Quinn is 4!

Quinn is officially 4!  I love this cute boy more than I can say.  He is my little buddy and sidekick during the day while his brothers are at school.  He talks like an adult and we have great conversations.  He loves to play on his own and will get elaborate pretend scenarios going with his toys.  He loves to play dress-up and pretend he is a super hero.  He makes me laugh and smile everyday.  To celebrate his special day that weekend we saw the move Trolls, went to the play area at McDonald's, and had some friends over for dairy free cake and ice cream.

Best day ever when your brother gives you an X-wing fighter pilot costume for your birthday. 

A genuine 4 year old smile getting ready for a dairy free Daniel Tiger birthday cake.

I love everything about my cute Quinn and can't wait for the fun the 4 year old will bring to our home!

Primary Program

Quinn felt like it was the best day ever that the Primary program was on his birthday this year.  It was his first one and he took his job very seriously.  He sang all the words to the songs, and gave his memorized part from the pulpit perfectly.  Before church Caden looked in the mirror and said, "wow, I look like a model."  Ethan did well on his part and made sure to give a charming little smile at the end before leaving the pulpit.  Gracie Mae was the most adorable supportive sister ever in her pretty pink dress and sparkly jelly shoes.

The day before the program there was a rehearsal at the church.  All the kids had been earning tickets as they practiced for having good behavior.  Caden came home and surprised me with two new bracelets.  He had spent 40 of his 49 tickets on me and was so excited to give me the gift.  It was the sweetest!

One Month Old

It's been 1 wonderful month with our little Gracie Mae!  She snuggly and sweet, and sometimes fussy and feisty.  She has definitely shaken up our world.  I feel like a traveling circus pretty much every time we leave the house.  But even during the sleepless nights I feel nothing but gratitude for our cute little miracle.

We've tried some baby wearing to help get through the fussy nights.

She loves sleeping in her little rock n' play sleeper bed.

I love her neck rolls.

She's starting to give us little smiles.

This is my view a lot during the day while the boys are in school.  Sleepy snuggles.  Tired and grateful.

Holding her head high on election day.

An ode to Grammy

My mom stayed with us 3 weeks.  She cooked, she cleaned, she swaddled, she changed diapers, she made school lunches, she chauffeured, she did laundry, she decorated for a birthday, she stayed up with me in the night to help lift my baby...really she kept us all alive and happy.  I don't think we could have done it without her.  I am so very grateful for the mom that I have.  It was a very tearful day to send her home.  Even though I hate saying good-bye, I feel so blessed I have a mom that's hard to say good-bye to.

They had lots of bonding moments during those wee small hours of the morning.

halloween

With a new baby and recovering form a c-section my goal was just to survive Halloween.  And thanks to Grammy Tammy helping us we even enjoyed it!

At the ward trunk-or-treat...an old Granny with her ninja, angry bird, and Kung-fu panda

Little Red Riding Hood ready to take some bread to her Granny's house.

We even did Boo at the Zoo with my parents.

Grammy and Grandpa got to join us at the boys' school Halloween parties and parade.

We had a fun night trick-or-treating.  Gracie was a champ through it all, she mostly slept through the festivities.

Gracie's Baby Blessing

Since both of our parents were in town we decided to give Gracie her baby blessing at church on October 30th.  Clark gave her a beautiful blessing.  It was such a special day!  I loved how angelic she looked in her ruffly white dress.

At the end of the photo shoot we put her in her little bed and cracked up at what her dress looked like.  It was quite the dress!  We are so blessed to have her!