Just few pics of my darling boys. Nicky just cannot stop hugging,kissing, and carrying Cameron around. It drives Cam nuts!I love the look on his face in this last one. It's like," Mom, can't you do something about this?" The top picture is cute. I think I remember him being really annoyed with me holding the camera in front of his face again.

I love watching the way the two older boys love and care for their little baby. They all have such a strong bond, even with the large age differences. We gave Walker his own room a couple months ago, and they still end up in each others bed almost every night. I can't wait to see how their relationships grow as they do over the years. What a blessing to have so many precious brothers and sisters to count on!

Here are some little duckies in the tub. Maybe it is just me but there is nothing cuter than naked babies covered in bubbles! Also, here we are just goofing off in the car on the way home from Cousin Holly's house late the night of Ty's funeral. This was after we had a really wonderful talk with the kids about drugs and supporting each other. It really was a learning experience and a great bonding moment with the kids. I think they really understood. It was a conversation, not a lecture. We shared and cried and the kids felt the influence of our Heavenly Father. That is the key ingredient in driving something home. The Lord. Wonderful!

Nothing makes me feel more successful as a mother than seeing my children smile. If we laughed, it was a good day. So often we get over burdened with the challenges and responsibilities of our lives, and we forget to slow down and see what really matters. Family. Happy times. Peaceful moments with our loved ones. It never will get any better than that. I highly recommend it!:)

So here I am. Tired, mentally exhausted, some days just plain crazy. It doesn't matter. My husband loves me with the 40 pounds I've packed on. My children go to bed each night knowing they are treasured. Material things have lost their power over me. My home is mismatched and often a mess, but I get to cuddle up with my children and read them a book anytime we want. The dishes can wait, the laundry will get done. Life is moving too fast not to notice what matters. My life is not glamorous in any way, but I am happy and I hope you are, too!

My Beautiful Cousin

All of Ty's siblings in attendance.


Me. James is so silly. I just have to smile at him.


Lisa, Jamie, and Holly. Beautiful sisters!


Shawn with Tyler at the graveside.

April 30, 2009 marked the end of my cousin Tyler's drug addiction battle. He suffered a drug overdose 3 months ago, and struggled through a rough period of ups and downs. He wasn't able to overcome the last down. He died in the morning last Thursday. I am so overwhelmed at the loss of my beautiful cousin. He was so young and had everything in front of him.

My ache is made more from the thought of his parents and siblings. I cannot imagine what this is like for them when it is so hard for me. I am so thankful for the wonderful times we have shared the past three months, and hope that the closeness we are all feeling now will only become stronger. All my love to the Gearharts and Tehra, whose heart will forever be Tyler's.

Great Friends and Riley's first shiner!

On April 18 we went to a Stake Activity Days Spa Day! We learned all about healthy living and tried a little Yoga, too . Here are the girls with their great friend, Caitlyn.

Riley had a bit of an accident out on our patio. She banged her head pretty good on her scooter and got to wear the after affects for a couple weeks. I didn't really want to take her out in public much.:)

Easter!

Walker and Nick out in the "woods" in G and G's back yard.

Are there any left? Where to search next?

Makenna counting her catch. So proud of her candy stash!

Uncle Drew, Kennedy, and Morgan huntin' for eggs.

Cam has discovered the car at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It is now his. Don't even think about taking him out. It is better than a play pen. He won't leave it!

Auntie Brie is helping Cameron with his first Easter Egg hunt! He did not understand why anyone would want to put the pretty eggs in the basket. He didn't ever really catch on.:)

Cameron is so cool in his Auntie Brie's shades!

All seven of my bunch!

The Big Cheese!

Mr Cool

My Boys!

Sweet little Kennedy

My Nicky Sticky

Beautiful, Brown Eyed Girl

Pretty Morgan

Easter has come and gone, heralding the arrival of spring.

We gave the kids matching church duds and I got some pretty

good pictures of them all in the nippy morning air.

Cameron loves to entertain his six brothers

and sisters. When he has the stage he takes full advantage!

In these pictures of him in his high chair, he was thoroughly entertaining us at dinner with tons of funny faces and giggles. He loves it when all the other kids are giving him an audience to perform to! He laughs and squeals, mimics anything the kids want him to say, and pulls the funniest faces. We are all enjoying the addition to our family that Cameron provides. It is a constant battle over who gets to hold, kiss, carry, play with, bathe, etc.... with Bubby!