Tide pools

While in Newport we decided to get up early and head to the tide pools. They were pretty good and the kids got to hold a sea star (star fish), see some seals in the distance and play in the water.

Sooo long...

So I needed to take some time out and with facebook I was already on the internet to much. But I figured it was time to start updating the blog again to I can keep track of events and things going on with the kids.
Avery is now 7 1/2, Cooper just turned 6, and Emmy will be 2 in October. They are all getting so big and growing up. God had truly blessed us and we are still learning daily to live for God!

House

So we are in the process of building a house. We have been looking at property for a long time now, we wanted an acre. But this was the right price, brand-new, and it just kind of fell in our laps. Plus it is in the same neighborhood that we are in now so the kids can stay in the same school. So we have been pretty busy picking out things for the house which is both fun and stressful. At least we have done it before with our first house. This builder is a lot better about working with us though and what we want. We are excited! It will be 4 bedrooms and the lot is next to a large park and green space. Plus our yard it a lot larger then we thought. We can stay here forever if we decide to. Plus Don is happy with his job and is not planning on changing anytime soon. We just thank God for the many blessings that he has given us during this rough time for many others.

Pulling herself up!

So Emersyn is now pulling herself up in her crib, so it was time to lower it. She is pretty old, but she never attempted it before. We have been dealing with a cold, thrush, and some white blister thing probably from the thrush on her tongue. And as you can see teething! I guess I should get a crib guard. I never needed one with the other two, but she loves to stand and chew on it. She also chewed Grandma Meyers coffee table last time we were there and left teeth marks! Little beaver!

Avery reading to Emmy!

Avery is great with Emersyn and really helps out. They LOVE each other and I really pray that it lasts! Both Avery and Cooper love rocking with Emmy and here Avery decided to read to her. It was just so sweet I had to share.

Cooper on two wheels!

Cooper just decided one day that he was ready to ride his bike without training wheels. I was holding Emmy so I did not help him at all. He took them off and was riding. Don practiced with him at the beginning of summer, but he was not quite ready. I was so proud of him! He learned how to swing this summer by himself to. It was a successful summer for Cooper!

11 months old~

Emmy is now 11 months old, I will soon be planning her first birthday (so crazy). She is still not crawling on all fours, but she scoots her butt and can get everywhere she needs to go. It is so funny! And smart to since she can still use her hands to hold toys as she is moving. And I have to vacuum a million times a day since everything goes in her mouth!
She is not walking, but loves to hold your hands and stand. She can pull herself up onto her knees, but not really her feet yet. It has been so fun having three kids! She has brought to much to our family. The kids crack up at everything she does and every new noise she makes. She then laughs at everything they do also. They all really love one each other for now and it just makes me smile.

First day of school

Avery started 1st grade this year. I was nervous just as I was last year on how she will do. But we are taking it one month and day at a time. She was excited to start the year and she loves it!

Cooper started preschool this year since we are holding him back with a late birthday. He needed to get out of the house now that Avery is gone all day. He really loves the playground the best of course!

Happy 5th Birthday Cooper!!!

My boy turned 5 in August! He is a funny boy. He loves Wii Lego Batman, StarWars, and Indiana Jones. He loves having friends over and asks me all day if he can have a friend over to play. He is anal about details and facts. He has a good memory and when he has to tell you something, you better be paying attention! He is a home body which is opposite Don and I. He has humor like his Dad and a loving kind heart I think from me :o). He loves his sisters and usually if he is not bored tries to make them happy. If he is bored however, watch out. He will jump on me or bug his sisters for attention. He still loves his crocs and now has a red pair that he wears everywhere! We love him a ton and he is an asset to this family!

Cooper's family party

For the family party we decided to go fishing. Again the weather was not the greatest and several family members could not come, but it turned out great and the kids really loved it. Everyone caught 2 fish each to take home. They got to also watch them be gutted and bagged. It was very relaxing to be able to talk to everyone and celebrate Cooper! What a big boy now!

Avery and Cooper both caught a fish at the same time.

Cooper made this cake

Avery and Elizebeth

Mom with the babies Ryan and Emmy (not enjoying it as much as the older kids)

Cooper's friend party

We decided that with the number of kids that we have as friends and in our family, that we needed to throw two different parties to keep the numbers down and sanity. We were supposed to have a party at a lake, but the weather was horrible, so we moved the friends birthday party to a gymnastics place. It turned out great! The kids had a really good time and pretty much everyone was able to come.

Teague, Cooper, and Tristin

Wyatt, Dahlia, Avery, and Madison

It was a Starwars theme party

All the Jedis in training :o)

Camping with church!

So we survived our first camping trip since 2005. Well we kind of went last year, but that was in a Yurt, so not sure if that counts. We forgot lots of things, had to borrow and tent, and almost froze to death, but we made it. The great thing about going with the church and friends, was that many people were there willing to help and let us borrow things. We were next to our very good friends the Ritters. The kids all had a good time playing and riding bikes. It got down to 32 degrees the first night, so we borrowed a space heater the second night and it was so much nicer!

Avery, Hannah, and Sarah

Avery and I

Don and Emmy not happy morning people after no sleep!

Beham Falls that we hiked to

Visit with Piper Belle!

My good friend Renee from California was in town visiting with her baby Piper who was born exactly a week after Emmy. They kind of played, more like grabbed toys from each other. Piper is all over the place, so Emersyn just kind of watch her move all over. She was unfortunately not inspired to crawl at all. She is getting a little closer though.


That would be so fun if they were roomates at APU 17 years from now!

Look who is 10 months old!!!

Emmy is now 10 months old! Crazy how the time has flied! She has decided not to sleep through the night anymore, so she is no longer my sleeping baby. She has 4 teeth and one more coming in on top. She is still a joy and loves her brother and sister! She is getting a stronger personality and a temper to go with it. She is still not moving much, she can kind of scoot, turn, and reach for things. She basically wants to feed herself now and does not want anything to do with baby food much. She is still just nursing, but I do not mind being with her all the time. Makes me sad to think she may be our last and she is getting so big already! At her 10 months appointment she was 19 pounds.

Mom turning 60

My beautiful mother turned 60 in August. We were going to throw her a party like my Dad's, but it just happened that my cousin from Texas was in town with his girlfriend and baby. So we were already getting together for a party! It was great to see my cousin since it has been like 15 years. I wish they lived closer, their baby is soooo cute.

All the babies. (Emmy, Ryan, and Madison) Emmy would not put her feet down in the grass, so funny!

Robyn, Madison, and Christian