Welcome to our family...Ella Masen!

This morning Ashley and Brian welcomed their fourth child into the world. Ella Masen weighed in at 8 lb 2 oz and is 21 1/4 inches long. She has a head full of hair which is something that her two sisters and brothers didn't have when they were born. We are also pretty sure she will be the only child in her family with blue eyes instead of brown. She is a precious little addition to their family and ours.

Grandma and Grandpa got to hold her too.

Nothing is sweeter than a little baby fresh from heaven.

Miss Emily Grace is officially a 2 year old....

My how time flies. It doesn't seem like it has been two years since I witnessed Emily's birth. Now she is a regular little girl who walks, talks and is adorable.
Here is what her mom, Laura, told me about her:
What is your favorite:
color: pink & green
smell: candles
food: scrambled eggs
drink: chaky milk (aka chocolate milk)
thing to do with dad: loves to snuggle with her dad
thing to do with mom: read books & tickle
movie: Up!
Primary song: Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam & I am a child of God
treat: fruit snacks
vegetable: green beans
What do you love about Logan: to run with him & makes her laugh
what do you want to be when you grow up: a princess
who is your best friend: Evelyn Leonard
What makes you happy: everything
Five important things about Emily: she is the sunshine of her home, loves to wear dresses, wants to do everything herself "I do it!", she is a messy eater & loves to go to the nursery at church.

The simple joys of childhood....

Laura sent me a bunch of photos and I

couldn't resist posting these.

Look at how much fun Logan and Emily are having with something as simple as a Popsicle.

When was the last time you found joy in the

simple things of life?

I want to be more like Logan and Emily...

sit back, relax and laugh!

Look who's F-I-V-E...It's Logan Adam-Thomas!!!

Logan celebrated his 5th birthday on March 5th...how's that!

We wish we could see him more often and love him very much. Logan always makes me laugh and touches my heart with the sweet things he says. Right now he is pretty excited to be going to the Kansas City Temple. I asked him what he would see in the temple and he told me "toys." He remembers two years ago when he was sealed to his mom and dad and played with toys in the St Louis Temple. He also told me it was Jesus' house and that he could feel the Spirit there. How precious are the words of a little child!
Logan's birthday interview. Here's what he's thinking about right now:
What is your favorite:
color: blue, red & green
smell: flowers when they are growing
food: toast with butter
drink: chocolate milk
thing to do with dad: wrestle, fish and go to Bass Pro
thing to do with mom: play with her
movie: Batman
Primary Song: Jesus wants me for a sunbeam
game: Candyland & Ladybug game
treat: Trick or Treat candy
vegetable: oranges, bananas & apples
What do you love about Emily: playing with her
What do you want to be when you grow up: a daddy & go to work
Who is your best friend: Zach at school
What makes you happy: being with mom & dad
Five important things about Logan: he's a very funny kid, says the sweetest things, loves to draw & be creative, happiest when he's outdoors & excited to go to kindergarten
What did you do last night: went to bed

Kaden Mark hits the big S-I-X...

March is a big month for Kaden because his birthday is the 9th! He did a great job in the kitchen baking his very own cake. What a pro!! Not much help was needed by Grandma!
He did get his fair-share of filleting by Grandpa...and loved every minute! I was impressed by what he wanted written on his cake...he really is kind-hearted and wanted to share it with his family. What a sweet boy!

What is your favorite:

color - blue

smell - cake

food - macaroni & cheese

drink - soda

thing to do with your dad - help him do scout work

thing to do with your mom - play checkers

movie - Spy Kids

Book of Mormon character - Moroni, because he is good

game - checkers

treat - cake

fruit - pineapple

What do you love about Nick - playing sword fight

What do you love about Eve - holding her

What do you want to be when you grow up - a dad

Who is your best friend - Sadie & Savannah

Five important things about Kaden - he likes to play sword fight with Nick, good at school work, good at riding his quad, always happy and loves his family.

What did you do last night - watched a movie

Happy Birthday Haley Sade...

On March 3rd Haley turned 4...that's right F-O-U-R!

Here is her birthday interview...

What is your favorite:

color - yellow

smell - cookies

food - spaghetti

drink - milk

thing to do with dad - have him read me stories

thing to do with mom - go to the gym

movie - Cinderella

Primary song - Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

game - Castle Crashers

treat - vanilla ice cream

vegetable - broccoli

What do you love about Alyssa - she gave me a bath while my parents were gone

What do you love about Ethan - he plays games with me

What do you love about Karley - she plays with me

What do you want to be when you grow up - a mom

Who is your best friend - Karley

What makes you happy - jumping on the trampoline

Five important things about Haley - She really wants to start school, likes learning games, can zip up her coat, has a cute smile & is a good & happy helper

What did you do last night- eat a lot of snacks!

Happy Birthday Nick Sherman...

Nick is celebrated his 3rd birthday on February 15th! Part of the celebration was to come to Grandma & Grandpa's house to bake a cake and play. He decided he wanted strawberry cake and couldn't wait to eat some batter! Yummmmm!
Grandpa took him to the park while the cake cooled.

Nick and the finished product. He decorated it himself..

What is your favorite:

color - Blue

smell - flowers

food - toast

drink - water

game - toys

treat - candy

vegetable - corn

thing to do with your dad - he takes me riding on his dirt bike

thing to do with your mom - I like to play games with my mom

movie - a scary movie, Monsters in the House

Book of Mormon character - Captain Moroni

What do you love about Kaden - he's my brother

What do you love about Eve - she's my friend

What do you want to be when you grow up - a butterfly

Who is your best friend - Kaden

What makes you happy - my friends

Five important things about Nick - he likes toys, likes his dog & trampoline. He's smart, a good bike rider and likes candy!

What did you do last night - "I got married!"

Baking in Arizona...and more fun!

While CJ and Beth attended the temple we got to have fun in the kitchen with cupcakes, frosting and sprinkles. They aren't teenagers yet, but apparently the "can't-take-a-picture-without- making-a-face" phase has already begun!
Lily is so careful as she frosts her cupcake.

Later Grandpa got out the accordian for a little performance and everyone had to give it a try.

The evening ended with Grandpa being filleted....

Looks like the kids were getting the best of him...

what a good sport!

Happy faces at the end of the day!

Peacocks and Oranges and Cactus...Oh My!!!

February brought visitors, this time family from Missouri. Yes, CJ, Beth, Nathan and Lily came to Arizona to enjoy some sunshine and family.

We spent a day doing things that were unique to Arizona. It was fun having some of the little cousins together. They are all so close in age!
Harrison was busy pointing out new things while Ashley was holding him.

The little girls had fun together.

Nathan getting hugs from Lily and Anya!

We saw oranges actually growing on trees. Now this isn't something you see in Missouri!

A peacock was showing off, but not for us...there were several females watching too.

Uncle CJ with his children and nieces and nephew.

Cara and Anya check out the local horse at Goldfield Ghost Town.

With some of the "locals" at the Ghost town.

Just after we ate lunch the kids all posed for a picture. Poor Cara was not feeling well that day.

Harrison...

At one time this was an active mine...WARNING!!!

We had to check out the neighborhood outhouse...

Nathan found out it was "occupied."

CJ, Beth, Nathan and Lily with the Superstition Mountains behind them.

A lantern reminding us of what once was..

The Saloon's ceiling was covered with boots.

Anya was all smiles...

Cara was too....

A train took us around the whole ghost town. The kids were excited for the ride.

What's a family outing without a bloody nose???

Some rusted-out old vehicles were the perfect opportunity for a pretend ride.

Nathan getting some help onto a tractor from Grandpa!

And the ride begins...

Where do you go if you are naughty?? Directly to JAIL..

We all had a fun day and created some great memories. Until next time...