Soccer wrap-up, and a quick visit to Bethlehem

 A couple weekends ago, we got together with Peytons soccer team to have an end of year party. I loved being able to watch her play soccer and get out on the field and chase the group of kids around. But, I'm kinda glad it's over and we can have our saturday's back again. Man, I'm going to be an awful parent when we have all four kids involved in sports. :)

We headed to the park and let the kids loose. I love that it's still pretty gorgeous weather most of the time here.

Lexie enjoying the swing while daddy pushed her. I don't know when she got old enough not to need the baby swing, but here she is, getting too big too fast!



Peyton got her first trophy! So proud of her for sticking it out! She liked practice but wasn't really a big fan of the games. But she still went out there and at least tried to play, and she looked pretty cute in her uniform too.



Who doesn't love a giant cookie?

Coach Monson, congratulating the kiddos. They all loved having him as a coach and he works great with the kids.



All the teammates with their goody-bags and trophy's, waiting for their slice of cake.

Halli had to jump in the picture and pretend she was a great soccer player too!:) We're so proud of our little lightning player, way to go Peyton!

Once the soccer party was over, we headed to a local church that was having a "walk thu Bethlehem". I figured with all the santa stuff going on this month, it would be good to start with some focus on the reason why we have christmas. It was pretty fun, the kids got to walk around to some different booths and make candles, eat some of the food of them time of Christ, see the baby Jesus, and quite a few other things. They went all out and had a nice set-up of  "Bethlehem" in Christ's time.

Outside they had a few fun things set up as well...like some snow they brought in.

Lexie was pretty fascinated by it, and she thought it tasted pretty good too. Yummmm, dirty snow that all sorts of kids have been running through all morning. Doesn't get better than that!



The coolest thing was that they had a camel there!

A real live camel, and the girls got to ride it!

I totally wish I could have ridden it with them. So fun, I've never ridden a camel before, lucky girls. But kinda unlucky for the camel. It did not seem happy to keep walking in circles on the hot pavement over and over and over again,

Yeah, they thought it was pretty cool.



We'll probably be doing this again next year, the girls had fun, and the little presents at the end of the walk through Bethlehem didn't hurt either.

Baby food

I really can't believe we're already at the stage of eating baby food.

Not quite my favorite stage. Now it just feels like I'm feeding him all day long, between nursing and baby food, he's gonna get even bigger....yikes!

But, he's starting to sleep better, finally. So it's totally worth the payoff.



Plus, he looks kinda cute with his pink bib and purple bumbo seat.

What can I say, he's going to be secure with his masculinity, cause he's going to get lots of hand-me-downs that are of a more, shall I say, feminine nature?



He loves carrots so far, and is a pretty good eater considering he hasn't really been doing it that long.

But I'll be excited for the day I can just feed him what the rest of us are eating, and let him feed himself. I love when they're happy with a bunch of cheerios, and it keeps them entertained for quite awhile. Happy days! For now, I'll just enjoy his messy, baby food covered face.

Crazy busy..but so thankful

It's been slightly busy around here. Photoshoots, and editing, and more photoshoots and more editing. I love it though, and am having so much fun with it. Because of all the busy fun I've been having, I've gotten behind, again, with my thankful posts. So, here we go again with a little longer post.

#19 ~ I'm grateful for my laptop. It allows me to hang out in the living room with Kevin at night while I edit photos, or just play online. I may be somewhat addicted to it though. Kevin would say that I am. I try to be good about it, but what can I say? I'm grateful that it's quick, so I'm not waiting around all night for things to load or whatnot. (photos and the editing software take up loads of space). and I'm grateful that I'm not locked away in the office all night by myself.

#20 ~ I'm very grateful for my two favorite drinks.  First is Diet Coke,  it keeps me going on those days when I've had too little sleep. Okay, everyday. :) I don't keep it in the house though, cause if I did I would never drink water. It's a treat when I go out, or stop by McDonalds for a large fountain soda. My other favorite drink is a seasonal specialty, hot cocoa.  I LOVE when it's hot cocoa season. I probably gain tons of weight from my cocoa consumption alone. I have at least one mug a day when it's cold! Also, you HAVE to add creamer, hot cocoa without coffee creamer is just not as good, plain and simple, it makes all the difference.

#21 ~ I would be lost without a very, very simple object. The pony tail holder, aka, rubberband. Some days I just have be going and out the door before I've managed a shower. Some day's I just don't feel like doing my hair. Some days it too darn hot to have my long hair hanging down, and I need to put it up. Whatever the reason, I love this simple little object that allows me to hide my dirty hair, hide my messy hair, or keep myself a little cooler.

#22 ~ I am super grateful for traditions. We don't have a ton in our family, just a few, but they bring us closer on a daily basis. Currently my very favorite tradition takes place every morning as Kevin heads off to work. When he comes out of the room, ready to leave for the day, we're almost always at the table eating breakfast. (well, the girls are, I'm making lunches or signing papers or whatever else needs to be done to get the girls ready). He goes around the table and says goodbye an kisses each of the girls on top of the head. Then he comes and gives me a kiss and heads to the door to put his shoes on and leave. As he's putting his shoes on, one girl, always followed by the other two, runs over to him to give him a hug. It started by Lexie or Peyton deciding they didn't get a good enough hug, and running to dad. Now, it's evolved into Halli screaming "tradition!" from the table and running over to him. I love how much these girls love their dad, and how they show it. I'm also so thankful for the traditions that let them show it every day!

Motherhood

I am grateful that I get to be a mom. I know I've said how grateful I am for my children, but I'm also grateful that I get to be a mother to them. I'm not always the greatest mom. In fact lately, I've probably been a slightly lousy mom. I'm cranky, and impatient, and sleep deprived, which makes it all worse.

Earlier this evening I was waiting for a family to meet me for a photo session, and while waiting a mother showed up with her three boys. She was just bringing them to take a photo of all three of them together. The boys were excited and running around, happy to be out of the house and in a place with water fountains. They were probably between the ages of 6 and 10 if I had to guess. All dressed up and ready for mom to snap some photos of her beloved children. They all  grouped together on the edge of a fountain, smiled for mom as she snapped away. After moving to another spot and snapping a few more photos they turned to leave and one of the boys ran for the fountain. Their mother instantly yelled at him, and then proceeded to grab his arm and reprimand him. After that they quickly left and I could tell she was in a hurry and probably thinking about the next thing on her list.

I just thought it was interesting. How often have I done the exact same thing? Tried to capture these little people who are the loves of our lives, only to treat them as if they aren't. She may have had a very long day for all I know, and this was the only rushed time they had to quickly take pictures. I don't really want to judge, I've been there before. I feel like lately I'm there too often, but I really do love my kiddos with all my heart. I love watching them grow up and learn new things. I love that they need me to comfort them, and reassure them. I love that they just want to play with me, and could care less about the fact that I look like I've been hit by a truck, they'll still cuddle with me, cause I'm mom.

I think showing them that we love them comes in these little moments.  Do we take a minute to look them in the eye and have a "moment" with them, connect with them and let them know that we have time for them, always? I don't always do that, but I should. I'm most definitely a happier mom when I do, and the kids are generally happier too. So, for my kids sake, I'll try to slow down, and show them every day that I'm beyond grateful that I get to be their mother. They are amazing kids, and I am one very blessed mom.

4 months old

Last friday our little man turned 4 months. I guess I really shouldn't call him a little man, cause he's slightly huge.:)

He has blessed our lives and I'm amazed that this guy is my baby boy, how lucky am I?

He's healthy, and happy and getting bigger every day. I just love everything about him!



At his Dr appointment he was 18lbs 2oz, which is the 95th percentile. His length is 26", 84th percentile, and his little head was only in the 25th percentile. Luckily, his head does not look small compared to his body. Hopefully this doesn't mean he'll be a dumb jock. (although Kevin says that as long as he's a jock that's all that matters:) 

For now, I'm just trying to soak him in and enjoy this baby stage, all the while trying not to stress too much about the fact that this kiddo is not the worlds greatest sleeper. at all.

So, he spends a good portion of his days here....

Hopefully sleeping peacefully, but if Lexie is anywhere around, he's usually not.

Ahhh, someday, he'll nap quietly in his crib and sleep through the night. someday. Luckily I just can't help but love my sweet JJ despite it all!:) 

Sleep

I am thankful today for Sleep. I love sleep. I miss sleep. I'm thankful for the limited sleep I am getting right now, and am looking forward to the day when I get more. Sleep makes me a happier mom. When my kiddos sleep, it makes them happier kiddos, which in turn makes me a happier mom. See, there's absolutely nothing bad about sleep. I am grateful for sleep, and someday, I'll be grateful for a full, uninterupted nights sleep. I sure do hope that's soon!:)

I may not have posted, but I am still thankful

I know, I'm REALLY behind now. What can I say, sick kids, and a painting project will do that to a girl.:)

#12 ~I am incredibly thankful for the sweetest baby boy that joined our family a mere 4 months ago. It's amazing how quickly a baby can come home and feel like they've been there all along. I'm thankful that he's 4 months old...and getting a little easier every day, well, most days. Hopefully he'll be sleeping through the night soon, we're almost there!  He is such a happy boy, with a contagious smile, and a love of his paci. I just realized the other day that he almost never yawns. That's a little weird for a baby, but he really doesn't. Thought you might enjoy that interesting tidbit! I love sweet JJ, and am incredibly grateful that he has joined our family.

#13 ~ Not to be forgotten, I am so grateful for my adorable pixie daughter, Peyton. She is so sweet and adoring, and really loves her little brother. She's amazing at keeping him smiley and happy. She's so good natured and is generally content to do whatever we ask her to do, and play whatever her sisters are playing. Really, she is an incredible and beautiful little girl. I can't believe how fast she's growing up, and I often feel bad that because she's so good natured, she gets lost in the mix of these 4 kiddos. I hope I can always let  her know just how amazing I think she really is!

#14 ~ This one may seem weird, but I am thankful for Photoshop. I'm grateful for the creative outlet it gives me, and helps to keep me sane. I'm especially grateful that I can have that outlet without it causing a huge mess, that's one thing I need less of in my life, that's for sure!

#15 ~ I am super duper thankful for books. I LOVE to read, I love getting lost in a good book. I've always been that way. Kevin hates it when I get into a book, cause I'm pretty much useless till I've finished it. and I'm so thankful that that same love for books is being passed down to my girls.

#16 ~ Last for this post, I'm thankful for craigslist. I buy alot of our furniture off craigslist. I've gotten some amazing deals, and I've been able to refinish the furniture how I like it. I love that I can look at "yardsale" stuff from the comfort of my living room, and get some awesome deals on stuff you won't fine anywhere else that helps make our house feel like our home.