Steph's Blog

Family

2011-08-07T11:18:00.006-06:00

Josh'a brother Seth and his wife Jen and their 3 kids, Micheal, Katie and Fiona came out to Utah from Maryland to visit and spent a few days with us. We had so much fun!

The whole Hanks clan minus 2 kids who did want their picture taken.

Sleeping outside and going to Bear Lake was the plan. Then the rain set in the first evening they were here. The kids all slept in the family room. All 10 of them!
The last night the kids did plays and fashion shows for us. Micheal and Katie doing a Harry Potter scene.
AJ showing off his fashion sense.
More Harry Potter
A captive audience. Like father like son!
Fiona and her new lion hairdo!
The final pose of the show.
Better fashion
Addison would walk around the chair and come right back. She loved the attention and applause.
Cassady, Ellie and Katie. Katie is 10 days younger than Katie. Cass cried when she left and kept breaking out into tears cause she missed her, already. I told Seth and Jen they could change Katie's ticket and leave her here for a week, but for some reason sending their 7 year old home on a plane alone did seem like something they wanted to do. I don't blame them.
Lunch in the shade and the only few hours that it didn't rain while they were here.
Fiona and the alligator. Jordan misses Fiona. They made a connection while she was here.
We miss them and can't wait till they can come again or maybe someday soon we can go see them.

WildCat Run

2011-05-21T19:24:00.006-06:00

Cassady was so excited about the Wildcat run this year. It is a fundraiser for her school and we had asked friends and family to buy or donate to so much with Jordan's band trip and Kylee's Gymnastics that I felt guiolty asking for money again, but Cass was so excited!! I didn't think anyone would donate anymore money, but grandparents, and aunts and uncles gladly donated and she raise $50 and is now able to go to a pool party. Sponsers donated to her for her training for the 1 mile run. Kylee or I took her running almost every day. She kicked my butt everytime I took her. Her and Ky timed themselves one evening and ran it in 8 min 16 seconds. She was so nervous the night before! She prayed that night that she could run well and win 3rd place. We thought was pretty funny. If your going to pray for something why not ask for 1st.
It had been so cold and rainy this week, but the rain held out just long enough for all the kids to run. The sun even came out and was nice running weather. They through our neighborhood with their grades. She did so good and ran the whole thing! She didn't take 3rd place, she came in 5th of all the 1st grade girls. I was so proud of her and she was proud of herself.
Cassady and her teacher after the runCassady and her little BFF in her class

Cassady and her 2 BFF's from the neighborhood

Pnemonia

2011-03-06T07:42:00.002-07:00

AJ and Addison got the nasty cold that has been traveling around our family. On Thursday, They were doing so much better, so I took them to gymnastics lessons. Regretting that by Thursday night, the cold was back with a vengeance. By Friday morning I knew Addison needed to go to the Dr. I was really worried about her. She couldn't sleep at all. She would wake up every 10 minutes coughing and cough so hard the only way she would stop is if she threw up or dry heaved and then she would cry, until she fell back to sleep. Of course Josh was in New Mexico, I am sure she would have rather had her dad to cuddle with. I spent the night holding her trying to keep her up right. The next morning I struggled with the decision of whether or not to take AJ in to see the Dr. too. Our co-pays doubled a little while ago. I bought a cheap otoscope awhile ago at Walmart, so I could check for ear infections. Last year I got pretty good at spotting them, but I wasn't sure if Aj had an ear infection or not. I ended up making the appointment for both of them and paying the $50 to see the Dr. We went in and Dr Clarke had a student who checked out the babies first. He looked at Addie and said it was all still Viral. Not what I wanted to here. There is nothing like paying a bunch of money for the Dr to say nothing we can do, wait it out. Then he moved on to AJ. He listened to his lungs for a really long time. I always panic a little when they take a long time listening. That is how they first found Cassady's heart murmur. Then he said,"Well, this kids pretty sick, it is in his lungs." He told me a bunch of stuff in Dr. llingo. I said,"In plain eniglish what does that mean". He said well we need to get a chest x-ray to see how bad it is, but he has pneumonia (thank goodness for spell check on that one) . I was shocked. I was so glad I bit the bullet and brought AJ in too. Dr. Clarke came in and said,"His ears are infected and he seems like it is not affecting his air intake too much, so I will just give him a strong anti-biotic that will take care of the ears and the pneumonia. We will hold off on the chest X-ray and save you guys the suffering and the money." He told us some other things we needed to do for AJ and some to try for Addie. Addie still suffered through the weekend not getting much better, so on Monday I called in and the Dr called in an anti-biotic for her. So both babies are back to normal and doing great. So far I have gotten the Sinus pressure, that was accompanied one day by a migraine, but I have been fighting it off with Zicam, Echinacia, viatamin C, and going to the gym. Don't forget the Diet Coke, not that helps fight a cold, but it sure makes me feel better. I keep saying some day soon I will be done with it again for good. I am hoping this is as bad as it will get.

Tree house Museum

2011-02-27T10:51:00.008-07:00

Cass was out of school for the weekend, so we were trying to find something fun to do on Friday, so we traveled down to Odgen to go to the treehouse mesuem with our friends the Coats. It was the first time I had done anything big like this without at least Jordan or Kylee to help with the babies. Glad to have Jodi and have 2 sets of eyes in a place that big. It is also good to have a kids eye view as I explain later on. It went really well and I can't wait to do it again.

Cassady got to be the ladybug in the little play they did.

Our next president! He promises to never sit at the desk, only climb on it!
Aj had to climb up on these drums to play them.

Addison political platform will be reading for children. Isn't this cute!!
Fireman Addie.
I wanted a picture of all three of my kids on the firetruck. This is as good as it gets. They all wanted to drive.
Addison was going to feed this sheep, when it moved and scared her.
AJ feeding his baby sheep.
He was being so sweet with the babies I wanted to get a picture of it, but this is what I caught.
Rodeo queen!

Ride em cowboy!
Pretty Cowgirls!
This was a milking cow and you could really milk it.
AJ loved the trains, just didn't like it when Addie touched any of them.
Next Queen Arthur?
Play knights and castles
Queen Cassady
Large trains
The queen of cheese!
We were all playing in what the kids called the cupcake house. All of the sudden I couldn't see Addison. I walked out of the little house thinking she couldn't have gone far, She was just here, no luck. Jodi and started running around yelling for her. I was really panicking. When Brooklyn said she is right here. She had climbed inside this oven and closed the door and was right in the room the whole time. I thought she was gone. Little stinker!
After being there for about 7 hours the 3 babies were done!!! Tears, tears, tears! It was 6:30
and with that many tired kids it was either fast food or Chuck-a-rama. WE hit chuck-a-rama. Jodi and I and 6 kids under the age of 7, 3 of them under the age of 2. We stood in line for probably about a half hour. I think everyone in line with us thought we were crazy. The kids love getting what ever they wanted to eat and AJ had a good time sculpting his orange Jello. We made a huge mess, but left a really large tip! It was a day of total chaos, which is the new normal for us and what we love. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back.

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-16T16:47:00.005-07:00

Grandma bought everyone PJ's for valentines day. Thanks for the fun cute PJ's Grandma!
Cheese !!!
AJ and his pretty pink boots!
Aj has learned how to unzip his PJ's. After finding him holding his poopy diaper twice in the morning, we now make sure he always has on a onesie. Don't know what we will do this summer.
We were at a popular grocery store and Cass saw the balloons and wanted to get one for the twins for valentines day. We stood in line to get Them. Finally it was our turn and she had decided on an Elmo one and a lady bug one for the twins and a princess one for herself. The guy handed them to us and said $30 for 3 balloons. I about fell over. Another reason I don't like Valentines day, jacked prices. We handed the balloons back and walked a few doors down to greenbacks and bought a monkey, princess crown and flower balloons for $3. They loved those balloons!
Cass even got a hug from Addie
Addison's Cheesy face! Boogers and all! She always says mom boogers! A little while ago we were walking thorugh Sam's and Addie was telling me she had boogers, mom and AJ was sticking his fingers in his nose pulling out boogies and saying, OOOW!

We had fun making cookies and having fun with some valentines surprises.
AJ had to have his own frosting bowl. Forget the cookies!

Show us your cookie Addie and say cheese!

My cute boy making a mess all over mom! I have never eally like Valentines day. We had a fun time this year!
A good pic of Addies throwing us one of her evil looks.
We told Joran that we would pay for her to go to the sweethearts dance, if she asked someone besides Chris (her boyfriend). Surprising us she took us up on our offer. She asked one of her good friends.

She actually got his boutineer on by herself, she is learning. This boy bought her a coursage!!! They had a fun time! Isn't she beautiful?!

Random Things to keep my blog updated and my New Years resolution going.

2011-02-13T09:13:00.004-07:00

Recently the twins have found watching TV is fun. Addison turns on the TV and will follow you around saying,"Einsteins, mom, TV, Einsteins" She loves the little Einsteins. It is kinda nice when I have something to do, but I don't want them to watch too much TV.
This is one of their favorite pastimes. They climb on everything. At least AJ does and Addie follows if she dares. I push the table over to squish in the three chairs at the back and then put the 2 chairs left up on the table otherwise AJ pushes the chairs around to help him climb on things. This picture they were put on the table to play with Ky.

Addison put on the Mr. potato head glasses. This is also my nakey baby. She loves to be nakey, and when ever you change her diaper she says, "Nakey, Nakey." She will cry if you don't let her be naked. AJ likes to be nakey, but doesn't ask for it all the time. The problem is lately they started taking off their diapers when they are nakey! Whenever we take their clothes off, I tell them if they take their diapers off they have to get dressed. Who ever thought that being dressed would be a punishment.

We are not big football fans, so we had an Anti-Superbowl party. We invited our neighbors, who have 3 daughters over to play Wii games with us 5 girls. The men watched the game at our neighbors house. At least Justin did. We have church until 4:30pm and Josh had to do tithing and it was Fast offering week. Josh got home from church about 7:30pm. Justin watched most of the game by himself, Josh took AJ over when he got home and they watched some of the game.
The little girls did our hair, while we took our turn playing Mario. Kylee sporting her fancy hairdo.
We had fun playing Mario and Rock Band. I found out that I suck at Rock band. I can sing and do the drum pedal, but everything else I keet making us fail and the game would stop and everyone would look at me. Good thing I am not a musician.
When AJ and Addie go up to their room and are quiet I know I am in trouble and they are into something they are not suppose to be. This was one of those days. I don't know how they got this box of cereal, but they knew to run up to their room and hide behind the rocker. They just didn't know that they shouldn't be quiet or mom knows there is trouble.

Happy Birthday Budda Bean

2011-02-08T13:51:00.003-07:00

Cassady turned 7 on the 22nd of January. She has grown-up so much this year. It is hard to believe she is 7. She was my baby for 5 years! She is an amazing little girl and the best big sister. I am so glad she has the twins. She is my middle child and is able to fit in with the big kids and the little kids. Her and Jordan fight a lot, but she always says don't tell her, but I love Jordan! She has become the best reader and she now loves to do it. She loves to play Wii with her sisters. Mario is her favorite, followed up by Just Dance. She is working hard to be able to compete in gymnastics. She is one level away. She loves dance class with her friends. She makes friends were ever we go. When we go to Mcdonalds or the fun park, she makes a friend and will tell them to come back when she does. She is an awesome little loyal friend and always want everyone to be happy.
She had a birthday party with her little friends on Friday night. She wanted to have the same party that the big girls have had this year, so we projected a movie in the toy room. They watch despicable me or that is what we put on for them. There was a lot more talking and playing than watching. We left as soon as the party was over to go down to the hospital to see my grandpa. Cassady's real birthday was the day of my grandpa's funeral. We opened presents that morning before the funeral and then after the burial we went to Marie Calendar's for dinner with my brother Bob and his wife Kelli and their 5 kids and my brother Trevor and his girlfriend Darci, and my mom and dad. There was 18 of us. They gave us our own little room (well not to little). It was really nice and we had a good time. We went on a night that kids meals were free and the kids each got a big piece of pie with there meals. We sand Happy Birthday thanks to Kelli for remembering to sing. The next night we had a birthday party with my family for my dad, Cassady, me and Abagail (my niece). We made cupcakes and had a big dinner and opened presents and had a fun time, with all 10 of my parents grand kids.

We have nicknamed her Budda Bean, ever since she was 2 and Josh took her trick-or-treating and she got whoppers and came running back saying "Dad, Dad, I got you Budda Beans." So Happy Birthday to my little Budda Bean!

Kylee's First Power Tumbling Competition

2011-01-30T11:34:00.003-07:00

Kylee had her first Power Tumbling Competition last weekend. She was so nervous!! She went to do her first warm-up pass and fell right on her head during a back whip. It looked pretty painful, but she hopped up and went back to do her next pass for the judges. Talk about terrifying for her mom too! Praying just stay off your head!!! She did more than that, She took 3rd place out of 12 girls!!
Waiting to go for that first pass.
hard to get pics of her actually tumbling that aren't totally blurry in that gym with bad lighting.
Third place!!!!
Then she did the double mini and took 5th. Right before the judges told the coaches that the new rule was the girls had to land with arms down by their sides and then salute, not half way up and then salute. Her coach decided best to not tell her right now and risk her falling trying to concentrate on the arm thing. She still took 5th out of 12 girls who obviously didn't all show up for awards.

She did so awesome!!! I am so proud of her!!!! So is Addison!
That was so much better than her gymnastics competitions which took all day. We were in and out of there in 2 hours. We may all enjoy this power Tumbling thing better than gymnastics. As long as she never gets hurt!

Grandpa Jake's Funeral

2011-01-30T10:26:00.006-07:00

My Grandpa had another Stroke, this time much larger with much more damage. It left him completely paralyzed on his left side and unable to see. He was able to communicate a little, but hard to understand. After a lot of discussions between his children and others and with him, the decision was made to not take any measures to prolong his life.
The girls and I and AJ were able to go down and spend the weekend at my parents and spend time at the hospital with grandpa and to say goodbye. He passed away on Jan. 17th, 2011, after we left to come home. My Grandma passed away almost 17 years earlier, when Jordan was 1 month old, from breast cancer. After 17 years he was able to join her. What a joyous reunion that must have been. It was a much different feel than the time of a funeral almost 2 years ago for precious baby Carter. Knowing that someone lived a long wonderful life and was going to meet someone on the other side is a much different feel than compared to a baby passing away. Cassady liked the idea that Grandpa could help take care of Baby Carter.
His funeral was the next weekend on Cassady's 7th birthday. It was a nice service. My cousin did a little memory's talk. He sealed most of us grand kids who had been married in the temple. He sealed Josh and I and Jordan 15 years ago. He talked about cleaning out my grandparents garage for 5 hours and not getting rid of 1 thing. My grandpa always wearing bright colored jumpsuits. Him being a huge BYU fan and the discussions that caused at family get together's with the big Ute's fans.
It was a little long for my babies and we ended up in a bench that had a thin tall window with a little ledge at the bottom just big enough for one baby to stand in, not big enough for 2. You can imagine the problem that caused. They did pretty good.
AJ was a pal bearer. He had a boutineer. I thought he would tear it apart, but he thought it was the coolest thing. We pinned it on his suit coat and he would just turn his head and smell it. He didn't want us to take it off when we got into the car for the drive to Moroni, where the cemetery was. Of coarse the babies were asleep in seconds after getting in the car.
We drove the drive to the cemetery hoping the weather would hold out. By the time we got to Moroni, where they had feet of snow on the ground already it was snowing lightly and really windy and cold.
I never thought about the military being there at the burial. My grandpa fought in WW 2. Those men wanted to be there before anyone got there so they were there early, an hour before any of us got there and stood there until everyone arrived and was there through the whole ceremony. They must have been popsicles. I had never been to a burial, with military there. I was standing the back with Addison and knew she would not like the guns going off. I kept telling her it was going to be loud.

After they shot the salute, she kept signing all done and pointing towards the car. It was pretty cool when they played taps.

AJ put his flower on the grave and then had fun taking the flowers of the wreaths and putting them on the casket.

Trevor Bob
After all the boutineers were put on the casket my uncle Ron went and got a blue flower from the BYU wreath and put it on the casket.
So my uncle Gordon went and got a red flower to put on the casket to represent the U of U, that's why the big smile.
My dad followed with a red too!

My kiddo's
A great picture of my mom and dad!

After all this we met my whole family at Marie Calendars where we had a little party for Cass's birthday. They gave us our own room. Why? because we had me, Josh, our 5 kids. Bob and Kelli and their 5 kids, Mom and Dad, and Tevor and his girlfriend Darcy. It was really nice and fun for Cass! She loves spending time with her cousins. It was a busy weekend, but a nice one.

Cassady lost a tooth!!!

2011-01-19T21:31:00.004-07:00

Cassady finally lost her first tooth on Monday! She told me her tooth kept falling all the way down. I told her to just grab and pull it out. She whined that it would hurt and she didn't want to. Then yelled, "Mom, I didn't have to it just fell out!!" It was an exciting event for us to cheer up our day! She is my first child to loose a tooth, before 2nd grade! She was so excited to have the tooth fairy come. Here come the big teeth and before you know it the braces.

Grandpa Jake

2011-01-19T21:09:00.004-07:00

My Grandpa had a massive stroke last week. After a few days in the hospital he passed away on Monday. The girls and I and AJ were able to go down and spend some time with him, before he passed. He joined my Grandma who passed away almost 17 years ago (Jordan was 1 month old) from Breast Cancer.
I will cherish these picture now, not knowing they would be the last ones I would have of him with my kids.
Cassady having a conversation with Grandpa Jake Three Generations, Grandpa Jake (my grandpa), Grandpa Andy (My dad) and AJ (my son)
Grandpa Jake braving the twins!
Grandpa Jake and Kylee
Jordan and Grandpa Jake

I didn't do a very good job of explaining to Cass why Grandpa Jake would be better off in Heaven now. When we got home, she asked if she had a stroke would we all want her to die? I wanted to tell her that kids don't die, but she has been through the death of a baby and knows that is not true. I feel like she has lost some of that childhood innocence with these deaths. We had a long talk and she knows that this is what Grandpa Jake wanted and that is so happy being with his wife and we will see him again, but hopefully not to soon. We talked about how Grandma Ostler has been up in Heaven and was with Her and Kylee and AJ and Addie, before they were born. She decided that Grandma has been up there helping to take care of Baby Carter and now she has Grandpa Jake to help. She is so sweet, most of the time.
Grandpa Jake passed away on Martin Luther king day, My cousin Billy's birthday, and his funeral will be on Cassady's 7th birthday. I think it will be a time of year we will always remember.

We Love you Grandpa Jake!

End of 2010- start of 2011

2011-01-12T14:21:00.009-07:00

This was the babies first real experience in the snow. It was snowing sideways and freezing cold, but they need to actually go out in the snow, right? Besides up until now we only had one pair of snow boots in their size and Addie needed to try out her new boots!
AJ thought it was pretty fun helping mom shovel the driveway. He lasted much longer than Addison. At one point I turned to look at him and was just standing there trying so hard not to cry. I said," is it to cold little man" and he shook his head yes.
Addison just thought this was crazy she wouldn't leave her hat on and kept taking her gloves off and then would pick up the snow and cry when it was so cold on her hands. 10 minutes and Josh had to take her back in.
Over the Christmas break, we tried to take the kids to do some fun things, I can't do with them alone. We spent the day at the fun park. AJ and Cassady had a blast climbing up and shooting out of that crazy fast slide.

Addison cried when Josh took her down it and was not going down it again. She did climb around for awhile though.

Relaxing at the bottom of the crazy fast slide. That is Cass's term for it.
We went bowling after playing on the soft play and found out that bowling is harder than Wii bowling. Cassady with her bumpers just about beat us all. She at least beat Jordan and Chris and came closer to beating Josh and I, but our strikes in the end, put us a little above her.
Pizza at the bowling alley, kept the babies occupied. AJ ate 3 slices of pizza, with cheese removed of coarse.

We also went down to Layton to go shopping and have Lunch with my parents at the Brick Oven. Josh and I told Jordan and Kylee we would pay for them to go to a movie if they would watch the babies and Cass while we went Narnia.
Then we had our New Year's Feast!
Every year Grandpa makes us all a dinner of Lobster, King Crab legs,and Shrimp. We made Chicken nuggets for the babies, Cassady, and Darci (Kylee's friend). They were not into eating that funny looking stuff.

AJ's idea of a feast!
He loves Guacamole. Eats it with a spoon.

We played a lot of Wii games and invited Jordan's boyfriend, Chris, and Kylee's friend, Darci. At midnight we rang in the New Year and went to bed. Grandma and Grandpa boxing each other. Funnier was when Josh and I and Grandma and Grandpa played tennis. Grandpa kept hitting Grandma with his racket. Good thing they are Styrofoam. We laughed so hard after that. Grandma decided she liked wii sports. It is the only time she wins.
We rang in the new year and went to bed! Then we started with our new church schedule: 1:30 to 4:30. My brother blessed his baby that sunday and it was hard to miss. We just couldn't make it with Josh's meetings, Jordan had a meeting and the first week of the new nursery for me. It is going to be a hard schedule for us. I will miss my afternoon nap and so will all my sweet little nursery kids!
Then we sent everyone back to school and back to work. After having everyone home for 2 weeks it was hard to see them all go. I wish we could win a bunch of money so Josh didn't have to work and we could privately tutor the girls, although they would hate that. I would love to always have them all home.

Las Vegas

2011-01-10T09:02:00.018-07:00

Josh had a conference in Las Vegas the first week of December. We decided to go with him. We had not taken a family vacation since the babies were 3 months old and we went to Oregon for my grandma's 80th birthday. We took my mom with us. I told them all half way through the week, I brought Grandma to be Cass's buddy and Jordan and Kylee to open doors for the stroller to get through. Here are just some highlights. Lots of pictures. You know how much I love to take pictures and my girls have taken after me. We had 4 cameras there. Here we go:We had Circus Circus games practically to ourselves. They had so much fun! We came home with a big bag of stuffed animals.

AJ riding his truck. He thought it was pretty cool.
Addison holding on for dear life.
The Beliagio had an amazing Christmas display.

The weather was so nice, but it did cool off at night.

We all liked the water show at the beligio. It was a little loud for Addie, but she couldn't quit watching.
We stayed at the Luxor, We had a great view of the Excalibur caSTLE AND THE KIDS LOVED THAT!

Josh got an awesome suite for the babies and Cass and me and him with a jacuzzi. It was nice to relax in after you walked all day. Jordan, Kylee and Grandma had there own room down the hall.

Aj insisted on pretending he was drowning, but only when I was fully clothed and just soaking my feet. I ended up completely wet every time.

After breakfast in Paris.
Ky and Cass after getting their picture taken with the lion cubs at MGM grand
Waiting for it to rain inside.
My m&m's

There were many crazy things to have your picture taken with for a buck or two.
Have you seen the desserts!?

We ate our way through Vegas!
3-D movie at the M&M store

One of our favortie places to eat The Rainforest Cafe.

My little gladiator

We passed this everyday on the way out and Cass thought it was so cool!

We went to the Shark reef aquarium! It was amazing! Had a room that was a sunken ship with an aquarium all around you on top of you and below you!
Sun and jungle trees!

Grandma's hang over omelet!
At serendipity, Cass is so happy to be there!

After a few days the babies and Cass needed a nap. Grandma stayed with them in the room for a nap and Jordan and Ky and I went to go get their picture with the Lion cubs. Something happened with the lions and the cubs were not there. We had to come up with something to do. Didn't take us long. We decided to go on the roller coaster at the New York, New York.
After Jordan and I shared a huge sandwich.

We took this picture and the girls texted it to Grandpa with a message of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
Later we went to what ended up being our favorite restaurant. Chocolate by the bald man.
Chocolate shots for dessert!

Addie ate all of Cassady's spaghetti sauce they served in a syringe.
They gave the kids little paint brushes to paint their fries with ketchup.
Cass's mac and cheese in a little pot.

The best hot chocolate in a fun little cup.
Just too cute!
This restaurant was a great , because we went to this instead of the FAO Schwartz giant toy store which the kids were looking forward to , but was out of business and replaced by a clothing store. We were sad, but had so much fun at this restaurant.
My tough guys!
We stayed in Payson with our friends the Carlson's on the way home. It was so nice to see them and catch up. We had so much fun, but I don't think I will ever go out of town again in December. We pulled the kids tree out of the box and plugged it in and put up the ornaments from Vegas and the festival of tree's and that was all the decorating we did. Which did work well for the babies. My sister-in-laws got Avon stuff, since I didn't get their gifts made. I did get my niece and nephews cute little ABC books made though.

Birthday week

2010-11-03T19:55:00.002-06:00

We start birthdays in this family in October. We went to lunch with Shawn on the 13th for his birthday.
Then Josh's birthday on the 16th. When did he get so much older than me? Then Kylee turned 14. Yes that is right 14! When did my baby of 7 years grow up to such a beautiful amazing girl?
She had a birthday party with 4 girls. She wanted to project a movie on the side of the house, but it ended up being really cold, so they did it in the toy room. Then at 10:30pm went out and jumped on the tramp and woke up all the neighbors being so QUIET! We gave her money to help with Competition fees for Tumbling. She joined the tumbling Team after not competing in Gymnastics for quite a few years. Now she will start competing in January. It will be fun to go and watch again. I have been missing her for the 5 hours a week she practices. She is the best kid!!! Always helping out and playing with Cass and the twins. She is always out to have a good time and makes us all laugh. She gets a 4.0 without me every bugging her. She is such an amazing part of our family and we love her so much!!!!

October

2010-11-03T14:39:00.006-06:00

We started out October by going to the Dinosaur park in Ogden for UEA. We went down for Jordan's eye doctor appointment and then to lunch with my mom and Shawn for Uncle Shawn's birthday. Then we headed off to see the Dinosaurs!
The babies walked the whole park, thinking they were so big!
They have it haunted at night, so all the haunted decorations were still up and Addie was very cautious.

Kissing alligators!Take my picture mom.
AJ decided he wanted his picture taken and with every dinosaur. ROAR!!

What's this rope for mom? Oh, to hang on and knock them all over!

Watch out, Addie Bug!!!!!!
Take my picture here mom!
The playground was a big hit! My Ky and AJ man.

Look at these rocks mom! Can I just have 2 from each display?
Is my belly as big as his horn?We had so much fun and AJ and Addie both know what a dinosaur says.

black eye

2010-10-01T16:16:00.004-06:00

We started a play group type of thing and this time it was at Carl's Junior. We have a new one here and it has a playground!!!! Although their food is not much better than McDonalds, but they do have fry sauce. Anyways, AJ fell off a step I didn't see what happened, but went over and held him gave him fry's and my friend says, "Oh my Gosh, that eye looks horrible." I asked, "What eye!"

This Eye!!!

Not his first black or purple eye and I am sure not his last! It healed really fast.

He is always doing crazy things like swinging on the table. Addison pretends to do it with him.

Peach Days Parade!

2010-10-01T15:48:00.008-06:00

All decked out for the parade!

My two favorite guys! Aren't they cute?

Jordan decided if he wasn't going to wear his sunglasses she would wear them. What are we sitting here for?

If you have never been to the Peach Days celebration you are missing out! They have the best parade! It starts with like 40 cop cars, fire engines, and ambulances all with sirens blaring and horns honking. I could do with out that part. Addie hated that and AJ was Ok until the fire trucks started honking.

Here I am, look how cute I am, throw me some candy!
Addie would run all the way down the street to get more candy! We had to chase her down a few times.
She sat still once she got a Popsicle as big as her head, at least until it was gone.
It didn't slow AJ down.
More popsicles
More popsicles
And even more popsicles!
and more!

After that I couldn't believe the amount of candy and things they threw out!! Cass always loves the cereal that Malt-O-Meal throws out. In fact she prayed the night before that she would be able to catch some cereal. Good thing they make sure everyone gets on and she actually got three! You got to take every chance you get to let your kids know that prayer works, right!? I told her good thing she prayed for cearal. She even got Silly bands! Pretty exciting. After a yummy lunch at Josh's Aunt Kathy's, Cass aqnd I went to the fair and boutique, once again expecting something small for such a small town, It was huge and wall-to wall people. Cass and I got split up from the people we came with. You know me, I didn't bring my phone, so we walked back to the car and waited for them to show up there too. We had so much fun! It will be a tradition for us from now on.

The Broadway Lion King Show

2010-10-01T15:32:00.003-06:00

We bought tickets to the Broadway Lion King show a year before it came to Utah. We gave the tickets to the girls for Christmas. We finally got to go on August 12th. Grandma Debby came with us. She was the one who got to the ticket office early on opening sales day and got us tickets!!! We were so excited! It was an amazing show! It was worth every penny we spent. Cassady loved the whole thing. She kept asking what was going to happen. I didn't realize she had not watched the movie. Kylee's favorite movie was Lion King. She would watch it once a day if I let her when she was little. Her and I had it memorized and could repeat the lines from the movie.

The whole crew after the show!

Before the show started Cass wanted to take a picture of Josh and I. I kept forgetting that the camera we had flashes twice and I kept moving after one flash. This one turned out really pretty good. Cass and I waiting for it to begin.

A big thanks to Sarah for watching the twins for us. We thought Addie would have a hard time, so we brought a bunch of things for Addie to do. Addie was fine and AJ cried a lot.

Homecoming

2010-10-01T15:11:00.004-06:00

Isn't she beautiful?

Jordan was asked to homecoming by Chris (her Boyfriend). He asked her by droping off a 12 pack of Mountain Dew and Reisen candys on the porch with a note,"You are the "Reisen" I live, will you "Dew" me the honor of going to homecoming. She answered him by dum-duming his room. Jordan and Ashley's term for throwing dum-dums all over his room and putting her answer of "I'd be a dum-dum not to go to HOmecoming with you"

Hannah brought her prom dresses over and is letting Jordan borrow them. She went with this Pink one. It looked really go on her. Beverly did her hair. I told her to pose in this picture. It reminds me of "Walk like an Egyptian" for those of you 80's kids like me.

Jordan and Chris after she told me not to take a lot of pictures.Mom, How do I put this on? I told her and this is the look I get from both of them when I said just don't stick him! Pretty funny!
After much planning a suggestion of reservations for 14 at Olive garden on a Saturday night at 6pm. (It would have taken hours to been seated) And a fight over midnight curfew, Josh and decided that we would have all the kids over here after the dance and project a movie on the side of the house. But when the temp at midnight was suppose to be 54, we set it up in the garage. Our garage set up after we moved everything to the sides. Josh borrowed a screen and set it up right in front of the door. Easier than hanging a sheet like we usually do. I got popcorn, drinks and root beer floats. They all came back to our house and come to find out all the girls had to be home by midnight! Not just our child. The boys all took their dates home at midnight and came BACK for the movie! So Jordan watched the movie with 7 boys! Next time we will just do root beer floats! She had a good time, but went to get pictures taken at 10:30 and the photographer was already gone.
Church the next day was interesting, with Josh falling asleep on the stand and me fighting babies to stay awake so I could have a nap after church too.

Cache County Fair

2010-08-24T12:16:00.005-06:00

We always go to the Cache County Fair and Rodeo every year. Even took the babies to the rodeo last year. That was first year we realized the Rodeo was so Loud. This year we had tickets to the Lion King on Thursday night in Salt Lake. Ward Camp out Friday night, and then the Fair and Rodeo Saturday night? We decided for the first time in a long time that it might be better to skip the rodeo this year. We still went to the Fair.

AJ picked out his future 4-wheeler.

AJ would run up to the animals pen stick his had in and see if he could reach them.
He would get upset when Cass could reach and he couldn't
He would touch the animal and then laugh and run away to the next animal.
Addie was little more cautious, especially with the sleeping,snorting pigs.
These people had the nicest cows that they let the kids sit on.
AJ giving the cows a kiss. He is such a lover.
Addie not sure what she is doing on this big stinky animal. She kept plugging her nose when we would go in the animal buildings.
We let Cass ride one ride. She wanted to ride the Harry Potter slide. I talked her into a little roller coaster. I just couldn't pay $3 fro a slide. I think she even had fun. I got a lot of Christmas shopping done and bought myself some sunglasses (that Jordan already broke). Gotta love the Fair!

We did it! Camping

2010-08-20T15:10:00.013-06:00

I am not a big camper in the first place, but to take 2 very active 16 month olds, I was not sure we would all survive or at least stay the whole time. We tried for Tony's Grove, which we have tried to get a spot at a few times and always failed. We ended up at Lewis m Turner, just down from tony's grove.
I told Josh I would go camping if we brought 2 things, #1 the trailer, #2 my parents.
Aj thought the trailer was so neat. Like a little playhouse. We liked him in it, then we didn't have to run around after him.
AJ and Addie really like the step. It was just their size.
My mom and Dad and Jordan went up on Monday to get a spot. We all followed on Tuesday after Tumbling and Art in the Park were over.
Addie Eating, Eating and always eating! Aj actually eating!
Camping and eating turned out to be interesting. They didn't want to eat when they were in their highchairs, but would go steal food right off grandma's plate.
We started off our trip with a little test hike. We were not sure how the babies would do in the packs. So we hiked Limber Pine trail. It is only a 1 mile hike, but a fun one with all the different growing trees. It was one of our favorites when we used to go up to the cabin.
The bent trees or "chair trees".The giant tree
My girls on the chair tree!This is how you sleep with 2 babies. We put them feet together and I slept on the other side of them. I only had to move AJ off of Addie once. The babies and Cass had a lot of fun swinging in the hammock. When we were sick of chasing them around we went to the hammock.AJ just wanted to run out of the campsite. I set up my chair in between the truck and the van and then he could not get out. Addie playing with cans and the cooler and the watermelon.
AJ had to have his tunes. Roasting hot dogs!This is Addies face when anything touches her tongue she doesn't want to. She is so picky!
Isn't this the most precious picture. I am not really sure what was going on, but Addie and Grandpa going for a walk.
Cassady was so excited to get up early and go fishing with Dad and Grandpa. They got up early Thursday morning and went up to Tony's Grove and Fished. This is Cassady catching her fish. She had so much fun, just being a big kid!
Addison got sick with a little cold on Wednesday and was so stuffy that I took her home Wednesday night and her and I spent the night at home and I took her to the Dr. Thursday morning. I actually got in really early. She had a sinus infection, but no earaches, Yeah!!!! It was interesting spending the night with only Addie. I had never done that before. She is such a big daddy's girl I thought it might be hard, but we had a nice time. We got her anti-biotic and nose medicine and headed back up to the campground. We got back up by 10:30 am and headed up Tony's Grove to meet the boys and Cass to go for our real hike, to White Pine Lake.
This is Addie sleeping on the Hike or trying too.
AJ had a better time actually sleeping. Although he never looked comfortable.
Cassady kept playing with the dirt and then rubbing her face. She didn't know her face was so dirty, but we all kept laughing at her when we looked at her. She took a wipe when she found out and washed up. She did so good! She made it the whole way and hardly ever complained!We weren't sure we would make it the whole way to white pine lake, but we all made it, then we had to come back. The last part of the hike is hiking down the mountain into the little valley that the lake is in and it is a pretty steep drop in. With lots of resting we all made it out. Only one casualty. I got a blister, but with all the dust there was I couldn't keep a band-aid on it. I will never hike again without my duck tape. I had to keep putting a new band-aid on. AJ was asleep this time, so my dad helped me out and doctored it up.After going 8 miles for our hike. We were all ready to die and the babies were ready to be out of the packs and run.
On Wednesday we went up to Bear Lake for the day. The last time I had been to Bear Lake was when I was bearly pregnant with the twins and wasn't even sure if I was pregnant yet. I was so dead tired that I slept on a blanket the whole time we were there. My mom told me if I wasn't pregnant I had better go to a Dr, because there was something wrong with me. Little did we know it was twins and I was very anemic. This time was more enjoyable. You all know how much Addie loves to eat. She just had to climb in the picnic basket to be closer to the food.
AJ had a blast just digging holes and getting in them.
Sandy Chips. It was really hard to keep their food from getting all sandy.
eating lunch

AJ throwing sand on Ky while she is trying to read.
Bathing Beauty!

This is the way to camp and to pack! The morning packing went smoothly with AJ sleeping in the stroller and Addie in her car seat watching Baby signing time. What did we do before we had DVD players in our vehicles?

We really did have a good time.

swim lessons

2010-08-20T14:23:00.005-06:00

We decided to put the Cass and the babies in swim lessons. Cass did 2 sessions, which meant swim lessons everyday for 4 weeks. We rode our bikes up to the pool everyday. Aj and Addie did the swim babies class, which included mom and Dad or Jordan, or Grandma. They started out afraid of the water. The pics are from the last day. By the end the only thing they didn't like was the dunking.
AJ crawling in the baby pool.
Addie floating in the baby pool.
Aj would laugh after he blew bubbles.

Aj jumping in to Grandma.
Swimming with mom and grandma

Jumping off the side or leaning in.
Thanks to Grandma we spent the last day of lessons at the pool and had a good time. Maybe next year we can go back to spending at least a day a week at the pool.

Pioneer Day

2010-07-25T20:49:00.010-06:00

Everyone was freaking out that we had to get up so early to be at the park at 7:30 am to run the 5K. Josh and I got up at 5am with AJ. Not sure why he was up so early. Hoping it is not more earaches. Getting ready for the 5K. Cass ran with Ky and they ran most of the way. She was really sore this morning. They did great!

After the 5K Jim and Rosie bought us breakfast at the Lion's club fundraiser breakfast. It was yummy! Thanks Jim and Rosie! AJ slept through the last part of the run and breakfast. We let the kids play a little bit on the playground. Jordan babysat for a Volleyball player, so we took her over her breakfast. Then Ky, Cass, Ellie and I walked home from the park.
We got everyone all dressed up in their 24th of July outfits and went over to the parade with our lunches. AJ thought the parade was pretty cool.
First, he got to see fire trucks and put money in the boot. It is weird to me that he will not think it is normal to be able to go to the fire station to hang out with Grandpa.
Look mom, people threw me candy!!!
Addie just wanted to eat her lunch!
She finally realized it was candy she was missing out on and was out there with all the other kids.
All the other kids would scream and yell for candy. Aj would throw his arms in the air and scream too.
Cass and Ellie at the parade.
Me and the kids walked from the parade back down to the park for the Candy Cannon.

Face painting, Hair dyeing, I was afraid it wouldn't wash out before church the next day, but it did after some scrubbing.
Cass does the watermelon eating contest every year and gets a little closer every year. She always says her prize is the watermelon.
The babies went up and found watermelon that no kids had claimed once the contest started. It kept them happy while we checked out the booths and bought some Kettle Korn. What would the 24th be without a big bag of Kettle Korn.

Cass and Ellie did the Chicken dance while we waited for Family fun bingo to start.
We always have fun at Bingo. This year Noah and Cass both got a bingo at the same time. They gave Noah a pack of cars and Cass a My little Pony. Then gave me a pool punch pass and had me and Mary (josh's sister) play the game for the bigger prize. I had to throw ping-pong balls into a bucket on top of Mary's head. We had a minute to beat the people beside us. The thing with Ping-Pong balls is they bounce right out. The other group got 2 in, we got 10 in! Mary won a $20 gift card to pizza Hut and I won a $20 gift card to Subway! Jordan and Ky won pool passes. We had so much fun!! That's one thing I love about Logan is the Free celebrations on the 24th of July.
We walked back to our house and had a yummy BBQ and ended up the night with Fireworks. The babies were actually awake for them. They thought they were cool for a little while and then they were bored with them and ran around.

Summer Time!

2010-07-22T15:22:00.004-06:00

We had a BBQ with friends and Jordan and Josh poured water on AJ's head. He thought it was funny and started pouring it on his own head. I know this one will come back to haunt us.

Addison decided she loves watermelon. After trying and trying to get her to even taste watermelon. She finally ate it and 4 other pieces, but just like apples you have to give her a big piece with the rind on. Otherwise she won't touch it. If I cut up apples the babies won't touch them, but if I hand them a whole apple they will eat it, at least 1/4 of it.

Popsicles!

Helping to make Sunday afternoon Cookies.

Yumm, Sugar!

AJ works out with me in the mornings sometimes. He lifts weights and does sit ups with me.
So heavy!
Look at that crazy hair!

Family night temple experience

2010-07-14T10:48:00.005-06:00

Josh and I have this great idea for family night to go up to the temple and take some fun pics and talk about the temple. The temple is closed right now for maintenance, but we figure the grounds are still open. So Josh takes Jordans boyfriend home (Yes, that is right her boyfriend, not happy about it, but that is reserved for another time) and he and Jo are just going to meet us there. We get there and park up on the Northwest corner and see people in there, so there must be a way in right? We start off walking South, If we would have went west we would have walked a very short distance and there is the opening, instead we walk the whole block and if you have ever been to the Logan temple those are some steep long hills. We get half way around and Addison, just sounds like she fills her diaper. I pick her up and we start walking faster to go back to the van to get a diaper. As I say I hope her diaper doesn't leak, I don't have clothes for her. Kylee says,"Oh mom!" I look down and I have poop all down the front of me!!! It was all up her back and front and all over me. We aren't even in the grounds yet. I pass the entrance and head for the van and tell Ky to find Jo and Dad and tell Jo to meet me at the van. Thank goodness Jordan was wearing a tank, a shirt ,and a jacket sort of thing. She gave me her shirt. But Addison had to go naked. After all that walking, I was insistent upon going in the grounds! Josh was a little embarrassed, but it made for cute pictures. Oh the joys of Family night!
My nakey baby at the temple

Me, Jo, and Ky. Jordan's shirt.

AJ had to smell all the flowers.
Cass, Ky and AJ waiting for us. It was quite the Hanks family experience!

We went to Josh's grandma's house and she has this little cute as can be dog. My babies loved it!!! I mean loved it!! We should have just stuck it under Josh's shirt and brought it home. I have told my kids no dog until the twins are potty trained!

lagoon

2010-07-14T10:42:00.010-06:00

We went to Lagoon, not sure how it would go with 2 older kids who we knew would want to go off on their own and 2 babies who can't really do much and then Cass right in the middle. We arrived close to opening hour. OUr intentions were to be there when it opened, but the day before I took AJ to the dr and he had a double ear infection and a fever of 102. Poor kid, it took us a little longer in the morning getting going since we were up late with him. He did really good the next day, we just kept him doped up on Motrin and tylenol all day to keep him fever free.
We had Cass talked into riding the big rides. Then we got there and she is 44 inches tall and almost all the big rides you have to be 46 inches tall. I am not sure how dissappointed she was. We hit a few of the rides we thought would have long lines later.
Then we hit the water park. Most of the slides you had to be 46 inches tall to go on also. I took her up to the tube slide though and they didn't say anything so we went a few more times.
This is the way to watch 2 babies at the water park. Stick them ina giant tube and they think they are having fun, but they are stuck.
Doesn't Josh look like he is having so much fun!
The guy let them on the baby boats. Addie cried the whole time. She was so tired and just wanted Josh.
AJ on the other hand loved it! He dinged his bell and drove tht boat and was even more amazed when they moved!

We also got them on the train. They thought they were so big sitting alone. They loved seeing all the animals. I was shocked at all the animals Lagoon has. Not the best living habitats, ok so they are horrible, but fun to see so many, the zoos train needs to go that slow.
This was about the only time we saw JoJo and KyKy. Cass is on the bumper cars.
How does this thing work mom?

While Cass and Josh waited in line for the log ride. I went back to change diapers. I took my time and thought I probably missed them. Nope they ended up in line for 50 minutes. Lagoon needs fast passes.
They had fun and got wet!
My swimming babies. Addie had more fun at the blanket eating snacks!

The one big ride cass could go on was the Bat. She loved it and went on it a couple of times!

We had a great time and the babies (who are not really stroller babies) did so good and sat in the strollers most of the day.

pool days

2010-07-14T10:38:00.003-06:00

I got the baby pool out and Addie went right to it and splashed and splashed, but didn't want to get in.

It took AJ awhile to start splashing around, but he finally saw how much fun Addie was having.
We got suits on and then they decided to get in. AJ wouldn't sit though.
Addie would climb in and out and went all the way over and under. I thought she would want out, but she kept playing. AJ cried for her.

We put the little slide in and Addie thought it was great to play with Cassie and cousin Ellie. AJ decided he would rather swing. Some day I hope he decides he likes the water.

Hogle Zoo

2010-06-12T20:54:00.006-06:00

We had been trying to go to Hogle Zoo since the twins birthday. It ended up being bad weather on their birthday so we didn't go. Then once again didn't go because of weather. Then planned another trip and didn't go because of sickness. Planned again and went!!!! We left Logan at 11:45 am, Cass is doing a sports and fitness camp that doesn't end untill noon. I pulled her out a little early and we headed down. I don't think we have ever been to Hogle zoo from Logan, (We always go to my mom's first and then the zoo). I got out the GPS and thought it would have us get off at 4th south. It had us take I-80 and some some crazy loop that had us making a U-turn at 65 MPH, at a crazy off ramp and then getting on something that dropped you into the freeway lanes immediatly with no lane to pick up speed and then off quickly on foothill. Crazy driving!!! It reminds of one more reason we love Cache Valley. No freeways and no traffic, at least not crazy traffic.
We did finally arrive alive. We were so excited to get in and see the baby elephant. It was so cute and so much like a kid, running around, splashing water and trying to play with mom, while she tried to eat. AJ and Cassady really liked the baby elephant.
i

AJ reading up on the Elephants.
This is how we traveled around the zoo. It ended up being a nice day. It got hot a few times, 85, but never being too hot, since theri was always a cool breeze. Yes, we did drink all that water, and a few more bottles that we stored in Jodi's stroller. We found that the wagon was great, except not as much storage as the stroller, but much easier for in and out all the time.

AJ liked the Carousel. Addie wasn't too excited to get on and kept trying to get off, until it started. Then I think she tolerated it.
All the kids that went with us, except the 4 babies. Nikki and Ellie Cass and Kaylee and Brooklyn.
Addie enjoyed looking at the animals and trying to touch them. She was only interested in them for a second and only that long if they were moving. Most of the animals were up and moving.
She mostly just liked being big and running around. Thanks to grandma for running around with her.
Kylee with the Tigers. She has always liked the big cats, ever since she little. She was a big help too! (Isn't she growing up to be such a cute girl, When did that happen?)
This is almost the whole clan. My mom is taking the picture. Wendy and her mom were there and I don't know were KYlee is.
The tigers were up and moving around we were so excited when two of them decided to get in the water. Then even more awesome, the one tiger swam under a log right up to the glass and tried to take a swipe at a kid. Pretty exciting stuff!
Ky and AJ in the reptile house.
Addison plugged her nose from the time we walked in that stinky reptile house, until she started playing a little then right back to plugging.

AJ loved this slide He would go up the stairs and Ky would send him down and I would catch him and send him right back up. The would flip around every which way, but cried when we moved on.

AJ and just Jay (as Cassady calls him) ran up and down this suspended bridge, while Jay's Grandma and I stood on each end.

We ended the day with at train ride. AJ sat on Grandma's lap and folded his arms the whole time. Addison sat beside me and held on for dear life. We had so much fun! Thanks to Jodi's camera, since ours died half way through the zoo. Gotta remember to charge it before I do things like this.

Just had to add this pic, because it is so cute.

Cassady's Run

2010-06-02T19:56:00.003-06:00

Cassady's Woodruff Wildcat run was today. She ran a lot and was ready to run her heart out. She logged in hours of exercise and got donations. She was able to get enough donations to recieve a t-shirt, water bottle, backpack, a pass to the pool party, and a barbecue and a raffle ticket.

Ready.......Set.......Go!!!!!!!Kylee had late start and she wanted to run with Cass to keep her motivated. Them at the finish line. Cass says she came in 4th place of the Kindergarten girls. They only awarded the 1st-3rd, with the Kindergartners. She was really excited about how well she did.

She won a huge box of side walk chalk in the raffle.

Cassady and her friend after the run. Whenever they would practice her and this friend would take 1st and 2nd place. Cassady and her friend Eathan.

Cassady and Kaylee. After their race was over, Cass and I went to place to cheer on and help the other grades go the right way for thier races. Cassady and Kaylee ran with a teacher for half of the 5th graders race too.

Me and Cass after everything is almost over. They do this right in our neighborhood, by blocking off all the streets. This is the first year in many that we knew it was happening and was able to park cars outside the neighborhood so those who needed to get to work and school could go, before 10 am.

Wait to go Cass-Cass!!!!! Awesome Job!!!!!

Cassady's dance

2010-05-27T21:22:00.004-06:00

She worked so hard on one of the last tap steps where she jumps to the side and curtsy's. She is the last one on the right.

Cassady's Kindergarten Program

2010-05-27T21:04:00.005-06:00

Cassady did so good at her program. She sang so loud, we could hear her over all the kids. The video is of one of the songs, they sang and it is so cute and so Cassady.

AJ being a naughty, crazy boy at the program.

AJ sitting with Cass through the slide show.

Cassady's part was "My favorite part of Kindergarten was going on field trips".

Trying once again to catch up.

2010-05-27T12:35:00.001-06:00

Cassady playing outside with AJ. He loves to go outside. He loves to play with his big sister.

Addison loves to read books, she will bring you a book and sit down right in front of you or on you.

AJ and Daddy wrestling! AJ is always putting a blankie on his head and walking around. He is always trying to put them on everyone's head

We went on Cassady's field trip to Willow Park Zoo. It was a walking field trip. The babies did great. They enjoyed all those kids. I just had a hard time keeping the kids from touching the babies so much. Germs!!!!

Cassady and her friend. Cassady's whole class

Addison already loves a picnic with Chicken nuggetts. Addison was still in the backwards car seat, because she is so small. This last time we went to Salt Lake, I had left the babies in a crib to play and they fell asleep. So they were awake for the 1 1/2 hour drive. AJ watched the movie and Addie was not happy. After 10min of the long drive, I pulled over and turned Addison's seat around. She watched the movie the rest of the way.

AJ and Cassady at the Aquarium.

AJ and Grandma trying to touch Sting-rays. Addison falling asleep before leaving for grandma's, can't get it were it is supppose to go not in the middle of the page.

Addison wanted to touch everything, but she cringed at all of them. Kylee did too!

My Little eating monkeys! Isn't she the most adorable!

Ravioli's for the first time. They loved them. AJ loved them so much he thought he could soak them in through his head. He smeared them all over.

I am raising a bitter! A mean bitter at that. She bites AJ at least 4 times a day if not more. The poor boy! If anyone has any ideas on how to disapline a 13 month old bitter, I would love to hear them. I don't know how to stop it! See the bite marks on his shoulder.

AJ in his forward facing car seat. He doesn't look like it here, but he loves facing forward.Cassady's Dance recital. She did so good!!! I am so proud of her! She is the one standing up , last one on the right. So adorable!The last song all the kids did sign language to the song. She knew it all! She loves to dance and loves that her dance teacher lives next door to us. I know I am biased, but she is good at it.

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T12:31:00.002-06:00

My kids make it mother's day almost everyday with all the cute things they do. My husband is the best and makes it mother's day all the time, by giving me breaks everyday. I love them all so much!

My mother's day gift from Cassady was a song she wrote me. So adorable!!!

Addie is now walking quite a bit. She thinks she is so big. She walks to you with a big smile and then waits for you to cheer and tell her she is so big. It is such a cute little dainty walk.

Me trying to take pictures of the kids in their church clothes. Addie was way to tired to take pictures. We went to JCPenney on Sat with my $10 off a purchase card to buy me something for mother's day. I didn't really find anything so we went looking at little girl dresses and Josh found this dress clearance for $13.97. We got it for $4. Yes $4!!! She loves it!! I told Josh it was my gift that he found such a good deal! I love to get a good deal!!!

AJ is all about being super boy with his cape now!

AJ and Addie loved playing in the sand box this weekend. Yes, those are weeds growing in the sandbox, We put down the black plastic under the 2 feet of sand and I thought the weeds were not suppose to grow in the sand. Not only do we grow rocks every winter, but weeds where there is no way they are suppose to be able to grow.

AJ has been walking around the house with this circle in his mouth, he likes to give everyone kisses with it I gave up. With everyone calling my baby Mullett boy, I let Josh shave his head. I made Jordan take the pictures. I just couldn't watch!

He is still my way cute boy!!!! Even without hair.

I hate it when things on the computer change and you have to figure it out again. That is what has happened with this blog program I use. It may take me another few months to figure it out.

Our Weekend

2010-05-03T12:50:00.011-06:00

AJ and Addie always getting into everything!

We had a fun, crazy weekend, but I am beginning to realize that, that is how they will all be from know on.

My Cooking boy
Cassady had on her apron and AJ whined until we put one on him.

All three kids watching Little Einsteins

I had Jordan and KYlee clean out all the drwners and cuboards. They put all the dishes away and I was sick of opeing a cuboard and having stuff fall out on me. The babies thought it was great fun.
Cassady was playing Super hearo's. She puts my Breastfeeding cover on around her neck for a cape and call herself "Breast Woman"
Aj loved having the sock put on his hand and making it talk.
Josh's family came up and we all went to the temple. This is Great Grandma Z reading to Addison. She loves to have books read to her or should I say a book, Abby's shapes.
Aunt Mary let AJ play with her phone and he looked at everyone while it was in camera mode.

OOOOWWWWW!!! Who's stinky?

Aj found the holes in his nose while telling us he was stinky.
This is how Josh reads scriptures at family scripture time.

If It Is Not One It Is The Other

2010-04-29T10:23:00.003-06:00

Six months ago I decided to get the babies on a schedule, at least in the morning when no one else is here. I was hoping that would help and they could at least get in one good nap. It worked and has been great for us, all except for ONE thing! Here is our morning schedule:
Eat Breakfast between 8 and 8:30
Fill up the tub
Put babies in to play
Addison poop in the tub
Pull babies out of tub
Wash poop down tub
Clean out tub
Put babies back in tub
Wash babies
Let them play
Take them out
Head to their room
Wrestle on diapers
let them play and read books (Addie's new favorite)
At 10 we go down stairs for a cracker and drink
Nap time between 10:30 and 11
The other day, I decided we were not going to get in the tub until Addie had pooped. AJ stood at the gate at the bottom of the stairs and cried, until Addie finally pooped. I changed her and we went upstairs to get in the tub. AJ decided we couldn't get off schedule and for the first time, for him, HE POOPED IN THE TUB!!!!!!
The saying if it is not one it is the other, is my life right now!

Double Trouble!

2010-04-22T11:42:00.005-06:00

AJ figured out how to get into the entertainment center. Thanks to Wendy, we put a lock on it.AJ is always climbing and has started teaching Addie! He pushes the timeout chair to what he wants to get up on. Picture was blurry, cuz Josh decided to let go of the camera and try to catch Addie. Poor Addie.
While I cleaned up the bathroom, They pulled out all the books.
Addie decided to start climbing without AJ doing it first.

Relaxing in the bookcase.

What happens after a bath when you are trying to diaper 2.
Highchairs are still in the wash. Got the idea off a product I saw and just used a sheet to Tye them to a chair. worked pretty well, but AJ was so excited to sit in a big chair he didn't try to get out. I don't think it would hold him in if he tried.
They love to pull out all the diapers and spread them all over the living room.
Trying to watch Ky on the tramp.
There are so much more trouble they get into, but I never have hands or time to grab a camera. They are such a tag team duo! They keep me running, (to save their life's), laughing and cleaning.

2010-04-19T09:21:00.004-06:00

I did it, finally! Everyone keeps making fun of AJ's long hair, more accurately his mullet. I cut it the other night, but I love the mullet, so I left the length in the back. I will probably end up shaving the whole thing for summer, but it scared me when that first hair fell. So right now we will stick with the cute little spiky mullet.

Baby Carter

2010-04-15T13:56:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite pics of Hayden and Baby Carter

Yesterday was another 1 year mark for us. It was one year from the day my precious nephew, Baby Carter, passed away. I really miss that he was not able to grow up with my little guy as his best cousin.
We spent the day with Sarah, JJ, and Hayden (Carter's Family). We went to the aquarium to see the penguins. It was fun and interesting. We got a personal tour from the manager of the aquarium. It was great and all the kids loved watching the penguins. We also visited Carter's grave site. We let go of balloons, it was a gorgeous day, but it just so happened that when we let go of the balloons the wind blew. Half the balloons got stuck in a tree. We spent awhile shaking trees, throwing rocks, and using a 20 foot PVC pipe, to get them out of the trees. At the cemetery Hayden walked around telling his cousin that while looking at headstones, "2 horses and a kid died." There was horse pictures on the headstone. It was so cute and funny and so sad all at the same time. We played the rest of the day at Sarah's and looked at Carter's scrapbook. My sister-in-law is so amazing. She is the best mom! She is so good and sweet with my twins who are so close in age to what Carter should be.
Last year I made a commitment to be a better mom, to honor Carter. I make sure all my kids know I love them everyday, even when I get the eye rolls or the selective hearing, but at least they know. I am going to continue working on being the best mom I can. I am going to be grateful for middle of the night feedings, because it means I get to feed my babies, or grateful for nightmares and growing pains at 2 am, because it means she is growing. I will be grateful for earaches, because there are antibiotics to cure them. Thanks to Baby Carter for that.
We will miss Baby Carter and always wonder what it would be like and how things would be different if he was still here.

AJ's Shiner

2010-04-12T19:48:00.007-06:00

AJ has his first shiner. I am sure it won't be his last. Right before church he fell and hit his face on the dresser. He was wearing the cutest little purple suit to church that his Auntie Sarah gave him. He just really wanted to match his eye to his suit.Just too cute had to add this one in!

Jordan's Driving

2010-04-11T16:12:00.004-06:00

Jordan turned 16 a few weeks ago and got her license. She got her official driving license in the mail yesterday. It has been nice to send her to the store and to pick up or drop off Ky and Cass at Gym or dance. So far she is enjoying running errands. We will see how long that lasts. She also went on her first date!!! When did I get old enough to have a 16 year old?

2010-03-08T08:05:00.021-07:00

It has been a long time since I have blogged. I have thought about it often, but have just not had the time. I have missed the blogging world and can't wait to get caught up on everyone's blogs.
In the past 6 months (wow has it really been that long?) Cassady turned 6. She is such my sweet girl. She is a big helper with the babies. She loves them so much and loves to play with them. They are so excited when she gets home from school. She is loving school and is progressing quickly with her reading. She enjoys coloring pictures for other people and writing little messages on them.
AJ and Addie are 1.

I can't believe it has been a year! Addie is my eater and sleeper. She loves to eat!

She is a little scavenger and will find anything on the floor and eat it.
She will put her arm in the air and squawk when she wants a cracker or a treat. I have to keep them out of site or she always want one. Not only does she want one, but one in each hand. In fact as I am typing she has gotten in the diaper bag and found the treats.
In the pic she finds the treats, but takes them to AJ who can open the lid (She can't) and then he holds them for her. Quite the tag team. At about 9 months she took a tumble (head over heels a few times) down the stairs and she must of hit her chin and shoved those two little bottom teeth up into her upper gums. She bled quite a bit and it was the saddest thing, but all of the sudden she had 4 top teeth with no teething problems what so ever. They have been coming in slowly, but breaking open those gums sure helped her teeth come in easily. She has the cutest smile with all those 8 teeth. She is also a bitter. Don't know if that has anything to do with all those teeth, I kinda doubt it. If she is mad at you watch out for those teeth! Poor AJ is usually on the receiving end. She is my sleeper too. She has a bottle at 8:30 pm and then will sleep to 7am. She sleeps right through her brother's screaming.
AJ is quite the handful. He is walking really well now and hardly ever crawls. He climbs on everything.
He is a natural Houdini. He can get out of the seat belt in his highchair and the shopping carts. He can get the cabinet locks off the cabinets. The only thing he has not seemed to get into, is if the door is closed. He keeps me on my toes. He is great fun to play cars with in the kitchen and Cassady loves to wrestle with him. He is having issues with the sleep thing though. I still feed him once a night. He wakes up more times than that though. Half the nights he ends up in bed with us. Not good I know but after he wakes up every hour you are so tired it just doesn't matter at 3 am. He has a temper and can throw a fit, when he doesn't get what he wants. He'll arch his back and then hang his head with the saddest face and big crocodile tears.
He studies everything and likes to try what everyone is doing. He is always putting something in something bigger and if it won't fit he gets upset and I have to take them away. He likes to have treats, but is not so sure about sitting and eating. It is to slow paced for him.
We had planned on going to the zoo on their birthday, but weather was bad so we headed off to the aquarium. When we got there there was a line out the door and not a single parking space. We headed off to Jungle Jim's instead. All the kids had a lot of fun.

Even this big kids had fun.

The jeeps were the babies favorite

AJ even rode it alone.

What a good big sister!

Slides were a little snug for those over 2 feet tall.

WAIT! Don't forget me!
We had dinner with my parents and Trevor and Darci. They had a great time with their cakes.

Trying to get Cassie to try some. He got her right on the cheek.

On a sugar high and she zoned out on Darci for awhile.
They got some clothes, a bath toy holder, Candy land sweet celebrations and a Wagon.
It was a lot of fun.
We spent a night at a hotel in provo for part of Spring break thanks to Grandpa Andy. We went swimming and Addie is a fish. Aj was not to sure of it. No pics of swimming, not enough hands. Cassady and watching TV and having cheerios.

Addie lounging with the remote. She knows how to vacation.

A few days later we went to Baby Animal days with Josh's mom, sister's, their kids and Grandma Z.

Addison watched them, but was not to excited to touch them.

AJ liked thier beaks and kept trying to pull on them.

Didn't like the easter bunny

After we had dinner and cake.
don't know why it is sideways. These little cakes we free from Maceys for their first birthday and they turned out cute as ever.

Yes, I let them pig out on cake twice!
This time he used a fork.

It has really been a roller coaster year of tremendous highs and devastating lows. We survived and are ready for the new challenges having 2 will bring us.

How you clean the kitchen with twins?! J/K How you clean one with poop all over and the other that was jealous she wasn't in.
They have been such an awesome addition to our family. We all adore them and enjoy every minute we have with them! We you babies! Happy Birthday AJ man and Addie bug!!!!!

6 months!!!!

2009-10-06T14:51:00.018-06:00

6 month pictures we had taken at Target that turned out better than we ever expected! Aren't they the cutest babies!!!! Thanks to Koby for the Fireman hat! If you want to check out the rest of the pics, go to my facebook page.

6 months! Where did the time go? As my friend pointed out the twins are 1/2 a year old. That is crazy to me that it has been that long, since they were born.
Addison weighs 12 lbs 7 ozs and is 24 in long. Addison is my sweet little Addie bug. She loves to do this little laugh, just to get any ones attention. She loves to just coo. She likes to be in the middle of things going on. She is such a good baby! She has mastered rolling over and can roll all over. She can sit for a little while, but when she falls over it scares her and she arches her back. Which makes her hit her head on the ground first and pretty hard. I don't like to sit her up unless you are right there with her. She is my little eater. She loved the rice cereal and would eat a ton of it. We started peas the other day and she ate and ate and ate. After half the jar was gone she started gaging on it. It was like she was just eating so fast she wasn't even tasting it. She seems to like the peas, but still gags once in awhile. She loves to go shopping as long as she is the one in the front pack. Her little face lights up and she squeals when we go pick up Cassady from school. She still loves her Bottles and cry's if she sees them. She will open her mouth and grab at it if you put one in front of her. She likes her binky and can be put to sleep easily with one. She popped her first tooth on Sept. 18 and her second yesterday. I really didn't even know she was teething until we saw the 1st tooth. The second tooth wasn't as easy. She is rather shy, but warms up after a little while. We just spent 5 days at my parents house and she warmed up to grandma and grandpa. She instantly took to my brother Trevor. Kylee and I think her hair will be brown and with those big brown eyes she just melts your heart.
AJ weighs 14 lbs 7 oz and is 26 inches long. AJ is almost completely opposite of Addie. He sits up with ease and goes from his bum to his knees. At about 5 1/2 months he started crawling. In the last week he has gotten so fast. While at my parents he started pulling himself up on things. He even climbed a stair after watching Cass do it. He is crazy! He never sits still and is always on the go. He is also so loud and will scream, just to hear himself scream. He loves to blow raspberries, which sometimes makes Addie laugh. I think he is teething (I have thought that for 3 months now). He is the drooliest. He will crawl over to you and just bite you and if he gets skin it hurts. He doesn't bite while I am nursing him. Thanks goodness. He still does not sleep through the night. He did for about a week and I was so excited, but it was short lived. Last night he got up at midnight and 5 am. At 5 he is up for a few hours and by then Addie is up and Josh is gone. Sleep is something I long for. When some one gets AJ to laugh we all stop and listen to him. He is so fun to see laughing. The other night at my mom's it was just me and Cass and the babies and I was laying on the floor with both babies holding onto me and I had them both laughing. Cass and I had so much fun making them both laugh. AJ is the biggest Mama's boy. Which is OK with me most of the time. He loved being outside. He would crawl to the end of the blanket and eat the grass. He has the best smile that lights up his whole face and it makes everyone smile. He loved his cereal at first then after a few weeks he refused to eat anymore. I eventually got him eating a little cereal again. Then we started peas! He is loving the peas. He really likes to blow raspberries once I put a spoonful in his mouth. We all end up with peas all over us.

My 2 favorite guys
Playing with my Cass
AJ helping get grandma's Christmas gifts ready during conference.
We try to go out and try to do normal things. Like the living planet aquarium.

Thanks to grandma for always being willing to pack a baby. She gets some weird looks.

Some days are great with the babies and some are a nightmare! We are doing well, I think. Josh is great to help out when he gets home. He is organizing his time really well now that he is in the bishopbric. He is always thinking about how he could give me a break. Although this Sunday will be our first Sunday without family here to help. Wish us luck!

5 Months old

2009-09-08T13:30:00.008-06:00

Almost 25 lbs of Baby!

The twins are 5months old. Can you believe it? I can't!

AJ is sitting up by himself for a few minutes. He loves to roll around and scoot on his face and knees. He gets up on hands and knees and will rock back and forth and then fall over on his face. With him it is always a wrestling match. Bathing, dressing, holding rocking, feeding, you name it. The boy does not hold still!! He has the biggest most adorable smile, which he gives out freely. He loves to talk. He is pretty easy to get to sleep. I just have to put a quilt over him all the way up to his face and rock him. Although he still gets up at least once a night. He loves to eat his cereal. He is my sweet little boy!

Addison is now rolling over with ease and has started rolling all over the place. She loves to go pick up Cass from school and her face lights up with a huge smile when Cassady comes out. She doesn't like it when she can see or hear her dad and he is not holding her. She is becoming quite the chunkers. She has the cutest chunky legs and cheeks and chin and belly. She still weighs a pound less then AJ, but everyone always asks if she is bigger. She loves to play and giggle. It makes my day when she giggles. She is starting to give big wet slobber kisses (as Cassady calls them). When Addison gets tired I put her down in her crib give her her bink and her bunny put a blanket on up to her chin and she goes to sleep. Too easy, don't tell her that. She can be a drama queen and throw a fit, especially if she wants a bottle or you put her in her car seat. She is starting to eat the cereal better, but can suck down those bottles of hers. She is such a joy!
Josh and I were just discussing that we finally feel like we can go places and do things. At least when we are together. I still dread having to go anywhere alone. I have done it a few times and it has worked out well, but I just want to. I have had them all alone every day while Cass is at school and mostly until the girls get home. Cassady is a big help and I didn't realize how big until she started school. She loves them so much. We are doing it and surviving.
Yesterday we celebrated 5 months by going to Ogden. Jordan had an eye appointment to get contacts. You didn't know she wears glasses? It couldn't be because she never wears them. She will now be able to see without the embarrassment of glasses. We went shopping and everyone got gifts. Josh and I got a new stroller.

We both realized that other did not really like the stroller we had, but didn't want to complain. I had researched it and had really wanted it. It is so big and heavy and you have to take the seats off every time you fold it up. Such a pain. Now we have a side-by-side one also. It was the floor model and someone in the store gave us a 20% off coupon. We couldn't resist. Kylee got a new dress. It is so cute and salmon colored. You will have to attend church with us to see it though. I am sure she will never wear it any other time. Cass got a dress and some pants and leggings. The babies got clothes. We all went to dinner afterwards. It was a really fun day!Who are all these kids and why do they keep calling me mom!?

Cassady's first day of Kindergarten

2009-09-01T12:16:00.004-06:00

Cassady started Kindergarten yesterday. As you can imagine she was so excited. She got Mrs. Carlisle. Not the teacher we wanted, but I think she will do good. There are a lot of neighborhood kids her age in our area which is fun, but only one in her class. We have a system worked out with Justin and Jodi, where Josh will take Cass and Kaylee to school one week and Justin will do it the next. When Jodi is feeling up to it, (She just had a C-Section) She and I will take turns picking them up. It will be nice to not have to pick her up every day once it gets cold. I am missing her terribly, but am excited for her to go to school. Wish us luck when homework starts!

Getting ready for the 1st day. Is AJ ready?

Is Addie?

Bright eyed or half asleep, but beautiful in her new school dress. All ready to go.Walking to school Waiting for the bell at the crayon school Where she sits in her class.

2009-08-25T08:19:00.013-06:00

Princess Addie We couldn't help ourselves

We are at 4 months and 2 weeks. AJ is a rolling fool. You put him down and he rolls all over and if he is not rollong, he gets up on his knees and face and scoots around. He could get anywere he wanted if he knew what he was doing. I have to watch him close or he rolls into things and bonks his head. He trys to get out of the bumbo seat. He grabs things off the counters and the floor when he is in it. (Not that I put him on raised surfaces, that is aginast the rules) He is getting so quick. We went to dinner last week and he grabbed Josh's water glass and dumped the whole (full) glass in Josh's lap. I couldn't stop laughing! AJ has decided he will no longer take bottles. It has made for some interesting feeding times with AJ nursing and Addie with a bottle. He still gets up once a night. He is not a big laugher and will just out- of- the blue laugh at something you do. If you do it again he will usually laugh again, but not a third time. He is a great smiler though and smiles at everyone.
Addison is so sweet! She is my chubbiest baby. She has a whole roll on her thighs and at least 2 chins and check out those cheeks! Even though she has stayed about a pound less than AJ, Everybody asks if she is bigger. She is cuddly and such a daddy's girl. When she gets tired, I just have to put her in her bed on her side and pop in the binky and she goes right to sleep. This is the only time she will now take the binky, which is fine with me. She is quite the talker and laughs all the time. She rolls over, but does not like to be on her stomach, it usually makes her spit-up, so I can't blame her. She has not yet mastered rolling from her stomach to her back. She puts up with her brother always rolling into her, grabbing her and trying to eat her. She lets you know when she is hungry. She is pretty good to wait for her bottle to heat up, at least for me. When Josh has her she will throw quite a fit while he is trying to heat up a bottle. She seems to think that Josh should be able to heat it up faster than anyone else. She is still sleeping through the night. She goes down about 8:30pm and up at 6am. Her hair all fell out at about 2 months, but has grown back and gotten longer. She has quite the fuzzy head.
I started them on rice cereal. AJ is loving it and you cannot get it in him fast enough. Addison is not quite ready for it. She doesn't like it and we only get about 3 or 4 spoonful's in her mouth before she is crying. She doesn't get that much in her tummy.
They are such a joy and such hard work all at the same time. We love them so much!

I don't know what possessed me that day, but I let Cassady put a red streak in her hair, when we were doing Kylee's. Jordan got one too. It was cute, but I am glad it is almost gone.Cassady Ipoding it with Uncle Trevor. It was so funny to listen to them singing the songs together. Although Trevor was good at the 80's music he needs to brush up on his High School Musical. We love you Uncle Trevor, even if you don't know all the cool songs!

4 months olds

2009-08-10T08:19:00.013-06:00

It is so hard to find the time to blog. Here are some pics from the last month. We are trying to get out more and do normal things we would normally do.

Bouncing on the tramp with dad

Cassady's Flip

What we look like all the time

Passed out babies after the pool

Chubby Monkeys AJ

Addison is chubbier than Aj, but Aj never holds still.

AJ loves his big sister Cassady and she adores him!

AJ is an expert roller and scooter he moves all over. Addison was content on her back until a few days ago, when she finally rolled over, but she doesn't like to be on her tummy for long.

My other sisters love me too and are a big help to mom! What am I going to do with out them?

Cassady can hold the babies and walk around.

AJ's first girlfriend.

At the fair

Addison's fuzzy hair. We tried for a mohawk.

AJ's already a computer geek! He grabs at everything.

AJ is all over his bed.

My cute Boy!

Our attempts at family pictures

So cute!

Our sister makes us laugh!!!!

How we clean on Saturdays

24th of July picnic

24th of July parade. We went to High stakes Bingo and had a great time thanks to Grandma Rosie who held Addison the whole time. She didn't like all the cheering. We ended the night with the fireworks.

Oregon Trip

2009-07-25T16:56:00.018-06:00

We made it! We survived the 36 hours in the car, with 2 three month old babies, to and from Eugene Oregon. I kept thinking how crazy we were for even trying to go. The babies did really well. Better than I thought they would, my mom said the same thing, so it must be true. In our van, Josh and I, Cassady, my mom, AJ, and Addison. My dad, Trevor, Jordan, and Kylee rode in my mom's car. We left on the 10th and got to Mountain Home before we had to pull the babies out.They have a wal-mart and we just hung out there with babies in front packs until they got hungry again, we fed them and stuck them back in the car, asleep, this time. We found the Bumbo seats in the Mountain Home Wal-Mart. AJ watching TV in his new seat.

We made it to Ontario where we stayed that night. The next morning we set off for the long drive. Trevor got pulled over for speeding while following us. He got off with a warning. The high speed limit in Oregon is 55. Hard to do when you are used to 75. We stopped at a little tiny cafe with babies screaming and everyone having to go potty and starving. It turned out to be closed thank goodness someone was remodeling and let us use the potty. We got back in the car and drove to a tiny town called Brothers. Pulled off at a gas station-cafe-souvenir store. Josh had me get out to make sure it was open before we pulled babies out again. I stuck my head in and saw a cafe smaller than my kitchen. The 9 of us filled the cafe, that already had 4 people who moved around to fit us in. We had a great greasy lunch. We had to stop again about 1 hour before Eugene. We finally made it to my aunt Sandy's for a yummy spaghetti and meatballs dinner with everyone. So nice to see my aunts and grandma again. We stayed at Sandy's. We took over her house and moved in. She gave up her bedroom to Josh and I and the babies. Jordan and Kylee spent the first night in a tent. Cassady slept in the living room with Sandy. Cassady had made a new best friend and has been missing Sandy and Mikie.Mikie giving Cassady high five
Mikie, Sandy's dog was not to sure about the babies and would bark every time they cried the first night. The next, she slept in Sandy's room with us and followed me into the other room where I changed the babies and would sniff the crib when I put them back in, then check on everyone and go back to bed. She still wasn't to sure about the babies by the time we left, but she tolerated them. The whole trip, if you were holding a baby Mikie would walk away, if you got near here. She would only let me pet her if I wasn't holding a baby. She did quickly become Cassady's friend. She got a lot of treats while we were there and all of cassady's left over food from Cheerio's to Oreo's. Cassady in a hat Sandy let her use to stay cool while working Horses running after Cassady for treatsCassady on Iris
Cassady got up every morning and went out with Sandy to feed the horses, work in the garden, and anything else Sandy could find to do. She helped feed the horses every night too. Sandy said she was a slave driver always asking "whats next." She got really comfortable with the horses. She made me a little nervous. They would run over to her and eat carrots from her and then want more. Cassday would shoo them away. Every night she talked and talked and talked to Sandy until she finally fell asleep. She is missing Sandy and Mikie and is asking when we can go back. For some reason our garden is not as fun.

My grandma and the twins

The next day we had an 80th birthday party for my Grandma. We went up to my aunt Darcy and Beth's house. Both my aunt's live on acres of land that is loaded with tree's. We went hiking around Darcy's land and had a fun time.We took a day and went out to the coast to spend the day on the beach. A very different beach than we have ever been to. It was cold and foggy. It was so windy. The babies had a hard time breathing. Josh and AJ spent the whole time in the van at the first stop. I had Addison completely covered and bundled.
The second stop was a stop for Josh to see a lighthouse. The babies were ready to eat, so everyone got out, except for Josh and I. We sat in the van and gave the babies a bottle. After awhile we realized what everyone on the beach was looking at. 2 Humpback whales were right off the beach. They would come up and spout their spouts and then you would see their back and then sometimes a tail. It was so awesome! This was my favorite part of the vacation. While we fed Addie and Aj we were whale watching.
After that we had an awesome seafood lunch, in Yachats. (You'll never pronounce it right) It was so good! The best part was the twins slept through it.
On the way home from the coast about 2 miles outside the town Sandy lives in, Josh got pulled over. When the cop asked him if knew the speed limit in Oregon was 55. Josh said, "yeah we got pulled over earlier in the week, the babies started crying and I got anxious to get home" I about fell out of the car when he said we had already been pulled over. So Josh got a $145 ticket. What a way to end a fun day.
We decided to take 3 days to come home, instead of 2. Josh went home with My dad and Jordan. They went home in 2 days. My mom, Kylee,Cass and the twins and I, went to sisters the first day for shopping it is like a park city and then to bend for the first night. The second night we spent in Boise. We went into the hotel to get a room and the girl upgraded us to a Family Suite (There was no one staying in the hotel). We got a room with a king and two queens, a breakfast nook, kitchenette. It was as big as the first floor of my house. The biggest hotel room I have ever stayed in. It was so fun to have a really nice and spacious hotel room. We ordered Chinese to be delivered. My mom couldn't understand the lady on the phones accent and to add to that she was holding Aj who was fussing. We weren't sure what we were getting. It turned out to really good, but a ton of food! She had ordered a full dinner for 4!

The Suite life of Cassady and Kylee. Why carry the car seats?Grandma and the Babies
Thanks to my parents for all their help!!! They helped to make it such a nice trip! It was so nice to see my grandma again.

3 Months Already!!!

2009-07-07T16:17:00.004-06:00

Babies are 3 months old today! Some days it seems like it has been longer and some days it seems to have flown by. We celebrated by going swimming! I know crazy huh!? It turned out really well and they are passed out right now. Thanks to Hannah for the pictures!

Addison fell asleep and we just sat in the water and enjoyed the sun.

They were so upset to get in their car seats, but fell asleep right away!

Happy 3 months Babies!!!!

June

2009-07-03T10:25:00.013-06:00

It's been awhile since I had some time to post. Thanks to Jordan for taking AJ so I could finish. Here's our June and a little of July.

4th of July Fireworks, or 3rd of July in Logan

Look at that smile at 10pm

Cass and her sweetie bell

Cass helping by feeding AJ

Swimming in the backyard or sleeping in our cute swimsuits, We have to wear them sometime.

All ready for our first full day of church

Addison and Cass had matching dresses

First parade

Cassady and her little bud

Mom, shes sitting on me!

Sitting up big and enjoying it! I finally caught a big smile.

Cassady and Grandpa's campout in the rain

Sleeping so peacefully at Grandma and Grandpa's

Father's Day

Cassady singing Addie's song. There was a family had a girl and Addie was her name-o A-d-d-i-e, A-d-d-i-e, A-d-d-i-e, and Addie was her name-o.

Look at that long hair

Cass making Addie laugh

2 months old

I have really literally had my hands full. Cass had swim lessons that 2 weeks that it poured rain. She swam in pouring rain and cold.

The girls went to girls camp. They were gone for 4 days. My mom went to her girls camp also. We went a whole week with just me and Cassady. She was a great big sister and a lot of help that week.Jordan after girls camp, asleep on the floor while trying to read

AJ and Addison got sick. It was not fun. One sick baby is hard, two is impossible at least for a mom with only two hands. We called in reinforcements, Grandma. That way babies could get held 24 hours a day. They got sick on a Wednesday. Just a little stuffiness. By Thursday they had slight fevers. On Friday I thought they were doing better. Since it was Friday and I wanted to see our Doctor, so I took them in. I was so glad I did. Both babies had double ear infections and sinus infections. They were put on Amoxacillian. We had to give them 1 1/2 tsp twice a day. That is a lot to get into a little baby. I had to write down who and what time I gave medicines and what time they were fed. With AJ taking Zantac twice a day and an antibiotic twice a day and tylenol for fever, Addison on prevacid and antibiotic twice a day and tylenol. I didn't want to overdose anyone. We were suppose to go down to my mom and dad's for Father's day weekend, but we sick babies, Josh and I decided not to go. The girls all went down.
Then Jordan went to EFY down in Sandy and Kylee and Cassady went and spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa. Just me and the babies. I realized how much Cassady helps out. It was a rough week for all. Cassady got really sick the day after she got down to Grandma's. Grandma took her to instacare and they put her on an antibiotic also. She got better by wed and they were able to go do all the fun stuff they wanted to. They got spoiled! They had a blast! Josh ended up taking Friday off and we went down Thursday night and stayed the weekend, since we didn't go down the previous weekend. Josh's home town of West Bountiful does all there 4th of July celebrations a week early. Josh's family did a Harry Potter movie marathon with a projector on the side of the garage and camped out that night. Kylee got to go to it. They got a little rained out and watched the second movie inside. No one seemed to get any sleep that night. We all went to the parade the next morning. The twins first parade. I thought once we made it through the sirens, which are always first, we would be ok. I never realized how noisy parades were, bagpipes, bands, music groups, dancing groups, semi horns, and don't forget the sisters who were screaming for candy. They didn't enjoy it very much. We got to spend the rest of the afternoon with Josh's family. It was nice to sit outside and visit. It was a really nice weekend, except for one poop incident.
We ended this month (even though we are a few days into July) with AJ Rolling over. Boys are so differnet. Physically he is so much stronger. But he hasn't laughed yet.

Addison's first laugh!

2009-06-24T19:35:00.004-06:00

Addison screamed and cried all morning long and when Josh came home for lunch and started talking to her, he got her first laughs. I don't think she likes her dad at all!

We made it!!!!

2009-06-14T16:08:00.003-06:00

Last week was our first crazy week, alone. Jordan and Kylee went to girl's camp. While I was excited for Kylee to go for the first time. I was missing being able to go. This was the first time in 3 years that I haven't been. Not only that, but my mom also went to girls camp the same week. So she couldn't come up here. I told CarrieAnn(the camp director and across the street friend) that she took my girls and Cass's little friend (Porter, her son) away for the week and I couldn't call her for help. Her and Beth did an awesome job with camp even though it rained, all the girls had a great time! Thanks Beth and CarrieAnn for giving my girls that great experiance.

Really the babies were good. Cass helped out a lot! I felt bad for Jordan and Kylee and all the girls, because it rained the whole time. The rain kept Cass in the house too.

My washing machine broke. It was a hose, but it leaked all over the floor in the bathroom. Josh did get it fixed, but it took awhile to find the problem and get the part and find the time to fix it. He has no time, when he comes home he takes babies. I am so grateful to him.
On Wednesday, I spent the afternoon at Jodi's doing baby laundry. Both babies have had diarrhea that leaked out all the time and we were out of Addie jammies. It has been cold so we needed Jammies. Then that night Justin and Jodi fed us Pork taco's. Yummy!!! They held babies while we ate! Thanks Justin and Jodi!
Our fence was still not done! Finally on Friday the guy showed up and finished the fence. We still have no gates though. Hoping that they will not take another 2 weeks.
After all that rain our roof started leaking AGAIN! It has been a few years since it leaked and warped our floor and damaged the walls. I did get my hardwood floors out of it, but it wasn't suppose to leak again. I poked a hole in the ceiling to hopefully let it leak out there and not run down the walls and under the floor. We have been catching the water with a gallon pitcher. Some day Josh is going to get up on the roof and replace the shingles in that whole area, since it is leaking a different place this time, but it has to stop raining.
By the end of the week I hated water. Whether it was leaking from the clouds or the ceiling or washer machine.
We survived! Next time, in 2 weeks, I will not have Cassie to put in bink's, talk to, shake rattles, or stand by the twins. Every time I think we can't do this with the babies, we do it and it is easier than I think. We have been blessed to live in this awesome neighborhood with the best of friends, who help out so much.
We finally had some sun today and Cass and I went for a bike ride. I miss riding my bike. We rode our bikes everywhere we went last summer. This year that won't happen. It felt good to be out riding even if it was just a little ride around the church and our neighborhood. Next summer when the babies can sit up and Cass can ride better, we will ride everywhere again.

Sorry JcPenney, Josh did better, without the stress!

2009-06-14T15:12:00.009-06:00

This is the last picture we took and we laughed forever while watching them, at Addie

All 5 of my beautiful children. It's ok to call AJ beautiful, right?

My adorable strong boy

Josh says they look like the old fashion married couple

He really is a smiley boy, but when that camera comes out the smiles disappear.

After the baby blessing the rain prevented us from taking many pictures. I really wanted to take a bunch of pictures. I kept thinking I needed to take them to JcPenney and get pics done in their blessing outfits. The thought alone caused stress. Packing up two babies and getting them ready, getting them to take pictures, and then standing there after trying to pick the ones we wanted sounded crazy. Things are crazy enough around here. So the night after the blessing we made all the kids get dressed up and Josh took pictures of them. They turned out great. I am not going to JcPenney for pics. Josh is still photoshopping out toys and things. These are a few of them. I posted all of them on my Facebook, if you want to see all of them.

Twins Blessing day

2009-06-08T16:28:00.008-06:00

On Sunday the twins turned 2 months old and they were blessed. They were so good for their big day! Neither one of them cried. Which was amazing to me since church started at 1:00 and AJ was suppose to eat at 1:00 and Addie at 1:30.
We planned on going to Willow Park after Sacrament meeting, but we woke up to rain and 50 degree temperatures. It is June! Right? Thank Goodness our good friends called and asked if we wanted to go to the rec center for the luncheon. I was so thankful! I was having nightmares of a luncheon at my house with the homemade root beer and my new carpet. It was sunny when we left for church and then when it was over it was a huge downpour. We were soaked just by walking to the car and Josh brought it as close to the doors as possible. We were so grateful for the rec center and the kids had a great time playing in the gym. Josh's mom and Rachael (my sister in law) made a whole bunch of yummy homemade rolls with chicken and ham salad. I was so grateful to them for doing that. It was stressful enough without having to worry about food. So many people from Josh's Family came. They filled 3 middle rows in the chapel. He has the greatest family. I was quite disappointed in my family. My mom, dad, grandpa and youngest brother Trevor came. It meant a lot to me that they came.

About a week after Baby Carter passed away I started thinking about adding his name to AJ's. Carter was suppose to be AJ's little buddy. We have 2 nephew's Noah and Hayden who are just the best of friends. They have so much fun together and that is what I pictured AJ and Carter being. Last week I dreamed that we changed AJ's name. I asked Josh what he thought. He wasn't quite sure and said he would think about it. A few days before the blessing he said he thought we should do it. We talked to Sarah (Carter's mom) to make sure she was ok with it. So on Sunday we officially changed AJ's name to Andrew Joshua Carter Hanks. That is a name he will have to live up to and honor. He is now named after his Grandpa, Dad, and precious little cousin. Addie is named after my Grandma, Mary Ellen Beal. Josh kept calling Addie, Addison Mary Ellen Beal Hanks. He really had to think when he said her name in the blessing. He did good and named her, Addison Mary Ellen Hanks.

Who is this guy mom?

Trevor and his look-a-like AJ

My family Kylee, Grandpa Jake (my Grandpa), Grandpa Andy (my Dad), Addison Mary Ellen, Cassady, Andrew Joshua Carter, Grandma Debby (my mom), Trevor (my youngest brother), Me, and Jordan

Marianne, Josh's Aunt who made Addison's amazing dress Lunch Sarah with AJ and Mary with Addison