First Day of School

I know we all think it, and I have said it a hundred times, but where did all that time go!?! Abby started 3rd grade, and has grown up so much. She is such a good help to me, and her siblings. She was so excited to pick out her outfit for the first day and put all her stuff in her backpack. I know she will do well this year.
Nate is in 1st grade! He is now gone all day with Abby, I can't believe he is old enough. We are going to the new school here, so they ride their bikes every morning and I love watching them load up and go. They are so cute together and get along pretty well for the most part! He is loving eating lunch at school.

Nathan, Jakelle, and Abby in the school.
Nathan has Mrs. Dahle just like Abby did for 1st grade. I am so excited, he loves her and has several friends in his class.
Abby has a new teacher, Her name is Mrs. Grimnes. She like her a lot, and she also has several friends in her class. I love having the school so close, that I won't have to go out with a new baby. They can even walk during the winter time (if its not too terrible!)
I am excited for the new school here, they almost have the playground done, apparently they were a little behind on finishing a few things. They should be finished when the kids go back on Tuesday. The floor plan is about identical to Bridger, so it was nice actually going in and know where I was going. Leah will start preschool on Wednesday and couldn't be more excited, her best friend is in with her, so it will be perfect.
As far as baby goes, she seems content to stay where she is for now. So we are still planning for an induction on Tuesday! I will keep you posted...

August Fun

Rich had a half day at work a couple weeks ago. The kids were about to start school so he decided to have a day of fun with his kids. He went and put the sprinklers under the tramp and put on his swimsuit. The kids were so excited they all ran and changed. They were playing every game they could think of and then doing tricks..I think this is Nate in the middle of a flip.
Leah was it for this game, she had to close her eyes and find the people on the tramp. It was so funny because she wouldn't peek, so she kept running into the sides of the tramp. Thank goodness for the net!
Rich decided to do a flip or land on his stomach and his back...let's just say he was pretty sore for about a week!!


Then they all built a fort in my front room and slept in it. It was pretty cute. They each had their own little corner and had so much stuff piled in there, I am not sure how they fit in it too!

Oh Baby!

I just got back from my doctors appointment, I am now at a 2 and 80% effaced. So I have made good progress this week. He stripped my membranes, and told me if he didn't see me this weekend I will be induced on Tuesday. So I am hoping that she comes sooner rather than later. Everything is going very good, and I am feeling great. I am trying to get the last few things ready for her arrival. I am charging cameras and washing bedding. Stocking up on groceries and things for school lunches so Rich will not have to worry about that.
I am getting excited for another baby to be in the house, it has been awhile, and I think Abby is more baby hungry than I am! If there is a baby within 50 feet, she gravitates to them. She loves babies and I know she will be a huge help. We are making the baby some cute bows to match all the fun clothes that we have. Rich has cleaned all the carpets upstairs and the kids have been a huge help with the housework. I love that they are big enough to help, and at this age are still willing!!
Thanks for all the kind thoughts and well wishes, I will keep you all posted!

Another Update

I went to my doctors appointment hoping for good news, and there was no change! I am still at a 1, but 70 % effaced. I asked him about starting me next week and he said that he would check his schedule, but Sunday the 5th should work for him. I was so excited to hear it! He told me to make my appointment early next week so I go in again on Wednesday and he will strip my membranes. (sorry for the T.M.I.) I am hoping that it will do something this time. Anyway, I got home and his nurse called to tell me that he will be unavailable for Sunday the 5th and Monday the 6th, so the earliest will be the 7th. I was disappointed, but I scheduled the induction anyway. So...here's hoping I just go into labor on my own, and I won't even have to worry about any of it!! Only 10 more days!

Baby Update

So I figured it was time for a little update. Not a lot going on with anything yet. I am down to the final countdown and we couldn't be more excited. The only bad thing this time around is that we cannot agree on a name. She has been "baby no name" the entire pregnancy. With our other kids as soon as I knew if it was a girl or boy we had a name. This time I have a list of names and someone doesn't agree with me on any of them. So I am stepping into unfamiliar territory and am going to have to wait to see her to name her! Can you tell its driving me crazy?!?!

The kids have been a great help getting everything ready, they have helped me wash and hang up all the clothes, and pack my hospital bag. Every doctors appointment they are sure that she is coming out, only to have their hopes dashed! Abby and Nathan will start school this week, and Leah will start preschool next week so we hope that she comes sometime in between.

My doctor has agreed to start me a week early, but since my due date is on a Sunday, I am not sure what day that will be. I am hoping for the weekend, because my dad has been out of town working since June and will be here the first week of September to baptize my little brother. Then leaves again on Monday. So if he gets to see her before he leaves it will have to be before Monday. I have an appointment on Friday, so I see what I can find out.

Everything is going very well, at my last 2 appointments I am only dilated to a 1, but I guess that could change. I will keep you all updated, because I know you are all waiting on pins and needles!! Any suggestions for names would be appreciated too, and yes its a girl!!

Leah

As I said before, my baby is 4! I can't believe that she is so grown up. We had a fun day together. We took all the kids and played at the splash pad in Providence and had a picnic. She couldn't wait for dad to get home so that she could open her presents. Every diesel she heard outside, she would run to the window hoping it was her daddy. She wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday this year, and we found this cute pattern online and she liked it. I loved that it was so easy. She helped me sort the skittles and put them on, it was a lot of fun to do it with her.



Once daddy got home there was no wasting time...it was time for presents.
She was so excited to get a camping chair like Nate and Abby, so she could have her name on her own.

Then she got her scooter and she was in heaven. She tries to ride Nate's, but it was too big.
This is how she spent the rest of the night, sitting in her new chair, with her feet on her scooter, playing with her leapster. It was too cute!
Grandpa and Grandma came and brought her a gift. The Princess and the Frog DVD. She was so excited she had to go in and watch it right away. We ended the night with cake and homemade Peach Ice Cream. We then had to watch her movie. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! Happy Birthday Leah!!!! We love you!

Lake Tahoe

We got to visit family this last month in Nevada, and while we were there, we went to Lake Tahoe. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins in the water. The sand was too hot to do much on, so they hung out mostly in the water.

Nathan

Leah & Lexie

Uncle Matt coming to the rescue for Abby & Karissa.

The girls hanging out under the umbrella, If you look close you can see me.

The guys hanging out in the water.

My favorite picture! I just loved it. Thanks Mindy for getting some cute pictures for me.

Leah & Lexie

Brindley & Karissa

Abby & Karissa

After a hot afternoon at the beach, we packed up to head home. This is Jim with Leah and Lexie. It was so much fun, Thank you Jim & Kristi for a great weekend!

Nathan and Leah's Birthday Party

Because Nate and Leah both have July birthdays we decided to do a combined party for them. We had so much fun. We rented a giant blow up slide and we had well over 30 kids here. We put water down the slide and the kids flew down that thing! My favorite part was when a bunch of the moms saw what we had, went home and changed into their swimming suits so that they could do it too. I have never laughed so hard!!!

Those that were waiting for the slide or didn't like it, we had all the swingsets and trampoline set up so they could jump with the sprinkler under it. They all seemed to have fun.





Then it was time for presents, and wow! Can I just say people were very kind. My children were so spoiled and it was better than Christmas. Nate just had a pile of presents and kept on going. He has been having so much fun with everything. He got a couple of new water guns, so now there are enough for him and his sisters. We spend many a day outside having water fights.
Leah was so spoiled too, she got a lot of new barbies to add to her collection, and a barbie car. She plays with them every day. She loves changing their clothes and dressing them up. She also got some fun painting projects and play-do and it has been on my kitchen table every day doing projects.

Thank you everyone that came, and for the fun gifts. My kids had so much fun, I am sure it will be a memorable birthday for them both!

Hanging out with Grandpa & Grandma

My kids love to go the their Grandpas and Grandmas houses to play with their cousins. These are from after Abbys baptism. The kids had so much fun together.

The guys enjoying Grandpas new game, while Grandma plays games inside with the kids!
We ended the night with fireworks and the kids had a blast, they were so cute together all snuggled in their blankets, and giggling together. I love having family close and its so much fun when we get together.