the Baldwins of 'dino land': 2013

11.15.2013

Fall

Taking a nap in the leaves made for a very itchy girl 15 minutes later

Kai didnt care that I said he was too little for the bike.

He's quite the little farmer

Isn't it amazing! He's already big enough to wear dad's shorts!

Another tooth gone and 2 more loose

Friends and leaves makes the perfect afternoon

11.01.2013

Halloween

Baby pumpkin Kai

Quinten wanted to be a farmer and he decided a cowboy is close enough

Ryanna the vampire girl

Started raining so we just went around the block

Kids always love the rec center parade and carnival

10.01.2013

9.22.2013

Primary program today

Ryanna's part: I can serve others by taking care of my baby brother. (Delivered with pose and confidence)

Quinten's part: I can follow the prophet by giving hugs and being kind. ( with intermittent giggling and a huge smile)

Afterwards all the primary kids were given fun plastic straws

9.18.2013

From the kitchen of Ryanna

I find these so cute and hilarious. Maybe she'll open a cheap American Cuisine restaurant some day. First grade is good training ground. :)

9.13.2013

One of the first neighborly visits we had when we moved into our house was from a wonderful family who brought magical cookies that are still talked about in this house. Over the last year they proved to be great neighbors and friends, especially to our kids. They are moving to Heber tomorrow so we just had to have the kids over to play, hopefully so some packing could happen back at their house.

Logan and Q couldn't take their eyes off the tv for a picture.

Ryanna and Olivia swinging sooooo high.

Zane needing a drink.

Kai happy to help.

Why play with dolls when you can play with real babies? They had some kind of adoption game going on because I heard a lot about buying and selling babies. Kai and Zane were obviously used to it. They were emotionless as they were hauled around being bought and sold. The best part was once their sisters put them down to do something else they both sighed, looked at each other and started jabbering to each other. "All in a days work as a baby brother." :)

9.11.2013

Catching Us

These family pictures are all about seeing the big picture. Brian first mentioned doing pictures to Ryanna in July while the kids and I were at my parents. We came home and Brian took us shopping for western shirts.....I just went with it(and of course it was adorable:). He spent hours over the next few days fixing up the backyard and dreaming up ideas for backgrounds and family poses. My one contribution to the pictures was calling a friend to see when she could take them and then just showing up. They turned out beautifully, full of smiles and bright colors and that is our big picture God reminds me of daily. The joy of being a family. The blessing of being each others. Together in a simple world our children trust in. A mission to give my whole heart to.

We have struggled, especially so the last year but we have not crumbled. God has caught us over and over again. God has opened doors, provided comfort and encouraged small steps, good choices and kind moments. We are somewhere in the middle of our journey as a family and there is one thing I am certain of: God is aware of us together and as individuals. He sees our hearts, knows our needs and provides in His way. And so for this moment, for me today, my heart is full of gratitude that Brian is my partner and husband. To know that tonight my baby will experience joy as his dad walks through the door, a moment I cannot provide and instead I get to simply watch and observe the protector, friend and father Brian is to my three babies. I'm so grateful to him:planning these family pictures, providing for our simple world, battling to be a better man and offering a promise that we will keep trying...together. When I see him I see a man for the eternities, that I am blessed to have by my side.