love this quote...

  Happy Monday! 

xo

seven years old... {sniff sniff}

today my cute little twinners turn 7!  oh how they make me so incredibly happy!

i would do twins all over again in a heartbeat!

they've been the best babies with the sweetest & sensitive personalities. 

they started out life a bit rough & proved that Miracles DO happen!   We've babied them so much that

i can't believe they are 7! how can that be?  time is flying by and it's killing me.  

we've had "birthday palooza" all week! with cousins {who i'm tending} 

separate birthday parties on separate days, 2 elves partying it up,  family parties, 

and school parties!  

this mom is whooped! {i know it's not a real word}

happy birthday my angel babies!  I feel so blessed that you picked me to be your mommy.

xxoo

{a little blurry but still so cute}

my baby...

 she is also my little bff.  

she hangs out with me daily and has always been my little sidekick. {like she won't leave me EVER}  

i complain sometimes, but i secretly always wanted a clingy child. ~wink

she's been cracking us up lately with what she says.  she can be so 

demanding and sweet at the same time. 

I love it when she grabs my face and says "i love you SOOOO much" and then 

kisses me and hugs me so hard trying to hurt me! haha  

she always says to cory and me every night before bed, "i love you with all mine art",
"your the best mom and dad ever"  we just love it!   then she will go and pinch one of
her siblings and then smile at us. 

she's still a bit naughty! haha

I'm totally hooked on "instagram",  like i need one more thing to be involved with. 

but it is addicting and so fun.   

look for me if you Instagram... "shashtay"

just having some girl time...

nordstrom cafe and pedicures!

as if it came straight from my mouth...

i have always loved this quote!  

i believe it is very true!

check out the 'giveaway' here.

i'm still here...

it's not like me to not be blogging daily, sheesh... what's my deal?!

I am still alive and just hanging out with my cute little family recovering. I've been watching

plenty of icarly, Good luck Charlie,Dora and lots of redbox movies!

we have early out on friday so we escaped to the theater right after school to see this movie...

'Rango'

we loved it.  lots of giggling in this movie.

  

We've been busy with Boston's state report.  I love that his teacher put all the

 states in a bowl and all the kids picked their state without knowing.  I love that Boston

 picked "Massachusetts"  how ironic. haha

we've been learning some very interesting facts. It is quite the state project too.  

The kids have been going to gymnastics and perfecting their flips and cartwheels.  

Olivia is getting ready to perform with her dance company at many competitions 

coming up and I am so excited!

Ivy is always cracking us up with the things she says... the other day she was hiding behind the curtains and we asked her what she's doing. she said "hurry & hide the cops are coming!" haha

where is she getting this stuff?!  She loves playing with the Ipad and watching her

 momma kick some butt at "angry birds!"

Cory is getting ready for biking season, he has a big bike trip coming up.  it's like torture

to see people outside running and biking while i am limping around on my foot. 

seriously, this weather has been amazing.

anyway, i'm alive and doing great.  I love taking the time to just hang with my babies and

enjoy the things that they do on a regular basis.  I occasionally  prop my leg up on the couch pillows while icing my foot and i am suddenly surrounded by all my little cuddle bugs.  Every child is sitting on me, laying on me or close by.  it warms my heart.  I could get used to this!

we are pretty original this year with our "valentines." 

I've seen some awesome ones this year.  check out this and this.

but since my kids were dying to pick out their own 

i've decided to take the easy route.  and they love it!

i love that hayes and livi get to make their own valentine box to put their valentines in. 

and i love that i am in charge of the game at their party.  

boston thinks he is way too old for this stuff, he even said "do i really have to give out valentines?" ha

i'm in charge of the treat for his class party and i am totally bringing the chocolate fountain! 

these kids are gonna love it!  

while writing out our valentines tonight,  i loved the conversations between these kids.  they are so hilarious and i wish i could always remember everything they say,  they just crack me up!

love these kids like crazy.

hayes could care less about writing his name on all of his, but he did it like it was torture!   

after a while he would get annoyed and start playing with his batman and transformers toy.  

i just love how my little olivia writes her name and how she dots her "i's"... isn't this so darling??!

my son...

who is  eleven years old is extremely self disciplined, 

we don't know where he got it! 

{maybe aunt holli~wink} 

...just finished reading the "Book of Mormon"  

he rocks!  

i told  him I would read it with him and i am still in 2nd Nephi! haha

{we've been reading the new testament~wink}

he is growing up to be such an amazing kid, he teaches us so much everyday!

Cory & I always ask ourselves..."how did we get this kid?"  

he truly is always doing what's right, and just an amazing boy. 

 I hate that he is growing up so fast, but love who he is growing into.

love this boy!

my heart is full...

of gratitude.

 of love.

 of thanksgiving.

i feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!  I struggled for years trying to have

 another baby, and never imagined i'd have so much beautiful chaos surrounding me.

  I love it!  

There is nothing better than when my kids all snuggle up with us in our bed to watch a movie
 or the sound of out of control giggling when we are all together. 

I'm so lucky to have such an awesome husband & wonderful father to my kids,
he works so hard to give us 'The Good Life'...

He has made me one happy momma.

so grateful for friends and family who bear each others burdens and truly are always there
 when you need them.  for laughter, fun and for making many fabulous memories. 

grateful for my health and beautiful surroundings that i get to enjoy on a daily basis!  I love the
feeling of peace and accomplishment that come when i run outside and see all
the beauty that surrounds me.

grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ & my Faith which brings me MUCH comfort
and Joy...true joy!

~count your many blessings

Life is beautiful...

I'm actually so excited to be getting a huge snow storm coming our way.  

We are not going out of town now because of the dangerous weather conditions and are 

planning on hanging out with lots of family and enjoying lounging around watching movies 

and making all sorts of goodies.   

hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

muah!!

fourteen years ago...

Today

on a very very snowy and cold day. I married my best friend!

It's crazy to me how fast time goes by... We've been through thick and thin, & i wouldn't change it for the world. I love looking back through the years at pictures and seeing so much change.  We made them together.

 When i was 16 yrs old i wrote down all the qualities I wanted in a husband {in YW} we put them in an envelope and when we were married our leaders kept them and gave them to us {still so cool} and every single one of those qualities is Cory!  They weren't just a few qualities... I was 16 and wrote down things that seem so unreal, it still amazes me!
I feel very lucky to have such an amazing husband, best friend, father to my children, provider, peacemaker & love of my life.

we truly balance each other out.  

Happy Anniversary baby, and to many many more... 

I love you...

by; boston taylor

i found this in boston's backpack and had to post this for my journal...

he has such a sweet "heart."

p.s.  he may excel in Math, Science, Geography & Spelling.  his only issue...handwriting! haha

{click on the picture to make bigger}

the birthday boy...

turns "38"...

my handsome hubby told his kids that all he wanted for his birthday was for them to do a good deed or an act of service to someone else & then tell him what they did...

so Todd and I decided to send out an email to family and friends asking them instead of gifts in Cory's honor do an act of service or a kind deed to someone and then text, email, facebook, call him, etc... this didn't need to be something huge.

it was such an awesome birthday experience for him!

he received so many texts and emails of many acts of service,  it was PERFECT!

here are just a few...

~gave money to a homeless man

~took back a neighbors garbage cans

~went to the cannery

~2 people did work in the temple

~didn't fight with a dumb driver in the wal mart parking lot {haha}

~babysat so parents could go out

~gave money to a family for christmas

~gave money to poor little Filipino kids

~let someone take the parking space they wanted to park in

~open the door for elderly people

 on and on and on...

Thanks to you all for thinking of others on his special day!  He enjoyed reading all of these texts and emails while skiing with Boston all afternoon.

our kids loved thinking of anything they could do for him all day, they were so cute to him.  One thing about Cory, he is the most giving person.  I couldn't have asked for a better father & best friend.  he has totally made my life Perfect...

I love you baby...

"happy birthday" to you...

my babies are "5"...

i think we will always refer to them as our babies. they are so precious and little, that we can't help but baby them so much.

these two are hilarious! I love this age. i say this at every age i know.

this morning we made them their birthday breakfast of crepes with syrup and powdered sugar. then we sang to them about five times. haha

they have been busy playing with all of their presents and loving everything!

later we are going to have their favorite dinner and then off to boston's futsol game, then we will probably sing "happy birthday" again...

{birthday breakfast}

in our house we open presents in the morning and sing first thing!

livi's asked me if she is old enough to go to high school now? ha

Hayes' favorites~ batman, transformers, pirates, his Daddy, all sorts of figurines, mario kart, chocolate milk and carson curry! ;)

Livi's favorites~ princesses, polly pockets, arts & crafts, playing boston's DS, reading {on her own}, chocolate milk, school, cousins & friends.

and as always, remembering our special angel "parker" today and everyday in our hearts.

click to see their 2nd, 3rd, & 4th birthday posts... Looking back on their birthdays is one of my favorite things to do. they are totally growing up and it is all documented. I LOVE blogging!

{be sure to scroll down and check out how darling their birthday party was...}

It's a GIRL!!!!

We are so excited!! I am still a little confused, i just knew it was a BOY, cause i am so BIG already! We took Boston with us to find out and he was so cute, he said "AW MAN, i wanted it to be a brother, but i guess it will still be fun" He has been so cute now, so we know he is pretty excited now!

We finally got our internet hooked up, and yes you can survive without it, but it is absolute TORTURE!! we are off for our "SPRING BREAK" to The beautiful island of Maui!
WOO HOO.....

My body really needs to see the sun! Ha ha
HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYES & OLIVIA

My babies, who are no longer babies anymore...are turning 3 today!! They are Ringing in their "3'rd Birthday in Beautiful Hawaii!
They Love it here! Hayes keeps saying "I want to go to Hawaii" He means the Beach ;), isn't that so cute! Olivia will NOT get out of the Pool. She is definitely our little Mermaid, So is Boston, he Spent the whole day Yesterday in the Ocean, with either a Boogie board or his Skim board. He didn't stop to take a break for Hours!

Cory and i always say we don't want Hayes and Olivia to grow up. They are SO much fun right now and we are eating up every minute of it. They Both LOVE their daddy to pieces and are the Best of friends with Each other. It is seriously so much fun to watch them play together. When they first see each other in the Morning they give each other hugs and kisses! It is so precious. When Hayes is without Olivia, he doesn't know what to do. They are so Sweet to each other, and Share so cute. They rarely fight and if they do, it is because Olivia takes everything away from Hayes! (she is a little Bossy)

I asked Olivia this morning "what are your Favorite Things" and she said "I like Dora, and Hayes likes Baseball" hehehe
It is so funny how she will answer for him.
We are Some Lucky and Grateful Parents to have such amazing little babies doing so well in life! They are truly our little miracles.



Hayes' Favorites...
Cartoon~My friends tigger & pooh
Toy~Captain hook & Peter Pan, Ipod Video
Food~Pancakes & Crepes
Book~Grumpy Gloria & llama llama red pajama
Disney Character~Mickey Mouse & Erik (the little mermaid haha)


Olivia'a Favorites....
Cartoon~Dora the explorer
Toys~Littlest pet shop & Ipod
Food~Crepes & Fruit
Book~ Fancy Nancy
Disney Character~Ariel & Minnie Mouse

"fancy nancy"...

She is our "fancy nancy" that is for sure! Latley Olivia is doing her own hair, and loves to put on her barbie shoes, with the fancy fur on them. Hayes will occasionally wear the shoes too! ( i have no idea why HE lovess the shoes so much)
These two make us laugh all day....They are saying the funniest things and are the Best of Friends.

Today we went to the Hospital to see our little baby Cousin "Will" at the NICU and while we were there the nurses and Dr's who helped take care of Hayes and Olivia were loving to see them!
They say it is so rewarding to see the kids they take care of doing so well! When you spend 12 weeks with these nurses you make some serious Bonds, and Friendships! (so sadly they know my kids really well) Will is now in Good hands with the nurses we Set him up with!



I have to Tell what Boston said the other day to me:

Boston- "mom when you were little, you were so rich that you would look under the couches and find money?"

Me -"No Boston, We were so poor when i was little that we would look under the couches and try to find money!"

Boston- "Well it's a good thing you married dad, He's a Millionaire" (dead serious look on his face) hehehehehe

Kids say the Greatest things, and have NO idea!! ;)

Precious.....

March 17th (St. Patricks day) was their official "2" year Mark!!!! It was their Due date, and They actually came home from the Hospital that same day! (Olivia first then Hayes) So it is a Great day for our Family to Celebrate! Hayes is talking alot better, he is trying to say Everything, but he just can't get past the First Syllable...Ba Ba (boston) Coo coo (cookie)
Da Da Po (daddy's Porsche) We love that one, Everytime we go in the Garage! haha
Baby Cew (baby Crew) mi mi (mickey) poo poo (pluto) And so forth! My Favorite is when he throws a Temper Tantrum and falls to the Ground with his butt in the air! It's so cute, he totally calms himself down.
He is also my little Lover, He loves to give cuddles when he isn't Climbing all over everything!
(How do you not want to just eat him up!)


My Baby Girl is finally able to wear Pony Tails! Her daddy just melts when she shows him her Cute hair do's!
Isn't this picture so Cute..... She sings the whole song to "Twinkle, Twinkle, little Star" and tells us " Dad, Mom, Sing with me"!
She is our little Smarty pants! She knows almost all of her colors and can count to 10! She talks for Hayes and tells us what to get for him. She L O V E S baby dolls, stuffed animals, Disney characters, anything that you can push in a Stroller, I guess thats the little Nurturing girl in her! We just love to watch these two play together, Cory and I just seriously Laugh at them!


Cory and his Brothers are off to ZIONS for a Brothers Trip to go Biking, Paint Balling, Rock climbing etc.... They were really excited when I said I needed to take a Picture before they left! hee hee (They know i have a Picture taking Disorder) I already did so much today, I am quite proud of myself.... I swam "10" laps at the Gym this morning, Sat in the Sauna, Showered & Got ready for the Day(which is a big one, if you know me at all) went to the Temple, Grocery Store, Sent the Boys off on there trip with some Treats and Movies, started Laundry and Now my babies are Napping...& it's only 12:30 !
I guess thats what happens when you wake up at 6:30 in the morning!

BIKING in St. George/ Talent show!

Cory arrived home from his "SWEET" BIKING excursion! He had all sorts of funny stories and Marks on his body to Prove them. He went to St. George with some buddies to Bike the "Gooseberry Mesa" Trail. It Sounded like they had a good time!
We are just glad that our Dad is home in One Piece!

Last night the kids and I went to American Forks Talent Show! Witney and her Ballroom Partner Ruger won first Place in their division. They did a Duo to "Save the Last dance for me" (Which was incredible) She is such an amazing Dancer!!!

There was this guy who Balanced all sorts of Heavy Objects from his Chin!!!! NO Joke!

He of course won 1st place overall! It was so fun to watch! ( I am sure we will be seeing him on Jay Leno :))

Boston was telling me in the Car on our way home , that when he was sitting with witney and all of her Cheerleading friends they were saying "OH my gosh witney , he is soooo CUTE!!, and He's wearing Abercrombie"! He was like "why did they say that " haha ~ I just said Girls are just Crazy!

Our weekend is not over yet.... We have no School tomorrow, and Jaxon is coming over for a Sleepover! Now I have to think of something fun to do!
HAPPY SUNDAY!

She is our little Princess!

We are just laughing at Olivia latley, She is such a Mother Hen to Hayes! She told him "Hayes Get down" Now". And "Hayes, No touch that" She is like his Mother!

She Knows all of her Princesses by age 2! How funny is that. She will point to her Princess purse where all the Princesses are and Name them one by one! Our favorite is when she says "Sleeping Beauty" it sounds like "Shake your Booty" But everyone else she pronounces just right!

She loves to be the Boss! I think she will always be that way too. (unfortunatley) O' well she is woman hear her Roar, Right?
Girls are the Best! You have to at least have one Jenn! ha ha!

I absolutley adore having Boy/Girl twins! It is so fun to watch and interesting that She is all girl and Hayes is All BOY!

Tonight we are on For Book Club! I am so excited too, I loved this Book "Findind Noel" It was a great Read and I cried the whole book! (maybe It was because it was like 2 in the morning when I finished it )

Valentines Coupons....

Boston made Cory and I a coupon book! He brought it home from School yesterday, it's so cute!
I just have to tell you how Great of a kid he is!

The Coupon book says "A Kind and Helpful Coupon" There are 3 coupons that he wrote. The first one says
Given to: Mom
From:Boston I Will help you with something! Expiration Date: Never

The second says

Given to: Dad
From: Boston I will help you with something! Expiration Date: Never

The Third one brought Tears to my Eyes...
It says
Given to: Parker
From:Boston I will Always Choose the Right.

Isn't that so cute, We just adore that kid!

Turning 2 In a few Days!

Here are Pictures of the Babies(Who in "5" days are not babies anymore) 2 years ago!
Of course in these pictures they were still on Oxygen! But who wants to see tubes on Sweet little babies.....NOT ME!( So it was a Quick Picture taking)



Olivia is talking so well! She sometimes shocks us with how well she is talking!
So last night I was in the Bathroom just picking things up, when Hayes and Olivia of Course are Grabbing more things to make a mess, When Olivia Grabbed the Candle that had a Mirror-like lid on it, and she says, (looking at it) "Pincess Livia" OOOOhhh Is that not the Cutest! Ok so you know That they are spoiled when they are calling themselves "Princess"
Hayes is, well not quite as good of a talker but he has the Funnest Personality! The kid is a SPAZ! He climbs up on the top of my couch and points to the Christmas Tree and says "TTTTTT" Which we assume means "Tree" Or "Train" Either way he Loves them Both!
They are turning "2" in a few Days! Yipee, I can't believe how fast they Grow up, I just absolutley love this age, They are a little bit of Maintenance at times, but so much fun to Watch!
They absolutley Love Boston! Olivia goes up to him and says "Hold me" with her arms straight up in the air and with the Most Pitiful look on her face. Boston just Loves it.

Wow, I am rambling on, So Sorry! I better get off to Bed!
Good Night