Long time no write...

The summer has flown by and fall is just around the corner.

The first weekend of June Robert was able to stay home with the boys while us girls went out to Utah for Krys and Jeanna's sealing in the Jordan River Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony and really made me miss my boys back here in PA. Another highlight was that all 8 of us kids (my brothers and sisters) were all able to be together for the day even though not all of our spouses and children. I'm very thankful families are eternal!!! We were also able to watch as AJ and Paxton were baptized later in the afternoon to round out the day. To be a part of the starting on the path in the gospel and then having a family joined together for eternity, which is what our goal is, all on the same day was a spiritual high. The boys had a ball with Robert home and all to themselves!!!

We went to WI for Kaden's baptism, Brandon's priesthood ordination, and spent the weekend with Christine's family, Chelsea's family, and Grandma and Grandpa Himes. It was a fast trip but well worth it. We met Gretta and see Grandparents but what was really important was seeing Uncle Mike and Shadow!! The boys are completely taken with him and still 2 months later "dream" about him and go to work with him during the day while they play. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and the baptism was special. Because we see her family the most (well once or twice a year) the boys are getting more comfortable with them and love all of their toys. They had a little guitar the boys thought was wonderful.

The rest of the summer we've spent mostly at home with small trips with Robert on Church assignments but nothing major.

Miss Emma sleeping snug in her cousin Madi's arms.

Evan's 2nd birthday!!! Having a cake with Grandma and Grandpa Himes and Aunt Christine's family.His favorite gift - a lawn mower that blows bubbles!!!

Cousins Emma and Gretta watching Griffin intently. Of course teaching them all sorts of fun new tricks.

David absolutely LOVED Shadow and was able to give him a treat. This was certainly a highlight.

One of Evan's 2 year pictures.

Evan tried to get into Emma's bed but got stuck in the process. Thank goodness for her he can't climb in.

Even though they can get out in the middle they think it's great to "need help" getting down from the side panels. Yes, they can slide down and climb over it themselves.

All 3 kids get their baths together now and have so much fun with it. Emma is even pretty good to let her brothers splash her.

Evan is practicing his tie tieing skills. You have to pull back and forth on each side to get the length just right. He's getting ready to pass the sacrament.

One of Emma's 8 1/2 month pictures.

What is the most comfortable chair to watch TV with? Dad, of course.

Look what I can do. Stack 5 + blocks in the bucket of my loader!!! He does so good at stacking TALL towers.

We went to an amusement park for Robert's work summer party and this is the one ride the boys went on. You can see how David had is face pushing through the bars to see as much as he could. They loved honking the horns and going round and round.

This is what happened to our satellite after a major storm. I didn't show the pieces on the ground. We were able to replace some electronics thanks to this storm.

They play together pretty well most of the time.

Spring is here!!

I love Spring. I have tulips that are blooming and there is a newness to life. I feel like I CAN be and do the things I want to. The red hue from all the buds on the trees and the little leaves on my lilac bushes. The green grass. Spending time outside with my family (and by myself), enjoying the warmth from the sun and light breeze, hearing lawn mowers through the neighborhood and smelling smoke from burning leaves. I love wearing short sleeves and sandals. The sound of my boys splashing in the water and watching them get completely soaked (wondering if it's ok to strip them to their diapers on our front porch like I did last year). The thoughts of Emma playing with the boys and now 3 little kiddies soaked. Fresh rubarb, tomatoes, berries, corn, fruit and vegetables. The smell of your hands after touching tomato plants. The bunches of lilies and bundles of Rhododendron. Sitting on our porch swing with Robert after the kids are in bed. Tin foil dinners, roasted marshmallows, grilling. Doing physical labor in our yard - mowing grass, digging rocks from our yard, clearing trees and brush. Watching the boys play with things that are dirty and gross and knowing that I use to splash and play in the irrigation water when I was a little girl that was just as dirty and gross. Remembering summers long ago when life was different and free and I played all day with my brothers and sisters and neighbors and hoping my children have as much fun as I did. Mowing lawns with my family and getting donuts for lunch and having hamburgers and pork and beans every Saturday for dinner.
Yes, I love Spring!

Little Miss Emma

She is our Miss Emma. She squeels when she wants our attention and is always so quick to give a smile. Her brothers will generally make her light up (they do tend to torment her even though they don't mean to). She is growing up way to fast. She's over 4 months old now.

She's sitting in the high chair watching us make dinner. It won't be long and she'll be eating food and sitting with us at the table.
She started lifting her leg up and resting it on the bar. It is the cutest thing. It's also funny because when I was a little girl I use to sit with my legs up like how she is. I know it's not lady like so I'm hoping she grows out of it like I did. She is certainly my daughter.
She's a Cougar in the making - GO BYU!!!

She is always up for a visit to Grandma's house.

Where would she be without her loving big brothers?

I LOVE Miss Emma!!

Boys!!! Boys!!! Boys!!!

There is never a dull moment with these little guys around.

Emma is our baby and these are my babies so they go together right?

David figured out he can use the stick horses to turn the lights on. Now he uses his little spoons or even just his fingers. We have to be careful at church because he can reach some of the light switches and will turn them off.
Evan learned from David how to turn the lights on.

We love putting on mom and dad's boots and walking around the house.

While I was taking Emma's picture and looked away for a moment, this is what I turned around to. He just stood there looking at her and so proud of himself and what he had done.

I was busy helping Robert or I wouldn't have let this go on so long. They of course found the only puddle in the yard and had such a ball in it. Evan was supposed to have gone on a date with Daddy after we were done with our little project but they both got baths instead. They were so dirty!!!

Dad just admiring Evan and what he was up to.

Luckily David didn't get quite this dirty but Evan was wet (and cold) to the bone. Thank goodness for nice warm bubble baths.

This is what happens when Evan climbs on the piano bench and piano to get the camera. (The top of the piano is about 5 feet high.) He took about 30 pictures on it and this was the best one. Most of them were just black. The question on the back was asking if I wanted to delete all the pictures. Luckily we didn't get them all deleted. David was next to him on the bench just watching. Usually the other child will let me know when their brother is doing something he shouldn't be, not this time.

I loved this moment. I came in to the family room with them looking at this One Step Ahead catalog. The cushions were off the couch, which they were sitting on, and the catalog was where the cushions should have been. They didn't even hear me come in. My love for them grew because they looked so precious.

I LOVE my boys so much.

What would the world be like without Dad?

David and Evan have been attached to Robert's hip and if he thinks about going somewhere without them the world ends. I'm not sure if it's just a Dad thing, but this Dad let's them get away with a lot more than I do. I guess that's what makes Dads special.
Dad's are the best jungle gym.
I'm so glad when Daddy comes home. Glad as I can be.

Dad lights up her world.

Sacrament Meetings without Robert

I never know what will happen and have HUGE admiration for single moms who take their children to church and keep them reverent. It has gotten that some of the people at church just give me the look that says, "Oh Kelly, you try but not succeeding." I'm happy if I can keep the kids from crawling under the benches, running out into the isles, or making to much noise. By the way, our 3 kids are 3 of the 5 kids under 6 years old. Anyway, today Evan slid over the top of the bench in front of us and would have fallen on his head had I not grabbed his leg in time. Then he crawled under the bench to isle behind us and would have gotten away if my arms were an inch shorter. Oh, because my arms aren't an inch longer he did get away and by the time I got him David was standing by the benches on the other side of the isle (we were sitting in the middle of center section). I took the boys to the foyer after that and tried to keep them somewhat contained out there. Luckily someone else was holding Emma.
I have to count my blessings that they haven't taken off the front of the chapel during Sacrament meeting though. I am not above giving them snacks to keep them quieter. I'm not sure how my mom did it with 7 kids and dad was bishop because I can hardly keep 3 contained.
I LOVE IT WHEN ROBERT GETS TO STAY HOME ON SUNDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

My new calling...

I was called as Nursery Leader and am excited for it (and nervous) and the great things we can do. I made little mats for the kids to sit on during our lessons. I used pillow cases w/ batting in the middle for little quilts and wrote "I am a Child of God" on each one. (Thanks Kristi for the idea.) They turned out pretty good and today when we used them for the first time, the kids loved them. I made some simple music wands w/ ribbons hanging down for the kids to swing around while we sing certain songs. My goal is to have the kids ready for Sunbeams and to learn something from class. I'm certainly open for ideas on what I can do though. I do miss Relief Society, but this is where I need to be for now.

February gone.

Dad with his big boys.

We like our Valentine's Day stickers.

Where is Emma?

Aren't I cute?

"Look we're getting bigger!"

"What did I do this? Me? Of course not!"

He loves to put his and Evan's "babies" in the carrier.

"I can smile SOOO big."

Evan is so adorable with Emma's headband on. (So you're not worried, I've only done it a couple of times.)

Emma is 3 1/2 months old and barely fitting in her 0-3 month clothes, wearing size 2 diapers, would rather sit up than lay down, loves watching her brothers run wild. She started laughing Feb. 3 and is ticklish under her arms, on her tummy and neck. I love hearing her laugh. She can turn on the pouty face and quick to smile.
I'm going to combine the boys because they are 2 peas in a pod. They are taking naps in the same room now instead of just sleeping in the same room at night. I knew it would be an adjustment but they love to put off naps as long as they can after being put to bed until they just crash. Turning on the lights isn't much of a problem anymore and often throughout the day I have to walk around the house turning off lights. Evan started putting his hand on Emma's head as a way of showing he loves her and I think it is adorable to watch it. David is my big helper when I'm cooking and loves to horse around.

It's been a while...

David in Emma's bassinet

Evan in Emma's bassinet

We think we'll keep her.

Christmas Picture 2009

January 2010 has come so much sooner than I thought it would. After waiting and thinking Emma would come early, she arrived 4 days after her due date on November 11. She is such a good baby and spoiled and completely adorable. David and Evan had some adjustments to having a little sister but have done quite well. Grandma's and Grandpa's were such big helps and greatly missed when they left. Robert and Grandpa Child were able to put the rails on the front porch and it looks wonderful! I love that the ice from the roof isn't on our sidewalk but out in the yard because of our porch.

David and Evan are learning sign language to help them communicate and are happier (sometimes). When they are really excited about something they hurriedly go through all their signs unable to get it out fast enough. I cannot believe how fast they are growing":up. David can almost reach the light switches, can open doors (only sometimes) and has the best smirk/smile. Evan can do anything David does and more, just ask him. He is a little dare devil and really would jump off a cliff. There is always a smile waiting to shine for anyone.

...More to come later because I've got to get this posted.

He's TWO!!!

David turned 2 last week and had a wonderful birthday. He liked his shaggy dog cake and took an ear and a paw for his pieces. He liked all of the gifts he got but loved the animal puzzle and trucks!

I cannot believe he's already 2. Time has flown by. He's a silly little boy! He has this smirk that he makes when he's "not going to smile" but cannot help himself. When he makes the "I'm not going to smile" face then of course I have to make him smile. He is a fast runner and likes to show us how fast he can run. He'll run all over the house showing us. I use to keep the piano closed but now it is open all the time and he will go and "play pretty songs" on it. He use to play the higher notes, but lately it's more of the lower notes. He is growing up but he will always be my little baby that I would sleep with and snuggled with all the time. The benefits of being a first child I guess. I would love napping in the chair and having him lay on top of me. Lots of memories to be thankful for.

More Home Updates...

This is the addition to the back of the house. The door into the basement use to be next to the basement window but we moved it over about 8 feet. We chose to cover the stairs so hopefully when it rains and snows, the stairs will be a bit more protected.

This is our new porch!!! We love it and will enjoy it even more when the rails are up (all in due time). In the spring we'll have our grass in and some landscaping done to help finish it some more. The porch really adds character to the home.

I painted the boys room a soft green and for decorations I put up animals for Evan's side of the wall and trucks on David's side. They are pretty familiar with the trucks but are learned more of the animals this way. David is more distracted when it's nap time because of the stickers, but the walls are cute.

David and Evan played project manager for our summer projects beginning with checking the quality of gravel used.

Here is a quick progression of our house in 2004 just after we moved in up to having the front porch poured in August 2009.

I finally have the pictures ready to post from our projects this summer but I have run out of time so it will be a couple of days before they are available.

We will be posting pictures soon of our latest projects, stay tuned.