5 Men and a Little Lady

Lets not forget...

2011-09-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Linford turned 4!

Oh geez, where do I start with Linny Binny?

This big guy steals EVERYONES heart.

He makes friends with everyone and is so much fun to hang out with.

He has the funniest sense of humor and is quite the athlete.

He is obsessed with BYU and football.

He wears his jersey everywhere, everyday right along with a pair of cleats.

Our family definitely would NOT be complete without Linford.

Happy Birthday to our 4 year old.

(I try not to cry while posting these pictures because time has flown WAY too fast)

2011-09-18T21:53:00.001-07:00

ANNOUNCING

WALKER WENDELL MCBRIDE
9lbs 14oz

22inches

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th 2011

...3 weeks early...

We're in love with him and so excited to have him here!

(I wrote out the whole story and it got erased so that will have to wait)

MORE pictures to come!

SUMMER in a Nut Shell

2011-09-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

SOOOO many things have happened this summer...

*We moved to Mesa (and love it)

*All 3 kids learned how to swim on their own

*Trip to Idaho

*Hewitt turned 6

*Hewitt started kindergarten

*Grammy and Popps decided to move to AZ

PLAYING, SWIMMING, and more PLAYING

Things to COME...

*Baby #4 is scheduled to arrive in 2 weeks

(but I have a hunch he might come a few days early)

*Linfords 4th Birthday

Brandon and Harper at the Mesa Temple

Our family at the temple

Saying good-bye to Kegan before he leaves to the Phillipines

Me and the boys enjoying the cool Idaho weather

Love my kiddos

Linford being silly

Cousin McKay, Hewitt and Linford flexing their HUGE muscles

Meeting up with Macko and Andi and meeting their new baby sister Pheobe

Hewitt's first day of school

Can't believe he is 6!!!

Birthday Presents

Hewitt was such a trooper

We had to move on his birthday

Hewitt is one of the sweetest, most passionate kids I have ever met,

not to mention very very smart.

Love him, can't believe he is 6.

4th of July

We spent the 4th with My Aunt Kris and my cousins. We had so much fun swimming and doing fireworks. These are my festive homemade oreo's that me and Linford made.

Linford is actually a really big help in the kitchen. He actually helps when he's in the kitchen with me. He always tells me he wants to be a chef.

Swimming has been such a MAJOR part of our lives this summer.

We swim atleast once a day 5 days a week.

Harper is our little fish.

Its a little scary at times how confident he is.

He recently taught himself how to swim and

it is the cutest, most impressive, funny thing to watch.

I get comments on him from mulitple people everytime we are at the pool.

"WOW, how old is he?"

"He's quite the dare devil isn't he?"

"He's only 2?!?!"

He LOVES the water.

Movies on Monsoon days

Movie nights on the weekends.

My friend does this with her kids and my kids think it is the COOLEST thing ever.

Love my kids.

Love the Summer.

Words

2011-06-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Brandon...

Words can't even describe the father and husband that Brandon is.

The neatest thing is, he keeps getting better and better as the days go by.

There are things I see in him daily that make me realized how blessed I am.

I have many extreme quirks about me and the kids and I are very blessed to have Brandon here to help balance them out!

He just makes our family complete.

Brandon was out of town on business for 6 weeks and those 6 weeks were SO HARD...

BUT

I never learned to appreciate him MORE.

I realized how much the kids and I NEEDED him.

Not for the regular "man" things or "honey-do's", like fixing stuff or taking out the trash, or taking the kids when I need a break (which are definitely a bonus)

But we missed him more for things like,

hugs and kisses before bed,

cuddling on the couch,

wrestling with the boys,

daddy outings,

and just his PRESENCE.

Yesterday Hewitt randomly said,

"mom our house just feels.........(pause).........BETTER with Dad here"

Brandon has been home for 3 weeks now and Hewitt STILL had that on his mind.

I am so thankful for him.

Words can't describe the feelings I have for Brandon.

I am so THANKFUL that he is who he is and that we are so blessed to have him apart of our little family.

NOT ONLY THAT,

but the fact that our relationship only continues to get better.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY BRANDON!!!

Drum Roll Please....

2011-05-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well, the RESULTS are in

It is confirmed that we are adding to our collection of BOYS!

ITS A BOY!

Yep another

Rough, Handsome, mommy lovin', Football Playin, Wrestling, Messy, ADORABLE, Funny, Basketball Bouncin, Little BOY

Yeah a Girl would have been different and "new"

BUT

How could I NOT BE THRILLED?

I have this 'boy' thing down to a "T"

(atleast so far)

and WHY NOT add to the clan?

Not to mention I won't "have" to buy anything new

ANYWAY

Needless to say we are excited

Not only that, but he is measuring 'RIGHT on' for my due date

AND

Everything looks perfect, no complications!

Nice and Healthy

What more could I ask for???

I am DUE on October 3d 2011

they have scheduled my c-section for the 23d of September

but I am thinking to have them change it to the 26th

Here are some pictures!

Brandon is gone for work so Hewitt came with me, what a little sweetie.

Hewitt in the waiting room

The little guy at 10 weeks

Again at 19 weeks

profile picture

He approximately weighs 9oz

picture of his face with his hand up by his cheek

(19 weeks)

My belly at 18 weeks

My belly at 19 weeks

2011-05-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Hewitt's First Primary Talk

So Hewitt was asked to give a talk on

Joseph Smith and the Restoration

I was a little nervous for him, but he wasn't nervous at all.

Maybe because he knows that story like he know his own name.

He practiced maybe twice and every time he would say,

"why do I have to practice? I already know have it perfect."

And he was right. He didn't skip a beat because he

knew the story before he was even given the talk.

It was a piece of cake.

This is right when we got home from church

Crying

2011-04-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

I am a crier

I have always shown emotion very easily

sad, mad, happy...

I don't hide my emotions very well

If I feel them, you will see them

When I am pregnant, I CRY ALOT

Not because I am sad, mad or happy

Its because EVERYTHING I feel is MAGNIFIED

EVERYTHING

Every thought is put under a telescope and I immediately FEEL it so strong

I know that this is a result of pregnancy

It HAS to be

Not JUST the hormones but I think every time I am pregnant I start analyzing life

I start to think about priorities, family, friends, motherhood, LIFE

AND somehow everything I hear and see pertains to these parts of LIFE

I find myself crying about commercials, songs, books, pictures, home-videos, jokes, even sometimes just seeing a cute family at a park, my kids saying sweet things to eachother or to me, hearing other peoples problems, others happy stories.

I could probably start a sob-fest just "thinking" of these moments.

I used to just pass it off as a side effect to pregnancy. A hormone thing. BUT I am on my 4th child and I am beginning to think its more than that. I think its something we are meant to experience as part of motherhood. I think its so neat that I can feel so much and so deep. Even if the things I cry about seem minuscule. I know you don't have to CRY to FEEL something deep....Its just a way that I MYSELF "feel" and feel deeply.

ANYWAY

Its a BIG part of my daily life lately so I thought I would share

I would post a picture of myself crying but I thought I would save myself the embarrassment.

2011-04-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Bittersweet

Well I was excited to celebrate Easter with my kids but

VERY sad that we couldn't spend it with my Husband.

I bought their "basket stuffers" and I put their baskets together all by myself

and it felt so empty without him here with me.

It was so fun watching them run all over the house to find their baskets but

I still kept thinking, "I wish Daddy was here"

EVEN though, they had so much fun and they thought it was so cool

After Breakfast we sat down and watched a few Easter movies about

Jesus Christ and the TRUE meaning of Easter

I couldn't help but choke up

especially answering all my boys questions about the atonement and the Resurrection

Some of our good friends Tanya and Curtis,

invited us over for an Easter Egg Hunt and some yummy food and it was so fun. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Curtis went and bought all the kids loads and loads of toys

in addition to the eggs that we all brought

They went and hid all the toys and eggs

my kids thought it was Christmas

It was so good to sit and visit with friends while the kids played and played and PLAYED,

I sure miss Brandon but

atleast I have these amazing friends to help me not miss him SO MUCH.

Hewitt and Linford found their baskets

Harper found his...

Easter dinner with Tanya and Leah

The Hunt

Kids Eating their Easter Dinner

Coloring

Before the hunt

2011-04-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

LAZY

Well I have been just a little "LAZY" lately

I haven't been taking all the pictures that I WISH that I would

So therefore I haven't blogged

because what's a blog post without pictures?

Well yesterday my kids went to their

cute little friends' birthday party and I was able to get some shots.

It has been so nice and sunny here and this next week is supposed to be even nicer so maybe I'll get some more pics and be better about posting.

We have

ALOT

going on in our lives right now and I have so much to blog about.

Our Three Musketeers

Best Buddies

Harper and Brody

Cutie Pies

If I could arrange this marriage I would!

Linford and Avery

Admiring the presents

Diesel, Hewitt, Harper and Linford

Hewitt and Diesel

I love this picture

BROTHERS

Detroit and Linford

Swinging

Brody and Harper

Scared

2011-03-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this.

I don't know why it has been weighing so heavily on my mind

But I have been SO SCARED lately of something happening to

myself, my husband or one of my children

It seems like more than ever I am hearing about little

angels being diagnosed with cancer or some kind of life altering illness

One of the parents (Brandon or I) getting in a car accident or being

diagnosed with a terminally ill disease,

I can't imagine leaving my kids without a mother or father

What about those freak incidents that you don't think will happen in your family and someone dies without you being on good terms or saying good-bye?

Even just something "bad" happening...

not necessarily -death- just something unfortunately unexpected?

My heart is so heavy

I mourn for these families who go through these trials,

my heart aches for them

I don't know how I would do it

I don't think I could do it

I know that there is a greater plan for us. I know that there is more after this life. I know that we will see our loved ones again. I am SO thankful for this knowledge. It doesn't mean I won't miss them till I see them again, it doesn't make it "easy".....I know I can turn to my father in heaven and that there are angels looking over us. I know that there are special people here on earth that surround us to help us through hard times, whatever the trial may be.

I look at these people who have gone through these trials with their children, spouse or loved ones, and I see such strength. I admire them for the way they handle their situation. I find myself praying for them and sometimes I don't even know them.

I put myself in their shoes and the tears just start rolling down.

Many times miracles happen and people make it out okay-

and what joy that takes place when that is the outcome.

LATELY I haven't been able to get this off my mind.

LATELY I cannot say enough "I love you's" and "Thank-You's" to the loved ones in my life

I DON'T want to regret any time with my kids or my spouse.

Even if NOTHING happens to them ever, I don't want regrets.

How do I stop worrying about the what-if's?

How do I stop thinking about something happening to my loved ones?

My heart goes out to those who experience pain and trials in all aspects of life.

I know that my savior has been through everything that we have experienced in our lives

He feels our pain, our sorrow, he KNOWS us

He KNOWS what we are going through-

Better than anyone else.

So much F U N

2011-03-15T22:14:00.001-07:00

Got together with these gals to watch the

Bachelor Finale

and have some

"girl time"

and it was so much fun

Perfect group

These girls are the kind you laugh with till you cry

and you are your complete self

the only kind of friends to have

Thanks Leah for inviting us over!

Tanya. Jessica, Me, Kim and Leah

Funny Face

Get a load of Leah's face....

hope she doesn't kill me, but I LOVED this!

Tanya

how do you not love this girl?

She took my camera and took this and I just die laughing when I look at it....

hope she doesn't kill me either

Tanya. Kim, Jessica and Leah

Kim and Jess look freakin awesome in this one

Jessica, Tanya, Leah, Kim and me

Butt shot,

I dunno,

I think we were running out of poses

Tanya, Jessica, Leah, Kim and Me

The Girls

Head Stands

Headstands again

Love this one cause Tanya totally falls on Kim

and everyone is laughing

So much fun!

Love how some people you can have a blast and you don't have to GO anywhere.

feeling at home

2011-03-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

You know how there are some people who make you feel at home

no matter where you are?

That describes my aunt and my cousins

I haven't really seen them for quite some time

probably close to 10 years

and yet I have spent lots of time with them in the past couple months

and I feel like I have been around them the whole time

Last night we celebrated Marques's birthday who just turned 2

So much fun spending time with them

My cousins, Aunt Kris and some of the boys

Kelsi, Katie, Kim, Me, Abby, and Kris

Madden, Hewitt and Marques

Hewitt and Marques playing on the stairs

Harper gives their dog Crosby a million kisses when we are there

these are FULL ON kisses

It's hard to capture, but this is just the beginning of the kiss

I know it sounds and looks gross

BUT

its actually really cute

Really???

2011-03-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

-March 7th 2009-

Happy Birthday to my Baby Harper

I swear he was just born yesterday, right?

This little guy has brought so much love, happiness and laughter

into our home that I don't even have the words to describe it.

He is so full of himself its quite comical

This little 2 year old acts and behaves well beyond his 2 short years of life

He talks and talks and has us laughing all the time.

He is VERY stubborn

and VERY independent and persistent

He has quite the sense of humor

and he LOVES to show off his dance moves

it is hilarious

We will catch him singing made-up songs all the time

He loves to wrestle

constantly asking,

"WESSO Mommy?"

"WESSO Daddy?"

"WESSO Who-it?"

"WESSO Winfoed?"

He LOVES animals, not afraid of bugs at all

He LOVES dogs, he'll let them lick him all over

(which is quite gross and funny at the same time)

He LOVES sports and superheros (mainly HULK)

Things I hear on a daily basis:

"I don Like that one" (I don't like that one)

"Mon, Mommy, Mon" (C'mon, Mommy, C'mon)

"TOP IT" (Stop it)

"Watch a show?"

"Where daddy go?"

"I hungy" (I'm hungry)

"Ow, it hoooots" (ow, it hurts)

"weed a book?" (read a book?)

I could go on and on

He is so much fun

He is the runt of the bunch

but I think he is almost up to where the other boys were at this age

He weighs 27.8 lbs

and we'll find out all his other percentiles

and his height at his well-child appointment

which I will post then

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD!

March 7th 2009

Blessing Day

May 2009

2 months old

4 months old

6 months old

Payson Onion Days

6 months

Christmas Dinner in Idaho

December 2009

10 months

Oklahoma

16 months

Oklahoma

17 months

7 months

18 months

Oklahoma

17 months

21 months

Texas 14 months

2011-03-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!

I am SO fortunate

and

SO blessed to have this guy in my life

for my companion

for my BEST FRIEND

I feel like the

luckiest girl in the world to be married to him

I couldn't ask for a better father for my children

or a better husband for myself

He is simply amazing

Brandon and Bryce

These two buddies share a birthday

Its been hard being far from Bryce,

but having a birthday apart is even worse.

Brandon and Harper

Linford, Brandon and Hewitt

I love Brandons face in this one

Look at the boys, then look at Brandon...

I don't know what just happened, but he is not happy

LOVE this one

Brandon with the boys

Brandon and Harper

Squaw Peak

Somehow these three all cut their fingers pretty bad within the same day or so

Brandon, Harper and I

Brandon and I

Brandon playing football with Linny on Christmas Day

...LOVE you BABE...

SLOW DOWN

2011-02-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

WHERE oh WHERE does TIME go????

Dear Time,

Would you mind slowing down? I don't want you to stop, I would just really appreciate it if you could stop passing by so FAST. You make it really difficult for me to engrave each passing moment into my memory. I know you have never changed for anyone else, but I am asking you for this very special favor. Thank you SO MUCH.

Sincerely,

A wife of an AMAZING husband

A mother of 3 WONDERFUL boys

Looking at these pictures makes me smile and choke up all at once.

Where has the time gone and why can't I stop asking myself that

day after day, month after month, year after year?

These little dudes are

OUR LIFE

-I know they are still so little-

but

I feel like they are growing up

WAY TOO FAST.

TIME......SLOW DOWN PLEASE!

Brandon and I

This was taken about 4 or 5 months after we got married

July 04

Brandon and the boys

I think Harper was JUST born

March 09

Brandon and Harper

March 09

Linford at Lake Powell

July 08

June 09

Harper

2 days old

March 09

Harper

2 months

Linford

20 months

Harper

few days old

Harper

5 months

Harper

4 months

Linford

19 months

Hewitt

18 months

Hewitt

18 months

Hewitt

7 months

Linford

18 months

The Three Musketeers

Hewitt 3, Harper 3 months, Linford 20 months

Hewitt (3) holding Harper(1 day old) at the hospital

Linford (17months) in the background

re-unite

2011-02-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Re-Unite

We were able to visit Brandons family in Idaho Falls

when he FINALLY returned home from OKC

It was so amazing to see everyone after so long

The kids had the time of their lives playing non-stop with cousins

GOOD TIMES

Linford and McKay

these two are hilarious together

full of giggles and laughs

The kids love to cuddle up with Brandon in the morning

Me and Linny

Linford eating powdered donuts at grandma and grandpas house

Tub time

Linford said, "look mom, I look just like daddy!"

this was when Brandon was growing his beard

Harper and Ryker at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Hewitt, Ryker and Linford

Harper swinging

Close up

Linny

Harper going down the slide

FLEX!!!

2011-02-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

The Park

We LOVE going to the park

I love watching my kids

most of the time I end up having to

help and assist

but I love seeing my kids use their imaginations

and play so hard

Again, I didn't have my camera so this is courtesy of my phone

Hewitt's BEST BUDDY Aiden, Hewitt, Linford and Harper

Aiden, Hewitt, Linford and Harper

Swings

When I was little my dad was famous for

"under-dogs"

well guess what....

now "I" am famous for them

and its not the greatest honor

I was literally running from end to end to

keep these kiddos happy

"Can I have an under-dog, can I have an under-dog?!?"

Harper, Linford, Aiden and Hewitt

These two are the best of friends...we sure miss you Aiden!

Harper feeding the ducks

Harper

We also went to the park with

my bestie Aiona and her kids too

2 of our kids are the exact same ages

and its so fun for us to get together as always

and to let them play

Linford, Piers, Harper, Hewitt and Simon

2011-02-26T18:53:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Patch and Thanksgiving point

I always love taking my kids to the pumpkin patch during Halloween time

There is one just down the hill from my parents house

and its so much fun

I didn't have my camera so I only got a few pictures with my phone

Hewitt and Linford

The Three Musketeers

Thanksgiving Point Farm is a MUST

We love this place

McCartney and Harper

Hewitt and Linford

Back Track

2011-02-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

Back Track

So I might be doing a little back-tracking

I found some pictures that I forgot about...

So when we came home from OKC this last summer I had

to come without my husband

(which I don't know how people go without their husbands for long periods of time,

It was so hard)

I was determined and considered myself

quite capable to drive the truck

with 3 little ones in the back seat

for 21 hours across a few states...

no biggie right?

Well my mom and dad were

SO WORRIED

and they were also determined

that they were going to come and accompany me

Well they won

how can you turn down help with 3 kids on a long drive like that?

So my mom flew down and drove back to Utah with me

Needless to say

I am very glad and thankful she was there

Although my kids are complete ANGELS

when we travel

They don't cry, they don't fight, its like a spell is cast over them

Its not like that ALL the time

Just when we travel LONG distances

I am truly BLESSED

Here are some of the pictures of our trip home

and some right after we arrived

In the hotel after driving 11 hours the first day

Tub

Excited to be at Grammy's

My mom went and got sand in her sand box as soon as we arrived

Finally there

Me and the boys

Hewitt though he was so cool in his "hunting" jacket

He looks just like his dad

2011-02-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

SUPERBOWL

Lets be honest here

I didn't get into the superbowl much this time around

I usually only really follow my husbands favorite teams

and if they don't make it

I kind of just pick one

but

I had fun girls to hang with and it was awesome!

JD and Leah invited us over to their place and we had a blast

The kids were PLAYING hard the ENTIRE time

No crying, no fighting...it was perfect

Fun times!

This is the kind of quality you get when you try to take pictures by yourself

Leah, Harper, Me, Tanya

We're having a hard time

Tanya's face kills me in this pic, I love it!

Brandon, Harper and I

Brandon and Harper

Just before we left

Harper was having SO MUCH fun with his bestie, Brody

he did NOT want to leave.

Our Wrestler

2011-02-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hewitt

We put Hewitt in wrestling this year

It was so good for him

He was AMAZING at it

If you have ever seen Hewitt in action- its pretty intense.

I have never met a kid so passionate about life

Hewitt was pinning kids that were 1 and 2 years older than him

and definitely dominated

It was so fun to watch him!

Friends

2011-02-22T15:55:00.001-08:00

One of the really amazing thing about moving here is

being able to be by some of my besties

There is nothing like GOOD friends

You know...

the irreplacable ones?

My BEST friend growing up lives here in Arizona

Mary Stevens

and her two sisters live here too!

It has been so awesome catching up

and spending time together

its like we picked up RIGHT where we left off

My other AMAZING friend Leah

whom I talked about alot in the summer

also lives here

BOTH

these girls are like sisters to me

I would do anything for them

I told Mary to get some of her girlfriends and Leah to get some of hers

and we could do a girls night!

dinner at Cheesecake factory

YUM!

All the ladies...

Mary, Teresa, and I

2011-02-22T15:19:00.000-08:00

ARIZONA

Well

We moved to Arizona!

We have loved it here so far

I wish I had been better about taking pictures

We have had a blast hanging out with friends

and with my Aunt Kris and my cousins

We moved here on January 16th

my mom drove down with me

and Brandon drove the BIG huge moving truck

We have to make another trip back to pick up another load

but I guess that can just be a reason to get back and visit

The kids have LOVED the 70-80 degree weather

They are loving going to the park everyday

and meeting new friends

These pictures were taken on a "colder" day in January

I think it was 65 degrees

MY BIRTHDAY

2011-02-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

TURNING 27

Wow

I do feel like I am getting old

I have 3 kids, and I am down to only having one more, maybe 2...what the?

I met my husband when I had JUST turned 19!

and NOW I am 27???

I am not "sad" or "depressed" that I am getting older

I just wish time would slow down a bit

I try to enjoy the stages of life and what the future brings

I try to embrace where I have been and where I am going in life

I just wish I had more time to do it

Needless to say, it was a WONDERFUL birthday

We were in Idaho still and Brandons family showered me with love

Sandra made me her famous chocolate cake

These three were dying to eat it right away

Especially Linford

Harper and I

The McBride family

minus Brynn and Brandon

Mark and Sandra took us out

to this amazing place for my birthday dinner

Sandra, Mark, Kecia and Rote

Chris, Tomie, Brandon, Wendy and Brooke

Bryce and Cass

Love this picture cause it says alot about their personalities

Love them!

I know this picture is CHEESY

but it portrays Brandon and I's relationship very well

(I'm a goof and brandons always a little embarrassed)

so I had to post it

Brandon and I

POST Christmas in Idaho Falls

2011-02-07T19:17:00.000-08:00

Idaho

After Christmas we were able to go see Brandons family in Idaho Falls

My kids played NON STOP

It was so fun for them to see their cousins

Plenty of Sleepovers

Hewitt, McKay, Ryker, Harper and Linford

This is not the greatest picture, but they were all being so cute and funny

Linford, McKay, Harper, Teague and Ryker

Linford and Harper with Grandpa

Fun times wrestling with Grandpa

Grandpa and Harper

Aleah, Harper, Cambria and Linford

They were being so cute

Linford, Tate and Hewitt

They did not want him to take his mask off

and they kept telling me they want a mask like Tate

My kids ADORE Tomies boys

They are SO amazingly sweet and fun

This day they were all playing outside

because it was a "warm" day- a whole 27 degrees!

Tate and Hewitt

Cute brothers

Teague and Hewitt

Hewitt with Teague, Sayla and Sydney

TUB time!

This was very important because the kids would

play and play and play and get sweaty and dirty!

Linny, McKay, Harps, and Hew

Playing in the tub

McKay and Linford

AKA

Buzz and Woody

Don't know what they are doing

but they're cute!

Christmas Day

2011-02-07T19:00:00.001-08:00

Christmas Day

2010

Well Christmas was pretty much PERFECT

The 3 musketeers are at the funnest age

Santa came and put presents under the tree

and we woke the kids up so they could spy on him for a second

Hewitt was so nervous that Santa would see him.

Then Christmas Day went so smooth

the kids LOVED all the things they got

Santa made sure not to OVERLOAD them this year

which usually ends up happening

they got A LOT still

but it wasn't TOO much

Christmas Dinner

The whole Fam

Linford testing the plasma car

Classic Linford face

Another cute pic of Linny

We were exhausted

Love my brother Jackson!

Hewitt

Linford

Hewitt and his Bat Cave

He has LOVED this and its such a good toy

that he can share with everyone

Dinner with Idaho friends

2011-02-06T22:17:00.001-08:00

After Christmas we went to Idaho Falls to see Brandon's family

and my brothers family

along with some friends

Eliza and I were able to plan a get together amidst all the holiday chaos,

Dinner was such a fun time,

catching up with old friends and having lots of laughs

Nothing like old friends

JD and Leah Meacham

Gregg Baird

Brandon and I

Jason, Tevya Reeder and little baby girl

Eliza and Jason (taking picture)

and Jenny Shippen

Christmas

2011-02-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS 2010

Love Christmas time

Who doesn't right?

We had lots going on this year

My mom had me and my siblings plan Christmas activities

for the weeks prior to Christmas,

so our days were full of fun times

I planned gingerbread houses for the kids,

my mom did the "Polar Express"

My brother Jackson did a white elephant gift party with the adults

We of course saw Santa

Brandon and I were able to go to a few Christmas Parties with

WONDERFUL friends

Waiting to see Santa Clause

Linford and Santa

Linny wasn't quite specific about what he wanted for Christmas this year

He kind of just said he wanted whatever Hewitt said he wanted

BUT Linford and Hewitt are VERY different and I knew that he

would not be satisfied with getting the toys Hewitt got

Needless to say Santa had a difficult time shopping for Linford this year

Hewitt and Santa

Hewitt on the other hand knew EXACTLY what he wanted

and had his list memorized

He would add things to his list daily

and then also take things off too

This confused Santa...

Harper and Santa

Harper was so CUTE with Santa

You would have thought he knew him forever

He jumped right up on his lap and started talking to Santa

Nothing about Christmas

He would just tell Santa about his day or something random

It was really sweet

Hewitt had to see Santa again

(actually we saw him 3 times)

because his list kept changing

Linford repeating what Hewitt just said

Making Gingerbread houses

Love Harpers and Linfords cheesy smiles,

then look at McCartneys big beautiful blue eyes

This smiley face is a fave in our home

Linford LIGHTS up every room

the moment he enters

I love this picture because it really says alot about these two

Hewitt is one of the most tender hearted sweet little kids I have ever known.

Harper is the one of the most SPUNKY little dudes I have ever known.

What a blast it is to have these two in our home

One of those moments that I love as a mom

The love my boys share is so fun to witness

This image is something I see everyday all through out the day

PRICELESS

Me, Heather, Halle, Linford and Popps

Hewitt and Halle

Hewitt and J.J.

Grammy, Linsey, Jo-Jo, McCartney, Linny

These are some of my kids favorite people

Another thing that happens daily

I have learned how lucky I am to have kids

who naturally love little ones

Cute kids

Christmas Eve

Thanksgiving

2011-02-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls

We had such a blast over Thanksgiving.

Brandons family is really big

BUT

really close

and so it is always a good time full of fun

and lots and lots and lots

of laughs.

We always feel like the time flies by

WAY TOO FAST

because there are always so many people to catch up with.

My brother Jayson and his wife live there now too

so we love that we get to see them as well.

(unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with them and of our time spent together!)

Brandons family tries to plan alot of little get togethers and activities

because his entire family is in town.

Family basketbball games, dinners, bowling....fun times.

Me, Linford and Harper after Thanksgiving Dinner

Me and Cass with possibly the greatest, most sweet man ever

Me, Wendy, Joni, and Shell...Love these gals

Me and Cass with our neices Sydney and Taya....

Yeah we might be the coolest Aunts ever

Linford and Harper eating dessert with one of their favorite cousins, McKay

Bryce, Kegan, me, Hewitt and Brandon

Some of my favorite people in the world, Karter, Kegan, Shelly and Kurt

Me and Shell, one of my Besties.

Me and Cass

(another Bestie)

Brandon, Hewitt and Teague

(Hewitt adores Teague, probably because he is the sweetest kid EVER)

Bowling and arcades, Cassidy, Bryce, Kingsley, Kohler, and Harper

Cutest Bowlers EVER!

Lots to Report

2011-02-05T18:39:00.001-08:00

Well............YES

we have been away for awhile.

I have so much to post about,

and after seeing so many people catching up,

I feel like I need to catch up too!

SOOOOO

we will be starting from back in the fall.

OKLAHOMA

As most of you know we spent 6 months in Oklahoma last year.

It was so much fun and we really loved living there.

My AMAZING Aunt Susan

(whom I hope to be like someday)

and my Uncle Brent live there with their 5 kids.

I have never felt so special.

They treated me like I was their child/sibling

and were SO GENEROUS, actually BEYOND generous.

Susan would always plan little activities for us to do.

On Linfords birthday she picked us up to go to the most fun little exhibit. It was a parking lot FULL of emergency vehicles and other BIG trucks.

Fire Engines, Police Cars, Garbage Trucks, Buses, Ambulances, and so forth.

All the vehicles were accompanied with their drivers dressed in full uniform.

The kids LOVED it.

They were able to climb in and explore and honk the horns or run the sirens.

IT was really fun and neat.

Thanks Susan for taking us!

2010-09-17T21:56:00.001-07:00

Linford Mark McBride

He's Turning 3!!!

Where does the time go?

I am sitting here looking at all these pictures of my little Linny

and I can't figure out how it went SO incredibly fast.

People say that all the time, but oh how it is SO painfully true.

Why can't time slow down?

I don't want them to be little forever necessarily.

I just want each year to last the length of about 3 years each

so I can really engrave each moment and memory in my head,

good and bad.

OUR little Linford truly has US completely WRAPPED,

and everyone he knows or meets for that matter.

His dimeanor is almost indescribable unless you know him.

I always try to explain him to people

and I feel like words can never quite do it.

He is the MOST mild mannered,

tender hearted,

silly,

non-confrontational,

handsome,

soft-spoken,

loveable,

loving,

MELLOW little boy.

He is a little mischevious,

more than the other two,

and very independant as well.

He loves sports.

He loves animals.

He is very tough,

but not aggressive whatsoever.

Very NATURALLY good at everything he tries.

Coordinated

Left handed

He is very smart,

and he wouldn't hurt a fly.

2010-09-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

Funny thing...

A friend of ours just did a blog post of how much

she HATED the fair

We went to the OKC Fair today

and I will tell you how much

I LOVE the Fair...

Funny how everyone has different experiences

at these kind of things,

but I love going to the fair

The only thing is, its

SO EXPENSIVE,

other than that- I think its a blast

Last year we went and Linford was terrified to do anything

BUT

this year he loved it and did everything that Hewitt did.

Hewitt won himself a little stuffed animal and he was SO proud of himself.

I was quite proud too, yes I cheered him on.

He threw darts at balloons and actually popped them!

We got some cotton candy too which the kids LOVED and you can't do without that at the fair, right???

My aunt Susan and Uncle Brent took us and

I couldn't have been more thankful!

Here are a bunch of pictures of my cuties and some fun we had.

I don't have my camera so these are courtesy of my iphone.

Hewitt on Uncles Brents shoulders walking into the Fair

Hewitt was so giddy

AND so was this little dude

This is Linny's "new" face that you will begin to see in every picture

which to me is darling because he thinks it makes

him look mean or scary and if you know Linford he is FAR from either of those things.

The Merry GO Round

There were mirrors lining the inside of the

Merry Go Round

and he watched himself the entire time just making all sorts of faces.

Hewitt

Monsters Inc

...Love this one...

Can't pass up HULK

This one was their favorite

The only picture I could get of Harper,

he was pretty entertained with all the people and the lights and noise

We had fun!

We will definitely go back, they hold the fair for 11 days here in OKC so we'll go back a few times. Next time I will have to get some pictures of the kids playing games and more of rides and some of the animals.

2010-09-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

Continuing to Learn and Grow

I always find it so amazing that we as human beings are

ALWAYS

Learning, Growing, Changing and Making Choices.

I find it SO intriging that life is really

SO SIMPLE

and that at times I make it SO COMPLEX

Last night I was so excited to get these swimsuits I ordered.

Something just for me.

I haven't done that in a LONG time.

Trying them on, thinking I looked pretty good and

excited for my husband to get home so I could show him.

I have been working out HARD over the summer

and I thought I had begun to see some positive results.

Then I wanted to show my friend Leah who has moved home

so I had Brandon take pictures of me to send to her to show her...

He took the pictures and as I am looking at them before sending them to her,

I am in disgust as I looked at myself in these pictures.

Thinking,

"wow I must be blind if I thought I looked good"

and "ew, is that really what I look like???"

My wonderful feeling was quickly flushed down the toilet

and I was left feeling like crap.

Needless to say, I didn't send the pictures.

I don't tell this story for any kind of "nice" comments saying

I look so good "for having 3 kids"

or whatever might go through ones mind when reading this.

I tell it because after THIS experience I learned something from it later on.

I was watching a video on youtube and it

TOTALLY STRUCK me.

What is amazing, is that I have seen this video before,

but it always HITS me to the core.

I cry everytime.

I admire this woman so much and I am just in AWE of her.

I think part of it that really GETS me is that I am a mom too

and I put myself in her shoes and I don't know if I would have her strength.

I immediately felt almost guilty for having the "feelings"

I had last night.

How dare I get upset about something so trivial

when there are people out there dealing with things like this

with such grace and strength.

I feel like I need to be MORE APPRECIATIVE

of my body and what I have.

The abilities I have.

My health.

I am so BLESSED

and why don't I recognize that more often?

Why don't I remember the POSITIVE things MORE???

It's a choice and I need to

MAKE it.

2010-09-09T18:55:00.001-07:00

Time and time again,

I look at these 3 little dudes and I can't help but think,

"wow, you really belong to me..."

I am always wishing I could slow time down or

in some way enhance my memory so that I can remember each moment

and the emotions whether

good, bad, sad or mad.

I am over taken with feelings of gratitude

that I am able to raise these special spirits.

Then I begin to hope and pray that they will live fulfilling lives full of happiness.

I want them to make good choices and learn from their mistakes.

To be a good example to those around them and

become good fathers and husbands who love the gospel.

I hope to be someone they can turn to and talk to.

I stress about doing everything right.

The other day I was in a

combined relief society/preisthood meeting and the bishop was speaking.

He said something that I have heard many times before...

but this time I couldn't get it out of my head.

He said,

"there are endless amounts of books out there on parenting and raising children

and how to guide them, but we have the BEST book of all right here in front of us.

The scriptures. The word of God"

I loved that.

I loved these pictures that I took because you can tell that my kids think I am so funny.

I can always make my kids laugh

and I think one of the greatest parts of being a mom for me

is that my kids think I am the most

funniest, prettiest, best singer, smartest, coolest, strongest person on earth.

Regardless of how other people view me

or think about me,

My KIDS

think its true and it makes me feel so important.

2010-09-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Friendship

Well some might say that friends come and go

I don't usually say that, but I hear it all the time...

Brandon always asks me why I want more friends.

"we barely get to see the ones we really like" he always says.

I have been thinking a lot this summer about friendship

What does it really mean?

I have had friends that I have had my WHOLE life,

whom I KNOW will be my friends FOREVER...

One's that I can think of RIGHT off the top of my head

and they know who they are.

THEN there are those friends you meet along the way and have a special connection with.

There are some that have an impact on you,

or ones that YOU impact....

I have learned that I am the friend that will always CARE,

not because I want you to THINK that I care,

NOT because that I think its the "right" thing to do,

BUT

because I find myself CARING about these people

that I have only been friends with for a short period of time.

I think about them, I hope they are doing okay and I pray for them when their life is rough.

Some of them I don't know if I will ever see again, or in the near future at least...

But then I wonder, is it all about effort?

Does it matter if I ever see them again?

Am I still considered a good friend if its only long distance?

I don't know yet.

BUT

I figure,

why I am down here on earth, why not give it some effort?

I know I sound Cheesy right now,

but I am totally PAST the point of caring, If you can't tell.

So I made this friend out here in Oklahoma.

In the beginning I thought she would be fun to hang out with

We both have 3 kids

We share the same religious beliefs

My husband is from the same town as she and her husband are from

We are close to the same age...

it was perfect to have someone like that to PASS the time while Brandon was at work

Her name is Leah.

She QUICKLY changed from someone

who I just thought was fun and cool

INTO a

Best Friend.

I make friends fairly quickly I know that,

BUT

you can't find friends that you

CLICK with

THAT QUICKLY

I think in the short time she was here,

she's become someone that I could tell anything to.

Cry with,

Laugh with

Share secrets with

Be silly with

BE MYSELF

and feel comfortable

someone I could TRUST.

Its hard to find somebody that you can feel that comfortable around

besides your spouse, kids siblings or parents.

Not only did I think she was wonderful and like a sister that I never had

BUT

I started to love her kids too.

Yes, I love kids,

but they were such cuties and my boys played with them everyday.

She left yesterday.

Now its just me and the kiddos all day.

I miss my friend.

At the movies

at the park

After eating the best frozen yogurt!

Sunday Picnics

Showing our buff-ness from going to the gym every morning!

ORANGE LEAF

SUSHI baby!

more muscles...props to the kiddos for being such good photographers! ha!

More sushi...

Don't Mess!

On our way to the ZOO

Oh yeah baby!

This was MEANT to get the Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt sign in the picture.

This was a SWEET temptation for us....YUMMMM!

2010-09-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Feeling the NEED

DO you ever feel the need to be BETTER???

Not just a BETTER mom...

Or a BETTER wife...

Or BETTER friend...

BUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS?

DO you ever feel like you could do MORE???

Not just MORE praying...

Or MORE scriptures...

Or MORE service....

BUT be MORE religious as a whole?

What about being OVERWHELMED with Gratitude?

Feeling like you can't THANK enough people who have SERVED you?

Or feeling like you can't RETURN the favor adequately?

OVERWHELMED with thoughts and feelings

of GRATITUDE for and about people

that you just don't know how to express or portray?

Do you ever think about this person you WANT to be?

Or the GOALS you would like to ACCOMPLISH?

Or look at someone you ADMIRE and think to yourself, "I want to be like them"...

Then after all those thoughts PASS through your mind

you begin to feel so OVERWHELMED that you don't even know where to begin?

That is how I am feeling right now.

I think I am a pretty good person,

I know that I try hard to do GOOD

and be GOOD and CHOOSE THE RIGHT,

but I just feel like I could DO MORE,

BE MORE,

BE BETTER,

and it needs to start NOW.

I live the GOSPEL,

but I need to be a BETTER example

and a BETTER mom and wife.

I just got done listening to a million "mormon messages" and man it really hit me to the core. IF you can't tell. If you haven't watched those, DO IT, they are amazing, some more touching than others...depending on who you are, but WOW. Loved it, and totally INSPIRED me.

My Little Artist and DIRTY DAYS

2010-08-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

My Little Artist

Hewitt LOVES to color and draw.
He reminds me of the way my big brother Jordan was when he was younger.
He has such a big imagination and is SO creative.
He is very specific and articulate and quite the perfectionist.
This is just a FRACTION of what he has drawn.
Little does he realize, I am a pack rat and
can't bear to throw away anything he draws.
SO I have loads and loads of pictures....
He is barely 5 and this is what he thought up
I am going to start posting more of his "art" cause I love it
and I want to share his cuteness.
This is "Cosmo the Cougar"

This is "Thing" or "Rock Man"

This is HULK

DIRTY

I have never had a problem with my kids getting DIRTY.

I don't ever remember my parents having a problem with me

getting DIRTY when I was growing up.

Thats what being a kid is all about

splashing in puddles

making messes

finding bugs

collecting bugs

collecting rocks and other treasures

using your imagination

getting good and DIRTY

Nothing a good bar of soap and a tub full of water can't fix....right?

Lately my kids have been getting DIRTY a LOT

Today they were living their dream.

I should have taken a picture of their bath tub.....completely BROWN.

I had to wash their hair twice.

AND this is NOT the first time this summer.

My Aunt and Uncle let the boys play out in there DIRT and MUD.

Between their dogs and DIRT and

kiddie/doggy pool they sure got good and DIRTY!

2010-08-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Gotta LOVE Sundays

(Visit with family and playing with friends)

-SO-

I have some family that live here in OKC!

We have been hanging out with them since we got here

and today is the first time I was able to snap some pictures.

Brent is my dad's brother.

He is married to Susan and they have 5 kids.

They have 2 boys and 3 beautiful triplet girls.

Its so sad that I haven't met my cousins and aunt and uncle till now,

but I am SO glad and feel SO blessed

that I have been able to spend time with them and get to know them.

I am going to make sure and get more pictures

when everyone else is there

but I got some good shots today.

It has been so nice to have these guys here.

Its so crazy how fast my kids have latched on to Brent and Susan.

I know they miss seeing my mom and dad everyday

and having these guys here has totally helped.

Brent is a lot like my dad

and Susan is a lot like my mom

and I think my kids can sense that.

Brent with Linford and Harper

they love him...

Me and Susan and Linny Binny

Brandon and Brent

Me and my cousin Julie

Brent tickling Linny

Julie and Harper

Brent getting MAWLED by the 3 musketeers

more wrestling

Brent and Susan

Friends

On our way home from dinner

our friends called and said they were outside playing

so we got home and headed over....

the kids had so much fun running around and playing

and the guys played some ball

love nights like these!

Hewitt and Uncle Gregg

Hewitt and Jace

(Hewitt came over and looked at this picture and said,

"mom is that what I really look like?")

Me and my new bestie

Brandon and JD

2010-08-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

The OKC Zoo

A BAD Dream

Okay now I haven't been to a TON of Zoo's

BUT

I have been to a few and I

L O V E

the OKC Zoo

First.....you can't deny the fact that on Wednesdays admission is a DOLLAR

AND

Hot dogs, drinks and popcorn are a DOLLAR

Then.....the animals are so ACTIVE!

Everytime we have gone we see something cool happen.

The Lions are always up and going and coming up to the glass, its so cool.

This last time we went we saw a number of cool things.

We saw a small Jaguar fight which was neat...Hewitt talked about it for the rest of the day,

We saw two bears get in a fight, growling and roaring...pretty cool,

Then the Gorilla's were playing and wrestling with their baby.

I have never seen anything like it first hand.

They are so cute and so much like humans its so cool and funny.

They were laughing and teasing eachother, and throwing dirt at eachother. It was so fun for the kids to see.

Then while we were looking at the cougar

(which my kids LOVE cougars, because of BYU Cougars and Cosmo the cougar)

Hewitt was sitting on the fence looking at the Cougar just chillin in its little cove, Hewitt fell in the bushes and the Cougar jumped up and came walking over....Hewitt was SO scared, I haven't seen him that scared in a long time. It was kind of sweet.

I grabbed him. We were convinced that he startled the cougar and thats why he got up and came over to investigate. It was kind of cool.

We were also able to hold these birds on our arms which was pretty neat as well.

LOVE the ZOO!!!

BAD DREAM

I had this horrible dream about Harper drowning in the pool.

Having my kids around water is so scary for me.

I have heard story after story of kids drowning

and its so scary for me.

Harper is a fish by the way and NOT SCARED of ANYTHING.

He will jump in the pool at any given moment.

He absolutely HATES his life jacket

and literally has anxiety attacks when I put it on him and vomits.

SO, I try to be on my toes and lets just say going to the pool by myself is

NOT RELAXING

in the least bit.

In my dream we were at the pool as a family and Brandon was in charge of the older boys and I was in charge of Harper.

It was an Indoor/Outdoor pool

and the Indoor was being renovated, but it still had water in it, but workers all around.

Harper kept running into where the Indoor pool was and jumping in.

I had to keep jumping in to the very bottom of the pool and retrieve him.

It happened like 5 or 6 times.

Everyone just watched.

The life guards and Brandon...everyone.

I was exhausted and scared and frustrated....

Then I decided,

"this is it, he is going to wear his life jacket"

so I put it on him and of course he ran and jumped in again.

I wasn't too stressed because he had his life jacket on.

Then I soon realized the life jacket didn't work!!!

he still sunk straight to the bottom.

So again, in complete PANIC,

I jumped in after my little baby.

as I was swimming to save him I was looking at his face,

scared to death

...big scared, terrified look in his eyes

and

right before I reached him

I woke up.

I have been thinking about it all day.

Later this morning my good friend Leah came over and

asked if I wanted to get my kids and go swimming.

My dream flashed through my mind.

We ended up going and nothing bad happened and we had a great time.

But it really shook me.

My dreams are always so vivid and real.

I always remember my dreams

this one was so scary for me.

2010-08-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hewitt Brandon McBride

(sigh......tear)

ahhhh, how does this happen? One day they are your little babies and the next....

they're 5!!!!

It is bittersweet for me.

He is SO funny.

He is INCREDIBLY smart

VERY passionate

He is so OBEDIENT

LOVING

SWEET....

you name it.

Hewitt is a dream child.

Yeah, he's had his moments,

but for the most part they're all good ones...

I couldn't ask for a better fit into our family.

Hewitt is such a good example and my little buddy.

AT THE SAME TIME

where did my baby go? That little baby who couldn't say his "R's"...

the one who use to be chubby all over?

The bald head...

the funny faces and everything else....

I want to freeze time, and I can't and its just happening
TOO FAST!!!

Slow down Hewitt! I need to take this all in!!!

Happy Birthday!
We love you!

Just chillin at 16 months

8 months

7 months

first Easter...8 months

He did this all the time when he was little...He is and always has been such a ham.

1 year old

He LOVED strawberries and still does, he was 7 months

5 months

Not even a year old yet, I think he was like 8 months?

Hewitt and his buddy/cousin J.J.

He was 1 1/2 in this picture

6 months in this one

One year old here

5 years old!!!

2010-08-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

KIDS

and a cute little story

I love these three pictures. These kids are so funny together. They were all on here playing and I just had to get a picture. Look how tan Linny and Avery are!

These next few pictures are of my kids playing at this park that has an army tank and my kids had a blast. This was one of those days where I had nothing to do and no where to be. The kids could just play till they wanted to leave and we were in no rush. I love watching them use their imaginations.

Cute Little Story:

Let me tell you first

I get stared at everywhere I go. Not as bad as I did in El Paso when I was the only

"non-hispanic" person.

Not only was I the only white girl but I have -THREE- little "toe-heads".

I have heard a million comments, to my face and behind my back.

Mostly good and nice comments,

my kids are very well behaved in the store (knock on wood).

I know I am very lucky. I make them all ride in the cart.

Its way more efficient and controllable.

Something I always think about is that its funny how in Utah Valley I am the "norm".

Most 26 year old women have been married 7 years and have 2,3,4 kids.

MOST don't get 2 and 3 glances as the walk through the store or down the street.

Kind of funny....

ANYWAY

here's the story:

We were in the bread aisle and there was an older lady probably 70 yrs. old

(which isn't too old, but to Hewitt, it is) standing next to me.

Of course she stared at me for a while.

Not in a rude manner, but more of a, "wow, she's got her hands full" kind of look.

Which I get often...so I looked at her and smiled. Then as the lady is smiling back,

Hewitt says: "mom, that lady looks like your Grandma"

Old lady: "oh I look like your grandma???"

Hewitt: "Noooooo-hoooooo, you look like MY MOM's Grandma"

The lady had sort of a confused look on her face.

I just turned to her and said, "oh thats a compliment...."

hahahhahaha, it was funny.

Love my kiddos.

2010-08-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Days

and

A Story or Two

These are just a few of the things that we have been up to this summer

Thank goodness for friends, (Leah Meacham and her little kiddos) I don't know what we would be doing if we didn't have these little friends to play with everyday and if I didn't have my faithful gym partner and frozen yogurt buddy to hang out and laugh with day in and day out.

Here are all the kids (except Linford and Avery) playing on the army tank at the park

Hewitts Birthday at the zoo

The boys at the park

Harper, Linford, Jace, Hewitt, Avery and Brody

We were at a splash park and somehow they all ended up on the table

All the kids again

Harper, Linford, Brody and Hewitt

Hewitt and Harper taking a little break

Love these two, they were SO hot at the park

My three little dudes, LOVE them!

Avery and Linny

Day at the zoo

A Story or Two

Well here are a few stories of my adventures here in Oklahoma.

SO there are a ton of pools out here in Oklahoma and we had been trying to find a good one for the kids. Leah (my friend) had trusted me to find a good pool. So I gave her the name and address of the pool and then we decided just to meet there because my kids were still taking their naps. Well I loaded my kids in the car and we drove for a while, which seemed like forever and as I am arriving to this pool the surroundings are nothing like what I expected. I look in the pool and see Leah and her sister and her three blondies and amongst probably at least 40 other people they were the O N L Y white people at the pool. I began to take notice of my surroundings and begin to realize we are in borderline ghetto. The pool had barbwire lining the entire pool and it was free to get in. I am sure everyone was looking at us thinking, "what are those white folks doing here?" I am not racist at all, I just could tell we did not fit in. I walked in and apologized to Leah and she just responded, "well I don't care I am not too picky" so we stayed and we had a great time...Later after talking to some family that I have who live in OKC they informed me that "white" people DO NOT swim at that pool and next time I want to go swimming I should probably ask them a good place to go. HAHAHAHA, You live and learn right? Hey at least we had fun!

So one day me and my friend Taryn were at a random sprayground and were wanting to go grab a smoothie somewhere. So I googled "smoothie" in my phone and BAM found a place called "Cafe Oasis" and we were off. We drove a ways and as we arrived something was a little off, but we're not from here so nothing really feels familiar. Well, we walk into this place and everyone is Asian, I didn't think much of it, then I realize nothing is written in English and no one speaks English either. We made due and ordered and the smoothies were actually really good. WELL I had all three of my kids with me and they Hewitt and Linford were sitting on these TALL stools and I had Harper on my lap. Well Linford being the 2 year old that he is was wiggling all over and he fell off the tall stool onto the concrete floor and hit his head really hard. SO quickly I put Harper on the other stool and grab Linford holding him, making sure he is okay. Meantime Harper falls!! Hits his head and EACH time the ENTIRE place, full of Asian people G A S P as each child falls, everyone staring and judging, speaking their language. All eyes on me. I was so humiliated, felt like the worst mom. I gathered my kids and left. Luckily they were okay and no bad injuries occurred.

The next day I was at my Uncles house and I told them my horrific story. As soon as I was done they asked, "where were you at???" I told them the coordinates and they started to laugh...they said, "Ashley, that is the "Asian District"...."ahhaha, they were probably wondering what you were doing there!" I just had to laugh at myself. I never knew there were so many different "designated areas" for different cultures and races. I didn't know there were places I should and shouldn't go...gosh!!!!

2010-08-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hewitt

Well this little stud just turned 5!!!!

Wow he is so old. I will try to do a special birthday post for him.

His baby pictures are so sweet and I love looking at them.

Hewitt is my little genious and I am so proud of that.

He is so smart and so passionate for life.

Hewitt loves to wrestle and play football

He is really into super hero's still, and he loves playing with friends and his brothers.

We will give Hewitt the option to do whatever he wants and

he will choose wrestle with mom or dad 99.9% of the time.

Hewitt is SO obedient.

Hewitt is the best helper.

He loves his family so much and is very protective of us.

Hewitt is very tough but has a huge huge heart. I will tell him something like,

"if someone hits you, you can hit them back"

and he will say,

"but mom, I don't want to hurt anyone"

Hewitt LOVES animals. He loves the zoo, the farm, anything to do with creatures and nature.

He is getting so big and I love him so much!!!

Hewitt's birthday...we tried to make it as special as possible, he had a wonderful day.

He kept saying, "mom I don't want my birthday to end"

Hewitt wearing some of his birthday stuff.

Hewitt doing his mean face, I don't know what his obsession is with making these faces..

again

The Zoo

being cute

Hewitt loves BYU

There was this sweet Army Tanker that the kids were able to climb on and pretend they were in the army. They had so much fun.

Hewitt and his friend Jace

Hewitt and Linford

Beimg tough

I have so much to update still:

Funny stories

Family outings

New fun friends

Hewitt's birthday

fun times with my Aunt Susan and Uncle Brent and my cousins

I am hoping to get all these done soon!

2010-08-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Linny

Linford is such a blast to have around the house and just to be around PERIOD.

He is A L W A Y S happy.

He will be turning 3 next month and I don't know where the time went.

He is besties with BOTH Hewitt AND Harper.

Linford is getting so smart and is physically amazing at any sport he tries or wants to do.

He is so determined at everything he puts his mind to, and it always pays off. I love that he can see the rewards of hard work (in some form) at such an early age.

Linford is my candy lover and sweet tooth child.

He is my most tan child by far

He is my most mischevious, no question...so far atleast.

Linford gets along with everyone, I love this about him.

Linford is a little big for the sink, but he wanted a try...so why not.

This is his kissy face, I absolutely LOVE it too. I make him give me millions of kisses, I can't resist this face.

Linford absolutely A D OR E S this cute little princess. Her name is Avery and he calls her his "girlfriend"....talks about her all the time. He follows her all over the place when we go anywhere with them. I have found them multiple times just hiding somewhere and histaricly laughing.

Linford loves to be silly and tries to laugh off anything that might be remotely serious. Anytime I get mad or he is in trouble

he R U N S

he H I D E S

and when you find him he tries to laugh or smile

or pretend like he has no idea what you are talking about.

SprayGround

His "mean" face

(if he could ever be "mean")

Right after his "mean" face...how could he ever be serious?

MMMMMMUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

We have been in Oklahoma now for a month now and its beautiful here. We love it. It is really HUMID

but we have been having fun.

I have lots more pictures to come and some funny stories.

We will be back in Utah in October and after that will be super busy with vacations and fun times with family and friends. We are looking forward to seeing everyone. We miss our families and friends SO BAD. I knew it would be hard...but thinking it and feeling it are totally different. It has totally made me realize how much I love mine and Brandons families both. As well as our amazing friends and our dog too.

BUT we have also grown so much closer to eachother and I have become a lot more of an independent mom. I can do things by myself with 3 kids under 5 that I never thought I could do.

SO MUCH

2010-08-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

SO SO SO MUCH

Well, yes....I have slacked.

I have so much to update...

A lot has happened that I need to blog about.

So here is an attempt to catch up.

Here are some updates on Harper.

He is talking up a storm, too many words to count or name.

He is getting so big and so smart.

He L O V E S his Daddy

He sleeps from 8:30pm to 8:30 or 9am...

Makes every funny face in the book

Loves to be thrown around

Loves books

Loves slides and letting the ducks eat bread from out of his hand

He is 17 months old (Linford was this age when Harper was born)

He is such a little fireball and we love him so so so much.

Fishy Face

Spray Grounds are all over out here in Oklahoma. This is one of our daily or weekly activities. Harper is obsessed, he LOVES them. He is my little fish. He loves the water and getting completely soaked. Neither of my other kids were ever this way.

Pout lip

He would spend all day at the drinking fountain. It gets REALLY hot here.

Pucker up!
He loves giving kisses....Especially to Brandon. He will kiss Brandon over and over and over....one right after the other. It is so cute.

Loves the play ground.

He will get out of the car, RUN to the playground and won't be done till I grab him and drag him to the car. It is scorching hot and humid and still,,,,,he doesn't want to be done.

Loves getting in the sink and playing with a cup. This is what he does while I clean the kitchen...is that weird??? Oh, love this face by the way...

Messy Eater...He has to eat ALL BY HIMSELF... so this is what I get to clean up!

Just being cute as usual

This picture is blurry but tells a lot about Harpers darling personality. He has his own style and way of doing things and I love it. I love how you can see it at such a young age. He is so funny, and sweet and every good word I could think of.

I will be doing an update on Linford and Hewitt and then our family as a whole...bare with me!

A Day in The Life....

2010-06-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

I think I have posted something like this before...

B U T

I can't get enough of being a mom to these little dudes.

Y E S

Our lives are NOT perfect.

My kids are NOT perfect.

I definitely am NOT perfect.

There is a LOT more I could do better at...

A LOT more I could improve on...

But when I choose to live in the

M O M E N T

with these precious boys,

I find myself completely WRAPPED up in

P U R E J O Y

Harper Update:

He says SO MANY WORDS!!!

Here are a few I can think of off the T O P of my head:

Yummy

Mom (not mommy)

Dad (not daddy)

Please

shoes

yay (while clapping)

Bat-bet-bow (basketball)

foo-bow (football)

ball

Thanks

Uh-oh

I wan-sum (I want some)

E-mo (elmo)

Ewwww (when he sees a bug or dirty diaper)

Wow

Bug

Bubbles

Whooooaaaa

airpane

Bird-E (Birdie)

Vroom (when he plays with the cars)

Cow

kitty

Doggy

Hi (with a wave)

Bye (with a wave)

eyes (while pointing to his eye)

Tub

He does the sounds of:

Doggy Barking

Cow Mooing

Duck Quacking

Gorilla pounding his chest

bird tweeting

Dinosaur and other roaring animals Roaring

kitty meowing

ACTIONS: Puts a finger up and says, Uh-uh...Uh-uh

Blows kisses

Gives kisses

tackles and wrestles (he's the one who starts it)

Boxes with Boxing gloves

SINGS: do as I'm doing, itsy bitsy spider, and no more monkeys jumping on the bed

(ALL WITH ACTIONS)

He just got a bunch of teeth. The two next to his top front teeth and the two next to his bottom front teeth and also MOLARS!

He is very responsive.

He will take things to people or bring things to you if you tell him to.

He will go to the tub when I tell him its tub-time.

He will cry when I tell him its bed time.

He will go get his shoes when I say "lets go"

He will go to his highchair when I tell him its time to eat.

Will get a book when I tell him I will read to him.

Make the fishy face or smile if I tell him to.

He weighs 25 pounds (my thinest child yet)

He is 15 months old

Harper does this "fishy" face. I have been trying to get a picture of it for sometime now and finally I was able to snap a shot

I walked in my room and this is what I found.

I loved how Linford has on Brandons socks too.

I love that they love eachother so much

Here are some funny videos.

Yes I encourage this.

I know alot of people think I am crazy, but I want my kids to be

"ALL BOY"

and that includes being

T O U G H and B R A V E.

(mainly for: Grammy & Popps AND Grandma & Grandpa McBride)

Many Many Many

2010-06-20T20:04:00.001-07:00

Videos in El Paso

Okay Grammy and Popps

I know you used to see these kids everyday and you keep asking for videos....

so here are a few

They are totally candid so bare with me on this

I hope you enjoy watching them as much as we did.

Special Day

2010-06-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day Brandon!!!

I have really noticed my kids need for there father over the past few months.

With him having to work so much we don't get to see him as often as we used to.

They miss him.

I miss him.

BUT

when he has his days off

l o v e to l o v e him...

and I love it.

Here are a few

c a n d i d

videos of how they feel about their Daddy-

really cute and kind of funny

We Love you Brandon!

YUMMMMMM

2010-06-14T21:17:00.001-07:00

Well Harper is getting to the point where he won't let me "feed" him anymore.

He wants to do it all by himself.

Which he is very capable of....

-T H I S-

Is the result...

This is mainly for Grammy and Popps

I know they are missing being able to see this little guy grow

So here is a little tid-bit of Harper...