7 Months

My baby is 7 months old today! I can't believe it. He is growing up so fast!
He loves, loves, loves his mommy. That sounds wonderful, but he cries whenever I am not holding him or in the room. Madison was never like this, so it is taking some adjusting. He also doesn't want to miss a thing, so therefor he does not sleep. But, he is such a happy baby! He loves to watch the dog, and smiles all the time. He loves to give kisses, and roll over. Every time I lay him down to change him he rolls right over. It makes the task an adventurous one for sure! He is starting to wave bye-bye, and whenever we sit down to eat, he has to eat too. Even if he is full. We call him our social eater... No matter what, we love this boy!!

I will update... maybe...

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego??? Or Lindsey Barfuss??? That was a blast from the past. I loved to watch that show...

Anyways, I swear I will update what we have been up to this last month, but for now here is a peek at Cayden's new trick. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDS!

I just wanted to write a quick happy birthday to Lindsey who turned The Big 25 today!

Linds- thank you for everything you do for me and the kids everyday and for putting up with each one of our different quirks that we have. We love you more than you know and hope you have a great day!

Love-

Chris, Maddie and Cayden

Please pay attention!

So most of you know, but after my second baby was born, I decided to quit my job and be a stay-at-home-mom! I love it (most days) but with Chris graduating recently we now have student loans to repay! With the economy so scary, Chris has decided to stay at his current job and current pay to have a secure job. So I was looking for something that I could do to help cover the extra payment. I decided to be a crossing guard! Pay is awesome for the little amount of work that I actually have to do, and the biggest bonus is that I get to bring my kids! But the scary part is how many people do not pay attention! When the lights are flashing, the speed limit is 20!!! Not 35 still! And just because the kids are past your lane of traffic does not mean you can go through the crosswalk! I am still in the road! These kids safety is in my hands, so please, please pay attention!!! I know everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere, but if you hit someone you will really be late! Please encourage everyone you to know to pay attention to crosswalks, not just when the lights are flashing, but always!

Update Overload

Yesterday Cayden turned 5 months! He is getting so big! He loves to smile, doesn't ever stop talking, and loves to give kisses! I swear he will suck your face off if it gets too close!

He loves to play with his sister and loves to pull her hair.

He is all smiles at all hours of the night...not so cute then...and loves to sit in his excer-saucer.

He is a hefty 15 lbs. 3 oz. We absolutely love having him in our family! He brings so much love to our home!

Poor baby is allergic to Penicillin... He had a slight ear infection and we put him on antibiotics. Two days later this popped up.Poor guy! We won't be giving him that again!

We went to St. George again with my family a few weeks ago. We had so much fun! It was just a weekend trip, but who could complain about swimming for 4 days?? Not us! Our first night there we saw the play "Footloose" at Tuacahn. It was fantastic! The main character was Thayne Jasperson, who also was on So You Think You Can Dance. And he can dance!!! Cayden wasn't too thrilled about the show, so poor Chris didn't see much of the play...

Then we swam for 3 days! It was about 104 degrees while we were there, so were content to stay in the pool. Madison loved to show off her new skills she learned in swimming lessons.

Of course Chris, being the entertainer that he is, kept us all rolling! Him and Madison had a blast jumping into the pool with their tubes!

Poor Cayden has his daddy's sensitive skin, so he spent lots of time in the hotel with Grandpa or just watched by the side of the pool. He didn't mind!

And when we couldn't stand the heat any more, we went bowling. I honestly don't think Madison's ball could have gone any slower. A few times we didn't think it would even make it to the pins, but she had fun and that's what counts. She was so serious about it. Look at her face!

We had fun, but we missed Alex. He had to stay back due to a nasty turf burn he got at football practice the week before. It was pretty infected and he had to keep it elevated. He got pampered by Grandma and Grandpa while we were gone, so I don't think he missed out too much!

I am super excited to show you what I've been up to the last several weeks! My sister-in-law, Erica, and I have decided to start an online boutique!! So without further ado, we are pleased to announce the opening of annmarie boutique! Check us out and add us to your favorites at http://www.annmarieboutique.blogspot.com/!

In addition to our online boutique, we are hosting an in-person sale in a few weeks - mark your calendars! We look forward to seeing you there!

If you are interested in participating in our boutique, whether it be online or in-person (or both!), please contact us at annmarieboutique (at) gmail.com. We would love to have you join us!! Pass the word along to your friends - we would so appreciate a little linky love! Happy shopping!!

Driving!!!

Adam and Alex turned 16 back in April, but with the new driving laws they had to have their permit for 6 months before they could get their license. So today was the big day. That's a scary thought! They were both so thrilled, even though Adam can't drive until he brings his grades up, and first things first had to show Grandma and Grandpa.
Congrats boys! Be careful, be safe, and always pay attention! No accidents!!!
Love you guys!

left: Alex right: Adam

Wait... We're related????

So this is kind of a long explanation of a weird story so try to follow....

This past week my grandparents went to a funeral of a distant family member. Her name was Karen Western. Her grandma and my great-grandma were sisters. So follow me here. My moms dad is named Bob. His moms name was Mary Smith. Mary had a sister named Luella Smith Western. Her husband was named Faun Western, and they had a son named Doug Western, and it was his daughter Karen that died. Ok you got that? So Doug and his wife Sue Western used to live across the street from Chris' grandparents in Midvale. I asked Erica to make sure that grandpa and grandma Barfuss knew about Karen's death. She asked and sure enough they did, but we curious to know how I knew. Erica said well they are related. Grandma Barfuss said that they were related. Wait a second! So follow me again. Chris' dad is Larry. His mom is LaRue. Her dad is George Barton. He was married to Verda, and after she passed away he married Bertha Western Love. Bertha is the sister to Faun Western! So my great-grandma's brother in law is also my husbands great-grandmas brother. Now its all through marriage, but isn't it funny how when you go back through the family trees you find fun stuff like this!
Below is a pedigree chart to help follow the chaos... I also highlighted the family members to follow.




Makes me want to start doing some genealogy is my spare time. HA HA SPARE TIME!!

4 months & squash!

Can you believe how fast four months have gone by?? Cayden had his 4 month check-up and he is growing so much! He feels like he is 17 pounds, but when they weighed him he was 14lb. 14 oz. and 25 in. long. He is average on both weight and height. The doctor also asked me if I wanted to start him on rice cereal. Um.... I did 2 months ago.... :) He didn't seem surprised and said then the next step would be squash. Nice! Baby food. Its funny, with Maddie I went by the textbook about what she should and shouldn't eat or do. And it just shows as you have more kids how relaxed you get. I didn't care if the doctor was mad that I started him on cereal or not. I'm the mom! Right?

4 month picture with his lamb


And if you look at his face, he didn't love the squash. Oh well, we will keep trying until he does!
Have a good weekend!

Bear Lake

This weekend we went to Bear Lake with our friends Tyler and Kortni Carlson. We had a blast! They have a cabin up there and it is beautiful! The kids were really good and had a good time playing together. We can't wait until we can go back with them again! Thanks guys for a fun trip!

The cabin

Madison and Hadley spent a lot of time at the beach just playing in the mud. They were so dirty but it kept them happy!

We rode the jet skis and swam in the water. It was pretty warm and for the most part the water was pretty smooth. We had a few storms roll in and they water got a little choppy, but that made it that much more fun to ride on.

The girls also had a blast riding on the Rhino.

Oh the view! I could have sat on the deck all day just staring at the water! It was so peaceful and this picture doesn't even do it justice!

Before we left we had Madison and Hadley take our pictures. I think they did a pretty good job. We are so lucky to have such good friends! Thanks again guys!

Our family...by Madison

So at church today Madison was asked to draw a picture of her family. I had gone to my parents ward to watch Kelsey give a talk, so when I got home this is what was on the fridge. I'll be honest, as I looked at the sweet innocence of her drawing, I cried! To see how she sees us, and how she didn't forget to include her baby brother made my heart melt! What sweet girl!


From L-R: Cayden, Chris, Lindsey, Madison

Whats funny, is she grew her pigtails in her hair that she had yesterday, and made me the biggest. I know I feel the biggest! And her and Chris have 'really long legs because they are soooo tall'. Notice Cayden didn't get any hair? Its because his hair is so blond it looks like he doesn't have any. I love this girl!

Best Buds

Best Buds!! Madison loves to have Cayden lay by her.


This is the cute smile I get from Cayden everytime I see him! He loves to smile, and always sticks his tongue out!

And this is his latest thing. Once he found that hand I couldn't stop him from finding the thumb. It is kinda cute though...

Chris' Graduation book

So I wanted to scrapbook Chris' graduation, and all of his memorabilia. For example his cap, his sash, all the pictures and cards, etc... So as I was doing the layouts with my sister-in-law Erica, we figured it would be at least 6 layouts! UGH! Plus it would have been super bulky, so Erica had the most amazing idea. We used her zutter and made a bound book out of all his stuff with his cap as the front cover! What an ingenious idea! I have never met a more crafty person in my life. I, by all means, can barely glue the paper on and cut the pictures straight. Thanks heavens for Erica! So I had to brag what an adorable book it became, and now we have all his stuff with less bulk. Thanks again Er!

The front of the book

You can see how its bound, and how we were able to put all his stuff right in the book

Some of the pictures. The University of Phoenix emblem is cut off his sash

And then in the back is his announcement and all his cards.

It was a great way to store all his stuff in one spot without taking up too much space in my scrapbook.

Maddie turned 4!!!

My sweet baby girl turned 4 on Sunday. I can't believe how fast time has gone! She is such a big girl and the best big sister to Cayden! She is super loving, and loves to sass her mom....

She had her first friend party this year complete with a beanbag game, a pinata, and face painting. The face painting was a hit! Our good friend,Taylor, came and painted all the kids faces. This girl is seriously amazing! She did butterfly eyes, a princess crown, flowers, spiders, you name it she would paint it! If I could I would post each kid individually, but I'll have to have a group shot instead. Thanks so much Taylor!

its been way too long!

We have been super busy the past month! We have moved, again, and are just starting to settle down enough that I think I can breathe for one second! So this is a long picture post of what we've been up too! Enjoy!

Climbing trees...

Riding the 4-wheeler...

Getting chubbier by the day, and turning 2 months!

turning 4!!!

Maybe now I can keep up, but don't hold me too it! See you soon!

Busy weekend!!!

HE DID IT!!! Chris graduated this weekend! He has been in school for the past 4 years, and has finally reached the goal he has been working towards. Its been a rough road, and we have been through a lot during the time he has been in school, but he has pushed through and I am so proud of him. It was so fun to see him so happy and to receive his fake diploma. You have to write in for a real one. When they announced his name our family went wild, and he loved it. I am so proud of you babe!!


In his cap and gown outside the E Center


Inside just before the graduation. I loved that Cayden was awake for the pictures.


4 years and 2 kids later.... Way to go!
After the graduation, we went to Red Robin with our family. My cousin Julie's husband Kevin graduated too, so we reserved the banquet room and had our families there. We got the boys a cake, and loved spending some time together.
As our family was congratulating us, they told Madison congrats too. She stopped and laughed and said, "Its not my gradulations!" Poor girl had congratulations and graduation mixed up. It was super cute!

Then on Sunday we blessed Cayden. He was so good. He didn't cry, and Chris did a really good job on the blessing. We were lucky enough to have our families there, and I think we doubled our ward just with our family. Then we had lunch after at my grandparents house. We had so so much food! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us use your house, and thanks to our family for bringing food! It was a great day!

Our family of 4 after the blessing


It was a long day and he was pooped! What a sweet baby!

1 month old!

Where does the time go? Our sweet Cayden is already a month old. It seems like I just had him a week ago. Its amazing how much you can love someone you barely know. For the most part he is a really good baby. He has his days and nights mixed up, so the nights are very long... He also loves to pee with his diaper off! I swear I have washed our bedding 10 times in the past month. He gets distance, and it usually ends up everywhere! That's boys I guess... He loves to be held, and we love to hold him. He is trying to smile all the time, and he is quite a squirmy little guy. We love having him here safe and healthy. My sister-in-law Erica did this with her kids, and I wanted to do it with Madison, but by the time I realized it she was like 8 months old, so it doesn't have quite the same effect. So every month I am going to take a picture of Cayden with his stuffed animal(provided by Erica and Emily, thanks guys) and see how much he grew each month. So here is his 1 month picture!



Happy 1 month Cayden!

Professional pictures

We took Cayden to have his pictures taken by my moms cousin Sherry Beavers. She is amazing! She was so patient with him, even after he peed and pooped on her blankets. He also pooped all over Chris' pants. It was hilarious! After she took Cayden's pictures she took a few of Madison in a new tu-tu that she had just bought. Sherry did an awesome job, and I would highly recommend her. Check out her website at http://www.sweetpeapix.com/. Here are a few of my favorite pics!

What a sweet boy!

We are training him to be a Ute fan! and he looks happy to be one, right?!

I love that she loves him...

I had to add this one of her too. She is so photogenic, and was so good to pose how she was told. We are in serious trouble when this girl is a teenager!