Happy Birthday Samantha!!

Yesterday was Samantha's 5th birthday. I am not sure how in the world she can be five already. I know this sounds cliche but....I feels like just yesterday she was a sweet little baby cooing at us, but today she is a tall, beautiful, smart and wonderful young girl. She is such a blessing in our lives and we are so happy that she is here with us. I am extremely grateful to my Father in Heaven who gave her to me, and while at times I am completely overwhelmed with the thought, I am also grateful for the responsibilty I have to teach her and raise her. There are days when she teaches me much more than I could have ever taught her and I love her so much. I went down a little bit of memory lane looking through Sams baby pictures. Here are a few of my favorites. It is amazing how she has changed and turned into such a beautiful girl!

For her birthday we spent the morning at the park...

It wouldn't be a birthday without cupcakes...

and friends...

Then we met up with Daddy on campus and had lunch with him. It was nice to take a walk around campus because we have been here for over a year and still haven't really ever taken the kids on campus. It is beautiful!

This pretty much sums Sam up!!

I have some how started a crazy tradition that I make fun birthday cakes for our kids. I always spend a couple hours on the computer looking for ideas and then ask Sam opinion (giving her options that I THINK I can do). I was really pulling for a cute butterfly cake that I knew would be no problem, but...she at the last min. saw a picture of this castle cake and would settle for nothing less. So, being the FANTASTIC mother that I am (you can chuckle to yourself here if you need to) agreed to make the cake. I did not however realize that to make it "just like the picture" you need TONS of candy. So, needless to say, our treat cupboard is overflowing with excess candy, and my kids don't even really eat cake. They will eat it on the birthday, but after that...they just want the candy. So dentist, here we come.

Happy Birthday Sam!! We love you!

Spencers Butte

The other day Rich as able to spend the day with us. We decided to go on a little hike up Spencers Butte. It was beautiful scenery, gorgeous views, but most of all it was fun to spend time with family!

Show us your muscles Ryan!! ( I love that sounds effects always come with this pose!)

I had no idea my kids could get so dirty just hiking up a hill. But she still is pretty darn cute!

Sam has a very competitive nature (like her father) and was determined to make it to the top first, and not only to the top, but the highest rock. She was very proud of herself and her daddy that they did it together as a team! Way to go Sam!

With some recent events with some of family friends, I have really come to realize the important things in life...family. My family is my greatest blessing and I am really trying to cherish the time we spend together, whether it be hiking a great hill, or sitting on the couch reading a book. Ryan and Samantha are two incredible kids and I am honored to be their mother. Everyday they teach me something new and make me laugh. I also have a great husband who loves me and honors me. Any time spend together as a family is cherished and I had a great time this day!

Ryan just kept saying this over and over again, so had to get it on video. When he was taking a break from saying this while hiking, he would be making sword fighting sounds and actions along with them...making his own theme music! He really cracks me up!

We haven't taken to many pictures since we have been home because we have really just keeping it pretty easy. But here are a few of the things we have been up to lately.
Sam is getting to be pretty good at drawing. This is her beautiful garden. Grandma and Grandpa Burnett came up for the weekend, and Sam kept them busy with a ton of puzzles. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for being so good to Sam!

Ryan honestly cracks me up. Lately he seems to always have a song in his head and he is always dancing. It is hilarious to just watch him. He will also turn casual sentences into songs...it's great! "I want some juice please" sounds adorable in a song...you really have to hear it for yourself. But here is a glimpse of his dancing, just imagine it with actual music playing. He really does have some good moves and quite a bit of rythm.

Super Hero Day

My kids really do make me laugh. They really are very happy kids and we usually have a great time together. Today turned into Super Hero Day, with their capes and cut-out masks.

Even Super Heros need lunch