Baby Announcement

The baby announcement that I created and may or may not be sent out!

Maci's Photo Shoot

Just a few from her photo shoot of our beautiful baby Maci!

Here is Maci at one week old. We are just all enjoying her so much!

She is HERE!

MACI ELIZABETH PITCHER

Maci Elizabeth Pitcher finally graced us with her presence on 12-1-09 at 12:03pm.

She came in at 8lbs 9oz, 21 inches long. She is a big girl and oh so cute! I never would have thought that my baby would have out weighed my others by 2 and 3 pounds! Maci is healthy and such a good baby. The delivery was rough but we got through it with out medication. Maci came out sunny side up and that was not fun for anyone! I will post the whole story later!

We are all just loving her every second!

The kids are so excited to finally have their sister here! Kaiden is even dreaming of her!

I am STILL Pregnant!!

Fort Knox is keeping Maci in for more time- I suppose for bad behavior. My doctor has schedule the induction for Dec. 4th (he won't let me go past 10 days over due) lets hope I have her before then.

Black Friday

I am a little bummed that this baby didn't come last week. Not because I am still pregnant but because my favorite shopping day of the year is coming upon us which means I most likely won't be able to go. I LOVE Black Friday- seriously the crazies, the good deals, the running and grabbing, the shouting and anxiety of getting what you want, the plotting and planning. Oh it just makes me so excited just writing that, oh but wait if this baby comes before that day I PROBABLY won't be able to make it. But oh if this baby isn't here yet yes I will be the overdue crazy pregnant lady running through Target! Seriously so here is hoping that she waits until Friday at noon when the madness is over and I can venture to the hospital with all my good deals neatly stashed away! For all out there that enjoy Black Friday like I do- elbow a little extra hard just for me!

Our Halloween Happenings

We had a great week of Halloween. My mom is so cute she did a Halloween dinner for us and it was super cute and gross. She made mummies , head stones, coagulated blood with veins, roast, eyes and juice, and more. It was so fun and tasty!! The kids loved the eyeballs. My dad was the best when he chowed down on his coagulated blood and veins (red jello with worms) it was just the perfect texture to gross anyone out. I love my mom because she puts so much work into all the different holidays- when I grow up I want to be just like her. We also enjoyed a chilly and rainy afternoon at Cornbellies. The kids loved the corn maze and wrestling with the corn stalks. It was fun to hang out with just us and spend sometime together.

Justin rode the mechanical bull. He did pretty good but I am glad that he is no cowboy!

The kids loved the slides. I think Justin did too!

My pirate crew! They were all so cute. It is always a bit stressful trying to get everyone fed and in their costumes all the while the doorbell keeps ringing but it was super fun. My fam came over and had award winning chili, games, and fun. It was a great night to trick or treat the weather was SO nice! This is Brody my nephew (Clay's baby) is he not the cutest chubby baby monster ever. He also had is monster walk down! We just love having him around he is SO much fun! He went trick or treating with the kids for a few houses and then was done but oh so cute!!!

Field Trip

I was able to chaperon Makayla's class on their field trip to the Discovery Museum. The kids had so much fun. We had a great bus driver and the kids were all so excited about their first bus ride. Makayla has been on a bus before with her dad so it wasn't that exciting but still very fun for her. But when I was sitting there the seats were SUPER tiny I don't think I have grown that much since I have been on a bus. Maybe these were special elementary school buses.

I am trying to get as much volunteering in as I can before the baby comes. I just love her teacher and think she is so perfect for Makayla. I love having a kid in school because I love school and it is fun to view it from the outside. I love watching Makayla blossom and become more academic but she is still the total socialite.

In an effort to be a better person (in many areas of my life) I am going to try to blog once a week. The better person thing probably won't stick but maybe being a better blogger will.

Funny Fortune

Well not too long ago I got a fortune that read,"A short stranger will be entering your life." A funny fortune indeed but it is all too true. Short stranger #4 will be joining our family at the end of November. We are all thrilled. I had my ultrasound yesterday and the baby (YES there is only one thank goodness) is healthy and perfect! Plus, it is a GIRL! We now round out the family and Makayla is SO excited. I am glad that Heavenly Father listened to her prayers because I am sure she would have felt like returning it if it was a boy. Plus Kaiden and Keagan wanted to name a boy baby Tractor and I didn't want to have explain that that name just wouldn't work. I know many people will think we are crazy because we will have 4 children 5 years and under but hey you have to be a little daft to have children in the first place right! So here is to our short stranger #4 Maci.

One day older and wiser??

Well, I am officially 29! The remaining year in my twenties. It is unbelievable how did I get here?? My sweet younger sister said to me the other day "Are you sad that you are so old?" You see she is 21 and doesn't realize that with age you only get better (I guess I am like wine!) Well I thought for a minute because my initial reaction was well yes but I then realized that in the last 29 years I have accomplished a lot. I have done all the many things that I have set out to do in my life in these past few years, 29 is not that old! I have graduated college, become a home owner, taught school, became a mom to 3 amazing kids, helping my hubby get his masters, became a ski instructor(I have now taught for 6 seasons), and many of the smaller milestones of personal growth. All these wonderful things I did while I was in my early twenties so do I FEEL old No Way I still feel like I am 21 (my mom tells me that is how she feels too). When I look in the mirror and I see the few strands of grey hair (I have had them since I was 22, thanks mom and dad) and the older and wiser face- I am not sad because I have accomplished so much and proud of what I have done! So here is to new goals and accomplishments and to many wonderful and OLD years!!

Need a good laugh

So I found the FUNNIEST blog ever.

cakewrecks.blogspot.com

I was laughing SO hard my kids were asking what was so funny. Just take a minute and experience the wonderful world of BAD, I mean really BAD professional cake decorating. People paid money for these that is sometimes the funniest part of these cakes!

WARNING: Do not read at work or while others are expecting you to be doing work, loud laughter is a side affect of this blog. Often times this blog will leaving you rolling in your chair. Side splitting laughter if often a result of viewing of this blog! If your laughter persists for more then four hours consult a professional and you can have him/her laughing too!

Check out the fireman cake on the side bar. I am crying I was laughing so hard!*

Sticky Situation

So I debated on sharing this but it is just too fun not to share.
On Tuesday morning I was getting ready and doing my hair. The kids are playing in my room and I think nothing of it, mind you I can't see them I can only hear them. Well, in our house there is a mom and dad drawer in our room NO KIDS ALLOWED (if you know what I mean). The boys found the drawer and the contents hidden in a box with in the drawer. They unwrap a contraceptive and throw 2 of them on the floor. Well Makayla walks in and puts them on her hands. I hear, "ooh they are sticky" I instantly know something is up so I walk into my bedroom. There is Makayla with two condoms on her hands like gloves and asks "What are these?" stupid and unoriginal mom responds. Now this is a stupid response because all kids love balloons. They like seeing balloons and blowing up balloons and playing with balloons. So very stupid if you want to move a child on to something else. So what do I say-"they are balloons" I hurriedly take them off her hands and tell her to wash them. She asks, "How do you blow them up?" Yet again stupid and unoriginal "you don't." So I change the subject which works like a charm.
Sorry if you are offended but hey life happens. And I know some of you will get a good laugh off this one. I sure do every time I think about it!

Kaiden the other day says to me "Mom you have a big bum. We (refering to Keagan and himself) have little bums."

A True Christlike Example

On Saturday I attended a funeral service for Casey Vongsawad Stolze. Her son was one of my friends growing up in California, he was an adopted brother. I have been very impacted by her passing and felt that if I wrote about her I would feel better. Casey is one of the most incredible women I have known in my short life. She was warm, loving, charitable, Christlike, contagious laugh and the best shining smile, a voice of an angel, and so fun to be around. Despite the hard lot of raising her son on her own she excelled and triumphed. Her son Tyler is one of my favorite people. I have always loved Casey. Now I don't just love her I have such respect for her and all that she accomplished. As a mother I have tried to emulate how she raised Tyler. I would love for my boys to be as awesome as him. I tell them that they are too sweet of boys to act like that, Casey used this on Tyler. Her service was beautiful and was a complete celebration of Casey. My dad sang Face to Face and there were many wonderful speakers. Tyler did a great job celebrating his mom's life. She was truly an amazing women and if I could be just a tenth of what she was I would be pretty good. Casey will be missed but I am grateful for my association with her, I am a better person for knowing her.

Green Purse

I have a new purse. It is green and I love it! There are a number of reasons that I love it. First, it is green and I love green- it is a pretty mossy green. Second, it is big- I can fit two kid sweatshirts in it and still have room left over. Third, because it is a cool green it matches or doesn't match but it doesn't look too weird. I no longer worry about my black purse not matching my brown outfits! It looks good with my red coat that I love. Fourth, it is simple- I think that I am a simple person and it reflects that about me. Lastly, some of my favorite people bought it at one of my favorite places. My mom and my aunt Susan picked it up at the OC swap meet. Yes, I am grateful for my large green simple purse and the people that bought it for me!

Are you too cool?

FOX on Demand
I am too stupid to figure out how to save just the clip but on the website above if you scroll down to Lying Statistic #8 you will see what I am talking about. But if not you can just think I am dumb and that this is a stupid post and I am cool with that.

Seriously so funny! Are you too cool or do you exaggerate so people think you are cool? I must be too cool because I am pretty honest just ask oh the hundreds of people that I offend every day!

Does that mean 44% of you lie on your blog???

Prince Charming

This morning Makayla was all dressed up and ready for her wedding. She says to her brothers "Who is going to marry me?" They both answer not me. I tell her she will just have to wait for Prince Charming. She looks at me very serious, "Do you have a Prince Charming Mom?" Yes I do it is Dad! Makayla was then very concerned in typical 4 year old girl way, " Did you have a princess dress?" Yes my white wedding dress. She was glad to learn that I was totally prepared with appropriate dress and shoes for my Prince Charming! I am lucky to have an amazing Prince Charming! For us we are lucky enough to have a Happily Ever Afer!

Sweet Reminder

I had a wonderful reminder this week from one of the 10 year old neighbor boys. The boys and I were out playing and shoveling in the snow when the neighbor boy came along. My boys talk to everyone and like to tell people "stuff" This time Kaiden and Keagan were telling the NB (I didn't ask his mom if I could post about him so I am respecting privacy and will refer to said neighbor boy as NB) that they have really cool shovels and that the shovels are awesome. NB tells me, "When ever I see your boys they tell that they have a new cool thing. They are always excited about something they have snow boots, shovels, or what ever. It is neat that you have kids that get excited over everything that they have." Such true words from a 10 year old. My boys do get excited over everything especially the seemingly small things. I was asking them the other night what their favorite thing of the day was and it was having "Pink chocolate milk." I love those two they remind me often to appreciate all that I have especially the small things!

Working on the office

We finally started on the office. We are turning the front "living room" into a more usable space- an office. My bro. in law is a master builder and helped Justin frame it in 2 hours. We put up some of the dry wall yesterday. Look Ma I helped! We are now waiting for the electrical work to get done. I am planning out the furniture in my mind. I think that with my great ideas it will be a place Justin will want to study and a place I will want to work. I can't wait for it all to be done!

Pics to come!

Do you know your name?

The boys when they were 3 months old.
For the longest time the boys did not know if they were Kaiden or Keagan. They didn't get it until after they turned 2. Well, I am not so sure that they actually know who they are. As I was getting ready for church Kaiden walks in and I told him to go have Dad help him with his shoes. Kaiden says, "Dad is talking to Kaiden." I look at him and say you are Kaiden. then he corrects him self. "Dad is talking to my brother." Then we are driving in the car the other night and Kaiden says, "I am Keagan and my brother is Kaiden." Oh no he is SO confused. I correct him and have him repeat his name. One day they will know who they are!

Playing at the Cabin

My mom wanted to go and check on the cabin to make sure that it was okay after all the crazy storms we got the week of Christmas. So we headed up to the cabin to play and do our duty. It was a good thing that we checked because we needed to fix the board that keeps the snow from killing the small deck. Luckily my mom is smart and invited us along because Justin was there to rig and climb on the roof. He also shoveled the deck with a few good helpers. But after all the work was done we played and had a good time. Justin pulled me and the kids on the sled behind the snowmobile. SUPER FUN!! We had a chili and hot chocolate and then headed home. I am glad Justin is a great snow driver because we drove down Parley's and you couldn't even see the road Scary! But is was so fun the kids just love playing in the snow!

Our 8th Anniversary

On December 29th Justin and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary. I can't believe that we have been married that long. I still fill like we just met but then I have a hard time remembering my life before him. I married the best man in the world, he puts up with me and that says something. I love that he is so hard working and doesn't bat an eye at "jobs" not only mine but my parents and his parents. Let's just say his "honey do" list is extra long with all the things other people ask him to do. He is a fantastic dad and loves to play with the kids when ever he gets a chance and they love to spend as much time with him as they can. We are lucky and so blessed to have the wonderful marriage that we do and I am grateful every day for him. To celebrate our union 8 years ago we went to Rodigio Grill and enjoyed lots of meat and delicious food. It was fun to quietly sit and talk with each other. Then we headed over to Body Worlds and LOVED it!! Even with Justin's ADD he still enjoyed it. It is so amazing so if you get a chance before the 11th go. The best is seeing the babies during the gestational period. You get a new respect for your body and God's talent for creating such an amazing thing.

Our Christmas Celebrations

We had a wonderful holiday season. It was busy and fun filled!

We love to visit Santa at the Gateway Discovery Museum down town and then head out to Temple Square. The kids sat on Santa's lap to let him know all that they wanted. Isn't he a great Santa. After we sat and chatted with Santa we headed over to Temple Square and to see the lights. The kids really loved seeing the Nativity and the Christus statue. I love that we live so close to temple square to be able to enjoy such a neat family tradition. Every year Justin picks his favorite, being the resident light expert, tree and we take a picture in front of it. This is the same tree as last year but it was purple last year.

The kids all dressed in there Christmas best! Aren't they so cute for church! I love Makayla's HUGE bow she looked like a cute little present!

We had a Starnes traditional Christmas Eve with the Talent Show and Nativity acted out by the kids. It was so much fun. I was the angel and didn't get any pics of the kids in the nativity so family send them to me:) Makayla sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Justin closed the talent show with his magic which the kids all thought was cool.

My brother Clay bench pressing the boys for his talent!The boys did the snowman song!Our traditional holiday chime playing. It is so fun with everyone trying to play Christmas Hymns especially the little ones.

Christmas Eve we open our PJ's, they are such hams!

Christmas morning was SO fun with all the kids so excited to open presents and excited that Santa came. The few things that the kids wanted Santa did a good job of coming up with it.

Justin got a badly needed new ski coat! No more ugly turquoise!
Makayla really wanted a jewelry box and got it!

We spent Christmas afternoon at the Pitcher's and enjoyed Christmas all over again. We had a great time with everyone.

Grandma Pitcher made Superman capes for the boys aren't they cute.

Kaiden with his firetruck.Keagan and the car carrier.We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all had a great one too.