In Other News...

I found this really fun site called Pinterest. Well, on it was a Fall wreath that is SO easy to make. The kids and I went to the park with a friend and her kids to collect acorns for this fabulous wreath I am making...Well it's been almost a month and the acorns are still in the garage in a box. So we will see if it actually gets made!

 The three little ones LOVE to play on my bed. Whatever works I guess, right?

 Here they are showing me how they toot. My kids have no shame with gas.

 They love to have me take pictures of them hugging and being kind to each other. Maybe I should follow them around with a camera all day.

Being silly as usual.

Poor Addison has taken quite a few blows to the head lately. So her forehead is always bruised.

They love to dress up for Church. They think any time they put on a dress they are a princess. Goodbye Dora, this year it is all about the princess.

 We play outside a lot. Nathan loves his scooter.

 Cute girlies riding bikes.

 Someone gave us this wagon for free and it is the highlight of outside time. The child who no one recognizes in this picture is Zoie. We take her home on Mondays so her mom can deal with after school activity duties. I am the co-chair with her so it works out well that I don't have to stay.

 Emma also loves the scooter but lately might prefer the wagon.

Kate showing off her shooting skills.

Nathan had a rough patch about a week ago. He ended up being put to bed for time out and fell asleep. I was not about to wake him and I let him sleep until dinner time. He still went to bed at 7 that night though!

In case the rest of the world does not know, this is Rayce. Nathan's latest BFF. (Do boys have BFFs?!) Anyway, this little boy's mom and I work out together and all our kids go to the same school. These two will both start Kindergarten next year. I also swap babysitting with this mom to be able to work in the classroom or go on field trips. So these two spend a lot of time together. For both of them, their world revolves around when they get to see each other. 

 

Today was the Primary Program for Church. This was the first time I didn't buy the kids new outfits, but their old clothes are still cute.

 Next year, all five will be in the program woo-hoo!

 His first year! He didn't sing and was looking around the whole time. At one point he growled like a tiger...

 I straightened her hair and realized how old she looks. Oh my goodness.

 Cute Emma

 Kate posing

 Next year is his last year...WOW

 The girls wanted to pose together

So I made the boys do it too.

Breaking Ground

I really wanted to make sure I get our yard transformation documented. With a talented husband who knows a lot about plants and all other things yardish, we are transforming our poor neglected for three years landscaping.

My Crew...These two boys worked up a sweat on the yard. Bailey is such an awesome worker and is really helpful to have. On our first Saturday working on the yard, we actually worked on a service project with our ward from 8:30-12. Then, we came home and got to work on our own stuff. So, these two guys were tuckered out at the end of the day. I worked too, but had a lot of kid duty in the morning. I've never really worked in a yard before so I was mostly just following directions. I didn't get a picture of myself but I was plenty dirty and smelly too.

We moved these giant flagstones out from the front of the house. They were beasts!

 Front Yard

 Upper section of front yard. Rocks removed.

These are the before shots of the front yard. We moved the rock border and sprayed Round Up on all the grass. There was no real saving it. We did try to start pulling out the weeds only at first but soon realized that would only leave us with dirt patches. So the sod will be coming soon!

 

Fast forward to yesterday...The fallen tree. Well, not fallen but taken out. Why anyone has a tree in the front where the roots start to come up and ruin the grass makes no sense. We decided we want a section of easily mow-able grass with no interference. 

 Digging out the tree and all of the grass.

 Side area by driveway. We are reusing the flagstone.

 Even with it all dug up it looks better than before.

The neighbors were all coming by so excited about our work. We are the only house on the street that is not beautifully landscaped and taken care of. I'm sure it is nice to have someone in the house that cares. I'm really excited to see how it all comes together. 

What have we here?

I think with my new phone I am lazy about using the regular camera to document. It is so easy to take a picture, upload it to facebook and be done! But facebook will not document my children's lives, so I must now play catch up.

We like to meet Nana at the mall on Fridays sometimes when she has the day off. This particular Friday I half joking texted Ben to make sure he was still saying no to get Emma's ears pierced. I must have caught him at a good time because I go the go ahead! We went right over to Claire's and here is sweet and nervous Emma before getting her ears pierced.

We asked to have them both done at once, but one of the guns got stuck and they had to do the second ear over. By this time, Emma was crying and wailing and saying she didn't want them anymore. I think Nana and I felt so bad but we had to convince her to finish because you can't go around with one earring! So I promised her a new pair of shoes (I was desperate!) if she let them do it, held her on my lap and held her head. We waited to take pictures of the after because her eyes were so red and puffy. She loves her earrings now but I know if anything ever happens to them she won't get it done again. They sure are cute though:)

Addison modeling her swim suit in October. I think they are having pool withdrawals.

 I had the kids go with me to collect acorns to make a fall wreath. The acorns are still sitting in my garage, but hopefully I can get it done before fall is over.

New winter dresses. The pink and black dress used to be Emma's. I can't believe Kate is wearing it already. They are getting so big and grown up!

 These three are so silly. Here they are trying to show me how to fart by putting their legs up.

They love to give hugs for a picture.

I get to go with Emma's class for field trips this year. I found a mom who trades kids with me and it is working out really well. Our two little boys have become best friends. Emma loves that I can come with her especially since I missed most of last years field trips.

We are having fun in our new neighborhood. The kids love to ride bikes and play with other neighborhood friends. I am hoping the cool weather holds for a while so we can get some good pre dinner bike riding time in.

Last year of the Three Stooges

Next year, Nathan will be in all day Kindergarten and life will be so different. I keep thinking it will be easier, but I know that these three will miss all the time they spend together. Sometimes I get asked if they are triplets. And while that person probably needs glasses, it is somewhat true. They scream play together all day long and are really the best of friends.  I guess sometimes they DO feel like octuplets  triplets but I'm still alive!

Today I pulled out size 4 winter clothes for the twins and was a bit taken a back at how big they are getting. I still make them sleep in cribs because they think they can't get out, I refuse to potty train them even though they would probably do it on their own by now and they still go in a stroller.  I promise I'm not in denial, it's just when there is no one coming up behind them to use their stuff you push a lot less.

Weddingpalooza

My little sister, Niki got married just a few months after my little brother. So, although we are quite worn out (from dancing!) it has been quite an eventful summer. Here are the candid highlights from the wedding...

 Addison and Aunt Laurie, Kate and Uncle Curtis. Addy put her dress up over here head quite often?!

 Probably the only thing he ate all night-which is too bad because it was yummy BBQ

 Twins dancing it up

 Emma and I slow dancing. Although I did dedicate "our song" to her- Dynamite!

 Nathan and Leena

 He braved it with the kids while I did bridesmaid duty

 Bailey does this EVERY time you try to take his picture

 She is a dance machine

 Like father, like daughter...OK, and mother

Nathan is not shy with new people. Looks like he tackled Niki and Joe's nephew, Weston.