Traveling Candy Shop

I'm not sure why Jacob is always looking for a job he can do around the house, minus actual work. 

He has been owner of a rock shop and a cafe so far.  His newest business venture is Candy Shop owner.  He decided to take his Easter candy and sell it to us for coins. 

I thought it was a little silly to buy the candy back, but he definitely wins the prize for 

how creative and imaginative he is. 

Hunter, Jacob's ever-faithful follower, opened a shop as well.

I bought them out of all their chocolate.

Blake Michelle

Bryce & Becca's new arrival, Blake Michelle. 

Mother & daughter are doing great! 

She is the final of the quad cluster of babies on my side recently.  We like to go in spurts. 

It will be a year or two before the next round! 

Congrats on your BEAUTIFUL baby, Bryce & Becca!!

Yeehaw!

We have been very lucky to find such wonderful preschools for our boys to attend.  I have two great schools to choose from and I am completely happy with both, if anyone needs a referral. 

Each year, this preschool class has a field trip to Rockin' R Ranch.  The kids LOVE to pack their own lunch and go visit the cowboys.

They start the day off with a show and songs.

Hunter does a really good Indian impression.

Then we separate into groups and visit 6 different stations.  At this station they got to learn some signs for words.  Here they are learning how to sign "bison".

This little guy is just happy as can be when he's in mama's arms.

They got to use the grinding stone.

Walk inside a tee pee.

Draw their own brand.  Looks like Hunter is going to be a lefty!

Practice lassoing.

Used the water pump.

Hunter & his bestest cousin, Alek.

Posed for some pictures

And panned for "gold" (unfortunately it wasn't real). 

My sister, Ashley came to help me out with the boys since Sabrina couldn't make it.  It came in real handy when I had to take a break to feed the baby.

I was nervous to go on this field trip with Adam. 

He would be missing a nap (which I hate to do to my kids)

and I would have to find a place to nurse him. 

 It all worked out great and he stayed pretty happy!

After the ranch, I had to go to the dentist, unfortunately.  You know when you make those appointments 6 months in advance and find out about this field trip a week in advance, it's kind of inconvenient.  I didn't even remember about my dentist appointment until I received a courtesy reminder call the day before.  The office is right next door to Rockin' R Ranch.  So, Ashley helped me once again with babysitting all 3 kids in the waiting room while I got my teeth painfully scraped and poked.  It is probably one of my least favorite places to go.  That includes the OBGYN office.

We were all pretty tuckered out after a long day.  I usually don't like to plan so much in 1 day.  We get tired if we are away from home for too long.  I was very happy when it was time to go home for the rest of the day and I could change into my PJ's!!  I really wish it was more acceptable to wear PJ's outside the home.

Pincher Toes

Adam is apparently part crab.

Because We Have To..

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.  I'm not sure why but my mood was foul.  And I wasn't going to church.  That's right!!  I was skipping Easter Sunday for a number of reasons.  First, I was tired.  Even though the baby slept great (a rare 6 hour stretch because he's not feeling well), I was woken up at 4 this morning by a foreign noise.  I knew it was related to one of the kids discovering their Easter basket.  It turned out to be Jacob trying to close a plastic egg after investigating the contents.  I was an Easter Grinch and sent that excited little boy straight back to bed.  He stuck out his lower lip and pouted his way back to his bed.  Then Adam woke up around 5:30 to eat.  When I went to put him back in bed a bit after 6, I noticed sunlight peaking in through the shutters and the dreadful feeling of knowing my night was almost over set in (sniff sniff).  I only had less than an hour left before I had to get up at 7 to get the entire family ready for church on time.  I had my mind set and it was set on going back to bed and forgetting about church.  Unfortunately, Adam didn't let me sleep much longer after that last feeding.  He was up by 7:30, which is turning out to be his usual wake up time.  The next hour drifted by lazily before Trevor finally asked if I was going to get ready for church.  I informed him I wasn't going.  Why?  Because I just didn't feel like it.  By the time I got ready, it would be time for Sunday School (blah).  Sacrament is the most important part about the block..missing that makes attending the other 2 hours much less appealing.  Also, I had just put Adam back to bed.  I wasn't waking him up, especially when he isn't feeling well.  Plus he would need to eat when he woke up & that would make us even later.  Or if I had to feed him at church, I would need to plan my outfit accordingly.  A breast feeding dilemma I face each week is what I am going to wear.  I need to wear something so I can easily feed the baby at church.  It's a challenge when I wear dresses (the easiest dress choice for church) and I am scraping for separates to wear that fit and look nice (post-baby pooch is still lingering).  I just wasn't up to any of it.  Trevor was surprised I would miss Easter Sunday, but I didn't care.  He exercised his right to stay home from church because he just didn't feel like going as recently as last week.  I wasn't about to let the mere fact that it was Easter get in the way of my right to make the same choice!  I started getting the boys ready to go with him.  Jacob was not happy.  Why do we have to go to church?  Because that's what Heavenly Father wants us to do.  But it's Easter!  Easter is a special day to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection, it's an important day to go.  I wanna stay home!  Well, you can't.  As we were having this discussion, my brain kept screaming at me..HYP-O-CRITE!!!  My heart was softened.  I decided it wouldn't take that long to get ready and it wouldn't be that big of a deal if I went.  I could feed Adam before we left and then wear whatever I wanted.  I could go, even if it was for only the last hour.  I came into our bathroom and started getting ready.  Trevor was surprised and asked me why I decided to go.  Because I just got done explaining to Jacob why we have to go to church even if we don't feel like it.  Adam was still asleep, so I stayed behind to wait for him while Trevor took the boys.  I finally arrived at 11:05..church ends at 12.  Oh well, I at least got to go to Relief Society.  And if it wasn't for Jacob, I would've missed seeing my inactive friend whom I have been bugging to come to church.  She finally came today.  Her mother-in-law brings her son to Primary each week and he was assigned to give a talk this week.  My friend decided to come help him.  I was so excited to see her.  I also wouldn't have been there to talk to her and hear about a really tough situation she is going through.  My heart went out to her and I offered to bring her dinner this week.  As I was leaving church, I decided that maybe I should tell the Relief Society President about her really horrible situation so more meals could be brought to her family.  None of this could have happened if I was at home today missing church. 

So, thank you Jacob, for making me not want to eat my words and be a bad example to you. 

I owe you one son.

Happy Easter!

We had a busy Easter weekend. 

On Saturday, Easter Eve, we went to Trevor's family Easter party at the park.

Adam got lots of attention and it suited him just fine.

The boys were asking all day when we were going to the party.  They were finally rewarded! 

It's the bald spot that keeps on showing!  I thought it would grow out by now, apparently it was a pretty good hack-job.  I guess only a fresh haircut will suffice!

Hunter didn't need his Easter hunting buddy as much this year, but she still came in handy.

It's hard to believe they are all mine!

Jacob has a new interest.  Harry Potter.  I came into the family room a few weeks ago to find them nestled on the couch with the opening credits of the newest Harry Potter movie playing.  He tried to pretend like he thought we would be OK with him watching it.  He was immediately reprimanded.  I won't even watch them because I think they are too dark!!  Anyhow, he decided he wanted some Harry Potter paraphernalia for Easter.  Lego's, Xbox game..he is easy to please.  The thought of bringing any more Lego's into this house or toys for that matter didn't sound too appealing to me.  The Easter Bunny took my needs into consideration when packing their baskets.

The Easter Bunny was very kind to us.  The boys got books with dry erase markers and floor puzzles and of course, LOTS of candy!  They went crazy drawing in those books and Hunter was even practicing writing letters all on his own.  Good idea, Easter Bunny!

Adam got his own book and some new binkies.

The Easter Bunny brought Trevor some Frosted Flakes & candy and I got some candy as well.  We tried something new this year.  The boys got to pick out their Easter baskets & plastic eggs to leave out for the Easter Bunny to fill.  They picked one out for Adam.  Then they made sure Trevor and I had baskets too.  I appreciate it when they are thoughtful!  Especially Jacob!!  He tends to forget out other people's feelings.

They got busy putting this puzzle together right away.  I was so proud of them because this is the first puzzle they have done on their own.  I had to document the moment!

Adam's 1st Easter!

I had to dig through some buckets for an Eastery/springy outfit for him to wear today. 

It's a little big, but it worked!

Hunter has come a long way since last year's Easter.  He knows just what to do!

A full basket = The end of the hunt! 

Grandma had THAT many eggs!

Adam was happy to enjoy the hunt from his car seat.

Checking out the goods.

I have been wanting an updated picture of us.  It's hard when Adam changes looks every month!!

The boys and their "bestest" cousins.

It's fun to have cousins the same age!

Proud Mamas & Papas!

All our new babies and one more to come!  Baby Blake will be arriving on April 27th!

We hope everyone had a Happy Easter!!