~A Week of Sun Brings on the Fun~

Highlights From the Week:

Monday

-waking up to the chirping of birds and sun shining through the windows

-Kids had amazing attitudes through school work and chores

-Watching Travis on the trampoline with Lily and Avery (we didn't get it up last year)

-sneaking out on a quick run

-Aaron's bedtime surprise of cleaning the upstairs! 

-Carrying both my boys to their beds while they pretended to be asleep/snuggled extra tight

Tuesday

-Finding out my dear cousin just had her second child pass away :(

- Discovering Disney's new sing-a-long that they released during this quarantine time 

-Snuck out on another short run and got a better time

-Having Avery fall asleep against my chest at bedtime, sucking away on her fingers

-Finally got some quality time with Travis (which almost never happens now that he's running COVID hours) 

-Both boys insisted on being able to help clean up the house and put the girls to bed before bedtime so they could have me come downstairs and snuggle them for a show; I showed them Sabrina the Teenage Witch and they fell in love~ 

Wednesday 

-Most HEAVENLY weather of the season thus far... 

-Kneeled down in some Nala poop, as well as got it all over my shoes... long story=dumb dog

-Having the boys "Briar Rabbit" Addie in order to keep her off the tramp! "Addie whatever you do DON'T go help mom brush the dog..." and then she'd coming running back to help. 

-Maddix being so responsible and fixing the kids lunch and all of them behaving while I took the puppy to the vet. 

-A quick trip to HyVee with Travis; a mini date

-Travis took the boys mountain biking to Lime Creek

-Talking to my best friend the entire time I went for a run

-Helping Aaron try out his rollerblades for the first time (he's been hesitant to try them and be no good at it)

-Snuggled the boys for TWO episodes of Sabrina before bed

Thursday

-Watching all the kids get carried away on their rainbow art projects the school sent to us

-Finally worked my run time back to an 8:01 avg pace! 

-Listening to the boys be so responsible and fun with the girls on the trampoline for a solid 20 mins

-Seeing Maddix light up to talk with a few different friends on the iPad for the first time in 8 weeks! 

-Both the boys got to enjoy having Gpa Vaughn call to read his book (and her the treats he sends) before bedtime

-Snuggling Avery on the front porch swing for a good 30mins before life came calling to us to get back at it. I love that baby so so much! 

Friday 

-FINALLY had a speedy checker while grocery shopping, AND there wasn't any line at check out! 

-Addie's movie night was Pocahontas, and they had popcorn

-Celebrating our dear Nala's 11th Birthday

Saturday 

-Travis took the boys on a biking adventure to Ingawanas for the afternoon

-I took the girls and the dogs for a walk then we played outside

-CLEANED and fought back the house... but in silence since both the girls crossed over on naps and the boys were actually not at the house; I thoroughly enjoyed those hours of cleaning by myself! 

-Travis's co-worker came over with her daughter and gave Travis a haircut

-Travis and I had a little date with late night ice cream and fell asleep through our movie

Sunday 

-Every Sunday morning Pancakes 

-In home church service 

-The boys played together, without problem for two hours 

-Playing Telestrations with Travis and the boys 

-Homemade Cafe Rio 

-Snuggling Maddix extra long while reading a science experiment book before bed 

Cant keep the kisses off her

THIS FACE!! 

AND THIS FACE!! 

AND THESE FACES! 

She's the thorn in my shoe... but she's pretty
cute! 

They build some fun lego creations. This morning brought a submarine for
Maddix and a snow speeder for Aaron 

Some Star Wars themed Dog treats for Nala's
birthday

 I ADORE the bond these two sisters share. 

The truly are BEST FRIENDS! 

Covid Continues...

Due to the fact that we were on Spring Break before this COVID crisis occurred, we are now at 6 weeks of our new stay at home orders. That also means that we're at 7 weeks with puppy Lily. Something i've learned about myself is change can be a little difficult for me to adjust too. 

I don't shy away from change, but I tend to do a lot of complaining during the first six weeks. What can I say, I'm no Nephi! I'm trying to complain less, I am! But every time I've had a baby or we've moved, or Travis starts some new schooling/work hours, I've always fount myself saying, "Just hang in there for six weeks; everything will be okay in six weeks." 

And it's true. 

So also true, with change comes so many many emotions. Not just from me, but from everyone; especially the kids. Maddix said to me one day after walking the puppy and listening to his audiobook, "You know, I haven't had any cabin fever; i'm loving my days." 

The very next morning he was out of sorts and frustratedly told me, 

" I just need a break! I need a break from you; from Aaron; this HOUSE!" 

Poor Guy. 

And both boys keep fluctuating between too much time together which results in "can you just make him stop!" And then too much time apart, also resulting in "I just feel like he doesn't want anything to do with me... he's more interested in: etc. etc. etc." 

Adeline begs everyday to go visit her friends and wishes to go back to doing all her regular activities. She misses watching Frozen every day or so. And Avery REALLY misses having her mommy time. This sweet little baby often gets pushed to the side because she's so easy going and self reliant. School, puppies, tantrums, chores... too many times a day I get going and it isn't until my little baby comes up and latches onto my leg, refusing to leave, that I realize, "wow; I haven't picked you up or kissed you too long!" 

I'm so grateful she gives me these reminders. 

And I'm grateful for the moments that she and I do find time to slip away and enjoy some quiet time together while the other kids aren't around. 

Another thing that's different is buying so much food all the time! I feel like I'm always buying SO MUCH FOOD! And sometimes it's because I'm storing extra, but also it's because with the kids home eating multiple snacks a day, and Maddix now becoming a bottomless pit, we consume SO MUCH FOOD! 

I saw a funny meme again. 

"Remember when we used to complain about having to pack a lunch for our kids each school day? Now look at us; fixing 2984 meals a day." :D

Too True.

Ps. I didn't mention, but we ended up trading in the Explorer for an Expedition. We were going to wait until this summer, but because sales are slow due to Covid, the dealerships are offering some crazy good deals, SOoOo we hopped all over that!
And we love it. Feel so so blessed. And look so forward to the first road trip we can take it!
If I ever decide to let them actually spend time in it... it's too nice!

Welcome to the family U.S.S. Covid
and no... that's not a dog in the front, it's me in a furry hooded coat. 

"Is my dress so pretty? Guys? Do you think
my dress is so pretty?"
Repeated over and over, all day long. 

My new addiction. It's even replaced my cookie
and ice cream habits ha ha.
Take one gatorade (I prefer orange), mix in this packet
of Emergen-C, and a touch of Vanilla extract. Put
in some crushed ice.... it's Heaven in a cup. 

Thursday we HAD to get out of the house, so we drove to the lake to see it.
The kids ran in the grass while Travis ordered food, and then we took the food home
and ate it on our "Movie Blanket" while watching Game Day. 

I love every minute with her; she is practically
perfect in every way 

such a fashionista! 

 Travis took the boys biking at Ingawanis park and they had SUCH a good time! 

The girls and I stayed behind to watch Frozen 2, cuddle, and have a dance party. 

 Gma Lori had a birthday, and these are a few screenshots from her VERY special birthday 

video we made for her! 

His new Happy place is in my jetted tub, candles
lit, and speaker blasting some Harry Potter!
(While Maddix was having this unwind time,
Aaron was in his bed telling me about farts and pee;
they're such different children in some ways!)

Their new game is Whack-a-mole:
Puppy style! 

All us girls hanging out! 

This is a pretty common site these days 

I talked Addie out of her Dance leotard,
but then she insisted on snuggling it in the car

We've tried having her sleep with each of the
boys and so far she's nailed it! 

We know how to party! 

She just crawled onto my lap, curled up like
a baby, and started drinking this toy bottle;
sometimes she is still my little baby!