Stout Family

ChRisTmaS pArTieS...

2011-03-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

So here we are at our Christmas parties for this year! First, we had our ward Christmas party and the kids got to see Santa! Then we had Dax's preschool party! We decided to carry on the tradition with some friends and have our annual Ugly Sweater/Turtleneck Party! There were lots of couples and we had a great time! Gotta love the Christmas season! So hear is to another wonderful year! Goodbye 2010!

Casey reading, "Twas the Night Before Christmas!"

Fallon and Zane won the prize for best outfit!

ChRisTmAs FeStiViTies...

2011-03-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

So here are lots and lots of pictures from most of December! We had such a wonderful Christmas and for the 1st time ever...we spent Christmas at home this year! Terry, Susan, and Austin came over on Christmas morning. We had such a fun time watching the kids wake up to see what Santa brought! Then we spent all morning opening presents. This year the kids made a present to give to Jesus for FHE one night and we decided to wrap it up and open it on Christmas Day so that we can remember the true meaning of Christmas throughout the entire month!

Brody's 1st Christmas!

Our little Reindeer! Grandma Janet gave him this outfit!

Christmas Dinner at Grandma and Papa's!

Looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve!

New jammies!

Christmas Program at Grandma's! Dax is Joseph, KK is Mary, and Brody is Baby Jesus! So cute! Kaylin practiced and practiced and did a little musical solo, singing, "The Nativity Song." She did such a great job!

Kaylin also had to perform the song, "Up on the House Top" with all of the actions! Wow...this girl really does love to perform!! And we loved every minute of it!

BrOdY at 4 mOntHs...

2011-03-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Here is Brody at 4 months! He is still such a little guy, but loves to be on his tummy (unlike Dax) and is always so busy! He weighs 11 lbs. 8 oz. now and is 24 1/4 in. The doctor told me I need to start him on solids this month since he is pretty little! So a few of his 1st foods are oatmeal cereal, applesauce, squash, peas, and carrots. He is starting to sit up on his own, but still needs support! He also loves taking baths...especially now with KK and Dax!

KK's KiNdErGaRtEn PrOgRaM...

2011-03-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

Here is Kaylin at her Kindergarten Christmas Program for school! She has been practicing her song, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," all around the house for the past month! It was so darling and she did such a great job!

PaRk CiTy...

2011-02-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well, we headed out to Utah for the week of Thanksgiving! We stayed at The Lodges in Deer Valley and it was such a wonderful week! We got to see our old friends, hang out with family, play in the snow, play in the hot tub, shop on black friday at the outlets, see "The Rockettes: Christmas Spectacular," play lots of Bananagrams, swim and slide in the snow (it was an outdoor heated pool), and just had tons of fun!! We did take Kaylin to Primary Children's to get her knee checked with Dr. Zeft and it looks like she now has the JRA in her left knee too. Now we just have to really monitor the knees and continue to get her eyes checked every 3 months! It is in a very mild state right now so we are grateful we caught it early! She is always so brave when she is there and we are grateful to have such a great doctor! All in all, our trip to Park City was such a blast! Thanks mom and dad for a wonderful week! We are so grateful to be able to spend this time together with all of our family! Such fun memories!

Here is their famous pose they have to do everytime we get pictures taken! :)

So fun that the twins are both having boys within a month of each other!

BrOdY's BLeSsiNg...

2011-02-21T23:52:00.000-08:00

On November 7, 2010 we blessed sweet little Brody! My parents were in town so we figured it was a good time to do it with all of the grandparents here! It was such a special day for our family! He was an angel and looked so sweet and precious! We LOVE you Brody and are so glad you are a part of our family! XOXO

Brody at 3 months!

HaLLoWeeN...

2011-02-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

Here are the kiddos in their Halloween costumes! Dax is IronMan and yes, Kaylin is a bat! She has been talking about being a bat since March (I think mainly because she know how to make a really good, high pitched bat noise) and there was no way I was talking her out of it! Thank goodness I found a really cute bat costume at Costco of all places! Our neighbor had these bat wings and ears that matched perfectly! I must say...she ended up being a pretty cute bat!

Dance class!

KK's Kindergarten Halloween party!

Kaylin and Tyler

Dax's Preschool Halloween Party!

Tradition: Making pizzas before going Trick or Treating!

Getting ready to go to the Ward Trunk or Treat! Lexie came with us!

Dax is such a funny kid! We took the kids around the neighborhood after the Trunk or Treat and about halfway through Dax decided he was too hot and tired! He had to strip down and take a little break to get cooled off! It was so funny...he literally insisted on taking the top part of his costume off! I guess he hit his limit and that was that!!!

Brody's 1st Halloween! Our cute little pumpkin!

ThE "SiTuAtiOn" aNd SnOoKiE...

2011-02-21T20:51:00.000-08:00

So Breton and I had a Halloween Party to attend and decided to dress this year as the most infamous stars of the reality show, "Jersey Shore!" I definitely had to do some altering to Snookie's look in order to make it a little more appropriate, but we had a fun time with it! Breton really did transform himself into "The Situation!" And yes, he really did give himself a side fade! Happy Halloween!!!

Angie and Skyler (as Bella and Jacob), Jana and Brandon, Us!

PuMpKiN pAtCh...

2011-02-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

Laura, Angie, and I all took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch to pick pumpkins and ride the rides! What a fun afternoon with all of the kiddos!

ChEeSeCaKe...

2011-02-21T19:57:00.000-08:00

So my mom and sisters were in town and we went to Cheesecake for dinner. Grandma had to leave after this and here is the scene we created at the restaurant! KK and Dax were bawling and being so dramatic about having to say goodbye! It was hilarious...I mean just look at those faces! Seriously though, they were so so sad!! It's always hard to have to say Goodbye! Good thing Grandma gets to come and visit often!

FaMiLy PiCtUrEs...

2011-02-21T16:22:00.000-08:00

On October 10, we all went downtown to get family pictures taken! It was great because they ended up going on all of our family Christmas card!

Kaylin and Dax did this pose on their very own! Glad we got it because it turned out to be one of our favorite pictures!! Such personalities!!

FrEsnO fAiR...

2011-02-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

Having fun at the Fresno Fair with the cousins! Amber, Todd, and the boys came down and Nicole, Seth, and Avery came out from Boise! Austin is back home too! So fun to have all of Breton's side of the family together!!

Performing a little play for our family time that Susan put together! Always so cute and the kids love it!

BrOdY at 2 MoNtHs...

2011-02-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

Brody is growing so fast! He is smiling now and has the cutest little smile! He opens his mouth really big and then does this big grin! He is becoming so alert and looks all around with his big eyes! We think he is pretty darn adorable! He is such a happy baby! We think he looks a lot like me when I was a baby (especially when he was 1st born), but he didn't get the "Rose head" like Dax and even KK a little! He definitely has a smaller head...shaped just like Breton's when he was a baby! So fun to see him grow!

ChiCka ChiCka BoOm BoOm...

2011-02-20T22:56:00.000-08:00

So here is Kaylin eating on the "Celebrate" plate because she got an award for being on the "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree" at school for knowing all of her letters and sounds!! Great job sweetie!!

Uncle Mikey came into town for a quick visit and let the kids draw all over his body! For about the next 3 months, every prayer Dax would say would include..."Please bless we can draw all over Mikey and he doesn't care..." They thought it was the funnest thing EVER!! What a fun uncle!

Kaylin all dressed up for her "50's theme" jog-a-thon at school!

DrY cReeK BuLLdoGs SocCeR...

2011-01-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well, here is Kaylin on her 1st day of soccer practice! She played on her U-6 school soccer team...the Lil' Bulldogs!!! It was so much fun to watch her play over the season and to see her grow and get better with each game! Her 1st few games consisted of "looking around for butterflies", running only when she wanted to, and wanting to sit under the chair in the shade because it was too hot! :) But she really grew as the games went on and she even scored a goal in one of her last games!!! Once that happened, she really started to get into it! Such a fun fall season to watch her play!!! She did such a great job!

Her little friends...Tyler, McKenzie, and Hadlee!

Here is Tyler Walker who they call "Walker." He is in Kaylin's kindergarten class and this is KK's 1st little "boyfriend!" So cute at this age...their 1st little crushes! Kaylin told me she "broke up" with him though because everyone was teasing her saying, "KK and Walker are in love." She didn't like everyone talking about it, SO...they had to break up! Too hilarious!!

Playing at Chukchansi Park!

BrOdY at 1 MoNtH...

2011-01-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

Well, here is our sweet little Brody at 1 month old! He seriously is the BEST baby...I can't even begin to describe how good he is! He is just so precious and we love him so much! The kids immediately want to hold him once they get home from school! I just love holding him and can't stop staring at him! What is it about new babies?? Their smell is just so perfect...even their sweet baby breath! Mmmm...I just can't get enough!

I had to get a picture of him crying because it is a very rare occasion!

Here in the swing is where he spends a lot of his time! He LOVES the swing! It is my saving grace when I am busy with the other 2!!

His 1st day of church (6 weeks old)!!

AuGuSt DaYs...

2011-01-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

So my mom stayed out with us for about 2 1/2 weeks after Brody was born and it was perfect because it was during all of the 1st part of school! We finally gave Kaylin her birthday present since we were out in Tennessee for the summer! Yes, she got her 1st bike!! (Grandma ended up getting Dax a bike too so they could ride together...Spiderman, of course!) They loved riding outside on their new bikes!

Lately they have had a fascination with my closet and here is one of their ensembles they came up with today! So silly!!

In Kaylin's class they get an opportunity to bring home the class teddy bear named, "Teddy" and we get to write all about Teddy's adventure with Kaylin!! She was so excited to bring him home!

DaX's 1St DaY oF pReScHoOL...

2011-01-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

Wow...these last few weeks have been filled with quite a few "firsts!" Our little Dax started preschool today on September 7, 2010! I can't believe I have 2 kiddos in school now! Dax is going to Angie Cleveland's preschool 2 days/week called, "The Little Birds Preschool" and he was SO excited! I have the cutest story to share about him! So the night before Kaylin started kindergarten, Breton gave her a Father's blessing. For the next 2 weeks (because Dax started preschool 2 weeks later), he would ask, "Momma, when am I gonna get my bwessing?" "Is it my day to get my bwessing yet?" Everyday he would ask and was so excited for Daddy to give him a blessing!! It was so cute to hear him ask every single day!! We just love him to pieces and can't believe he is such a big boy!! And of course he picked out an IronMan backpack!

KayLin'S 1st DaY oF KiNdErGaRtEn...

2010-12-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it is hard to believe that my baby started kindergarten on August 23, 2010 at Dry Creek Elementary! I seriously cannot believe it!! A few days before school started we got to go to a meet and greet in her classroom and meet her teacher, Mrs. Moore. Kaylin was SO so excited to start kindergarten! The only thing she said she was a little nervous about was this... "I am afraid I won't be really good at kindergarten." So precious, and of course we reassured her! So when we dropped her off (me, Breton, Dax, Brody, and my mom) her teacher gave us a little pack of tissue and hot chocolate with a cute little poem attached. Basically saying to go wipe our tears, put up our feet, and know that we are leaving our little child with someone who loves them and is also excited to see them grow! Of course all of the moms were crying as we were walking away from our sweet babies!!! I was one of them...couldn't quite help it! Just thinking of how it is the beginning of sending her off on her own in this big world! So I ended up just staying and watching for a few extra minutes! Seriously, not 5 minutes into being in the classroom and I overhear Kaylin telling Mrs. Smith (the morning Kindergarten teacher) that she is a really good singer and she is going to be on American Idol someday. Then she started singing "California Gurls" for her! I figured after I heard that...She is going to be JUST FINE!!! :)

I somehow ended up getting strep throat the day she started kindergarten so I look a little hammered!!

Kaylin and Mrs. Moore

We are SO proud of our little kindergartener!!!

LitTLe PhOtO sHoOt...

2010-11-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from Brody's little newborn photo shoot. I am just loving him so much right now! He is so sweet and precious and there really is nothing like having a newborn at home! His sweet little spirit brings something so special into our home and family! We all just want to stare at him and hold him! We just love him tons!

His Birth Announcement

1st MoNtH hOmE...

2010-11-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few pictures of Brody's 1st month at home! Pretty much just sleeping pictures since that is most of what they do!

Dax tells me all of the time, "I wuv Baby Brody SOOOOOO much!" Every time Dax holds him he rubs his cheek against Brody's forehead/eye! So sweet!

I just love that mouth!

1st Bath

1st Football Game

It was so nice having my mom here for 2 1/2 weeks! Nothing better than having Grandma around!!!

BrOdY WoOd...

2010-11-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go! My attempt to catch up over the last few months! I am going to be writing a lot so feel free to skip over this, however, now that I print my blog it serves as our family journal! So here goes our little story of Brody...someday I may not be able to remember all of these little details unless they are written!

Well, after our "adventure" of spending the summer in Tennessee (and Minnesota :)), we finally headed back home on August 1st...Only 2 weeks before this little guy was born! I ended up getting induced 1 week early and it happened to be on Breton's birthday! So, Thursday, August 12 we went into the hospital to have this little guy. Everything was pretty routine for us (especially since I have been induced with all 3). I got started on pitosin around 8am. By 10:30-11 I was starting to feel the contractions come on pretty strong and was ready to get my epidural. However, the anesthesiologist was in an emergency C-section so I had to wait until he was finished. Minutes just going by as I am gripping on to the rails of the bed, squeezing the pillow behind my head, snapping my fingers in a rhythm, telling Breton to stop talking on the phone because I needed to concentrate :)! (anyone else do these things during labor? haha) So now it is 11:45 and I ask the nurse how much longer will he be? She tells me that she just asked him and he said no longer than 15 min. She checks me and I am dialated to a 6. So now I am just staring at the clock watching every minute pass! Right on time...at 12:00 sharp he is headed into my room to give me the epidural. The nurse tells me to sit up and get ready. Just as I sit on the edge of the bed I have a contraction and let me tell you...the intensity of this one caught me off guard! I will save you my own description of this pain (as I am sure many can probably relate)! So I tell them I have to lay back down...the nurse checks me and I am of course at a 10 and baby is ready to come (which means no epidural)! I have to wait about 10 minutes for Dr. Swanson to arrive...trying NOT to push which is almost impossible. My cute mother in law was there at this point and helped me breathe through it all!! (My mom was coming out a few days later since I decided to get induced and I told her not to change her flight)! Anyway, Dr. Swanson arrived in the middle of a contraction and a few pushes later, Brody had arrived!! The irony of the whole situation was that during my whole pregnancy I was debating on whether to have the epidural or go natural since it was now my 3rd and all! Of course I ended up deciding not to go natural...why fight through the labor pains if I didn't have to, right?? SO...now of course I am glad it happened. I can say I have done it. Will I be doing it again next time? NO THANKS...once was enough!!! I think I will be opting to relax and play "words with friends" with Breton again while we wait!! But of course, Brody was worth every second of it all! We just Love him to pieces!

XOXO

We couldn't believe it...our 1st baby with hair!!!

Born at 12:23 pm

7 lbs 2 oz.

20 inches

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Ready to go home!

Thanks to our wonderful friends and family who watched Kaylin and Dax for us while we were in the hospital!

ThE LaSt of tHe LaKe 2010...

2010-10-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

Once again it is time to say goodbye to the lake until next summer! We were so happy to be able to spend so much time up here this year! So here is a little overview of our time spent here!

Slip N' Slide

Uncle Mikey showing us how it's done!!

Kaylin and Keaton!

Grandma's Birthday!

Antique Store

Art in the Park

Arrowwood Resort

(Indoor Water Park)

Kaylin's 1st pedicure and manicure!!

KayLin'S 5tH biRthDay!!

2010-10-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well, once again we celebrated and spent Kaylin's birthday up at the lake house! She wanted a "Princess and the Frog" birthday this year! I can't believe my baby girl is 5!!! We love her SO much! It was a wonderful day with the family!

Kaylin thought her tutu made a better lion costume than it did a skirt!! :)

MaLL oF aMeRiCa...

2010-07-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

On July 6th the kids and I headed off to Minnesota to spend the rest of July at the lake house! Of course we always spend the first day at Mall of America since it is literally 2 miles from the airport! Kaylin and Dax LOVE riding on all of the rides at the Adventure Park! Little did we know that on Tuesdays (which is the day we flew in), it is "Toddler Tuesday" so the kids had unlimited access to all of the rides! I guess we need to always make sure we fly in on a Tuesday from now on!!!

Dax exhausted from the early flight and long day of play!

Grandma loves to be a "grandma" and spoil the kiddos!

She bought them each a "Pillow Pet!" They were so excited!!

LaKe HoUsE WeEk oNe...

2010-07-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

So here is our first week at the lakehouse! The whole family was up here this past week (except for the hubbies)! We had beautiful weather and tons of fun!

Warning: Lots and lots of photos in this post!!

Josh actually ended up coming up here for 2 days...his 1st time at the lake!

I am feeling very, very prego at this point! :)

KK Skiing on Mikey's Back!

So I couldn't believe Kaylin wanted to ski on Mike's back! I thought for sure she would freak out, but oh no...she LOVED it!! When we pulled the boat around to pick them up she was yelling, "I love it, I love it...I want to do it again!" The funny thing is I remember my uncle doing this with me when I was younger...such fun memories!

Snorkeling!

One of their favorite things to do is push Papa in the water!

New robes from Grandma and Grandpa...they like to think of them as Karate outfits!

Another favorite...Riding the Cub Cadet with Papa!

Kaylin and Dax making a bed on top of the coffee table!

Fishing with Papa!

Kaylin and Dax both catching their 1st fish! Papa bought them "real" fishing poles this year and gave them a few fishing lessons! :)

Taking a whiz in the lake! (ha ha)

Tubing!

Kaylin has been a little daredevil this year...she kept asking to go faster, over lots of bumps, and to go around in circles...UNTIL they all got knocked off!! It shook her up for about 5 min. then she decided she was ready for more! Luckily Dax was already off of the tube when that happened!

Inside our boat cover out on the dock this mother bird has built a nest and the little baby birds just hatched...it is so precious! Here they are just waiting to be fed!

AdVeNtUrEs iN TeNnEsSeE..

2010-07-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

So here is the update for what we have been up to the last month and a half! We moved out to Memphis, Tennessee with Breton for about 7 weeks! (We actually lived just 10 minutes outside of Memphis in a little town called Horn Lake, Mississippi) Anyway, here are a few pictures of our apartments and the beginning of our adventures out here in Tennessee!!!

4tH oF JuLy...

2010-07-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

This year the 4th fell on a Sunday so we actually got to spend the day with Breton! We went to church, relaxed, and then headed out to Germantown, TN for a carnival and fireworks show! It was so nice being able to spend this holiday together as a family for once!! :)

Kaylin and Dax both fell asleep on our way to the fireworks!

HERNANDO PARADE

On Friday night, the kids and I went to a little parade and movie at the square in Hernando, Mississippi! They got to watch "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!"

MeMpHiS ReDbiRdS bAsEbaLL...

2010-07-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

Spending an evening at the ball park watching the baseball game! It was actually a beautiful night (not so humid and hot)!

PooL dAyS...

2010-07-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

So here is where we have spent most of our afternoons the last 7 weeks! Every day we head to the pool and spend hours playing in the sun and water! The kids LOVE it and have become such little swimmers (KK especially)! The pool is so great because most of the pool is only 3 ft. deep and there is also a little baby/kiddie pool! The pool has seriously saved me this year!!!

Kaylin got her 1st bee sting and she ended up being very brave (only after she cried for about 10 min. and letting the whole pool know what had happened!) It was quite the scene let me just tell you!! So funny how different children react to things...Dax has been stung or bitten by something twice at the pool and you would have hardly even known! Or maybe it's just the difference between boys and girls!!

One Saturday, they set up a bounce house and had a fun little BBQ at the pool!

Every once in a while we would have the chance to get out of the apartment early in the morning so here are a few of the things we did...Chuck E Cheese, Bowling, and Library story times!

Kaylin and Dax also spent several hours drawing and doing lots of artwork! Here are a few of Kaylin's drawings that I thought would be fun to post!

A girl roller skating!

A monster holding a bird for dinner!

A Valentine's Day card for Minnie from Mickey!

ThE KiNg oF RoCk N' RoLL...

2010-07-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well Memphis is the hometown to Elvis Presley and since we only lived about 10 min. away, we figured we better make a visit to Graceland! It was actually pretty interesting to see his mansion, planes, cars, property, etc... We took Kaylin and Dax with us and Kaylin was actually very interested in learning all about his life! Dax on the other hand was not loving it (not a surprise), but we survived!!! Kaylin told us at the end of the tour that she wants to get a souvenir so she can remember him!!!

ThRowiN' BriCks...

2010-07-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well here is what Breton's rental car looked like when he came out of a house one night! There were several bricks laying around the car and he figured some kids probably got bored...we all know they are always working in the most ghetto areas of the city!! Anyway...I guess you just never know what will happen during these summers!

LiTtLe TriP to FloRidA...

2010-07-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

The kiddos and I took a little detour to Florida for about a week to visit Grandma and Grandpa! Between not having a car and spending every day in a spider/millipede infested apartment, we decided it might be a nice little break for us! Plus we are not all the way across the country right now so the flight is pretty easy! Anyway, Kaylin and Dax just loved being here...swimming in the pool, golf cart rides, etc.! What a fun week!

Kaylin and Dax catching little baby geckos!

They kept them for the day then let them go!

Kaylin and Dax made mugs for Papa for Father's Day!!

BeALe StReEt...

2010-07-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

So Breton and I try to go out every once in a while (on Saturday night) during the summers! I usually find out who the young women are in our ward and ask some of the other moms in Relief Society so we can actually have a night to go out! We usually just end up going to a movie because Breton gets home so late, however, this night we decided to go to the famous Beale Street in Memphis!

HaPpY DaDDy DaY...

2010-07-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here we are celebrating Father's Day! The kids both gave him cards and a goodie bag for when we were in Florida! Kaylin also made him a crown that said, "King for the Day" and Dax made him a "Best Daddy" certificate! They also made cute little coupon books for him! They LOVE their daddy!!!

Here are a few random pictures from the week...hanging out with dad!

Breton giving Dax a haircut! He does not really like it and insisted on wearing his goggles while Breton cut it!

The kids playing tennis with Breton and they liked chasing after all of the balls!

VaCaTiOn BibLe ScHOoL...

2010-07-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

Well, since we were out here without a car for most of the day (except for the mornings), I decided to send Kaylin to a Vacation Bible School for a week! It was free and something fun for her to do for a few hours a day! (Dax was too young to go because you had to be at least 4 yrs.) Anyway, the whole theme was James 1:5 and they did lots of games, crafts, singing, etc... for the kids Kaylin's age! She had a lot of fun and it was a great thing for her to do during that week!

MeMpHiS zOo...

2010-07-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

One of the first things we did when we got out to Tennessee was go to the Memphis Zoo! (I guess in 2008 it was voted Best Zoo in the U.S) Anyway, it really was pretty amazing! The zoo was separated into different sections like Northwest Passage, China, Teton Trek, etc... We went with a few of the girls from the office and it was blazing hot and humid!!! We all had a great time though and enjoyed spending the day here!

Teton Trek: There was a big water area for the kids to run around in and play in...it was so hot I just let them get soaking wet in their clothes since we didn't bring suits! Their clothes were dry in about an hour anyway and they LOVED it!!!

Dax loves alligators and crocodiles so I figured I better get a pic!

KK's KnEe iNjeCtiOn...

2010-07-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm not sure if I have ever posted about this, but in January of 2009, Kaylin was diagnosed with Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) in her right knee! In February 2009 she went to Primary Children's where they put her under for a little procedure...injecting the knee with a steroid and sucking all of the arthritis fluid out of her joint! Dr. Zeft told us that she has a 50% chance of it going into remission and not ever coming back (and if it does it will usually reappear within 6 months). She also has to see an eye doctor every 3 months for the next 4 years (JRA is linked to some kind of blindness if not carefully monitored). So...almost a year and a half went by with no signs of it returning! In April of this year I started noticing a little swelling and limping again so we scheduled an appointment while we were in UT! One, we felt so blessed to even get her in on such late notice! Two, the doctor was able to schedule another injection for her the following morning! What a wonderful blessing! We are not sure what this means for her in the future now that she is in that other 50%, but we feel so grateful to have it under control for the time being!

So here she is at Primary Children's on the morning of May 12th just coming out of the anesthesia! She was so hilarious and a little loopy! She kept telling me, "I feel kinda silly!" Then she whispered in my ear, "Mom, I kind of like it!"

Here she is picking out a bag of Cheetos and some water! She was talking nonstop to the nurses telling them story after story!! They were loving it!

After about 10 min. of feeling great, she all of the sudden started to lose some steam! I think the anesthesia was really starting to wear off by now and she was feeling a bit more tired! Not quite so talkative at this point!

So I got her out to the car and started driving back to my Grandma Janet's house. About 2 miles down the road, Kaylin told me her stomach was starting to hurt and before I knew it, she was throwing up cheetos in the back of the car! Of course I immediately pulled over, cleaned up the mess, and decided no more solid foods for a few hours! A few minutes later she asked me, "Why did it just shoot out of my mouth? And why couldn't I control it?" She is always so curious about things and wants to know "Why?" to everything! Anyway, we stuck to popsicles and gatorades and she did pretty well the rest of the day...what a brave girl!!!

AqUaRiUm aNd ZoO...

2010-06-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

While in Utah, we stayed with Ashlee and Shay for a few days and then at my Grandma Janet's the rest of the time! My grandma is an amazing artist so while we were there, the kids made hours and hours worth of art and pictures! Kaylin loved using the pastels (which was always my favorite thing to do at her house when I was little) and she taught Dax how to draw a face with all the little details (meaning eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, arms, legs, etc...)! It was quite an accomplishment! And Kaylin kept amazing us with such creative and imaginative pictures! We had such a wonderful time!!

Kaylin dressing up like a "queen" as she says in all of Grandma Janet's jewelry and makeup!

Swimming at her pool!

The Aquarium

I was amazed at how much Kaylin and Dax loved the aquarium! They are both so fascinated with aquatic life and all of the interesting animals here!! We could spent half the day here and I could still barely get them out!

This is a little button you can put your finger on and it sends like an electric shock through your body. We all could only touch it for a few seconds at a time. Not Dax...he kept holding it and holding it and we couldn't believe it!!!

Not sure what is happening in this pic. but Kaylin is definitely giving me attitude by the look on her face!

Hogle Zoo

We had to make a little trip to the zoo with Tara, Banks, and Berkley! They of course had fun seeing all of the animals, riding the carousel, and their favorite...the train!!!

After the zoo, we met up with Jen, Blake and Bailey at Fashion Place Mall for one last play date!

PiRaTe'S aNd DiNoSaUrS...

2010-06-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Next, we were off to Pirate's Island with Shay and Ashlee! A nice change from our typical Chuck E Cheese outings!!!

Dinosaur Museum

We met Mike, Ashlee, Tibett and Trey for a fun morning at the dinosaur museum. Kaylin definitely has a little crush on her cousin Trey! She told me that he is her "prince charming" and she wants to marry him when she gets older! When I was getting her ready this morning I asked her how she wants to wear her hair? She replied, "Mom, I need to wear it down so that Trey will think I am beautiful!" So cute and hilarious!!

Eating at Cafe Rio!

JuMpiN jAcKs aNd DaNciNg...

2010-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Well, here is to the beginning of our summer adventure...the kids and I decided to drive back to Utah with Mike and Ashlee! Breton was already out for the summer so we decided to visit friends and family for a week before we headed out to Memphis, TN (a last minute change from Cincinnati)! Anyway, we had so much fun visiting and hanging out!!! Here we are at good old "Jumpin Jacks" with Tara, Banks, and Berkley!!!

Kaylin and Dax shaking it at a wedding reception!!!

DeRbY pArTy...

2010-06-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

So every year my dad plays in a golf tournament in Fresno the 1st weekend in May! Now that we live there, the whole family decided to come out and visit!!! And of course with it being the 1st Saturday of May, we had to celebrate the tradition of the KY derby from our "Old Kentucky Home!" (Minus the mint juleps :)) We had all of my dad's side of the family over for the Derby party...such a fun afternoon!

The winners of our horse picks: Win, Place, and Show! Dad won with the horse named "Super Saver!" (So appropriate and hilarious my dad got this horse...and of course, it was his $$ that provided the prizes!) So he really was a "super saver!" Garrett was 2nd and Ash was 3rd!

Reagan, Garrett, KK, and Dax!

Cousins!

The fam. without the working hubbies!

Roasting marshmallows and making smores at our campfire...another one the kids favorite things to do! Kaylin calls it, "Having a campout!"

KaYLin aNd DaX...

2010-06-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few pictures of Kaylin and Dax during the month of April! The kids did swim lessons this year at Swim America with Coach Nick...getting ready for summer swimming! We also got a trampoline for the backyard...best investment ever!!! They LOVE spending hours out there jumping!!!

Dax and Uncle Mikey!

DaX's 3rd BiRtHdAy...

2010-06-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't believe our little guy turned 3 on April 13th! I feel like he has really grown up so much even in just the last 6 months...he really is a "big boy" now!!! As of about January he has switched from Mickey Mouse to Super Heros so of course he had to have a Spiderman birthday party!!! Keith and Scott (his cousins) sent him this Spiderman outfit and he HAD to wear it for his party! (He actually wants to wear it all day everyday! :)) We had a fun little BBQ and of course a pinata for the kiddos! He is my little buddy and we just LOVE him to pieces!!!

Thanks to everyone who came and made his birthday so special!

EaSteR...

2010-06-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics. of the kiddos in their Easter outfits this year! They wore them to church the week before since this year it fell over General Conference weekend! I love how every time I take a picture of them they always have to see it right then...especially Dax! He says, "Let me see mommy, let me see it!" They really loved looking at the pictures of the them jumping off the rock...I probably have over 20!!! :)

Passover Dinner

Here are a few pictures of the little passover dinner we had with Grandma and Grandpa! Susan made the cutest dinner and we all dressed up (since she has so many costumes from all of her musicals) from that time period! Kaylin and Dax thought it was so fun to dress up and eat on the floor! Then we had a little message/story from Grandma about Jesus and the 1st Easter Sunday! What a cute tradition to start doing with the kids!

pRe EaSteR AcTiviTieS...

2010-06-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

Kaylin's preschool had the cutest little Easter party over at Harlan Ranch Park! They got to do an Easter Egg Hunt, play games, eat lunch, etc... The kids had so much fun...thanks Angie for a great party! By the way, Kaylin specifically chose this outfit because she wanted to wear "bright Easter colors and look pretty like an Easter Fairy!"

Easter Egg Hunt at Bicentennial Park

Kaylin, McKenzie, Dax, and Cooper!

So I took the kids over to the park on Saturday before Easter for a fun little community Easter Egg Hunt! They had cute crafts and games also...and of course they got to see the Easter Bunny!!!

PaLm SpRiNgS...

2010-06-14T01:09:00.000-07:00

Well I figure it is time to finally update and play catch up with everything that has been going on in our lives over the last several months! In March, we took a trip down to Palm Springs with Casey and Emily for the Pro Tennis Tournament! It was so nice to get out for a few days (especially after spending most days at home sick) and enjoy some sun!!! What a great weekend getaway!!

Dax, Kaylin, Cooper

HeRe'S tO tHe NeW...

2010-04-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are in our new home in California! It has been a crazy few months, but we are excited to finally feel a little more settled!! We are also SO excited to be adding a new little addition to our family...Yes, we are having another little boy!! He is due August 20th!

So here we are celebrating the "new" to our lives!!!

OuR LaSt DaYs iN uTaH...

2010-04-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well for those of you who don't know, we finally made the move to California on January 29th! (Which is part of the reason I have been a major slacker at keeping up with our blog!) I know we are always moving around (temporarily) from state to state during the summer for Breton's job, but now we actually moved away permanently! It has really been bitter/sweet (well for me at least :) ... Breton couldn't wait to get away from the cold)! Here are the kiddos playing in the snow and making a snowman with daddy!

Kate and Danny were so nice to have some of our friends over for a little dinner and to say goodbye! (Unfortunately I didn't get a group shot) So here are a few pics...we sure are missing everyone! Love you all!!!

Tara, Me, Kate

KK and Dax with their cute friends!!! This little bunch have been buddies since the day they were born! :) Kaylin tells me often that she misses her "Utah friends!"

Breton, Taylor, Grant

Kaylin saying goodbye to her preschool at Wonderland Academy!!

Mrs. Elna was such a great teacher!

Here is Kaylin's bff at preschool...Abigail! She would always talk about her and told me she is really going to miss her!

BeAuTiFuL bEaCh...

2010-04-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Once again another beautiful day at Siesta Key Beach!! We always love being able to go to the beach while visiting my parents!!! It seriously is one of my favorite beaches of all...nothing beats the soft white sand and bright sun!!! (Especially in December :))

HaPpY NeW yEaR's...

2010-04-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

Kaylin and Dax loved doing fireworks in the street!! What a great way to ring in the New Year with all of our family!!!

Sound asleep in Grandma and Papa's bed!!! Their favorite place to sleep!

Christmas in Florida..

2010-01-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

So this year we were able to spend 2 weeks over the holidays at my parent's house in Florida!!! The kids love being at grandma and papa's!! Such a fun time!!! Thanks mom and dad for everything!!!

Santa made a special visit to the house!! He brought a gift for Kaylin and Dax and came in to sing Christmas songs with everyone!!! (Too bad papa was missing for this fun event...I wonder where he was?? :))

Thanks "Santa" for the most wonderful Christmas ever!!!!

Kaylin's "Twinkle Toes!"

So here is a funny story!! Papa found these shoes and wanted to get them for KK because they had the cute little sparkles on the toes!! When she opened them up she was ecstatic...literally!

Here is what she said, "Oh my gosh, they're "twinkle toes"...they are what I have been dreaming about! I have always wanted these!!" We were all laughing because of how dramatic she was and how creative we thought she was because she called them "twinkle toes!" Well, I was looking at the box and they really are called "Twinkle Toes!" Who knew?? None of us did so I asked her how she knew they were called "Twinkle Toes?" She said, "Because I saw them on the commercial and have always been dreaming about them!!!"

It was classic!!

Dax's Top Gun jacket!!

The guys playing water basketball (aka...let's see how bad we can hurt each other!) They are all very competitive while here! I guess that is what happens when there is that much testosterone in the same house for 2 weeks straight!! :) They golfed almost every day, played over 200 games of pool, water b-ball, and everything else inbetween!!!

Chillin' in the hot tub!!

Going to see the Chipmunk Squeakquel!!

KK, Ash, and Shay!

Loving rides in the golf cart...also looking for alligators! Dax's favorite line over Christmas was, "Alligator's not eat me!"

EaRLy ChRiStMaS aCtiViTieS...

2010-01-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Well since we were heading to Florida for the holidays Santa came a little early this year and brought a few things that he knew wouldn't fit on the airplane home!! They were so excited!

Kaylin's Christmas Dance Recital

KK loves her dance class and Ms. Kim so much!! It was so fun to watch her sing her heart out and dance!!! We are really going to miss this when we move!!

HaWaii...

2010-01-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Well December 13-19 we went to Maui with Pinnacle! It was SO nice to spend time together and hang out with friends! My mom came out to Utah to watch Kaylin and Dax for the week!! It's always so nice knowing they are in such great hands! It was such a FUN and relaxing vacation!!

The Luau at the Marriot!

Me, Breton, Brandon, Ashley, Danny, Kate, Jen, Dave

Our hotel...The Grand Wailea!

The Girls...Me, Jen, Mickell, Ashley

Breton and Jake were thinking alike for dinner at Tommy Bahamas!!

Danny and Kate!

Us eating at Kimo's with Jake and Stephanie!

The magic/comedy show at Warren and Annabelle's!

(A must see in Maui!)

We did the helicopter tour over the island and it was so much fun!! So amazing to see all of the other parts of the island...Beautiful!

DaX...

2010-01-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

So I had a few random pictures of Dax that I wanted to post so I can remember a few of the funny things he has been up to! I just love him tons!!!

Wearing my shirt and hat...he and Kaylin went through a little phase where everyday they got into my closet and came out wearing my shirts!!!

He LOVES fire trucks and anything that make loud noises!!

We got him a fire hat...he felt pretty special!

Hiding behind the chair in his room, getting all cozy!!

He loves to roll around and get tangled in blankets!

Boys Night Out...Going to the Utah Flash game with Daddy!

GaRdNeR ViLLaGe...

2010-01-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Kaylin and Dax had fun finding all of the elves at Gardner Village! We went with Grandma Susan, Grandma Dove, Nicole, and Seth!!

ThE PoLaR eXpReSs...

2010-01-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we took the kids on the Heber Valley Railroad (aka... The Polar Express)! We went with both of our families and the kids loved it! What a fun way to start off the Christmas season!!!

Here is Kaylin singing for the train! She got up and wanted to sing, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!" She is definitely our little performer!