Famlee Renion!

Picture overload! And I didn't take nearly enough! For my dad's family reunion, we rented a huge house (like, huge) that was absolutely gorgeous and had a pool and hot tub and jetted tubs in every room, etc. It was amazing. And such a blast! The weather was kinda cold, but the heated pool was as warm as a tub and the hot tub was even warmer, so we did okay :) It was so good to see everyone! 

Ellie had some weird rash going on, I think maybe Roseola...but she didn't have a fever and was totally fine. She just looked like she was carrying a deadly disease...she looks sad in this picture but it was after 12 hours of no sleep...

This little chocolate boy loves his white nieces!

 Always fun to find a gem on your camera when you get home...Thanks Uncle Justin :)

 The whole crew. Yikes, that was an ordeal. Although it was much easier than taking a picture of 65+ people should be. Those are some well behaved children!

 Not sure why Shane is standing all the way the heck out there...

 Ellie Belly enjoying the pool :)

 Can you say "Spoiled!?"

 My family got to spend a couple nights at my house ;) It was the most fun my house has ever seen! The kids played golf, we shot off the candy cannon one more time, and my dad and Scott bonded over the building of a potato cannon. :)

 Um, oh my gosh.

 We also visited a playground at the school near our house. It's a pretty stinking amazing playground!

 Danny's challenge: climb the rock wall without using the pegs...he rocked it.

 Still looking like a child with the plague in England in the 1340's...

 This is Addy attempting to copy Uncle Shane...

 My girls were very sad to see Mimi and Grandpa go...I mean, just look at Gracie's face! Okay, so she may have gotten woken up to take the picture...

 We had so much stinking fun. Going back to work was hard for Scott after a week off, and harder for me! I had forgotten that my normal life doesn't include playing all day and not having to cook! lol. It was a bit of a shell shock! I am so grateful for a family who gets together often and loves each other. :)

Gratitude Journal

Aug 26

Lately I have been having a really hard time having a positive attitude. So many things have been going wrong. I started working out and was seeing awesome results but also realized my milk supply was down to barely enough during the day and I had to do a bottle of frozen milk at night. So I had to quit doing my power 90. My milk supply is still struggling. And this was the first time I actually have been enjoying breast feeding and I'm afraid I'm about done. Scott's coworker found a new job so Scott's workload for this semester has doubled...and there are some other sensitive issues I can't publish :/ I can't seem to stay on top of anything I'm supposed to be doing. So, to be sure, I need an attitude and paradigm shift. So this is it. My gratitude journal. I know it has helped lots of people and I'm going to try it :) 

I'm going to try every day to record things I'm grateful for. Today I am grateful for new starts. Yesterday was a hard day and nothing went as planned. FHE got tossed out the window and pictures got rescheduled due to rain (not a big deal. I'm the photographer, but it bothered me). But this morning addy woke up asking about family home evening. So we spent out morning reading scriptures and the friend magazine. It's sunny and warm out and I plan to do pictures today. It's a new day. And I'm grateful for that. 

Aug 27

Today I am grateful for clean kitchens. This is one chore I don't love doing especially since, no matter how clean you try to be, you have to do it every day. But it's done for the day at 9 AM and it looks so good! Ahh. Clean kitchens. My sink looks awesome!

Aug 28

Today I am grateful for friends who can help us through our struggles and celebrate the smallest triumphs like they're the most important things. <3 Today my best friend had me listen to the talk called 'because she is a mother' by Jeffrey r. Holland. It's amazing. And I'm grateful she showed it to me. I needed it today. 

Aug 29

Today I am grateful for my precious Grace who is 3 months old today. Her sweet disposition and amazingly cute grins are just what I need to make my heart happy. Also grateful for another month of breast feeding accomplished!

Aug 30

Grateful for a handy husband who is gonna fix the a/c in my van so my kids don't slow roast like those gas station hot dogs. :)

Aug 31

Today I am grateful for my ability to play the piano while holding Ellie. Because she was not gonna leave me alone for choir practice...

Sept 1

Today we are going on a family hike. So I'm grateful for heavenly fathers creations, great and small (except moths and hobo spiders). And for my kids and how much they love being outside. It's so fun to watch them experience new things!!

Sept 2 

Today I am grateful for motivation. FOr waking up ready to recoup from a long weekend over which very little housekeeping was done. Now I suppose I'll see where it goes...

Sept 3
Today I am grateful for our community here in Rexburg. It's very family oriented and there are lots of things for kids to do around here. We have great parks and a wonderful library. We did story hour at the library today with Nicole and her kids and it was amazing. The kids had a blast and we got to chat a little. It was so fun to watch all those kids playing and learning together and the librarian who does it is great. So fun!

Sept 4

Today I am so grateful for my doctors office. Addy started throwing up yesterday and didn't stop. 10 times between 3 and 7 when we took her to urgent care. I was prepared to do the $35 copay but discovered my office doesn't charge extra so it was only 15. Then they bent over backward to help my baby. We had to do suppositories because she couldn't even keep tyelenol down. So once we got nausea under control I can start anti viral for, yep, hand foot and mouth. Ugh. This girl gets everything. But this morning she feels much better. So thankful for it!

Sept 5

Grateful for the funny lines they put in kids movies for the parents! Since addy has been sick we have been watching movies and I don't think I could make it but for what I have taken to calling 'relief for the weary parent jokes' :)

Sept 6

So grateful for baby smiles in the morning! I have the most happy, patient baby in the world! She wakes up after not eating for hours and smiles and coos at me. It's pretty much the best ever. 

Sept 7

Today I am grateful for sleep. I haven't had much at all lately with Ellie comin down with hand foot and mouth yesterday but I am looking forward to It when it comes. Grace is now sleeping in her bed instead of her swing! It's been an easier transition than I thought ;)

Sept 8

Today I'm grateful that 5 years ago I met the man of my dreams. I didnt know it, what with his long hair that stuck straight up...but that's one of my favorite things about him now :) I am so grateful for my best friend and the 5 years I've enjoyed his company, as his friend, then girlfriend, then fiancé, and now wife. I love you Scott!

Sept 9

Today I had a hard morning. My kids were being awful and I was done. I am grateful for a husband who could tell that I needed help and took the morning off to let me leave the house by myself. And for his words to me that, while he doesn't understand my hormones and the hard time I've been having, he knows it's real and he wants to help. I am so grateful for him and feel so much better than I did this morning. 

Sept 10

Today I am grateful that I've decided to start working out hard core again. I hope I can keep nursing but it is time for a change. I have to do it. And I'm grateful that I've buckled down. Power 90 cardio sweat done and it's only 8:30!!

Sept 11

Today I am grateful for the feeling of sore muscles. I'm progressing in a way I need to go :) also grateful for my country and he freedoms that I have. 13 years ago today our country was the victim of a horrible terrorist attack. I am grateful that we had a president then that was willing to serve our country instead of himself and satan. I am hopeful for our country. I hope we are smart enough next time around to elect someone of character and integrity. Grateful for our freedoms. 

Sept 12

I am so grateful for my husbands support. In every aspect of my life. Even when he doesn't understand my crazy he supports me and does everything he can to make me happy and loved. Also grateful for the chance I had to go to dinner with a good friend last night. And I'm grateful it's Friday! Scott doesn't work tomorrow!!!!!

Sept 13

Today I am so thankful that we live in such a beautiful place! We have been to 3 different waterfalls in the past two weeks and all within 45 minute drives of where we live. Today we went to cave falls. And we got a good picture of all 3 girls, which lately is quite the feat!!

Sept 14

On this sabbath day I am so grateful for church. This will be the 2nd week in a row we have missed wth the girls and their hand foot and mouth. I miss the social time that it is for me to see adult people and have a little adult conversation. But I mostly miss the spiritual uplifting of taking the sacrament. And attending relief society. Praying the kids' rashes are gone by next week! This momma is ready for church! Especially now that Ellie is in nursery... :)

Sept 15

Baby smiles. Enough said. 

Sept 16

I am so grateful for how much my kids love books. We could read all day and that would be good enough for all 3 of us. (Grace doesn't care)

Sept 17

This morning I am really grateful for a supportive and worthy husband. Last night I had a terrible dream. I dreamt that we lost Ellie belle. I checked on all my kids and everything was fine but I was still so upset. But my husband held me while I cried, gave me a blessing of comfort, and watched a show with me to get my mind off it. I am so lucky. 

Sept 18

Today I am grateful for rainbows. Scott's work softball game got rained out. It started pouring halfway in and got really wet really fast. So we hurriedly loaded the kids up. We were all soaked by the time we got to the car. But then there was the most beautiful double rainbow. It was too big to get a picture of the whole thing but I got this one :) excuse my finger in the corner...

And here the girls are rooting for dad before the rain :)

Sept 19

Thankful for my girls. And the fun we have. We painted nails together and the girls really loved it. We all match. :)

Sept 20 

Today I am so grateful for Saturdays when Scott doesn't have to work. I love snuggling in the morning and our bed slowly filling up as kids wake up. I love their happy smiles when they realize that daddy is still home and addy's face when he tells her he doesn't have to leave today. Yay for Saturday!

Sept 21

So thankful for the time I got to spend on the hammock with my kids tonight. They were so happy and energetic. I loved it!

Sept 22

Grateful for my kids' hand foot and mouth being gone so I can visit my amazing friend today! Oh I have missed her!

Sept 22 cont.

I am grateful for good friends. We had a flour fight tonight to commemorate our first FHE 5 years ago. It was such great fun and a great way to remember our story. :)

Sept 23

I'm grateful for help while at walmart with all 3 girls. I didn't have any today...and that's what made think of it lol

Sept 24

For years ago today I married my best friend. He has stood by my side through it all. And we have accomplished a lot together. More than I ever hoped for only 4 years! I am so grateful that I made that decision to promise my life to him and The Lord. And I thought I loved you then...

Sept 25

Today I am grateful for a baby who needs her momma. Addy and Ellie have always preferred Scott. Gracie definitely loves her dad, but when it's time to go to sleep lately she wants her momma. And I love it. 

Sept 26

Today I  grateful that juston has a scout camp out the same weekend that Scott works late so that Nicole and I can hang out. :) and I am also grateful for elder Hollands talk in devo this week that I finally got to listen to today. It was about happiness and it was, as all his addresses are, brilliant. 

Sept 27

Today I am grateful for my family. My kids are so sweet and innocent and I love spending time with them. 

Sept 28

I had a really great experience visiting teaching today. It's so wonderful to be able to talk to someone who you haven't been able to, despite trying. I am thankful for visiting teaching. 

Sept 29

My baby is 4 months old today! And she couldn't be cuter. She's gotten so big and smiley and wonderful. I am grateful for her today <3

Sept 30

Today I am grateful that children come one at a time...being a mom can be challenging! And I am grateful for my first month of my gratitude journal. It has been a huge blessing and I am so glad that I was prompted to do it. Life is happier for those who are grateful. 

Summer Adventures :)

This Summer we decided that we wanted to be active and do lots of family activities. We have! We've gone to the water park and playground several times. We've gone on walks and picked huckleberries. But a couple things on our bucket list for the Summer hadn't been done so this past week we knocked them out! We went to the school playground that's right across the highway from us. It's really impressive and fun! The girls loved it! I love watching them discover new things and I even love the "Mom! Look at this!" And "Watch me!" exclamations...most of the time :)

 I think these swings are handicap ones...but my girls really enjoyed swinging together :)

 Grace was pretty happy after she pooped all over her first outfit...I was so glad I brought a spare! Most times I forget lol.

 Sunday we took a walk up at a place called Cress Creek. We have been wanting to forever and it was finally time! We went when it was 90 degrees, so it was hot lol. But we had fun looking at all the different plants and listening to the birds while we talked about how much Heavenly Father and Jesus love us to make such a beautiful place for us to enjoy.

 Why she always takes good pictures with dad but then totally bombs mine I won't ever understand. Stinker!

 There was a cool little bridge that we played on too. The girls played pooh sticks. If you don't know what that is, your childhood was sad and devoid of all childhood joys. :)

 Scott and I even got to play with our camera trying to get this picture lol. We really should learn to use more than our auto settings on that thing...

I have loved spending time outside and doing family activities this Summer. It's so nice to get out of the house and discover new things! 

This picture I just couldn't resist posting. This little girl is a daddy's girl, just like the rest. And he's pretty taken too.

Hair Cut!

I did something I'd never done before. I used scissors. On hair. And it was on my own daughter :) It was really fun to share this first with her. First hair cut for her and first time doing it for me. She got to eat a sucker and watch a show while I did it. I was really nervous, but it had to be done. Her hair in the back was growing so much faster than on the sides and it was starting to look disturbingly like a mullet. I didn't do much with the sides, but the back I chopped about 2 inches off and then layered it. I know it's not perfect, but I was pretty proud of my first attempt. :) And she was so good and sat so still! Sweet beautiful girl growing up far too quickly for her mother's taste!

Grace 2 Months

So I am totally late doing this post, but I did remember to take these pictures on her two month mark :) She is growing up so fast. I can't believe how much bigger she already is. At her 2 month appt, which we did a week early because our doc was going out of town, she weighed in at 11 pounds and 4 ounces! Such a chubby little love bug! She also got her immunizations like a champ. It seems like all the articles I read about vaccines are horror stories but I want to speak for the vast majority of Americans when I say that I vaccinated my baby and nothing.bad.happened. :)

This baby girl does not like to be alone. If she's awake, she'd better be in the same room as Mom, Dad, or Addy. She's not too big on Ellie sitting on her so we don't leave them alone together :) She coos and smiles and gets really excited when we talk to her. She does not, however, enjoy music really. She especially dislikes the organ. Singing her to sleep doesn't generally go too well and Addy doesn't appreciate it when she cries while we are singing in the playroom lol. 

I love this baby girl so much. We are also doing really well on the breastfeeding front, which is a whole new world for momma. I was fully expecting a round of mastitis or 2 or 6 if it was anything like my first two. And I was not looking forward to engorgement and all the other "joys." But guess what? I've had none of them! And I must be making filling milk because this little babe already sleeps 11 hours in a row at night! She only likes to sleep in her swing, however. I'm going to eventually have to get her used to her bed, but not right now. If I can get a good night's rest my days are so much better and every one is happier. So none of us are really caring too much how she sleeps as long as she does :) 

Just look at her! SO sweet. I can't wait to watch her little personality develop as she does!

Momma loves you Katie Grace!

My Best Friend

We have had the opportunity to go on some great dates and spend some great time without our older two kids. Grace, of course, still gets to join us. A few weeks ago, Scott's friend Nyk, the lead of a blue grass band that Scott has done sound for in the past, asked him about mixing a show with him. He told Scott he'd set up the system but then if Scott could tune it and mix the show he'd pay him to do it. We told him that these extra shows are great, but they take a lot of time away from family, so Nyk arranged for me to be able to go with and help :) It was really fun to go back to our dating days for a night. I used to help Scott all the time. I loved it! Tuning the system, line checking, taping cables, etc. It was great. Before the show, Scott had looked up the artists and told me that it would be a country show but that he didn't know the two guys performing. The day of the show, I got on the website to look up some info to make sure we knew where we were headed and saw that it was Keith Anderson!!!!!!! Those of you who don't know who that is live sad and sorry lives :P He sings my two favorite country songs of all time! I was ecstatic! I couldn't believe that Scott didn't recognize the name! Here are a couple well known songs of his:

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have from the whole evening :( But I got to meet Keith and shake his hand. He got a smile from Grace and I helped him check the weather because he couldn't get it on his phone. He was super down to earth. Great guy and I loved the show! It was so fun to do that with my husband. Made me feel like a kid again (I know, I'm only 23 lol) until I had to get up at 6:30 the next morning with Addy...

Saturday Scott asked me on a "stay-at-home date." And I graciously accepted. He planned everything to the T. It was nice to be able to spend some time doing something other than watching a show or movie. I usually fall asleep so it was nice to have an activity to keep me awake! He went on the dating divas website that I told him about a few days before and printed out a game of charades. The cards had prompts such as:

• Scott's favorite movie
• Shiloh's favorite band
• Shiloh's best friend
• Biggest building in the place you live
• Scott's place of employment, etc

The funniest part was that after Scott got done making me guess the BYU Idaho Center for the biggest building in town, I drew the card about Scott's employment, so I got to just copy him :) We laughed pretty hard.

He got us some yummy snacks and set them out all cute :) I loved it. I'm such a sap lol.

The best part was when he told me that not only did he spend his spare time at work waiting for an event to start to cut out these tiny cards with his multi-tool, but he took a picture of him doing it :) He's learning. I'm a picture person!

This was the winner's prize. The loser's prize was root beer :) And for the record, we tied. It was delicious :)

Tonight we got to go to the temple in Idaho Falls because the Rexburg temple is closed for cleaning for a couple weeks. We got to do family names for sealings and it was really special. I loved it. And our wonderful babysitter doesn't charge us when we go to the temple. I love her for it :) And it's so sweet to see my girls love her so much. Addy didn't even sleep during her nap-time because she was so excited to be able to play with Emma. :) Ellie even went right to her and wasn't upset at all when we left. So comforting to leave them with someone I know loves them and is so capable and kind. Thanks Emma!

I am so grateful to have married my best friend. I love spending time with Scott. I love him more than anything in the world, and even like him most days :)