Carter's many parties!

So I am a little late getting all of Carter's birthday photos on here. I swear we had an entire weekend long celebration. We had a lot of fun though. It all started on Fri. morning. We weren't' going to give him any presents until later that night, but Camden (yes Camden not Carter) started throwing a fit that Carter wasn't getting any presents and it was his birthday. So we caved in a let him open one small gift. Carter was just thrilled to throw off the paper but ended up loving the gift as well. Just for your info---we gave him the Leap Frog DVD "Letter Factory" and it is great! He already has learned so many more of his letters and the sounds they make so if any of your kids learn as well as mine by watching shows (I swear they have no attention span when I sit down with them and try to teach) then this is a great!
On Fri. night we decided that instead of having our big family party we would take the boys down to the ES Arena and see the Monster Truck rally! Now you moms of all girls just wait until you get a boy! I read of all of your princess dresses and girly stuff, but just wait until the excitement of cars crashing and unbelievable noise!! I didn't tell the boys until that afternoon, mostly because I didn't want a week of questions wondering when we were going. Camden was actually more excited than Carter---for some reason Carter was afraid that the monster trucks would spit fire at him. I reassured him that there would be no fire spitting and off we went!

We stopped first at Lesli and Brandon's house for dinner and a very quick speed party. We were done in about 45 min. We were running a little late. We had a yummy Italian dinner (Thanks Les) and some party cupcakes. We brought one more present for Carter to open and did a quick rendition of "Happy Birthday"! Carter loved all of the attention.

Here is Lesli and her cute Hubby and baby Clara!

Camden's favorite holiday is anyone's birthday. He just can't wait for the presents, candles and cake! He just keeps wondering when it will be his turn for a party---only a few more months!

Quick family shot! Say cheese!

Here we are at the monster truck rally. Our friends, Cindy and Ryan and their little boy Daxton meet us there. It was fun---however it was so loud we didn't get to do much talking!

These trucks look like little toys in this picture, but they were huge! I couldn't believe that my kids little monster truck toys looked so much like the real thing!

Carter liked the 4-wheeler races the best. Camden just kept making that mean face and loud truck sounds. He was in little boy Heaven! He kept taking those ear plugs out though and it was seriously so loud I feared he might loose his hearing! It was so LOUD!!!!

Overall we had a great time---Probably the kids more than me---but it was for them so I was happy to see them smile. However one side note. At intermission they turned out all of the lights and had these two big transformers come out. They transformed and started spitting fire and shooting each other. Carter DID NOT like that at all. I felt bad because I promised no spitting fire---oh well I guess you learn you should find out more about the show before you tell your child they have no reason to be afraid!

Carter held on to Darin for dear the the remainder of the show---the funny thing was is after it was all over he couldn't stop talking about the transformers as if it was the highlight of the night! Funny boy!

Party # 2. We let Carter pick a theme for his "real" party. He wanted a "Bob the Builder" party. I looked everywhere for decorations, but just had to settle for a cake. I should have made it myself, but on the day of his birthday party, I was feeling pregnant and tired and figured that I could settle for a cake from Macey's and I think it turned out much cuter than I would have come up with. Plus the stress it took away was worth every penny! I realized I didn't really get any pictures of those we invited, but Ashley (my sis) came along with my brother Charley and his wife Holly and Max and Gabrielle. Darin's mom also came (we love you Oma). My parents were off soaking in the rays and sunshine of Hawaii and weren't able to be there. We had a fun night!

Carter was having a hard time showing 3 fingers, but he finally got it down.
Sorry the picture to the left I forgot to rotate before I downloaded. Anyway Carter was so funny opening presents. He was having a blast ripping the paper off, then he would get the most excited look on his face as he looked at his present. Then he would chuck it the other way and look for something else to open----it was hilarious.

And last but no least, cake time. He was pretty excited to blow out his candles and have everyone sing to him. I think he had a fun night, everyday he asks when it will be his birthday again!

My baby is 3!

Carter has made us smile since the day he was born! I am thankful everyday to have him in our family! Happy Birthday!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Hi, it's me Darin. I haven't done this before so I hope it turns out well. It's actually late at night on February 13th and Joanna thinks that I'm typing some cheesy valentines card for her. I guess I am. Well, I hope I caught her off guard anyway. Let it be known unto you the reader and to Joanna especially that I love her very much. She has truly been an inspiration to me throughout my life and is very much so the love of my life. I know that I don't give her enough credit most of the time, but ohhh does she deserve it. I want Joanna to know that she means the world to me. She makes me laugh, sometimes cry, lifts me up, and carries me through some of the more difficult times in my life. She is a great support to me. She is also a great mom. She loves Camden and Carter soooo much. She would do anything for them. I know she is looking forward to having more girl power in this house and I am too. Just a little though. Joanna and I have been through some difficult times together but she has been my strength during those times. Joanna is my angel. I really like Jack Johnson's new song "Angel". I'm not really great with words and describing how I feel, but I think this song describes my feelings about Joanna pretty darn good. So go ahead and listen. Joanna, I love you Babe! Happy Valentine's Day!

Is spring ever going to come?

So I have been in a little blogging slump lately. I think it is mostly because I am feeling the winter blues and we haven't done anything really worth posting lately. We have all been sick at our house the past week---Colds and ear infections---no fun! It has been snowing non-stop. Everyday I look outside and it is cloudy and snowy. I don't really remember a winter where we have got this much snow in a long time! I feel a little guilty because we really need the moisture, but the thought of green grass and flowers is almost more than I can handle! I think being 8 months pregnant doesn't really help either because I don't really feel up to bundling my kids up and venturing out in the snow. However yesterday was beautiful! It was probably around 40 F. and sunny. After church Carter and I were standing outside without jackets and it felt great. It made me very excited for spring so I thought I would change my blog to spring colors (however I am still trying to learn how to customize my blog---I tried for an hour one day with no luck and am hoping someone out there could show me an easier way) and post a picture of my favorite flower---Tulips! Today looks nice as well, so I am just going to enjoy the sun and try not to think about tomorrow's forcast of more snow! Hopefully soon I will have something great to post about. Carter turns 3 on Fri. so I am sure I will have something fun to write about. Hope you all are having a great week!

Our Beloved Prophet

How can I not comment on the passing of our beloved Prophet Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. Last night when I found out my first reaction was complete disbelief. Pres. Hinckley had become a person whom I thought would live forever! I guess at 97 you should expect your time here on earth to come to a close, I however would have loved to hear him for another 97. Pres. Hinckley was such an inspiration to us all. With his sparkling eyse, great whit and the ability to make us all laugh were characteristics I think all of us loved and looked forward to seeing every general conference. I will truly miss his upbeat spirit and the feeling he always gave me that no matter what happens in the world there is always so much joy and happiness to be had if we "look forward with faith" and stay optimistic. I think one of my favorite stories he ever shared was when he was on a mission and struggling. His father wrote to him and said something to the effect "Forget yourself, and get to work". Pres. Hinckley was such a hard worker and was always on the go up until the very end. What a great example he was to all of us and what amazing work he did while here on the earth. Although I am sad at his passing, I am so happy for him to be reunited with his sweet wife, dear friends and Our Heavenly Father and Savior.

I've Been Tagged!

My cute Hubby!


1. What is his name? Darin

2. How long have you been together? Well that is kind of funny, cause it has been a really long time! We have been married for 7 years, but we started liking each other our sophomore year of high school so that makes it a whopping 13 years!

3. How long did you date? We dated for 4 years before his mission, and wrote every week for 2 years and were married 4 1/2 months after he came home.

4. How old is he? 28

5. Who eats more? That would be him---he has a never ending stomach and is one of those people who CAN have one with not consequences!

6. Who said "I love you" first? I believe that was him--but I'm sure I was thinking it!

7. Who is taller? Him by a few inches

8. Who is smarter? Well I think we both are in our own element---he definitely has me beat in his line of work, but I think I am smarter when it comes to the things I do best.

9. Who does the laundry? That would be me---just one of those wife duties, but he helps me out if I ask.

10. Who does the dishes? Mostly me--especially during the day, but If I make him a great dinner then the deal is he will do the dishes.

11.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

12. Who pays the bills? That would be Darin


13. Who mows the lawn? That would be Darin also---I think I have tried it once or twice in my entire life!

14. Who cooks dinner? Usually me, but Darin is great to help out especially when I am pregnant and don't really feel like cooking.

15. Who drives when you are together? Darin---however if he had it his way I would drive while he sat in the back and played nintendo with the boys!

16. Who is more stubborn? Probably me---but I would have to say Darin is a very close second!!

17. Who kissed who first? Darin kissed me---it was the first for both of us and I think it lasted a nano second but was the best nano second of my life!

18. Who asked who out first? That is a tricky one, because when we started liking each other Darin still had 5 months until he was 16---yes I am a few months older, so we did a lot of just hanging out with all of our friends. However our first official date I can remember came about a month after his birthday and he did the asking.


19. Who proposed? Darin did. It was 5 weeks after he came home from his mission. We went to "our spot" at the temple grounds and he acted as though he was going to break up with me--romantic huh! He said he couldn't take all of the pressure he was receiving to marry me and then paused and whipped out a ring and got on his knee and said "so in that case will you just marry me!" It was great! I laughed----not cried---I couldn't believe it was for real!

20. Who has more siblings? He beats me by two.

21. Who wears the pants in the family? I like to let him think that he does, but he would tell you that it is me. I try to think we both have one leg in each---you'll have to ask him if that is true!

Darin is the best husband and father I could ask for! Thanks for all you do hun---I love you!

Now I would like to tag Angie, Katie G., Rachel, Jen, Lesli and Laura M.

Rolie Polie or Thumper....28 weeks and counting

So I feel as though I have been officially been taken over by an alien! Any of you who have been pregnant before know exactly what I am talking about. Last night I got up with one of the boys and when I went to lay back down my little diva decided to put on a show of her own! She wiggled and punched and kicked and my stomach felt as though it had a mind of it's own. I have to admit it is the most incredible feeling to know you have a little person inside of you---and no it hasn't got to the point that all of the moving is painful so despite my need for sleep I just laid there and enjoyed knowing I had a little baby snuggled inside my tummy. I am hoping though that all of this activity isn't an indicator that I will have a overly active child---we are hoping #3 comes out as our most mellow child. We are still struggling with a name to call her. I try to come up with new names almost everyday, but there are a few that keep sticking out as front runners. So if you would like to vote on your favorite, here they are in no particular order 1. Mauren (I actually like the spelling Maren, but we want to pronounce it Mar---like March not Mare and we don't want the poor girl to go through life always having her name mis-pronounced.). 2. Chelsea (Chelsea Chase is kind of cute, don't you think---drawback, all my kids would start with the letter C---something I had never intended and if we have more children no more C names are on our list). 3. Hannah---love this name, always have---kind of common as I have several friends with daughters this same name. 4. Myah---wanted this name if Carter was a girl, but am still trying to convince Darin that it could be the name for his little princess. I have a bunch more but those are the top runners. So if you'd like to give me your opinion or any other names you would like to throw out there I would love any input! In the mean time I am just going to call her Thumper (or Thumperina would be more fitting) as that is what she does best!

Winter Wonderland!

Finally after I don't know how many years, we had a really white Christmas! The kids have loved playing in the snow and I have loved how pretty it makes everything look! Here are just a few pics of them enjoying all that white stuff!

Christmas with the Chase Clan

On Christmas day we were able to spend time with the entire Chase clan. Something that hasn't happened since the year Darin and I were married. Darin's mom rented out the church and we all spent the afternoon together. It was a lot of fun. The kids (all 16 of them) had a lot of fun playing together. It was just fun being together again! All of the guys were in heaven having an entire basketball court to play on.
I think the mom's all loved a gym for the kids to run around in and they had a lot of fun as you can see!
Uncle Dan---my kids always tell me he likes to act like a monkey climbing all over the place--I guess they are right!
Camden and his cousin Tom. Camden had a lot of fun with Kathie's boys who he has only met once before in his life. They live in New Zealand so unfortunately we don't get to spend much time with them. Camden kept referring to them as his best buddy's---we already miss you guys!
We had a fun time---thanks everyone!

Christmas morning!

I've decided there is nothing quite as fun as watching your kids on Christmas morning. I was awake before they were just anticipating their excitment! Both Camden and Carter were so excited they just kept squeling. Santa brought them each three gifts and the one below was Carter's big one. He got his very own tool set and loves it (Camden loves it just as much which is always a bonus).Camden's big gift was a Leapster L-Max. He always wants to play big kid video games and this was the perfect solution. It is very easy to use and he learns a bunch while he plays. I definetly suggest it for any preschooler!
This was him for about 45 min. I've never seen him that content to play anything for that long in his life!
Here are my favorite boys in the whole world!
Camden and Carter were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves. They just kept giving each other hugs. It was pretty cute!
Carter love Mickey Mouse clubhouse--so he was pretty excited about his very own Mickey Mouse!
And of course some Lightning Mcqueen shoes that light up. From a mom who swore she would never purchase character shoes or clothes--this was a pretty big step for me. However I decided that the excitment on his face was worth way more than my pride! He absolutely loves them!
It was a great Christmas morning. It was fun to just be together as a family and see the smiles on each others faces. It's times like these I wish that I could pause time and just keep my kids little forever!

Christmas Eve

We had a fun Christmas Eve with all of the Parson clan. We had a good time! We draw names every year and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. I guess I only took pictures of everyone opening gifts that night so here are a few.Carter was so excited to open presents---his or anyone else. I was glad I waited until Christmas eve to wrap presents (even if I was up until 2:00 a.m.), because otherwise we would have been having a present battle everyday I am sure!

Camden is still in love with anything from the movie "Cars", so he was quite excited about the Lightening Mcqueen jacket that lit up. I guess my mom and I had the same great idea because I have another jacket that is exactly the same sitting in the closet that needs to be returned! Oh well---he loved it either way!
This is Lesli's little girl---She was just wondering what in the world all of the excitment was about!

Camden's Preschool Program

So I am a little slow at getting Christmas pictures on here, but here is Camden at his Preschool Christmas program. I thought he looked pretty cute in his reindeer get up. I thought Carter might like a turn, but as you can see, he just kind of looked at me like "Mom, what are you doing?" It has been fun to watch Camden learn so much this year. His teacher has been wonderful!

A New Year: Lessons Learned

So the other day I was thinking about New Year's resolutions and what I wanted to work on this year. Well I needed to clean my house and decided to listen to the new MP3 player that Darin gave to me for our anniversary. I love listening to music, but with 2 kids at home, usually I don't have the chance to blare my music and just get swept away like I use to. Well with my headphones on I started listening to a Carrie Underwood song---one I have heard a million times before, but had never really listened to the words. I guess with all other noise and distractions gone I had a chance to finally pay attention to the words and for some reason it really struck me so I thought I would share it with anyone who wanted to read. The song is from the album "Some Hearts" entitled "Lessons Learned". If I was a little smarter at this whole blog thing, I would download the song for you to listen to, but I haven't quite learned that yet. Anyway if you get the chance to listen to it you should. I started thinking about all of the experiences that I have gone through in my life---some good and some bad---that have made me the person that I am. I often hear others say that they would go through a certain trial over again because of what they learned from the experience---sometimes I agree and sometimes, to be honest, the thought of repeating certain times in my life is the last thing I would want to do. However, despite the fact if the experience would be re-lived or not, there were definite lessons learned. I think Heavenly Father has a way of molding us into who we are. Sometimes we do the molding ourselves and other times we have absolutely no control of what we are going through. In the end however, if we can look at each experience as a time to learn life's many lessons we can look forward to anything that comes our way. One of the phrases in the song says "Every tear that had to fall from my eyes, every day I wondered how I'd get through the night, every change life has thrown at me, I am thankful for every break in my heart, I'm greatful for every scar, Some pages turned, some bridges burned, but there were lessons learned." As I look at my life and the lives of those around me I realize that we all have so much to learn and to be greatful for, regardless of what lessons we need to learn. Our job is just to learn what we were sent here to learn. So this year, one of my goals is going to be to take everyday and see what lesson it is that I need to learn. I am thankful for a wonderful husband, great kids and loving friends and family! Aren't we lucky to all be on this ride together! Happy New Year to you all!