Little Hikers

Stewart Falls 2009

I am so proud of my Bentley and Caroline--they hiked and hiked with us on Saturday and just made their little legs keep on moving. Cares rode in our hiking backpack for half of the way there and then half of the way back. And Bentley got a short little ride in it near the end--with his long legs dangling out.

The falls were gorgeous and voluminous--we had to eat our picnic lunches a ways back from them to avoid the freezing, misty, spray (which felt amazing when I arrived feeling quite sweaty from carrying a 15 pound baby :)

John and Krista, Sisi and Kai, and Bob all came with us. We had such a good time--we love that hike!

Yesterday

...I finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. I liked it--made me think about parallels in my own life (as any good book should). But I won't say too much more--the LeBaron women are having a little book club about it during our family vaca in a few weeks so I will save my profound insights for our discussion...and they will be profound--don't you worry :)

...I got my hair cut. Short. And it still feels funny to catch my reflection and remember how short it is. But I needed a change.

...I had Five Guys Burger and Fries for lunch and homemade lasagna for dinner. Both meals were equally delicious.

...I met my sister at Costco where I only spent $62.00. I am still amazed at my restraint...

Baby Finch

My newest nephew arrived on Sunday night--a nice little 7 pound 11 ounce Father's Day surprise. He feels so teeny tiny compared to my Olivia! Isn't he dreamy?

5 years, 3 years, and 4 months

All 3 kiddos saw Dr. Johnson this morning and all 3 seem to be growing like weeds:

Bentley: 44.5 in. and 43 lbs.

Caroline: 38.4 in. and 31 lbs

Olivia: 25 in. and 15 lbs 1 oz (my chubby little angel!)

Both Bentley and Olivia got shots in their legs. Bentley wanted Olivia to go first and the poor babe sure got sad. Surprisingly, it didn't even phase her big brother who happily got up on the table after her and laid down for his shots. Sweet boy--he had no idea that it would actually, reallly hurt him. And 3 shots later he was pretty sad too, but trying so hard to keep the tears at bay and be brave. Livies had calmed down and so he climbed into my lap and cuddled for a bit ( I think he needed to milk the attention just a bit--but I didn't mind at all :)

We met Joseph right after for a yummy Cafe Rio lunch and then gourmet cookies from a special cookie store (Bentley's "shot treat" of choice).

Remembering

For Father's Day this year I made my hubby a slideshow of all my favorite pictures of him with our kids. Naturally, it spanned the last 5 years, starting with the day our little Bentley was born. It made me so happy to sort through old photos this past week--and it was especially rewarding to see, over and over again with each child, how happy my Joseph is as a dad. He is truly in his element when hanging out with our babes.

with baby Bentley

showing Bentley his new sis Caroline

with baby Olivia

As we watched the movie as a little family today I thought about how lucky my kids are to have such a loving, happy and protective father--how important and beautiful that is for them. And how lucky I am to have the same thing. I love my dad--have always loved my dad. I needed him for all the tickle wars and buckin' bronco rides, for early mornings on glassy lakes, for father's blessings, for easing my fears in the ER when little Bentley got stitches, for standing with my husband and blessing my children, for saying his vote counts as 7, for sharing his love of classical music and playing it often when riding in the car with him, for being so very smart and fixing all medical woes, for being an amazing example of obedience.

Happy Father's Day

Weekend

The kids and I swam at Lifetime on Friday with Heather and her crew. We were so happy to have a sunny day! It's a good thing we got there early and enjoyed a good 90 minutes in the sun before the dreaded, disgusting poop in the pool. Made me pretty mad--seriously moms--watch your toddlers in the water! You know the signs...Maybe it was a big kid. But that's just too gross for me. Enough! Sorry to wax on...

We moved to the inside pool where Bentley and Cannon went crazy on the waterslides and Olivia slept soundly with all the echoing, indoor-pool noises.

Last night and today we babysat Kai while his parents celebrated their anniversary down in Moab. My kids were super excited for a cousin "sleepover" (even though they all slept in separate rooms :)


Today the glorious sunshine retreated once again and the rain poured and poured. Joseph was trying to squeeze in as much yard work as possible while the thunder rolled--but he got caught in the downpour and so I sent the kids out to play in it with him.

Lagoon 09

We went to Lagoon yesterday...I am such a sucker. Last summer I was miserable there and kept thinking "why in the world am I here?" And yet this summer rolled around and Costco had discounted tickets and I was suddenly excited to head up there again. We had plans to go last week but the rain delayed us. Luckily, Grandma Bobbi was still available to take our Olivia so we could go play with just Bentley and Caroline.

And we had a great time. Joseph was loving the 73 degree weather, Bentley fell in love with the Tidal Wave, Caroline (who didn't love Tidal Wave...at all...) loved the hot pink plush monkey we won playing games and I was just thrilled to not be pregnant. Seriously, it made my day over and over again...no horrific smells, no nausea, no exhaustion. Lagoon is so much fun when you feel good!

Joseph and I especially enjoyed having a special day with just the big kids. We talked and talked, and held hands--all 4 of us in a row--snuggled close on rides, ate lots of yummy treats and laughed and laughed and laughed. We went on a new ride called Jumping Dragon over in the kid zone and Bentley and I could not stop laughing together as it spun faster and faster--one of my favorite memories from the day...

That and Cares in her swimsuit--and only her swimsuit!

FHE and Tummies

On Monday night we had 2 extra guests for our Family Home Evening--my niece and nephew Maddie and Ethan. Their little brother took a nasty fall on the playground during recess so his mommy spent a good 5 hours at the hospital with him--and yes, he soundly broke his arm...poor guy! Daddy Chad was out of town during the escapade so Joe and I felt lucky enough to help out and gain some extra kids for the evening. I think I need Ethan around for every FHE--he kept my kids attention so well and was an awesome helper and question answerer (that's a phrase...right?)

Oh--and I ordered this giant pizza for dinner.
That's right--not the large or even the extra-large--the giant.
I don't know how I managed to do that but the kids thought it was hilarious.
(and I love Bentley's face in the picture)

And today Livies worked on tummy-time. It is not a favorite of hers so I enlisted my back-up troops to help keep her happy:

Stuff

It has been a slow blogging week. We keep making plans for outdoor fun and then the rain keeps delaying them. So, instead of mini-golf this weekend we ended up cleaning out and organizing our garage--soooo much fun right? The kids were good sports and kept busy by jumping around on old cardboard boxes and riding their bikes--but only inside the garage since it was pouring rain the entire time we worked. It was pretty exciting to be out there during the crazy thunder and lightning--Cares ended up snuggled in a big fleece blanket on one of our camping chairs just watching the rain (both Joseph and I took turns snuggling her on our laps--she felt so little and comfy.)

This past week the kids were full of classic sayings:

1) Cares talking to herself in the bathroom after using the potty: "One tiny girl can do such a big poop!"

2) When we left the house the other day I forgot something and turned around to get it. Bentley asked me what we were doing and I told him I needed to go back because I just wasn't "thinking straight." He replied "yeah--you were just thinking twisty huh?"

3) Bentley was thinking to himself for a bit yesterday and then said "Do you know what is so funny? Sometimes when I say "what did you say?" people say right back to me "what did you say?"" (I think by "people" Bentley means his uncle Ben. Love that he is just now figuring that one out :)

Finally, some pictures:

Bentley made me this necklace while I was at a wedding shower on Saturday

Little buddies

Olivia's newest trick is to spin around 90 to 180 degrees while under her play gym
(I'll have to get a good picture of it one of these days)

She is such a little lady and loves to cling to her dresses

Cares playing puppy with my slippers
(yep--we were wearing them off and on all last week...in June...)

What is that face I am making?! So random...but I wanted to document all the hail we got at our house on Tuesday evening--it looked like snow in our backyard!

Gray Day

Today it is stormy and wet wet wet. Again. As it has been for almost a week straight now. Boring. Where is summer? Also, my kids have been running fevers off and on and my poor hubby has been hit hard with a wicked cold. I am now completely exhausted from 3 restless nights in a row due to the sickies and also Olivia's newly scheduled 3:00 am poo. Seriously? In the middle of the night? She had been sleeping for about a 10 or 11 hour stretch at night and now the pooing--it has swooped in and ruined all our progress.

I went to the dentist at 8:00 am yesterday morning and I actually enjoyed laying there in the chair. Yes, the hygienist was cleaning and scraping and flossing my teeth and I was just happy to lay back and close my eyes. If I hadn't had to keep my mouth open I am sure I would have fallen fast asleep. Hmmmmm, sleep--how I have missed our love affair over the past few months (just about 4 to be exact :)

On a totally unrelated note, here are some fun pics from Joe's iPhone last month:

Mid haircut at Nanny's 2 weeks ago. He's totally rockin' that mohawk--what a cutie.

Crazy posers as always

Celebrating Bentley's preschool graduation

I just painted Caroline's nails a bright happy yellow. And mine a citrus orange. We'll bring on the summer any way we can.

Olivia's Blessing

My tiny beauty--all dressed up before church today

Today was Olivia's baby blessing. Her sweet daddy blessed her that she would be a peacemaker in our family and that she would develop a desire to know and love her Savior. He was joined by all 4 of his brothers, 3 brothers-in-law, both of Livie's grandfathers, and the bishopric in our ward. It was a very fine circle of men holding and blessing my darling daughter.

With my mom and sisters. Their good husbands helped bless Olivia for which I am very grateful.

Olivia Ann with her grandmothers, Barbara Ann and Ruth Ann

Princess Camp

Manicures, check. Dressing up, check. Tea Parties, check. Pedicures, check. Hair-dos and make-up, check and check. Needless to say, my little princess had a lovely week attending Princess Camp at Bentley's old preschool. It was a big change for Cares to be the one I dropped off while Bentley stayed with me but she had her cousin Maddie to hold hands with and play with so she did just fine.

We showed up the first morning in some regular clothes but we saw about half of the other girls wearing princess gowns. For the next 3 days Cares and Maddie were dying to dress-up too so they became Cinderella and Dorothy (Tues.) Sleeping Beauty and Ariel (Wed.) and finally Snow White and Alexa (is that right Cec?). Oh, to be a little girl...

Playin'

New birthday toys=hours of endless playtime

Bentley's new bike--he's still getting used to its big size

oh the joys of a tea party using real food (water and chips)

now they're just showing off...

Bentley's new Spider-Man swimming kit (there are flippers that go with it too)
So far he's used it for a new dress-up--so much better than the Ariel dress...

Slip-n-Slide!

It looked like too much fun--I had to join in

Look at that darling little body! Love her...