Carson turns 7

I think since it was just Mother's Day, and Rich helped them make me a "special" breakfast, Carson thought that sounded like a tradition we should either start or have always done:) so the night before his birthday he says, "don't forget to get up early and make me a special breakfast." I have never done that before, I usually try to make a "special" dinner, but I thought what the heck.....and he was delighted! I can't believe it has been 7 years since Carson joined our family. He is such a joy to have around and is just such a sweet kid.

This year Carson's favorites are:

1. color: green
2. breakfast: biscuits and gravy
3. food: spagetti
4. thing to do: swim, ride his bike
5. subject: lunch
6. video game: spiderman
7. treat: ice cream
8. cereal:golden grahams
9. number: 10
10. toy: lava man

For his birthday he got some transformers he has been wanting, and some swim toys, that Ashton thought were something to wear on his head, silly boy;)

kayaking with the kids

We took the kids on a last min. kayaking trip last Tues. We went to blue ridge reservoir. Rich's partner at work has a kayaking rental business, and let us take them up. I hadn't ever been, and besides Logan, the other kids hadn't either. I was seriously impressed, even Carson was cruising around. He got tired after awhile, so Rich hooked his up to Logan's and he towed him along. It was a fun, fun day!!! We love spending time together, especially outdoors!!

broken

Well we had a trip to the E.R. tonight. Ashton decided to learn how to climb out of the crib tonight, or rather fall. He broke both bones in the for arm. The good news is that the bones are lined up, no surgery and no setting the bones. They splinted it tonight and he should get a cool cast in about a week. He was so cute, when they asked him if he was a monkey, he said, u hu:). They gave him some gatorade in a cup with a straw, and he just kept saying, "a Ivy some juice," I seriously think it's adorable how both of them always think of each other.

A short get away

Rich and I had a great opportunity to go on an overnight backpacking trip to Fossil Springs, thanks to my sister Tracy and her husband Sean. They planned it for couples in their ward, and invited us, and Rich invited a firefighter friend he works with and his wife. It was so much fun, and SO beautiful down there. This was my 3rd time going, and it was easier this time for sure, I can thank my early morning workouts for that;) Rich has been down there a bunch of times over the years and still loves it!!

A great day!

We saw something pretty in the desert! You don't see this very often .
We decided to go to Rich's favorite riding place, Sycamore Creek because there was water and especially since no one is out there during the week. He used to go out there riding with a buddy from high school all the time, and this was their "secret spot." It was really pretty, but their secret is safe with me, I couldn't remember how to get there to save my life.
We loved riding through the water!!!
We ended up riding a rough trail, about 30 miles round trip. There were some parts that were crazy hard to get up, but Rich always figures a way. I was a bit scared at first to go up hills that were steep at all, but after riding a while and learning the machine better, I got the hang of it, and it's so fun!! I'm ready to go again!!
I was showing off doing donuts, just trying to compete, he is better!

Thanks to Rich for always planning fun times!! And thanks to a dear friend for watching our little ones, thank you Tori!! Rich took me riding all by ourselves, no kids begging for rides, no crying whining or fighting for a whole afternoon, hurray!! We went out for about 5 hours, and I think that's the longest turn I have ever had :) You gotta love my hair, I tried to refuse wearing a helmet, but the paramedic side of Rich said no way!! I borrowed Logan's get-up, I think pink for me would be better. But I still looked official;)

Time to catch up

Well lots has happened and I don't ever post, I feel like I never have a minute to sit down. I feel like I have been extra busy and wiped out. 2 toddlers is what I will blame it on, not to mention just having 6 kids, the laundry alone is a full time job! it's a good excuse anyway;) Logan turned 16, can you believe it? He got braces put on the day before his birthday, so he was a little bit miserable that day. I was going to throw him a big party, but there seemed to be a lack of interest, he says he doesn't know any girls to invite. It was also that he and his friends wanted to go to a dance that night. I won't complain about that, just buys us some more time;) He hasn't been on a date yet, I think he is waiting for the license first, which will be awhile, we are going to make him wait a bit. He is a great young man and is really growing up way too fast. It's been a weird reality for me. It WAY crept up on us!!

My little chef

Ivy was really wanting to "cook" with me the other night. I was making fried rice and before I knew it, she had scooted the chair over and started stirring the veggies, she was SO proud, and SO darling!!

My big tiny girl

Ivy is potty trained!!! She has been THE easiest one ever. She turned 3 and I said you are big now, you don't need diapers. You can go on the potty. We got her panties and, knock on wood this is day 5 and NO ACCIDENTS!!!!! YAY IVY!!! I don't even have to tell her to go potty, no timers, no reminding, she just goes in and goes, and when she needs help with the #2 she calls for me. I know it is so lucky, and I feel so blessed!

Happy Birthday Ivy!!!

Ivy has a cold today, but still is smiling about turning 3. It is going to be the year to potty train!! She is at such a fun stage right now, she tells me when she doesn't want to go to bed, mom I want to hang out with you! She has a new best friend every day, whoever has won her heart that day, the kids all try to have it be them, I love it when she says, "mommy is my best friend." She is such a fun little girl and we love her so much!!