August Randomness

 Nic went away to girls weekend and I was happy to keep all the kiddos but honestly I was the most excited to keep Gray because the other kids just play with our kids and don't really care if I'm around. It was a little strange to have a baby in the house again but all the kids were so good and we were so happy to have them. Of coarse one of the first things he did after Nic left was have a blow out so he got a bath and an outfit changed. I really think he was just testing our competency but I think we passed with flying colors. 

Of coarse Matt got most of the baby snuggles while I was getting the other kids taken care of. That was one of my favorite things when the kids were little.

Liam's blue slides got to little and they were his favorite so it took some convincing to get him to pick new ones but he loves these because they are fire truck red.

This little buddy thoroughly enjoyed his ice cream and for sure needed a bath after

Matt would love to buy a lot and build again but I'm for sure not in the same place. After church one day Matt asked me to go with him to see this lot so I did but it just made me anxious. I think about all the time we spent focus on building and actually building and I don't think I'm prepared to do that again at least not at this point. As a second note everything is so freaking expensive I don't think we'd be much more ahead if we did it again because I would want to do less of the work and I don't want a smaller house. We could hire someone to run the whole project but I don't think we'd do well with that so for now we will just be content in our little piece of heaven here.

Now that the girls are back in school it just me and my little buddy

I saw this park in South Ogden on a best parks to visit with kids so we went to check it out but it was so dang hot we didn't last long so we'll have to try again when it cools down. 

I have never found someone that I love how they do my hair. One evening I got so frustrated and thinned it out myself...we'll see how it goes.

With it now being August it has me thinking of fall and the scape form the heat. I found a picture on Pinterest that I loved and wanted to replicate....I love it! It turned out so good and I'm excited for it to sit on my counter and add the warmth of fall to the space.

I also may have bought a table runner to go with it

As you can see form this picture we are still fighting the good fight and battle with all things regularity. He's making progress. After his scans in July it set a fire in me to find answers to how I could help him without synthetic drugs. I found several mom groups on Facebook first it started with Moms against Miralax because of all of the side effects they are seeing in kids that have taken it long term. I made a list of things moms had tried to get rid of miralax and I prayed that I would know where to go. I came across several things and even ordered a couple but they didn't seem to make the difference. Many moms had used Begin Health prebiotics and many had paired that with Mary Ruth liquid probiotics and we got started on that. It said with the probiotic to start slowly so not to cause tummy upset. Within a week to 10 days we started to see a difference. Update...its now Jan 23 and Liam is pooping everyday with good results. Over time the poop has gotten smaller in diameter and is no longer painful when he poops. We just stopped doing poop prizes because this house can't handle another emergency vehicle and the sirens. Occasionally he has an off day but its usually when we slack with his hydration. It is so nice for all of us that he is getting this down. It sounds dumb but it was giving me crazy anxiety when he wouldn't poop or when it was hurting. I was afraid it was something other than constipation. We are still doing both a pre and a probiotic daily and its been so helpful.

Liam's Preschool Open House/1st Day

 Liam was so excited and nervous when it was his turn to go to preschool. Ms Syrina is the best so I knew he'd be in great hands. Today was the open house where the mom and kids come to meet their teacher and see where they'll be going to school. He was even more excited when he found out Greg was in his class. Ms Syrina had a treasure hunt set up with fun activities along the way. By the time we went home Liam was soaked but more excited than nervous about preschool.

Then the official 1st day of school

He picked everything out down to his favorite red slides.

I think once he settles in he is going to flourish. I'm so glad he has some friends in his class that he knows I think that will for sure make it easier. Although it makes me sad that he is growing up Im so happy to see him happy and healthy and getting to do all the things kids should get to do. I love this little buddy of mine. He tells me Im his best friend and it's enough to make anyone's heart melt. 

Box Elder County Fair Week

 One of my favorite traditions of the year is the Box Elder County fair parade. I was bummed that Matt needed to travel so he could be home later in the week for other plans we had. So the kids and I headed up right after school got out. Usually Joy saves us a spot that she goes that morning to set up but with their mission this year they were out of town so we were on our own. Tiff and Ris decided to come down so they grabbed us a spot and then we just met up with them. 

All of our kiddos plus one

To busy eating a popsicle to smile

Then we had a couple more days where kids didn't feel good  Liam and Gracie were good sports but they seemed to rebound pretty quickly.

On Saturday with everyone feeling much better we headed to the farmers market on 25th St. It was so fun we got to try several things we had never had including Amish donuts. The girls each got a gem necklace and were fascinated by all the big gems they had available.

After a short reboot at home we headed to Tremonton for dinner and the Rodeo. The rodeo is another one of those things we look forward to throughout the year. We once again sent out texts and had a bunch of family want to join us on both sides. 

The kids love when they come around and throw prizes. They were ready and willing at the rail

Something new this year was the bull jumping. I've never seen anything like that and it was both terrifying and amazing to watch it.

We should have taken a picture at the beginning by the end it was late and everyone was tired and wasn't wanting to take a picture.

On Sunday it was Kerry's birthday, No one had discussed doing anything so we called that morning and invited them to dinner to celebrate. It's a lot to host everyone but I feel obligated to invite everyone when we do Father's day/Mother's Day/Birthdays so we waited until last minute and when they had no plans we decided to make some. 

We had cheesecake for dessert since its Kerry's favorite. It was a busy week but full of so many fun things and traditions.

First Day of School

 Its that time of the year again when we get back into a routine which is both a blessing and a curse for sure. Time for a new year of school. I grabbed this picture of Gracie at back to school night. She will be in 5th grade and Ms. Miller's class.

I wish I could say that since this is our 2nd year of Hallie in junior high that we are getting used to being up earlier but we aren't but we are trying. She is excited for this year and I'm just hoping it goes better than last. She is getting more and more grown up all the time.

Hallie 8th

The timing works well that I get Hallie up and off to the bus and then come back and get Gracie and Emy up and off to the bus.

Gracie 5th

Poor Emy was sick for the first day so she got her chance to have her very own first day on the 2nd day of school. 

Emy 2nd

Yes Day 2.0

 The kids loved yes day last year and I was worried we wouldn't fit it in with everything else we were doing but we pulled it off and it was just as good this year. They wanted to start with donuts just like last year. Macey's is the place to go for cool donuts

Im not sure if the donuts or the special cart was the favorite

They decided this year they wanted to try out Rush in Layton so we headed there next and Matt met us. Mini golf was first

Then so go cart racing

Then the kiddi go carts that Liam could drive himself

Indoor rock climbing

Video games

But I think laser tag was the favorite and we played about 5 times

Then we decided to call it a night and grab some dinner since we had all worked up an appetite. It's fun to see what the kids decide they want to do when they are in charge of the schedule. Im sure this is something we will continue to do. The kids have already started planning for next year...now if they can only agree on what they want to do.