Halloween 2010

And this was our Halloween. Dracula, ugly witch, Jasmine, and jailbird.


We did the trunk or treat at the church. It is always a good time and it's nice to do dinner there too. For the last 4-5 years, we've done a chili and cornbread dinner along with hot dogs.

Calvin was all over the place. He would take off and then Spencer had to track him down. He'd cruz around and people would just keep handing him candy. He had a sucker in each hand. He had hit the jackpot and didn't want to leave. All the kids had a great time.



Spencer and I went to a party at the Coleman's on Friday night. It's always a good time at their parties and were glad to be friends with them and the crowd that usually attends them. We really enjoy them all.

70's basketball player & Greek goddess

Meet Macy Jean

I'm slow. Or maybe I'm just overwhelmed. Or maybe both. I'm not sure but either way, I am finally posting about our sweet little Macy Jean. She was born on September 23rd. She weighed in at 7 lbs. exactly and was 20 3/4" long.

I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions and waited it out 2 hours before Spencer woke up on his own and saw the light on in the living room. Good thing he woke up when he did. I had been debating on when to wake him. I thought I'd let him get a little more rest. Well, I let him know what the contractions were and he insisted it was time to go! Smart man, and what was I thinking? My biggest worry is not making it to the hospital in time, and I'm still sitting at the computer with contractions that are stronger and more consistent at 2:30 am.



We get to the hospital and check in admission right at 4am. Checked in to triage as they confirm I'm dilated to 7 and contractions are strong. In a room by 4:20 and getting set up. Barely have time to get an epidural. While they are sticking it in my back the Dr. comes in, waits for them to finish and checks me. I'm at 10 and ready to deliver. He's a good Dr. and says I'll give you 10-15 min. for that epidural to kick in and then we go! She's born at 5:25 am. Whew. That was a close one!




We've been home now 6 weeks. She's healthy and sweet, but has a bit of colic....my other fear. I probably jinxed myself as I continually said, "I just hope she isn't colicky." She is not even close to the level of colic Paxton had, but any bit of colic is no fun, for her or for me.

The whole crew...

2 months later....

Well, I guess I should at least attempt to make a post here before the next baby is born. Because then I'll have a really good excuse for not keeping up with my blog!

New baby is set to arrive in about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. FINALLY! And summer is starting to fade, we've had some very nice weather recently. My mom will be coming out at the end of the month to help with the new arrival and it should be perfect weather while she is back home in AZ!

I tried to keep the kids in here all summer, but they just wouldn't hear of it.


Daisy developed a love for The Sound of Music, Annie & Mary Poppins and easily recruited her "buddy-buddy" Calvin to watch with her. They love the music in each of them.


We took a little trip at the end of the summer to the Legacy resort in Phx. and the kids had a great time. They spent time swimming, playing tennis, crafting, playing with cousins, a trip to the zoo to name a few while we were there. We also introduced the kids and Spencer too, to Famous Daves BBQ. It's Spencer's new favorite place and the kids really liked it too.


Eventually the first day of school rolled around for Caden (2nd) and Paxton (K).


And the kids all became posers somewhere along the way! Actually Paxie has always been one to enjoy the camera, and now Daisy is following her lead. Here they are as of last month....
Caden (7)


Paxton (5)


Daisy (2)


Calvin (1)

accidents

Yesterday as Spencer checked on to work for the day, they radioed back that there was an accident. So he had to rush out the door with a quick goodbye.

He called me later that evening around 7 or so. On my end of the phone I say, 'so, you had an accident?' And on his end he tells me all about it.

Meanwhile Caden is listening in, because as soon as I hung-up with Spencer, he came over to talk with me.....

He asks completely serious and with just a hint of concern. "Mom. Dad had an accident at work? Did he wreck his car or did he pee his pants?"

Of coarse I told him he peed his pants!

Our very own Popeye

Here is another great picture of Cal. This kid cant keep his hands off of food or drink! After we got him halfway cleaned up I decided he was picture worthy.
Anyway, there was 1/2 a glass left of spinach smoothie on the table. Apparently just close enough to the edge for his grubby little fingers to get a grasp on and he sat down to finish it off.
I discovered what he had been up to after he was crying and mad. He kept trying to stand up, but kept slipping and falling on what he had spilled while in the middle of his feast.
Sweet little boy!

Family visits

Memorial Day the kids and I went to Tucson for Spencer's family's annual gathering at his Grandpa Gibsons grave site. Spencer had to work, he doesn't usually get that type of weekend off. But we had an enjoyable time with his family.

After we visit the grave site and hear memories shared of him, we head over to a park for lunch and the kids have a grand ole time with cousins.



My mom and Asa made a trip out to AZ. this same weekend and stayed through the first week of June. It was so great to see them again. We headed up the mountain to meet up with them and my brother Rusty for a visit. We went up around the Big Lake area and had a picnic and did a little trout fishing in the river. We all had a good time and enjoyed being in the cooler weather too.

I had to put this picture on to continue to backup my last post. Calvin settled his little self down next to the cheese puffs and the fruit dish. It wasn't long before he had cheese, strawberries and kiwi smeared on his face!


Asa, Paxton, Spencer


Paxton bought this headband up at the dollar store a few weeks back. She loves it, but this is usually how she wears it! I always think of Wonder Woman when she has it on.


My mom & Rusty


Later we went back to Rusty's house and we started a game of cards. The kids played and snacked. At one point Hunter (Rusty's youngest son) came in wild eyed and told up to go look at Calvin. The kids had left the bag of chips and dip within his reach and he was lovin it!


Here Rusty took a chip and started to just shave it off of him

May days

Let's play catch-up. Again!
Calvin is a nicely built, solid little boy. He was the biggest baby at birth and has kept himself on the hefty side. Here is a small glimpse into how he does it.

Daisy and Paxton spent a little time at Aunt Jana's one day. While they were there Damian turned on the radio and Who Let The Dogs Out was playing. He sang and danced along and Daisy loved it, because she hasn't stopped talking about it. Here she gives you a little taste of it.

On Mother's Day weekend we went up to Roosevelt to visit with Grandpa & Grandma Johnson. Aunt Heather was also there visiting for a few days from Missouri. The kids had fun exploring, blowing bubbles, riding in Grandpa's buggy down to the river, and of course playing in the water.

Grandpa and his buggy

On the 11th, Grandma Hansen came down to watch the kids. Spencer and I headed off to Tucson to a concert for the all male, A Capella band, Straight No Chaser. We really liked it, they are good! We first heard some of their Christmas songs and then saw that they do other music as well, so we got tickets and had a great time. I would recommend trying to see them if you like that type of music. My favorite was Fix You, a song by the band Coldplay, but there were so many other good ones. Spencer's favorite was Africa. They sounded great live and it was cool to see that all the sounds really are coming from just them. They were also very entertaining and comical. If you want to see a little more about them or hear some of their songs, here is a link to their website.

Little league has been going on since the end of April, but I continue to forget to take my camera down. I'm sure you've seen a hundred other little league pictures for the season anyway. Caden and Paxton are both in Coach Pitch and doing good. Spencer is coaching this year also, so they love having dad as their coach. This is Caden's 3rd year in and Paxton's 1st. She is doing really, really good for her first year and it is fun to see her excited about sports!

We are down to a week and a half of school left and they are excited about that. Me, not sure how ready I am for it, but it's coming anyway. I am enjoying this very nice weather for May, and hope it stays for a little longer. It's been so nice!

Bump and get bumped

Calvin will be getting a taste of his own medicine in September. He just couldn't wait to get here, so he bumped Daisy from being the baby at just 14 months. So when he is 16 months, he'll be getting bumped. Yes, Spencer has done it again! To our great surprise, I'm expecting again.

Come the end of September, we will become a family of 7 and looking for a larger vehicle so we can all travel together in one. I'm 19 weeks and the girls will take the lead once this little princess arrives. Daisy and Calvin don't understand yet, Paxton is thrilled and Caden has been in denial about it for the past 3 weeks or so.

Now that we've found out it's a girl, and we told the kids, Caden seems to finally be accepting it. He's not mad, I guess he just thinks like Spencer and I...."Again? So soon?".

Anyhow, just thought I'd spread the news if you hadn't alread heard.

Cal is 1

At the end of April, Calvin turned one. It came and went as most 1st birthdays do around here. Just a little celebration amongst ourselves and he was excited as we sang to him. He was the center of attention, what more can you ask for at 1?

Here is some of his recent stats and pictures. He is 25lbs. and 34" long. He is still in the 70% for his weight and off the charts for his length at this point in the game. He has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom, with 2 more on the way for the bottom. Not walking yet and makes the funniest faces.

Tour de Phoenix

This past Saturday was the Caden's biggest ride yet. He rode the 26 mile distance in the Tour de Phoenix along side Spencer.

On our way down to the race in the morning we were talking and I was telling Caden to make sure he went to the bathroom before the race started. Spencer reassured him there would be reststops along the way and at those there would be water if he needed a refill. That there would be fruit or bagels so if he wanted to eat, he could. Caden looked at him and said, "Dad, this is the race, not a practice!" We just looked at eachother and laughed. He was ready for his ride and excited for it to finally be here.

Lining up at waiting for the start of the race


Some of his biggest fans



Crossing the finish


After the race


Caden did awesome. He was the youngest rider (7 years old). Spencer had thought they would make it around 3 hours, maybe just under that. He said Caden did well, didn't want to stop much and pushed it. Their finish time was 2 hours 25 minutes!

Meet Colin

This is my youngest brother Luke. I'm not sure how old he is here, 3 maybe 4.

Here is today's Luke (or last years Luke). He is currently serving a mission in Perth, Austrailia and will be 20 this summer.

This post is not about Luke, but I needed to show you who he is so I can make my way into this story...

About 2 1/2 years ago or so, we were on our way to Globe and Caden & Paxton started to fight and bicker. Spencer told them to stop or he was going to tie them to the grill of the truck, just like we used to do with their older brother Colin, when he was bad in the truck.

And although they never had an older brother Collin, that day, he was born. Since that time, when the kids are doing something naughty or boneheaded, Colins name comes up. Spencer will say, "that's how Collin died" (Collin has experience many different types of deaths). A new story is fabricated and the kids start to wonder. Depending on the details of the story, they start in with lots of questions, tell Spencer he's making it up or sit with big eyes trying to figure out if they believe him or not.

Now back to the first picture of Luke. This picture was in my computer desk drawer with some other very random pictures. A few days ago the kids got into the pile of pictures. Caden and Paxton brought that one to me and Paxton asks, very concerned and interested, "Mom, is this Colin?" I am a bad liar. I thought for a second weather to let this continue on or end it. So I just asked them who they thought it was, but they didn't know who it could be. So I told them no, it wasn't Colin, it was their Uncle Luke as a baby. They went about their way, while Caden was saying...."there is no Colin". He is always suspicious of Spencer, because he is always teasing.

The next day I was laying on the couch and Paxton comes up to me, again very serious and asks, "Mom, do you miss Colin?" I laugh and then very straight forward tell her there was no Colin. Dad is always teasing you about him. She then defends Spencer to me and says he doesn't tease.

So what can I do, I tried to come clean, yet she didn't want to hear it. So I guess we may hear more stories of Colin in the future!

Pioneering

This weekend was Pioneer Days in Kearny. It was a big one this year as they celebrated 50 years. It had all the usual things like the parade, copper basin idol, the carnival and other fun things going on.

The kids loved the carnival a bit more this year. They like it every year, but this year was better because they've grown and are now tall enough to ride the "fun" rides. The first one they went on was something where they were lying on their stomachs and went round and round, up and down, tilting and all, flying like they were Superman or something. I thought for sure they would freak out and not want to go on another one after that, but instead it fueled the fire and they were ready to hit them all! (No pictures, because I forgot the camera.)

This is their cousin Barrett (aka Bear). He and his dad were passing through Kearny and they stopped by our house, so we kept him for the night. He went to the carnival with us and the kids had a fun time with having him here.



Paxton was in the parade again with her baton group, Deb's Silver Spinners.


This parade was the longest Kearny has ever had (at least as long as we've been here). I guess it had to do with the 50th. Our neighbors girls always time them and the last one we were at, at the end she checked her watch and said, "22 minutes, it's a new record!" Well, this one went right up to an hour! I wonder what the long time residents were thinking?

Daisy and Bear collected a large pile of candy, which we sent all home with him, besides what she ate before we left town.

Caden missed being in the parade this year with the Stingray swim team. Instead, earlier Saturday morning we took him and Spencer out to Kelvin highway and dropped them off for their training ride.


Caden is riding the 25 mile distance this year in the Tour de Phoenix. This will be his longest ride yet. Kelvin highway is a mostly dirt road that will take you from Riverside (which is 7 miles outside of Kearny), to Florence. There is about 9 miles of paved road on the Florence side. They had planned to ride 20 miles, but instead got in a total of 24!


Spencer said Caden did great on the ride and seemed to enjoy it. Well all except for when he wrecked. They were going down a pretty good hill which this particular part of the road was the worst part. It was a bit washboardy and had some spots of thicker soft dirt. I was asking Caden if one of those things were the reason behind his wreck and he said, "No, just a little before that hill, Dad told me to 'just fly down the hills', so that is what I was doing. Spencer said he was a little way in front of Caden and he heard him yelling. He turned around just in time to see him out of control and then he went down. His face hit the road and he came up with a mouthful of dirt and some minor cuts on his arm and scrapes on his leg. He was able to shake it off and kept riding until we got there to pick them up just outside of Florence.

Oh yeah, guess who had their first oreo!

Out to Lunch

About a month ago we (Spencer and I) got together with his Mom & Dad and his siblings/spouses for a luncheon. It was nice. We all ditched our kids in honor of the lunch and had an adult only lunch. Well, with the exception of two sweet little newborns, Gemma & Brooks.

This was a little challenge for Spencer and I because when we go to do without the kids, it is usually his mom or his siblings in the valley who watch our kids for us. And our regular sitters here in K-town had a softball game. My sweet Grandma Peggie watched them for us with the backup help of Aunt Bev & Uncle Mel. My cousin Carrie also came by with her little boy Jack and they all had a great time.

Here are the kids with my Grandma.



And again with Jack added in.


Thank you grandma, uncle Mel and aunt Bev. We really appreciated it, the kids loved it. They have been asking when they can go back to play again!

Seven

Last week Caden turned 7. He is our oldest and like everyone says of their kids, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. He is growing into such a handsome young boy. Caden has always been a calm and laid back kid. He has always loved sports, but has really grown to love them more this year. He was relentless during football season with anyone who would listen to him about games/stats/players and wanting to know who your favorite team(s) were.

He has mentioned recently what he wants to be when he grows up. A football player, basketball player and baseball player all at the professional level. He is convinced that he can be all three and there would be no conflicts and he could handle the schedule of them all.

We had our little party her at home with our family and a then visited a friends house later that night. The day after his birthday we went to Peter Piper Pizza at his request and were joined by Jackie and her two girls, Shaylee and Ella. They all had a good time. Then two days later Caden came home from school and asked me if he could have a party. What? We just celebrated?!


So I'm wondering what you all do for birthdays? What we've come up with is:

*Each year we do a family celebration. cake/presents/then either they pick someplace to eat/play or a movie and they take A friend.

*Every 4th year is the big one. 4, first big party, they invite whatever friends/family they want and its all fun for everyone. Age 4, we feel is when they really start to remember and care weather they have a party or not. Age 8, big one, bapitsm etc. Age 12, going into YM/YW, becomeing a young adult. 16, sweet sixteen/driving. Then they better be outta the house by the 20th!

We know people who go ALL out for the 1st one and everyone thereafter. And I mean all out, jumping castles, huge parties, etc. Not our style, but everyone is different. So what do you do and are we mean, wretched parents for not making each one over the top?