The Skousen Family

2011-04-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Easter

2011-04-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

What a crazy weekend. Saturday we went to two different Easter Egg hunts and they were great. The kids had so much fun. On Sunday we went to church and then came home and Ben made rabbit. Yes rabbit. He has been wanting to try it for a long time and I finally gave in. Neither of us really liked it but it was fun to say we tried. Then we watched 'The Passion of the Christ'. I cried through the whole thing as usual. Then I made a big dinner of roasted leg of lamb, honey glazed carrots, a fruit trifle, deviled eggs and a homemade carrot cake for dessert. All in all it was pretty good.

After watching 'The Passion' it really got me thinking how lucky we are to live in this wonderful time. Things get hard for everyone and it so easy to complain but after seeing what our Savior went through for us, life seems pretty good and its easy to count my blessings. I just want to say one of the many things I am grateful for this Easter is my huge family. First I have a WONDERFUL husband. He is the best man I have ever known. He is the strongest, funniest, best friend I could ask for and an amazing Dad. I am also thankful for my Parents and my in-laws. They are both so wonderful to us and we could not have gone through school without them. I am also thankful for my extended family. My amazing sisters and brothers on both sides of the family. They are great examples to us and I miss them. We miss you all and can't wait to see you soon. I love you.

Family Picture

2011-04-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

We have not had a really good family picture since Lincoln was born. Today we did it and here are some of the pictures that just did not make the cut.

update

2011-04-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy month. It hit 100 a week ago and we sent the day at the pool with the kids. It was so much fun. Lincoln is starting to crawl. He is into everything now. We caught his first crawl on camera.

Zoo

2011-04-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

I got to go to the Zoo for Katrinas school day and it was so much fun. Kids are so sweet and innocent at that age. The next day Ben and I went with Belle and the boys for her school. They loved it and were so excited to see all of the animals.

My Birthday

2011-04-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Well I am 28 years old now. I feel so much older. Ben made me a beautiful cake and I even got a coupon book from Ben. Great things to cash in for. The girl made me the sweetest cards. Thanks for the birthday card, presents and wishes. I love you all and miss you so much.

Update

2011-03-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

We had such a good time at the park the other day. The kids got to fly kites and they loved it. They are all getting so big. We cant wait to get home to Utah. Only 46 Days to go.

Update

2011-03-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. Reagan fell and really hurt his ear. The poor kid was in pain for days with it. Lincoln had to be on a Nebulizer for bronchiolitic. We had a fun breakfast of green pancakes, eggs, sausage and hash browns. The videos are of how mad Lincoln gets when he is not feed fast enough and what Reagan did with our bag of marshmallows.

Update

2011-02-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

Here are some fun pictures and video. The picture of me and the kids Jessica wanted to do my makeup. She was so excited that I let her do it and I think I looked great.

Jessica changed Lincolns diaper and used half the powder on him.

Lincoln was crying and I came in to find that Reagan was trying to share a cookie with him and put it on his forehead.

I made a great Red velvet cake for Valentines Day. It was so good. (Thanks Jen)

And there is a picture of Sabrina taking cookies we made to her teachers at school for Valentines Day.

The Park

2011-02-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Update

2011-02-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

So much to tell. First I will start with Ben. He is doing great. We are in the last semester of school and he is super busy. He is so amazing to be able to handle all that is on his plate and more. He is looking for work in Utah. We are moving home the second week of May and can't wait to get there.

I am great.

Jessica just got her report card and she is top of her class reading at a 2nd grade reading level. She has some problems in class talking to everyone and I blame that on me. She is such a good big sister and helps change Lincoln and she is even testing Reagan. She is getting so tall and is such a wonderful young lady.

Katrina is also doing amazing in school. She is really catching on to reading and is so sweet. She always has the nicest things to say about everyone. She has lost all of her baby fat and is following Jessica in becoming a young lady.

Belle is crazy. She is the strongest little girl ever and can do some amazing flips. She loves her little brother so much that we always know when she is kissing him by his cry. She is so beautiful and is loving Preschool.

Reagan is doing wonderful. He is 90% in height and weight and is such a fun boy. He loves to play cars and tackle his sister. He loves the movie Bolt and watches it all the time. He is great.

Lincoln is so big. He is 5 months and already 18lbs. He is so happy and smiley. He is rolling all over the room and puts everything in his mouth. He is still a bad sleeper but I still love him.

We miss you all and cant wait to see you.

Christmas

2010-12-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Christmas. For family home evening, we had a night of doing gingerbread houses and the kids went nuts. They had so much fun. On Christmas morning we all walked down to a room full of presents. The kids got everything they wanted thanks to some help from Santa (thank you everyone). A friend of Ben's at school gave us her old doll house and it is wonderful. The girls were so excited and I am looking forward to fixing it up on the weekend with them. Reagan got a car track and I think Ben is more into it than anyone. For Christmas I got 24 Sangria bottles, and anyone who knows me knows that it is my very favorite drink in the world. Also, every year Ben gets me a new ornament. This year he got one to remind me how much I HATE Arizona, its a cockroach encased in resin. In all it was a great Christmas.

Family in Town

2010-12-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

Bens Parents and Grandma came into town to see us this weekend. Our kids were so excited and they loved seeing family. We had so much fun and were so sad to see them leave tonight but they were here for Lincolns blessing which Ben did an amazing job. We miss you all.

Water Aquarium

2010-11-16T11:26:00.000-08:00

For Sabrinas school they took us to the new Water Aquarium. Is was so fun to take the kids and they loved the sharks. Sabrina kept asking were and crocodile were. They were so cute.

Some fun pictures and videos

2010-11-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2010-10-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our family Halloween party and the ward Halloween trunk-or-treat.

Update

2010-10-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

What a crazy month. Life is just getting back to normal after the baby. Ben is doing great, he is super busy with school and just got a part time job. I am trying to get going on Christmas gifts early, but I don't think I'll get everything i want done anyway.

Jessica is doing great in school. She is at the top of her class. On her report card every single thing was "Excels" except for listening to the teacher. She is on a second grade reading level and loves math and history. She was just tested and can read double the amount she is supposed to read in a minute. She is a big flirt already and chases the boys like crazy. I told Ben we are in big trouble when she is a teen. The other day she dropped a can on her foot and said " Son of a B" (no she did not say the swear word she said "B"). I got after her and that night during dinner I told Ben that we need to start watching what we say cause Jessie said something bad today. Ben told me that we should talk about it later when the kids are not around. Of course Jessie was listening and said " Mom and you talking about the S-u-n-o-f-a-B-e-e." Yes she spelled it out to us. Ben and I could not stop laughing. She is to smart for her own good. She loves her little siblings. She mauls Reagan like crazy and loves to wrestle with him. She is so good to Lincoln and will change his diaper, get him dressed and take care of him while I make dinner. She does not like the new toothpaste I got her and I found her wiping it on the carpet behind the couch. Drives me crazy.

Katrina is also in the top of her class. She is learning to read and the second she gets home from school she wants to do homework. Her teacher has put her in charge of helping two other kids in the class that are having trouble sounding out words and reading. She is so sweet to everyone she meets. Her and Sabrina are starting to get really close. It is so nice for my kids to have their best friends in their own house. The other day Ben and I voted and they gave me a "I Voted" sticker. When Katrina got home she pointed to it and asked "Mom are you in the army?" Kids say the funniest things.

Sabrina is still crazy. She is in preschool right now and loves it. She is doing great and starting to write her name. She is still super naughty and she keeps stealing Lincolns Binky and putting it in the whole in the back of our couch. The other night Ben put the kids to bed and came to check on them. Sabrina had a big bulge under her blanket and said " Dad I have nothing under my blanket, OK." Ben found little Reagan hiding under there trying to have a sleep over with his sister.

Reagan is all boy and Ben is loving it. He caries around his little cars everywhere he goes. He has to have them in bed with him every night. He is talking like crazy and is now saying " Laugh it up fuzzball". My Mom got him some batman shirts and that is all he wants to wear. He loves to tease his sisters and tackle them when they are not looking. He LOVES Lincoln and anytime he comes in the room he kisses Lincoln and says " Hi Baby Brother". He is so much fun to play with and loves to talk about killing the bad wolf.

Lincoln is doing awesome. He is getting so big and is smiling like crazy. He is so sweet and I just don't want him to grow anymore. He has the best fat rolls on his legs and a great double chin.

All in all we are doing great. Ben and I are so blessed to have such a beautiful, happy family. We miss you all and hope to see you soon.

Reagans birthday

2010-09-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Reagan turned 2 last week. He has had such a crazy year. In February he was diagnosed with diabetes and in the hospital he went down to 20 lbs. It is 7 months later and he is now 32 lbs. He is 85% in weight, 80% in height and 75% in head. He is so much fun and is as crazy as his sisters. He loves Batman and anything with animals. He is always in a good mood and is so sweet to everyone. I don't know what I would do without my little buddy.

Bens Birthday

2010-09-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ben turned 29 this year. I can't believe it, when I met him he was 21 just off his mission. So much has happened in 8 years. We got married, had 5 kids, moved ten times, lived in two states and I have loved every minute of it. Don't get me wrong, it has been hard to get through some of it but so worth it to be with my best friend forever. Living in AZ has been one of the hardest things we have had to do. It is no secret that we do not love it here and that we can't wait to get home to Utah but Ben and I have grown so much together here. Our marriage is so much stronger and we have done it all together. I can't decide what I love most about Ben. Here are a couple things:

1. He is the funniest person I have ever met. He can make me laugh over the dumbest things and when I am mad one word from him makes me laugh.
2.He loves his children so much and is so patient with them. He lets them climb and jump all over him and loves every minute.
3.He loves me. That is not the easiest thing to do but he does it everyday. He loves me no matter how crazy I get or how big I get in my pregnancy. He loves me more than anything and that counts for a lot.
4. He is a hard worker. He tries so hard to do well in school and it shows. He is so smart and good at everything he tries to do.
5. When you get Bens trust and loyalty it is unwavering.
6. He is so handsome. I think he is the most perfect man in the world.

These are just a few of the wonderful things I can say about Ben. He is my everything and I love him so much.

For Bens birthday I got him a new Hawaiian shirt and a Rubik's cube. My parent got him, Reagan and Lincoln BYU shirts. The girls got him bags of candy and he got some much need money from his family. Sorry I looks freaky in the picture. This was the day I got home from the hospital and I was in much need of a shower and sleep. We love you all.

Katrinas Birthday

2010-09-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry that this is kinda late but it has been a crazy month. My Katrina turned 5 on Aug 30th. She was so excited for all of her fun presents. She got a pillow pet, some fun puzzles and much more. I was crazy enough to let Ben do her cake and I think I regret it. He flipped the cake while it was still hot and it fell all apart. Katrina still loved it. She is the sweetest girl. She is so nice to everyone she meets and loves going to school. She is learning to read and she is doing a really good job. She loves to play with her sisters and brother and is loving helping me with the new baby. She always has the nicest things to say to everyone. I love my little Katrina Kathy and I wish she would not grow up so fast.

Welcome Lincoln Cleon Skousen

2010-09-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

Ok I am finally going to update. Let me start at the beginning. My parent came out 3 days before I got induced and it was so nice to spend sometime with them. The kids went nuts over them and my Mom learned quickly that if you sit on the ground you are fair game for the kids to tackle. Ben and I went in on Monday night at 7:00 to get induced. They started me on pitocin and I did not dilate very fast. By 5:00 a.m. I was having pretty good contractions and they gave me my epidural. Once that was taken care of I was in heaven. By 12:00 they told me we were going to start pushing. Lincoln was born on Tuesday September 7 at 12:18 p.m. He was 8 lbs .2 oz, 20 inch long. He was so perfect from the moment he came out. Be thought that he looked like Sabrina but I saw all Reagan in him. Who are we kidding they all look alike and they all look like Ben. I spent 2 days in the hospital and then got to come home. I missed the kids so much and I was so glad that my parents were here to take care of them. My Mom did great job taking care of Reagans diabetes. My Dad had to leave on Friday but my Mom got to stay another week which was such a help for me. The kids have been so great to Lincoln. They all fight over who gets to hold him first and who gets to feed him. Going from 4 to 5 kids has not been a huge adjustment for us. I think once you hit 4 kids thing are so crazy that nothing fazes you anymore. Lincoln is a wonderful eater but we are trying to get his sleeping schedule changed around. I am so glad that this little boy was brought into our family. He is so happy and easy to take care of. We miss all of you and cant wait to see some of you here for Lincolns blessing. Thanks for all the well wishes.

School Starts

2010-08-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Well my sister-in-law asked me the other day if it got any easier to send your second child to Kindergarten. I didn't know until today but it was not any easier. I cried and missed her all day. The girls were so excited to go to school today and they looked so cute. As we walked on the playground before school 2nd and 3rd graders came up to say Hi to Jessica. She took of and I didn't see her again. She is so friendly and not scared of anything. Katrina on the other hand was so shy and quiet. She was so sweet and excited to have a new teacher. As her and the kids stood in line to go into class the little girl next to her and Katrina held hands. I tried to get a picture but I was to late. She said she had a great day and can't wait to go back tomorrow. My sweet girls.

Update

2010-07-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

What a crazy month it has been. First off it was Jessicas 6th birthday. We celebrated with Ben and my Dad here in Arizona first. She got a pillowpet and some fun little toys from her sisters and brother. She was so excited for her pillowpet, it was all she asked for. Then my Dad, the kids and I drove up to Utah to visit family. We had a family party for Jessica and her cousin Emmie at my sister Natalies house. The kids had so much fun and Jessica was so excited to get a new Mousey stuffed animal from my Mom. Jessica has had Mousey for 3 years and takes her everywhere she goes. Mousey is getting really old and gross so my Mom got her a new one.

I spent 3 weeks in Utah and I miss it so much already. I stayed at my parents during the week and at my sister Natalies on the weekend. My Mom and Dad were so good to us and are the only reason we could have made it up to visit. Reagan and Sabrina just mauled my Mom to death. My Dad loved walking outside and seeing Jessica riding her bike around in circle as fast as she could go. Where we live in Arizona we have no yard and no place that you could ride a bike easily. Every night, once the kids where in bed my parents and I would watch the TV show House
together, they got me so addicted I miss having something fun to watch. My parents are so good to Ben and I and our little family.

When we would stay at Natalies the kids would go nuts with all of the cousins they could play with. Natalie is one of the best sisters and hostess in the world. She was so sweet and attentive. She is such a good cook and she has the sweetest girls ever and is such a wonderful Mom. We have kids all the same age so they had a ton of fun playing.

While we were up there my sister-in-law, Heidi, had her baby girl. They named her Savanna and she is so dang beautiful. Heidi looks so good after a baby that I just wanted to beat her, but she is so wonderful and is the best Mom. I miss hanging out with her and having the kids get together. We are hoping by this time next year we are back in Utah and I can play with Natalie and Heidi all day long.

Now that we are back in Arizona this are getting back to normal. It is hot and uncomfortable but we are all healthy.

Ben just finished his internship and is getting ready to start his last year of school.

I am getting nice and big. I am 34 weeks and I think that my doctor will take me on the 6th of Sept. My back is killing me with this pregnancy but I know it will be worth it once our boy is here. No we have not picked any name yet and if you have any good ideas please send them our way.

Jessica and Katrina are starting school on the 10th and they are so excited. They both will be in full day which breaks my heart but it will give them something to do in this heat.

Sabrina is starting pre-preschool in Sept and she is so excited to be going to school like her sisters.

Reagan is doing great with his diabetes and is just as crazy as his sisters. He is talking up a storm and I am so excited to get him a little buddy here soon.

Tempe Tea Party

2010-06-02T12:45:00.001-07:00

We went to a Tempe Tea Party this weekend with the kids. We got to sit on the field and listen to some really great speeches. We got to listen to Sheriff Joe Arpio and yes there were a few crazies it was really nice. The kids were pretty good and it wore them out.

Hot day

2010-06-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

When you are a poor student family living in one of the hottest cities in America you have to find ways to keep your self cool. I went to the store the other day and came back to Ben hosing the kids down and they were loving it. They found blue sidewalk chalk and colored all over there bodies with it. Not so bad but it would not come off for three days.

Katrinas Graduation

2010-06-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

Katrina had a little graduation party for leaving her Preschool. She was so sad and has cried everyday since cause she wants to see her teacher again. She had the best teacher ever and she is really going to miss her but now she will be in full day kindergarten and at the same school as Jessica.

Jessica

2010-05-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Jessica had a school performance and she was great.

Update

2010-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Pictures: We went to a water park and the kids loved the slide.

How big I am getting (24 weeks).

Reagan took his diaper off and went potty on my floor. He knew he was in trouble.

I know I need to update more but things have just been crazy. I will start with Ben. He is done with finals and he got a 4.0 this semester. We are so proud of him and how hard he has been working. He got an internship with one of his professors this summer and that is a huge relief. He is busy doing that and getting things ready for school in the fall. The kids love to play with him and it has been so nice to have him home.

I am doing really good. I am getting nice and big and the baby is moving like crazy. He has hiccups every night before I go to bed and I think it is his way of saying goodnight. I am trying to keep up on the house and I am really trying to get some sewing done but it is not easy when you have 4 kids. It is heating up nice here and I am really hoping things work out so I can go home to Utah in July. I miss my Mom and family so much and the girls want cousins so bad.

Jessica is doing great. She is finishing Kindergarten this week and she is very upset to be out of school. She is so smart I just can't get over it. She is reading and spelling on a second grade level. She loves books and coloring and wrestling with her sisters. She is so good to Reagan and he loves her to death. When Reagan got hurt last week she kept saying "I wish it was me that got hurt and not Reagan". She also had Ben move her bed into his room so she could sleep with him when we got home from the hospital. She loves to cook and helps me with dinner. I am so lucky to have her.

Katrina is becoming such a big girl. She is following in her sisters footsteps and is so smart. She starts Kindergarten this fall and is so excited for it. Her writing is getting so good and she is starting to add. She is so sweet to everyone and if you are feeling down you want to be around her. She always says nice thing about people and is so positive. She has a little boy at school that she is in love with and wants to marry already, it has us freaked out. She is getting so tall and skinny but she still has her chubby cheeks. She hates when Jessica goes to her own school because she wants to be with her sister.

Sabrina is as crazy as ever. She is so tall and skinny and I think Reagan will out weigh her soon. I have never seen a kids that can climb and move like she does. Ben and I want to get her into gymnastics so bad. I think she would be great at it. She is copying everything her sister say and do and wants to be a big girl so bad. The other night Reagan was low so Ben gave him one of his cookies that are just for when he is low. Sabrina came into Ben and said "Dad I need a cookie I have diabetes to, listen" and she started to fake cough. Of course Ben could not say No to that. She melts our heart everyday and is so fun to be around.

Reagan is doing really well. His chin is looking so much better and his numbers are doing great. He is such a loving kid and kisses and mauls me all day. I will be so sad the day that stops. He loves to play with his sisters and chases them around that house trying to get them. He is talking up a storm and will repeat anything you say to him. He is putting 2 and 3 words together. He will not go to bed till we tell him about the wolf, he loves to talk about the wolf. He so happy all the time and is learning from his sister to get into everything.

We are so excited about the upcoming year with a new baby, the end of school, a job that is in Utah we hope. We miss you guys.

Zoo Day

2010-05-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

We went to the Zoo today with a boy from Katrinas class that she just loves. She holds his hands and says she wants to marry him. Yes Ben and I are worried.

Update

2010-05-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

A couple things happened this week. Sabrina put all of my food coloring in the blender and it got all over my counter, floor, everything. And Reagan fell when I was getting him out of the shower and cut his chin on Saturday. I took him to the E.R. and they cleaned it and glued it together. It is bruised up now and he smiles crooked. I hope it get all better.

Belles Birthday

2010-05-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well it was Belles Birthday and it was a great one. She wanted smiley face pancakes for breakfast and we had pizza for dinner. When my Mom was here she told Belle about the story of Peter Rabbit and she loved it so that was my theme. She loved her cake and still caries around the bunny in her new little purse. She got so many fun thing for her birthday and Thanks to everyone for the presents and birthday wishes. We love you all.

My Birthday

2010-04-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

I had a great birthday. Ben made me a chocolate swirl cake with homemade chocolate frosting and strawberries all over. It was so good. My Mom sent me my very own elbaskiba pan and my in-laws got me a webcam that I just can't wait to use. All of the kids got me a bag of candy and I have to say I loved putting everyone to bed and eating it all. It was so nice.

More Easter

2010-04-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

wanted to post some more pictures of us coloring eggs and Easter morning. It was a good day. Jessica helped Reagan open all of his eggs and was so sweet with him.

Easter

2010-04-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

What a great day. We went to an Easter Egg hunt at Katrinas school and the kids had a blast. They were so cute in there new dresses and Reagans new shirt. They were so excited for the games and the face painting but when the hunt came they went nuts. Reagan was so cute picking up all of his eggs and Jessica got her whole basket full. It was such a good day and I wish we could have been with family.

Update

2010-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

We have had a crazy month. Regan is not feeling really great but he is still such a good boy. Jessica got a new pair of glasses and she is so excited about them. But the best news of all is I got a early birthday present from Ben. I have wanted a piano for years and finally we found one on craigslist for $100.00. It is in really good shape and I love having it in the house. I am so lucky.

St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. Ben and I stayed up last night cleaning the house so that we would not have to do it today. When the girls got up I had green smiley face pancakes and green eggs ready for them. They were so excited and played with them more than they ate them. Then this afternoon Ben went and got a $10.00 airplane that has a 4 foot wing span and we took that and lunch to the park. The kids had a blast and so did Ben. It was so pretty here with the 84 degrees it was. Hope you all had a good day to.

Update

2010-03-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

I have been so bad at posting blogs lately, I hope this makes up for it.

Ben is very busy at school. He is trying to get his portfolio out and get a job here in Arizona for this summer. He is so busy between school and us and life that I don't know how he does it sometimes. He is still getting great grades and we are hoping to have a nice spring break with the kids next week.

I am busy with the kids. I am 14 weeks along and feeling a lot better. I can't wait to get all of my energy back and the poor house it taking a hit from it. I think that Ben and I will be finding out what we are having in 4 weeks and I am so excited. I am really trying to sew again but finding the time is not as easy as you would think with 4 young kids.

Jessica is doing so well in school. She has so many friends and I love dropping her off in the morning and seeing 1st and 2nd graders come up to talk to her. She is so nice to everyone and they love how fun and crazy she can be. We had to have talks with her about mauling boys in her class and keeping her hands to herself, but she is still a great student. She is top of her class, she loves math and loves to color. When she is home she loves to spend time with me. I am seeing a wonderful friendship blooming between us and I love it. She loves to help cook dinner and will make her and her sisters sandwiches if I am busy. She likes to do dishes, sweep, vacuum and wash windows. She is even starting to help me fold laundry. She is so good to her little brother and sisters and I hear her talking to them like I do. She is my little mother hen and I don't know what we would do if she was not our first born.

I took Jessica and Reagan to the eye doctor on Wednesday. She is doing alright, but the doctor wants her to wear an eye patch over her right eye so her left can get stronger. So she has to wear the patch for 3 hours a day for the next 6 weeks. Any of you that now Ben know that he had to do this to and it helped a lot. I feel so bad for my poor girl but she is a tough and I hope this will work.

Katrina is still as sweet as possible. She is in preschool 4 days a week and loves it. She is a prefect student. She is learning to spell out words with the help of her big sister. I will find them in their room sitting on the bed and Jessica will be helping her sound out the words in their books. She says the craziest things to us. Today when Ben went to school she told me "I love my chocolate team, Dad is so handsome and I want to marry him." She also has been asking if her cheeks are as chubby as a chipmunks. I told her yes and she was so proud. She loves being told that she looks like her Grandma Kathy. Katrina loves to be girly and loves to dress up as Snow White. She has the sweetest little heart and fits well in our family. I went to her Parent Teacher conference on Tuesday and she is doing so great. She is a really good listener and she plays great with other kids. She is trying to sound out words and loves art time. She is such a good girl.

Sabrina is an amazing kid. She can climb up on anything including the fridge to get what she wants. She can sniff out candy within a 5 mile radius and I have to lock things in my bed room to keep it safe. She has the most beautiful face that is so hard to get mad at when she is naughty and I think it is fair to say the terrible twos are in full swing. She leaves the fridge open, gets into my makeup, steals Reagan’s binky any chance she gets but I would not trade her for anything. She is so strong and Ben and I want to get her in gymnastics. She has the best legs for it and loves to climb. She loves her baby dolls and sings so softly to them. Ben is a huge pushover with her and has a hard time getting mad at those beautiful blue eyes. She is a one of a kind.

Reagan is doing so well with his diabetes. He is so patient and sweet about taking his shots. He is eating us out of house and home and Ben is so proud. He loves to say and play football with Ben and likes to crash everything into the wall. He loves to cuddle his Mom and Dad and kisses us like crazy. He is climbing on everything now and into all of my drawers. He loves to dance when music comes on and loves to play outside. He hates taking baths and loves to get dirty. It is so weird having a boy after 3 girls. He also loves to kiss my belly and say "Baby" to it. He has the sweetest little voice and loves to play with his big sisters. At Reagan’s eye doctor apt they said that he is going to go in for a little surgery to fix his tear ducts. His eyes are always watery with goop in them so I am hoping this will help. He is also going to get looked at for getting his anodes taking out. We are hoping this will solve his ear infection problem. My pour kids are taking a beating.

Ben and I have been so blessed this year. We have a good home, wonderful schools, wonderful kids and a great family support system. I don't know what else we could ask for. Ok maybe a good job this summer but that is it. We love you all and miss you.

Update

2010-02-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

Well we are getting back to normal around here. Reagan is doing really well with his diabetes and the girls are all great to him. I have been getting the kids to help clean around the house more and they are pretty good at it. Reagan even helps. They are good kids and we are so blessed. I am feeling really well and am going in for a baby doctor apt tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

Crazy February

2010-02-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

OK I am back. It has been a crazy month. At the first of the month Ben and I found out that we are going to have another baby on Sept 9. We are so excited and the girls are torn between what we are having. Ben, Jessica and Sabrina think it is a boy but Katrina and I think it is a girl. I don't care what it is as long as it is healthy. I was sick for awhile but my doctor gave me some great meds and I feel a lot better.

Two weeks ago all of the kids got the flu. Within a couple of days they were all doing better but Reagan. He was losing a lot of weight and not eating. He would drink all day long and it started to scare Ben and I. On Wednesday the 3rd of Feb I took Reagan into the ER. I thought that they would give him an IV and some meds and send us home. After 5 minutes of being there they came and told me that they thought he had type 1 diabetes. (Ben and I both have type 1 and 2 in our family) They said that his blood sugar was at 629 and that his Ketones were really bad. I starting crying hearing this news. I don't think you can ever prepare yourself for something like this. It took me an hour to cry and get over the shock and then I was fine. I called Ben and told him to get a family member down here a.s.a.p. Ben and I were going to be spending a lot of time at the hospital. We had 10 different family members volunteering to come and help us. Bens Mom and sister Lizzy(who also has type 1 diabetes) came down to take care of the girls for us. The girls were so excited to see family that they ran around the house screaming with joy. The next couple days I spent most of my time up with Reagan. He started to get better after 2 days and he could eat and drink again. Ben and I learned as much as we could and thankfully got to go home on Saturday night. Since then Reagan has been doing great. His numbers are getting under control and he will stick out his hand when we have to take blood. He is such a little trooper. Ben and I are so blessed that God took care of our baby and that everything is going to be OK. We are adjusting to the life of a diabetic and I think it is going really well. The girls have been so good to Reagan and sticking with the rule that you don't give Reagan food EVER without talking to Mom or Dad first. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful for all of the people who helped us out. We love you.

Naughty Belle

2010-01-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

Sabrina found Bens PERMANENT marker and this is what we found. It was on her for a week.

Superman Reagan

2010-01-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

Reagans kisses

2010-01-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

I taught Reagan how to kiss and now he does it all of the time. It is so sweet except the fact that he always had a runny nose. It can get a little messy.

My girls

2010-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

I got these pictures on Sunday before they could get all messy. They are all growing up so quickly.

Reagan

2010-01-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

Ben made a goulash the other night and Reagan ate 4 helpings of it. He was so cute that Ben had to get it recorded.

Reagan

2010-01-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

I told my Mom how funny Reagans two front teeth are and she wanted to see a picture. These pictures aren't great but they give you the idea. He has the cutest, biggest teeth I have ever seen on a baby. I just want to bite them and I know you do to Mom.

Katrina

2010-01-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

My sister Natalie got Katrina a Snow White dress for Christmas. We found her like this after we had put on a movie so that I could make dinner. This kid can sleep anywhere. I wish I had had a red apple to put by her and the picture would be perfect.

Reagans faces

2009-12-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

Reagan has the best faces he does. These were all in about 5 minutes time. Such a cute little sucker.

Christmas

2009-12-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post these pictures of Bens amazing dessert. He made a trifle with layers of crushed up grasshopper cookies, chocolate pudding, cream cheese whipped topping and candy canes on top. It was sssssooooo good. Them we have the pictures of our gingerbread village. Bens house Jessica loved the best cause the owner cut off an intruders head. Yes he is very sick and Jessica loves it.

Christmas day

2009-12-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

We went back to presents after breakfast and the kids got some great things. They got cloths and toys, Reagan got a little puppy that wags its tail and he just loves it. Our families were so good to us this Christmas with there generosity and love. We missed family like crazy today and can't wait to be together soon.

Christmas morning

2009-12-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

Well the first session of Christmas was a hit. I was up at 6:00 just dieing for the girls to get up. Jessica finally woke up at 8:00 and I had her get everyone up. The kids walked down the stairs youngest to oldest and when they saw the tree they went nuts. We did stockings first and Santa presents. Santa brought Jessica and Katrina a barbie, Sabrina a Tinkerbell doll and Reagan a blocks set. Then we opened Mom and Dad presents. I made the girls robes and we got them sleeping bags. They were so excited. Reagan got a truck that he really liked. After that we had breakfast of french toast and just relaxed for awhile. It was great.

The Pajama Fairy

2009-12-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl the Pajama Fairy would come to our house every Christmas Eve and bring us new pajamas. It is something fun that I learned from my Mom and we have started to do with our kids. They were so excited for them this year. I even did a boy pajama which is not as easy as you would think. It is a little big but at the rate Reagan is growing he will be out of it in no time at all. The girls went right to bed last night, they were so excited for Christmas to come.

New update

2009-12-23T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have not blogged in so long so here I go. First we went and got our Christmas tree. The kids were so excited and Reagan has only pulled it down on himself twice. My amazing Mother in-law made these great nativity's for us and the kids love them, Reagan walks around kissing them.
There is a picture of Jessica sleeping. She wanted to sleep in a laundry basket the other night. It does not look comfortable.
We had a Christmas party and Katrinas school. They sang for us and had some treats and the girls did some crafts. Katrina has the best teacher, I just love her.
We went and saw the Temple light out here. They were really nice and Reagan loved them. Ben got a great picture of a orange tree.
And then we had our gingerbread house party. The kids went nuts. It was so much fun and I will post a picture of our little village when Ben and I finish our house.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ben and I both agree that we have never had a better meal. We are both so full we can’t move. It was such a nice day and we miss family like crazy. One of our Thanksgiving traditions is to put 7 corn seeds into a glass, each one represents something we are thankful for, and this is what we came up with.

Benjamin
The opportunity to go to school
My beautiful kids
The church
All my family back home
Our liberties and freedom
cereal date night with Brittany
a wonderful wife that takes good care of me

Brittany
My husband
my great kids
my childrens great health
my wonderful family back home
The prophet
the opportunities we have in AZ
my health body

Jessica
Mousey
my bed
my sisters and brother
my home
Boo, Grandma and Grandpa
Jesus birthday in Dec.
my school, class and teacher

Katrina
mousey and kitty
Mom, Jess and Reagan
Belle eating candy
Jessie
Thankful
Daddys bike
Sabrina eating gum

Sabrina
my baby
baby
sisters
candy
Reagan
babies candy
gum

Reagan
strawberries
diapers
crib
mom
dad
mom changing me
short hair

Jessie

2009-08-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

I went to parent teacher night for Jessica tonight. She is of course doing great and she is so happy there. On their first day her teacher had them draw pictures of them selves, this is what she did.

Reagan

2009-08-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Reagan has the cutest teeth ever. They are so big that I had to get a picture of him. What a cute kid.

Katrinas first day of Preschool

2009-08-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

Katrina had a great first day at preschool on Monday. She had so much fun and was so sad to leave. She looked so cute and calls all of her friends cartoon character names. I have to tell you one story about her last week. She came up to Ben when he was one the phone and this is how it played out.

Katrina:Dad who are you talking to?

Ben: (didn't say anything)

Katrina: Dad is that your girl friend?

Ben: No sweetheart (shakes his head)

Katrina: Oh is it your boyfriend?

We were laughing so hard and had to tell her that boys don't have boyfriends. She is a great kid.

Jessicas First Day Of School

2009-08-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

It is our little girls first day of school. I don't think any Mom can prepare for it. Jessica was so excited and she looked so pretty. My Mom got her a new backpack and a new dress. She felt so pretty. She started kindergarten today and here in Arizona they do full day from 8:20 to 3:05. I have never been gone from my baby like this before. I could not have let her go if it was not for the wonderful school and Ben making me. She is going to Bustoz and it is number 1 over all in the Tempe school district. She has a great new teacher named Mrs. Mcallister. She was very nice and I think Jessie will like her. Jessica is so eager to learn and she is so dang smart I know she will love it but for now I am broken hearted. Jessie is my buddy and my helper. I love her so much and even though I did not let her see, I cried the whole way home from dropping her off. I hope that the other kids will get a little easier on my heart.

Park

2009-08-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to a park the other day when it was not so hot, it was only 106. They had fun and Reagan kept climbing the slide. The girls wanted a lot of ponytails in there hair. People thought we were crazy but Belle looked the best. She was so funny. I got a clip of Reagan climbing the slide. He is crazy and he is not even 1 yet.

Our Anniversary

2009-08-10T12:25:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was our 6 year anniversary. I can't believe how fast the years have gone by. We have been threw some really crazy times and some hard times but even more good times. Ben is my best friend and the one person I look up to the most. He is so smart and talented. He can make me laugh over the dumbest things. He is the best father to my kids and they love him to death. I don't know what I would do without him in my life. I love you Ben.

The kids

2009-08-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Just a bunch of fun pictures of the kids.

The cuts along the way

2009-08-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

We had a very fun summer, and we have the scars to prove it. Sabrina cut her foot, I cut my finger, Ben got a nice looking cut on his hand. Reagan got dropped by Katrina on the cement and cut his lip and nose. Jessica cut her back but the best one would have to be my sister Natalie who was cutting fruit and sliced her thumb open. She had like 8 stitches in it. I thought everyone would like to see the blood.

This summer

2009-07-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy summer. We went to Utah to earn some money and see our families. We had such a good time. My parents let us stay there half of the time and they were so great to us. I think my mom is going to miss the big mess around everywhere. Bens brother Joe let us stay at there place the other half and the kids loved having friends around all of the time. Every night we would put the kids to bed and make zuka juices (which we named Banjoes). They were so good. We had Jessicas 5th birthday up there. It was so nice to have family around. She is going to start kindergarten in a week and I am so sad. She is such a big help to me and I just love having her around. Katrina has a birthday at the end of the month and she is so excited. All she wants is a Snow White cake. My kids are so easy to please. Sabrina just went to the doctors for her 2 year check up and she is 97% in height and 50% in weight. The doctor was so happy to hear how much she is talking and all of the fun things she is doing. Reagan went in to for his 9 month check up. He is 80% in height and 30% in weight. We are going to try to plump him up a little bit, he lost some of his weight when he started to walk. He has a eye and ear infection again. The kids were all so happy to be home in there beds. The are such good kids and I don't know how I got so blessed. Ben is getting ready to start school again. I cant wait till he is all done and money can start coming in. We love all of our family and miss all of you like crazy. Thank for everything this summer.

Sabrina Belle turns 2

2009-07-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

I have not updated my blog for so long. We have spent our summer up here in Utah and things have just been crazy. First thing to happen is my baby turned 2. Sabrina Belle had her birthday on May 5. It was to cold to do a party outside but we still had a great party at my sisters house. Sabrina loved her cake and we did a flower pinata full of good candy. She got a stroller for her new baby, a bunny, a puppy and a little vacuum. Ben was not there for it cause he was finishing his finals. I hated missing him but we had a good time. Belle is the most active kid I know. We have got to get her into gymnastics. She is not scared of anything and she can fall and not cry over little scrapes. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. She is so beautiful and fun.

Easter

2009-04-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter. We did a little Easter egg hunt for the girls and they were so cute. I am making a Honey baked Ham, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and a wonderful cake for dessert.

Birthday

2009-04-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

My parents came into town for my birthday this week. It was the best present I could have asked for. My kids were so happy to see them and so was Ben and I. We spent most of our time at home just relaxing. My poor parents got mauled by the girls so bad. I wish they did not have to leave so fast but we are hoping to make it up there in the summer.

My sweet Sabrina

2009-04-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

Zoo day

2009-04-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

The girls school had a Zoo day today so Ben took the day off school and went with us. The girls had so much fun and it was a beautiful day. The girls made really cute hats in school and they were so excited to wear them. It was a great day.

Mousey

2009-03-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Jessica loves her Mousey so much it is a little scary. She wanted me to make it a pancake the other day so I did and I put it in a little bowl for her. Jessica was so excited, that kids kills me.

2009-03-29T00:34:00.000-07:00

My sweet Reagan got his first two bottom teeth in this week. Sabrina saw me checking his gums and now she wants to check. The video is of Reagan falling asleep on Ben. He is so dang cute.

Shout out to Paul and Kathy

2009-03-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a new shout out to my in-laws. Most people are not as luck as I am to have such great in-laws. Paul and Kathy have helped Ben and I through so much stuff and I don't know where we would be without them. When we lived in Utah they built a basement apartment for us to live in. We never paid rent and they were so patient with us. We lived in there house for the first 3 kids we had. We had little Katrina and she was so beautiful and so sweet that we had to name her after her Grandma Kathy. Also when we lived with them Kathy and I would spend the days talking and cooking and Ben had Paul to talk to at night. We miss them a ton and I wish they could be here to see how big our little ones are getting. Paul and Kathy are such hard workers and they never seem to let life get them down. When you walk in the door you are going to get a big smile and a hug. They have made me feel like one of there own kids. They are also great with my kids. Jessica just loves Paul and always talks about the Grandpa that gives her peanuts. They have been a great example to Ben and I and we love them to death. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Jess

2009-03-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

So I just had to let everyone know that it is not Reagan crying in the background. It is Sabrina, she was mad cause she wanted to dance with Reagan and I wouldn't let her.

Jessica loves to dance and sing to Sleeping Beauty. She wanted to dance with Reagan the other day and I thought it was so sweet.

Time together

2009-03-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

We had a fun weekend. The girls and I spent a lot of time at the park. I can't believe how much energy they have. I wish I was young again. When Joe and Heidi came out to visit they gave us this great grill. We used it on Saturday for steaks and hot dogs and the girls loved watching Ben make the fire. What can I say, I have really cute kids. They take after there Dad.

Our fun weekend

2009-03-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

We had such a wonderful weekend. Ben was off of school for spring break and his brother Joe and wife Heidi came to visit. They have 3 kids that are all really close in age as ours, Kayla, Isaiah and Porter. The girls loved playing with Kayla and I don't think they fought once. Sabrina and Isaiah play great also except she kept stealing his sippy cup. We took them over to the lake by our house and up to Ben campus. We played it really low key. I think we all needed the break. We got some great pictures of the kids and us at the park. Reagan has a little friend in there boy Porter. They are only 3 months apart and they are so dang cute. Reagan kept trying to grab Porter face. We hated to see them go. They are a really fun couple and we really miss having family around. We are hoping to make it back to Utah this summer so the kids can see there cousins and we can get out of the heat.

Saint Patricks Day

2009-03-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

We started off our day by cleaning the whole house. I was sick yesterday so the house got destroyed. Tonight I made corned beef and cabbage. I also made green jello with strawberries, strawberry slush's and carrot cake cupcakes with green cream cheese frosting. The girls loved the corned beef and I was surprised that I liked the cabbage. It was a nice dinner.

Jessica

2009-03-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Some more video of Jessica dancing. She was sick with a cold so she was not as crazy as usual.