~6 BoYs + 1 LiTtLe GiRl~

Tonight as Camille, Camille, Maverick, Maddix, Mattix, Hadley, Baby Aaron, Baby Davin, unborn baby #3 for Camille, and I walked to the park I found myself reflecting over that past several years of my life...

Pre-Married Guys Road trip

It seems like not that long ago that Travis and I were just dating. I was meeting his best friends and receiving approval/disproval from them, and of course, their girlfriends ;)

I remember feeling so good about myself when Camille told Travis she approved and that he should hang on to me; we clicked instantly.

After ballgame food

After ballgame food

Just after we married, we ran into another one of Travis's friends and his new wife; we all instantly clicked.

About a year after that it was me, Camille Ch, and Camille H, all sitting on the bleachers watching our guys play ball on a team together, catching dinners after, having date nights, and discussing the most important things of our life together: our dogs:) Ha ha... we were so carefree. We had energy, dressed nice, smelt good, and actually did our hair and make up! We were all in that newlywed bliss.

Not too long after that, our lives changed, and the beginning of our future baseball team began:

Pregnant with Maverick and Maddix

Camille Ch. and me

Travis+Maddix, Brian+Maverick, and Ben+Mattix

 Our date nights turned into dinner nights, and our dirty jokes were replaced with dirty diapers... for the most part. Our board games were packed away and new entertainment was discovered:

As these boys have grown (and little Hadley trucks along chasing her older brother and his friends), it has been so much fun to see them play together, bond, and become a little band of brothers. 

Mattix, Maddix, Maverick

A trip to the Thanksgiving point Petting Zoo

Splash Pad parks in Spanish Fork

It may have been so much easier to get together before we had kids, BUT it just keeps getting more fun, and more crazy each time we get together. Now we need some photos of our next generation of little rug rats that will be running around. We have the three older boys+ 1 Cute little Hadley + three little baby boys, Aaron, Davin, and Unborn baby boy (possibly named Ace). Our baseball team is now up to 6boys! I am so grateful for this group of little friends Maddix has and hope we keep in touch over all the years... and who knows, Hadley will probably enjoy seeing her brother's 4 other guy friends to hang out with ;)
Love you guys!

~A Very Un-merry Pirate Princess Unbirthday Party~

Today I received an invitation to a Very Un-merry Pirate Princess Un-brithday Party, hosted by Lori and Vaughn Johnson, my in-laws. You see, life goes by quickly, and sometimes you run into other projects, or something else is always coming up and you are forced to bundle all the birthday celebrations into one night; and when you get a little girls first birthday, and a new3 year old who's been out of the country for his last birthday, and a brother-in-law's birthday.... well, as the title of the blog states: you end up with a Very Un-merry Pirate Princess Un-brithday Party; and this is what it looks like:

Party's about to begin

Maddix's Jake the Pirate
bday cake

There were even cupcakes

New McQueen scooter
and helmet from G.G. Joe

Lucky little Pirate boy! 

Blowing out the candles. 

Allie's 1st bday cake

A slice of heaven (or known as
Phil's bday strawberry shortcake)

What a spread Lori and Vaughn threw. Everyone was even dressed in Princess tutu's, Pirate attire, or in Grandma's case she was a Pirate Princess to please both:) Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for helping the kids (and Phil) create memorable moments, and fun traditions!

This Magic Moment

Latest Addictions: Sales and Shopping (something entirely foreign to me!), kissing Aaron's precious little baby head, playing with my hair, and our night time routines.

At night we take baths; Maddix loves bathing with his brother, and even likes to help me wash Aaron. Then we snuggle in towels, sing to Aaron, read a book/finish our movie, and say prayers. This doesn't always happen, and many nights I'm at work and don't get to do this, so the nights this actually happens are highly valued... I mean... who can pass up these two Hams????

Note to future Maddix and Aaron: "Boys, please forgive me for posting these. :) Know that I do take into account your embarrassment, and chagrin over these photos... that being said, know how much I must LOVE them to have posted these despite any possible repercussions I might experience from you guys;) You're just too cute!!"

Some memorable moments from this week: Well, Aaron, you've been sick this week, but you've tried to hang in there and be happy. You've had a cold as well as a knotted tummy (constipation, sorry again).  Well, yesterday you fixed that problem while I was feeding you, didn't you?

 Maddix was up in his bed about to take a nap when he heard me call to him for immediate help; he was all too excited to be excused from nap time in order to come to my aid. I cleaned poop all off of Aaron, threw away a burp cloth that soaked up the mess, scrubbed out my pants, wiped it off my stomach, and then later that night at work I continued to find a few spots on my upper arms that I had missed earlier! So gross. It was at that moment of finding poop on my arm while at work that I TRULY felt like a mom (all I was missing was some in my hair).

 Oh and as promised... here is that adorable face Aaron makes when he sucks in his bottom lip and coo's like a little turtle!

And here is a bonus snapshot because I'm picture obsessed and just LOVE that I am from a generation that understands and accepts another one of my obsessions such as photo memories.

Weekly Update

There is so much I could write about tonight, and I have plenty of random photos I could load, but I think the most organized way to do it is to write a little about all of us. 

TRAVIS

Travis as always, plugs along studying. I can't remember if I ever recorded his 44mile bike ride but what an accomplishment so I'm going to record it ... again perhaps... He had the opportunity to accompany Anna and Arek on a beautiful bike ride to a town that's known for its healing water and spas. He's really enjoying that there is no snow in the forecast until mid December (since last year we had snow for 7 MONTHS). He has a good friend, and amazing classmate, Ajay, that he is rooming with. They switch off cooking dinners, give each other someone to talk to, and the other night I even got a picture of their GIANT cookies they made together:) And as you can see he is participating in no shave November.

All and all he misses his family a ton, but each day we talk on face time, I send him photos each day, and time is moving quickly. Oh and he's just a couple of weeks away from completing the Insanity Program! Way to go Trav! 

LACEY

My working has slowed down to 3 and 4 days a week, and the boys have been sleeping more this past week (knock on wood). I really feel like I've begun to make some friends in the ward and I'm happy I didn't have to turn around and leave them yet. I've struggled finding time and places to complete my insanity work out, but I'm still trying... we've got family photos coming up next month! I'd say the highlight of this week for me was getting to have a Girls Night with Lacey Potter, our good friend from Poland. She took me to dinner at Olive Garden, we had a great time chatting up the past, present, and future. She then came back with me to see the boys. If nothing else good had ever come from our time in Poland, I'd always be grateful we found friends in the Potters. Oh... and today I finished my Christmas Shopping!! Seriously, I think I need to buy two little presents for a couple of people but we are done. And thanks to incredible sales, we came in at a wonderful lowball price, so that is like a sweet cherry on top of my Christmas dessert! 

I LOVE my blond hair;
I missed it so much

My new Christmas Outfits

MADDIX

Well this boy had his 3 year old appointment this week where Dr. Weipert was once again very impressed with him. His motor skills, level of conversation, and problem solving, he said, is on a 4 and 5 year old level. We're thinking it might be a good idea to put him in some type of immersion class for a language because he really craves to learn another language. Growth wise he'd grown 2 inches and will now be tall enough to ride the CARS ride next time we're at Disney Land. He also lost 2 or 3lbs and I think that's because he got taller. He also got a JCW gift card for having a birthday since his last apt so we took it over right away and used it. We went to the park to eat because the weather was too good to be inside, and were lucky enough to have Mackenzie and Mercedes be in Provo so they joined us and we played the afternoon away before going home and cuddling with Nala on the floor while watching our first Christmas movie of the season (no judgements, I'm too excited to wait), Jack Frost. 

One of our walks

He and this dog are inseparable
(as much as Nala tries)

Playdate at the park

What did I tell you?

Playing Army guy while
shooting the Zombies

AARON

Well this little boy has learned to click his tongue, or smack his lips, I'm not quite sure what's making the noise, but he does it over and over. He also opened an early Christmas present (we'll wrap it later): a BUMBO chair. Little Falco man does not like to lay down. He does not like to be left alone. And he does not care that I only have two hands, so this purchase was definitely necessary. For the most part he enjoys it, but if he's not in the mood, it angers him quickly. He's had a bit of a rough week. On Monday he also had a 4month check up where he received shots that wiped him out. He's had a bit of a cold, and this week he's also been on and off constipated which makes him VERY angry; he screams this ear shattering, glass breaking, death scream when his tummy is in knots and no one is happy. Poor Falco boy. He's also been doing this underlip thing where he sucks it in and grunts and it is amazingly cute and hilarious; I have yet to capture it in a picture, but I'm working on it. Oh, and at his apointment he measured 25 1/2 inches tall, and I think he was 14lbs. Doctor Weipert okayed us to start him on any foods we want because this boy wants to eat. He also thinks he'll be an early walker and once he is... he will be Maddix's shadow. Everywhere he was moved in the room he looked around until he spotted his big brother:) Warms my heart.

Not a fan of tummy time

Encouragement from the boys to embrace
tummy time!

Has found a love for his toes

I love his little smiles

Finally fell asleep after
screaming the morning away

All in all we're pushing along and making the most of each day that we have (or trying, some days are better than others).
Travis comes home in EXACTLY one month from today!

Frozen!

I am frozen to the core right now. I'm currently sitting on the couch watching Christmas Vacation and am wrapped in a blanket because I just can't take how cold I am, and you know what? I really am fine with that. 

If anyone knows me, they know that winter isn't my favorite season; by far I am a summer rat. However, I am a HUGE holiday fan and nothing paints the picture of the holiday season as much as lightly falling snow, snuggled in front of a fire, while watching a Christmas movie and sipping on hot coco (even though I only drink hot chocolate as a seasonal thing; it's not my favorite). 

So although it is freezing right now, I actually look forward to the positives that will come from winter. Things such as the days where I take the boys out to build snowmen, have snowball fights, and then come inside to snuggle up in mountains of blankets in front of a movie. Does anyone know that feeling I'm talking about? When you've had a good work out outside and nothing feels better than  hopping in a hot bath or curling under blankets... but boo to the times I have to go to work while it's snowing and cold outside! :) 

P.s. When it's cold out I get to dress the boys up in the CUTEST winter outfits...

So today I was getting ready for the day and I had left Aaron propped on a pillow with a water bottle to help his upset tummy, when I heard him begin to giggle. In fact, I began to hear both Maddix and Aaron laughing uncontrollably. I decided to go check on them and look what I walked in on: 

Maddix had picked him up and placed him on his lap, completely holding him unassisted! My first instinct was to panic, but they were fine, and as happy as they'd been all day so i grabbed the camera for a photo, instead of hurrying to take Aaron away from Maddix; he did a great job too!

Oh, and there is another benefit to it being cold in the mornings (if we are trying to be positive about the cold ;), during the summer the first thing I wanted to do each day was get out, seize the day, not waist a moment of beautiful weather, but now that it is cold in the mornings, we spend a bit more time taking the mornings easy. 

And we really have been so blessed this fall; it's been practically perfect. How is it already November 14th and we still have this gorgeous weather? The reports call for snow tomorrow and I guess that's really what inspired this post. I am sad to see the warm weather go, we've been having fun going to the park and having outings with friends, BUT it's mid November and I haven't had to scrape my windows after work even once! SO, if the reports are correct then we'll be expecting some snow tomorrow, so bring on the snowmen, I guess! 

P.s. I never blogged that I was lucky enough to get my hair done; I am finally back to my blond!!

Moments from this past Week

First off, Happy Veterans Day.
      There are certain things in my life that I secretly hope will
                    never be cards in my hand of life; without revealing much,
                                 one of them is sending a loved one/ or being the
                    one who is sent away to combat. I truly am grateful for people
       who choose to leave their families, and the families that sacrifice precious time to keep me and my family safe. Thank you.

Because I live in a (relatively) safe country, with Freedoms and opportunities that are afforded me that others don't have... here are some moments from our past week that we were fortunate enough to have:)

Hot Breakfast for
me and the kiddos

Shopping at the GAP outlet
with the BOYS

Boys passed out on our way
to hang out with
Uncle Colton

House sitting for Uncle Scott... with
an uninvited guest joining
us in bed

A day with G. Gma
while I was at work

Elder Mikolyski's homecoming!
Our first Elder we ever had in
Poland; can't believe it's
been 2 years! 

Warming up with a movie after a long chilly walk
on a beautiful fall evening; Maddix
seriously laughed so loud and
long over 101 Dalmations
the human version!

Baby Update: 4 months old!

Honestly, I am in love with that face.

Sleep: We're entering more of a routine, however, every time I think we're about standard enough that I can plan my mornings around your wake up time, you surprise me with a new wake up call; you like to keep me guessing. Before daylight savings time (boo, to d-L-S-T):

• You either wake up to eat at 6:00 or 7:00am
• If you eat at 6:00, you go back to sleep for another hour or two; if you eat at 7:00 then you're up for good and take a 9:00am nap for an hour or two. You typically wake up, eat, be happy for an hour or two, then go back to sleep for an hour or two. This usually allows for 40mins-1hr where you and your brother have naps at the same time; this is when I shower typically:) 
• The evenings is hard since D-L-S-T because you're so tired come 5:00 and 6:00 so you've sort of invented a cat nap for yourself for about 20min-40mins then you're back up to bath, eat and settle into bed by 7:45-8:00pm. 
• I still come home from work and feed you around 10:30-11:00 at which point you also get your bum changed and then go right back to sleep. 

Weight: No idea; your apt is coming up so I'll report back. However, everyone comments on what a good size baby your are:) I enjoy what rolly polly's you have:) 

Milestones: 

• You like to stand up and lean against my bed, or the couch until your little legs cant keep you up. 

• You can now put your lips together and vibrate them while pools of spit drip down your face
• You grab for ANY and EVERY food or drink item in my hand. You're actually quite talented at getting my water bottle straw right into your mouth.
• One time- when the ground was slightly slanted you rolled over. I don't get it, when you were born you rolled all over in your crib, but now you go nowhere; this honestly doesn't bug me. I like you immobile for the time being. 
• You had your first non-breast milk foods this months. Your first was some tasts of a pudding, then the other day you gummed to death a little wafer-type cookie... and you were angry when it was gone! So you got another tiny one... and screamed when that was gone. You also suck on my apples and have had a little apple juice mixed in your bottle. You also started a tiny bit of formula last week because you eat so much I can't pump enough to feed you when I'm at work, so now your bottles are 1/2 and 1/2.   
• You're getting good at holding our own bottle

Likes: 

• You essentially love everything and everyone. 
• You laugh all them time at your brother. 

• Enjoy figuring out your furry friend, Nala
• Today you were in hysterical fits over your cousin, Keili tickling your toes.

• Still adore the word 'Hi' and bust into smiles at the sound of it. Now you even just smile the moment a stranger smiles at you. 
• You're beginning to like to bounce yourself on my lap while you smile at everyone. 
• You love to froggy kick around in the tub.
• LOVE big people food.
• Love shoving your fists in your mouth.
• You're mesmerized by fires. 
• Love being held and cuddling.
• Love seeing your daddy on the computer and tell him stories. 
• You now go after my phone anytime it's out
• You are obsessed with wrapping your little fingers in my hair and SMOTHERING your face in it so it gets drooly and then rips out in your hands. 
• You are now into giving kisses/chewing off people's faces (as seen below; it's like sucker fish)

I thought we were doing a
smiley shot, when he dive
bombed me and went in for the
kill.. I mean kiss. 

Dislikes: 

• Very much dislike tummy-time
• Being Constipated (who can blame you; sorry it happens so often)
• Taking a break from eating to burp
• Not a big fan of your car seat for long periods of time
• Being left on the ground and not in my arms... no you like to be held... all the time. 

Anything Else: As much as I don't want to admit this, it needs to be recorded: Last Sunday you were somewhat constipated and you were screaming like there was no tomorrow. This was hard for me, especially since you're NOT a whiny baby, so I got you a warm water bottle, placed you on a blanket in your car seat, and propped your bottle up while I got Maddix and myself ready for church. About 10mins later we were ready to go and I forgot you were only sitting in the car seat and not strapped in. When I picked up the seat quickly... you flew out! Blessedly  you landed on my bed and continued screaming :( Horrible mom award. Besides that, people are always saying you are the happiest/mellowest baby they have ever met. People say you're finally growing into your eyes:) Your brother wants nothing more than to make you laugh. Your Nala Dog is always SO soft and cautious around you. You rarely cry, and if you do it's for very short moments; however the rare moments that you do go into breakdown mode are more than I can bare and can WALE out some screams that send Grandpa back to see if I need any help. You go with the flow. I still think you're my little peacemaker. When someone growls at you (like today, when baby Allie did), you look over at me, your bottom lip curls down to your chin, your eyes fill up with tears an you sob as if someone just scared you to your core; it is such a sad cry. Sometimes I can talk you down from the shock and stop your from crying before that lip completely turns upside down, but sometimes you just have to be held and snuggled so you know everything is alright. :) Oh, and you are the cutest little thing to wake up too!

Just after a nap

Stinkin' cute bear suit!

Now my last blog was a very uplifting one, and then Tues and Wed were the complete opposite days where I had fleating thoughts or running out the door and perhaps not coming home... or leaving them on the doorstep of a good home because I. Had. Had. It! We had been up all night, two nights in a row, and this lil' mommy was FRIED... that being said, I look at these photos of the moments in between the chaos, and crying, and screaming, and whining, and I am reminded why I am so blessed; 

I am in love.