Halloween 2014

Happy Halloween from Spiderman, Firestar, Iceman, Buzz, Cinderella and Prince Charming:)

Rochester, Palmyra, and Niagara Falls NY

I've learned to jump at opportunities when they come. So, when Chris was asked to interview for a job in Rochester, NY, I was quick to ask if we could all go. Fortunately for us the company he interviewed with allowed us to drive and reimbursed us the expenses rather than Chris flying. Amazing right?!!! I was so excited that the 12+ hour drive didn't sway me. Rochester is one of those places I haven't ever really thought about but I love NY and it was close to Palmyra and Niagara Falls. Two Places which I was dying to visit. With little time to prepare or stress about the long drive, we were off. The drive was long but beautiful. Our country is full of awe inspiring views. The kids did as well as expected and it was a great time to spend together as a family.

We stopped a few times for phone interviews Chris had scheduled with other companies, so we didn't make it to Rochester the first day. We did get there in time for Chris to prepare for his interview while me and the kids had fun at the Rochester Zoo, ate lunch and played at a park. I didn't get pictures from our stay in Rochester but I remember thinking it had it's charm and it seemed very clean and manicured. Even downtown. That night we went to a recommended "family" restaurant, called 'Dinosaur BBQ'. It was a local favorite that seemed more like a bar. I'm not sure why it is deemed as a family restaurant and I'm not sure what dinosaurs had to do with it but it was delicious.

The next day we were ready early, ate breakfast and hit the road to Palmyra. The weather was perfect. Sunny and slightly chilly and crisp. I love the fall! We took the tour of the Smith family log cabin and then the house they built after. It was amazing to be in the place where so many important and sacred events occurred. I don't know if or what my kiddos will remember from this trip but they were interested in seeing everything. We then walked to the Sacred Grove and that was a tough one. I mean it was glorious and just as I imagined it would look like. There's something about having to yell, but not trying to yell to your kids to stop running, stop yelling, etc. that kind of takes away from those contemplative moments. Typically I would try to get through whatever quickly but I did not want to rush through this experience. It was incredible and even though I was a little distracted with my hooligans, it was still a wonderful, happy moment with them. 

Poopy diapers, lunch time, and much needed naps made us leave and make our way to Niagara Falls. While Palmyra was more than I expected, I must say both Chris and I were a little underwhelmed with this 'gigantic' water fall. It was great to see and maybe we would have felt differently if we had taken the boat ride that is at the bottom. Instead we were at the top looking down and I just thought it would be bigger. Still enjoyed seeing the site I've always heard about and the area was also breath taking. It was a long drive home and we were tired from doing a lot in a short amount of time. It was a great experience.

Here's pics from the trip:

 

Apple Picking with Leigh, Ben and fam

Fun times at Sky Top orchard, especially since Leigh, Aidan, Arynn, Ben, Lizz, Mizu, and Kai joined us this time. I've talked about it so much they had to come and see it for themselves. I don't think they were disappointed. They might however, have been surprised with how cold it was. Good thing Leigh had a stash of beanies and gloves in her car:) Even though it was cold, we still enjoyed the beautiful scenery while picking apples, ate the delicious apple cider doughnuts, and had fun on the tractor ride around the orchard. We were having so much fun I only took a few pics.

Graham is Growing

  Graham at 9 months, is crawling all over the place and putting everything in his mouth. He is eating baby food and enjoying most of it. Sweet potatoes is an all time favorite. He loves playing with toys and likes playing close to where is brothers and sister are playing. It is the sweetest thing to see all four of them together, happily playing:) I can see a look in his eye when the others are running around, that he can't wait 'til he is running around with them. He's progressing everyday. He pulls himself up to standing position next to any furniture. Walks along while holding on for support.  It's cute to see his squishy legs up right. Graham has his 2 bottom middle teeth and the 2 top, middle teeth are close to coming through.  Teething has affected his sleep a little but all in all, he's a good sleeper. We love his smiles and he loves to cuddle, be tickled, wrestle with daddy, swing outside, and be adored by his family. He is just a joy to be around and we are blessed to have him as part of our family. 

Graham's 9 month stats:

Height: 29.25 in. (85th percentile)

Weight: 19 lb 8 oz (50th percentile)

Head Circumference: 46 cm

Graham is definitely smaller than his brothers as a baby, so it will be interesting to see how he grows. All I know is, he is a whole lot of cuteness!

Pictures say a thousand words and just looking at these I see so much of his sweet disposition I can't even describe. Enjoy:)

 Love you, Graham:)

Emmett's 2nd Birthday

2 years have come and gone. Emmett has always been big and has only gotten bigger. Look at those thighs, he's just so cute and fluffy from head to toe. His ultra fair skin, super blonde hair and blue eyes, not to mention his ear to ear smile makes you want to just look at him. And I do! When I get the chance to hold him, I just gaze at his features and think how beautiful he is. He has a personality to match. He has this mischievous side to him but is mostly sweet. I enjoy his cuddles when they come but he is mostly a busy boy ready to have fun. He ends up doing most of the chasing rather than being chased, which is funny because he seems slow compared to the others, yet they always act scared when he runs after them. His favorite past-times are throwing things, picking up more things and throwing them. Mixed with a little of actually sitting and playing. He will still cuddle, but not as often. He's starting to talk more and more to where I can actually understand what he is saying. I'm not sure anyone outside the family can but who cares. Some of our favorite Emmett words are 'Bah' for mom, 'Chow' for Calvin. The other day I over heard Calvin trying to teach Emmett how to say Calvin. Emmett said 'Chow' and Calvin said no Emmett, it's Calvin. Say Calvin, and Emmett said 'Chowvin'. I think Calvin gave up after that. It's especially sweet to hear him talk when he says his prayers. He says thanks for each one of us and then says wuv you, name, Christ, Men. He's always very proud of himself after he does anything. He will run and then come tell me 'Bah, I fast', then speed away, laughing. 

He's become more dramatic and will throw himself down on the ground and burry his face when he is upset. Or he will ask 'why' in a whiny voice. I'm not sure why I explain after he asks why because it only follows another whiny 'why'? Emmett is better able to play with Lila and Calvin and it's fun to see the 3 of them playing together especially when they are getting along. Emmett has also paid more attention to Graham. For awhile their Graham was just another obstacle to run around but now, He is someone Emmett asks about. Where's 'B'? Hi 'B'! Here 'B'. Emmett is a good helper when he wants to be. Sometimes it takes a lot of encouragement to get going but when he gets to working, he doesn't stop 'til the job is finished. 

We love our Emmett and have enjoyed watching him grow these last 2 years. Can't wait to see what he'll do in the future.

Here's pics from his day:

Listen to This

I love hearing my kids sing. Their voices are so sweet and their lyrics are hilarious to me. 

Here's a video of Lila:

She is just so cute and sweet and I love her mispronunciations. Lila loves to sing and I often over-hear her singing. She'll sing while she's playing, going potty, eating, cleaning up, or while riding in the car. One day in the car I heard her bust out "this girl is on fire". She is full of surprises for sure:)

Here's a video of Calvin:

This boy loves to sing too. I heard him sing a lot while playing outside and he would often ask me to sing with him. I've been writing down the lyrics he sings so I can remember them. He has a future in lyric writing if he wants one, that's for sure.

"Jingle Bells"

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Always in the way

All I have 

Is to ride 

a broken horse in a sleigh

"Roar"

Roooooow

Cause there's a lion 

Dancing to the fire, fire

Dancing to the fire, fire

And there's a lion

Dancing to the fire, fire

"I am a child of God"

I am a child of God 

And He be sent me hear 

(Lila sings that the same way, He can be a copy cat)

Teach me, slide me

walk with me

all the way home

"Frosty the Snowman"

Frosty the snowman

is a joey soul

poked his eye

and blew his nose

and he stayed out in the cold

I've tried to record Emmett singing the intro to Gummie Bears but he runs anytime I point the camera in his general direction. He sings along to the tune but only ever says bears at the appropriate times. Our favorite part is at the end, he adds a little more umph to the final 'bears', then laughs at himself.

Girls Beach Trip to Jekyll Island

A much needed day at the beach is what I wanted. I got so much more because it included girl time with my mom, sister and one of my sister-in-laws plus my fun loving daughter and nieces. We laid out on the beach, played in the sand, swam a little, talked a lot, and ate some good food. That was just one day. After seeing some fishermen catch a shark we were done with the water. That night Lizz brought supplies for us to have pedicures. Sunday we went to church and then lunch before saying our goodbyes. It was a quick trip but relaxing and a lot of fun. Hope to be able to do it again and with the missing sister in laws.

Here's pics from the trip: