Long, busy summer...

Sooo, it's been a long, busy summer. As you can see, it's been over 3 months since I last posted. Between everything that's going on we found a weekend to take a quick camping trip. Other than hurricane-force winds that hit our last night and a little rain, you couldn't have asked for better weather! Maddy is now days away from 7 months. Cutting her 2nd tooth, and learning all sorts of new tricks... She's a busy little bee and misses NOTHING. She's not exactly cuddly, but that yummy little smile will melt even the grumpiest of dad's long-day work moods!
My cute sista, and Mad's camping...

One of her little yummy's, Emerie... What a big girl smile! They are getting so big and have the funnest personalities! We love them!!

Last night of camping...the girls!

The entertainment saucer. Sort of a savior of sorts. It helps me get things done during the days. We love this contraption! Thanks Auntie Sissa for letting us borrow this and everything else.

Watching fishing with dad...

Watching football with dad...

Helping dad open presents... we love paper!

Am's 18th birthday! I can't believe my other 'baby' is officially an adult. My how time flies! She is truly a HUGE help with Mad's and Maddy LOVES her sister!! It's like having 2 moms. Which, for now, is good. Needs are met, the entertainment level is kept on a happy medium... Later on she may have her doubts. Love you Am!!

Pool party with the cousins. Emerie had a good time, regardless of her facial expression in this pic.

Addy playing with Mad, and Mad wondering ' Why you touchin' my toys?' They love each other a lot!

Am's graduation!

Yes, it's true. I am the mother of a graduate! I am so proud of Ambree and all she has accomplished through this long journey! She is an awesome person! There is no other way to say it. She's sweet and extremely kind to everyone around her. These are my 'girls'. I've felt like a mother to them all at one point or another. I love them all! Am truly has some amazing friends.

May...

Sunday we ventured down to Nephi to introduce Maddy to her Great-Grandpa Bean. Maddy's middle name is Jane after my Grandma who passed away last year. She was the sweetest, most incredible person I've known and I miss her terribly! What an angel Maddy is. I tend to think that she's got a lot of my grandma in her. Grandpa loved her! (Of course.) Thank you to my husband who reminds me how lucky I am that I'm 37 (ouch, that's right 37) and still have grandparents. I love you honey!

In saying that, Maddy's grandpa, or poppa, to all the grandkids, loves her and you can see how taken she is with him. My parents have a way with the grandkids that has them in fits to leave their house. They LOVE them in a way that I think most, at one point or another, would rather live with them! They are so lucky!! We are so lucky!!

Most of all, I am so lucky!!! Seven years ago today, my younger brother Ryan passed away. Not a day goes by we don't think of or miss him. Anyone and everyone who knew him, was and is the better for it. That was the most heartwrenching time for my family. The positive of that is that the rest of us have gotten so much closer in these past 7 years. I'm closer to my sister, my brother, and my parents. We've had our ups and downs, but my parents, after having to endure what no parent should have to, have been the glue. I am so in awe of them and their strength. Their relationship with each other, their relationships with us, their kids, and with their grandkids. There is so much love that surrounds them and you feel that when with them. To my parents, I don't tell you nearly often enough, I love you. I respect you. I admire you. I look up to you. Thank you for your love, your support, your generosity, your caring, your kindness, your unselfishness in all you do. You two are truly the best parents on earth! I am so greatfull for you both!!

Wicked, family, friends, and too much d*%# rain!!

This weekend was the best in a long time!! My cute, sweet, beautiful mom got us tickets to Wicked. I wasn't sure at first even what it was about. Soooo glad that we went! It was the BEST play I've ever seen. Bar none! If anyone has the chance, go see Wicked! You won't be dissapointed in the least. We started out going to Olive Garden, yummo! There's never anything wrong with pasta and breadsticks. Boo to all of the anti carb people. You're truly missing out! Hence the reason I'm not dropping baby weight yet. Oh yeah, and the cookies, candy, etc. I need to get out of the 'I'm eating for two' mindset. There are umpteen pairs of skinny jeans in my closet getting dusty! One day soon... Oh and it rained!

My cute little sister and my other cute little, well taller, sister.

Me and my momma!

Mad got her first shots today. This pic was not of her today but previously on one of her few bad days. Her face was much sadder today. She looked at us like, 'you're letting them do this?' Heartwrenching! She is growing, healthy, and other than a few times in her brief life, fantasticly sweet!! I cannot get enough of this little girl!

On Sunday, 3 of my dearest friends came over for catch up and food! We all know each other through Kimba (2nd from the left for those who don't know her.) If there was one positive in my previous marriage, this is it!! I met Kimba in 98 living next door to her and her beautiful little Breezy. Who, for those who haven't seen her lately, is 14, tall, and yes extremely gorgeous! We all knew she would be.

Carma, Teri, and Kim, I love you all and had a fabulous time with you here. You all mean the world to me and I am so thankful everyday for your friendships. Until next time ladies...

These are the 3 best friends anyone could have. Beautiful, sweet, and would do anything for you! What more can I say?? Oh yeah, it rained. Still the best weekend!!

My new favorite pic of Mad...

Yes, we were a little bored today. I snapped a hundred pics of Maddy...here's my favorite pic of the day!!!

Easter!!

Maddy's first Easter. We were missing our older 'baby' Am! She went to California with her friend Natalie for an early 18th birthday celebration/Spring Break. Wait...18?? Yes...this is the year that I have to look forward to and want to rewind a decade at the same time. Here we have this beautiful, perfect little miracle. We are so lucky to have her and every single day I stare at her and ask...'is she really mine?' On the other hand my other baby will be graduating from high school and turn 18 all within 3 months! I am tearing up while I write this. Only because through these past 18 years, I have had the absolute pleasure of being Ambree's mom, and hopefully as of late, friend! She is the rock that helped me 'grow up'. She is the sweetest and most level headed 17 year old I know. Much more so than I was at that age. I am blessed to have this person, woman, teenager to call mine! She has always been a momma's girl. Always protective, always lovey! Even offering one year, her birthday money, to help mom pay bills when things were tight. That makes the tears roll... I absolutely love this girl and look forward to helping her through life and college, etc, etc. Meanwhile looking back and missing that smily little girl she once was! Love you Am and I am so proud of the person you are. If Mad's turn's out half as wonderful in 17 years, we will truly be the luckiest parents in the world. (Even moreso than now!) Sniff...sniff...
Anywho...We went to my parents house for dinner and an Easter egg hunt. Luke was conversing with Mad. (Which according to him, she said 'hello' to him 3 times!) He's so cute with her!

Addy with her ball. Love that face!

Emerie with her egg basket, with the help of Papa, finding eggs!

Alec holding Maddy. Love that kid, or should I say young man. He's so handsome!

The excitement was too much and Mads was tuckered out. Auntie Sissa is a good resting place.

Mad and I having our own conversation!

Busted!! I watched my nieces Thursday while Matt and Sissa moved into their new house. (Congrats guys!!) All got a little too quiet while feeding Maddy. Here's where I found the 2 culprits. In Mad's room climbing on the chair. Love them!!

Nem's thought this was funny! While Addy drops the evidence!

The three musketeers. In another year, they will be partners in crime! Notice they all have a hair pokie of sorts on their yummy little heads!

Thanks to my parents for the fun Easter!

Maddy blessing and family visit...

Here are my 3 new favorite pics....
Dan holding Mad and she is staring at him. LOVE IT!

Am and Mad 'smiling' at each other. Am is such a cute big sister. She's SO helpful! If I didn't have her, I don't know what I'd do! Am has always been MY rock, MY teacher, and MY baby. She just started the last quarter of her last year of high school. Wierd! Beyond wierd, actually! She's getting ready to graduate and it's hard to get a handle on it all!

Mad is bored with 'tummy time'. :)

Still bored!

Dan's parents drove down from Oak Harbor, Washington for the week to meet Maddy.
I think, like the rest of us, they are totally in love with her.

A whole new level of exhaustion has hit! Netting about 3 to 4 hours of sleep at night, plus trying to keep up with things during the day, I am beyond tired. BUT... there is nothing more beautiful and precious to me than those little eyes staring up at you, even if it's 3 in the morning!