Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

I bought a large container of strawberries at Costco the other day, and Randall requested I cover a few of them in chocolate.  Chocolate-covered strawberries are a favorite treat at our house, but they are very messy for little eaters!

Happy 4th Birthday Carson!

Yesterday was Carson's birthday. I can't believe that he is 4 years old! This year was a stark contrast to last year (last year he woke up on his birthday crying, because he didn't want to be 3- he wanted to be little still). This year he couldn't be more excited to be turning 4.
He requested a fire truck birthday cake, which took quite a bit of work, but I think it turned out rather well.

What to say about Carson... he has the cutest little smile, but don't be fooled. Lurking behind that cute little face are some mischievious thoughts! He is a good helper with Ashlin--- just the other day he was sitting by Ashlin and talking to her, and then he said, "Mom, Ashlin is so cute I just have to kiss her!" Carson and Lainee are good little playmates while Cooper is at school, but he loves it when Cooper gets home and they can play "farm" with their trucks and tractors.

Happy Birthday Carson! We love you!

Carson's firetruck birthday cake

Carson's birthday breakfast of waffles and hot peaches (Sorry about the sideways picture- everytime I try to rotate the picture, it gets deleted).

New boots!

A new basketball!  The boys frequently accompany Randall to play basketball on

Tuesday nights at the church. 

A cool new vest to be like Dad!

Ashlin & Mommy

These were all taken a few weeks ago when we blessed Ashlin. I'm so in love with my beautiful baby girl!

Sisters and Brothers

These were taken over a month ago, but I just love these pictures. I only wish they could get along with each other this well all the time! They really do love each other!

Pickles to Peaches

These pictures just make me laugh! Lainee found the swim goggles the other day and just had to try them on.

Contrast those pictures with this one:

Isn't she just the sweetest?!!!

In the bishopric

A litte over a month ago, on March 6, 2011, Randall was put in our ward Bishopric. He is once again, the 2nd counselor (the same calling he had in Star Valley, Wyoming before we moved here- proof you can't run away from your church callings, ha ha!)

A few weeks prior, I had been told that the former Bishopric was going to be released sometime in March. As soon as I heard, I immediately knew that Randall would be a part of the new Bishopric. So when the Stake President asked to meet with Randall & I, I wasn't really surprised. In fact, I even laughed a little. Not because I thought it was funny in any way, but because I knew this day would come. I cried when Randall was put in the Bishopric in Wyoming- I think laughter was a better response- but keep in mind I was pregant with Carson last time- highly emotional!

Anyway- today was the first Sunday I had to sit with all 4 kids alone in Sacrament Meeting. The first two weeks I was out of town for Kiana's wedding, then we blessed Ashlin so we had family here, then we had General Conference. I was somewhat dreading today, but the kids behaved very well and we managed to make it through the whole meeting without going out into the hall for behavior issues. It also helped that Ashlin slept through the entire meeting!

I know this calling will be challenging for both Randall and I, but I also have faith that we will be blessed for our service. Randall has a very time consuming and demanding job already, but I know that somehow everything will work out. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life!


One good thing about getting called to the Bishopric- Grandma & Grandpa Raymond and Kade & Amy came for the day!

Ashlin's 2 month stats

Yesterday I took Ashlin to the doctor for her 2 month checkup. I knew she had put on some weight, but even I was a bit shocked at the number on the scale!

Ashlin at 8 weeks, 6 days:
Weight: 10 lbs 3 oz.
Length: 23 inches

Now, 10 pounds and 3 ounces might not seem like that much, it's only like the 35th percentile. But at 1 month old she was barely over 7 pounds, so that's some significant weight gain! No wonder her cheeks look pleasantly plump these days!

Spring Break 2010

Today it was back to school again. Last week Cooper was off from school for the whole week for spring break. When he finished school the weekend before he was so funny. He came running in the door... Cooper: Mom, guess what?! Me: What, Cooper? Cooper: Next week is Spring Break! Me: I know buddy! Cooper: And I don't have school for 10 whole days! (counting the weekend) Me: I know, that will be fun, huh! Cooper: Do you think we could do something fun? Me: Sure! What sounds fun? Cooper: Ummmm.... maybe we could go eat somewhere that I like... like hamburgers! And go bowling! Me: (laughing) Ok, I think we can probably handle that! If only Cooper would always be so easy to please! We didn't do a whole lot the first of the week. We went to the library and mostly just hung out at home to play and relax. We talked Randall into a relaxing weekend in Boise- and headed out Friday afternoon. We went to dinner, got a hotel and went swimming, slept in, then went bowling on Saturday. We did a little shopping and then came home. We all had a great time. Here are some pictures to document our trip...





Isn't her little swimsuit just the cutest?!!! Ashlin didn't actually get in the water, but you can't hang out poolside without a bathing suit!


Lainee LOVED swimming! She has absolutely no fear, and kept jumping off the edge. After playing in the water for over an hour she was freezing, but we had to haul her out of there kicking and screaming, because she wanted to swim some more. 3 days later... she is still talking about it!





Cooper... getting the hang of it.

Check out that form!


Carson: "Yes! High five!"


Our family picture at the bowling alley

Look who won! Notice not a single one of us broke 100... it's hard to bowl when you have kids hanging on you!

On a side note... we just happened to be bowling in Meridian. When we heard the announcement in General Conference that a new temple would be built in Meridian, Idaho, the kids were so excited; we all are!

We LOVE our Family!!!

Here are some more pictures from Ashlin's Blessing Day (Sunday, March 27, 2011)...


Kiana

Grandpa Schneiter

Grandpa Schneiter has the magic touch!

Great-Grandma Wilcox

Grandpa & Grandma Wilcox (my parents)

Grandma & Grandpa Raymond (Randall's parents)

Grandpa & Grandma Clark

Maureah

We had many more family and friends attend that we didn't get pictures of, but we are certainly grateful they made the trip over to celebrate with us!

Ashlin is 2 months old!

Where has the time gone?!! The past two months have flown by, and I have done my best to cherish every moment I have with my precious little Ashlin. She stayed so small for the first 3-4 weeks, but now she's put on some weight and has kissable chubby cheeks!

I love this picture- Ashlin looks terrified that she's sitting there with her 3 crazy siblings!