Easter 2011

Here are a few of the highlights from our Happy Easter.

Everyone had fun dying and designing eggs.

The Easter Bunny visited our house Saturday morning. He knew we would at Papa's the next day so we were happy he could come a little early.

Some eggs, some candy, some loot

After our egg hunt we headed to Oakley for the annual egg hunt put on by Papa and Dee. They always do a great job and the kids look forward to it every year.

Papa and Laney Girl

The kiddos after they found their baskets, golden eggs, new jackets, and plenty of candy.

They were very spoiled as usual.

EASTER DAY

We spent the night at Julie's and were able to have Easter dinner with everyone and just enjoy being together. The kids love playing with their cousins.

Loggy Boy

(he fell asleep on the way home from church and wasn't too excited for picture time)

Laney Girl
She does NOT like grass

3 Cute Girls

Ellie Girl

She is always so photogenic

Bailey Girl
She is getting so grown up

I love mommy she loves me, we love daddy yes siree,

he loves us and so you see, we are a happy family.

(Logan learned this song in nursery and sings it all of the time)

All of the cute Payne cousins.

Laney Girl is 6 Months

I may never get caught up on this blog, I have serious intentions to do so but until then.......Our Baby is already 1/2 of a year old.

I have decided the more kids you have, the time just goes quicker and faster.....too fast. She is so much fun to have around. All the kids love to make her smile and she is perfectly content with someone gooing and smiling in her face all day.

She has big blue eyes, and I can't tell what her hair is going to be like. Probably a cross between Bailey and Logan. Ryan calls her Lane and La nae nae, I hoping the latter does not stick, but everyone is picking up on it. She could give me a little bit more sleep, but she is worth the deprivation. She is a joy to have around.

Florence Nightingale & A Pot of Gold

At the end of February Bailey finished her historical project. They had to choose and research someone who was dead and had made an influence on the world. The individual could not be a celebrity or solely known for religious affiliations (basically telling them they couldn't do Nephi or Joseph Smith) :) Bailey chose Florence Nightingale, she was the first nurse, and while there were several repeats, Bay was the only Florence. She was pretty proud of that. She learned a lot and was a good help on this project but lets be honest, I did a lot of it. I guess that is how they learn, a 4th grader can only do so much. She had to give a little speech about her (which she still has memorized and recites often), make a tri-fold, write a report, and dress up like her. They had a museum with all of the students to show case their hard work. She ended up getting 100% on the project. She was proud of herself, she taped her grading sheet to the door for me to see when I got back from dropping off Ellie at gym. I glad she enjoyed the project.

Good Job Florence!

That is my moms nursing hat that she wore in nursing school. Florence actually only wore a bonnet but we thought the nursing hat so better suited for the event. Her nickname was the Lady with the Lamp, so uncle Spencer crafted us a lantern for her to hold.


At the beginning of March Ellie had her Pot of Gold meet for gymnastics. This is the big meet of the year, where the students have the opportunity to pass off their current level and move up. She did awesome. She really wanted a new leotard for the event and it made her perform like a rock star. She 3 blue ribbons(beam, floor, and bars) and 1 red (vault) this earned her a gold medal and the opportunity to move up to level 3. She also got invited to be on the team. We aren't sure we are quite ready for the time and financial commitment just yet, but it will probably happen eventually. I think this is her true love.

Way to go Ellie, we were so proud of you!!

I was running the video camera and Ryan was chasing Logan, so Bailey was in charge of photography for the day. She did a great job, she captured some good moments. Thanks Bay.

St. Patty's Day

Lucky the Leprechaun visited us again this year. He left gold coins and plenty of green candy. Everyone had something green to wear so no pinching took place. Logan and I made green pot gold cupcakes, he was so excited to show the girls when they got home from school. The kids are starting to remember the traditions, they asked if we were having green corn chowder for dinner. I am glad they are remembering. It is always fun to have a holiday to celebrate and to shake things up a little.

Good Morning Little Leprechauns

Our Littlest Leprechaun

Our Craziest Leprechaun

Our True Leprechaun (thanks to her red locks)

Our Oldest and Safe Guarding Cupcake Leprechaun

The crazy leprechaun is not happy about the safe guarding he wants another cupcake, I am pretty sure he ate 5 or 6 that day.

Thanksgiving 2010

FIRST SNOW

This was our first snow of the season. It was sad to see our nice fall go. You can tell in this picture that our roses had bloomed again, not after this day! During the week of Thanksgiving it was bitterly cold, the high was like 22 or something ridiculous.

Things we are Thankful For Turkeys

I am going to have to change the rules next year, the kids have picked up on the fact that Ryan puts the same thing every year. These tease him about it too...Food, Family, Teeth, Church and Football. All good things to be thankful for, football is debatable at times.

The the drive to Burley for Thanksgiving took longer than usual,
but we made it and we had a great holiday.


Events From Thanksgiving Day



TURKEY TROT
On Thanksgiving morning a few of us braved the 5K Turkey Trot that we were all very excited about signing up for. But come Turkey Day the weather was not cooperating. When we started the race it was 3 degrees!! I thought my face was going to fall off! The sun was out and there was not any wind (which is highly unusual for Burley). When I finally started sweating, my sunglasses got stuck to my face. It was still really fun though, Bailey was a rock star she ran almost the whole way and she thought it was really fun. Hopefully next time it will be a little warmer and everyone can come.


DINNER AT PAPA and DEE'S

Bailey and Jakeb

These picky eaters did enjoy a few bites

Logan and Ryan

Loggy feel asleep on the way out to Oakley so he had dinner a little later he still looks a little sleepy but really wanted to eat by his daddy.

PAPA TAKING OUT HIS EYEI am sure Papa loves when we have more babies because that means there are kids who have yet to see him take out his eye. This time it was Gracee and Brody who wanted to see it. Each time he does it the kids get more excited and brave. This time they wanted to hold it.


Bailey and Ellie holding the eye




LANEY IS 2 MONTHS OLD



LANEY GAVE HER FIRST REAL SMILE

Logan and Dallin in matching McQueen PJ's

FUN IN THE SNOW

My Brother In Laws parents live across the street and they have this very fun snow machine. I don't even know what it is really called. But the kids thought riding in it was a blast. Logan didn't want to get out even though it was freezing.

I didn't really bring Logan any snow clothes, but he wanted to go out so bad. This is what we were able to piece together. He was just happy to be able to go outside.

We also had a great time on Black Friday. It really is just about the experience. I didn't get that much of my shopping done, but we had a really fun time.

Laney's Blessing

Dear Laney Girl,

Today was your special blessing day. You looked adorable. Daddy gave you a wonderful blessing. He always just says the right thing, he did the same with your sisters and brother. He blessed all of you to be strong in the gospel, and to have healthy bodies. I hope both of those things happen. We are so blessed to have so many people who love us. All of your family came to support you. It was a far drive for most of them, and the bigger our family gets the smaller our house becomes. But they still came and stayed with us so that they could be here for your special day. Even though Uncle Aaron wasn't sure who you were?? It was even Jace's birthday and he still came, time goes too quickly, he was your age when daddy and I started dating 13 years ago!! I made dad buy him a shirt at Baby Gap, he payed for it with a check, Craziness. Aunt Mindy taught me how to make those cute flowers that I made for you and your sisters. Your face is a little scratched up because Logan attacked you in the car, it was the only time he had hurt you. I don't know what got into him. I left you in your car seat to check on Ellie because I thought she had dog poop on her shoe and she was in grandma's car, but it was actually just mashed up wet leaves. I felt so bad for you and your beautiful little face. I think Logan felt bad too, hopefully he won't attack you any more. Grandma, Melly and Jenn all made yummy soups for us to eat, Papa and Dee never disappoint with all that they do, and everyone else brought awesome desserts. It was a great day. Thanks for being born. We love you!!

Some visual evidence of the scratches :(

All of the awesome men

Our Family

Your siblings were fighting over who should hold you.

Bailey is the oldest so she won.


3 Pretty Girls

You Are Loved

A Gorgeous Fall Day

We had such a beautiful fall this year. It was great for soccer games and for letting the kids play outside. We like to milk it all that we can, because we know winter is coming. The weekend that we blessed Laney was great. The kids played at the park by Ryan's office for a long time. They loved being outside and playing with their cousins.

Playing in the leaves at our house
The leaves at the park were huge and there were tons of them

The leaf was as big as Laney

Logan and Jackson swinging

Drew and Ellie enjoying a little bar action

Logan loved this toy because it is a tractor

I am the queen of the world

We love fall!