My BIG Helper and St. Patrick's Day Party

Yesterday, while I was making dinner, Payton came to me and told me that Brielle needed her shirt off.  I as a little confused as to why she NEEDED it off.  Taylor seems to think that he is tougher with his shirt off, and can be found on occasion without one, so I thought that was what was going on.  To my surprise Payton was actually trying to get her all changed and into her PJ's for me.  He was just struggling to get the shirt off her head without hurting her.  I was so impressed with Payton.  He had even changed his first diaper on his own (it was not a stinky one, thankfully).  He actually did quite a good job.  I have teased him before about helping me change diapers, but I always just do it myself or Mckay takes over (I've gotten quite good at it after 4 kiddos).  I remember when Mckay and I only had Payton...there was a lot more keeping track of who's turn it was to change him this time.  Now it seems like with Mckay gone at work so much, having multiple kids, and a lot of experience...it is just so simple to change a diaper without giving it a second thought.  I do appreciate when Mckay steps in to help, he is a great father/hubby that way.  I guess I have just been doing it for so long, and although Payton has assisted me several times and brings me diapers often, this was just not one of his regular chores.  I so wish I could have spied on the whole process.  Was Brielle just holding still and letting her big brother take care of this like it was a normal thing, or was she too, a little taken back by this new arrangement?  Payton is sure growing up and is capable of so many things, and while I love having him be my helper, I can't help but think he is growing up so fast!

 I helped him remove her shirt and then gratefully let him finish his good deed.  Payton was so patient with Brielle.

 And Brielle was pretty patient with Payton!

 My compliments to Payton after all his help, only made him that much more eager to continue with his services as he looked around the house for more things that needed to be done.  I love the relationships my kids have!

The Love of a Family Makes Life Beautiful!

 

Oh and Payton and McKenzie both made Leprechaun traps this year.  They were trying to catch one but instead, the kids received Dinosaur Egg Oatmeal, and some Green M&M's, and rainbow skittles to share, from that sneaky little guy.  St. Patrick's Day is also my sister, Michelle's Birthday, so since it was a Sunday this year we headed to my parents (all dressed in GREEN) for a little family BBQ/Party!  I am shocked that Payton actually caught my mom wearing no Green after Church.  She threw on a necklace to stop the pinching!

 The men at the BBQ.

 My lovely mom took a picture of me too.

 Another one.

 Kaden and Taylor in Daniel's truck!

 Enjoying some family time all in green!  (Brielle was off taking a nap)

 McKenzie, Ashlee, and Payton playing outside.

Taylor

 McKenzie's trap she made for Kindergarten.

Payton's he made at home for our family.

 

I wanted to take a moment to record this precious time with my kids.  I hope to remember how good my children really are especially when there are times when I feel like no one can hear me or they are just not listening.  (Note to self: read my blog in times when I feel frustrated, I have good kids and a lot to be grateful for!)

Ouch!

Last week I was down stairs playing when I heard McKenzie crying pretty bad.  I rushed up there to see that she was huddled on a ball and hurt pretty badly.  I scooped her up and took her to my bedroom to look a little further into what had happened.  It was clear that her poor little toes were the cause of her discomfort.  She was in a lot of pain and I couldn't get a lot out of her then, but I guess she was climbing up the door frame using her hands and feet to brace herself when Taylor decided to shut the door.  He felt so bad about what had happened that he ran to hide while I took care of McKenzie.  Later I could tell he felt terrible and apologized to her.  She was trying to be tough for him and assured him that she was okay.  Have I mentioned that this little girl hates pain!!  So it was hard for her to be strong and relax so I could care for her.  It was so sad watching her trying to use different breathing techniques (almost like a woman in labor) to get her through and even having her admit that she wished this never happened and that she was taking a nap instead.  Breaks my heart.

 

After getting her to calm down a bit we treated her toes.  One entire toenail was barely hanging on and practically fell off.  The toe next to that started to bruise and swell immediately.  I think it may have been broken but there isn't really anything to do for a broken toe.  We tried to ice it, clean them up, and bandage them with some ointment.

She has actually been quite a little trooper.  We had her stay home from school the next day so she could keep it up and not have to wear a shoe or get stepped on by others.  Let alone figure out how to walk all over with hurt toes.

It was so sad to see her hurting.

I sure hope this toenail can even grow back.

Ouch!!

Here is the missing toenail.

She is doing so much better now but it has been stepped on accidentally by her siblings a couple of times.  It looks way better now!

She got special treatment from Daddy when he got home.

Kenzie absolutely loved the balloon from her dad and a couple of ring pops.  The other kids were jealous but settled on some Ice Cream Bars instead.

Thanks for saving the day DAD!

The next day it was looking a little more bruised up.

Poor girl!  I really do hope it heals up and that she eventually grows a toenail because there is nothing there right now, a week later.  I was talking about it with her today and she says that she doesn't mind if it doesn't grow back, because she got a balloon from her dad!  I hope she keeps that positive outlook on things in the future.

Getting Bigger

The other day I did a little bedroom rearranging.  The kids always like it when I change things up a bit, and hey so do I.  I decided to put Brielle's toddler bed up just to see what she thought of it while I was already in the process.  I think she thought it was a pretty fun piece of furniture until she realized that she was actually going down for a nap.  Unlike some of our other kids, Brielle soon figured out that she could easily get in and out and began doing a little exploring.  All while I was watching through a cracked door giggling at her.  She tried to leave the room and to her surprise there I was.  She got a little spooked and then I fed her a quick lunch and tucked her back in.  She soon fell fast asleep in her new BIG Girl Bed.  She has slept in it a few times since then but has woken up on the ground and crying a couple of times so I think she must be a mover and roller in her sleep.  She was hardly awake and went right to bed when we put her back in her crib.

 

It is an adjustment but I just couldn't resist taking a few picture of our little girl who is growing too fast.  She still sniffs her blanket as she rests.

Precious baby sleeping.

Love her.

It was pretty funny to see her show off her new bed to her daddy when he returned home from work.  She loves it when he comes home and says "Dad Home", it is so sweet.  I think she liked showing him that she can be a big girl.

I also enjoy my time with this little guy.  Taylor had been begging for me to switch up his room after he helped to change McKenzie's one afternoon.  He now sleeps in the top bunk (thanks to Payton: who now may never change back because he too, is LOVING being able to stretch out in the big full bed on the bottom.)  It was cute putting them to bed that first night.  Taylor was asking Payton if there were good or bad dreams on that top bed (as if the bed determines the type of dreams he was about to have).  I love the things kids come up with!  It is fun watching and listening to them when they are unaware we are watching.  Last week while Mckay was at Young Men's I overheard Payton talking to Taylor as he tried to comfort him and also count down the minutes until dad would be home to kiss them goodnight.  Everyone is sure missing Mckay, it will be nice on all of us when Tax Season is over!

 

I also wanted to add a quick update of a few more recent stats from the older kids yearly check-ups.

 

Feb 25th, 2013

Taylor

Height:  3 feet 0.75 inches (0%)

Weight:  30 pounds 8 ounces (10.23%)

BMI:  15.88 kg (63.96%)

 

McKenzie

Height:  3 feet 4.5 inches (1.02%)

Weight:  37 pounds (15.35%)

BMI:  15.86 kg (62.10%)

 

Feb 27th. 2013

Payton

Height:  3 feet 11 inches  (21.7%)

Weight:  58 pounds  (65.8%)

BMI:  18 (89.82%)

Also we went to a park with Cynthia and Max a couple times that I wanted to update on the blog. 

Payton was at school but here is Taylor, me, Brielle, and Kenzie all feeding the ducks.

It was a nice spring day!

Loving the ducks!

 Then it was time to swing at the park!

 Oh so FUN!
We also visiting this same pond in the fall:

 Max was fast asleep while the rest of us fed ducks.

 Brielle riding in the stroller.

Oh how this girl LOVES to swing!



9 Wonderful Years Together

Mckay and I recently celebrated our 9 Year Anniversary.  Crazy how fast time flies when you're having FUN!!  Seriously though, Mckay is my best friend.  I never seem to get enough time with him and we always have fun when we are together.  I can't imagine my life without him in it.  

Of coarse we took this picture of ourselves after our date.  My parents hung out at our house with the kids, fed them dinner, and put them all to bed while Mckay and I went out together.  We ate at The Cheesecake Factory and then did a little shopping before returning home.  Each year I ask myself why we set our wedding date in March, knowing that we be stuck in the middle of tax season for years to come.  I guess we just couldn't wait to begin our lives together, and we can always celebrate any time of the year!

I love you with all of my heart!

A Friend For Everyone

Well the kids had a couple days off from school so we took advantage and went out to my parent's house on President's Day.  The cousins played together while my sister Michelle, my mom, and I made a few crafts.  Payton and Allyssa wanted to join in on the fun as well.  They were very creative and did a good job on their projects too.

Allyssa, Michelle, Mom, and Payton being silly with feathers!

Kenzie and Ashlee had a fun time together.

Taylor and Kaden have become quite good little buddies.  Kaden is the only boy in his family, but that doesn't stop him from thinking he still has brothers as his cousins!

We also had some fun just hanging out:

 Allyssa and Payton enjoying a snack on the well house.

Pals

The kids love to climb on this little house at Grandma and Grandpa's.

How many people can you fit on a 4-wheeler?  We have tested this out many times on this poor old 4-wheeler my parents have had since I was young.  It was our main source of transportation for irrigating.

 Brielle loves to be outside.

Brielle and Kaitlyn loving and being loved by the cat.

Brielle and me looking at the cows.

Kenzie, Ashlee, Kaitlyn, Grandpa, Brielle and Me.


It is so fun seeing their friendships grow.  My kids love each of their cousins and it is awesome.  We have also been spending some time with this little guy.

Here is Max...we just love this fun little boy.  Cynthia has been working night shifts at the hospital, in the Mom and Baby unit.  So when she is in need of a few ZZZZZZ's we get to watch Max while she sleeps in Kenzie's room.  I wake her up when he is hungry, but the kids seem to welcome him right into our home and Brielle just loves "MAAAXS".  It is so cute how natural it comes to love yet another cousin!

One time I found that Kenzie had put Max up in a chair.  I guess she thought he didn't look comfy on the floor.

Brielle loving little Max!

He doesn't seem to mind, in fact, I think he likes seeing other kids interact around him.

He loved it in the comfy chair!

More kisses!



Kids are so cute around someone smaller then them!