Dinosaur National Monument

School got out for summer vacation and we decided to get right to work!  We packed up and headed to Vernal, Utah.  Wahoo!  It makes me laugh.  Most people go to Disneyland or Lake Powell.  We go to Redneckville! (No offense to anyone from Vernal or that area.  I really have nothing against it and actually quite like going to smaller towns.)  It was a quick trip, just overnight, but with a newborn we were kind of testing the waters of actual freedom from our house. The kids only asked if we were there a gazillion times and we had one diaper explosion, but other than that it was fairly uneventful and fun. In all actuality, the kids probably liked swimming at the hotel better than anything else. Figures!  But in addition to swimming and seeing fossils we stopped by to see the Vernal Temple and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum to kill some time before we could check into our hotel, played a little baseball and Nate, Kaden and Tye went to see Avengers.  The dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Monument were interesting to see still stuck in the mountainside.  Nate and I hadn't been there in over 20 years so we thought why not go see the new and improved monument.... I can't remember a lot of details from 20 years ago so to me it seemed the same-ish.  The ranger lady didn't seem to like us much since Haley started to climb on the rock face and I didn't notice and stop her promptly enough.  I think our children decided once you see one fossil you've seen them all (I kind of agree).  They were ready to move on.  We decided to hike about a mile back to the visitor center from the quarry instead of waiting for the shuttle to take us back.  Nate in all his wisdom decided at the car to not use the hiking backpack to carry a small child and brought the stroller instead.  So we hiked (mostly down hill) with Eliza in the stroller.  I think everyone thought we were the strangest family... or they were wondering to their dismay why stupid people like us (because we didn't bring the right equipment) could be allowed to have six kids!  We made it back with minimal whining. We saw lizards and petroglyphs on the way so it was worth it.  I also had a lady ask me to take her family's picture as I was rushing Haley to the potty.  When I told her I couldn't right then or we'd have an "accident", but I could come back in a few minutes she acted like I was the rudest person on earth.  Haley making it to the potty was definitely more important than taking a picture for strangers.  We weren't very well received at the dinosaur monument but we were glad we went.  We can wait another 20 years to go again, though.  Well, at least 10 years so we don't have to worry about emergency potty breaks, children going rogue on the rock face and strollers!

May

 Eliza and her cousin, Boden.  They are such good little buddies.

 We ventured out for a walk one day and Haley wanted to push a stroller too.  Eliza knows how to roll in style!

Looks like we went for another walk, but this time it was the whole crew (minus Nate).  I think I felt like I was herding a flock.  Half a dozen kids can feel that way!  And if you say "half a dozen" it just sounds like so many.  I know because when someone said it to me I thought "holy crap"!

There was a slight powdered sugar explosion!

 Tye and Kaden were fighting so badly on the way to piano lessons that I had to pull over and make them sit on a random sidewalk somewhere across town. Oh joy!

 Nate and I saw Haley "feeding" her doll at family dinner at my parents house.  Like mother, like daughter.... only I don't usually wear my tiara while I nurse.

 The boys (not Austin) were at my dad's fathers and sons campout so Rachel and I had a sleep over and in the morning the little girls joined us for a lazy morning in bed.

 When mom and dad are trying to get some much needed yard work done what do the kids do?  Do they help?  Probably a little.  Do they choose the right when they are done helping?  Probably not.  We found 4 bags of chocolate chips open and devoured!  Add that to the sugar cereal on the counter and that's a recipe for happy, bouncing children!

I thought it was cute that a bunch of our nieces and nephews (and some of our own children) swarmed Nate when he pulled out his iPad to do something.  There's just something about those electronics that intrigue even the littlest of people... and the big ones too.

Austin's First Month

How do those wee morning hours turn into days, then weeks, then months?  Time flies when you're snuggling a sweet little newborn.... at 3 a.m..

Graduation Day. . . Hooray!

Haley graduated from preschool. She absolutely loved her teacher, Miss Camalee and would always talk about a boy named Mason. I asked Haley once if she liked him and her reply was, "I like his face." Too cute. Now it's on to kindergarten (gasp!!). What??

Kaden, Rachel and Tye on the last day of school. Ready to party!

Kaden's 9th Birthday

Happy Birthday to Kaden!  He is getting so grown up.  He asked for an apple pie instead of birthday cake!  My dad does that, but a little boy??  I was happy to oblige.  He is creative.  He loves to draw and build things.  He's a morning person just like his dad.  He is sweet and mild.... just like his mom.... ha ha just kidding.  Kaden is a great kid!  We love you, Kaden!

Then and Now

I thought I'd document my growing belly since I hardly ever did in previous posts.  Glad to have that baby out, but it's funny how looking at these pictures now I have already forgotten some of the discomforts.... or at least how awful they were.  Although, I'm still trying to decide if sleepless nights are really any better than not being able to physically roll over in bed or bend over to put shoes on or crunching Tums all night long.  I read in a witty book recently that "women were created with a delete button* in the brain.  The umbilical cord winds through the placenta and up through all the organs, finds the secret compartment containing the button, and attaches itself.  That would also explain why it takes so long for the placenta to dislodge after childbirth.  It takes time to tear away from that button and pop it into delete mode before making its journey back through the body... It makes sense, if you think about it.  The tummy swells, the ankles swell, so why couldn't there be an area in the brain that swells until the little button is pushed to release a vacuum that sucks out all memory cells involving labor pain and childbirth?" (Mother's daze by Jane Still) AND I would add that it deletes the whole 9 months in general!  I guess that's how baby #2, 3... 6 actually make it here in the first place. 
*Please note there is no scientific proof of that button. ;)

Austin - 3 weeks

As for life now 3+ weeks later.  We are surviving.  Some days more gracefully than others. I'm always behind, but I did get most of my garden planted, went to the school to watch Rachel in her music class, got the dishes done and even ventured out to Walmart with the baby and Eliza (not all in the same day unfortunately).  I have lost a couple children a couple different times and sometimes feel like all I do is feed a baby... sometimes I say moo.  BUT we are happy (most of the time) and taking it a moment at a time.  Austin is a good baby.  He has his moments, then I have mine!  He has even smiled at me already.  Not just the "I have gas" smile, it was the real deal.  Can't wait to get it on camera.  I've been blessed with such great family and friends who have kept us fed, my house clean, and my kids entertained.  Give me a couple more months year, at least, to get this under my belt...

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was great.  It was Tye's birthday so that made it even more great.  (He is showing he is 7 years old by holding up his fingers in the picture.  He was happy to share a special day with me.  He is so sweet.)  I remember 7 years ago I was hoping to get a new, little baby for Mother's Day, but it came and went with no new bundle of joy (he came 5 days later).  Now this year, I got to celebrate the birthday of that very child who made me wait to meet him!  I was given lots of cards and homemade gifts, but for some reason the only one I snapped a picture of was the fruit arrangement Rachel made for me at Activity Days.  Yum!  I have such great kids!

I know a lot of people hate Mother's Day because they say it makes them feel guilty and they feel like a failure.  I feel sorry for those people.  Mother's Day makes me happy because I have 6 little wonders who make my life what it is.  I know I have a lot of work to do to be a better mother, but that's just how it is.  Progression.  In my case very slow progression.  I love my kiddos and I try my best.  Some days are really good and some days are bad and some days are down right awful.  Motherhood takes a lot out of a woman.  It's hard work.  It is monotonous at times.  It takes patience.... oh so much patience.  I recently read this quote that really sums it up.

Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow".  - Thomas S. Monson

Motherhood takes courage!  Lots of it.

Tye Turns 7

Tye turned 7 today!!  He shared his birthday with Mother's Day this year.  He actually thought it was pretty cool to have it be his special day and a special day for me as well.  He has such a tender heart underneath his tough exterior.  He is such a fun, sweet, energetic boy.  We love our Bubba and are so glad he is a part of our family!  Happy Birthday, Tye!

First Bath

Austin's first bath was rather ordinary.  He didn't like it much, but that's to be expected.  His sisters, Haley and Eliza, like to fight over who gets to stand on the stool to watch me get him dressed.  You can see in one picture Eliza screaming... poor Austin.  I'm sure it wasn't very soothing to say the least.  Maybe I should save bathtime for when everyone else is in bed!