HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY GRAYSON!

HAPPY 1/2 BIRTHDAY!

Kate is 6 months old today. I can't believe it. Wow time flies when you have three kids. She has been such a joy. She has been our smiliest baby. So many times I'll be running around and glance over to make sure she's okay, and there she is smiling away almost laughing at my craziness. She loves to be part of the action and won't let us leave her alone in a room. As long as she's with the family she's a happy girl. We just hope the next six months go just as well.

WHO DO I LOOK LIKE?

Everyone is always asking who Kate looks the most like.We've had a hard time deciding. You tell us, does she look more like her Mommy or Daddy?

JUST CALL ME

But not the kind you think, my life isn't in perfect order, with perfect kids and home. It's quite the opposite. In preparation for Grayson's upcoming superhero birthday party, I was doing some research on all the superheros and discovered, Oh my Gosh, I have some super powers of my own. Here are a few.
* Supersonic Hearing- It's amazing how I can hear the smallest sounds at a great distance, like my baby crying or a phone ringing. Sometimes I find it even more amazing that I can tune some of the loudest noises out, like my older kids crying or screaming.
*Ability to sense trouble or predict when a situation is about to go very bad. Even if it's in another room.
*I'm fluent in languages others have never heard before. The down part to this power is I get stuck translating a lot. Now that I've had my third baby I am amazed at how well I am able to understand Kate's different cries.
*It's been years since I ran track but I can still out run my runaway toddlers (It can be fast for a tired momma).
*Amazing reflexes- I can be doing three things at once and still catch a falling pacifier, cup of juice, or even baby.
*I am the keeper of Time Out. I am still amazed that I have the power to tell my kids they are in Time Out and they will stay where ever I put them.
*And my favorite, I have a magical kiss that somehow makes everything all-better.

It's official, I'm a Soccer Mom!

So, I've had some kids, I have a van, I run around all day, but I still felt silly calling myself a "Soccer Mom" since I didn't actually have a child playing soccer. But, now I do. Grayson just started soccer and LOVES it. His first game was last Saturday and it was hilarious. If you haven't ever watched a soccer game with kids under five you need to, it was so funny. Basically all the kids were huddled around chasing the ball. If the ball went out of bounds they would just keep chasing and kicking. Grayson, for some strange reason kept falling down, about every 30 seconds. I think he was just being dramatic about running into the other kids. At one point he almost made a goal for the other team. It was great fun.

I'm an aunt again!

Tami and Joseph have a new baby girl, Audrey. Isn't she so cute. I am so excited for their family and wish I could be in Maryland to help my sister. She was born August 27th. I can't wait to see her in person (hopefully next month).

Things to be Grateful For

Okay, I'm having one of those stressed out- I can't believe I have three kids days. Lydia and Grayson both started preschool today. You would think this would be great, maybe I could get a break. But in my great wisdom I have them going to different schools on different sides of the Valley. I spent the day running around trying to get places on time, but didn't. My poor kids are just going to have to get used to being the last kid to be picked up. Anyways after many other stressful moments and many more failings, I've decided I better just focus on what I am grateful for today.

My minivan.

I can't imagine loading and unloading all three kids several times a day in anything but a minivan. It's not much to look at but I love it.

Kate's ability to spend hours in her carseat.

I don't know why I've been so lucky to have such good babies.

99 cent nuggets and a drive thru window.

No getting out of the car, no cooking, need I say more.

Diet Coke.

I can't live without it.

Jared's surprise- he's dropping a class!

Jared found out today that he doesn't need one of his three night classes. And best of all it's his class that he drives to Logan for.

All Great Things Have to Come To an End

We can't believe the summer is almost over. Having our new baby Kate and Jared's schooling didn't stop us from having a whole lota fun the last few months. We have so many great memories from this summer. We wanted to share our top five with you (in no order).

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Number 1: Going to DisneyLand with the Ray's

The kids are still begging to go back to California and Disneyland. Lydia loved meeting her princesses and Grayson couldn't get enough of Tomorrowland. Kate was an angel and slept in her carrier all day long. If you ever go to Disney land with small kids call me and I'll give you some tips.

Number 2: Picnics at Schuster Creek

Schuster Creek is property Jared's parents own, it's behind Jeremy Ranch. It's Jared favorite place on earth and he goes there when ever he can, (luckily he'll take the two oldest with him). We've loved having family and friends come with us to fish in our pond.

Number 3: The fourth of July

Anyone who knows our family, knows that we love holidays. What is there not to love about the fourth. These picture were taken at our ward breakfast.

Number 4: Swimming at Waterhaven

The kids swim almost daily at our neighborhood pool. Jared's so great to come home from work and take the kids over to give me a break. Grayson has figured out the whole swimming thing this summer thanks to a nose plug (thanks Jammie) and goggles.

Number 5: Bear Lake

Our family spent a lot of time at Bear Lake this year while Jared drove to Logan to School everyday. We rarely saw him during the week since he would study till nine most nights. We loved having visitors come and stay with us. Of course the highlight of every summer is the Wright-Kidd week trip to Bear Lake. Grayson loved sailing in PaPa Jerry's sail boat and building in the sand.