Brox's 7 month pics

I know I'm a little late on this post...but they are adorable none the less. My awesome cousin took these pics and they turned out so great! If anyone is interested let me know and I'll give you her contact info. Thanks again Katy!!!

Just a few of my favorites!!

I think she captured every single one of his facial expressions.... what do you think?

What happened to my baby boy... he is all grown up!!!!!

XOXO A PROUD MOMMA

Youth Pioneer Trek

Shad & I were asked to be a Ma and Pa for our ward youth pioneer trek. Summary - It was one of the hardest things I've done in a very long time...but the most rewarding.

We told Shad it wasn't the wild wild west...but he didn't care.

This is the start of the trek. Our family (below) was so awesome!! They worked so hard and never complained. We couldn't have asked for better kids or a better experience.

Getting to our campsite for the night. We had such a great time learning about the pioneers were were walking for and also fun dancing to good old country and square dance music. Our family cart was "Be Thankful".

We ran in to many surprises the second day. This water was suppose to be to our knees.

This was suppose to be a dry river bed... the mud came over my knees at the deepest parts. The mud was so sticky it ripped your shoes right off your feet. I did this part barefoot.

Right before lunch (around 2 p.m.) we came around the bend and saw this lovely "hill". Our family is the one half way up the hill. I couldn't help push the cart because I could barely make it walking. When we got to the top Sister Green was playing "Come Come Ye Saints" on her violin. It was an awesome experience. For lunch we had to pick one child from our family to shoot the "turkey". They got three shots... if you hit a turkey you got a 6 huge turkey legs with your lunch... if you missed you only got PBJs and fruit. Kayden was nominated from our family and he got the turkey on the 1st shot!!! I was still so tired from climbing the hill that I forgot to take a picture of our food. It was like the huge turkey legs you can get a Disneyland...if that helps. :)


We are almost to Zion!

My girls!

Our cute family close to the end of the trek!

What a great experience... if you ever get asked to participate I would highly recommend it!!

XOXO Melanie

Kyson's 1st Movie Theater Experience

We decided that Kyson was old enough to experience the movie theater for the first time... so what better movie to start him off on then How to Train Your Dragon... in 3D. We got a big tub off popcorn and a sprite to share. When the show first started he kept trying to reach out and grab the objects coming at him. It was so funny. He only wanted to get out of his seat once in the middle of the movie but quickly sat down next to Mommy when the scary part came. My friend watched Brox for us so we could enjoy this experience just with Ky (Thanks Lindsey). He absolutely loved it!! Shad & I really enjoyed the movie too. Since going to the movies in Vegas costs as much as going to Disney Land we will probably hold off taking him back for a little while...but we definitely won't forget his first experience.

LOVE YOU KYSON!!




XOXO Melanie

This is what happens...

When you leave your 2 year old unattended with your 8 month old...

XOXO Melanie

Birthday & Anniversary

My birthday was last month and of course Shad spoiled me rotten. He gave me new clothes for work in the morning, brought the boys to work with my favorite flowers, 2 DVDs I've been wanting forever, and my absolute favorite...CAFE RIO! That night we went to BJ's and had one of my favorite desserts - a pazookie and we topped it all off with going to see the Carrot Top show - VIP seats. It was such a great day! Thanks babe!!!

May 16th comes around (after a grueling youth pioneer trek that Shad & I went on - post to come) and we began our Sunday like usual. Then I get a text message from my older sister "Happy Anniversary Melanie" ... I had forgotten my own 7th wedding anniversary!! How could that happen? By the time I could even wish Shad a happy anniversary I had already gotten a call from my younger sister to wish me a happy anniversary too.

Luckily for me, Shad had forgotten too. Has that happened to anyone else out there? Anyway, my Mom was down (she watched the kids while we were on the trek) and so she helped me make a FANTASTIC dinner. It ended up being an awesome and very relaxing day.

Thanks Shad for all that you do for our family. The boys adore you and I could not survive without you. You are my everything!!

XOXO Melanie

P.S. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU MOM. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS PAST WEEKEND WITHOUT YOU!!

Kyson's Idol

We've been to a couple of rodeo's these past few months and I think Kyson already knows who he wants to be like when he grows up...OLIN!!

Ky won't wear his cowboy hat right... he turns it so he can see better. Silly boy! He looks like a little rodeo clown.

At the Logandale rodeo we got to watch baby pigs race and see a talking parrot. So FUN!

Kyson made us find him a rope so he could lasso the practice calf. He also roped the chairs in front of us... he would lasso, try to tie them up, and then throw his hands up in the air to call for time. He has the calf roping down! Watch out NFR.

Cute baby Brox lovin the rodeo!

XOXO Melanie

Perfect Moments

Last night while I was bathing the kids I told Ky to close his eyes shut like Mommy (I was squeezing them shut real tight) and he followed exactly what I did. I told him that this is how we shut our eyes when we are saying prayers (Side note-Ky has never once shut his eyes during the prayer, he'll fold his arms, but will not shut his eyes - no matter how many times we have told him).

That brings us to this morning...Ky woke up later than normal at a reasonable hour of 8 a.m. and came into my room (yes I was still in bed-don't judge). Conversation followed...

Ky - "Mommy get dressed. I want to eat."

Mom - "What do you want to eat?"

Ky - "Bacon, eggs and toast!" (Which is adorable to me because that is what I have been making him every Friday morning for the past few weeks...so he actually remembers.)

I was just loving my Friday morning already! Ky helped me crack the eggs, make the bacon, and butter the toast. I brought his plate to the table and told him to go and sit in his chair. I go back to the kitchen to get my plate and come back and sit down next to Ky. He is sitting there with his arms folded and his eyes squeezed shut! Not one bite gone from his most favorite breakfast!!

All those times of frustration trying to teach your 2 year old something...flew out of the window at that moment. He proceeded to copy Mommy on a great prayer and we had a great breakfast, just the two of us.

These moments are why being a Mother is so special!!

Love you Ky!!

XOXO Melanie