General Conference!!!!

This week has been busy as usual.  Monday morning, I went for an allergy shot, then spent the rest of the morning doing laundry and working on my computer.  In the evening, Anna had a soccer game - her first this year - and we all went to watch her for FHE.  She had fun - and the kids had fun running around the rest of the field that wasn't being used.  

Tuesday morning, I went over to Becca's house, and we had a fun time trying out making a jewelry box for our dolls.  They came out good - though I didn't get mine finished.  :)  In the evening, I got to go sing the national anthem with the Colorado Mormon Chorale.  I took Eileen with me.  We rode the light rail down town and had a fun time together.  When we got on the light rail, we heard "this train is broken, we are expecting grand delays, but we are still accepting passengers at this time" but we were already on, so we sat it out and ran a bit late.  It was a bit of a fun adventure though!  After, we grabbed a bit of dinner to eat on the way home.  It was a fun little night out with my oldest daughter!  

Wednesday, I went to the allergy clinic again - got another allergy shot and had an appointment.  Ran into Kay there!  Then headed home.  Anna was supposed to have a soccer game, but the other team cancelled.  I took Aaron to cub scouts and then Dan dropped off David and James to me and took Anna and Evie to Activity Days Girls and he had young men's.  Evie was SO excited for her first Activity Day girls activity.  She had a blast!!

Thursday, Dan and I went out to lunch together.  It's been a lot of fun getting to see him more at lunch time.  Now that James is in school - it's easier for Dan and I to go out for lunch - so we are doing it once a week!  After school, Anna had soccer, Eileen had band and Aaron had drum lessons.  Then we had a quick dinner and Dan and I headed to the temple.  We did sealings since we needed to get back to David, but it was WONDERFUL!  We got to get a lot of sealings done that we've been waiting awhile to do - including my great grandma - it was such a powerful experience to feel like she was there waiting and grateful!!!

Friday morning, David and I took it nice and easy.  After school, I picked up the kids - all of them for once - and dropped off all but Anna and David at home.  Eileen babysat while I took Anna to her doctor's appointment.  She was so cute playing with and reading to David - he just LOVED it!  It was so cute!!!

Friday was supposed to be the school carnival - and the kids generally love going - but Dan and I really didn't want to try to make it work this year - between Anna's doctor's appointment and the cost and everything else, We decided that instead of the carnival, we would take the whole family to Nickle-a-Play.  We had a fun time playing games and collecting tickets.

Yesterday and Today were General Conference.  It was so amazing!  The talks were so wonderful!  The kids were mostly well behaved, so I got to listen to most of it!  Saturday morning, Eileen had flute and Anna had a soccer game, then we all sat down to watch Conference.  In the evening, during priesthood, Crystal and Lydia came over for Ice cream and fun.  Becca and Jeremiah and little Laura came over for the last session and dinner tonight.  Then in the evening, we got to spend some time chatting with Gene and Ann.  Between sessions, Dan took some of the kids and the dog for a walk.

Evelyn gets baptized!

The week has been a rather busy one!  Monday morning, I headed over to get an allergy shot.  Then I met up with Grandpa for lunch at Mimi's.  We had a really nice lunch together and then I snagged this selfie of us on our way out.  After, I picked up the kids from school, and he took Evelyn out for her birthday ice cream.  In the evening, we had a great FHE lesson on the Sacrament before putting the younger kids to bed and going grocery shopping and folding laundry.  

Tuesday morning, I had an appointment at my Ob-Gyn  that was a bit longer than expected due to an emergency that the doctors were dealing with when I got there.  After, I headed over to Becca's, but we were both a bit indecisive, so we mostly just chatted and bounced ideas around - the most productive thing we did was make lists.  :)   In the afternoon, Anna had her first Soccer practice.  Then in the evening, she had her Track banquet.  We were supposed to bring food for our own family, so we packed up some egg salad sandwiches and some leftovers and headed over to the school.  Between picking up Aaron and Evie, picking up Eileen from Band and picking up Anna from soccer, then going back for the banquet - I drove to the school 4 times in the space of 3 hour - makes me very glad that we live near the school!!  After, I headed to Institute for a wonderful lesson!  

Wednesday morning, I made a quick run to Costco, then met up with Dan for lunch.  We went to Firehouse Subs together and David was nice and let us have a nice lunch together.  After school was the usual craziness, plus Anna had an orthodontist appointment after her soccer practice.  It went a bit long since the doc was running a bit late.  Then in the evening, Dan had young mens, Eileen had young womens and Aaron had cub scouts.  I had choir and David was VERY cranky the whole night - he did not want me to sing with the choir - every time I tried, he started screaming...  I don't think he likes my singing... :P  

Thursday, I headed back for another allergy shot, since it's been so long since I have been going regularly - they had to re-start me.  After school was soccer for Anna and Band for Eileen, plus an orthodontist appointment for Aaron.  The doctor made a comment about seeing me a lot at the office - and since I've got 4 kids being seen by him now - it's no wonder.  

Friday was a bit crazy, but mostly in the evening.  After school, I picked up the kids (except Anna who had soccer and robotics) then Dan took Eileen down to the temple for Baptisms.  The kids did their piano and we did some clean up, then I went to pick up Gene and Ann from the airport and Dan was able to get Anna from Robotics.  We had a wonderful evening with Grandpa and Grandma Jones.  

Evie (and all the other kids too) adores her baby brother.  She loves to help and carry him around.  I need to keep an eye on her, because I think she sometimes forgets that he's not a doll....  But she loves him!  She propped him up on the couch, then photobombed him when I took a picture.  

Saturday morning, Dan picked up my Dad from the airport.  Then we all got ready and headed over to the church for Evelyn's baptism.  She was so excited!!!  She got a beautiful dress from Grandma and Grandpa for her birthday.  The baptism went well and it has been so sweet to watch her try to keep this covenant that she has made!  After the baptism, the family all came back to our house for lunch, including Becca and Laura, and Jeremiah met her there after helping out with Colorado Cares.  We had a fun afternoon together.  Dan and Anna had a Robotics practice and we mostly chatted and played games and enjoyed each others company.  Some of us even managed to get in a nap.  :)  After dinner, we took Grandma and Grandpa Jones to the airport and sent them back home.  Dan watched Dwayne and Nicole's kids so they could go on a date, and I took the girls - all 3 of them!! - to the Women's session of General Conference.  We had a wonderful time listening to wonderful messages and after, chatting with friends and eating ice cream!  

 Sunday was great - though a long day for Dan who got up super early to take my Dad to the airport. Then came home and got ready for church and his meetings.  Sacrament meeting was wonderful!  Evie and I talked a bit about the Sacrament and what it means and why we take the Sacrament.  David was actually quiet for the Sacrament.  The talks given were wonderful and included farewell talks from two Sisters leaving on missions soon and a wonderful musical number.  Classes and lessons were wonderful, though I missed most of Relief Society while feeding a hungry baby.  After church and lunch, I took the girls to ward choir practice.  I'm so excited!!  We are starting Christmas music!!  In the evening, Becca came over for dinner with Laura.  We had a great pancake dinner made by Evie and Dan.  And I got this cute picture of Laura laying down next to baby David!  After putting the younger kids to bed, Dan and I played Killer Bunnies with Eileen - who smashed us!  But it was a fun game!  Now time to rest for a busy week again next week!!

Birthdays and a Championship!

We've had a rather busy week!  Monday was the usual laundry day.  Evie had an orthodontist appointment after school.  She is definitely going to need braces....  Dan and I sure make cute kids, but they all have big teeth in little mouths.  :)  Other than that, we had FHE in the evening and grocery shopping.  

Tuesday was my morning and Becca's - her street was under construction, so I had to walk around the long way.  We made bookshelves for our dolls - and now after making so much furniture, I'm starting to think I need something to put it all in....  After school, Eileen had band and Anna had a track meet.  We all ate an early dinner, then headed over to watch her compete in the qualifying meet for city championships.  She did really well on her 800, but struggled a bit in her mile - she had run an extra relay for someone who wasn't there right before it.  She qualified for the championships in the mile, the 800 and with her 4x100 relay team.  She was such a trooper and did a great job!!  

Wednesday was a normal school day for the kids.  I got some work done in the morning.  In the afternoon, Anna had her track practice and the rest of the kids had piano practicing.  Eileen went on a bike ride - she really enjoys getting out on her bike and riding around.  In the evening, I skipped choir so I could be at Eileen's Young Women in Excellence night.  It was a great evening.  Eileen didn't realize that she would have to talk a little bit and was blindsided by the request, so she got up and mumbled something and sat back down.  She REALLY hates speaking in public....  even in a relatively small setting like that.  I think if she had been prepared, it wouldn't have been so bad.  I wish I knew better how to help her.

James is so funny - his clothing choices aren't always the best - Dan got this funny picture of him headed to school in a button up - long sleeve - dress shirt and sports shorts and tennis shoes...  Such a funny kid!

Thursday was my birthday.  38 years old!  That's really starting to sound awfully close to 40....  I got some work done in the morning, and did a little shopping at the craft stores, then Dan took me out to lunch!  It was a nice little outing and David was nice and well behaved for us.  :)  In the evening, I got to eat my yummy dinner and a yummy pineapple upside down cake.  Dan got me some gorgeous earrings and a couple of books about making doll house stuff.  :)

Friday, the kids had the day off of school for a teacher work day.  Anna still had track practice, I tried to get my allergy shot done before I needed to pick Anna up again - but didn't end up having enough time - I will have to try again on Monday.  Then I picked Anna back up and took her home.  Then in the afternoon, she had robotics at the school.  Evie was supposed to have a birthday party in the afternoon, but no one was able to come.  She was really disappointed.  :(  She still got to watch some movies and eat no-bake cookies with her siblings, but it's not quite the same thing as having friends over.  In the evening, Eileen and I went out to the store to get Evie's birthday present and a few other things for the weekend.

Saturday was Evie's birthday - and a crazy busy day.  It started with Anna's City Championship meet.  She did well - and even got 7th place overall in her mile!  Eileen had flute lessons.  The kids had piano lessons.  I had a choir concert at noon, Then we had a little bit of down time in the afternoon where we got cupcakes made for Evie's birthday and the kids even got to play a little Zelda.  Then we had Evie's birthday dinner - all sorts of ramen noodles - and we sang and did presents.  Then we headed over to the church building for a going away party for Megan.  We are so excited for her - but will miss her!!  She's going to have an amazing experience serving in Brazil!

Sunday was wonderful - but David hadn't wanted to go to bed last night, so I was a bit tired...  The choir sang in Sacrament meeting and did well!  We even got a couple new faces to join us!  Then I took David out to feed him and we had a nice quiet feeding time and he took a nap before we headed back into Relief Society!  After church, we had a nice afternoon.  Evie had her interview with the bishop.  Dan went home teaching.  I fiddled around in my craft room.  Becca and Laura came over for dinner and fun, and we all had a great time!  Evie is so excited for next week!

Haircuts and Holidays

Monday was Labor Day, so the kids were off of school.  Dan let James wield the hair trimmer and shave his head - then of course, James got his hair done too. :)  We spent most of the rest of the day cleaning up and doing chores around the house and then some time playing Zelda.  Dan and Anna went out running, and Eileen hid in her room most of the day.  

Tuesday, James had a field trip with his class to the Zoo.  He had a great time - but he always seems to come home happy - he really loves school and his teacher.  David and I had fun a Becca's house.  I got a yummy lunch and we got our couches finished.  After school, Eileen had band and Anna had track, and then in the evening, I had Institute.  Class was wonderful and full of stuff to think about.  

Wednesday was a quiet morning for David and I and a busy afternoon with all the kids doing piano lessons, homework and after school activities.  In the evening, Dan and Eileen had mutual.  They did a combined activity and the Beehives were in charge.  I think they all had a fun time - I asked Eileen how it went and all she said was "good" - she's becoming a teenager way too fast...  I had choir in the evening and had a great time.  David was mostly good.  I think he's getting used to it - but he still doesn't like it when I sing the high notes right in his ear.... 

Thursday was another normal school day.  David and I had an easy morning, then we picked up the kids from school and had a rather busy afternoon.  Aaron had a dentist appointment and did well.  Anna had track and Eileen had band and with Dan picking up Anna, we all managed to get where we needed to be.  

Friday was another usual school day.  After school, Anna had track, then Robotics club.  Eileen had an orthodontist appointment - I am hoping to get her braces on during the kids fall break.  Dan and I (and David) made a Target run while Eileen watched the older kids.  We needed to get some gifts and some groceries.  

Saturday was a rather crazy day.  Anna had a track meet - Dan took her to that early on and then came back to take Eileen to flute lessons.  The kids had piano lessons and then after Anna's track meet, we went to Dwayne and Nicole's house for their daughter's birthday party.  We all had a great time.  The kids got nice and wet from a water balloon fight and Dan and I always have fun with Dwayne and Nicole!  After, we stopped by the house for the kids to change and to grab wedding gifts before heading to the church building for a wedding reception.  It was so much fun - they are such a sweet couple!  As crazy as this week has been - I think next week will be crazier...  

Sunday was great.  Church was wonderful - David was a bit cranky during Sunday school, but fell asleep for Dan so I could play piano in primary during the third hour.  We made cookies after lunch and Eileen and Anna came with me to choir.  We had a great time - I'm starting to think about Christmas music!!!  Becca came over for dinner and we had fun chatting and eating!  After the younger kids went to bed, Dan and Eileen and I played 7 Wonders and I got smashed - but it was fun :)  

This week, I've started trying to get into a work schedule and getting my scrapbooking going again.  I'm hoping to be back in business next month!  It was kind of nice setting myself a schedule and getting something productive done.  I'm looking forward to this coming week and getting into a routine.

Big boy is growing fast!

David is growing like crazy!  Monday, he had his 2 month check up - where has the time gone!!!  He is growing so fast!!!  'he is over 13 lbs now and running to the 80th percentile in everything - our biggest baby yet.  He has also started getting a longer sleep at night - then he wakes, eats and goes back to sleep!  After David's doctors appointment, we headed to costco for peaches and some ribs for dinner.  Then we got the kids from school and headed home.  Eileen had her dentist appointment in the afternoon - thankfully Dan was home and able to watch the younger kids.  We had the sister missionaries over for dinner and had lots of yummy food followed by a wonderful lesson.

On Tuesday, I spent the morning at Becca's.  We had fun making doll stuff in the morning, then Natasha came over for lunch and after we worked on getting her wedding invites ready to mail out.  After, I picked up the kids from school, then we had a quick dinner before heading to the high school for Anna's track meet.

Wednesday morning, David and I took it nice and easy.  Then after school was the usual craziness.  In the evening was Young Mens and Young Womens.  I had chorale, which was wonderful.  David entertained the whole choir by letting one rip during the closing prayer.  Otherwise, he was pretty good!

Thursday was just David and I taking it easy in the morning followed by a afternoon of piano practicing, track practice, band, and the cub scouts in the evening.  Last night of cub scouts being on Thursday - next week it goes back to Wednesday!

Friday was an early release day for all the kids - Quest got out really early, but the kids got to have lots of fun in special classes.  Evie got to do origami, Aaron got to learn to cross stitch and Eileen and Anna got to do a fun problem solving challenge.  In the afternoon, we did a bit of cleaning followed by some playing of Zelda.

Anna has decided to make Dan go running with her when ever she doesn't have track practice or a meet.  So they went running bright and early Saturday morning.  Then Dan took Eileen to flute and the kids had their piano lessons.  Anna went to help the Wests can peaches.  It was really weird not having her around - I kept looking around, wondering where she was, then remembering that she was over with them!  Eileen had a friends birthday party to go to in the afternoon and had a great time.  After failing to start the crock pot again, we decided to have hamburgers and invited the Wests to join us when they dropped Anna off, so we had a fun easy meal with great friends!

Church today was wonderful.  Eileen actually got up and bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting - she is petrified of speaking in public, so this was a big thing for her.  I got released from my calling as a Sunday School teacher.  I'm going to miss teaching that class, but I'm glad I got to teach today and bear my testimony one last time.  Becca and Laura came for dinner - the kids had a blast playing with Laura, and I had fun chatting and planning with Becca!  I've been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am.  When I think back on some of the sweetest and most precious moments of my life - so many of them are a direct result of going to church and going to the temple.  And the ones that aren't a direct result, are still indirectly connected to our family trying to live the gospel.  I am so grateful for these wonderful memories and look forward to many more to come as we continue to try and raise our family in the gospel.  We are making plans to go visit Dan's family in Idaho when the new temple opens up.  It opens around Thanksgiving, so we will head out the weekend before so that we can be there for the dedication and get to go to the temple!

Track Meets and Apostles

This week has been a bit busy.  We had laundry to do and grocery shopping to do on Monday.  It's kinda funny, my days are so quiet in the morning, then crazy in the afternoon.  So opposite!  Afternoons include picking kids up all over the place at all sorts of times and then trying to get everyone's piano practicing in while still picking others up at the right time...  

Tuesday was my morning with Becca and Laura.  I went to their house - Becca brought up her baby swing and since her mom Deb and sister were visiting, we had lots of help with the babies so we could do more crafting!   

Wednesday was a regular school day, then in the evening, I had to leave early to go sing with the choir.  We were singing the opening and closing songs at a fireside on religious freedom, so I asked Megan Johnson to come with me to help with David while I was singing.  She was awesome and I had a lot of fun chatting with her and singing with her on the drive up.  The I bought her dinner after the performance on the way home.  Eileen and Dan had Mutual activities and Anna had Activity Day Girls Activities.  

Thursday morning was my obgyn appointment.  David was good for me and slept the whole time.  In the evening, Aaron had cub scouts and it was pack meeting night, so I went with him.  

Friday was more normal school stuff.  James loves school.  He loves his teacher and gives her a hug in the morning and before he leaves in the afternoon.  His favorite thing to talk about when I pick him up is what he ate for lunch.  

Saturday, Anna had another track meet.  She ran the 800 and the mile and one of the relays, plus the long jump.  She really seems to be enjoying track and having fun running.  Dan took her to the meet in the morning, then I took Eileen to flute lessons, then the kids had piano lessons, I took Eileen to the special Youth Q&A session with Elder Bednar at the church.  Then Dan had his priesthood session and Eileen rode her bike over to visit with a lady from our ward and help her in her garden and teach her how to crochet.  Then in the evening, Dan and I (and David) headed for the church building for the adult session of our Stake Conference.  It was wonderful hearing Elder Bednar speak.  Eileen came back from the youth session almost giddy.  She had stood up and asked Elder Bednar a question, and he had answered it.  She even answered a question that he had asked.  She went way outside of her comfort zone and had an amazing experience!  

David is officially 2 months old.  He is growing so fast and eating a ton.  He sometimes sleeps for as much as 4-5 hours in a night, but it's not consistent yet.  His siblings all still love him and love to help take care of him.  

Today was the general session of Stake Conference.  We got to listen to Elder Bednar again along with another general authority.  Plus we got to hear from our Stake President and some wonderful testimonies!  There was a theme running through the whole conference of ministering to the one and how the purpose of the programs of the church is to help Gods children make and keep covenants.  It was wonderful!   The spirit was strong and the messages were powerful.  I'm so grateful for this weekend and the chance to have my spiritual cup refilled!!  

Becca and Laura came over today along with her mom and sister.  We had a fun and yummy dinner together.  Then in the evening, the youth came to our house for a fireside with the bishop to talk about their experiences with the Stake Conference and what they had learned.  

Quiet vs.Crazy

Well, this week has been an adjustment.  James started his first day of Kindergarten on Monday.  He is LOVING it!  He loves to talk about his day after school and loves going each morning.  I can't believe my sweet little boy is a Kindergartner already!!  Here he is, ready for his first day of school!!

We are starting to adjust to our new routines - David and I get a quiet morning together, the pick up kids from school and life gets crazy and  busy.  I pick up James, head over to the other school to get Eileen and Aaron and Evie, then go back and get Anna at 4:30.  Eileen decided to quit swim team, but still wants to do club swimming.  I'm a little sad, but at least it makes our lives a bit less complicated.  

On Tuesday, Becca came over and we started working on making a couch for our dolls.  David was a bit cranky though, so I didn't get much done.  In the evening, I went and helped out with the service project again - we got a lot done!  

Wednesday Eileen and Dan had a youth temple trip and I had chorale.  The kids got to have some extra friends come to hang out while Megan babysat them for us.  

Thursday morning, I had a dentists visit - it went well - no cavities!  After school, Eileen had an orthodontist visit - hopefully, we can get her braces on soon so we can get them done soon.  Then in the evening was cub scouts for Aaron.  

Friday was relatively quiet.  David and i made a quick trip to Costco in the morning then headed home for lunch.  

Saturday was crazy.  Anna had her first track meet and needed to be there by 7:30 in the morning.  The meet lasted until after noon.  I went to the temple for the endowment of two wonderful young women.  Eileen babysat - for all 4 of the younger kids.  We left a bottle of breast milk and prayed that he would be good for her.  He was - he was quiet and happy and ate fine from the bottle.  When I got home, Sister Cotrell had come over to visit!  The kids loved having her over and she thanked us for the use of our washer and dryer by treating us to dinner.  It was fun chatting with her!  I wanted to say Thanks You to Eileen for doing so much to help out on a crazy busy day, so I took her to Hobby Lobby and let her pick out some yarn.  :)  She's been making doll clothes ever since.  

Today was church.  we had a wonderful Sacrament meeting, including a great talk from a newly returned sister missionary.  Our ward choir sang  a musical number and did a great job!  David was good for Dan so that I could direct the choir and teach my lesson, the he and I crashed for most of 3rd hour in the mother's lounge so he could eat and eat and eat.  After church we headed home for lunch, a bit of a nap, some home teaching, ans Stake Choir.  After we had our Sunday dinner, Becca came over!  She has a standing invite and it's been lots of fun having her come join us!  The kids love little Laura.  Even Koopa was having fun playing with her today.  After scriptures and prayers, Eileen and Dan and I played Timeline and had lots of fun.  

Back to School

Monday, as usual was laundry and grocery shopping and of course we had fun playing with Sandi and Kai!  We had the sister missionaries over for dinner - it's so fun to have the missionaries in our house!  

Tuesday morning, Eileen and Anna started their first day of school, then I headed off with James for my 6 week check up which went well.  Then I met up with Sandi and the kids at the park.  After some bloody drama with a couple cut feet, we headed home, then I took Aaron to the Orthodontist to get him a couple more brackets on his teeth.  He now has top and bottom brackets.  

After, I got Aaron and I some lunch, then took him home where the kids watched the BFG with Aunt Sandi since Kai had hurt her foot again and needed to stay off it!!  I went to pick up Eileen and Anna from school and we went to the swim team and track team meeting, then Dan and I spent some time in the evening running some errands to get them ready for sports.  That night Sandi and Kai headed back to Texas, but it was a blast having them here!  

Wednesday, the younger kids and I met up with Becca at the park for a playdate and had fun chatting and playing.  Then Becca came back to our house to play some more and have lunch with us!  When we got home, Dan had just gotten home - he was feeling sick and needed to sleep to recover.  Anna had her first day of Track and came home tired and with sore legs.  Then in the evening, I had choir, and Eileen and Dan had mutual.  

Thursday, was Evie and Aaron's first day of school, plus, James had some back to school stuff to do, then Dan came home and rested, still not feeling quite up to normal.  Eileen had swimming after school.  They got two new coaches this year since Gabby moved and I am not able to deal with coaching with a brand new baby and kids at two different schools and in two different sports!  In the evening, Aaron had cub scouts.  

Friday, was a busy day - James and I went in to his school to meet his teacher and after school included all the running around that comes with picking up Evie and Aaron and Eileen, dropping off Eileen at swim, picking up Anna from track and then Dan picked up Eileen from swimming.  Then we got dinner done before dropping Anna off at Activity Days.

Saturday was even busier.  Eileen had flute in the morning, Dan took the primary age kids to the ward primary temple trip.  Eileen and I got a couple quiet hours while the kids were at the temple, then they came home and we got some stuff done around the house before heading to a fun kids event at Crit Castle games.  Eileen's friend had asked her to come - so we all headed over for a bit to play games and have fun.  The kids loved it and now want a ton of new games.  After, we headed home to can peaches.  Sister West came over to help us and learn how.  It actually went pretty quickly.  Then we had a yummy dinner of chicken soup and had some fun chatting and playing together.

Sunday was busy too - church of course was great - but Dan managed to give me his cold, so I woke up rather groggy and stuffy today.  After church, I had some leftover chicken noodle soup before taking a nap.  Then I headed to ward choir which went great!  Following that was Stake choir which was also great and finally back home to have dinner and have fun with Becca.  Natasha and Eldon were going to come too, but she wasn't feeling good.  :(  Dan and I played some games with Eileen before sending her to bed and now - I'm going to go crash!

Counting Down

My kids are all rather excited for school to start - some for rather odd reasons.  Eileen is excited for school to start so that she doesn't lose track of what day it is anymore.  This week has mostly been taking it easy and getting ready for school.  Monday was laundry and grocery shopping as usual.

On Tuesday, Becca came over to play and have fun making stuff.  The kids love playing with baby Laura and having fun together.

Wednesday was the beginning of Chorale for me.  It's always fun seeing everyone again and getting new music!  Dan and Eileen had their mutual activity - they all headed down to the reservoir for fun and boating and lots of good times.

Thursday was cub scouts for Aaron and normal fun stuff for the rest of us.  We met up with a friend at the park to play for awhile.  The kids had a great time!

Friday, I was brave and took the kids to the zoo.  We put David in his car seat in our wagon, I knew I wouldn't be able to carry him in the snuggly all day with out damaging my back!  It was pretty nice weather and the kids had a great time playing and exploring and checking out the animatronic dinos all over the zoo.

Saturday morning, Eileen had flute lessons, and the kids had piano lessons.  Then in the afternoon, Sandi and Kai got in for a visit!  We all had a fun time together!

Sunday was wonderful.  Classes were great, talks were great and we are rather excited about an upcoming Stake Conference with a General Authority coming!

Settling In

This week started off with laundry fun as usual and some grocery shopping.  Plus it was the day that our furniture was getting delivered!  The kids got things cleaned up - Dan took out the old stuff and we vacuumed and got stuff ready.  Now we have a living room full of new furniture to sit on.  A lot of the seats in the new pieces have reclining parts and every time the kids sit down they have to put the bottom out and lay back - even if they are only sitting down for a couple minutes.  

Tuesday, Becca came over.  The kids love having her and Laura come over to visit, and Laura loves the attention of the older kids.  Becca and I (and Anna and some Eileen too) had fun making books and pretend iphones for our dolls.  Plus we had a yummy lunch together.  

David hit the 1 month mark this week - I can't believe it's already been a month - he is starting to fill out and not be so skinny any more and is eating well and starting to sleep a little better.  

Eileen and Dan had youth activities on Wednesday and Anna had her activity days activity.  Eileen learned all about rhubarb from a sweet lady in our ward and she came home wanting to make rhubarb everything.  :)

Thursday afternoon, we met up with Grandpa at the Buckley AFB Fun Fest.  He was helping with a booth about the Philippine Scouts and the work that he's doing to find the Scouts and their families.  The kids had a great time and came home with a ton of junk swag - but they LOVED it - especially after a month of not getting out much.  The favorites were these balls - Eileen especially loved them, and the zip line -which Eileen wouldn't go on.  David and I went on the little train with James and over all - it went well - I'm ready to attempt a day out with the kids!

Friday, we got a call from the Elders who needed a dinner for Friday, so we had the Elders over along with some less active members of the ward.  We had a great time with them - their family is wonderful and it's always wonderful having the Elders in our home.  We had a great lesson from them and then had a yummy Oreo cheese cake that Dan and Eileen made for dessert.  The two of them have gotten on a cheesecake kick lately - my taste buds have been enjoying it - Eileen wants to make a Strawberry Rhubarb cheesecake next. :)  Poor Dan thought he would never have to eat Rhubarb again.

Saturday was rather busy.  Dan spent a lot of the day getting the kids school supplies.  Eileen had flute lessons in the morning, and the kids had piano lessons in the morning.  Then in the afternoon, James had a birthday party to go to.  His fried Wyatt was turning 5 - so he and I went and had fun partying.  Then Dan went with Anna and Evie for Adeline's birthday party.  Plus Sister Cottrell came up to visit us and meet the baby!  It was so nice to see her again and have her join us for scripture study.

Today was nice and quiet after a busy Saturday.  Church was wonderful.  David is complying well by eating during Sacrament meeting so he's not fussy or hungry while I teach Sunday School.  We had yummy Cinnamon Rolls for dinner with Scrambled eggs with fresh chives from a sweet sister's garden.  Choir was wonderful - we actually had a good turn out!  Tonight after the younger kids went to bed, we played Clue with the kids and I got lucky and won.  :)

On our own

After helping out with the laundry and cleaning up, Dan's parents headed home on Monday evening.  They stocked us up on food and helped us clean out our leftovers.  We had a great time with them and look forward to seeing them again!  

The rest of the week week was mostly just taking it easy at home.  Becca came over on Tuesday to play and craft stuff.  The kids had a great time outside this week, and we mostly just took care of the baby and played together.  

Wednesday was the youth activity for Dan and Eileen.  Thursday was cub scouts for Aaron and Friday was our end of week fun.  Eileen got to do her first paid babysitting job.  She did a great job taking care of the little girl and playing with her.  It was exciting!  (well exciting for me and hopefully for her since I told her dad that she would be happy to watch his daughter with out asking Eileen first...)  

On Saturday, Dan and I took Anna and David and went to American Furniture Warehouse to get some new furniture - actual new furniture (that wasn't bookshelves) for the first time in our married lives.  We walked around and with Anna's help, we picked out what we wanted.  It will be delivered on Monday!!  I feel like an adult! :)  

Sunday was wonderful as always - Church was great - I got to teach again and then after we had choir which was great!  I'm so excited about our new songs!  In the evening, Becca came over - Jeremiah works on Sunday evenings, so she has an open invitation to come over and hang out with us on Sundays.  She came to have dinner with us and play and while she was here, Anna set up our mermaid scene since I had finished all the tails and we set up our little underwater scene with all 5 of our dolls.  We ended up with everyone involved in holding up backgrounds and floating dolls and such!  And of course, and time I have a camera - James has to pose.  

Girls Camp and Visitors!

 This week has been busy and fun!  Monday was laundry and grocery shopping and getting Eileen all packed up for Girls Camp.  She got all packed up and we dropped her off at the church bright and early Tuesday morning.  She seems to have had a great time - despite lots of rain.  She also made some new friends from other wards and came home seeming to have grown up way too much...  Monday night for Family Home Evening, we did a family movie night and watched "Sing" together - such a cute movie and such a fun night!

Becca came to visit on Tuesday - it was great!  She was feeling great and the kids loved getting to see and play with baby Laura.  We had fun chatting and having lunch together and letting the kids play.  In the evening we had a quiet time with out Eileen around.  I missed her a lot more than I realized that I would and worried about her more than I needed to.

Wednesday morning, Dan's parents arrived.  We had a great time with them - working and playing and snuggling the baby.  The kids all wanted to play games and read books all the time - they have loved having Grandma and Grandpa visit!  In the evening, Dan had the Young Men's activity and Anna had activity days.  She got to decorate cupcakes - and was sweet enough to decorate some for everyone - and she did a great job too - they were so cute!

Thursday was more work around the house and games with Grandma and lots of taking care of the baby.  In the evening, Aaron had cub scouts.  Mostly it was a busy but easy going day!

Friday was a fun day.  The kids had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa - helping around the house and trying to teach them games.  In the afternoon, it poured for a bit - but it was still nice and warm outside, so the kids (and Dan) got swimsuits on and headed out to jump on the trampoline in the downpour.  It was so funny!  I grabbed my camera to get pictures and a video - once Evelyn realized what I was doing - she had to pose for the camera.  In the evening, we had a fun movie night again and made personal pizzas for dinner and popped some pop corn and watched "The Secret Life of Pets" - it was a cute movie and we had a fun time together.

Saturday was spent by me eagerly awaiting Eileen's return.  My Dad flew in from Texas for the baby blessing and we all enjoyed a family dinner together!  Finally back together.  We also spent some time getting things ready for Sunday!  I just thought it was so fun watching the grandparents all trying to get the perfect picture of David - so I took a picture of them :)  

Sunday was a busy morning - getting ready for church and getting David ready for a day out.  Stephen came down for the blessing with Lincoln.  Newell and Becky and family came and Becca and Jeremiah came with Laura.  We had a wonderful full circle of family and friends.  These are the priesthood brothers that blessed baby David (not including the bishop and stake president) It was wonderful!  There were also two other babies blessed (twins) today and a confirmation.  There was also some Stake business to be taken care of and I led the choir in a musical number.  The choir did a great job and Stephen was kind enough to step in and sing with us too!

It was so wonderful to have so much family around us!  After - we invited people over to hang out at the house with us.  It was lots of fun and a great chance to be with people we care about!

In the evening, we all (we being our immediate family, the grandparents and Becca and Laura) went to the nursing home to see Glenna and play music for her.  The kids brought instruments and we used their piano and the kids all played songs for her.  We listened and sang and had a wonderful time.  The kids were so cute and so friendly and brought cheer to everyone!  After, we headed home for dinner before taking my Dad to the airport.

Week 2

This week Dan had Monday and Tuesday off for the holiday weekend.  Monday we mostly spent doing laundry and grocery shopping and all the usual stuff.  David is doing good and eating well.  

Tuesday our ward had our annual 4th of July breakfast sponsored by the scouts.  We all headed over - Even David and I made a cameo for a bit.  We then spent the afternoon taking it easy before heading outside to watch the fireworks - we really got to see some great ones from our own front yard.  David slept through them all.  :)

Wednesday, Dan headed back to work.  In the morning Anna got picked up to go to Water World with her friend from church, then in the afternoon, Tina stopped by and picked up the younger kids.  I dropped Anna off after she got back and then in the evening, Dan and Eileen had mutual.  Eileen had her pack check before camp - she is excited about this coming week!  Eileen wanted to stay and hang out with us and since she needed to be at the activity on Wednesday evening and we didn't really want to drive down to drop her off, we let her.  It was kinda fun - but I'm afraid she may have liked being an "only child" for a couple of days a bit too much.  

Thursday Eileen and I spent most of the day relaxing.  We played some Zelda and Dan came home and had lunch with us.  It was funny because Eileen still wanted to do scriptures and prayers at the same time we usually do them, even though there weren't other kids around to need to go to bed at that time!  

Friday morning was mostly us taking it easy again.  Tina and Frank dropped the kids off in the afternoon and they spent the whole evening trying to convince Dan to play Killer Bunnies.  They had played - even the younger ones had learned to play - with Frankie while down at Frank and Tina's house and were wild to play more games.  

Saturday was a busy morning.  Eileen had flute lessons in the morning, then she went to a baptism after that.  Plus, our good friends from Texas - the Tolberts - stopped by on their way to Utah.  It was so fun to see them - even if just for a little while.  It's so fun how even years after we moved away - the kids can all still get together and have a great time together.  Plus it was so much fun having them stop and chat for a while.  Spending time with them makes me really wish we lived close to them again.  Hopefully we will get to see them for a bit on their way back through to Texas next month!  

The next part of this post is just pictures of David.  He gets himself into the cutest poses - and though my cell phone camera can't do them justice, he really is such a cutie!  Both in his cute poses and cute faces and cute baby noises.  I figure that if this is our last baby - I better enjoy it while I can!  

Today, Dan stayed with David so I could go to Sacrament Meeting.   It was wonderful to be there!  Then we switched off and I came back home to eat breakfast and feed David, and Dan headed to church for Young Mens.  After church, we had lunch, then I went back to the church for ward choir - directing them with David in the baby carrier.  :)  After choir, we were talking to the West's and Evie asked if they could come over for dinner - I said that it was ok by me - and so they came over for French Toast and eggs and sausage and then of course, for games.  It was so fun to watch the kids playing games with them!  After they headed home, Eileen and Dan and I played a game they introduced us to.  You use your cell phone and place it on your forehead and people describe the words that come up and you try and guess the word.  Eileen found that there is a distinct disadvantage to playing with two people who have been married for 14 years and know how to give each other clues.

Finally He's Here

Sunday night we headed into the hospital - the plan was to start on some meds to soften the cervix before starting the pitocin the next morning - but upon arrival, the nurse checked me and decided that my cervix was soft enough already and after communicating with my doctor, she started the pitocin drip in the early hours of Monday morning.  She slowed it down a bit while I got the epidural then kicked it back up.  Around 7 am the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 7.  She had the doctor on rotation come in and break my water and my doctor showed up just in time for David Paul Jones to be born at 8:10 am.  He was 8 lbs 5 oz and 20 in. long.  He was healthy and the delivery went well.  It was all so calm and clear.  By lunchtime, I was in my regular room and getting lunch sent up.  In the afternoon, Dan stopped by with the kids who said they wanted to visit me - but really just all wanted to see the baby!  They were so cute!  

When he came back Tuesday morning, he came back with my first visitor.  Grandpa came up to visit and see the baby and to chat for a bit.

My mom came in to help out for a bit while Dan stayed at home with the kids.  We also had a friend from Dan's work stop by with flowers and a card to hold and snuggle the baby.  

Then in the evening, Dan and the kids and my mom all came over and we got hospital dinner and had a little birthday party for Anna.  She got to open her presents, and we had cupcakes and sang to her and everything.  It was so nice to have us all together for her birthday!

 The kids of course all wanted to hold David - and have spent most of the week wanting to hold him.  They have all been so sweet and so helpful!

Wednesday afternoon, we headed home!  The morning was spent in going through everything necessary to get discharged and then finally we could take our little one home!  

Thursday, we had a check up for David.   He was born tongue tied and we were starting to worry that getting it clipped was going to be a pain in the neck - but at his appointment they said that one of the doctors there could do it later that day, so we came back in the afternoon and got that done quick and easily.  In the afternoon, Frank picked up the older kids so they could spend the night and have fun with Aunt Tina and Uncle Frank.  It was so strange having them gone.  

Friday morning, we took David into the doctor's office again to have his bili-ruben levels tested again since they had been a bit high the day before.  After this check - the doctor said that if things were going well, we didn't have to bring him in again, but if we had concerns, then we could.  Tina took the kids to the Children's Museum and they had a great time, then dropped them off in the evening and stayed and chatted and held the baby for awhile.

Saturday was really our first full day all together.  The older kids are so helpful and sweet and the younger kids just dote on him and want to hold him all the time.  Feeding has been a bit rough - he is hungry all the time - but getting him to latch on properly has been difficult.  He is a champion pooper though!

Today Dan took the kids and headed to church, David and I hung out at home and watched General Conference.  After church, our friends the West's stopped by and ended up hanging out and having dinner with us and playing games.  It was lots of fun!