Croup

Yes, Westin came down with croup last night. The boys headed to my dad's for a sleep over, I thought I was sending three healthy kids only to find out Tanner has a horrible cold (most likely the same virus) and Wes woke up at three not being able to breath. Luckily for us Nancy knew just what to do and sat outside in the cold air with him until she could call the ER. She headed in to the ER so that the doc would let her get a prescription for a steroid. I'm glad Nancy had him, as she works in the ER and knew what to do, who to call, plus she saved us a $100, at least. Now I just hope that the kids get healthy fast and that Kathryn doesn't get it.

Love this Man!!

I just have to let you all know how excited I am to have my husband back for a few weeks before the next semester starts. I had forgotten how much fun he is.

Doctor's

Robbie and Wes had their well child check up today and here are the stats:

Robbie: 4ft 1 in (24%)
51 lbs (30%)

Westin: 3ft 6 in (58%)
37.5 lbs (26%)

So pretty much I have healthy, skinny kids.

Glow Golf

Saturday we took the kids to glow golf to finish off the birthday celebrations. It was a lot of fun and it was great to spend the time as a family. After golf we went to Fudruckers to get burgers. I really enjoy my kids and am amazed at how wonderful they are.

Happy Birthday Robbie!!

I can't believe Robbie is 8!! Time has gone by way to fast. Robbie has been such a wonderful blessing in our lives. He is always helping (or bossing) his brothers. He is getting so smart and has learned how to have a good well thought out argument. This is trouble as he has been right on several occasions. He is very artistic and loves to draw or create. He enjoys learning and is especially interested in the world around him. He loves to play games and is starting to get good at chess and checkers. We are so glad to have him around. Happy Birthday Robbie!!

For Robbie's birthday he wanted to go ice skating and then to dinner with his best friend. So Rob and I took Robbie and Justice ice skating then to get Chinese food. It was a lot of fun to not have to worry about any one else and just enjoy Robbie. After ice skating we came back home for cake and ice cream and he opened his presents. Robbie got a skateboard cake this year, I think I might be running out of cake ideas. All and all it was a great day.

Christmas at the Dixon's

We decided to have our big Christmas dinner at my Dad's while David was here. Thursday I quickly got the kids ready to go right after school and headed to the Dixon's for the family dinner. We had delicious food (I love food), great conversation and opened gifts. The kids weren't as hyper as they were the night before so the evening was more relaxing for me. Rob was trying to finish up a final so he didn't get to enjoy the time as much but it was a lot of fun. I can't believe how old my sisters are getting and how much fun they are. I liked having my Grandmother there and enjoyed her company. Did I mention the good food and goodies? Oh well, it was a great time and I am grateful for loving parents and how much time they put into everything they do for us.

Uncle David

Uncle flew into town on Tuesday so we had a couple of busy days this last week. I was able to pick David up from the airport and spend several hours with him. He then headed back to the airport to pick up his new girlfriend Jenn. It was great to have him to myself for a few hours and Kathryn actually didn't mind having him around.

Wednesday we headed to my mom's for a big dinner. The boys where very excited so needless to say a little wild as well. We had a great dinner and enjoyed meeting the darling girlfriend. Rob took the kids home and put them to bed so that I was able to stay and visit until late. I really enjoyed the time and we had a lot of laughs.

Westin is 5!!

Wes had his birthday on Sunday, I can't believe he is 5. He is getting so old. I love his personality.He is very sensitive and considerate to others. He is always willing to help. He says the funniest things all time. He loves to play with Lego's, transformers, color and make paper airplanes. We love having him in our home and enjoy all the surprises he has brought to our lives.

We had a big family dinner for him. He had meatballs and rice. I made him a Lego cake, which he loved. He got a lot of great gifts and enjoyed all of the attention. Happy Birthday Wes!!!

Say Cheese

When ever you tell Kathryn to say cheese this is the great smile she gives you. She makes sure she squints her eyes and gives you the biggest grin she has. So Funny to watch!!

Robbie's Theory on Sleep....

A couple of nights ago I was getting very frustrated with the boys as they weren't going to bed. So I finally went down and started getting angry when Robbie said "Mom, there is just to many fun things to do and sleeping is a waste of my time!" Leave it to Robbie to think sleep is a waste of time.

Pictures

I love these pictures, it shows what great big brothers I have in the house.

10 Months!

Kathryn is 10 months old, and getting so big.

She has started climbing, and loves to go up the stairs. She is getting goofier by the minute and is very mischievous. She has discovered her tongue, and loves to make faces at her self in the mirror. She has learned to jump and thinks that it is much more fun than walking. I can finally put a tiny ponytail in her hair but it looks a little funny. She knows what no means and will try very hard to get around it. She is becoming very dramatic, and knows exactly when to turn it on. She has us all wrapped around her finger. We love her more and more everyday.

She is fighting a really bad cold right now, and wants to be held all the time. Therefore nothing is getting done around my house but I have to admit it is a good excuse to lay around and do nothing. We just hope she gets back to her normal self soon. I hate sick, needy kids.

First Sucker

Kathryn had her first sucker last week and loved it. She was so funny to watch, we had to video tape it so that dad could see it. Now she tries to grab any sucker she sees.

Leaves

This morning the boys and I raked leaves from the back yard. It was a mad dash to try to finish it before the bulk clean up got to our house. I am tired and my back hurts but we are done. Kathryn was great, she spent some time playing in the leaves and then the rest of time on my back. It only took 2 and 1/2 hours and 38 bags. Next year it is Rob's turn.

Happy Halloween!

Kathryn was a Fairy (yes I made the costume)

Robbie was a Zombie

Tanner was a Vampire

Westin was a Knight

We had a very busy weekend. Thursday was Halloween at school, they had a blast and they loved all the parties. Friday we took Kathryn to get pictures (didn't go great) then we headed to Rob's work for a party. Then we visited a few of the family. Saturday we went to Nana's and she helped with painting faces then went to the ward trunk or treat. We had a great dinner with friends, and then the boys watched a movie. We had a great Halloween, and we have more candy then we will every eat.

So Naughty!!

Dad didn't close the closet door all the way, so Kathryn took it upon herself to get out a few games. She had a blast, but what a mess. Hopefully dad has learned his lesson, make sure you close things tight! She is so naughty and is constantly getting into everything.

9 Months!!

9 Months
17lbs 9oz (27%)
27.76 in (58%)

Things she is doing:

• She has learned how to clap
• She is waving hello and goodbye
• She tries to say dog, bye bye, baba(bottle) she is a chatter box
• She pulls herself up on furniture more frequently
• She crawls extremely fast
• She is learning what the word no means
• She loves to dance and starts whenever she hears music
• She likes to stand on her tippy toes
• She loves to eat, especially big people food
  

We are done nursing as of a two weeks ago, it is a little bitter sweet. It's nice to have my freedom back, but I miss spend that cuddle time alone with her. She has a little temper and she is not afraid to yell at you, especially if there is food involved. She is still such a joy to have around and we love her so much. Life is getting a little more crazy with her moving so fast. We all have to be on our toes, because she is quick to get into trouble.

Sydney Paige

My sister and her family have finally decided on a name for their new bundle of joy. Sydney Paige!! She seems to be a very good baby and we can't wait to meet her.

New Arrival!!!

My sister just got a baby girl! We are so excited for her, and especially Ani who wanted a to be a big sister so bad. Well, she was born on the 20th at 2:45am. She was 6lbs 41/2oz, and about 18 inches. No name as of yet. We wish them the best.

Car problems

Cars suck, at least ours do right now. All three of our vehicles are having problems. The Audi is in the shop waiting for a part, Hopefully we will get it back soon. The Geo is totally dead at the moment and we are trying to decide whether it is worth fixing. The Expedition is leaking antifreeze and started shaking today. I think I might have a mini breakdown. Thank goodness my grandma, who doesn't drive and has a minivan so we can actually get around with all our kids. I think I am ready to get rid of two cars and get one new one, but we will see.

No more Monkies Jumping on the Bed

(Picture doesn't do it Justice)

Tuesday night my delightful boys decided that it would be fun to jump off the beds. The Bunk Beds!! So they put a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor, and then they launched themselves off the top bunk. Wes over shot the pile and hit his head on the floor. I hear screaming and Robbie calmly saying come on lets go up to mom. So I watch them come up, Robbie with a hand on Wes and Wes with a hand full of blood. He bit is lip and knocked his front tooth. His gums are badly bruised and the tooth now wiggles. He commented today that he had a "purple lip". Oh and blood doesn't come out of carpet very well. The joys of boys!

Ouch!!

Kathryn went down the stairs on Saturday, so sad. I feel terrible, we had company and I put her down then got caught up in everything else going on and forgot the gate. Next thing I know we hear all these bumps down the stairs and it didn't quite register. She was sitting up crying by the time we realized what had happened. Luckily for us babies seem to bounce. She only has a bruise on her forehead, and didn't even cry that long. I think she might end up being a tough little one.(really what choice does she have with three brothers)

Yummy Dog Food!

It is official Kathryn has found the dog food. She is very careful to act like she isn't headed there but sure enough as soon as my head is turned she is eating Charlie's food. Today she even stole some from Charlie while he was on the rug trying to eat it. I can move her to another room and she still manages to try and get to the dog food. So is there any nutritional value to dog food? And really does it taste that good?

Zion's

We headed down to Zion's this last weekend. I was sad that we had to leave dad behind but hopeful he was able to get a lot of studying done. The ride down took forever, the traffic was horrible. Really do we have to have so much road construction? Anyway the kids where great in the car and we were able to finish our Harry Potter #4 book on tapes.

We did luxury camping, yes showers, pool, even electricity if you wanted it. The kids enjoyed sleeping in the tent and having fires every night. Kathryn was very good but didn't sleep to well, she woke up a couple times every night. She even managed to sleep with me in the early early mornings.

During the days we went hiking and in the evenings we took the kids to the pool.(who needs to shower when you have a pool) By the time bedtime hit they where well worn out. I have to admit that I have the best little hikers ever. The boys are such troupers and only complained at the end of one hike, but really I was tired too. Kathryn didn't really nap at all during the day she had maybe one or two 15 to 20 min cat naps, but she was still happy as can be. She would bounce and talk all the way on the hikes. Thanks Papa for packing her around! Oh and Kathryn's favorite thing this weekend was the rocks, eating them! Another negative besides eating rocks is that Wes had a run in with a cactus, and we couldn't get the "pricklies" out.

All in all we had a great time! THANK YOU MOM AND PAPA!!! We had lots of fun.

I love Fall!!!

How do you get ready in the morning?

Me, I put my daughter in the sink.