Christmas Day

Christmas day was a magical day. The kids woke up at 8 and was in no hurry to go and look at what they got instead they wanted to come and snuggle daddy and I in bed so we laid there for a little bit while we just snuggled in bed.
We finally got up and had the kids line up in the hall way with there cute new Jammie's on and walked out to see what Santa brought them. Santa left them some clothes Kenzie got Hannah Montana shirts and a pair of pants and in her stocking she got candy with fruit. Braxton got a couple of pants and a shirt and a pair of Cars Jammie's. He also got the same in his stocking. Santa left a family gift for us it was a Rock band 3. The kids loved there stuff from Santa even if they didn't get any toys from him they enjoyed there new clothes the simplest things they appreciated. This year we kept it simple to keep focus on Jesus and not on the presents so Tyler and I got each kid 2 presents each from us to open so Kenzie got a new stroller and a poster of Hannah Montana. Braxton got a Buzz light year and a woody. The church helped us this year and got each kid church clothes or church shoes. So that was very thoughtful of them to do that for us. It was amazing how grateful they were for such a little Christmas this year they enjoyed everything they got and boy was the house a mess but it was worth watching them play with there new things with out once complaining about what they got and how little they got they also wanted to wait for Ashleigh and Jackson to come over to open some of there presents so they picked out the ones they wanted to open with Ashleigh and Jackson the funny thing is they picked the littlest ones to open with out them and wanted to wait for the big ones to open with them. I don't know how many kids would wait patiently for 3 hours to open there gift under the tree waiting for there brother and sister to come over. They just had so much fun with what they got.
At 1 o' clock Tyler went and picked up Ashleigh and Jackson to bring them here for there presents. They also got clothes from Santa with Candy and fruit in it. Then it was time to open more presents so they took turns opening presents Ashleigh got a fushigi ball a movie and church clothes, Jackson got 2 Lego sets and church shoes and clothes as well. Each child picked out a movie for one of there siblings which they pulled a name out of hat and got to choose a movie for them and wrapped it them selves. It was an enjoyable day even Tyler was enjoying himself and was so excited for Christmas which he never is, until.
Jackson was having fun and enjoying Christmas when all of a sudden he was disappointed that Santa didn't bring him any toys here or at his mom's (quoted by him) he was acting ungrateful and sad and threw a fit and started crying over presents. So Tyler took him back to his mother's and took his toys away to try teach him a lesson about Christmas, that it is (my favorite pic)
not all about presents and you should be grateful for what you got.
A few hours later Jackson called and apologized for acting up and told his dad he understands if he gives his toys away to someone who got nothing for Christmas, it was very big of Jackson do say that. He came back and we headed over to Grandpa Madsen's for there Christmas party.
I think that was the best night for Grandpa he was so excited about Christmas he had Laurie with him the whole way. We had a big family dinner then each family handed out there gifts to the family they had this year. Then it was Grandpa's turn he gave each grandchild marshmallow shooters which turned into an all out war with marshmallows flying through the air. It was the most fun ever. Then grandpa gave each of his kids a light house to resemble there mom and the last gift he gave was a walking stick which had a story behind it. The last time Laurie and Jay went up the mountain to get wood. They found a pile of sticks that wood make good walking sticks so Laurie told Jay that he should make walking sticks for all the kids. So he sanded and furbished and painted each stick to give to his kids for Christmas from there mother. We then did the Christmas orange and the Nativity reenactment with the grand kids. Then just enjoyed each others company.
It was a day of love, laughter, family and Jesus Christ. but definitely one of the hardest but best Christmas ever.

Christmas week

This year was a very emotional year for the family with Laurie being gone and loving Christmas so much. We were lucky enough to have Charsty, Kira, Aurora and Shontel to come and visit us for the holiday season. We did miss O gosh Josh though. We spent most of the week at Grandpa Madsen's house enjoying many dinner's, talks and lots of laughs as a family. Watching the cousins play and enjoy spending time together. Laurie loved watching and listening to her grand kids giggle and laugh and be kids.
On Dec 21st we went and saw the temple lights which we do every year and this time Jay came with us and the kids loved it. We did ginger bread houses with Charsty, Kira, Shontel and Jerica we also had Ashleigh and Jackson with us on December 23rd before that we had Kenzie's birthday party which we were suppose to go sledding but there was no snow so we just had a little get together at our house and had snacks and cake and watched her open her presents.
On Christmas Eve we spent time at my parents house and had dinner and watched the kids open there presents and they enjoyed all the stuff that they received and loved giving there presents that they made, a reindeer goody bag. That night when we got home the kids got to open one present from us which is pajamas Kenzie got Hannah Montana Jammie's and Braxton got toy story 3 Jammie's which they put on right a way. That night we tracked Santa on the Internet and the kids saw him and daddy told them he is so close, so they jumped up and said lets go to bed. So I tucked them into bed and laid by them for a while and we were so quiet that we heard Santa bells so they quickly closed there sweet eyes and went to bed.

Halloween Fun

This year was a fun Halloween even though Tyler had to work and fractured his toe and is walking around in a boot he was not able to do the Halloween stuff with us but he was able to hand out candy for all of those trick-or-treater's.
We started the day at our wards trunk or treat. I am on the committee so I had to help out.We started with a service auction which we had play money for everyone but they had to earn it by filling out a survey and all the things they did on the survey was the amount of money they got. A lot of people showed up and donated there services.
Then Grandpa Madsen invited us to go over to his house for a pumpkin carving party. Jerica, Neal, Connor and Cinnamon, Hunter and Colton were all suppose to come but Neal ended up getting an allergic reaction to something so Jerica took him to the insta care so they didn't show up Cinnamon thought it was at 3 so they didn't come so it was just Makenzie, Braxton, Grandpa and I. But it was really nice to spend time with him and allow the kids to spend one on one time with there grandpa. Grandpa carved all the pumpkins and the kids helped get out the pumpkin guts. Then we ate carameled apples. He is doing such an amazing job with his grand kids. Trying so hard to enjoy the holiday's I know it is hard on him but he is doing such a good job at filling in for grandma by doing all the holiday celebration stuff.
We then went truck or treating at my mom's ward and go a lot of candy. The kids were not done so we finished off trick or treating around our apartments. Braxton stopped in the middle cause he wanted to hang out at Uncle Neal's and Aunt Jerica's house. so the rest of the time it was just Kenzie and I, and at the end of the night we ended up with a grocery bag full of candy.

Braxton birthday party

First of all I took Braxton to his 3 yr check up and he is in his 20 % of height and weight he is now 29 pounds ( out weighs kenzie now) they weighed her just for curiosity and she is 28 pounds. He is growing and his well check up went well no concerns. He also got no shots this year yeah.
Saturday we celebrated his birthday we started out at Hollywood connection. Thanks to the hope kids foundation, the kids had fun and enjoyed all the rides.
The party started at 5 so we came home at 3 and set up the pavilion. We ate pizza then did pin spider man to his web. Then I hung up pictures of spider man's villians and had the kids all go spray them with silly string which lasted a few minutes then they started spraying everyone else, Which was pretty fun watching the kids running around laughing and getting everyone. We then ate cake and Ice cream which I made a spider man cake which turned out pretty good. After cake and Ice cream Braxton opened up his presents he got some really fun toys. It was a very busy day but Braxton had fun and hope he remembers it all.
Happy Birthday baby boy

My big boy

Braxton's birthday was yesterday but I am slow at writing in my blog.
What a wonderful 3 years it has been to be blessed with such an amazing boy. I wish I could keep you little but I can't. Being able to watch you grow everyday makes my heart so full of joy and happiness to know that you are mine.
I love that your little personality is so unique and boyish but you still always have time for snuggles which I hope you will never outgrow. You are truly an angel sent from above and I am so thankful that my heavenly father entrusted you to me by letting me be your mommy. I love you and I am excited to continue to watch you learn and grow into a handsome young man. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and love you so much. Happy Birthday my Big Man
Love, Mommy

30th Birthday Surprise

My birthday was last Thursday and Tyler told me I had to find a babysitter for 3 days so he can do something fun for my big 3 0 yikes. He told me that it was a nine hour drive so i figured California. I was excited but nervous to leave my kids for that long I have never left them with anyone longer than a day and it was really hard for me especially that far away. I kept thinking what if something happened and i wasn't there. Or if kenzie got sick or missed her meds. I would never forgive myself.
We left on Wednesday my mom was able to watch them the whole time which made it easier on them, on the way there I felt excited but empty. I am leaving my kids behind they seemed ok when we left but I wasn't I did cry a few times thinking about them but Tyler ensured me that my mom is watching them and they will be ok.
6 hours later we are by Las Vegas Tyler asked if we could stop for a minute and rest, ok that sounds fine but after we started driving and he missed the freeway exit I was annoyed then he pulls in the Treasure Island parking lot driving around and he missed the exit I told him what am I suppose to tell people my vacation is driving around a stupid parking lot. I was annoyed by now, again thinking we still had a few more hours to get to California and it is getting late and my butt is getting tired of sitting. He then pulls into a parking stall and says he needs to go to the bathroom. The light went on and I finally realized we were staying in Vegas. At the Treasure Island hotel in a suite. The suite had 2 bathrooms one with a shower and the other with a jacuzzi. It was a nice room.
I have to add that I called my kids at least twice a day to make sure kenize got her meds and that they were doing fine. Braxton had a hard time the first night woke up standing at the wall crying for mommy and then stood at the bedside still crying waiting for me, then decided to go to bed when my mom told me that then next morning it broke my heart and i cried for a little bit thinking i am his mom and I should of been there for him. Then next night he sleep the whole night which made me feel better.
The time there we mainly walked the strip, it defiantly has changed since the last 5 years we've been there. Tyler had a surprise activity planned and when he told me about it, it was jumping off the Stratosphere hotel part of me wanted to but the other part is a chicken plus it was going to be $250 for both of us to do an 8 sec jump it would have been neat to say I jump off the stratosphere but I chickened out. We didn't end up jumping, Instead we decided to go see David Copperfield it was amazing show and half the price as the jump. I might add.
All in all it was a perfect 30th birthday and I was very surprised, and proud of Tyler for doing such a good job at taking care of all the plans.
And the rest of the story
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS!!!!!!!

Eventful Sunday

OK well this happened last Sunday i am just slow at getting my blogs up. We had a good day at church came home and Kenzie Jackson and Braxton were all playing on our big bean bag. I guess it fell over and kenzie landed on Braxton and Braxton started screaming. I just figured he got landed on and nothing more but he kept on screaming and screaming for about an 1/2 an hour and that is not like him to do that. So Ashleigh and I took him to the instacare down the street. Luckily it was a slow day for them and there was nobody waiting in front of us so we got in pretty quick. Braxton was still screaming the whole time and my heart was breaking cause I couldn't do anything to help him. They got x-ray's from him he did not like that but they got three pictures of his arm.
The nurse came in with a splint and splinted his arm up and said the doctor will come and talk to you but we are pretty sure it is broken. Needless to say the doctor said he was 98% sure he fractured his elbow.
I made a follow up appointment at PCMC fracture clinic for Wednesday. The results are that he indeed fractured his elbow and now he has a blue cast on which he picked out the color. He has to wear it for a month, which is really hard considering we like to going swimming, and have water fights. Not to mention difficult to keep him clean they said he has to be sponge bathe but i just have been wrapping it in Saran wrap and plastic bags, and been giving him a shower other wise I think he would be looking like a ragamuffin.

Laurie Ann Madsen

I met the Madsen 7 years ago the first few years was really hard for me because of a lot of misconceptions about me. So I was pushed away for awhile. But through out the years I got close to them and loved them as my own family. About a months ago Laurie and I had a really nice conversation about when I first started dating Tyler, and how she felt about me, it was really hard to hear someone say things to you about how she felt when she first met me. All because of lies that where told about Tyler and I. She told me that she never felt that way about anyone and how hard it was on her cause she lived to be like our Heavenly Father. Tears were flowing between me and her. I am glad that we were able to talk about it so there was no doubt in my mind the love that she had for me. The best part of the conversation was when we were able to get it all out in the open and she apologized for ever hurting my feelings and was hoping that I would be able to forgive her. Of course I do. It opened a door way for us to become closer. She said that I was like one of her daughters. Which I am so blessed to be apart of there lives. The hardest thing now is that we finally were becoming close and that I new I could come to her for anything.
3 years ago Makenzie got hospitalized and Laurie was at her bed side with me everyday. watching her and reading to her. The day we got told that Makenzie needed a Heart Transplant was the day I got the call from Laurie saying that she has lung cancer. My heart dropped even lower hearing double bad news. She told me that everything was going to be ok and to take care of Makenzie. Ever since then those to girls did everything medically together. Laurie got sick Makenzie did also. Laurie got Hospitalized, Makenzie got rejection. So I hope it ends there.
Last week was a really tough week for us all It was really hard watching someone you love pass away right before your eyes taking there last breath. But through out the week most of us were at peace with her passing. Laurie fought a hard and long battle of cancer laying in her bed for about 2 years trying everything to take of herself. But always held her head up high and put her faith in the Lord. She was defiantly a angel here I am so blessed to have been apart of her life. She will be missed. I am so thankful for Eternal families and I know that Tyler and I will strive to live up to her expectations so we can see her again.

Super dupper Day

Today was a fun day Tyler was off work so we had family day all day. We went up to Silver lake up in Little Cottonwood canyon and walked the board walk it was a perfect day to go hiking it dropped like 20 degrees from the valley to the mountains. driving up A wasp flew into the van and hit Jackson in the neck and scared him to death but luckily it didn't sting him he was able to squish him with his shoe.
We finally got up there and there was still snow on the ground, Jackson was crossing a snow bank and of course he slipt and fell he didn't get hurt but it was funny.
While we were walking along the board walk We saw chipmunks, so the kids decided that they were Alvin Simon and Theodore. We also saw fish in the lake. It was a nice walk.
On the way back a huge bug flew into the van again and this time scared Makenzie and I mean scared her she was crying and after Tyler got it out she told us to keep the windows up and don't ever role them down.
We then got some Ice Cream and had a Barbeque with Uncle Neal and Jerica and after the guys took the kids on a bullet bike ride it was a perfect day spent with family.

Fathers day

I have not posted anything for a while so I figured I should talk about Tyler since it was Fathers day and he is the Father of our 2 beautiful children and his 2 other beautiful kids. Tyler is a very good husband and father even though he Love's watching TV that is his relaxation time he still finds time to wrestle with the kids and run around with them even when he has been at work from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Or when I am sick he lets me stay in the bedroom and sleep or just relax even if he had a a 12 hour day at work he will come home and watch the kids for me while I try and get myself better. He will also run out to the store and get me sprite and crackers or what ever I need to get feeling better.
He is a great provider who allows me to stay home with our children while he goes to work and school so he can make our family financially OK. Even if it is coming home from work for a few hours then off to school for a couple of hours. It is defiantly hard on him and us to not be able to see him a lot through out the week but he knows that what he is doing is important for his family even if he really does not like it.
I am so thankful that I was able to find him and get married to him and sealed as a family with him. I am so happy that I was able to get married to my best friend. He is defiantly the best husband and father for me and my kids. I don't know to many husband and father's that would work all day and go to school and still find the time for his kids and time for me to take out on a date. He is defiantly our Super Hero.
I don't tell him often how much I appreciate all he does for us but I really do I am so thankful that I am able to stay home with my kids thanks to all his hard work I love him with all my heart. Happy Fathers day

Loving Life

I decided to start a blog about my family, I have one for Makenzie but I want one for me to just blab and tell you how my family is doing and growing.
I am a wife and a mother of 2 I have been a stay at home mom for 3 years and love ever moment of it i could never imagine going back to work.
My husband is going to college to become a nurse which is a good profession considering we are at the hospital a lot. He is doing an amazing job and has a few more semesters to finish his generals but he is on his way. We are all rooting for him.
Makenzie is 4 and will be starting kindergarten next year so I have a year to figure out if I want to home school or send off to school. She is an amazing daughter that has been through a lot she had a Heart Transplant at the Childrens hospital in Denver at the age of 16 months we have spend a lot of time at Pcmc and Denver Hospital but you would never now it.
Braxton is 2 turning 3 in September and he is a bright child just like Makenzie he is learning the alphabet he knows the alphabet song. I am teaching him to identify the letters so far he knows A-F so he is on his way. I love my family they are the best.