I just love this...... I hope I can look at things this way......

"How do you think of your children? On any given day, would you say your children are a blessing or a burden? Here is a challenge to you…How are you?”…“How is the baby?”…“How are your kids?”… We all hear these questions every day. Do you know a mom who always answers something like this: “Well, I haven’t killed my 2-year-old yet, so I guess that’s good.” Or, “I’m just exhausted,” or, “Things are absolutely crazy – I am so stressed out!”Maybe that frazzled, haggard, bewildered mommy is someone you know. Maybe it’s you. I know I’ve been there. Here is my question to you today… are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Those babies that we dreamt of and prayed for, that we had so much fun choosing names for, that we counted the days to meet… are they burdens to us now? Those homes that we were ecstatic to move into… are they burdens now? That husband that we couldn’t live without, that we picked out the wedding dress for, that we cried and ached and waited by the phone for… is he a burden now? That job you needed, you wanted and prayed for, that provides food and clothing for your family… is it a burden now?Sometimes it seems to me like a mantle we as moms must carry. We must be tired, we must be stressed out; we must be harried and frazzled, we must be lucky just to make it through the day. Are we bearing our blessings as burdens? Are we tired? Absolutely.As moms, we know about the 2 a.m. feedings, the nightmares, the wet beds, the midnight curfews. Do things get a little stressful between PTA meetings, dance class, the T-ball game, and dinner on the table at 6? Sure they do. Are husbands always a joy when they get home from work? No way. Is scrubbing the potty, doing the laundry, and cleaning the high chair tray the greatest thrill we’ve ever known? Of course not.So how do we look past the burdens and see the blessings of our families and our homes? Do you know any women who would give anything to have a baby to nurse at 2 a.m.? Anyone who would love to have those clothes we are sick of washing, or that house we just can’t keep clean. Do you know any women whose husbands aren’t coming home?I challenge you to joy, to smile, to persevere. I challenge you to bear your burdens as blessings and watch as they multiply. And the next time someone asks you how you are, throw off that identity of stressed out, frazzled mommy, find your smile and answer, “I am blessed!”

SpOoKy HaLlOwEen

We had a really great Halloween this year! KodiAnn and MaKaja dressed up as Juliet, McKesson was a Witch and a Fairy depending on the event and KortLyn was a witch also. The girls always enjoy carving their pumpkins and dressing up for the school parade and the trunk or treat they have down at the church. Alexis and Jared did their annual Halloween party and invited all of her family and all of Jared's family. We ate yummy soup and rolls and of course the fantastic snicker salad. We played bingo and then we danced the night away with strob lights to Halloween music and of course Thriller from Michael Jackson. We had a great time and are excited for next year already. Thanks Jared and Lex!

Aunt Kelly and KortLyn

CaTcHiN FrOgS...

We went out to the pond and caught frogs with the Bush's and Alexis's and her kids. We all had a ton of fun and I think the kids caught 8 frogs all together. When they all got sick of catching they decided that a swim would be wonderful and they jumped in the water. KortLyn even thought she needed to get wet also, so of course I was in there with her. The kids all had a great time and can't wait to again next year. Oh and for the record there were no leaches found on any of the kids after wards so that is a big plus!

I Can Do It!

AnD tHeY cAlL uS sTrAnGe

Flowers, Flowers and More Flowers

I Go Out Walkin......

MaKayja's First Day of 2nd Grade

KodiAnn's First Day of 4th Grade

McKesson's 1st day of Preschool

Jared and Alexis's Kids

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Girls - Girls and More Girls

Licorce

Swimming with Friends & Family

Palisades

We had a ton of fun at the Palisades with Stacy and her family. The kids had so much fun at the pool and playing on the bumper boats. One of the days the guys decided to go fishing so all of the girls loaded up and we went to Jackson Hole and went down the Alpine Slides. The girls had a blast and wanted to again. After the slides we went to the candy factory and bought them all candy and then we went back to the campground. We all played a fun game of softball and needless to say I completely sucked big time. We ate a ton of good food and just hung out together and had a great time.

Mckesson and the Trike

Hansen Reunion

Kayja and the Pig

KodiAnn and Spotegan

The Shopping Cart

KortLyn Shay

Baby's & Their Many Faces

Is that really a big girls bed?

A Tribute to Grandma and Grandpa

Catchin Minnows

Randy's Birthday

Campin'

We went to Logan canyon with my mom and Patrick and went camping for the weekend. We had a complete blast and didn't want to come home. The girls loved going with Grandma to ride the horses. Thanks mom for taking them they had so much fun. Randy and I went on a 4-wheeler ride with KortLyn and she thought that was so much fun. Her helmet kept hanging down over her eyes so she couldn't see anything, but she was a trooper and could have cared less. We had a great time with you guys! Thanks for inviting us!

Welcome to the Skinner Family

So here is the newest additions to our family...... Sallie and Little Bella. I am not so sure if they are lambs or dogs though. Bella just sits on the front portch or the steps in the garage, and waits for the girls to come out and play with her, or give her some much needed attention. One day we were in playing on the computer, and all of the sudden we heard a loud noise, we looked up and noticed that Bella was at the window with her paws up on the window pawing it to get our attention. I am not so sure that I was overexcited about it, but I couldn't get to mad because I had to admit that I thought it was pretty cute myself.
So on to Bella's name...... we all were trying to decide on a name for her and Randy, KodiAnn, McKesson and MaKayja had decided on Sallie. I just thought that Sallie didn't fit a black lamb to well and I fussed and kept saying "no Bella." No one liked it so..... I said "okay girls if we name her Bella and we get a boy next time we can name him Edward" (ya know Twilight) anyways they all thought that was pretty cool and agreed. Well about a week later Randy brings home the little white lamb and of course it was a girl, so we had to think of another name for her so I gave in and decided that Sallie was just fine for her. Maybe Edward will appear someday and sweep our little Bella off of her feet.

The Bed or the Treadmill for Nap Time?

Rub a Dub Dub in the Tub

KortLyn loves the tub and gets so excited when she hears the tub water running. She loves to play and splash and of course drink the nasty dirty water.

Let's Play Some Ball....

This was KodiAnn's first year to play fast pitch softball and she absolutely loved it. She also got picked to be on the softball All Star Team and had a blast doing that. She has improved so much this year and we are so proud of her. Good job YanDre!!!!!

4th of July Fun!!!!

Every year we get together with my family, Stacy's family and friends to watch the fireworks in Logan. We have a ton of fun!!!!! The kids laugh hard and play hard. This year we had gone up camping with my mom and Patrick and just had to come down for the fireworks, since last year Randy and I missed them. So here we all are. Stac thanks so much for all of the good memories and putting this together every year, the 4th wouldn't be the same without ya.

Batter - Batter Swing

MaKayja did really well this year in coach pitch considering this was her first year without the T. She had a ton of fun and enjoyed every second of it. You go girl!

Nice Pants....

MaKayja and McKesson can be so silly sometimes. The other night they walked out and had Randy's pants on and were just a giggling. Randy said "nice girls and just looked at me and smiled. Then the girls turned around and said "Dad you like our Butts?" We started to laugh and thought that was so cute.

Walking - well kinda with some much needed help!

Big Hair - Ya Think

Shelby Babe

Shelby you are such a cute girl and I am so proud of you for all of the many things that you have accomplished in your life and in the life of others. You are a great example to all of those around. The girls absolutely adore you and love to be around you. Keep up the great work in all you do and smile every day. We love you ALOT!!! Life would not be the same without you, so thank you for all of the memories you have made for us as a family. Remember who you are even though life can sometimes be hard. I will forever cherish you as my sister and friend.

Kenzie Babe and Korty Kort

Thanks kenzie Babe for being such a great Aunt and for the many memories you have made with the girls. We love you ALOT!!! Kenzie you are a great girl and it is so much fun to have you in the family. You are so incredably cute. You bring so much joy into my life and I will forever cherish you as my sister. Keep your head held high and achieve all that is placed before you. Be the best person you can be because you are an example to all of those around you. Kenzie you are a awesome girl and you have so much potential.

Piano Recital

KodiAnn and MaKayja had a piano recital and did a great job. This was MaKayja's 1st recital. She was a little nervous but she did an awesome job. I am very proud of her and I love to listen to her learn more and more every day. KodiAnn did a great job and just played her song with no fear at all (of course she is getting more and more used to it by now). I am also proud of her and so thankful for her comitment to playing and practicing the piano.

Fishin at the Resevoir

Aunt Kenzie and McKesson

KortLyn Shay

McKesson Ann

Kayja and her one of many fish.

KodiAnn and her many fish.

Tristan , Aunt Lex and Korty Kort

We went up to the reservoir and went fishing. We had a good time and the girls caught a lot of fish. We were able to keep three of them but the others were to small so we threw them back. MaKayja was so funny because she would get so excited when she would catch a fish and do this really silly little giggle. She even wanted to put the worm on the hook every time. (sick) She seriously must not be her Mother's child because that is so gross. KodiAnn was pretty happy and proud of herself also when she caught her fish but was a little more reserved and didn't want to put the worm on the hook. (smart girl I must say) McKesson wanted nothing to do with the whole fishing thing and just sat back and enjoyed the day with all of us. And of course KortLyn sat in the rocks and played with them and occasionally tried to eat a few. Thanks Jared - Lex and Kids and Aunt McKenzie for the fun day.