Try everything

I love to listen to music while I am doing... well, anything.  By the title of this little post I am sure you can guess that I am listening to songs that the kids enjoy! Especially Ash! He loves this song...

Asher keeps me on my toes for sure... He knows how to use a stool... VERY WELL...

 Alex's Heartiversary was on Monday. We celebrated by taking treats into his class, going to Cafe rio for dinner and doing acts of love. All in honor of Julie, Alex's little donor. We invited all our friends and family to join in. Some of you shared with me privately all that you did. I am so impressed and felt immense love. Thank you all. One of the neat things that Alex did was so simple and yet so fun. He chose to have pink and teal colors for his braces. Pink for Julie's favorite color and teal for his.

Gator decided he was going to have a bath in the big tub. We love it, it's a three butt tub. We don't use it a ton as it uses up all the hot water and the jet lines must have a crack because they leak into the basement. We haven't had a chance to fix it. But the kids love to bath here, even if I won't let them put lots of water. ANYWAY! Alex was really enjoying playing. I know the Homies are part fish because all, and I mean all, of them love water. Asher comes running out of the bathroom once he has discovered that there was a bath going on. He kept babbling something that I had no clue to what it might mean. When he spots a stool. He isn't tall enough to get into the tub without a stool. Apparently I just wasn't understanding that he wanted to get in..... I made Gator get out so I could take photo evidence. His diaper was so huge.

 The only way to get him out of the tub is to drain it.

 He also decided to toothpaste the carpet. I got a little carpet cleaner for Christmas. I have used it so much with Asher's messes.

 Ash loves to empty the shoe drawers. He stands at the top of the stairs and throws everything down. Ironically, I was cleaning up another mess when he was making this one.

 For the STEM fair (science fair) Ryleigh wanted to do something that would really truly solve a problem. She created an oxygen fixation device. It is basically a really awesome headband that holds MayLee's oxygen on but doesn't use stickers and is better than other products that cover her entire head because she often bathes at night and others were keeping her hair too wet. Today Ry presented to the judges. Although she didn't place in one of the three overall, she did get invited to compete at the district level because she had the best engineering design as voted on by the judges. I am super proud of her. She spent many many hours working, testing and crying over this project. We both gave a huge sigh of relief when she turned it in. I am also thankful, this is one thing that is very tricky for oxygen wearing pediatric patients. Now I have this awesome device for MayLee.

 Eden's photo didn't move on from Reflections Regionals. She was extremely disappointed, but she is also excited to try again next year.

Ummm yeah...

 This happened....

 Even when his tub water was super cold  and his toes were super wrinkly.. he still wanted to play.

 Eden has had the wiggliest two front teeth. I told her we needed to come up with a plan to get those guys out. First we discussed using a Nerf bow and arrow. While this sounded really cool, she wasn't very confident she could pull back the bow. She also liked the idea of slamming the door, but felt that this method has really been over done. Finally we came up with an idea. We would tie floss to her tooth and then to one of her baby dolls. Then she would throw the baby doll over the railing on the stairs. The weight of the doll would pull out the tooth. Or we hoped it would. We got her and the baby all tied to each other, suspended the doll over the railing as we did a count down. She threw the doll down and a huge yank..... But it didn't come out. The tooth was hanging by a teeny tiny bit and she was able to pull it out. I asked her if she wanted to try the doll again. She said NO!!! So I just took some paper towel and twisted the other right out. She can officially slurp noodles through the front of her mouth. Eden has so many hilarious stories lately. I love the way Kindergarteners think. She wants to be everyones favorite.
The other night at dinner Eden is so excited to tell us some awesome news. She wants us all to guess what it is. Some of us try a few things and she shoots down each one. Daddy is being silly and says "did you start your period?" I DIE laughing... hysterics... nose snorting laughs.. Gator says "do you even know what that is?" and she says "Totally! I have already started using periods, but that is not even it!!!" Now I am on the floor with tears. Gator really has no clue either, Ashy and May are watching me like I am looney and Ry is completely grossed out. Cause she is the only one who might have an idea. She is like, "sick, Dad"! The whole reason for the guessing game. Eden earned a reward in school called a Red tail card. Way to go Eden!!!

Eden got a brand new pair of black boots with sparkles from Grandma Homer that she adores. "Probably more than Grandma wanted to spend" but somehow Eden talked her into them. She feels like a million bucks as we put them on this morning. Alex says "are they waterproof" and I say "probably not, she isn't going to stomp through the snow or jump in muddy puddles" and Eden says totally serious "yeah, these are for ROCKING THE STAGE"!!! 

  Should I let things like this slide???

 Or this??? Because it is always happening, Like always...

Two huge Lindor Truffles in his mouth at one time. This boy loves teets (treats) and nacks (snacks).

 Daddy is super smart. This is how you entertain and occupy a busy boy.

 He is just so so yummy!!!

 Last Brick!!!!!

 Jeff and I were virgin masons before we did our new bedroom wall.... Now on to mortar, then sealing it.

 The spaces left are for beams... this is going to be so rad.

At least he helps clean up... 

Gator vs the snow hill

Snow hill = 1, Gator = 0 

Broken bracket, and a huge fatty lip.

But a whole lot of fun before that. Good thing he wears a helmet, or it may be much worse. 

Plus also he tried the Christmas Movie "tongue on the pole" deal. His didn't stick but Eden's lips did and she was not budging. She eventually ripped them off and came home with bloody lips. She told me they were broken. Kids???? 

Long overdue

It has been full steam ahead with hardly anytime for writing. I found a few minutes today, lets hope my little busy man will not get into too much.

To recap the past couple of weeks....
We went to see Moana but only the girls stayed, the boys left with the Gator who had the barfs. I am going to have to go back because I only saw a teeny portion of the movie. What I saw I loved.

We had an amazing Thanksgiving. We have a tradition of going out to breakfast that morning. Then we went to Clawson's for the main event. We had tons of fun eating and playing with family.

The three oldest kids did an off track cooking class and had so much fun. I loved that they learned how to do a few things and look forward to teaching them meal planning and prep. 

Jeff and I started a major remodel project. To do our project, we moved the little girls downstairs and moved Gator in with Asher. We then took over the girls old room and pushed the wall out, changed where you enter/exit and ripped out carpet to put down an amazing floor. We are in the process of getting more wood to finish up the closet, and our brick is taking a while to get in. I got a few new pieces of furniture, decorations, bedding. All that saving and doing coupons is paying off. Projecting is expensive. 

Jeff and I finally went on a trip together. Just him and I... The first trip we have been on without kids since our honeymoon. We went on a cruise and it was sooooooo fun. 

My favorite part was getting to hang out with Jeff. Close second was not having anything to worry about. No time restraints, nobody needed me, there was always food prepared and always something to do. I even took a nap (everyday). I was a little sea sick, I tried the patches and had an allergic reaction to them. Ah well, I am sure that was what got me to come home. I tried some new foods, and actually loved so much of it. 

Calamari-

Shrimp scampi-

When we were in Catalina, we rented a golf cart to take us around the island. I laugh now because Jeff and I had no idea where we were going, we just blindly got on and started cruising around. Things that others missed I was fascinated by. The homes literally had no yard or even approach, they had these teeny paved, or bricked allies, that went up to doors or back doors. People tried to stuff them with flower pots, chairs, or bbq grills. It was though the houses were all riding piggy back. 

Everything had to be brought onto the island and almost everyone who lived there drove a golf cart. We road past this pet cemetery, I made Jeff stop so I could walk through. It reminded me a bunch of the Fairy forest here in Utah. Painted rocks and shrines. This Hamster family was loved. 

We took a wrong turn and ended up going by the school. We could see that all grades met together on one campus in just two small buildings, all the way up to high school. That was totally fascinating to me. On a sign as we disembarked, posted that an LDS branch was in Catalina. I tried to find a building, because, let's be real, that would be sweet. But I don't think they meet in a ward house and I am almost certain that their whole primary would fit into one of the small class rooms at our building. I was just so intrigued. 

We asked were the favorite local spot to eat was and ended up in a little place that had the yummiest food.....homemade tortilla chips...

When we got to Ensenada I assumed it would be similar to Catalina. Nope! That place is a little sketchy. We got on a bus and started a tour but had no clue if we were really going to the places the tour guide said we were heading. He just started talking about his life and what it was like to live there. We ended up at the "Blow hole" to Jeff's great relief. He doesn't blindly follow well. He much prefers plans and direct destinations. I have been to Tijuana, and now Ensenada. They have a similar feel. Little kids with gum and people selling their goods from outdoor strip malls. My all time favorite was the guy who finally yells. "I am selling the same crap as everyone else, I will just give you the best deal on that crap" And so we bought the kids souvenirs from him. Yummy food was also a goal here and we tried the best fish tacos. The lady told Jeff that the sauce was hot. We weren't expecting it to be so hot that Jeff was sweating. I had to go purchase another water bottle for the poor guy.

 Our cabin was tiny... It had a fake window so at least you thought you were in a room with a view.

Escargot-

Ceviche-

The best I felt was when we went to the gym.. Maybe because I felt like I was powering the boat?

I would totally take another cruise!

It was neat to find out that Eden's Photography moved onto the next level in Reflections. Not really sure what that means, other than she got another trophy!!! Way to go little sis!!

This is our amazing friend Ang, who stayed with half of our kids.. Single parenting while we cruised.. Thanks friend. And thanks to the Dumas family for hosting MayLee, and her oxygen and her Nebs treatments, whew you took on a tricky child. We love you dearly.. And a big thanks to my folks and sisters for taking on the busiest baby man, Ashy smashy! You all will never know how much you mean to us and how thankful we are to you! 

Ryleigh and Alex both played in a holiday recital. Ry is doing really great in piano and Alex is also getting to be really impressive in guitar. 

MayLee had her preschool holiday presentation. I just love those little preschoolers and their sweet little presentation. 

Asher is keeping me so busy.. The boy doesn't stop, like EVER!! Unless he is asleep you must be present and watching him constantly.

Have you tried the game Pie Face? The kids think it is super funny. All except May and Asher when they get pied. 

I gave Alex a haircut the other day and was telling him about the top of his head... Three whirls back there. He didn't believe me so I took this picture to show him. 

We had an amazing Christmas....

I took Asher in for his 18month well check to confirm that he is a tall tall baby. He is in the 98th percentile for his height. He is in the 66th percentile for his weight.  He got a quick shot, he didn't even cry for. He was mostly annoyed that someone was holding him down. 

Alex had his huge biopsy and cath. He was excited to see the folks at the hospital. The results came back with nothing but amazing news. Pressures were great, function looked awesome, no rejection and all other tests came back negative for infections and illness. We are so thankful... So thankful. I went into the cath worried. Alex received a priesthood blessing the night before and it calmed me considerably. I am so thankful to Jeff for being in a position to give a blessing to calm not only his son, but me as well. 

New Year was a fun night... Ry invited a couple of friends over, planned the evening and had a great time ringing in the new year. The others fell fast asleep at 11:20 and I didn't have the heart to wake them. So they snuggled and loved each other for the new year.

My MayLee girl, turned four... I can't believe how fast she is growing. She is such a sweet kid. 

I love how different all my kids are and she is so easy to please. After each gift she would exclaim "Just what I needed, so much"....

She is totally funny with her observations of various things and says what comes to mind. Today she was eating Jelly Beans that she got for her birthday and she comes up to me and hands me a about four or five, dark brown to black beans and says "I do not like the black ones, day (they) are poop" hahahaha!! Really; they are coffee, chocolate, or black licorice. She was not a fan.

It's taken nearly six hours to write this little post, due to the fact that I must go and rescue something or someone. Asher has discovered the knife drawer. I am not kidding... he was just running with a big old knife and then swings it at me when I try to save him from the danger. I would take a picture as proof, but there are just some things that you need to act on rather then react. He has no clue that it is extremely dangerous. But he does know that I am constantly watching him. I have chased him away from many many things and I will teach him. *sigh* somehow. Sometimes I need to bring in the DADDY for the DADDY VOICE. For some reason it means more business.