An Only Child

Today the boys were both awake shortly after 5:00am.

It was a long day.

I figured if I was up, I may as well make good use of my time.

I cleaned up the toys in the basement and gave it a good vacuum.

Then I vacuumed up the stairs. 

It really helped to freshen things up.

By 9:00am I was ready to go back to bed.

My awesome cousin offered to take the older two kids for the day.

The kids had so much fun with their cousins.

While they were gone Mike and I went nuts unpacking, cleaning and running errands.

After we had finished hanging a few pictures, I looked over at Joe.

He was fast asleep on the hard floor.

Ah, the life of an only child.

I felt like doing the same thing. 

It was super hot and I was super tired.

I scooped him up and carried him to his crib for the rest of his nap.

It's starting to feel like home now!

The Barber Shop

While we were out at the acreage, we put Gramma's hair cutting skills to good use.

Though I'm always sad to see his curls go, Hyrum really needed a trim.

He's feeling nice a cool in this heat with his new doo!



Canada Day Celebrations

We had a nice relaxing Canada day back in my hometown. We spent the afternoon enjoying a delicious BBQ at the Christensens. They are old family friends! She taught me piano growing up. It's always fun getting everyone together again. The kids had a blast running around the yard and enjoying their friends.

It was great to enjoy an afternoon in the sun. Camilla wouldn't leave the kitten alone. She's been begging us for one for ages!



The trampoline was also a big hit. I had to turn around a few times because it was too stressful to watch her jump with everyone. She did awesome though and loved every second of it! They pulled out the sprinkler to cool off and of course she got drenched. She is such a fun loving little girl.

A few of us came in to cool off for a few minutes and Joe enjoyed a snuggle with Grampa. All of the heat and excitement zonked him out.

Hyrum had fun eating freezies and popsicles to his hearts content, and playing on the power wheels. It's so funny watching his little personality. He's just a quiet, keep to himself, background type.

Camilla and I caught some shade in the hammock under the playset. I loved snuggling my sweet, soggy little lady.

Instead of fireworks tonight, we bathed our sweaty, sunkissed children and tucked them into bed. I think us adults will enjoy some Rook and laughter!

Afternoon Naps

I love afternoon naps with my little man. We've spent a lot of late nights unpacking this last week so Mr. Stannix sent me for a rest. I love the way Joe fits snuggled up next to me on the bed. It was nice to enjoy a few quiet moments with him while the other two were busy upstairs.

He woke up super happy, and enjoyed the rest of his afternoon being passed around and entertained by everyone at the acreage.



AM/PM

In the AM...

In the PM...

Contraband

The other night Hyrum smuggled some contraband to bed with him.

Where he found it, I have no idea!

This kid is a major artist and is constantly getting into trouble.

This time, thankfully, it was only crayon, since his walls are handpainted beautifully.

Totally washable.

I must say his art work is improving though.

It almost looks like a family of sea turtles.



Home Sweet Home

We are finally getting settled.

We couldn't have picked a worse day to move.

It rained cats and dogs almost the entire day and thankfully slowed down in the evening.

We are in love with our new place though.

It's nice to be off the busy street.

Everymorning I get to wake up to the sunshine pouring in the windows.

And I get to admire these chubby legs!



Five

Five years ago today I married my best friend!

He's super easy to get along with.

Very understanding.

Kind hearted.

Willing to serve.

A good father.

A good provider.

And so much more.

Time flies when you're having fun!

The Funnies

Humor is inthe air around these parts lately. Maybe because we are all so excited about the big move. seriously, last night I couldn't sleep. It felt like Christmas eve. While I have a few quick minutes here are a few funnies from the last couple of days.

Mike and I had to smile as we watched Camilla and Hyrum holding hands as they skipped into the church building yesterday. It was melt-my-heart-wish-I-had-a-camera-cute.

I kept Hyrum still in Sacrament meeting by letting him hold sleeping Joe. He sat proud and tall with his cute little smirk as he cradled his chubby brother in his arms. It kept the bench reverent for a long time.

One of the top things that can be said to ruin a romantic moment, "mooooom! I need a wiiiiiiipe!"

Someone drew with permanent marker all over the hardwood floors two days before we move out. Can you guess who? Luckily, I caught it quick and managed to scrub it off with baking soda.

Hyrum wore a cow Halloween costume all afternoon.

One of the leafs of the giant cardboard box has been transformed into an indoor hammock by the littles (pictures to come).

Hyrum is afraid of Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter.

Joseph is so close to crawling! I will often find him sitting on the floor with one leg stretched our behind and one in front. He may bum scooch like his brother. His babbling is the best!

Even with boxes piled high and our house in disarray (hopefully not for much longer) the Stannix's are finding things to laugh about.

It's Been a Slice

The room off the deck is filled to the brim with boxes. I am both extremely excited and sad. The pictures of friends, family and newborns that once graced the front of my refrigerator are all packed away and I am now greeted by a very white, empty fridge when I walk into the kitchen. Pictures have been taken down, walls washed. My mind has been filled with so many memories over the last few days. I am very sad to leave this quant little house behind. We've brought two babies home to this house and crammed three children into the tiny upstairs bedroom. I almost cried last night before bed as I reminisced with Mr. Stannix on the couch.

Mr. Stannix is officially on UFE leave which means no more work until October! It was great to spend the day as a family, eating a slow and late breakfast and organizing. While everyone napped away the afternoon I made up some freezer meals to help next week go more smoothly. It's still so unreal to me that we are moving to our very own home. We're just crossing our fingers that everything goes according to plan because with all of the flooding down South, our lender's office is under water which has made them difficult to get a hold of.

Althought I am crazy excited, there are a few things I am going to miss. I am going to miss driving the tree lined streets. All of these Elm trees are my favorite, and it is especially beautiful in the Fall. I am going to miss our front yard with the big spindly tree that shades us in the Summer. I am going to miss the firepit in the backyard where so many smores were made. I am going to miss the East facing back deck that catches the warm suns rays in the morning. I am going to miss the way the sun shines through our livingroom window in the late afternoon.

I am looking forward to a spacious kitchen with room to make amazing meals and an island to knead my bread. I am looking forward to having a dishwasher to help with clean up after our family dinners. I can't wait for Mr. Stannix to put together our new table where we will gather everynight for dinner together. I am excited to decorate Camilla's bedroom and make it her own (at least until she has to share it). I am excited to have a quiet sitting room with the TV tucked away in the basement. I am super excited about the fenced backyard where I'm sure the children will put their imaginations to good use. I am excited to have more than one bathroom so that Camilla doesn't have to do her potty dance while Daddy is showering in the morning. And I can't wait for the new washer and dryer. 

It's been so great making memories in this little old house!