Naughty, Naughty!

   Well it was bound to happen but I was hoping it'd take even longer then 8 months.  That's right, McClane is crawling and life is over as we know it.  No more setting him down and walking away without worrying.  Gates will be back up and hindering my style but giving me some peace of mind.  This day always comes far too quickly.  Church won't be the same for a long time and my baby is just going to want to be more and more independent and that is not my favorite thing!  Aagh!!!

   There was a little more excitement this past week.  The new park here in Alpine had a grand opening for the splash pad that the kids enjoyed even though it was a little windy and cloudy.

 And remember when it snowed the very next day on our way home from Ben and Jackie's house after some yummy strawberry shortcake.  STUPID SNOW!!
   There was also baseball games for Mark this week.  Their team won both and even had one teammate hit a grand slam which was amazing!!  Too bad his parents were late to the game and missed it but that's the breaks sometimes. 

    And then finally some cute brotherly love!  Just think, only four more days of school left to go and then on to "summer" break.  We'll see how much summer weather we get but boy am I excited to have no homework for three months!  But I'm not excited for the constant messes in my kitchen.  Maybe I'll put a fridge and cupboard outside for the kids so they don't have to mess up my kitchen. Or maybe I should just ship them all off to Grandma and Grandpa's for the summer, even better!!

Rainy Days Really STINK!!

   I know you're all disappointed that I'm not starting with another "Deep Thought" but I just don't have it in me.  It's rained pretty much all week and that does NOT make me happy and it does nothing for outdoor activities.  All baseball games were cancelled for Mark and most importantly our wards Father and Son's outing was also cancelled.  You should have heard the melt down this announcement caused, especially with Isaac.  His immediate response was "I hate my life."  I will say he was already having a pretty disappointing day according to him so that was just the final straw for him.  We did manage to get in a couple events.     First there was the little tumbling performance for Brock and a few of his little friends which was short and sweet Monday evening!

Brock and his three play group buddies.

Brock getting help from his instructor, Natalie Dalley.

Brock, Greyson, Quinn and Max "sucking" up their trophies.

   I have to say that the cutest part was when the instructor would say to the boys, "The Captains coming!" and Brock would go into a full attention stand with his arms straight down and then she'd say "Hit the deck." and he'd flop to his knees but every time he'd "hit the deck" prematurely which was pretty funny.  This tumbling thing has only been going on for a few weeks and is technically done but Brock loved it while it lasted.
    Isaac had his second grade program which I let Greg attend while I stayed home with the baby and three year old.  Going to programs at our elementary school gives me cause for irritation and flat out outrage so I avoid it whenever I can.  He did great though and Greg did manage to get one shot where you can at least see Isaac somewhat clearly.  (Almost always my kids are never in a spot where I can see them because of how they utilize the gym and I've suggested a change to the principal but she's not all that bright when it comes to that kind of stuff, thankfully it's her last year with us and maybe the new principal will clue in sooner then later on this STUPIDITY!)


Isaac's in a blue shirt second row from the top on the left.


    We've also had a cute little nest of birds right outside our garage in the pine tree that Greg managed to get a few shots of but these babies have sense flown the nest and the nest has been brought down for the kids to inspect more closely.

    I must admit the rainy weather just added to my already ornery nature this week.  There's nothing worse then being cooped up in the house with a three year old who's climbing the walls most of the day.  Finally today is sunny and warm and we've been outside plenty already. 
    Just this morning we watched as Aunties, Kristin and Heidi participated in the "Women of Steel" triathlon in American Fork.  They did awesome and I'm so impressed with how great they are doing altogether, they've almost got me convinced I could do something like that but not in a competitive event maybe just all on my own when no one's watching.  I know if I were in a "race" I'd want to get in front of everyone and that's just ridiculous so for now I'll just stick to my own private "races".
    So that's about it for our week and if it rains much more we just might float away so here's to hoping and praying for warmer, sunnier weather!!

Deep Thoughts!!

 "DEEP THOUGHTS" BY JACK HANDY

A good way to threaten somebody is to light a stick of dynamite.  Then you call the guy and hold the burning fuse up to the phone.  "Hear that?" you say.  "That's dynamite, baby."

   I love a good Deep Thought and last night with several neighbors these were being quoted until we were nearly in tears and this was by far my most favorite one!!

    As for the events of our past week they've been some what low key.  We've had sick kids, a sad excuse for Mother's Day that I can't complain about but not one for the memory book and regular weekly events.  Poor McClane has got to win an award for being the most awesome baby ever.  The kids had a pretty bad cold for over a week with goopy eyes and all but I thought he'd get over it and we'd move on but not everyone agreed so I finally relented and took him to the doc and sure enough he had ear infections in both ears.  How he could be so wonderful despite that I'll never know but he's now had antibiotics for a few days and is considerably better and still the best baby ever!!

     There was some mechanical repairs done in our driveway!

  I love when they get so creative with their toys and dad's tools/toys.

   Then I had another thrilling meeting with another "Kid History" star, Dave Roberts.  He just happened to be at the soccer fields at the same time as us.  So of course you know I accosted him and made sure to take my photo with him.  He was just as nice as his brothers and let me gush all over him.

  Then it was Mother's day and I won't go into details but lets just say Greg forgot because he was too mad at me for turning the TV on first thing in the morning so he ditched me and slept on the couch and left me to do all my regular Sunday morning chores.  I love you Greg, no hard feelings!!

Aunt Camille with sickly McClane

Isaac, Carter, Uncle Josh and Mark looking at fun stuff on the computer!  (I believe there was a nice full moon in one photo they found online.)



   We did spend some time that evening with Greg's Mom and other family members and had a nice dinner so that was nice.

    Then just this morning I gave in to persistent pestering and took the kids to one of their favorite parks in Cedar Hills for an hour and they had a great time playing and swinging and rolling down the hills of grass.

  It's been a full week but thankfully not too stressful.  We were so thankful that cousin Steven Blodgett had a successful Rotationplasty surgery and is doing so awesome in his recovery so far.  We also were so thrilled to see Cousin Nathan Kmetzsch who just returned from his mission in Brazil and to top it all off we had a great time watching Cousin Jacob Kmetzsch perform in "Oklahoma!" as Curly McLain.  He was incredible and Isaac was especially curious to know if he was really kissing "Laurie" all four times!  There's nothing like being 15 and having your first kisses watched by hundreds of people including your parents!  He seemed to kiss like a pro though so maybe there was a little practicing before hand but I don't know that for sure.
   Anyway, we had a great week and are looking forward to these final weeks of school being over with and on to summer break!!!

"DEEP THOUGHTS" BY JACK HANDY

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes.

Birthdays and other stuff

    Sorry this is going to be a little long but I'm making up for a few weeks.  We've had baseball games, birthday celebrations for Carter and Mark, Easter and milestones reached for baby McClane, Mark and Carter.  Our family has actually grown recently too. Here's a visual history of the past several weeks and a little commentary to go with it.

Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard!

Carter's a big 6!

One of his gifts!

Mark receiving his Webelos badge and Arrow of Light! 
Goodbye cub scouts hello New scouts!

The Arrow of Light was drawn on his forehead with symbolism for each "ray".  Mark was a good sport and ate up all the attention he got.

Mark's 11th birthday!

Greg insisted on a picture in front of the snow filled back yard to record in history that it snowed 4 inches on Mark's birthday which is typical Utah spring weather.

Carter lost his first tooth and was thrilled!!

Baby McClane is now sitting up and playing with toys.

McClane is also finding many ways to get himself stuck.

Mark up to bat at one of his many ball games.  He's having a pretty great season so far.

    Then we had a family barbecue to celebrate our two birthday boys and then right after that we drove to Idaho Falls for the day to celebrate my newest nephew's arrival and attend his baby blessing.  It was a quick trip but fun and it was kind of nice to have the kids up so early because they were too tired to act up in church and it made sitting through Sacrament meeting a lot more pleasant and if I'd had a little more sleep it would have been even better but it was worth the long drive and fun to see my brother and his cute family and we're so glad for the chance we had to meet little Cole.
    Then my parents came for a few days along with my baby sister, Marie and her darling little girl, Lottie.  Lottie is pretty much a "Baker" baby through and through as far as looks go, at least in my opinion and I could hardly stop staring at her.  No picture can quite do her justice but she is DARLING!!!  I watched her while my mom, Greg, Marie, Kayli and Mark attended the "Hope of America" program that Mark participated in and despite her cuteness she gave me a run for my money.  She was missing her mom and didn't let me forget it for nearly the whole night.  Thankfully she took a break from crying and slept and eventually ate a little but she cried most of the time and gave me a better appreciation for what some mothers go through when they have colicky babies.  She isn't colicky obviously but having her cry for such an extended length of time made me think of how it could be and boy am I so thankful I've had such wonderful and easy babies and "Lottie, I still think you're the cutest thing ever and I'd take you even if you did cry on and off for hours straight!!"

Carter and his six candles and a chaotic "Happy Birthday" sing-a-long.

Mark and his 11 candles and an even crazier "Happy Birthday" rendition.

    It was fun having my parents here and now that they've gone home I'm on my own again with no one to pick kids up for me and take them to their different activities and there's no one for the kids to go to besides me for entertainment but we'll get by and hope they'll come again soon.

Idaho Falls

Brock trying to help Grandpa with his R/C helicopter.

Grandpa/Dad attempting to fly his helicopter in the house.  (I wouldn't recommend this if you're afraid of sharp helicopter blades slashing at you sporadically.)

Sister Jackie taking a quick ride on the scooter.

Grandpa, Lottie and McClane chilling in the kitchen.

Me and Lottie in a moment of joy before the water works started back up.

Mark and McClane enjoying a minute at the park while waiting for Carter and Isaac to do their tutoring.

Brock's first spring swim in the neighbors dog pool.  I knew he'd be soaked in a matter of seconds!

   And last but not least introducing our newest family member...................

ROSIE! 
(Cosmo still doesn't know what to think of her but she seems happy and the kids love her.)