Baby Tyler's blessing

I feel like I spend so much time in anticipation of fun family weekends and then POOF everyone has come and gone!. I'm suffering from family withdrawal this morning as I think about how blessed I am. It was so great having everyone here...if even for only a little while.

Tyler's blessing weekend was absolutely perfect. I'm so grateful for family who makes such a sacrifice to come here to turn around and head back home. The support means the world to me. I kept thinking to myself...if only my baby brother was here. That would have been the cherry on top! 6 months until he gets home. I can hardly wait.

Everyone showed up on Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining and we all headed to watch Parker's basketball game. He had a rough game and put a lot of pressure on himself to impress everyone. Unfortunately that backfired but it was still fun to watch nonetheless. His team played a really tough team but they still came out with the W.

Here are the pictures from the weekend:

Love this picture of the 2 babies together. They look SO  very similar. They could be siblings or twins. Love that they will always have each other as they grow up. 

Well, my last baby blessing is in the books. It couldn't have gone any better. Ty was blessed with lots of wonderful promises by his daddy. He was encircled in love by men who love and support him. It always brings a tear to my eyes thinking about how lucky I am to be his mama. He really is a special boy with a very strong spirit and we are so happy he is ours.

Let's catch up.

Here we are...the last day in January. I noticed that I blogged a total of 2 times this month. That is an ALL TIME low. Not acceptable. I figured I'd better write something today so I at least have THREE entries this month. How about a little random entry....a little catch up on everyone since its been so long.

Baby Ty is doing so well. He slept through the night a total of 3 times in the past 5 days. I think we're making some serious progress with my "worst" sleeping baby. He went to the Doctor for his 2 month check up this past week. He weighs 13.7 pounds. He's in the 75th percentile. His is only in the 45th for height. He's a short fat dude. I am head over heels in love with him. He smiles, and coos and makes it so easy to be obsessed with him. When he got his shots he screamed so loud and for so long. He was very upset..it was hard to listen to. ;(

Anna has started talking up a storm. She is getting SO fun. She says, "Hi Tyty!" all the time. She says, "hot, bye-bye, shoes, boots, Dal, baby, num num, baba, night night, poopoo one, two, nose, no, and MINE!" She plays with her little stroller and her baby dolls all day every day. She follows me around and wants to help with whatever I'm doing. Cleaning, sweeping, folding clothes (or throwing them around), vacuuming, changing diapers...you name it and my little helper is right there willing to do it. (Or getting in the way!)

Landon is really thriving in 1st grade. Switching schools was VERY good for him. He has struggled with reading for some time but this new teacher has whipped him into shape. He is now reading up to grade level and getting better all the time. It's such a relief because I really worried about him. He is doing exceptionally well in math. That is definitely the subject that he is the most comfortable with. He's anxiously waiting to start his basketball season in a month or so.

Parks is also doing well at the new school. He has tons of friends and has given all of the athletes in his grade a little run for their money. He cracked his heel at the beginning of the month but it was a quick recovery with a walking boot. Good thing he wasn't out for too long because he doesn't know what do to with himself when he can't play basketball. His team is SO fun to watch. It has to be one of my all time favorite things in life is to watch him play. Last week they beat a team of 4th graders 68-6 and then another team of 4th graders 45-10.

Dallin is staying busy with piano and has just been accepted into the after school enrichment program again. He goes to a special school after school to learn more about a particular topic. February's topic is creative writing. He received his very first B plus on his report card this past week. He was very upset. What did he get it in? Accelerated 6th grade math! He is being very challenged and I LOVE it. He's doing very well for joining the class 3 months into the year. He had to go back and get caught up with everyone else. He asks me for help and I have to have Nate do it. I can't remember all of this algebra stuff!

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!