End of Summer Activities

Sunday August 16th, 2015:

With five kids, any sickness usually makes it's rounds through our house no matter how much I scrub and clean.  Rachel and Morgan have both had Hand, Foot and Mouth, so naturally this virus claimed it's third victim.  Jaxen came down with it on  Sunday.  He and his dad got to stay home and sleep while the rest of us attended our Church meetings.  We had Ryan's nephew Geoff with us, which helped keep the kiddos quiet and entertained.  Fun story: Ryan forgot he agreed to say the opening prayer in Sacrament and hadn't told me, so I was blessed that day to do it instead.  Surprise.  

The following day, I threw all blankets in the washer/dryer again.  Each of my kiddos has a favorite blanket that they drag around, sleep and watch t.v. with.  They have had them since they were babies, and they are the first items to get scrubbed, cleaned and sterilized when there is any sickness.  Here is a picture of Rachel trying to see her blanket in the washer once she realized I had confiscated them all for cleaning.

Wednesday August 19, 2015:

This week has been a pretty slow and low key week.  We are all summered out and ready for the routine of school, and to have a little bit more space from each other.  Even Dafunny enjoyed her quiet drive to the groomers, and her time away from loving hugs and kisses that last all day.  Here she is sitting quietly and patiently in the passenger seat (She is usually running all over the car trying to get away from the kiddos.).

Here is Dafunny waiting for me to finish folding laundry, so we can go for a walk.

Friday, August 20, 2015:

On Friday, our fourth victim was claimed by Hand, Foot, and Mouth.  Gracie got to hang out at home to sleep and watch t.v.  We started our fourth round of cleaning.  At this point, I'm not sure it made much difference, but who knows.

Ryan took some of the kiddos to Highland to see their cousin Tyler play football, and Mekena cheering at the game.  They had a great time, and were sooooo excited to see them in action.  They love Tyler and Mekena and really look up to them.  

Mekena and Rachel

Aunt Annette, Tyler, Jaxen, Rachel and Joshua

Saturday August  21, 2015:

On Saturday, Morgan had her softball team over for an end of season pool party to celebrate placing 2nd.  We had a pretty good turnout considering it is also the last weekend before school starts, so most people are school shopping or getting in one last vacation.  She had a great time with her friends and Ryan and I had a nice visit with the adults.

Kids swimming and lounging around

Erin and Morgan trying to feed Dafunny (who also joined us for s host while).

Pool Fun!!

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday:

The Cubs minor league team from Iowa was in town this week to play the Salt Lake Bees.   Ryan was like a child in a candy store.  He took three of the kiddos on Wednesday,  he and I went for date night on Thursday, and the whole family went on Saturday.  He/We met his brothers, Zach and Rob, and their wives on all three days as well.  We all had a great time.  The minor league ball parks and teams are usually family friendly and have a lot to keep old and young entertained.  It brings back many memories of going to see the White Caps when we lived in Michigan. (Again, I will post pictures when I get Ryan's photos downloaded).

Softball Tournament, Children's Museum and This is the Place Park

Tuesday Aug 11, 2015/Thursday August 13, 2015:

Morgan has been playing softball this spring and summer.  She has had a great time playing with her new friends.  This week was Tournament week.  Her team made it all the way to the Championship game.  She was soooo excited, but unfortunately, they didn't win.  They took 2nd place which was a little disappointing, but hey, it's still 2nd place.  Morgan's team placed in the top three.  I think that is wonderful. 

Friday August 14, 2015:

We are near the end of summer, and are ready for school to start.  This summer the kiddos have gone to camp, had swimming lessons, played with friends, ridden bikes,  slept outside, visited museums, spent time with family, hiked in the mountains, and are all summered out.  We are officially starting to get on each others nerves, just a little bit.  So this Friday, we took a trip to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake, then to Freddie's to get cheese fries (they have really good cheese fries) to get out and do something different.  Here are some pictures of our adventures.

Saturday August 15, 2015:

On Saturday, we met the Waters Family at This is the Place Park and had fun panning for gold, riding trains, learning about pioneers, eating donuts, and riding ponies. Just one more week until school starts.  Hopefully, we can make it.

Trip to the Doctors and Fun with Electronics

August 4, 2015

Trip to the Doctors

We had an eventful week visiting Doctors and Dental offices.  On Tuesday,  the kiddos decided to play in the water on the tramp.  Gracie happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  She stood up just when Jaxen decided to swing the water hose like a rope, was hit right above her left eye.  After much screaming and crying and three stitches, she was a happy girl again.  On Wednesday, we made our semi-annual trip to the dentist.  I am happy to report that none of them had cavities.  On Friday,  we got to visit our local pediatrician due to Rachel not feeling well for a couple of days.  She unluckily has Hand, Foot and Mouth,  soooo we get to go around the house sanitizing and reminding everyone not to share drinks, utensils etc.  Unfortunately, I think Morgan came down with the same thing today.  UUuugghhh!  While we wait at these appointments, the kiddos like to play with my phone.  Here are some pictures Morgan made while waiting and of Gracie at the Urgent Care for her stitches.

The Triplet's Birthday

The Triplet's Birthday.

The last time I updated this blog was in 2012, which is also the end of the scrapbooks that I make for the kids.  Sooooo, I am way behind in putting their growing up years to paper and in a book.  Now, instead of getting discouraged, I am going to start with now and eventually I will go back and write up the time between July 2012 and July 2015.  During that time a lot has happened.  I mean it's been three years and we have moved across the country and are now living in Utah.  So far we love it here.  We are closer to most of our family and the kiddos are getting to know their cousins on my side of the family.

July 27, 2015

The end of July is the Triplet's birthday.  Can you believe that Jaxen, Joshua and Gracie are 9 years old?  The time has gone by faster than I had expected.  Some things have gotten easier and some things have gotten harder.  It is a lot less physical taking care of them.  I no longer need to herd them like cats, but the follow me around like a mother duck and her ducklings.  They are a little pickier about food and fight like cats and dogs, but still consider each other friends when it really counts.

Jaxen -  Still loves hanging out with his Dad.  Loves to play and watch baseball and to ride his bike.

Joshua- Is truly a homebody.  Loves to play/watch video games, baseball and to ride his bike.

Gracie-  Loves to go shopping, play with her sister Rachel and read books about animals and princesses.

Here are a few pictures from their birthday.  It was a low key affair this year.  They had birthday donuts instead of cake, went shopping for the own presents and went to dinner at the Golden Corral.  

July 30, 2015

Summer fun at the Park

This summer has been wonderful.  It has been so nice to be in our home and to be able to swim and play and not worry about bothering anyone (The summer of 2014 was spent living in a Marriott hotel while we waited to get into our home in Utah).  Here are some pictures of us playing games at the park.

July 31, 2015

Living Aquarium

This summer we have a family pass to visit the Living Aquarium in Draper, UT.  The kiddos love to go and see the baby penguins.  I like it, because it keeps them busy for about 2 hours and we are out and about rather than sitting at home playing on electronics or watching TV.  Here are some pictures that Gracie took of the baby and adult penguins.