Jenica and Josh's Wedding

December 29th, 2009

"Jen's getting married in the morning!! Ding Dong the bells are gonna CHIME!!!"

Getting the beautiful bride ready for her big day!!

(I dated a guy in college who always teased me about the fact that in every single picture my family took, we have to be holding or showing something... To this day, I don't know what he was talking about!!!)

Waiting outside the temple for Jen and Josh to come out! Jonah was very sick that day with nasty cold and fever. Poor little dude. Despite Jonah's sickness, he did an excellent job playing the "grandson" role in the song "The Men in my Little Girl's Life" A song we've sung at all of the (girl) weddings. Jack fightin his cousins for a hug from Aunty Jenica.

The Ostlers

It's been a several years since my entire family has been together. But we were all there: 2 parents, 13 children, 10 spouses, 45 grandkids. We were a sight! I still need to get a copy of that picture...

I'm such a lucky girl! Look at my hansome boys.

After the family pics we headed to the church to help out with any last minute touches before the receptions started. In the kitchen we found our fabulous queen bee (Shawna Tucker) rolling out the cinnamon and orange rolls. We served hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and hot rolls.

Since we are large in ### The kids pretty much stayed in the Primary room a lot of the night and watched movies, ate pizza, and caused chaos (but at least it was some what contained!!) Ha ha, just kidding.

Womanizer!!

Sabrina, Jack, Ella, Kennidi (note Jack is not soley surrounded by girl cousins. Andrew, Spencer, Joseph are all boy cousins his age... but missing in action... or better yet, missing THE action!)
Then we danced!! Here's cute Dad cutting in for one last dance with the bride!!

awwww! Weddings always make me fall more in love with my hubby.

saying good bye to the cute couple
Josh's family has a fun tradition of putting $1 on the inside windshield. So fun ha?? Ashlyn wasn't sure she was ready to give her sister away!! I felt the same way when Amy got married. I know it is silly, but I was bitter towards Michael for a while. I kept looking for excuses not to like him but it didn't last too long because he's just too awesome! Turns out I REALLY like him now. In fact, I'd go so far to say we're really good friends. I'll often call to talk to Amy and end up talking to him for all of my allotted time! He rocks :)
These cute girls helping with clean up. Katelyn & Anna Mae Walker, Emma Adams, Kourtney Maughan, Abby Tucker.

It was a beautiful day, beautiful reception, beautiful couple.

Christmas Festivities

So as I mentioned before, all of my pictures from December 1-25th got eaten by a virus on our computer. So thanks to my sister AmyLyn, all of the following pictures from her camera.

A few nights before Christmas we went on our traditional hayride and sang to friends in JaNae's neighborhood.

We then went to the Adam's house and took cute pictures of Jonah in Parker's fire truck, drank hot chocolate, and watched the BYU football game.
Jack, always posing for the camera! AND Loving being in daddy's arms after weeks of Law School finals.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2009 Merry Christmas!
My adorable Jonah is so mellow, always happy, and just the sweetest little baby.

Will someone please wipe that kid's nose?

He's a pretty cute "Joseph" if you ask me!! Especially with Kennidi as "Mary"

After the Nativity we were on to Secret Pals. (Home made gifts we exchange after we draw names at Thanksgiving.)
Jenica had John and made him an awesome DUKE cape that he can retire at Duke when he graduates in May.
Ella had Jack and she (or better, her mom) made him a tie and a "Don't Eat Jack" board game.
Mommy and Jonah!

Getting sleepy and ready for Santa to come!

The boys! John, Mark, Micheal, Jaren

Yes, we are super cheese! Was it ever a question??

Mom, Ashlyn, Amy, Melanie.

We missed you Jenica and Josh, but with all the back and forth you did between our house and the Ostlers we were never together, in our PJ's for a picture.

We wrap and give dad the same PJ's every single year... he still has never opened them!! He's worn the same pair of flannel pants to bed for as long as I can remember.

Then of course the kids were adorable in their matching Christmas PJ's
They boy's stash from Santa. Eating breakfast Christmas morning after opening our stockings (downstairs) and waiting to go upstairs to see what Santa brought!! PS nice snuggies Jaren and Mark.Coming up the stairs Christmas morning. As always, youngest to oldest. playin with each other's toys
In addition to Christmas PJ's this year (which I decided to put myself in charge of as my Christmas present to everyone... Mom especially since she was a little occupied with the wedding) AmyLyn made animal visors for everyone because after all, we are the "Zoo Crew". We all wore them to a fabulous breakfast Michael cooked us a few days after Christmas.

Jack's #3 Birthday

It's birthday time again!! The Saturday before Jack's actual birthday we had our (last) annual joint birthday party with Ethan and Jack. We'll miss our birthday buddy when we're apart next year, but it's been so fun to see these little boys grow over the past 3 years. They've all been VERY fun celebrations each time.

Jack was very proud of his race car track :-)

Yes, Jonah is pulling on his ears... he's had lots of ear infections, but never complains. He's such an angel!

Showing me their birthday Lightning McQueen shirts.


Natalie made these beautiful drinks for the adults.

Happy Birthday to you...

Enjoying the movie CARS

December 9th, 2009

Another year has passed and I CAN'T believe my baby is 3 years old! Each birthday gets more and more fun... the older they get the more they understand. He's still working on getting that third finger up when people ask him how old he is. He weighs 33 lbs and is 36 inches tall. He loves to sing, take baths, and give his mommy kisses. He loves to wrestle daddy and hold Jonah. He's obsessed with anything dealing with cars. He builds ramps out of yard sticks, race tracks out of blocks, and lines them up bumper to bumper on any flat surface (couch, table, bed...) and any red car we pass on the street he calls it "Lightening". He knows his ABC's and is working on counting to 20.

First present of the day, his favorite Cold Cereal!! Jack LOVES anything chocolate.

Then we rolled out sugar cookies and got them ready for decorating.

He was a huge mess and a huge helper!!

Before... (yes, one side of my oven is hotter than the other)

After :-)

Thanks to Lauri we learned all the real secrets

Proud big brother!

We picked up Daddy and went to the Museum of Life and Science.

Digging for fossils

As we were leaving we asked, "What was for favorite part of the museum?" He replied "When I get to push the buttons!"The museum is right next to Costco so that was convenient considering he wanted hotdogs for dinner!

Ready to open his gifts.

Jack turns THREE!!

Got a scooter just like his daddy's... and he was thrilled!

Where did my little baby go??? He's all grown up and turning 3!!!