Nothing's gonna change my world

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITNEY

2011-11-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OUT THERE!!

Thanks to Whit, 4 little kids have the GREATEST MOM they could ever ask for.

Whit always seems to bring out the fun side in all of us.

NOT SURE WHAT WHIT WOULD DO WITHOUT THE HAMMERS.

NOT SURE HOW SHE PULLS OFF THE BALANCING ACT OF DEDICATING SO MUCH TIME TO HER FAMILY BUT STILL FINDING THE TIME TO TRAIN FOR THE CRAZY EVENTS SHE DOES, BUT SHE DOES IT SO NATURALLY WITHOUT SKIPPING A BEAT.

THANK YOU WHIT FOR BEING THE SPECIAL PERSON YOU ARE. YOU BRING SO MUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS INTO OUR LIVES, NOT SURE HOW WE WOULD EVER SURVIVE WITHOUT YOU.

HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU DESERVE IT AND SO MUCH MORE.

2011-08-02T04:58:00.001-07:00

Our LALA BEAN!

6 years old today!

...Happy Happy Birthday...

First day of life.

6 little pounds and our love is so big for this little, tiny baby!

Always making a goofy face and making

everyone smile!

Clara has the most beautiful BLUE eyes that

just capture you!

Loving every minute of this girl!

Petite, huge smile and full of kindness!

Our little red headed, blue eyed beauty!

Clara loves ballet. This is her costume last year.

Our little clown.

She definitely has a crazy/fun side!

Thank you for being

.an amazing sister and daughter

.the best helper in the house

.a beautiful example of LOVE

.the world's best snuggler

.our little thumbsucker!

.and the cutest, most special 6 year old in our life!!!

The Amazing Whit

2011-07-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what it is about Whit, but there is something about this special girl that just makes you want to be a better, and happier person. Maybe it is the fact that this girl never is in a bad mood (at least not that I can ever tell), or the fact that she is ALWAYS smiling. Whatever it is, I am one lucky guy that I get to be around her everyday.

Even when she is at the top of the largest building, and scared out of her mind, she is smiling.

Not sure how many people can run 26 miles and have .2 left but still be that happy, of course leave it up to Whit to do it. (Maybe it's the fact that she was running with her "Colcum" Colter)

If anyone knows Whit, she loves being with her family more than anything. When most people want to relax on a nice Sunday afternoon, she looks forward to seeing her entire family on Hammer Sunday's.

She sure loves her brothers!

She takes every opportunity to support her fam, even if that means catching a last minute flight to cheer her brother on in his first Ironman.

It is scary when Whit and her sister buy the exact same clothes, no joke.

Did I mention how much she loves her brothers?

Don't think for one second that she doesn't love her sisters just as much. Here is Whit and Kristen at the Salem Triathlon (Kristen's 1st one).

Whit as always loves to be around all her siblings.

Whit also loves to hang out with her good friends and loves every second of it.

I am surprised Whit and her friends even did their Irongirl Triathlon in Vegas, as much fun as they have down in Sin City.

Girls will be Girls.

Whit as a MOM

Not to out do Whit's love for her own family The Hammers, the one thing that makes Whit the happiest is being a MOM. It is safe to say that being a MOM was Whit's calling in life. I will never understand how she makes it look so easy, but she does, and loves every minute of it.

The kids love being goofy with MOM.

Whit is like a magnet, as soon as she gets in the pool the kids are all over her.

Whit will takes kisses from the kids anytime and anywhere they are giving them out.

Don't put it past Whit to throw a few kids around the pool every so often.

I will give you three guesses but I am sure you will only need one to figure out when we had a backyard camp out which tent the kids wanted to sleep in....... MOM or dad?

Many of you may think that our kids get their outgoing/goofy side from their obnoxious dad, but in reality MOM has some good material to draw from.

Oh my gosh what's this........Whit supporting her family once again, go figure. She is about the proudest MOM you will come across.

Even if she has to spend two nights sharing a hospital bed with Ethan while he was at Primary Children's to make certain he knows his MOM is there to protect him against the "vampire like doctors who suck his blood".

Whit at her best, right beside her kiddos when they need her the most.

Thank you Whitney for being you. Thank you for being the Mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter and friend that you are, and for bringing so much happiness into all our lives. We truly love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

Dad is great....

He feeds us the chocolate cake!

Enough said...

the kids first toilet papering experience!

swimming time with DAD!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Craig!

You are the World's most exciting and fun loving dad.

Our children will be forever grateful to

have YOU as a dad!!!

Happy birthday Beefs!

2011-06-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Four years.... really?

From a 7 lb. 4 oz. baby

To a 20+ lb. 6 month old..

To a handsome four year old boy

A four year old boy

who melts my heart every day!

Happy Birthday to the greatest

Four year old Ethan in the world!!!

10 years old!!!

2011-06-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

My how time flies!

Josh's first birthday party above to....

his 10th below!!!

More and more handsome each day!

Happy Birthday to the most

fun loving

energetic

big hearted

10 year old I know....

Joshua Stephen Hall

We love you Josh!

Lauryn is 7!!

2011-04-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LAURYN

7 YEARS OLD!

from this sweet baby

to this beautiful seven year old...

How did time fly by so fast?

We love Lauryn so much!

from her contagious laugh to her never ending unselfish side,

to her sporty side and her artsy side,

from her beautiful golden blonde hair to her lovable blue/green eyes...

Nothing compares to a daughter that you love with all

of your heart!

Can't wait for many more years of

fun, lovable memories!!!

Happy #34 Craig!

2011-04-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Craiger

Happy Birthday to you!!

April 19th, 1977 was a beautiful day!

So glad that you were born 34 years ago!

I get to spend so much quality time with the man of my dreams!

and.... with you.... we made these four beautiful people!

Love your goofy side!

and I especially love your LOVE for food!

Thank you for being you!

Love you Craiger..

Here's to another eventful and fun year!

Happy Birthday Brammy!

2011-03-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Happy 29th birthday to

my beautiful Mom!

How is it that she doesn't age at all?

To the most wonderful mother in the world.

You taught me how to be the mom and person I am today!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Video of the girls re-enacting Brammy's

"funny noise she makes"

They love her soooo much!

Thank you for being an amazing example to my children too!

Lost Tooth!!

2011-03-07T15:42:00.000-08:00

Oh man, what a day!

Clara had some teeth growing in

but... her baby teeth were NOT loose at all...

To the dentist we went!!

Here she is, two less teeth

with a big old grin!

She is so excited for the

Tooth Fairy to come!

Just like Dad!

2011-02-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

I remember wearing my Dad's bike

jerseys to bed.

This is what Ethan has decided

to wear!

"Look Mom.... I like Dad!"

Great at posing for the camera

Man, he is cute!

Turning out like his DAD would

be a dream come true!

first race of the year!

2011-02-19T15:01:00.000-08:00

Some might think I am a bit crazy

to drive to St. George on

a Friday night....

run a race on Saturday morning....

and drive home right after!

But.....

Not if you do it with your SISTER!

Chelle and Whit

trying to make the "cool" teenager face.

We did not succeed but

OH MY GOSH

We laughed soooo hard!

10 miles done!

Chelle took first in her division.....

What a fun weekend!

Ronnie!

2011-02-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Happy Birthday

to my DAD!

To the kindest person I know!

Keep on being you!

Made MY day!

2011-02-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

Amazing how such a small gesture can

go SO far!

So proud to say that I am Lauryn's mom!

She is amazingly thoughtful!

Wild Berry Smoothie!

2011-02-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

My kids LOVE McDonald's

My kids LOVE Happy Meals

but, they are NOW IN LOVE WITH

Wild Berry Smoothies at

McDonald's!

(which I am happy about because, c'mon.... that is WAY better than fries, right?)

This picture is really blurry but it does document

just how much Lauryn loves her smoothies!

For some reason... this one exploded in her face, or maybe that is just Lauryn's style!

So.... thank you McDonald's for coming up with a"healthier" alternative to your regular fast food!

quack!

2011-02-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Do you ever just want to

"go back" in time

and be a kid again?

Well, today is one of those days!

Exhibit 1

A happy boy making the best of the cold

Exhibit 2

Turning his mittens in to talking ducks!

I put on Ethan's winter clothes and right as I put on his gloves,

I hear a "quack, quack, quack, giggle, quack"

I looked back to see his little red mittens talking to eachother!

Man.... to be a kid!

and... seriously, could he BE any cuter?

Airborne!!!

2011-01-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Trampolines, trampolines and more trampolines!!!

We went to a place called

Airborne

and.... it was AWESOME

Josh playing a mad game of tag with some of the older boys!

Mia just enjoying the tramp

Ethan LOVED the foam pit!

He would pile them all up and them knock them over!

Clara scaling the walls!

She would climb to the top and slide down!

Lauryn doing ALOT of tricks!

Not our finest moments in picture taking but I

had to document!

Whit and Emily just chillin!

If you are ever bored one day....

Go to Airborne, it will NOT disappoint.

New Friends!

2011-01-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

Nothing wrong with a boy and a girl being friends...

Especially when these two have sooo much fun together!

Friends from the start!

Birkley posing for Josh

Josh posing for Birkley

Now... if they decide to get married in the future...

it's ok, she's a UTE fan!!!

Banana Splits!

2011-01-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

The kids were begging for

banana splits so.....

Two flavors of ice cream,

bananas,

cherries and

whip cream!

this was their first time having them and

they were ecstatic!

It's making me salivate just thinking about them!

MIley Roo

2011-01-16T14:08:00.000-08:00

I've always said that I will

NEVER get a small dog

but.....

I will always dog sit for my sister, Chelle

so that I can pretend she is mine for a little bit!

and, if Clara had her way.... Miley would not be

home right now!

She'd be right where she is in this picture!

I laid her on my lap and she started making this funny face.

I couldn't capture it perfectly but

this is close!

Chelle, if you are reading this....

go on vacation again, we would LOVE it!

Tea time?

2011-01-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

Tea time anyone???

I walked in to this....

If you look close, each cup is filled to the brim

with apple juice or gatorade.

His imagination never ceases to amaze!

Poker Night

2011-01-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Spending time with the Newton's and DeGraw's

playing poker and eating WAY too much

good food!

Whit and Kristen

(seesters)

Steve and Matt

(really GOOD buds!)

DeAnne and Craig

(always having fun!)

Trying to make the Beef's embarrassed face!

He wanted "in" on the poker action!

Really though, he just wanted something to eat!

Can't wait for another fun night!!!

(oh, and hot tubbing was very memorable!!)

It's all about the FACE!

2010-12-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

Not getting your way???

Well, just follow Clara's lead and

put on this face....

This 5 year old knows how to work it...

The question is... did we give in?

You will NEVER know!

The Boot

2010-12-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what happens after running a marathon

and doing an IRONMAN???

For Craig.... two stress fractures on the top of his foot.

Well, that WILL MAKE YOU REST!

Happy 11 Anniversary

2010-12-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Do you ever look at a picture and think....

Man, I look young!

Well, here it is...

11 years ago today!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CRAIG!

Eleven years of

pure enjoyment with you!

Laughing, being goofy, having a blast with the kids,

going to the Nutcracker, chillin on the couch eating Chili's chips & diet coke,

sitting back and watching you play monster with the kids,

laughing some more and

really feeling so LUCKY to have you

as my husband!

I love you!

Can't wait for many more FUN years to come!!!

Happy #11

2010-12-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

Cabin

Twister

Warm Fire

Season 1 & 2 of How I met your Mother

NO kids

Great food at Sundance

= perfect anniversary getaway with

my man!

Happy #11 Anniversary babe!

Thanks for being exactly who I need all the time!

Our Awesome Scout

2010-12-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

There will be many more

pics to come in this department...

Congrats to Josh for being so

in to this program so that MOM

and DAD don't have to be.... :)

The Nutcracker 2010

2010-12-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Craig and the girls were able to

go to a performance of the

NUTCRACKER!

Because Lauryn and Clara go to

Clytie Adams ballet,

Craig thought it would be a

fun tradition to take them

to the ballet!

Ready to go!

We've been playing the music and gearing them up!

They had such a great time...

Can't wait to make this an annual tradition!

(I didn't get pics, but Mom and the boys got

to go out to eat and play at Toys R Us until all hours of the night!)

Lights at Temple Square

2010-12-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

It's just one of those things that you

DO when Christmas time is here!

The lights at Temple Square

This year we decided to spice things up

and go with an awesome family

The Robbins

(Mark went to HS with me)

The added twist was going to

GATEWAY

for hot chocolate and fountains!!!

These kids know how to have fun!

There always has to be a crazy pic, right?

this tree behind us had more lights than

the entire Temple Square

(note to self... go to Gateway instead)

Don't get me wrong, the temple grounds were amazing

but...... (there is always a but)

I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY

PEOPLE WERE THERE.

I was afraid my kids were going to get lost

in the massive amounts of YM/YW groups there.

Bummer.

and, if you go to a post about Clara's famous pouty face,

you will see how she got this bear.

Mark sure got sucked in to Clara's

evil pouty face lair!

She fell in love with Mark after that!

The kids all got along GREAT and

the parents had a ton of fun laughing!

All in all, a great night!!!

Santa Lucia

2010-12-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

Every year, we go to a Swedish celebration called

Santa Lucia...

The kids have a great time learning

about Swedish tradition and especially

meeting Tomte (the Swedish Santa Claus)

Part of the celebration

and afterwards.....

we get to feast on Swedish meatballs, and a variety of other

great food!

Apparently, Dr. Bob (Bubba) LOVED the

cream puffs a little too much!

Until next year!

GO UTES

2010-12-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Utah vs. BYU game was close, really close

But the end result was that

WE WON

GO UTES!!!

(and.. yes, I made ornaments for a white elephant party in which the BYU fans had to put these on their tree for the holiday season!)

Christmas fun!

2010-12-04T06:04:00.000-08:00

When there is a place that offers a

"sleigh" ride, a visit from Santa, hot chocolate, face painting

and REAL live reindeer..... you go!

on the Hay/Sleigh ride

Photo op with Santa

Relaxing with our hot cocoa and cookies!

Face painted.... check!

Uh... ya! That's a reindeer!

Rudolph nose... check!

Ethan in the process of his face painting masterpiece!

So... thanks to the TRI CITY NURSERY for making this all happen!

Silent Slumber

2010-12-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

We should ALL be able to sleep

this soundly!

Ethan... 3 1/2 years old...

IMAZ 2010

2010-12-02T15:11:00.001-08:00

Craig Hall..... You are an IRONMAN!!!

Tempe Arizona.... 7:00 a.m.

the cannon shot sounds off

All you can hear is cheering

and swimming.....

Craig is in there somewhere!

#484 out of the swim in

1:13:28

The transition area

There were 2700 participating in this event!

Transition time went smoothly

Craig even had enough time to

steal a smooch before he mounted

the bike....

These pictures are all so serious of him

but....

He sang to us, stopped and talked to us,

was smiling every time he rode by.

The course was a three loop ride.

We got to see him six times!

#484 done with his 112 mile bike ride in

6:23:13

After the bike, Craig stole another smooch

and said some really

funny things that I will keep to myself!

After 26.2 miles (a marathon)

he finished in 4:27:47

The crowds were amazing and

so supportive.

We waited in the stands for two hours

to get the coveted "front row" spot!

So much anticipation and "not knowing"...

Man, I tell you what!

It is hard to be a spectator! ha...

Nothing better than seeing Craig, #484

running to the finish line

arms up to get the crowd going!

He pointed to the heart that I drew

on his arm. He is MY man!

After hearing "...... you are an ironman"

It was so amazing to hear

Craig Hall.... YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

Music to my ears!

Finish time....12:19:58

Are you supposed to be this energetic

after racing twelve hours???

Well, Craig was!

Smile of VICTORY!

So proud of Craiger and all of the

hard work that was put in to train and prepare

for this event!

Big thanks to Pappa and Colter for flying

out and cheering Craig on the entire race!

Also... the cute Ashby family for

coming to support!

What an event, what a day, what memories!

Until next time.....

because it WILL happen again!

2010 Family Pics!!

2010-11-17T21:53:00.001-08:00

The amazing Hall kids!

Stunning...

Lauryn 6 years old

Ethan 3 years old

Stud...

BROTHERS!

She was definitely a natural with the camera!

Clara 5 years old

Handsome....

Joshua 9 years old

SISTERS!

Whit and Craig

Our family

2010

I'm in love.... you?

Taoi Cruz.....Dynamite!

2010-11-05T09:55:00.001-07:00

Ya, you can thank me later!

Best song, right now!!!

Great beat, kids love it and....

you can't help but dance

really!!!

Hammer SNL Halloween party!

2010-10-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Annual Hammer Halloween

Adult Costume Party

was a HIT!!!

Saturday Night Live characters only!

Logan and Mary hosted..

And man, they know how to host a party!!!

(keep a lookout of an awesome You Tube presentation!)

Barbie, Target Lady, Gilly, Juneen, Garth

Kristen, Abi, Mary, Whitney and Judy

Sergio, Grady Wilson, Shy Ronnie, Chris Foley, Wayne

Craig, Steve, Colter, Logan and Ron

Wayne and Garth

"party on.... excellent"

Chris Foley and Gilly

"down by the river..., what, sorry!"

Gilly won best interpretation!

Target Lady

Target Lady and Shy Ronnie

"fertilizer is made with part feces...., Speak up.... he just pissed himse-e-elf"

and I'm Juneen

Juneen won best costume!

Re-enactment of the digital short... Sergio!

Barbie and Grady Wilson (put the fire back in your marriage)

Juneen likes to stick her doll hands in other people's mouths!

Grady Wilson knows how to make a marriage work.

and he showed us ALL of his moves!

this is what happens to Juneen because of her freaky doll hands.

Poor girl....

Sergio and Juneen!

"I like by myself!!!"

Sergio and Shy Ronnie!!

Not sure what they are doing! ha..

Thanks for another successful

Hammer party!

Sorry that we missed out on being with Chelle, Chris, Codye and Matt.

Next year!!!!

Brammy and Bapa's WAYNE'S WORLD...

Craig re-enacting the Sergio digital short

click here if you want to see the real one!

My interpretation of Juneen from the Lawrence Welk Show

click here if you want to see the real one!

Whit's First Marathon

2010-10-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

I figure after it being a month since the St. George Marathon and Whit still hasn't posted anything about it....

She is just trying to be humble.

Whit and her Skyline girlfriends at the EXPO!

Starting line before her first marathon

Carbing up the night before the big race

at the Brick Oven

Whit all smiles at 3:30 in the morning!

We decided to draw hearts on each others arms pre-race

Each of Whitney's family names written on her leg to give her motivation

RaJaKaRaWaCaLaCaHa

We got a knock on the door at 11:45 at night, the night before the race.

Any guesses who it was?

It's not like we had to get up in four hours to run 26.2 miles or anything

Whit's brothers, Logan and Colter decided to drive down the night before

to support Whitney on her first marathon!

Whit at about mile 9.

Look at the form on that girl

Colter and Logan waited at mile 23 for her.

Logan took pictures while Colter ran her in!

Whitney was instructed by an old high school friend to do the robot to make her laugh.

I guess this is her imitation of it!

Whitney and Colter going down the final stretch

Look at the definition in that girl.... are you kidding me?

Not a lot of people look like this after running

26.2 miles

but leave it up to Whit to be all smiles

Whitney and her brothers, post race!

How do you celebrate after running your first marathon in 3:58???

Five guys burgers baby!

Happy Crazy eyes, Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Let's start Halloween out

with a BANG!!!

the Hall kids at their finest!

Ethan loves these glasses so much

he HAD to bring them to school

to show his teacher today!

Crazy Bug Josh

Clara asked me if she could

sleep with her glasses.

I, of course said YES...

I really didn't think she would

But.... here is proof!

Cuteness!!!!

Gotta love the crazy eyed glasses!

thanks to Brammy for a great

Halloween gift!

What to do????

2010-10-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

What do you do when it is so

quiet upstairs

you can hear crickets????

...PaNiC...

Ethan decided to paint his nails.

But, did it soo quietly that I didn't get

upstairs in time.

Boo....

All for the name of beauty!

Ha...

Sneak peek!

2010-10-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Sneak peek of our

FAMILY PHOTOS

Oh my goodness...

Can't wait to see what else is in store!

handsome boys

Beautiful Lauryn

cute Clara

Craig and Whit

Thank you, thank you

Michelle Lehnardt

for our awesome pics!

Soccer Girl!

2010-10-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

Soccer has come and gone

Here are some fun shots of Lauryn!

Thanks to my friend, Emily for the great photos!

Look how happy she is!!!!

Getting after that ball....

going....

Going...

gone!

Team Huddle

thanks to great coaches, fun friends and LOTS of soccer!

can't wait till Spring...

Red Rock Relay 2010

2010-09-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

Look out runners....

Cause the class of 95 Eagles are going

to kick some trash at the

RED ROCK RELAY

2010!

Team Max

(for more info. click on Team Max!)

Michelle and Cami!

Me, Sabrena and Lindsay!

Tara and Sabrena just having fun!

Lindsay and Bree after a rough

stint at Yoga!! ha....

Me and Michelle being goofy

(about the whole trip!)

Chillin' at a transition, waiting for the port a potty!

Cami gearing up for her first big run!

She killed it!

Sabrena on her awesome night run!

Bree finishing her first run!

Way to go!!

Lindsay our awesome go to girl!!!

A little smooch time!

Michelle getting ready!

Tara and Cami!

After the race at a great breakfast joint, the Egg and I...

Soooo yummy and we were sooo hungry!

Such a good time and so many

amazing memories made!

Next girls trip....

sitting by the pool and maybe running a 5K!!!!

2010-08-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

Who's with me?

It's only a

1.2 mile swim

56 mile bike ride

& a 13.1 mile run!

Still in?

Well.... Colter and Craig are!

Provo 1/2 Ironman 2010

Can't wait for tomorrow!

The boys had to "carb up" before the race.

So, here we are at Macaroni Grill.

Craig is really wearing that shirt in the HEART of Provo.

He's crazy!

Pre race routine:

wake up at four

eat oatmeal, bananas and bagels

gear ready

get out and DO THIS thing.

Swim..

The best weather for this event!

Transition

Ya, you read that right....

Those boys are HOT and my dad

wants the world to know..

(honestly though... I don't think he even knew what the sign said, he just held it up!)

Brammy and Whit

having fun while waiting!

Supporting our hubbies was a harder

job than you think...

AND DONE.....

clutching the medal!

"I'm done...."

At the finish line!

Bapa and Brammy

"the best support crew"

Colter and Craig.

Congrats you two!

Now... let's go home!

Now it's back to the swing of things...

Craig went straight from the 1/2 to coach

Clara's first soccer game!

Now, that's a devoted coach!!!

Craig on the bike! Looking good!

Coming in for a strong finish!

Way to go Craiger and Colt

A*M*A*Z*I*N*G

1st day!! 2010

2010-08-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Hall crew waiting to go to their first day of school!!

Ethan starting preschool (in a few weeks)

just a little excited!

Clara starting Kindergarten

Lauryn starting first grade

Josh starting fourth

These guys are so excited for school!

Can't wait to hear the daily report of how

recess, lunch, homework, etc. goes....

Love this time of year!

a buggy statement!

2010-08-13T10:14:00.001-07:00

Lauryn said today while we were outside weeding,

"MOM..... the only thing that bugs do

is suck my blood and eat Sadie's (our dog) poop!"

Well said Lauryn!

Clara is FIVE!!

2010-08-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Fifth Birthday

to our

Clara Ann!!

Five years goes by so fast!

Proud Dad with little 6 lb. Clara!

Lauryn loving on her new baby sis!

She had the cutest most edible cheeks...

Love her sparkling eyes!

Clara has the most beautiful strawberry blonde hair.

We sure love her smile!

she really knows how to melt your heart!

Clara's little personality started to shine through around this time!

She sure loves to have fun!

First Birthday = messy cake face!

Peekaboo!

this girl loves anything pink and girly!

What a beauty!

clara really loves to be goofy

and has the best chipmunk laugh!

Sharing flowers with mom!

Our talented ballerina!

This girl is one awesome part of our family!

We love you so much Clara!

Can't wait for many more birthdays to come.....

Patten's Polar Plunge!

2010-07-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

The Annual Polar Plunge

The Patten family has a pool

They started a tradition where

they jump in the pool before it

has been heated!

This year... they were nice and had it

a little bit warmer than last year!!!!

Here is the clan about to jump in

the "freezing" cold water!

I was a little late because

Clara did not dare to and she had

her "kung fu" grip on me!!!

Natalie and Lauryn

Lauryn loves her goggles

cute Clara

Natalie jumping in!!

Clara, Eliza and Josie!

So... thanks Patten's for always

welcoming us into your home for some

GREAT!!!! POOL PARTIES!!!!

Swim lessons 2010

2010-07-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

It just isn't summer without

SWIM LESSONS!!!

Josh

Lauryn

This is a clip of Josh doing a perfect dive!

This is Lauryn mastering the backstroke!

(Clara's pics to come... they are on someone else's camera,

don't judge... yes, I couldn't find it for her last lesson, argh..)

Farmington Parade 2010

2010-07-10T16:11:00.001-07:00

Josh was lucky enough to be in the

Farmington Parade

We are first timers in this department so....

WE WERE ALL REALLY EXCITED!

Josh just started a martial arts class and has fallen in love!

Master Oliver has already won over Josh

Lauryn was gung ho on catching all that was thrown to her!

Are clowns creepy??

I can't decide!

here is a clip of Josh walking by!

He was most definitely the energetic one of the group!!!

AND DONE!!!

Ethan is THREE!!!!

2010-06-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN

THREE YEARS OLD!

THANK YOU FOR HAVING A CONTAGIOUS, FUN PERSONALITY THAT WE ALL LOVE TO BE AROUND!

My belly at 7 months with Ethan

birth announcement

I look back at these and can't believe that our

big boy was that small..

Three months old

six months old

(look at that chubby face, so kissable)

PRETTY SURE THIS IS THE POINT WHERE HIS

NICKNAME TURNED TO

"TANK"

Love that little lion...

Mom and Ethan cuddling after swim time!

Perfect Ethan pic!

sitting at the beach with cheetos in hand!

Being crazy with dad!

had to put on Josh's shoes and hat!

Wants to be just like big brother!

Loves spending time with his siblings.

They have a lot of fun together!

Saddle up!

Ethan is all boy!

At this point, his nickname turned to

"BEEFS"

(you know...Efan beefen, Efa beefs, then just BEEFS!)

Ok, and a little girly.

He LOVES Clara's pink shoes... all of them!

I have to document his mischevious side too!

This guy loves to explore and decided

that he wanted to look inside the toilet.

Easy enough, right????

this kid loves balls!

So.... here's to another awesome year with

an amazing little boy!

here is a clip of Craig and Ethan

singing his night time song!

So sweet.....

Happy #9 Josh!

2010-06-04T19:06:00.001-07:00

Believe it or not!

....Josh is NINE....

On the way home from the hospital

Look at those little chicken legs!

Lookin' studly, as usual!

Love his fun, awesome personality!

So much energy and so much fun!

So handsome!

Lovin' on his new baby brother!

(taken almost three years ago)

One Crazy dude!

Family shot in Moab

Lovin' his "cutknife" in the WindRivers!

Dad and Josh

Handsome Boy!

This boy LOVES baseball!

Mom and Jman

Making a wish!

Our NINE YEAR OLD!!!

Can't wait for many more years to come

with the best big brother and son a mom could ask for!

Lost Tooth!!

2010-05-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Lauryn lost her first tooth!!

If you look close, you can see

the new one growing in!

It's big....

Lauryn checking it out in the mirror!

Lookin' good!

Lauryn and Dad

after the tooth pulling!

Thank you Dad for having the guts

to pull out her tooth.

I get the heebeegeebees even thinking about it.

I love the look in Lauryn's eyes

when she finds out it is over!

She is a trooper!

What? another tri.......

2010-05-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Women of Steel 2010

Are you ready???

Perfect weather for a tri!!!

Ha, no!

Abi, Colt & Whit

Love waiting in line for the portapotty

you just have to do it!

You shouldn't be THIS excited for a tri!!!

Ha...

Craiger is an amazing support!

Thanks for showing up so early

with four kids dressed and hair done!!

Instead of the swim, we ran

one mile!

Just starting out!

Lauryn and Ethan

banging those cowbells!!!

Abi biking in!!!

Deanne lookin' good!

Yeah, now on to the run!!!

The man that does it all!!!

Seriously...

My beautiful girls...

Go Abi!! Run, run, run!

Deanne on the last stretch.

Look at those muscles!!!

Final stretch in!

Man... I love that feeling!

Ahhhhhhhhh. DONE!

Abi, Whit & Deanne

My awesome support crew!

Thanks to my awesome family!

Ethan riding Mom's bike!

He LOVED it!

Nothing better than gorging yourself with

french toast and eggs at IHOP!!

Finished better than the last!

....Improvement is great....

Craig is always so good on footage!

Thanks for runnin' in with me!

Las Vegas Irongirl 2010!!!!!

2010-05-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Irongirl Las Vegas 2010

What a fun way to do a tri...

All women, sprint distance and above all,

GIRL'S TRIP TO VEGAS!!!!

Here we are, about to start the dreaded swim, atleast for me!!!

I am proud to say that I did not side stroke once

(which is what I usually do)

and instead I freestyled with my head out of the water.

Baby steps, right????

(I am over in the far left of the pic)

Coming in after an 18 mile bike ride

Lots of hills.....

We had two girls taking our pics.

They were awesome!

The final run in!!!

After 3.1 miles of running

on packed dirt and lots of hills.

The fun group of girls I

got to hang out with!

Deanne and Whit

Melissa and Whit

(I haven't seen her forever. Loved running in to her!)

Eating and playing after the race!

What a fun weekend away!

Can't wait for next year!!!

No pics but I also had a great time with Chris and Melissa Patten

at their hotel the night before!

Might as well go to Vegas as early as possible, right???

2010-05-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Fun giveaway!!!

go here...

She is sooo talented!

xo, whit

FAMILY

2010-05-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

my Family

I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH!

My mornings!

2010-05-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

I was given some sound advice concerning my children.

.....Take advantage of this time.....

There is going to be a day where my kids don't want

to sleep with me anymore and I am going to miss it!

There is going to be a day where I am going to

have to beg them to talk to me at night.

There will come a time when my girls

will stop asking me to sing "you are my sunshine" and tickle their backs.

(I love how Clara smiles while I am doing this!)

There will definitely be a day where the house will be

quiet and I am so scared for that day to come.

So... for now, I am going to cherish my mornings

when I wake up with

legs, feet,hands all over me,

wiggling and squirming!

......Just cherish them......

I have to remind myself of this

when all I want to really do is just sit at night.

There will be so much time to sit when

they get older!

Ballerinas!

2010-04-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Is there anything cuter than

little girls in tutus???

Clara

4 years old

Lauryn

5 years old

Of course Ethan had to join in!

Lauryn showing us how it's done!

Twirling the day away!!!

Clara dancing and...

twirling!

The End!!!

happy #6 Lauryn!

2010-04-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Wow... so many birthdays with so little time!

Happy Birthday

to our sweet

Lauryn Elyse

six years old!

You bring sunshing in to our home

EVERY SINGLE DAY!

love this pic because it shows just how

beautiful she is!!!

she is in LOVE with

playing soccer.

She is the fastest runner on the team!

She is our little monkey!

Always getting across the fastest.

She is always challenging herself

to do it better!

This girl LOVES to swim!

Lauryn is full of life!

She loves making everyone around her happy.

Always sharing and playing with her brothers and sister.

Lauryn has such a kind heart and it shows

when she is playing with her friends.

She loves school and reading

She LOVES to color or do anything crafty!

We love our

Lauryn Elyse

soo soo much!

BEEFS!!!!

2010-04-21T15:17:00.001-07:00

OK... SO I HAVE TO DOCUMENT JUST HOW

NAUGHTY MY LITTLE MAN IS..

I THINK I MIGHT CHECK IN TO THE

INSANE ASYLUM PRETTY SOON HERE!

Here is the list of things he has done in the last

24 hours

1. dumped an entire jar of fish food in

Lauryn's brand new fish's bowl.

(luckily... I caught him at the end of that one)

2. dumped an entire jar of perler beads

(oh... about 2000 little beads all over my kitchen floor, table and an added bonus... in the vents!)

3. found a dry erase marker and drew on the TV and entertainment center

4. protein powder on the carpet

5. scissors to a homework paper of Lauryn's

6. dumped cereal because he was trying to pour it himself

7. several attempts to ride our dog around the house

(sadie is such a good sport about it!)

8. took mom's VS lotion outside to make

"potions" for his little pet shops

9. pouring gatorade in to a cup

(that went over well)

and......

10. deciding that he will NOT sit in the cart at the store!

(that might not be a big one to some.. but it is to me!)

So.... any takers??

He is such a sweet, curious little boy!

What an imagination he has!!!!

Happy #33 Craig!

2010-04-19T06:07:00.001-07:00

...Thirty Three Years Old...

Happy Birthday to you Craiger!

Thank you for being the most amazing

Father, friend, husband, son, brother

and so much more!

to the most amazing trip so far with you!

to the most handsome guy that is all mine!

to the hottest skier on the lake

to the best cuddly dad!

to the most "hands on" dad I know!

to having fun all of the time...

to having someone to look up to!

and to playing monster whenever these kids want to!!!

You are amazing!

Little Girls!

2010-04-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Girls just want to have fun!

One rainy play day, these girls came

upstairs in swimsuits....

Ready to play in the puddles!

They would jump in the puddle, scream, run away

and come back for more!

Lily, Anna & Clara

Aren't they the cutest four year

olds you ever saw???

I am so glad Clara has such fun friends

to play with!

Here is a clip of the jumping,

SCREAMING & running!!!

Man, wouldn't it be cool if you saw a bunch of

mom's doing this???

Too bad it isn't cool! ha!!!

I LOVE my family!

2010-04-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we all fit in this pic???

this is from Codye's wedding last year

and we have already added another!

I love my family, I really do!!!!

Field Trip!!!

2010-04-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

Field Trip

for Josh's 3rd grade class

Clark Planetarium

Zach H. and Josh on the bus!

the girl on the right is the

one that Josh wants to marry

in 13 years!!!!

Mom and Josh goofin' on the bus!

My group of boys that I

got to watch over!

(so many parents volunteered that I only had to look after four!)

Nothing better than a little 3-D action!

What a fun time.

Can't wait to do it AGAIN!!!

MOVIE & LAMBIES!!!

2010-04-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

A while back... Josh insisted on getting a book

called "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief"

It was the best investment ever!

Josh read every night for atleast an hour

and finished that book in a week!!!!

We promised him that we would take

him to the movie if he finished

(bribes work around our house!, ha!)

Here they are at the movie theatre

I don't think Josh stopped talking about that movie

for the next week!

Now... he is on the last book

(that's a total of five books!)

What a guy!

While the boys were away,

we went on a walk to visit

the new baby lambs!

Clara, Lauryn and Ethan

enjoying those cute baby lambs!!

How sweet is this picture???

awwwwwww!

Our neighbors have a little barn

in their front yard.

AWESOME!!!

Clara feeding the lambs her carrots!

Lauryn kept asking over and over...

"can I just go in there, mom???" "PLEASE!!"

All in all, a great day!

Running Fool!!!

2010-04-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

What better way to run

than with your

loyal dog!!

Sadie has turned in to the best

running partner for Craig!

She stays right next to him without

her leash!

We have entered the amazing

adult dog stage.

And... we are loving every minute of it!

And... there is that awesome

Sadie smile!!!!

here is a clip of Sadie getting

ready to go!!

Who'da thought she would just as excited

as when she has her tennis ball???? ha!

Happy St. Patty's!!!

2010-03-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

...from our house to yours...

Ethan was not quite sure what was going on

but... really DID not like the green eggs! hahahaha...

Miss Clara LOVED every minute of finding something

green to wear with green in her hair

and clovers on her face!

Showing off the fun ribbons in Lauryn's hair!

Lauryn and Josh

off to school!

I sure love these kiddos!

I didn't document our breakfast but..

we did have green pancakes, milk and eggs.

and lunches were full of green too!

What a fun day!!!!

Like Mother, Like son?????

2010-03-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

First off...

who doesn't love a little sweet with a little healthy??

Great combo of a sucker and an apple!!!

My kind of snack!

And... I walked in to Ethan's room one night

to find this.....

That's right...

No reason why my two year old shouldn't

brush up on a little

Justin Timberlake trivia!!!

This really made my heart swell!!!

Just sayin'!!!!!

29 again???

2010-03-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Birthday

to my Mom

Judy Hammer

aka... Brammy!!!!!

may you stay 29 forever!

MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE

THANKS FOR BEING YOU!!!!

giveaway!!!

2010-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Free photo shoot giveaway here!

But... I better win! ha...

even when you are gone!

2010-03-23T12:09:00.001-07:00

Lauryn randomly told me that

"you will always be my mom"

and I said, "that's right!, I am sooo lucky!"

She then said,

"even when you are gone mom, you will always be my mom...

but you will just be in my heart instead!"

I am one lucky MOM!!!!

baby girl!!!!

2010-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

I think congratulation's are in order

for the amazing couple..

Logan and Mary!

They brought into the world a

beautiful baby girl!

Myla Jae Hammer

I can't tell you how excited Lauryn

was to hold her!

She is IN LOVE....

and... I can't get enough of babies!

So, watch out Mary cause you are

not going to see much of her while

I am around!

Cute and proud DAD!

Love this shot!

It is such an amazing feeling to meet your

new baby for the first time!

Enjoy her you two because

they grow right before your eyes!

lime tree

2010-03-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

Please tell me that Chocolate Milk is

good for my lime tree...

If it isn't, just keep it to yourself

Ethan decided to pour an entire

1/2 gallon of chocolate milk in to

my indoor lime tree

(ya, the one that almost died and I brought back to life)

Ahhhh.... kids!