Weekend Fun!

DJ left for High Adventure with the Scouts early Friday morning so the kids and I were on our own until Saturday afternoon. It always bums me out when DJ is gone, especially on a weekend so I decided that getting out and doing something fun with the kids was the remedy. All the kids had earned cinnamon rolls and ice cream cones from Mrs. Powell's and Geraldine's Bake Shop for the summer reading program at the library so I decided this was as good as anytime to redeem them. Yes, ice cream and cinnamon rolls don't really go together and it's a lot of sugar for 7:00 at night but we decided to break the rules so we headed to pick up the cinnamon rolls first and then went over to the ice cream place after since they have tables set up outdoors, perfect for a picnic. The kids chose their usual Bubblegum icecream (yuck) and I chose Grasshopper. Of course, they all had to give mine a try because they inevitably always choose bubblegum so therefore they haven't tried too many other kinds of icecream. I wish I would've remembered my camera because Kaleb's face and hands were covered in frosting and ice cream and he kept offering Porter a lick and with a sly look he'd say, "when you get older, Porter." Anyway, we came home and watched "Little Rascals" and stayed up way too late but it passed the time so it was worth it.

The next morning, one of my best friends (Tisha Flora) from Rexburg came down to watch Kamryn and Porter for awhile so I could take the other 4 kids to the Greenbelt to feed the ducks. We had such a ball and it was so nice to have my hands free to help the kids. Kaleb couldn't grasp the concept of tearing off small bits of bread to give to the ducks, instead he'd either throw a whole piece of bread or if we were lucky, he'd break it in half. Finally after he'd had enough of my trying to tell him what to do, he just decided to keep the piece of bread and eat it himself.
Forget the lousy ducks, I'm hungry!!

Before we left for home we walked around the greenbelt to look at the waterfalls. It is such a beautiful place, one of my kids' favorite places to go. While walking around, we saw a lady fishing in the river and Jordyn says, "mom, is she fishing for a duck?" Morgan gave her the funniest look like, "duh?" I said, "no, honey, she's fishing for a fish," and she replies, "cool, there are fish in here?"

Take a picture of me, mom!

Our favorite picture spot with the

Idaho Falls Temple in the background!

Regan, Morgan, Jordyn, & Kaleb

The babies got a long great with Tisha and her daughter Jennekah! Tisha has twin boys and 4 other kids also so she knows how crazy life with twins is. Her boys will be 2 in September and she tells me that it is getting easier. I keep telling myself that as I'm up to my elbows in diapers, spit up, laundry, etc. (I wouldn't change it for the world though) Anyway, thank you Tisha for being so supportive and helpful!!! I morning out with the 4 kids was just what the doctor ordered!!!!

Hurray for backyard camping

The kids have been begging DJ to pitch the tent in the backyard for quite awhile so they hit him up again this evening at dinner and he agreed on the condition that they work really hard in the yard with him. So, Regan went to work mowing the lawn and Morgan and Jordyn went to work picking up grass clippings and weeding the garden while DJ edged the lawn and set up the tent. Anyway, they were so excited and will probably have a hard time going to sleep tonight. Hopefully they will let DJ get some shut-eye because he has to get up and go to work tomorrow. What a great daddy!

What would I do without my mom?

I just have to take a minute to say how much I love my mom! Saturday I was having a particularly rough day with the babies and I called to get some moral support from my mom and as always, she listened patiently while I tearfully unloaded the woes of my day on her. As if my mom doesn't have her own things to deal with. You would never know it by looking at her, but she has Multiple Sclerosis which she deals with like a champ. She never complains or whines to me about how she feels even though I know she has plenty to whine about. She is always busy serving others and has the best attitude of anyone I know. She always keeps a positive attitude and reminds me to put my trust in Heavenly Father and he will take care of me. Anyway, my mom came up Sunday morning to help me get the kids ready for church since DJ leaves for meetings bright and early. She even went to church with us and ended up staying until almost 10:00 that evening. I don't know what I would've done without her because Kamryn was having tummy problems that day and mom spent much of the day holding and calming her while I tended to Porter and the other kids. It was so nice to have an extra set of hands but even more than that, I just enjoyed visiting and spending time with her. Thanks mom!

Janna, to the rescue!

My awesome neighbor, Janna Billman, came over tonight to visit. She happens to have twins (girl and boy) so she is an expert at the "twin" thing. She's always got great advice and is always here to lend a hand or a listening ear when I need it. Before the babes were born she made 3 sets of matching blankets and a ton of matching burp pads for them and most every day for a few weeks she dropped off cute little baby items. So cute!! Anyway, the babies have been fussy most of the day and the poor little things haven't slept for more than 20 minutes at a time, so when she was getting ready to leave she showed me the trick to wrapping the babies up tight (burrito baby style) like they do in the hospital and they have been sleeping side by side since she left over an hour ago. I was in serious need of a break from holding the cute little stinks so I am extremely appreciative to Janna!! Thank goodness for wonderful neighbors, friends, and family who are always popping in to check on me. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Calgon, TAKE ME AWAY!!

It's 4:00 in the afternoon, I'm frantically trying to get a casserole in the oven for dinner before the babies wake up from a very long nap. I agree to let the girls have a couple of friends over on the condition that they either play outside or stay downstairs. I realize that we are having an older sister in our ward over from FHE so I need to make a batch of cookies and the house is cluttered and needs a little TLC, when it all hits.... the babies decide to wake up and they are both screaming to be fed, the cookies are just about out of the oven (5 min. left) so I can't sit down to nurse the babies because I'll have to stop right in the middle so I opt to let them scream while I wait. Finally, I sit down to nurse and out of no where, kids come running up the stairs to see what all the screaming is about and there I am just about to nurse the babies. YIKES!! In all the commotion, Kaleb decides to wake up from his nap and he's begging to go outside and play. (I want to say, "do I look like I can take you outside to play") but I refrain because he won't get my sarcasm anyway. Then, thanks to an answer to my prayers, my visiting teacher shows up to see if I could use some help!! YES!!! She grabs Kaleb and takes him outside to play and then comes back in to burp a baby and free one of my hands to finish the casserole. The casserole is finally finished so I go to put it in the oven and, of course, there is absolutely, no heat. The oven has been giving me fits for quite a while now and I thought we'd got the problem fixed but I guess not. To make a very long story, a little shorter, we finally had dinner at 6:20, DJ ran to pick up our FHE guest while I fed the babies and Morgan cleaned up the kitchen. We ended up having a very nice evening and the babies were as good as gold. Needless to say, DJ and I are hammered and ready for a good nights rest, ha ha ha ha!! I have a feeling that there are many more days like this one lurking around the corner. Thank goodness for wonderful visiting teachers who are listening to the spirit and are willing to help!

4th of July Fun!

Our 4th of July weekend started early because DJ took the day off Thursday so he could spend an extra long weekend with us. I always look forward to having him home, not only for the extra set of hands but especially because I love being with him! DJ and the kids spent the morning working in the yard and then we all headed over to the pool at Grandma Johnson's condominium. DJ swam with the 4 kids while I visited with Grandma and took care of the babies. The girls had a ball but Kaleb didn't think it was too fun. We're hoping a couple more times in the pool will cure his fear! Regan swims pretty well now and is gaining a lot more confidence. It's fun to see her enjoy the water and it's fun to see Morgan and Jordyn's confidrnce growing. Anyway, it was a fun afternoon and the babies stayed asleep the whole time which made it so I could visit with Grandma and enjoy watching the kids.

Friday morning we got up bright and early and left for the parade by 7:30. DJ stayed home with the babies so I could enjoy some time with the other kids. The parade started at 9:00 so we knew that in order to find a seat we'd have to get an early start. I was pleasantly surprised when we found a little spot big enough for the 4 kids and myself near the starting point of the parade! Ideal if you ask me because there was no waiting and we were on our way home before the weather turned really hot. The parade was great and I was entertained by Kaleb and all of his dance moves to the music coming from the floates. He was having the time of his life, I couldn't get him to sit down on the curb because he'd immediately get up and start dancing so when they would throw candy, the girls grabbed a handful and dropped a few in Kaleb's bag. One lady came by and handed a bunch of candy right to Kaleb and he started handing pieces to the girls. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised because Kaleb has a love for candy like I've never seen so it was a miracle that he shared! After the parade we went to a barbecue down at the Petersen's down the street. The food was fabulous and we all had a fun time visiting while the kids played.

Later in the evening, DJ took Regan, Morgan, and Jordyn to the movies to see "Emma Smith," which they all really enjoyed. While they were gone, Kaleb and the babies and I played outside and had a picnic and when DJ and the girls got home we loaded in the van to drive closer to town to watch the big Malaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks show. DJ found a great place to park a few years ago that isn't too far from our home and we back the van up and watch the fireworks from the trunk of the van. The kids think it is great and generally bring along their candy stash from the parade and load up on candy at 10:00 at night. We're making memories, I guess!

Fun with cousins!

Tuesday was a great day because Matt, Sara, Luke, Emma, & Gavin came to visit us! We haven't seen them for such a long time so the kids were so excited!! It worked out that my cousins, Mara Turley and Erika Stover were visiting Grandma Johnson for a couple of days so they brought their kids out and we all got to spend the afternoon together. The kids all had lots of fun playing together and they all got a long so well. Regan especially enjoyed playing basketball with Tanner and Avery and the little girls had a ball playing with Grandma Rose & Aunt Sara. It was so good to see everyone and especially fun to visit and get reaquainted. In all the craziness I didn't get any pictures with Mara and Erika's kids but here are a few with Luke, Emma, Gavin & our kids.


We love our Florida Cousins!

Uncle Matt & Emma holding Porter & Kamryn! Emma loved holding the babies! She even missed out on watermelon and popsicles just to hold them. How cute is that????


Jordyn and Emma hugging (Can you feel the love?) Jordyn was so excited for Emma to come and visit and couldn't wait to play Polly Pockets with her. They got to play all evening and Jordyn was in 7th Heaven. They also played a little dress up and came to model for us. What cute little girls!