Tons of Poop And The End of Nursing

This last week was so crazy and stressful. I am a woman who loves her schedules and the predictability that they bring to highly unpredictable things like kids. Last week my twins made life really crazy.

Last week, 4 out of the 7 days (probably I honestly cant remember but a ton of them) when we got the twins out of bed in the morning they were covered in poop. Like a couple of times I really just wanted to throw their jammies away instead of washing them out. They were so gross. I have no idea why there was so much or what was going on. They didn't have fevers, rashes, or anything like that just tons of poop. I mean Kade is popping out teeth like crazy. He currently has four you can see plain as day, one cut through, and one more cutting through. Plus, you can see his molars swelling up his gums in the back. Abby doesn't seem to be getting teeth, but she was doing it too so who knows. All I know is Saturday night I looked at Gaupo and was just like what is going on there is so much POOP! Both of us are kind of just in awe.

Another big unplanned event was Abby decided she is done with nursing. She is totally good with a bottle. I actually think better than Kade because she actually will hold her own bottle, but yeah she just stopped. It could be because she tried to bite me a couple of times, so I spanked her mouth and she was like enough of that and just wouldn't do it. I don't know, but if she's going to bite she can be done. Anyway, Tuesday night she tried to bite me, but she did latch on again and nurse. However, Wednesday morning she wanted nothing to do with it. She did nurse at 11:00, but after that I could never get her to do it again. She always just kept her jaw tight, squirmed away, and protested. I wondered at first if it was a growth thing, or teeth, or phase, so I tried to pump to keep the milk supply around, but my body doesn't pump, my life is really crazy to try and relax enough to get the milk to let down, and it was so hard. Finally, I just had to accept that she was done and that nursing was history for her. However, with no weaning time, Oh my has the engorgement been awful. Saturday was the most painful day and Gaupo had to work and I had to coach a soccer game, and well we survived. I wasn't as patient of a coach as I would like to be and it was hard to do things with the kids because any touch on my chest was just so painful, and sometimes it hurt without out any help. It was a pretty rough day. I totally recommend not stopping all at once if you can help it because it is super painful. It was also very emotional. When I am stressed I get angry and Wednesday morning was not a good morning because Abby wouldn't nurse, I couldn't get the milk to let down, there had been tons of poop, we were running late for school, and as immature as it is I thought "it's all Abby's fault. If she will just nurse none of this would be happening right now." Poor Gaupo didn't really want to go to work because he could tell I was having a really rough time of it. He told me when he left call me if you need anything and I was enough of a mess I shouted, "No, I don't need help. I can do this. You have to work." Poor guy. I could tell he didn't really want to leave but he really did need to so, I felt bad, but luckily it worked out.

Thursday was the craziest morning of the week. We had a huge mess in the twins room with poop and everything. So, I got that all cleaned up. Then I tried to nurse Abby and she of course refused. So, I tried to pump as my girls are running around not getting their lunches ready, and breakfast is not being made. Gaupo is having to feed Abby so I can pump, and when I am pumping and all those things are happening its like watching mini-bombs go off all over my house. Anyway, we are behind because it took a long time to pump. So, I am trying to get everyone breakfast. I had had to change another poopy diaper before breakfast. Feeding breakfast, rushing the girls to eat so we can go and Kade just pukes. Just total fire hydrant. His tray does not catch it all and so now I need to do a bath again, plus there is throw-up everywhere and I am suppose to be out the door in about 5 minutes to get the kids to school. I am pretty sure I can't make it at this point, so I reach for the phone to call my carpool buddy, but then I decided, No, I can still make it. However, the girls are totally freaked out, so when I went to put the phone down they yell, "No, Mom! Call Sis. Bailey, Call Sis. Bailey." I figured if my kids thought I should tap out then it was time. Thankfully she is awesome and came and got the kids. I had barely bathed Kade and waved to them as they were running to her car. Then I got the mess cleaned up, and twins to nap. I decided I wasn't going to call my mom instead I was going to read scriptures, pray, you know ground myself that way, and I did and it went great. Then the twins woke up Abby refused to eat, so I tried to pump and while I am pumping the twins just want me, but I can't hold them because I am pumping and Kade tried to climb on the couch and feel and he needed comfort, it wasn't going well. So, I decided that I had had enough of the crying and whining and I needed OUT! So, I loaded them up in the bike trailer, called my mom and talked to her while I rode my bike to a park and let the twins swing and then rode home. It was much needed break. I don't honestly remember what happened that afternoon, and I know I made it through soccer practice and dinner, but it was a crazy, crazy day.

In fun things this last week, we had one of my favorite days at the school--FOX TROT! It is the schools fundraiser for the year and I actually don't like fundraisers, so the funding part I don't like, but the FOX TROT I love. Gaupo had the day off, so I ran with both Kylee and Tia in their portions of the race. They both did great. Tia ran four laps and Kylee did 4 3/4 laps in their allotted times. It was fun to be outside in great weather and run with them. Its fun to chat, to urge them to keep going and to watch them just keep trucking along. Plus the continuous fun music. It is just fun or at least we really like it. Plus, the shirts this year were cool.

Tia running. She is the one by the edge of the sidewalk on the right.

Me and Tia

Me and Kylee

Kylee running.

This week is going a lot better. It is still a little crazy because I feel like that is sometimes the way it is with four kids, but its a lot better crazy just the normal--parent teacher conferences, soccer, doctor appointment, and stuff like that. I love my fun family, but boy oh boy are some weeks really crazy.

***As I was getting the above photos off my phone. I looked back at the rest of my pictures from Sept and we had a really good month. Its a pitty I didn't write more about it but good times were had memories made and life lived.

Kylee playing soccer. She is the one in the green.

Abby swinging at the park.

Kade swinging.

Tia got new glasses.

Family truck ride before the family bike ride.

Family bike ride. My handle bars, Kylee, and the two specs further up Gaupo and Tia.

Tia (red Shorts) and Kylee playing by the river on our bike ride.

Kade with Gaupo at the river.

Abby's toes in the river.

Me, Tia, Kylee on the bike ride.

Tia wearing the Armour of God. Come Follow me Win!

See it really is great.

It's What We Do

I love Dr. Seuss's book "Oh, The Places You'll Go." I love how it shows the kid rocking it sometimes and other time when he is having a really rough time. I feel like that book parallels my life. I feel like I have set out on my 'own.' I have had some really great moments, and some moments that were really tough. I have done waiting, and changing things up. I feel like sometimes I have moved mountains. However, what I love the most about this book is how he laces the real life hard time with the truly awesome amazing times that are just as real. Its how my life is. It is how my day is. It is how sometimes my minutes are.

Our life is full of so many wonderful things right now. We have "the girls", "the twins", I coach soccer, the girls play soccer, Gaupo's job is something he still loves, we can afford to live here in Colorado, we have a wonderful finished basement, we have amazing weather, I have Gaupo, he loves me, we have cars that run, and we are so blessed.

My girls are doing well in school. Tia has always enjoy school and Kindergarten is no different. She is always ready to go in the sense that she wants to go and be there, but sometimes actually getting that kid 'ready' to go is another story. She milks all the play out of her day that she can. So, trying to get her to get her 'sides' and snack for school is like pulling teeth, because she would rather be playing. Kylee is doing so much better this year. We are actually getting homework done this year, and most days without tears. She progressing really well in reading and in her math concepts. She still struggles a bit with the math facts, but it just takes lots and lots of practice. She will get there. She is loving playing tetherball at school. She comes home almost everyday happy. I can hardly believe its the same kid as last year. I love it. Sometimes we still have bad days, or moments, but I am just so grateful that the frequently is so much less.

Soccer is a lot of fun for our family. It makes our schedule more crazy with soccer three nights a week and games on Saturday, but it is so fun to support our kids in something. I have loved watching them learn new skills and get better almost every practice and game. They aren't superstars, but they keep going and they seem to have fun. I really enjoy coaching. I like working with the kids and having somewhere to focus some of my brain power. I love having a little time each week, where I have just a little break from all the mom-ness. I coach Tia, so I am moming, but I don't have the whole posse. I wish that I knew more about soccer technique, because then I could actually help the kids with theirs, but oh well I don't and so we just make the best of it. This last Saturday the girls had their 2nd games of the season and both got more involved in the game, both had fun and looked to have improved. Gaupo was able to be there the whole time which is so great. He is so supportive of this soccer adventure. He is the one who babysits for my practice. He always come to Kylee's practice as soon as he gets off work. He may not be a player or coach, but without him the players and coaches in this house would not be doing what they are. I am so glad we put the girls in soccer. I think the timing of it was great and I think it is good for us to have something to work on togther.

The twins are growing and growing. Kade has finally really started to crawl. I say finally because Abby has been doing it for almost a month I feel like. She is super good at it and Kade is just starting, but he can do stairs fairly well, whereas Abby has no idea how to make herself go backward. It is really interesting. Both twins love solid foods. However, they have been getting more of an opinion on what they like and don't like and that isn't always the best. I was really trying to wait till 9M to give them chocolate, but Gaupo nixed that (like he has for every kid so far) and gave them their first try this past Monday (8.5M). They loved it. Abby can get to sitting on her own, and has recently started saying the sound mama-mama. It doesn't mean me, but hey maybe it will turn into that. Kade's rotation is getting getting better but his tilt has started to come back a little. His helmet is doing a great job with his head. He is still getting around and making tons of noise. He hasn't done real clear babble like Abby recently, but he makes lots of sounds and noise. I love playing with these two characters. I love taking them to the park to swing. I love making them laugh, playing with them on the floor, having them try new foods, and watching them totally do their own thing. They are such fun kids, but boy oh boy do they have personality.

Gaupo's work like I said is going well. He still loves what he does. I feel like his job has really helped him become what I always knew he could be. He is a good leader. He is supportive to his boss. He gets in on lots of good discussions and helps make changes. He does a lot and I think he is continuing to grow and progress. He is also quite the dad. It is great to have his help with dinner, dishes, feedings, kids, bedtime, and baths. I love seeing him in the afternoon and getting to talk to him. I love watching him take time to play with his kids and watching how much he worries about them. I am learning and I hope one day our kids can see it--is that a lot of what he gets after them for or seems to be anxious about is because he is worried about them because he loves them. It just comes out sometimes kind of stern. However, he children adore him and they love having him around. We are so lucky we get to see him so much.

I get to be a mom all the time. I get to play with my kids, coach soccer, and try to take care of our house. I have a hard time wanting to do housework because I feel like as soon as its clean there is another meal, kids come home and drop there stuff, I don't know it just gets messed up so fast I can't keep up, so sometimes I just don't. I love the chances I have had to read some good books. I have been baking probably way more that I should. I just told Gaupo I should probably wait till Sunday to cook more treats, and I am not sure I can do it. I love having time to cook, but I don't always cook the healthiest things, because frankly I don't find that as fun to make and I get way less complaining about treats.

Life is good. I love my kids and my husband. I feel so blessed to be where we are and doing what we are doing. I feel so lucky to be able to be a mom. I am not a perfect mom, but I try and I feel like I do lots of good things. I love that my kids want me around and that we enjoy being a family. As always, I am one blessed woman.

Making Time

We really haven't been up to much since I last blogged. It is pretty much school, soccer, babies, and work. However, we seem so busy and I am learning a lot about life and how there really is only time for the things you make time for. Here are a few examples.

Negative example first. I really want to help Kylee to get in the habit of reading her scriptures herself. I plan to do that by beginning to read them with her and I figured we could double count it for some of homework time as well. Or even just do it right before that. Well, I get busy and can't focus, so I tell her to just grab her book and tell myself we will do it when were done. Well, day 3 here and we still haven't ever done it. So, I need to make time for it. It can be done. It will only take like one minute, but I can't seem to grasp the time, but its important, so I need to make time.

Soccer coaching. I think I actually might really like it. I don't know if I always want to coach my own kids because that is tricky, but I love learning the drills, seeing the kids, and the want to be good at it is something I haven't felt in awhile, so its cool. I have made time to try and be a good coach. I am not perfect there are many things undone, but I asked questions at coaches clinic. Gaupo supported me in going to coaches clinic. I study out drills and plans. I have even tried to spend some time playing with my kids doing it. I love those times. I wish all the moments after (like trying to get them to bed) were as golden and blissful as those times we play, but its not, but I am also trying to get better there.

Reading. I haven't had major time to read because of work and kids. However, right now I don't have work and I have babies on 2 naps and kids at school, so I have time to read and I love it. I am loving the good books. Still need to learn to pace out the books a little, but it is still fun to read.

Homework. Homework is like a thorn in my side. However, I have decided that I am not going to talk negative about it in front of my kids and I am going to do as  much as we can tolerate of it. So, we make some time for it. It is pretty amazing what Kylee can do when there is a prescribed time and when its up we are done. She does good work and knows and understands lots of things. There is time for homework we just have to make it.

Therapy. I often have a hard time doing the therapy work I need to with Kade and Tia, but when I think about it I can make time to do it. It take a little work and concentration, but I can.

Not the most up beat post here because I am kind of struggling trying to figure and balance everything, but it will get better we just have to keep moving forward, and keeping making time and making sure our priorities are in order.

New Things

These past few weeks have been full of new things for our family. Every single one of us is doing something that we weren't doing two weeks ago. It is crazy how sometimes you are just chugging along and  then all the sudden your changing it up and figuring things out. I told Kylee recently, "This is new. We are trying it out. Seeing what works and what doesn't. Sometimes we will do it exactly right, and sometimes we will do it wrong, but its OKAY we are trying something new and living life." That is how I feel about a lot of our life right now. Some days are awesome we totally nail it and other days are really not that great, but we keep learning and trying and doing our life and that is what matters. Without further ado, here is what is new.

Me-My new things mostly revolve around my kids. I am once again doing drop-off for school everyday, but luckily I carpool with a great friend, so I don't have to pick-up everyday. We recently started having a couple extra kids come over after school on Mondays and Tuesdays until their dad can pick them-up. It is still kind of in the air as to weather or not this will be a permanent thing for the year, but we will see its kind of interesting. I am now home with just the twins while the big girls are at school. So, I actually get some cleaning done, and am starting to pick-up a good book every now and again, again. I also decided to coach Tia's soccer team. So, beginning Thursday I will officially coach soccer. I am excited but nervous about this prospect. I don't know the skills of soccer like I do other sports, so not only am I trying to coach, but also trying to figure out the skills of playing the game, so it should be interesting.

Tia, Abby, Kylee, Kade, and Me. Yep, me and my possy.

Guapo- Gaupo is doing many of the same things, but he found out today he gets to start hiring, again. The Children's department stole one of his employees. He still loves his job and the people he works with. His new thing is his truck. We (mainly he) bought himself a 2004 Toyota Tundra. He has been wanting a truck for a LONG time, but sincerely looking for awhile too. We haven't really had the budget needed to get what we needed in a truck, so Gaupo was dutifully waiting and watching and looking. Then two Saturday's ago, he found this one. It was in our current budget, had a clean title, and seemed like a good truck. He test drove it Monday and then spent time negotiating after that. I wasn't able to go with him which he said worked in our favor because he would always call and check with me and that made the guys more nervous he said. Anyway, he worked out the deal with them and we went in the following day and bought it. He has been in love, and that love is fueled by his children's love for his truck as well. Tia the day after we brought it home came downstairs opened the door and looked in the garage and said, "I just needed to make sure it was still here." Yep, its still here. It has made a few trips around the block, just to let the kids ride. I of course had to take it for errands on Saturday, so yes we are enjoying and will be more practical with its use soon, but we are spoiling ourselves for a bit. He also did his first private sale yesterday, selling his civic. He was once again please with what he got and, so overall its all good.

Gaupo and his Truck

Kylee- Kylee has started the second grade. I can hardly believe she is that old, but she is. So far school seems good. She at least likes her teacher and doesn't seem to be having the social struggles she had last year, so I am hoping this year goes well. She still doesn't really go after her homework and reading, but we are getting better at that and a lovely lady in our ward gave me some good ideas to make it more fun and hopefully stick in her brain a little better. Kylee is also trying soccer for the first time. She was really unsure that first practice, but she gets better and better every time I see her play. Gaupo mentioned that at the last practice she stuck with the scrimmage better than the other girls on her team. I am proud of her for keeping on trying. Its new to her, but she keeps going and I think she might end up enjoying. She has a great coach who, loves coaching and soccer, so I am very pleased with that.

Kylee First Day of School.

Tia- Tia started Kindergarten and is there ALL day, and she loves it. She has come home very tired this week, but happy. Today I heard her singing the days of the week song and her favorite thing is purposeful play. It kind of like free play, but you have stick with the activity till the time runs out, but I think you get to choose what you want to do. Anyway, she loves it. She eats her lunch really well at school and she has had no problem going. However, she did get sick this last week and sent home at noon on Friday. She wasn't happy about that. Tia is also doing soccer, but hasn't started practice yet. It should be a very interesting experience for her. Part of me wonders if I should have not coached and just let her have someone else, but oh well. Whats done is done and we will learn from what we do.

Tia first day of school.

Kade-Kade is offically a DOC band baby. He got his helmet almost two-weeks ago. It's kind of stinky already, but oh well we will survive. He wears it super well and doesn't seem to mind it too much. Kade is scooting and rolling still, but his torticollis seems to be doing better. He doesn't quite have full left rotation yet, but it improving and is getting more comfortable with it. He can do the right tilt, but still building strength their, but he is still increasing in his motor ability, so its going well. He is rocking back and forth on his knees sometimes, but hasn't quite figured out the crawl. He loves eating solid foods and has started to do finger foods. Mostly he gets puff and cherrios, but he loves it all the same. Kade is quite the noisy kid. He babbles, but he also make raspberries, and let you know if something isn't right. He sometimes makes noise just to be noisy. 

Kade rocking the helmet. (He reminds me of the old guy in up in this pic.)

Abby-She is officially a crawler. She still scoots when she is over tired, but other than that she crawls and has almost mastered how to get into the sitting position. She is even working on the speed crawl. Luckily she is tiny, so it takes quite a bit of crawling to go a long distance, but she is getting faster and is figuring out how to climb up to things, and overall I don't think I have much time till I am in major trouble with all the things she can do. Abby also love solid food, puffs and cherrios. Abby has also started to be quite the talker. I don't know that she still makes as many and definitely not as much sound as Kade, but still definitely babbling and making sound.

Our smiley Abby.

Yep, we are all growing up here. Life is quite the adventure and sometimes just wears me out,but I love my kids. My heart gets so full of love and concern for them its amazing. Sometimes I am surprised that I can love and care for others as much as I do for Gaupo and my kids, but I do. They make my heart so full. In the words of one of my friends, "I am one blessed lady."

Kade and Abby in their Simba and Nala jammies.

Kade and Abby in their first cart ride.

Tia and Kylee matchy-matchy.

To Arizona And Back

We officially made our Arizona trip and it was so great. It was filled with family, fun, and warmth. We started our trip on the 19th of July and met Oma and Papa in Albuquerque, NM at a quirky, but clean Air B&B. We got there before my parents and checked out all the rooms and beds and setup camp. We got the twins down and let the girls stay up until Oma and Papa arrived. Then the girls went to bed and Gaupo and I stayed up and visited with Oma and Papa for a bit before Gaupo went to bed. Then after more visiting we all went to bed. It was actually a very quiet space and nice to have our own spaces, a kitchen, and a living space that wasn't part of a bedroom (like at a hotel).

Saturday morning we said good-bye to Gaupo, who drove back to Colorado, and we traveled with Oma and Papa to Pima. Its always kind of a slow drive with a nursing baby, but we made it home by about 2ish, which isn't too bad. Klaire and Curtis were visiting for Grandpa Pollock's funeral, and so we got home in time to see them, and visit with them for a bit. The first thing the girls wanted to do of course was swim, so once I got the twins down for a little nap that is what we did. After swimming it was dinner, baths, and bed. 

Sunday was quite the day. We were trying to adjust to being an hour back, plus coming off of travel, so it was crazy. At church we were quite the circus. It was 4 kids verse 3 adults and really the adults needed reinforcements, but we survived and no one is to worse for the wear, but it was quite the revolving bench. Sunday dinner was good and it is always fun to have Papa Ross up to join us. It was nice to have the meal during the twins nap time, so I could just enjoy the food and the visiting.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were just nice relaxing days. I read some books, and the girls played. We went swimming twice a day. Just kind of lived our life but at my mom and dad's house. I had a chance to make cookies while my mom took the girls shopping. It was really nice just to be home. 

Wednesday night Kara, Seth, Ross and Levi came. They were suppose to come in the morning, but Ross was sick, so they had to wait. But we are so glad they came. Thursday the kids played and played. We tried to tone down the playing a little to give Ross some more time to recoup, but it was still quite the play fest. Thursday night Klaire, Lindsay, Roxy, Allen, and Betty all arrived. So Friday was even more cousins and playing. I am so glad my kids love playing with there cousins because it really does give me a break because they just play and I can visit with my siblings. It is AWESOME! So much playing and swimming and visiting. Linsday brought a few of their games from home to play and the girls had fun playing and learning some new games. Games are kind of a thing for us this summer. The favorite being Mancala. Tia plays that game as often as she can and she is good at it. As a bonus, it has opened up her ability to play other games too. 

Friday afternoon, everyone that was coming was offically gathered and we watched a movie together and just enjoyed. Saturday was four-wheeler rides, more playing, swimming, and enjoyment. Plus, Klaire gave all us girls haircuts. The girls we cut short and they were a little unsure of it, but they love it now. I just just off about 3 inches, but it is really nice. Sunday was church again and it went a lot better than the week before. Dinner was good, but then we had to say good-bye to Klaire and then Kara and her family. It was so fun to be together, so it is always sad to break it apart and go to our own homes. Jack and Lindsay stayed and we visited and played a game and then went to bed. Monday was more of the same fun and games. Tuesday dawned with Lindsay sick and a farwell to Jack and her crew. They planned to go home Tuesday anyway, but it was still a bummer that Lindsay got sick. My girls were pretty sad about having their cousins leave, but they survived. 

After the Bryce's left, we took my mom to the temple and walked around and got some pictures, went swimming, and then went to pick-up Oma from the temple. Oma was kind enough to go with me to Wal-Mart, so that I could go school shopping. We got the girls supplies. It was so easy everything was there the isles were empty of people it was awesome. The girls also got a a cool shirt. Overall it was going well, until we were going to check out. The twins were getting hungry and tired of the stroller and I knew I needed to leave, so we are heading to the checkout with a ticking time bomb (the twins and kids verse 2 adults), well we were almost there and some stops and asks, "Are those twins?" I politely reply yes, and happen to be holding Kade at the time, so they come up and of course check him out and touch his hands. Finally, we get past them (I actually kind of had to walk away while they were still gawking and proceeded to the checkout. I really didn't want to do self-check, but it was kind of the only option, so while i was doing that time officially ran out. The girls started wanting to help check stuff out, both twins were crying, we were trying to get stuff paid for, all in all we turned into a circus. However, we got it all and made it to the car and home, and my shopping was done.

Wednesday and Thursday were more just being home, swimming, and enjoying. The girls got there bubble bath on Thursday and loved that. My dad spoiled us and took us to Hawaiian Ice and we got icees for a good-bye treat on Thursday night. Kylee told me, "Hey mom we did this on our last night year last year. Its kind of like a tradition." I said, "Yeah, it is. We could probably make it one." She said, "yeah, but then we have to come every summer." I replied, "I think that would be okay." So, maybe we do have a new tradition of Hawaiian Ice on our last night, and I really hope we have the tradition of going to Arizona every summer, because sometimes I just need to go home. 

Anyway, Friday we headed back to Albuquerque to meet Gaupo. We stayed at a pretty rough Days Inn. It was really cheap, but the guy that was checking people in didn't know really what he was doing and messed some things up. My parents room was pretty nice, but our room was kind of run down. However, everything got worked out and we had a good stay and we headed home on Saturday.The drive was pretty uneventful. We did stop at a cool park in Colorado Springs and it was so beautiful it was really hard to get back in the car, but we needed to get home. We arrived home and got all unpacked and now we are here to stay for awhile.

Overall it was a really great vacation. A couple of things were decided on this trip. #1 Meeting in Albuquerque works really well. However, my mom has deemed that the real name should be Albu-qwirky. This is mainly due to funny places we stayed. #2 We Bryce's love our cookies. While I was there I made cookies (we ran out). That same day I called Klaire and she was making cookies. Then when Kara came she made some cookies (mainly because she was craving frosting). The cookies she made happened to be the same ones (a swig cookie) that Klaire made the day before. Then when Jack came he had stopped by Crumble Cookies and bought a party box to share with everyone. I even think that earlier that week like Monday Kitt made monster cookies at her house. We were all filling the cookie vibe for sure and we got some good cookies from it. #3 Backyard swimming pools are awesome. I loved being able to put the twins down and then go swim with the girls. This summer I taught them to play Marco Polo, Carlot, and Sharks and Minnows (their favorite). 

I am so grateful I got to go to Arizona. It was good to be home, so fun to see family, and fun to relax. It was a really good finish to our summer. Here's some pics.

Me, Kylee, Kade, Tia, Abby at the temple.

Me at the temple. I went to two sessions while I was home. Yeah!

Kylee, Kade, Abby, Tia

Tia

Kylee

Tia playing Oma in Mancala.

Kylee, Tia, and Oma on the Golf cart.

Kade and Abby.

Kade, Tia, Abby, and Kylee at the park.

Kade on the slide.

Grandkids gathered for the choosing of Papa's conference goodies.

Abby's feet in Oma's hands. My mom has been wanting a pic like this forever!

Tuckered out girls after a good vacation.

Post Vacation Week

Coming off of vacation is always hard because we are left with just us, and though we are pretty darn cool people we miss all the really cool people we get to play with every day while on vacation. So, this past week we had to get over that hump. The girls had to deal with being with just them. I had to go back to being fully responsible for my kids, and the twins had to adjust to having their sisters all around them again. However, we adjusted. We went to free lunch, we hit up 7-11 on 7-11. I love slurpee's so it is one of my favorite days of the year. We went to the library for new books and started a session of swim lessons. We were getting into being home.

Me, Kylee and Tia with our Slurpees.

However, to help us hit our stride and help jolt me out of post vacation blues we got to go to the doctor 3 days straight. Friday we went for Kade and Abby's well child checks. They are both doing well and seem to be developing right on track. They both took a little jump in growth and they are really starting to grasp what is happening around them. As in Kade wants to be in the action and is frustrated when he isn't, and Abby has noticed and started to fake cry when we pick up Kade and not her too. They are both proficient rollers. Kade has started getting up and rocking on all fours. I am not ready for a crawler, but he wants to move so bad, so we will see what he does. So, Friday's doctor visit went really well. Except they got shots, so they were cranky and ended up running a fever, so they got some Tylenol. Kade got it before he went to bed and Abby got it a couple hours later when she was waking up moaning. So, Friday night was kind of rough with the shots, but then Tia also came in sometime complaining about her ear hurting. She was in quite a bit of pain and had a little fever, so she got some pain reliever to and slept on the floor. Then before the night was out Kylee had a scary dream and was sleeping on our floor too.

Saturday I took Tia to urgent care because ear infections are miserable and so much easier to take care of with antibiotics. So, we got to urgent care and lucky it was empty and so we got in pretty quick. The doc there said that there was a little fluid building up but it wasn't infected yet, so try some allergy medicine to see if it would drain the fluid. So, I decided to just go to King Soopers and pick some up. Well, I was trying to decide what kind to get and the talking to the pharmisist about the different options and as I went back to pick one up the doc called and decided to just give Tia the medicine. So, we got that started to be filled. While we were waiting we picked up donuts. Luckily by the time we chose those and bought them they were pretty much ready for us. Which was good because the twins were done. They were ready for solid foods and a nap. So, we walked back to the car and I fed them the solids I had brought with me and then buckled them in the car and went home. We finally got home from all of that. I feel like literally I just laid the babies down and Kylee says "my throat hurts." AGHHHHH!! I chalked it up to, too much sugar and not enough sleep. However, by that night she was running a fever.

So, Sunday morning we went to urgent care again for what I was sure was strep. She had a runny nose, sore throat, fever, and the smell. Luckily it was empty again, so we got pretty quick care. The nurse didn't seem to want to do the strep test, but luckily she did and she almost seemed surprised that it came back positive. So, now Kylee has antibiotics too. It was my first time going to the doctor or the store on Sunday and though the doctor was a little different the store was way weird. I actually felt uncomfortable-ish and was really ready to leave by the time I finally got the meds. That was kind of weird because I actually really love our grocery store, so it was weird to go in and not want to stay there at all. Luckily I got the meds and went home. We didn't send the kids to church, but Gaupo and I switched off so we could both attend a sacrament meeting. I think that helped a lot with passing the day. Sometimes Sundays last forever when you are at home all day, but luckily this was not the case and we enjoyed our Sabbath day.

Now, everyone is doing much better. We are still taking meds, but the girls have been playing and playing and playing. I would love to know the details of what they are doing, but if I go down to the basement it disrupts it all, so I have to deal with just listening from upstairs, but I love hearing them play. They are such good friends. They are also playing at least 3 rounds of Mancala a day. It is the game of summer around here this year. Also we are managing to read quite a bit too.

I think sickness helped us realize how lucky we are to live here and how much we love and need each other, so even though being sick was really yucky and going to the doctors 3-days in a row was too many I think it some ways it has made this week really really good. Now onto getting ready for the next trip!

Play, Play, Play

We just got back from a wonderful 10-day Idaho vacation where we play, play, played. It was so great to be around family and to be back in one of Gaupo and I's favorite places. It has been a whole year since we were last in Idaho, and boy were we anxious to go. We left Friday morning around 8:00. Our goal was 7:30, but we had a bit of a rough start and got off late. It was slow going. I don't know exactly why, but seriously that drive seemed to last forever. Then when we were just about done and we had stretched the twins to their limit, we hit construction. It took us FOREVER (or at least it seemed) to get to Swanlake. We were originally going to stop in Virginia, but the exit was closed! Anyway, after much frustration and angry feelings, nursing in the car (while waiting for construction to let us pass through), and getting hot water for a bottle for Kade from Valley Oil in Downey we finally made it. Overall the trip took us 11 hours which doesn't seem too bad but we are use to making it in about 9, so the extra two hours seemed horrible. Once we arrived, got dinner, let the girls play with their cousins, and the twins roll around everything seemed a lot better. The kids went to bed pretty easy and Gaupo and I read a bit of book and talked with Grandma and then we all went to bed.

Me sitting in the back with my kids.

Tia and Kylee in the back.

The next almost 6 days were full of family and fun. Saturday Gaupo helped haul some hay while the rest of us played. A little before noon Jeff and Heidi's family showed up and we had lunch. We are getting to be a pretty big group when all of us gather together. After lunch the kids played in the water. Melanie and Aaron had a big blow-up water slide and a smaller slip-and-slide that the kids played on. All the kids played and played. Us lady adults talked and watched the kids. Gaupo took a nap, and we all enjoyed. Around 5 we had dinner and then went to the pond. I accidentally feel in. I was making a kid switch and the board started wobbling and I didn't want the kids to get dumped off and be scared so I bailed. Surprisingly, the water was refreshing. I enjoyed my time with my nieces, nephews and girls on pond. I love taking the paddle board out on the pond because you are close to the water, and it is fun to stand on. But my favorite thing is taking my nieces and nephews out with me. I can only take 3 max and more often that not I have only one or two. I love that one-on-one time when we can do whatever they want. It helps me get to see their personality and relate to them a little. I have very sweet nieces and nephews and I don't get much time with them, so I love that the paddle board creates a spot where we can be together just for a tiny bit. After the pond we put the kiddo's down for a sleep over. It took forever to get everyone to bed, but we finally got there.

Sunday, we all went to Gaupo's cousin's mission homecoming. We left early so, we could get the babies a nap, let the girls play at Grandma Hammond's before church and make it to church on time. We did and we had a great time. The girls love the toys in the basement and playing on the slides and things. It was fun to visit with a few of the family that come over early too. Then we went to church and had a good meeting there. Then we went and had lunch at Sarah and Gif's. I really enjoyed visiting with some of Gaupo's cousins Brady and his new wife Julia, Conner, and Emma. The kids enjoyed playing with their cousins and overall it was a really good day. We left around 5:30ish so we could get the twins back and get them to bed.

Monday and Tuesday were kind of chill days filled with four-wheeler and side-by-side rides, watching cows, going to the pond, fishing a little, Gaupo hauling some hay, and playing. Gaupo, I, Blaine, James, Kylee, and Tia all went with Grandpa to "take the bull to Bologna." It was actually a bull and two cows, but it was fun to go and watch them weigh the cows and get suckers at the bank.

Kylee, James, Tia, Blaine, and Grandpa in the Semi.

Getting ready to haul the hay.

Blaine holding Abby and Kylee with Kade.

Tia and Blaine in the hot tub.

James and Kylee 

James, Blaine, Kylee, and Tia.

With Gaupo's help Grandpa got all the hay in and on Wednesday he surprised us with a trip to Pocatello. I was trying to do laundry when the announcement was made, so we left clothes in the washer, hung up the load I had out, fed the babies and headed to the restaurant called Figi's. It was a Japanese restaurant where they cook it right in front of you. It was pretty cool to watch. I really enjoyed the food. When Blaine and James got nuggets and fries the girls were pretty jealous that I had them get chicken, shrimp and rice, but Tia loved the rice and actually kind of enjoy the chicken and Kylee loved the Shrimp. It was fun to go eat fancy with everyone and afterward we were treated with a trip to the zoo. We actually had a choice to go to Ross park or to Zoo and originally we were going to do Ross park, but it was kind of chilly so we chose the Zoo. It was fun and I think everyone ended up having a good time there. We saw lots of native animals. They had a swan there and it was amazing to me how majestic it looked. I also like the bison and the grizzly bear. On the way home Gaupo and I stopped at Arctic Circle for Shakes. I miss that place it make the best and they were so good. So creamy and filled with stuff. It was a fun day of play. I don't think I have every done anything like that with Gaupo's family, so it was fun to go play.

James, Aaron, Blaine, Melanie, Grandpa, Grandma, Kylee, Abby, Tia, Guapo, and Kade all seated around the grill at Figi's.

Kade, Abby, Gaupo, and Kylee walking at the zoo.

Grandma and Grandpa and everyone else.

Tia looking for the bear.

Melanie, Tia, Kylee, James, and Blaine watching a Geese parade.

Thursday was a bit crazy trying to celebrate the 4th of July and get things done so we could be ready for the next leg of the trip. We went to the youth breakfast--a Swanlake ward tradition. Then we came home and did some laundry and then went up to the pond to clear rocks off the road, and clean up the cabin and pavilion. It was good to get it all ship shape for my family. We went back down and I changed the laundry and took care of the twins. Then it was pretty much time for lunch. After lunch we went up to the pond to play. I got the kids up there, but the getting took some time, so I needed to get back to feed babies and get them down for a nap. While I did that Gaupo helped the kids then we switched when I was done and I went on the lake with the kids. It was fun but started looking kind of weathery. After getting everything arranged in the shed, I went down and got the last of laundry off the line and then fed babies and waited for my family to arrive.

Tia and James caring for Jackson at the breakfast.

Swinging on the swings after breakfast. Gaupo, Kade, two kids I don't know, Kylee, Blaine, Tia, Gary, James, and Melanie.

The Bryce Clan arrived around 4:30 and we headed up to the pond. We got everyone out on the pond. It was kind of fun being the host and making sure everyone got what they wanted and needed. After a bit Klaire and my mom took the babies and I went out and enjoyed sometime. Then we all came back in for dinner. It was getting kind of late, so I had to run and make Kade a bottle and then come back up. Oma and Grandma fed him while nursed Abby. Then we were eating dinner and Kade's foot started swelling, and a storm was brewing so, Grandma and I got in the side-by-side with the twins and we rushed to the house. We got in just before the rain. I got the twins showered, then the girls, then myself. While I was doing that Gaupo got the car packed and around 8:00PM we headed to Viriginia. We got there and I fed the twins got them in bed and then later got the kids there too. I got to bed after some visiting and treats.

Friday was the start of the Allen Brady Reunion. It didn't start till about 1:00 and so we just spent the morning having breakfast, playing kickball, and enjoying being together. Around 12:00 Mark and Shara got there to start lunch and the reunion was launched. It started with lunch and visiting. Then we cousins got our volleyball on. It was a pretty fun game. After we played that for a good long while we played giant twister. Then the oreo game, and then I am not sure what they did. I had to feed babies and by the time I was done it was visiting time and then headeding to the church for the traditional wiener roast. After the weiner roast was the talent show. During the talent show they showed an arrangement of clips that everyone submitted and we got to vote for most funny and best skills. It was a really fun way to show just little clips of everyone's life. I also am part of a pretty talented family, so it was fun to watch all the fun talents. Kylee, Tia, and I sang 3 little speckled frogs. We have lots of talents, but they are kind of hard to display and the girls really wanted to do something, so that is what we came up with. At the very end, Gaylynn and David taught us the Virginia Reel and then we had root beer floats and headed to sleep. The girls and Gaupo slept out in the tent. The twins and I slept in the red room. I played night games till around 11:00 but had to call it a night because I needed to be ready to take care of my family the next day.

Saturday we started with breakfast at the church. Then family pictures. Then we went to the Arimo cemetery to put the flowers we made on the grave and then headed to the park for park fun and Ultimate Frisbee. When  I got there I needed to feed the babies and Gaupo's favorite part of reunion in the softball or frisbee game, so I fed and took care of kids, but then Kara came over and took over, so I could catch the last few minutes of the frisbee game. I am rusty, but it was still really fun to play and be active. After that it was back to the church for lunch. I got some lunch but then went back to Grandpa-Great's to feed the twins and get them down for a nap. It was just so much easier to do it there than at the church. Then Gaupo came and swapped me places and I got back in time for family history hour. Lisa had picked out some stories from Grandpa-Great's book and planned a fun activity to go with them. It was very well done and very fun. After we cleaned up that and the church it was back t Grandpa-greats for slip-and-slide and waterballoon volleyball. I actually missed the volleyball portion because I needed to feed the babies but I was there for the cousin pic and visiting. Eventually it was time to say good-bye and have everyone pack-up and leave. Then it was time for dinner, baths, showers, and bed for the kids. Then showers, games, and visiting for the big people.

Sunday was church, lunch complete with John, Karen, Grandma and Grandpa Studley, and Aaron Getford. We visited for awhile had popsicle let the kids play and enjoyed the good day. Around 5:30 Jack and Lindsay's family, Klaire and Curtis, and Kitt and Matthew all left for Provo. Then we had dinner and got people to bed. Tia was so wiped she didn't eat anything and went to bed around 6:30. This was good, but apparently not good enough. Around 8:00 we were getting ready to put Kylee to bed and Tia threw-up. So, we had to clean that up and take care of her. She did get a blessing, but it was still a rough night. I ended up sleeping with her out in the playroom and she threw-up at least 4 more times that I can count it could be more. Once again we were aiming to hit the road around 7:30 but the night was too rough and we ended up off more like 8:30. Tia didn't throw-up the whole way home, but she slept a ton and didn't eat hardly anything. She is doing better today, I think she was just exhausted. The trip home was pretty uneventful. We made a little better time by getting home around 7:00. It was still really long and the problem with arriving home is we have a bunch of stuff to take care of and no one to really help us out, so it was kind of exhausting, but we made it and it was great.

It was so awesome to be with family again. We miss being close to family, but we like where we are and Guapo likes his job and is able to provide for us here. I loved being able to play and watch my kids play with their cousins. It was such a good vacation. I am so glad to have a family that wants to spend time together. I love having a good place to go visit and having it filled with people that I love. Family is such a blessing and I feel so blessed to be part of really, really great ones.