Brandon and Jennifer: August 2012

Favorite Ensign Quotes, August

"Those who make happiness the chief objective of life are bound to fail, for happiness is a by-product rather than an end in itself. Happiness comes from doing one's duty and knowing that his life is in harmony with God and His commandments..."

"Duty reminds us we are stewards of all that our Creator has entrusted to us."

-Learn Your Duty, August Ensign 2012

My thoughts: Caring for a family of 8 is overwhelming most of the time. This reminds me that great responsibility was given to me because Heavenly Farther knows I can do it... push along... and be happy cause it is in harmony with God.
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"I am glad I have the privilege of communicating to you some things which, if grasped closely, will be a help to you when earthquakes bellow, the clouds gather, the lightnings flash, and the storms are ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder. What can [these disasters] do? Nothing. All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful."

-Forgiveness and Making Up For Losses, August Ensign 2012

My thoughts: I won't be public about my personal trials, but reading this gave me an incredible amount of peace by knowing ALL my losses will be made up to me. I have no reason to mourn, to be angry, or to be unforgiving... because He would restore all that I'd lost!

"Whatever our challenges in life may be, our burdens may become light if we not only believe in Christ but also in His ability and His power to cleanse and console our lives. Our lives are healed as we accept His peace." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Kent's Birthday

Kent's birthday is the day after Paisley and Emmy's. We had a fab dinner at Grandma Mary Ann's.

Mythanne and Ryder are talking to him on Skypes... we all sang happy birthday.

Will on Grandma's rocking horse.

Paisley got on it too, but Emmy didn't like it.

These miniature couches were more for her liking.

Emmy was gone for 2 minutes and Grandma found her at the top of the stairs. She's never climbed stairs before. Then Paisley followed her up there later.

They were both fast and fearless on the steps, but couldn't get down on their own yet. I'm glad we don't have stairs at our house. :)

Aug 30, 2012

Checkups

I took Willie and the twins to the doctor today for their Well-Child Checkups. They're all doing great. Will didn't need any shots. He is current and won't need any until his kindergarten checkup. He lucked out! The twins both needed 3 shots and cried, of course. :o(

Will's 3 year

weight: 37.4 = 92%

height: 39.5 = 91%

Paisley's 12 mo.

weight: 21.10 = 77%

height: 30 1/4 = 86%

Emmy's 12 mo.

weight: 21.12 = 78%

height: 30 = 79%

Will's New Bed

We got a new twin size bed for Willie from Mary. She is having her baby in about 10 days and needed the crib mattress we had for his toddler bed for her baby's crib. So we switched. :)

He's a big boy now and was ready for a bigger bed I think. He really likes it.

Aug 29, 2012

Riverdale Splash Pad

Its the twin's birthday... they are 1 years old today! I took them to the Splash Pad to play.

Kalyssa took Paisley in the water and she didn't mind at all.

Willie having a good time...

Haha... they are soaked and Paisley is smiling.

Emmy and her curly hair.

Kalyssa tried to take her in the water earlier but she cried.

Snack time... the twins crawled around the blanket, and ate fruit loops and graham crackers.

They're back at the splash pad watching everyone play.

Will always has to get the water in his mouth to spit it out again.

Kalyssa gets Emmy a little wet and she starts crying again.

I sat her in it, and she freaked. The water was cold at first, but it was 95 degrees today.

There goes Paisley... she is headed for the water.

lol... This girl has no fear! She went right in the middle of it. I was surprised.

She crawled around on her own for 10 minutes.

Will saw his opportunity to spray her in the face. She didn't care. :)

Emmy started crawling around a little too, but stayed out of the water.

When the water shut off she was playing with these blue things, then someone turned the water back on and she cried.

Mommy's birthday girls!

Kalyssa and Will came back to the blanket after Will slipped while running and hit his head on the concrete. :0/ They both took a break to lay down and warm up. For how hot it was today, all the kids were shivering when wet.

Enough water for the babies... I took their swimsuits off for them to play.

Kalyssa in the water umbrella.

Happy Birthday Baby Girls!

Aug 29, 2012

Brigham City Temple Open House

When I made reservations online to visit the Brigham City open house I made it for 7:30 and printed it out. The next day Brandon pointed out to me that it was for 7:30 AM not PM! Oh my! We went anyway! We all woke up at 5:00 this morning to get ready and meet Mary & Nate there with their kids for the tour of the new temple.

The older girls loved it cause they got to miss a couple hours of school.

Baylee's and Kalyssa's favorite room was the Sealing Room. They liked seeing the altar and looking into both mirrors on the walls that symbolizes eternity. Abbee's favorite room was the Celestial Room. When we walked in there, Kalyssa whispered to me that she can feel the spirit in there.

The statue of Angel Moroni on top.

I'm so proud of William. He was really reverent walking through the Temple. It was funny, you have to wear white covers over your shoes to keep the carpets clean, and I think it made Will feel like his feet were huge cause he over exaggerated each step up the stairs. We all kind of giggled about that.

Family photo by the front door.

Paisley and Emmy sitting outside the temple.

The back of the temple.

You can't park at the temple cause they have temporary rooms set up in the parking garage where they show you and introduction video before the tour that explains the purpose of temples. They shuttle guests there in tour buses. The kids enjoyed the 5 minute ride back to our cars.

Emmy and Taylee

The temple was beautiful. It was a great experience for our kids to see the temple on the inside for a change, and see what they have to look forward to when they are older. :)

Aug 28, 2012

Done With Formula

Emmy's last bottle of formula...

Paisley's last bottle of formula.

Hip Hip Hooray!

The twins will be 1 years old in 2 days... I just finished a can of formula and I'm not buying anymore!

Aug 27, 2012

BIG Birthday Party

Will and the twin's birthdays are all in August, so we had one birthday party for all 3 kids today!

Willie opened his presents first. This was his favorite present... a fishing pole. It has a rubber fish you attach to the end so he can cast it out and reel it in anywhere in the house... and he does non-stop!

He was so excited for all his presents. Everything he got, he celebrated. :)

The twins are turning 1 years old this Wednesday.

I dumped a bunch of Dum Dum suckers out of the bag. They really like those.

lol. Paisley's sucker was tipped up the whole time.

Man, they slobbered everywhere.

Grandma Mary Ann came over and he was so happy to get clothes from her.

Emmy had to be held back... she kept trying to grab the flame on the cupcakes.

Willie blew out all 3 candles.

The twins are just getting started. At first they would both put their fingers in the frosting to feel the texture...

Then Baylee put the cupcake to Paisley's mouth and she took a big bite and got so messy.

She just kept diving for it after that.

Messy Paizzy!

Abbee helped Emmy take big bites too and they both got cupcake all over themselves, the table...

...and Emmy started throwing it up in the air.

Not sure why Will was walking around with a trash can over his head.

Yummy cupcakes.

Ang and Jake made it over with my little nephew Zeke. He is starting to fill out!!!

He will be 8 weeks old in a couple of days. Angela got him to smile for this picture.

Kalyssa and Zeke... her only boy cousin so far.

Grandpa Lorenzo feeding the twins mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Zeke is talking to everyone.

The twins were beyond cleaning. I had to put them in the tub for a bath after they ate cupcakes.

Paisley was playing in the water... it was funny... she's never stuck her tongue out like this before.

Kent and Lana stopped by to say Happy Birthday... Will drug his bag of presents over to Lana and showed her everything he got. Plus, they gave him new tractors and clothes.