Universal Studios

This morning we woke before the sun once again to eat breakfast and line up at the bus stop so that we could enjoy our early admission to the park. We caught the first bus from our hotel and when we got to Universal the kids basically ran to the gates to get in the next line. 

When we walked to the velocicoaster there was only one person on the ride, and he was screaming around every loop. We all burst out laughing and the kids reenacted the moment at various times throughout the day (you had to be there). 

I am not a fan of rides, or roller coasters, so I was happy to sit with Oliver and wait for the rest of the crew to hop on this crazy coaster.

The Harry Potter rides are some of their faves, and I can actually tolerate them (haha) so we stood in line for Hagrids and Gringots and a bunch of other rides most of the morning.

For lunch we headed to this old school diner and got milkshakes and burgers. It was so fun sitting around the table with these big kids and listening to them visit and chat.

We took the kids to get a Caricature to gift to Grampa since he really wanted one the last time they were here with him. It was cool seeing this artists take on each of their personalities.

After a quick dinner at a little mall, we all headed back on the bus to the hotel.

The evening was finished off with a swim in the pool. The wind made it a bit chilly, but they braved it!

Off to Orlando

This morning we were up before the sun to catch our flight to Orlando! It was Oliver's first time on an airplane and he was pumped! Some of the kids joke that the airport and flying are their favorite parts of these kind of trips. They were definitely hyped up for the early hour!

We managed to squeeze in an airport lunch and a quick nap during our layover!

We finally made it to Orlando in the evening. The view from our hotel window did not dissappoint.

The kids are looking forward to a day at Universal Studios in the morning as well as swimming in this gorgeous pool!

 

Adventuring with the Bigs

The full moon last night was glorious! Slivers of silver light crept through the curtains of the nursery as I sushed Cooper to sleep in the middle of the night. 

We left this afternoon for a trip with the five oldest children, but Coopers smile will be forever on my mind. I'm going to miss the little ones so much!

After a little bit of shopping at the mall, we hit up Costa Vida for dinner.

It was fun to see the older kids lead and help this time around with Fin and Ollie joining. 

Our evening was spent at the hotel pool hanging out in the water and crashing down water slides. They all went to bed exhausted and ready for tomorrow!

 

Cooper: ONE Year

Cooper is ONE! I can't believe how quickly the year flew by! I made a chicken dinner and cupcakes and we invited my parents over to celebrate with us! It was low key and perfect, just the way we like it. We have enjoyed a year full of snuggles, milestones, belly laughs & love. This boy is full of determination and curiosity and it has been such a joy to watch him grow! 

 

A Morning with Friends

Yesterday evening we pulled into the Wolseys for the night so that we could be in town for the games today. We got to hang out and enjoy a slow morning with them. The girls had so much fun playing together. They piled the blankets and cushions high so that they could jump off the stairs. Lily was worried about doing it and one of the girls said, "It's fine, just use your brain!" and Lily replied, "Guys! I'm using my brain and it's FUN!" 

We took off shortly before lunch to Meet up with Camilla and catch the last couple of games. It was a long, fun-filled weekend, and it felt so good to be home after!

 

A Basketball Tournament

This weekend brought Camilla, the littles and I up to the city for a basketball tournament! It was a bit of a gong show keeping Lily and Cooper entertained while simultaneously trying to watch the game and cheer on my girl tonight, but we somehow managed to do it! The team played pretty well all things considered! It was a fun time!

 

Mothering is...

Mothering in this season is early mornings gathered in the living room for study & prayer as a family because it is the only time in the entire day that you will all be together.

It's getting six children out the door each morning for school with homework and a decently healthy lunch packed by them.

It's leading, guiding & gently correcting.

It's realizing how much you miss the younger years when everyone was home & together all the time.

It's navigating different age groups and multiple emotions with as much grace as you can muster each day.

It's a well lived in house, messy kitchen & full bellies.

It's "Mom, can you please bring my math binder when you come pick me up?" texts.

It's coordinating schedules and loading and unloading children multiple times a day. 

It's giving them independence while also realizing when they could use some help.

It's spending my days laughing & creating with these two rays of light.

It's up all night multiple nights in a row with a sick babe and then waking up and putting on a smile even though you’re weary to the bone.

It's twelve loaves of fresh-baked bread each week.

It's warm homemade cookies on the counter after school to entice conversation.

It's cheering with the littles at various sporting events to show how much you love & care.

It's reading stories by the fire together.

It's sticky notes by the front door when they come home.

It's driving home from a basketball game with the interior light on while your daughter does her math homework in the passenger seat. 

It's glowing with pride when you see the good they are doing and the way they are juggling everything going on in their lives as they grow.

It's knowing when they need a hug instead of a discourse.

It's late night chats at the kitchen island where you listen more than you speak while you laugh & smile to yourself in disbelief that your children are this old.

 It's even later nights at the kitchen table helping with homework, even though you have no idea what your doing and end up playing more of a moral support role.

It's falling asleep each night hoping you gave it your best, then waking each morning & trying again because these little souls mean so much to you and you couldn't imagine life any other way!

Still Here

The kids are back to school! The house is quiet and I am grateful because I still have a sick babe who just wants to sit and snuggle all day. Naptime today was spent in the Nursery enjoying the afternoon sunshine pouring through the window.

 

Sunday Snapshots

Today was church. I spent most of my time in the mothers room with a cranky babe. As I sat their feeling sorry for myself I turned and looked at the art work on the wall and the beauty of the painting soothed my soul.

It can be hard going through so much effort to get everyone to church each Sunday morning, only to spend the majority of it in the Mother's room, but I know that these efforts will be worth it in the long run as the children learn and feel so much while they're here!

Hyrum was ordained to the office of Teacher today! He can now help prep the Sacrament each Sunday among other new responsibilities. He was super excited!

After a BBQ dinner, the big kids headed in for a youth fireside at the church and I put my sick babe to bed. The house is messy, but we are back to school tomorrow!

 

In the Box

The hockey tournament continues! The boys played two games today. They won their first game and tied their second game. It was fun to watch them! Hyrum even managed to get sent to the box in the first game. 

All of this weekends excitement called for a quiet evening at home. 

I love lighting a candle in a clean kitchen!