A big day.

Yesterday was a momentous day for Mark and Makenzie.
They turned 21.
I simply cannot believe how fast the time has flown by.

It seems like it was just a little while ago that we were walking to their first day of kindergarten together.
Makenzie was so nervous that she was sick to her stomach. She held my hand tightly as we walked.
Mark couldn't wait to get there and, as usual, ran ahead of us.

We knew of their personalities way before this point, but this day was another indication of how they would compliment each other as the years went on.


Makenzie---A serious, responsible child that kept Mark on task. She has always been sweet and quiet spoken. She has loved learning and always pushed herself to do better. She always let Mark try things first and he was happy to oblige.

*funny story--once we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters. Mark and Makenzie were about 8yrs.old. They were sitting on the front row and one of them came up to Makenzie and wanted her to go out on the court and do something with him. Her eyes got about as big as saucers and she shook her head "no". Mark jumped up and went out there with him and ran all over that court. It was great! 

Mark---An easy going and happy child that made friends easily. His friends were her friends. He always did well in school with hardly ever cracking open a book. He never has taken himself seriously and has fun wherever he goes.

I found two pictures that are very indicative of their personalities.  :):):)

 
They are two of my greatest blessings. I will always be thankful that Heavenly Father sent you to us.


M & M,
I am so proud of you.
All my love to you, my sweet children.
Forever and ever.
Mom

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

 Matthew 6:21

Happy Birthday Craig!!

Yesterday was Craig's birthday. We got a fun surprise to see this picture on Craig's sister's face book page where she wished him a happy birthday. We saw it before Craig did because he was on his way home from Las Vegas where he was doing a throwing clinic. He is about 10 or so in this picture.... Quite the little stud, huh?? Here is one of him in college. This is a copy of a newspaper clipping. (*Prepare for a bit of bragging---) Craig was a nationally ranked athlete and had many articles written about him. He also won many competitions, medals and awards while at Utah State University.

And here he is now. We made him re-enact the first photo. As always he was a good sport about it. He always makes me laugh.

Still the stud....although that point could be argued, given the face he is making! haha!

I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. But, more importantly, I am glad we found each other and have been able to share our lives.

Happy birthday, Craigers. You're a keeper! :)

Happy Birthday Ragan!

I just don't know where the time went! I keep asking myself how my baby girl is suddenly 16!!!

Makenzie wanted to give Ragan her present on the night we went to dinner with Craig's parents. I am so glad because we all got a good laugh at Ragan's reaction to her gift! :) YAY! Footy pajamas!!! Ragan really wanted some! Modeling for us..... She is so funny! We were laughing so hard!!

Sadly, these pj's were too small....I guess that's what happens when you have long arms and legs! (an exchange is currently in the works)

Happy Belated Birthday

On Friday, Mark and Makenzie officially left teenage-dom and entered their twenties. It is so hard to believe that they are 20 years old. It seems like just yesterday that I was crossing off the days on the calender, trying to stay pregnant as long as I could. It seems like yesterday that I Craig and I arrived at the hospital because I was feeling a little "funny". It seems like yesterday that the doctor said, "Well, you are dilated to a 6 so it looks like we are just going to let you have these babies. Let's get you your epidural." Next came the warnings about having babies 4 weeks early and the possibility of complications. Four hours later, we had two beautiful babies. Mark weighed in at 5 lbs. 14 oz. He cried immediately. That should have been a sign to me that he would hardly ever stop talking. Makenzie was born breech, nine minutes after Mark. She was a petite little thing at 5lbs. 9 oz. She didn't make a peep upon entering this world. She was so quiet in fact, that I thought something was wrong with her. Again, I should have taken this as a sign that she would always be soft spoken. Despite the doctors warning of complications, both babies were healthy and strong. I remember when I finally got to hold them both, I felt so very lucky. I thought, "Is that all I had to do to get TWO babies?" Mark and Makenzie have been a joy these past 20 years. I still consider myself very blessed. They have always been such good children and never given us much cause to worry. I love you both more than you will ever know. Happy Birthday to you! 3 months

Happy Birthday, CRAIG!

Today is Craig's 41st birthday! He is a fantastic husband and father......

He keeps us laughing.......

He is a fine son and a caring brother......

He loves to fish (and misses Utah very much for it's fishing opportunities).....

He is an Olympic Coach......

And a world traveler.......

I am blessed to have known him these last 25 years. He is more than I could have ever asked for. Love you Craigers!

My baby

It just doesn't seem possible. My baby turns 15 today. She will be driving in 6 months, dating in a year, and I still haven't lost my baby fat from giving birth to her all those years ago. Ragan is such a joy. She is funny. She is sweet. She is beautiful. There was a time that she hated having her picture taken. She would never smile. Who knew she was practicing for beautiful self portraits like this..... She is tender and loving to all of Heavenly Father's creations.

She is a joy to our family. We are so lucky to have her in our lives.....even though her volume control button sometimes gets stuck on loud and she listens to music that makes the dogs howl. :):):):):)

She tells us she loves us every day.

She doesn't care if we call her names like "princess", "baby girl" or "buggin".

She doesn't care if we kiss her in public but is mortified if we pick her up from school in the suburban.

With Ragan, everyday is a new adventure!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!