Hogle Zoo

This was our last day with our Dad before he went back to work :( We had lots of fun even if we did get rained on! Yes, it was the beginning of June and I'm just now posting about it. The kids loved the bird show and of course the playground. Jonah kept going down the snake slide and asking me to take his picture. He LOVES to have his picture taken. So far, June has been very busy and I will post more later.

Isn't this the cutest thing EVER???

I absolutely LOVE this adoption announcement!!!!!!!! I asked my friend Tisha to help me with an adoption announcement for us several months ago because I knew I would not have time once we were home. Little did I know that I would be such a slacker Mom and I almost bagged the entire thing. After all, it was just one more thing to do! I am SOOO glad I didn't! In fact, Tisha made up for my procrastinating by whipping this out the same day I sent her my pictures. Tisha, you are the best--thank you so much. Now I won't feel like such a bad Mom for not sending out an announcement. Jonah was so excited when I showed it to him after I picked up the prints, he carried it around the house chanting Jonah, Jonah!!! That made it all worth it!

We're surviving

And they're off! The whole gang before departing on their adventure.

Boyd left for his 50 mile hike with the scouts on Monday morning and so far-so good. I think it has been the hardest on Jonah because he really has not been away from Boyd for longer than a few hours since we picked him up. On Monday and Tuesday he kept asking "Daddy?" and I would try to explain that it would be "6 more days". Then he would motion with his hands "backpack". Boyd spent a lot of time talking to him about where he was going and trying to reassure him that he would be back. As hard as Boyd tried to explain things to him, I still think Jonah was pretty confused.
So far we have had poopy accidents (no not Gracie or Sammy) and sweet Emma came to sleep in my bed Monday night because she wasn't feeling good-which I thought it was just because she knew Boyd was gone. But she woke me up a few hours later with a "I'm sorry Mommy, I just couldn't make it". That would be a huge deposit of vomit EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!! In the process of bathing Emma and cleaning up I managed to wake up Hudson and Jonah only to wake up Sammy a few minutes later. Ya, it was a fun first night. I told Boyd when he called Tuesday morning to "check in" all about the fun he was missing--and I informed him he owed me big time! I hope we all make it to Saturday!!!!!!!!

But now things have settled down. No more throwing up and no one else joined in (thankfully). I even ventured out on my own this morning for our first attempt at running errands--with five children. I managed to: make a deposit at the Credit Union, pick up a prescription, pick up our pictures from Target, and make a trip to Walmart. I was quite impressed with myself and the kids were really good (of course I bribed them with picking out a treat at Walmart).

The kids are definitely starting to act more like siblings. Hudson and Emma are not as "forgiving" with Jonah now that they know he knows the rules and understands most of what they are saying. But aside from the endless tattling, they are getting along really good. Sammy is as happy as ever and really finding his voice. Gracie is acting like such a big girl and is showing signs that she is ready to get potty trained. I probably should have tackled that when Boyd was home but we were a little busy just getting through each day-time really flew by! I guess it will eventually happen, Hudson and Emma have both volunteered to "teach" her but I have a feeling that's not a great idea.

I am so behind on my blogging-I can't believe it's already June 11th! I still feel like it's the end of April. Although so much is happening every day, it feels like time is standing still as well. I'm really trying to enjoy my kids and play with them even when it's hard to ignore the laundry and housework. They are just so fun and I love them all so much! What a blessed life I lead, I'm so grateful to be a Mom.

Hudson's last day of preschool

Hudson had his last day of preschool a few weeks ago. He has loved this past year at Miss Vicki's. He has another year of preschool before he starts Kindergarten but he has really enjoyed this year. Way to go buddy!

Hudson and his teacher Miss Vicki

Some of Hudson's friends from preschool

Sammy's First Cereal

Sammy had his first taste of cereal a few weeks ago. He ate the first few bites but then changed his mind. Emma was so excited to feed her little brother and was so disappointed when he kept spitting it out. Then of course he'd stick his finger in instead and she thought that was hilarious! We are still trying but he's really not liking it. By the way, his first tooth came in on Sunday I was so surprised. The normally easy going Sammy had been acting so fussy on Saturday and now we know why. He's now back to his happy self--way to go Sammy!

Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day weekend we kept it simple. We didn't want to fight the crowds so we ended up taking our leftover hot dog buns to feed the ducks at Layton Park. Because it was a little chilly and overcast the park wasn't crowded. In fact, it started to sprinkle as we pulled up so everyone pretty much cleared out. We weren't that smart. It really started coming down right as we made it to the ducks. Luckily we found shelter under some trees and the kids had a ball. After the park, we decided to head up to Bloomington, Idaho to visit my sister Trisha's grave. It was actually her birthday that day and we thought it would be a good way to remember her. Hudson asked us on the way up if her hiking boot would still be up there and we were surprised he remembered that. They were asking all kinds of questions about her and what happened and it was really nice to remember her. She was such an incredible person and I know she is looking down on us, hoping we make good enough choices so we can see her again someday. Although it was a two hour drive, the kids were entertained by the DVD player and we didn't have any problems. It was beautiful and sunny once we got to the grave and the kids enjoyed playing with the wind chime and walking around. I can't believe Trish has been gone for 11 years. We love you and will never forget the profound effect you have had on our lives.


On the way up Gracie started chanting "Jonah, Jonah". When I looked back she was squeezing her cheeks like this. I can't really describe how hilarious it was, but Boyd and I were cracking up! Of course, once I pulled out the camera she stopped and said "cheese". What a cutie, patootie!!

Emma and Sammy at Trisha's grave. There were already some flowers there so it was nice to know someone else remembered her.

Hudson making sure the "hiking boot" that is really a flower pot is exactly where it should be.

Emma explaining to Jonah about what flowers are okay to pick and which ones you shouldn't touch.

Jonah thought the ducks were hilarious. He enjoyed running around in the rain with Dad and Hudson.


Gracie ended up eating most of the stale hot dog buns. She did share a few bites.



This is a picture of me and Trish on the day Krystal's adoption was finalized. That's Char in the background (she was still in the annoying stage then). Although so much has changed, it doesn't feel like that long ago we were hanging out and talking. She truly lived life to the fullest but really kept her life balanced with what is really important. I am so grateful to have been blessed by her influence for the 19 years we had together.

Super Saturday

I'm a little new at this slide show thing, but it's a little faster than posting all the pictures on the blog.
I've been wanting to write about our CRAZY Saturday that we had a few weeks ago. It started with tee ball for Jonah and Hudson followed by Emma's last soccer game. After soccer we had the whole team and their families over for a BBQ.
Then one of the families we met while in Ethiopia that lives in Cedar City and adopted two children Melo 4 (but really more like 7) and Dawit (Issiah) came over for a few hours. She was running the Ogden Marathon and we really wanted to get the kids together. It was so fun to see Melo and Jonah running around together speaking Amharic, laughing and having so much fun! Jonah was so excited to show her the toy room, his room and of course the backyard!
Everyone left around 4pm and so we were able to squeeze in a little nap followed by a quick dinner and off to see our friends Dave and Tisha. They were passing through town on their way home from Disneyland. Although we didn't stay long it was great to see them! Sammy really showed off by spitting up all over Tisha and the couch.
Then we headed to the Clearfield Aquatic Center for the Ward Swim Party! It was Jonah's first time swimming and he LOVED it! He was still a little sore from his immunizations but loved hanging out in the floatie. Boyd took the kids on the big water slide but Jonah preferred the lazy float river. A friend of mine took Sammy so I could stay with Gracie and Jonah. I was really dizzy after about an hour but we had a great time!
All in all we fared really well all things considered. No meltdowns or near drownings. The kids are all getting along really well and getting used to our somewhat busy life. And I've officially become a head counter. It's sad but true. But we wouldn't have it any other way. Something tells me it's not the last of these Super Saturdays.