Poor Nem

Sometimes when you're freshly mobile you can get banged up pretty quickly. She is so happy to be able to explore and has become a runner quite quickly after starting to walk. She has also started to climb on things...its really amazing that any child makes it thru childhood. It's also a bummer when your diaper decides to explode all over your pjs during the night...I guess its time for a bigger nighttime size.

Hallie was swinging a broom after I told her not to and hit Em really close to her eye I may or may not have yelled and put her in time out. But luckily she is ok and it has since healed.

16 month update-Em is a little ray of sunshine! Much like her sisters she loves to read stories and have lots of cuddles. She has also become very clingy to mommy. She still has a bottle because Im dragging my feet taking it away since its a sign she isn't my little baby anymore. She loves to sleep with her binki and blankie. She quite frequently sleeps on her belly and rolls all over her crib throughout the night. She sleeps thru the night most of the time but occasionally wakes up for a cuddle or a bottle. She has become so much more interested in what her sisters are doing. Where ever they are that is where she wants to be. She love Mickey Clubhouse. She is starting to jabber a lot more and says mama(a lot), dada(super cute when he come home from work super excited), she points at what she wants and talks like we understand everything she is saying. She can be a really good listener when she wants to be and Im impressed by how much she really seems to understand. We're so grateful for this sweet and smart little cookie. I love watching her explore the world a step at a time...I love this age

Building A Shed

I would have thought when we built this house that the garage would be big enough for everything but that just isn't the case. So after looking at pricing for building a shed we found a great deal on a lifetime shed and decided to go that route. We were able to build it in just about 8 hours and it is just about the right size for our stuff. It looks a lot like our house and blends well so we were very pleased with that too. We put a heavy duty lock on it to ensure no one could get in easily to take stuff and now the garage looks less cluttered.

 

Shed update...there have been a couple complaints from an unknown person that they think we should have to take our shed down. The CC&R and very unclear about what is allowed and what is not but we followed everything that is written. Originally when the HOA lawyer called to ask us about the shed I was angry and panicked to be honest because we spent over 1000 on the shed alone plus the base and the time to build it. But after talking to him and also looking into our options I'm no longer worried about it. Since it doesn't say in the CC&R that we can't have a shed and we have done everything per them it looks like unless we take it down willingly they would have to take us to court to have it taken down and with as muddied as the CC&Rs are it would pretty much be thrown out. Also this same person complained about our playground stating it was an eye sore and a distraction from the beauty around it. I have decided that some people have way to much time on their hands and need to get a life. So I guess we will see how it plays out

Gracie's 1st Soccer Season

Gracie was so excited it was her turn to play soccer and then she became even more excited when she found out that Matt was going to be her coach. She was a little disappointed when her co ed team didn't want to be called the Elsa's or Frozen but they came to the conclusion that blue lightening would do the trick. She has been playing every Saturday morning at 9. It has been fun to see her personality shine through more and more the more she becomes involved with. I'm grateful for Matt and his desire and willingness to teach our kids stuff like this.

Hallie was also excited that she gets to be a Gracie cheerleader. Em and I are also happy to fill that role. It will be interesting to see how the season plays out with both girls playing we are hoping that we don't get schedules conflicting but we will figure it out whatever comes because that's what families do.

Our Weekend With Cousins

Luckily for us Kimber was able to get a couple days off work so they got here just in time on Wed for the parade and were able to stay until Sunday. The kids played and played and played. I was so glad we had the backyard done so they could let their imaginations just go and have a good time.

Nem was a little to interested in Lydi and just hasn't quite figure out how to be soft. She pulled her hair bows out several times...making her cry of coarse. So when they were both awake we had to watch them closely.

Thursday consisted of more playing in our pjs and just hanging out. Nic wasn't feeling well so she stayed home to try and get feeling better

It worked and on Friday she was able to join us in going to the lake. It was a little cool with Fall in the air. The wind was blowing and Matt and I had a hard time getting the boat anchored into the beach but once we did we managed to get a couple hours of good playing in. We did a little tubing but the water wasn't good for much more than that but it was nice to be out in the sun and the kids loved playing in the water.

And of coarse we had to feed the seagulls

Lydi in her little life jacket right before she fell asleep

And she's out

These silly kids got in some warm clothes and were ready to go again...and miracously they all looked at the camera at one time

Later that night we got out the smore supplies and had a great time eating sticky marshmallows with lots of chocolate...fun was had by all. We have really enjoyed the fire pit and I hope there is going to be more time to use it more before it gets to cold.

We loved having Kimber and the kids come to stay with us. Im so grateful she was willing to make the 8 hour drive by herself to come spend some time with Nic and I and our kids. I love that we are all raising kids at the same time. We laugh, cry, and bounce ideas off each other. I really think it has brought us closer than ever. I'm so grateful for my sister and the part they play in my life. They are amazing in so many ways and I'm grateful for the part they play in my kids lives as well.

To The County Fair With All The Cousins

The fair is one of my favorite time of year. I have so many memories growing up and going to the fair and the awesome parade. I was beyond thrilled when Kimber told me her and the kids were going to come and stay with us the week of the fair so they could come go with us. The kids loved all the floats but mostly the treats but who can blame them....its what I remember most.

Joy was nice enough to save some seats so we would all have a good place to see the parade and catch candy...chairs and all

I love Kimber she is blunt and says it like it is like me but has a bit more of a filter and usually finds a less offensive way to get her point across or get what she wants. I hate that she lives so far away, that she works all the time, and that her house is to little for me to go stay with her...lol the end. When we were younger we would fight and not get along and now she is one of my best friends and someone I always look forward to talking to and spending time with. I feel very blessed to have her in my life. She loves me for who I am and one of the few people I can really be myself with.

A few minutes after the parade started Nic & Ky got there to join us. The cousins were so excited to be back together. I love the bond and love they have for each other.

Luke was pretty excited about the huge minion

I wasn't sure what Em would think of the parade if she would think it was to loud or be scared but she loved it. When the band came by she walked off the curb and sat herself on the street to get a front row seat for the show.

Popsicles were a definite like from the parade and luckily we had a whole pack of wipes to clean them up afterwards

This was Lydi's first experience with a popsicle and she loved it.

The men in our lives prefer to stay in the background and soak up the shade

After the parade we headed to the fair for some dinner and to see the animals mostly. Only Gracie wanted to put her face in the circle but once she did it then everyone wanted a turn.

Before heading to the animals we got balloons from one of the stands and when we stopped to visit they had a ball chasing each other and screaming/squealing at the top of their lungs. Luckily it wasn't to crowded because I hated to brake up the fun. 

We had so much fun visiting and seeing the animals that before we knew it it was 10pm and we were needing to head home....but first a stop at kents to get corn. Tremonton corn really is the best! Matt was a good sport and stayed in the car with the kids while Kim and I ran in. I guess Em was sad after we left so they took some pictures to pass the time.

The fair just like every other year didn't disappoint. Its fun to see old friends, get good food, and feel like a kid again. This is a tradition that Matt and I will continue to do with our kids for as long as we can. It was a fun day with all of us together

Back To School Mom Brunch

A couple days after school started Ashley invited everyone over for a back to school luncheon. During the summer it can be crazy to get everyone together with all the kids so it was fun to see each other and visit. Ashley always makes yummy food look so simple she has taught me a lot and given me quite a few ideas. I'm not one that like girls nights or getaways...I just don't feel like I need them but I love to get together when Matt's at work and see how everyone's lives are going. We had breakfast and everyone brought something to contribute. After we ate Ashley brought out these giant mystery bags. When we opened them we were all pretty excited! They were full of pampering stuff for each of us moms! Soaps, lotions, body scrubs, oils, ect. I'm not very good at spending money on pampering myself so I was super excited. I have tried several of the items and they're pretty cool. I'm grateful for this group of ladies and the way they have accepted me into their group like I have always been a part.

 

Bree was in love with the way her bag smelled. All of the products are organic and most contain some amount of coconut oil so our bags smelt like a tropical island and who doesn't love that?!?