Volleyball Divisionals

Today was a busy day with an early start! Hyrum, Cooper & I left for volleyball divisionals at basically the same time the kids went out to catch the bus. 

The sun was just coming up and everything looked amazing! I took in the views as we drove and felt so grateful to live where we do!

Cooper managed to sit through one whole set, and then wandered the halls for the rest of the first game. 

It's so fun to watch the vertical these boys get vs the girls. I loved watching!

After his first game he had a few hour break in between, so I scooted back into town to catch Fin's divisionals at the middle school. Cooper had napped on the way back to town for a bit and was okay to sit for most of his game.

I bribed him with cheesy bread sticks and toys! We were going to head back to watch Hyrum's next game, but they were running early and it would have been over by the time we got there. Instead, I brought him home and came back in for Fin's last game a short time later sans kids. With my big belly it's becoming harder and harder to chase this guy and lug him places. I was grateful for my willing mamma offering to watch him at home!

 

Catching Snowflakes

The snow was a pleasant surprise today! It brought some fun driving stories and two hours of outdoor play after school! It's a lot prettier than the brown, that's for sure!

When Lily got out of the van this afternoon, she couldn't help but catch some snowflakes on her tongue! I love the way children make the best of every season!

 

Happy 13th

Today we celebrated Joseph and everything that makes him great! We officially have a third teenager in the house! His birthday present literally came in the mail today and I was able to pick it up between piano lessons (when he wasn't in the van) and hide it in the back. I wrapped it quickly over at Mom & Dad's before dinner. 

Joseph is charismatic and fun loving. He is a hands on sort of guy and enjoys being active and engaged in many things. Sitting at a desk isn't his favourite. He works hard and plays hard and enjoys life to the fullest!

 He is good at pushing buttons, but also good at seeing the needs of others and lending a hand when needed. A lot of the time he can see where he can be helpful with out anyone needing to ask, usually when we are working on projects or building things. We are sure glad he's ours!

Happy birthday, Buddy!

 

Settling In

This boy takes quite a while to settle into bed. Tonight it was my hand softly rubbing his cheek while he hugged my arm that did the trick. 

 

Cub Car Creations

This morning I happened to look out the window and noticed a baby deer nursing in our yard. It was such a sweet sight!

 

The youth were having a cub car rally at the stake center tonight, and a few of our kiddos didn't decide to go until last minute. Joseph and I spent some time in the garage cutting and sanding. He made his own car, and I cut out Camilla's. 

Cooper enjoyed playing in the sawdust.

It was fun watching him design and create his race car. He was very careful about everything. 

I decided to do a mini Cooper for Camilla to mimic the one she drives when the roads are good! I left it up to her to paint it.

She flew home afterschool and got right to work, recreating her own mini Cooper.

With some of the big kids gone for the evening, I got to enjoy these littles a little extra. They crack me up!

The Girls

When my sister was out visiting last month, she took the girls for a mini shoot. She got some pretty gorgeous pictures and the lighting was incredible! I sure love these two girlies and the relationship they have, despite being eleven years apart. Lily looks up to her big sister so so much! They are lucky to have each other. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chillin'

Today was an airplane sort of day. Cooper put on his airplane sweater and played with this red airplane all morning long!

I moved him back upstairs into Lily's room. I was getting tired of tromping down the stairs in the middle of the night. I'm hoping he sleeps better up here. Sawyer is slightly bummed to be losing his roomie, but Lily is thrilled and has taken to mothering him ever since. 

After his nap, we snuck into the school to watch Fin play some Volleyball! It was fun to see his team play together as I've missed his one or two other games. The season was cut very short thanks to the strike and I'm sure a lot more development could have happened in those three weeks, but they played well! Fin was the only grade six boy to tryout for volleyball, so he ended up on a team with the sevens and eights which has been fun for him!

After the game we picked up kids who were all over town, grabbed some pizza and headed home!

Brightest & Best

The Northern Lights were the brightest & best I've ever seen them tonight! After tucking in Cooper I peeked outside to see if I could still catch the Aurora display everyone was raving about and noticed the pink streaks across the sky. I stepped outside in my bare feet and didn't come back inside until I couldn't take the cold any longer. As I went to the living room for a blanket, I called to the children to come and see the Northern Lights! I wrapped the blanket over my shoulders as we all shuffled out on the deck to take in the beautiful displays of pinks that we rarely get to see. I'm always filled with awe at the beauty of the Northern Lights!

Sunday Snapshots

Sunday's are always crazy around here! This morning I did find time to curl my hair though. Coopers little Sunday outfit was the cutest darn thing and I couldn't help but watch him all morning at church. 

I snapped a quick shot from behind on our way into the house after church...

Then I had to take a selfie with him to show that I do indeed do my hair sometimes.

And then, he fell asleep with his hand stuffed into the buttons because he has to have one hand touching his belly button when he falls asleep.

I wanted to kiss his face a million times! I wish they didn't grow up so fast!

We were blessed to witness the most beautiful sunset!

During prayers I couldn't help but snap this picture. It was adorable watching Cooper fold his arms and be so reverent on top of his big brothers shoulders. It made me grateful for the relationships shared between the bigs and the littles in our family.