Moab - Day 1

This year we decided that we were going to go camping in Moab for our summer trip.  Let me preface this by saying that our family loves camping and we've been many times with the kids and never had a problem.  We've even gone when I've been prego before, so I wasn't really worried about that.  Well, let's just say this trip did not go as planned and rather than having a fun filled week of camping, we lasted two days before packing up and heading home for a wonderful staycation.

It all started while we were making the four hour drive and Ashlynn decided to puke not once, but twice.  Of course she'd been fine all morning, so we assumed it was car sickness, which she's never had before, but we really didn't want to cancel out trip when she was probably fine.  Once we arrived we set up camp, had a really late dinner and crashed for the night (I use this term loosely).

 The next morning after the worst night sleep possible because a little boy was having nightmares all night and eventually decided the best place to sleep was with his feet in my face, we decided to go into Arches National Park.  While getting ready to leave Ashlynn decided to throw up her milk all over Andrew, the tent, our sleeping bags and our air mattress.  Lovely.  Needless to say we were a little terrified to get in the car again at this point with her, but the thought of air conditioning (in awful high 90's weather) won out and we loaded up.  

 Lunch in the parking lot.

 While driving around we found Sand Dune Arch, which the kids loved.  It was a very short walk through a lot of really fine sand.

 Doesn't Ashlynn look so happy.

 After playing in the sun and sand, we decided to go back to camp and swim.  Of course, in my craziness to get everything packed, I forgot Andrew's swim trunks.  Kind of essential since someone has to hop in the pool with the kiddos and since I've gained a few pounds, it wasn't going to be me.  After driving around for a while we finally found some basic swimming trunks that weren't uber fancy, do everything but your laundry and cost you your first born child.  So with that we went back to camp so we could all change and swim.  Of course, since nothing could be easy on this trip, that would mean that we couldn't find Ella's swimsuit in the suitcase.  Knowing that I had put her swimsuit with her clothes to pack, we learned that an over excited little girl decided to play with her swimsuit while I was trying to pack and it hadn't gotten put in the suitcase.  So once again we loaded everyone up and headed back to the store to get a new swimsuit for Ella.  Quite frustrating since she had two brand new swimsuits at home.  Oh well.  

 It's a good thing this girl loves the water.  She was quite happy to be splashing in the pool.

 This little girl on the other hand was not happy to be in the water.

 She sure has some nasty scowls.

 Ella even got really brave and went under the water to blow bubbles.

 Andrew got Cameron to go in the water for a short minute, not even long enough to get a pic, that is how much he hated the water.  He was quite content to just play at the edge of the pool though.

After the pool, we played at the "playground".  I don't really think a small slide and three swings counts as a playground, but it worked.

 Fortunately, they all slept pretty good that night. 

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that this little one decided to get the runs as well as the pukes on day one.

Last Day Of Preschool

Last Friday was Ella's last day of Preschool.  She is actually really sad about not going to school anymore.  I'm still kinda shocked that we've already finished her first year of school.  She is growing up so fast.  She has loved school, made lots of new friends and really loved her teacher.  She is lucky enough to go to preschool again next year.  She is already talking about when she goes back to school. I'm so glad that she loves school and is such a good student.  I love you Miss Ella Bella!

Ella singing in her Preschool program.

Ella worked all year to make this special book.  She was so proud of it and read the whole thing to us.

We are so lucky to have such an amazing teacher who loves Ella and is excited to teach both Ella and Cameron next year.

Aunt Caitlin was able to come see Ella on her last day of school.

Ashlynn really liked playing in the dirt.

Cameron was in awe of the swing.

Happy Birthday Mr. Handsome!!!

Happy Birthday Cameron!!!  Sunday was actually your birthday, but we were camping, so this is a little late.  I can't believe you're already three years old.  You are growing up so fast and becoming such a nice little boy.  Don't get me wrong, you are still kinda a punk to your sisters and still show some anti-social behavior, but lately I've noticed that you've started to mellow out and you are becoming more kind and considerate of other and especially of your sisters.  I'm taking this as a good sign that the terrible two's are headed out and the terrific three's are on their way in.  You've certainly become more affectionate with me and are super excited to have a baby brother.  I know you're excited to get matching clothes with your brother just like your sisters sometimes have.  It always bums you out when you don't get to have matching clothes like your sisters.  Someday you'll appreciate me for that though, I promise.  You are loving sports these days.  For your birthday we got you a T-ball set.  You've been in heaven the last few days.  You play with it every chance you get.  You also really like superheroes, dinosaurs, dogs, trucks/cars, balls and playing way too rough.  You are such a little boy!  I love you little man!!!

How'd I Do... May Goals

Where did May go!?!  I can't believe how fast the month flew by.  As usual it was a busy month for us.  So let's see how I did with the goals...

May Goals:

Homemaking - 

Organize storage room - Nope

Spring cleaning... this is essential - Slowly working on this... I think my nesting instincts are finally setting in so hopefully that will give me the motivation I need to finish this up.

Organize kids closet - Almost done.  This project is taking way too long, but really it's my fault.  I just can't decide on what shelving I want to use.

Cooking -

Start cooking and meal planning again - Finally started cooking again.

Start organizing my recipes - Fail

Mothering -

Do something fun with the kiddos - The kids loved Ella's field trip.  They've also had a lot of fun playing outside with the dogs lately.

Creating -

Finish planting the garden - Everything is planted except potatoes, which I grabbed at the last minute when Lowe's was clearancing them out at 75% off.  These will be planted this week.  

Financing -

Stay in budget - Yep

Enriching -

Read a book - Yep

Sort through magazines and toss - Nope

June Goals:

Homemaking -

Finish the kiddos closet

Move Ashlynn into kids room??? 

Refinish bunk bed

Cooking -

Continue meal planning and cooking

Organize recipe box

Mothering -

Set up chore charts

Make art project schedule for summer

Creating -

Plant potatoes in garden

Financing -

Plan budget for the month

Enriching -

Read a book

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Ella had her last field trip of this school year.  They got to go to "This Is The Place Heritage Park" and pet the baby animals, ride the train, do some pioneer children's chores, play at the playground and eat lunch with her friends.  Amazingly all three kids were great and the weather was bearable.  Everyone had fun and they were all exhausted by the time we got into the car.  Just in time for naps.

I can't believe there are only two weeks left of school for Ella.  It kinda hit me today that she is going to be so bored once school gets out.  I'm going to have to figure out some summer activities to keep these kiddos entertained.  Hello Pinterest.  I suppose I should go stock up on some craft supplies.

 Ella and her best friend

 Ashlynn didn't know what to think about the baby goat trying to nibble on the stroller

 Cameron had fun chasing the animals all around

Ella and Ashlynn loved the little chicks 

Ashlynn kept saying "birdie" 

 I don't think she knew what to think about the chick once she held it

 Cameron was excited that we told him to hit the rug

 Playing with friends at the playground

Ashlynn liked the little buildings at the playground 

 That is one sleepy little girl... she was actually asleep before we even pulled out of the parking lot

 Looking a little wired after that ring pop

Yummy lunch

Happy Mother's Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day.  I had a wonderful day that started with the hubby and munchkins making me a delicious breakfast.  I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family and three beautiful and healthy children.  I can't imagine life without my little brood.  I'm also so blessed to have  many wonderful examples of great mothers and women in my life.  Thank you to my mom for being a great example to me and for taking the time to be there for me when I need her.  I'm also lucky to have a wonderful mother-in-law who is always there for us and a good example.  We love you guys.

How'd I Do... April Goals

Wow, the month of April flew by.  I forgot that today was May until I looked at the calendar this afternoon.  April was an okay month, except that I was sick with an awful virus for two weeks.  The wedding was very nice and I'm glad to have it done.  I really wish I hadn't been sick for it though.  It was kind of a bummer to be in bed sick rather than playing when all my family was in town.  Oh well.  Let's see how my goals went for the month of April...

April Goals:

Homemaking -

Organize storage room - Fail.  But this is on the short list for May.

Finish spring cleaning - Fail.  The house got cleaned for all the out of town guests, but then being sick for two weeks kinda ruined that.  We've kind of reached a point of critical mass now and have to get things cleaned.  Yesterday I started working on the bedrooms upstairs.

Cooking -

Try three new recipes - Fail.  Um, yeah, we've pretty much lived on waffles, pizza and fast food for the last month.

Start sorting through recipes - You'd think I could have at least done this while dying on the couch.

Mothering -

Keep looking for ways to include the kids with the housework - Still working on this, but I've been trying to find more ways for the kids to help.  They love to help most of the time, especially when I make it a game for them.

Set up a chore chart - Fail.

Creating -

Make some sort of art for entryway - Fail.

Financing -

Stay in budget - I actually stayed in budget last month. Yay!

Enriching -

Read a book - Oops.  I forgot to pick up the book I had on hold from the library because I was on my death bed... or at least it felt that way.  I'm back at the bottom of that 136 person waiting list again.

Sooo, yeah, April was an epic fail in the goal department.  Let's see if we can make up for it this month.

May Goals:

Homemaking - 

Organize storage room

Spring cleaning... this is essential

Organize kids closet

Cooking -

Start cooking and meal planning again

Start organizing my recipes

Mothering -

Do something fun with the kiddos

Creating -

Finish planting the garden

Financing -

Stay in budget 

Enriching -

Read a book

Sort through magazines and toss

Our Newest Family Member

So, yes, baby #4 is on the way and... 

It's a Boy!  

We're super excited and I'm just a little anxious to get out all of those cute baby boy clothes I've had packed away.  Ella is really excited to have another brother, Cameron is thrilled to finally get a brother and, well, Ashlynn has no clue what's going on, but I have a feeling it'll be a little rough for this mama's girl.  

Baby Boy (no clue on names yet) is due August 27th and since Cameron was a beginning of summer baby and this is an end of summer baby, I will get to do some shopping for baby clothes.  Those 3 month summer clothes just aren't going to work for this baby at Christmas time.  

We've also got our work cut out for us as far as bedroom arrangements go.  We've got three bedrooms upstairs and I usually prefer to keep the baby separate from the big kids, but the kids rooms are tiny and three kids in one tiny room will be tricky, doable, but tricky.  Plus it would be so cute to have a boys room and a girls room, but I'm not so sure that Cameron will cooperate with that plan.  He's kind of a noisy little guy and not so concerned with others sleeping.  I guess we'll see how things work out.

Now that we know the gender, I'm really anxious to start preparing for this baby.  Life has been so crazy busy since we found out we were expecting again that most days if it hadn't have been for sheer exhaustion I would have forgotten I was even preggers.  I'm excited to get going on some cute baby projects and the nursery and I'll be sure to share pics.

How'd I Do... March Goals

Obviously this is really late, but the last month has been insanely crazy.  The hubby was working some crazy hours that involved every Saturday and Sunday in March, I was helping to plan my little sisters wedding for this past weekend, and we had visitors galore.  Fortunately, life should be much calmer now that the wedding is over and all the guests have gone home.  Hubby's work schedule has returned to normal and I'm looking forward to having a real weekend again.  Unfortunately, I've gotten whatever the horrible virus/cold is that's currently going around.  I'm feeling a little better each day, but still pretty lousy.  So, let's take a late look at March...

March Goals:

Homemaking -

Clean and organize guest room

Prepare the house for several guests over the next month

Replace the toilet in the kiddos bathroom... yeah it hasn't worked in a year now - We were actually able to fix it, or so we thought.  It did start leaking again, but Andrew thinks he knows how to fix the leak.

Finish gathering items for 72-hour kits - I still have a few things to gather and I need to get ours done, but the kiddos are pretty much done.

Cooking -

Don't eat out more than once a week... usually not a problem, but lately we've eaten out way too much - Total FAIL, but only because the month was crazy.

Mothering -

Find ways to have the kids help clean more - Still working on this, but I've been trying to include them more and surprisingly they like it.  They really think it's fun to help clean the toilet with the toilet bowl wand.  Weirdos.

Creating -

Make wedding decorations for Caitlin's wedding - DONE

Sew skirts for girls - Fail.  No time for extra crafts last month.

Financing -

Let's just stay in budget this month

Enriching -

Read a book - Fail

Clean out magazines - Fail

Okay, so March wasn't so bad.  Let's see what April has in store:

Homemaking -

Organize storage room

Finish spring cleaning

Cooking -

Try three new recipes

Start sorting through recipes

Mothering -

Keep looking for ways to include the kids with the housework

Set up a chore chart

Creating -

Make some sort of art for entryway

Financing -

Stay in budget

Enriching -

Read a book