New Tricks

Baby Joe is learning new tricks every day.

He can now climb stairs like a maniac and giggles uncontrollably when caught.

He thinks it's funny to do stuff that he's not supposed to do.

This morning he did something that brought a smile from ear to ear.

Just as our friends were leaving he chimed in with the rest of his siblings.

He waved as he shouted, "Baaaaaa!"

I still think he's too little to be doing stuff like this, but man it was cute.



Playing Catchup

Joseph is already trailing close behind his older siblings.

They are going to be the best of friends.

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

I spent most of my day today wishing that time would stand still, and some of my day wishing it would hurry up so that we could escape the terrible twos. We spent the morning walking across to the shopping malls to pick up a few things, namely groceries. The kids did pretty good and were rewarded with a lollipop part way through our errands. Camilla is such a good little walker and Joe slept almost the whole time we were out. By the time we got home and ate some lunch, Hyrum was in the middle of his fifth meltdown of the day. He needed a nap. While he was napping Camilla and I went out front and drew on the sidewalk together. She has changed so much since turning four and loves to spend time with people. I couldn't resist drawing and laughing with her. She has become so creative and artsy.

When we came in, she went downstairs to cool off while I snuggled up with Joe and gave him his bottle. I watched his eyes become heavy and eventually close. All I could think was can I please just snuggle you all day? I held onto him for a good half hour before placing him in his bed. He slept away the entire afternoon. I kept thinking that he would be up any minute but each time I went to check on him he was sleeping soundly.

Hyrum woke from his nap in a much better mood. I sat on the floor to give him a squeeze and a smooch. It turned into one of his favorite games and he began running at me, arms open wide, for a knock your socks off kind of hug. Although this two year old gig is hard, it's moments like this that make it all worth it.

After dinner I ran upstairs to grab the kids Jammies and heard a flush. I knew exactly who it was, I just didn't know what went down the toilet. I asked Hyrum what he flushed and he kept replying, "zee-zer". I asked, "what?" His reply stayed the same. After about ten tries I literally couldn't contain my laughter. It was like he was speaking a different language and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what went down the toilet. "Lizard? Did you flush the lizard?" Ah, yes. Camilla just came up the stairs as we figured it out and promptly burst into tears. "My Liiiiiiizaaaaard!" Mike and I looked at each other and just had to laugh. She continued crying through night prayers and couldn't be consoled. That girl gets pretty attached to her toys. I'm pretty sure lizard is long gone. 

Visiting the Temple

Today we left bright and early for Calgary. My Mamma graciously offered to watch the kids for us so that we could tag along with my brother, dad and grandparents. It was much needed. I love the peace you can feel inside the walls of the temple. It was really great to be able to go with everyone. It's so great being surrounded by family.

 

 

 

And of course we grabbed a few pictures of just the two of us. It's not very often that Mr. Stannix and I get a date to the temple. It will be happening more often now that Joe is on a bottle.

 

I sure do love that guy. And after a tough year it was so great to go to the temple with my main man. Being in the temple together is pretty special.

 

On the way home we hit up the best ice cream store. Some of us even finished up their's really quickly so that they could grab another one for the road. Tiger ice cream was a favorite. I personally opted for the New York Cherry Cheesecake. It was great getting home to the kids and having them so excited to see us. Thanks Gramma for making their day great! She's super Gramma and baked up cookies, cinnamon buns, and cake. There's no place like home.

Country Bumpkins

Oh man was today a long day. I wasn't sure I would make it through lunch without my patience-o-meter hitting it's max. When I was younger I never understood why our non-stop giggling and goofing around drove my mamma so nuts. After this morning, I think I'm beginning to understand. I'll blame it on the doughnuts we had for breakfast. Hyrum and Camilla were little balls of energy running this way and that all over the house, in the yard, back in the house, up and down, all around. It made me tired just watching them. They giggled pretty much non-stop all morning long. The trampoline was transformed into a wrestling ring and the laughs came right from their cute little bellies. By lunch time I was going coo-coo and opted for Hyrum to go for a nap.

When he woke up he came downstairs and told me he brushed his teeth. I quickly dashed upstairs and discovered he had done some unpacking over the last five minutes. Daddy's shaver had been taken apart in ways I never knew it could be. There was toothpaste squeezed all over the inside of Daddy's laptop bag and some coldsore ointment all over the carpet. The floss had been unraveled and sat bunched on the floor. And a line of mascara was drawn all the way across the bottom of my favorite quilt. I took a deep breath and sent him away to his room before I lost it. After his repeated "sorry Mommy" I couldn't be mad.

We are now kicking it at the acreage. My little brother is speaking in church on Sunday about his mission in Chile and how the Gospel makes us happy. I am looking forward to it and being here with family. When we arrived we ended up spending all of our time outside helping out with weeding, raking and berry picking. I couldn't wait to eat fresh raspberries, even if they hadn't been washed yet.

Joe and Gramma. He loves the outdoors so much!

Hyrum loves to feel the grass tickle his toes and hasn't put on shoes since we got here.

The kids got rides all over the yard between loads of grass and things. I thought I should get a turn too! Mike gave me an uber fast ride!

Seriously, we had so much fun with this thing tonight!



Our Little Climber

Snack Time

This little boy is destined to be an artist. We haven't even been here a month and he's already left his mark on the place. All over the place actually. The first week he drew on almost all the walls in his room. My closet door has been decorated. And the other night I caught him "drawing spiders" on the kitchen wall with a cup of water and a wet finger. Today Camilla noticed a nice chalk man on the wall in the front entry. I couldn't even be mad he did such a good job of it. After complaining to my Mom about my artsy fartsy blonde, he woke up from his nap and went around the livingroom giving each of us hugs over and over again. It was so sweet. After his nap I also promised him a hot cinnamon bun, and since he was starting to pester his siblings he ate it on the island. He stood up at the end after I finished wiping his sticky fingers and lips. It was weird to look up at him and realize how big he is and almost flash forward to a future where he may be taller than me. Then he planted a big smooch on my lips and gave me a big sqeeze. Man, I love that boy!

Amidst Chaos

What a day! Mike's busy doing some UFE prep for the next few weeks downtown, so today I got to shuttle him to and from which meant loading up the littles nice and early. I'm pretty sure Camilla was jumping on the trampoline at 7:00am anyways, but I did have to stir Joe to get him in the car. The day was filled with playing, biking and jumping. The kids love being outside, and I love the fact that so many other kids are out playing during the day around here.

Camilla spent most of her afternoon mastering her big girl bike! She didn't think she could do it, but I knew she could. She was super proud of herself. "Look at me, Mommy!"

We ended up having to eat Dinner without Daddy. Joseph enjoyed some spaghetti soup while the rest of us enjoyed our noodles whole. Hyrum melted my heart when he hopped down from his chair to give his little brother a hug. Luckily the camera was close by. Camilla had to get in on the action too.

On my way to pick up Mike, I drove passed our transit station and smiled at the big blue sign designating the far right lane as a "Kiss'n Ride" lane. I will be snagging a picture with Mr. Stannix in front of those signs in the near future.

When I got home from picking up Mike we had some unexpected visitors. Sometimes that makes me feel stressed out and given the things that happened earlier on in the week, I was already feeling stressed. I spent the rest of my evening with the littles, getting them ready for bed, reading stories and tucking each of them in. It's times like these that make me cherish and want to hold them close. I read a story to Hyrum and tucked him in tight. Right around bed time our house alarm went off. The funny part is that we don't have the house alarm activated or anything, so there was no way of shutting it off. We flipped some breakers, jiggled some wires and hoped it wasn't too noisy for the nighbors. I think it may have finally timed out after a while, and still don't know how to fix it if it happens again. I went upstairs and discovered Hyrum out of bed. He had found the markers tucked away on our windowsill. Luckily he grabbed the dry erase instead of the permanent. He drew himself and me holding hands on my white closet door. Back to bed he went. Joe fell asleep snuggled in my bed after his bottle. Then I went and read to Camilla and snuggled her in too. I walked passed the boys room and noticed Hyrum still stirring, so I went in and layed with him for a while. I rubbed his head, drew on his face with my fingers and ran my fingers through his blonde hair until his eyelashes rested peacefully upon his cheeks. Then I just sat there in the quiet and stared at him, so still and adorable, and so so grown up looking. I then scooped Joe off our bed. His eyes peeked open, but only for a few seconds. He nestled into my shoulder where he fits just right and I wrapped him in a blanket and snuggled him for a few minutes. When his body was completely still and his breathing deep, I placed him in his crib for the night.

I didn't know it at the time, but I so needed those quiet moments alone with the kids, away from the world and everything in it.

I went to sleep to the sound of a whining dog in the backyard and hoped the neighbors weren't hating us. Then I noticed Camilla's blue sparkly lamp still lighting up her bedroom. I walked across the hall to turn it off, and paused to admire her sleeping in the glow of the streetlights. So still, and so precious. Then I checked on the boys and made my way back to bed, but I couldn't fall asleep...

Getting Around

Well, Joe is officially getting around pretty well on his own. Time to baby proof again! Today he actually crawled forwards after the vacuum hose. He also made his way under the kitchen table for some eats. Who needs a dog when you have an 8 month old?! Just kidding. He was pretty tickled to find a few stray baby puffs.

I've had him asleep twice already tonight. For some reason this kid has always been a night owl. It probably didn't help that the older kids on the block were out front playing tackle football or something or other. So, while I blog and enjoy a few minutes to myself, Joe is making his way around my room checking stuff out.

I love how curious they get at this age. It's fun watching his little hands just go as his brain thinks and absorbes everything around him. When he's watching the older two doing something exciting or when he's eating food his hands and fingers move nonstop.

Both times that he fell asleep in my arms tonight I had to stop and stare and his little cheeks pressed against my shirt and his chubby fingers grasping my hair. It made me flash back to just a few short months earlier when he was much smaller and less mobile.

I am so enjoying watching his personality develop and grow. He has a goofy side to him that I love. Whenever I wipe his face he giggles at me.

He loves to sit in the grass, but he also likes to eat it like it's a side salad.

I am constantly fishing blades of grass and dandelion leaves out of his mouth.

His second favorite food lately is paper. The other day he ate half of a note before I caught him.

Little stinker.

He loves when the kids get down on the floor and play with him. He will climb all over their little bellies and chew on their shirts. They kind of love it too and the giggles are priceless. When Hyrum decides to be nice, he is so sweet to his little brother. Sometimes when he thinks I'm not looking he will go over to Joe and gently pat his head before planting a big wet kiss on top of it. It always makes me smile.

It goes without saying that we love Joe very much! It's so hard to believe that he's already 8 months. That's only 4 months away from a year!



The Other Side

It's pretty late, but I wanted to quickly post about our visit with Mike's family. They surprised the kids yesterday with a kid sized trampoline. The boys had fun working together on it. The kids are in love. The neighbors at our old place had a large trampoline and they enjoyed jumping on it whenever they could. I'm sure this will make Summer just fly by.

While the boys worked on that, us girls worked on a fancy-dancy trike for Joe. He loves to sit on it and be pushed around. It also adjusts for different stages and Hyrum actually rode it up and down the block today.

Before dinner and before the rain hit, we went out front and snapped a few pictures of everyone together.

The boys with their Dad.

Then we mixed in the Grandkids.

Oh my shy Hyrum.

A big group shot.

Each of the boys with their Dad.

After pictures I went in and put the finishing touches on dinner. We all sat down at the table, blessed the food and started eating and visiting. Joe fell asleep right in the middle of everything. Poor little guy was tuckered right out from the busy afternoon.

Melissa kindly helped clean up the dinner dishes and then we all sat and visited the night away. It was great to get to know them better and enjoy our time together.



A Slower Pace

Today was a quiet day. We woke up slowly, hung out in our jammies for a while, and then got the kids excited to meet their Grampa Ken. We got a call earlier in the week from Mike's Dad who is in town and wanted to stop by for a visit. We were pretty excited because we hadn't seen him since our wedding five years ago due to travel distance. It was good to reunite. We are having them over for dinner tomorrow night where we will be snapping more pictures. It was cute watching Hyrum wave through the window when they pulled up.

While Daddy and Hyrum snoozed after lunch we went to get the mail. Camilla was pretty excited to ride her bike down the block and even gave her little brother a ride when my arms got tired. We took our time and went slow. It's fun that we have to go get the mail at the end of the block, but it probably won't be so much fun in the cold of Winter. When we got back to the house we hung out on the front lawn, and pet the neighbors cat. Camilla biked up and down the street to her hearts content, from the black box to the yellow fire hydrant.

There was also some riding in the backyard in the late afternoon. I'm pretty sure Hyrum would sleep in his bike helmet given the chance. He always puts it on backwards, it's the cool thing to do these days. He cracked me up and I couldn't help but snap a picture.

After a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some odds and ends, we surprised the children with dinner at the golden arches and then came home. We had lots of time to kill before bed time, so I filled up the big soaker tub and let Camilla and Hyrum go for a nice long bath. We did scriptures and prayer and then red stories to each of them in their room while Joe played around. Once they were tucked in tight, I treated Joe to his own bath. He was so excited he couldn't contain himself and giggled up a storm as he splashed, crawled and slid around the tub. His hair kind of does a natural mohawk, so after I had lotioned him up, I brushed it with a comb.

I could pretty much kiss those cheeks all day and his baby blues are to die for. He is looking so grown up and loving his newfound ability to get around. Mostly, he just practices his yoga moves right now, but everyone's gotta start somewhere!

And, kind of random, but we finished my gallery wall the other day. Here's a very bright picture of it thanks to the awesome glare from the front window, but you get the idea. Things are coming together and it's great to have pictures on the walls!



Some Happenings

Summer is flying by way too fast! I can't believe it's already mid July. I have been eyeing up the bright canola fields and looking forward to our yearly family pictures for a while. The kids have been busy playing in the backyard and enjoying the space in the basement. We've had all kinds of people in and out this week and still more to come. I love having a home and space for people to come and visit.

Joseph has been concentrating really hard on learning to crawl and almost has it down. He's super good at going backwards or switching from his bum to his tummy to get places. Last night he made a complete circle around the living room while Mike and I watched a movie. When he's upstairs on the hard floor he usually just slides to his destinations.

We've been doing lots of baking! On this particular day the tub of flour slipped out of my hands. Camilla enjoyed making footprints all over the kitchen. One of those funny moments to be remembered I guess.

Joe loves crawling on the carpet much better. We need to dig out the baby gate right away because he is pretty well on the move! He kept me company while I vacuumed and cleaned upstairs the other day. He's such a happy boy!

 

Welcome Home

Today my little missionary brother came home from his two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has spent the last two years in Chile. It was so great to get together with family and visit with him. Get ready for lots and lots of pictures (mostly courtesy of my sister because my camera was fuzzy today). It was fun waiting for him to come through the doors. The glass is foggy so you can just see figures. We would all guess if it was him or not. Too short, too tall, too many, are they wearing a black suit... Then a member came through the doors and told us with a smile that our missionary was waiting and excited to see us!

Most of the welcoming party.

The proud Grandpa and my excited Mamma.

My anxious Dad!

And finally the Elder of the hour!!

Then it was hugs all around. I waited two whole years for this hug and it was worth it.



After all the parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt and uncle hugs, the kiddos got in on the action.

When he left Hyrum was only a couple months old!

Lovin' that Spanish name tag.

Meeting Baby Joe for the first time!

It's so good to have him back!

On the way home I was able to catch Hyrum's smirk that I am so in love with.

 My sister caught the little dude on the front steps with his Great-Grampa.

Such a special moment seeing those two together.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with good eats and lots of visiting.

Snuggles with Joe.

Before they left to Red Deer to meet with the Stake presidency for his release, I grabbed a quick shot with my very tall little brother. I am so so proud of him and glad to have him home!