Hugh and Eric celebrate their birthdays

The girls decided to find things around the house to give Eric and Hugh. It was very funny what they came up with. Ana said, "Dad's going to laugh." She put his dress shoe in a sack with a card and ribbon, with the help of Julia. I had to get a picture it was too funny. And sorry it's blurry.

Hugh's 2 and Eric's 30 something... The kids always remember if you ask them. : )

The scenic route home from St. George

The checkerboard mesa

The scenic route took us through Zion's National Park, up through the Big Rock Candy Mountain and more!

Can you see the lizard?

Eric at the top of Big Rock Candy Mountain

In sunny Hurricane for Joshua's baptism

Dad with most of the grandkids!

We went down to St. George/Hurricane for Joshua's baptism. We had such a nice time. Even Dad was able to come in for a few days. It was a lot of fun!

Eric singing in place of Dustin

A few weeks ago, Eric received a call from his brother, Dustin. Dustin asked if Eric would take his place as tenor in a local choir concert. (Dustin and his wife were taking an impromptu cruise and would be missing the concert.) The performance was at the Orem Public Library. The theme was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Here is a small portion of what I was able to record before Hugh had a lovely fit...

It's a bat! It's a baby! It's half the size of Hugh!

We grow 'um big around here! hehe

Julia's playing soccer!

Julia's team is called Lightening! At this game, Julia played goalie, forward, and defense. She almost made a goal! Go Julia! (Since she is such a bookworm, we're really glad she has found something active she enjoys doing!)

Labor Day with cousins

Hugh eating an apple off our tree

Ana and Jakob

Ana and Elena

Diann and Ronny and their family came up for the weekend. We all had a blast. Dustin and Julia came over for the football game. BYU beat OU! We ate great food! We stayed up way too late and ate yummy treats! We played outside and had a relaxing holiday!

Ana's 1st day of preschool

Ana came home so happy from preschool... Since this day, she's struggled with going. She says there's a boy that isn't very nice to her, so she doesn't want to go... We're changing times and going in the afternoon with Ana's little friend, Sophie! So, now Ana can't wait to go!

Nicholas' Raingutter Ragata

Eric helped Nicholas make his cool boat! I painted the "Y" on it! : ) Nicholas won several times and received an award. He had a lot of fun and only cried at the end when he didn't win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place overall for a trophy. : ) It's builds character, right?!

Pear Berry Buckle

It was a new dessert made in the crock pot. It turned out awesome. We wish we could have shared it with everyone. Here's the link to the recipe. We just used berries instead of cherries and I would recommend using pears in pear juice instead of in syrup b/c it was a little sweet.

What's that growing on your chin?

Yeah, let's just say it wasn't pretty and there was "no lovin" for this scruffy man for a whole week! My thoughts are this...I don't go rubbing my cheek against my hairy legs, why would I want to snuggle up to that scruff???? Facial hair is ultra gross! I said it! It's out in the open for all to see. So, Eric decided he had to document this moment before he shaved it off forever!!!

5th pregnancy

In May, I found out I was pregnant with #5. It has been unlike any pregnancy for me. I have been extremely sick. When I went in for my 12 week appointment, I had an ultrasound and everything looked great, though I was measuring big! I took home pictures, showed the kids, and got excited! 4 Days later, I woke up, went to the bathroom and thought I miscarried. I was devastated! 9 hours later an ultrasound showed the baby doing just fine. Whew, definitely a sigh of relief for me! I went from crying about losing the baby to happily crying about still having it. What an emotional day!!! The loss of whatever... was basically an underdeveloped baby and since that day, I have felt awesome and am no longer measuring big!

On Monday, Aug. 3rd, I went in for my 17 week appointment, only to discover from ultrasound that the baby had died from congenital heart failure. I was beside myself. The Dr. wanted me to know that it wasn't my fault the baby died as my body still thought it was pregnant. I'm glad he told me that even though at the time I wasn't even thinking, "What did I do that might have caused this to happen?" (Eric discovered that 99% of all miscarriages happen before 14 weeks. I'm not sure I like being that 1%...) I was too far along to have a D & C. So, the Dr. sent me home with meds to get my body ready for a scheduled delivery at 6:30am Tuesday. However, the meds worked too well and Eric and I had to deal with it all at home around midnight...not a pleasant experience, but Eric helped me through it. Thank heavens. I didn't want to know if it was a boy or girl. And even though Eric held the baby, he didn't even think to check. He just noticed the 10 fingers and 10 toes and what appeared to be a perfectly formed little baby. It was an emotional day and a hard night. However, I feel great and didn't have to check into the hospital at all, only the Dr's office for a checkup. Let's keep our fingers crossed I don't have to go back into the hospital for excess bleeding, etc... The Dr was more worried and kept saying how sorry he was and asked if I needed sleep meds. I thought, "Are you crazy?" : ) Then I told him I don't need any more drugs and I'm in good spirits! It's nice to have a Dr that wants to take care of me though. : )

The kids took it well. Nicholas said, "Well, now you'll get your energy back!" Cute boy! Positive thinking is wonderful. He keeps asking how I am feeling without the baby and I tell him, I feel fine. Now, I can eat whatever and feel great. I won't have to worry about a new baby during a predicted bad swine flu winter or slipping on the ice being pregnant, etc... So, definitely some positives!

I'm just grateful it all went well and that the worst part is over. I think Eric is extremely worried about me, but we had some great talks and both feel at peace with everything. I feel great and don't cry unless someone has found out and comes over to say sorry and then I might tear up... I must say that before this, I didn't know how to help someone in this situation and now, I've been there and know better how to help someone else. While, I'm not glad to have gone through this, it has definitely opened my eyes to what other women go through. I'm not worried at all and believe me when I say I don't feel sorry for myself in the least. : ) However, I have been feeling a little blue this evening... I think I'll leave it at that.

Julia turns 7 on July 30th!

Julia enjoying her pink bubblegum and dark chocolate ice cream outside Maggie Moo's.

Julia... Let's just say she is the easiest child we could ever have! She's a helper, a peacemaker, a little mama to every little person, a voracious reader, artist, singer, a very patient little lady with a sweet disposition, and the list goes on. She truly is a gem to have in our home. We are so blessed! She celebrated her birthday with her cousin, Caleb, in St. George and enjoyed all the time she spent there. Then we came back to celebrate her birthday at home. She had a wonderful time opening gifts, being sung to, eating ice cream at Maggie Moo's, and having a little time in the spotlight. It was a special day for a special girl!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

Ana decided to hide behind me and is, therefore, incognito. (And yes, I am prego here, not just getting old and putting on the poundage, though that could be debated!!! : )

Nicholas, Hugh, Julia, Ana

What a neat experience for our family to attend this Temple open house! My children were so inquisitive and curious. What a peaceful experience... I am so grateful for temples. They are a place of healing, comfort, peace, and rest and I love them. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus are real and that temples are holy places. I am so grateful for the sealing power of the priesthood that families can be together forever. I am sealed to a wonderful, caring husband and have such a beautiful family. I love you Eric (sweets), and I love you, Nicholas, Julia, Ana, and Hugh! " ) You are some of the choicest blessings in my life and for that I am truly grateful.

Days of 47' Parade

Julia, Aunt Julia, Ana

Dustin's wife, Julia, invited our family to join her family at the Day's of 47' Parade in Salt Lake City. It was a blast! They sure know how to do a long parade! (They've been doing this parade for over 30 years and have it down pat!) Julia's dad cooked a great breakfast for everyone. We were shaded with a huge canopy and survived the heat for 3 1/2 hours. We were treated to otter pops, shaved ice, drinks, snacks... We were given the royal treatment and it was only a parade!!! We were invited back next year and believe me, we're going! Thank you Julia and Robison family!!! : )

Baby Hugh

Nicholas with his slushy

Mr. Eric

Miss Mom

Farewell to Grandma & Grandpa

Our last night before Eric's parents left for Frankfurt, Germany! Eric's dad said he didn't think Hugh would remember them. I told him that's why we have to take a picture. However, it turned out very dark. Oh, well... We hope they travel safely and have a wonderful time serving the young adults in there!

Nicholas turns 9 on July 11th!

Playing with Nicholas' new badminton set

Nicholas had a great day! In fact, he's been thinking about his birthday all month long! He made a nice list of things he wanted and well, we had a great time picking things out for him. We went to an Orem Owlz game, twice! Eric took Nicholas to the driving range to use all his new balls, tees, etc... We've decided you can't go wrong giving Nicholas anything sports related. He relishes anything of the sort! He's easy to get gifts for! : ) He's growing up and loves life! He still wakes up early, sings in the bathroom (which wakes me up), smiles all the time, shows his emotions a lot, plays hard, mows the lawn now, watches and plays with baby Hugh tons, and the list goes on... He's a great older brother and a good kid! We love him!

Ron & Irene's Mission Call

Ron & Irene received their mission call and will be serving in Frankfurt, Germany for 18months. They will report to the Missionary Training Center July 13th and leave for Germany July 24th. They will be serving in the Outreach Program with the Young Adults. They are very excited and anxious to get going. Their farewell is Sunday, July 12th at 11am. We are happy for them and sad to see them go. My kids will be without all grandparents for the 1st time ever!!! And are already mourning them not being here for baptisms, birthdays, holidays, Sunday dinners, etc... There's no doubt it's a sacrifice to serve in a mission, but the blessings will be wonderful! We can't wait to see them next December 2010. Hopefully, they'll be home for the holidays!!! : )

Summer has begun!

Ana in black

Summer break is so much fun when you can spend it with friends! Julia had the opportunity to do a cooking class at a neighbor's home every Monday in June from 9:30-11am. She had a blast! Here are a few pics of some early June play days.

Julia

Nicholas

baby Hugh

Nicholas and Basketball Camp

Nicholas and his friend, Jacob Dutton, attended Lone Peak Basketball Camp at the high school for the 1st week in June. Let's just say...Nicholas would have gone to b-ball camp everyday for the entire summer and would have looooooved every minute of it!!

He was given many awards throughout the week for being such a good hustler! He plays hard and keeps asking me which way I shoot better, etc... I keep telling him I played volleyball and that he needs to ask his Aunt Diann b/c she played for many years and is a great shooter! : )
Ahhh...what would summer be like without fun sports camps? Nicholas says booooring!!! hehe

SISTER MARJORIE HINKLEY ONCE SAID

I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk’s lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.

A book reading blog

http://homespunlight.blogspot.com/

A site with some great clean books! So fun!

Another cute find!

http://www.simple-finds.com/2009/06/check-out-this-candy-sale.html

Ana turns 4

What a sweet little girl!

She's growing up! Ana asked me to make her a lamb. She just had to sleep with it last night and take it to preschool today. It's already been on many bike rides and in a rain storm too!

It's called a "Hair Ball." Can you guess who picked that one out?
And she wanted a church bag that would go across her shoulders---the pink flowered one behind her.
Ana asked for a purple cake...
She also wanted her own scriptures. I suppose Sunbeams is a good age to get started...