Halloween

I am not trying to be a Halloween scrooge, but I am glad it is over!

Fayth turns 1

It is truly amazing to me, how in one year's time a baby can go from this




to this...




It has honestly been the fastest year of my life. Fayth has been a joy, a light, and a blessing to our family. She has made Tytan and Tanner brothers of a sister. And it has been great to watch the bonds form between them. I think she will be very lucky to have them watching over her throughout her life.




She is developing her own personality, which is truly all girl. She loves for you to feel bad for her when she gets hurt or scared. She already knows how to feed her new baby its bottle. She has always had the most delicate and girly hands, which I love. She is a little chatterbox and I am afraid for what we are in for once she can form sentences. But it really has been wonderful for me to have a daughter. When she was first born, I didn't feel any differently towards her then my boys. The love is the same regardless of gender. But now, it is fun to be able to take her in the kitchen and talk to her about what I am making. Or to let her play with my makeup and talk to her about how I am putting it on. And of course, great to dress her in girl clothes. But I just love her spirit. And I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me the opportunity to raise such great children. It is a great responsibility. But, one that Casey and I hope to make the best of. I am so happy Fayth is here! She is our "Baby Lady" and our little Butterfly. Each day her wings get a little bit bigger.

Best Meatloaf Ever

Okay, so I know meatloaf doesn't have the greatest reputation. I never had it growing up, so when I got married I decided to try it. I have tried a few recipes, and this is by far my favorite. So I had to share it! Not only is it good, but it is cheap and easy. All three are requirements for recipes around my house.

Incredibly Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 pound Colby cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup ketchup (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a bowl, mix the turkey, milk, bread crumbs, and eggs by hand. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the cheese cubes into the mixture. Transfer to a loaf pan, and top with ketchup.
3. Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

*So, the only things that I did different were, I seasoned the turkey with some garlic salt. And I used Cheddar cheese instead of Colby because that was what I had. (Be sure to do it in cubes) Lastly, instead of ketchup I spread a tangy BBQ sauce on the top of the meatloaf before I baked it. And I baked it for 1 hr and 15 minutes and it was perfect! So good, so easy. Be sure to mix all the ingredients with your hands. (Take your rings off) Let me know if you try it and like it!

Labor Day

We had a nice time this Labor Day. We hiked to the top of the Castle Rock, which is our town's namesake landmark. It is just a couple of blocks from our new home. It is a great hike, just about a mile. Perfect for the boys to do on their own.


The view from the top of the trail is beautiful! You can even see our house, and the boys think that is so neat!


We have hiked this once before, a couple of weeks ago. But this time we went with our cousins, and they had fun exploring together.


Then, once you get to the top of the trail, if you are brave and daring (like Casey) then you can rock climb to the very top of the actual Castle Rock. So, Crystal, Seth, and Casey helped take all the kids to the top. Except for Fayth of course. And then Crystal watched Fayth while Casey took me up. It was fun! And I am very grateful to live in such a beautiful place!

Tanner goes to Preschool

Tanner started preschool this week. He goes twice a week for two hours. He is loving it! He picked out his own outfit for the first day. And when I say HE picked it out...I mean it! Tanner is my little fashionable child. He knows what he wants, and it always matches! He started dressing himself right at two years old, and I have been letting him do it since.


Plus, he decided on all his own poses for his photo shoot. He sure knows what he wants!

You would have thought that I would have told him to stand like this, but I did not. Maybe he takes after his Papa and will be a photgrapher someday. In any case, he is one of the funniest kids you will meet. Sometimes I wonder where he came from. And then I remember pushing his large head out, and I know he came from me :) And I couldn't be prouder.

So, what did Fayth and I do during our GIRL TIME? Well, Fayth did this...

And I...(insert drumroll) WORKED! Wahoo! So exciting. But I am happy to have found a great teacher, Dena Hicks (pictured above), for Tanner. And he enjoys feeling big like his brother Tytan. Also, he informed me after his first day of preschool, "I know everything now Mom, because I go to preschool".

Happy Birthday Tytan

Tytan's birthday was two weeks ago, so I am little behind in this post. But I can't believe he is 5 years old. The years have gone by really fast. It seems like just yesterday that it was just me and Tytan hanging out in our little Rexburg apartment, while Casey was at work. He would take naps on me, on and off throughout the day and I would sleep whenever he would. And boy did I need the sleep, considering he woke up every 2 hours until he was one! And we would go for walks to the grocery store and the duck pond. And now look at him. He likes to see what kinds of crazy things he can jump off of on his bike! There are many things I love about Tytan. His brown eyes can melt your heart. He is sensitive, compassionate, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is smart, a great friend, coordinated, brave, a leader, and a protector of his brother and sister. I could not have asked for a better son, and especially to be my first. He will always be my very first child. The child who made my heart whole again, and who gave me the greatest gift of all...motherhood. Tytan has something special about him. People are drawn to him, and I know he will be a great leader and influence in this world. I am so lucky to be his mom! I love you Pup!

Kindergarten!

Tytan started Kindergarten today. Boy, how the time flies when you are so happy and so busy! Yesterday he went and met his teacher, Mrs. Clouthier.

She seems so great! I was a little nervous because Tytan will be one of the youngest in his class, but after meeting with him his teacher said that he is more than ready and that he will do great!


Here he is this morning. He woke up so early because he could hardly contain his excitement!
We arrived at his school, and still no nerves at all! He looked so handsome and I was so proud that he was my son.
I told him I was going to take one more picture and he blew me a kiss! He couldn't have been happier. When he was done I asked him if he missed me and he said, "No. I knew you would come back." It made me think a lot about our Heavenly Father and how he must have felt sending his own Son down to Earth. I am so thankful that I have a husband who was able to give Ty a blessing before school, and for the sweet spirit Tytan brings to our family. Tanner sure missed him while he was gone. He is a great brother and son, and I know he will be a great student!