Who is Daddy?

Daddy, according to Livvy

Livvy, Who is Daddy?

Daddy is the nicest person.

What does Daddy like to do?

He likes to play with me and read his books.

What is Daddy good at?

He is good at fixing cars.

What makes Daddy happy?

When I am happy.

What does Daddy need?

To spend time with Mommy.

What does Daddy love?

He loves me and Chase, Braydon and Sommer.

Where does Daddy go everyday?

He goes to work and one day he went to get me a toad.

What does Daddy do for work?

He does fire calls and he fixes out fires.

What makes Daddy fun?

Four Wheeler!!!

What does Daddy look like? 

He looks handsome.  He looks like a nice old man.

What does Daddy do for fun?

boating and jet skiing

What makes Daddy upset or angry?

When we are not very good.

Where would Daddy like to go sometime?

Disneyland

What does Daddy like to eat?

okra

What does Daddy cook best?

bacon

What makes Daddy different than other dads you know?

He's funny.  

Why are you glad he's your dad?

Because he's my favorite Daddy and he always gives me a piece of chocolate.

What does Daddy teach you?

He teaches me English and dances with me.  

What makes Daddy special?

He is always fun, fun, funny.

If you could get Daddy any gift what would you get him?

A pet parrot

What makes Daddy a great dad?

That he says 'I love you.'

Priesthood Session Oct 2011

This October, Braydon got to go to the General Priesthood Session with Dad and Grandpa.  What a special day and opportunity.. :) 

I always try to take a picture of the men walking over to the priesthood session.  I love seeing the whole army of men walking in. There's just something so powerful about it to me, and even more when I can watch my husband, son, and father in law honoring their priesthood.  :)

Easter Shopping

What do you get when you buy 8 buggies full of Easter loot for the community Easter egg hunt and your 4 children know about it?

One ripped off little boy, sad that all he got was a pathetic rubber duck...

even though our kids were warned that they weren't allowed to win anything big since this event was put on by the firefighters and we couldn't have people think we cheated.

Such is the life of the child of a firefighter.

 But I think we got the good end of the deal.  How many kids get a pep talk from such a cute firefighter, plus rides on the fire truck?

It was actually a really fun day.  And Chase got over it really quick.

On Our Very First Anniversary...

Our two week old Braydon was blessed.  People told us we were crazy for not wasting any time in the family department, but I guess that is just our style.  

                     So, this day, September 26th is a very
                        special day to me for two reasons.

           Happy Twelfth Anniversary Sweetheart!  I love you!
                        Thanks for all you have given me!

       And Braydon, you really are such a blessing!  I love you too! :)

                   And of course, Sommer, Chase, and Livvy- 
     I love you so much and am so glad you all came to our family.

Summer Evening

We spent the evening of Father's Day out by the river.  As you can tell, some of my children are better than others at sticking around for a few pictures.  I won't mention the name of the one who wouldn't.  :)  It was a gorgeous night, perfect lighting, and lots of fun as a family.  All of the kids, except Braydon, are sporting watermelon stains around their mouths.  Too cute.  Ahhh... I love summertime!

Birthday Surprises

Celebrating another birthday isn't all bad. :)  Wade took me to The Cheesecake Factory on Friday Night.  I got super yummy dulce de leche cheesecake.

He also surprised me with a new bike and trailer. I am so excited to be able to ride with my kids and get more exercise this summer!  I really have been wanting one but certainly didn't expect it.  Wade is so sweet.  He always does so much for birthdays.  He has such a big heart and I know he loves to make me happy!

I love it!  I think it is so cute!  I just love the color!  We have gone out on 2 rides so far and Livvy giggled the whole time.  It made me so happy! Today we went for a long ride all over town and around the pond. So fun!  (And a little exhausting too.  I am so not in good shape, yet!) It's still so chilly here, so I am so ready for it to warm up!  But, at least the sun was shining today. And the snow was melting!

I also want to give credit to my friend and neighbor, Natalen, who made me these darling cupcakes.  Ya can't make something so cute and not have it displayed somewhere, right?  They were so delicious too!  Just as good as they look!  Some people are so creative!

It's a good thing I got a bike with all the sugar I have been consuming!  Hopefully I can at least balance it out!

And I am so thankful to all my friends and family that gave me a phone call!  That really does make a birthday the best- just being thought of!  Thank you!

Still Laughing...

Thursday had me in stitches.  I was laughing all day! It started out when Chase had to wear these super cool Cheetah pants (Livvy's).  He is sooo into wild animals right now!  He reads his animal encyclopedia for hours a day.  I thought it was cute, but then that afternoon we had to go to Parent- Teacher Conferences and Chase refused to wear anything else.  

(You have to pick your battles with this kid!)  

So, this is how we went...

 

On a different note,  I have been hearing that recently there is a young patient at Wade's work that is absolutely smitten with him!  He has already been given a hard time about it from all his co-workers.  The situation didn't improve when all these signs started appearing all over the premises:

(this is a ceramic tile!)

    

So, the funniest part for me was on Thursday when I saw this newest sign posted there at Wade's work:

I started laughing so hard!  Then I looked over at Sommer and see that she is fuming red!  (or "green" whichever way you want to call it!)  

She said, "MOMMY!  Doesn't that make you sooo MAD???"  

"Nah... I think it's pretty hilarious, actually."

Then I asked, "Sommer?  Does it make you mad?"

She crossed her arms, pouted, and said, "Yes!"

As I looked at her closer, I noticed there were tears in her eyes!  She was so stinkin' jealous!  That made me laugh even more.  I'm just not a very jealous person.  And apparently Sommer will stick up for me if I should be.

Does anyone think it's crazy how funny I find this?  When you know Wade and how embarassed he gets by this, combine it with Sommer's jealousy, it's just too funny!   

(Besides, Can't say I blame the girl!  Wade is very lovable!)

However, Maybe it is time I start wearing my heart more on my sleeve , or entire t-shirt, to let the world know how much I love my husband!

   I  (too)

Love

Wade!

I must be crazy...

My oh too funny hubby informed tonight that I constantly provide background music,

i.e. that I hum 24- 7. I asked him if it was a bad thing.

"Not if you'd change the songs up a bit."

It's true-- I always have kids songs in my head. Hello? I teach music to my children, plus we sing a lot at our house.

(Livvy's nursery teacher even says she is the only child who sings in nursery, and one of the youngest. It must have a positive effect somewhere, right?)

I wasn't too concerned with his comment until he added,

"There was a crazy guy at work that use to do the same thing."

Thanks babe!

Just the two of us

...at least for a couple of days...

We are in Sunny St. George!

Wade is in winter fire school where he is getting Instructor certified. I am so proud of him! And in his off time, we are enjoying our little get-away. I'm really looking forward to a fun date weekend, although I hope I can get through the solitary moments with no wade and no kids. However, I do have some writing to do and some good books to read.

And the weather... yeah, I'll be enjoying that! :)

Daddy training

Lately, Livvy has started having the cutest little conversations with us. It is sooo cute! When she wakes up in the wee morning hours, I usually bring her back to my bed. She used to go back to sleep with me until one morning she made a discovery: Daddies will do anything for their little girls!!! This is how the dialogue went that day and everyday since:

Liv- Unt baby...(whimpers)...Unt baby
Wade- You want your baby?
Liv- Uh-huh (nodding)
Wade- Okay, sweetie, I'll go find your baby.

Soon, he comes back with one of her baby dolls. This obviously isn't the one she's thinking of because she purses her bottom lip and just says "NO."

Wade- This isn't the right one? Ok, I'll go look again.

He repeats this process about five times until he comes back with the "right" one. Livvy instantly giggles and is so happy.

So, now every morning if I bring her to bed, she immediately climbs over and shakes Wade, pulls his hair and says so sweetly, "Baby...Get it."

Off Wade goes to find her baby, which so happens to be a different one each day. It is sooo funny. I love it. After months (and years) of middle of the night nursing, it now seems to be Wade's "turn" to see to the demands of a need that just can't wait. I hope I am not making Liv sound spoiled because either she is and she's just so good at disguising her tantrums with sweetness, or she just really is such a loving, tender-hearted baby girl. And how can her Daddy resist such a simple request?
Now that she is such a daddy's girl, she also has built this into her routine. Sneak away with Mommy's cell phone, call daddy (by pushing the call button- she knows how to call him all by herself!) and have a little heart-to-heart with Daddy.

Usually I walk in and say,"Livvy, who are you talking to?"
Liv- Dada. Unt Dada.
Then I can hear Wade's voice on the other end talking to her.
Liv- Hey Dada!!!
Wade- Hey baby girl!
Liv- Awww... Dada, Dada, awww...
Me-Can I talk to Daddy?
Liv- NO! Unt Dada!
Wade- I love you!
Liv- Luva, Luva
Then I can hear Wade ask her animal sounds and her vibrant responses. So sweet.

When It is time for Wade to go, she cries and cries, and fusses at me when I take away the phone so she can't keep calling him. I'm so glad that she has a dad who will take her calls, tell her how much he loves her, find her baby dolls, teach her about jeeps and firetrucks (she LOVES them!), and hold and love her like Daddies should.

And for me, I get to fall in love again each time I see or hear one of these exchanges! No lie...

Livvy- Yeah, I've got them trained!

Happy Father's Day!

I got home late tonight- exhausted, drained, and giftless (with Father's Day tomorrow) because I have spent 2 long days with my niece Nicki at the hospital. She had her baby after a LONG 38 hour labor- poor girl. Anyway, I arrive and there is my sweet hubby taking care of our children with a surprise for ME! He and his family bought me a beautiful antique PIANO!!!! I couldn't believe it! A dream come true for me! That is so typical of Wade- to think of me and our family first . (THANK YOU RENEE AND MONICA TOO!)
So, I just need to say in this brief moment how much I love you, Wade and how I am so glad that our kids have you as a dad! You are such a fun dad, so sweet, loving, smart, talented, and such a great teacher! Thanks for extending your priesthood and giving Nicki a blessing today! Thanks for being worthy to bless and baptize our children too! I am so happy to have you as the father of my children! SO HAPPY!
I could go on and on, but instead I will join you for some rest so that maybe I can at least get up and make you a nice breakfast and give you a break from ALWAYS cooking Sunday mornings (with the exception of fast Sundays). Thanks for all you do! Happy Father's Day Hero (my hot fireman)!
Love, me

Happy Birthday, Wade!

My Dearest Wade,
Sometimes life can be best described like a game of...
The words you get to make happen quite by chance when you only get a handful of letters (i.e.opportunities) . Before I met you, the only words I could ever seem to make were :

mundane
unfulfilled
lonely
wanting

But, then you came along. Everything has certainly changed. I think you have cheated and given me all the pieces of the game and the plethora of words that I can make now include:

Love

marriage
sweet
happy
fulfilled
laughter
fun
family
babies
eternal
together
loyalty
devotion
comfort
memories
sacrifice

...just to list a few! You certainly always put me first and let me win!

But, today, my words have a special message.

Happy Birthday, my sweet husband!

Thank you for being so FUN!

And such a good daddy!

And for being so cute!

For your birthday, I hope we can enjoy an evening of :

chocolate cake
nachos
happiness

I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday, but the most important thing I want to say is this: