Merry Christmas!

I took these pictures myself, so the quality is not great, but the kids are darn cute! Like always, I am behind on everything, so I needed to get my cards ordered, and of course I didn't have up to date pictures, so I did it myself. If you don't get a card, t Ihen I am sorry, but Merry Christmas just the same!

I guess I could update you on a few things while I am here haha! I have just been crazy busy with everything! You know what they say, "The jack of all trades, and master of none". Well, that explains me to a T! I have 50 jobs, and it seems like they are never finished. I don't know why I do it to myself, because one or two jobs would probably sufice, but I am a sucker. I have been really busy with my cakes, so I will add some pics to my cake blog. I have also been surprisingly busy with real estate which is so great because if I could get a couple of nice checks, then I can get my house addition payment reduced by alot, and who wouldn't love that haha! Oh ya, we have been working on building on to our house, and it has been nothing but a pain. We have been trying to get the plans done for months now. Hopefully we can get started once it warms up because we have grown right out of our house.

Last but not least, I have a great funny story about Shayda. I was at wal-mart getting a few finishing touches to my christmas shopping, and I notice that my cart is getting full fast, and I am thinking that it is going to cost me a fortune at this point. I obviously was not paying a whole lot of attention to Shayda other than yelling at her to quit wandering off, and I look down and notice a cake pan in my cart. So I thought, I did not put that in there, so I get looking, and there were all kinds of things such as movies, dress up crowns, chapstick, etc. probably about ten things that she had added to my cart. I thought I was going to die laughing because not only had she done what most kids do to their parents without their knowledge, but she put a cake pan of all things in the cart. I thought that maybe she had just put it there because she just liked helping me out, but later I heard her telling Clete that she got this cool thing to bake a cake for her dad! What a cute girl! Anyways thats all for me, so Merry Christmas to all of you!

HELP...

My cute kids in front of my harvest decorations...haha
My kids Tinkerbell... and the lost boy skunk...at the church party!

All the girls in my family & a couple of the grandkids... I am the oldest ugh!

My newest nephew Ty

Just a flag inspiration that someone painted near oak city...

As many of you know... My little brother Jordon is in Iraq serving our country! I am trying so hard to think of something to send him for christmas... I have made a ton of baked goods that I am sending him... but I need more ideas before November 13th, because that is the date it needs to be sent out to make it by Christmas... but (preferably before the 10th because I am having a dumb surgery that will have me out of commission for a couple of days haha) I really need help,I want to send him something really great, but there are restrictions, and I just don't know what you send someone that is fighting a war??? Help... I also wanted to tell you about a few other things that have been going on in my life... I now have a new beautiful nephew born to my sister in law Lacey, and her sweet new fiance Cory... His name is Ty, and he was born on Oct. 26th, and he weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. wow lacey you are a tough woman, and your baby is such a doll! ( I think he looks like me hahahahaha) Anyways... I also wanted to mention my sweet, best, wonderful, perfect, MOTHERS 49th birthday (yes, she is really 49) She has always looked so young, and she has always been the best mom ever... if you want to know the definition of a good... check out my sweet mom! She is the best, and I love her so so so much! Happy Birthday Mom... I love you! Last but not least are my sweet babies on Halloween... Shayda really wanted to be Tinkerbell... so I made some of her outfit... and my sis borrowed me the rest ( thanks sis) and Justice was the lost boy skunk... and he got so many compliments on his outfit... he loves hats, but not usually to wear them, but he loved his skunk hat haha! I also wanted to give a shout out to my mom who made my scarecrow in my front yard more than ten years ago... what a woman!!! Love you mom. I really need help with my gift for my brother, so please please please help me find something that he would love asap!

Happenings...

Kelly Bennett photograph
Another gorgeous pic from 1st day of preschool

7 month old pic

Darling baby boy

My two little dolls

My mom and her screaming grandkids haha

Me and my little sis Shantel...

I know that this post is going to be an over load of information, but I get so much crap for not posting very often so here it goes. First things first... I should give an update on my last post about Shayda, and Jordon. Shayda's surgery went so well... she was such a big girl, and did not even cry or get sick. It was like she just went to sleep, and then woke up happy (that doesn't happen very often haha). The tests were negative which is so good, but now I am not sure what to do about it. Jordon is now in Kuwait... We have talked to him every two to three days, and he seems like he is doing really well. Keep him in your prayers for me!

We went to the pumpkin patch at the red barn with my mom, and my sisters and sister in law. I put a pic of my mom and her screaming grandkids... so funny. I also added a pic of my little sis Shantel who is now in college leaving my parents empty nesters...sad! We have also been to the zoo with some good friends of ours, and stayed in Salt Lake at a really nice hotel... it was great. I don't have pics because I forgot my camera so I had to use a disposable.

I really have had so much going on, but now my mind is blanking so last but not least... I got Justice's pics done a couple of months ago at kiddie kandids because while we were at the mall getting new glasses for Clete, a girl at kiddie kandids asked me if I would let her take pics of my kids for free, and they would give me a free 5x7... so of course I said yes. My kids were not dressed the way I would have liked, but it worked out, and they turned out so cute! I was feeling pretty bad about not getting any pics of Shayda. Luckily, the very next day Shayda started her first day of preschool, and my friend Kelly Bennett took some beautiful pictures of her. I still can't believe how old she is getting. We are doing a mom's preschool, and it is going good. It is definately harder than I thought it would be but Shayda really is learning alot. To check out more pics of preschool go to kellybennettphotography.com. Anyways I am sure that there will be more to come in this crazy life of mine so keep checking. I will also be adding new cakes to my cake blog so check it out as well..

Lots of tears...

Uncle Jordon w/ new baby Justice

Uncle Jordon showing Shayda his bird...

Shayda with her favorite uncle Jordon at mini drill this year

So I am sitting here sobbing because there are a couple of things that are happening this week, and I need lots of prayers... First of all my baby girl Shayda is getting surgery on Tuesday. She is getting an exploratory surgery of her bladder, and a couple of tests to make sure that she does not have diabetes. I actually had the same surgery when I was her age, and it is definately fine...but always scary when you get anesthesia non the less. Last but not least my baby brother Jordon is heading to Iraq on the 16th...(hence the patriotic background). I love love love my little brother! He is so dang cute, and we get along great, so you can see why I am having such a hard time. He is so strong, and has been full time Army for 18 months in New York (Fort Drum) and part time army since his 17th birthday. I love you both, and will pray for your health and safety...Love your guts! I have added some pics of Jordon, and Shayda so check them out. Also remember my new cake hobby and check out my cassasclipsnclaws blog.

Things that start with C...

This is Just one of the cakes that I have done most recently... It is for my friend Niccaels 21st birthday! Happy Birthday Niccael. Love your guts

Ok so apparently I am only interested in creative, fun things that start with C... haha! I have started to do cakes, and I have been incredibly busy for just starting out. I am loving making these cakes. I get to do new things each week, and it is so much fun. As everyone knows, real estate has been a little slow, so I needed to find new things to keep me busy, and this is what I have found. I know that everyone will get so sick of me reminding them of checking out my other blog, but I will be reminding you every time I blog so here it goes. Check out my blog cassasclipsnclaws.blogspot.com. I have done so much this summer, (hence me not blogging as often as I should) so I will add more blogs this week. I will, I promise!

Happy, Happy birthday to ME!!!

I think their tractor is so cute...

The cutest cowgirls...

My biggest boy...

My little soldier...

Obviously alot has been going on lately... First of all... it was my 28th birthday! At first I was so excited because I love birthdays, but now that it has passed, I am a little bummed that I am getting so close to 30. Oh well I am still happy, and healthy so I will try not to complain haha! I had a great birthday though. I got to spend the day at my moms house for a birthday luau... then I spent the 4th in Fillmore because Shayda did mini cheer. She did pretty good, although she was a little more shy then I thought she would be. I taught my primary class on Sunday, and then headed north to stay at a jacuzzi suite. I had Justice of course, and Shayda was with my mom, but it was still fun. We ate at a great restaurant, and Justice loved the Jacuzzi by the way haha! We also had my neice Makinley over, and Shayda had a blast with her cousin, riding horses! Next... Clete finally got my rocks in my front yard spread out. He wanted Justice to ride with him, and it was so cute, I had to post a pic. Last but not least... Justice turned 5 months old, I got his pics done at kiddie kandids, and Clete thinks that the saddle is gay, but it turned out to be the cutest pic, so I had to get it. I also got a pic with his New York shirt, and a flag background for his uncle Jordon who is full time Army in New York. Well, that is all that has been going on lately, so you are all caught up!

A Tribute to Brooks...

I wanted to write a tribute to the memory of my sweet cousin Brooks. I grew up next to him from the day he was born until I moved away from home at 17. The one thing that I remember most about Brooks when we were young is that he was the most loveable, most accident prone kid I have ever known. I knew from a very young age that the girls would just swoon for him. I have never known anyone to be more accident prone from the scar on his eye from a curling iron, to falling out a two story window, to crashing on his bike down the leamington hill. He has been hurt badly a million times, and always jumped up for more. I would have not imagined that diabetes would have been what took his life from him. Unfortunatley, the last 3 or so years of his life, we only got to see him a couple times a year, but when I did he always made me laugh. One of the things that happened is a little over a year ago, I decided to go stay at my cousin Mandy's house (Brooks sister). No one had told Brooks that I was staying there, and as I was watching Mandy do hair, Brooks just happened to call. Mandy asked me to answer it, because she was busy, and so all I said was hello. Brooks said hey Cas what are you doing at my sisters? I was shocked. First of all Mandy and I sound alot alike, and second of all I only go to Mandy's a couple times a year. I felt like he was so observant. The last story that I will share with you, is a couple of years ago when we all went to fish lake to stay in my mom's fifth wheel. We used to do that once a year around the 24th of July. We were all sitting around visiting, and Brooks just starts laughing. I said what are you staring at, and he said you have the smallest teeth, so I am going to call you "Midget Teeth". I then said, you are a jerk, and he said I hate your guts, and we went on for quite awhile(both of us kidding of course). From then on he called me "Midget Teeth".
Those stories probably sound so silly to everyone else, but they are what I think of everytime I think of Brooks. I wanted to share a little about him with you to maybe help me heal a little. If you want to see more pictures of Brooks, check out Amy Fins. blog (there is a link to her blog in my friends list). I feel like I may still be in denial about his passing because I didn't get to see him very often in the few years before his death. Anytime I see his picture I just break down. He is really the first person in my life that passed away, and took me by surprise because of how and when. I always imagine the elderly passing, and not anyone so young. I don't know how you accept it, other than to acknowledge that he was needed by our heavenly father. I love and miss you Brooks more than you will know. I wish that you could still be here, but I know that you were needed in a better place. I love you...

My new blog...

If you know me very well, then you know that I love doing crafts. One of the things that I have been doing for about a year now, is making bows, and selling them in a couple of beauty salons. I also do nails, and some of my clients let me do fun things to their nails. For the last few months, some of my friends have asked me to put some of my things online, and since I have a blog, I decided it would be fun to do another one with just my crafty things. Here is a picture of Shayda with one of my bows! I hope that you enjoy my new blog... Its called cassa's clips n claws. You can link to it from this blog if you want to check it out.

Justice's Blessing day...

We blessed Justice on May 9th at the Holden church! It was alot of fun. I forgot my camera of course so I took some pics with my mother in laws camera, so I will put them up when I get them. I took these pics after the blessing at my house. The first picture is Justice cheesing to my sister making a funny face. The second is me, Clete, and Justice (Just call me shiny face magee haha). The third pic is my mom and step dad, my sister Alyssa's kids Makinley and Miley, then Shayda (Check out how she is crossing her legs...She is funny haha), Justice, and last but not least my brother Westons little boy Dreyden. There were alot of people there including most of my in-laws, most of my family, and many of my friends and co-workers. We had alot of fun! Thanks to all my friends and family that could make it. We love you!

Lots of stuff... in Shayda's words...

So I have been pretty busy lately, so I thought that I would add some pictures explaining what I have been up to. First is a picture of the cake I made for my neice. I love to make cakes, and I was quite proud of this one haha. Next is a picture of my friends kids, Jenna, Suz, Jill, and Erin. We had alot of fun. See if you can guess who's kids are who's. Next, is Shayda chasing the chickens at my moms house. She loves to chase the chickens, and if you look close, then you can see my brother's dog chasing them to haha. Last but not least, is Easter at my in-laws, and at my moms. My mom also does a big egg hunt for all the adults to. She gives tons of presents, candy, money, etc. She is the best! Well.. that is pretty much it, but more to come because I have lots of plans.

New family picture!

So this picture has been a pain to get. We got them when Justice was 6 weeks old in Nephi, and it took me a couple of weeks to order them because I kept forgetting. ( I am pretty sure I have lost my mind since having the baby haha) anyways, I finally got them ordered, and then it took me a couple of weeks to pick them up. I forgot to get them on a cd, so I had to scan it in. Then I couldn't get it to upload to my blog, so I had to take a picture of a picture, and then load it. wow what a story huh? Well anyways here it is, in rough shape but its here. I also couldn't get it to size down or center in my blog so if anyone knows how to do that please let me know. I will be getting new pictures of Justice on sometime because he has doubled his weight already. I can't believe how fast he is growing... I loved all of the new things that Shayda did after she was born, and not that I don't love the things that Justice does, but I don't like that he is growing up to fast. I now realize that they grow up way to fast, and it makes me sad. He is smiling a ton now, this crooked little smile, and it is adorable. Anyways the point is that... time flies!

Such cute kiddies!

I may be biased, but I think that my kiddies are so cute! We got family pictures, and newborn pictures when Justice was six weeks old. These are just a few that I got back, but I should be getting more back soon, so keep and eye out. Shayda always has to pose, and it looks like Justice is going to be the same way. Shayda loves her little brother. They are just too cute!

Valentine's Day Fun!

We had a great valentine's day this year! Since we have a new baby at home, we decided to just stay at home, and have a fun dinner, and watch a movie. Clete and Shayda got me some beautiful flowers, and they both wrote a note to me on the card that was so cute. I can't believe how big Justice looks in that picture already, and Shayda is a crazy kid in all of the pictures haha...

Justice David Carter

Justice David Carter was born at 4:27 p.m. on January 21st 2009! He was about 2 weeks and 2 days early. He weighed 7 lbs and 11 oz. and 21 inches. He was born at central valley medical center in Nephi, and was there for about 12 hours before he was sent to the NICU in the utah valley hospital. I could not go with him, so my mom went with him, and spent the night. Thanks mom, your the best! Clete and I got to go the next day. He had a cpap on that helped blow air in his face to help him breath better. He had a feeding tube, and an I.V., and many bells and whistles attached to him. It was so scary, but he was definitley one of the healthy ones in there. He had to be there for 5 days, and was sent home with a billi bed because he was jaundice. We had to go to my moms house for a few days because Clete and Shayda were sick. We are finally home now, and so happy to be. Shayda is a great big sister, she keeps her hands sanitized, and asks to hold him. We love him, and we are so happy to have a new addition to our family.