If you're going to do something, don't hold anything back.

When Macy decides to do something, she doesn't hold back. She puts her all into whatever she's doing. There is no half-job with this girl. If she is going to do something, she's going to do it to the full extent of her capabilities.

This use to be a Dora Library Book. Now it is a Dora Book that no longer has any pages, just a front and back cover. And the library no longer owns it. Because when you bring a book back in this condition, you get to purchase it. And not for the price you would actually buy it for, but for an insanely ridiculous price. Maybe we can display it somewhere, or save it for her scrapbook.

Idol all the Way Baby!

5:00-Call John on the way to t-ball practice to see if he wants to try and find cheap tickets to the American Idol Concert tonight.
5:30-John got tickets. Grab Carston. Load kids in the car. Hurry home.
5:45-Arrive home. Feed and Pajamafy kids. Arrange babysitting. Grab purse.
6:10-Head to Salt Lake in John's New Toy.
6:55-Arrive at E-Center. Just minutes to spare.
7:00-WooHOOO!

I've noticed that I've become way more spontaneous. It's almost as though with each kid that comes along, they fuel this addiction to steal time away with John whenever we can. It's good for us though, and I'm learning to roll with it and not feel as bad about asking people for favors (like babysitting). The concert was awesome. It was so entertaining to have such a variety, and so fun to hear how they actually sounded in person. I thought our house was loud, but it's nothing compared to the screaming we heard that night. So fun to spend the night with John as friends without doing double duty as parents.

P.S. This is John's new toy. I've always had the most practical approach toward cars. I want one that will take me from a to b, leather seats are good because then I can easily wipe off all the kids' messes, etc. John would always get frustrated with my responses to the question, "What's your dream car?" "Um, a minivan with leather seats that runs well, and automatic doors would be nice." So when John brought this home, I tried to be excited because I knew he was, but really, it was just another car. Right?
I stand corrected.
I really, really like convertibles. Cars can be more that a means of transportation. They can be enjoyable. They can be relaxing to ride in. They can be fun. Yeah. I'm a fan of convertibles.

Time is Flying By....Catch Up Time

This Can't Be My Kid?

Carston lost his first tooth (and since it has taken me so long to write this, the count is now at two:) This is like a milestone for me. When your kid loses a tooth, you are totally an old mom. So that's me. Old. He lost his second tooth at a friend's house and couldn't find it so he wrote a letter to the tooth fairy, "Dear Tooth Fairy, I lost my tooth, but it got lost at my friend's house, but I want some money."
But Mom, I Want to Wear It!

If you are familiar with my kids, you are familiar with Avery's dressing habits. She would have loved the '80s. She wears leggings bunched around her ankles, with stripes and flowers and headbands not on her head, but on her forehead. She puts various bows all over in her hair, strings things around her arms, etc. I cringe most times when she comes out to show me how she got dressed. Anyway, I never thought another kid would make me cringe like she does, but this picture says it all. Good thing Carston is such a cute kid!

I was laughing so hard at Carston's t-ball game I just had to take this picture. For whatever reason, Carston has decided he likes his shirts to be tucked in (it could be the training he received at school). John and I have had no success in convincing him that it looks better untucked. He just gets a little smile on his face and tells us he likes it how it is. So off we went to t-ball with the tucked in shirt, only to find that there was a fellow club member-his friend Mekhi. Seriously, did they talk about this and decide to start a movement or something? They were the only two kids out of fifteen. Too funny.
Macy's Birthday

We had an awesome little party for Macy. There was Dora, sweets, and slides. I don't think she desires much else :) I was so excited to find this on craigslist for her. There was the exact one that I found the day before, but it was Sunday so I didn't want to call and buy it. I knew it would be gone before the night was over though because these are a hot item. So I told Heavenly Father I'd like to be blessed for obeying the sabbath. This one came up the next afternoon (her birthday), and I was able to get it. She absolutely loved it. She was so funny though because we did the pinata first, and she would not let go of her candy for anything-presents, slides, cake. I love her. She prevents life from becoming too routine :)

Six Months Old

I can't believe little Kate is 6 months old now! She is the most adorable little baby. She is pretty much always on her tummy, getting up on all fours, and her latest trick is to only have her toes and her hands on the ground. I love to walk in where she sleeps and see her little head just popped up looking around. She is seriously pretty much always in a good mood. She has the cutest little dimples when she smiles. She drools like a maniac. She is our alarm in the mornings. Around 6 or 7 she just starts yelling and jabbering, not wanting to get out, just wanting to make noise. And being the fourth kid, she's learned to be loud to make herself heard. I love her. I love being a mom and doing what I do.


Yeah for Water!

How could you not love these cute little girls? I love the summertime when we can hang out and laze around in the sunshine. Pool, sandbox, bikes, scooters, sprinklers, playgrounds.... We missed you all during those long winter months.
Fourth of July

This was pretty much the only picture I got during our crazy weekend! Randy and Emma came to play. John took three kids to the pool by himself! Ahhh! He did return with all of them in one piece (this is the John who doesn't dare take three kids walking down the street, let alone to a store, but with Randy here, and me needing to be elsewhere, he became quite daring:) We had BBQ's with so much good food and good company. We had the crazy fireworks show with Spencer nearly giving me a heart attack like he does every year-Mr. Pyromaniac. Hard to teach your kids to be wise and careful with fireworks when you have the dads out there acting crazy and happier than ever. It reminds me of kids at Christmastime :) Carston tried out his new fishing pole at Vivian Park (free stocked pond for kids under 12) and he even caught a fish! Apparently Velveeta Cheese works wonders with fish. After that we booked it down to walk up to Bridal Veil Falls before it got dark (I had been promising my kids a hike-although Carston informed me the next day that it wasn't a real hike. And I agree. You can't go on a paved road for less than a mile, but concessions had to be made to fit it all in). Oh yeah, and we hit the parade. I think we'll skip it next year though and find a new tradition. Maybe we could hike in the morning or something. Anyway, lots of fun. I like making memories with my kids.

Happy Birthday Natalie...I Mean Avery

I don't know what it is with me and my kids birthday parties, I become a different person. I usually hate themes and am all over not going overboard. And every year after party number three I think about how next year we'll do something simple, maybe go somewhere. But then time passes, summer comes again, and I start getting excited. John teases me because I get so into it. So this year, Avery decided she wanted a butterfly party. I won't even tell you how many hours I put into getting ready for this party, because it is seriously ridiculous :) But it was so fun and cute. So here's a little glimpse.

It never fails to make me laugh how all the kids crowd around to see what will be opened next. You seriously need to put the kid on a platform just so no one gets upset about not being able to see:)

All four cost about ten dollars to make, and I plan on hanging them indoors with pillows under, kind of like a little reading nook.

The kids made butterfly bracelets, decorated wings, made antenna, and had to finish their clothespin butterflies at home.

We had 16 kids come to the party. It would have been easier with less kids, but how do you leave people out. As it was Carston was giving me lectures about how it wasn't nice that we didn't invite so-and-so (some of his friends). Good think I've got John and my Mom supporting me in my craziness.

I knew I had to be super organized attempting craft projects and games with so many kids. Overall, I think we managed pretty well.

Luckily I was able to camoflauge the huge chunk that Macy ripped out while I was decorating it. Note to self-do not attempt cake decoration unless Macy is safely stowed asleep in bed.

I made each girl a set of wings (11 total) to decorate and take home. I just used wire hangers and nylons that I already had. It was so cute to see all the kids running around with their antenna and wings.

It was a lot of work (still don't know why I do it:) and a lot of fun. Hopefully Avery will remember it when she gets older:)

Avery's Four

I didn't mean to pick so many pictures, but I'm her mom. I think she's cute. I started feeling bad, thinking I shouldn't have so many, but what the heck, it's my blog. So don't look if you don't want to :)

After waiting through Carston and Macy's birthdays, being so patient while they got all their new toys, it was finally Avery's turn. Avery is such a little sweetheart. She loves to do things that make other people happy. She is always telling Carston that she'll make his bed, or clean up his toys. When Kate cries, she'll go over and sing to her or play with her without anyone telling her too. She loves snuggling and giving hugs and loves. She loves to accessorize with whatever she finds. She likes to pretend, and we joke about how she is more often living in her imagination then in the real world. She loves stories. She loves using words. The things she says always crack me up. She was telling John that she gets to be a mommy on her next birthday when she turns five. She loves to find reasons to giggle and looks for opportunities to enjoy life. I love her. We are so blessed to have her in our family. Love you Aver Babers!