Little Boys and Bodily functions

I have now learned that a little boy and there obsession with bodily functions starts at 18 months. Henry has learned that sneezing, burping, coughing, and even farting is the most hilarious thing to do. Especially if you are stark naked right after a bath and doing this right on Mom's arm. I try so hard not to laugh at him...but it is just so funny to see his reaction right after he does his boy things. I can't believe how big Henry has gotten over the past several months. He is a walking, talking (if you can understand him) machine. He runs laps in our house and loves his Baby Signing Time. We love being the Mother & Father to our little boy! He brings us such happiness.

Here are a few classic Henry shots!

He loves his fish. He will take the step stool over the fish tank and stare at the fish for a good 5 -10 minutes...pretty good for an 18 month old.

He loves to ride on your shoulders...

Back in the Saddle

Several people have asked how the last several days of our Kansas trip lasted. And they were a breeze...just regular days with the kids. We had fun and hit up the park every day. My brothers Ryan & Rob came out and helped keep the older two entertained. They played tag with them and soccer. It was alot of fun! Scott and Traci had a ball in Hawaii......which was the objective!! Mission Accomplished!

Henry and I made it home and have been relaxing like crazy. It has been a busy and productive week but it has been fun being together again...just the two of us. But I have to say that both Henry and I miss the other kids! I wish we all lived closer so that he had cousins nearby to play with. When we put Henry in the car for the next several days after we had been home he would lean forward to look for Allison. It was really cute! He loved all of the kids.

Mom & Dad

There is a reason why families need both parents. Today is an excellent example. We had 8:30 church this morning. I had to drag all kids out of bed....literally. I told the older 3 that if they didn't get up that they would not get breakfast before church....We finally get them moving and loaded up in the van just as I go and get #1 baby out of bed and discover that she is full of something not so sweet...so hurry and change her put her in the car with all of her clothes...and go get #2 baby and put him in the car with his clothes to drop off at Nana and Grandpa's house so we can go to church in peace. Church was nice...but I fell asleep several times. We went and picked up the kids, came home and had lunch, put kids down to bed, I attempted to take a nap...but the phone kept ringing off the hook, I finally got up and put dinner in the oven. The house was roasting we have now hit a heat swell and we are sweltering! I thought we would be able to survive the heat because it cools down at night...and I felt that I would be made fun of because at home I turn the air on when it hits 78...and here in Kansas that is perfect...what do you need air for. I have become a wimp living in Oregon.

The 3 younger kids were all woken up by there curious cousin Ethan....which is extremely annoying because now I get to deal with 3 grumpy kids. They woke up with rosy red cheeks and I was roasting. I decided to load the kids up in the Van and take a drive and cool down....it also relaxed the kids. We came home had a busy dinner with Nana and Grandpa....cleaned up the kitchen, and then we have a major back up in the sink. I then tear apart the sink...my Dad walks in says he will take over. Tears out the other half....and major spillage all over him...it was hilarious! He then ends up taking a trip to Home Depot to purchase a snake...and that does not do the trick. So we are calling the plumber. The plumber just called me at 11:00 p.m. to let me know that he would not make it out tonight....you think??

I then make the rounds to make sure the kids are covered tonight...and step into my brand new lipstick. While I was thinking that the kids were asleep out little princess Sydney has been through my makeup. The tube is just right outside her room a total mess. I am still in awe of how she got in the room to get it...it had a lock on it!

Needless to say....tired whiney kids, heat, dress clothes, broken camera, waking up babies from naps, making dinner, plumbing issues, and stepping into lipstick has left me a little on edge. It has made me realize that more than anything you can't go at this parenting thing alone. When you feel like you are falling apart and can't be the rational parent at the moment your other half steps in. I am able to laugh at it all because I know that in 3 days this constant commotion will end for me, but it has made me wonder how other people do it alone.

Suck it up.....

These next post are for Scott and Traci who are in Hawaii...Enjoy your vacation...Here is what is happening at your house!

The past several days have been an absolute whirlwind. Henry and I flew into Kansas City and spent the weekend with my family and then my brother and sister in law left for Hawaii....and guess who is watching the 4 kids??? You guessed it...Henry and the favorite Aunt Sarah. We are only into this adventure two days and I am already aching....in several different ways. Physically from carrying two 1 1/2 year olds up and down stairs, out the door to the car, and up and down changing diapers. As well as from laughing so hard at what kids have to say. I have already had the privilege of being the Sweetie in playing house with Sydney and her saying to me in her sweet voice "I'm the Mommy" "Eat it all gone" "It's OK it will only be a minute" All things that I am sure that her own Mother says to her. Braeden then chimes in after lunch yesterday "Aunt Sarah would you like to have a party in a bag?" He then proceeds to pull out the box of chex party mix in the bag. It just made me fall over with laughter. Allison who is 1 1/2 is so full of kisses and hugs. She woke up this morning just full of loves and chatter. Ethan who is 7 is the 1st to make sure that the younger kids are taken care of. He had such a tender heart. And then my own little Henry is just trying to take it all in and is trying to figure out his position in this who group. He kept me up last night until 2 am because he needed some extra love and attention...which of course I was glad to give until at 2 am I realized I have 5 people who need me 100% tomorrow. The past two days have made me think about how in the scriptures we are often told to become childlike. These kids are so pure, trusting, tell you how it is and do everything with the best of intentions. They smile and give love freely. It has been a such a joy to be a part of.

On a side note. Last night I was saying goodnight to Troy and I let him know that Henry was wearing Allison's Hot pink PJ's and loves her shopping cart and baby doll. He was not a happy father! I wish I would of had my camera...both of them behind their shopping carts!

It is official...I live in Oregon

This past week was a busy week in several ways. We had our good friends come in town from Hawaii for the week, I had my birthday, and I also had to take my Oregon Driving Test. We had a ball with our friends Geoff and Daryl. We ran all around Portland, took them out of town to check out the beautiful scenery and even made it up to Timberline Lodge to make some snow angels. Henry was an absolute trooper with all of the places we dragged him. He also made some great new friends with his Uncle and Auntie. I have never seen him take to people like he did with Daryl and Geoff. He would of been happy to of gone home with them!

Not having an Oregon Drivers license has bothered Troy for years. Technically you have 30 days from the date that you move to Oregon to get everything switched over. After we lived here about a year Troy was pulled over with his California Drivers license...and was given two weeks to get a new license or face a rather hefty fine. So he promptly went and obtained a new license. And then he suggested every week for about a year for me to go and get my license...which I never did until he finally gave up and now 5 years later I finally have to get a new license because mine expired on my birthday. I don't know why but I hate test more than anything...and I did not want to spend my time reading through a DMV manual....so of course I left it until the last day to go and take the test. So on 8 a.m. on my birthday I am at the DMV taking my driving test. Why am I such a terrible procrastinator?

Tulip Festival

I just had to share a darling picture of Henry from the Tulip Festival. We headed down to check it out on Tuesday and had a blast....

It's just hair

I could not wait for Wednesday to come this week. I was heading off to have my hair cut. It has been so long and very unruly lately. I decided this time around that I would donate it to locks of love so I had to cut off between 10-12 inches....which I had plenty of. I was fine with having all of my hair cut off but I guess I was not quiet prepared for the outcome. We put it in pony tails....cut, colored, and then started cutting and shaping. By the time we were done I did not recognize myself. I still look in the mirror and think...who is that person. After my brief freak out period driving home...I was OK. (Any girl will know what I am talking about) But the funniest reaction I received from cutting off my hair was Henry's. I picked him up as he was grinning from ear to ear....He put his hands up to my hair and patted it...looked from side to side...and then just stared at me for a couple of minutes. And then moved on to the next toy. It was hilarious.