Just an Ordinary Day

Another day like one in the long line of days we have here. A few pictures to show how exciting our life is! Olivia being oh so happy. She was mad at me because I wouldn't let her hold the camera.

Grace twirling like Belle. We had to try this many times to get her twirling and smiling.

Jed as Batman flying off the couch. He said if his wings were out he flew further. Good stuff.

Yesterday before church I thought all the kids looked extra nice, so I took a few shots. I tried to get one with all of them together, but Olivia wasn't cooperating. Jed has yet to learn the art of smiling AND looking at the camera. It is one or the other, but not both.
Grace being her cute self. Way too old already.
I did Olivia's hair in pig tails and she knew she was cute. She was so sassy at church, but of course all was forgiven after a cheesy grin.

We have nothing exciting going on here, just the daily grind. I have to register Grace for kindergarten next week, I am still in shock as to how 5 years passed!

Wrestling

About a week ago Chris and I were goofing around and play fighting. You know, the kind where you pretend to punch and kick and run away, like wresting, but standing up. It terrified our children. They thought we were trying to hurt each other and be mean. They pleaded with us to stop. So, after we stopped, we told them we were just playing and called it wrestling, for lack of a better term. A few days later, my brother came to visit us. Our huge apartment allowed us to blow up an air mattress in the living room, which soon became a toy. One night before bed, Grace and Jed were playing on it and began to wrestle. We were watching them and laughing at them as they rolled over each other, tangling their arms and legs. Then Grace looks up at us and says, "We are wrestling, just you you guys!!" My poor brother, his eyes grew wide and he gave a soft chuckle, as though he was not sure what to do. Chris and I just started laughing and explained the situation to Aaron. I am not sure how well it went over, but I still laugh at it.

Olivia and the Bunk Beds

Jed Christian

Jed is my sweet little boy. He loves to cuddle after naps and is so sweet to his sisters. He plays so well with Olivia and always shares with Grace. He can makes us laugh at the drop of a hat and knows how to weasel his way in or out of any situation. He was our little surprise of a boy, but all boy he is. Everything is a gun, or a sword, or a Star Wars character. He has a friend he named "Faffy" that comes to dinner, sleeps over, and rides on the top of the car to go to the store with us. Faffy is from Star Wars.

Jed loves animals and reminds me everyday about the new dog we are going to get when we move to a new house.

We love Jed so much and are so glad he is part of our family!

Grace Rosemary

Since I did a little bit on Olivia, I decided to follow along with the other kids as well.

Grace is the ultimate helper and follows every first-child stereotype I have heard. She just learned how to tie her shoes today, and has been reading for 6 months. She is full of energy and loves to learn and do new things. She is terrified of flies and tiny spiders, but is willing to touch alligators, frogs, and to be thrown high into the air spinning in circles. She loved Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain the most a Disney World, even though she was barely tall enough to get on. She has the prettiest smile and is a good sister to Jed and Olivia. Today, Olivia would not walk with us unless Grace was holding her hand. Not even I could hold her hand!

We love Grace so much and can not believe she is almost 5!

Olivia Ann

I realized the other day that my baby is no longer a real "baby" anymore. She has more attitude than any other child we have, and she is more independent and stubborn as well. She is (hopefully) days away from her third tooth and is acting the part. But she is also sweet and loves to cuddle. She has a love of dogs and all animals in general. When we went to the zoo, she was the most entertaining part, as well as when Chris took her to Cabela's. She would point at the animals, and say "That!" He first word was mom, followed by dad, and 3 and 4 were Thank you and Please. What a polite baby. I think now would be a good time for her to stop learning new words!!

I just thought I would share a little about one of the loves of my life!!

New Orleans

We are back from a fabulous week in New Orleans. It was all capped off with a fantastic football game that could not have been more fun to watch. The kids were great, even though it started at bed time, and they were already sleep deprived. It was so fun to be there with family and watching a great game, and seeing the Utes win. GO UTES!!!! Earlier in the week, we went to dinner and were able to ride the old trolleys. Jed loved them. This is not a good picture, but it was dark. I wanted one for Jed to see later. I think it was the highlight for him!

On Tuesday we went to the zoo. It was a wonderful zoo and a beautiful day. They had a swamp exhibit that was amazing. It was so cool to see the alligators. They sat so still that at first I thought they were fake. There were more swimming around. They also had an area where you could pet a baby alligator that we all did. Now I am a true adventurer. I pet an alligator!! (granted it was only 18 inches long, but still...)

The whole family at the game. It was so much fun, and the kids loved it. Grace loved watching the cheerleaders and dressing like one. Jed loved his "go Ute" necklace that one of the players gave him. He called it his bling bling.