I've been lazy

I've either been too lazy, too busy, or just plain unmotivated to write in my blog.  I know it's important to me, because I read back 3 years ago and just laugh at the things that happened and know that I wouldn't remember it except it got written down.  Just a few things going on now... I'm not babysitting anymore.  Pips and her family moved.  We've started into a new set of fencing classes, which I'm super stoked about because the two little boys watch their dad fence so they know what I'm talking about most of the time.  I LOVE volunteering in Ada's classroom every week and I LOVE that they let me take in Sam and Evelyn too.  They help me switch out the book readers and hand them out to send home for the day.  Sam knows exactly what to do, and Evelyn knows what she sees and copies it... if she could read she'd be set.  Recently, Sam will sit there and read the books as we're switching them out.  He's caught on to reading very quickly... Ada has too... she's the top ranking reader in her class (which is awesome, but I don't want to point it out to her in case she gets a big head... she and I tend to do that sort of thing.)  We got to go to James Arrington's last ever "Farley Family Reunion" before he retires.  I always loved watching and acting out that one growing up and was glad that we could take our kids once... even if they were little stinkers half the time.  And... most importantly, we found out that our baby is a BOY!  Sammy's going to have a brother!  Ada said, "Darn, I wanted a sister."  Sam gave me a high five, and Evelyn said, "Baby brother!"   He looks healthy, is measuring normally.  He was crossing his legs and didn't want to show us his gender, but the tech bounced him around enough to get him moving.  He's got a sweet little profile and none of us can quite agree on a name for him.  He's pretty chill most of the time.  He's most active when it's quiet... ie: kids nap times, after kids are in bed, etc... I thought maybe it was just that I was less distracted at those times, but nope... I paid more attention the last week or so and he holds really still when everyone is busy and loud... and wiggles when they're not.  He also kicks a lot if we talk directly to him.  Fun.

A surprise

The kids were all jumping on the tramp and Sam came in to tell me that Evelyn was poopy.  I told him to send her in and I'd change her. He left and soon I heard my two year olds voice next to me saying, "Mommy have a surprise for me? What's my surprise?" I guess Sam had bribed her to come see me. I checked her diaper, which was not poopy, and gave her a couple chocolate chips as her "surprise". She was rather excited.

Teaching the next generation

My mom taught me to tie quilts... I remember tying quilts with both of my grandmas. I have a quilt that my great-grandma tied for my parents. And now my mom and aunts are teaching my daughter... Just gave me warm fuzzies.

New Provo Temple

We got to go see the angel Moroni get placed on top of the new Provo Temple (Tabernacle).  I thought it was so cool!  It was colder when we got there than when we left and all the kids were wishing we'd taken jackets, but it was pretty cool.  Ironically, it was put up on April Fools day.

These were an April fools joke by my Aunt Margo and company done for my cousin Garrett's fiancée's bridal shower.  Everyone thought they were deviled eggs, but they are chocolate.  Ada had to bring some home to show the other kids... and Sam, who doesn't like eggs unless they're cooked into things, wouldn't even taste it.  He held it for the picture, put it down and left.  Ada and Sam got really into April Fools though.  They decided to hide Daddy's shoes and even spent time wrestling him after work so that they could steal the pair that he was wearing.  Sam, when they were trying to think of pranks said, "I know!  We will all hold something behind our backs and when Dad gets home we'll tell him that nothing is there!"  Awesome.

I realized #4

Jer is good at swinging the kids.  Jordan thought it was hilarious.

Lance, Devin, Jordan, Evelyn (who is a year older than Jordan... just doesn't look it.), Aubrey, Emma, and Ada.

Picnic at the park with mom.

Love Grandma

I realized #3

Ada wanted to play school with me and the rest of the kids... she taught us about butterflies and metamorphosis. 

She invited each of us up to help with her with her lesson.

Cousin Taylor's birthday party

Our favorites!

Evelyn has claimed the Superman cape... my favorite is when she wears it with her Princess Anna costume... Super Anna!

Good Grandma

Jer built an awesome fort in the basement... so fun!

Fun at the park with cousins!

I realized #2

Valentines with the Robertson cousins.  Emily was out so that was fun to see her.

Our neighbor made our girls these cute dresses in exchange for some computer help... I think we got the better end of the bargain.  So cute.

Making Valentines boxes with the Wilcox cousins.

Seth was the bubble wrap master.... these guys went bazerk... loved it!

Cookies

I realized

I realized that I really haven't posted pictures off my camera for the last 3 months.  Awesome.  Here's a little catch up.

January

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Anya's birthday party

These two jumped in and started playing with Arwen from the other side of the fence.

During our mornings

I love my mornings.  I get a little bit of time with each of my babies.

Get Ada up and ready for school.  Sometimes rushed and stressed, but she always comes back to me for a hug and a kiss before walking out the door.

Sam spends time every morning with a routine.  It lets him know what to expect every day and what he gets out of it.  He's been making some awesome progress in many areas because of it... Before any electronic anything he has to -get dressed -eat breakfast -brush teeth -comb hair -practice the piano or do a reading lesson with mom (did you know that he watches Ada reading and just picks up words while he watches her?) -a chore -exercise (he loves running the stairs and trying to use my elliptical).  He wakes up as early as he hears anyone awake in the house (ie Jer getting ready for work) and rushes through as many of his list as he can so that he can use Netflix during my shower.  Who knew a 4 year old could accomplish so much in about 1 1/2 hours?

Evelyn loves mom.  She just does.  While Sam watches Netflix, I cuddle Evelyn and get her breakfast.  She loves to have me read to her and actually demands that I read to her if someone is over visiting... YOU WILL PAY ATTENTION MOM!  She calls Pips "My Pips" and mostly plays with her as long as she doesn't get jealous.  She's started asking me where my baby is and patting my belly.

I was nervous about this baby.  We did so many things to even get pregnant, then I was really sick with pneumonia for the first trimester that it was really easy to ignore the pregnancy.  I almost didn't want to believe that there was a baby on the way.  But now I do.  And I'm excited.

To my babies, I love you all.

It only takes a moment

I got my 2 year old Evelyn a bowl of cereal and milk this morning and went off to get dressed and brush my teeth.  I was only gone for about 5 mins and come out of the bathroom to find a happy girl sitting in the middle of my bed and eating her cereal and spilling milk all over.  She thought she'd follow me I guess?

Brotherly love

True love shown by Sam... Letting guys two year old sister play Super Mario with him even though she has no idea what she's doing.