Jocelyn's First Haircut!

Jocie just got her first haircut about a week or so ago, and I'm finally getting around to posting some pics! I've been busy with designing some templates for Christmas Photo Cards, so I just haven't had the time, but here they finally are! (You'll have to click on the images to get them to open up bigger and see the pics better, but I couldn't get them to download any larger.)

Megan, a friend from my Ward, is a licensed cosmetologist, so I got her to cut it. Jocie had a little bit of a hard time holding still, which made Megan a little nervous to do an A-line cut, but it turned out great! We tried the sucker tactic first to try and get Jocelyn to quit moving, but that only resulted in a sticky drape, so I resorted to reading the sucker wrapper to her and pointing out the little images on it, which she thought was so much more fun! Funny girl.

I had to let Jocelyn play in the sink so that she'd hold still long enough to snap some shots when we got home. Which of course she didn't mind! She was so excited to have her first haircut and has been talking about it non-stop for the last week! "Hair tut! Big dirl!" It turned out so cute and she does look like such a big girl ~ my little miss is growing up too fast!

Here's a few funny pictures of her later trying to steal a sip of Daddy's pop.

She knows she's cute enough to get away with it! : )

Jeron's Halloween Ideas for Our Family

• The Backyardigans


• A dark cave


• Snakes


• The Transformers: Bumblebee (Jeron), Optimus Prime (Daddy), Jazz (Jocie), All-Spark (Mom), and Bulkhead (Braxton) - and yes, he really does know all the names . . .


• The Incredibles - there's actually the right amount!


• Wow Wow Wubbzies


• Bengal Tigers


• Army Soldiers

What's your vote?! My personal favorite is a dark cave, but that might be hard to pull off . . . ;)

Perspective & Peanut Butter

This morning I stumbled upon a Utah family's blog through a friend's blogspot; it was a sad story about a family who had lost their beautiful daughter to an accident just a few weeks short of her 2nd birthday. She choked on an apple piece the size of a pea. I couldn't even imagine losing a child and couldn't help thinking that this could happen so easily to my family, to any family. I was struck so intensely by this that my immediate reaction (after telling my twin sister Talia about it of course) was to turn off my computer and go and spend time with my kids. We spent our time with a morning swim and an early snack.



As the warm Arizona breeze fanned our tan faces and the sound of my children's laughter bounced off the water, I felt how lucky I was to have my children, not only now, but for eternity. As long as I live worthy of them, they are mine forever, and we can be together forever. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the direction and guidance that it brings us. This knowledge calms me when I start letting my fears of the unknown creep in. My eternal perspective was renewed, and so was my desire to live righteously so that we can all return home together as an eternal family. Our time here is so short-lived, and we make so many mistakes, at least I know that I do! I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, so that we can follow their example and be forgiven for our many shortcomings, and live each day to be more like them. I pray that we may all strive for perfection in our own lives, and that we take the time to enjoy the many blessings we are given. At this time, mine come wrapped in peanut butter & jelly kisses and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Like Father Like Son

I had to post this pic of Buck and baby Braxton ~ it was too cute how they are both making the same face and are both totally konked out together. I always think it's so sweet to see daddy and baby pictures, so I thought I'd share this one!

Baby bonding . . .

Speaking of sleeping, here's a picture of Jocie a few days ago cuddled up on the couch with HER baby. With a new baby in the house, there's alot that she seems to quickly observe and learn. She has turned in to such a little mother, and is always copying me and Braxton with her baby dolls. She is always burping her babies, giving them rides in the swing, or rocking them in the bouncer, and making sure I see what a good job she's doing! Here's a pic of her rocking her baby doll in the swing.

Our Newest Addition ~ Braxton Evert

We just welcomed a new addition to our family on July 29th, Braxton Evert Mouser, 7 lbs, 8 oz, 20 inches long. Since his arrival, Jeron and Jocelyn have been smothering him non-stop and are big little helpers! Sometimes too much help. : ) They absolutely love their baby brother and are so excited to have him in our family. Braxton is a very sweet baby, although he has his fussy spells, and we are quickly adjusting to 3 kids. We definitely have a very busy houseful, but we wouldn't trade it for anything!