In case you were wondering

Here are a few things that are going on in our lives.

-Dustin is testing for the fire dept. He passed his National Registry and is now an EMT-I. We are praying and hoping (and sometimes even pleading) that he will be hired soon.
He is the Young Men's President in our ward and loves it.
He left his crappy job at Step Suckers (not the real name) in Nov.and is now working at a hotel/casino as their EMT/security. It's been eye-opening to say the least. The schedule has been great for our family and it somewhat pays the bills so I can't complain.
In May Dustin started a room addition in our house with the help of my Dad and brothers. We no longer have a formal living room but we do have an extra bedroom that will someday be complete (I hope). We just need a few more things done and then it will be finished i.e. baseboards, door trim, paint. Almost there.

-I am still babysitting. I tend a few kids a couple days a week. They're all great kids and it's nice to have a little extra money.
I'm the enrichment leader in our ward. I have the entire year planned out and I've gotta admit I'm kinda excited (which means I'll probably be released soon. ha ha)
I'm loving our little Archer. There was a void before he joined our crew and if my kids can agree on one thing it's that Archer is last years greatest blessing. We are all in love. He's been such a great baby.
 I have a good feeling this year is going to be a great one for our family.

-Madison IS IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! Yes, it is true. She goes to early morning seminary. She is attending a technical academy with all of her friends and she loves it. She also LOVES going to church dances with her best friend, Emma. She started out the school year running Cross Country and even lettered. We were so impressed, she really did a great job and trained really hard. It was fun to go to her meets. Running Cross Country kept her from trying out for Cheer (her true passion) so we'll see about next year. She's the Mia Maid class president and is working to get her YW medallion.

-Karley's in middle school. She plays the cello and also the piano. She attended girl's camp over the summer for the first time. She's the beehive class 1st counselor and told us last week that she "loves church" which might be for purely social reasons but hey! we'll take it. She got 4 fish for Christmas all of which have died but she's definitely our animal lover. Last summer Dustin took her to water polo and discovered she is " a natural." Dustin couldn't be more proud. He's been coaching the team and helping out where needed so it's been fun for both of them. Karley's also our little entrepreneur and is always looking for ways to make a little extra cash and around the holidays had a successful candy selling business.

-Paige is in 4th grade and loves her teacher. She got to spend an entire month with her cousin, Rhiannon, that lives in Texas. They had a great time together. She also camped at Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks over the summer with my family. She's in dance class and still loves it and also got to try out doing water polo which she's very good at. She just recently got her ears re-pierced and can't wait to wear all of the cute earrings she has. She is always asking to hold Archer and is such a big help with the baby.

-Scott is in kindergarten and is learning to read. He does very well and he really likes being in school. He's making friends and is always asking for friends to come over and if that doesn't work he'll just invite himself over. We're working on that. He tried water polo and loves it but we decided to wait until he's a little older and a little less wiggly. He loves to swim and can't wait to go again. He's super sweet to Archer and has a couple nicknames and a few songs he'll sing to him. When Archer was in my tummy Scott called him eyeball so we did too. But now our favorite nickname he calls him is Oh Da Bubbas, Mitder Man. It just sounds so cute coming from his little voice. He is a wonderful big brother. Scott loves to wrestle his Dad and wants to be just like him. I've noticed if Dustin wears basketball shorts Scott will change into his. If Dustin wears his sweats to bed then so does Scott. They are the "boy team."

-Archer is the sweetest. Maybe it's because he's our last or maybe I'm just more aware now how fast time really flies but we just can't get enough of him. Right now he has very blue eyes and we're hoping they stay that way. He's a great eater and probably weighs close to 16lbs. He's a chunker and is growing way too fast. He's also a very good sleeper. He's a little over 3 months old. He "talks" and coos and smiles so big it looks like it hurts sometimes. He says "goo" all the time. He loves his swing. He loves his Binky. He brings us so much joy and we love him so very very much.



Hopefully I'll be able to stay on top of my journaling this year so I won't have to do such a lengthy recap.

Meet Our Baby

Archer Kile
born September 29, 2011
8lbs. 2 oz.
20.5 inches

Spring Mornings

This is what Spring Break mornings look like at our house.

My bed always ends up being the

 comfy, cozy, happy (sometimes pesty)

 gathering place.

I wouldn't have it any other way.