The Norman Family

Exploring

2010-03-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

It was the first nice day since we moved into our new house. Bentley got a backpack for his birthday from Josh's parents that he absolutely loves. He said he wanted to go camping, I told him maybe it would be fun to go exploring, instead. He jumped all over that and wasn't very patient when it came to packing his bag full of neccesities. He packed some water, snacks, a shovel and a bucket. We packed Lyza a back-ack, too, but all she cared about was the snacks which didn't even make it into the bag. we went to an empty lot across the street and started exploring. Both of the kids found some interesting "treasures" that they filled the bucket up with. We finished up at the park. It ended up being the perfect day. It reminded me of my mom who took us out exploring when we were kids. I will always remember searching for dinosaur eggs and burying them in the dirt in hopes that they would hatch. The best things are free :) Thanks for teaching me too be creative mom, I love you!

Takin' a Break

2010-03-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

After we explored for about 5 minutes Bentley said, "I need to take a break!"

My Little Nerd

2010-03-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

I laughed so hard at these pictures because Bentley totally looks like a nerd! He was so excited to wear Gramma Parkins reading glasses, thanks for the fun, Gramma!

Packing Play

2010-03-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

In the midst of moving, boxes became our new toys. Bentley and Lyza kissed and hugged and played in these boxes for hours.

Packing Play Continued

2010-03-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

So cute! I love it when Bentley is so sweet with Lyza

Lyza doesn't have much patience. This is a typical face when things don't go perfectly

Scripture Power

2010-03-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Reading the scriptures...it's what every mom wants to see her kid doing.

Reading Rainbow

2010-03-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Josh is such a great Dad. The kids love it when he reads to them. I love how excited they get when they get to spend one-on-one time with him.

Bubble Butt

2010-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

It seems that everything must go in Bentley pants. Bubble wrap anyone?

Lyza's Blessing

2010-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

We finally blessed Lyza on Valentines Day. She looked so beautiful. All she needed was some snacks to keep her busy and she sat so good. I love my baby girl. She has always been so fun and happy. Her little quirks make me laugh. She wants to do everything her big brother does. She is so daring, demanding, silly, sassy, free-spirited, and cute :) I hope you live your life to the fullest! Love you girl!

Fort

2010-03-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Bentley loves to make forts. This one was my favorite. Especially because he was able to incorporate the garbage can.

Just a couple of kids...

2010-03-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

I love when Josh gets silly. I always find random pictures on the camera after Josh has a day with the kids.

Tough On Top

2010-03-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

It's rare when Lyza ends up being tough on Bentley.

Christmas Dress

2010-03-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

Lyza looked so adorable in her Christmas dress, I had to post it

Saran Wrap

2010-03-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

As parents we sometimes make our kids to crazy things just so we can get a good laugh. This was definitely one of those times!

Shepherd Boy

2010-03-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

My little shepherd boy and his friend Molly eating snow brought down by our neighbors from their cabin.

Bentley got this from nursery and totally loved it! We love you, Sister Hesson!

Like father like son

Josh and My Birthday

2010-03-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Kayla made our brownies for us, how cute!

Bentley really wanted us to do candles, but we were clean out so he got to blow out the lighter for us.

Happy 24th and 27th birthday! Thanks everyone who came!

Bentley's 3rd Birthday

2010-03-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

Josh made the Shelby Mustang cake

Cake and ice cream always tastes better with out the spoon

Bentley's cousins were a little eager for him to open his presents.

The backpack was the perfect gift for Bentley, he still packs it full of stuff and tells me he's going camping.

Knucklehead

2010-03-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Everytime Bumpa comes over, Bentley loves to play knucklehead with him. It involves pulling your shirt over your head and running around laughing...then repeat.

Imagination

2010-03-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

My favorite thing about Bentley is his imagination. Here he is dressed up as an eskimo.

And here he's a bird. He was so proud of the nest he made out of our playpen sheet :)

Fat Lip

2010-03-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

It always breaks your heart when your kid gets hurt but, this one gave me the chills. He was on our 1st stair in an empty diaper box, which slipped off the stair since, and ate the tile. I wanted to say, "What on earth were you thinking? Why there of all places?" but I couldn't say anything, I could only hold my boy as he cried through his first fat lip.

Tractor Pull

2010-03-08T21:49:00.000-08:00

Bentley is obsessed with trailers. He hooked his chair/trailer onto his tractor and took Lyza for a good old fashioned tractor ride.

Goldilocks

2010-03-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

I had to post this one for Josh. Neither of my children were blessed with much hair. My little shfl-b (short front, long back) had to get that mullet cut off. I thought Josh was going to cry when he saw her beautiful locks cut off. He didn't cry, but, he was very...hmmm...upset.

Cup Holder?

2010-03-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

Bentley has always been really creative, but this is by far the best invention yet. Is it underwear?...Or cup holder?...Wow, it's both!

Digging For Seeds

2009-11-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Trunk-or-Treat

2009-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

My neighbor made her daughter's costume! She was the most adorable little cupcake I've ever seen!

This was hands down, the cutest costume of the night-Strawberry Shortcake, oh the memories!

Happy Halloween!

Lyza's Halloween

2009-11-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Our little stinky sweety!

Lyza ate candy non-stop the entire night

Lyza refused to eat anything that resembled real food. She cried until she got her candy, cookies and root beer. Then she was blissfully pleasant for the rest of the night. One day of no nutrition isn't so bad, right?

Bentley's Halloween

2009-11-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of our local library's toddler time. Bentley wore this until it finally broke. I love how excited kids get at the littlest things!

It took about 5 minutes to convince Bentley that the dark slimy whole was not the pumpkins mouth, he would not be eaten, and it was safe to put his whole hand in there and grab all those cool seeds out.

Bentley would ask people, "Can I get a piece for Lyza too?" He doubled his candy for the night, good thinkin' kid.

This giraffe costume made me laugh! Everytime he put the hood on it gave him a wedgie, it had a big butt and when he'd show people his costume he would turn around a bend over, accentuating his huge caboose!

Screamin' Halloween Party!

2009-11-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

Ashley and Justin hosted this years Halloween Party. The kids had a blast with pumpkin bowling, pumpkin chocolate cookies, homemade soup, monster fingers, root beer, and all the candy a kid could ever want, thanks guys! Gram and Gramps had to go home before we were able to do the famous African rain dance :( Maybe next year, huh?

Sugar-Crazed Children

2009-11-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Needless to say we weren't able to get a single decent shot!

More at the Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

Our little Pumpkin picking out a pumpkin, how cute

Good thing nobody's eating the pumpkins!

Family Pumpkin Pictures

We found Bentley with a sucker in his hand, I'm pretty sure he stole it, Josh said they were free, let's hope so.

The Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

Staheli Farms has the coolest ranch, they had tons of little toys and rides for the kids to go on, a petting zoo and even horse back rides.

Tetherball has got to be the number one coolest sport ever! I secretly wanted to play, but I'm a little rusty. I settled for watching our cute newly married neighbors, the Emmetts, thrash each other...which then made me glad I chose not play. (I didn't remember it being so brutal)

The kids are really excited to pick out their very own pumpkins...you can see it in their faces, right?!

Purse?

2009-10-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

Lyza loves carrying this thing around where ever she goes. She's always trying to get it through the smallest spaces and then gets pretty upset when the pieces fall out.

Pancake Picnic

2009-10-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time getting breakfast made before playtime, so we had a pancake picnic with Molly!

~Pig Tails~

2009-10-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

Our children were not known for their lucious thick hair, so we were pretty excited when Lyza's hair barely fit into a pair of pig tails!

She walks!!!

2009-10-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

At 14 months Lyza finally decided to walk. She is a stubborn little girl who will not be pushed into doing anything unless she is completely and utterly ready for it. Hmmm...that sounds vaguely familiar. She even wants to walk down the stairs, which means it's time for that annoying little baby gate again.

Sumo Butt

2009-10-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

I love that Bentley always puts his underwear on backwards. I don't correct it because he has the cutest little butt I've ever seen!

California

2009-10-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

It was Steve and Steven Jr. birthday party so we all headed to California. It was so much fun! (aside from all the throwing up and diarrhea from Bentley, the poor kid got sick the night before we left) We finally got to see Steve and Carmen's new apartment, very cute!My dad even flew in from Texas. We went to the beach, had a picnic and went body surfing...oh wow, sooo awesome! Steph and I were surfing partners, we got so caught up in it, my brother chased us down and told us we were almost a mile away from our family. He told us to head back because my mom and older sister Emily wanted to try. I couldn't believe my ears! Two of the biggest chickens in my family were actually going to body surf...I had to see this. As we were walking out into the cold water with them Emily took one look at the waves and said "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!!" she crossed her legs and started to pee her pants. That's my Emily! She even managed to get a sand burn as she tried to body surf in very shallow water in fear that the big waves would drown her. My mom did enjoy it, and had way better success than Emily. I had a really great time and hoped to visit again soon but my brother will be moving back to Saint George in December! Wahoo, see ya soon bro!

Labor Day

2009-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

We had a Labor Day picnic at Liberty Park in Salt Lake with Steph. It was so much fun! My personal favorite was canoeing...if that's even a word. Bentley wanted to row by himself and almost dropped the oar in the water. He got to go on a few rides, an airplane and a MUSTANG! All Bentley really cared about was playing in the dirt. That's my boy!

Perks

2009-09-04T09:47:00.001-07:00

Being a mother definitely has some perks. Like waking up to my son filling the toilet with as much toilet paper as the bowl will hold...two days in a row.

Lyza's 1 Year Pictures

2009-09-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

TuTu

2009-09-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

Bentley's Pictures

2009-08-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

Girls Like Tractors, Too

2009-08-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

Lyza was so proud she got on Bentley's tractor all by herself!

Water Balloon Fight!

2009-08-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

These were the best balloons ever, Bentley threw them time and time again and they just wouldn't pop.

Ice Blocking

2009-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Kimmie's cousins begged us to take them ice blocking...we didn't even want to go...really...we didn't! Haha! We had a blast!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

2009-08-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

Whit and Me

Kimmie and Me

Lady Antebellum-Due West Concert. This concert was a pleasant surprise, I hadn't even heard either of these bands, but, loved them both! And, I went with my best friends from high school, what could be better?

Spoon Me! My favorite Frozen Yogurt place on the planet!

Party Pooper!

2009-08-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

There is a first time for everything. Yes, this is poop. She went to bed without pants and woke up without a diaper. Bentley always wants to "get Lyza" everytime he hears her on the monitor. He beat me to her room and came running out saying "On no, Lyza has poopies on her head!" She had been grinding her toes in it and apparently decided it would be a good idea to put it on her head. When I took her binkie out she started crying and put her poopy fingers in her mouth...YUCK!

Needless to say, we will never be buying these diapers again!

Ballooning

2009-08-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

We took our kids on a hot air balloon, they loved it! I wish! I have always wanted to go. We were eating breakfast out on the back patio when we heard the weirdest noise overhead. Bentley was so excited to know that FIRE is what makes the hot air balloon rise, since he's obsessed with fire. What a wonderful morning!

Purse Trade Show

2009-08-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

Paul, Stephanie, and I went to a trade show in Vegas for 4 days, without children I might add. Steph and I are going to start selling purses, we are so excited, they had the cutest purses there!

Josh watched the kids the entire time, as you can tell they had a blast together! Josh really is the best, the kids loved the extra time they got to spend with their dad.

Lyza's First Birthday

2009-08-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

How fast the time flies by, I still remember the first time I held Lyza in my arms, she was so beautiful and tiny. She has changed so much from that night. She has gone from such a calm baby to a girl with some attitude. She recently learned from Bentley how to scream when she wants something. She makes us laugh with her funny faces and our hearts melt everytime she climbs into our arms to give us a hug. It was all worth it the first time she folded her arms to pray. She truly is daddy's little girl, she always saves him a shy faced smile, tips her head down, looks through her lashes and slowly leans closer to lay her head on his shoulder ready for him to hold her. She makes a B-line to the front door every time it opens, if your not paying attention she'll slip right past you without a sound. She climbs up and down the stairs all by herself. She refuses to eat baby food, whatever is on YOUR plate with be just fine, thank you. She loves playing with Bentley, she always wants to be by his side, playing with everything he plays with. She has been such a fun addition to out little family. Happy Birthday Lyza Girl, we love you!

Cake Time!

2009-08-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

Presents

2009-08-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

Lainee made this card all by herself, she thought it was so funny that she wrote Bentley's name in PINK!

A Curious George book

That's what big brother's are for

Lyza kept ripping the doll out of Josh's hands while he was trying to get her out of the box. She just wanted to give her a big hug and kiss

Thank you everyone for the presents!

Birthday Fun

2009-08-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

This our niece Paityn, she is such a doll

Bentley and Lyza love their dad, because he's so much fun!

Party In A Box

2009-08-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Bentley and Justin were having too much fun at Lyza's party. Justin would carry the box and it looked like nothing was even in it. Bentley would burst out of the box giggling and scream "Surprise!"

Potty Trained!

2009-08-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Finally! Potty training is the hardest thing I have done in my entire life. It took a lot of sweat, tears, pee, poop, laundry, and one dang good carpet cleaning!

Texas!

2009-08-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

My mom just moved to Texas :( we got to help her unpack and visit for ten days :) We had so much fun! We went to the Houston Zoo, the Nasa Museum, the ocean, Kema Boardwalk, the Challenger Memorial Park, a whole bunch of horrible flea markets, swimming in Nana and Papa's pool, and Bentley's favorite the Aquarium, he got to feed the sting rays real fish, see the sharks, and be face to face with a Siberian Tiger. And, of course, we shopped. It is really hot there and they have HUGE cockroaches. My dad threw a book on one and it kept walking with the book still on top of it, no, just kidding, but seriously it was that big! Gotta love Texas!

Fun At The Ocean

2009-08-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

This was one of my favorite days in Texas. We went to the Galveston to see the ocean, talk about bath water, really stinky bath water. It was perfect outside, the water was warm and the kids were great. This is where Lyza first desired to walk, and believe me we tried. She loved walking in the sand and splashing in the water. She ate a LOT of sand and anything else she could get her hands on. Bentley and I found a jellyfish and a ton of seashells. He kept wanting Papa to take him out as far as he could possibly go, until the waves went over his head. If you ever go to the ocean in Galveston you MUST eat at Willie G's, they have the best food in the world!

NASA Museum

2009-08-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Bentley was so excited to ride in a rocket just like his friends on Little Einstein's

Bentley sure makes a cute astronaut!

Houston Zoo

2009-08-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Bentley and Lyza loved the zoo. This is the only picture I have while we were there, if you can believe that. It was our second day in Texas and we were hot and completely drenched in sweat. Bentley's favorite part was the alligator he rode on the carousel.

Play Date

2009-05-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Shouldn't this be the other way around?

This bathtub is like a seesaw, when the person gets off the one end, the other person drops, and Molly got the short end of the stick

Bentley and his girlfriend Molly play outside almost everyday. Bentley kept asking Brielle with his "happy face" voice, "Brielle...can you turn the catepillar on?" And then he wouldn't play in it. He's a little bit of a water-phob.

Livin' it up in Cali

2009-05-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

This is my nephew Steven Jr. I just got an e-mail from my brother who just moved to California a couple months ago. :( I miss them so much. You better come visit soon Steve!

9 months

2009-05-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, time goes by so fast, it feels like Lyza was born yesterday!

What's Lyza doing:

-walks along furniture
-climbs on top of anyone who sits or lays on the ground
-loves strawberries, bananas and rocks
-giggles with Bentley
-kissy lips
-loves water
-has two bottom teeth
-climbs to the top of the stairs
-makes funny faces
-gets "attitude" when you don't let her do what she wants
-loves patty cake
-follows me around everywhere
-says mama, dada, pu-pu (shelby), ba (ball)
-claps her hands
-loves to sing
-gives kisses
-and of course, she is a daddy's girl

Shelby

2009-05-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

This was my Mother's Day present from Josh! He picked the name Shelby because his favorite car is a Shelby Cobra. She's six weeks old, and a little ball of fun!

I think Shelby thinks Lyza is a puppy, too. She chases her around licking her face.

Shelby loves Bentley, and Bentley loves Shelby. They run all around the house and Bentley just laughs and laughs.

I heard Bentley say, "Shelby, you wanna read a book wif me?" He is so cute!

I Passed!

2009-05-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

I am now a graduate! I completed 700 hours for my Massage Therapy Certification and passed my National Exam. I am so excited to have my life back! It feels so good to have accomplished something so big. Finished in less than two years, had 2 year old and a baby...not too bad

New Bike Video

2009-05-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Pea Happy

2009-05-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Molly

2009-05-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Molly is Bentley girlfriend. We play outside with her almost everyday. Easter Sunday was the first day they really noticed each other. From there sparks flew!

Car Shows

2009-05-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

Bentley loves cars just as much as his Dad. He always asks if he can watch Jay Leno's Garage on the Internet. Bentley saw these portipotties at one of the car shows and said "House!" Needless to say he had to have a picture with one.

She Thinks My Tractors Sexy!

2009-05-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Potty Train Your Child In 3 Days?

2009-05-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

1 method, 2 kinds of underwear, 3 potties, a movie, pull-ups, wipes, a potty chart, stickers, candy, lots of accidents, total insanity, sweat, tears, off and on over a period of 5 months...Potty Training Madness!!!

Easter Belly

2009-05-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

If you don't have and easter basket you can just use your shirt

Bentley's Easter Egg Hunt Video

2009-05-12T08:42:00.001-07:00

Lyza's Easter Egg Hunt Video

2009-05-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

Best Friends Video

2009-05-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Bentley at the Water Park

2009-05-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

2009-05-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Bentley is all boy! He is always so curious, watching him at the water park is a full time job.

Lyza at the Water Park

2009-05-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

It is so funny how different boys and girls are!

Lil' Squealer

2009-05-11T15:20:00.000-07:00

Bentley Turns 2

2009-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

This cake took me approximately...all day

Bentley the fire fighter!

This box was full of cars, did Bentley care? of course not, all the kid needs is a box

This is the most awesome car mat I've ever seen! Thanks Bumpa and Grandma
Happy Birthday Bud!

Christmas 2008

2009-05-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

Speed

2009-05-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

When I came home from a girls night, I found the boys having a fun time making Lightning McQueen. Josh is so creative!

Fire Fighter

2009-05-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Bentley has never stopped talking about his firetruck trip with his uncle Chet

Shaving

2009-05-11T13:50:00.001-07:00

Bentley loves to do everything that Josh does

Heels

2009-05-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

As hard as our husbands may try, they cannot keep our boys away from heels!

Lions, Tigers and Pumpkins - Oh My!

2009-03-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

Baby Brooke

Spiderman Steven
Happy Halloween!

Sugar and Spice

2009-03-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

The best thing about having a girl:
Tiny clothes, bows and dresses

The Best Big Brother Ever!

2009-03-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

A little help here!

Lyza Mae Norman

2009-03-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Born at home August 9 at 12:33, weighed 7 lbs 13 oz

Where'd Bentley Go?

2009-03-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Blazin' the Trail

2009-03-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Who's ready for a walk?

Girls Trip 2008 - San Diego

2009-03-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

All this thanks to my beautiful, crazy, fun-lovin' mom!

El-Torito! - Highly recommended if you want delicious food

The two prego bellies!

My clever mom came prepared with an unlimited supply of marshmallows and roasting sticks for all

We drove in the direction of the ocean, not knowing where we'd end up. We didn't do too bad - front row parking and a beautiful beach

Everyone was either pregnant or had PMS! Through it all we still managed to have fun!