Muddy Miles 2015

(written 10/19/2016)

What a fun day!! Boys and muddy dirt go hand in hand. It was a perfect combination of mess and energy release.  

Jaxon was very very hesitant at first. He couldn't believe what we were asking him to do....jump into a mud puddle that goes up to his waist?? Are you crazy?? When he finally ventured in he was off to the races!

Miles was more into the adventure. Not afraid to jump right in and give it a try. After it was over he asked every day when it was time to do Muddy Miles again. :) For a solid year we anticipated the next Muddy Miles day. He was sure the whole event was for him. Muddy - Miles....that was just what he was and he LOVED every minute of it!

Elliot took off with Gabe and Dax right away. We didn't catch up with him till the end. He had so much fun!

It was the perfect family Saturday activity! One that will remain a tradition for sure!!

BOYS ARE THE BEST!

Larsen fam....they are the ones to introduce us to the fun

as if holding up his pants will help keep the mud to a minimum :)

All in....this really is fun!!

These two. Best pals! So different, but such great friends!

Mom and Miles

My twinners!!

Coolest messy dad!!

The bubble thing at the end was so cool. You could get lost in there!

The Haynie Muddy Crew

Haynie's and Larsen's

Elliot - Gabe - Dax

Luv my Boys

Sometimes I find myself wishing this "terrible 2's" time away...but I try to remember that this is the time I'll probably miss the most.

Sweetest smiles. Sweetest spirits!

M&M Jammies

Coolest M&M jammies from the M&M factory in Vegas!

Jeez...I sure love these crazy boys!

(Thanks grams! They love their PJ's)

Being Outside

Being outside is THE BEST! 

There's something about fresh air that makes everything so much more manageable.  

Good Bye WINTER (finally) Hello happy mommy!

Sherry Labrum

We had the unfortunate opportunity of going to Chicago for the funeral of Sherry Labrum. It was such a sad circumstance. She and Ron were vacationing in the bahamas somewhere when she fell out of a golf cart, hit her head and went into a coma. She was in the hospital for a very long time, ended up coming home then going back for continued problems. I can't remember what she actually ended up dying from or even how accurate my details are, but regardless is was a terribly tragic situation. My heart broke in two for her entire family. Ron and my dad were best friend cousins. We hung out with the Labrums a lot growing up. I used to think they were our cousins (but I guess they are our 2nd cousins) Ron and Sherry came to visit my dad just days before he passed away. I got a really great picture of the 3 of them. I framed it and gave it to Ron at the funeral. I knew I would be able to feel my dad close if I could get to the funeral so we threw the kids in the car and took off for the weekend. The kids were very frustrating in the funeral. J.R. ended up staying with them in the nursery room the whole time and I stood in the back of a very very crowded chapel and listened. It was amazing! I felt the spirit so strong. It broke open some wounds that had been healing from my dad's death, but it felt good to feel again and remember how much I miss him. I'm so glad we went.

Before we went home I wanted to see the BEAN since I figured this would be our last time to Chicago while living in Indy. It was freezing!  The Bean was really cool in spite of Elliot whining the entire time because he was cold, then he had to pee, then he forgot he had to poop, then he was hungry and the twins were their usually crying "hate the stroller" selves. With lots of deep breaths and even more tuning my children out, I was able to enjoy the surroundings and take in the spirit of the weekend.

I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids.....

Baby Brother Tied The Knot

We are so excited for Derek and Whitley!! They tied the knot on December 29th. We were lucky enough to make it for the ceremony in the Logan Temple and join in on the AMAZING reception they had afterward. We love Whitley and couldn't be more thrilled for them!! 

Our traveling to get there for the wedding was not the most fun....Due to J.R.'s awesome job (sense the sarcasm) we were planning to fly to Utah Friday night and head back to Indy Sunday. Quickest trip ever, but completely worth it! Things turned for the worse when our flight was delayed. We ended up staying over in Denver and catching a flight which got us to the Temple with just 30 minutes to spare before the ceremony started. WHOOSH!! We ended up being in Utah for only 24 hours. It was terribly stressful and reminded my why I want to live closer. I am not a fan of flying for multiple reasons.

Regardless of the struggle and stress it took to get there we were over joyed by being a part of such a big part of their lives. We felt the spirit so strong in the temple and felt dad close the whole weekend. What a wonderful way to finish off the Christmas week!

There's is something about watching your baby brother get married that tugs hard at your heart strings. It's been emotional for me leading up to this day. I'm not ready to give up my baby brother to another woman. ;-) Luckily she is absolutely gorgeous and just perfect for him and fits wonderfully into our family!!

Congratulations Derek and Whitley! We love you so so much!