After 14 years of marriage Ben and I were finally able to hear those words that we have always dreamed of hearing... "Congratulations Lori, you're pregnant!"  The last couple years have been extrememely hard for us.  I can't even tell you how many failed adoptions we have gone through in the last two years.  Last February we decided to try invitro.  We were so excited but in the end it didn't work and we were devestated.  In November of last year we were coming up on our two year mark of waiting to adopt through LDS Family Services.  We felt that it was time to stop with them.  We knew we weren't done with our family but we just didn't know what to do.  One day it came to me.  We were supposed to try invitro again.  At first I was so scared because it is so emotional and expensive.  I didn't know if I could go through that again.  Ben and I talked about it and we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that that is what Heavenly Father wanted us to do.  So in November 2012 we started the process again.  I thought this time it would be easier because we had already been through it but it was actually harder.  Both Ben and I were really nervous for what would happen.  Finallly I made it to the second pregnancy test.  I went to the hospital, had my

 blood drawn, and then tried to keep myself busy while I waited for the doctor's office to call.  My phone rang and I saw that it was the office.  I was shaking so bad!!!  That is when I heard those precious words that I never thought I would ever hear in my life.  I was pregnant!  I was so excited but also a little scared.  The doctor wanted to see me at 7 weeks.  At that time we found out I was pregnant with TWINS!!!!  I have to say I was in shock.  We left the doctor's office and I couldn't

even talk.  All I could think about was twins!!!!  Now that time has passed I am so excited.  Don't get me wrong I am still scared but so excited.  Kyle and Makayla are beyond excited.  They can't believe that they are getting two babies and they don't have to worry about a birth mother changing her mind.  I can't wait for the day they get to come to the hospital and see the babies and know that they are ours.  Next step boys, girls, or one of each?  We are so excited!!!!!!!!

The Princess and the Pig - Halloween 2012

It all started on Monday night when we carved our pumpkins for family home evening.  This year we had and awesome garden that grew tons of pumpkins.  We were so excited to try some new things this year.

Makayla's favorite was the Ariel pumpkin.  It is kind of hard to see but it's the far one on the left.  Kyle's favorite was the angry bird pumpkin on the far right.  They all turned out so cute!

Next it was time for Halloween night.  The kids were so excited.  Makayla decided she wanted to be Rupunzel from Tangled this year and Kyle was the angry bird pig king.  Aren't they just the cutest kids in the whole world!!!

It was a great night.  It's so much fun to have our whole family go out trick-or-treating.  This is one of those moments that I treasure and look forward to every year.

Apple Hill California

Our family has come to love going to Apple Hill every fall.  There is tons to do and it is beautiful but the best part is all the apple foods!!!  You can't leave without having a carmel apple, apple fritter, apple pie with ice cream, or a nice big juicy apple!  The first thing we have to do each year is get faces painted.  This is one of Makayla's favorite things to do and Kyle loves to be like his big sis.  They both loved how it turned out.

There are such beautiful flowers at each of the farms.

Kyle loved the goats and this pig.  He loved picking leaves from the trees and feeding the animals. 

There are hundreds and hundreds of apple trees everywhere.

And these are my little posers.  Overall it was a wonderful trip and we can't wait to continue the tradition next year!

Lake Tahoe Salmon Run

We love to take the kids on day trips whenever we can.  We are lucky to live in an area where there are a lot of places to go that aren't too far away.  We think it is great education for the kids to learn about Nevada and nature and all that good stuff!  This year we went to the Salmon Run in Lake Tahoe.  We did this a couple years ago and it was so much fun.  It is a beautiful little hike to the salmon.

My sweeties!!!

When we got to the lake the salmon were all over.  It was beautiful.  They were all trying so hard to swim upstream to lay their eggs.  The kids were amazed and so were we.  This is such an amazing sight and we love being able to share these experiences with our kids.

As you all may know bears love salmon.  There are so many people watching the fish that we never thought we'd need to worry about them but...

WE ACTUALLY SAW A BEAR!!!  It was really cool.  We were a little nervous because it was a baby bear and we all know about mama bears but we only saw the baby.  Ben took a picture, I picked up Kyle and had Makayla right by my side, we took a look at the bear and then it ran off.  I have to admit it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen!!!  I think the kids will remember this experience their whole lives!

And them my little monkeys decided they needed a little nap after their hard day!

First Day of Preschool

A few of my friends and I decided to do a little ABC preschool with our kids this year.  Kyle was so excited to be going to school on his first day.  He loved being just like his sister.  His only problem was that he wanted to bring a lunch too just like she does.  Kyle is getting so smart!  He is learning so many things every day.  We are so blessed to have this little guy in our family.  We love you Kyle!!!

7 years old and 2nd Grade!

Makayla is now in 2nd grade and she loves it!!!  She loves her teacher (so do I!!!) and is making new friends.  This year she has a few more girls in her class so that is nice.  She loves going to school every day and I love that.  She is such a smart, sweet, and amazing girl and we love her so much.  I know I say this all the time but it just seems like yesterday she was a little baby and now she is 7 years old!!!

This year Makayla got to have a friend birthday party.  We decided on an olympic theme since both boys and girls were invited.  We split them up into teams and they competed in lots of events.  It was a little crazy since most of the kids were late because of soccer but they all had so much fun and it was a big success!

Makayla wanted a rainbow birthday cake so this is what we came up with.  I have to say the kids were totally impressed!!!

That night we celebrated her birthday with just our family.  When we watched the olympics this past summer one of Makayla's favorite events was the rythmic gymnastics.  We got her this ribbon and she loves it!  She is also really good at it.  She already has dreams of being in the olympics doing rythmic gymnastics.  She says she can do everything but the flips!

Makayla had an amazing birthday.  We love her so much and can't imagine our family without her in it.  She brings so much to our family.  She is so loving and patient with Kyle.  She is my best friend and we love having girls days out and she is still and always will be daddy's little girl.  Thank you so much Krista for doing what you did and giving us our perfect little girl.  We love you Makayla!!!

So You Think You Can Dance...Makayla

For the last couple of years Makayla has loved to watch So You Think You Can Dance with us.  She has decided that she wants to try out for the show... in 11 years when she is eligible.  I don't know if it will still be around then but it is so fun to watch her practice.  The other night we decided to record her audition.  Enjoy!!!