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...