Halloween 2009

I know Halloween was forever ago but here is what we did. We go trick or treating with Aunt Shannon and her family every year. It has become one of our favorite traditions. This year my mom, dad, Sydney and Taylor were in town so they got to come and Ashley and James usually come with us as well. We had a lot of fun just spending time with family and the kids got way to much candy like alway's.

Saydie, Thatcher, Emery, Chesley

Thatcher the Cowboy!

Saydie is a Fairy Ballerina

Emery is a Fairy Ballerina

Chesley is the Hulk

Taylor was "bump it" girl

Sydney was just scary!

My dad and Shannon

Ashley, Rhett and Shelly

Taylor and my mom

Emery's Haircut

Emery has been growing her hair out for a long time to donate it to locks of love. It has been long enough for a while but she really liked having long hair but has a very tender head and was usually in tears when it was time to comb it. She finally decide she was ready to get it cut and wanted to done right then. I wanted her to come into my work and have it done but was busy so she had to be patient until I had an opening to squeeze her in. It was fun having her come to the salon and have the whole salon experience. I don't know why but I was nervous to cut her hair. Probably because I knew I would have to look at it every day and critique my work. I thought it turned out pretty cute. She loves it! We cut it in October but I couldn't get the pictures off of my phone to post about it so here is Emery's hair cut from October!

In O

What a difference a year makes!

It is crazy to think that one year ago today Sydney and Taylor got in their car accident. What a crazy ride it has been! I was looking back at some of the pictures of Taylor from when she was in physical therapy with her buzzed hair. It is crazy to see how far she has come. I remember after two weeks of her being in the NICU what it was like to see her wake up for the first time and open her eyes. I have to admit she was not how I thought she would be. However, from the time I heard about the accident I was worried and scared but yet had an incredible feeling of peace at the same time. Some how I just knew she would be alright. I just thought she would be the same Taylor we always knew from the moment she woke up. Taylor had a lot of work ahead of her but she is a fighter. She worked so hard and came so far so fast. It is so nice that through all of this we still have our Taylor. She is still stubborn, hard headed and just as feisty as she was before. She makes us laugh all the time. I cannot imagine our lives without her and am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for the blessing He has given and continues to give to our family. We love you Taylor and are proud of how far you have come.

Taylor about 5 or 6 weeks after the accident.

She worked so hard during physical therapy, even when she didn't like some of the people she had to work with.

Saydie and Taylor

Taylor can't take a serious picture. She cracks us up.

This is Taylor looking smart trying to catch up on all the school work she missed.

Taylor and her man hair(that's what she called it)

I couldn't find a recent picture of Taylor so I stole this from Joelle's blog. Again, Taylor can't be serious in a picture but I love her craziness.

U2 Concert

Last week Rhett and I got to go to the U2 concert with my brother Shad and sister Ashley. We had so much fun. The Black Eyed Peas opened for U2. Even though I'm not a huge fan of them they were still a fun band. As for U2, they were amazing. This is my second U2 concert and so worth it. Originally Shad and Ashley were just going to go by themselves but we decided to tag along. Shad is the biggest U2 fan and is the reason that I like them as much as I do. Like my dad said, Shad would sell one of his children to see U2 (well maybe not, but he does like them that much). When we bought the tickets Ashley was just barely pregnant but not telling anyone so when Shad wanted to get general admission seats she couldn't tell him why that wouldn't be such a great idea. Needless to say, Ashley was pretty miserable by the end of the night. 6 hours on your feet surrounded by a bunch of fans pushing and drinking and being obnoxious is quit a lot for someone who is 7 month pregnant. We still had a blast. The older I get the more grateful I am for the time I get to spend with my family. It was fun spending the evening with Rhett without the kids as well. We just don't get to do that often enough.

The stage, it was huge

Rhett and Shad

The roof was open at the UOP Stadium. It was pretty cool.

Looking at camera for picture, except Shad, he was too busy talking. Must have been very important!

Black Eyed Peas

This is what happens when you party too hard!

OR

This is what happens when you go to a concert 7 month prego!

Bono

Bono again

Waiting for U2 to come on stage

Happy Birthday Rhett!

Monday was Rhett's Birthday and to celebrate we went out to eat with Steve and Bonnie and Niki and Carson (Carson's b-day is the day after Rhett's so it was a double party). It was fun to spend time with everyone. I hope you had a great birthday Rhett.

Emery, Niki and Carson

Chesley and G-ma. Chesley just got glasses, isn't he so cute!

4th of July 2009

We had a lot of fun at the 4th this year. The parade wasn't that exciting this year but the kids sure did have a good time. They call it the "Hip Hip Parade". It sure doesn't take too much to make these kids happy. A little candy and a whole lot of cousins, what more could they ask for!

We were trying to get a picture of all the girl cousins together but Thatcher just had to join in.

Grandpa hanging with the kids waiting for the parade to start

Uncle Steven

Shelly and Shannon were getting down to the band. It is always a good time with these two around!!

Rhett holding Brynli and Thatch

Saydie and Emery

Campbell, Mason, Chesley, Harrison and Bridger

Grandma and Grandpa Garland

Grandma Schrader and Grandpa Brown

Thatcher hated the loud fireworks