Day at the Park

On Saturday we took the kids to the Nature Park. It finally warmed up to 50º, so we thought we'd take advantage of it and let the kids ride their bikes and play on the toys. It was so great to be outside in the warm sun....I even got a sunburn on my face!

Today it's supposed to be in the upper 60's. The kids have already been outside playing and eating popsicles (it seems like summer here when you go from 30º to 60º). I think this afternoon we are going to wash the cars and have a BBQ for dinner! Gotta love the sun!

New Family Pet

Meet our new pet moose...Sarah. My neighbor told me that Sarah was born (to Ms. Morris...that's what my neighbors call her) just before we moved into this house almost 3 years ago. But even though she's only 3, she is quite large (taller than I am). Last spring and summer Sarah was a frequent visitor in our yard, and now after the long winter, she has returned. Today the kids went out to ride their bikes and Ashlyn came running inside saying that there was a moose in the yard. Sure enough, Sarah was munching on our trees. That was about 3 1/2 hours ago....and she's still here! Even after the kids pounding on the windows, Aaron and I taking pictures of her, the neighbor dog barking, and cars honking at her. Normally she just eats and runs, but I think she's run out of food elsewhere and is getting desperate for something to eat. Anyways, my girls just decided to name her Sarah...I'm not really sure why they chose that name...but I guess it fits.

Heat Wave???

I just looked at our weather forecast and I can't believe what it says! Right now it's only 23º and a chance of snow....but by Monday it says our high is 70º! I don't think we've even hit 60º since last September....so this is super exciting! That means it's time to get out your shorts and flip-flops (people in Rexburg have been wearing those for atleast a month already)! I am going to keep my fingers crossed!

Spring is Near!

Every morning when I look out the window, I am reminded that there is a light at the end of the LONG, DARK tunnel....spring is coming! It's amazing how much the sun makes a difference in EVERYTHING! For me, the sunshine brings hope, life, happiness and excitement....I think I just need to live somewhere that is sunny all year long! What a difference I have seen in my own attitude. I have heard many times that over half of the people that live in Rexburg are on anti-depressants during the winter because of the lack of sunshine (vitamin D)....I now believe it! If every winter is as bad as this last one, I might just go insane!If you're wondering what this is a picture of....well, they WERE my crocuses. We have a wildlife problem in our yard. I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but we live outside of Rexburg a few miles and behind our house a little ways is a river. Supposedly there are 20+ moose living back there (in the fall you can hear definitely hear them) along with white tail deer, wild turkeys (that love to poop in our yard...when is turkey hunting season???) and every type of bird you can imagine (geese, ducks, cranes, pelicans, hawks and even a bald eagle!). Anyways, these animals like to venture into our yard (eating everything in site) and go into the large field across the road. Well, I was getting so excited because my crocuses were finally coming up, and yesterday when I went out to check on them, I noticed they were gone! Eaten all the way down to the ground! Every last one (about 20)! Last year they (deer) ate all the peas out of my garden and they had nibbled on my corn. What's with that?!? I'm so irritated!

Family Photographer

Kaden has been fascinated with our camera from the time he was able to hold it. Whenever we aren't watching, he'll grab it off the desk and walk around taking pictures of everything. Just thought I'd show you some of his photos. I already know what he's getting for his birthday!

1 Month Old!

I seriously can't believe it! It seems like just a week ago I was in the hospital seeing my new baby girl for the first time....it can't really have been a month already! Anyways, baby Peyton is doing well. She is a sweetheart and is definitely well loved by her older siblings. They kiss on her as much as I will let them and they just want to watch her all day long (I think they think she's going to do something exciting...like jump up out of her bouncer or something). The kids have been good helpers...Ashlyn now makes the bottles, Morgan picks out her clothes and Kaden tries to make her stop crying by stuffing things in her mouth (today he stuck a Ritz cracker in there!). I'm not sure if Peyton can tell if Kaden is trying to help her or kill her.

Peyton is still really small....other than not fitting into any of her clothes, I enjoy her staying little. Today she got to wear her first outfit (thanks Kristi!). It's still a little big, but I just couldn't stand to put her in another pair of pajamas. That is all she's worn for a whole month!

As you can see from the pictures, she STILL has a rash on her face. It doesn't seem to be getting better, and I can't imagine it feels good....so if anyone has any suggestions for me, please let me know. Her doctor doesn't seem worried about it, but some of it's starting to scab, and I'm worried it might leave scars. That doesn't sound vain, does it?

I've finally decided that I can't keep Peyton inside any longer. Today I took the kids to Horton Hears a Who (very cute) and it was so nice to get out of the house and not feel like such a prisoner anymore. I know mom....you don't approve....but you're not the one that has been stuck inside with her for the past month. And....if she gets sick, YES...I will feel terrible about it.

Family Update

Well, I guess it's been over a week since I've posted anything, so I thought I'd just give you a quick update on what we've been up to lately.

First off, I have the best husband ever! It seems it's taking me a while to adjust to having a new baby....so after a long day at work, Aaron calls to see if I need anything (dinner, groceries, etc.), and after another hour of running my errands, he finally gets home (and normally to a messy house). After he changes his clothes, he immediately starts cleaning and preparing dinner. He usually doesn't get to even sit down until about 7pm. I am so lucky to have a husband that is happy to help around the house. I don't know what I'd do without him!

Spring is finally making it's way to Rexburg. Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty cold out (30º average), but the snow has started to melt and we can see grass peeking through. Also, my flowers have broken through the frozen ground....and that is about the most exciting thing I've seen in quite a while! Since I realize it's going to be at least another month before I can work outside in my yard, I decided that we'd plant some flowers inside so the kids could watch them grow. I have forgotten just how much I love the smell of dirt and the anticipation of the flowers that will soon be popping out of the ground. I just love it! I told Aaron that if we live in Rexburg forever, I have to have a greenhouse! That would sure help me get through the long cold winters...and give me a constant reminder of spring.

Other than that, not much happening here. We have spring break this week, but no plans of going anywhere fun. I was really hoping Aaron and I could get away for the weekend...maybe go to SLC or something, but I don't think it's going to work out. Also, Peyton is now over 4 weeks old! Can you believe it?!? She hasn't been sleeping very well, which means we haven't either. Every night it gets harder to wake up with her....I'm already dreaming of the night she'll sleep for more than 3 hours at a time.