So many randoms.

As Ive said before - dance this age is pretty darn cute.
Unfortunately she is starting to NOT want to go…
 But maybe its perfect timing.
Perhaps onto something new : )

Shakin' it!

She's either a little too late or a little too early with this move. HA!

THIS - Is worthy to document.
FIRST - The "OTS" Olmstead Tourny Stache.
Disgusting.
SECOND - This was taken the weekend of the FINAL FOUR/FINALS - That BYU was in.
THIRD - We are holding hands.
FOURTH - There is no fourth - thats it!

I caught him prepping the all too famous mustache of 2014.
It had a life of its own.
It was filthy.
But with it - along with an unmeasureable amount of hard work, dedication, grueling hours, sleepless nights, highs and lows -
The 2014 BYU Womens Volleyball team made History.
Many many firsts.
But a few big ones to recognize is the first unseeded team to EVER make it to the Finals.
Ever.
And the first BYU team to EVER make it beyond the Final Four.
Ever.
I told Shawn if he told me when he took this job that one of his teams would play in the National Championship match -
I wouldn't have believed him.
Not because I don't think he is capable - or his staff as a whole are capable-
But simply because its BYU!  Its not a Big12/ Big 10 school.
Its not a consistent Final Four/Finals team.
Its BYU.  A great school that will be successful.
BUT THE FINALS!
To say Im proud is an understatement.
It was quite the ride and it was incredible.  Its what a true athlete dreams of doing in their college career.
And a dream it was.
-
Huge Thanks to all those who made it possible for me to be there for this unforgettable moment.
Becca - Thank you.
And everyone else that offered, sincerely offered to help.
Thank you.

Best part of Christmas break was THIS.
Dad time.

These two have the greatest bond.
Mayci - you are an angel.
This makes my heart literally swell when I look at it.

Christmas morning line up.
Evan - nice wink face!!

Christmas was pretty mild this year.  Santa didn't bring anything that required big ol' boxes to open with millions of pieces to put together.
Just some ol' fashioned Lincoln Logs that Evan thoroughly enjoys building with.
Thank you Santa.

Enjoying some of her gifts…My little Pony.

Coloring her new satchel.
And so happy to be doing so : )
Pretty easy to please!

And of course these were the hit.
Kindles.
I finally allowed Santa to bring them an electronic - and Netflix to go along with them.
Lets just say we had to do some weaning once Christmas break was over ;  )
But the break was probably the quietest one we've ever had.
Which was SO SO nice…and needed.
Especially after the extremely LOOOOONG season Shawn had.
It was a nice needed recovery/family time.

Just giving her new baby a sippy.
This girl is into her mama duties! 

Dad - hookin Evans kindle up.

We haven't had a ton of these days this winter -
but when we did this day, Mayci put Rae to WORK!

Oh that face.
And those cheeks.

This boy truly has my whole heart.

This poor baby of mine.
One thing after another.  Here she broke out in a nasty itchy rash all over her body.

Took her in and along with her sinus infection she had a virus that caused the breakout.

Needless to say she has spent a lot of time in this room.
Atleast there is a mirror for entertainment.

And yes…she refused to wear anything but her cozy jammies
And even then I had to wrestle them on her.
Thank you very much rash.

And yes,  another child who INSISTS on dressing herself -
although this time she got it all wrong.
Inside out.  Backwards.  And upside down.

Team was honored at the BYU mens game.
Someone told me Shawn could be mistaken as a student team manager.
#true

Evan won this award and I proudly displayed it for months in our kitchen.
Hes a great kid.
I lucked out.  Big time.

Its just what I do in my spare time.
Ive always loved drawing.
Snap chat fulfills my hobby - for now:)

Just because she looks so peaceful.
And content.
A rare occasion!

Silly faces with my boy.

Evan

I think his tongue is doing the majority of the work here.
When concentration is required - tongue in the lower lip is too…apparently.
I can't get enough of it…makes me laugh every time.

Evan.  Fulfilling his part in the Thanksgiving play.
Last play I went to I had no idea he had the biggest part…until he busted out from memorization the whole Cat in the Hat book.  When he was finished the teacher personally recognized him for doing the whole thing without prompts.  Apparently a first for her.
And like I said…I had no idea.
So - I was relieved to find out I wasn't in the dark here.
Just a normal part:)

Sleeping Sweeties

I sneak in every night and get to spy on this.
Best. Thing. Ever.

Just couldn't hang.
The mouth open part is the best.
Love this boy.

Born to be sisters.

These two are cousins -
But more like sisters.

I love to watch this relationship…and know its a forever kinda one.
So lucky they are to have each other.
Always.

And this series of pics was me trying to get a cute one.
Pretty priceless…if I don't say so myself.
Here - Rae is yankin.

Cami - getting her back.

Claws are comin out.

Maybe a compromise...

Hmmm….not sure?

Love it nonetheless.

Mayci

This was taken ON Mayci's birthday.
Big 5 year old - all wrapped up with a big ol' bow!
Perfection.
She had a dance performance and this was her costume!  Ill take it!

In action - third from the right.
This age + dance = the cutest ever.

Birthdays at Thanksgiving:)

We made last minute plans to celebrate Mayci and Wesly's birthday the weekend of Thanksgiving.
That just might be the designated time AND place for these birthdays.
Shawn has some time off - and NOBODY was there.
We went to Provo Beach Resort right when it opened.  Bought the kids a card.  And let them go where they pleased to spend it. Once the money was out we went to Malawis Pizza and had some yummy lunch.
Super easy - and the kids were happy.
My cup of tea:)

This little birthday girl didn't want to get off this thing.
Oh the 2 year old fits…sigh.


With Thanksgiving being here at our home, having 2 birthdays in December, Christmas , and Shawns run in the tournament this year - I'm really happy we made this last minute decision to sneak in their birthdays here.  Im really not a big celebration/tradition type person…but Im learning and growing more into one as the kids get older and ask for such things:)

Its weird.
With every birthday our kids have,  I really find myself in those magical moments of the day they were born.
There is nothing like it - no comparison to such miracles - and no words to express the amount of joy, gratitude, and LOVE that overwhelms the deepest part of your soul.
And as we celebrated these 2 sweet girls of mine - I thought how perfect they are for each other.  I had my 'first set' a boy/girl duo - which again was perfect and they are truly best friends.  But to witness this friendship sprout and grow into something I have and cherish myself to this day - its magical.

Mayci is Sweet. Spunky. Affectionate. Girly. Loud. And SO FRIENDLY.
Everywhere we go - she makes a friend before we leave.
Her toothless little chatter makes me smile.
And the way she takes care of her little Wes…melts me.

And Wes.  Oh where do I begin?!
She is a INTENSE!!  In every form of the word.
Stubborn.  Defiant.  Loud. Independent (already wants to tie her own shoes: "NO! I do it!!")
A terror.  A beautiful nightmare.  The monster.
She might have a complex given those are things we call her round here :)
She is refining my patience into perfection!!
BUT
Along with the STRONG personality comes a precious sweetness to her (her very own life saver if you will!).
All you have to do is pretend to cry and she is all over you like butter on bread bringing hugs kisses cuddles and 'sowys'. (Mayci taught me this one:)
She is the very most cuddliest baby so far.
Every single night I look forward to cuddles.  Just before she lays in her bed she says 'cuddles'.  Then tucks her arms in and rests her head on my shoulder and forms right into me and lets me rock her.  Sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes 2.  But when she is ready she looks up and says 'nigh nigh' and in her bed she goes with a 'i wuv you' and a million kisses.
By far this is her saving grace.
That...
and the way she runs - like a 2 foot tall football player. And the way the back of her hair sways in her full stride.  Her laugh is priceless.  Her chub definitely gets its fair share of tastes all day.
And her cheeks.  Oh her cheeks.

My girls.
I love them and am so grateful for what each one brings into our family.
SO blessed.

Hoarder

I can't throw these away!!  Something is WRONG with me.
So…I took pics of them all and now can keep them forever in my blog books.
Brilliant.
But - I too will be framing a select few…how do you choose?!
 

Mayci is the creator.
I just love the details -
eyelashes. curls. fingers. toes.

Another too tough to throw out.

Sideways but a keeper!
"Dear tooth fairy, I am so glad I lost my toot (haha) I am wondering what your name is (with a complimentary line to fill in) What do you do with teeth
Love Raegan" 

Evan made up his own list for WalMart.
Number 4 made me laugh.  Then cry.

MAJOR CATCH UP!!

IZZY GIRL - This one's for you!  If this is the only post I get done today, you were my motivation to catch up.  These next few posts will have no rhythm or reason - but its history nonetheless!!

I wish I  could stay cozied up in my robe all day with this little one content on me right there!
I just don't wish for all the sickness this poor child has endured.

This came from Evan and made its way straight into my heart.
I won a medal of "Best Cook Award" from my one and only.
What a treasure.

Cute cousin hanging with us.  And suckers worked for him just as they have for all of mine!!

I believe this was a last minute run to WalMart for Halloween.
Of course.

And then we went to the park!!

Most beautiful Elsa you ever did see -
Out of all the 500 million pazillion out there -
She's wins!!
*Big thanks to Mimi for the perfect donation!*

She's about as round as a pumpkin -
so WHY NOT?!
Best squishiest cuddliest orange dream machine.
Love that smile more than words can express.

Raegan insisted on taking and sending this picture to our very own Hollywood Star -
Rags To Raches!!
To say this girl is proud to be the niece of Rags Inc. is an understatement.