A Name and a Blessing....

Yesterday was a special day for Marin, it was her blessing day. She wore a beautiful dress made by her grandma KayLee just for her and a bracelet from Sara. The weather was surprisingly cool and crisp. We had a great morning getting ready, no rushing out the door here. Andy did a beautiful job with the blessing, it was short and super sweet. We missed many friends and our family of course, but were grateful for those who were with us. We spent the rest of the day at home as a family just enjoying our time together as Andy has been gone a lot lately (Carlee declared yesterday that he is an owl because he is awake at night and sleeps in the day).



After sacrament meeting I came home with the girls because Carlee has had a fever and we had a girl day which included Carlee and Tessa wanting to take and be in a lot of pictures.





A now some pics of Marin...









Also take note of the cute blanket Marin is laying on, my friend Andrea in CA made it for her. It is so cute and has ballerinas on the other side, oh, and it smells so good!!

Lots of love for Marin....

First off, this is what happens when Mommy is on Skype and her back is turned from the baby. But little does Tessa May know that I can see everything in the reflection on the computer screen. I watched it all happen, it started with a little snuggle and a kiss, then turned into fixing the blanket, which then turned into this....



It was funny, but I was somewhat worried for Marin's safety and had to stop what was happening, which looked something like this....



And, the other day, I had my own time on the bed with Marin. She was wearing a new outfit that she got from her aunt's in Utah, so I had to bust out the camera. I just couldn't stop taking pictures because she was all smiles. I love this age when they really start responding to you, it is so rewarding.

Ladies lunch and s'more fun......

Last week was my friends b-day so a few of us girls went out to lunch. The whole time we were there chattin' it up I was wondering why we have to wait for someone to have a birthday for us ladies to go out, I don't know really, but I think it is lame. I need a ladies lunch more often.


The kids at Panera, from left, Tessa, Wes, Carlee, and Ella.


Carlee and her main squeeze Wes.


Me, Sara, Kari, and Kim. I love the gals, they are so fun and we are always laughing, oh, and Carlee took this picture, not to shabby for a 4 year old.

Friday night we had a s'more night at our church. It was perfect weather for a fire and great fun for the kids. There were also huge games of Red Rover, frisbee, and football going on, and when I was watching everyone it was making me sad that the summer is ending. Don't get me wrong, I love fall, but I also just love being outside playing.


Carlee, Wes, Porter, and JP, these kids are such good friends.


A little football action.

We had a great time that night, we have made some great friends and we know some really great people here in OH so spending extra time with them is a lot of fun.



I took this picture of everyone because I wanted to remember everyone gathered together. One of the dad's at the s'more night lost his wedding ring while playing with the kids on the grass. Everyone who was there immediately got to their hands and knees trying to find the ring in the big grassy field and the expression of finding the needle in the haystack came to life for me. I was so touched and reminded of the love we have for each other as a ward family. Someone made the suggestion of bringing all of the cars to the edge of the grass and turning on the headlights to help bring some light to the situation and it worked, Lauralee found the ring! It really was amazing!

I love being here in OH and I love all the experiences we have as a family. That doesn't mean I am not excited and looking forward to moving back west somewhere in a couple of years, it just means I think all of this is making me a better and more humble person and for that I am grateful.

Two fridays ago was this....

Last week was super busy and I am so bugged I have taken to long to sit down and post, but we all know how time for ourselves works. After a super long week,(Andy was just coming off nights), we had a family night of fishing. We went to a park with a pond close to out house, ate KFC on the grass, and caught a ton of fish. The fish were going crazy, as soon as line went in with power bait, a fish was on the hook. It was so fun to see the kids fishing all by themselves and to see the excitement in their eyes when the fish were flapping around on the end of the line.











Some side notes about fishing and our family.
-I really cannot wait until we are closer back west and there are more rivers for us to fish. I think Andy misses that more than anything, ya know, just being on the river.
-I really need to do more fishing, my kids can cast better than me.
-I don't like power bait, what is it made of, anyway??
-I love that Carlee has no fear of any animal and would grab the fish to put it back in the water.
-Oh, and KayLee you know Carlee's fish is way bigger than yours.

And on another side note, I really love shishkabobs, we made some rockn' ones that Andy apparently took a picture of.

Is there anything sweeter than this....

This was last night when I was putting the kids to bed. Andy has been working the nights so I have been on my own the past few days. The hardest time is bed time, but every night we manage to get through it, I have an extra good helper. Porter was the first to finish with teeth and potty, so he was in bed first. Marin was so tired, but the girls just needed a little guidance with their teeth and potty. So I asked Porter to hold Marin while I got them in bed and read them a book. Of course he was so excited to be "in charge" of Marin. After Carlee and Tessa were taken care of I walked into Porter's room to get the peanut and I found them both asleep. It was the sweetest thing ever. This morning when I asked him about it, he said he knew Marin would like that because that is how she sleeps on Dad.

I also don't know if there is anything sweeter than this girl. She was so excited to wear this new dress that I have had in her dresser saving it for school (which she is not going to) and was all about having her picture taken after church. There were many other photos and poses, all Carlee's idea, but I chose my two favorites.





And....is there anything sweeter than seeing the man you love playing with the kids.

1st grade, Fair, and the peanut....

Clearly the blog has been put on the back burner while I learn how to take care of 4 children. We have been doing well, just busy getting into the school routine, signing up for sports, and things like that.


Tessa playing dress up, one of the times where Andy was trying to distract the kids.

As I mentioned above, Porter has started 1st grade!! Hello, where did that come from, I just cannot believe it. I have been doing well coping because I see how happy he is to go to school, learn, make friends, have the "100" friend recess, eat lunch in the cafeteria, and earn good behavior tickets. It has been fun being home having girl day everyday (I am still in shock that I have 3 girls!!).


The shoes, Porter knows for sure these will make him run faster!


The walk, we are almost there, and of course have to stop and tie the shoes.


Our kids love to do the funny face pictures, and I think I love them more.

Last weekend Andy had off and we heard about a fun and cheap fair so we took the opportunity to go and see the animals. Carlee was is heaven with the horses, we are working hard on trying to find a place for her to ride, but most places you have to be eight, that is a hard concept for Carlee, she is so ready. She had a dream come true moment at the fair when she was able to sit on a Clydesdale horse!!!


I am a sucker for bunnies.


This goat was trying to kiss Carlee, she pet it for about 10 minutes.


I loved this goat, he was trying to eat his way out!



As we were walking through the horse stables the nice owner of this horse asked if Carlee wanted to sit on him. I think maybe he could see it in her eyes. She was so excited, a little nervous at first when she realized there was no saddle, but once she figured out to hold the mane, she calmed right down. After a few minutes the owner had the horse take a few steps, I don't know that I have ever seen Carlee's eyes get that big. Anyway, that man and his horse made her life.

And now on to Marin....




I cannot believe that she is three and a half weeks already. The time goes so quickly. She is still doing very well, although, last night was not fun. I heard a lot of grunting, she needed to poop, but just wasn't awake enough to get the job done. Andy and I still cannot figure out who she looks like. I found a baby picture of mine when I was two weeks, I think I see a little resemblance. What do you think?? Maybe it is just the hair, I don't know.