Benjamin David

I got a little photo happy the other night of my new nephew Benjamin. These were just some of my favorites... enjoy! 

Miracles for Marshall

We had a fundraiser for Marshall this past week called Miracles for Marshall.  It was amazing all the people that came to show their support.  Everything that night was donated from different people.  Seriously in a world with so much bad there is also sooo much good.  We had a silent auction, raffle, bake sale, and variety show.  It was so fun but the biggest surprise of all was when Marshall, Amanda, and Kezman walked in the door.  No one knew they were coming (expect for them... haha) They flew in from Texas because Marshall was in-between treatments.  Side note his immune system is so good right now from this experimental drug (I am not even going to try to spell the name of it...) that he didn't even have to wear a mask.  It was amazing.  They even sang a few songs during the variety show.  It was soo fun to see them and to come together in such a great cause.  If you remember THIS POST it can tell you how to donate if you would like to this amazing cause

Our sweet set up- remember EVERYTHING was donated!  

Our crazy/ amazing family.  I don't know what I would do without each and everyone of them.  I have learned so much by being part of this amazing family and look up to everyone so much.  It amazes me with all the things that could tear apart our family just brings us closer together and strengthens our testimonies more. 

And isn't Babe just so cute with this little kids... ahh I just can't get enough! 

Clogging

Nope I don't clog... hahah That would sure be a fun site to see though.  My cute niece Hailie picked up tap dancing this year and ended up at Nationals with her team.  Nationals was Lagoon this year so we had fun hanging out there all day riding rides and cheering her on.  They first had to do solos, which she got the highest she could in all of her solo dances (GO HAILIE!) She is a pretty talented girl if you ask me!  

 Later their team preformed together (which they also won first place in!) We are pretty proud!  

 Isn't she cute?  We love you Hailie and are so proud of you! Way to be!!

Birthday Month

I love being married and getting 2 birthday parties!  We spent my real birthday in Inkom with the Hunts.   Had some yummy BBQ, cake and enjoyed some quality family time.  It was just what I needed!

This cute boy sure knows how to spoil me! 

The next weekend was another birthday party for Dad, Jillisa, Chelsi, and Austin.  We also enjoyed watching Kasey and Austin attempt to play some softball.  Aren't my sisters and mom just beautiful? I'm so lucky!

 Uncle Kyron is the best at "Bumpy road"

Even though Luke looks terrified he is really just laughing

yes, that is a real gun

We love May at our house even though it is worst than Christmas time.  Nothing beats birthdays though!  

Happy Birthday!

Okay okay so I said this before but I am so behind in blogging. Sorry!  Life is so crazy right now so maybe when life slows down a little more I could finally update you on everything else but todays post if about my amazing father!  Today is his birthday, how old are you again? ;) My dad is one of my best friends he has taught me so much I don't even know where to begin, Ill just mention a few.  

My dad taught me how to have a since of humor and to laugh.  He is always doing something funny and making us laugh (even if he doesn't mean to).  I remember waking up on Saturday morning to my dad making us breakfast and singing.  I love his songs that make no since and always rhyme, mom doesn't always approve of his song since some how they always end up rhyming with the word poop... but that makes it quite entertaining if you ask me! 

My dad is just full of surprises as well, he has taught me to expect the unexpected.  During our wedding reception my we danced to "Walka Walka" during the middle of our awesome dance there is my dad front and center moon walking across us all.  Hahah like I said surprises   Then right before we were going to cut our cake (awkward!) out pops my dads head from behing the back drop.  He didn't have a good place to stand so he decided to stand there! haha Like I said before my dad is full of surprises and always making me laugh.  It makes life so much more fun, I don't know what I would do without him.  

 I learned how to enjoy family time and spend quality time with my family.  All growing up my dad was always gone to meetings for his callings but he always found time for us.  He used to take us on daddy daughter dates, I LOVED those!  He showed me that it doesn't matter what we are doing as a family but that we can still have fun.  I know that our family is so important to him.  He always goes all out in planning our family vacations to make sure we can have as much fun as possible.

 My dad taught me to enjoy food ;) and how to make it.  My dad always says that he switched places with my mom because he is the one that wears the apron while my mom is the one that used the power tools.  He is such a good cook (most of the time...) and most of the food he makes is made up on the spot. He also taught me how to enjoy the outdoors.  I love working in the yard with my dad and helping watching him work in his garden.  He is an amazing gardener and is often found out in his garden in his nice suit and tie.  I don't want to brag to much but our lawn is also always the greenest one in the neighborhood, it always look soo good!

My dad taught me how girls are supposed to be treated.  He taught me in the way he treats my mom.  He taught me how to achieve my dreams.  He taught me the gospel and helped me grow my own testimony.  He taught me the importance of temple marriage and attending the temple.  I loved going to the temple with my parents ever since they took me on my 12th birthday.  He taught me how to trust in my Savior and to talk to him in prayer.

I learned to love learning and the importance of an education. I got to be his student my senior year of high school and I LOVED it.  He is such a good teacher wich is one of the reasons why when I was younger I would dream about being  a teacher, just like my dad!  He is a big reason why I am a teacher today.  He taught me to work hard and never give up.  He taught me pride in what I was doing.

Most of all my dad taught me how to love and be loved.  I always know my dad is there for me no matter what.  He is always willing to help others, no matter what the task.  I have always looked up to him and want to be just like him someday.  I sure love you dad and hope you have a fantastic birthday! Thanks for always making me smile and teaching me all I know!

Dedicated to Mindy... Happy Birthday!

So I know I have a few posts to catch up on but for now those will have to wait.  Today is May 1st.  I LOVE MAY!  May is my family's birthday month don't believe me?  We have one on the 1, soon to be 7, 9, 16, 18, 19, 20, 27, an thats not even counting extended family.  Told you it's a crazy month, almost worst than Christmas.  When I was starting to date my mom gave me a few things that my future companion couldn't have the first on the list being a May b-day (don't worry babe is the only b-day in our family that is far away from all the others, in September.)


Well today is my oldest sisters b-day, happy birthday Mindy! Let me just tell you a few things about her.

-She is such a fun mom to her 3 (closer to 4) kids.  I admire how she is always playing with them outside, taking them to fun places like the zoo, air plane museum, treehouse museum, winco (its that cool...) and lots of other places.  What fun memories they already have and will cherish forever. Babe and I were talking about what we wanted to do when we were parents and this was one of the top things.  Be like Mindy and do fun things with our family that they will always remember-no joke.
-Mindy has always been the peacemaker in our family.  I guess that comes with being the oldest but seriously she is the most selfless person you will ever meet.  She is always willing to help others and does without being asked to.

-Out of all my siblings I feel like I am most like Mindy, we share clothes (but by this I really mean I give her all of my clothes....) we even look alike.  I have had a few close scares of Mike (Mindy's husband) trying to hold my hand or something, no joke.  Countless times I will be somewhere in home neighborhood and someone will just call me Mindy and ask "how's Brielle" I used to correct them but that just made for an awkward conversation and I feel privileged to be called Mindy.  I look up to Mindy so much, she is one of my biggest examples so I love when this happens because it means I am a little like her.

-Mindy is sooo crafty!  Seriously she can look at something on pintrest, or anywhere and make it come to life.  If you don't believe me go and look at her house (but warn her before hand so she has a little time to clean up ;)  cleaning/organizing is my strong suit not really hers.  But like I said she is busy making memories with her children.  And it's not really that bad anyway...) Not only is she crafty but she is an amazing sewer.  She is always making the cutest thing for her kids.  She is even helping me (making me...) a t-shirt quilt (unless you forgot about that... but I really want to help you finish it this summer! I also have some more shirts to add if that's okay...)

-Mindy is always positive and happy, seriously she can make anyone smile! This is the gal you want to talk to when you are having a hard day!

-She is the best trip planner.  I don't know how she finds the deals she does or the fun places to see but she does.  I love family vacations and how well planned out they are.  She thinks of everything (gets that from my mom I believe).  She has soo many connections as well- just shows you how many people love her and are willing to help her also.

-She is also always on top of birthdays, graduation, anniversaries etc and with these gives THE BEST presents.  She is always so sincere with them as well.  We rotate names for Christmas and you know you are going to have the best present if she has your name!

I really could go on but I think I am getting a little to mushy ;).  I don't really know where all of this came from.  I have a theory though that you never really realize how good you have it until you don't have it anymore.  I seriously have the best family in the entire world.  I am a huge homebody and love to do anything and everything with my family.  I hate missing little things even if it is just popcorn on Sunday nights or trips to Winco on Saturdays.  I HATED missing Mindy's b-day party today with all of my family, and I hate knowing how many I am going to miss when we are in Kansas.  I can't wait to spend all summer with my families and spend all the time I can with them.  I have a huge summer wish list planned of all of the things I want to do with my nieces and nephews (I have to stay the favorite aunt!).  So Mindy just know I was thinking about you today and wish I could have been there to celebrate with you.  I am so thankful that you are my big sister and for being my hero.  I love you so much!  I can't wait to meet you little guy in a few days (I am voting for the name Scott ;) but I know whatever you choose he will be the cutest little thing just like his older brothers!) Happy Happy Birthday!!

PS.  It was a lot harder than I thought to find pictures of us on fbook... looks like we need to take some more (where we both look good!) Love you sis!