Playing catch-up!!

Since I haven't been the best this past month with anything (especially blogging) I am going to play catch-up and throw a bunch of pics. together with a synopsis of what we have been up to this last month or so. I wish I could say it was filled with vacations or exciting adventures but it mostly consisted of the everyday with wonderfully simple highlights nestled throughout.

In the month of October Kenedy continued to help mom, becoming "mom Jr" which she excelled at reading time, singing time, tummy time supervisor, and just wonderful sister time.

Samantha has come alive and is all smiles and silent giggles!!

Kenedy and Gavin picked pumpkins from Grandpa Jeff's Pumpkin Patch and couldn't wait to carve them. Kenedy designed her own all by herself and had a strong vision of what her little one was to look like. She did a Fantastic job from start to finish. Gavin played a huge role in designing his and later became distracted by the Halloween Charlie Brown show and left Dad to finish up the minor details.

Dad getting Kenedy started on her masterpiece.

Gavin getting his hands nice and slimy. Not sure what to make of the "GUTS" but was dutiful on finishing what he started.

Sam spent "OODLES" of time lounging with her friend Sophia. They are hilarious together and they can't get enough of each other (Or, truth be told the moms can't get enough of hang out time with each other). And yes, Sophia smiles like that continuously.

I got everyday reminders of what a blessing my kiddos are in my life.

Gavin had a birthday and turned 2. Leave it to Aunt Natalie to get him exactly what he wanted... a metal bat. We had to tell Gavin right away that this bat was to be "The outside bat". He is quite a slugger and we knew we would see the evidence of his talent in our walls. So each day Gavin says "mom lets go outside and get my Outside bat and play hit".

Also for Gavin's birthday we stole Grandma away for the afternoon to see "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" in 3D. My mother-in-law introduced the book to my kiddos a long time ago and they loved it. So when it was produced into a movie we were Super Excited to see it. I was amazed that all the kids kept their glasses on the whole time.
Thank you mom for all your help !

We visited Gardner Village where Kenedy found the costume of her dreams.

These pics. are random and totally out of order but just a little tid-bit of what this past month has been life for us. It has been so much fun to just enjoy the day, not knowing if we will actually make it out of the house or get a shower. We find ourselves enjoying the simpler things.

One Spoiled Girl

Every morning when I get my "Little/Big" man out of bed and we pass my bedroom he says "Baby Sam Sweep"? As we then continue on our way downstairs where Samantha is usually already awake and fed he immediately says "Baby Sam WAAAAAKE". "I see Baby Sam"? He then rushes over to her where I cringe that he is going to step right on top of her, he gently gets down on his hands and knees and lays right next to her. I must say it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.
For those of you who know Gavin he doesn't really know how to play soft or talk quietly. He is often clumsy and destructive. But when it comes to his little sister he has from day one been so tender and sweet. He loves to sing her "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and tell her all the features of her face (as he is lovingly poking her in the eye). There is something about Boys and the way they love and protect their "Girls"!!!!!

As I said a moment earlier the Boys love their girls and Sam loves her daddy. When he comes home from work and she hears his voice she tries to talk to him. He can pick her up and in seconds have her cooing and smiling. That is rare and it takes me a LONG TIME to get that same reaction. Little Sam and Garrett have a Special bond and it is such a great blessing to have her in our life.

Samantha Jane

Thank you Cortney for letting Samantha be your guinea pig for practicing with your new camera. I truly benefited from this little photo session and it was an adventure all along the way.

As we started getting things together and Sam positioned we didn't realize how hard it is to mold a child "NATURAL LOOKING" into all kind of positions without them screaming and stiffening up. The first 30-45 min. was chaotic and we questioned if this was going to work out at all.
Needles to say when we got Sam to sleep she was much more delightful to work with (hehehe)! We were just a little more limited on the positions we could use.
Props to all those out there who make taking pics. look easy and flawless its hard work and Cortney you are incredible, so Thank You again!!!!!

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Sisters Forever!!!

First...

We have kind of been caught up in a tornado of craziness this past month and want to let you know we are alive and well (sleep-deprived and not showered but happy).

Samantha being the third child has just had been such a joy and blessing to our family and she has been a good sport to go with the flow, because we find ourselves not wanting to sit home or slow down sometimes.

She is definitely her own little personality. she has a cry that is always turned to volume 10! there is no variation or cues that it may be anything in particular its just sheer volume. With that being said she doesn't cry often just when she wants to be heard.
She loves, loves, to be held and we have lots of days of snuggling! The moment I put her down (she is asleep) she immediately opens her eyes wide and starts to stir.

She loves to hear her brother and sisters voices and she will lie still while they hover above her face and speak with her. She is lucky to have Kenedy and Gavin they take such wonderful care of her.

So just a little more about our sweet Samantha Jane, she eats like a champ, and sleeps just as well. She loves the bathroom fan and classical music on while she sleeps and she does not like her arms wrapped in her blanket. She loves to spend time on her tummy and constantly goes cross-eyed. She has long fingers and even longer/bigger feet, I hope the feet thing will slow down and she will grow into them.

I can't believe a month has already swept by and this is just a few of her Firsts....

First girl time with her big sister

First Family night filled with hammock swinging, Book of Mormon stories, Popsicles and wonderful weather.

First sleepover with Brittlyn (who is 3 days older).

First story time.

First Bees Game with friends.

First case of Thrush, with the probability of a few more instances.

The purple dye was put in her mouth as a one time medicine and it wears off in about three days. On the way home from the pediatricians office she kept rubbing her hands on her mouth so the dye spread to her lips and cheeks. Needless to say she looked a little wild for a few days. We love the dye it does the trick so much faster than oral medicine numerous times a day.

First Real Game with the Harris family.

Kenedy's first day of school.
Samantha along for the ride.

First hike up Clarks.

First day at the pool which she slept through, even in 100 degree weather.
We love you Sam and look forward to "OODLES" of more firsts!!!

This is what a SUCCESSFUL day looks like...

3:00 pm (A little late, but definetly better than NEVER).

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Sam's headband also doubles as a Beauty rest mask as well, who knew?

And then there were Three...

I awoke on the morning of July 23rd and thought to myself "get your butt out of bed, there is lots to get done today". As I sat up and ran down the list of errands I needed to run I felt as if I had peed my pants. No big deal... shower and get yourself to Costco.

In the back of my mind I was debating whether to tell Garrett that I thought that there may be a possibility that my water may be broken/leaking. So as Garrett was leaving for work I threw it into the air, and he responded immediately with "Go into Dr. Terry first thing this morning and then call me". "No babe, its not my water, besides I have to hit Costco, the grocery store, prepare a meal for Kimra, fold laundry, and have a play date at Grandma Jo's with all of our cousins". I have way too much to do to have my water break.

So off to Costco we went only to receive a follow up phone call from my cute hubby asking me what the Dr. said. " I am at Costco and haven't been in".

As I was loading my vehicle up with groceries and speaking to Garrett my skirt became increasingly wet with each passing minute and I knew I was on my way to have a baby. As we were driving to the hospital I picked up an incoming phone call from Cottonwood hospital confirming my C-section date for Saturday July 25Th. I responded to her with "we are actually on our way to see you right now" and so we began to pre-register over the phone.

Being admitted to have a baby at the new IMC hospital.

My wonderful anesthesiologist Dr. Matthews who made my experience smooth and almost pain free. I would recommend him to ANYONE, and think he deserves a raise for his "Magic Fingers".

My little man giving me loves after Samantha's arrival!!

Sis giving Sam her first bath. Let me just tell you how grateful I am for Kenedy and what a wonderful "Big Helper" she is. She loves this new baby and is so patient and gentle with her. Sam is lucky to have such a great big sister.

The kiddos checking on their new baby sister.
My camera ran out of battery so I will post updated pics. on my next post.
But for now all is well, I feel great, the babe is wonderful and healthy, and we look forward to many new memories with our "NOW" family of Five.

Birthday, Butterflies and Cake!!!!!!

My sweet, sassy Kenedy turned 4 yrs. old this past weekend, and I know that its not true but I swear she grew up overnight. She has been talking about turning four for quite awhile now.

" When I turn four I can help you with the dishes, and hold babies, and stop sucking on my fingers". "When I turn four can I watch Hannah Montana"? She has always been a big helper with her brother and with things around the house but she is putting it into full force.

For Kenedy's birthday we ventured to the Kangaroo Zoo for a fun filled day with some buddies. They played and ate and played some more only to be tuckered out on the drive home. She is quite easy to please and we had a wonderful time.

Thank goodness she is only four we couldn't possibly fit anymore candles into a tiny cupcake.

The birthday girl trying her hand at baseball.

Gavin being one of the big kids doing everything all by himself. And when you offer to help he says "No mommy I do it"!!!! And most of the time he does. Boy is he growing up fast, and he is not even Two.

Kenedy spent a special birthdate with her Grandma Jo. She visited Build-a-Bear where she hoped there would be a stuffed Raccoon (thanks to Nat and Chad) and when there wasn't she picked out a pony that she named Lily. They had some lunch and Grandma bought her a beautiful birthday dress that Kenedy could not wait to wear. Covered in butterflies, because that is her latest craze!!!! Grandma Jo you are the best and we love you so much for how special you make Birthday's!

She opened up a butterfly net and she and her cousin Bo were immediately off finding bugs, grasshoppers, and rolly-pollys.

Kenedy I love you so much and I am truly blessed to be your mom. You remind me of all things that are wonderful and how great it is to be a kid. You have a personality that lights up a room and such a sure sense of confidence that others are drawn to you. Thank you for being my little girl and I look forward to lots more birthdays!!!

4TH OF JULY!!!

We spent the 4Th of July up in Farmington with Garrett's family this year and for numerous years I have heard about the Kaysville parade. My brother in-law won't miss it and I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. First of all I am not a parade person. They are early, its already hot outside, they no longer throw candy, and the traffic and people make me antsy. (sorry to be so negative). Well this year was different.... this parade didn't start until 11:00 am, it was overcast and the weather was comfortable, we didn't fight too much traffic or people and this parade throws lots of candy and stuffed animals!!!!!!! And to tell you the truth we don't do these things for ourselves we do it for the kiddos and to see them having so much fun makes every second worth it.

Just waiting for the festivities to begin.

Scott and Easton pointing with excitement as he sees and hears the fire engines coming by.

All the cousins sitting patiently on the curb awaiting some yummy treats and great entertainment.

Inching their way closer and closer into the street to get some candy. At one point Kenedy ran out into the middle of the street and was prying a smooshed taffy off the ground. Getting a little desperate I know.

After the parade and some delicious Cafe Rio we headed back to Grandma Sydney's for some water fun with cousins, a nap, some more BBQ food and fireworks. We went over to Davis High School for fireworks and the kids had fun with sparklers, and glow bracelets before the big show. I had awoken Gavin for the fireworks just as they were beginning and he was not happy about that. He snuggled into me and hid his face the whole time. And just when he thought they were over he would lift himself up, and start to clap only to be stampeded by another round of loud bright bangs in the sky. Sorry buddy maybe next year will be a better year for fireworks.

KOWABUNDABAY BABY!!!!!!

So ever since those colorful slides have made their way into the sky my kiddos shriek and point "Kowabundabay"!!!!! Long before the water park opened they were entranced by this place. Each time we got on the free way or just headed north Kenedy would say "When will we pass Kowabungabay"? And as soon as those slides came into view she and Gavin would both point and yell. So the time has come and we hit the park with our best buddies, our cousins. The weather was warm and the kids were well rested for a full day of water and EXCITEMENT. When I say kiddos I am not leaving out Jake and Torrah, they are the ring leaders of the group. I think they earned a few crusties and middle fingers by the end of the day by staking out at water guns and squirting innocent bystanders. And I wonder where my kids get their pranking ideas....

Gavin and Jake just refueling!

Grandma Jo enjoying a cozy Sadie Jo. She has the touch that is for sure.

Kenedy trying to jump some water sprayers.

Gavin taking a quick snooze before round two.

Jake and Torrah enjoying a second without our kids piling on top of them and asking them to take them on some more rides. These two are truly the best. The kids eat them up and Jake and Torrah willingly play with them. And I don't mean for five minutes at a time. I mean the whole day. So I am sure my babysitting bill was racked up that day just send it my way.

Jake and Kenedy waiting paitently for the big bucket of water to splash down.

Sadie Jo just chillin in the shade. Look at that smile, you should see it in person she is gorgeous and was so much fun at the water park.

Nash and Gavin playing in the pool.