Daniel's blessing day

This past sunday we blessed Daniel at church. We had my parents, my grandparent(who tagged along with my parents driving out here), Brent's parents and his aunt and uncle come for it. We were so excited to have everyone come and share in this special day, but I am kicking myself that I didn't get any pictures while they were all here with Daniel and the kids. ARRGGG (Grandma Higgins if you have pictures could you send me some?)

Anyway, Brent gave a wonderful blessing and all our prayers were answered that Daniel would not cry and whine during the blessing. He just sat there and looked around at them all apparently. Here are some pictures we did take of him after church in his outfit.
Megan's proud of herself that she can now hold him like this.



Sarah was NOT happy after church, but wanted me to take a picture of her crying.

I love his pouty face in this picture, he was Done taking pictures

Our not so little family anymore

Having family here this weekend wore the kids out. One night after my family left for back to their hotel all the kids fell asleep on the couch.

And last thursday I decided to organize our toys again, a very much needed project. Here is the MESS!!!


You can see the excitement on their faces. They were so excited and kept finding toys they had been looking for!

We lined up all the baskets and 3 (yes 3) Hours later, everything had a home. (some the garbage can or the sell pile for a garage sale next summer!)

and here is a happy picture of our terrible-2's daughter actually happy

2 months

Daniel is 2 months old and just had his 2 month check up. Crazy that he is already 2 months. Sarah was telling people he was 20, now she says he is 0.

He was 13lbs even (79%), 24.5 inches long (93%), and he sounded and looked healthy they said. Him being my 4th and him acting and growing much like the other 3 makes things a little easier on me. Daniel is such a delight and we enjoy trying to get him to smile and hopefully laugh soon. He gets pretty excited sometimes and lets out little noises that could almost be considered a laugh.

We had family home evening the other night on prayer so the kids made prayer rocks. They were pretty excited to decorate their rocks.

although you can't tell by Joseph's expression here

but Sarah's expressions shows how excited she was!

On a sad note, my brother and sister-in-law lost their twin boys this past week, Kyson Gary and Timothy Trevor. She was about 19 weeks,4 months. We are sad we won't be able to see them grow up in this earth life but are so grateful that we know of our Heavenly Father's plan of eternal families and that someday they can be reunited with them. My heart goes out to them and we wish we were closer to be more support for them but I know they are surrounded by those who love them and we love them too!

Smile

I finallly caught Daniel smiling. They are just little smiles but so cute!

4th of July parade(I know a little behind)....in the wonderful rain. It couldn't stop Sarah from having fun eating lots of tootsie rolls under the big umbrella!

Megan and Joseph picking up candy off the rain soaked street

I thought this pictures was really cute

Sarah and her wonderful blankeys and elmo cup


I bought a new baby carrier, it's a lot more comfortable to wear. Megan wanted to try it on and put Daniel in it and carry him for awhile. He actually ended up falling asleep.

Precious Daniel sleeping

Exciting things

#1 My brother and sister-in-law found out yesterday they are having identical twin BOYS! Congrats Trevor and Kristine!! We are so excited to meet them sometime in december (or at least see pictures of them and meet them in person next summer!)
I am sure their smiles are just as big as the day they were married.




#2 My other sister-in-law, Robyn, has written a book and it is now available to read and buy! She has accomplished a life goal in publishing it and she is an amazing writer! I read her book shortly after she wrote her first draft and now that I have my own copy I am excited to read it again. Congrats Robyn!!! check out her blog here. (she also has a screenplay that is being reviewed now, that we are all hoping someday will turn into a movie!)

#3 Daniel started smiling a week or so ago, but now he is really smiling at us. It is the type of smile where you look at him and talk to him and smile at him and he immediately will smile back without much effort. It is pretty darn cute. He has a little dimple on his right cheek when he smiles. I have yet to catch it on camera but I will soon.





#4 My grandparents are coming out for Daniel's baby blessing in August with my parents. It will be so fun to see them again and having lots of family here for a special day.

Some days

Some days I can pretend I don't see the pile of toys under the couch and lining the bookcase shelves

Most days I would like to throw most of those toys out the window (mostly when I step on them or can't see my floor)

Some days I can give my kids 3 healthy meals and healthy snacks, other days are good "snack" meal days

Some days I think some day I will be able to lose the weight from my pregnancies that I want to lose, most days I think not yet though

Most days I feel I have it together with 4 kids

Some days I can get us all showered/bathed and ready for the day by 10:00am

Most days I can't believe how I met my husband and how wonderfully life has turned out to be with him

Some days I don't feel like a human milk machine....most days I do

Most days I could just sit and stare at all of my beautiful children (especially when they are peacefully sleeping)

Some days I can shower and use the bathroom with no one barging in on me, most days I can't

Most days I have to keep my patience in check (especially with a 2 year old)

Some days I feel as though I accomplished A lot (like walking to the library with all 4 kids and having no problems! and having the kids tell me that was sooooo much fun)

Most days I don't have a clean house

Some days I try to clean the house

Most days I am soooo thankful for where I live

Some days we try to get chores done and the kids learn to earn money by being responsible, most days it seems to busy to get chores done (at least right now)

Some days I feel like I have been a good daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend

All days I look back on the day and think "I have given all that was in me today, I don't have a clean house and I didn't get much "me" time, but I spent my time enjoying my children and teaching them and talking to them and listening to them and caring for their needs. Tomorrow will come and I will do the same"

I would not change any of this for the world...........what a blessed life I have

Cousins come to visit!!!

My brother, Bob, and sister-in-law, Robyn and their 4 kids, Ambri, Jarem, Emmy, and Jaxon came to visit recently. We all had a great time. It was a full house but we were glad they stayed with us so we could see them more. Here are pictures, lots of pictures:


with 8 kids and 4 adults, the house got somewhat messy and sometimes a few cartoons were needed for peace and quiet....at least for a few minutes.

there was lots of baby holding

and love between all

some dancing

and fighting :)



actually none of them fought, only between regular sibling squables, cousins didn't fight with each other

some good mall playing

we got lots of pics, but I think this is the only one with all of them in it cooperating at the Science Center

Daniel hanging out

Big Bubbles

Trapping Jarem

at the zoo

I love these two pictures, top and bottom, the bottom you can see just about all of us

notice Sarah taking a picture also with her nemo pretend camera

Daniel sleeping away...I love his little face!

and this was sleeping arrangements, with Sarah and Jaxon on the floor. All cousins, minus Daniel, having a sleepover!

Thanks for coming guys, we had soooo much fun and we will have great memories to last a lifetime!