My favorite gifts

We spent Christmas Eve at Len's parents house visiting, eating good food, reading from the scriptures about the birth of Christ, and exchanging cousin gifts. The boys wore their "pajammies" so they could go straight to bed when we got home! They loved their new gifts that night & the next morning. The kids excitment is my best gift- they're a blast! Here are a few of my favorite parts:

Noah's holey grin!

Mack's super juicy kisses!

Sam's puppy dog eyelashes!

(I don't have enough time today to discover why this picture decided to post vertical!)

Isabella's perfect tiny hand, with pink jewelry of course!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too :)

only 8 more days!

We wish you a Merry Christmas....


We wish you a Merry Christmas....


We wish you a Merry Christmas....

and a Happy New Year!

(Sam & Mack are on the right side of the front row- us bad parents forgot the camcorder & had to use the phone, so the quality is pretty bad! Don't you love all the bouncy feet though! So cute!)

I'm as bad as the kids waiting for Christmas to arrive!!!! I love everything about Christmas- reflecting on Christ's birth, Mary & Joseph, traditions, family, friends, shopping (maybe better said as giving) & eating! I'm especially excited this year because our whole family has arrived. Bella won't have a clue what's going on, of course, but the other kids are looking forward to the excitement & will be hilarious on Christmas morning! There's nothing better than seeing their believing eyes as they see what Santa brought them! I can't wait!!! They also went shopping for each other this year & are so excited to give their siblings each their little dollar store gift! We hope your Christmas is wonderful & full of love.

Real men wear pink...

Christmas fun

Tough boys decorating the tree & showing off their muscles!
(notice all the ornaments hanging to the floor & the top empty!)


Noah at "zoo lights" riding on the carousel. He LOVES snow leopards!


Good friends! Jacob, Zane, Jackson, Noah, Sam & Mack at "zoo lights"


We had so much fun going to the zoo after dark to see the lights (no animals because it was freeeezing!) We brought little caesars, got hot chocolate, cookies & deep fried smores (kinda pukey- the real campin' smores are much better!) Then, we tried to walk off all those calories looking at tons of animal shaped & Christmas themed lights all over the zoo. We went with our good friends, Delinah & her boys. Our old neighbor Jackson came also, but in the car on the way home Len asked the kids if they had fun at the zoo & our boys yelled "Yah", but Jackson said "not really"!!!! Sorry buddy! Not his cup of cocoa apparently! Bella stayed warm at home with my wonderful neice Sarah & her hubby Kevin. It was so fun- we needed to be out after dark to experience some nose nippy temperatures & get in the Christmas mood since we probably won't have any snow this December :(

I only got flipped off once...

Noah & Daddy breaking the wishbone!

Our little family dinner at home.

Mom & her little super shopping pal

We had a very good Thanksgiving this year. We stayed home & had a little family dinner with the kids, who said "Uhhhh gross" to every item on the table other than the rolls! Oh, well- Len & I pigged out & we still are enjoying the leftovers!

Then, the excitement really began....looking through the ads in the newspaper with Len & making our shopping list for Christmas gifts & coordinating with friends about who will shop where! :) We exchanged our lists- I took on WalMart & Shopko, while a friend took on Toys R' Us & Smith's Marketplace & Len stayed home & slept!!!! It was very serious business.

Bella woke up right as I was getting ready to leave, so rather than risk being late or having Len call me in the middle of shopping to say "get home!"- she came with me. We left the house at 4:45 am & were in WalMart by 5:00. They were (somehow) out of carts when I walked in &, so I went to electronics without a cart & Bella's carseat on my arm. I quickly realized this was a mistake because I had to drag this humongous box with another box balancing on top while carrying the carseat on the other arm. I'm SURE I looked like this biggest idiot ever born! I was sweating by the time I got to the register, but I made it out of there by 5:20! Phewww! Shopko went much smoother, but for some unknkown reason, a guy who decided to cross the parking lot right in front of me while I was leaving stopped & flipped me off as I passed! I guess he thought I was too close to him or something! I wasn't even going fast- I think he just wanted to be a jerk, so I waved at him & turned up the Christmas tunes on the radio! I sang my way home trying not to let him get to me (even though it was very tempting to flip him off & then back up over him). Only one jerk was pretty good compared to last year though! Not to mention I didn't get trampled to death like the poor woman in NY. What the heck? Shopping is supposed to be fun right? Anywho- hope you all had a fun Thanksgiving & Black Friday too!

I am going to miss this someday

We're going to be blessing Bella in church in a few weeks, so we had her picture taken today in her blessing dress. This was the same dress I was blessed in many moons ago! I'm so glad my Mom kept it. Bella hated it, even though she looked so pretty! I think it was uncomfortable & there were lots of hanging ribbons to get little fingers tangled in, but she slept the whole time anyway. I actually wanted a pic with her eyes open! Darn it! She is so sweet & cuddly right now, in fact I've hardly put her down in 4 weeks! Len has totally spoiled me by taking a ton of time off work & taking great care of the boys when they were sick. So, then when he went back to work a few days ago...reality hit me hard! I needed to lay Bella down & get Noah off to school, while Sam & Mack were whining for breakfast. Bella, of course, wouldn't have anything to do with her bed because I've been holding her non-stop! It was total chaos pretty much the whole day. After 3 hours of trying to get the baby to nap in her crib, I ended up calling the neighbor & asking if Sam & Mack could come over for an hour so I could concentrate just on her. After 2 more hours, it worked & now she's sleeping in her bed great. Phewwww! It was worth 4 weeks of bliss for 1 super crazy day! I know I will miss the kids being little & the craziness someday!

These are my handsome (& now healthy) boys playing in the snow a few weeks ago. I just like this picture, so I had to add it! Now it feels like 80 degrees outside! I hope it snows again soon after Thanksgiving, so it feels like winter :) What a bunch of cuties!

Blogging to pass the time

You always hear "once you're kids are in school- you're always sick!" Well, it's so true! Unfortunetely, Noah started off last week with what he calls a "scratchy voice", cough & sore throat that he passed on to Mack & now Sam- only their version came with 104 degree fevers! So, Isabel & I have been quaratined to the bedrooms upstairs until Len finally took Sam to the doctor yesterday. He said the doctor's reaction to the news that we have a 3 week at home scared him & now Isabel & I are living at my parents house! I feel like such a slug- having my Mom bring me lunch while I sit on the couch watching daytime TV (which really sucks by the way)! I would usually enjoy this kind of break, but not when I know Len is home taking care of our 2 sick boys (Noah's better now). Thank goodness for great Daddy's! I think Len's enjoying being home with the boys all day, even though it's under yucky circumstances! I can't wait to get home too!

Girly girl

Nobody's going to have to wonder if Bella's a girl!!!

Happy Halloween!

We had such a fun Halloween! I pictured me staying home by the fire with Isabella, while the boys went out trick or treating in the snow. It turned out to be like 70 degrees! It reminded me of my Halloween's in back Scottsdale running from house to house in boxers & a t-shirt (unfortunetely boxers were the style back then- it wasn't just me!) I wasn't crazy enough to take Bella out trick or treating, even with the good weather, but we did go to my parents for chili! It was fun! Noah was Luke Skywalker or Obi One Kinobi, depending on which day you asked him. Sam & Mack were fireman & Bella had a cute costume that we put on for a second to take this picture & then put in the DI pile. I guess I should've saved my money! She did look soooooooo cute in it though! I still don't know for sure what kind of animal it is supposed to be! She's so cute it doesn't matter! Did I mention that she's REALLY good too? Seriously- I don't want to jinx it, but she is so mellow so far! We are all loving having her around- she has a slimy head most of the time from all the little boy kisses :)

She's arrived!

We are overjoyed at the arrival of

Isabella Naomi

October 18, 2008 11:35

She made her appearance after I was uncomfortable & complaining all day Saturday!!! Now I feel bad! I made cookies & we played with the kids all day, then we went to Target to walk around & get a few things when I started really feeling awful. We came home & I laid on the couch for about 5 minutes when suddenly Pop! My water burst! We went to the hospital at 6:30 pm & I was in a lot of pain, but it didn't last too long (thank you epidural)! Bella was born at 11:35 pm with no problems whatsoever. She surprised us with all her dark brown hair! She's sooooooooooo beautiful that these pictures do not do her justice! She's absolutely perfect & gorgeous & (drumroll).........mellow! Yes! She's such a pleasure to have around :) We REALLY struggled with her name because we settled on 2 great names, so choosing just one was so difficult. We ended up using both, but then couldn't decide which one to use as the first & which as the middle! We debated right until we had to sign the paperwork. We ended up with Isabella because Len thought Bella (meaning beautiful in Portuguese) was the best girl's name when he was on his mission in Brazil. He's always wanted his little beautiful girl! Naomi means Pleasant One, which she so is! It's also after a wonderful friend who passed away in January, and who I thought about often after I found out we were expecting. We think her name is so perfect for her, because she is beautiful & pleasant! We are so in love! The boys think she is the greatest thing ever too & they are always trying to "help" with her! We feel so blessed with our 4 wonderful kids!

No real news yet

So, I guess this baby girl is definetely NOT going to obey her Mommy! I'm now preparing for a spirited, stubborn & adorable little missy! I can't wait to meet her, hold her, smell her & snuggle her. It's just taking TOO long! Ahhhhh! For all you out there that go over by weeks, I'm sure I sound like a whiny little brat, and maybe I am, but I've now gone over 5 days longer than I ever have before. So, technically I am entitled to whine, cry & act generally irritated all the time.

Here's a fun survey from Jana's blog to cheer me up:

Four Random Things I Like About My Husband:
1. He actually has good taste in decorating, but doesn't butt in too much about it
2. He gets down on the floor & plays with the kids everyday
3. He can fix anything
4. He's a passionate conservative, who also recycles everything possible & loves animals! We DO exist!

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Mommy & housekeeper
2. Bank trainer
3. Shoe sales (the best perks ever)
4. Preschool teacher

Movies I've Watched More Than Once:
1. Sleepless in Seattle
2. Fun with Dick & Jane
3. Midsummer Night's Dream
4. The Incredibles

Four TV Shows I Watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Survivor
3. Oprah
4. Anything on Discovery or History channel (the last is because of Len!)

Four Places I've Been:
1. London
2. St. Thomas
3. San Diego
4. Washington DC

Four Of My Favorite Foods:
1. Soft, homeade sugar cookies
2. Enchiladas
3. Chips & Salsa
4. Potato anything

Four Places I Would Like To Visit:
1. Australia
2. Brazil
3. Germany
4. Central America

Four Things I Am Looking Forward To In The Coming Year:
1. GIVING BIRTH & meeting baby Ayers!
2. Christmas
3. Not working outside home (hopefully!!!!!!)
4. Kids' birthdays- my favorite!

Obey your Mommy PLEASE!

Dear Baby Girl,
Remember that appointment we had on Tuesday where the doctor reminded us that he's going out of town tomorrow? Well, that means that you may have some weirdo delivery you if you don't come out TODAY! I don't know if I can keep you safe & warm in my womb until the 20th when he gets back. Your brothers were all born early- don't you want to join the club? I know you're all healthy & strong because I can feel you kicking my hip bone everyday & pushing against my bladder with strong force. We are excited to meet you, so please consider coming out today & making your Mommy a very happy woman. We will love you just the same whenever you choose to come out though! Well, I'm off for a jog.
Love,
Mommy

Everyday feels like a week

Everything is washed, put away, organized. Duhh! Why did I do that? It's going to be a LONG 3 weeks (or hopefully less) until the baby arrives! I saw a tag on a friends blog about what makes you quirky. There are oh so many to choose from, but for sure my ridiculous need to be on top of everything at all times makes me quirky- I think- or maybe it's called OCD. The scary thing is I've relaxed a ton, but not so much when I'm pregant.


We're trying to keep busy! It rained today & feels like fall for the first time. Len took the boys hiking & searching for snow in the mountains, while I stayed home patching holes in the walls!

Len & I went to the Leann Rimes concert last night, and took pics just in case it was our last night out for awhile! She is soooooooooo awesome in concert! Love her! My feet were killing me & I look like a whale, but it was worth it!

Now....what should we do today? Hmmmmmm
I'll try to think of 2 other quirky things about myself. One is that I have to have everything even (again- could be seen as an OCD thing)! Like, if I step in water it drives me CRAZY that one foot is wet & not the other. Or, if I get scratched, bumped etc...I'll actually scratch the other side just to make it even. So, I guess 4 kids is a really good thing for me!
I also am a medical show junkie. I really don't watch much TV, but when I do I can't get enough of anything medical. My Dad laughs at me because whenever I work over at their house, I am glued to Discovery Health & he happens to walk down everytime there is a birth story on. He asks me "how many births can you watch"? A million- I'll never get sick of watching people give birth & bawling my eyes out. It drives Len crazy because sometimes I try to diagnose our family based on an episode of Grey's Anatomy or Real Life in the ER! It's my guilty pleasure.

There's something funny going on

This is the worst picture because the lighting is really funky, but it's of Noah, Len's Mom & our nephew all with purple casts on their left arms last weekend. I think I married into an accident prone family! How funny is that though?! If you look closely, you may notice a bandaid on Noah's forehead & some blood on his clothes too. If you looked underneath that bandaid you would find 3 stitches! Seriously! When he ran into the house screaming & blood stained I thought "are you freakin' kidding me?!" Then, when I finally got a good look at the cut & it was obvious he needed stitches I just laughed, but not in a funny way. Luckily, he already got the stitches out & his cast comes off on Monday! Yeah! He already has plans for us to go swimming Monday night! He can't wait!

Another reason our insurance loves us! haha

Our big guy, Noah, had his first medical emergency yesterday at school. So sad!

I was at a hair appointment when his principal called telling me not to panic, but she's sure that Noah broke his arm at recess falling off a slide. She said she didn't call 911 yet, but she will if I can't be there soon! I knew it must not be a regular break! I was practically out the door with clippies & do dads all over in my hair, when I realized Len is about 10 minutes closer to Noah's school. So, I called him & he ran over there. We met at Urgent Care, who took a little peek underneath the bandaging that the school had put on his arm & said "I'll call Primary Children's Hospital & let them know you're on your way." What was underneath that bandage? Geez- we couldn't imagine how ugly it must look. So, we ran to the hospital & they were ready for him. We still waited for quite awhile, but in the meantime they took good care of Noah, who was being very brave but obvioulsy having a hard time. They finally took him to radiology & when they brought him back unwrapped- Len & I had to purposely not freak out & show our emotion at the sight of his totally deformed arm. It was just crazy looking. The doctor came in shortly after with x-ray photos & said "there are 3 types of elbow fractures (demonstrating with a tongue depressor stick) a crack" & he bent the stick, "a bigger crack" & bent the stick in half & "then there's a fracture like Noah has" & he broke the stick in half & placed the broken off portion behind the stick! He said it looks terrible, but it's actually common & they have a lot of experience & success in fixing them. Then he said, "this is where I turn you over to our orthopedic surgeons", & 2 burly guys in scrubs walked in. I think Len & I were in shock! Anyway, everyone was extremely kind & Noah had surgery to repair his bone & attach 3 pins last night about 8:00 p.m. It lasted an hour & was very successful. He's in a sling for a week & then will get a hard cast, wrist to shoulder, for 6 weeks! Ahhh! Luckily, it's his left arm so he will be ok in school & most activities. He was a super trooper & we are so glad that he's doing well. It really put things in perspective being at Primary Children's with so many ill children. We are grateful for our overall good health & are going to continuously pray for safety (especially for these nutty boys of ours!)

Just so it's not all about the grim stuff...I've been wanting to post these 2 cute "Noahisms" anyway:

After school the other day, Noah said to Len & I,

"there's a friend at school who has 2 voices"

"really?"

"yah- his regular voice & his funny deep asthma voice"

"Oh- he has asthma?"

"Yes- can I have asthma too? Pleeeeeeez!"

Here's another one. We were driving down the canyon in the evening & the mountains were shaded with clouds at the top, bright in the middle from the sunset & dark at the bottom. Noah said,

"Those mountains look like one of those pudding cups that you put in my school lunch box Mom!"

It's starting to look alot like Girlville

At least upstairs that is...the basement is still the boys den!

Our upstairs bathroom used to be blue, but I thought since our little girl will be the only kid upstairs, we should change it & give her a girly bathroom! We (Len actually) added the wainscoating & painted, but he grumbled about how bright the paint is the whole time! I guess it is a bit bright, but I like it. There is a pink glow in the hallway now though!

This is her nusery so far. We have been so blessed, because we bought the crib from a friend & it matched our dresser perfect. Another friend called about a cradle for sale in her neighborhood & ended up getting it for $5 because it needed a coat of paint! We also have very generous family & friends that have helped us get ready. We have bought alot too, of course, but it hasn't been as overwhelming as we imagined. It has been fun & exciting. We just can't wait to meet her!!!

We are still struggling with a name too, but we appreciate all your votes! It is fun to see what other's like! :) It would be nice to stop calling her "her", "she" & "baby girl"!

First grade

I was so excited on Noah's 1st day of first grade that I got up early, got ready, made him a nutritious breakfast all before he even woke up! Then, I let him eat it in my bed while watching his last morning cartoon for awhile & finished packing his lunch & getting his backpack all ready. I was so organized & prepared for a calm, wonderful morning even though Sam has been having nightmares & kept me up all night & was still asleep 15 minutes before school started. I still had time to wake him up quickly & head out...right?
Nope... picture a heavy, pregnant woman literally sprinting across the neighborhood while pushing two sleepy toddlers, still in their pajamas & barefoot, in the double jogger, while Noah was trying to keep his ankles from getting hit by running in front of us & whining "slow down"! (This picture is actually on his 2nd day, which was much calmer!)
Once we reached the school, I had envisioned kissing him, taking pictures & walking him to his classroom. Once again, Nope! I shoved him in the school's front doors 10 minutes late while yelling "I hope you remember where your classroom is!" Apparently, he did & had a great day. This 2nd day picture is horrible because he was so antsy to get back to school, he didn't want to stand still for a picture. He loves it & acts like it's no big deal that he's gone all day. I'm still getting used to it, but I'm so proud of him :)

Goodbye Summer

We have had such a fun summer!
Len loves taking the boys to Brighton hiking around the lake. They pretend like they're "lion hunting" (hunting as in "looking" because we are not fans of real hunting! My nerdy animal advocate self had to add that blurp). We had a mountain lion & a bobcat roaming our street this summer, so now the kids are obsessed with mountain lions! Very scary! Usually they only see moose & deer at Brighton, but that's very exciting too!
Noah playing in the fireman foam at his cousin's birthday party. It looked fun, but apparently it tastes really gross!
Mack loves catching potato bugs in the backyard & then finding them a new home in the dirt. He's always naked or in underwear too! He's the neighborhood streaker!
I told Noah & Sam this is the only time they can pretend to be chicks! haha!
A real cowboy! Whoa! The kids loved visiting "This is the Place" pioneer village this summer.

Honestly, I was a little frightened at being able to keep the kids busy all summer, but it actually flew by. I can't believe Noah's going to be in 1st grade, and Sam & Mack will be going to preschool in a week! This might be an emotional week!
Well, Goodbye summer...Hello home projects that desperately need to get done before the baby arrives. That will take my mind off the kids growing up so fast...a baby coming! Ahhh! Next post- the nursery & the princess' new pink bathroom!

"No more monkeys jumping in the bath!"

Sam's famous for goofing off in the bathtub & having absolutely no fear, but after last night...maybe he will think twice before jumping in the tub again! All the kids were in the bath together & kept jumping around & were being really crazy. Len & I both kept getting after them & even took Mack out. Sam & Noah started up again after a few minutes & poor Sammy got a lesson the hard way! We rushed him to urgent care & he received 5 stitches & has a pretty good shiner. Luckily, he's still happy Sam & the doctor was amazed at how relaxed he was through the whole procedure. He had his legs crossed like he was lounging at the pool & Len read him a story until it was over. I hope our 2nd experience with stitches is our last...hmmmm probably not!

Idaho

The kids & I left Wednesday to visit my aunts & cousins in Idaho for a few days before Len's triathlon. We had so much fun! We did all kids stuff, so the kids had a blast & the adults were worn out! Here are some of the highlights...

We went to a fun water park in Rexburg Thursday

It's cute when this happens if you're 3 years old!

Friday we visited Tautphaus Zoo in Idaho Falls, then we went to lunch at a fun place that has a climbing gym for the kids. Kelcee, her friend & I pigged out on pizza, salad & cold soda while the kids ran themselves ragged! We had to drag them out for a nap (I'm pretty sure I slept while the kids goofed off around me & never slept!) Then we watched "Penelope" after the kids finally dropped that night. It was so fun we didn't want to leave, but I'm sure Kelcee & Todd were grateful to have peace & quiet back in their house :)

Saturday morning we took off early, heading toward Burley to watch Len & his brothers & a brother-in-law compete in the "Spudman" Triathlon! We barely made it in time to watch Len cross the finish line :) Phewww- it was a crazy mass of athletes, but it was very exciting & we were so glad we made it in time. Noah made Daddy some posters to show his support!

Len, Joe & Steve- the 3 brothers! They all did great & we are so proud of them! Whoohoo!