Visit from the Holts

The weekend before Thanksgiving April, Scott and the boys came to visit us for a couple days! We loved having them and the kids loved spending time with cousins!

We got a some good snow for the kids to play in while they were here.

Bradley loved kissing and talking to his little cousin Cannon. He has started calling him Cookie Cannon now. I'm not sure how he came up with that but he thinks its the greatest name.

Jared took Bradley and Mackalya to the BYU football game Saturday with Scott, Jaden, and Logan. We all drove down to Provo and went to the Bean Mueseum before the game.

Go BYU!!

Being Bears

At the game...

I love this sleepy look when they just got out of bed in the morning.

Bradley spends so much time upside down I thought I better take a picture of it. Sometimes he watches TV like this or just likes to hang out upside down (a few minutes at a time of course).

Happy Birthday!!

I'm once again as old as Jared!! I really enjoy those few months that I'm younger than him. I had a very nice birthday this year. My parents arrived in town that afternoon and were able to help me celebrate. Jared and the kids made me a delicious cake and gave me some wonderful gifts. I didn't end up with many pictures to choose from but here are the few I have of the birthday.

We loved having a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Hatfield! Unfortunately, they received some bad news from home and had to leave early very suddenly and so I didn't end up with a single picture of them. They watched the kids one night and Jared and I actually got to go out for the evening! That's a pretty special event since it only happens maybe twice a year at the most. We were very appreciative!!!

We forgot to eat our donuts at our Halloween party and so instead we ate them the next night for family home evening.

Mackayla is getting much better at her photography skills.

Jacob was pretty good at this.

Bradley and Mackayla actually wouldn't eat theirs off a string that night but decided they wanted to the next day so I had to set it up again for them.

For the sake of our family history, this wouldn't be a complete summary of our week without mentioning our dear little nephew Mitchell. Since Wednesday night our hearts and minds have been COMPLETELY consumed with Mitchell and his family. He's only three years old and is in the hospital with a brain tumor. Its so hard to watch your family faced with such difficult trials. The examples of faith and strength I've seen from both of my brothers and their wives in such times has been completely life changing and inspiring for me. I am so blessed with such amazing people in my family. We are still praying for Mitchell to receive the miracle he needs. We can't wait to see them at Thanksgiving!!

Halloween!

Another great Halloween has come and gone...

Mackayla the Angel

Her hair was COVERED in glitter and she did look very angelic!

Bradley as Darth Vader

Jacob the puppy

Captain Jack Sparrow (this is actually Jared dressed up)

Since Halloween was on a Sunday, everyone here trick or treated on Saturday night. We were a little nervous as we were getting ready to go since it was pouring rain. However, the rain let up just in time and the kids had a fantastic time. They all went trick or treating for a little bit then Jacob came home with me and helped pass out candy. Later, Jared brought Bradley back and took Mackayla out some more. She stayed out as long as she could and filled her basket with candy.

Enjoying the candy

Getting his whiskers on

Sunday night the Nelsons came over to join us for our own Halloween party.

Here are the cousins Jacob, Bradley, Mackayla, Sophie, and Lexi.

Root beer and nachos

We have a picture of each of the kids drinking rootbeer from these skull glasses. Can't break with tradition, right?

Jared and I quickly put together a few games for the kids to play.

This is the fish pond.

Pumpkin Basketball

Carving the pumpkin Saturday afternoon. Mackayla loved the "goo" and played with it as much as she could. Bradley didn't want it to touch him at all so he mostly just watched. That was funny because it was actually out of character for both of them. It usually would have been the other way around.

Mackayla wanted to be a ballerina for her preschool party. She LOVES her Doodle Bug preschool!

On our way to our ward party.

Me and my man!

We woke up to snow one day last week! It melted by afternoon, but the kids were delighted to get to play in it for a few minutes.

Bradley's third Birthday

Bradley wanted a Thomas the Train party this year! He really wanted a train set for his birthday, so he figured it could be a big train party!

As I was getting everything ready the night before, Jared was trying to help out and he went ahead and took over the cake decorating. He did a great job!

Our little engineer and his big sister all ready for his party!

Bradley Station: This is where you got on track #3

Getting ready to blow out candles

Posing with all his presents

Bradley wanted grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for his birthday dinner

We made a railroad track all around the house complete with mountains and tunnels. The kids loved it. Bradley ran around it over and over again being Thomas the Train. Jacob even walked around saying a cute little "choo choo" the whole time.

I thought I'd try making a pinata like April always does. Bradley requested a duck pinata. I would like to retire from the pinata making business but Mackayla is already planning what kind she wants me to make for her birthday. So, I'm not out of the business quite yet.

Trying to "quack" the pinata open

Jacob took a swing at the pinata but had actually become quite fond of the little duck over the last few days and cried when everyone was hitting it.

Enjoying Bradley's new blanket

He loves his new shield and is now better able to fight dragons.

On the morning of his birthday we were able to start the day off with a quick Happy Birthday song before Dad left for work.

Playing with his new train set the next morning

Practicing with his new bat

Bradley is so proud to be a three year old! Although he still loves playing with Mackayla, he is a total boy at heart. He loves to run, jump, tackle and climb. He loves trucks, trains, cars, construction, swords and of course his beloved light saber. We sure love him!