Happy Birthday to my Sweet Baby Girl!!

 

Mataya- a few days old

Mataya- Camping 1 yr old

Mataya- 2yrs old

Mataya and friends- 3yrs old

Mataya and friends- 4yrs old

It seems like yesterday that I held you in my arms for the first time. I was scared to be a mommy. I hoped that I would be able to give you everything you needed in life and more than anything I prayed that you'd be healthy and happy! So far I think we are doing okay! I cannot believe you are four years old!! Daddy and I are so proud of the young lady you are turning out to be. You are a great friend to everyone. You are the BEST sister! You amaze me every day with your knowledge. You are so smart sometimes TOO smart! You know what is right and 9 times out of 10 choose the right way to do things or act. We are lucky to have such a special girl. Thank you Taya for letting us be your parents! (not that you have a choice lol) We love you so much and are so proud of you. I hope you always know how much we love you sis! Happy Birthday Mataya Kylee!

 We had a lot of fun on Taya's birthday. We rented a big water slide blow up thingy lol! It was SO MUCH FUN! Thank you to everyone that came and participated. It made her day! Mom D. Thanks for making the cake. It was cute even though she though it was Santa. Mom B. Thanks for pillow pet. She LOVES it... It goes everywhere with her!! She loved all of her presents and had " The BEST party EVER!!" Anyway here are some pictures of the big day! LOL! I didn't get a lot of pictures, sadly, it was crazy!! When she was opening up the family presents Kamden choked on something and threw up everywhere and it took me a while to get her to stop opening so we could take care of him lol! Thankfully he was in his highchair. Thanks again Cort for cleaning up the kitchen!

Happy Birthday Azure Dea!

Happy birthday to my dear sister and one of my best friends! I miss you dearly and still cannot believe you are not here to laugh with me. Although I do know that you are close everyday and watching over us. You have the best seat in the house and I know that you were snuggling with my little man before he came to this earth. I would watch him smile at nothing and I can't help but wonder if it was you that he was smiling at! I know that you are watching Taya and I am sure you are teaching her to sing. She sings all the time and I know she didn't get that from me or Nic! I can't wait to see you again and be able to tell you all of the things that I wish I had said before. I can't wait to see you with my little ones and to let them get to know you! I can't wait to hear your laugh or see your smile! I love you big sis! Happy Birthday!

A Very Happy Birthday To ME!!

Saturday was my 25th birthday! It's crazy that I am that old!! WEIRD!! It was a great birthday! Nic decided Friday night that we were going to go to California. I thinking he was joking just laughed and said, "Sure we are!" Well Saturday came and he had a hotel booked and everything so I opened my presents (a dress from Taya, a gypsie for my cricut, with all the dressings) and we packed and left. They were great gifts Nic wrapped everything individual down to the free sample and coupon that came with it, LOL!! We went to the beach Saturday evening and then went to the hotel. As you an imagine our kids were SO excited to be out of the car! They both traveled so well. We then decided that while we were in California that we might as well go to Disneyland. Taya REALLY wanted to go. We spent all Sunday at Disneyland. Kamden was a good sport and very happy seeing has he only had 2, 20 min naps compared to his 2, 2-3 hour naps! Taya got to see all kinds of Characters and Princess Jasmine was SO sweet with her. She sat and talked to Taya for like 5 min. She even saw Princes Tiana! We also got a front row seat for the parade and Taya got pulled down twice to the street to dance with the Characters and Dancers. It was SO much fun and we really had the best time. I was bummed that my camera died halfway through the day. I took alot a pictures with my phone too though. Taya said her favorite ride was Dumbo and that she had the "Best Vacation EVER." We went that evening to Nic's Aunt Tobi's time share and got to watch the fireworks on the roof with her and her kids! We were all VERY tired by the time we got back to the hotel. We went to the beach on Monday and met up with Nic's cousin, Kimi, her husband Mike, and two kids Zane and Nate. They brought a little grill and food to barbecue and we relaxed and played on the beach. It was really great to see them! Thanks again for the GREAT food and FUN!! We miss you guys already! We left the beach about 3 and headed home. The kids were so tired they slept the whole way home and the next morning till 7:30! It was a great Vacation and a much needed one at that! I am so glad we went! I am so thankful for Nic and the great husband and dad he is! He was so fun and helpful this weekend. He became Taya's and Kamden's favorite by the time we got home!

Mataya- My comedian!!

Taya says and does some of the funniest things and I swear she remembers EVERYTHING! We were at the zoo Monday and we heard this bird screach and she said, "I know why that bird yelled like that, he's getting shots! Poor guy!" I could go on and on and I really should write them down cause everyday there is something. Well anyone my favorite one this month is a couple weeks ago we were getting ready to go to Nic's parents house and all of us where in the car waiting on Taya. A few minutes later she opened the door and informed me that she couldn't find her other shoe. So I responded, "Taya just go get different ones!" A few minutes later she came out we buckled her in and off we went. We went to Safeway on the way in and then to Nic's parents house. We were there for about two hours, helping Kelsey get ready for prom, when we went outside and were playing in the grass when I looked down and saw this....

I don't know how she did it without me or Nic noticing but she did. And when I asked her why she had different shoes on she simply replied, " I told you I couldn't find the other one and you said to get a different one!" I guess I should choose my words more carefully!

To Mr. Greer

I just wanted to say a little something about a man named Frank Greer. He was one of my 6th grade teachers, he coached me in basketball, and he taught me a lot more than he will ever know. He has been a great part of my growing up and I can't thank him enough for all he taught me and all of his love he has always shared. He always has a smile to give and a warm hug!

A Few Things I learned-
*What the difference is between the gum chewing girl and the cud chewing cow!
*Nicknames are easier to remember than the real name like Little Sister, Skeeter, etc.
*McDonalds is NOT my favorite place to eat and even if we stop there EVERY trip that won't change
*Team work
*Love of the game
*Unconditional love
*Respect
*The important thing

I just wanted to say publicly Thank you. You are a great example and I appreciate all that you have taught me! I love you and I am praying for you!

Love,
Little Sister

For Aunt Cortney!

I received an email from my sister-in-law, Cortney telling me that I NEEDED to update my blog. So this is for you Cort! As always we are busy, busy, busy. Nic is now working for a construction company called STB Construction. He LOVES it. He still is doing carpet cleaning and handywork on the side. He also is the Cubmaster in our ward and pulled off his first very successful pack meeting on Tuesday! Way to go babe! :)Since working Construction he has lost 20lbs!! He's back to what he weighed before working at U of P and I bet by the end of summer he'll be waisting away. But it has been nice cause he works from 6-2 everyday! So he is home early and I love it.

As for me I am staying busy with babysitting, hair, and my calling in the Primary, and of course taking care of my two kiddos! I enjoy everyday though. I love being in the Primary I have the opportunity to be with some very special people and a lot of extremely special kids! I love being home with my kids and I couldn't ask for a better kid to babysit. Marcus is such a good little boy and Taya loves having him to play with. Also Amanda Hall and I are doing the P90X workouts every morning and it is so nice to have a partner to keep me motivated. Thanks Amanda!! It is so nice that we live just down the road from each other!!

Mataya is still growning and getting smarter everyday. She is too tall for all the pants I bought her at Christmas but can still wear 24month skirts and shorts. She's getting tall! She still loves her little brother and loves to help mom and dad. She's a good girl, yet she does have her moments. I still love that she will still cuddle with me and love on me and she told my mother-in-law that she got so pretty cause her Mama made her that way!:) She now knows the 1st and the 2nd article of faith and loves to sing her primary songs. On suday she woke up and got her dress on and shoes and told Nic and I it was time for church. Too bad church isnt tell 2pm!

Kamden is growing TOO fast! He will stand by himself. We welcomed another two teeth this month making a total of 6 teeth!! He now has 4 on bottom and 2 on top! He got the flu and that was rough for a few days and his appetite still isn't back to where it was but it is getting there. He had his first popsicle yesterday and well.... He loved it he ate it all in like 5 min and I think he got a brain freeze at one point cause he started to cry halfway through but if I took it from him he got madder...so...Brain freeze away. He taught himself to drink out of a straw and he still loves his sister. Here is a video of him laughing at her.
He also is a busy body! My mom said that nursing him must have been like nursing the tasmanian devil! I have to agree with that... He hates to sit still he loves to explore and he LOVES to be outside and loves to play with balls! He chase a soccer ball all over the backyard. I think Grandpa got his ball player! He's still very sweet and very happy! Some of my Favorite Pictures of my kids:









Happenings of this month: My sister Deni, her husband Brett, and their two kids, Ryan and Sydney came to Arizona and we got to spend some time with them. IT was alot of fun. We went to the easter pagent, had easter dinner together, went to Tre' and Tucker's ball games, went to the zoo, went to Chuckee Cheeses and had a lot of laughs!

 

Maci Lynn Canter was blessed and I got sit and hold her last weekend and I gave her her first pigtails. My mother-in-law said "Oh, Macie this is just the beginning of Aunt Jess!" Ha ha!



Madden Hall also turned three and we got to go to his party! It was lots of fun! Happy birthday Madden!




Katelyn started solids! Whoo hoo Kate!

What a life?!!

I have been thinking a lot lately about how TRULLY blest I am. I have two BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY, and HAPPY kids. Who adore me and I adore them. I have a hard working, handsome TEASE, I have the pleasure of calling my husband. We both have work that puts a roof over our heads, food on the table, and clothes on our backs. I have the opportunity to serve in the Primary. I love it. I love the kids and it is amazing at how quick and how strong that love came and has grown. I have the knowledge of knowing what will happen after I leave this earth. I know that I am loved and have a Savior who loved me enough to take on my sins, sorrows, and burdens. What a life I have!! Too often I think I take it for granted. Too often I over look how WONDERFUL I have it, how good my Heavenly Father has been to me.
So my resolution...
To not be so quick to anger (PATIENTS)
To love love love, speak softly
To NOT be so critical
To be GRATEFUL
To remember what it was like to be a KID
To not try to make my little ones grow up so fast
To tell Nic more often how GREAT he is!!

I am sure there could be a lot more. But as for now... I think those will keep me busy.

And of course I cannot post with out putting up some pictures and saying a little about our little ones.

Mataya is getting too smart for her own good. She keeps telling me that when Kamden starts to walk we can have another baby, but a GIRL this time. Then she asked Nic how he could get another baby in my belly? lol... OH NO!
Nic told Taya she could drive the sandrail if she could figure out how to start it. Well that took like 3 min! So nic sat beside her and helped her steer and she drove it around when we went camping with my sisters and their family (good time). Taya also LOVES to dress up and put on a show for me and Kamden. She sings her own rendention of London Bridges and There's a Hippo in my Tub, and many more. Gotta love that girl! As far as funny things she says... I need to write them down daily, because I FORGET THEM!!!





As for Kamden, he's a TANK! An older lady said to me once, "Wow he's a big little guy and you are a little thing how do you carry him around all day?" Funny thing is he really doesn't like to be held that much... He's too busy! So we have said GOOD BYE to nursing! It was a wrestling match that I gave up on cause he would never sit still long enough to eat! So he's on the bottle and LOVES his baby food!! So NO he isn't starving. We said hello to one new tooth on the bottom making a total of three and the two top are coming through. He's the smiliest kid I've ever seen. But when he is ready for a NAP he is ready. That is the only time he will just relax and let you hold him. When we went camping after trying the blanket and scooping dirt clods and rocks out of his mouth when we were packing up we put him in the back of the truck and he was in HEAVEN! I think that was the happiest he was the whole trip cause he just wanted to do his own thing and didn't want to be held!






And they still LOVE eachother. I did buy their easter outfits and I AM so excited to see them in them!!! I really can't wait!






And something that I must post about! My father-in-law takes all four of us girls on a "Daddy Daughter Date" once a year. He has for the past 3 years and it is a night I look forward to. He is a great man and I am so lucky to have the Despain's in my life! I love them so much!!