Our Picnic in the Wash

Last month, we took the boys on another picnic in the Queen Creek wash. They love going there! We made our lunch and then they did some exploring and shot the BB gun.

Calvin loves to go around and "collect" things.
Devin thought he was so big shooting the gun.

So did Ashton...

There were alot of bees high in the trees. They didn't bother us at all, but I was having fun taking pictures of them. Weird, I know. But I have some really good close ups of them. The bushes they were in were beautiful as well. The detail in the flowers were amazing.

Just another doctor's appointment

Well, I just went to the doctor today and everything went great. I guess that I'm kind of weird... It's just that I'm in denial about being pregnant. I almost dismiss it, like I'm really not pregnant. It's not until I'm this far along that I actually convince myself that it's all true. And I'm really excited! I told you that I'm weird. What makes it even stranger is that this is that 4th time that I've been to the doctor and I've already had one ultrasound. So anyway, back to the appointment. The baby's heartbeat was strong and they found it very easily. Which is always comforting. When the doctor came in, she asked if I have been nauseated or thrown up at all. I told her that I haven't and that I've felt great. She was just concerned because during all of these weeks, I've lost some weight. I assured her that I've been eating. (And anyone who knows me can attest to that!) So anyway, I guess that I have to concentrate on gaining some weight. (I've never been told that. But I think that I can handle that assignment.) The only thing that I can think of is that I've been going on alot of walks lately. So maybe that is what's going on. She measured the baby's position and it's right on track. I get another ultrasound in 4 weeks and we are really excited! I will let you all know how that goes. So until then...

Birthday Pictures

Here are a few pictures of a little birthday party we had for Devin at my parent's house. I know it's about a month late, but that's how things go...

The first couple pictures were taken in the evening.

The boys loved helping me put candy on the cake. The cupcakes are always a big hit!
Since Devin and I share a birthday, he had the cake and I had a pie that my brother, Jared, made. It was really tastey!
As you can tell, Devin loved the cupcake!
Some presents that family and friends generously gave him! He was so excited!
All of the kids played with the geo tracks that he got. I don't know who was the most excited!

These next few pictures were taken in the morning... I think that he is waiting for the song to end.
Here are the boys singing "Happy Birthday" to Devin.

Some of the boys got together and put a present together for Devin. Here are some of the pennies and a bottle of bubbles that Devin was so proud about.



I just wanted to tell Melissa and Deanna thanks for taking me out to lunch on my birthday. It was such a treat and I had a great time! And thanks to Mom for coming over and watching the boys so I could go out. (Ben had finals that day.) And thanks for cleaning my carpets while I was out! The carpet looks beautiful! I have the best friends and family! Love you!

Chinks, Chaps and Bridles

If anyone is wanting any leather work done, my sister, Bridget, makes some really good stuff. This would be perfect for Christmas. She made some chaps for Ashton and they are so cute! He loves wearing them and they are very durable. We get comments on them whenever he wears them. She also made Ben a bridle and it is beautiful! Here is some of her other work. Just leave me a comment or email me if you don't know how to get a hold of her and I will put you through.

Some QC 2nd Ward Laurels (all grown up)

Some of us girls from the old Queen Creek 2nd Ward got together for lunch in September. We had a lot of fun talking about the good ol' days and reminiscing. And then talking about our new and exciting lives now. :) And we had a surprise visit from Dr. Alex Matheson. (A great dentist here in Queen Creek if anyone is interested.) We all had a great time growing up out here as youth and most of us still live out here!

(Maiden names only) Ruth Gordon, Sarah McClure, Courtney Schaeler, Alex Matheson, Tina Pieffer, Marinda Gledhill, and me.
Ruth Gordon, Courtney Schaeler, Marinda Gledhill, Sarah McClure, Sally Gardner, me, and Tina Pieffer. This isn't everyone, but it was all we could get a hold of on such short notice. We'll have to have another get together with everyone.

For those of you who haven't seen me in awhile. Here is a picture of my short hair!

Calvin's 1st Tooth

Last night Calvin lost his first tooth! He thought he looked like a vampire when it first came out because of all the blood. But it stopped bleeding quickly and this is the end result.

The time has come...

We told the boys this morning the news. They put this puzzle together and they were so excited! I think that they told everyone they saw as we walked to school this morning and all the teachers told me "Congratulations!" during parent/teacher conferences. They all want a baby girl so bad. We'll see what happens...

I'm due the middle of April and I'm almost 12 weeks along.

So I guess this will stop any rumors that are going around about me being pregnant. :)

I'm just tired, which I don't necessarily blame on the pregnancy. I think that that is just the life of a mom. But I have felt great other than that. I haven't been sick at all and I really love to be pregnant! I guess that is a good thing considering the amount of kids I have. :)

I know that some people will think that we are crazy... What do I have to say to that? Other than..."maybe we are!" :) But isn't just a little crazy good?!

Sweet boys

Well, I just about have the sweetest boys around! I mentioned earlier this evening that I never got around to folding all the clothes that I had to wash today. And then I added that I will just fold them tomorrow. No big deal, I've done back laundry many times. Well, after I sent the boys upstairs to go to bed, I cleaned up a few dishes and finished talking to my mom on the phone and headed upstairs myself. To my amazement, there was laundry folded on my bed and the boys were still in the process of folding the rest. They were so thoughtful that they decided to take care of the clothes themsleves. They actually did a really good job. They made nice individual piles of pants, shirts, underwear and socks for each boy. Even Ben was impressed! (Ben will wash clothes but he doesn't fold them because he doesn't know which clothes belong to which boy!) They said that they didn't want me to do too much work since I am going to have a baby. Wow! What treatment! I love my boys!

Happy Birthday Devin!!!

Devin turns 3 years old today! I can't believe that my baby is so old!

He was actually born on my 25th birthday! You can do the math. (Sorry folks, no pictures of me today.)

Here are a few things that you may or may not know about Devin...

He is my biggest cuddlier (is that even a word?). All of my boys loved to snuggle, but nothing like Devin. If he is sad or mad, all I have to do is give him a hug and within about 5 seconds he is smiling and laughing (and sometimes acting like a puppy or kitten).

He loves playing trucks with his big brothers, but what little boy doesn't.

He loves music! I give piano and violin lesson and I find him regularly "practicing" his piano or one of the boys violins because his is in need of repair and is packed away. When I walk into the room, he just gets a big grin and says "I'm practicing!"

He loves to sing. Among a few of his favorites are "Popcorn Popping", "In the Leafy Treetops", "Once There Was a Snowman", "Rain is Falling", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and the all-time favortive is "A, B, C's".

He can memorize songs so fast. We had a singing FHE and everyone picked out a song and we sang their song. One of the songs was "Follow the Prophet". About a week later, I heard Devin singing that song! We only sang the song that night and here was singing..."Adam was a prophet, first one that we know..."

He knows his whole alphabet. I didn't know this until one day several months ago he pointed out letters to me and was telling me what letters they were. I was shocked because I haven't worked at all with him! So now Ashton and Devin have contests with the flashcards to see who can say the letters first.

He loves to go on walks and bike rides with his Dad. Especially to the park. As soon as Ben walks through the door, all the boys are asking to go for a ride!

He loves books! Some children sleep with stuffed animals or blankets at night. Not Devin! He sleeps with books! He gets about 3 everynight and looks at the pictures and then tucks them into the covers with him and goes to sleep. Funny kid! That can't be comfortable! He loves for Ben to read the stories to him or tell a "famous Dad story."

He loves to count things. He is always saying, "Let's count this." It could be crayons, strips on a ribbon, cars or anything he can get his hands on.

And last, but not least! He is completely potty-trained and has been for quite a long time. It has been 8 years of diapers and now nothing. It is so great! I guess that he's not my baby anymore...

Happy Birthday Devin! We love you! You bring us so much joy and laughter!

Calvin, Riley and Baby Mayley

Riley is one of Calvin's best friends. One day I found them outside at my parent's house taking care of my littleset niece, Mayley. They were having a great time playing and posing for pictures.

Devin

Here's my handsome Devin. I was just going through some pictures and found this one of him. He not dressed appropriately for being on the ranch, but it was cute.

Ben's Storytelling

For those of you who really know Ben, you will know exactly what he is doing in these pictures. Ben has a great talent for telling stories. He can even keep the attention of 2 year olds for hours just with stories. Here he is telling stories at my parent's house. My brother, John, was just about to have his open house to leave on his mission and Ben decided to keep the kids occupied so we could get ready. (What a great husband!)