Nephi or Laman and Lemuel

Calvin is a really good older brother... most the time. He is patient with Simon and Levi. Well, today he was building a fort in the front room. He asked me to come help. It was a bunch of couch pillows lined up together... almost like dominos. I told him it probably wouldn't work as a fort with Levi as a little brother. So I told him to try a different way. I went into the kitchen and I here Calvin sing with an angry voice " Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way!" as I hear Levi start to scream. Bryce turned to me and said... we better go save Levi.

 Calvin being goofy with Carrots in his mouth

Simon the Artist

Simon has become a little artist. He loves to draw. I didn't think anything of it until my sister-in-law (who graduated in art) pointed out that Simon scratches in lines which most kids just use one line. Interesting. Then Simon came to me the other day and brought me a picture he drew. He said it was "treasure." As I looked at it, I realized it was a treasure chest. It had a lid and it was a box... I even have a hard time drawing a box...and he is 3. So maybe I have a little artist. I am not an artist at all!!!  By no means do i think that my child is a Picasso but I know he loves to draw and I want to encourage it. Any suggestions?

This is the "Rocket Ship" Simon drew which my Sister-in-Law said was different

This is the "Treasure" chest

Levi Has been climbing onto the kitchen chairs and then climbing on the table. I pushed the chairs in so that he couldn't climb... this is what he does now.

Happy Birthday Levi

Happy 1st Birthday Levi. We invited Grandparents over for a small party but there was a blizzard so they couldn't come. I made tons of soup and cake and ice cream so we called some neighbors to come over and celebrate. It was a fun last minute party... even though it took Bryce an hour and a half to get home from work... it usually takes 15 minutes! We gave Levi his cake but all he did was play with it. Maybe he didn't realize it was sugar! Funny kid. Levi is officially walking too :)

Potty Training Simon

We are potty training Simon this week. He is doing a great job. Calvin has been a big helper too. I didn't hear Simon say he needed to go to the bathroom and Calvin turned to me and said "Mom, he needs to go!" Thanks Calvin. Simon finished his first chart and got a hot wheel. I didnt have another chart ready so Simon said he wanted to make his own. Awesome!

Happy Birthday Calvin... in November

So there is a reason why I haven't posted... #1 I have been busy with the Christmas season... #2 I had to figure out how to upload my pictures #3 Potty training Simon.
Calvin had his birthday way back in November. He turned 5!! Crazy I know. He wanted a Rapheal ninja turtle cake. We celebrated a few different times with family and friends. He was lucky. His presents were Avengers pajamas, Legos, Bird Feeder, and a boat.
We love Calvin! He has learn and grown so much from last year! He loves preschool and all his friends.

My Ninja Turtles!

So I was crazy to make my kids halloween costumes. I was even more crazy when Bryce asked me to make him one too. It took a long time but it was fun. My boys love it too. I have been threatening that if they fight or dont do their chores, they cant be ninja turtles.

Bryce - Donetello, Calvin - Rapheal, Simon - Leonardo, Levi - Michaelangelo, Melissa - April

Family Pictures 2012

Kristi Linton once again did an awesome job. These pictures are just the beginning. She hasn't sent me all of them yet. So dang cute. So help me out... I am going to frame a big family picture and one of each boy. Which ones do you like?

This picture is different from the one above... the lighting is different.

My Cousin CJ

Last week was kind of an emotional week. My cousin CJ passed away. We were really close in high school. He was like a older brother to me and always watched out for me. I was able to speak at his funeral. I was really thankful for that because it gave me time to think about CJ and how thankful I am for the Atonement. I know CJ is in a better place and that he continues to watch over me and the rest of his family.

Charles James Linton

March 3, 1983  ~  October 7, 2012

Charles James Linton

1983 ~ 2012

Our beloved son, brother and uncle, passed away on October 7. 2012. CJ was

born on March 3, 1983 in Ogden, Utah to James and Ann Linton. He came to

this earth full of life. He loved reading, playing sports and watching U of U

football games. CJ was very sensitive to anyone in need and opened his home

to anyone in trouble. Once you were a friend of CJ’s, you were his friend for

life. He graduated from the U of U with an IS Degree from the Business

Department and owned his own web services and networking business.

CJ was extremely intelligent and could figure anything out. Although he was

reserved and quiet, he had a good sense of humor. As the oldest child, he

spent a lot of time working in the yard, garden and helping younger siblings.

He enjoyed woodworking and traveling. He also was the “man of the house”

when his father was out of town or not feeling well; a job which he loved and

did often. He many times became the strongest in the family when his Dad’s

illness caused complete exhaustion. CJ would literally carry his Dad up the long

stairs with ease, love and kindness. His heart often became the largest muscle

he had, this he tried to hide, but it was obvious when it happened.

He is survived by his parents, James and Ann Linton; siblings, Kristina, Joseph,

Jeff and Megan, Nicholas; nephew, Baby William; grandma, Mary Carlston;

many aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by his grandparents,

James W. and Janet L. (Joy) Linton; grandfather, Earl R. Carlston.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at

the Corner Canyon Stake Center, 13366 S. 1300 E., Draper, Utah. Friends may

call one hour prior to the services. Interment, Mountain View Memorial

Estates.

Birthdays Past

Almost every year for my birthday we have gone for a hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon. There are a few years missing and a few years we went somewhere else but here is a timeline of our family:) Enjoy!

2004

 we were dating not even thinking of getting married. This was our first hike to the waterfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon

2007

This wasnt quite my birthday but pretty darn close up the Uintah... you can see I was pregnant with Calvin

2008 

Waterfall up Little Cottonwood Canyon

2009

Waterfall up Little Cottonwood Canyon a month after Simon was born

2010

Crabtree Lake Hike on my birthday in Oregon

2011 

Waterfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon... pregnant with Levi

2012

Waterfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon... Current

Birthday Hike 2012

Well another birthday has come and gone :) I am now officially in 30! Wow that sounds old ;) We did our usual birthday hike. It wasn't as adventurous as years past because we finally found the best way to go. The boys were great. Both Calvin and Simon were good hikers. This was the first time for Levi. He loved it. We had lunch and took our yearly picture at the same waterfall. We have been doing this since 2004 (we were just dating back then) I love this tradition.

 

Camping with the Boys

Bryce took the boys camping this last weekend. They went up into the Uintas... He was going to road camp but when he got up there he decided that was boring. So they hiked in about a mile... with all their road gear. Calvin and Simon carried their camping chairs and Bryce carried everything else :)

Bryce carrying all the camping gear... two pads, two sleeping bags, hiking backpack, tent, cooler and duffle bag... My husband is amazing!

First Day of Preschool and Eight Months

Calvin started Preschool on the Sixth. He was pretty excited! Levi turned Eight Months yesterday. He now has two teeth, claps and crawls! And as usual... he smiles. We have been hanging out with cousin Karen this week... Pictures soon.

This is how excited Calvin was to go to preschool... with his Avengers back pack!

Happy Birthday Simon!

Simon had his 3rd birthday today. We started off with a great visit to the Dentist:) Just what you want to do on your birthday. That probably wasnt the greatest thing but we had a great time the rest of the day. We sat outside with Grandma Baggaley and sang songs. We made birthday cake. Ate yummy meatballs (Simon's request) and we had cake and ice cream with family. We love Simon! Specially when he puts his "claws away" and sings to us.

Calvin's Moves

The other day we were in the car and this song came on the radio. Calvin kept asking me to go back to that song. He kept singing it "A O Got to Let GO!" So I turned it on for him and he started showing us his moves... he is pretty good!

Really??!!!

This is my little brother Daniel. He leaves on his mission to Rome, Italy in a month. Every morning he eats his sugar cereal in the morning and copper (the dog) waits patiently for him to finish. As soon as Daniel is done, Copper jumps up on his lap and drinks all the leftover sugary milk. Really?? That cant be good for the dog! Poor Copper is going to go through withdrawals when Daniel leaves. He will be over in the corner shaking every morning not knowing what to do without his sugary milk.