Rexburg trip

Last weekend we went to Rexburg to visit my parentals.  We had a great time just hanging out, playing games, running through the sprinklers, swinging on the hammock, playing miniature golf, and driving up to Yellowstone.  It was quite the busy trip, but it also felt like a very simple and wholesome family vacation. We spent almost the entire Friday with my parents and my sisters family up in Yellowstone.  We had a really nice time, and the kids got a big kick out of seeing buffalo and geysers, but really we did not see very many animals. I was a bit disappointed about the lack of animals, but fortunately my kids did not seem to care and they were enthusiastic about everything we went to look at.  My favorite place to go in Yellowstone is Artist Point in the Yellowstone Canyon.  The highlight of the kids trip was seeing the buffalo.  We really had a nice trip to Yellowstone, but like any type of trip with kids there are bound to be a few hiccups.  The hiccupp of this trip was that Lily had some major bowel issues and we had to change her diaper about 7 times that day.  Poor girl was still a really a good sport, and loved every moment she got to spend outside walking around.  After Yellowstone we spent the rest of the trip hanging out in Rexburg and spending time with our family.  Thanks for a great visit mom and dad!

Memorial Day

We were sick for most of memorial Day weekend.  We did recover enough by Monday however to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.  We continued last years tradition of visiting a Merrill Parks tribute to the military and walking through the flags.  Carson especially liked to read the tags on the flags and see what branch of the military people served in.  After spending a little time at the park we headed off to the Boise foothills to do a little hiking.  Little is the key word here.  The trail we went on was very short, but it did take us to the old prison.  We had a good time exploring the prison and doing the scavenger hunt they have their.  I think the prison made an impression on Carson. On the way home Nate got off the trail to climb on some rocks, and we couldn't get Carson to do it for the longest time until he was thoroughly assured that he could not go to jail for not following the rule of staying on the trail.  Carson is definitely the rule abider at our house.  He frequently asks Nate and I when were driving if we are speeding.  We finished off our Memorial Day by washing the car a activity that the kids always love.  It was a busy day, but we had to make up for all the sick days we had the previous week, so we played hard. 

Mothers Day

I feel so blessed to be a mother.  As I write that I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. It is the greatest blessing and the greatest adventure of my life.  These little monkeys keep me extremely busy, and sometimes the joy gets lost in the chaoss of making dinner, doing laundry, and refereeing sibling fights. But I love being a mother! And I love Mothers Day partly because I get completely spoiled by my husband and partly because it makes me stop and reflect on what a blessing motherhood is and how it has helped me grow as a person.  I sure love my little monkeys. I wouldn't give up my time with them for anything.

 

Water Fight

Lincoln came home from preschool the other day with a new squirt gun, and ever since he and Nate have been smack talking about who would beat who in a water fight.  Saturday Nate ambushed the boys and started the water fight.  The fighting was intense on both sides, but in the end Nate was out numbered and succumbed to the greater fire power of his 2 very cute foes.

Morning Routine

I am one of those boring people who love routines.  Every morning during the school year we stick pretty closely to the same routine. 

We are usually up and going by 7:30 am

I wake up all the kids who are sleepy heads (usually the sleepyhead is Carson)

Every morning I am astonished by Lily's bedhead (the picture below is pretty typical bed head)

After everyone is up I make them get dressed, go to the bathroom, make their beds, and fold their clothes before we go downstairs. (The kids grumble about this)

I get Lily dressed while the boys should be doing the above mentioned list.

After I dress Lily I check on the boys progress and usually find them lallygaging (note the picture of Carson reading and Lincoln day dreaming)

I then start to do some serious nagging and threatening.  The threats usually include them getting ready speedy quick or they will not be able to watch cartoons before school. Yes I am that mean.

Then we have cereal (all the most healthy kinds, of course).

One kid or other is doing something silly or crazy, while I get everything set for breakfast.  This particular morning Lily thought it was hilarious to walk around with a measuring cup over her mouth.

While we are eating Nate is usually leaving for work.  One or more of the kids usually follow him to the door to give him an extra hug before he leaves.

While we finish breakfast we read scriptures (the kid version, of course).

Then we have family prayers.

Once breakfast is finished the kids get to watch cartoons while I get ready for the day.  I also quickly do Lily's hair while she is trapped in her highchair and distracted by the TV.

We then all pile in the van to take Carson to school and depending on the day Lincoln to preschool.  On the drive to school I usually ask Carson what is going on at school that day.  A couple weeks ago I was kind of distracted on the drive to school and was not doing the normal chit-chat with Carson when he said to me "Mom you can talk with me if you want?"  This really made me realize that the time I have in the car with him is important.

Finally, I drop Carson off at school and without fail he hugs me and tells me he loves me.  Then he hops out of the car and with absolutely no self-consciousness says goodbye again and shouts that he loves me at least 2 more times.  This is so sweet, and I know it won't last. Carson's I love you and goodbye are some of my most favorite moments of everyday.

I Love our family routines



Lily is 2!

Our baby girl turned 2 in April.  She is getting huge and more and more mischievous by the day.  This last week I found her on the kitchen counter playing with the phone. Ahhhh! It seems like she is always getting into things and climbing onto things she is not supposed too! She is a handful, but we love her to pieces.  Since I am talking about some of  Lily's mischievous tendencies, lately Lily has been sticking things up her nose. Twice I have had to use tweezers to get out craisins and pieces of a paper plate that Lily put up her nostrils (It is totally gross! I have not a clue why she would do this).  Anyway, at 2 Lily loves to play at the park and go on walks.  She and I usually have a couple hours alone on the days that Carson has football practice and we have a little tradition of going on a walk. She loves it!  On football practice days she always asks "walk mom? walk?".  It is so sweet! I love getting this one on one time with her.  Lily also loves to read books and to color. Her favorite book is probably "Happy Hippo Angry Duck." Which is appropriate since she is known to have some serious mood swings: happy and sweet one moment and the next angry and firey.  Although she is not yet much of a TV watcher, she loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  For her birthday she got a toy Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, which she loves and is very possessive of.  Lily is getting more and more girlie.  She loves having her finger and toe nails painted.  But she also loves to be part of the action, and frequently dives right into the wrestling matches that Nate has with the boys.  She still is very attached to her "baby" (which is her blanket) and it is a necessary part of her bedtime routine.  She loves to sing and dance and often she and I get our groove on in the car.  Her favorite foods are: yogurt, chocolate, ice cream, Trix, strawberries, fishy crackers, and spinach ravioli.  She is a snuggler and still needs some snuggle time after her nap.  She is a very sweet, fiery, and fun little girl.  We feel so blessed to have this little girl in our family.