Franklin's Blessing

It was a day full of gratitude.
Gratitude for the gospel,

the priesthood and a husband who honors it,

my testimony,

close family and friends,

a healthy baby,

to be a mother,

the color white,

warm september weather,

cafe rio style burritos,

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies,

uncle brandon's safe return home from afghanistan,

and uncle wes on his bday.

jason and franklin have a special bond.

jason wanted another boy so badly and he has always wanted a boy named frank. i honestly couldn't do it for weston but after many years it grew on me. i think that franklin is cute enough to pull of "frankie" and i love that it is classic and original now a days. honestly, how many baby franklin's do you know? his middle name is allan, after jason allan. these two really do have a bond and i think it is in the name (and i need jason's help more than i did in the past)!

(these last 2 pictures were taken by avaree)

i have so much to be grateful for.

celebrating five years

at grandmere's...

at school on her big day...

when i asked avaree what she wanted to do for her birthday she said, "i want a girls only party at chuck e. cheese." so that is what we did! this is the first year we've had a friend party. it was fun. the girls were hYpeR, especially avaree!

pizza

presents

goody bags

cake

she asked for a "princess fishing pole"

avaree is looking so grown up to me. she fits in size 5T clothing and they look huge in the store. next year she will be in the big girl sizes. i can't believe it! she is such a pretty girl.

what a mess, runny nose and all. this boy loves parties for the cake.

aubrielle, aspen, avaree, and maren

silly faces and i had to post them all because all of avaree's faces are classic.

avaree, bentley, and aspen

i had one worn out girl by the end of the night but as i was putting her to bed she said, "thank you mom, i LOVED my birthday!" that comment alone made it all worth while.

happy birthday avaree

happy birthday to my smart, spunky, creative, outgoing, silly, manipulative, determined, bossy, funny, friendly, beautiful five year old girl!

my life changed for the better when you were born!

life with 3??

long time no blogging for me.

i'm still trying to figure out life with 3 little ones, 2 teenagers, and a husband who works a lot!

i don't have any spare time and if i do it's spent cuddling my baby.

i love my 3 kids with all my heart.

they are worth the work. (sigh)

homecoming

same dress as prom but different school, different date = saving money and time.

she had a fun night (except i need to teach her how to stand)

eternal bliss...

Avaree's new do...

That is what happens when you have a bad habit of sucking on your hair... it gets cut.

She liked it immediately because "a girl in her class has hair like that." I've had a hard time though. I miss her pony tails and braids! Short hair is more maintenance. I have to blow dry it now. Good thing I only have one girl! She better break the habit.