Center of Attention Much?

A New Trick and a Little Family Unity

This Chubalub has become a mobile monster.  He is everywhere! I can't keep track of him! The other night he came up missing and after a quick search he was spotted climbing the stairs.  He was so proud of himself that we couldn't steal his thunder.  It became a family affair with the kids cheering him on from the top of the stairs, Weston spotting him from behind and me with the camera (which was on some weird setting that resulted in bad pix) It was the cutest thing ever and the kids were as excited as the baby! 

I'm not much of a sentimental person but as I was standing at the bottom of the stairs watching my little family with pride, I couldn't help but be so grateful! This little baby has brought us so much joy. He unites us and can magically melt anger and frustration with one flash of that toothy grin.  This last picture in all it's blurriness perfectly shows what I want from my family.  I so badly want us to always cheer each other on, show love and support, work hard for our goals (Chubsly was sweating by the time he got to the top! That was tough work!) and always be at the finish line of life's events large and  small being the first to congratulate each other! 

Through the years each of us will take our turn "climbing the stairs" figuratively speaking.  There will always be things that are hard and that take a lot of work. Wouldn't it be a beautiful life if we also took our turn being at the top of the stairs cheering and never tearing down? Giving words of encouragement and love? I want my kids to take their turn being the support from behind as well.  Always pushing each other to do and be better.  As children of an eternal, loving Heavenly Father, our potential is limitless! 

Whether it is a point scored in a ball game, a successful potty training, an A on a test, a pat on the back for a job well done, the loss of a first tooth, a mission call, a temple marriage, or the graduation from school; it is my hope that there will be many pictures similar to this in our future and that we will always love each other just like this!

Weekend Getaway

We took a weekend getaway to a cabin in Island Park.  It was the perfect relaxing weekend.  Due to the excessive rainfall, we watched a lot of T.V.  I'm talking the entire Indiana Jones series! The boys loved it.  In between  rainstorms Cole and Nathan rode dirt bikes.  Cole is obsessed and was so excited that Nate brought his little 50 for Cole.  Hagen was pretty excited too but wearing the helmets around the cabin was enough for him.  

We went on a pretty good ride on Labor Day afternoon and even though it was a little cold we all had a good time.  Afterwards we went swimming at the Clubhouse in Island Park village.  Why is it that kids love to swim so much?  They do though and we wore them all right out.  

Hayes has started doing a couple new things that are pretty great.  First of all he does this weird finger thing when he is tired.  He pushes his two pointer fingers together and basically hypnotizes himself.  We all love it! Secondly he has started enjoying a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the mornings. This is delightful to me as it allows me to get ready for the day without him destroying the whole bathroom.  I mean that literally.  He pulls everything out of all cupboards and drawers, plays in the toilet, pulls all the toilet paper off the roll, scatters all the shoes in the closet and all other manner of ruckus.  All boy this one is, but we sure adore the kid!

Mr. Hayes

I feel like my little Hayes man takes a back burner when it comes to the blog.  There is so much busy-ness around here that needs documented that I tend to forget to write about this guy.  Hayes is pure joy I tell ya.  Seriously he is so much fun and is definitely the center of attention at home 100% of the time.  

Hayes is 11 months old and it sickens me to think that he will soon be a year and a baby no more.  He is crawling all over the place and into plenty of mischief.  He has started having an "opinion" about things.  He will squawk at the kids if they are bugging him and will spit or throw food if he doesn't think he wants it.  He demands his fair share of turns on the four wheeler and motorbike and officially  has four grandparents wrapped around those chubby fingers of his.  

Just yesterday Hayes said his first word aside from "mama" which to my delight is heard frequently.  Hayes told the dog Spice to "get", or dit as he said it! Every day when we get back from taking the kids to school I say "get" to Spice just before closing the garage door.  Hayes piped up with that before I could even say it.  Hagen and I had a great time making him say it over and over all day.  

Hayes is just cutting his seventh tooth and it doesn't seem to bother him too much.  He now pulls himself up to things and is standing in his crib when I hear him holler for me.  At a hefty 22 pounds this little guy is bursting out of his infant seat, but I am having a hard time moving him to an upright car seat.  This is something I looked forward to with the other kids but it is just one more step to solidify the fact that I will never have a baby again.  Why is it again that pregnancy goes on for ages and then a baby's first year whizzes by at a crazy speed?

Still sleeping and eating like a champ, cruising around, making messes and flashing that toothy grin everywhere he goes, this boy has our hearts.  We are all five completely smitten!

Back to School, Back to School

I didn't have to sing the Billy Madison "Back to School" song to my kids this year.  Hagen took care of that, much to my delight! He knew all the words and the other two joined in! Success right there my friends! 

For not being at all excited the day before, Cole jumped right out of bed and got dressed and ready.  He looked so big and handsome as he headed off to 2nd grade!

Kallie, who was super excited got ready and got her lunch packed super quick. But after spending too much time on her hair and an episode with a missing earring she was flustered and near tears.  I'm afraid the years of hormonal mood swings are upon us! Heaven help me!

Kallie faked a smile for her pictures and then we were off.

In the car the kids told me that they were plenty big and didn't need me to walk them into their classes this year.  How rude! But honestly I would rather that than have them clingy and fearful.  They were ready to take on the world!

Not so Grand Finale

Cole was NOT excited about school starting at all.  He was moping around depressed about it all the day the last day of summer.  Weston had been gone all week for work and the weather hadn't been the best for our usual Rigby Lake trip.  We finally decided that a quick ride out to the dunes would have to suffice as our Grand Finale.  

Jaylynn and Jalyssa came with us and lucky for all, Hayes was sound asleep by the time we got out there.  The kids had a blast playing on the dunes for about thirty minutes before we had to head in and get ready for bed.  

My favorite part was this; Cole took his shirt off, tied it into a bag and filled it with sand.  It was HEAVY! He trudged up and down the hill a few times "working on his muscles"! LOVE that kid!

Bad Influences

As much as I adore my neighbors, especially Preston, he may not be the best influence;) But he sure knows how to have a good time.  The kids spent the good part of a morning sliding down the stairs on a plastic lid.  They built jumps and made improvements for better speed.  It looked so fun that I had to give it a try and didn't know they took a picture of me until I downloaded my pix on the computer. Lots of fun and only a little rug burn!