Maternity Pictures

So, the ones above are all doctored up by me with my limited knowledge. It's fun to play around with pictures. I would love to learn more.

I have been wanting to take maternity pictures this time around, since I didn't the last time I was pregnant. I also didn't want to pay someone, so I asked a friend, Jane, to take them in her backyard for me. She was so nice to do it and did a great job. Her backyard was perfect and the weather really cooperated too (about 70 and overcast). The only thing I might have changed was to take them earlier in my pregnancy, like not wait until I'm 8 months along!

Father Son Campout

So, Kable and Koy went on our ward's annual Father Son campout this year, and I made him take the camera so I could see how fun they had. This is all I got! I guess I should be happy he took two.

Koy's Alligator Birthday Party!

Koy had a blast at his 3 year old birthday party this year. He was so excited all week. He kept saying "Happy Birthday Party!" When I was coming up with the idea for the theme, I asked him for ideas and we came up with the alligator theme. Later, as in after I had pretty much finished planning the party, he apparently decided he wanted a "hoo hoo haa haa" party instead. That is his word for monkey. I had to keep reminding him it was going to be an alligator party, and then he would add,"a hoo hoo haa haa party too!" Okay, but that didn't happen. He still loved it though. First we bar-b-qued, thanks Kable. After we ate, I rounded up all the kids and we played a game of "I had a little alligator and he won't bite you." Then it was off to decorating the alligator masks I made with squeeze paint. The kids loved that. Next we cut cake and opened presents! And yes, I made the cakes! That was the most stressful part of my day! I also finally got to bring out the gifts I made Koy- his sports quilt and pillow, and bean bag chair. He loved them. Also, Mimi got him the alligator bank for all the pennies he loves to collect. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate! I would call it a success, and no rain or tornado warning this year! By the way Katie, I used your alligator cake for inspiration. Thanks!

Easter!

Koy was so excited to dye eggs! He loves to eat them too, thanks so his daddy's influence. Koy couldn't quite figure out the thumbs up sign with Kable, but with a little help he got it. It was a good time to teach colors too. He can count up to 10, but just can't seem to get his colors. He does know my toothbrush is pink and that it's Mommy's favorite color, and his apparently! It has been fun to watch him during the holidays because he is starting to understand more.

Koy was opening candy for Mason, but Mason could hardly wait. He really is good at sharing.

The group of kids at the Easter Egg hunt at the Tuttles. The Raricks, Hendricks, Von Feldts, and Tuttles all were there. We had a lot of fun eating candy, watching the kids, and visiting. Today, Sunday, we had Stake Conference. It was broadcast from Salt Lake with speakers like Dallin H. Oaks and President Monson. It was a great meeting. They talked a lot about faith, living with in your means, remembering past spiritual experiences and striving to always have more through the spirit so our testimonies will continue to grow, service, and reaching out to others. I wanted to watch "The Lamb of God," a movie about the last week of the the life of Jesus, but I guess we gave ours away because we couldn't find it. So, we watched "Finding Faith in Christ." I love Easter for the warmer weather, beautiful flowers, baby animals, Spring colors, etc, but most of all I am grateful to for the time to remember the resurrection of Christ. We are so blessed to be members of His church, and I know that we will live again with Him and our families, thanks to His sacrifice!

Koy got new big boy underwear in his Easter basket, but I think Kable thought they were supposed to be beanies! Koy's Easter outfit he wore to church, what a cute kid! I just love him!

Late Snow Storm

We had a late snow storm this March. It was a really weird month because at the beginning it was very warm, as in almost 80 degree days, but the end has been so cold. Yuck! I hope it warms up soon, I'm ready for summer already! Koy loved that he could wear his snow boots again and throw snowballs at us though.

Baby Scarlett!

So, here are baby Scarlett's first pictures! The description of each picture is on the upper left hand corner. I am so so excited to have a girl! It wasn't real at first, but now I am going wild making girly accessories! I've made bows, flower clips, bibs, quilts, bracelets, leggings, burp rags, wipes case covers, nursing clips, and who knows what else I'll make before she is even born! I am having way to much fun with this. It's also been fun to have Anne and Rachel pregnant with me and both having girls. Actually, Anne had hers, baby Peyton Lily on February 19th and she weighed 7lbs 3oz. And, Rachel had her baby girl, Madison Vella on March 18. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz.

Topeka Zoo and the Legends Mall

So, this Spring Break we stayed close to home. Usually we go to the Stotts in Kansas City, but they weren't around this year, so we decided it might be fun to stay a night in a hotel with a pool in Topeka. Topeka is the capital of Kansas in case you didn't know and is only about 50 minutes away from us. Of course we did make it close to Kansas City to the Legends Mall so I could enjoy a little shopping (thank you Babe). Koy also loved it because we showed him the huge water fountain there. It was a warm day, almost 80, so it was perfect weather to play in the water. That night we made it back to Topeka and swam in the pool. It was a little cold, but Koy loved it. I have never seen him so excited over a pool, which is a good sign for this summer! :) He was giggling like crazy and continually jumping off the side to Kable. His lips were blue, but he still didn't want to get out! The next day we went to the Topeka Zoo. It was a cold day, but fun anyway. If you notice the terrifying look on that gorilla's face, you are so right to be scared. He was strutting around proclaiming to all that it was his territory. Apparently right before we stepped around the corner to his exhibit he had charged the glass and pounded on it! Yikes! I don't think that glass was thick enough. The looks he gave us was like "I want to tear your head off!" Then, when we were walking by the pond were all the birds were, we noticed this little goose reaching his head out of the fence and trying to take nips out of people walking by. Well, a little later Koy had found a rock and wanted to throw it in the pond, so he reached is little arm through the fence and sure enough that little goose walked right over to him and took a nip! Koy jumped so high and let out a terrifying scream. He ran to me crying. It was sad, but I have to admit hilarious! Kable about kicked the goose in the head! Dumb thing! I wish I would have gotten that on video! Then we went in this indoor rain forest exhibit where animals, mostly birds, are roaming free. I got dive bombed by a bird and Kable almost got pooped on! After the zoo we went out to eat at Olive Garden, checked out the Topeka mall, and then saw "Bolt" with some friends, the Raricks and Andersons ,from Manhattan. Afterwards, we let our kids play at the indoor play land at the mall, since it was so cold outside. Last of all Koy got an ice cream and I got a cookies and cream shake at Chic Fillet. Mom and Rachel always rave about how good they are, but I have never had one. Oooh, they are so right. Like heaven! Good thing there's not a Chic Fillet in Manhattan or I'd probably gain 20 pounds on that divine treat!

Junction City Hike

These pictures are taken near Junction City which is about 25 minutes from Manhattan. It is a quick hike to these random guns? I am not to hip on military equipment, but Koy sure loved the hike and the chance to pretend shoot them. The biggest one is at the top of the hill which is pretty steep, but I'm sure felt more that way to me since I'm pregnant! Good exercise. We did this hike last year too once it started getting warm again, so maybe this will turn out to be a family tradition while we are here!

St. Patty's Day

We went to the local St. Patrick's Day Parade this year. Koy loved it of course because he got candy. I think it was the first time he realized what happened at parades. It was cute to watch. For breakfast he ate "pop pops" (what he calls rice krispies) in green milk that the leprachauns colored!

Koy's Booty Shakin!