TRAIN! TRAIN!

One thing about this little cutie is that he LOVES trains. If I could think of another word stronger than love, i would use it. Because we live pretty close to railroad tracks, trains pass by quite often. When he hears the first choo choo, he starts saying tr, tr, tr. Then he starts waving his hands and gets a frantic look on his face.

If he is on the ground, he crawls as fast as he can to the first person he can get to, and they carry him to the window, or outside if he's lucky ;) to get a closer look at the train.

It is SO sweet! I don't think I will ever get tired of it.

He is so excited! How sweet is that?

the fruit of his labors

Look at this tomato K grew. He was so excited, he keeps trying to figure out what he wants to make with it. I think he's decided salsa.

Pretty pleased with himself.

sweet big sis

J added a couple extra toys to C's play mat, they are perfect :).

this little man

This little mover has learned, or rather, taught himself how to go up the stairs. He has found a new freedom. His favorite place is here, in the bathtub-with or without water.

Could he look any more mischievous?

a refreshing break

In my later post, I talked about the heat. Well, we got some refreshing rain and the kids took full advantage of it. J lead the way and K quickly followed. G was too busy playing with toys to join in.

it was pouring and J was in heaven

Rain showers

train ride

Our town had their local celebration. During their celebration they do train rides. We thought it would be a great experience, so we hopped aboard.

I thought we were going on a short little 30 minute ride. An hour and 45 minutes later, we finally made it back.

It was really fun, just different from what we expected. There was no air conditioning on the train, and it was a hot and humid day, luckily we went early.

All ready to head out

Half way through the ride, they offered popcorn and water. Who can ride a train without a little snack.

Making it back, I think they said they NEVER want to go on a train ride again. Looks like we will have to plan something different next year

One thing that was really cool is this train was built in 1920, there was cool stain glass windows above the bigger windows. I cant imagine being on a train 100 years ago, in a long skirt and long sleeved shirt-it would have been so hot. Makes you grateful for air conditioning and fast cars.

Sisters

I have always thought every girl needs a sister. I think J feels the same way. She adores C.

It is so sweet.

kindness of strangers

Just when you think there are so few kind people in the world, people who willingly give of themselves or offer a kind hand, you have experiences that leave you thinking that 'I should be more like them'

Just want to share a few that have happened to our family lately,

I haven't shared this experience on the blog, because, quite frankly, it wasn't my finest pregnant lady moment, BUT, after being served a slice of humble pie, it all turned out and left me thinking I shouldn't judge others. But, while I was pregnant, we visited a waterpark in Erie, PA. I decided to take a float down the river, with B. So I plopped down, and sat B on my belly and away we floated. After relaxing a few times round the lazy river, I decided to hop out. Well, there was no hopping and I soon realized that I saw stuck. I couldn't get out of the hole in the center, with B on my back and baby in my belly, I couldn't move. I floated at the exit, not sure what to do, and thoroughly embarrassed. After what seemed forever a large guy covered in tattoos walked over and asked if I needed help. I said, can you take him, and handed B over. I then proceeded to try to get out, once again, stuck. The weight in my belly and sitting so low in the tube, i couldn't get out. He grabbed my arm, while still holding B, and helped me out. I think I was about 5 shades of red. I thanked him and said how embarrassed I was, and he said, no big deal, my wife has been pregnant, she's been there.

I couldn't have thanked him enough.

I was truly humbled by this kind man coming to my rescue.

Since we've had C and added a fifth child to our family. We get TONS of looks, and people counting outloud, F-I-V-E. They have FIVE kids! We had taken the kids to eat at Cracker Barrel (cause really, who can dispute their delicious breakfasts). I had asked them to really have good behavior. We were there, the kids were playing C's phone, I was writing letters with J, and C was entertaining B. I noticed a couple watching us. I kept thinking, great, I know what they're thinking. On our way out, I was paying, and the same couple was behind us. The sweet lady started talking to me and commented on how well behaved our kids were. I thanked her and went to the kids who were picking out rather expensive treats. C started talked to them and they said how much they love kids and couldn't believe how good our kids were. They said they had been foster parents to 7 kids and adopted 2. I went to pay for their treats and they said, 'let us pay', please, 'we just miss it'. I declined many times, but they were persistent. So they paid. The treats for the 3 of my kids were almost $10. On our way out, they invited us to their cabin at a near by state park. It was so kind of them.

How often do I do small acts of kindness that mean so much to the receiver?

Lastly, it was a hectic day and I was running over to drop off K to play, and pick up a friend for G to play with. I had loaded all 5 kids up and drove up the road when I realized the car was making a weird noise. I pulled over and knew I had a flat tire. To my luck, I was stranded right in front of a car store. I was examining the damage and out of the store walked a short stalky and very tattooed guy. He offered his help. He filled up my tire and then checked to see if it was leaking air-I wasn't sure if I should continue my errands or head home. The air was gushing out and he told me to head home quick because the tire wouldn't hold air long. I graciously thanked him and hurried on my way.

These small acts of kindness have left me questioning myself.

The judgements I pass on people without knowing them.

I am realizing more and more that there are some amazingly kind people that I am surrounded by and I am humbled by their examples of kindness. I know these people were probably busy and had other things to do, but they took time out of their lives to help a complete stranger.

I hope I can emulate some of these people and their truly kind hearts and actions.

too kind

We have received so many sweet gifts from people since little c's birth.

I had to post a picture, because it was so nice of everyone!

We got a gift card to target from some friends in buffalo, a hooded towel, two quilts, blankets, burp rags, bows, so many cute outfits, and some really sweet little handmade shoes and a sweet hat. We feel so loved!

cute giraffe outfits from a friend in ut, giraffes are my fav

cute little crocheted hat and shoes from a new friend here--so adorable

look at these cute little hand knitted uggs from a friend here, i cant wait for winter

heat wave

My oh my, it is HOT! Should I be alarmed that it is only 9 am and it already 89 degrees, but what it actually feels like with 69%humidity is 100!

Update, it is now 7 pm, temp wise is it 96, but with humidity, feels like 111! Maybe we should rename this state pennsylvegas.

This is how the kids have been keeping cool the past week. Swimming in our little pool and jumping on the tramp with a sprinkler underneath.

Funny thing is when they do this, people are amazed! I guess people in PA don't do this.

They always say, HOW FUN! Who ever thought of that?

I guess people in UT who have a lot of kids. We spent hours in the summer growing up doing this. We loved it!

So glad my kids and their friends are carrying on the tradition!

too much tv

I dont let my kids watch a ton of tv, at least that's what I thought.

One of my favorites to watch while i'm feeding C is Challenge, when they make huge cakes in 8 hours.

The other day, our sweet neighbor brought the kids some shells and they were dividing them up. K came to me with two shells in hand and asked which one I thought he should pick. I told him which one, then he points to the other one and says but I really like this one too, it looks like on challenge when they airbrush the paint onto the cakes. See how the colors just look like they have been airbrushed?

A couple days ago I was at a dr. appt with G, and we were looking through a magazine. He saw a pic of President Obama and John McCain side by side. He said, 'oh, is that what Obama used to look like?'

Then on the page opposite, he points at a picture and said, 'oh, and that's Casey Anthony'

I do watch the TODAY show while I'm on the treadmill and I thought I had done a pretty good job at skipping over her story, a little too much for the kids to hear, but he must have caught her name before I forwarded through it.. anyway, made me chuckle.

random pics

He loves her so much!

C's 4th of July outfit, had to post :)

First day of church, at one month old!

Cute little outfit one of my friends from UT gave us.

She is getting so big! It feels like she is 4 months old.

one month old

I took some pictures of little C, they didn't turn out how I wanted them.

She was totally awake, most of the time, and moving and flailing all around.

It was tricky, I know I should try again, but dont have the energy.

I love her little profile

Look at those cute little toes

She is such a sweet little one.

the birthday boy

Our little man finally turned one!

He is such a sweet little guy!

He has the most fun little personality.

We sat him in front of his presents and he started waving at us all and just grinning. He is so sweet!

Opening his presents!

C asked me, "do we really need to get him presents?"

good thing mom is here little man!

Look how much he LOVES this!

Blowing out his candle

You know, I had plans to make him a cute little dinosaur cake, then the reality of 5 kids hit me, and I realized I had no time. The kids all wanted funfetti, so that's what they got. I guess they get to choose until B can choose for himself-they were delighted!

Sampling all the deliciousness!

I didn't want to put the top view of the cake on here, because, pretty much, it's ghetto. BUT, I had to include that I piped a slotted spoon on the top, because that is his favorite toy. I asked everyone what it was and C said, 'a tennis racket' K was the one who guess his favorite spoon.

Nice job K!

One of the funniest things about this was the other kids! They were getting ticked and were screaming for us to make B stop! It was hilarious!

A little bit about this little man

Within the past 2 weeks, he is pulling himself up to everything.

He STILL loves his favorite black slotted spoon

He LOVES Claire

He is what we lovingly refer to as 'the destroyer'

He has the best little smile!

He crawls everywhere, on all fours, he stopped doing the army crawl about 3 weeks

He has two teeth on top and two on bottom, and his other top 2 just broke through

He has had too many ear infections!

He loves to sing with us or when the radio is on

He gives Claire kisses-only recently has he started giving kisses to others in our fam

He loves to 'give loves'

He LOVES his blue blanket

He is so inquisitive

He has funky little toes that dont sit straight

He loves to make smacking noises with his mouth

He is a pure joy to have in our home and we love him so much

raspberries

The kids have been begging to go raspberry picking. Even though I had just bought 2 things of raspberries at costco, we still went. It was a beautiful morning and the kids had a ball, except for B. He just wanted out.

Look at these delicious little berries! They are so tasty

What a great time!

We had to make some raspberry jam!

When it rains.....

It pours.....

How can so much happen at one time?

C got surgery on his finger. It made things really tricky, having a 2 week old, an 11 month old, 3 other kids and trying to recover. It was almost too much, just almost, but the Lord blesses us in ways that he can. Like with great ward members. One who took my 3 older kids swimming at a fun pool, with her other FIVE kids-they were gone all day. Then another friend who invited them over to her house to swim and they were gone all afternoon. Another one just dropped dinner by one night.

Then the check engine light came one in c's car, it was flashing (I guess thats really bad). We started looking for new cars. We didn't feel right about spending a lot of money on a secondary car that gets driven maybe once a week, it just didn't feel right. C realized that we should keep the van (and he would drive it-HUGE sacrifice for a guy who LOVES and ADORES cars), and get a newer family car. He started looking and found one 7 hours away. J got a fever 103.2. She was S-I-C-K. B got a BAD diaper rash, and then G got what J had. C left with K to go get the car. B cried and cried and cried, because of his little sore buns. G threw up ALL over the love sac/bean bag and was running a crazy high temp too. BUT, the silver lining was that because C had some time off work, we could get this car problem figured out while he wasn't busy at work. Even though life gets crazy sometimes and its hard to see the good, the Lord does bless us and watches over us. He will not give us more than we can handle. He will strengthen our backs to support the burdens and difficulties of life. He is guiding our path and watching over us. I'm glad to know that He is with us through all our trials and hard times.

We are never alone.

ohh, such sweetness

Three weeks old,

I don't want to stop holding her.

She is pretty alert.

G says he loves her sucking noises.

K loves to snuggle her.

J loves having a sister.

I love her dark, fuzzy little hair.

She has the tiniest toe nails.

I love her little hair on her shoulders.

I love her dark eyes, which will most likely be blue.

She loves her pacifier.

I love her smiles when she is sleeping.

She has the softest little neck.

I love her shallow quick little breaths.

She sounds like a peacock when she cries.

She is an angel on earth.

Our Star Spangled Celebration

What a busy 4th of July we had!

I have realized lately how blessed we are to have friends who sit in for family on holidays. We were so busy, I almost didn't miss family....almost.

On the Saturday before the 4th, we went to some people house from C's work. The kids swam (for 6ish hours, really), we had a BBQ-C ate swordfish, ran through sprinklers, ate cupcakes, it was SO much fun! They outdid themselves!

Monday, we met up with some friends and swam and ate and swam and ate, it was SO fun! Then that night, we went to some other friends house and had a BBQ and fireworks! J was oblivious to the fireworks, she was too busy catching fireflies!

This is us doing fireworks at our house on the 5th. We didn't get home until REALLY late on the fourth, and I was tired (the kids, not so much), so we did our fireworks on the 5th.

G is always a little hesitant of sparkles, he got burned 2 years ago and has yet to forget it

This looks like they are dueling wizards

I love this pic, with all the kids plugging their ears

J in her festive outfit, C had a cute one too, I need to post it as well....

This is where we spent the afternoon of the fourth. Our neighbor would launch the kids in the air off his shoulders, it was awesome!

Then he would rotate throwing the kids the football, and they would try to catch it mid air and then land in the pool. G was hysterical to watch, he wanted his nose plugged, so he would catch the ball on the side of the pool, and then jump in. This catch, he was using his forehead to catch it and jumping in that way! Quite ingenious!

B even got in a little jeep action. He LOVED riding around in this! Boys will be boys.