Kevin's HOME!

Wednesday Kevin got home from his mission to Kyiv, Ukraine.  Thanks to Scott we were able to be at the airport when he arrived via Google Chat.  Admittedly we would rather have been there in person, but this was a close second.  We're so excited to have him back and can't wait to see him in person when we head out to Utah in July.  We're also grateful for his choice and opportunity to serve.  WELCOME HOME ELDER HILTON!

Memorial Day Weekend

 We were SO excited to have family in town this weekend.  The Chicago crowd came in last Thursday night and spent the weekend here with us.  We ate WAY too much delicious food (thanks Mom!), roasted marshmallows, played games, hung out, went to the Ward Memorial Day Picnic, and just enjoyed being together.  Dean was pretty good at still getting school work done and popping in for meals and a little time with everyone.

Hylie and Braddock are four days apart.  They're still not sure what to think of each other. ;)

Braddock getting in some Aunt Dianne time.

Roasting marshmallows for smores.

Landon scarfing his smore.  One of MANY I might add.

These two pushed the limits since Dad was home writing papers and Mom was holding a sleeping Braddock.  They were little fire-bugs.  And they both ate their weight in marshmallows, smores, and chocolate bars.

We had lots of fun at the Ward Picnic despite chilly and rainy weather.  I think these guys could have thrown rocks in the creek all day.

My three favorite boys.

Just hanging with Dad.

Landon playing on the slide.

Caprie and Landon

Tanner was a little smoothy and snuck away with Caprie to swing.  

Despite the cold and our warnings this kid decided to get wet anyway.  He was good though and didn't complain too much cause he knew it was his own fault.

Later we had Eli, Grant, and Rachel over at our place.  The boys had a blast driving the trucks around the yard.

Eli wouldn't crack a smile, but don't let that fool you.  He LOVED it!

Uncle Grant and Tanner trying out the new tramp.

 Things have been pretty quiet around here today now that everyone's gone.  Now we're counting down the days until we're all together in Utah for the upcoming wedding.

9 Months Old

Braddock is 9 months old.  It's scaring me how fast this past 9 months has flown.  My little baby is already turning into a toddler.  This stage is a lot of work, but it's so fun to watch their little personalities start to show and for them to start catching on to things.
* Braddock has 4 teeth and two more that are just about to pop out.  His bottom front teeth and then his top left front tooth and the tooth next to that which we lovingly call his "fang".
* He can give fives.
* He can wave.
* He LOVES to swing.
* He eats really well.
* His hair has lightened up a lot and he's now as blonde as Tanner was as a baby.
* His left eye still has a clogged tear duct but we'll be taking him to the eye doctor this week to see what they have to say.
* He loves to be in on the action and follows his brothers around everywhere.
* He still is so sweet and by far my best snuggler.  We LOVE that about him.
* He naps much better than he used to, but still loves to get up twice at night to eat.
* He's very adventurous and not afraid to try anything.  You can tell he's aching to take off running with his big brothers.
* His mom is neglectful in getting him into his 9month check-up but he weighed in at 20 lbs on our home scale today.  We'll have a more accurate update in a few weeks.

"Importanal Mom Day"

Monday Tanner came into my room when he woke up and told me that it was "Importanal Mom Day" and that he'd bring me breakfast in bed.  I figured this kind of thing doesn't happen often so I said I'd LOVE that.  He ran off to the kitchen and returned with some yogurt, a hard boiled egg and a bowl for me to peel it in, and some salt toast.  A few firsts for me.  I've never had salt toast before, but luckily it wasn't too bad and I could choke it down with a smile.  Tanner informed me that it's his favorite kind of toast.  Ha!  And I've definitely never peeled an egg in my bed before, but who wouldn't love a breakfast prepared and delivered by this cutie. . .

Then after breakfast he put on a puppet show for me and gave me a present(his toy telescope, a piece of paper, and a pencil so I could make my own map). . .

All day he kept offering to do anything I wanted him to and was very nice and helpful.  I think we should have "Importanal Mom Day" more often. ;)

Spring Updates

Aside from the new trampoline out back we also have our flower pots planted and growing.  They make me so happy every time we step outside . . .

Around here we also LOVE our cousins.  We're just sad we don't get to see them more often, so we thought it would be fun to have something to remind us of their cute, little, faces each day.  I've had the metal tree for a LONG time now, but we FINALLY got around to adding the pictures.  And here's our Spring mantle . . .

Plus we're lucky enough to have Hylie and Eli coming to town this weekend.  We can't wait!!

Spontaneous Adventure

This week, at our discount grocery store of all places, there was a screaming deal on trampolines. Generally trampolines make me nervous, but the net makes me feel better, and Dean had one growing up and they all survived. We've been talking about getting a swing set or something for the boys for a long time but this was cheaper than a swing set, plus the boys both agreed they'd rather have a tramp. So on a whim we ran out and got one. The first store Dean went to was sold out, so by time he went out to the further store, and finally got home it was getting dark and late. He was so excited to set it up and let the boys try it that he went straight to work and they ended up getting to bed LATE Saturday night. But it was worth the excitement on their faces. So now we're a trampoline owning family and so far we LOVE it!

Super Dad taking a break from paper writing to set up the trampoline.

Check out that cheeser.  I think he liked feeling big like his brothers.

LOVE these three.  And I love watching them play together.

Saturday at the Park

Dean's in the home stretch for his Master's program. It will take some divine help, but he should hopefully be done before we leave on the Pioneer Trek in mid June. So in an effort to give him some quiet time to work on papers I got brave and took the boys to the park on Saturday. Taking all three of them alone was a little nerve-wracking, but they were really good and we had a LOT of fun.

First time back in the sandbox since Braddock was born.  These guys have missed it.

Braddock got to experience sand for the first time.  He didn't mind it one bit.  He seemed to like the taste of it too. ;)

He was nice and happy with his cheerios when I needed to chase his big brothers around.

Braddock LOVES to swing.  I think we need to invest in a swing set just for this kid.  He was adorable.

Tanner's getting the hang of pumping.  Yay for independent swinging.

And I can't get enough of this cute dude in his shades.

Ambushing Dad

Friday the weather was nice and warm so we dug through the basement until we found where we had stashed the squirt guns for the winter.  The boys were SO excited to surprise Dad when he got home from work.  Dean was cute and played right along, despite being tipped off when he saw them hiding with their guns.

Landon looks like he means business. ;)

Food Coloring Flowers

This week we did a little flower experiment.  I remember back in elementary I did a whole science fair project on coloring Carnations.  We had some flowers from Mother's Day still that would work perfectly so the boys helped me set it up and then we patiently waited to see if they'd change. . .

This is what Braddock did while we set things up.  He crawls in here and gets stuck a hundred times a day.  You'd think he'd learn. ;)

Just a few hours later and they've already started to change.

Bubble Snakes

Today we used this tutorial to whip up some amazing bubbles.  I never expected them to be so easy and work so well.  Plus we had everything on hand, which is always a plus.  And no, goggles are not necessary, but since the boys found them they've been wearing them ever since. . .

Nerd Alert

The other day Tanner begged and begged to make his own "cream."  He told me he's like a scientist because he's curious and he likes to see how things work.  He said it's his life-long dream to make his own cream and how could I squelch a life-long dream??  Ha!  So I pulled out a bunch of things he could mix together and he was using us all as test subjects.  We're raising a little nerd. . .

I figure Dean's to blame.  Let's face it I'm way less nerdy than he is.  He came home with matching t-shirts for the whole family that look like this. . .

His AP Physics class made them, insisted his senior picture be on it, and that they order enough for all of us.  So you should all be looking forward to our awesome Christmas Card photos this year. ;)  My favorite part though is how easily Dean's face is distorted when you wear it . . . 

Hahahahahaha!

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day is an interesting one, filled with a whole mixture of emotions. I definitely had some seriously sweet moments today, but just like every other day it's a constant roller coaster ride, and today my kids seemed even more crazy than usual. But, as a Mom that's what I signed up for. And without the lows, the highs wouldn't be nearly so great. This morning Dean got up and helped the boys make me breakfast in bed.  One thing I love about Dean is that he's not only a great cook, he even makes the food look beautiful.  It was even garnished with a flower!  Right before they delivered it Braddock managed to get a hold of my hair and pull it so I had a big blob on top of my head. Then after delivery they decided to stay and watch me eat. I was thinking how yummy the food was, and how sweet it was to be surrounded by my boys just as Landon decided to JUMP on the bed and spill my smoothie all over my lap. Ha! It really was one of those perfect moments of REAL life. It's not a fairy tale, but I wouldn't want it to be. I'm so very blessed to be a mother and the world so easily tries to make us forget that. I thank my Heavenly Father for trusting me with their care, and I just pray that I don't mess them up too much. ;)

And check out these adorable cards we put together for the Grandma's...

As a pure stroke of luck Braddock even had his hand positioned right and I think it's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. (But I may be biased)

And finally a little shout out to the other mothers in my life.  I have an incredible mother who continues to be an anchor and strength in my life.  Her example of love, faith, and dedication are something I look to on a daily basis.  I love her dearly and am so grateful I'm her daughter...and favorite one at that! ;)  Not to mention my wonderful grandmother's as well.  I also hit the jackpot when I married Dean because I got the best in-laws a girl could ask for.  Dean's Mom and Grandma's are truly amazing women.  They treat me as their own and I feel so blessed to now be a part of their eternal family as well.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!