My Baby Turns Two!

Jake blowing out the candles.

Jake's big cheesy smile comes out any time the camera does.  He loved his new football from Grandma and Grandpa Reed!

The girls got his presents all wrapped so he could open them before going to get trees. 

There's that smile again!

Jake sledding with cousin Cole in Island Park.  Jake loved Cole's crazy hat.

Kayci waiting for her turn down the hill.

Karlee decided to sled on her face instead of in the sled!

Abby and cousing Sam getting ready to head down the hill.

Layne and brother Matt, the mighty tree hunters.  We love going to get trees with Matt and Liz!

It is hard to believe that two years ago we finally added a baby boy to our growing family of girls.  Now he is an adorable little boy that brings so much joy and happiness to our family.  For his birthday we headed up to Island Park for our annual trip to get Christmas trees.  We haven't missed a year since Layne and I were married 11 years ago.  The kids love to sled and play in the snow while Layne looks for a tree.  The past several years he has had to hike farther and farther up the mountain to find a suitable tree.  We may not always have the best tree, but we really enjoy the experience.  On our way home we stopped at Grandma Kinghorn's for soup and cake and ice cream with lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles.  It was a fun day for all of us but Jake especially enjoyed the attention.  We love you Jake!

Happy Thanksgiving

The pilgrims and indians smiling after their big performance.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I truly look forward to spending time with family. This Thanksgiving was no exception.  This year we were at my mom's for Thanksgiving.  We had great food, as always, enjoyed the company of my wonderful sisters and parents, and were even entertained by the kids.  For weeks Abby had been planning some big surpise for Thanksgiving.  The day before, she and Karlee (with the help of Layne) spent all day making hats for the big surprise.  They spent all afternoon "practicing" their big surprise.  Then on Thanksgiving they assigned all the kids a part and proceeded to put on a Thanksgiving play.  The only kink in their plans was that my nephew Trey didn't want to be Miles Standish, he wanted to be Batman.  Abby worked him in no problem.  It was really very cute.  I am so blessed with wonderful family and am so thankful I can live so close to all of them. 

Happy #4 Kayci!

Kayci had to open her presents right when she woke up.  Still all smiles!

She wanted a Dora cake so I made this out of the Strawberry Shortcake mold.  Not bad!

The cute tutu Holly made her for her birthday.

Kayci opening a birthday card.  She got $20 and couldn't wait to go spend it.  She bought a Dora shopping cart that now Jake won't leave alone!

Kayci and Grandma blowing out the candles.

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids.  We're so lucky to all be so close!

Our little Kayci has turned 4!  And despite her tiny size, she packs a huge punch.  She can do anything the girls can do and thus spends quite a bit of time healing from battle wounds.  Kayci is fortunate enough to have a birthday just one day before her Grandma Reed and so a lot of time their birthdays get celebrated together.  This year we had a family home evening celebration for the two of them at our house.  It was a lot of fun for everyone.  On her actual birthday, Kayci and the rest of the family got to come to a play I was in at our church.  It was very nice to have them all there and Kayci didn't miss an opportunity to tell people it was her birthday.  We sure do love you Kayci!

Abby's Firetruck Ride!

The firetruck pulled up and we all stood on the steps in our p.j's to watch.

Abby climbing on board the fire truck!

A couple of weeks ago the 3rd graders at Abby's school got to spend some time learning about fire safety.  As part of their activities, there was a coloring contest.  The winners of the contest got to be picked up by the fire department and driven to school one morning.  Abby and three other kids from the entire 3rd grade won!  At first she wasn't really excited about riding in the fire truck to school, but when the morning finally came, I think she thought it was pretty cool.  They pulled up in our driveway all dressed in their fire gear and loaded her up then turned on the lights and sirens as they pulled away.  The other kids thought it was awesome.  Abby was more concerned about getting to school on time than anything. 

The week after they learned about fire safety they had drug free week and this time they had a drawing contest which Abby really wanted to win.  She drew a really cool picture of her all grown up as an artist.  The picture said how she was able to be an artist because she had been drug free.  She was fortunate enought to win and was super excited about that, too.  Way to go Abbs!  Karlee was feeling a little left out until she came home and told us she was student of the month for September and she had also won the award for best handwriting.  Not a bad first few months of school around our house!  We sure are proud of you, girls!

A Little Too Much Halloween

The kids all dressed up and ready to hit the town!

Showing off their FHE pumpkins.

Expeliarmus, Hermione!

Karlee all dolled up as Minnie Mouse!

Kayci as beautiful Belle!

Our ferocious lion!  Jake would only wear his mane if Layne wore his hat, too.

Abby, Andy, Karlee, and Kayci posing at the school carnival.

Hermione and the Lumberjack ready for their date!

Abby and best friend Brylei casting their spells at the costume party.

I usually really enjoy Halloween, but after dressing everyone up for the 5th time, it kind of started to lose its excitement.  However, the kids loved every minute of it.  We started out the beginning of the month with a Halloween FHE at my mom's with my sisters and their families.  We played games and ate and just had a really good time.  I really look forward to FHE with my family.  Next we dressed Abby and Layne up for her Daddy/Daughter costume party for Achievement Days.  They had a blast carving pumpkins and eating a delicious dinner together.  The same week our ward had their trunk or treat, so we dressed everyone up again and headed over for a fun night with our ward members.  It didn't take Jake long to figure out how trick or treating really worked.  After the first two or three people handed him a treat, he stopped waiting in line and just dove right in to the candy.  The next week we took the kids to the carnival at Karlee and Abby's school.  It was absolutely insane, but the kids had fun playing games and seeing their school friends.  Finally, on Halloween Layne and I had Stake Conference to go to, so we dressed up the kids, took them to visit my sister and then over to my mom's where they stayed for the evening.  It really was a fun "month of Halloween" and the kids are already talking about what they are going to be next year.

Karlee's Tooth!

Karlee lost her first tooth last week, and was it ever exciting! I noticed a while ago that her bottom teeth were looking crooked which was weird because Karlee has always had extremely straight teeth. But when I wiggled her tooth, it wasn't loose at all. Pretty soon I started to notice that the big tooth was growing in behind the little one but that little one just did not want to let go. She started wiggling it more and more and had it completely out in the back but the front was still stuck. So, last Monday we decided it was loose enough that Layne could probably get it out. The problem was that her teeth are so small we couldn't hold on to it. We finally resorted to the pliers (which Layne wrapped Barbie bandaids around) and Karlee never once complained. It took one good twist and pull and the tooth was out. Karlee is one tough cookie! Abby, however, couldn't watch and Kayci cried that her feelings had been hurt when we pulled Karlee's tooth out. Karlee got a dollar from the toothfairy and the next day when we went to visit Great Grandpa Kinghorn in the assisted living center, he gave her another dollar. So it turned out to be a pretty profitable tooth for Karlee!

One Last Camping Trip!

Everyone at Granite Falls

My handsome boys up in the waterfall.

Karlee posing for her waterfall picture.

Cheese, Abbs!

Kayci had to have her turn.

Another family shot.

The kids playing at the hot springs. They hated walking over the mossy bottom.

We had the pool all to ourselves for a couple of hours in the morning. The kids loved it.

Layne and the kids at the river.

Layne and the kids in front of Open Doors.

My monsters, I mean angels!

Mom and kids down by the river.

Abby working on her rock skipping.

Nice hat, Karlee!

Kayci smiling inspite of her frozen hands.

Jake thought he was pretty cool walking around throwing rocks in the river, all by himself!

The old pro giving rock skipping lessons.

We were so excited to use our new camper this year that we decided to try and squeeze in one more trip before winter. Unfortunately, winter decided to come the week we went so we got to camp in the snow and freezing cold weather. However, despite the cold, we had a great time. We went to Granite in Wyoming, a place I grew up going every year. I have very fond memories of camping there. Layne and I went there for part of our honeymoon and then we also took Abby when she was two, but we haven't been back since. It was really fun for me to walk around and show the girls all the places I played growing up. They loved following the trails and playing down by the river.

The great thing about Granite is they have an outdoor hot spring. So no matter how cold the weather, you can always warm up there. We spent a good portion of our day on Friday swimming. The sun actually came out that day and we hiked to the falls, too. There wasn't nearly as much water running over it as when we go in the spring so we were able to climb right up into the falls! The camper did a good job of keeping us warm (until the battery died and the heater wouldn't work), but we learned that we can huddle down in a sleeping bag and stay really warm, even if it is only 15 degrees. Besides Karlee falling off her bed both nights, the kids slept really well, though, which is always a worry when you go camping. It really was a great weekend and we can't wait to go back next year and enjoy it when the weather is a little warmer.

Annual Trip to the Fair

Kayci petting the goat at McKee's petting zoo.

We loved the cute puppies. I really liked this cute little cockerspaniel.

Jake loved the puppies so much that the man showing them took Jake in the pens to pet them.

He thought all the animals were fascinating.

We had a hard time getting him to leave.

Caroline and Me enjoying our few hours together at the fair.

Karlee and Hilary - what a pair!

Gracie, Abby, and Abbey - now there's trouble!

The girls with the Andersen girls and their cows. Gracie won in her division and Abbey won her division and Grand Champion. Way to go girls!

Two cute girls! - Abbey and Abby

Every year we go to the fair. Not for the food or the rides, and especially not for the crowds, but to see our dear friends the Andersen's who come to show their cows. We actually really enjoy watching the kids show their cows but really enjoy the time to visit and catch up. This year we met up with my sister Holly as well and spent a little time with them which was fun. It has been fun to look at pictures over the years from the fair and see how the kids have grown. We really look forward to it!