2012 a review

In May Sadie was baptised. She made a goal to finish the Book of Mormon before she was baptised & she finished it that morning. She is amazing, I look up to her. Love her.

 We spent a few weeks in WA in the summer. Nate stayed home to work. We had fun with my family.

 Took the kids to one BYU football game. It was fun, but hot. We then left the kids for one game, and it was freezing. So, there you go.

 Celebrated our 10 year anniversary by flying to WA to see Les Mis with my parents and sister. AWESOME!!! Loved the movie, but it doesn't compare to seeing the musical live.

 Spent a weekend with some awesome girls up in Midway for Swiss Days. Love Swiss Days, love these girls. Can't go wrong.

Left the kids for a week at Lake Powell with Nate's family. So much fun!!! 

 This little one started ballet... oh my I can not think of a cuter thing than a 3 year old in ballet. Can't wait for her recital in May!

Christmas was magical at our house this year. I can't think of a better word to describe it. We had an elf, the kids loved every single day & cried when he left. I think I realized that they are growing up (sad) and that my magical years are numbered.

Updates

I am terrible at this blogging thing. Seriously. It's been like, 6 months.

Our winter was weird. In the fact that there was very little snow, which is really nice... but not much fun for sledding. We finally got one sledding day in, and Gracie enjoyed her first trip on a sled.
Christmas came and went. I don't know why I don't have any good photos of Christmas this year, sad.
Carson turned 6. He wanted a lego party, so that was fun.
We went to Disneyland with my family for a week in March. What a blast!

We did the Princess Lunch for the girls' birthdays. The look on Gracie's face when she met the princesses was priceless.
And princesses can eat spaghetti too, you know.
While we were in California, Sadie turned 8. Holy cow, I have an 8 year old! Next month, baptism!!! We had a little party with a homemade mint ice-cream cake... much yummier than it looked.

The next day, Gracie turned 3. She wanted a pink cake, with pink frosting.... and Dora. So, this is what I came up with. (Not too bad for a cake made while on vacation.)

The wishing well: Carson's Disneyland moment. We watched a little video about Disneyland on YouTube before we went, and it talked about this wishing well by the castle. Carson could not stop talking about what he was going to wish for. Well, I think he finally decided to wish for Bentley (his best friend) to bring him a dog when he got home. Yeah, sorry buddy... he's still waiting for that wish to come true!

I forgot to take a picture of all of the kids while in the park, so I had them take one on the walk back to the house we were renting. Braylie, obviously, was tired. But, I kind of love the picture.
And, Miss Braylie, or Bray Bray, as Gracie calls her, is growing up. She learned to walk while we were at Disneyland. All of those lines to walk back and forth between the handrails while we were waiting, I guess.

We moved!

What a month it has been! After 5 months of waiting to hear from the bank about an offer on a short sale, they accepted our offer! And they gave us 2.5 weeks to close, holy cow... we did it! We feel so blessed to have this home. It is in an an amazing neighborhood & ward, right next to the school the kids already go to & love. The house is our "forever house," meaning we are planning on living here until we get old!

We still have tons of work to do. The back yard's not finished or fenced, plus lots of decorating to do :)

Here are a few pictures of the house, some of my favorite things about it:

Front of the house. This is actually the picture from the MLS. I feel kind of dorky standing out in front of my house taking pictures.

The kitchen... I love the kitchen.

Here's the great room. We have ordered couches & should get them soon, can't wait. The big, open space is feeling a little too empty & echo-ish. We finally caved in to the "huge, flat screen tv" trend, & I have to admit it's really fun. Can't wait to watch Modern Family on it tomorrow night, I'm sure it will be even funnier in HD, right ;)

Now, my old laundry room was an unfinished room downstairs. The fact that this laundry room is one of my favorite rooms makes me feel slightly sad that I spend so much time in it. So much laundry, so so so much laundry!

And, my craft room, that's right MY craft room. I haven't had my own room of any kind since I was in high school. Sadly, with all of my time spent in the last mentioned room, there's little time to spend in here. Someday, my lovely room, you and I will spend hours and hours together!

And then life got crazy!

I guess I thought my life would get less busy as my kids got older... not so! We have had soccer 3 times a week, dance 2 times a week, our callings (YW & Elder's Quorum) twice a week, plus all of the other fun stuff that comes up.

AND.... all the while we have been trying to sell our house (it's under contract), and trying to buy another house which is a short sale & taking FOREVER!!! Let's just say my patience has been tested the last few months.

And before we even knew it, Braylie is 4 months old, and as sweet as ever. Here are a few pictures of the last couple of months in the Milne household.

Braylie was blessed.
We swam lots, and lots.
Lake Powell with Nate's family for a week. Left the 3 older kids with my wonderful mom.
Sadie started 2nd grade.
Carson started kindergarten.
And both kids had a great soccer season.
Gracie found her creative side & wants to paint every day.
Went to the WORST byu game ever. Still had fun because we were in great company... but seriously painful game!

One month later

Well, school is out, and summertime is officially here.

Here is what went down in the last month:

I'm still adjusting to 4 kids. Mostly it is really hard, almost impossible, to get all of us anywhere by a certain time. I feel a little like a circus train when I have (on the rare occasion) made it out into public. A trip to Target is just not what it used to be.

But, we are doing good. I'm trying to keep the kids busy this summer... so they will stop fighting with each other.
Sadie had her end-of-the-year dance recital. One of my favorite nights ever, she did great!
Showing off a bit...
Monkey see, monkey do.
Just wait and see how big Braylie's gotten in a month...
Carson graduated from preschool. My little man is not so little anymore.

And Braylie is getting chubby. Love it.

Braylie hospital pictures

Best decision ever: convincing Nate to let me get the Bella Baby pictures at the hospital. They did a great job, and it was done. One less thing to do with 4 kids when I got home.

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since she was born. She has been such a fun, sweet baby.

Braylie Cate

Braylie Cate was born on Monday, May 9th. Thanks to my Dr. going out of town, I was induced 2 days early, which I loved (I think it's because I like to plan things).

Okay, skip this next part if you don't want to hear about the delivery.

The delivery was actually really kind of funny. My Dr. checked me at 12, I was only a 4. So, he went to lunch with a friend, but promised me he'd stay close. I got my epidural around 12:45, and I was having some pretty painful contractions and thinking, "I am a wimp! I am only a 4 and these hurt!" But, as soon as I layed down after the epidural I felt a ton of pressure and asked the nurse to check me and sure enough I was complete. But... no doctor. So, they gave me a surgical block & I layed on my side for the longest 30 minutes ever! Finally, at 1:30 the doctor came in, got ready and they got me ready to push. But, the nurse said "Dr., the head!" and sure enough the baby was just... coming out! My dr. turned around, and pretty much caught the baby. No pushing. I guess it helps when baby #4 is little.

She came out weighing 6 lbs. 2 oz., and was 19 inches long. She has blonde hair, which is funny since Gracie had so much dark hair. She definitely looks like a Milne baby, but I think she's a good combination of all 3 of my kids.

I still can't believe I have 4 kids!!!

My wonderful Mom was able to come for the birth & help me this last week. She left this morning and, I have to admit, I cried. My mom has been able to be here for all 4 of my kids' births. She is so much help, and I feel like it is such a special time that I spend with her. I wish she lived closer!
Braylie has the sweetest temperament so far. I know this could change, but so far she is so easy. Gracie, on the other hand, has been a challenge. She LOVES her new baby sister.... SO much, maybe too much! I have to protect the baby from her big sister's good intentions. I do have to say that I am excited for these 2 girls to be so close as sisters though.