Dear Caroline,

Sister Bell we have so many names for you....Sister, Sister Belle, Squish, Squishy and little C are the main nicknames you are called.  And really squishy may sound a little, well not nice but you just have to take my word for it you are in fact squishy.  Your tiny little self starting walking just days before you first birthday, your hair is in this adorable little blond bob, you are so tiny and small in the 10th percentile on both and so it just looks so funny to see your pint size little self toddling around.  You always get double takes and people asking how old you are saying it seems so strange to see someone so small walking around.

You really are the perfect little caboose to end our family on.  My heart just goes into mush mode when it comes to you.  You are oh so beautiful and SO CUDDLY, like I could just snuggle you forever.  You love to sit with me and your binki and without fail your little hand will find it's way up into my sleeve and you grasp onto my wrist and we rock and rock.  It's really the best, none of your siblings were much for cuddling.  It feels like this amazing gift that God gave me saying "enjoy this last baby of yours".  And so I do, I so do.

You have a few words in your vocabulary, hi, dad, and uh oh are your favorites.  Yes mommy feels a little sad that you know dad and not mom but you do give really fabulous greetings upon my arrival.  Whenever you hear that back door slamming, no matter who has arrived you pop up from whatever you may be doing, throw that little hand up in the air and say "hi, hi".  Cute so cute.

But the real kicker is you sing.

And not just any song.

You sing let it go.

The first few times it happened we all kind of looked at each other with shock and said is she singing what we think she is singing.  Thought maybe it was just a coincidence.

But soon enough we knew it was indeed no coincidence.  You can belt it out with the best of them and it absolutely kills me.  Cutest thing ever.  Katelynn got a Snow Glow Elsa for Christmas who lights up and sings Let it Go.  Well bless that girls heart she has let you take it over, the way you toddle through the house, squeezing your doll, bellowing let it go.  Ugh.........just never grow up baby girl.  It is absolutely precious.

Little Miss you are still such a mommas girls.  Like so bad.  Most times you won't even look in other's directions in fear of having to go to them and not me.  You burrow that head, tuck that little lip in, and snuggle my arm like there is no tomorrow.  However there are occasions when you have had good bonding time with dad that for 24 hours or so you will prefer him to me.  But then he goes to work or something and we are back to being BFF'S for the long haul.  You have such an adorable little personality I do wish you would let other's see it sometimes instead of burrowing into me.

So we got a puppy for Christmas.  You won't remember life without our little Blacky dog.  It is so funny to watch the two of you together.  So many similarities between my two babies.  You both love snuggles, you both on occasion keep me up at night, you both are pros at getting into things you shouldn't, the only difference one where's a diaper and at times I wish the other would:)  But truly you adore that little pup of ours.  So many times I catch you plopped on the floor trying to keep Blacky in your lap, snuggling him within an inch of his life.  You love to wrap your little body around him in a giant hug and my gosh is it cute.

Little Miss I have to thank you for the awesome sleep we have been getting around here.  You sleep all night from 8:30 to 7 am the next morning.  It has been four months now and still every night I thank my lucky stars that sleep is so good.  I fought your sister for so long that it really feels so remarkable that you were so much easier.  Now if we could get Blacky on the same kind of schedule.....

Oh Belle you light up my life.  I truly believe you were meant to be our last little baby.  We are going out with a bang because of you, what a precious little spirit you are in our family.  And so darn cute at that.  They just don't come any cuter.

Love you baby girl, happy first birthday, I think this next year will just get better and better as our miss continues to grow and sparkle with your personality taking hold.

Thanks for being mine little love.....

November Instagram

Friends come on please, I am ready for my party!

My girl is one....it hurts my heart a whole lot but in a really beautiful way.  Do all moms feel this way with the baby of the family?  Are they always still your baby, no matter how old they get?  I adore every inch of that squishy little body of hers.  I love those tiny little legs, those big blue eyes, her blonde little bob of perfect hair......seriously this girl got an awesome set of hair, it will be the envy of other girls I am sure;)   I love the way she nuzzles my shirt because they smell like me, the binkie that soothes her, the big old open mouthed smile she so freely gives, the way she REALLY I mean really loves her momma.  Everything about her is perfection, she soothes my soul to the very core of me.  Sweet Caroline I had no idea how you would so completely bless my life as you have this last year.  Stay my baby forever and ever little love, you are such a delight.

first birthday success, leftover birthday cake and baked ziti, cold front moving in, cozy wool socks, sugar highs Halloween candy, getting my Christmas music ready for listening......just our Smith weekends at home!

American Girl doll catalog......I can't tell you how many times we have had to tape it back together!

She got a lot of attention at Walmart today.....it was a tossup between her and her Target coat!

Headed to the Pinewood Derby a little sad dad can't make it:(

I like this new overnight/weekend bag I just got.....but the only problem is I have no overnight plans!

Missionaries were here for dinner, sure is nice having them....such a great spirit they bring.

Girls night I am ready for ya!  Oh and I decided overnight bag was the perfect size for everyday bag!

Gorgeous day today....felt like a park afternoon.  Excuse the ragamuffins we don't really do our hair or match our clothes on Saturdays.

Clue and chocolate chip cookies.....party animals this Saturday night.

We both feel so snuggly in our sweaters today!

She squawks, he puts her in her highchair gives her cereal and drags her over to watch the computer while he finishes up homework.  It's thanks to him I can get dinner on the table without her hanging on my leg or destroying the kitchen or both!

Cuties....I told them I would get the cleaning done while they were at school so they could help me with the fun decorating stuff when they got home!

He has worked in Ogden for almost six years now and this is the first time I have ever been able to meet him for lunch....it's so darn far away from Logan!  Happy afternoon lunch date with our ladies!

Baby it's cold outside!

She just can't quite catch up on her sleep.

Just a happy moment.  One up doing homework.  Two watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  One at the piano.  Chopping and dicing for 7 layer dip.  Headed to a birthday party.  Listening to Idina again.....seriously go buy her Holiday Wishes CD.....AMAZING!

Good morning sis!

It's a great night to break in my new Hunter boots on this cold rainy/snowy evening as we head to Salt Lake for the Jazz game.  Excited for a night with my boys!

Wish you were here today Grandma.....

Sending you a little Christmas Grandma....glad we could share a candy cane even though they don't taste the same not coming from the candy cane boot.

I guess cause it's Thanksgiving break we do things we don't normally do?  Like stay in our pajamas all day, bring drinks into our living room and spend probably too much time with electronics.  Oh well these hard working boys deserve it and I love pajama days!

This I am thankful for......

A happy little Thanksgiving family......minus a sleeping little sis.  Most grateful for them.

My little plaid flannel shirt friend.  She did not like the shirt I picked out for her today because "it was a boy shirt".  I had to do some quick convincing that with her leg warmers, fuzzy boots, and sparkly bow it would be plenty girly to compensate for her "boy" shirt.

This just doesn't happen nearly often enough....doesn't she know this a little piece of heaven on earth for her mommy.

Sunday morning at the Smith's in front of the tree!

Most Pathetic Update Ever

Five pictures or was it six?

Anyway no pictures were taken over the last month.....not even over Thanksgiving or the start of December.

My most favorite time of the year.

That's not to say fun hasn't been had.....it has.

And I did take lots for Caroline's first birthday on the first of November, I just need to get them posted.

But in the meantime...

A sweetheart and me.

My two little ladies looking extra precious one day.

Eric's grandmother passed away the end of November, her funeral was beautiful.

A really terrific day with family.

Even our favorite little cousin Miss Kel who moved to Arizona last July we were glad we got a special reason to see her.

Especially because a week later when they were here for Thanksgiving she ended up with strep and we didn't get to see her at all:(

Usually shenanigans probable flinging food at each other or something.

And a tired babe with her dad.

As for what else we have been up to.....

Thanksgiving was beautiful.

House all decorated for Christmas.

Time spent with grandparents.

Jazz game with our two boys.

Christmas shopping.

Lots of girls night outs.

Decorated gingerbread cookies.....just tonight in fact.

Two Christmas parties one complete with a buggy ride, very fun.

First rounds of colds/flu hit our family.

Me probably the hardest and Luke.

Lots of Christmas movies and the Hallmark channel kills me this time of year.

What else?

I don't know but it's been a good few weeks, and a few really great ones ahead that hopefully has some pictures to document:)

October Instagram

Every Thursday is show and tell.....we forgot the last four weeks.  But today?  Today we remembered.  So she can stop showing her pencils each week:)

My favorite weekend.....conference weekend.

Eric and Eric Jr.

Just a baby looking for a game....

I am puppynapping Miss Sadie Bell.  I'm in love!!

Birthday lunch with this beautiful momma!

So close to walking.....so so close.

Makings of a tea party.....

Yup that's a cute boy!

The canyon performed for us tonight, it was beautiful out there this gorgeous fall evening getting our family pictures.

Pumpkin patch!

Sunday morning at the Smith's!

Selfies in the elementary school bathroom!

Tippy toes....

These monkeys....I am happy to have them for five whole days!  Fall Break!

So not how we planned on spending fall break.....down with the flu.

And done.  Simplicity is sometimes really good on a fall porch.

Just my girl.

The little girls enjoying the fountains.

Late night movie with my sissies on girls weekend 2014!

Good Saturday morning!

Have I ever mentioned I can't take a picture in the sunlight to save my life.  Sensitive eyes....it's a thing.

Ooh these dolls are adorable!

Miss K has a talk today, here's hoping she actually says it:)

She's delighted with the horse, he's delighted with her.

Red Ribbon week pajama day!

It's field trip  time to the Pumpkin Walk!

Sometimes I feel like I have been two different moms over the years....a boy mom and a girl mom.  I remember so clearly the years it was just me and two little boys wondering if I would ever have any more after Luke's horrific pregnancy.  Being so grateful for my two boys only 18 months apart.  Then years later adding these two beauties to our family.  I am so grateful for the days I spent with cars, buzz lightyear and spiderman.  And now I am so grateful for princesses, castles and my little ponies.  Life has a way of working out just the way it should doesn't it?

I think he's in love too!

Queen Elsa is wearing lipstick......she thinks she's so so beautiful.  Of course she is:)

I got to Lance's class Halloween party and one of his friends said "wow Lance's mom is way cute".  Haha thanks kid for making my day!