love y'all

My brother's family is in town from Texas for my niece's wedding. They stayed with my mom last weekend so we hung out over there most of the day for swimming and cousin bonding time. I didn't get many pictures because they have 5 kids and we have 4 and who has time for pictures with that many kids needing sunscreen and making sure they don't drown and changing poopie diapers and nursing and making PB&honey sandwiches?

It was a lovely day though actually. The cousins kept each other busy and Dan and I were able to sit and catch up with my bro and sis-in-law.

I just have to share the highlight of the day though. As I was putting sunscreen on Mya and Winter, my nephews were already swimming in the pool. 4-year-old Avery announced that he had to go potty so his big bros (Andrew 8 and Anthony 14) told him to get out of the pool and pee over by the fence by the deep end. No biggie cuz he's a boy and that's just what they do. So Avery got out, walked to the opposite side of the pool, dropped his shorts, aimed INTO the pool and began peeing in the deep end. Covered in sunscreen, with rings in my mouth, I shouted, turn around!!! TURN AROUND!! But I was too far away. It was too late. His brothers ran over to him but just stood there. They weren't about to touch him probably fearful that if they turned him he'd pee on them. So he just continued to pee with all of us looking yelling at him. His mom heard the commotion and came out and scolded who needed it... the brothers who just stood there and the 4-year-old who knew better.

I was grossed out but went in about 30 minutes later giving the chlorine a chance to work and stayed over by the shallow end... Mya and Winter weren't about to let that put a stop to pool fun. They jumped right in, pee and all. Oh Avery =)

Mya in her happy place, hanging with her fav cousin Angela. She's 10 I think. 

Winter in her happy place, hanging out with 14 year-old Anthony. She's all about the older dudes these days.

Regina in her happy place holding my two babies. She would have had 20 if she could. Look at them. They are like the same size. Oh chunky Angus.

Hallway Legos. Trying to hide from Addie =)

This is the whole fam. Check out the little guy in front with the BBQ sauce bottle. That would be Avery =) Gotta love 4.

busy august

Well OMG! I have soooo much to write about and each day seems to slip away from me. It's 10:02PM right now and I figure this is the only chance I'm going to get to blog so here goes. 

These last few weeks have been a doozy in so many ways!

My best friend in the world moved even further away from me =( Big sis Wendy is now in Bakersfield and that makes me sad. That's all I have to say about that. 

My LITTLE sis Scarleth came to visit for a couple of weeks. It was a lovely time as usual. Scarleth is fun, cheery, loving and super helpful. It was so nice to have a helper mama to grab those fussy babies when I ran out of hands. 

AND Mya's hair always looks fabulous when she's in town. I love that other people think I'm the one who did it! Yep, I have four kids including a newborn AND time for french braids and curls haha.

We'll miss you Auntie! 'Till next year!

Mya started 1st grade AND Winter had surgery on her herniated belly button. The same day! Why not? 

Mya started a new school because her previous school was too crowded so we now go to Stanton Elementary! And that means we get to have Mrs. Elder as Mya's teacher which I'm SUPER excited about. Darla is my pal from church. I just love her. AND Mya and her teacher matched outfits on her first day! How fun and cute is that. Mya was loving it because thankfully she's 6 and not 12. That would have been embarrassing. And she is loving her new teacher and her new school. She is so independent and grown up. I know she was nervous and a little worried but she didn't let it show. She marched ahead of me and was ready to face her new surroundings head on. Go girl.

Winter faced her surgery with the same attitude. I was not loving the idea of my 4-year-old being put under. But it went well and she now has a normal belly button. She went to Queen of the Valley hospital where they totally spoil the kids. She had her own ipad, TV, and tons of new toys. Mya was totally jealous. She came home and laid around for about a day and was back to annoying her sisters in no time at all. 

I'm going to miss that little outie =( I will always remember her yelling at Addie who loved to play with it, telling her "It's not a toy ya know!" 

Tuesday Winter started her new preschool as well! Busy busy. And she informed me yesterday that she already has a fiance. He asked her to marry him. She said yes. She doesn't know his name but she loves him and misses him when she goes home. I met him today. He has a mohawk. He's 4.

So now it is just me and the babes in the morning. It is a bit tricky. Addie does not like to share anything, including mom. She learned to say mine. She says it like this, mmmmmmmmmmine! I'm SO thankful for an easy baby. I love Angus. He is just too cute. He's smiling and laughing and just being a really good little guy. He is by far the easiest infant out of the four. And Addie is by far the hardest 1-year-old... so far. We'll see how Angus is in a year ;)

And me? Well I'm pretty much just playing catch up all day. I'm behind on laundry, dishes, house cleaning, checking emails, blogging, and everything else. But this season only lasts for a little while and before you know it they're in 1st grade, walking away from you. 

6

Dearest Mya, my first baby,

Wow, how you've become such an amazing little lady. You are smart, sensitive and beautiful. You have always amazed me with your ability to figure things out. You can watch someone do something once and you know how to do it. You love to giggle and have fun. 

You are so good with your sisters and brother. You are the best helper. I'm so glad that you are their big sister. You guide Winter when she needs help following the rules =) You are always willing to help me with Addie when she needs something and you are very gentle with Angus. I love that I can trust you with anything. I know you will tell me if there is a problem. And when I leave you with a babysitter, you can answer any questions they have. 

You are careful in life but brave at the same time. I know you will succeed in whatever you do. I love to think about your grown up version because you are already so incredible, I can't wait to see what kind of adult you will become. You love puzzles and board games. You love singing along to VBA songs and dancing along with "just dance" songs. You are a lot like me when I was your age...a rule follower, a people pleaser, and a bit bashful and reserved. It takes you a little while to become comfortable in new surroundings. But once you do, you become fun and silly and playful. I see myself in you in so many ways. I have loved watching you grow these last 6 years and I can't wait to see what the next year brings for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYA!! 

This year we celebrated with a pool party! So fun. It was like a bazillion degrees outside so instead of cake, we did popsicles. I didn't fool with games or any other birthday type things. Just pizza, pool, some decorations and presents. I've always been amused how kids love to watch other kids open presents. I've also learned that kids are not hard to please. They had a fantastic time. One little girl said it was the best pool party ever. It may have been her first but still. 

I got a little choked up singing happy birthday, (good thing it wasn't a solo!) I don't know why. Maybe because she is growing up... and I'm so proud of her.

weekend with the babies

It's been 2 weeks since I've blogged. But man, what a crazy two weeks. What a crazy week this week has been... I'll get to that next blog. 

Just wanted to post some pics from my weekend with the little ones. Dan took the big girls on our annual camping trip with the Andersons.  I was not about to see what camping with 2 babies was like. And since I didn't go, Nancy (Mommy Anderson) jumped at the chance for a weekend alone. So, two dads and 8 kids. One was from another family. They had a blast. Dan said it was the best trip ever. My weekend was slightly less exciting. I gave Addie tons of attention, so she was in heaven. Angus slept a lot and did what 3 month olds do =) 

There was lots of cooking, fishing and hiking. Mya overcame her fear of holding a fish and finally was able to do it after hours of not quite having the courage. I definitely missed it up there. It is one of our favorite places. So gorgeous.