Matchy Same

I love matching the girls but not as much as Lynnlee loves it. Lynnlee is going to be a baby for Halloween. I decided to get Sienna matching pajamas and let them both wear them before Halloween.

Farm Country

We have had so much fun going to Thanksgiving Point with some girls in my neighborhood each week. This past week we went to Farm Country. Kaden and Lynnlee loved the pony rides. The weather was very nice and the minis mostly stayed in the stroller. They were very good. 

I Spy a...

Pumpkin! We planted pumpkin seeds in our garden and it's funny one grew in a different place than where we planted. The place we planted the pumpkin seeds just grew weeds. Our garden was full of all sorts of surprises. We didn't plant cherry tomatoes but we have a huge plant growing in the middle of the zucchini.

Laundry Helpers

The minis hang out in my room while I fold laundry. I like being able to keep an eye on them but it is tricky to keep them entertained. They have become bored with the toy box in my room. (You know you have toddlers when it is completely normal to have a box of toys in your room)

The minis always look for remotes to play with. Today the had fun sitting on the baskets.

Cookie Thief

The minis love being outside. They were sitting on the porch yesterday and Sienna was finishing up a cookie.

Next thing she knew Taggart had stolen it! I wish I would have captured her crying too this was when she had just figured it out.

Good thing there are plenty of extra cookies. It was much better when they each had a piece.

Lagoon '15

We went to Lagoon with our favorite Aunt Betsy. I love going during Frightmares. Thankfully Ali and my Aunt Pat took turns watching the minis. They are a little too young but I think they will be ready next year to go with us.

Lynnlee and Kaden branched out and tried a few new rides.

Marshall, James and I went on Cannibal. It is as fun and scary as it looks. I assumed it had over the shoulder harnesses and based off that I was willing to go. Once we got to the front of the line my legs went weak when I realized it was just lap cover type of thing. It was too late to back out. I must have checked it a million times to make sure it was really locked and tight. Then I checked James's a few times to make sure his was tight enough. It's not enough to be scared for my own safety but I was also worried about his. Then there was Marshall who can handle anything and laughed at James's and my scared faces. We did it though and it was fun. If the line wasn't so long I would have gone again. I think I'm still more afraid of the Rocket. (dang fear of heights!)

After that Marshall and James decided to do the Sky Coaster. I did that once when I was in middle school and once was enough for me. James has come a long way from three years ago when he was terrified to go on the Sky Ride. He was nervous going on the Sky Coaster but we definitely didn't have to talk him into it.

Puff the Fire Dragon was a favorite of Kaden's.

The trick-or-treating alley way was impressive. They had a lots of fun themed areas. This one was a burning building and you pretended to put out the fire.

While James took turns going on the big rides with adults, Lynnlee and Kaden went on all the kiddie rides. They went on the carousel a few times.

I wish the train ride was twice as long. It's always nice to have something to look at while you rest your feet.

James and I rode the Scrambler. He only squished me twice. He's pretty strong.

Sunday Minis

I miss doing my weekly pictures of the minis. These days they move to fast in opposite directions to get a picture of them. Taggart is walking all over but his legs are like soggy noodles the second you put him next to Sienna for a picture. I cut off Sienna's mullet this last week. Hopefully that will help it all grow out more even. Taggart had his fourth or fifth hair cut.

Sometimes life is so hectic and we are pulled in so many directions each day. I love Sundays because we don't have to do all the things we do the rest of the week. We wake up and get ready for church. Then go as a family. It's definitely not easy keeping them my kids happy during sacrament meeting but it is worth going and feeling the spirit and being reminded of our purpose. After church is relaxing and we make pancakes, play games, make crafts, go on bike rides, or watch movies. It's so fun being home together and spending time together. It makes the chaotic and crazy times worth it.

I can't help but take pictures of the arrangement for bike rides. The minis didn't like having Kaden by their feet so this time he was moved to the back. He's just a little stowaway. James gets to roller blade or hold on. Growing up we would go on Sunday walks to the airport. Sometimes I would roller blade. We walked by all of the hangers and if one was opened we loved looking inside at the airplanes.

Random Pics

We gave Sienna and Taggart baby dolls to play with and their reactions are priceless when they hold them. They have the biggest smiles. I couldn't get a clear picture of Taggart but here is one of Sienna.

These girls hangout in the mornings before Sienna's nap and before Lynnlee goes to kindergarten.

James has soccer practice at our elementary school. We all love going with when the weather is nice.

Is it just me or is Kade looking very grown up these days?!

#1 BYU Fan

I meant to post this last Saturday.

K soccer

Kaden started soccer on Saturday. He was so excited to play and put on his soccer close first thing in the morning even though his game wasn't until later. His game was at one o'clock which is basically the worst time for three-year-olds. He started out fine and followed the swarm of kids around the ball. He was laughing and having fun. By second half he was hot and tired so it was a little rough. He had soccer practice last week and loved it so I think it will be good next time when he plays in the morning.

Mini Walker

Taggart is officially walking all of the time now. He started taking steps about a month ago but was pretty spotty. One night he took steps all over between Marshall and me. Then next day he wouldn't do it at all. Thankfully he has finally decided that walking is better than crawling. He likes it so much that he walks around with a huge smile on his face. He giggles to himself and if he is so proud of what he can do. It's the best.

He is getting pretty fast. I have been trying every day to get a clear picture but I guess I need a camera with a sports setting because every picture is blurry.

Oh well, at least you can see the reaction on his face and his big smile.

He was so grumpy right before he started walking and now he is a happy baby again. Woo hoo!

Jordan River Trail

We went for a bike ride along the Jordan River trail. It is tricky taking bike selfies.

James asked for one of just me and him.

Kaden started off on his balance bike but we had to go a lot slower. Marshall talked him into riding in the trailer for a few miles so we could go faster.

The minis loved the ride.

Black Pumps

Lynnlee needed shoes for school. There was such a good deal with buying a second pair. Since she needed Sunday shoes too I let her pick out whatever she wanted. She picked out these black pumps. She was so excited for them that I let her wear them home from the store. Then she asked for my phone so she could take pictures. I loved the pictures she took so naturally I had to post them.

Sunday Ride

It's hard to get all of my kids to stay still long enough for a picture. Marshall sent these pictures to me while I was at work. This was before leaving for their bike ride. Our family has a pretty good gig going with the minis in the trailer, Lynnlee riding her big bike, Kaden riding his balance bike and James rollerblading or riding his bike. A year ago I didn't think we would be able to go on family bike rides for awhile. Little did I know it was only a year away.

Lockers

Marshall came up with a great idea to make lockers for our garage. The coat and shoe area inside our house has worked but isn't quite big enough now with everyone's coats, backpacks and shoes. I gave my input and showed him a picture of some locker ideas. Then he took off with it and put this together in a day. We are going to let each kid paint their locker a different color. Then we will add coat hooks.

He made our bike rack last year. I'm feeling a lot better about our garage and it's so nice to feel more organized.

My little laborers on labor day morning. They each got to pick out the color for their locker. They spray painted them but one can didn't go very far and it was very splotchy. Marshall saved the day and bought some cans of paint and finished painting them.

Now we just need to add the coat hooks and we can check this project off our list.

An Honest Post

I realized that all of my posts on my blog are of happy times and fun things and positive things. It may seem like life is easy and I that have no troubles or trials. I know when I look at Facebook or Instagram and see how perfect everyone's families look, I forget that they don't share the moments of their troubles and their kids tantrums or the times when they are having a bad day.

I don't like posting about my bad days or trials. I usually keep those to myself. I can't help but post about my troubles because I want to share the perfect quote I came across tonight.

Let me preface it first.  I have daily trials of all sorts of varieties...microwave breaking, Lynnlee getting cellulitis in her leg twice (in six week span), craziness of working and being a mom to five, James getting a ear infection, two fussy babies, etc. But those are all little difficulties. The hardest thing we have been dealing with is our condo in Bountiful. We felt good about selling it but the sale fell through. So we felt good about renting it again. We felt good about the renter we signed a contract with and ever since then it has been a nightmare. Our renter hasn't paid and I'm learning more as a landlord then I ever thought I could about eviction law. It has been a discouraging last few months and there is no end in sight because the process of evicting a renter is long, slow and painful. So with that said, I have been very discouraged tonight. I believe in the power of prayer and I've been praying a lot about our situation. I was reading an article about Joseph Smith in the July Ensign that spoke to me. It said:

Like Joseph Smith, you need not lead a perfect life in order to be a powerful instrument in God’s hands. Mistakes, failure, and confusion were part of Joseph’s life and mission, and they are going to be part of yours too. But do not despair. Do not be tempted to think that “all is lost.” All is not lost and will never be lost for those who look to the God of mercy and live.

You have a Brother who watches over you, ready to rescue you and advance your service with arms far stronger than your arms—far stronger, in fact, than all other arms of the flesh combined. Those arms are there to sustain and bless you, “in every time of trouble” (D&C 3:8), no matter how alone and discouraged you may feel. Therefore, as you move forward with your life, trust in those arms and “be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid … for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Swiss Days '15

Our Swiss Days weekend started off Friday with my kids making boo boo bunnies. Boo boo bunnies are the cheapest entertainment and are made out of wash cloths rolled up and shaped like a bunny with a rubberband to keep them in place. You  can put an ice cube in them and put them on your boo boo, hence the name. We have a lot of baby wash cloths so we went to town and made a lot (not all pictured).

I checked James and Lynnlee out of school that afternoon and we went to Heber. They got to play with a real bunny. Ali's family adopted this cute bunny Ivy. My kids loved her, especially Taggart. I recorded a video of him laughing and smiling with her.

That evening we went to Swiss Days and walked around. It wasn't too crowded and it was cooler weather which was so nice! My three older kids each got to pick something out. Lynnlee picked this beautiful blue night gown.

We love sleep overs at grandma's! Even better when cousins are there and our favorite Aunt Betsy! We were definitely sad that grandma was in Chicago but we were glad Papa Kelly was there.

Saturday morning started off early with the 10k and kids races.

Ali and I ran the 10k. I have been looking forward to this race all summer. I was hoping to run a 7:15 mile and I got close enough with a 7:16 mile. I have been scarred by my terrible marathon in May so I was so worried this one wouldn't go well. I was so happy with how it all turned out though.

The kids' races followed the 10k.

Kaden went first. His smile during the race was priceless. He starts soccer next week and I hope he has the same look on his face when he plays.

James and Lynnlee ran next. James was 2nd out of the boys ages 5-8.

Lynnlee finished strong and was 6th place out of the girls ages 5-8. You would never guess she's our heart hero.

Everyone got a stein and a ribbon.

We went to the parade after the race. It was fun to see my dad playing his accordian with the senior citizen band.

Ali and I decided she needs to own a golf cart like this someday so she can take Betsy, Katie and me golfing.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing at my parent's house. The BYU game couldn't have been better and it was the cherry on top to our fantastic weekend.