Isn't he cute

Pick up a camera already ...

Pick up a Camera is what many people want me to do. All I can say is WITH WHAT HAND?? Having five kids, being secretary in the Relief Society, and doing the bookkeeping for the business has basically kept my hands busy and I haven't had much time for pictures, blogging, or much of anything else. Maddie gave me a hard time because it took me so long to finish a book she loaned me. Needless to say I have been kept very busy. Even this post is being done one handed. So here are a few pictures, no description, no particular order or theme.











And only after downloading my pictures did I realize that my camera has a fingerprint on the lens. THANKS KIDS!! :)

Archie James

September 2, 2009 Cherie went in for her weekly Dr. appointment, however instead of coming home when the appointment was finished she reported straight to the hospital for an emergency c-section. Three hours later a beautiful Baby Boy entered this world.

Archie James weighed in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 inches long.
Born at 3:28 p.m. September 2, 2009

Dad had fun watching the c-section and welcoming Archie into the world. There is plenty of love for this little one, and we are so glad that he is here safe and sound.

Archie is such a calm baby. As long as he stays warm he is happy and content.

Mom and Baby are both doing well.

Welcome to our Family
Archie James

Maddison's Birthday

Maddison's Birthday came soon after camping, however her birthday was easy this year. All she wanted was 'horse stuff'. Well there was an easy solution ... HORSE CAMP.

During Horse camp Maddison learned all about taking care of a horse as well as riding lessons.

She Loved It, and came away wanting a horse of her own.

Red Fish Lake

For one week our family enjoyed spending time with family at Red Fish Lake. We had a wonderful time along with a couple of not so wonderful adventures.

However, when the kids can spend the day at the beach or running around getting dirty, who can complain. It was so much fun and when we all got home, we did eventually get clean again.

Even Jake

Maddison and Sam enjoyed starting the fires and building them up as high and as hot as they could. This fire was prepared by both of them, lit by Maddison, and enjoyed by anyone remotely close. This was one of the biggest bonfires of the trip.
Eliza spent the week playing with her cousins. Except for when we were at the beach we did not see her very often. The three girls not only enjoyed each others company but also made friends with other campers. They spent the week running from here to there and enjoying every minute of it.

Caden, loved spending time in the water and the cold didn't phase him one bit. He especially had fun with Drew. We are glad that cousins were able to come. It definitely made the trip more exciting for each of the kids.


One excitement that we didn't need came from Jake. Saturday night he was running toward Scott and I when he ran right into the back of the camps outdoor metal grill. At first we thought it just knocked him down. But upon picking him up we immediately noticed the cut above his right eye. After cleaning some of the blood off it was determined that he would need to be taken in for stitches. Yep, 5 stitches. Scott spent the rest of the night driving 1 1/2 hours to the nearest hospital and spending time in the emergency room, but Jake did great.

However, this did not stop him from continually going. He still wanted to be a part of everything, including walking the log jam. This was as far as I let him go, but the rest of the group made it all the way to the other side.
Each night the kids crashed from their many adventures. They were so tired that on most nights I don't think much could wake them. There was only one night that Jake woke up and had a hard time going back to sleep, but other than that they were very restful nights with the cool mountain air.

Eliza's 'Narnia' Birthday

Eliza's 7th birthday and all she wanted for her birthday was 'Narnia' stuff. First thing in the morning she was bound and determined to open her presents, which included the gifts that represented the gifts given to Peter, Susan and Lucy by Father Christmas, as well as a new Aslan and a Prince Caspien Blanket.

Eliza invited a friend and we went to a bounce house to play then ...

That night we finished up with her Aslan cake.
Happy Birthday Eliza!!

Another Caden Moment

It was time to go to the parade and just as we arrived so did the RAIN. However, for a little boy named Caden this was not a problem at all. Rain simply gave Caden the opportunity to jump in puddles and splash not only himself but whomever else was around.

But the real fun for us came after the parade started ...



As the parade started the beauty pageant winners began to come down the road in their convertibles. Scott told Caden that he would give him a quarter if Caden would go up to one of them and ask them to marry him. Caden received a big grin, and at that moment the parade came to a stop with one of the pageant winners right in front of us. Caden instantly stepped forward and asked her to marry him. She, surprised, looked at him and said, "I will have to think about it, what is your name?" Caden was only able to get off his name before the parade began again.



When he came back to us I asked him if he thought he would really marry her. Sheepishly Caden answered with "MAYBE :)"

Yes, he did get his quarter.

He Can Do It Now too

Caden's bike had a flat tire in the back. As we looked closer we realized that it was not only flat, but there was a hole in the tire. Of course we knew this was coming, after all he had worn off ALL the tread on his tire by skidding to a stop and testing to see how long of a black mark he could make on the driveway.

As we changed the tire we decided to take off the training wheels and give him a go at it. Sure enough within a couple tries he was riding. It is amazing how when they are ready they just take off. Of Course it helps that his favorite cousin did this very thing a few weeks ago, and Caden didn't want to be left too far behind.

Way to Go Caden!

It's....

For those of you who don't know, or want to know a little bit more this one is for you.



It's ....





a baby!!


This will be #5 for our family, and we are all very excited. This baby is due the middle of September, right during one of Scott's conferences. But I guess for those who want to know a little bit more, it's a very active, healthy, boy, and weighs just under 1 pound. (And yes I am showing shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh).

Playing Dress Up ... OR ... Getting Ready for Church

BRRRRR It's Cold

Last week we went to the Ice Festival, and were able to enjoy all the wonderful ice sculptures.

This was our favorite. It was titled "Camelot" The detail on the castle and the dragon were amazing. Along with the people they had created. It was also fun because you could go in it and be a part of it.

This was our second favorite. It was a forest, however most of the trees had these amazing faces carved into them.

It was a cold day, but not cold enough to keep the kids off the ice slides.

Maddie Went For It

Shortly after Christmas, Maddison decided that she wanted one more thing, EARRINGS. She came to us and informed us that she had been thinking about it and was ready to get her ears pierced.



She did really well and has been enjoying them since. No regrets!