Loving Every Minute of It

Here's a little update of the mellow couple of weeks we've had.

Jason enjoys his time at home, especially when he can get one of the kids to take a Sunday afternoon nap with him. There is really nothing cuter in this world than this.






Kimball continues to entertain us with random facial expressions, and when she gets bored with her own face, she decides to spruce it up a little with some marshmallows from the cereal box.



We decided to give Jack his summer "hair-cut". The poor kids hair would be drenched within 2 minutes playing outside. And that's in the morning when it's only 90 degrees. So, we buzzed him. I'm always a little sad to cut his hair because it's so soft, but as my brothers used to say... "there comes a time in every mans life when he's fuzzy." Or something like that.


Tod continues to grow so fast. He loves to gurgle and chat, and is starting to really figure out his hands and will grab at all sorts of stuff like toys, his plug, my nose and Kimball's hair. He's now 4 1/2 months old. Time flies! He's getting in some good tummy time, along with some great facial expressions. He and Kimball will get a long great (we hope).

While Jason and I were at the pool last weekend, a random stranger, said to me "You didn't have your kids close together, did you?" Normally I appreciate a good sarcastic comment, but coming from this skinny lady in a bikini tanning herself I was a little taken back. She asked how many I had and their ages. I just told her I have 3 under 3 years old, and she asked if I was still sane. I replied that I still had my hair so yes, and that my mom and mom-in-law both kept their insanity through this same experience and so I could do it too (though maybe not as well.)

When I told my mom about this exchange, she gave me some great advice. She said that whenever people would question her and my dad about their large family, they would give details about how many and when they saw those looks of disbelief and horror they would add "And we love every minute of it." And, that's the truth, I'm sure my parents will admit to hard moments but us kids always knew that they not only loved us, but they enjoyed being our parents.

I truly do love every minute of it! I'm going to steal something my sister wrote on her blog a couple of weeks ago to sum up how I feel. She explained it perfectly, and I agree with her 100%.

"I remember when it used to be acceptable to respond with "a mom" when asked what you wanted to be when you grow up. Is it just me or are those days long gone? Work, education and worldly statuses have overshadowed women's true role to be a mother. I'm not ashamed to say that this, what I'm doing right now, is what I've always wanted. I've never worried for a second that I would regret having kids so quickly or so close together. I'm not anxiously awaiting the day they leave the house so I can go back to work. I don't feel that I am at all supressed by staying at home with my kids every day. It is the most fufilling, rewarding thing I've ever done. So in answer to "What do you want to do/be when you grow up?" I answer proudly - I am doing it. I am a MOM and that is enough. That is everything." ~ Sammy Jacobson

I am a blessed woman to have these kids, and to get to share raising them with Jason. Thanks Mom, for showing me that I need to explain that even if I look insane - I'm loving every minute of it.

To Nana and Papa's house we go...

Here's what we did while we escaped home for a while.

Kimball entertaining herself during the ride.
(The nursery song leader should be so proud.)

We went swimming 3 different times at this fabulous indoor pool in
about 20 mins away from Nana and Papa's. I love small town pools they aren't quite as strict as the pools I used to work at. Which means Kimball and Jack got to ride down the big water slide with Jason and I. And, I could catch Kimball as she jumped to me from the diving board. Just sad I didn't get a picture of it.

Tod loved the pool, he just floated around checking out everything, and didn't even sputter when Jason and I passed him under water a few times.

We fed some ducks and geese at a pond that I used to go to as a kid (yes, very nostaglic)

The kids had a great time. We loved watching the kids chase the geese, until they wanted to follow them into the pond. Thank goodness for long-armed parents and sturdy t-shirts that didn't rip under the weight of the kids.

Aside from all the activities, we really just loved hanging out with Nana and Papa, and with Sammy and David's kids Ashbug and Hannah.
Three little monkeys swingin' in a tree.

Kimball and Ashbug trying to dance together.

Papa and Ashbug getting a portrait done by Kimball
(she's getting pretty good with the camera)


And, last but not least, we took a trip to Hogle Zoo in SLC. We had a great time. I have one of Kimball's favorite TV shows "Go Diego Go" to thank for her yelling "three-toed sloth" when I pointed one out to her. The adults also had a good time watching some giraffes, but I won't go into detail, let's just say it was a National Geographic moment.

Jack was thoroughly enjoying his time walking around with Papa.



He thought the animals were great and all, but most the carousel was his favorite.


Abbey enjoyed her time being pulled around like one of the kids.

And I had to get a picture of Kimball at this drinking fountain because I have a picture of me drinking out of that same one when I has her age.

We had such a great time - THANKS Mom and Dad - and now that we're home, we're trying to get back to real life. And, Kimball and Jack are catching up on some missed nap times. Even to the point of falling asleep in the same bed.

Simple Pleasures - a photo journal of a week at home

The simple pleasures (as captured on camera) include...

Catching some Z's on the kitchen floor while
Snow White aka Kimball watches
(consequences of being able to climb out of the crib, but not back in)

Sharing a delicious homemade strawberry shake with Dad

Learning how to cross your eyes
(with Mom hoping that you're just as good at un-crossing them)


Being able to reach into Mom's make-up drawer and getting mascara confused with the eyebrow pencil

And, enjoying a ride on your favorite dump truck in the backyard before it got too hot.