4 years later...

I know that every mother says this but... I can't believe that my little girl is 4!!! She is everything to me!!! After waiting 6 years to get her into our family, she is more than I ever could have imagined she would be. She is adorable, funny, kind, spunky, social and perfect! She makes my life so happy. I love her more and more each day as she grows and learns.

Any one who knows Josie knows that she LOVES animals. So Charles came up with this great idea to get her a pet.... a pet rat. As we researched rats as pets we both decided that it would be a perfect gift for her. She was shocked and surprised and soooooooooooooo excited!!! Of course she assumed that he was a she and wanted to name him Butterfly. When we told her that he was a boy she decided to call him Butters which has turned into Mr. Butters.

She was pretty nervous to even touch him at first, but that lasted a whole few minutes. Now she carries him around like he is her little baby.

Charlie has gotten over his nervousness too.

Josie loves to go bowling for her birthday. We have gone twice in the last two years and it was for her 3rd and 4th birthdays. It is so fun with the kids. This year Brighton, Josies big cousin came with us. I think their favorite part is waiting and watching the balls come back.

Brighton is really a great bowler for only being 7.

Charlie LOVED it! Anything with any type of ball he loves.

He would get SOOOOOO excited when the pins would fall.





Josie wanted to do it all by her self now that she is 4 years old.

We all had so much fun!

One cake and one party down.

Josie really wanted a Fiesta for her birthday, so having all the Pinegar's and Patten's over was a HUGE fiesta!!! She borrowed a "fiesta" dress from her cousin Tori. She felt so beautiful and special in it.

What's a fiesta without a pinata?

What a fiesta it was! She told me that she was so excited for the Patten's and the Pinegar's to meet. :) She loves them all so much!

Happy Birthday sweet Josie!! We love you!!!

The most wonderful time of the year....

What a Christmas!!! Every year it gets better and better. As the kids get older it gets to be more and more fun! It is so fun to get together with friends and family and follow traditions and make new traditions.

I love getting the kids Christmas outfits for church.

We weren't fast enough to get a whole family

picture before they started melting down.

On Christmas Eve the Patten's came to our house for a party.
This is only a portion of the Patten cousins.

Cute Josie and Eliza!




I don't know how Charles fell asleep during all the craziness. Frances was having a great time!

Emilies friend came dressed as Santa and most of the kids were excited.Eliza was not that stoked on Santa this year. I love how she is peaking around her mom to catch a glimpse of Santa. That was good enough for her.


Getting ready for bed in new Christmas jammies.

Josie was so excited for put cookies and milk out for Santa.

Charlie polished off most of Santas cookies and milk before he went to bed.

Reading Twas the night before Christmas just before bedtime.



I love staying up late and getting everything ready for Christmas morning.

Josie LOVED her princess castle...

...and dress!

Charlie LOVED his scooter so much he was riding on it before it was even put together.

He could hardly wait for Charles to put it together.

Frances loved her new toys and hopefully she will fit into her hat next year.

We had the best Christmas yet! And I am sure that they will get better and better!