Manwaring & Monson visit

It was so much fun to have Jonathan's brother, Josh and his family and Jonathan's sister, Betsy and her family to visit! We had so much fun even if we were all squished into our little house...at night we had kids in every corner-the best!! We are so glad when we get vistors! We had so much fun that we kind of forgot to stop and take oodles of pictures...here are a few that we managed to get.


Morgan and Austin


Sahara and Isabel


Austin, Jaden, Isaac, Isabel, Macee, Sahara, Oaklee, Bailee, Allyson, Morgan


Joni and I came out on Sunday morning wearing almost the exact same dress....the funny thing is that it's not the first time we've done that!

Sisters in SHADES

Home Remedy

I realize these pictures are NOT becoming of our children...but they are significant. You see we have a genius at our house! Really I'm thinking that he may have invented the perfect solution to a very common problem. Our kids were suffering from drippy noses. Tired of constantly getting their noses wiped, Isaac appeared one morning looking like this. (If you can't tell exactly what it is...he has a band aid under his nose). Brilliant I tell you, BRILLIANT!!


Ally also thought it was quite a good idea!

Our sweet Bellie!!

There is not really a story behind these pictures....just our SWEET little baby who has us all wrapped around her chubby little finger!!

This is how we sleep in our house!

One night we were pushing Isabel in the swing and she started to get VERY SLEEPY. Next thing we knew, she had her thumb in her mouth and was FAST ASLEEP!

Our boys refer to this as "the sleeping hat". I'm not sure why....but it is pretty funny to go into their room at night and see them with it on their head!

Primary Temple Trip

This year in primary the theme is, "My Eternal Family". So we decided that it would be a perfect activity to take all of the kids with their families to the temple.
We all met in front of the temple and then broke into groups to take tours of the visitor's center.
It was a great, great day! We also got a special treat when we saw one of Jonathan's long lost friends from Idaho, Brett Jensen and his cute wife and darling daughter. We had such a nice visit with them!



I am so glad that my family is FOREVER!!

Home Improvements...Yard Addition

We have wanted to redo our backyard ever since we've moved in to this house (we've wanted to redo our front yard also, but I'm not thinking that's coming anytime soon). About 1/3 of the grass was taken up with a strip of rocks that was completely unusable and with the kids getting older and needing more play space...we wanted them gone. So when Jonathan had a few days off in a row, we got right to work. The entire process was pretty funny...actually, hilarious for us to think back on. Our different ways of doing things came out clear from the beginning. I just like to get going, no real plan in mind except the plan to figure things out as we go. Jonathan is MUCH more methodical and draws out a step by step plan to make sure everything is in order before we even start. I'm much too impatient and just want it done FAST and figure it will be good enough. Luckily I have a WISE husband who likes things done right. In the end it was very clear that his "way" was the right "way"...as it usually is. It turned out to be a HUGE project and had we known, we would have hired someone to do it for us.


We removed the rocks (easy part), then had to rototill the extremely HARD ground. This was like the WORST job ever, I felt so bad for Jonathan out there trying to manhandle that terrible machine-although we both laughed hysterically. This was by far what took the longest!!


Austin was a real trooper and worked right along side his dad with his own "tiller". He was VERY happy to assist!



We were so glad to have our friends Jose and Jesus help us finish with the rototilling and hauling the new dirt to get ready to lay the sod. They came equipped with wheelbarrow rides and all! The kids thought it was great!



In the end we were glad we did it! We still want to plant trees along the fence...but we'll save that for another day!!

Tonight

Tonight I am up. It's late and I should be sleeping, but I can't. I can't because I am overwhelmed by these 4 sweet kids that call me "Mom". Not the bad kind of overwhelmed, the good kind. I am overwhelmed with how much I LOVE THEM and even more than that, but how much they love me. Last night I was cleaning out all of my kids ears...I love to do that-I know, it's weird...but I was for some reason imagining my kids telling their kids about how their mom would make them line up for their turn to lay on her lap and get their ears cleaned. Isn't that such a silly thing!? Then all day I've been hearing their voices fast forwarded about 25-30 years telling their children about what our home was like when they were little...does this make any sense? And now here I sit completely overwhelmed by the trust and love and everything else good that they give to me. It makes me want to be good...it makes me want to be the BEST. I know that isn't possible, but it makes me want to try as hard as I possibly can. My mom told me when I had Ally that, "Kids make you become a better person than you ever wanted to!". That is so true. And the greatest thing is that the whole process is so much fun to go through!!! There is nothing that brings me more happiness than living with these 5 babes (Yes, Jonathan is included in that)! My only complaint is that they are growing WAY TOO FAST!!

So now I'm going to brag...I might as well just call it like it is, I'M BRAGGING!! But I do believe I have great merits to brag on!



Ally will be 7 in a month...am I happy about it? No! But on one hand she is growing and turning into the most beautiful person I have ever, EVER met! Yes I think she's beautiful on the outside (who wouldn't :)), but she is even more beautiful on the inside. She really, really, really is! Her heart is so good and so kind, I am blown away. It's not a show or a desire to just make me happy, it really is exactly who she is. She "gets" it. If her feelings ever get hurt, she never retaliates and wants to hurt someone back, she instantly thinks of them and doesn't want them to feel bad. She's incredible...I just can't think of any other word to describe her. I admire her so much and try to be like her more every day. I feel so blessed to be her mom for so many reasons, but one selfish reason is that I get to be with her FOREVER and knowing that she is happy about that also, is just more than I could ever hope for!

Isaac will be 5..really he will! I can remember when he was born and not even being able to imagine what a little boy would be like...well, he is the "PERFECT" boy. He is a joy in every single way. He is so unexplainably happy, it's just unlike anyone I've ever met before. He makes me SO, SO happy! He's just the perfect mix of mild, meek and tender and then all the rough boy stuff too. He has a forgiving heart and would NEVER, EVER hold a grudge no matter what! Lately he's been so affectionate to me and just will come give me a big kiss for no reason. His prayers are PRECIOUS. Today he had to get in some trouble for not minding (it's so heartbreaking to get him in trouble) and when I kneeled down by him for his prayers he said in the most innocent and sincere way, "Thank you for telling us what is right and wrong". I could have hugged him all night. He is the glue of our family and we all rely on him so much!

My little Austie is going to be 3 on Saturday. Oh, his life has gone fast! But then again I have a hard time believing that he's only going to be 3. He seems (and thinks he is) so much older than that. I often lump him in the group of "big kids" and find myself trying to remember that he's still such a little guy! Austin needs me and that makes me feel good. He could sit for hours with me just holding him. He would rub his cheek on mine all day if he could. I love it all! His perfect world would include his family and candy...anything else is just secondary. He loves to be taken care of by his brother and sisters and would willingly play any game they wanted! Just looking at his face brings JOY like nothing else can. He still wakes up most nights and comes to get in our bed...I always smile when I see that cute face and gladly wrap him up under the covers while he falls asleep rubbing my arm. Another awesome thing that I love about Austin is that he works hard and pushes himself. He can do things that I would never dream of doing! I could eat him right up!!

I'm not sure what to say about our little Bellie. "Perfect" just doesn't seem to do justice! Every baby should be from the mold she came from...but then again people would want too many babies! I know I'd have my collection! I knew when I got pregnant that whoever was sent to us was incredibly "special". Of course they all are special, but for whatever reason this feeling was different! I'm not sure I'll ever know exactly what those feelings were (or maybe I will?), all I know is that we all NEED her. For only about 10 1/2 months she sure has a big responsibility. Every morning we are all on pins and needles waiting for when she wakes up. The second we hear a sound we race in the bedroom to be the first to see that sunshine face. And it "shines" and doesn't stop all day long! She is so very snugly and will do it at anytime and for almost as long as you want. Then when she's ready to go to sleep all you have to do is lay her in your arms and her eyes close and her thumb goes in her mouth (it's like one of those dolls who's eyes close whey you lay them down). Really, I know she seems impossible...but she's real and it's all true!!

So there you have it. I may not have a lot of things and probably never will, but I am blessed with incredible kids (and also an amazing husband, but he warrants his own post for sure!!), and I couldn't ask for more! I love these 4 sweet kiddos...They all make me better!!! They are everything that is good!!

And the Beach....

When I posted about Disneyland I forgot to post about the trip we also took to the beach...it was soooo beautiful!! It's always nice to have at least one day of unwinding after a busy Disneyland trip, and Laguna Beach was just the place to do that. We had never been to Laguna Beach before and we were so impressed! Our hotel was so cute and quaint...and just a quick walk to the beach. I think there was maybe only 4 other people at the beach the entire time we were there so we felt like we were on an isolated beach. We looked out and saw some kayaks (or something like that) and noticed they were right over a school of dolphins...it was so amazing! Our kids had so much fun running in the waves (you'd never know that the water was ICE cold!!) and playing on the rocks looking at sea anemones...they could have stayed there forever. We had to finally pry them away at near dark. One of the best parts was our adjoining rooms with the Forsbergs and putting the kids to bed while we stayed up late chatting and laughing for hours. It was a perfect vacation!

The mom and dad.


These 4 are SO much fun everywhere we go!!


Isaac was NUTSO running in the freezing water! You can tell by the look on his face...he's having the time of his life!


A football is all Austin needs to have a total blast! He also loved finding seaweed on the sand.


Ally loved climbing all over looking for anemones and trying to find pearls...at no luck.


And this little babe didn't love getting sand all over her...but was perfectly content to be held by her mom and dad!

Disneyland 09

We went on our annual Disneyland trip...6th year in a row. This year we went with our good friends the Forsbergs. Russ and Jonathan's birthday's are only 1 day apart and since you get in free on your birthday we thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate!!

PS...Doesn't Jonathan look better than ever at 31!?? Happy birthday honey...from the Happiest Place on Earth!

Every year I worry that the magic will wear off-but it seems like it just gets better and better and funner (yes I'm aware that's not a word!) and funner!! This year was espeically fun because both Allyson and Isaac were tall enough to go on the "big" rides. Isaac just barely made the 40 inch mark and he was thrilled!! At one point we were getting on a ride and Isaac ran right up and stood at attention to be measured and the worker said, "Is this the little boy I've heard about who has the perfect stance?"...I'm pretty sure it was! Austin, well, he has a few more years and he was less than thrilled!! Our poor children have to wait an extra long time before they are tall enough-I'm just glad that 2 of them made the cut-off before they turned 16! Isaac went on every one of the big rides...multiple times...I worry a little bit that he truly doesn't have any fear. Ally was a little more timid and opted out of Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Tower of Terror. Speaking of the Tower of Terror, it was also my first year experiencing the ride. Jonathan took Isaac on it first and then I was foolishly talked into it by people who I thought loved me. I just kept telling myself that if I can send my 4 year old son on it...I should be able to go on it too. Well, lets just say that I still suffer from a sore throat from all of the screaming that took place and I am convinced that we've commited child abuse by sending Isaac on that HORRIBLE RIDE!! But other than that...it was a once again, an INCREDIBLE trip!! It was also a fun surprize when we found out that Jonathan's brother Jeremy and his wife Kelly and their 3 girls were also visiting Disneyland. It was so fun to see them and chat for a little while!!

I don't think I could ever get enough of Disneyland and we plan on going right back again next year :)!!

How did this happen???

These 4 kiddos love baths! Usually the routine is that Isabel and Austin have baths and the 2 older kids take showers. Every night they all beg to all get in the bath with Isabel. Well on this night their dad gave in...can't you just tell how excited they are....especially Isabel!

Our Valentines!

WE LOVE THESE FACES!!!

Sewing Projects

Ally and I have been doing a few sewing projects. Ally's teacher had her first baby in December, so she had been on leave and so Ally's class had a subsitute for a few months while she was gone. I was definitely nervous for the change because Ally absolutely adores her teacher. But as it turned out, she also absolutely adored the substitute as well. Her last day with the class was on Valentine's Day so Ally wanted to make her something special. So, she drew a heart on some fabric and stitched it herself and then we made it into a pillow...it was precious....hard to give away to say the least. She was so proud of herself...and I was as well!


I also wanted to make something special for Ally's teacher having her very first baby. I had Ally during my first year of teaching...2 incredible things all wrapped up together. One of the amazing mom's of one of my students had each of my students paint a quilt block and sewed it all together in the most gorgeous quilt for Allyson. She still gets it out to this day and wants me to tell her all about my students. I knew I wanted to make Ally's teacher a quilt as a keepsake of her special year...so this is what we came up with. I had each of the kids write their own names and I stiched them onto the blocks. It turned out cute and was so much fun to give to her.

Go Cardinals!!

We have had so much fun following the Arizona Cardinals this year! Jonathan didn't miss watching a game and even got to go to the Monday night football game when it was here in Glendale. We were so excited when they made it to the Superbowl. Jess, Brad and Tanner came over to join the madness.


Of course we all had to wear Cardinal gear all week. The entire valley was buzzing with anticipation and excitement...it was so much fun to be a apart of it all! And even though the game didn't turn out as we'd have liked, it was still so much fun to watch! Austin would chant over, and over "Yea, Cardnils WEEEN!" All of the kids loved it....except Isabel could have cared less, but she did enjoy all the yummy food we all sat and ate.

Resident Retreat '09

At the end of every January, Jonathan's residency program takes all the residents and their families to Prescott, Arizona for a retreat. We all get to stay in cabins (just like the ones in the movie, "The Parent Trap") and spend a few days in the mountains. Our kids espeicially LOVE it! Isaac told me that he wants to move into one of the cabins forever....and he means it! We went on hikes, shot paitball guns and bows, made crafts and sat around fires and laughed...it was perfect and we all can't wait to go next year!!


(Us with the Binghams...look at all those kids!!!)


(Isabel was so fun to bundle up and snuggle)


(Jonathan teaching the boys how to shoot a painball gun...oh boy!)


(Ally shoot in bows and arrows...let's just say, neither she or I hit the target...and we both laughed)


(Austin did so good for being so little and Isaac is a natural!)

We're BAA-AACK!!

Well, I'm doing it, I'm finally doing it!! I'm finally updating our blog!! I'm not really sure why I haven't been "blogging" these past few months (plenty going on)...I've just been in some sort of "funk" apparently?? But, we are BACK and ready to blog away-so get ready for some posts :).