Camping

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!

They went to a place about 20 minutes away from here, and since they were the first ones there, they got first pick of their campsite. There were lots of trees and good hiking. They were able to do one hike before dinner and then another after breakfast. The weather was perfect - they barely needed sweatshirts in the morning. 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.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch for family home evening this week. Luckily they still had plenty of pumpkins left. Thanks for the cute hat and socks, mom. We got lots of compliments.

Brennan knew just what he wanted - a tiny pumpkin. Works for me!

They don't look too bad in these pictures, but Spencer and Tyler got attacked by poison oak while camping this weekend. Every morning they wake up with their faces so swollen they can barely open their eyes.

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.

Waiting for the boys

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.

How am I supposed to get anything done around here?

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.

There's something about holding a little baby that makes it impossible to do anything else.

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.

Levi thinks they're a bit on the loud side, but he'll be running around the house yelling and wrestling with them before I know it. This baby phase just doesn't last long enough.

2 weeks old

Wow, where did the last 2 weeks go?! Hard to believe this is the time I usually have my babies - at least a week late. Levi is turning out to be a pretty mild, easy baby. Most importantly, he sleeps well at night. He usually gets up twice to eat, but he goes right back to sleep in his bassinet each time. I tried falling asleep during feedings, but then he'd get up hourly to eat. That didn't work out, so I try to make sure I stay awake long enough to put him back in his bed when he's done.

As you can see, I love yawning pictures.

Here's Levi's first bath at home. He screamed the whole time.

Finally calming down.

Brennan has been adjusting pretty well, although he has gotten very clingy, especially to Dave. He really liked hanging out with him the whole 1st week. Ever since then he has started this whole routine every time someone leaves the house - for school or work. First he has to give them lots of hugs and kisses. Then he runs to the window and screams until someone opens it for him. Then he waves, yells goodbye and blows kisses through the window.

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.

Pioneer Parade

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.

Welcome home, baby

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.

The boys are lovin' this baby! They come home from school all excited every day and take turns holding him.

He sleeps all day and cries all night, as is typical of all my newborns. After all, this is the same baby I was pregnant with; he did the same thing then, kicking me awake at all hours of the night. But last night he slept 4 solid hours in his bassinet, and I woke him up to eat.

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.