Snapped this photo of Carson jumping off the wall in Nana's front yard. I guess he does this over and over all the time. Surprisingly, though, he has yet to hurt himself in doing so!

Disneyland!

Let me just say that there is no other time of the year to visit Disneyland than at Christmastime! I just got back from a four-day trip to the happiest place on Earth. Despite each of the 7 of us getting a 24-hr (violent) flu bug, we had a wonderful trip! (We all got sick at different times, so we always had two adults with the kids at the parks.) It is truly a magical place for kids of all ages. Being at Disneyland, with wonderful friends and the magic of Christmas all around, well, heaven for this 34 year-old kid!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. With Cheryl and Kyle gone for the day, Nana and I ventured out with the three boys to the mall in hopes of meeting Santa. Guess what? We did! The boys loved it and were just so darn cute sitting on his knee. Truly a special memory for this aunt.

Some may say it's a little early for Christmas decorations, but we had fun putting up the tree and lights on Thanksgiving Day. Marshall was especially helpful putting the lights on the tree. And Carson, well, his special talent was popping the bubble wrapping. Here are the boys practicing their best Christmas smiles.

Carson and the pups!

Carson is in Idaho visiting his grandparents. He is in heaven, playing with all the farm animals...especially the horses and the new puppies!

Andrew's Elk!

Andrew went on his first real hunting trip this week. He got an elk! Way to go buddy! I can't believe how fast he's growing up!

Trick-or-Treat

I was lucky enough to join The Freeland Boys on their trick-or-treating adventure last night. Despite a few rain drops, fun was had by all. I couldn't resist carrying Baby Logan the Monkey around. He fell asleep in my arms. Heaven.
The best phrase of the night came from two year-old Joey. He told a lady who opened the door to "lock your door" as they left. Classic. Happy Haunting!

Marshall and Carson, pictured here, are dressed up and ready for the church carnival. Marshby is a dog and Carson is a lion. How I wish I was there with them to experience the joy...

This is Anna. I jokingly told her today I was going to post a picture of her and she laughed saying no, I would not. Well, I win, Anna!
Actually, i just wanted to take a moment to tell her what a wonderful, beautiful young lady she is. I met Anna (and her family) just a few short years ago. Since then, Anna has shown me over and over just how sweet and kind she is. I am truly blessed to know Anna and her family. The world needs more people like this special, talented and smart young lady.

Went to the zoo yesterday with Julia and her family. She took this picture of me with boys. I was holding Joey up so that he could see the animal sounds display that his brothers were playing with. I usually hate pictures with me in them, but when I saw this one, I saw that my expression clearly showed me in my "happy place".

So I called Caren last night, just to visit. She put Mitchell on the phone to tell me "the good news". Mitchell's getting glasses! He'll be able to see the board better in school. He's afraid he's going to be a "nerd", but I did my best to assure him that super smart people wear glasses...like his mom and dad. "Well, that's true", he replied.

Watch out world, Rich Mitch is just getting started!

Here's Charlie! He is seven months old, has two little teeth and has mastered the "army crawl". Precious, huh?

Keeper of the horses...

At the pumpkin patch, Marshall found this horse in the field nearby.
I'm not sure who enjoyed their visit together more, Marshall or the horse.
Marshall's name, after all, means keeper of the horses ...
(my horseshoe tattoo is in honor of him).

Nana & Her Boys

The boys adore their Nana. And with good reason. She is like a second mother to them. Charlie spins his head looking for her whenever he hears her voice. This picture was taken this morning before our outing to the pumpkin patch.

The Red Barn

In Utah spending the weekend with my sister and family (yes, AGAIN). Today, we went to The Red Barn, which is a little apple field/pumpkin patch. We had apple donuts and cider (is this a trend?!), took a hay ride and toured around the pumpkin patch. I snapped a ton of photos (I even took some of a family on the wagon with us...they were probably wondering who this crazy woman was!) ... the boys had a great time and I was in my happy place, celebrating fall with my family.

Carson

This is one of my favorite photos. I snapped this one of Carson a couple months back. Don't you just love his expression? So serious for such a young man...he's only 2! I just love him to pieces!

Apple Hill

To quote a very wise seven year old young man, "What's better than this? Apple Hill, it's on a hill, there are apples, apple cider, apple donuts, you can pick apples, there are pumpkins, hot dogs from the barbecue, a go cart, a hay maze, pony rides..." His simple answer to his own question, "Nothing!" Throw in a wonderful family, good friends, a beautiful fall day, and well, you are correct, Conor. Not much beats it!

Sunday, I went to Apple Hill with one of best friends, Julia, and her family (husband Jeff and their four boys - Tommy, Conor, Joey, Logan). We had a great time! We visited a couple of the big farms where the crowds out in full force. We waited 40 minutes for apple donuts (but they were pretty darn good, I must admit.) We then found a new farm, Pine-o-Mine. This is the first year it was open but let me just throw out some advertising for them. The kids got to pick apples from the trees, ride on a go-cart, the barbecue was top quality, the people were over-the-top, yet genuinely, very kind and helpful. It was a great place to soak in apple hill without the annoying crowds. (I, of course, was in heaven simply because I could snap all the photos I wanted!)

There is something joyous about fall and Apple Hill. Maybe it's the reminder that it really is the simple things in life that are the best...a throw-back to a simpler time...a hint in the brisk breeze that the holidays are quickly approaching...the excitement of it all. To me, spending a day in the mountains with people I consider family, watching the boys experience it all, well, I'm just reminded to count my blessings.

True Hero

Ever think about what makes someone a hero? I think we all might set different criteria for a true hero, but I think the basics are universal: honesty, dedication, sincerity, selflessness, charity of heart and service to others. A good friend (actually, more like an extended family member) is currently in Florida for 18 months. She's serving a mission for the LDS church. Whitney has been a blessing in my life and that of my family's. She helped my sister so much when they lived in Arizona. She loved Marshall, Carson and Charlie I think as much as I do. She was Marshall's first "girlfriend", in all the most innocent of ways. She, and her family, were always serving others and continue to do so. They are role models of service and charity. Today, I just wanted to say thank you to Whitney and her incredible family. They are, to me anyhow, true heroes. (Marshall would agree...Guy has always been his hero!)

His Legacy...

Stop laughing! Yes, that's me, age 12 or so, and in, of all things, a dress!
But when you're done laughing, take a look at the guy next to me. He's a teacher from my youth. He taught me everything I know about sports and competition. He was my role model, a truly kind, wonderful and caring man. I got to see him this weekend after 20 years. I'm grateful to him for all he taught and was to me and for the legacy he is. Thanks, Tom.

Friends are the Family...

Ever hear the saying, "Friends are the family you choose for yourself"? Well, it is totally true. While I've been blessed with the best family ever, I have been additionally blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends who have become my extended family. Therefore, I have several "honorary" nieces and nephews whom I love dearly.
(This cute little boy here, Joey, is the son of one of my best friends, Julia. He calls me "my Cheri". I love that boy ... and his brothers, Logan, Conor & Tommy, too. Watch out Disneyland, here we come!)

Marshall goes to the pumpkin patch!

Cheryl just sent me this picture of Marshall at the pumpkin patch. His preschool is there today for a field trip. I MADE Cheryl take her camera (well, the camera phone at least). Wish I was there with you, Marshby!

My Princess

Avery Cait is my princess. She's seven going on 21. Some of her favorite things include: anything pink, ribbons & bows, Hannah Montana, HSM (for those NOT paying attention during the past few years, that's High School Musical), her family, animals, etc. She is a pure joy and I am so blessed to be her aunt.

Sharing

Bronwyn (3) and Callum (5) with me at Avery's soccer game over the weekend...they were fighting over who got to sit on my lap. After a wee debate, we agreed that I had two legs, therefore allowing each kid a knee to sit on.That's what I call sharing!

Mitchell

Mitchell is ten, in the fifth grade and such a sweet young man. He is smart, witty, sweet and creative. He loves to cuddle with me and, well, how can I resist?!

PS: Mitchell, you could never love me more than I love you! (He knows what this means.)

Montana Sept 08

Spent this past weekend in Montana with my Caren and her family. The kids, as seen here, are growing up way too quickly! I am blessed to be able to spend time with them so often and just wish it was more.

After an hour and 200 photos later, we were able to get a decent family picture for them to use this Christmas. This picture, though, is just one of the many attempts to get a decent picture of the kids. I think Bronwyn's expression says it all!

Marshall's Four!

Happy Birthday, Marshall! Yes, my little sister's oldest son turns four years old today. Wow, do I feel old!

It seems like just yesterday I got the call that he had been born, a healthy but tiny little 6lb guy. How great a blessing he has been in my life. I love that boy (no more or less than any of the other kids) but my heart is full of joy today knowing that Marshall is happy, healthy and MY nephew.

Love you to pieces, little man!

Birthday Bliss

Went to visit my family in Utah this past weekend and had a fantastic time. My sister made me a birthday cake, we had pizza for dinner and I had a date Saturday with my nephew, Marshall. We went to the bookstore, listened to story time, bought some candy, had an ice cream cone and then went to the arcade. We then snuggled and watched a video that night before bed time.

Time with my mom, sister and brother-in-law, and my nephews...well, birthday bliss for this girl.

(pictures above: Charlie (happy 7 month birthday!) with Nana; Carson and me snuggling; boys in the wagon; my sister, Cheryl

I Have A Date!

Friday night I have a date! And I quote him here, "I will put you in my wagon and take you on a date for ice cream. I am strong, I will pull you."

Can't wait Marshall!

Yes Avery, I'll Take the Boys

So my big sister, Caren, is reading to me from her journal about some of the funny things the kids have said lately. This one is classic.

Avery (7) saying to her mom regarding big brothers Andrew (12) and Mitchell (10): "Put them on a plane to Cheri. She likes them. She'll take them."

Reality Check

Sometimes you just need a good laugh. A reminder of what's important, a reality check, if you will. When I start to get sad or feel unimportant, I look at this picture of Carson snuggling with me. It's as simple as that. It really is...

I Got Inked

Yes, I have a tattoo. (Seven actually, for those who are keeping count.) My first and favorite, is the one I have on my left arm that reads CCCABAMM Legacy of Love. A lady sitting next to me on a recent flight asked me if still loved this guy (referring to my tattoo). While I thought to myself, who the hell would name their kid CCCABAMM, I explained to her that it referred to all my nieces and nephews. She thought that was sweet. And so did my mom, after the inital 24 hours of denial that her daughter actually got a tattoo.

My other tats include:
• A Scottish flag and thistle (honoring my Mother and her heritage) on my shoulder;
• A custom designed 7-7 box with Love Never Fails (honoring the 10 year anniversary of when my Grandma died);
• An ankle bracelet that says Charity of Heart on one side and Grace in All Things on the other;
• A horseshoe and dove on my lower back (Marshall's name means "keeper of the horses" and Callum's name means "dove");
• A Celtic sisterhood knot and the words "near or apart, always in the heart" on my wrist honoring my two sisters who I love more than words could really say;
• And most recently a tiny, thin bracelet with the words "etre ici" (French for "be here") on my wrist...that one is a reminder to me, that even during incredible stress, focus on the moment and cherish the time you are given.

While I know the kids will never, ever get tattoos, I kindly remind them that I was 30 years old before I got my first tattoo. And, if they even consider getting one before then, they'll be in serious trouble! :)

The Kids

A scratch piece of paper and too much time on my hands one day a few years back led me to CCCABAMM...my shortcut to all the kids' names: Charlie, Carson, Callum, Andrew, Bronwyn, Avery, Mitchell, Marshall. (Granted, at the time Charlie wasn't even a thought. But when Cheryl told me she was pregnant, I quickly reminded her that boy or girl, the name had to start with a C or M. Nice of me, huh? Like it was my kid or something. Well, she and Kyle obliged and sweet Charlie joined the family.)

Out of the Dark Ages...

My little sister beat me to the punch...her blog is up and running...pictures and all. Guess it was time for me to get with the times.
Those who know me understand one simple thing about me. I am an aunt. That is my joy in life and after you meet CCCABAMM, you'll understand why.
Warning: I am "that" person...the one who gushes over the kids, talks too much about them, and can't get enough of them. I will, however, add some other stuff to the blog as time goes on, but don't say you haven't been warned. It'll mostly be about the kids.