One year!

Grant has been in his new position for one year. He has loved it! His sweet secretary (who seriously is THE BEST), Pat, made him a cake and had a bunch of flags showing everything they have implemented and accomplished in 365 days. I was blown away by all the flags.He loves his job and all the people he works with. It has been a huge blessing for our family.

A Walk in the Park

We met Grant down at the trail head for a walk tonight for family home evening. The weather was so nice and it felt so good to get out and move. I think we need to do this more often.

Piper was cracking me up. First of all she was dressed as Elsa. Then as she would run, she had her arms behind her running so fast...without shoes nonetheless.

What a great dad!

Tricky Kids

The kids learned a new trick with the camera:

I think she won---and lost!

Contagious

She smiles. We smile. It happens to all of us.

Sleeping Beauties!

Piper has never been a very good sleeper. Once she finally started "sleeping through the night" she would wake up and come get in bed with us. I never let any of my other kids do this, but the way she feels and shows love is by touch. She needs to be touching people. This was a way that I could show her love (plus I got more sleep!), and I eventually learned to sleep through her getting in bed with us. Most mornings I would wake up and Piper would be there--and I had no idea how long she had been there. I was a bit worried about this when Lucy was born because I didn't know how I would get up with Lucy and have to crawl over Piper. But in the end it all worked out, and I really feel like this was one thing that we were able to do for Piper that made the transition of having a new baby in the house easier for Pipes.
So this is my new normal in the morning:

After Grant gets up and leaves for work, the girls take over the bed. I have come to cherish this time with the girls.

Happy!

Look who is smiling:

Lucy has been smiling for several days now, but every time I get out the camera she stops to look at the camera. Today I was taking Trevor to school for his state testing, and she gave me the biggest smile as I put her in the car. I nonchalantly took out my phone and got it. It was taken in the car in the garage so it is not the best picture. But it is a picture! She makes me so happy.

Derby Time

When we found out we were having a girl, my first thought was something like, "Oh thank you!! No more pinewood derbies!" I love scouts. I love the program. I love the goals and values. I loved being a cub scout leader for a 2 1/2 years. But I do not like the pinewood derby. It is stressful to the max! This was our last year. Phew!

Trevor actually did really well--and truth be told, I think we spent the least amount of time on it this year. He came in 5th place (top 4 went to districts--so this was perfect for Grant and me, but a little sad for Trev).We got through the night and Trevor had a lot of fun, which was the most important thing.
But yea! The stress is off. We are moving into a new phase in our lives--no more pregnancies (aka--"morning" sickness) in this house and no more pinewood derbies. The kids are growing up.

The Thinker

Lucy loves to have her fist up by her chin. This is how we mostly find her--and look at this: she is in a bouncy seat (not being held!).

I Am A Child of God

When I walked back into the kitchen, I found Lydia praying all on her own. I could not pass up capturing this tender moment.

Studying

This is how we homeschool around here:

Each morning it is a race to see who asks to hold Lucy during our family homeschool time (when we all learn something together). After that, they pass Lucy around as they can hold her doing different studies. Ben does most of his work on the computer so he loves holding her then. They all need their Lucy-time and sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get to hold her myself.

All Ready

This beautiful girl is all ready for church. Thanks Nana and Papa for the adorable dress!

First Infusion Outing

Lucy got to hang out with Trevor and me at the hospital today. She was an all star and slept pretty much the whole time.

We Love Lucy

I mean, who wouldn't love this???

Bedtime Stories

We have finally found a way to keep Piper in her room at bedtime. We have started to let the girls listen to stories on the iPad. Their favorite is listening to "The BFG." Sometimes Karmin and Lydia read to each other too. Piper loves it, and it has worked very well. Because of it, we often find them sleeping with each other as well. I love that they are such great friends!

1 Month

Woot! Woot! She's 1 month!

She's been having some tummy problems, so the doctor put her on an antacid and gas drops and has restricted my diet. She's a fighter so we'll get through it.

She is already 10 1/2 lbs. This is going way too fast. Time is passing so quickly. I feel like I am enjoying every minute with her though. I'm not taking this for granted. I want every second to count. She sleeps pretty well. She likes to stay up late, and then sleeps in. But I don't feel sleep deprived *yet* so that is good. I am so thankful she is here. I am so thankful that she is in our family. Our family feels so complete. I love it!

Mountain Biking/Hiking

Ben's biking group has been pretty cool. So far he has really enjoyed it. Today he went to a "hill" that has many different bike paths at varying skill levels. The girls and I decided to hang out and explore while he was biking. They were fascinated with the different trees and the directions and shapes that some of them took on. We, at first, started to scout out a picnic place for the next time we go there so we could have a picnic dinner. In search of finding the tallest point of the "hill," we stumbled upon the bike trails. The girls had fun running down the hills, banks, and turning the corners. We found some intense trails with cliffs and decided that their are some crazy mountain bikers out there. We all got our exercise though. It was fun---and now sometime I want to go back with my boys and some bikes!

And they're off!

Piper said, "Here mom I picked you a weed."

In Love!

She is just precious,

Star Student

Lydia was so excited that she was the Star Student in library this week. She got to pick a prize from the prize box. She chose a little crayon holder that looks like a purse. We are sure proud of her and her choices.

Biking Dude

Ben has joined a mountain biking league. So far he loves it. I think it will be great for him and will be good exercise. It lasts 3 1/2 months and is two times a week. Already he is out riding his bike more and creating new jumps to go on. I'm so glad that Grant and Ben somehow stumbled upon this group. I think he will have a lot of fun. Here is a picture of the Middle School and High School teams.

Meeting family

Trevor had an appointment with his GI doctor--which is located close to my Grandma's house. So the 4 of us decided to go visit her and Lloyd so that she could meet Lucy. It is always a delight to be around her. I feel like I learn something new about her every time I'm around her. I wish that I could see her more often. I love Lloyd too. He holds a special place in my heart. Losing my Grandpa was such a hard thing, and Lloyd stepped in and helped take away some of that pain. I'm glad that I remembered the camera to get a picture of Lucy and Grandma (not included on the blog, but will definitely go in the book). I also got a sneak peak at her stocking--and I think it is my favorite one. It is beautiful and even made with my favorite color. Someday I want to knit like my Grandma!

March Date Night

This month, Karmin got to go with us on a date. She really wanted to go to paint pottery. We went out to dinner. Grant convinced her to go to our favorite restaurant. (Seriously our favorite--the waitress there that we always have was excited to meet Lucy.) Karmin has grown a ton, so she was in need of some dresses so I took her shopping and it was a lot of fun! Apparently Karmin really likes to shop. So we may have bought a couple extra dresses. No biggie. We love our Karmin-girl and how incredibly happy she is and fun to be around.

Little House on the Prairie

When Trevor was in Kindergarten, one of my favorite parts of the day would be to see Karmin running down the hill to the bus stop to meet him. It always reminded me of the opening of "Little House on the Prairie." She was always so carefree, and with her hair flying everywhere, Grant and I would call her our little Laura Ingalls. Today when I went down to get Lydia, I saw these 2 little ones following after me:

It was so precious. Piper wanted to come down, and she chose to go down the path of most resistance. So Karmin came to her rescue and helped her find an easier way down. I love my sweet kids and how kind they are to each other.

Phew!

Raider is so content knowing that he wasn't replaced by Lucy. We all still love him a ton!