Legoland!

We gave the kids a choice.  We would take them to Sea World or Legoland.  Obviously they choose Legoland.  We had a great day.  The kids enjoyed the Aquarium and all the other stuff we did.  Josh went on his first roller coaster.  He is always one to say that it isn't fun or he didn't have a good time, but as we walked off the Dragon Roller Coaster he looked up at me and said, 'That was fun!'  Josh also got 'lost' for a few heart pounding minutes.  My heart was racing as we back tracked to find him, Tyler was very upset, but thankfully there are good people in the world and a nice Grandma sat down with him to wait for us to come back for him.  He got distracted by something - probably looking at his map, and so did we. 

This map was on him at all times and was referred to often.

Ooooo, aren't they gorgeous?  I think so.

Josh thought this ride was funny! It was cute to watch him giggle.

This is how Noah spent the day.

I actually got a few picture of me with the kids.  Although in looking at them now I know why I don't have any pictures of me.  Not my most attractive picture.

THE PHOTO SHOOT

While Steve and Ty and Brooks were waiting in line for one of the rides, Tater and I had a photo shoot.  Here is a sampling of our pictures.

And finally our last pictures of the day!  It was great and I learned that I have some very nice and well behaved kids (at least most of the time)!

Newport

The kids get the whole week of Thanksgiving off of School.  So since Steve was already down in the OC area for work we drove down and met him on Saturday before Thanksgiving.  We were going to try to stay in San Diego, but ended up at the Marriott in Newport.  It was so fun to hand out together and play with our adorable kids.  

I love this picture, my husband is so Handsome!

I thought it was a little cold to be in the pool, but of course kids are immune to those things.  They had a blast swimming.  Noah and I watched from the sidelines! 

Yidia Moving

Well not just Yidia (Lydia), but her whole family.  We were sad to say goodbye to our good friends the Turley's as they moved back to Boise.  Josh has been particularly sad and asks daily if Lydia moved.  We can't be too sad though because they are much closer to family and for them it was such a great move!  Hopefully they are getting settled and all is well! 

Ty, Liam, Zoe and Brooks (We aren't sure why Zoe was so mad here)

Tater and Yidia (Lydia)  She is so cute!

So I remember!

This morning while I was walking and my 3 'big' kids were riding their bikes with me, Josh said something I must remember.  You know those cute things like yesterday it was 'Froggy' (foggy). 

Josh was riding right next to me and the sun was at our backs.  He looked down at his shadow and said, 'There is my STATUE.'  Ok, seriously he is so adorable! 

Motivation Please....

I need a little kick start.  The task of getting back my pre-pregnancy body is looming and I cannot find the motivation I need to get moving - literally.  Actually getting back into the shape I want is going to take some time and I wish it could just happen with no work at all.  So, here is to getting the motivation I need to get moving. 

Beautiful Day!

Some days I feel more blessed than I really deserve.  Yesterday was one of those days.  We were blessed to have both of my parents and Steve's dad visit for Noah's Baby Blessing.  It was not only a wonderful weekend with family here, but a Beautiful Sunday!  Noah's Blessing was nice and it made me so grateful for my husband and the priesthood he holds.  I am also so blessed because I have four fantastic Children and I love them so much.  They couldn't be more beautiful/handsome. 

I am also so blessed with wonderful parents and the best In-Laws in the whole world.  We were sad that Steve's mom could not make it but so glad that Grandpa could.  Noah is a lucky boy to have such amazing Grandfathers to look up to.

Of course this Beautiful Day wouldn't have been complete with out our little Noah.  It is going to be fun to see what little personality he will add to our mix!

How can you not just Adore that face!  He is so cute.  This is the first Smile Picture and it came on the perfect day! 

Halloween!

Halloween.  I can't believe how fast the year has gone.  Halloween again!  We had lots of fun with parties and trick or treating.  We also made our annual trip to our friend Jared's house - he creates a huge 'Haunted House' around his house and we always take the kids over even though they don't love it.  Brooklynn was super brave this year and went through with Steve.  Tyler braved it with a couple of his buddies.  I opted to stay out side with Josh and Noah. I am a wimp and don't love the Haunted House thing at all!                

Buzz Lightyear - He loved this!

Brooklynn insisted on being a Police Woman

My baby boy as a Football Player

The Ninja

 

My four Babies.  This picture is so funny.  They are all looking all ove the place. 

Soccer

Brooklynn loves to play soccer!  She has learned so much already this season.  She was even able to play goalie a few weeks ago and made a few really good saves.  She was so excited she wanted to call her cousin Mack and tell her all about it.  McKenzie is our neice who is a fantastci goalie for her team. 

We have a great time going to her games every week to cheer her on! 

Photos!

I have been told I need to put up some more pics of Noah, so here they are.  He is getting big and is so very close to smiling.  He will be 6 weeks on Monday!  It has gone so fast!  He is starting to sleep a little longer at night, sometimes, which is great.  We are getting to know him and just can't wait to see his little personality emerge!  He is so loved by his brothers and sister, especially Tater who always tells me how cute he is and gives him kisses and snuggles. 

LOVE HIM!

I was just informed by my sick and very adorable 3 1/2 year old that and I will quote, 'Mom, you are the BEST mom ever.' 

Although I am not so sure about the truth in that statement, hearing it melts my heart and lets me know, it is all worth it.  All the stress and worry and long nights - that one little statement gives me the validation I need to keep moving today. 

Thanks Tater, you are the best 3 year old boy ever!

Pictures of Me?

Why is it that I have no pictures of me?

  No really - in my hundreds of pictures I probably have a handful of me.  Most of those are in no way flattering and not worthy for anyone to even see.  In the decent ones I am usually snuggled up to one of my little kiddos.

  I'm not sure how to go about fixing this problem. 

I actually did have some cute ones from the summer despite the fact that I was prego, but then they mysteriously all got erased off my camera along with all my other photos. The sadness still lingers from losing all those pictures.

So I am now pledging to myself to be more dilligent at allowing people to take pictures of me and to have more pictures of me and my kids and especially me and my hubby!

Noah is 4 weeks!

Wow - time flies when you aren't pregnant.  Noah is 4 weeks old today.  He is so sweet and quite an Angel baby.  I feel very blessed to be his mommy.  Here are a few pictures that I have taken as of late.  Enjoy -

I have recently come to the conclusion that I stink at taking pictures - hopefully someday I can work on that and maybe one day I will get a camera that allows me to take some decent pictures. 

We have discovered that little Noah and Tater look VERY VERY much alike.  Here are a couple of pictures for you to compare. 

Cutest Picture!

I have been filing through my pictures looking for one of me to put on my scentsy website and I came accross this one.  Of course I had to post it!

Seriously People could he be any cuter?  I just don't think it is possible!

Noah pictures

Here are some more pictures of my little man. He is so super cute and has been a great baby so far. I hope it stays that way since my right hand woman leaves tomorrow. Nana has been here helping for almost 2 months. She has been heaven sent and taken so much of the worry and stress off of Steve and me. I don't know how we would have managed, the partial bed rest, the full bed rest, the c-section recovery and all the stuff inbetween without her help. Thank you Nana, we will miss you more that you know. Saying thank you doesn't even do it justice!

The second bath. Nana gave him his first and second bath. I videoed the first one - even the part where tiny man pooped in the tub! HaHa - you've never seen Nana move so fast!

All I can say is I love this baby!

Josh Says

Well honestly the kid always has something to say. Here are a few of his latest.

While trying to figure out putting on his belt for church a couple of weeks ago.
me - 'Josh do you need some help'
j - 'yep'
me- 'come here and I will help you'
j- 'when I am a big GIANT guy like Daddy will I do it myself?'
me - 'yep buddy, when you are a big GIANT guy'


While I was feeding the baby a couple of days ago - this seems to be a great time for lots of interesting statements and questions.

j - 'will he(Noah) be learn to walk'
me - 'one day when he is bigger after he learns to crawl'
j - 'will he learn to STOMP?'
me - 'probably'
j - 'but he will stomp and break OUR HOUSE'
me - 'not more than you break our house'
j - 'no, he will break it'

Seriously, I don't know what goes through his head, but he makes me laugh super hard. I have a great video of him telling us stories that I will try to post later.

Tyler Turned 9!

Last week was a busy one. Not only did Noah join our crazy household, but my baby Tyler turned 9. NINE people - how did he grow up so fast. Now lets just think for a moment, we'll fast forward 9 more years. Noah will be the same age as Tyler is now. Ty will be graduating from High School and getting ready for both College and a Mission. What? That completely freaks me out, when I think how fast the first 9 years have gone. Time goes way- way - way too fast!!!!

So in Honor of my wonderful, amazing, smart and oh so Handsome 9 year old boy here are 10 things that I love about him.

1. He has the best belly laugh. There is nothing that makes me smile more than to hear him laugh, I mean really laugh hard. It is contagious and so funny.
2. He cannot help but blink when a camera flashes. For example I got one picture out of the 20 I took of him and Noah where his eyes were actually open.
3. He is helpful. He is always willing to help me with whatever I need.
4. He is smart and has an amazing memory
5. He has a great sense of humor.
6. He is a great big brother and takes care of and plays with his brother and sister.
7. He loves sports, which is a good thing around here, he is really getting into not only playing them, but watching them on TV
8. He is my snuggly kid. He loves a good squeeze and always has, although we are getting to the point where he is 'Too Cool' for it :(
9. He has the most beautiful eyes. From the shape to the way they twinkle when he smiles. I also love that when he laughs really hard they krinkle up a little like Granddad's
10. He loves his family! He has some very special bonds with some of his cousins and I think it is awesome!

There you have it, my favorite things - at least for today. Most of all I am just so grateful he is mine! Heavenly Father has blessed me with some amazing kids and I am lucky to have him!