Never Underestimate Your Child

Can I just say my kids never cease to amaze me? About a month ago Brinley started telling me my belly was getting bigger with my baby inside. I told her that it wasn't nice to tell people they had a big belly and went on with my day. She kept bringing it up. I was having problems and worried that we might not be able to have more kids. Interestingly I finally went to the doctor and sure enough our little sweetheart was more in tune with the Spirit. Nothing was wrong, we are EXPECTING #3. Congrats Grandma & Papa!!! I figured I better tell before Brinley spilled the beans!!!! We are super excited, but I don't think anyone is as excited as Brinley. She talks to the baby every morning!!!! She got to come with us this morning to get the ultrasound. The doctor thought I was probably 6-8 weeks. The ultrasound was a little shocking when we didn't just see a peanut, we saw a baby. We are 15 weeks and due August 24th. 11 days after Trail turns 2. I am so thankful for the blessing of another sweet baby in our family! It is just another testament that Heavenly Father knows us and will bless us in His time!

"Dad I got my hair cut"

Nothing like a 3 year old telling on you. The other day I realized it was finally time to trim Brinley's hair. I haven't every cut it. She has gorgeous hair! Clint didn't want me to touch her hair, so I have waited, then the other night while he was at Mutual (he just got called into the Young Men's, he is super excited because he gets to help the boys earn their Eagle Scout awards) I got the urge and trimmed her hair. It was down to her waist, but it looks so cute now! Clint came in that night and didn't notice. Then the next morning Brinley ran into our room and said, "Dad I got my haircut" She gave me up! He wasn't too mad though! Brinley isn't the best at smiling for the camera, I usually catch her talking. I did get a few pictures of her cute hair! She is so beautiful! I look at her and think - I have been blessed with such a beautiful daughter inside and out! Today I told her she was cute. She told me, "I"m not cute" I said, "You are beautiful" she said, "No" then paused, "I'm Papa's (my dad) little sweetheart" They say the cutest things! I am so thankful for our 2 kids, they are such a blessing and joy.

Potty Training Trail!!!!!

We hopped on the Potty Training Train with Trail! I call it the Train because it is a quite a ride! But worth every diaper I don't have to change or buy! He is pretty young, but he loved sitting on the toilet and being a big boy, so after getting up the courage we started. I think a lot of it was also that I was so sad, I wanted him to still be my baby, but he is growing up. He has done really well, but we are still working on it! I am very proud of him! Most of our time the past couple of weeks have been spent in the bathroom. I couldn't help but take some pictures! Trail loved putting underwear on his head and running around with his big boy undies on! He is so cute! These pictures were too cute to keep to myself! Hope they give you a good laugh!!!

Salt Lake with Grandma & Papa

My parents came down to Salt Lake to go to a Jazz game so we decided to head down to see them while they were so close. Brinley was so excited to go to Salt Lake to see them! We had a great time! We stayed at a hotel, Trail loved exploring it, he loved the mirror and kept kissing his image. Super cute!! We spent a lot of time at Temple Square and had some really neat experiences. Brinley tried going under the ropes of the Christus. She was so upset because she wanted to give Jesus a hug. What a precious girl! We walked out one day and Clint said wow it is noisy! There is such a amazing difference after you walk out the doors of Temple Square. They are doing TONS of construction right across the street, it always amazes me that you can't hear noise inside of Temple Square. It is such a peaceful place!!! We did a little shopping too, but the most important thing was spending time as a family. Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful time!!!! It is always great to be together!!!

Brinley is 3!!!!

I can't believe that Brinley is 3, it seems so much older than 2. I got out the video from when she was born and teared up remembering how special that day was. Looking back Clint and I were so young, it is amazing how much we have grown since that day! Brinley is such a blessing in our life! She is learning and saying so much! A few of my favorite things she has said lately are, "We're best friends huh Mom?" "I have an idea...." "Mom I'm helping remind Trail not to poop his pants." "Let's go back to the Hoytel" She is such a Joy in our life! We are so thankful for her! She shares a birthday with Mark Kremin one of our good friends. All day on her birthday we would say, "Who's birthday is it?" She would quickly reply, "It's Mark's" She loved helping decorate her Princess birthday cake and playing with her friends that came to her party. Wow, we have a 3 year old!

It's Snow Much Fun Sledding!!!!

I took the kids sledding with our friends Larry and Kari. I wasn't sure how they would do. Brinley & Trail loved it! Brinley wasn't apprehensive at all! She hoped right on and down she went! Trail laughed the first time he went down, but he got snow in his eyes with me and he wasn't quite sure about it! He would laugh when other people went down though. Brinley would run down the hill after the other kids that were taking a turn in the sled! Needless to say, it is a great way to wear her out! It was super entertaining to watch their little hats bob up and down as they went down the hill. I couldn't help but laugh! That is some awesome entertainment!

We love babies!!!

I just started watching a friend's baby 2 days a week. She just had to go back to work after maternity leave. We are lucky to get to have baby Kallie come play with us. She is 3 months old and super cute! I was a little nervous to see how the kids would handle her. I have been amazed to watch Brinley as her motherly instincts have kicked in! We fight over who gets to hold her! Other than the first day and a scratch on her face, Trail has done well. He will hold out his arms to hold her and he gives her loves. He also had to get in on feeding her too! Brinley loves to feed her too! When she wakes up they both run to get to her first! It has been such a joy and has filled some of the baby hunger I was feeling! The other night we were at Family Home Evening with a group of friends. Brinley apparently told one of our friends that we were going to have a baby at our house! We do have one come, but just in case if Brinley tells you we have a baby at our house or one is coming. No we aren't keeping anything from you, it is KALLIE! I thought these pictures were so precious I just had to share!!!!