Happy Birthday Princess

 Meg turned four years old yesterday. It's so crazy to me that it was four years ago that she came and joined our family. It feels like she's always been around, but it also feels like it was yesterday that we brought her home. Meg has been such a joy to have around. She is one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. When I titled this post and called her Princess I meant it. She is everything princess. She is all girl, loves to dance, get pretty, dress up, change clothes, accessorize, be bossy, and when she is pretending to be the princess someone always has the job of being the prince.  Meg is loving the job of being big sister, aka... Mother to Preslie. Lately she's decided that her little sister is her very own live doll. It is not very much appreciated by Preslie. Meg is an easy kid to love, and she gives love just as easily. We love you Megs.

Happy Birthday Sis!!

Christmas time fun

 Christmas time is definitely here and I don't think my kids have ever been so excited but for some reason I feel like a scrooge. I've had a hard time getting into the holiday mood this year. If anything can get me in the mood though it's Walker and Meg asking every day about Santa, how many days till Christmas and begging me to put up the Christmas decorations. Oh and how could I forget my favorite part of Christmas...reminding the kids that the elves are watching for Santa so they better be good. I love those elves.

 Here are the kiddos at the ward Christmas party. They were asked to be Mary and Joseph this year. Meg was so content sitting up there holding a baby being the center of attention. When it was over they had to drag her off the chair.

 Preslie checking out the tree

 I didn't get very good pics of the kids decorating the tree this year. Remember, I was a scrooge and I didn't really get into it? Another reason for me to win "mom of the year" award.

 Preslie was sure excited about Santa this year! I asked Meg what she thought about Santa and she said, "Awesome!" Glad she liked him this year, she's hated him every other year.

Our annual gingerbread decorating house night. Now all Walker wants to do is eat it. We told him he has to wait till Santa gets to see  it.

Random's of Preslie

I love when babies start grabbing their feet and this is the first time I'd seen her do it so I had to grab the camera.

obviously she isn't a very big fan of rice cereal.
I can't look at these pics without laughing

Halloween

Halloween is such a funny holiday. I love dressing my kids up and watching them be crazy. But only once. We had to dress our kids up 3 times this year. Once for the ward trunk or treat - Thank you very much for the 10 lb bag of candy Meg brought home- A Halloween party and then for Halloween night.

We had a lot of fun at the Halloween party as Brett Michaels and his 80's groupie. Thank you DI for the amazing finds.

Ready to hit the town!

I love this one!

It's not a good feeling with you realize your hubby's bum looks better in your pants than your own.

a whole lotta moms and kiddos!

Pumpkin Carving

It's the time of year again! I love the fall...the very short fall that we usually get. We took an amazing trip to the grocery store to pick out our pumpkins. (why do I EVER take three kids to the store with me??) Got the guts cleaned out of our pumpkins and got carving away.

Cory was still at work so we decided to do the dirty work for him...lucky guy!

I loved this pic of Meg helping Cory out carving his pumpkin

Walker did an awesome job carving his

Preslie hung out on the floor trying to escape her bumbo. Look at that mop top. Too funny!

My crazy family.
Yes, I was there.
I was the one left to finish carving the intricate picture that Meg chose for her pumpkin.
I'm so lucky :)

Walker's baptism day

I just might make worlds top ten worst mom list for this one. I took absolutely no pictures of Walker's baptism day. Try to top that one. I dare you. I thought if I made an adorable collage of him it might make up for it....a little bit. Anyway, his day was perfect. He had so many people there to share his special day with him. I know he felt loved. Cory baptized and confirmed him. We kept asking him if he was nervous for anything and he just looked at us like why in the world would I be nervous. He was excited not nervous.We had a lunch at our house afterward and he got to play with all his cousins and Jonah. He felt like a special little guy. Thanks to everyone for coming and supporting him.

Walker is such a sweet little boy. We love him and wouldn't know what to do without him. He is always entertaining us with some sort of joke, or silly dance. He still tells us that he loves his sisters and I hope he always feels that way. He's so good to them. We love you buddy!!

Carroll Fam trip to St. George

Since Cory was running his marathon in St. George we all decided to make it a family trip. We stayed in an awesome house, swam at the pool, hiked fat man's misery, ate too much yummy food, the boys got some golf in, the kids did lots of crafts and lots and lots of running around. Oh and I can't forget the shopping and massage I got in.

We didn't have a hot tub but we had some really big bathtubs so the kids made due

Meggie and I hiking around. She loved this little "house" we found.

squishing my way up 'fat mans misery'. I was behind Cory and Layne. Watching them go through made me panic just a little big. Thank goodness I didn't have to squish my way through like them or I'm sure I'd have turned right around.

Megs and Grandma JillKurt, Walker, and Kayden

crafting with Layne. He was so cute with the kids.

Cory's amazing climb

St. George Marathon

Cory was crazy enough to attempt two marathons in one year. I don't know if that sounds as crazy to everyone else as it does to me. He did awesome. He beat is Ogden marathon time by a few minutes and reached his goal of 4 hours. He ran a 3:58. One day when I grow up I think I might try to do one with him. But not till I grow up.

Cory's mom was awesome enough to wake up super early to drive to the halfway point to cheer him on (definitely makes me look bad...but come on, I have three kids to drag with me right??) This was about mile 13 or so right before a giant hill. He sure looks happy to have just ran that many miles.

Almost to the finish line right here

FINISHED!
Way to go Cory! You are awesome for reaching your goal! One day I will attempt to be as cool as you....maybe.....

FaMiLY PiCs

I decided that is was time to get some family pictures done since the picture I have of Meg hanging on my wall is about 2 years old. It was time for an update. My friend from High School, Missy, took our pictures in Pleasant Grove at a cool old house-at least part of them- some crazy lady came and kicked us out after so we had to finish the rest at another old house. Missy did an awesome job and I'm having a really hard time deciding which ones to print and frame. Here are some of my faves.

8 year old on board

Man I love this little guy-I guess he's a big guy now. Today is Walker's 8th birthday. I've always looked at kids, turning 8 and thought, "that kid is getting old. I can't believe Walker is at that point now. He is such a great kid. Full of lots and lots of energy. He's a clown, loves to make people laugh and thinks he's pretty funny. He loves his little sisters, I know he'll always watch out for them. He's so patient with Meg and LOVES to hold Preslie and make her laugh and smile. He loves playing with his friends and cousins. Riding bikes, scooters, playing football, soccer, baseball, golf. Walker is really good at school, never complains about doing his homework. Just comes home, gets it out and gets it done. He loves to read, and play Xbox. Thanks for being such a great big brother to your sisters and such an awesome son. We loved you to pieces.

For Walker's birthday we took him to Pirate Island a few days before his birthday. On his actual birthday we had a family party with his Grandma's and Grandpa's, Jamie, Shawn and all their kids. He got a bike and a Vectron Wave (a hovering toy) from us. A fishing pole, tackle box, volleyball, football, bike helmet, and money. What a lucky guy to have so many people love him. I asked him what his favorite part of his day was and he told me it was playing football in the front yard with his cousins and wrestling with Cael. Typical boy :)