all!

I can't believe he's 8!! He has been looking forward to this birthday for a few years! What a good boy we have. He is so special to us, and we are so grateful for him as our son and our big brother. We love you Riley! Happy Birthday!!