Spring....

A few weeks ago the weather was really nice and we got some more of our garden planted. Our peas are already starting to grow. I am so excited for them to grow. All the boys wanted to do something and it was a little hard for Mike to have something for all 4 boys but he was very patient. 

Here they are planting onions of all kinds. 

My little Camden is not so little now. He is talking so much more now and loves to tell me stories when the other kids aren't talking. I have tried to make a point of listening when he has something to say. His face gets so into the story I just love watching him. We went through our clothes and switched out our winter clothes. He is only 3 but is wearing size 4 clothes. He is really tall for his age and skinny.  His goal is to be as big as Kaden. He struggles in the eating department unlike Kaden.

Rylan's hair was growing so much. The last time we cut hair he requested his top not get cut until his birthday in May. I went along but the last little while it has been crazy. He rarely does his hair and so I finally told him he had to get it off. He was actually okay with it. The boys sure look handsome when they are all cleaned up.

Couldn't help but smile at this photo. Like father like son, checking out the work they did.

Happy Easter!

Saturday

LeDawn and Adam came down to visit and spent some time with us. The kids were excited to see Greyson again. We did an egg hunt in the backyard. Everyone loved it except Elsie. She had helped me get the eggs ready and thought she got to hide and hunt them. She was very disappointed to learn she could only do one of them and refused to participate.

The boys had fun searching high and low for their eggs. I have found color coordinating works great. There hasn't been any fighting over eggs because if it's not their color they don't touch it.

After the egg hunt we went out to lunch with my brothers. It was nice to get together with almost all our siblings. It doesn't happen often. We went to a park down the street after lunch so the kids could play. It was great that the kids had something to entertain them and I could visit. The sad thing was Camden came down with a fever and Elliot complained of his ear hurting. Mike was sweet and took care of Camden. Spinney tried to comfort poor Elliot. We think Elliot ended up having an ear infection and Camden caught Rylan's cold he had a week ago. The poor guy has had a fever for 6 days. He is just now starting to feel better. Elliot now has a fever. All the kids have had it now except Kaden. It's been a rough week.

The kids loved Greyson. He got a lot of their attention. More than I think he's use to.

Sunday

We headed off to church with half the family. Elliot and Camden were still under the weather. Elsie got a new Easter skirt. Her favorite color right now is lime green. She did not want to have her picture taken before church and was very sad.

A few weeks ago Mike came home with not one but two suits for the boys. I was speechless because when Kaden turned 8 I was planning to get him a suit for his birthday. Mike laughed at my idea then. I ended up not getting one because we invested in scout stuff and scriptures. I couldn't believe it when Mike brought the suits home. He continues to amaze and surprise me all the time.

These boys looked so handsome. Every time I looked at them I couldn't help but smile. The impressive part was the they treated the suits really nice too.

Sunday evening we headed over to Dave and Becki's house for dinner. The kids were so excited to go. I think Dave's house is their favorite because there are so many fun things to play with and fun cousins. Becki put together an egg hunt that the kids loved. My favorite was the eggs were filled with things other than candy. Grandma Wilcox also brought some eggs and they got to hunt for more. Spoiled I tell you!

I couldn't pass up this photo op of Elliot. He was so cute. About 3 seconds later he ripped it off.

I'm so glad we could spend Easter with family. With the kids we watch videos on lds.org of Jesus last week of his life. The kids had many questions and it was a great experience to share my testimony with them and something that means a lot to me. I know Jesus suffered and died for me. Because of him I have an eternal family that can be with them forever. We watched another video at easter.mormon.org that was very touching. Because of Christ I can live again. How grateful I am for Christ's great love. 

Happy Easter!

Baby number 6

 This pregnancy has been more fun with the kids. They are more aware of things especially when I don't feel good. They are very excited and curious about the baby. The kids love to see videos about the baby growing.

I went in for an ultra sound 3 weeks ago and everything looked good. Seeing pictures and hearing the heartbeat makes things seem more real. Granted I have had 5 pregnancy and each one is similar in ways but it always amazes me how something can grow inside of me. At first the boys would say "mom your tummy is getting big". I knew they didn't mean to hurt and I tried to help them see that it could hurt some one's feelings so I told them if they said "the baby is getting bigger" it would make me feel better. I have tried to embrace this and teach my children how wonderful it is. Just the other day Kaden said "mom, the baby is growing bigger". I smiled and said "yes, it's so wonderful my body can grow a baby". Kaden responded "yeah, but dad helped". This has been a great way to show that kids having a baby is fun. Yes there are many moments that I hurt and need to lay down or take a nap but it's also not permanent.

Here is a picture of me 3 weeks ago when I was 21 weeks. Elsie was happy to take my picture.

Elsie just happened to be sick along with Rylan the day I had my ultrasound appointment. I had planned to have grandpa Wilcox to watch the 2 boys but ended up bringing more kids. Thankfully Arn didn't mind. I asked Elsie if she wanted to come but wasn't allowed to touch anything. She wasn't sure at first but when she heard dad was coming she wanted to go. At the beginning of the appointment we told the nurse we didn't want to find out the sex but even with that Mike was paying close attention to see if he could see anything. The nurse was really nice, explained things, and answered any questions we had. Elsie really liked seeing the baby and loved seeing the baby move when the nurse poked me. After we were done Mike asked the nurse if she knew what the sex was. Whether she knew or not she said no and didn't even look in the area. So this little baby is still a surprise to us. Mike is hanging in there.

 I have now passed the halfway point and am counting down. This is me at 25 weeks.

Fun photos

We had Mike's family over for Sunday dinner a few weeks ago and had a wonderful visit. Since Mary and the girls were here Elsie was very excited. Mike was happy to see his sister too. Mike made the whole dinner while I helped set things up. He made 3 different lasagnas-3 cheese, taco and sausage. Out of all of those Mike only ate the cheese. He is an amazing cook and everything he makes turns out wonderful. 

 After dinner we got some cards out and played games. Mike tells the kids stories of when he ate Sunday dinners at his grandma's house and played games. He said they played the game of spoons with all their cousins and it turned into a battle of spoons. The kids had lots of fun and there was much laughter. I think Mary won the last round.

 Another fun thing we did was go to Kaden's blue and gold banquet. He made the centerpieces for the tables at scouts one week. The theme was cowboys. He got an award that night too for finishing his bobcat. He also got a certificate for getting 2nd place in the pinewood derby. He was very happy. So when everyone was ready to eat they announced that the boys had to serve their families dinner. Kaden did a great job and all the kids had a great time.

I found a picture of Camden and his speech therapist from last year. Camden loved to have Jaimie come visit us. He was shy for half of the visit and by the time she would leave he was playing with her. After his birthday in November Camden qualified to go to speech class at the beginning of the year. He likes going to school now twice a month but I am a little concerned because his teachers don't remember him. The teacher has asked me almost every visit which one Camden is. Oh well. Camden is progressing and talking a lot. I helped in his sunbeams class a week ago and he wanted to talk all the time. He was getting "shh'd" by the teachers. He has come a long way this past year.

 I also found this picture of my college roommate and friend. Around Christmastime I found out that Brooke had gotten a bad case of stomach flu that gave her an infection and sent her to the hospital for a few weeks. Prior to this I had been thinking about her wondering how she was doing. We haven't been in contact for some years. That next day I saw a post on facebook from Brooke's mom and a picture of her in the hospital. I emailed her and found out she was going home for the holidays. We got together a few days after Christmas. Originally we were planning for the whole family to come visit Brooke but that week all the kids were throwing up. Since Brooke had just gotten out of the hospital I didn't want to be the one to send her back so Mike stayed home with the sick ones and Camden and I went for a drive to Fruit Heights. Camden was the first one to get sick and so he was the most healthy by the time we went. It was a great visit and I am so glad Brooke is all better. We stayed for a few hours and Camden was a good sport. 

Elsie is 10

I know this post is more than a month old but I was waiting for Elsie to make her comments on it. She had asked a while ago and never got to it. Around Christmas Elsie started planning her birthday. I reminded her that there was no party this year. She was aware of that but started planning what friend she was going to invite for a play date. She kind of weaseled herself into a little party with 2 friends. She made invitations and had a girls night which turned out to be treats and a movie. It was nice that she took care of everything and I wasn't needed at all. Elsie's favorite color is lime green. She hates pink and tries not to wear it often. When I saw this backpack I couldn't resist getting it for her, especially since I don't see lime green things much.

Elsie has tried making aprons on her own but none have lasted. I thought it was time she had a good one. Come to find out, it was for younger children. I told Elsie I could exchange it but she wanted to keep it. Mike found some rubber bands for making bracelets. She is getting very creative with them and was running out. I went searching for the bands but the stores were out. Thank goodness Mike found some on his drive home from work that day.

Elsie is very much a girl. She loves to dress up and look cute. She even loves fancy shoes and painted nails. But there are a few things she doesn't like. One is doing her hair. She won't let me touch it unless I ask in advance to do it or she asks me for help. The other thing Elsie doesn't like is boys. She claims she doesn't like her brothers and wants to sell them. But then she will buy them presents and treats. The stories she comes home from school with aren't about girls. They are about how far she kicked the ball playing kickball with the boys at recess and how they couldn't believe it.

We had a family dinner for Elsie's birthday and for dessert she made her own cupcakes. She loves to cook and was so proud she had done this on her own. Maybe I won't have to make the boys cakes anymore. I might hire Elsie.

Elsie was so excited for her 10th birthday to come. We don't do birthday parties every year but I do let the kids have a friend or two over to play. Elsie planned a movie and treats with a few friends. She wanted no help planning anything and told the boys to stay out. She is growing up too fast. 

Ten reasons I love about Elsie...

10 Elsie is great at playing the piano. She has struggled with practicing but memorizes songs amazingly fast. 

9 Elsie loves to play with girls and do girl things. Growing up with all boys I am afraid she is getting some of both worlds. I enjoy seeing Elsie rough house with the boys and being a part of that but also like seeing her enjoy being a girl.

8 I love to how Elsie is willing to serve. When someone doesn't feel good Elsie is always the first to help them. At church she plays the prelude music because they need someone. She makes things for her brothers and friends just because.

7 Elsie is a good missionary. She was so excited at Christmas when a friend came to an activity because she invited him. She is not afraid to share what she believes. What a great example!

6 Elsie loves to learn. Now that the kids are getting older I have changed their chores a little. Some of them include washing dishes by hand (we have no dishwasher), drying the dishes, washing clothes and cleaning the toilet. Granted at first Elsie did not want anything to do with the toilet. She refused. But after we worked together at it she decided it wasn't too hard. She now wants to earn money cleaning the bathroom when it isn't her chore. 

5 I love how much Elsie loves reading. The days we go to the library she will spend the rest of the day reading until she has finished all her books. She has become such a bookworm that occassionally we have had to confiscate books until her chores are done. 

4 I love to see Elsie teach. She often tries to play school with the boys but they don't always cooperate. She especially loves to do the family home evening lessons. She prepares so well.

3 I love to see Elsie's excitement for cooking. When Mike is working nights we often get to eat food he doesn't like. Elsie loves to make meals. She even made her own birthday cupcakes this year.

2 I like to hear stories about Elsie befriending others. She has struggled being friends with some girls and finds it easier to befriend new boys in her class. It really warms my heart when she wants to play with a girl she didn't get along with last year.

1 I love the way Elsie shows her love. Dad isn't a very huggy person with his kids. This last year I challenged Elsie to try and help dad. To start she always gave me a hug and a kiss before bed so she started giving Mike a hug also. At first it was a little wierd but now it is routine and Elsie never goes to bed without giving both of us hugs. I think Mike likes it, although he never says.

Happy Birthday dear Elsie and hope you have a year full of joy and learning.

Trip to the zoo

With the kids off track we were able to make it to the zoo on it's free day in January. We have been planning this for some time and when it got closer to the date there was signs of snow. I like the snow, but I don't like driving in it. So our trip was a maybe. When we woke up that morning we saw no snow and the forecast called for snow in the morning some time. We packed up what we needed and headed off hoping to beat the storm. It turned out to be warmer than we thought and only had a few snow flurries. It was the first time I haven't gone to the zoo without a stroller. I was very happy. Everyone had their own packs and it worked out great.

This trip to the zoo was a lot of fun mostly because all the animals were active and fun to watch. It wasn't too busy and we made it through the whole trip without anyone getting lost. I had a few complainers and fighting but what I count was on was everyone was safe. I recommend going to the zoo in the cold months just because they animals are more fun to see. Camden was having a hard time at the end but made it by holding my hand.