A Day at Build A Bear....

I decided to take Mackenzie to Build a Bear yesterday in order to hopefully fill up the sadness and emptiness she was feeling. We had to give our Black Lab Bailey to another family on Thursday. About 2 months ago, Bailey decided she wanted to be over with the neighbors toy poodle to play whenever possible. Poodles owners weren't to keen on these "play dates." She would run out everytime one of the boys would go out the door. I couldn't control her, so we had to find her a new home. Mackenzie was absolutely heartbroken. I had the idea to take her to Build a Bear so she could build a "Bailey" she could keep FOREVER. Of course the boys had to build something to, so I justified it as an early Birthday present for them. The photo above is Mackenzie making sure Bailey feels "just right."

Giving Bailey her first of many hugs....

Then she chose a heart for her Bailey....

Next Corey chose a little brown and white puppy which he named Carly. This is the 2nd time he has built a bear, but the first time he probably understood and got something out of it.....

Corey thought Carley felt just right...

He didn't quite understand the concept of catching a heart for Carley, so big sister helped him..

Then came Connor. I tried to encourage him to get an animal that was different than Corey's, but he was persistant. His puppy is also named Bailey...

Caleb, bless his heart, only wanted this tiny prestuffed bear. He has carried this little guy, which he has named Brendan, around all day today..

Then came time for bathing the puppies....

Everyone did a GREAT job. The puppies were smelling so fresh when we left!!!

Notice Connor looking up at the yellow spout. He is trying to figure out how it is working..

Then he has to touch the "air" blowing out. He is always so inquisitive. Always thinking.....

Here is the whole crew with their new "Best Friends."

I tried for a good shot one more time, and than realized this is about as good as it's going to get!!!!

Rub a Dub Dub Three Boys in a Tub!!!!

Who doesn't love a good bath tub picture? These were from 2 years ago. I can't believe it, my BABIES are alomost 4!!! Where did the time go? Don't they look so cute? The fun has not yet begun.....

Splish Splash we were taken a bath.....

Water, Water EVERYWHERE!!!!

Does that not look like so much fun? Connor is trying to lap up the water!!!

SNOW MUCH FUN!!!!

Mackenzie has the BEST kissy lips!!!!

Mark amazes me. There is NOTHING this kid can't do. He's very athletic like his dad.

Corey LOVED sledding this year!!!

Snow Princess

That's one BIG snowball Corey!! (I think he was getting ready to attack big brother!)

Caleb enjoyed eating the snow. Only once did I see him with yellow snow. JUST KIDDING!!!

My three Amigos. It's hard getting shots of all of them together. Usually they are in all different places when we are outside.

Caleb's first snowball he made all by HIMSELF!! He was so proud of himself. The snow was very packable this year!

I caught Connor licking the snow off the car window!! Well at least I knew it wasn't yellow!!

Now that the boys are getting older, they are really starting to enjoy the snow. Mark and Mackenzie would stay out a large part of the day sledding with all of the neighbor children. The triplets were out one time a day. Just getting them dressed in layers was a chore. By the time I would get the last one dressed and out the door, the first one would be ready to come in!!! Anyway it was a good day and memories were made. Now, I'm ready for Spring!

Answer to Who's Da Baby???

We'll everyone who guessed was right. That precious little one was my Connor Boy all dolled up!!! This was right before I got his first haircut. He had natural curls in the back and I couldn't bear cutting his hair. One night we decided to put him in pigtails, because we always have thought that as an infant he looked so much like Mackenzie. Of course now Caleb and her look the most alike. Too cute and thanks for playing the game!!! New post tomorrow. Good Night!!!

Commenting on the posts.....

If you have been trying to comment on any of the posts but have been unsuccessful, try again, I have changed some of the settings. I'm still waiting for guesses on WHO'S DA BABY?!?!?!?! Miss Patty I know your guess. I'll give it a couple more days then I'll let you know if your right!!!!

Powder Valley Nature Center January 2009

We were blessed with such a beautiful day in late January. If I remember correctly, I think it reached 70 degrees. Everyone had cabin fever, so we spent the day at Powder Valley Nature Center. It was really fun and being as everyone in our family loves to hike on trails, this was the perfect choice to spend our day. I of course was not thinking about the trails being wet from all of the melting snow. Our day turned into quite an adventure.....

Mark Jr.

Mackenzie Grace

Corey James

I love this photo of Connor. Every now and then his silly side emerges!!

Caleb Michael

Notice how a nice walk with daddy quickly turns into a disaster? The sunshine was melting all the snow, which made for slippery paths. Everyone but mom and Markie fell.(Yes even dad fell!) Corey is smart, he is holding on to dad for leverage. Connor, not so lucky here was his famous spill. Markie is coming back to help little brother while Caleb is heading straight out of the photo, and then SPLAT down goes Caleb and we have....

PANTS WET!! Notice in the photo how wet his bottom got from the fall. This is absolutely 100% frustrating for Caleb.... SOOOOOOO...

PANTS DOWN!!! Caleb has sensory issues and does not do well with anything wet touching his skin. He tried desperately to get the wetness away from his body! And finally......

PANTS ARE OFFICIALLY OFF!! People looked at me like I was crazy, but if you truly know Caleb A.K.A. No pants boy, you would know that (1) He can't stand anything on him being wet and (2) There is no arguing with this boy, he is absolutely set on getting his own way. I have decided to pick my battles with this one!

Who's Da Baby???

I've been having fun going through old pictures. I thought it was time for a good game! One day we were playing dress up. ( Still trying to accept the fact that we were not going to get a girl out of this trio. ) So, some days we had to fullfill that empty desire by playing dress-up with our delightful boys God gave us. You get to guess who this might be. And yes, I know he will absolutely KILL me one day, but I have to keep some excitement admist all of this chaos! So, please comment and I'll tell you in a few days who got it right!!!

Mark my first born son...

This was my Favorite shot of him in the snow. He doesn't allow me to photograph him very much anymore, so I'm grateful when he gives me the opportunity!

I thought this shot was really cool. I caught him throwing a snowball. It looks like he's holding it on the tip of his fingers!!

Mark is real good about teaching the boys "BOY" stuff. Here he is attempting to teach Connor how to snowboard.

Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE Aunt!!!!

This photo was taken of me and Aunt Sherry when I was just 5 years old. I was so excited to come across this at my parents house this past weekend!! - What perfect timing since Aunt Sherry's Birthday is today! I wanted to dedicate a post especially to her, because she has been such a positive influence on me. This lady is a prime example of what it means to self-sacrifice. She has truly given of herself to others time and time again. She never seemed to mind it either, or if she did, you would never have known. She has raised her 3 children and has helped raise her 2 grandsons. She is a woman that will always find the best in a person, and rarely do you hear her say anything negative about someone. She is a woman with great patience, and a gentle touch. She has a pure heart and kind eyes. She has always had a way to make me feel special. I have loved her in a way I have never loved any other Aunt. The bond we share is unexplainable, but I am so forever grateful that I have her in my life!!!!

My Princess

Sweet Mackenzie, enjoying time in the beautiful snow. She spent nearly the whole day outside!!

Watch out mom, I'm armed and ready!!!

The first big snow of the Season. I didn't get many photos of her, but the few I got I was pleased with. This one was my favorite!

Bikes and Boys!!!!!!!

Connor does fantastic riding on the trails all around the park!!

Caleb being the wild man that he is has been riding a bike since last Summer!

Corey is still in the process of learning how to pedal. It's hard for him to keep up with brothers.

Corey and Caleb getting ready to "race" down the ramp!!

Connor January 2009

Connor didn't make it in my last post, so I wanted to add him to this one. This was taken on a fairly warm day in January. I took the boys to the park to ride their new bikes for Christmas.