Travel Photo Friday

These are all pictures from today, detailing a few of the more difficult parts.

While we were running around like crazies completing the last few errands, Ava's diaper failed miserably under her exuberance and we placed her in a brand new outfit out of necessity.

Jaime got bored amidst packing and preparations, and scratched this design into the carpet (it's a monster).

Vida insisted on using the toilet alone and proceeded to drop my hair clip in the toilet and pee on it. 

Frazzled that the dishwasher might not be working properly, I thrust my hand into the bottom and burned it on the coils 

Here we are ready to go!

Fun!

All last week we had been debating whether or not to go to the Manti pageant. Neither of us had ever been, but it's a long drive and late! So we debated up until we actually got there Driday night at 10:00. Only a half hour late. It's soooo long! But we are glad we went. It was a fun adventure and gave us some talking time. The only downside? I know just how miserable and uncomfortable 20 hours in a car is going to be this weekend. (Oh cuz this is Marquie blogging, not Patrick). Oh well. It's going to be worth it. I can do hard things! 

And here is a pretty picture. We almost forgot to take one! We ran to our car, literally, and I'm quite impressed with myself, but realized we forgot to take a picture. So we snapped one real quick and kept going! It was worth it because we beat pretty much all the traffic! Go us!

Snapshot Saturday

I keep meaning to post pictures but I just never seem to get around to it.  Here are some fun photos from the week.

Simon enjoying a nap at the park.  Maybe one day I'll figure out why babies sleep with their heads in that very awkward position.

Hyrum had a blast playing at the park and was very proud of his ability to climb almost everything.

You can't enjoy the park without going down the slides.  He was sad he couldn't climb up them like his brothers, though.

We have a feisty chicken that decided to escape.  It was pretty entertaining to watch Joshua chase the chicken around.

Joshua was very proud of his ability to catch the said chicken.  

After a lot of weeding and mulching we were finally able to string up our tomatoes.  This is a new method for us, so we'll see how it goes!  I don't know if you can see it but there is a tomato turning red on the front left plant.  We are very excited for fresh tomatoes!!!  

We can't wait for everyone to visit and join us in our fun adventures!

Fo Toe Fry Dae

Sick kids this week - conked out on my bed.

At the Rec Center play area. Vida's got my sunglasses.

Ava kicked exuberantly as I was measuring peanut butter.

One of the versions of cookie balls I tried (this one has cocoa).

See you in about ONE WEEK!

Photo Monday!

Because I never post on Fridays, I decided I would post today! Again I had my "Oh I should post a picture! But it's not Friday..." I STOPPED MYSELF! And here is your picture:

Just my never weekly Sunday picture at 29 weeks!

I really wanted to take a picture every week at the start of this pregnancy. YEAH RIGHT. We've probably taken 4 weeks of pictures? Maybe 5? It's because I always forget until I'm crawling into bed. I almost forgot yesterday, too, but sucked it up and took a picture anyways. I think it's pretty dang cute. That's why I'm posting it. There's a BABY in there! I am/he is 29 weeks yesterday. Only 11 more to go.... so crazy! Even crazier, I found out today that my friend who was due a week before me had her baby last night! Wow. I keep close tabs on myself. I'm starting to get uncomfortable and have annoying pains. But I'm good. And he moves all over and jabs and kicks or whatever he wants. Apparently he thinks he needs more space...

Today was the last day of Spring Term classes, guys!! I MADE IT THROUGH MY CLASSES! Just 2 finals left! And even better...I'm 99% positive I'm going to pass my classes! So.much.relief.

Love you all SO MUCH! LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS! NEXT WEEK! NEXT WEEK! NEXT WEEK!

Photo Friday

Totally boring photos for you this Friday. But there's nothing you can do about it.

A morning walk to a park this week.

Vida got her first haircut. Just a trim to even out those curls.

We waaaaaaay over bought on our trail mix ingredients. Oops. We wanted
enough for us and to bring to the reunion, not double that :).

Hanging out on the porch watching the older kids play.

SO EXCITED FOR THE REUNION!
I love you guys.

Photo Friday

I missed last week, so I tried to narrow down two weeks of pictures. Apparently I'm not great at it :).

Walking the peer as a family our first night in San Diego.

When I was a girl, I convinced my mom to let our black lab have puppies. I promised
I'd take care of them. I checked out books at the library and read anything I could find
about how to take care of puppies. I took care of them dutifully until they were weened
and we found homes for each. This one is the only one I've kept track of. After hearing
this story, Jaime became obsessed with meeting the puppy I raised. So, while in
California, we stopped and met him.

This is the book Justin and I read on our road trip. An interesting
choice, I'll admit, but we actually enjoyed it and learned a lot, and
it gave us a lot to talk about.  I'm glad to have read it.

Chip clip hair :)

Family bedtime prayer pileup.

Ava's loving the new foods she gets to try.

Photo Friday

On the theme Dad has set today, I thought I would share a picture encapsulates something that helps me remember the tender mercies of Heavenly Father. Sunsets have always fascinated me, which is odd considering I can't see all of the colors. And when considering tender mercies, I consider the freedoms I enjoy to be at the top of the list. 

Let Us Not Forget...

No pictures, no links, just a message from dad and grandpa...

70 years ago today, tens of thousands of those who went before us went into the jaws of battle to free those in bondage and set the stage for a better world.  I have not the ability to know their fear, their pain or the horror of battle.  I can only express gratitude  for what they did for our family.

May I offer that a moment is taken as families to share the significance of this day and what it means to us.  If we do not teach them, they will never know.  This would also be a good summer to visit a national historic site and learn more of those who blazed the trail for us.  Love Dad, Grandpa. 

Hello!

So, this is really lame. But every week I'm like, Oh! I should blog! And then I think, Oh but it's not Friday and I want to post a picture! Yeah... So I never blog. Because then Friday comes and I forget, and I can only blog pictures on FRIDAY! (or Saturday or Sunday apparently...)

Well, no picture today, because I don't really have any. I just wanted to tell you how awful it is to be pregnant and have a stomach bug. Seriously. I don't remember the last time I felt that sick and it took me so long to get better! I was out for 2 whole days. TWO DAYS! It's only a lot because I'm usually pretty good to go the next day. I think I ate 4 or 5 saltines in 24 hours, and added some pears in the next 24 hours. Not that you really need to know any of this. But it's been on my mind. I'm doing pretty well today, though. I went to tennis this morning and almost won my set! 5-4. We didn't get to finish, but that's okay. I was worn out. I'm still worn out. And in an hour I will go settle down in the makeup room to do 2 shows today. ... Yaaaayyy....... Being pregnant makes me tired of everything. That's what I've decided.

Only 5 more days of classes. Not including today. But I'm not going today!

Have a lovely day. I can't wait to see you all. I'm SO EXCITED to be SO PREGNANT and SO HOT.... not really. Just excited to see you guys. :)

And EFY has started....

Snapshot Sunday

Our basketball standard is up and getting lots of use!  Happy 11th birthday to Michael!  We may be late but it is better than never.  :)

Some farm pictures

Some of our dear friends are moving this summer, and even though we are full up on poultry, we decided to help them out by taking over their chicken flock. They have more mature chickens than we do, so we had to build some nesting boxes for them to lay those eggs in! They wanted to clear out the chickens before showing the house, so yesterday we went over and picked up their 17 laying hens and 2 ready-to-pop meat chickens. We spent the week getting the coop ready for a double size flock, and they all seem to be comfortable and happy. At this moment we actually have 51 chickens to our name, if my count is correct--35 layers, 15 meat, and one funny crested chick that came with our meat chicks. We call him "King Brownie" because his crest looks like a crown. This is our "small foray" into chickens. It may have happened faster than we intended. On the plus side, though, we should have eggs for the reunion!

Building the nesting boxes

Boxes installed and coop expanded and redone!

Everyone likes to help. 

Some of our new chickens. 

Our first egg!

We are sure excited to have all the cousins come and help with the chickens and enjoy them the way we do. They are special to us, and even though there are a few more than we intended, we are grateful to have them.