Happy Birthday Daisy

Daisy had her birthday in January and turned one year old!  I just love watching my children grow and develop their little personalities!  And Daisy is no different.  She is such a fun girl and just loves to walk around the house checking up on everyone.  I especially love her smile.  Her whole face lights up and her eyes almost disappear!

 

We decided to make cupcakes in ice cream cones.  I'm so glad that we did because it was so easy just to give Daisy a cone and she loved holding it and taking great big bites!

 

I know that I say this for everyone's birthday, but I mean it everytime.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone!  Daisy is such an important part of our family.  We all love her so much! She is so beautiful and fun!

 

Sleepy Daisy

 While the boys are at school during the day, it is just Daisy, Lacey and I at home.  Daisy follows Lacey around the house and Lacey follows me...so we just have a "train" of girls walking around and doing "stuff".  

A few weeks ago, I was working on some homework (I'm taking some classes at ASU) and the girls were watching Angelina Ballerina.  When I looked over, this is what I saw.  Daisy fell asleep on Lacey!  I don't know how long she was asleep, but Lacey never said a word.  She just let Daisy sleep.  So cute!

Happy Birthday Ben!

In January, we celebrated Ben's birthday!  We actually celebrated it a day late because he worked some crazy hours on his real birthday and we never saw him that day.  Needless to say, we were excited for him to open his presents because I had a special surprise for him!

He was not expecting a box from Blair's.  It's a company online that has some of the hottest sauces in the world!  He had a bottle of Death Sauce before we moved, but it got thrown away during the move and he was so sad.  So I ordered him a sampler pack.  It has four different sauces and I heard they were pretty hot!  There is no way I am going to find out though!  In the box were also some really hot potato chips that Ben and the boys scarfed down!

Now for the surprise he didn't know was coming:  an iPad2!  You should have seen his face!  It was a great investment and he uses it all the time.  You know...all those high tech medical apps!  :)  I had to surprise him good because he bought me a really nice sewing machine last year...

Can you tell how excited Caleb was?  It was everything the boys could muster to not tell Ben the surprise because they all knew.

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas!  One of the doctors that work with Ben let him off a little early so he could spend Christmas morning with us.  Ben was working the night shift.    I thought that was so nice!

Here is what our Christmas tree looked like before the mad rush.

One of our traditions every year is that on Christmas Eve, all of the kids sleep in one room.  They always look forward to this.  We usually pick the room that is the farthest away from the Christmas tree.  And that room just happened to be Devin and Ashton's  room.  All the other kids brought in sleeping bags, pillows and blankets.  

Before anyone can go into the front room to even look at the Christmas tree, we have to eat breakfast.  I bring the food into the bedroom.  We always have the same thing: deviled eggs, oranges and cinnamon rolls.   

Right before we started to eat, we said a prayer that Ben would get off work quickly so he could join us.  Not even one minute later, Ben called and told us he was coming home early.  It was our Christmas miracle and direct answer to our prayers.  Such a little thing, but so important to us.  Our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and does answer our prayers.

Christmas Eve Performance

For Christmas Eve, we went over to Uncle Wade and Aunt Shelly's house.  We always have so much fun with them and this night was no exception.  Unfortunately, Ben had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

For the evening program, some of the kids did a few performances.  I was only able to take a few pictures because I was taking care of Daisy.  But here they are:

 

Caleb, Carson and Alli all play in the same Orchestra at school.  They are only one month a part and they all love music.  So they decided to play some beautiful music that they put together.

Calvin played a Christmas song that he memorized for a piano recital earlier that month.

Carli and Chase played a beautiful duet.

And Alli played a piano solo.

Here are a few members of the audience.  We had a great time!

Santa at Pack Night

While we were at Pack night for Cub Scouts, Santa was there.  So some of the kids went and sat on his lap.  

Lacey wasn't too sure about the whole experience.  She figured that if she didn't look at him, she would be safe.

Daisy on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with Santa and made sure everyone knew it!

Devin was just happy that they handed out treats to everyone!

My Two Cub Scouts

I have 2 boys in Cub Scouts once again! Since Ashton has turned 8 years old, he is now officially in Cub Scouts.   

In December, he received his Bobcat badge.  I love it when boys join Cub Scouts because they are always so excited and enthusiastic about everything.  Ashton is no different!  I could not sew that badge on fast enough!

That same month, in December, Calvin earned his Bear badge.  So that month, I was pinned twice!  I was one happy momma!  How many Scouts get their badges from Santa?  :)

I will have to say one thing about the Cub Scout program here.  It is incredible!  I have never seen anything like it before.  The leaders are so organized and go all out!  It has been such a great experience just to watch.  The whole pack, or unit, just received a special badge for being so outstanding!  Amazing!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Richardson

Ben and I have such wonderful grandparents!

  While we were in Arizona, we were able to see all of them.  

Here is a picture of Ben's grandparents.  I love how sweet they are to each other.  Grandpa Richardson has a way of making you feel as if you are the most important person in the world.  And Grandma Richardson is one of the most optimistic people I know.  They are both always so happy!  We love them!

Ashton's Baptism

This past November, Ashton turned eight years old! We were in Arizona for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we decided to have his baptism then.

So the day after Thanksgiving, we went to a Stake Center in Gilbert and Ben baptized Ashton.

It was a special baptism and there were lots and lots of family there.  We filled up the whole Relief Society Room!  

After the Baptism, we all went to Grandma and Grandpa Reed's house for dinner.  It was a whole lot of fun and really tasty!

We are so proud of Ashton and his decision to get baptized.  He is such a good boy and always makes it a point to read his scriptures every night and say his prayers!

Thanksgiving Day at the Reeds

We had a great time visiting family during the Thanksgiving holiday!  Here are a few pictures of the fun we had at Grandma and Grandpa Reed's house.  I forgot to take my camera to Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's house.  

Grandpa Reed loves old trucks.  In fact, I drove a 1950 Chevy 1 ton dually, flat bed truck to school everyday.   So Grandpa decided to take all the grandkids on a ride while the Thanksgiving meal was being prepared.  I went on the ride with the kids and rode in the back.

We sang all different kinds of songs, but mostly Christmas songs.

Sweet little Daisy

The Meal...

Briley, Caleb, Calvin and Carson

Tillison, Ashton and Dayton

Daisy, Landon and Mayley

Bridget, Sam, John, Karlee and Lacey

Working with Grandpa

Lacey loves visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house. She particularly loves helping with the horses.  Here are a few pictures of Lacey helping Grandpa Reed.

Another Hike...

We love going on family hikes!  Ben had an afternoon off, so we decided to drive up to the Franklin Mountains again and go on another hike.

Daisy in her backpack.

Boys hiking up the trail.

Caleb

Dinner time!

Dad and Daisy

Dad and Daisy

Carson and Ashton

Calvin

Lacey

We all packed lunches and ate up on the mountain.  It was actually surprisingly cold, so we didn't stay too long.  We will definitely be back when it warms up a little...