so much emotion and gratitude!

This past weekend has been filled with emotion of ALL kinds. Mostly happiness and gratitude! Saturday and Sunday was a special time for this little girl AND her parents. I can't believe it has already been 6 months and how much Kaiya has changed.

**Isn't she a precious little angel**

I was thankful to be able to share in this special time with my sister, her husband

and their little miracle. The Lord has truly blessed this little family. I am just amazed at how the Lord works and how perfect His plan really is. He know soo much more than we do and I can't imagine Kaiya NOT being where she is now. It is the perfect place for her.

She is sooo blessed and lucky to have the incredible parents she has,

and I know they feel the same way about her!

Switching directions a bit..........

Occassions like the ones I have been blessed to be apart this past weekend,

remind ME just how much I have been blessed with, as well.

Much more than I feel worthy of!

Like this little guy

This was my family a little over a year ago. It is amazing what a year does!

Now my baby Ash is almost one,

and my other not so little boy is 3 (and do VERY well with potty training I might add)!

3 pretty special girls

I don't even want to begin to talk about what is happening at the end of this week...
because that will begin another flowing river of tears!

But I am going to miss special moments like this one



and this one!

I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all that I have been blessed with.

I am thankful for this weekend and the reminders it has given me.

I hope I can show my appreciation more, to those who mean so much to me!

What WE have been doing this week...

After 2 failed attempts, the 3rd time seems to be the charm. About 6 months ago we tried for the first time, but it was a battle that I WASN'T winning, so a few months later we TRIED again and our little guy just wasn't ready, so...I decided after his birthday that WE would try potty training AGAIN. (I don't remember Ame being this difficult, but I guess that was over 3 years ago) The first couple of days this week were rough, but Kaipo has sure

grown up quickly and decided he wants to be a BIG BOY. Today was the first day he had NO accidents and went Shi-Shi (Pee) in the toilet each time he sat and tried. He still doesn't TELL me when he has to go, but at least he is doing his thing in

the RIGHT place.
The FIRST time he actually went in the toilet I praised him sooo much and Kaipo felt soo proud.
I think doing THAT and little incentives have really worked well with him. And of course the fact that he LOVES to flush the toilet.
Hopefully tomorrow brings as much success as today!
Way to go BIG BOY

a simple fix

Ame got this pair of jeans last year, at one of my favorite stores... Kid to Kid. After one or two wears they got a big rip in the knee and I decided I could either cut them off OR do this.

Ame was very opinionated as to where the patches should go. Of course one had to go over the other rip in the knee and she wanted the other patch on the other knee. Makes sense I guess. But mom decided it looked a little better this way. She likes the finished product, and now we have another pair of jeans to wear for a while, and it was such a simple fix!

Bitter Sweet

Last night was such a bitter-sweet moment, as my parents got set apart for their mission in India. So much mixed emotion felt by all! Prior to the actual setting apart, the stake presidency and Bishop each made comments & gave advice to my parents. I was so impressed and grateful for the wonderful, loving & generous things they said about my parents. I was grateful to hear others share and show appreciation for so many things that I have always admired and respected about my parents. It was a very moving experience to have my brothers, Chris and Quinn also be able to assist in the setting apart. My parents commented later that evening how they so appreciated that experience and had NEVER felt the spirit soo strongly in a setting apart before.

What a special opportunity for them to begin their mission with.

They are, as I type this, at the MTC beginning their training and preparation for the REAL THING. LUckily we have not had to say our good-bye's yet, since we will get to see them at Kaiya's sealing & blessing and then for a couple of days b4 they fly out they get to come home! Boy those senior missionaries sure have it rough, huh?

I am so excited to share in this experience with my parents, and to help my children appreciate what they are doing as well. We are all going to learn and grow throughout these next 2 years, in soo many ways. I am sad for the things my parents will miss in our everyday lives, especially events with our children, but life will go on and we will share with one another in different ways, for the next little while. I am so proud of the amazing examples my parents are to me, my family and all those whom they come in contact with. They radiate the light of christ, through their lives of service and dedication to the Lord, and for that they will be blessed as they serve.

I Love You mom and dad.

God Be With YOU 'Til WE Meet Again

It's Official!

Today Kaipo is three!
We had a little party with a few of his friends-we played pin the flag on the treasure chest and a bean bag toss into the pirate ship and pirate hat.

Then we brought out these tasty, nutricious, mid-morning treats.

We sang to the BIG boy...

and everyone enjoyed their cupcakes (yes, most had more than one)

One of the boys has a sister Ame's age,
so that made the BOY party much more fun for Ame.

Kaipo opened the few presents we had gotten him, this morning b4 QUinn left for work,
then I decided to take Kaipo to the store and let HIM pick out a toy of HIS choice.
We found this collection of toys and he chose this one.
It is quite cute and he seems to really dig it!

Then of course, this was HIS choice for lunch.

We hope YOU have had a HAPPY Birthday Kaipo.
You are one handsome, amazingly smart, one of a kind boy!
We Love YOU!!

Party Time

We had a big day yesterday for our little boy. Kaipo is almost 3 and we had the BIG, crazy family party, with both families. We fed about 40 people, so it is always quite an undertaking to plan for these get togethers.

Kaipo has been BIG into pirates lately, so that is the party theme we decided on.

The 10 kids had fun playing pirate games and going on a treasure hunt for prizes!

Here is Captain Kaipo, all suited up for his party

He got LOTS of fun gifts, but THIS one really captured his attention...
It was a Pirates of the Carribean music card. Of course it has since been destroyed,
but it was a VERY cool card!
I am really enjoying this age with Kaipo (minus the tantrums about EVERYTHING).
He is very easily entertained and has fun doing soo many different things!


And here is the captain's Pirate Ship Cake.

Mom CAN'T take credit for this one, unfortunately.
I wasn't feeling brave enough to attempt Kaipo's cake, but once I saw it
I realized how easy it actually would have been to make myself.

It was definitely worth all the work to put the party together,

when I saw Kaipo's excitement for it all!

I love you Buddie

We are having a little friend party ON his actual birthday. We invited his 3 buddies in the ward that are closest in age to him. It is just going to be very simple...a few games and cupcakes! But Kaipo will LOVE the idea of another party

We enjoyed making plates full of LOVE & sweetness

Ame and I always have fun making treats for whatever occasion we can think of. Kaipo actually helped with the cutting out of the cookies, but then we frosted and decorated while he was taking a nap, so we missed him in the picture taking.

This is the treat plate our neighbors got for Valentine's Day! We enjoyed sharing our love on this special occasion and we were even surprised with a few treats at our doorstep, as well.

Hope your Valentines Day was as SWEET as ours!

slow down please!

Baby Ash is showing some interest these days in more mobility, than just crawling. He really seems to enjoy standing (with assistance of course) and has been trying to pull himself up here and there. Quinn and I were talking the other day, and cannot even believe that Ame was walking by this age. I am glad our boys have decided to take it a bit slower! Although Ash likes to experiment with standing and trying to move his feet with the walker...

after several tumbles, he definitely feels safer in this position!

This past week Ash has also cut tooth #3.

I tried to get a picture of it, but he wasn't letting me do that, FOR SURE.

He is now growing in one of his lateral incisors, ( I had to look that one up),

which seemed wierd to me, to get the side one before the central incisor (middle).

But what do I know.

I just hope another one comes in, to balance his mouth out,

before his first year pictures, coming up in just a of couple months.

WHatever is IN his mouth, Ash is still our cutie pie for sure!

Another interesting thing about Ash and different from the other 2 is he really does NOT like baby food, no matter varieties I tried. I have struggled with trying to get him to eat for quite some time, felt like I was forcing him and trying to pry his mouth open to get anything in. Then I just decided to start giving him more finger foods and more of what WE were eating. That has made quite a positive difference in his desire to eat and WAY less stressful for mom.

Ash is such a joy to have in our home. We can't imagine life without him.

He just adores his siblings and thinks they are quite entertaining!

We Love You, Baby Ash

girl power!

Ame is very excited to be adding another girl cousin, to my side of the family.

She was feeling pretty lonely for a girl, for quite some time.

Now, in a matter of a year, she's gotten two!

She can't wait to have someone to play dress-ups and put make-up with.

Ame also thought it was pretty special she was one of the FIRSTS to get to see

baby Ella ( besides dad, mom and grandma watkins).

Ame is such a great older cousin to all the younger ones.

She is so patient, gentle and considerate.

I hope we get to stay close to as many of the cousins as we can

(for the kids sake especially),

I was sad I didn't have that more as a child.

An Amazing Man

President Gordon B. HinckleyQuinn was home teaching, with Ame, last night and I was just hanging out with my boys. The TV was on (as background noise) and all of a sudden breaking news came. The second they said his name I KNEW what they were going to say, but I was still soo suprised! I guess he has been a fighter, with his health and age, for soo many years that I just never expected him to EVER actually pass on. ALthough, I shed some tears and have had a VERY heavy heart, I KNOW he is soo happy to be reunited with his wife. I am so glad he had family by his side as he passed away and that he had time to say his good bye's there AND not be alone.

Pres. Hinckley has impacted MY life in so many ways and I have NOW taken the time to realize just how much he HAS influenced me. What an AMAZING MAN he is and what tremendous things he has done on the earth, in his time here. I appreciated all the news channels here, cutting into all the unimportant shows, to pay tribute to this Beloved Man.

THIS prophet will be one remembered forever... for his life, his service,

his love and all that he has done for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and The World!

worth checking out

I am posting this blog on behalf of QUinn's mom. She is a distributor for this product and SWEARS by it. I think we are going to give it a try. It is definitely worth checking out the website at least and see if it is something that would interest YOU.
If YOU are interesting in trying it out, let me know and I can get you in touch with her.

kangenwater.org

FREAK accident

Ok, so the other morning Kaipo was wearing his coat around the house, jumping & playing, and just being Kaipo. I was not in the room at the time, but QUinn was. All of a sudden Kaipo is whinning and not moving. Quinn looked over and Kaipo was stuck to the fireplace, which of course was ON. The glass gets very hot and we always tell the kids they cannot step onto the tile in front, they must stay on the carpet. Well believe it or not Kaipo wasn't following the rule and backed right into the firepace. His coat instantly burned to the glass. And this is what his new coat, this year, now looks like. Isn't that just wonderful!
We are just happy the coat was on and KAIPO didn't get burned. He was scared, hopefully enough that he won't get that close ever again. The other scary thing besides how hot the firespace gets, is how flammable this coat was. Good thing Quinn was right there and could get him away quickly, cuz I don't think Kaipo would have moved on his own. Hopefully we can find another coat ON SALE, who wants to buy a new coat at this point? I sure don't!

Of course this FREAK accident happened the morning after my windshield got a HUGE crack all the way across it. A definite streak of bad luck I think!

Happy "day-after" Birthday

Last night we met some friends and family at Red Iguana (which I highly recommend-it is Mexican, with a bit of a different style) to celebrate Quinn's Birthday.

I didn't tell him what we were doing. It wasn't quite as exciting of a surpise

as last year's Bed & Breakfast, but I think he still enjoyed it.

As you can see, Ash had lots of fun too! (we left the older 2 kids with a baby sitter, but have a hard time leaving Ash...just as hard as he does leaving us...I know NOT a good combination)

I was sad more couldn't join us, but it is just so hard to find a time that works for everyone.

We were so thankful to those who did make it: some of Quinn's family,

our good friends the Jordyns, and to the right of Quinn is Pam.

She is the mom of Quinn's best friend growing up(Ivan), but he has since moved out of state.

She has come to a few of our family things, like Ash's blessing get together, etc.

It is fun for Quinn to see her every now and then to catch up.

I have really enjoyed getting to know her over the years.

Happy 33rd QUinn. We love you!

What a MAN

I realized I don't publically express my love for my husband very often.

SO I thought this being HIS day, I would make just a little tribute to him.

First of all, I would not be the kind of person I am today without his continued patience and love. He gets me, sometimes more than I am willing to admit. He loves me unconditionally and helps me be better, in soo many ways!

Secondly, he is an amazing provider and does it all without complaining. We have been some amazing places and done some awesome things, but no decision has been made without serious pondering about the well being of our family. Quinn often sacrifices his own needs and wants, just to make sure we are taken care of and happy.

I realized in doing this I don't take nearly enough pictures of just QUinn and I. This one is actually cropped, just to get the 2 of us....sad huh!

As much as he loves me, his love for his children is endless. He is such an amazing father.
Our kids know, without a doubt, daddy loves them!

He has such a special bond with his little girl.
It is hard to believe that he wanted his first to be a boy SOO badly.
Ame definitely knows how to melt her daddys heart!!

Part of being a great dad is knowing how to have fun with his kids,
and QUinn definitely knows how to do that!
He is WAY more fun than mom.


He is a patient teacher, especially when it comes to the TOYS.
There is still a little kid in QUinn, FOR SURE!

Quinn is so proud to pass on his name to these precious boys.

QUinn, on your birthday, I want you to know that you are such an amazing man.

I love you beyond words and actions. I am so eternally grateful we found each other and

that we get to spend this life (and the next) together. Through the good times and the not so good, I can't imagine experiencing any of it WITHOUT you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Happy Birthday

Love, your wife

MORE snow

We have made it through another storm. This one hit really wierd. We got hit HARD, as well as Utah county, and then in between wasn't as much (from what I hear). We probably got a good 7-8 inches of new snow (or more, I am really bad at estimating), on top of about the same amount which hasn't even melted yet.

This has definitely been a SNOWY winter so far, and it is ONLY January!

But the kids are LOVING it and had a blast today.

This is Kaipo's favorite thing to do with the snow...

The kids spent a good hour and a half playing in the culdesac, with some of our neighbor friends.

Doing everything from sledding...

to getting buried in the snow.

the more snow the better, as far as they are concerned!

The house looks pretty all "snow-caped"

I just don't know how much longer it will be so pretty?!

This is a view out into the culdesac.

Does this give a visual of just how much snow we have around our place?

Jump-On-It

There is this AWESOME place in utah county called Jump-On-It, that is a huge warehouse just full of tramps all lined up. You pay by the hour and up to age 3 is free,

so Kaipo is good for a few more months!

The picture below may lead someone to believe that we have locked out kids up in a cage,

and Kaipo is trying to chew his way out!

The last time we went mommy even paid and joined in on the fun, with the kids.

It is a great work out!

Ame liked to play "cracked the egg".

This pic is a good one to show just how this place is set up.

I mean what a great idea someone came up with!

Imaginary Friends

I found this article from the 'Baby Center E-Newsletter' I regularly get. It was quite enlightening for me, considering the imaginary friend Kaipo has had for quite some time now. Ame never really had one, at least not that I was aware of, so I wasn't sure what to think when Kaipo began talking to and about Kleina (who know how to spell it). I do find it interesting that this friend is a girl. Maybe cuz he has an older sister, that he is used to playing with.

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Ever catch your child talking to an imaginary friend? Pretend friends can be a healthy part of your child's developing conscience and value system. They keep him company, provide solace, and even share the blame for the things your child wishes she hadn't done.

Kaipo uses the last one A LOT!

beautiful and NOT so beautiful

This morning started much earlier than I had wanted it to. I already knew I had to get up by 7am to get ready for an 8:30am ward council meeting, but Ash thought I needed to be up by 6am WITH HIM. Then I looked out the window to heavy snow fall (3-4 inches of new snow and still falling) and just wanted to crawl back into bed! This picture was taken after I had been to my meeting, so imagine this picture without all the plowing done, and that is what welcomed me on my way to a 2 HOUR calendaring meeting. I have to say I was NOT exciting about my day. It definitely would have been a much more beautiful sight,

if I didn't have to go out in it so early, in a skirt!

On a happier note...

doesn't Ame look gorgeous in her Christmas Dress, from Grandma Asplund?

Ame and mommy visited this little All For Girls shop, by our house, in search of something for the hair to go with Ame's beautiful dress. This headband was Ame's choice. Mom had a hard time buying it, despite it being VERY cute, it was WAY over priced.

The cuteness obviously won this time.

Kaipo is one good-looking boy too, who didn't want to miss out on his time in front of the camera.(Ash missed picture time, cuz he was napping)

How could a mom not be happy now!!