The Marysville Stampede

The kids all attended their first rodeo last night with me and Mom. Abby LOVED watching the bull riding, laughing at the juvenile antics of the rodeo clown, th barrel racing and her favourite, the Mexican National Champion and his young son doing tricks with their beautiful palomino horse with extra-long flowing mane and tail. It was getting a bit long for her toward the end, but the babies did surprisingly well. The weather couldn't have been better. We saw a lot of people we know and it was a lot of fun. Abby even turned up the charm to get Grandma to get her a ride on a bull... the babies even got to share the experience!When we got home, the first thing Abigail did was get on the rocking horse and "run barrels". Then she slept very soundly.

Jack

Yesterday, Abby got to pick out a kitten from Sophie, Kim's cat's litter. It is her first experience having a pet and we wanted it to be a good one so we had fun going to the pet store and getting all the things he would need like a bed, food, toys, etc. I felt so badly for Kim's kids. I remember how hard it was to give away little puppies and kittens- how you secretly wish that your parents will just keep them all or that no one else will want them so you'll have to keep them all. We assured them they could come and visit whenever they wanted and that he would be happy. She picked out the fluffiest one the kids called, Jack. We told Abby she could name him whatever she wanted and after thinking about it for a long time, she said, "I can name him whatever I want and I just like Jack". So Jack it is. Technically, we are keeping him for Mom and Dad for a while... but I think he might not ever make it over there as we already love him so much!

Today, Jack got a tour of the back yard. He is such a friendly little kitty and loves to follow us (especially Abby) around. Last night, Abigail wasn't sure how to hold him but today, she is a pro and they are already the best of friends.

Peace, Love and Twins

We are so blessed to have some of the greatest friends around. We had a great Memorial Day and although some of the kids ended up puking (sorry Ethan and Kajsa) we had a fun bonfire and some good times. Also, Jenny had volunteered her husband Ed to take pictures of the twins as a baby shower gift and we never got around to it before so he was so kind to take some this time around and, well, as you can imagine, they turned out FANTASTIC! He is usually not a portrait photographer so we feel double-grateful... check out his portfolio here.





Today was Paul's mum's birthday and Abby wanted to do something special so she drew her a picture and we took photos to wish her a happy birthday. We really wish England, Utah and NoCal could just break the laws of physics and all be next to each other.
So, the babies are really getting interactive now. They love playing with their feet, peek-a-blocks, each other and Abby. Also, they get really excited when they see pictures of themselves. It's so amazing how fast kids grow up.

Abby is really reading now. I mean really. We are so blessed. Really.

My How Time Flies

I cannot believe how big our kids are getting. Yesterday, Abigail went to Kindergarten Readiness Day. She was excited and nervous- she even got a little teary when the teacher took them away. She also had Maci, a little friend from church, in her same group and she was so happy about that. When I came to pick her up, she looked a bit disheveled and she was M-A-D mad! All the way home, I heard, "They had this play kitchen and other toys and stuff and I didn't even get to play with them at all!" and "When the teacher took us back, we walked by a drinking fountain and she didn't even stop and I was thirsty and wanted a drink!" When I asked her to tell me what she DID get to do, at first she held back... but after a while, she stopped being mad and told me all about it. Even today, she sang a song she learned. They sent everyone home with a mini report card that had two options: 1) Great Job! and 2) Needs to Work on Over the Summer. Guess who got ALL great jobs? She did do a great job and she can't wait to go back... mostly just to play with that kitchen though.

The other BIG news in the family: For two nights in a row, Liam and Lily (and Abby for that matter) have slept all the way through the night! Let's hope that becomes the new norm!

Out of the Hospital... For Good This Time

So, Liam spent another week in the hospital... this time he had pneumonia in both lungs and was on oxygen for the first few days and everything. I am hopeful we nipped it in the bud permanently this time. We also switched his formula to a soy one and his breathing became dramatically better. Throw in the fact that the rest of us took turns with a nasty 24-hour stomach bug and you can guess the kind of week it was. Again, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have such AMAZING friends and family and church. Abby pretty much lived at Kim's house- staying the night every night and everything, Dawn came all the way up here to visit and bring me some much-needed In-N-Out Burger, Mom called in sick to work when I was puking so hard I had to go home and even now, members of our church are bringing us dinners as we try to catch-up and get our lives back to normal. I really don't know how others do it and we surely couldn't have ever done it alone. I guess that's the big secret to life, eh?

None of us miss the hospital much (WORST FOOD EVER) and we are so entirely happy to get back to normal! We really appreciated our time together today. Paul had the day off and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Liam is feeling MUCH better as you can see for yourself!