Thank Goodness a Girl is on the Way

Today is the first day I can honestly say I am so glad to be having a girl and not another boy. The boys have been boucncing of the walls literally. It's not that they've been bad just boys and absolutely crazy. I must say I am glad that they like playing together and Mikey if finally big enough to join in the fun. He can get his brothers rolling with his silly faces and actions. He's definitely the comedian in the family. Today it's been nonstop dog piles, wrestling, jumping on and off the couch, yelling in jest, etc. Neil needed to work late so I've been home all day with the boys. Since Neil wasn't coming home, what's the use in cooking so I took the boys to Fazoli's and they were so excited to go to a restaurant and get all the breadsticks they could eat. They were great except for Mikey wanting to run all over with his surprised look on his face. I had three people stop by our table to ask about the boys and how old they are and how cute they are and so on. I just couldn't fathom the thought of taking them home and having more craziness and bigger messes for an hour and a half so I took them to ToysRUs and let them look and play with all the toys. They were in heaven riding the bikes and playing all the games and pushing all the buttons. I just sat down and watched and made sure no one got taken but when we got home of course they are all hungry again (they had just eaten two hours earlier and Conner had 2 pieces of pizza and a spaghetti, you can never fill them up and they are 5 and younger) and crazy. I am just waiting for them to eat, read and go to sleep. Usually they are pretty mild boys but today they were fun and cute but almost unbearable. Got to love them! Now that they are all in bed and asleep I can't help but sit here and get emotional and think how in twenty years from now I am so gonna miss this craziness and these boys

The Month of October

The month of October definitely flew by. We were pretty busy. It seemed like we had something going on every night. Here are a couple of the fun things we did.

We went to J&J Gardens where they had a free hayride to the pumpkin patch and each person was able to pick their own pumpkin. It was all free. They just asked that you donate a canned good per person to the food bank. It was too good of an offer to turn down. I don't think I had ever been to a pumpkin patch before that I can remember.



Sam kept letting us all know what strong muscles he had since he could carry his own pumpkin.
Conner finished his first season of soccer in October. He sure had a rough start but one night I took the boys to one of Neil's indoor soccer games and seeing his daddy play made something click. The next game he scored two goals and it was so cute (although I wasn't there since I was at the playground with Sam and Mikey) as soon as he made the second goal he turned to yell to Neil if he could call and tell Nana. On his last game he also scored a point and once again I was at the playground with the other two boys and missed it. Made me so sick. He was so proud. He turned and looked for me and asked where's Mommy?


We had to take the boys to Wendy's for a junior frosty to celebrate his two goals.
Mikey and Sam were either kicking the soccer ball around or playing on the playground. They did good and did cheer their brother on.
Conner and Sam's new thing is to take a nap in a nest, rocket ship, train, tent, etc. They can't just lay down. This is a picture of them sleeping in their nest. They take all the pillows and place them around the perimeter of my bed and sleep in the middle with a blanket over them. I can't complain since all three boys still take a nap and I'm usually joining them.
Finally raking up the leaves in the front yard. As always the boys had a blast playing in them.

I jsut love Sammy's pretty, I mean handsome blue eyes!

Mieky never without his trains.

The three stooges eating dinner.

One night as I was leaving for YW's Neil pulled out the paint. At first they were painting paper and then they began to paint their hands and make handprints and as you can see they ended with painting their faces. I think Mikey started it and they all had to join in.

Conner never ceases to amaze us. Two Sundays ago when I came home from a meeting before church, I found Neil and Conner on the floor with all the dominos putting them in piles. As I listened, Neil was teaching Conner how to multiply and divide. He actually got the concept. It's amazing to me. So now he likes me to give him problems and if he can't do it in his head then he'll get out the dominoes or something to make piles. For instance, tonight at dinner Conner said so if we had 10 waffles and there are 5 people in our family then we all get two. He went on to say if we had 17 waffles and 5 people in our family 3 people would get 3 and 2 people would get 4. It amazes me that he gets the concept at such a young age. Neil has also taught him how to play chess, I don't even know how and he always wants to play so he just tells me where to move. I don't know if he gets the overall strategy of the game yet but he definitely knows all the pieces movements.

For Halloween Neil made us all pumpkin pancakes the shape of jack-o-laterns.

Mikey loves his yogurt

I never got around to making costumes yet again this year but I promised next year I will. Sam ended up being Sully, Mikey a monkey and Conner wanted to Deal or No Deal. I looked all over to find a bald wig for him so he'd look like Howie but no luck. We started the night off going to Sonic for their $.50 corn dogs (what a way to start the night, high on grease just to top it off with tons of sugar) and then headed on over to the church for trunk-or-treat and then Neil took the boys out to go trick or treating around the neighborhood while I stayed home to pass out the candy. Boy did they get a lot of candy and if they eat their meals they get to choose a piece. I've had the best eaters lately. Mikey is awful though when it comes to candy. He can't eat just one and will throw a fit. Such a little candy fien.

Deal or No Deal prop

I made a good deal!

Mikey wouldn't eat anything but a ketchup dipped lollipop.

We did carve pumpkins and decorate the outside of the house but we never took pictures of it. There's always next year.

Fall Cleaning

For weeks now Neil and I have laid in bed and looked up at our ceiling fan and commented to each other how disgustinly gross it is with all the dust on it hoping that the other will get the hint and clean it. It hasn't been cleaned since we moved in a year ago along with every other fan in the house as well as many other things and finally last night the cleaning bug hit me. I all of a sudden have energy. Neil was gone playing a board game with some friends the kids were in bed and so I cuddled up under the covers to watch some tv and unwind but after one show I realized there really wasn't anything worth watching and I was wasting my time so I pulled out Narnia but it just didn't grab my interest so I put it down and happened to glance up and there was that nasty ceiling fan. I figured now was as good a time as ever and an hour and half later I had cleaned 3 of our fans not being able to get to the other two since they were in the boys' bedrooms. This morning I got up and cleaned the other two and then thought the blinds could use dusting, those haven't been done in probably nine months so I started in the front room and noticed how awful the windows were so I decided to clean those and looked online how to take a screen out and got it out and got the hose and some soapy water and my squeegee and went to town. I also cleaned the bay window in the kitchen. I had to get on the ladder for that one and I made myself nervous and knew Neil would kill me if he saw but I was on a mission. I just prayed I wouldn't fall and kept Sam outside with me with my cell phone in case anything happened. It is crystal clean, just beautiful. I doubt Neil will even notice it but I'll definitely mention it. I didn't get to the other windows yet, figured I was pushing my luck as it was. So I guess I'm finally getting around to my spring cleaning being as nothing got done then. I hope this burst of energy I'm having lasts more than a few hours, a couple months would be great.

Cornbelly's

Yesterday, we did the funnest thing we've done in awhile as a family and it was so cheap! We came down and went to Cornbelly's corn maze at Thanksgiving Point. It was their opening weekend and had a $3.93 admission instead of the $10.95. We were a little weary after the fair. Sure you pay to get in but what else do you have to pay for to have fun. We took our chances and it sure paid off. It was our first year and it will definitely be a tradition even if they don't have the special, which means it must be good. I wanted to get there as soon as it opened to get our money's worth and since it gets dark earlier. I had to wake all the kids up from their naps, and they weren't ready so it didn't start out great but they warmed up once they saw Jac and Pres. We also had Jaxson and Presley with us which made both Neil and I a little nervous having 5 kids to chase after. There was so much to do there. We didn't even get to everything. We were there for 4 1/2 hours and could have easily stayed another 4. It is definitely geared towards kids 3-8 so it was perfect for us. You could bring your own food in so I had some snacks and pop to make it through the night. We were still all starving at 9 pm that night so we hit Sonic because Conner wanted a corndog.
Our first stop the jumping pillows. There were 3 of them and they were like huge trampomlines except you could slide down the sides as well.

I only jumped a little so was able to be the photographer.

The kids were having so much fun the whole time they were never in the mood to pose so never got too many good pictures but a lot of action shots.

The crazy cousins

There was a huge arrangement of slides. This one was probably the favorite.

The kids sat in this tube and then Neil would push it and they would either tumble or slide.

Mikey is completely addicted to pop. If he sees it he's got to have it and there is no if's ands or buts about it.

Climbing up the net ladder. Even Mikey could do this. Thank goodness so I was able to just watch. Good thing Neil is so fun. We both had as much fun as the kids.

We brought our stroller but most everything is gravel so it was really hard to push but they had these cute wagons you could use for free.

The cow train

The corn maze. This was maybe our only mistake. We were all so excited to go in it but it took awhile to find our way out and by that time Presley was crying and the other ones were complaining about being tired. Little did we know there was a little kiddie maze around the corner that would have been much more enjoyable. Sam and Jaxson were often the leaders and they'd hide in the stalks and jump out at us trying to scare us.

Mikey calling trying to get us some help out of this crazy maze.

Only on number 4, we've got 6 more to go. Argh!

This was as close to the big wheel as Conner's ever gotten. Conner was so happy. Sam disappeared for awhile and we couldn't find him, one of many panic moments, but this is where Neil found him of course, playing on a wooden train.

Our last stop was Princess Playland. I had brought Presley since she was the only girl but the boys weren't far behind.

Kiddos with the Fall Princess in the carriage.

The boys absolutely loved dressing up as the knights and battling for the princess. We don't have any swords at our house but I think we're going to have to get some. We're thinking of also doing this for Halloween. We were probably in this area for an hour. There was a castle to play in and a stage and a bouncy house to jump in as well as scarecrows to battle as well as each other.

Presley often ran away here and we wouldn't be able to find her but we soon realized she always went to the carriage. It was really pretty and all lit up. Too bad she wouldn't get out when others came and probably messed up some people's photo ops.

There were so many other things we didn't get pictures of like the duck races, a favorite of Conner where you had to use a water pump to get your duck to the other side as well as the 3-D spooky house. Everything was just so well planned and perfect for little kids. In the evening there was a big fire and you could roast marshmallows. I'm definitely in the fall spirit now! Bring on Halloween.

Meatloaf

What is it with me and meatloaf, every time I make it (which has only been 3 times in my 7 years of marriage) it is gross. I grew up on this stuff and want so badly to have the leftover meatloaf sandwiches I remember. It is such a comfort food with baked potatoes and green beans. I made it the first time within our first months of marriage. The recipe I used called for thyme or some other herb. It ruined it and I couldn't bring myself to make it for another 5 years. Last year I gave it a try and it was okay, not wonderful just okay. Well last week I got a hankering for it so I looked on Allrecipes.com and found a 5 star recipe with over 3000 reviews. I thought I hit the jackpot. I read the reviews and many said they put onion soup mix in it instead of just plain onion and it was out of this world. Since I have 10 boxes of the stuff I figured I should use it. I added it and proceeded with the recipe and added the salt. Oh no, I shouldn't have done that, the mix is salty enough. Oh well. I just knew this meatloaf was going to be the best ever so I made 3 lbs. of it thinking I'd freeze it. Oh boy, did it come out so salty, I couldn't even eat more than a couple bites. I am pretty sensitive to salt but Neil's not so he's the only one who's been eating it, breakfast, lunch and dinner. What a good sport he is. I don't think I'll ever make it again. Three strikes and it's out of there. Talking about good sport, to make the meal worse I was planning on having parsley potatoes so I was boiling the potatoes and forgot about them and all the water evaporated scorching the heck out of the pan and potatoes. I was ready to throw the towel in but Neil came home and cut all the black off the potatoes and we still ate them. They were definitely better than the meatloaf.

Utah's State Fair

Saturday started off with Neil hiking Mount Olympus with his brother Grant. This is their ninth year doing it. I wish I could go with them but someone's got to watch the kiddos, who am I kidding.

Neil, always a poser.

While they were hiking I took the boys to the soccer game. Conner didn't do much better this time. I am amazed at how good some of the little boys are. They really know what they are doing. At least Conner wanted to go and it's good exercise for him.

After naps, we went to the state fair. Can I just say it was fun but one of the worst financial mistakes we made in the last couple months. I can't believe how much money we spent. I am still sick about it but the boys had a really good time. Does that justify it?

Milking the cows

Mikey riding the tractor but not letting go of his trains. I think Mikey is more obsessed about trains than Sam ever was. He takes them everywhere. He plays with them, eats with them, sleeps with them . . .

Brushing the sheep with trains in tow.

Sam was so happy to pet this real bull. I think he was called Big Red and he was huge.

Before we got to the fair we told the kids they could each choose a ride to ride on, thinking they'd be a dollar a piece (too used to Chuckee Cheese. Now I realize what a bargain that place is) but we quickly learned they were $4 a piece. They all wanted to ride the ferris wheel so we rode as a family. Sam was scared a little at first but then warmed up.

Mikey hated it from the first second. I guess he's fearless in water but not when it comes to heights, that's reassuring.

Mikey just clung to Neil and closed his eyes the whole time.

Now Conner loved every minute of it. He would have ridden every ride there if we would have let him.

Sam chose this slide over a train ride, surprise but he couldn't ride alone so I went with him. When we got to the top he panicked and was scared to death. He just clung to the bars and would not let go. I kept thinking, I just spent $6 to ride this thing, you're going down. The worker and I pried him from the bars and before he knew what was happening I took off. We went pretty fast and at the end of course he loved it and wanted to go again.

Conner chose the roller coaster. He's in the last car on the inside. He loved it. I would love to take him to Lagoon. He'd have the time of his life.

It's a Girl

I found out we are most likely having a girl. Neil was not able to come and I forgot the tape to record it so Neil is still not 100% convinced without the concrete evidence. We both figured we were destined to have a house full of boys, which isn't a bad thing. We're definitely excited yet nervous. We are so into boy stuff what will this new addition bring and change? Before we told the boys we asked them if they would like a new baby brother or sister and they all said a sister and were so excited that it's going to be a girl so that's a good thing. I think having Leila around the last few months has really got them accustomed to baby girls and they adore her so I hope they like our baby just as much. I always said if I had a little girl I was going to go crazy sewing stuff for her but I just don't know if I can right now. I am just too tired. I've decided I'm not even going to make our Halloween costumes this year, a first in 8 years. Now that's hard for me to admit but I just don't think I can do it and I'll end up just stressed. My doctor thinks I'm probably getting a little dehydrated (a problem with each pregnancy) since my blood work and pressure is fine and I need to drink up. I keep trying to tell if there has been much difference between this pregnancy and the other three and the only thing is the severe fatigue and gaining weight faster and more of it. With this pregnancy, right now I'm halfway but I'm as big and heavy as I was when I delivered the three boys. Another difference with this one is I'm not very emotional which I find strange. With the boys I would cry over what to make for dinner, anything and I haven't cried once this pregnancy even though many times I wanted to, but the tears just won't come. I also don't have any cravings other just fried junky foods in general (maybe that's why I'm putting on the weight so fast). With the boys I always craved Mexican and McDonald's chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce. So far everything is looking good and my fluid levels are up so I'm prayind I don't get put on bedrest. I'm just scared this baby is going to be huge. I'm just glad the pressure is off. We're having a girl!

On the Go and Never Slow

So ever since we got back it's been a dead run and it's finally taking its toll on me. We got back late Wednesday night. Thursday was Neil's birthday so I spent the day getting stuff ready for that and didn't get a nap. Friday I was watching kids and Allison came up and we decided at the last minute we'd go to the ward campout so I had to get all the food and gear packed for that. We made it to the campout around 6:30 and roasted hot dogs and made smores. We were nervous about taking Mikey but he did great. We only have a 1 1/2 man tent and a 3 man tent so we thought Neil would sleep with Conner and Sam in the bigger tent and I'd sleep in the van on the foam pad with Mikey. Once we set up the tent I thought we'd all be able to fit if Neil and I snuggled on the twin foam pad vertically and the 3 boys laid horizontally the other way. I didn't want to miss out on any of the fun. It worked for most of the night until Sam got up and squeezed in between Neil and I. Neil and I both woke up in the middle of the night for awhile but the boys slept great. I don't think our neighbors were too thrilled when our boys woke up at 6:45 am and were being completly silly, yelling and laughing.
We stuck around until breakfast was served at 8:45 and then headed home to quickly get Conner changed for his first soccer game. He was so tired, he had a hard time playing. He'd play for a couple minutes and then walk off the field. I'm not quite sure if he's cut out to play soccer but maybe next week will go better. Neil's going to practice with him this week.
Soccer is huge in Layton. There are about 300 hundred five year olds playing. That's right 5 year olds. Crazy. The ball park was just full of people. After soccer, everyone got scrubbed down big time from camping and we all took a short nap if any before heading off to a little reunion of some of Neil's high school friends.
I was so not in the mood and utterly exhaused I didn't have much to say, imagine that, but no one seemed to care. The boys had a ball playing in the sand box, playground and blow up bouncy thing. Of course Sam didn't want to go home. I guess our home just isn't that much fun, lately it's the only place he doesn't want to be. Sorry we don't have all the fun toys everyone else seems to have. Needless to say I'm beat. If I could just sleep through the night I'd be so much better. I'm almost always up 2 hours every night just trying to go back to sleep because I'm so tired and it just is frustrating. I stayed in bed until 9 this morning and am about to take a nap. This coming week is going to busy too with something going on every night and it being Conner's last week he's off track until Thanksgiving, I hope I have the energy to do some fun stuff with the boys!