FAITH TURNS 15!!!

It seems like it couldn't be 15 years, but it is! 15 years ago this little cutie was born! She has been such a blessing in our life and we couldn't ask for a better big sister for our family!

Unfortunately, with General Conference, Faith's birthday was laid back this year. She didn't mind since she received 3 new apostles! And just these 2 pictures ... but happy to see her smile!!!

Love you Faithers!!!

FAITH'S FRIEND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Older kids just get a small, easy get together for their birthday. We decided to go to Inside Out with Faith's friends Kaylee and Bailey!

Here they are recreating the poster - Kaylee (AKA disgust), Faith (AKA fear), and Bailey (AKA joy).

And smiling for me and the camera!

Getting ready to watch and have a little bit of fun!

We went to Farr's for ice cream right after for a quick treat! Super fun and super easy! Win, win!!! Happy birthday Faith! We hope you had a little bit of fun today!

FAMILY PICS 2015

Love my family and LOVE these new pictures! Can't wait to hang on my wall! P.S. These were taken on D's 12th birthday as well. It was a very fun and hectic day! Sure glad that we made time to take these beauties!

We always laugh about recreating engagement photos!!! Too much fun!

The oldest

The middle

The baby

Other favorites!

Oh how these kids LOVE their daddy! And we love him!

Grateful for our little family and love to update these precious memories!!! Before you know it, they will have littles of their own!

PRIESTHOOD BOY

Can't believe this boy is 12 and that he is now a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. We did the ordination right after the block on Sunday in his brand new suit! He took of the jacket by this point of the day though. Thanks Dad and Mom for coming to be with us!

Asked Dawson to open his eyes a little more!!! End result!

Our family on his special day! We love you Dawson!!!

MIDDLE SCHOOL HAWK

This guy is now in middle school at Hawthorne! I can't believe it!!! He was able to show us around on the school's open house night!

Here he is at his locker.

Smiling with teeth (maybe I shouldn't ask him to do that again!)

And then we had him get on the rock and pretend to be a hawk!

And singing the song!!!

It's hard to believe that this little man is already in middle school. I have been assured by several parents to make sure that we don't blink. They are going to be out of the house before we know it!

DAWSON TURNS 12!!!

First of all, I want to know how this happens! Yesterday, Dawson was born and spent a week in the NICU, and now he's already 12! This is an incredibly special birthday for him and I am so grateful that it fell on Labor Day this year so that everyone was home!

We had a special birthday breakfast for Big D and he was so happy! Then we spoiled the little (big) man with a birthday feast at Red Lobster! Yes! I think that this definitely was a huge feast!

He never ceases to amaze me with his zest for life and sense of humor. He is very witty!!!

He also heard the birthday song from a couple of the workers there!

And shared his ice cream with Faith! Please notice that he has long hair in the picture! That was not planned, but a fun little twist! Yippee!

He fell asleep in the car while the girls were shopping for family pictures. We were able to pull this baby off on his birthday too! Can't wait to see the end results! You are going to love them!

And a rush to get home where party guests (family) were already arriving. We enjoyed the best pumpkin roll (as per Dawson's request) and he opened a couple of presents (mostly clothing along with cash and a nerf gun)! Happy birthday Big D!

Dawson, we are so lucky to have you in our lives! This journey would not be the same without you! I hope that you continue to share your passions with those around you and write everything you think of in your journal! You are the best! Muah!

DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE 2015

This was Kate's first daddy-daughter date and dance! She was SO excited! It was casual dress, but we thought that it would be so much fun if they dressed up. And I think a lot of other moms had the same idea. This was also a stake activity for them!

Kate answering the door

Who she found at the door!

Both so excited to have time together just the two of them

Brandon insisted on Kate getting a picture all by herself. She obliged!

We wanted to make this a special day with a keepsake, so Brandon got her a wrist corsage. She was in heaven and loved it!

Picture at the dance! I think that this is so cute!!!

They learned a Do-Si-Do dance and Kate got thrown up in the air quite a few times. Brandon said he was most unpopular because Kate went around to all of her friends to see if they had wrist corsages too! So funny!!! Thanks Daddy for taking Kate on her first date and teaching her what to expect from the boys that she will date in the future!