Full House

Today I watched my friend's girls. We picked them up around 10:00 this morning and came back home for some swimming. Aubrie had fun playing with the oldest, Eliza. She is Five. They had fun jumping off the waterfall w/ noodles and playing follow the leader around the pool and spa. Boston had fun w/ the Libby. She will be four in August. He kept entertaining her with singing and dancing. When Libby first got here she was really quite and reserved. When Boston started dancing and being goofy she really started to laugh and have fun. After about an hour and 1/2 of swimming, we went inside for some lunch. After Lunch, Ethan and Libby played together and Boston did his own thing. Aubrie and Eliza resorted to her room for dolls, and other girly things. We ended the day w/ a little more swimming. Eliza got really home sick for her Mom. She just wanted to talk to her, but there was no way to call. I had to hold her and tell her stories of when I missed my Mom to get her mind off of it. After about 30 minutes she was feeling much better. I got a glimpse of what my kids were probably feeling when Ben and I had gone on our long vacations. Doesn't mean I won't go again, just means I'll probably call more!

After I dropped the girls off I ran Aubrie to dance. I talked to the studio owner a little about what to do about Aubrie. Her teacher said she was good enough for a performance group, but I have been struggling w/ that option. It's a huge commitment...4 hours a week, plus all the competitions and extra performances. She said I could try just having her take a few hour long classes, and if she was doing well w/ that they could put her in a performance group later in the year. I think that's the route I'm going to take. She will already have piano and gymnastics and still going to the charter school. I don't want her to be too overloaded. By the way, I took these pictures at her most recent recital. Glad I did, b/c her studio pictures were awful! Anyway, I just love the little girl poofy costumes. This will probably be the last year for that.

63 years!

Yesterday we celebrated my Mom's 63rd birthday. Wow, I'm getting old! I wanted to surprise her with a dinner, so I quickly said Happy Birthday at church, and that was all the mention I made of it. I could tell she was feeling a little sad b/c the boys hadn't called her all day. That made the upcoming surprise even better. I made little cheddar meat loafs (one of her new favorites), mashed potatoes, salad, biscuits, and a summer fruit salad. Once the twins arrived and ate, everyone went swimming. The twins had a fun time with the kids, and my Mom really enjoyed having everyone together. After swimming we all sang Happy Birthday, and had a butter pecan (her favorite) ice cream cake, that I had secretly made the night before. My Mom asked for shelves for her bedroom, so I put them on her bed when she wasn't looking. I like doing surprises!!

Last night Sophia stayed up for a long time, which means over 2 hours, and just laid there and entertained herself. I kept telling Ben, "Isn't she a great baby?" Well today Sophia had to prove me wrong. She had been a little fussy, and her first two naps only lasted about 40 minutes. She still hasn't rolled over, but I see her trying sometimes. Perhaps that is why she isn't sleeping well. All my babies have done that. I'm sure all will be well by tonight. Anyway, she is growing fast...and I realized I should probably post some recent pictures of her.

The kids decided they wanted to have another go at the lemonade stand. ( I remembered to take a picture this time.) It was really dark and cloudy and I thought for sure it was going to rain on them, but they got lucky. They got some good business. The people in our neighborhood are so friendly. There were a few repeat customers. I said that we would be replacing the Starbucks in the afternoon:) As they were wrapping up their lemonade stand Aubrie decided she was going to take the neighbors scooter down the hill ( our hill is very steep). Within minutes of realizing I hadn't seen her in awhile, one of our neighbors pulled up in front of our house with Aubrie and the scooter in his car. Apparently he was backing out as Aubrie was flying down the hill. Aubrie, thinking he was going to hit her, tried to turn away and bit the dust big time. She had some road rash on her shoulder, (she insisted we take a picture) and we thought she may had broken her wrist. We put some ice on it praying for the best.

We decided to run out and get some dinner w/ all the drama that went on. On the way home the kids asked if we could drive by our new church building. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot, and so we went in to check it out. The bishopric and other leaders were in there moving things and setting up. Aubrie went around telling everyone about her accident, whether they wanted to hear it or not! LOL They had a little family home evening in the chapel. It was cool to be in the new building and do that. After that we went over to a friends house and while we were there Aubrie got a blessing. She said her hand is now feeling a little better. Hope she is feeling much better tomorrow. Of course we are wrapping up the night with a swim....it's 9:30!

Two Kids in Tow

Today we started off with a little swim. Luckily we did that early b/c it was rainy and overcast the rest of the day. While we were swimming we were noticing how dead our plants were looking. Ben went to turn the water up and realized that someone had turned off our water. ARGHH!! I called our neighbors to tell them about it and the same thing happened to them too! I don't understand why someone would think that was funny....it's just SAD!!
Anyway, after swimming my Mom took Ethan and Aubrie out for the day. They had a fun day cleaning up at the dollar store, eating and playing at the mall, and stopping at Dairy Queen for the finale! They always get spoiled when my Mom takes them out.

While they were out, Ben and I took Boston and Sophia out to Olive Garden and made a quick stop at Sams. It was weird just having the two. I thought "this is how it feels to be the average person in this world...two kids that are five years apart". It was nice at first, but then was almost a little boring. Funny how they can drive us crazy, but when we are away from them we start to miss them like crazy!

This evening I spent getting things ready for tomorrow....it's my Moms birthday! I'm having my brother's over for dinner to celebrate. I had to make an ice cream cake and a few things for dinner. Then Ben and I watched Bourne Supremacy to get us ready for the opening of Bourne Ultimatum, that starts next Friday....YEAH!!!

Get Your Lemonade

Yesterday I had to go through Sophia's clothes and pull the ones that are too small. I remember when she didn't fit in her smallest of clothes. Now I look at them and think, "How were these ever too big for her? Even though she is small for a 3 1/2 month old, she has grown so much in my eyes.

Yesterday I went to visit some friends , who have recently moved. It was fun seeing their new houses and what they had done w/ them. I love seeing how people decorate their houses and what things they choose to put in them, ie flooring, paint, etc. Isn't it great that there are so many different possibilities in house floor plans and decorating them?! How boring it would be if every one's house was the same. It even amazes me how different my house looks compared to those who have the same floor plan as I do.

Around 5:00 pm last night, the kids decided they wanted to do a lemonade stand. We started to put up a fight since it was so late, but then I realized it was probably the best time, with it being a little cooler and people coming home from work and all. After about 20 minutes, the neighbor kids showed up with their real lemonade stand and they sold lemonade for another 30 minutes. After they were done they ended up with 5 dollars. They were pretty excited. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture!

Last night Ben and I went out on our normal date night, while my Mom stayed w/ the kids. We grabbed some dinner at Carvers, then some ice cream at Maggie Moo's and then went to see Harry Potter with our huge $1.oo souvenir cup of soda. I don't know why I'm not losing my baby weight, HA! When we got home the kids were crashed out on the couch. They fell asleep watching a movie. Guess my Mom wore them out!

say "cheese"

Today the kids had a make-up swim lesson. It's more like play time for them now...since they have been swimming all summer. It still is pretty humid outside. I feel like we are in North Carolina. The temperature is cooler, but what's the point when your sweating to death!! The humidity isn't getting to the kids as much. In fact they spent some time out in their play house today. I don't know how they can stand the heat. I'm read for another trip to cooler weather!:) ( Do you like how they pose for the camera? That is all their doing, no lie!)



Boston figured out how to use the camera today. He was going around making people pose for the camera, including our cleaning lady Soco. Funny how we have been using this camera forever, and it wasn't till now that he took interest in it. Here are a few pictures he took. Future professional?? You decide. LOL

"Got My Vans On"

Yesterday the boys got to help Dad build picnic tables, for the Ramada, at the new church building. They had a good time helping the men get bolts and screws, and holding things while they were assembling. When the boys got back, Aubrie and I went to visit one of my friends who just had a baby Monday. I just love holding newborns. I had to make myself leave!:) I can't believe that Sophia is out of that stage already. Aubrie was so excited to hold the baby, almost a little possessive. She LOVES babies. She will make a good babysitter, and a GREAT mom someday.
Today I ventured the grocery store w/ all four kids. I haven't done that in about a month or so. It went really well. Aubrie pushed Ethan in the cart, and I had Sophia in the Baby Bjorn. Boston stayed close and was very funny saying "Yes Sir!" whenever I asked him to do something. I guess he wanted to go look at the toys really bad! Of course one stop was enough for all of us. It was really muggy today and the heat was getting to us. It has been raining on and off the past couple of days. It's been a nice change. The kids have been able to take advantage of the overcast days and play in the yard more.
I took Boston to the Mall tonight to get him a lunchbox for Kindergarten. He thought I was getting him a new back pack too. He walked right in and went straight for the Pirates of the Caribbean backpack. When I told him we were just getting a lunch box, he looked so sad but sweetly said "alright Mom". Of course I thought about how good he reacted and how this was going to be his first year in school. So I let him get the matching back pack. We then got him some new school shoes. He got some "sneaker" Vans. When we were buying them he was singing "I got my Vans on but the look like sneakers". The girl ringing us up thought it was funny. After our trip to the mall, we met up with my Mom and Aubrie to see the movie "Hairspray". I had never seen the original, so it was new to all of us. Boston drank one of the huge Harkin's cups of soda all by himself. He had to make three bathroom trips!! He was running so fast so he wouldn't miss anything. The kids really enjoyed the movie. After it was over they were dancing all the way to the car.

secret servers

Last night we started our "Family" night with one of our favorite dinners, "Little Cheddar Meat Loafs" Our lesson was on helping your family (mainly your brother and sisters). The kids have had a hard time w/ fighting so I thought this should help turn things around. The end of the lesson I passed out paper bags that had little slips of paper that say "You have been secretly served". Each bag had a different color of slips, and no one is to know your color. For the next week we are to secretly serve one another and try to guess who they are. Next family night we will reveal our colors. Aubrie has really been into it. We were each given 8 slips, and she has already used up 5. I might have to make her some more. Here are some examples of what has been done so far. Boston was excited this morning to find that someone had made his bed, and Aubrie was delighted to see that someone had secretly organized her shirt drawer!

During the lesson it started to rain. After the lightening stopped we got our swim suits and swam in the rain. It was nice, especially when we were sitting in the hot tub. After swimming we had our traditional FHE treat...ICE CREAM!:) We then watched a movie till about 10:30....we are going to have a hard time getting them to bed early when school starts!

13!

Thirteen is the amount of "Buddies" that Boston sleeps with every night. That might sound a little alarming, but "Buddies" is what he calls his stuffed animals. I cringe every time there is any type of "stuffed" item in any happy meal b/c I know that is just another one added to his collection. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't insist on sleeping w/ all of them. And again it would not be so awful if it didn't take him five minutes to get them situated just right! However, Boston would not be Boston if he wasn't organized. That is his personality. He likes things in order and pays attention to EVERY detail. It is amazing to me how his mind works! He starts kindergarten in three weeks, which will be bitter-sweet. I'll be sad to see him go, but I know that he will LOVE it!! He has a great enthusiasm for learning. He already loves the fact that he has learned to read and spell small words and loves showing us how he can doing SIMPLE addition. ( Unlike Aubrie, who is smart, but has no desire!) I still am having a hard time thinking he will be gone all day. I thought it would only be hard when my first child went to kindergarten. I was very unprepared for these feelings!!!

This weekend was a good one! It was very relaxing. It started off with a little house cleaning. Alright not so relaxing you might think, but a clean house relaxes me! (Especially when I get help from the Hubbie:) We then ran a few errands here and there. Boston got to go to his friends birthday party at a "Pump it Up" type of place. It had other interactive games that he liked. We will have try it out sometime. Anyway, we just swam and hung around until the Frandsens came over for some swimming and a BBQ. Trina brought tri-tip, like old times, and we just caught up on everything. It had been awhile since we had them over. It was nice to have friends over for a change. We had a GREAT time! The kids all played well together and Sophia did well. She even got some pool time in herself.

About an hour after they left, my brother and Mom got home from their trip to the Grand Canyon. Joe and I had a great talk. He was here till midnight. He really loves to hike and camp; something we both have in common. I'm hoping that we can go hiking sometime soon. It's always nice to do that type of thing with someone else who really appreciates it. I'm hoping to get him to Havasupai someday!

I guess all wasn't well this weekend. We did have an accident...couldn't get through the weekend w/out one. Ethan was jumping on the diving board and fell off. What's the big deal with that, right? Well half of his body made contact all the way down and left scrapes up and down his side and in his armpit. Poor kid can't catch a break. Last week he split his chin, then it opened up when he got the stitches out. Now this! What's next?

Today was a great day at Church. Boston was so cute, wanting to learn the words of every song we sang in Sacrament. He likes to point to the words as we sing them. I used to love doing that when I was his age. It really is amazing how much he is like me. The Relief Society Lesson was really motivating and made me want to try harder to have the desire to do good every day...which means STOP YELLING AT MY KIDS!!!! After Church I visited a friend from the ward to wish her a Happy Birthday, and I had a Visiting Teaching appointment that was amazing.

I really got to talk on a personal level....I love that! I love when people feel comfortable enough to talk about their lives. That is the way it should be, b/c how else are we able to really help one another. Pretenses do nothing for us but limit us, and our relationships.

OK, that was a long post. Just trying to catch up! Anyway, that was the weekend.

Finally!

I finally did it....entered the blogging world that is. With much trepedation I finally caved and decided that I would set up a blog for our family. The biggest selling point was the fact that I could make books out of my blog....can family history get any easier than that?! I must warn you that I am not the best editor, especially when its midnight (when I usually do most of my computer work). My friend Erin can attest to that!!! So with that said, here it goes!
Well I really wont start from the beginning of the year b/c that would be INSANE!!! The new baby, Sophia, is really the only news worth mentioning. She was born on April 16th, and has been such a blessing to this family. Mom couldn't be more thrilled with ending our little family with a cute little girl. She has been a great baby and Aubrie has loved playing Mommy to her.
This summer has been great. We haven't done much of anything, and that is what has been so great. We have spent our days sleeping in and swimming, and our nights watching movies and playing guitar hero and Wii into the late hours. It really has been great. We did take a weekend trip to visit my brother Danny, which was wonderful. He lives in California and the weather is to die for. The kids had a blast with their cousins and Sophia did so well. We had spent a few afternoons at the beach which was nice. The kids spent most of their time in the sand and playing on the rocks, but is was nice to just sit there with Sophia in my arms and enjoy the ocean breeze, and hear the waves crash onto shore. We should have stayed a few more days!!
Tonight Ben and I went out on our usual Friday night date. It is always nice to get out. We met up with the Trimble's for dinner, and then had to get back early, since my Mom had early morning plans. My Mom is so great and spends time with the kids every Friday while Ben and I go out. She also takes them out every other Saturday for the day. The kids really look forward to that time! Because of the time she spends with them they have a great relationship with her. I hope I can be as wonderful to my grandkids someday.
Well it's not the biggest posting ever, but I'm tired and have a lot going on tomorrow. Adios!