Ninja Training

Cooper loves to do "Ninja Training". He always asks me to train with him...it's so cute! We practice handstands, punches, kicks, blocks, and jumps. He is just so much fun. I love my little Buddy!

Tutu

Yesterday Kendall asked me if she could go outside and play, but I told her it was too cold. A few minutes later I hear the back door open and close. I went outside to find Kendall playing in the snow in just her boots, a hat, and a tutu! Crazy girl! 

Well, I'm glad that she really loves to go outside!

Later that day, I had an appointment for a mammogram. Casey came home early from work so that he could come with me, and my mom came over take care of the kids. She brought Isabelle with her and so Kendall was happy! :)   

I was so nervous for my appointment and so I was really glad that Casey could come with me. When we got there I checked in and we waited for about a half hour before they called me back. I felt so out of place because all the other people in the waiting room were elderly women.

When they called me back I put on my gown and only had to wait a few minutes before they called me back to do the mammogram. I wasn't sure what to expect, and so I was really nervous, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The machine hurt a little, but it really wasn't too bad. 

After the mammogram I sat in a room by myself for at least 20 minutes before a technician came back and told me the doctor wanted to get some ultrasound images.
I waited for about another 15 minutes before the doctor came in and started the ultrasound. I was getting a little nervous watching them and seeing the look of confusion in their faces. The doctor finally said he didn't think it was anything cancerous, but that he wanted to move me to a different ultrasound machine to take another look. The technician joked with me a little and asked me if it was ok if they did some experiments on me, haha.
 After changing rooms, the doctor took a second look and finally told me that he thought the mass was a cyst, and that he wanted me to come back in six months to make sure it hadn't changed.
 So, GOOD news! I was so afraid that it was going to be something bad, but it looks like it is just a cyst. I was so relieved!
I got dressed and went back out to waiting room where Casey was patiently waiting for me. I told him what the doctor said and we headed back to the car for our snowy ride home! I finally have answers to something I have been worried about for a very long time. I'm so glad that I finally took the step to call the doctor...it took me months to get the courage to do it. Now I can relax knowing that it's nothing serious! The doctor did say that they are going to keep an eye on the cyst, watching it for any changes, and that they may chose to drain it at some point. So, until I have to go back in six months, I'm not going to worry about it!

Family Night

Last night for family night we went to Scheels. When we got there, there was a guy cleaning inside the fish tank. He was giving the kids fist bumps through the glass. I should have taken a picture! The kids thought that was pretty cool!
Kendall really liked watching all the fish swimming around in the tank. While the kids were watching the fish Casey went and bought some tokens for the Ferris wheel. Kendall was too small to ride, and so I went first with Riley, and then the boys went after us. Poor Kendall kept asking when her turn was, but there were a lot of other things to see at the store and so I don't think she was too sad.
We looked at the animals, and then we tried to find a medicine ball for our p90x workout, but we didn't find one we liked. We also tried to find Casey some new shoes, but no luck there either. Before we left, we saw a little playground area for the kids and so we let them play for a little while. I think they had a good time...but they were pretty cranky on the way home, haha! :)

Sister Night!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I am so glad we were able to have a girl's night before Megan went back up to BYUI.  It has been a long time since the three of us have been able to get together and hang out, and just be silly! 

                                                                                                                                      We went to Mal's house for a movie night. We decided to watch Mama! It was scary!! I guess this is how Megan and I watch scary movies, haha! I didn't realize that she was doing the same thing as me (maybe she was mocking me, I don't know, haha).After the movie we just chatted for a while, and even got a fright when Ethan scared Mal, which made me and Megan scream, too! I have the best sisters!

Happy Christmas!!

We have had such a wonderful Christmas! I just love watching how excited the kids are the whole month of December, and finally on Christmas morning they are just so overjoyed! 

Ryan and Cooper both got a Nintendo 3DS; Riley got an iTouch; and Kendall got some lego blocks. It was so fun to watch them open up all their presents! I got Casey a movie and a BYU blanket, and Casey got me P90X3...which I LOVE!!! I can't wait to start on Monday...I'm so excited!!

My parents came over later this morning and we had fun watching the kids open their grandparent gifts. They are pretty spoiled! They sure have an amazing grandma and grandpa. I'm so grateful that we live so close to them, and that my kids get to spend so much time with them!

We've just been hanging out all day and taking it easy. I love my family so much!!

Merry Christmas!!

p.s. I'm a little sad at how blurry these pictures turned out! I think I'll make a goal to use my "real" camera more often, and not rely of my phone to take pictures..especially on such special events!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is finally here! I love seeing how excited the kids get about Christmas. Being parent is so much fun!

This afternoon we went over to my Grandpa's house for our Christmas Eve party. Grandpa and Grandma Riley gave all the kids their own little bean bag. They were all so excited when they opened them. They all just loved them! Such a perfect gift for the kids! 

It was fun seeing our family! After the party we went over to my parent's house so that the kids could open one gift from my parents, and also so we could give each other our sibling gifts.

The kids were so excited to open their gifts from grandma and grandpa. They each got a pair of jammies, and some hot chocolate and a mug. They couldn't wait to put on their jammies and watch the movie when we got home!

After the kids opened their gifts, we surprised Mom and Dad with a couple gifts we went in together on. We got Mom a gift card to Salt Lake Running Company so she could buy a new pair of running shoes. And we got Dad the extended version of The Hobbit. At that time I also gave them the booklet I made about our family service project that we did. The kids liked showing grandpa the pictures and telling him all about what we did.

After we got home the kids immediately put on their jammies they got from grandma and grandpa. They took their new bean bags downstairs and they watched the new Home Alone move that grandma got them. 

We made some cookies for Santa later that evening, and then Casey read them the story of Christ's birth. I just love my family!

Grandma and Grandpa with their cute Grandbabies!

Momma with her gift card to Salt Lake Running Company! I'm excited to see what shoes she gets!

Papa and Allie. I want to watch the extended edition of the Hobbit!

My Love and my baby princess!

I love my family!

We had fun making cookies for Santa!

There's nothing like Christmas Eve!

Watching a movie on their new bean bags. The kids love them!

Listening to Daddy reading them the story of Christ's birth.

Suki was excited for Christmas, too!

Service Project

For our service project we participated in our Ward’s “Angel Tree” program. After picking two ornaments off of the tree, we sat down with the kids and talked to them about service, and how helping others is like giving a gift to the Savior. We showed them the little angel ornaments and talked to them about how some children don’t have all the things they need.

One of the angels was for a 5 year old boy who needed a coat, and the other was for a 4 year old girl that needed a shirt. The kids were shocked to learn that some children don’t even have coats, or all the clothing they need. It really helped them connect with these two little kids, and they were very anxious to help!

We took the kids to Target to pick out a coat and shirt for the two children. They had fun looking at the different coats and shirts, and deciding which ones would be good to give to the kids.

When we got home, we wrapped the gifts together and then took them to church. I think the kids learned a lot about service and why it’s important to help others. I loved watching their excitement throughout the whole process…they were very happy to be able to help!

I’m grateful for these experiences we have with our children, and I know that one of the best gifts we can give the Savior is to serve others!