Benjamin Welton Tuinei

We are so thrilled to welcome our sweet nephew Benjamin "Welton" Tuinei into this world. Ben's amazing sister Heather endured and very rough pregnancy getting this sweet angel here. Heather has always battled Juvenile Diabetes and she has always known that pregnancy may be difficult for her. Well, at only 24 weeks along, doctors decided that Heathers fragile body could not take the stress of the pregnancy so the delivered little Welton almost 4 months early. Both mom and baby have been fighters. Welton has already had one heart surgery and he has shown us all how much he wants to be here. I Can't even believe how strong Heather is. She has been a trooper. Her husband Ben has also been PERFECT. He is so positive and so supportive of his wife and new baby. We are so happy for this cute new little family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them ALL day Every day. Hang in there Tuinei's...... We love you.

Cruisin' with my sisters!

My Mother N Law had never been to a tropical beach.... so us Cowart girls decided to step up and take her on a cruise. It was Me, Joy, Alison and Veronica. Ali and Veronica were first time cruisers so we had to show them how it is done;) Seriously and can't even explain how awesome these women are! I always felt so sorry for myself because I don't have sisters but I am so lucky to have married into this family where these girls have taken me in as one of their own. I would never even say "sister n law" because they are truly my sisters! Anyways, back to the cruise.... it was awesome. Even though we got stuck in the Bahamas due to Hurricane Tomas, we had such a blast. I roomed with Joy, who was so much fun to be around. She is actually quite funny. We might have had a little too much fun together. The Beach and the weather were PERFECT! I really missed my family, but I totally needed the break from reality.
Of course I got picked to be an assistant at the show. He was a juggler/comedian and he actually wasn't that bad. The first night comedian was the best, only because Alison was Laughing her HEAD OFF the whole time at things that seriously were not funny. Everyone around us were laughing at her... not the entertainer.
This was taken right before we left, at Joy's house. We were so excited to get on the boat. I love this picture so much.
Ok, so I just had way too many pictures to post, so I put them all together in hopes to get the point across... we had fun! We went out dancing and we honestly must have been the only sober ones there, but you never would have guessed it. Ali danced on a statue because her precious Bon Jovi was played. (she was asked to get down Ha) Ali, got me to enter the "don't forget the lyrics" game where I placed third and she got first. She won a totally awesome gift pack;) we also had to do Kareoke! I can't believe we got Joy to get up there with us. We sang a Paula Abdul song that I barely knew.


THIS WAS SO MEAN! The girls hung these in my room and when I unlocked the door, the both screamed (Alison has a very loud scream) and I nearly hit the ground. I only saw them for a quick second in the dark and I didn't know what it was. Alison peed her pants from laughing so hard. That's what she gets!

Ok, so sisters, When are we going on another cruise? We are excited to go again with Heather, who couldn't come this time due to a high risk pregnancy. This was honestly a time that I will treasure forever. Everything about it was awesome. I had forgot how much fun life can be. Thanks again to my great family, who I just love to pieces!

FOUR!!! One lucky kid!

My little Bro Bro has turned four. In one way, he is so big that it seems like he should be turning 6 but in another way I can't believe he is already FOUR! Many people who know me like to joke and say that Brogan is the golden child and I like to joke back and say "yep... he is." Truth is, All my boys are golden. Brogan has just always been a very easy child for me. I think I just love that fact that he is such a mama's boy. He Would probably glue himself to me if he could and I would have no problem with that.
For his Birthday we had a party with family at the marina in Sarasota FL. The weather could not have been more perfect. All the kids played in the splash pad and on the playground. We even got to watch some dolphins in the water. I don't usually enjoy myself at my kid's b-day parties due to the stress of making everything perfect, but this was really nice. I just sat back and watched Brogan love life.
For lunch my Sis-N-Law Joy made some really good bbq sandwiches but Brogan wants a "Chip Sandwich" Well, What Bro wants on his b-day... Bro gets. He got quite a few awesome gifts, including mainly, "Iron Man" and "How to train a dragon" toys since those are his favorites right now. I fell very blessed that I can enjoy
Brogan's cousin game him an old unused cell phone. He was so excited and told me "mom, now i can text you"
Me any my birthday boy
IRON MAN!
Bro and daddy

Ok, so on his actual birthday, we took the 3 boys to "chuckie cheezits" to use a ton af left over tokens that we have had FOREVER. Brogan felt pretty cool having TWO parties. It was really nice to celebrate with him as just a small little family. We all couldn't have been happier.

Grey is a little to young to hang with his brothers, so he chilled with Bob the whole time.

Brogan's favorite ride. He must have played this 30 times. no joke

And they are off.....

Brogan is such a sweet heart. He has always been a blessing in so many ways. Since Vance has started school this year, i have really been able to get to know my little Brogie Bear. He loves everything boy and he LOVES his older brother Vance. He always tells me that he needs to be with Vance because they are "best Friends". I often find Bro in Vance's Bunk just to be closer to him. Brogan has been big for a while now.he wears a size 6/7 in boys and a 12/13 in shoes. hopefully his size will be useful one day.
Bro hates the answer "maybe". If he asks me a question and I don't have a straight answer, he says "MOM, say YES or NO". He loves to make his baby brother laugh. He loves peanuts, Peanut butter and noodles of ANY sort. He loves to cuddle with his mommy. Even when I am watching "Dancing with the Stars" or any other girly show. When I say cuddle, I mean he has to be totally on top of me. I think he still thinks he's a baby. He answers to "Bro Bro, Bro, Brogie, Brogers, Brodigity, Brogie Bear" and most recently we have been calling him just Bear. It seems to fit him well.
HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY BROGAN!
Your mom and dad love you so much! We cant wait to continue this journey with you and watch you grow!

I HEART FLORIDA

Of course since we were down in Sarasota for Halloween, we had to take a beach day. I have become such a beach lover. My boys think they own every beach they go to. The water here is pretty much crystal clear and the weather couldn't be more perfect. I feel like life is supposed to be like this... at the beach in November:)

Holloween TWO THOUSAND TEN

Halloween was SO awesome this year! We went a couple hours south to Sarasota, FL to visit Ben's brother and his family. The weather was amazing and it was such an awesome trip. My Sis N Law, Joy is always a great host. Her home is beautiful so beautiful and so relaxing. She made quite the spooky feast and it was all delicious. The boys love being with their cousins, and I love watching them all play together. My boys HAD to be Ninja turtles so I gave in to them. Grey, (the one I can still control) we dressed him as the cutest Georgia Bulldog EVER!
Jilly, the cute Bumble Bee!
Vance
No Hope.... why do I try to get all 3 of them?
Emma and Grey...... Adorable as always

Alexis, Jillian and Emma
organized Choas
Poor Brogan.... trying to keep up
Grey chilled in his stroller and ate an apple
I was a little bored
Emma... so stinkin cute
Some of Joys Cooking
The boys, waiting at an empty house for candy
They all made out well! A little too well

Children of God

YES yes... I know... this is not very good of me to be taking pictures in the chapel, but when you have a Mom that lives across the coutry, you gotta do what you gotta do to help her be a part of your life. I am so proud of my boys for thier part in this years primary program. The weirdest part is that I feel like it was yesterday that I was up there trying to steal the show. They both said thier parts perfectly and actually did ok sitting next to eachother. WAY TO GO VANCE AND BRO!

Terrible Scare

NOTHING is more painful than watching your child in pain. Our sweet Grey has proven to us that he has many allergies. We have known for a while that he is allergic to Mosquitos and Shell fish, but nothing could have prepared me for this last trip to the ER. We woke up one morning to Grey (who is usally a very happy camper in the morning) Very upset. His whole body was covered in hives.... The worst case I have ever seen. (The picture above is after multiple doses of Benadryl). Honestly, I had no idea what it was because it looked so bad. I thought for sure he had some terrible disease or something. The Dr knew right away that it was hives. He gave us 2 rx's and sent us on our way. We kept him on Benadryl every 4 hours and COVERED him in anti-itch meds. It lasted for 3 days, peaking and subsiding. We have NO IDEA what has caused this break out. We will be at the allergist soon to find out what it is. Hopefully I can keep him protected til we get to the bottom of it. It is so hard watching him suffer. I love my kids so much and whenever they are sick I just wish more than anything I could take it away from them. They hives are gone for now, only to reveal the poor scratch marks he has left from his constant scratching.

Friends at the beach

My friend Jodi and I went to the beach the other day with just Brogsn. It was SO fun. I can't even imagine life with one child, but I can guess it is pretty easy:) Jodi got some sun and, Me and Bro walked up and down the beach. I don't know what makes me love the beach so much, because truth be told.... I HATE sand and I Hate loading up children after a day at teh beach. I still would never turn down a beach day. It is one of my most favorite places right now, because it takes my mind off the daily stresses of life.

Brogan was posing by the jetties when a wave came over. It was too funny. After that, he made a game of it.