Devil's Hole

When we go on hikes they usually end up taking a really long time. Goose seriously stops and inspects EVERYTHING!!!! I am amazed at the things he finds, things I know I would miss if I hiked alone. I am glad we have our little Goose who always stops to smell the flowers.

Oliver loves the backpack, and constantly has his tongue sticking out.

Daddy/Daughter and Oliver.

Lilly being a goof again....

On our way back to the car Goose stopped and said, "Mom,could you get a picture of me sitting by these rocks?" Of course! :)

The boys were mesmerized by these little critters. Goose especially loved watching the centipede crawl all over his arms and fingers. It is pretty cool to watch their zillion little legs move in sync.

Despite the fact that it completly grosses her out, Lilly loves to flip rocks over to see what is hiding.

The crew...

Exploring, what these two do best!

Lilly being a GOOF!


G took this picture.

I think Jeremy must have been thinking, "Man I wish I had my fishing pole!"

Goose found a centipede at the beginning of the hike and insisted on carrying it on a stick the entire time!
G leading us on the hike.

Pinewood Derby

Grant loved the Pinewood Derby. I think his favorite part was spending so much time with Jeremy carving, sanding, and painting the race car.

Best Friends

Oliver had a "playdate" with his best buddy yesterday. Carson and him are only 1 day apart.

RoLLing

Oliver is getting so big! Today he rolled over for the first time!

Happy Mother's Day

Jeremy and the kids always make Mother's Day extra special for me. They made dinner which was delicious, and showered me with homeade cards (my favorite). I am grateful to be a mother. During dinner Lilly picked up her broccoli and said, "Mom, do you want my broccoli?" The kids made a little Mother's Day sign for me. They even remembered that my favorite color is green.

My New Life

Click on link below to watch an incredible story.
My New Life

Happy Birth-Mother's Day!

Our hearts are full today as we think of our birthmother Aubrey. I first met Aubrey in August of 2009 and immediatly felt a connection with her. I had a overwhelming feeling that I knew her from long ago. I am sure before we came to earth we were friends. Aubrey is the most incredible person I have ever met and is the definition of selflessness, courage and love. Back in 2004 after the birth of our second son Jeremy and I knew that one day we would adopt. We felt very strongly that some of our children would come through adoption. At the time we were blessed to have children. It wasn't until the unexpected death of our fourth child Maxwell that I was told by doctors not to have anymore children, because more than likely I wouldn't make it through another pregnancy. The conversation Jeremy and I had clear back in 2004 played in my mind over and over. I knew without a doubt that the rest of our children would come to our family through adoption. Although, Jeremy and I consider Oliver our own I will never take for granted Aubrey's role in allowing Oliver to join our eternal family. We love and respect Aubrey and admire her for her strength, courage, love, selflessness and are so grateful that she allowed Jeremy and I to be a part of her pregnancy as well as witness the birth of our son. Her decision to place Oliver was not an easy one. She chose to place Oliver in my arms out of an overwhelming love she has for him. Oliver will grow up knowing all about Aubrey our amazing birthmother. We are grateful for our Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers and who put Aubrey in our path, we love her dearly and continue to pray that she will feel the love that her Savior has for her.
"A Birthmother puts the needs of her child above the wants of her heart" Skye Hardwick

Happy 4 Months!

Oliver is the sweetest little guy ever! At four months he is smiling like crazy, cooing, laughing, going to school, (see post below) and tried rice cereal for the first time! Oliver still loves his bath and has come to almost expect it as part of his morning routine. The kids absolutely adore him and especially like it when I show up to their school with Oliver.

Oliver constantly is putting his hands in his mouth. We are trying to break the habit!


Thanks Chantel for letting me borrow your Bumbo chair, Oliver loves it!
Lillian likes to pretend she is Oliver's school teacher. She sets him in the Bumbo chair and reads him all sorts of stories. He is such a good little student!

Mother's Day Tea Party

Lilly was pretty excited to have Oliver and me come in to her class and celebrate Mother's Day. The children did a little program and served us lemonade and cookies. It is always so fun to go into her classroom.



Kindergarten Class Quilt 2009-2010
Lilly did such a great job!

Fancy Shoes and Squirt Guns

Lilly got a surprise package in the mail from Grandma Sugar. When she opened it she got the biggest grin! She loves wearing her sparkly pink gem covererd shoes everywhere we go. Thanks Grandma Sugar!!!

Squirt gun war....

Blowing bubbles...

Lilly playing with some of her friends in the backyard.

Last Day of School

The kids have got used to putting on their backpacks with their dad in the morning and heading off to school together. However, as of today I will only be sending three off to school. Jeremy is officially done with school. On one hand it seems like he has been going to school forever, however on the other I can't believe how fast these last few years have went! It does seem a little strange that he is done. However, we are thrilled to be staying here in Buffalo. Now if only we could get some family to move here......

Goose and Grubbs

Goose started baseball and LOVES it. Mostly because at the end of each game you get a token. The token can be used to purchase any snack in the snack bar. At the game on Saturday I noticed Goose squatting down and looking at something very closely near second base. After the game I asked him what he was doing and he said, "right next to the base, there was a pile of dead grubbs in the grass." This boy of mine loves the world around him and always manages to find the most peculiar things.

I have a picture of Jeremy around Monte's same age. I can't believe how much they look alike!

Catch of the Day and I'm not Talking Fish

The CRAZIEST things happen in our backyard. The other day we were playing in the backyard after school. All of a sudden this hawk swoops down and picks up a duck and carries it off into our tree. No joke! I've seen a hawk get mice before but NEVER a stinkin duck! It really was quite crazy and I'm kinda feeling bad for the duck!
If you click on the picture you can see the hawk and duck really well.

All-Boy

I just love this picture of Oliver looking up at his big brother Grant.

I can't get enough of this blue-eyed boy. We just love him!!