January at the beach.

Back in December....while in the midst of shingles and sub zero temps for a week straight my dear husband presented a plan. "Let's go to California in January. Would you be up for it?" My exact response, "Hell yes."

Dramatic? Maybe a bit. But I needed something to look forward to. Badly. 

It was one of the very best ideas he has ever had. We stayed at his Aunt and Uncles house. They were so incredibly welcoming and great to us. We loved being able to spend time with them and really get to know their kids.We stayed up late, played games and they doted on the babies. They were beyond helpful with the kids. Great family.

 The weather could not have cooperated any better. 85 degrees was so recharging and so needed. We went to the beach 3 full days. We did venture down to the San Diego Zoo which was fun as well. No Disney, no Seaworld, no big touristy things. Just spending time together as a family and making some wonderful memories for an entire week.

Sand, waves, boarding, surfing, shell collecting, picnics, seagulls, naps, In n Out, smiles, and fun.We may need to make this a yearly thing. ;)

Happy 2014......finally. ;)

Happy 2014! I've got to be honest....5 kids is kicking my butt. I will strive to continue to blog but it just hasn't been a priority as of late. One minute I will feel awesome and feel like things are finally back to normal and we are into the swing of things. The next minute I am in tears feeling totally defeated. Depends on the day and whether or not these babies have let me sleep. :)

Our hands are full. My husband has been so incredibly supportive. He has made me and this new family dynamic a priority and it has made my life so much better. He knows when to come in and take over and help. He also knows when to just let me go and have some alone time. I just need alone time once in awhile. I love him. I could not do it without him. I appreciate the time that he has sacrificed (his precious biking time) to help me out more for the time being. It is a sacrifice that is very substantial but he knows that I need him for a little while anyway. There will be many days in our future where he can bike off into the sunset. 

New Years was really fun this year. We went over to our friends the Turvilles and the Hildreths for a party. We had chocolate and cheese fondue. We played games and dressed up and finished up with some fireworks. A great way to bring in the new year.

 The next morning we all went bowling together. I just love seeing Anna and Jake together. They were due on the same day and are only a week apart in age. He always wants to hold her and hug her and she doesn't want anything to do with him. Cracks me up.

My chunky monkey sweetheart baby is growing every day. I just savor his smells and smooch his rolls every day. I love him to the moon and back.

Anna is doing very well with the new addition. She has her moments of jealousy but for the most part hasn't been to phased by Ty. She loves to hold him and kiss him but I have to watch her closely because she also loves to cram binky's in his mouth and try to hold him by herself. Yikes!

Here is a pic of Ty last week at church wearing his very first tie. He looks like such a little man.

And Miss Anna went to nursery for the first time last week. No problem. She ran right in and was distracted with toys and friends. I'm so glad she's going no problem because Nate and I are now primary teachers and scout leaders. No rest for the weary.

My mom bought this pink winter dress years ago. She wanted to give it to her first granddaughter. Anna was finally big enough to wear it! She looked like a little snow princess in it.

She looked really cute this week as well at church. Can you tell I love dressing this little girl up? 

I've got some major catching up to do and things to document. Hey, I started tonight right? That counts for something!

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was a special one indeed. Our first Christmas in our new house. Christmas Eve we enjoyed a nice dinner and program followed by a drive to see Christmas lights. It was special to hear all of the boys talk about all of the things that they are grateful. It's always a bonus to hear how much they love each other and how much they appreciate good old mom and dad. We opened up PJ's and everyone went to bed! Well....almost everyone went to bed.....someone hadn't even wrapped ONE gift so it was a late night for Nate and I!

 Christmas morning was magical! The boys got everything they wanted and then some! Spoiled rotten I tell ya!

Babies

I just love this picture I took on my iphone last week. The boys had just left for school. I climbed into bed with my 2 babies and squished them together and smooched them and hugged them for as long as Anna would let me.
This is such a hard time of life with two babies at once. It is also such a special and sacred time that I am not taking for granted. I realize that my impromptu trips to the store or to lunch have kind of come to an abrupt halt for the time being but I am feeling such a peace about my role as a mommy to these two. I'm feeling very good about my decision to say no a little more often so that I can be less stressed and more involved with the things in life that I can control right now.
I was thinking back to the days when I would cry and plead with the Lord to send me a baby back when we were dealing with all of our fertility issues. It makes me smile to think that he always knew what he was doing. Thank heaven above I have a 5 year gap between Anna and Landon. The older boys have been phenomenal as far as helping with these two. I have been very blessed and I feel so thankful that this STRESSFUL year can come to a close on such an incredibly high note. There is something extremely special about having a sweet newborn in our home during the holidays.

Life is good and I am so thankful.

Birthday boy!

Parker Bryan is now 9 years old! Whaaaaaat? When asked what he wanted to do for his birthday he told me he wanted to take some friends and go up to Rexburg to Fatcats again like he did a few years ago. Either that or go to Leo's Place. All I could think about as he suggested these places was GERMS! I do not want to take my baby and my 17 month old anywhere where we can find booger covered 3 year olds.
I decided to propose an at home birthday party like we did for Dallin when he turned 9. A nice little "drive-in" movie night at our house with a snack stand. We'd decorate our cars out of boxes and paper and enjoy ELF in our new movie room downstairs.

He took the bait! And it was really a lot of fun!

Monday....on his ACTUAL birthday Grandma EE came up! We had dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe and came home to open family presents! Parker LOVES remote controlled cars and is pretty thrilled about his new SPECIALIZED bike!!!

Parker, of all my kids you are the one who seems to grow up the fastest! You are so much fun to be around, you are constantly surrounded by friends. You are so smart and athletic. I love to watch you play basketball, baseball and now football! You are tough when you need to be but you are sweet and sensitive...especially to your baby sister and brother. You are helpful (for the most part) and I love that you like to actually hang out with your old mom. I love you so very much! Happy Birthday Parks!