Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was the first time in several months we got out a little and were able to spend time with people we really love. On Saturday we headed down to visit Mindi and the kids. Liam also really hadn't gotten to spend much time with Jack so that was fun to see them interact and play. Since they are both the youngest sharing is a skill they will both have to work on. 

I'm not sure why I didn't take more pictures but it was a fun evening but I was surprised by how much anxiety it gave me to be in a group setting. I talked to Mindi about it and she said she felt the same. It's interesting how much the fear of covid makes it hard to enjoy the simple things in life that you never even thought about before. Mindi has been wanting to remodel her house. It's old and falling apart. We went down so we could get measurements and Matt could show her the plans he had been working on for her. I'm happy for her to be able to  have a house that functions correctly for her and the kids. And excited to be part of the process but it's going to be hard with us having so much going on in our lives right now but it will all work out Im just not sure how.

Sunday we headed to Tremonton for dinner with the Brower's. Mother's day was pretty quiet. We of coarse did church at home. It's a little frustrating every year when mother's day comes and not much is different. Matt always feels bad that he didn't do more but we aren't sure how to get out of the cycle. Getting out of the house and going to dinner was nice though. This little condo has protected us through a lot but it is just that...little. So it's nice to get out. Maddi joined us so that was a fun thing to. Maddi has a special bond with our family and specifically our kids. We love to have her around anytime we can.

We were lucky enough to also have Nate and Grandma Harris join us. I don't see her often but it's nice when we do

Happenings As Of Late

Online school is rough and sometimes we just have to take a break and do something a little less conventional. It usually involves Legos or dolls and sometimes both. The girls had moved on to something else and Liam decided to put himself in the middle of the action. She sat on the table and played for close to an hour. I love that he is becoming more independent and interactive. He is learning, growing, and changing so quickly lately. I'm so happy to see him reaching and surpassing milestones but also sad that he is growing so quickly since he is our last one. Just trying to soak up all the moments. 

He, just like his sisters, is finding his love for reading. I regularly find him with a stack of books spread in front of him. He goes from book to book scanning pictures, pushing buttons, feeling textures. I love the love they all have for books.

Although we don't have much space for a garden this year I decided to still buy some flowers for the back deck. I originally was planning to put more in the front by the driveway but it just didn't happen this year. I feel like we are just gone more with working on the house. The kids have all been really good at helping to water and deadheading. Hallie even got hired by a neighbor to water her plants while she was out of town. Hallie asked if she wanted her to deadhead them and our neighbor was super impressed she even knew what that was. I think gardening is a good skill to learn and will help them for themselves and to serve other throughout their lives.

Happy 5th Birthday Emery!

Our sweet and sassy Emy turned 5 this year! She is so excited to start kindergarten and has asked multiple times when she can got to school. I started telling her when the leave change in the fall she can go to school and that has stopped the asking 10 times a day so that's a win. She really is sweet and sassy. She is stubborn and hears what you say but then decides to do exactly what you asked her to do the majority of the time. Then a minute later she is cuddled on the couch reading or watching a show. She was so excited for her birthday and now Gracie and Hallie and getting old enough that they want to help . Because of Covid we weren't able to a big party but she didn't seem to mind. She loved her decorated balloons the girls made for her. We made a Frozen 2 cake with all her new figurines and she of coarse was surprised and thrilled.

Her preschool teacher Ms. Syrina made sure to drop off a treat and a crown for her to wear. She loves Ms. Syrina and I'm not sure if she was more excited about seeing her or the girls she brought her. She loved her Frozen 2 characters. She says they are her favorite gift.

She was so excited to wake up on her birthday and immediately wanted her picture taken. I got to take her to her 5 year checkup and that was nice to just spend some one on one time with her. 

At the doctor she was 43 in and 41 lbs 6 oz.

Emy is super smart and pick up on things quickly. She has started reading and seems to be enjoying her Upstart program. She is opinionated about what she wears and how she gets her hair done.She love unicorns and rainbows. She loves anything electronic based and would watch tv or play on the tablet all day if you would let me...so we set timers to prevent freak outs. She loves to be active. Bikes and scooters have quickly become favorites. She has also really enjoyed the pool at the club house and will swim until her hands and feet look like raisins.  She misses her friends a lot since they canceled preschool. She loves her siblings and also drives them crazy. She is creative and fun and definitely keeps life interesting.

When we got home we sat in the sunshine and drew with sidewalk chalk.

We sure love this little girl even though most days she tries out patience.

Refinishing-First Time In A Long Time

I used to be super crafty and always have some sort of a project going on but now with four kids those projects seem further and further apart. Sometimes its overwhelming to figure out how to keep all the kids safe and not in my way to finish a project but I think as the kids get older that will get easier. I have been watching for buffets for the end of the dining room in the new house. I found one at Sam's Club that I really like but it was $500 dollars so I was in no hurry to buy and store it. One day while on our way home form soccer practice I saw this one on the side of the road with a sign that said free. I had all the girls with me so we pulled over to check it out. It was sold wood and still in great condition! I was determined that I was going to get it in the suburban. We had to completely rearrange car seats and boosters but we did it. Next issue was figuring out how to lift it into the back of the car. Hallie and Gracie tried to help but they were struggling since it was so heavy. It started to rain and luckily a sweet man stopped by and asked if we needed help and within minutes we had it loaded and were on our way home with my latest prize.

I wasn't sure what Matt would think about this pretty good size piece of furniture sitting in our tiny garage but he was super impressed with our find and was helpful in picking a beautiful color to finish it.

After removing the hardware and scrubbing it down I put 2 coats of primer on it to make sure we had a good base to start with. It didn't take near as long as I though it would and for the most part the kids were really helpful. I spend a couple days of nap time painting which I think was a good idea.

And after one coat of the actual pain it started to take shape

My plan was to use hardware I already had but when it was done I decided the hardware it came with actually looked better. I think it will be prefect in the space and I guess if not I could always sell it and buy the other one I had been looking at but all in all I am into it only $60 bucks. I think that's an amazing find! And it was fun to do a project I think I'll try to do another sooner than later. It really is part of who I am and I think its good for me to be creative like that.

Happy Birthday Nikki! 31 Years Old

With my dad taking over the Northern Utah branch of the business we get to see him and mom a lot more often. It also makes me feel less pressure to travel so we get to see them regularly. This go around we celebrated Nic's birthday. Nic is one of my favorite humans. She is definitely more than just a sister to me. She loves and accepts me for who I am and goes out of her way to help me when I need something. She has been there for me through thick and thin and is just overall such a wonderful person.

It was such a fun afternoon. We BBQ'd and ate on the back patio while the kids played. We have all really missed each other. I love my family. And although we aren't perfect I'm so glad that we just keep trying to better our relationships.

6462 Summit Cove-Excavation & The Hole Is Ready

When Matt said we were going to move mountains to build this house he wasn't kidding. The lot started taking shape when the trees were removed and now with the excavators on site it is starting to look like a house could actually go there. Its so exciting to see progress happening but also super frustrating when there isn't anyone on site. That hasn't changed between this house and our first. We are really hoping to be in by Halloween but everyday a subcontractor doesn't show or pushes back it makes that a little uncertain. I'm just hoping for December but sooner would be awesome.

Meanwhile back at our condo they are doing some construction of their own. They are replacing all the sidewalks and then all the asphalt. It makes it hard to not have a yard and now I can't even let the kids play in the front because of all the equipment. The noise is some times ridiculous. It will be nice when it's done but currently its a big pain in the butt. We are parking across the highway at the catholic church so its a journey to even get to the car. Hopefully they will get it done quickly but then with that I'm sure will come the summer crowds and we aren't sure we are ready for that.

Mountain gone 

The excavator bet Matt that we were going to have to break rock up so we could get the hole in place and that would have set back our timeline extensively. We were very happy and relieved when the dirt was beautiful and had a bunch of sand. Our landscaper said it was better sand than in most places you can buy. Matt's parents came to get some to help level their yard. Because the equipment was there it made loading it super easy. A couple buckets full and they were done. It was so nice to see Matt's parents and get to catch up. Its really nice to feel supported and have people come and be excited for us. This is really exciting for us we have planned for this for a long time.

The first corner of the house dug out. It looks huge compared to Matt.

Since building the Hawks Lane house and looking back on pictures I love to see how much the kids have grown and changed since we started that journey. I want to remember how little Liam looks with all the dirt around him. Looking forward to watching him grow up here.

Gracie wanted her turn in the hole...notice her heart hands

Matt and Liam. Just another picture for perspective

The girls have loved jumping down the sand hills

The equipment they are using is really cool. The technology involved is so nice to give them accurate information. Its also huge...thins is Emy

Look at these 3 little girls watching all of the action. It was so cute

Liam loves to watch all the equipment in action. 

Now we have a hole and next is concrete.