As "just" a mom, I have a front row seat to my children's growth and learning, daily little miracles, and the funny things that happen in a marriage. I feel so very blessed to be "just" a mom.
We don't always do a lot for the 24th, but this year we decided to do a little more, here in Vernal.
We started off the day just relaxing. Leah took a nice nap in the morning for me (without her swaddle now!). I think she's just adorable in her sleep sack.
We got to build blocks together some.
Leah hanging out with us 🩷
And we let the kids play some video games in the morning.
I made hot dog buns for the first time and was really happy with how they turned out.
I also love hot dogs so much more with homemade buns too.
In the afternoon, we went to Lindi's house for a water party and the kids all swam in the pool. Oliver even got in with Ben for the first time and had a lot of fun!
The older girls went out to the creek and caught a frog, it was a HUGE frog.
In the evening, we did a hot dog roast with a fire and marshmallows. I ended up taking Leah home early to get her in bed and then everyone else came a little later to our house for fireworks. Some of us got some little fireworks (poppers, tanks, smoke bombs, etc) and then we all watched the firework show the park down the street puts on, just sitting on our lawn. We also had homemade popsicles and homemade creamies. It was a lot of fun!
We had such a blast spending the day with our family 🩷
This year for the fourth of July, we traveled out to West Jordan for my Grandma Sue's big party and had a lot of fun seeing my family.
Amanda got these cute matching shirts for us for the party.
Leah all ready for her first road trip!
She didn't sleep much (she never sleeps in the car very well), but she did sleep some and didn't scream most of the way, so we counted it as a win. The other kids did pretty well, except that Oliver was very needy and said, "Mom," aproximately 10,000 times during the 3 hour car ride.
All ready in our swimming suits!
Neither of us got in the water, but it was fun to get in swimming suits and she was adorable in hers. I really like my swimming suit. I got it last year when I was a lower weight (I have weighed more while nursing with every baby except Ashtyn) and I was super happy to feel really comfortable in it this year as well despite just having a baby.
We spent the afternoon eating treats and having a water party and then had a barbecue. The kids all had a blast. Parker forgot her goggles, but got some new ones from Grandma Sue that she could use for the day and loved. The kids all found a little buddy in kids of my cousins, which was really fun. Ashtyn buddied up with Valerie (born just two weeks before Ashtyn), Parker buddied up with Caleb, and Rylee buddied up with Daniel (Jeremy's son, and Jeremy was my cousin-buddy as a teenager, so that was fun, except when we had to tell them not to kiss each other XD).
It was also fun to catch up with my cousin Makayla, who is all grown up! I used to take care of her (babysitting and at family parties) when she was little. Now she's holding my baby while I eat dinner an we visit, and playing with my other kids. They love her and I love seeing it come full circle. Family is so important and so special 🩷
My grandma fell during dinner and was struggling after that, so they canceled fireworks. We ended up taking our kids up to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and watching fireworks around the valley from there (my uncle's suggestion). The kids thought it was really cool and loved doing it!
The next day, we got to spend the morning and afternoon at Grandma Dee's house!
She did really well sleeping at Grandma Dee's during the night and wasn't too fussy while we were there. My mom watched the kids during her nap (though she woke up early) so Ben and I could go get lunch with my friend Itzel (she's moving to Japan soon!). We got lunch at In-n-Out and then got ice cream at Coldstone. It was really fun to catch up with her.
Oliver was up very early, especially after being up for fireworks (it was probably the latest he has ever stayed up before), so he slept during a lot of the drive. It was honestly nice to have a little bit of a break, since he spent the last hour of the drive wanting my attention again. The girls always do well as long as we have an audiobook for them. This trip, Ben and I took a turn and listened to some Dave Ramsey for the first little bit. Parker and Rylee said they loved it, and Ashtyn said it was boooring haha Leah did about the same going home as she did coming out--not the ideal (for me, that would be a nice long nap at this age), but not terrible either.
It was so nice to be home. It was a short trip, which was perfect for what we needed with five kids now and one of them so young (I remember traveling all over when Parker was only a month old and I don't know how I did that, I definitely am not feeling up to that right now). But it was so nice to go out and visit with my family and grandparents, see everyone, and do a summer trip.
I'm getting behind on my family journaling here (I think I can safely blame a cute little four month old for that), but I wanted to share about June because it was such a fun summer month swimming, spending time with friends and family, and being creative.
We started off the month with a visit from Grandma Dee and Grandpa Luke for Leah's blessing and Parker's birthday. It was a busy and fun weekend!
Later in the month, Uncle Jon came out to visit for a day and he brought these legos for Parker's birthday. She loved them and made this video with them.
Cute cousin selfie 🩷
These boys have so much fun together.
I love seeing how much the cousins all love Leah!
Fun summer days with cousins.
Augustine had his first birthday!
We spent Father's Day at Lana's house for dinner and had fun just being together.
Parker made this little book for Danny for Father's Day
and I loved it so much I had to take a picture of it.
Leah loves her Uncle Caleb.
Ashtyn saved up and bought her mermaid tale! She loves wearing it in the pool at Grandma Lindi's house.
Photo cred: Ashtyn
The kids have loved swimming in Grandma Lindi's pool this summer.
Our summers are always full of bugs and animals.
The kids especially love praying mantis.
And snakes.
The kids (and their cousins) are really into snakes right now.
A teeny tiny jump spider in our window!
It's hard to see, but Oliver and I were on a walk and we saw a mouse!
When I tried to get a picture, it ran away across the street and this was the best I could do.
Later in June, Grandma Dee came back for another visit!
The kids love when she brings her barbie things to play with.
And some beautiful flowers!
She also brought a flower for Ashtyn.
When you love to play in the dirt.
Helping me shuck the corn.
I love how creative all the kids are.
In June, we also introduced our kids to Power Rangers and they loved it.
Dance time!
Parker is really into face painting (she got some face paints for Christmas) and she is getting pretty good at it.
Parker and Ben's plates. They love beans and rice.
Building a marble run taller than themselves.
Summer is the best!
When you homeschool 😂
Summer days!
He came in and wanted me to help him put this on, but I was holding Leah asleep, so he sat down to wait and fell asleep too 🩷
Parker drew this of the slide we have and it was impressive.
Reading together 🩷
I love that at first, it said "rad" instead of "red" haha
Rylee's "bee hive"
Fruit dip for summer!
Parker getting herself leftovers 😂
She wanted me to take a picture to show Ben.
Oliver eating waffles and reading 🩷🩷
And then he caught me looking 😍
My little helpers to make banana bread.
Oliver really wanted to make banana bread for a neighbor and was so happy that he got to make it "himself".
Oliver's creation
Photo cred: Oliver
The kids love holding Leah, they often fight over whose turn it is.
Leah loves her chair!
Leah loves talking to Daddy 🩷
Such a sweet sleeping baby.
Our evening walks together in June!
Now we can do morning walks as her wake time has gotten later.
Her little toes.
We are in love with her!
Tummy time! She's getting better and better.
She also started getting better at naps (and is doing even better now).
But still lots of snuggles 🩷
She loves when people talk to her.
I really love seeing how much her siblings love her and how much she loves her siblings.
She is talking more and more and we love her sweet voice.
Oliver still loves having a baby 🩷
Time for church!
And tucked out after church on Sunday 🩷
She got her hand up by her face when swaddled haha
Snuggles for sister!
She loves nursing.
And still wants to snuggle Mama for naps sometimes.
One of my favorite thing is how often the kids read to her.
