Christmas in Las Vegas

We decided, somewhat last minute, to spend Christmas in Las Vegas this year.  I wasn't very excited about it at first.  I have had two years to spend at home on Christmas.  Growing up we never just stayed home.   There was always somewhere we had to be and it HAD to be on Christmas day.  No other day would do. I didn't realize how bad it stunk to get up, rush through presents so we could have time to get ready and be at a relative's house until I didn't "have" to do it. 

The last two years have been liberating! No one to see, no where to be.  Just wake up, open presents, hang around in our PJ's playing with all our new stuff.  Maybe go to a friends for dinner or have some friends over for dinner. It's awesome.  So when Brady started asking me if we would have the money to visit Vegas for Christmas this year I wasn't very excited.  I really didn't want to give up my peaceful Christmas. But I gave in.  It was a good year to go as my siblings would all be together this year for Christmas so I would get to see all of them. We had the room in the budget if I cut back in other places and, probably most importantly, it was important to Brady that we go.  He rarely asks for us to do things like that and then follow up with me on it so I knew we needed to make it happen. 

So, we drove a total of four days in our van, two to get to Vegas and then two get home, in some of the worst driving conditions we have ever had to drive through. The worst we had to deal with kid wise was Rory getting altitude sickness twice (once on the way there and once on the way back).  I had planned for that possibility though so it wasn't much more than a blip on the radar.  A gross blip but compared to watching other drivers lose control and fishtail into a ditch, seeing Semi trucks jack-knife on an icy road and driving up and then DOWN the mountains through Vail, Colorado while it was snowing on top of more snow and ice...well I can honestly say that barf was a welcome distraction.  My kids were so good on the drive.  Even the 5 month old did extremely well with only a couple of crying jags that lasted only a few minutes each.  I still need to write a thank you note to Fed-Ex.  At one point I was driving through a small blizzard.  I couldn't seen more than 20 feet in any direction.  The snow blowing all over the road made it impossible to see what lane I was in or even where the road ended.  The road "felt" good under my tires (those of you who drive in snow will know what I mean) but visibility was no where near good.  Brady and I discussed just pulling off at the next exit with lodging and calling it a night. I was driving very slow, probably 25 to 35 miles an hour, when I was passed by a Fed-Ex Ground truck.  I could clearly see his red tail lights ahead of me and I told Brady that I was just going to follow the truck.  The truck driver could somehow see and was keeping a stead pace (55ish).  I felt myself relax as I followed his tail lights.  We followed that truck for an hour and a half when the snow let up and the roads became clear and I was able to pick up our pace. I am very thankful for that truck.  

Our trip home was great all in all and a great way to end 2012.  It was wonderful to see so much of our family.  We were planning on staying in our old house while we were there.  Of course once we got to my mom's house Cadence and Rory were begging to stay there with their cousins and I gave in.  My mom and dad were awesome and went and picked up the stuff they had put at our old house (air mattresses and blankets and all that) and we made our beds on the living room floor with the two big girls on the couch.  Beckah's pack'n'play was tucked neatly in the back bedroom with my brother's boys since she needed to go to bed earlier than almost everyone else.  Bless my kids and their ability to sleep.  They did very well despite all the people crammed into my parents house.  And by crammed I mean a total of 18 people (9 adults and 9 children).  It was crazy...and crazy fun if I am being totally honest.  The first morning my niece and nephews woke up early and pretty much stood in a semi-circle around the front of the couch where Cadence was sleeping waiting for her to wake up.  They were whispering things like, "We are going to have so much fun!" "When Cady wakes up we should totally play that one game." "When is Cady going to wake up so we can play??" It's so funny to me that they were all waiting on her to get the fun going.

It's hard to believe how much all the kids have grown.  Kids who were barely talking the last time I saw them are now little giants who almost have more extensive vocabularies than I do. Cadence is the oldest at 6. Avery just turned 5 and has to be the queen of "Why?" Tyson is 4 but looks 10 (seriously that boy is so TALL). My sweet little Rory is 4 going on 14.  Deceptively quiet Aidric is too smart to only be 4. Then there are the little ones. Sweet Liam who is only 2 but he talks so clearly now he seems older. Gage (aka Gah-jay the Destroyer...long story on that one lol) is 23 months now and never stops moving/climbing/getting into trouble. Beckah is 22 months and thinks she is a big girl and should do all the things the big girls do. And sweet little Owen on the end who was darling and cuddly with everyone our entire trip.   My parents house was a mad house on a good day.

It was excellent to see all the siblings, mine and Brady's.  Only one family was missing and we are sad we couldn't see them, but the kids got to Skype with Saylor and Paisley which was awesome.  Thank you technology! I didn't realize how much I missed everyone until I got to see them in person.  I missed our families so much.  Brady and I are so blessed really.   The more I get to know my siblings as adults the more I love and admire them.  They are such amazing people who are raising amazing children and I am so proud to call them my family.

When we were planning our trip I thought we were spending a long time down there but it felt like no time at all.  Because Brady and I both grew up there, both our parents and grandparents are there, all our friends are there, there was so many people we wanted to see.  It wasn't possible to see them all and I am grateful for those who came all the way out to see us once we were there.  I am thankful to my parents and in-laws for letting crash with them and spend quality time with people.  It means so much that so many people miss us as much as we miss them.  And to those of you we didn't get to see I hope we get to see you next time.  

I got to take a lot of pictures of people while we were there.  I was able to shoot a wedding for some family friends (something I only do in unique circumstances as wedding photography isn't really my cup of tea).  It was a beautiful day for a lovely couple and I feel lucky that the timing was right for me to take their pictures.  I was also able to take pictures of my siblings and their families while we were there.  I took so many pictures that I didn't have any memory card space for pictures on Christmas day!  My siblings took some pictures for me though and I am grateful for that. I will post some pictures once I get through editing all of them.  It could take a while!  There were so many!

Christmas day was crazy but good.  We managed to convince all the kids to go to bed in my sister's room so that Santa could come.  And boy did Santa come!  The living room was full to bursting!  We got to see my both my grandmas, a ton of my cousins from both sides and Brady's grandma and cousin's too.  There was even time for me to sneak out with my sisters, sister-in-law and mom to see Les Mis!  The trip was stressful and crazy but in the end I wouldn't take it back even if I could. I was reminded of all my fond memories of traveling to see my cousins in Utah during Christmas break.  Sleeping on the floor or the couch or where ever there was room. Staying up late chatting and laughing about silly things and spending long days playing silly games.  Preparing and eating yummy food with people we love.  I cherish those memories now as an adult when work, families of our own, and distance make getting together so difficult now. I am glad that my kids will have similar memories and that even through the distance they look forward to spending time with their cousins.  

Brady and I have decided that from now on those memories will have to built during the summer though.  Unless we have the money to fly home.  Driving during the winter was just scary and we don't want to do that again.  Ever.  We were very blessed and felt the Lord watching over us, but the risks we took are ones we don't ever want to take again. Not when we can drive risk free in the summer months.  

So that was our Christmas trip in a nutshell.  I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Years and that 2013 brings wonderful things for everyone!

Owen Four Month Stats

We had our 4 month well check yesterday!  Owen is perfectly healthy and growing very well.  He was 16lbs and 27 inches.  The doctor we saw was a new resident again, but this time around when I said Owen was my 4th baby he didn't bother going through the whole "you can tell I have never done this before" thing.  Instead he just asked me if I had any concerns and then let us go.  It was GREAT!

So happy for a healthy boy!

Cady loves him...

And he really loves her.

Rory said it best.  After dropping Cadence off at school in the morning, Rory looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "Mom, Cadence is an AWESOME big sister."  It's true.

Cadence is so grown up.  She often picks Owen up for me and will rock him, cuddle him, and talk to him for me.  He laughs and grins and giggles for her (and all the girls really).  It's so sweet to watch them together.

And here is a rare smile.  He smiles and laughs a lot actually, but the second I get the camera out he gets his serious face on and stares that big black thing down!  :o)

Halloween 2012

Halloween was super fun this year!  We had a Minion (from Despicable Me), Merida (from Brave), and She-Ra Princess of Power (from the TV show She-Ra)

Cadence made my life easy and bought her costume this year.  I'm glad she choose this route because I barely finished the other girls costumes on time!  

 

She didn't want to wear the red wig that they had available to purchase (it was itchy so I don't blame her) so we bought a can of red hair spray and curled her super short hair.  I think it turned out great though it did take three rounds of shampoo to get that stuff out of her hair.

Rory has been begging to be She-Ra for Halloween for most of the year.  She watches the show on Netflix any chance she gets and we have several foam swords that make acting like She-ra very fun for our girls here at the house. I knew that I was going to have to make this costume and it wasn't super easy. 

This is the first time I have used the applique stitch on my sewing machine.  I bought the leotard, appliqued the star/flower thing on and added a blue stone we found in the jewelry making aisle at Michaels.  The skirt and belt weren't too hard (I attached them to each other).  Heck even the cape was pretty easy (it attaches with velcro on the shoulders).  The wrist cuffs were the second hardest part to sew.

The headdress/crown thing was a bit harder.  I lucked out and found a foam crown at Michaels in the glittery gold and found some 8x10 sheets of the same gold foam on the next aisle!  I cut the pointy parts of the crown off and made the wing shapes and then hot glued them to the crown.  Add the red stone (also found at Michaels) and we were golden!  ;o)  

I was pretty surprised by how many people knew who Rory was.  Most of them were of my generation or older and it was cute to see faces light up and say, "Hey! It's She-Ra!!"  

Beckah was easier in the sewing department.  Couldn't find a yellow hoodie for her in her size anywhere so I made one out of some fleece.  The goggles were a whole 'nother story.   Lets just say that I got lucky with these steam-punk googles we found at Nobbies.  They had black lenses in them that I popped out.  I was just happy that she kept them on.  

Pretty much everyone knew who Beckah was the moment they saw her.  Everyone LOVED her costume and I think she is the darn cutest Minion I have ever seen. Despicable Me is her favorite movie right now.  She will sit and watch the whole thing over and over again if we let her.  It's handy for when I need to get things done...like sew a minion costume.  

My girls.  They brought home more candy than we bought to give out.  It was insane. 

Owen stayed in this halloween and didn't have a costume.  Next year he might be a Minion...

My Darling Husband

Happy birthday to my dear husband!  I feel like I should have thrown him a big party for this birthday.  Thirty is a milestone that should be celebrated.

Brady I hope you know how much I love you.  I hope that I show it as often as I say the words. I am so thankful for you.  Thankful for how hard you work for us.  I know that it can't always be easy being the bread winner and bacon bringer.  It means so much to me that you continue to do it for us, that your hard work allows me to be home with our children.  

I know that you, like me, often feel like we are in a rut.  Everyday the same things over and over again and it gets exhausting.  It gets to be mind numbing sometimes. Some days are easier than others and some are just down right awful. I want you to know that there is no one I would rather share this rut with.  No one whose random quirks I would rather deal with.  I mean, if I have to pick up random dirty socks from places I would never dream of leaving a dirty sock I am really thankful they are yours.  

I love our life together.  The ups and downs and the ruts.  I'm just as happy as the kids to see you when you walk in the door after work.  I hope you know how vital you are to our happiness.  I hope that you can feel it in how we treat you.  

Thank you for dealing with my frustrations as often as my excitement.  Thank you for being a voice of reason when my ability to reason has run out.  Thanks for not always making me be the bad guy with the kids.  Thank you for loving our kids in all their wonderful, exasperating glory.  Thank you for being a wonderful dad with out even trying.  

I am grateful you picked me to spend eternity with.  Happy Birthday honey!  May this year be the best one yet!

Owen 3 months...

Things have been a little bit nutty for us.  Good but Nutty.  

Owen is three months old and I have no idea where the time has gone.  

He is very beloved by all his sisters though.  They are all offering to hold him all the time. Poor kid might never learn to roll if they keep this up.

Beckah is being...well...Beckah.  She keeps going through this weird phases where she doesn't sleep well and is a cranky nut for a week and then sleeps like a champ is the sweet, funny girl we know and love.  

 

Cadence isn't in these pictures.  She was at school.  She is super amazing girl and is doing AWESOME at school.  Her teacher told us that if she had a class room full of Cadence's she would be in heaven. She really is one awesome girl and I will do my best to get some pictures up of her soon.  For now you will have to settle for some of Owen being silly. And cute.  And both. 

I know...he is just so handsome.  Sigh.  He gets it from his daddy. 

Rory is actually doing much better this last month.  She has been having some issues with not listening (I know...a 4 year old not listening?? What??).  She is getting better at listening the first time I ask and things have been MUCH less tense around the house. It's nice.  

Beckah actually took this next picture...I held the camera up and she wiggled it a bit, jabbered some nonsense, waved her arms at Rory, then said "Cheeeese!" and actually pressed the right button.  Pretty awesome right?  

We are gearing up for Halloween now and I am excited to have been making two of the girls Costumes this year!  Hope you all are looking forward to Halloween too!

Rory's 4 year stats, Beckah's 18 month stats, and Owen 2 month stats...

It was a busy couple of weeks for us.  Rory turned 4, Beckah turned 18 months, and Owen is now 2 months old.  All of them needed to go in for well checks!  lol

Rory is 38 inches tall (so 3'2") and 30lbs 5ozs.  Still on the skinny side, but she is holding steady on the growth chart so we aren't worried.  Rory is always awesome at the doctor's office.  She answers questions and has no problem holding still for the exams.  The only thing she didn't like was having to get her shots, but I am pretty sure that no one likes to get shots.  At least now she is done with shots until she is 11 and needs a booster.

Beckah was also very cooperative with the doctors. She is 31inches tall and 25lbs 3ozs.  She talked a bunch  (some nonsense and some completely understandable lol) and is a little bit ahead of where they say average is for her age. Beckah also needed shots which she milked for a couple of days by talking about her "ow-ies" and getting weepy.  She is a little bit of a drama queen.  

Owen had his two month appointment on the 18th.  He did very well, was smiling at everyone and even "talked" for the doctors.  He was 12lbs 15ozs and 24 inches long.  He got a few shots too, which wasn't very fun.

Sadly we are going to be saying goodbye to a few of our favorite doctors as they will be finishing up their residency soon.  This means that there are a whole bunch of new residents coming into the clinic and this drives me a little nuts.  As Owen is my FOURTH child there are somethings that I really don't need to sit and go through step by step with the new residents assigned to our care, but at the same time I feel that I need to let the resident go through the steps they need to for their benefit. They are learning and trying to get these things to be second nature.  Most of them seem insanely nervous, especially when dealing with children and I so want them to be at ease.  My kids are so good about letting them listen to hearts and lungs, letting them look in their ears, nose and mouth.  They get the giggles from doing the response tests (tapping of the knee to make the leg kick stuff) and like to talk to the doctors about how they are doing (even when they are sick).  I know my kids are good for these new Residents to work with because they don't have to worry about upsetting them and can really get a feel for what healthy/sick looks like in kids their ages.

But...It is really exhausting for me to have to go over proper infant care, car seat safety, and/or what they should be doing/learning at this stage/age in detail at every. single. appointment.  Further frustrating things, most of these residents are young, have had no children themselves, and are mostly male.  They also have to go through the appointment once alone with me and again with their attending present to make sure they are checking right.  Sigh.

Good news is all the attending doctors are very good are thanking me for my patience and giving the attending a chance!  The attending at Owen's appointment had an awesome sense of humor and the resident relaxed a lot when he realized that I was going to be as helpful and patient as he needed me to be and that Owen was happy and relaxed.  I really hope that we can get in with him consistently (and I am annoyingly persistent with the appointment people so I'm thinking I will get my way lol) because he had a pretty good bedside manner with the kids once he relaxed and sounded the least like a walking textbook of all the attending physicians when dealing with me and my questions.