Yesterday we took the little kids to a local pumpkin patch while the big kids were at school.
We basically just walked around and posed for pictures. Little kids are so easily amused. They didn't even ask to buy anything.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to get 3 little people to stick their heads in the holes all at the same time?
Luke was much more interested in playing with the hay than looking up, but I did manage to snap this one.
Sleeping babies, on the way home.
Dave called me last Friday morning and said he had a light schedule and could be home by lunch. He wondered if it would be a good day to take the boys camping. I thought that sounded like a GREAT idea. He was packed and ready to go by the time the kids got home from school. What a fun surprise for them too!
As you can seen from these pictures, one of the things they like to do when they go camping is make Indian face paint from rocks and bark. Except for the poison oak now covering Spencer and Tyler, it was a very successful trip. 
Brennan knew just what he wanted - a tiny pumpkin. Works for me!
Thanks for coming with us dad! When we first got there Levi screamed and had to eat. Unfortunately he is not a quick eater. So I was stuck feeding him for awhile as my dad took the boys around to see the animals. Dave joined us after work just as we were ready to head out to the pumpkin patch. But Levi continued to be fussy, so dad took him while I helped the boys choose their pumpkins. What a huge help!
Spencer and Tyler chose their pumpkins right away, but it took Dallin quite a while to settle on one. I don't even think this is the one he ended up with, but I made him pose for a picture anyway.
They had already stopped doing the hay rides, so we (well actually Dave and my dad) had to carry the pumpkins back to the barn. Luckily we were at the closest field, and their pumpkins weren't too big. 
Finally asleep, just as we were ready to go home.
Posing for a picture on the way out. I made caramel corn (minus the M&Ms) for our FHE treat, and we ate that when we got back to the car. It was so incredibly yummy. Then we went to Hometown Buffet for dinner, using free coupons they got there the night Levi was born.
Brennan loves to dress up, as I've mentioned. Yesterday he found some of Dallin's chef clothes, which gave me the idea that we should make cookies before the boys got home from school. I haven't baked cookies in a few weeks, and I've missed it! Plus we needed something to do while waiting for the boys.
I love making cookies with just 1 little person. That way we aren't too crowded "helping" or fighting over who gets to put what in the bowl or who gets to lick the beater. 
As soon as the cookies were in the oven, Brennan rushed outside to wait for the boys. He does this every afternoon. He sure misses his brothers, and he couldn't wait to tell them we made snickerdoodles.
I love this baby so much. I could sit and stare at him and kiss his soft little cheeks all day. Oh wait - that's exactly what I do.
mid-sneeze
Okay, so this angle gives me a big double chin, but it's a sweet moment and the only one I have of me.
Sometimes his big brothers think they should have a turn holding him, so I have to share.
Spencer's teaching him to play the piano already. 
As you can see, I love yawning pictures.
Here's Levi's first bath at home. He screamed the whole time.
But as far as Levi is concerned, he adores him. I often hear him say, "I like you baby. Do you like me?
He especially likes to hug and kiss him when he cries. Unfortunately this usually makes things worse, since hugs and kisses just don't cut it when he's hungry.
Dave and the boys were in our town's annual Pioneer Parade Saturday. They are involved in the school's Performing Arts Club again this year, and they learned a line dance to perform to Cotton-Eyed Joe for the occasion. However the sound system wasn't very loud, and they never stopped walking long enough for the dance, so that didn't work out too well. But the boys had a blast anyway, and Dave survived the craziness of finding a parking spot downtown and finding Dallin, who got lost in the crowd between the car and the parade. 
Even though the group didn't all do the line dance together, Tyler did it enthusiastically on his own throughout the parade route, receiving lots of cheers and clapping for his performance. 
Meanwhile Levi and I enjoyed a quiet morning at home. The boys were so disappointed for me that I couldn't go, but I told them I would be okay just watching the video and looking at pictures.
We checked out of the hospital less than 24 hours after Levi was born. As much as I enjoy being there (I'm not being sarcastic - I actually do like it. It's peaceful and quiet and they bring me food and take away the dishes), I get restless and want to sleep in my own bed. Plus Dave always takes a week off work so I can just rest and take care of my baby. I thought that was pretty standard procedure, but apparently not. Answer my survey on the right. If you haven't had kids yet, choose what you think is most likely to happen.
Levi is starting to have moments of alertness, but they don't last long.
Brennan's blowing kisses.
I can't get over how cute this little face is. Love the bright eyes!
My parents came up to see Levi Monday evening. He is their 32nd grandchild, 22nd grandson.
Levi was born Friday, October 2nd, at 4:02 in the afternoon. We arrived at the hospital at 8:00 that morning, and the nurse started the Pitocin a little after 9:00. The doctor broke my water at 1:00, and I got the epidural around 2:45. He started out sunny side up, which was making it take longer to progress. So the doctor had me bounce on an exercise ball to help him turn around. Apparently that worked, and things moved along much quicker after that. I would have asked for the epidural sooner, since the contractions were very painful and close together by then, but I really wanted him to turn around and I couldn't do the ball thing with numb legs. The epidural didn't work completely, since some of the contractions were still pretty uncomfortable, but they were much more manageable. The doctor came in when I was 10 cm, saw that I was starting a contraction, and told me to push. One push, and the head was out. There was still time left in the contraction, so she had me push again and his body followed.
My first reaction: he's huge!! His cheeks, arms and legs were so plump. This really surpised me, since I didn't really feel that big; he was even induced a week early. I was guessing he'd be around 7-7 1/2 lbs. But at 8 pounds 12 ounces, he's our biggest baby. It's a good thing he didn't go 9 days late, like some other babies I know. At first we thought he had my mouth, like Tyler. But once the swelling went down, we realized it's actually a Dave-size mouth, like the other 3 boys.
Dave and I had a great day together, playing Phase 10 before things got exciting, supporting me on the ball so I wouldn't roll off, and breathing through the rough times. I love you sweetheart!! 
My amazing doctor. I'm so happy she was willing to induce me. Plus I really like that whole ball idea. She kept telling me, "You make this look too easy!"
One of the few pictures I have of Levi with his eyes open. It's just so bright out here.
Mid-yawn
He's got some long, narrow feet! 
He looks like a mix between Spencer and Dallin, with lots of dark red hair.
One of my favorite things to do after I have a baby is take pictures of them on my hospital bed. I always pack a book to read, but I never get around to reading. Babies are way more entertaining.
Dave burping Levi after a feeding. We enjoyed watching conference together in my hospital room this morning, and then we came home after our "special meal" of filet mignon and sparkling cider from the hospital. Levi is our 2nd conference baby - Tyler was born April 6th and I remember watching conference that day too. 
