to nix frustration

 Every time I come to my blog to see if other people have updated their blogs I get frustrated that mine is so behind, and finally I am taking the time to fix that!  Because this stuff happened such a long time ago!  Spring was really busy, not that I noticed because I was in survival mode surviving morning sickness.  Lily got pretty good at changing diapers and the kids got very used to me just laying/sleeping on the couch all day long.  I had a lot of obligations that I said no to, which was awesome.  Always nice to realize that there are a lot of pointless things that fill our time that don't NEED to fill our time, so we really can accomplish those things that are most important.

 I am not quite sure why I said yes to this hike though.  Adam wanted to take the kids up Waterfall Canyon, saying it was about a mile.  I said "Sure!  Sounds fun!  Let me carry Isaac!" when I was really thinking, "At least we're not sitting around watching TV all Saturday."

 So I think it was really like 3 miles uphill from the parking lot.  It took us 2 1/2 + hrs up, and 1 1/2 hrs down.  The kids were SO EXCITED.  I really didn't think they could make it, as a few days earlier they had complained on a tiny walk I took them on by the river.  All they wanted to do was climb, and that is what they did.  Every few minutes when the adults needed a break, Isaac would throw rocks into the river and Lily and Jackson would start climbing the rocks straight up the hill.  It was pretty fun to see them so into things.

 We thought this was especially cute - Jackson crossing the stream on a log.  He knows to use his arms for balance, just not the right way. 

 Here is Isaac at the top.  He could probably spend about 90% of his time throwing rocks in water.  It was such a nice afternoon, although we got home and I don't know if I moved the rest of the day.

 The kids at the river walk - Isaac knows to say "cheese" and smile.  He sure has grown up so much with Lily and Jackson as examples!

A few weeks into June we went to visit pregnant/just-got-off-bedrest Amanda in Colorado.  We stopped in Cheyenne on the way to break up the trip.  The kids were very happy in the pool with Dad - he's a lot more fun than me, since I usually immediately start trying to get them to do swim lesson exercises....

The next day was Father's Day, which we celebrated at breakfast at the hotel.  The kids got Adam a test drive in a Ferrari at a race track.  He disputes this fact, but I figured he's never going to have one of his own (and the drive was on sale).

Luckily my parents and Liz had visited Amanda during her bedrest, and had gotten a bunch of stuff done for her; I was completely useless and even managed to ruin one of their pots burning oatmeal, and my kids managed to destroy a few things as well.  Not the most helpful guests, although Adam did a great job entertaining the kids for the most part. 

 We had a lot of fun in Denver and the kids were happy happy happy.  Lily idolizes Amanda, who did her hair every day and is always so much fun.  The boys got along quite well and I of course gained so much by observing Amanda's parenting, as always.

This picture took about 5 minutes to take.  Jackson was SO SAD we were leaving, and actually spent about 20 minutes hiding in the basement when I told him we were going back home.  Lily already asks when we're going back!  She got the traveling gene like me.  Unfortunately we didn't get to meet Samuel, who was born a week after we left, but are very glad we didn't put Amanda into labor from stress from our visit.  :) 

so long ago

Britt came to visit in April.  Unfortunately this was within the first few weeks of the pregnancy, where I was still in denial, not wanting to accept the fact that I will be responsible for another child, when I feel so inadequate/not in control/at the end of my rope/etc etc.

The kids had fun though, and Britt probably saved me from a mental breakdown as I fretted all day long; her presence was a wonderful and much needed distraction.  She also got us out of the house, which was quite an accomplishment back then.

She wanted to take her kids to the Dinosaur Museum, where we hadn't been in 2 years and all I could remember was that it was expensive and the kids played on the playground.  I am glad I listened to her!  The kids loved the inside museum stuff, especially the rocks.  Eleanor really got Lily into rocks during her stay here, not so good news for our vacuum, which hopefully will survive all of the forgotten rocks hidden in our carpet.

One of these visits, Britt, I won't be pregnant and be such a drag, I promise.  Thanks for spending the time with us instead of all in St. George.  :)  I am lucky you have stuck around with me all of these years.

Mindy started the ball rolling for a girl's weekend, which was executed in May.  So amazing!  Sarah, Mindy, Janet, Ashley, Audrey, Janna and I were all able to leave our kids and lives for a few days to spend time shopping and at the beach.  So much shopping - I was kind of bummed I was carrying around the extra 15 lbs, but oh well.  Ashley had an extra maternity swimsuit (Amanda had the one that the three of us Dabney girls rotated through pregnancies...) she let me borrow, so I got to go boogie boarding - it's been a few years!  So much fun.  What an amazing bunch of husbands, we left behind 22 kids, 17 under the age of 6.  Terrel and TCN helped a bunch with gift cards, and Janet prepared beforehand with journals and questions/prompts to get us writing.  One morning we met together to openly discuss the questions, it was an amazing experience.  The Spirit was very strong, and along with other topics, we were able to share a lot of our personal thoughts and experiences regarding Amelia's passing.  A very treasured memory, and definitely not your average beach trip.  I am very blessed to be part of such a great group of women.

a few extra + graduations

Just a few fun pictures I wanted to document.  Kind of sporadic in timing.

 Frog hunting in Mimi and Papa's backyard.  I couldn't believe how loud the croaking was every night.  The kids were so excited - I was very glad the frogs survived all of the little grabbing hands!

 Because of weeks on the couch, where the kids would watch 5-8 hrs of TV a day, we finally made our way outside to explore.  The kids loved finding big sticks to help them across the stream. 

 Jackson's first year of soccer ended.  I was the coach, although a pretty poor one this spring.  He seemed to really like the idea of it, but when it came to playing.....would instead cling to my leg.  Good learning experience that we won't be started organized sports until about 6 or 7 years old!  On this game day and one other I had the privilege to sit on the sideline to observe the playing - Jackson got some kicks in and was SUPER HAPPY.  It was pretty neat, and I decided I would never coach again (although I might change my mind). 

 Isaac didn't seem to be that interested in shows, so I was pretty surprised one day when I turned on PBS and heard him squeal in excitement and go sit on the couch with Lily and Jack.  Curious George.  What is it with him?  My kids are all suckers for that monkey.

 Sometimes we will go up Skyline Drive to have the kids climb around on the rocks.  Gorgeous view of Ogden and the Great Salt Lake.

Lily was very happy for summer to start and school to end.  Those 6:45 a.m. wake up calls were sometimes too much for her to correctly put on her clothes...

At GFA graduation.  If I was in charge I would eliminate Preschool and Kindergarten Graduation so. fast.  Also, yearbooks for elementary school?  Gone.  I am no fun, I know.  But at that age, the end of school is enough - you don't need a full hour+ program for it. 

 The kids were beyond excited to be done, although Jackson a little sad since he won't be returning next year.  We learned a lot of lessons through Lily's first year of school, and hopefully things will improve from here (particularly Adam and I have the most need of improvement - our hand's off parenting doesn't work quite so well.....). 

spring breaks contrasted

 After Amelia's funeral, we ended up leaving Jackson in St. George with Amanda and her boys at Mom and Dad's house.  It was Jack's spring break and we thought he would enjoy the fun times that Amanda would certainly have.  Poor Lily had breakdowns pretty much every day back in Ogden because she missed playing with Jackson and she was so jealous that he was down there having fun while she had to go to school (her spring break was the following week). 

Just like I expected, Amanda kept the boys busy busy busy with lots of super fun stuff - swimming, ice cream, digging, and more digging.  Every night she would tell the boys stories about them digging at the beach and finding lots of treasure.  She said in the car Jack and Henry would have the cutest conversations.  I am so lucky to have a sister that was willing to do that (also of course Mom and Dad)!  Jackson had the time of his life and has mentioned a few things from the week now that he's home. 

 Lily was so happy to see him, and Jackson was so happy to see us as well.  The next little while was a hard transition for him to have his boring old parents around, but all good things come to an end, right? 

 And we bought them umbrellas because......

I don't know.  It was really windy and rainy and Lily was trying to be lifted up with her umbrella, so Jack followed suit.

Instead of St. George, I took the kids to the park where Lily fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm in the wrist area.  So for her Spring Break, she got a purple cast that she is getting used to, and having everyone sign.

This was the capstone to one of those weeks that I (not pregnant) realized why some girls cry when they find out they are pregnant.  I am very excited to move on and forward. We have some home projects to do; RS spring training that comes with General Conference; Jack's soccer starting again; PTO events for Lily's school; things are getting crazy busy.  As I mentioned, we are excited for summer!

Christmas to Easter

It has been so long since I have posted about the fam; I have been keeping a journal in another blog with much more personal thoughts, but decided to finally catch up over here.
Christmas was wonderful; the kids got some pretty impressive gifts that neighbors/relatives helped us hide, so made Santa a bit more real which was super fun. 

 January started bringing snow, and with it the kids being outside so much.  It was great!  Jackson woke up one morning and started shoveling, and went down almost to the end of the street.  Every few times he shoveled he would get money from neighbors, which was lots of fun for him.  Lily got paid once too.  The snow got so high that the kids would kneel down to grab the mail from the mail box. 

 Isaac is growing up!  Not very much size-wise, but he sure is independent.  He loves to grab books and sit in the chair that we read books in.  Lily and Jackson are still so sweet and forgiving of him most of the time.  It's rare that they will whine and complain if he is bothering them; most of the time they look at him doing something silly and will say "aw, Isaac is so cute." 

Here is he being my helper at the store by pushing the cart.  He refused to go in the cart that day. 
We went on short notice to get Valentine's Day stuff for Jackson's class.  I didn't get the note when the party was - good thing I dropped him off and talked to his teacher that day!  The day of Valentine's I made puffy pancakes for the kids and set the table with heart shaped plates, pink cups and some chocolates, a book, and Valentine's notes.  It was a lot of fun.  I'm not the best at doing things like that but am trying to be better and make more habits/traditions so the kids can feel excited about holidays at home and not just at school. 

That night we headed down for me to have a girl's weekend in St. George.  Mom flew in Amanda and Liz, and I had Janet and Adam take my kids for the weekend (Isaac got weaned that weekend...which went a lot better than I expected).  It was so much fun!  We all fit in the car - it was pretty weird to be with so many adults and not have car seats and time to unload, buckle in, whatever.  We ate lots of yummy food too (Greek, Thai), which my family would have never gone for.  If it wasn't for the emotional rollercoaster that comes with weaning, it would have been super awesome; as it was, I am really excited for next year!  :D

 It took forever for the snow to melt but as soon as my kids could reach the branches they started climbing the tree again; Jack started zooming down the sidewalk on his bike, and now that Isaac is walking and independent he wanted to go and explore with his sister too.

On March 13, we got the news that our niece Amelia Marie had drowned in Mimi's pool.  What a week.  I hold the experience very close to my heart.  We were comforted to the depth of our grief, something I wouldn't think possible unless I had witnessed it myself.  She passed away March 17 and the funeral was held March 23.  I am so grateful for the knowledge of Christ's Atonement, and the blessings that come from it.

Adam has produced a bunch of video game monkeys, that's for sure. 

  We also celebrated Easter in St. George.  Amanda organized an egg hunt with our cousins in the Christensen's backyard.  Lots of fun, although Isaac really wasn't into it after he saw his first piece of candy. 

It was a nice end to winter, and we are so excited for spring and summer!  Specifically summer!  I am ready for no schedules.  I'm sure it will go way too fast, just like last year.

crepes

Isaac makes a big mess with his oatmeal every morning.  This was Adam's and my conversation, while I was making crepes for the rest of us:

Me:  Can you clean up Isaac's chair?
Adam:  There's nothing I want to do more.
Me:  Well, I guess you can make crepes and I can clean up. {The thought came to me that sometimes Adam makes a bigger mess cleaning up than the original mess...}
Adam:  Okay I can cook.  Turns out there's one thing that I want to do more.

This is what Isaac does if you let him play in the car.  Pretty cute.

in between

 

 It has been a nice autumn.  We were able to take a trip down to St. George during October for UEA weekend.  Ashley held a big family party where the kids got to carve pumpkins.  Always a favorite, and ours lasted the drive back home.   Halloween wasn't nearly as overwhelming as other years, candy-wise.  I got the idea to have the kids sell me their candy to get money to buy a movie - they agreed!  Of course I let them eat as much as they wanted when they first received it, but then I got the rest!  It was wonderful, and they loved giving their money to the clerk to buy Madagascar 3. 

Lily was very happy to be Ariel, and for our date she and I went to the Treehouse Museum where they had an awesome little set up where the kids went around in a group and met a bunch of storybook characters while they tried to find Peter Pan.  It ended in the theatre room where Peter had given them instructions on how to get rid of Captain Hook and his pirates.  Lily was so into it!  We snuck in the theatre where Hook and the pirates were on stage, and she was so nervous, and was clinging to my hand.  When it was time to yell out "Imagination!" (which hurts pirates' brains because they don't have any) she shouted so loud.  Then to get rid of Hook the kids yelled "tick tock" for the crocodile.  It was very well done.  We wish Jackson could have been there since he *was* a pirate (thanks to Liz for all of her hand me down costumes....she saves us a lot of money).  And then of course we had our little monkey Isaac.  I really wish Adam would dress up as the Man in the Yellow Hat one day, but the chances are probably next to none...  
 

 Lily and Jackson are both happy in school.  Isaac started moving around on his feet a bit more, and we learned that he LOVES trampolines.  I think it has been a bit more challenging for me to have three kids know that Isaac is a bit bigger and more independent.  Newborns are easier to get around with, anyways.  In September I met up with a friend from high school, Simon.  He was a German exchange student and has worked for IBM for many years, traveling around the world.  He was with his fiance, who is Chinese, and works for Dell.  Adam was in Philadelphia for work so I was alone with the three kids.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory down in Salt Lake, and started around the kid's bedtime.....yeah.  Total disaster, although the conversation that DID get across was super interesting.  Lily was learning Chinese, Jackson was bored tearing all of the bread into pieces and so began whining "let's go, let's go, let's go" while pulling, kicking and hitting me, pretty subtly and easy to ignore, and Isaac was grabbing for anything just so he could chuck it somewhere else.  So when the sparsely seen waiter came by towards the end of my salad, I (slightly) yelled at him "I need a box and a white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake to go!" right before Isaac dumped my water glass on us.  Fun!

 On the way home, I was struck quite bluntly with the stark differences of me and Simon, and laughed to myself that I had never in my life felt so much the stereotype of being a mom with lots of kids that she can't handle.  Which I would maybe be embarrassed about had it not been about an hour past bedtime, after an afternoon of Ikea and Aunt Carol's for the kid's to get extra tired from anyways.  See, I always make sure to give myself a ton of slack.  No use being too hard on yourself!

 Our Thanksgiving trip to St. George this year was nice.  I was preoccupied with Ogden-related matters, and Lily's birthday party was going to be at Janet's house since she requested a cousin party and Janet very generously offered to take care of the majority of it, so it was a busy week.  Amanda and family was in town this year which made it awesome!  We got to go out with Amy one night to celebrate her getting into PA school, she made a cake for Lily's birthday, and we spent the day after Thanksgiving hanging around the Crack in the Red Hills.  Jackson joined Lily and I this year going all the way through, after roaming the red rock with Adam for so. long.  Adam said he was running and climbing around so fast.  He found a little tunnel in the rock and went through over and over again.  I was getting vertigo looking up at some of the rocks he was climbing with my heart dropping over and over.  I told Adam I don't think I will be able to survive these boys!  Good luck Mindy!

We ate dinner with Adam's family, and I got to do rolls - it was fun being able to contribute to the dinner since we normally just show up from out of town.   So many things to be grateful for this year, like always. 

 (I love this picture - Jackson had so much fun with his cousins!)

 We celebrated at Mom and Dad's house since Amanda and Tyler were leaving early Saturday morning.  With that and the following day's party at Mimi's house, you would think Lily would be all partied out.  Not so!  She got a TON of art stuff and makeup, nail polish, more makeup, and then some more makeup!  I said if Santa brought her anymore she would drown in makeup!

Our camera is broken.  I have no pictures of Lily's party at Mimi's house - but it was amazing, like all of the parties at the Bird's.  The next week she was sung to in Primary, we took oreos to share with her class, and she was still asking when her party was.  Lots of lessons learned this year!  Like don't celebrate too early.  Can't believe my baby girl is 6 years old.  She is one of the best parts of my life, and we love her so much.