Seth's First Bath at Home

Well since I thought that Hannah was our last I have given away quite a bit of our 'baby gear'. So since we have no baby bathtub we make do with the bathroom sink. (Actually I have quite a few pics of all of my kids taking a bath in some sort of sink or other.) Even though he was quite mad in the pics...he calmed right down and has loved having a bath or shower ever since. He's a lot like me in the fact that I think he can soak for a LONG time in warm water!

Seth's coming home

I forgot that I had these pictures on my phone of Seth's coming home, so now is as good of a time as ever while I'm playing catch up. I can't believe how chunky he was when he was first born. He's really thined out a lot in his face. Still as sweet as ever!

That's what big brothers are for

Poor Jace...or any of the kids for that matter. They are all so willing to give into the crazy whims of their little sister Hannah, no wonder she thinks that the world revolves around her. She has had quite the wake-up call now that she is not the baby of the family anymore. But we're working through those issues...just taking it day by day. As long as we see a smile on her face, all is well in the world.

2010 Grovecrest Fall Carnival

Every year Grovecrest Elementary has a PTA Fall Carnival, which for our kids is a must attend. They have all the classic carnival games with prizes galore. Since it is right after school, I usually just take the kids by myself. But this past year, Nate called me on his way home from work, wanting to surprise us at getting off of work early. But the surprise was on him since he was able to go to the carnival with us. It's pretty low key, so it's not a stress to take 5 kids to it...even 9 months pregnant. But it was sure nice to have him there and 'manage' Hannah. She had to sit on his lap while getting her nails painted at one of the booths. It's weird to think that's the last carnival for Brady to attend...at least as a student there. I'm so grateful for the area and school boundaries that we live in.


Zack in a potato sack race.

Excited that he won the race...even beating a girl.

Mitchell with red hair and Brady wearing shades...still a need to look cool when hanging out with the family.

Fieldtrip to the Fire Department

Last September Jace's preschool had a fieldtrip to the PG Fire Department. Always a good experience to see how fire trucks work and what firemen wear and do. But I'd have to say the highlight of the fieldtrip for Jace was getting the pencil that was 'heat sensitive'...it changed colors when you gripped it.

Jace's 1st day of Preschool

This is Jace's 2nd year of preschool at Funshine Preschool. I knew that he would need 2 years, just so he wouldn't die from boredom. He has a September birthday, and would love to be in kindergarten right now, but we have to follow the rules I guess. There isn't a preschool day (and sometimes regular days) that goes by that he doesn't ask me when he gets to go to kindergarten. He wants to ride the bus with his siblings and take a sack lunch. But that day will come soon enough, and I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two.

Just today we had this conversation:
"Mom I miss my old preschool class."
"I bet buddy...you liked Miss Heidi huh? But do you like Miss Robin?" (His current teacher)
"Yeah...except for when she gets mad at us...when we don't clean up the toys when she asks us too."

I love how honest they are at this age!

Minute to Win It

So I guess there is a show called 'Minute to Win It' on TV...that we havn't ever really watched since we have a 'no TV' rule Monday thru Thursday. But one night last fall we caught a glimpse of it and some of the fun games they were playing. We finished watching it as a family and decided to have a couple of challenges right then and there. The challenge I could come up with off the top of my head was holding a spoon on your nose. Zack and Rachel were the first to 'race' and they made it about 10 seconds. Then is was mine and Jace's turn to race...ummm I lost big time. I don't how he does it, but he held this spoon on his nose for over 3 minutes. (We were timing ourselves on my phone/stop watch.) And then he kept doing it over and over. We had a good chuckle over Jace's new found talent!

Seth...6 Weeks Old

At 6 weeks, he is holding up his head pretty good...this isn't the best holding up his head shot...but it was one that he wasn't cross-eyed in. Funny how they do that. He still had his 'quivver chin' at 6 weeks...one of my favorite baby traits. Kinda sad when they loose that, my kids always think that he is cold, even though I've explained it a million times.

Falling Leaves

One Saturday in November Nate and I had a World Wide Training to attend early in the morning. We of course took Seth with us, and left Brady in charge. Nate and I always say, 'Brady can act like a 3 year old... or an 18 year old' Luckily this was one of the 18 year old moments. Nate asked the boys to rake some leaves while we were gone, which they did...but Brady wanted to take some action shots of the kids jumping in the leaves to surprise me. As long as he is super careful with the camera, I'm okay with it. He did a pretty good job I think. My favorite picture is of Jace running into the pile of leaves...so true to that little boys character.

Seth...One Month Old

I love his blue eyes...they are getting 'bluer' every day. Just like Brady's eyes when he was a baby. I remember taking this picture at about 11:30 pm on his 1 month birthday...but I've sworn to myself that I'm not going to let his life slip by without any pictures.

My Last Photo of Being Pregnant EVER!

Yes I'm playing catch-up again! But if I don't I know that I will always regret it. Since Nate printed up our blog for 2009, it has become my favorite book. So I've got to get some posts on here that I'd like to remember.

This picture was taken 10-10-10...right after church. I was hoping to have a baby this day. I even walked 5 miles (3 on my own, and 2 with the family) to try and get him to come out. But he came 2 days later and life will never be the same. Sure love you Baby Seth!

Brady and Zack's 1st 5K

The morning of October 30th, Nate, Brady and Zack all got up bright and early and ran the 5K Fundraiser for the AF Swimteam. And still as Nate and I talk about it...we are so proud of those boys. (We tried to remember the 1st time we ran 3.2 miles, and we both knew it was well into our high school or college careers.)

Brady's finishing time was 28 minutes and Zack's was 29 min and 45 seconds. Nate of course finished in 22 minutes in the top 10...and ran back to encourage both B and Z to the end. He said that as he was running the last lap with the boys, that he said, "Come on...you've got to finish under 30 minutes." That got their legs movin'. And they were so excited when they both came in under 30 minutes. They ran diligently during the summer, but with school in session, they havn't had much of a chance to. But I guess that is where football and soccer have helped to keep up their endurance.

I hope they keep with running, and find it as fun as Nate and I do. All 3 won raffle prizes, and they were pretty happy about that. (Kind of helps with motivation.) Now we are looking into a couple of Turkey Trots for Thanksgiving Weekend. Can't wait!


Zack and Brady before the race.

Nate finishing the race...22 minutes...but not his best time ;-)

Brady finishing at 28 minutes.

Zack finishing under 30 minutes...Nate loved the look of relief on his face as he crossed the finish line.

Seth 3 Weeks

Well I have to admit...it definately is easier having older kids with a new baby. I had been thinking that I needed to get a picture of Seth...and low and behold Brady did just that for me, when Seth was 3 weeks. Not too bad of a shot too. He, Zack and Rachel have been a huge help. Very willing to hold Seth or fetch this or that for me. Nate has also been going above and beyond and reigning the kids in to help with dinner, cleaning, whatever. (I even had 2 Girls Night Out last week and left him with the other kids at home.) Now if I could just figure out what to do with Miss Hannah and her tornado capabilities ;-)

Seth is growing great and at 3 weeks he weighed 8 lbs 10 oz. Still down from his birth weight...but it's because he lost so much due to jaundice. His face is getting fuller and I think he looks more like Brady every day.

We have to to run his legs a lot to help relieve his gas pains...but I've cut out all chocolate ;-( so we'll see if that helps. Just last week when I was 'running his legs' Jace walked in and said, "Mom...can I toot him?" It's funny the ideas and words they pick up when you seem to always be talking 'baby talk'.

Halloween 2010

Well Halloween has come and gone...and we had a great time with class parades, ward trunk or treating and soggy trick or treating. We again bought our kids' Halloween candy this year after all was said and done. (Brady wasn't thrilled to sell his loot since his candy total was over 8lbs, but seriously...It's worth it to pay the $5 to them and not deal with candy wrappers, and spoiled dinners...and eventually numerous cavities.) Here are some of the many pics taken during the 3 days of festivities!

School Parade

Brady designed his shirt, and I thought that was all he was going to wear...but of course the morning of he and his friend Mitchell wanted to jazz things up a bit with some Halloween makeup.

Zack was a pilot...thanks to his Uncle Kyle Holmes' old costume. We did make a leather pilots helmet and goggles to add to the costume, but he opted to not wear them at the last minute.

After MUCH deliberation...Rachel decided to be a 50's girl...I stayed up late the night before sewing her skirt to wear the next day.

Ward Trunk or Treating. Even though this is a trunk or treating the night before, most people try and think up something different to hand out other than candy. There was a 'scary movie' playing on the side of the church...fresh popcorn popped over an open fire...hot chocolate...roasting bread on sticks over a fire...and we decided to 'bob for apples'. What a great time we had. A lot of the kids had never even tried it before, and they kept coming back to try and get their apple. Luckily we always hold it in the parking lot so there isn't a lot of clean up.




They didn't want to try for an apple...but were pretty excited about the candy they got.



Ready for a soggy Trick or Treat!


Hannah loves to wear her rainboots...especially since she can put them on herself...they worked well since it was pouring rain on Trick or Treat night.

A Princess and her Knight

The Princess and her Frog

A Frog, Princess and a Knight...I'm glad I can get 3 of them to be a theme.

A cute little frog.

A Pretty Princess

A Handsome Knight

Rock and Roll 50's girl

Fighter Pilot

Am I getting too old for this?


Dang that's a lot of kiddos!

Jace and Hannah's loot.

Maybe I shouldn't let Nate take the kids out next year...he brought in a stray kitty from the rain. We feed and kept it over night...but when we opened the garage the next morning, she ran out and was adopted by our neighbors...I was kind of glad. Not really ready to train another kitty

Zack and Brady's loot...I still can't believe how much stuff they can come back with.