May Happenings

Hi there all. We are having picture trouble again so I will just have to post with out them today. Bummer. May has been busy month. Ethan turned 10 and Jessi turned 5! Every time we have a birthday I feel happy that my kids are growing up and sad that my kids are growing up.

Ethan had a slumber party with a bunch of boys and played video games and rockenbock out in the garage all night. They were going to sleep out there too, but one of our pet rats got out and we couldn't find her so they were nervous to go to sleep out there knowing a rat was loose! The funny thing was, as soon as the boys moved inside the rat ran back to her cage - She was much more scared of them!

Jessi had a puppy "paw"ty. She LOVES dogs lately. She's terrified of real dogs, but she loves toy dogs. Thanks to my mom's idea we made pup-cakes for the party- cupcakes decorated like dog faces and had some doggy games like who could eat all the cocoa puffs(dog food) out of their bowl the fastest. They couldn't use their hands. And we did a relay where they had to drink water out of a bowl like a dog. Those were a few highlights for me. She invited all her friends and they all had a ball wearing cheesy puppy ears. So funny!

Last week Orion was in the Elementary school talent show. He surprised me so much by wanting to participate. He had to audition to see if he could make it into the show - very nerve racking for me. How sad if he didn't make it! But anyhow he did, and performed his string creations to a song from Disney's Tarzan. Basically he makes pictures out of a string - do you remember cat's cradle? He did cup and saucer, Eiffel Tower, witch's broom, cat whiskers, and Jacob's ladder. And then he did them again with his eyes closed. I was so surprised that he even announced each creation into the microphone. We can't even get him to get up and give a talk in primary! He did so well! They did 3 performances - 2 in the day for the school kids and then one that evening for the parents. I went to 2 of them and I was so proud of him for getting up in front of all those people. Once we get our pictures working I'll see if we can post his act on here. He was getting lots of compliments from kids at school and even the older kids at school were saying how good he was - so good for his little self esteem!

Well, we have a week and a half left of peaceful days and then the kids will be out of school for the summer! I can't decide if I'm happy to be done with homework and getting the kids ready for school or if I'm sad to lose my peaceful daytimes. It will be fun to have the kids home - I just hope we can all get along!

Lost a Tooth - finally!

Well, it finally happened. Meri has been waiting and wiggling this tooth forever. It finally came out last week and she's been carrying it around in a little baggy showing everyone. Hooray!

Grandma's Visit

Last week my Mom came to see us. She is amazing. She took such good care of us. She cooked for us, did laundry, played games (all sorts), read stories, had tea parties, chauffeured the kids to school, and was Jessi's pal for the whole week. We loved having you Mom - thank you a million times for coming and for everything you did for us. We miss you!

Well, it's been almost 3 weeks now since Zachary came to stay. He's becoming alot more alert. The kids love trying to get him to track their faces and they love seeing his reflexes. Jessi and I even got a smile out of him today! The other night he slept for 4 hours straight in the crib so we took a picture we were so excited. (It hasn't happened since). He's a snuggly guy and loves to be held. It's been some adjustment to having a wee one around again. Last week he was quite fussy, but the last few days have been calmer. Jessi made the comment today that "it's hard taking care of a baby". She's really helpful with him. The other day he was fussing while I was in the shower and she put his little silky on him and put his binky in and by the time I got out he was asleep in the crib. I told the boys I was going to have them learn how to change a diaper tomorrow. They were surprised that I used to change my little siblings diapers. So we will see how that goes! I love the pictures of Shawn sleeping with our babies. They are my favorite! We are having such a great time with little Zachary. I will say I have had my moments of feeling overwhelmed, but honestly I'm just so glad to not be pregnant anymore - I'm feeling so much better! So glad he is here safe and sound.

Happy Easter

taking care of baby

It took a few days for Jessi to feel brave enough to hold Zac, but now she can't get enough! It's so fun to have a baby in the house! Jessi says he has "squishy cheeks" Ethan says he has a "peach head". When Zac starts crying Meri says "mom, he's starting to anger!"

It's been a fun week with the kids on Spring Break and Shawn took the week off work. So it's been nice to be all together this week getting to know Zachary.

My mom is coming from Oregon tomorrow - hooray for Grandma coming!

Zachary

A few Zac favorites

Zac and his fans

We are so thankful for our children. So thankful.

Zac Attack!

Zachary Dennis arrived at 12:47am April 5th! He weighed 9lbs. 5oz. and 20 1/2 inches. We aren't sure what color his hair is. Could it possibly be...red? I've been reading a lot of Anne of Green Gables lately - maybe we'll call him "Carrots". He's been a calm baby so far and all the kids are crazy about him. He's getting way more than his share of lovins'. We're so glad he's here!

Scientists can be famous

You probably saw the post below about the science fair. Well, Brayton and Ethan's pictures made it into the local news. Check it. They were both very pleased with their performance - they actually were hoping to not get the top spot. That would require a trip to Bakersfield for the next level of science fair. No one else in the family seemed disappointed about missing that either. I think they both did a great job.

Valentines

Okay, I have one last post and then I probably won't post again for quite awhile. Phew! You must be worn out from reading all of our goings - on - if you have survived this far. :) So Valentines Day was spent with the kids sledding out back for most of the morning with Shawn. I was sad not to be a part of it. But it was fun to watch them. And Jessi loves making snowmans so here she is with her latest snowman. Later we made heart pizzas and jello for dinner for the kids and Shawn and I went out for dinner. It was so very nice to go out. I meant to post about our anniversary in December (12 years!), but didn't quite make it so I just have to say something nice about my sweetest-heart. He is my dearest friend and I can't say in words how thankful I am to be his wife. It's so easy to enjoy being married to him. He's such a great dad and he's so nice to me. He always makes me feel good about myself even and especially now that I'm in the depths of the hugeness of pregnancy. Notice the stategic placement of the roses - I'm having major issues about having my picture taken lately. But I just had to put one on of us together since I'm so happy to have him "be mine". Happy Valentines Day to all of you. We love you!

My Beehives

Okay, so I just can't stop blogging today. I had to put on a few pictures of my Beehive girls. We had a slumber party a couple weeks ago. We made pizzas together, went heart attacking, and stayed up really late (not me so much, the girls). Then the next day we went to Bakersfield for the YW basketball tournament. Lots of fun. The girls are so sweet to each other and although they are each very different, they really accept each other and get along well - we really bonded as a class. And I must say, I was so impressed with how well they helped clean up each mess we made. Really fun girls and they are a blessing to work with. Aren't they adorable?

Science Fair Winners!

Brayton and Ethan did really well at the science fair this week! Brayton got a 1st place ribbon for 5th grade and Ethan got a 1st place ribbon for 4th grade. And the most important thing is that they learned something, right? Brayton learned that your pinewood derby car will go faster if the weight is placed in the middle of the car - as opposed to the front or back - and Ethan learned that some fruits will make it so your jello will not set up - kiwi and fresh pineapple to name a couple. They really did most of the work with some help from Shawn and I. Thanks to Grandpa for the display cases.

Brayton turns 11

The day after Orion's baptism Brayton turned 11! He was lucky to still have a bunch of family here to celebrate with. He loved getting an MP3 player! He has grown up so much this year.