Happy Father's Day!

Unfortunately Andy was on call for Father's Day weekend, and it was a rough weekend!  He was gone a lot.  He did make it for the last two hours of church, which was good for me.  The Sunbeams miss "the boy teacher" when he isn't there.  They also do better during the lesson when Andy is there as my back up.  He had to go back in to work after church, so we didn't see him again until about 5:45pm.  He had some calls to make when he got home, but after that we did presents.

The kids were very excited to see Dad come home.  They missed him a lot!  Daniel has been asking everyday if Dad gets to stay home that day.  Bradley also mentioned that he thought Dad should take the summer off like he does. :0)  If only!

Still getting some snuggle time in.

The first present is...

 

A new shower head!  It has 8 different settings and some message.  We thought Dad would enjoy it since having a hot shower in the morning is how he wakes himself up.  Especially good on those early mornings!

Last but not least...Lawn Darts!  The kids thought this would be another fun game we could play with our Dad.  It is also one that would work well to take camping.  We are still waiting for Andy to decide what kind of new electronic he needs for this upcoming year of residency.  Once he decides that will also be for Father's Day.

We are so blessed to have such a great Dad!  He has sacrificed a LOT in order to provide for us.  He is also very sensitive to all the struggles we have in his absence and does his best to make up for it when he is home.  We couldn't ask for a more motivated, determined, loving Dad. 

We Love You Dad!!

Happy Father's Day!



Playin' in the rain

We got a little rain this last week and the kids enjoyed playing in it.  They made a dam in the gutter to stop the water.  They used rocks and leaves.  It actually worked pretty well to make a little puddle. 

Showing off their muscles!

I am not sure what they were doing in this one.  It almost looks like they are getting ready to attack!

Monday night when Andy came home late he found a little toad out by the mailbox.  He put it in a container to keep him over night and show the kids in the morning.  They loved it!  They would put their fingers on the plastic at the top of the container and then squeal when he jumped up at their fingers.  It was really cute!

After they played with the toad for a little while before breakfast we let him go on the front lawn.  The kids loved holding him and watching him hop on the front lawn.  We can't wait for him to visit again.

May 11, 2012

Stories around the camp fire.

For our ward primary activity they did "Stories around the camp fire."  They invited the families of the primary kids to come to the activity.  Each family was suppose to tell a story about one of their pioneer ancestorys.  The boys weren't excited about telling a story until Andy offered to help them make costumes. 

Bradley and Daniel in their costumes.  I think they turned out so cute!

Eliza can't be left out of a picture these days.  :0)

At the church they had each family sit on a quilt together and eat popcorn and apple slices.  It was a lot of fun.

Eliza next to the "camp fire."

They also had little tents and tee pees set up around the cultral hall.

Eliza loved them!

Bradley and Daniel telling the story of a great, great, great, great, great grandpa who helped build the Manti, UT temple.  During the winter he and his family lived in a cave in the side of the hill.  They had to be careful though, because there were rattle snakes hybernatin in the cave.  The boys loved the part about the snakes.

It was a fun activity.  There were a couple stories about snakes as the pioneers crossed the plains.  Later that day Andy and I were able to go the the temple together.  We haven't been able to do that for a while and it is our last trip before baby brother arrives.  It was really nice to be able to go again.

June 9, 2012

Last Day of School

School has finally come to an end.  I am not sure who was more excited, Bradley or Mom.  We will both miss Mrs. G.  She has been an amazing teacher.  Thanks Mrs. G!

Bradley with some of his classmates.

The last day of school they had a luncheon for all the parents in the classroom.  It was fun to visit with the other moms and say goodbye to the kids.  I have enjoyed getting to know them this year.

Mrs. G with some of the kids.

Eliza and Bradley waiting for lunch to begin.

Bradley, Daniel and Daniel eating lunch at their desks.

That evening we went to the Durham Bulls game, compliments of some local Oral Surgeons.  They take us every year. 

Daniel watching the game.

Every time the other team made a good play Daniel would say, "Mom are they cheating?"

Unfortunately they were just really good.

Mom and Dad

Eliza spent most of the night going up and down the stairs.  I have never understood why kids like to go up and down stairs so much.  I try to avoid those kind of things, especially these days!  ;0)

Dad explaining some of the rules to Bradley.

Eliza playing with Mia.

Woolly Bull is the mascot.  He came out the game right next to us in his race car.  The boys are pretty sure we need one of these. 

Starting into the 360...

 

Ending with a little dust!

The Bulls didn't end up winning, but we all had a lot of fun.  The boys watched the whole time and didn't get bored this year.  They really are growing up too quickly!

June 7, 2012

36 weeks

It is hard to believe that I am already 36 weeks.  The time has gone by pretty quickly.

I figured I better document this final stage before things are all over.  Eliza wanted to be in the picture too.  She might be a little vain.  She loves to see pictures of herself.  When you are that cute I guess I can't blame you.

"Mommy baby."

She loves to talk about our baby in mommy's belly, but she doesn't understand exactly what is about to happen.  She is such a sweet girl!

On Saturday Andy helped me organize and rearrange our room in preparation for our baby brother's arrival.  We decided to start him out in the pack n' play.  We got this one at a yard sale for $15!  It came with the bassinet, diaper station and mobile.  As you can see Eliza still has her spot in the corner. (Notice the blankets on the right.)

Bassinet and changing station.

We also purchased a new car seat.  This one is a front adjuster.  With our first one we had to adjust each strap in the back.  It was a pain!!  I did live through it with three kids, but I assured Andy we needed a new one.  Plus the seat expiration date had been met.  It took me a while to find a pattern I liked that wasn't too dark and could be used with a girl if needed.  This pattern was discontinued so we had to hunt to find it.  I had to go to Babies R Us and have them call other stores to see if they had it in their inventory.  After calling three stores we finally found one in West Virgina.  They took my information and shipped it to our house in three days!  We are feeling more and more prepared everyday.  I just have a few more things on my list of things to get done before Baby Shirley's arrival.

Cooling off in the heat

We got a watertable for the deck to help us beat the heat this summer.  We put it up on the 25th while we had a friend over.  The kids have really been enjoying it.

Daniel, Leah and Eliza

Eliza testing out the ferris wheel.

Leah came to play while her mom went with the Bradley's class for their fieldtrip.

When they got back we pulled out the slip n' slide and let the kids play.  It was pretty hot that day!

Brittany keeping the slip n' slide wet while Leah slid down.

Brittany has been trading babysitting with me so that we could both get into the school to volunteer since her son Cole and Bradley are in the same class.

(Notice the moving truck?  Our new neighbors moved in.)

The kids ran and slid for over an hour.  They were pretty tired and muddy when they were finished.

Bradley and Cole were the dirtiest.  Once they realized that the grass at the end of the slip n' slide was getting muddy they started rolling around in it on purpose.  It was pretty fun to hose them off though.

Cole and Bradley have become good friend this year.  This is partly because they are in the same class in primary and at school.  We have enjoyed having a few playdates and will miss Cole and his family when they move.  Brittany has been a great help to m,e not only with kids so that I could get into the school about once a week, but also in dealing with some of the things that have arisen with Bradley this year.  She has been a very good friend and has helped me out is ways she may never know.  Thanks Brittany!

Daniel, Eliza and Bradley having a water fight while playing with the watertable.

I have come to the realization that the kids need to wear their swimming suites any time they go out to the water table because they all end up soaked anyway.

"Cheese!"

These two didn't have a dry spot on them.

Bradley getting the "dump water on your head" started.  After that everyone was doing it.

Bradley mading sure that everyone got the pleasure of a cup of cold water on top of the head. 

What a good big brother!

We have been very happy with our watertable and look forward to many fun filled days beating the heat on the deck!

May 25-26, 2012

Wicked

Andy and I went to see "Wicked" at the DPAC in downtown Durham on the 26th.  It was really good.  There was one point when I thought things were too tragic, and I couldn't believe my sisters would recommend this show.  However, it does end well and we both really enjoyed it.  It was nice to get out with just the two of us. 

As a side story; when we arrived one of the ushers asked me if I was going to make it, or if there was going to be a surprise.  I assured him that I still had some time and I would be fine.  It made me smile because most people think I have longer than I really do.  We did keep a close eye out for the nearest bathroom, so that I could get there quickly during the intermission.   We are looking forward to seeing more productions at the DPAC.