The Reading Family

Isn't preschool so cute?

2009-11-19T12:51:00.001-08:00

Owen came home from school so proud of his necklace and his 'American' hat (I think he forgot the Native part). He has the best preschool with a teacher who really knows what works for him. He comes home with great art projects and he's full of songs and letter sounds. I love it there.

Cute girl

2009-11-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Ella is so full of love. She will always greet you with a hug and kiss and tell you she loves you. One night while we were putting the kids to bed she was waiting for her piggy back ride and picked up this small statue of Jesus, kissed his tiny face and said "I love you so much Jesus". Now that you think she's pure sweet, I have to tell you that she also knows and uses the word hate. She usually hates only Owen.

Strike!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

As I positioned the camera for this picture, Tyler told the kids (but mostly he told me) "we're only doing this once everyone so look at the light"

NYC girls trip

2009-11-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun trip to New York. You can spend a lot of money fast there! I went with my Mom and Sister. Thanks Mom for having a big birthday and a reason to go. Thanks Kalli for sharing a bed with Mom.

FAll Project

2009-11-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Yes we did this ourselves. It's called batten board. Tyler got a new tool out of it and I got a brighter dinning room. Yes, I know our table is old and dated.

Happy Birthday to Reese

2009-11-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Fall Soccer

2009-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

GO TIGERS!

BFF's

Halloween 2009

2009-11-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

Butterfly

Policeman

Zorro and the Cowgirl

The fortune teller

Pumpkin Patch

2009-11-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Ragnar

2009-11-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun training for and running this race. Team of 12... 171 total miles...run drive sleep?...I'm addicted.

All together now...

2009-09-01T20:59:00.002-07:00

Mom and Dad

2009-09-01T20:59:00.001-07:00

Sydney girl

2009-09-01T20:57:00.001-07:00

The boys [Owen and Carson]

2009-09-01T20:52:00.001-07:00

Ella

2009-09-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Reese

2009-09-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Sydney 7 years old

2009-03-09T21:00:00.001-07:00

Carson 5 and a half years old

2009-03-09T20:59:00.001-07:00

Owen 3 and a half

2009-03-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ella 1 and a half

2009-03-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Reese 4 months old

2009-03-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Opps...

2008-12-17T09:03:00.000-08:00

This is our lovely Christmas tree. This is the FOURTH time it has fallen down. Fresh cut trees are hard to balance and a crooked stump can be blamed for the first 2 times it crashed to the floor. Three year olds can also be hard to balance and can be blamed for the 3rd AND 4th time it crashed to the floor. Now that I have decorated it 5 times I am ready to take it down. This last time Sydney suggested that we only put the lights and star back and put everything else away. Of course ornaments are broken, lights are just thrown up and only 3/4 of the even light anymore.

As for Owen, will he get anything for Christmas? We'll leave it up to the big man in red to decide.

Hours of fun...

2008-12-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

So if anyone is wondering how I got my Christmas cards done... the answer is...the bath tub. One morning Reese was asleep, Ella took an early nap, and the boys played in the tub for around 2 hours. Everyone was happy. I just worked on all my stuff at the bathroom counter.

More adorable baby pictures

2008-12-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

A much needed hair cut

2008-12-17T08:54:00.000-08:00

Ella's crazy morning hair!

Before

After

Being adorable with her new look.

Reese's Blessing Day

2008-12-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Grandma Reading made her dress. It was so pretty and even had fur trim. Okay, let's just say it she was a little snow princess.

Christmas Activities

2008-12-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

The lights at Temple square

A Candlelight Christmas at This is the place Monument

The festival of trees

LAUNDRY

2008-12-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

One more child with small clothes shouldn't add that much to the laundry ...right? I wash so many clothes it is crazy. Sydney is almost 7, at what age can kids to their own laundry?

So in love...

2008-12-17T08:41:00.000-08:00

Reese is a great baby. She will have her fussy times of course. But she is my best sleeper at night yet. She will actually sleep 6 to 7 hours at night, consistently.

Cutting down the Tree

2008-12-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, they do have Christmas tree farms in Utah. We talked about getting a permitt and cutting down a tree in the mountains, but with a new baby we decided to take the easy wasy. At the farm none of the tree's looked all that great, Sydney thought we choose the worst tree of the bunch. However, you take it home and it looks just beautiful (even Sydney agreed).

Black Friday

2008-12-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

If you don't know, I totally am a Black Friday shopper. Of course this year was tricky with a newborn, but I did go out a little. The huge mistake was that we (My mom and sister and I) went to JoAnne's. It was crazy beyond crazy and we waited in line for over 2 hours just to get our fabric cut. I will not be going there next year and I hope someone else learns from MY mistake.

Thanksgiving (eating twice)

2008-12-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

Reese smiled her first 'real' smile Thanksgiving morning'. I was so happy I actually got teary eyed. We all just love her so much.

One month old Reese

2008-12-17T08:21:00.000-08:00

First Snow

2008-11-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Sydney just lost her second front tooth.

I just love Ella's big cheesy smile. By the way, the baby was sleeping nice and cozy in the house.

Halloween Candy Desserts

2008-11-08T10:43:00.000-08:00

For the Family Home Evening dessert Sydney made all these creative and tasty little desserts for everyone. She even made some that Carson could have without the milk chocolate candy. We all enjoyed them and were glad to see her entertained and to have a bunch of candy gone.

My Mess Makers...

2008-11-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2008-11-08T10:31:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Baby Reese

Frankenstien Carson

Vampire Sydney

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle owen

Little Red Riding Hood Ella

Home with Reese

2008-11-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

We love having our new baby girl in our family. Babies come just how you need them. Reese sleeps so much, it makes it easy (okay not easy, but less hard) to continue with life for my other four little ones. She is growing great and eating and pooping just like she should. I think she's happy with us. Before she was born I was really worried that she would regret coming into our crazy family. Now that she's here, I think she likes it a little crazy. She enjoys being right in the middle of it all.

Introducing...

2008-10-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Reese Marianne Reading

Born October 22nd 10:21 a.m.

6 pounds 10 ounces

19 inches long

2008-10-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

So Happy

2008-10-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hospital Visitors

2008-10-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

Going Home

2008-10-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning at the hospital... I am so glad to be home. It was nice to just be with my newest baby and it was nice also to miss my four other little ones at home. It's easy to get burned out and tired of motherhood. However, being away from my kids for four days was too long. I loved to have them visit me and I feel ready and somehow more capable to be home and be mom again.

Worth the MESS?

2008-10-19T13:42:00.001-07:00

Homemade Halloween sugar cookies. Doesn't it just sound like this fun little family activity? Everyone working together with Halloween sounds in the background? Then the perfectly shaped and decorated cookies that you can share with your neighbors.
Truth is, the kids did have fun. The parents could appreciate how activities like this are worth all the effort, but the mess is too much. Tyler even did some online searches on the scuba and the rumba (the little robot floor cleaners). As we were making these cookies Sydney asked if we should give any of them to our friends. Tyler and I laughed pretty hard about how we really should give some to our worst enemy. Which then lead to a discussion on the word enemy. So who will be getting the cookies? The kids decided we should share them with Satan. Pretty funny.

Not feeling well...

2008-10-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

So Ella has only wanted to be held lately. She is so big and I am so big, that holding her all day is a work out. Then I discovered that she is getting four new teeth all at the same time. She has had stinky pee, so after a trip the doctors we discovered that she also has a UTI. Only to find that on top of that she has a strange virus called slap cheek syndrome (it makes you not feel well and at the end of the course you get really red cheeks). So if you add the runs and diaper rash that she's been dealing with... You would want to be held all day too. Not to mention she is going to be a big sister in 3 days. Poor girl!

The Crazy Corn Maze

2008-10-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have never been to a Corn Maze. We went earlier so we would be warmer, stay out of the dark, and avoid the wild teenagers. It was a lot of fun, even with Tyler almost getting pulled into the corn by multiple invisible monsters. After about an hour or so of getting ourselves lost Sydney and Carson started to get concerned that we would never find out way out. However, we safely made it back to our car.

Pumpkin Patch (round 2)

2008-10-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Halliday have been growing pumpkins in their garden. We went over and cleaned them out. Come to find out, my Mom does not like carving pumpkins, I had no idea growing up. So we now have a porch stocked with 18 pumpkins (all shapes and sizes). We will see how many get carved...

Picking Pumpkins

2008-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

If it looks cold and miserable in these pictures it's because it was. The kids liked choosing their own pumpkins, but we were pretty much all business. I think we choose the coldest day of October to go. Owen isn't shown because he's crying from cold in all of his pictures.

Ella, where's our new baby?

2008-10-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

When asked this question Ella points to her own round tummy. Do you think she's ready to be a big sister? She has been such a fun baby to have. I think one of the hardest things about having a new baby is that your youngest looses baby status. She does love babies and she really likes the baby's socks and little diapers, does that count for anything?

Fall leaves

2008-10-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

We just love being in the mountains. Our kids love it and everything seems easier. The changing leaves are so pretty and it is so beautiful. On this hike Owen and Ella wanted to be held the whole time, 9 month pregnant me was not up for carrying anyone other then the baby inside me, so Tyler ended up carrying both Owen and Ella most of the trip. It was a short hike.

Not quite like the Apple picking we're used to...

2008-10-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

You can find anything with google. Who knew that there was a little apple orchard near our house? We drove up and just started laughing. five rows of apples right off a busy street surrounded by neighboring houses. 90% of the apples had worms, so we had to be very selective. It wasn't quite New York or Ohio, but it was still fun... or at least funny.

Ella Loves SHOES!

2008-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ella is always taking off her own shoes and socks and then putting on other peoples shoes and socks. In this picture she is wearing Carson's church shoes and socks.

KINDERGARTEN!

2008-09-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

How cute can you get? Carson started Kindergarten. He thinks his teacher is the nicest in the world, he comes home and tells me if anyone was bad at school (he is always good- according to him), he doesn't mind his homework, and he loves his new school shoes and wouldn't dream of wearing anything else.

Happy Golden Birthday Honey!

2008-09-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Camping

2008-09-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Over Labor day weekend we went camping with my family. It was fun, but didn't last long. I had a strange allergy thing going on and we actually left early. I just want to defend myself and say that I am not a fair weather camper, and I don't know what was going on but my eyes were swollen shut.

Owen is now three!

2008-09-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Owen has been planning for his birthday for a while now. He got some transformers, CARS jammies, a skateboard, a dinosaur, a Diego set, a Lightening McQeen car, a skateboard, and a lot of other things. He had a lot of fun and didn't even mind blowing out tea lights for his candles. He has grown up a lot in the past 6 months, we love him more and more.

Good bye Uncle Jordan

2008-09-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is Tyler's youngest brother and he is off to the MTC (missionary training center) to learn Japanese and how to be a missionary. Then he'll be headed for Japan. We really got to know him while we were staying with Tyler's family and he is going to be a wonderful missionary.

First day of First GRADE

2008-09-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

We moved in our house August 22nd and Sydney started school August 28th. She was so excited and had a great day. She is so independent and loves bringing her own lunch and making new friends.

2008-09-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

So Carson is very talented on the rings. Sydney really doesn't like it that he is better than her. We try to explain that everyone has their own talents, she isn't buying it.

Ella's Piggie Tails

2008-09-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ella's hair is just long enough to put into little piggie tails, it is so cute.

The Zoo

2008-09-14T14:46:00.001-07:00

Swim Lessons

2008-09-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

A moment to brag please

2008-08-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

Tyler passed the first step of his boards. He worked very hard and we are so proud (and releaved) that he passed.

I'm back!

2008-08-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

I've been out of the blogging world for a while, so the following is a big update. But we are doing good. Anxiously awaiting to move into our house. We still feel like we are on a long vacation. It's nice to have family all around, our kids love being so close to the Grandparents.

Merrill Family Reunion

2008-08-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Who goes to a Family Reunion and only takes pictures of their own kids? Actually we do have one cousin in these pictures. We have been sent invitations to this reunion every two years and this is the first time that we've been close enough to come. It was really fun to see people plus I had no idea that Tyler was such a "cousin mingler".

Bear Lake Trip with all the girlfriends (and our kids)

2008-08-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

This was SO MUCH FUN! I am so glad that we went. Thank you to my dear friends, it was so fun to just hang out and to remember the good times and to relate to each other's lives right now. I just love you guys.

Family Hike

2008-08-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bear Lake with the Reading's

2008-08-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Getting to know fun places of our new home...

2008-08-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

2008-08-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

2008-08-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

Catching up with old friends

2008-08-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

These are some of Tyler's good friends from High School, college, I guess even Jr. High School too. It's so fun to see everyone and to get our kids together to play.

Happy 4th of July!

2008-08-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Parade, BBQ, family, swimming, and fireworks... what more can we say?

SOLD!

2008-08-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

It has been a long house hunting process. We are so pleased with the results. This house is US! Everything about it just feels right. We are planning on moving in sometime in August.

Ready or not, it's time...

2008-08-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

End of an Era

2008-08-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

This was a sad day for Tyler. This car is a tank and required minimum care for the time that we needed it. The funny thing is that we put it on Craigslist for sale and had 20 responses in 4 hours. We sold it to a family in our ward and I hope they don't hate it for us.

This is an unimpressive picture but it was a day that we had been dreaming of for the past six years.

Summer without strawberry picking is no summer we know

2008-08-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

This year Grandma and Grandpa Reading were able to come strawberry picking with us. They loved it. There is nothing like a cool night and a large patch of strawberries.

Last Soccer Game

2008-08-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Carson had to leave his team early because of our move. Grandma and Grandpa Reading were in town to see the last soccer game. It was fun and Carson gave it his all.

Last day of Kindergarten

2008-08-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sydney loved Kindergarten and had a great teacher. We are sad to leave this good school. The Kindergarten did a program for all of the families and it was so cute. It was hard to hold back the tears. We celebrated by going out to ice cream.

The big number 5!

2008-06-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

June 19th Carson turns 5. We had his party the Saturday before and it was a lot of fun! Carson had a bike party and all his friends brought their bikes. We had a big outside obstacle course (we barely beat the rain), a few inside games, cup cakes and ice cream, presents, and a pinata. It was a lot of FUN!

GO GIECKO GECKOS!

2008-06-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

That cute number 3 is our CARSON!

Sydney's Recital

2008-06-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sydney has long awaited this day. She was so cute in her yellow costume. She loved the stage, the make-up, the trophy, flowers from her brothers and Dad, watching her friends, and playing with in between her dances. She did a really good job, she smiled big and did a good job remembering her dances.

Homemade Popsicles

2008-06-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

We bought this little tray to freeze juice or kool aide into Popsicle. The kids love them. I'm sure most mom's would only freeze 100% pure juice in them, we however have only tried kool aide, which is really good. The funny thing is that we had dinner with some neighbors on Fathers Day and they had bought the same trays and the same straws as we did. I guess that everybody loves Target's $1 section.

Outside Play Time

2008-06-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

As we are counting down our time here I feel like we need to play at evey park for one last time. We have a lot of really nice parks within walking distance and we love it. It is so much fun to be able to go outside everyday and see something different.

Sydney's Bridging Ceremony

2008-06-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sydney is no longer a Daisy Scout... she's a Brownie (assuming we find her a troop when we move - don't tell her that part). She has loved doing Girl Scouts and really enjoyed being her leader. The girls were all a lot of fun to work with.

Happy Memorial Day!

2008-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

A nearby town puts on this fun little parade. They throw candy, have the police, the veterans, firefighters, and all the local sports and scouting teams march along. It's short and sweet... just what we like.

2008-05-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Really these are so small it's hard not to eat 10 +. With 4 kids and 2 parents, we went through a lot of them.

Preschool Graduation

2008-05-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

These little graduations are so adorable and funny at the same time. Carson woke up that morning, was dressed with teeth brushed before anyone else was out of bed. He did a good job singing his little songs. He even told the little boy next to him that it was time to be quiet, that was shocking! He is sad not to be going to Kindergarten here, but excited for the move all at the same time.

It's a GIRL!

2008-05-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to be having a little baby girl. Tyler was the only one who was right on this one. Sydney and Ella are very excited. Carson is good with it and Owen keeps pointing to my tummy saying BOY! We love her already.

SURPRISE! (to all involved)

2008-05-22T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well, this announcement should have been made a while ago. Maybe it's taken a little time to let it sink in. But here goes...

I am pregnant! We are going to be the parents of 5 little children! Even as I reread that I had to do stop and catch my breath.

We feel very excited about this new little baby. Of course the boys think it's a boy and the girls think it's a girl. I am tentatively due October 28th.

Father and Sons Camp out

2008-05-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

It was a cold night. These two little boys did not care. They had so much fun running around, roasting marsh mallows, and just being little boys. Us girls stayed home, got ready for our Garage Sale in the morning, ate ice cream sundae's, and watched Enchanted.

Grandma and Grandpa Reading...

2008-05-18T18:33:00.001-07:00

While Tyler and I were looking for a house his parents so kindly came out to stay with our younger three kids. We were gone four 4 days and they survived (the kids and the Grandparents). We are so thankful that they could come, that they were willing to come, and that they still love the kids after four straight days with them.

This picture is my belated birthday celebration. We were gone over my birthday, but I came home to cake and ice cream. What more could you want?

Our House Hunting Trip

2008-05-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

So, I would love to be posting a picture of our new house. However, we either can't make up our minds, found too many houses, or are just not supposed to buy one just yet. Short answer is that we are going to move to Herriman (we think) and try to short term rent until we both feel right about one house at the same time.

By the way, these adorable little girls are Izze (Kalli's little 18 month old girl) and our Ella. They are already best friends planning sleep overs.

GREAT WOLF LODGE

2008-05-18T17:54:00.001-07:00

These are pictures from our quick little family over nighter to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagra Falls. If you've never been to Niagra Falls it's a strange place, we've been a lot, I always want to call it Las Vegas, they are very similar with all their lights and shops, only Niagra Falls is a lot smaller. Anyway, Great Wolf Lodge is a huge indoor water park. We swam for 2 days and stayed over night one. It was really fun and the kids all LOVED it. Our room had a little kids cabin area with bunk beds that they just loved, they even had their own TV.

Our ONE Year Old

2008-04-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

I am fighting my urge to post all of the 59 pictures that I took throughout Ella's birthday events. Just let it be said that she was the sweetest birthday baby and we all love her so much!

2008-04-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

For everyone who admired Ella's adorable hair clips and those who just love cute things... here is the link the where I bought them.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5617667

They are a great price and I just love them!

Ella's almost one photo shoot with Mom

2008-04-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

BOYS!

2008-04-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

Our very nice neighbor gave us this motorcycle last summer. Of course the kids LOVE it. It is fun for them but it causes too many fights this summer. Owen has discovered how much fun it is to be behind the wheel. Yet this 2 year old is far from getting his drivers license. He has run over Carson's leg, crashed into the van, and right after I took this picture he gunned it and the friend on the back fell right off. It has a short battery life and that I do like.

Spring!

2008-04-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

A little bird built this nest under our deck. We haven't seen any birds in it though. It was carefully made with twigs and mud. It was fun to look at.

Ella's First Hair Cut

2008-04-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

Before

During

After