Life With 5 Kids Under 7

Kyle was headed to Cali for work and Nic was lucky enough to tag along. We got to keep the kids and I think we had a lot of fun while they were gone. On Friday we went to the park to play. The Huntsville park is so fun with so much to do. 

On Saturday we worked on the yard and organized the garage and hung some shelves we had bought. While we did that Hallie and Rigs build a mud pool and eventually had to get sprayed off with the hose to clean them off before putting them in the real tub.

Everyone was worn out from playing so hard

The kids had so much fun playing together and being so silly

After we got our work done we took the kids to Treehouse Museum to play for a awhile. The kids all seemed to really have a good time. After we grabbed some wings at Wing Nutz and then headed over to the grand opening of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory/Coldstone Creamery for dessert. There was a little bit of a line but it was worth it. Rigs and I decided to have caramel apples, Em had a jelly stick, and everyone else had ice cream. 

We didn't get to keep them the whole time do to having to work and I think everyone was a little sad when we had to drop the kids off at grandma Jill's house. It was a fun week! I will admit I was really nervous about having 5 kids under 7 but it went really well. I don't really care for other peoples kids especially keeping them I think they're hard but my sisters kids are different I love them like they are mine and I really enjoyed having them even with the extra work.

Boat Day Take 2

Nic & Kyle have been nice enough to let us tag along with them the last couple times they have been to the lake since Matt has been gone so much we haven't gotten to go yet. We aren't very exciting mostly just swimming and enjoying the water and sunshine.

The kids loved lining up on the back and watching out Kyle ski

Em seems to love the boat and the water. She does good to just sit and watch as well as making sure we keep her hydrated

The girls and I decided to try out the tube. It was the first time for all of us to ride together. Em's first time doing anything out of the boat. She really liked it. She smiled and just held on for the ride. Gracie was excited from the beginning and Hallie was well kinda bipolar. At first she was terrified and then once we started going she was so excited and then we would hit a bump and she would freak out and then it was fun again. By the time we were done they all loved it and Gracie even fell asleep at one point so we stopped so she  wouldn't fall off.

While Nic tubed with the girls I taught Rigs about a selfie. I think he liked it..lol

After some more swimming the sun started to go down and it cooled off so we called it a day. I love that we can be home in less than 10 minutes its awesome. I love days on the water with the people I love the most we just need to get Matt in on the action

Hallie and Her Rocks

This little girl loves rocks and everything about them. The glittery ones are her favorite. She found this one the other day while digging in the dirt she loves it since it's shaped like a heart. She has such a tender spirit and loves all that nature has to offer. I often times find rocks and wild flowers in her pockets when I do the laundry. She is such a special part of our family and reminds us daily to look around us at what God has created for us

The 2 Sides Of Emery

Em is at such a fun age! She is still her sweet self but is more and more interactive and into everything. Now that she is standing and walking on things she can open cupboards and reach things she has never been able to before. She has found the toilet paper and thinks its quite fun to unroll the entire roll and then lay on it like a pillow

Minutes later she is helping clean up by putting things in a basket. She loves the clean up song and her sisters think its funny that she will help them clean up. I just hope she continues to be a good helper. Its fun to see her curiosity and the way she looks at the world. Sometimes at night when I hold her before bed I let my mind wonder as I watch her face and think of what her life can be and what great things she will do not to many years from now. It makes me want to freeze time and keep her little forever.

Happy Father's Day

Matt and I decided that since we got sod the weekend of Father's Day that we wouldn't do anything big as far as gifts go for him. But the girls loved making little cards and picking out some of his favorite snacks and treats for him. We just went to church and after we got home the kids gave him their gifts and we snapped some pictures.

That night we had dinner with Matt's family. We did Mexican food and tried to keep it simple but yummy. Nick & Brit joined us but Chris and Krissy were in Brazil visiting their missions so we missed having them. Matt helped Kerry and Joy work thru their house expansion plans and started getting everything drawn together. After everyone left we had some family play time. Em kept wanting to chase the girls but isn't quite fast enough yet so Matt and I improvised and I think they like it alot. We had to take turns because it was making our legs burn like crazy..lol. What an awesome dad we have. I feel so blessed that the lord decided to put Matt and I together to have this family and our forever together.

Sod Day

The day has finally come for sod! They delivered it about 8:00am. Matt had lined up some help from the ward and his young men for 10 so we took the time to get everything lined up to hopefully have everything run smoothly. We ended up with 5600 sq feet of sod or 10 pallets

At 10 our help started to show up. Its always nerve racking when you aren't sure whether or not people will show up to help you. Matt and I started the sod and quickly realized it was going to be a very long day if no one else showed up. Luckily we had a great turn out and had a good amount of help.

Once we got down the sod to the mid arch I left to Ogden to get pizza for everyone. And I was very pleased to find everything pretty much done by the time I got home. It makes the yard look so different!

Now the real work begins in keeping the kids off the grass for a couple weeks while the roots get settled. But at least for now we are now on the countdown to playing on the grass.

Hallie's First Coach Pitch Season

This summer has been Hallie's 1st experience with baseball in any form. I assumed she would be playing t-ball but come to find out her age group plays coach pitch. I was nervous and wasn't sure Hallie had the hand eye coordination to hit the ball if it were thrown but after a couple weeks she has picked up on it pretty quickly and is loving it. When I signed Hallie up to play I volunteered Matt to coach. Initially I don't think he was very happy with me but seems to really be loving it and spending the time her.

The nights at the park are a welcome break from the yard. There  is a ton of shade and the games are at a time of night when it has started to cool down and it feels really great to be outside. Nem loves to crawl to the fence and stand to watch.

Selfies and usually a nightly occurence

Its fun to see the kids learn and grow in such a short time although it makes me sad that they are growing so quickly.