Annual Christmas pictures in front of the tree...

Today is Sunday and it has been a long day. The kids were so ready to get out of their church clothes when we got back from Baylee's piano recital but I made them take pictures in their Christmas dresses and Christmas tie even though they were not thrilled. Next year I need to do this before church when everyone is fresh and happy, not at 8:30 at night.

So YUMMY!

This was the only one we attempted with all 4, Trav walked out of the room, he could not handle it anymore. Bryn was crying, Jake was looking in every direction and Syd kept moving.

"The 3 dirls" as Syd would say.

Bryn was done and ready for bed.

Sitting on Santa's lap and church Christmas party

These pictures did not turn out that great but I still have to post them. This is Brynley's first Christmas and we have to get a picture of her sitting on Santa's lap. These pictures were taken at our church Christmas party and our friend, Cade, dressed up as Santa this year. The only one that knew it was Cade was Baylee. Jake had no clue and Sydney was freaked out like always.

Baylee's friend, Amanda, came to the party with us. This was the best Santa because he knew each one of our kids' names. He was awesome!

Jake asked for a skateboard.
Santa and Brynnie

At the party, the primary kids sang Christmas songs.
We are missing half the Primary but they still did a fabulous job!

Brynley loved the music, she sat there squealing and waving her arms.

Riding Rosie

For Thanksgiving this year we went to Richland, Washington to spend time with Travis' sister, Angie and her family. We love spending Thanksgiving with John, Angie and their five kids. Angie and I always have fun preparing Thanksgiving dinner together while the guys watch a lot of football. We love shopping on Black Friday, having a date night, and the kids love being with their cousins. While we were there we were able to meet Megan's new horse, Rosie. The kids were excited when Megan let each of them ride Rosie, she is a very sweet horse.

Bye Bye Diesel

We made a hard decision a month ago to find a new home for our dog, Diesel. We have had him for 3 years but with a 4th baby in the family, he was not getting the attention he needed and deserved. For those that know Diesel, you know he is a very needy dog. He was always under my feet, constantly tracking in mud and dirt, peeing acid and killing all of Travis' newly planted bushes in our backyard, and always acting uneasy because he was not receiving enough attention. Being a mom of 4 busy kids, I felt I was neglecting Diesel and it was just one more thing to take care of. No dog deserves that. After a lot of thought and prayer, we decided to find him a new home, a place where there was a huge yard he could run in, other dogs to play with and older kids to take care of him.


The day finally came for us to give him to his new family and it was heart wrenching. The kids cried and cried but understood it was best for Diesel and for our family. It broke my heart saying goodbye to him because he was my "constant companion". I loved running with him, he would run miles and miles and not complain. He knew how to turn on the bathtub in our master bath when he was thirsty, but he did not know how to turn it off, I would find it running often. He loved to howl, and sometimes it sounded like he would howl, "I love you"! He loved chasing balls, but did not want to give them back. He thought every ball was his to chew on, Jake lost many footballs and soccer balls to Diesel's sharp teeth.


Travis took Diesel and all of his "stuff" to his new home. There was another girl boxer there and plenty of room for Diesel to run around. The kids were happy to hear Diesel found a girlfriend and thought that he could get married and have puppies one day. Then Baylee pulled me aside and said, "Mom, remember Diesel had the surgery, he can't have puppies.". We miss Diesel and think of him often. We have many fond memories of him and hope he is happy with his new girlfriend.

Baby Brynley is 6 months!

We had ice cream and sang "Happy 6 month Birthday" to Bryn.

It is hard to believe our little Bryn is already 6 months. She sits up, plays with her toys, eats baby food, loves taking baths, lights up when someone recognizes walks in the room, and giggles at everything. We can not get enough of this sweet angel.

Halloween 2009

Funky Brynnie Girl

Carving Pumpkins

Jake's pumpkin had a "knife" in his head, Syd's had lipstick and Baylee's pumpkin was fancy with eyelashes.

Neighborhood Halloween Party

Our wonderful neighbors, the Christensens, always host a pre-trick or treating get together with homemade chili, rolls, treats, a bounce house and fun.

Brynley could not wait to drink her bottle.
Sydney as a bride.

Baylee was Alex Russo from Disneys' Wizards of Waverly Place also known as Selena Gomez.

Jake was a skeleton and loved it! Our neighbor, Connor, was also a skeleton.

Jake thought at night his skeleton costume would come to life while he was sleeping so he would hide parts of his costume all over the house under things so it would not get him. He has quite an imagination.

Bryn was a cute little Halloween pumpkin but did not want us to take her picture.

On our way to Trick or Treat!

Pretty in Pink Princess Party

Sydney turned 4 and had her first friend party with 15 of her closest friends. Sydney is very social and always has to play with her friends. We had the girls dress up in pink dresses or anything princess. We danced to princess music, Travis told them the story of the Princess and the Frog, we then pinned a "kiss" on the frog and ate pink cupcakes. They all had a wonderful time and I was wiped out after they all left.

Sydney Sue is 4!!!
Travis telling the girls the story of " The Princess and the Frog".

The pretty little princesses.

What we love about our Sydney...

*Loves her brother and sisters.

*Has a funny laugh.

*Always wants to wear lipstick and perfume.

*Picks out her own clothes and thinks she looks "butiful".

*Loves playing with anything girly: princesses, Barbies, Polly Pockets, babies, dress up, etc...

*Loves to make Brynley laugh.

*Always asks what day it is and when her birthday is again.

*Loves to draw and color.

*Is a smart little cookie when it comes to the computer. She is always asking to play on the "puter".

*Loves playing with all her friends.

*Still loves her blankie.

*Thinks her Dad is the best thing in the world.

We love you Sydney Sue!

Baylee Boo's Birthday

Baylee turned 9 on her birthday. It is hard to believe how fast she is growing up. This year we did not have a big party since Sydney's birthday is 3 days later. We have decided to have a big party for her every other year and on the off year she can pick any friend do something fun. Baylee's friend, Lily, came over for a date night with Baylee and her Dad. They had dinner, went to a movie and then Lily spent the night. They had a great time! Baylee actually had a birthday weekend starting with the special night with Lily, then on Saturday we took cupcakes to her soccer game, and then Baylee and I had a special night of shopping, shopping and shopping. She got a gift card from one set of Grandparents to Justice and then got cash from the other set. We had a lot of fun going from store to store and she loaded up with new clothes and shoes. Sunday was her actual birthday and Grandpa Risenmay was in town so I made her all of her favorite meals. We had German pancakes for breakfast and chicken from the crock pot, rice, rolls and broccoli for dinner. I also made cupcakes again for her to take to church to share with her class, Travis is her teacher. That night I had made another cake for us to share as a family. Baylee loves cake and cupcakes!

At breakfast with her German pancake.


Jake and Baylee wanted to put their faces in the cake, why not?

What we love about our Baylee...

*She is the best big sister.

*Very responsible, we can not wait until she is old enough to babysit.

*She is a great reader.

*Can run really fast.

*Is really improving on the piano, she is becoming quite a good little pianist.

*Has a great laugh.

*Has a great sense of fashion.

*She is not only my daughter but a great friend!

*Loves to watch shows on TLC. (What Not to Wear, Cake Boss, 18 Kids and Counting)

*A wonderful artist.

*Loves to be organized.

*Is a very loyal friend.

*Says wonderful prayers.

*Loves her family!

We love you Baylee Boo!

Sydney Sue

Sydney is our spunky, sassy and super sweet child. She loves to be the center of attention, she is very social, loves to sing and dance, loves to draw, paint or color, she thinks that every thing has to be her way or no way, and thinks her Daddy is the greatest person ever. I love this picture of her, it completely describes her in every way. I have loved having one on one time with her since the older kids are in school all day, she has become my little buddy. We do not know what our lives would be like without our Sydney Sue.

I love fall!

I love fall and every thing about it. I love the smell of a pumpkin spice candle burning in my house, hot chocolate, soccer games, football on TV, apple cider, pumpkin bread and especially the beautiful colors on the trees. We are so fortunate to live in a place where the streets are lined with amazing trees that turn incredible colors of red, orange and yellow. Every year I walk down to the main street in our subdivision and take pictures of the beautiful fall colors.

Baylee and our neighbor, Emma.

Jake and Syd love to pose.

They really do love each other.

Going to the Pumpkin Patch...

This week we went to a pumpkin patch with Syd's preschool.

Taylor, Jessica, Sydney, Chelsea, Addie and Kate

This was Bryn's first ride on a tractor.


She picked the biggest one and of course I got to carry it.

We love Baggenstos!