tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52786867371512769892024-03-14T00:25:50.792-07:00The Nelson FamilyOne Happy FamilyHilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-51390047157487161942016-06-09T10:10:00.003-07:002016-06-09T10:10:52.242-07:00This Girl - Katelee <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh Katelee Madge, this girl makes us smile constantly. The other day we were playing a quick game of Apples to Apples. I had the card, Rough. The descriptions words were something like jagged, not smooth, etc. You get the point. Katelee put her card down and said, "ok, I'm going in a different direction with this one.." She laughed a little and had a huge smile on her face. Ethan set his card down and I mixed them up and then read them. The first was Iceberg, yep those can be rough. Then I read the next one, Paying Bills. I busted up laughing, that was the winner. Ethan was not happy at all, Katelee was so excited. She said she knew I'd pick that one, because paying bills was rough!!! What 7 year old things like that? </div>
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Katelee is hilarious, a deep thinker and growing up way too fast!! </div>
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When I am with Katelee, just me and her, she often makes me do double takes. I look at her and think, when did my little girl grow up, how did she mature over night? The conversations we have are fun and hilarious. This girl makes silly comments and expressions that not everyone sees and I LOVE that. She is very much a home body, she never wants to leave the house once we are home. If I want to go to the store, I better do it before I get the kids home, otherwise Kate will refuse or throw a fit about leaving. She loves to read, play school and is so good at gymnastics. She loves gymnastics, once she gets there... But when we are at home and have to go, she always says she'd rather just stay home. She has pretty much mastered the backbend and is very close to mastering the flip over from a backbend. She loves cartwheels and tumbling and everything gymnastics!! </div>
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Katelee is a super smart girl. She got straight As this year (again) and will be attending a GATE-like program next year. We had to talk her into it, she didn't really want to do it, but we asked her to try it out and see how it goes and we would take her out of it if she feels like it's just not working. She is pretty much polar opposite of Ethan in school. She rarely talks, even to her teachers. She sits quietly and very still at her desk, she doesn't get up unless she is asked to or gets permission to. She never needs to study her spelling words or other items. If she doesn't get 100% on her math tests she is pretty tough on herself, but just studies harder the next time. She reads far above her level and loves it. She is a teachers best dream student. (I'm not sure where she gets that from....)</div>
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Life with Katelee is so fun. She is very independent, she picks out her own clothes and does her own hair everyday. She wont let us do either of those, unless I beg her until she gives in. Sometimes she gets in moods where she is naughty, but that is not the norm. When you look at how good she is the majority of the time, you can't help but get that she needs a naughty outlet every once in a while... We love this little fashionista and she is growing up WAY TO FAST!!! </div>
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Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-55864792201866682872016-04-12T20:56:00.003-07:002016-04-12T20:56:55.943-07:00Ethan and Katelee's School Pictures 2015-2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ethan is in 3rd grade this year and doing pretty good. His teacher is Ms. Pippin who happens to be the best thing ever for him. She is patient, a lover of crazy boys and a fantastic teacher. She has come to a baseball game he invited her to and even came to his last Pinewood Derby competition. He loves being in her class. His grades aren't the best but it's mostly because the boy wont take his time to complete anything. He thinks he has to rush through everything. He is a smart kid he just needs to learn to slow down and not make mistakes. Ethan is still the kid in class that drives everyone crazy with his contact noises and fidgeting. If only we knew where he got that from. He also loves to tell jokes. He has adapted very well to the new school and has made friends easily. The kid will talk to anyone and play with anyone as well. </div>
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Katelee is in 2nd grade as is doing very well. She is still our quiet girl that only speaks to the teacher when spoken to. She hesitates to answer questions just out of a need to always be right. She is usually right, but will still hesitate to answer and will not raise her hand at all. She is best friends with a girl named Emily in her class, which is great. Emily is a great example and also a very good student. Katelee pretty high on the GATE (Gifted, blah blah blah) test and was asked to take a few more test to see if she would be accepted into that program. We haven't really talked much about it with her because we don't want her to feel any pressure. I'm indifferent either way. She always aces her spelling tests with no real studying. Katelee was told by the library assistant that she could only check out one joke book per week, which she wasn't too happy about. She loves to read jokes to us all the time. Her grades are nearly perfect and we never have to really get on her about anything with school, except talking to her teacher.</div>
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Ethan and Katelee are quite opposites when it comes to school. I have a feeling Ashlee is going to be much more similar to her brother in school than to Katelee. So far we love our new school. Everyone is very nice and the teacher we have so far have been great! </div>
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Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-59100484003445296442016-01-28T10:29:00.000-08:002016-01-29T10:29:36.821-08:00Mommy-Daughter Dates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes I like to have some one on one time with my kids. Sometimes we are actually able to make it happen. Life gets pretty busy sometimes and when it gets busy all I want to do with my free time is hang out with the whole family. But, I also know how special those one on one moments are so we work hard to make it happen. The other day I needed to go to the grocery store and Katelee was adamant that she wanted to go with me. We decided to make it a Mommy and Daughter date. We went to Target and got some popcorn and a slushy and walked around and got what we needed. Then we went to the grocery store and then Katelee picked China a go-go for dinner. I have never been there, but she really wanted to go, so we went. We decided to get the Chicken Chow Mein and it was yummy. We talked A LOT and loved every minute of our time. Katelee is funny, she is at an age where she is still a kid but trying so hard to be grown up. Our conversation was a good mixture of kid stuff and teen stuff... I'm so thankful for times where I can just sit back and enjoy my kids in a special way. When I was sitting across from Katelee at dinner I just kept thinking, "How on earth did I get so lucky to have this girl in my life?" I have truly been blessed... </div>
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After my one on one with Katelee, Ashlee really wanted some Mommy and her time so we decided to go shopping and to lunch. It was the day after Thanksgiving so it was really busy. We went to Bath & Body Works and scooped up quite a bit of stuff for cheap. We had to wait in line forever, but Ashlee was so good. We went to Cugios after that and shared the lunch pizza special. When we started eating Ashlee noticed the Garlic Knots were ready and asked for some, so we got some of those as well. Ashlee is so fun to hang out with. When she is one on one she is such a good girl. She is polite and kind and doesn't talk potty talk when it's just her. Again, sitting across from my other daughter I couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed. She is a crazy girl and I just love her. She is a whole lot of me packed into that small body!! She cracks me up without even trying and her facial expressions are on point!!! </div>
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Chris and I are trying harder to make these types of one on one experiences happen more for all of our kids. It's so important that they feel important and feel like we care about them!! When there are 4 kids running around the house it's easy for them to feel like we don't notice them and I don't want them to ever feel like that. 2016 will be full of lots of one on one dates!!! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-87912484544965122772016-01-22T16:17:00.000-08:002016-01-22T16:17:12.389-08:00The Last Time<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A few of my girlfriends and I went to "Time Out for Women" in St. George. It was a great experience and SO much fun with those girls! I will blog more about that later, maybe. During one of the presentations a lady read the following and it struck such a raw chord with me. </span> </div>
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The Last Time</h2>
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From the moment you hold your baby in your arms,<br />
you will never be the same.<br />
You might long for the person you were before, <span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
When you had freedom and time,<br />
And nothing in particular to worry about.<br />
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You will know tiredness like you never knew it before,<br />
And days will run into days that are exactly the same,<br />
Full of feedings and burping,<br />
Diaper changes and crying,<br />
Whining and fighting,<br />
Naps or a lack of naps,<br />
It might seem like a never-ending cycle.</div>
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But don’t forget …<br />
There is a last time for everything.<br />
There will come a time when you will feed<br />
your baby for the very last time.<br />
They will fall asleep on you after a long day<br />
And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child.</div>
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One day you will carry them on your hip then set them down,<br />
And never pick them up that way again.<br />
You will scrub their hair in the bath one night<br />
And from that day on they will want to bathe alone.<br />
They will hold your hand to cross the road,<br />
Then never reach for it again.<br />
They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles,<br />
And it will be the last night you ever wake to this.</div>
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One afternoon you will sing “the wheels on the bus”<br />
and do all the actions,<br />
Then never sing them that song again.<br />
They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate,<br />
The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone.<br />
You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face.<br />
They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.</div>
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The thing is, you won’t even know it’s the last time<br />
Until there are no more times.<br />
And even then, it will take you a while to realize</div>
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So while you are living in these times,<br />
remember there are only so many of them<br />
and when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.<br />
For one last time.</div>
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-Author Unknown-<br />
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The things is, I'm pretty sure Brynlee is our last baby. I still think the idea of 5 kids is great, but I'm just not sure it's in the cards for us. Chris is done, he will have to have some kind of a vision to agree to have another one. Some days I can't imagine waking up multiple times a night again for feedings and newborn stuff. I would love to be pregnant again, I LOVE being pregnant, but my body is a mess and it probably wouldn't be the best thing for me... Sometimes I look at our family all together and think, "this is perfect!" Like last night at the dinner table we were all just talking and hanging out and it felt so good and right. Then there are times when I look around as if someone is missing. The other night when we were gathering for family prayer I was looking and saw Ethan, Katelee, and then found Ashlee and Chris had Brynlee and I just kept looking. For a while I just kept looking. Chris started reading and in my head I was thinking, "why isn't he waiting, we aren't all here!" But then it clicked. The mind and heart are interesting organs!! <br />
I packed up all of the clothes that Brynlee has outgrown, it was a sad day. I may have shed a few tears, I can't lie. I would hold up the clothes and smile as I would remember how cute that outfit was on my girls. Then I took them to a lady in our ward that is having her first baby girl. It was a sad day... It was a last...<br />
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I look at my little Ethan, who isn't quite so little any more. I can't tell you the last time I picked him up and carried him on my hip, but when I did it last did I think it was going to be the last time? My baby won't let us feed her any more. She must be the one to feed herself or she wont eat... When I fed her last did I think it was going to be the last time? And did I appreciate it like I should have? I can almost guarantee I didn't. I have to fight with Katelee to let me do her hair. The girl is 7!!! She wants to do her own hair, pick out her own cloths and much more. When will it be the last time I do her hair? Will I realize it? Ms Ashlee is a handful, she has a spunk about her that is all her own. She loves to hug me and give me kisses when I leave for work, when will she do that for the last time? <br />
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After thinking about some of this stuff it was depressing. But then it has made me much more aware of the little things that will one day be gone or I will do for the last time. I rock my little baby a little longer at night, as long as she will let me. I cuddle with the kids, even if I have to make them... I have started to try a little harder to enjoy and extend those things that will one day be the last time! I'll hold them a little closer, longer and tighter and soak it all up while I can. Filling my jar so that hopefully it will last me through the rest of their childhood. </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-39614311967576409312016-01-22T12:08:00.002-08:002016-01-22T12:15:21.004-08:00Pinewood Derby 2015 (Ethan's FIRST one)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ethan is now is Cub Scouts which means he does an activity every week and he gets to do a Pinewood Derby! He was excited but I almost think my dad was more excited. We had Ethan pick out what he wanted the car to look like and my dad was able to cut it for him. We had an FHE where Ethan and all helped work on the car. Ethan was very good at sanding and messing around with all the tools... </div>
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I was put in charge of painting the car, which I'm not all that good at... We made it work though... My dad added on all the other items to get it where it needed to be weight wise. Ethan wanted a driver so I found a Lego guy to add to the car. My dad even made a carrying case for the car so he could enter the race in style. Here are some shots of the final product:</div>
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The night of the Derby my parents came over for dinner and last minute inspections and then we were off to the races. (Look at that smile, you can tell he is excited!) </div>
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They did 4 races with the car getting a spot in each lane. The first lane Ethan took 1st place. After that he didn't score first again, but was still doing good. They let the boys place the cars on the track and I'm afraid Ethan didn't always get it centered so the wheels rubbed on the edges a few times, but he had tons of fun! </div>
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Ethan's car ended up taking 4th place. We would have loved to win it overall, but 4th place for your first race is GREAT as well! It was fun seeing all the other cars and designs that people came up with. Brought back memories of all of my brother's Pinewood Derbies and that was great fun. Ethan has been looking forward to the next derby ever since the last one ended. </div>
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<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-67466107700626301672016-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:002016-01-22T11:06:05.754-08:00Good-Bye Hansen Family <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So when we moved into our condo when we first got married there were a few couples that lived in the same complex. We got to know them each, but we got to know the Hansen family the most. Carlee and Chris became our good friends, after far too many years of knowing them... Carlee and I had baby girls around the same time. They both had brown hair and these blue/green/clear eyes. She named her daughter Kaylee and we named ours Katelee. They were in all the same primary classes and their nursery leader especially had a hard time telling them apart. Not only were their first names similar but their last names were as well, Hansen and Nelson... After a bit the Hansen family moved out of our little complex and away from our ward. We were all sad, but they were still close by, so we weren't too sad. </div>
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We visited with them often, had family dinner nights with them and met up at different places to hang out. Our kids meshed so well with each other. Ethan loved playing with Conner, who is around Ashlee's age and Ashlee LOVES Conner. He is her boyfriend if you ask her, even now after all this time apart... When we found our new home, we were so excited to see that it was literally down the street from where the Hansen's were living. I could not have been more happy to be close to them again. But that happiness was soon washed away when we found out that they were moving..... to Texas!! It was such a good thing for their family, but we were all so sad... Before they left for good we had the kids over often to hang out and the adults too. </div>
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We have gotten to see them one or two times since their move and the kids always pick up right where they left off. Katelee and Kaylee send things back and forth to each other, it's so cute! We miss the Hansen's like crazy, but we are so happy that things are going so well for them. </div>
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There are only handful of couples that we get along with so well. Chris and Chris always have tons to talk about and Carlee and I could talk for hours. It's so great to have such great friends, even if they live in Texas now! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-7529294830806190442015-11-09T14:26:00.003-08:002015-11-09T14:32:51.979-08:00Yankees Fall Ball 2015<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u></u></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">Ethan <span style="color: #0000ee;">LOVES baseball. He <span style="color: #0000ee;">has played consecu<span style="color: #0000ee;">tive seasons since he was 3 almost 4 years old. Each season we ask him what <span style="color: #0000ee;">sport or thing he wants to do next. We always try to say a different sport, "do you want to <span style="color: #0000ee;">try <span style="color: #0000ee;">soccer this time, or maybe <span style="color: #0000ee;">basketball?" And his answer has always been, "no, I want to play baseball." <span style="color: #0000ee;">Don't get me wrong, I love that he loves baseball, but I would <span style="color: #0000ee;">also like it if he tried a <span style="color: #0000ee;">different sport as well. I really want him to get some experience on a different playing field <span style="color: #0000ee;">with different actions, etc. Last season w<span style="color: #0000ee;">e made the swit<span style="color: #0000ee;">ch over to our <span style="color: #0000ee;">zone<span style="color: #0000ee;">d Little <span style="color: #0000ee;">League</span>, which is <span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Cheyenne</span> Little League<span style="color: #0000ee;">. We have really enjoyed it so far. They are very organized, on top of things, informative and we know nothing of the drama that happens, which makes it amazing! His coach and team last season was g<span style="color: #0000ee;">ood, but we weren't trying to get Ethan on the same team or coach. Don't get me wrong, t<span style="color: #0000ee;">he coach was good, but he didn't do much instructing, wh<span style="color: #0000ee;">ich we feel is very impo<span style="color: #0000ee;">rtant. We signed Ethan and Ashlee up at the same time, a huge hunk of money spen<span style="color: #0000ee;">t, and then we waited for the team assignment. During Fall ball they do no<span style="color: #0000ee;">t have try outs, they <span style="color: #0000ee;">draw players. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Ethan<span style="color: #0000ee;">'s name, fortunately, was drawn by a great coach. The team was a little sketchy at first, but it ended up being a great season. The coach was very dedicated to the boys, he was there for them. He didn't argue with the umpires, he respectfully disagreed at times, but he was <span style="color: #0000ee;">there to help the kids get better and teach them the game of baseball. The Yankees played great, our pitching imp<span style="color: #0000ee;">roved over the season, <span style="color: #0000ee;">which</span> really helps out when you are watching the game. They won some games, the<span style="color: #0000ee;">y lost some games and they had fun doing it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">I just wanted to document some pic<span style="color: #0000ee;">tures from the season, that t<span style="color: #0000ee;">he team mom took and then sent to all of us parents.....</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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This is the classic Ethan sliding form. His hand is always up high and the other one is dragging on the ground... It's a sweet looking slide.</div>
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Ethan was one of the pitchers that we had. He is an alright pitcher, he gets the ball across the plate. He doesn't throw hard, but he does make the kids hit the ball. We have lots of work to do on his pitching, but for being 8, almost 9, he did good. </div>
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Ethan is kind of a punk on the bases. I don't know where he gets his cockyness from.... He takes huge lead offs and almost taunts the other team with his eyes... Begging them to throw the ball. A few times when they did, he took off and stole the base... I do love watching him, for the most part, on the bases. He doesn't need coaching on when to run, stay or play. He takes risks and for the most part he is very successful. Sometimes though, when he is being cocky, I would like to throw a ball at him myself, but another part of me just giggles. </div>
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Ethan played first base a lot this season. They actually threw someone out that was leading off and Ethan was very proud of himself for helping that happen.... </div>
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I love these two pictures. Since I was a first baseman, I think I mentally criticize him a little too much. His form, his feet, etc, but he does a pretty darn good job, for not having played first base much last year. I have kept most of my comments to myself, or only told them to Chris, but I do try to give him a few helpful hints at times... </div>
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Here's a pretty good stretch at first.</div>
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I like this picture of Ethan and teammates in the dugout. Just chatting it up with each other. He really does enjoy his teammates and hanging out with them. </div>
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The Yankees actually made it to the Championship game. The only team the other team had lost to all season was us. We took them on and ended up losing, but 2nd place got trophies as well. Ethan was so excited for the trophy and being announced on the field after the game that he didn't even care that they lost. </div>
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Here is the team doing a cheer after getting their trophies. It was a fun season and taking 2nd place isn't bad either!!!! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-90734013362203543712015-08-26T16:28:00.000-07:002015-08-26T16:28:03.786-07:00Missing My Mother-in-Law<div style="text-align: center;">
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One day in 2012 I was sitting in the break room at work thumbing through the paper. I came across a request for Mother-in-Law stories for the upcoming Mother's Day Issue. The request was for stories about how your Mother-in-Law has helped make your life easier. I took the paper back to my desk and immediately emailed the reporter with my story. I didn't expect to hear back from them, honestly. I figured they would have so many submissions they were quickly glaze over mine, but I was wrong. The reported called me soon after and asked if she could use my story and get more information from me. I spoke with her for quite a while and then one day they asked to come to her home to take pictures with us. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. We took the pictures and then that Mother's Day the following article was published.</div>
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<img alt="7014046-2-4.jpg" class="dmedia" data-media="media-659341" data-preview="http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/media/7014046-2-4.jpg?itok=GLYebv1h" data-type="image" height="364" src="http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/field/media/7014046-2-4.jpg" width="500" /> </div>
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KAROLYN NELSON</div>
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When I first met my husband, I loved his mother.
She was so sweet and genuinely kind. I figured from all I ever heard
about mothers-in-law, all that would change when we got married.</div>
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But I was wrong.</div>
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She
continues to be one of our biggest fans and supporters. We have
borrowed her car multiple times for out-of-town trips and left her with
our old car, which is really hers. She has let us use it the whole time
my husband has been in school. She has taken her job as grandmother very
seriously, being there for all of the celebrations in our kids' lives,
from birthday parties, T-ball games, tumbling classes and early morning
Christmas present openings.</div>
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I have come home to flowers and a gift
on my table many times from my mother-in-law for no reason at all. I
can go to her for anything and know that she will always listen and she
only gives advice when asked for it. Even if she doesn't agree with
something we choose to do, she keeps her opinion to herself and lets us
live our lives and learn from our own adventures.</div>
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I currently work
a full-time job and my husband is a full-time student. My mother-in-law
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hear friends talk about their mothers-in-law and I am so thankful all
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- Sent by daughter-in-law Hilary Nelson</div>
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Next month will be 2 years that Karolyn has not been with us here on earth.... 2 LONG LONG years! So much has happened and it's sad that she wasn't here in person to see it all and be apart of it all! There are some days, like today, where I just miss her! I sit at work and my mind keeps wandering back to her, my thoughts trail back to something she use to say or do. I can't tell you why today, of all days, I miss her more than normal, I just do. Perhaps it's because Ashlee has her very first t-ball practice and I'm sad that Karolyn wont get to see her play. (I'm pretty sure she will make it a very entertaining season) Perhaps it's because Ethan has been missing her a bit lately, or maybe it's because I know how much Chris misses her and today it's just all caught up to me. I don't know why, but today I just really really miss my mother-in-law. </div>
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There are tender times when I hold my sweet Brynlee, the granddaughter that never knew her in person, and I feel so close to her. I can almost hear her talking and feel her sweet spirit. Sometimes it's just the feeling I need to feel better that night. Sometimes my sweet baby will gaze off in the distance and smile and seem to be somewhere else, even just for a moment. Sometimes the kids will say something so sweet and innocent like, "Grandma's favorite color was brown because that is what color the couch was and she was always sitting and laying on the couch." and my heart desires nothing more than to see her laying on the couch once more, with her glasses off and her hair a bit messed up. Today I wish I could call her and just tell her I love her, just so I'm positive she knows. Sure, I know she knew I loved her, but I'd love to tell her that again in person. </div>
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So today I will miss my Mother-in-Law, I will relive a few of our memories and laugh to myself at the silly things she would say. I will shed a tear or two, or three and feel bad for myself for a little bit and then I will rejoice in the Plan of Salvation that allows me and my family to see her and love her and hug her again one day........ </div>
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Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-30748621753139108572015-08-20T16:26:00.000-07:002015-11-12T16:27:14.448-08:00Big Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Big Sisters are the best!!! Here are just a few pictures to prove it!!!!</div>
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<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-24386653060564818352015-08-19T16:30:00.000-07:002015-08-19T16:30:58.308-07:00California Family Vacation 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So our little family hasn't taken a family vacation since before Chris started PT school. That vacation was about 5 days up in SLC, staying with Chris' sister and my Grandparents. We went to the Zoo the aquarium and did some other fun things. Some would argue that isn't a "real" vacation because we stayed with family, but we had fun, so we count it as one. </div>
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Well Last October I had a compliance conference in Carlsbad, Ca. For these Compliance Conferences I always get to stay in a real nice hotel, paid for by my Employer. Chris is always jealous because the rooms are always so nice, and if we do stay in a hotel room, it's a $39.99 a night dive. Well when I checked out of the Sheraton in Carlsbad they were offering a 4 day 3 night stay for $250 and 2 free Legoland tickets. (Did I mention that this hotel was within walking distance of Legoland and even had it's own entrance???) I was so excited to hear this that I immediately called Chris and asked if I could purchase it. We had a year to schedule the stay so there was no need to schedule the time right then. Chris said we could do it, so I went to sign up. Well toward the end of gathering all my info, the lady mentioned that it was a timeshare offer and we would have to sit through a presentation for 2 hours. I gave the lady the look of, "oh heck, I didn't realize," and she quickly said that they were not pushy and that the kids would get to go to a kids camp and enjoy themselves while we were there. I hesitated, but decided I was pretty good at saying no, so I went through with it anyways. </div>
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After checking quite a few dates we finally settled on going Wednesday through Saturday. We left our house Wednesday Morning and we got to the hotel at 3pm. Check in time was 4pm, but I went in to try checking in early. It was actually great because they had our room ready and we were able to unpack and get right to our vacation fun!!!</div>
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The first thing we did was get in our suits and head out to the great pools. The kids were ready to swim and I have to be honest so was I. </div>
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The pool was great. The deepest it got was 4ft so that made it fun for the kids and pretty fun for the adults too. We swam for quite a while and then got in the spa for a bit and then back to the room. We all rinsed off and headed out for some dinner. When I was in Carlsbad for my Compliance Conference I went to a really good Mexican restaurant, so we found that and went there for everyone else to try it out. Everyone loved it and ate all the chips and queso did we could. We headed over to Target after dinner to get some milk for Brynlee, ice cream for us and some other items for the hotel room. When we got home we got in our pjs and ate our dessert and watched some TV for a while. </div>
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We snuggled for a bit, but then we headed to bed, because the next day was a full day of Legoland!! We got up and ready for our adventure and were down to the private entry of Legoland right at 9am. Only to find out that this gate didn't open until 10am. So we trekked all the way around to the front gates, so we could get in a little earlier and maybe do more.</div>
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This was a guy we ran into on our trek around to the front. There were more lego things on our way, but I didn't want to take a picture next to every single one. We got into the park after getting our "First Time" badges and started the fun. We rode lots of rides and had a blast!!!</div>
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Here is Katelee driving her very own car. Ethan and Katelee loved this ride so much. There was never really a line for it, so they did this like 7 times. </div>
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I'm pretty sure this was Ethan's favorite ride. When we asked what they wanted to do again, Ethan always said drive the cars!</div>
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Ethan and Katelee on another ride. Ashlee was sitting next to me in this one. </div>
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The only problem with Legoland was that Brynlee couldn't ride very many rides. So she got to hang out in her very own "stroller" ride. This is her smiling for me! </div>
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When I did put her down, she would try to escape. It was the cutest thing watching her try to walk as fast as she could. And if she heard you coming she would try harder. She loved this shark and tried to be in everyone else's photos too!</div>
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Ashlee got to pick a ride and she wanted to ride the horses. It's a ride for littler kids, but all of the kids did it. I think this picture of Ethan is so funny. Here he is an 8 year old boy trying to act like he is too cool for this ride, but trust me my friends, he was enjoying it!!!</div>
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For lunch we went back to the hotel room and Chris went to Subway while the rest of us napped. The older kids didn't want to, but I made them. They all fell asleep so fast, it was almost comical. When Chris got back I woke them up. We ate and then I headed back with the 3 oldest, while Chris stayed with Brynlee so she could nap longer.</div>
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We found some good rides when we came back. We found a roller coaster that was WAY fun. It wasn't too crazy, but still tons of fun. We also found the buildings/cities made out of legos on our way to ride the cars again. Of course Mom made them take pictures in front of some of the buildings. </div>
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Washington DC</div>
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VEGAS</div>
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The kids were so excited to see their home city. The Stratosphere even had the big shot that moved and people screaming. </div>
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Ashlee was just not old enough to ride the big kid cars, so we waited in line for her cars. While we waited for her car, the older two went on their car ride like 4 times in a row. Ashlee was the best driver out there, which, if you know Ashlee, is crazy!</div>
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We also found this guy sleeping on a bench. He reminded me of my Grandpa. Sitting on a bench waiting for my grandma was what he did best. He had a belly and black socks on. The kids loved him, Ashlee even gave him a hug!</div>
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This ride soon became the kids' favorite ride. They rode it so many times I can't count. It is kind of like the Big Shot, but much much milder. There was also no line for this ride, so they went over and over and over again. There was shade close by, so I didn't mind it so much! </div>
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We ate dinner and went on a few more rides before we finally headed back to the room 15 minutes after park closing. When we got back, Brynlee went to bed and me and the older three headed out to the pool for a little while. </div>
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The next day we did our Time Share presentation while the kids hung out with other kids and played. We are not owners of a Timeshare, so I guess we did pretty good at saying no. They did not "get" us.... After that we ate lunch took naps and then headed to the beach!</div>
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This was the first time at the beach for all of our kids and it made it so much fun! We just went down the road to Carlsbad State beach and laid our stuff down and headed into the water. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as I was expecting.</div>
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Brynlee was very unsure of the waves and the beach in general. She loved playing in the sand but if the water reached her she didn't know what to do. I think she wanted to like it, but just couldn't. There were a few waves that got her pretty good, but I think overall she did like it. If Chris held her she LOVED the waves as long as she was high enough not to get them. She loved watching her siblings in them, just not her in them. Chris Hates the beach, he hates the sand everywhere, but even he had a good time. </div>
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This is where Ethan hung out the whole time. He was in the water the entire time. He didn't really play in the sand he just jumped in the waves and rode them. He loved when I would stand there with him and get in the waves and I must admit I enjoyed it too! On the way back Ethan said, "I found a new friend while we were there." Chris and I were both surprised because he didn't really talk to anyone else, so we asked him who and he replied, "The ocean!!" </div>
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Katelee liked the beach as well. She wasn't a fan at all of the salt water, no bodies was. But she really didn't like it. She was also not feeling all that well, but she still had a blast. She liked playing in the sand and being in the water, as long as the waves didn't go above her ankles. </div>
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Ashlee liked the beach also, but she would rather play in the sand or have Mommy hold her hand in the waves. At one point I looked back and she was eating a sand ice cream cone. She has quite the imagination so playing in the sand was way fun for her. We also dug a little hole for her that filled up with water with the waves came up. She loved that!</div>
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Another picture of Brynlee playing in the sand. </div>
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The next day we checked out of the hotel and headed home after we did some shopping. It was so much fun to get away with just our little family to a new place we haven't ever been together. Things are just so much better on vacation, we can be so relaxed and have tons of fun!!! Hopefully with Chris working and out of school now we can do more vacations now instead of just trips! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-40037282321303402332015-04-30T13:19:00.003-07:002015-04-30T13:19:57.684-07:00Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are some days I go to bed so exhausted, worn out and emotionally drained. These are usually the same nights I wake up multiple times with the kids. Brynlee crying, Ashlee needing to go potty, Ethan not able to breath or Katelee having a bad dream. I usually wake up the next morning feeling exactly the same exhaustion as I did when I laid down. I get myself ready for the day, squeeze in a bit of scripture study and then wake each child up and help in various ways to get them ready for the day. We eat, do hair, sometimes argue, get lunches in backpacks and more and head out the door by 7:10am. I drop the two oldest off at a friends house who will take them to school with her kids. Then it's off to my mom's house to drop the younger girls off for the day and then to work. By the time I get to work I have already been going for at least 3 hours.<br />
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No worries, only 9 more work hours left.<br />
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I leave the office between 4:30 and a little after 5, head over to my mom's house to get the two youngest and then head home where Chris, Katelee and Ethan will be working on homework. We decide what is for dinner, because I can never quite seem to plan ahead that far, and then maybe hang out a bit if we have time before it's bedtime. On Monday's we do some kind of activity or lesson for Family Home Evening, On Tuesdays Ethan has scouts and Chris has church meetings, Wednesdays I have YW Mutual, Thursdays I have been practicing for an upcoming Shooting event and Saturday nights Chris and I play on a coed softball league. Not to mention baseball games now that Ethan is playing again. Of course there are always the random school things going on as well that we have to squeeze in wherever we can. <br />
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Chris and I often reflect on our life years ago. "What were we doing 8 years ago? 6 years ago? What were we doing when Katelee was just a babe?" It's funny how when we reflect on the past, we realize how easy we had it. How easy it was to come home from a long day at work and just veg on the couch, get in our PJs at 7pm and sleep ALL the way THROUGH the night!?!? When Ethan was a baby he would go to sleep by 7:30 or earlier, what did we do after that? Life was so slow, no school activities, no sports and no other kids to worry about. Then we look around the house, every night after the kids are finally in bed we go back downstairs and straighten up. We put shoes away, toys, random papers and backpacks. We make lunches and get the bottles ready for the next day. If we are lucky we run the vacuum or clean something, very lightly. When we were first married we cleaned the apartment every week, I think it was on a Wednesday night. Now we clean whenever we have a few spare minutes because there is no set night or day that works. We use to do laundry every week and now we do laundry every night almost, just to keep up with our clothes and the kids'. Oh how I loath laundry. I don't so much mind getting it in the washer or the dryer, more the handing and putting it away. Folding, I'm even ok with that... But the putting it away kills me for some reason. (probably because by the putting away time it's after my bedtime and I just want to climb into bed.) <br />
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Seems like this post is my complaining about all the work that has evolved since that wonderful day, 10 years ago, in May when Chris and I committed to marriage for Time and ALL Eternity! I could have never known life would be like it is today, you don't know any of that until you actually experience it! But this post is not to complain or want for sympathy it's simply to say how grateful I am for my family! How is it that I can be grateful to do laundry almost every night? Because doing that laundry means I have FOUR healthy, ACTIVE, beautiful, unique and perfect kids that call me Mom! I have a husband that loves me and is right there every night helping out with all the chores and more. We have really become a "TEAM" that can't be beaten. It's like a tag team, but with no one tagging out. Each working and fighting for the same goal. All of the above has simply become life. Many times I have coworkers that ask how I manage it all? How do I have time for everything that happens? I simply say, "It just works out, it is just my life!" There is no magic box that gives me more hours in each day than everyone else gets. There are things we simply can't do and those things just don't get done. There are activities that I would LOVE to participate in that just aren't an important thing in the real scheme of things. There are MANY things I wish I could do better that one day I will be able to get better at. I just have to accept the fact that sometimes I'm not the best mother that everyone thinks I am, but I also have to accept that when my kids tell me I'm the best, they really mean it! <br />
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<br />My Heavenly Father knows what kind of a mother and wife I can be and he gave me four wonderful kids and a husband that could manage with that kind of mother and wife! Oh yes, my potential in His eyes is far greater than where I am now, but as long as I keep trying and working to improve I think I'm right on track with him! My kids don't have the kind of mom that picks them up from school everyday, that plays with them whenever they ask, that finds creative ways to study spelling, that doesn't fight with them over getting things done, or one that doesn't require them to try their absolute best no matter if they fail or not. But the kind of mom my kids do has is a mom that expects a little too much from them at their current ages, that isn't afraid to cry in front of them, that doesn't hide my flaws, that might let them get away with a little too much, that doesn't get too concerned over a little cough, wheeze or sniffle, that will laugh when they do something naughty after having a serious talk about why they were in the wrong and a mom that embarrasses them constantly.<br />
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Every time I reflect back on my life prior to the kids and Chris there is a sense of sadness, not having the joy I have now with them in my life!<br />
Yes life was much simpler and less complicated 10 years ago... But it was also lacking so significantly that I couldn't even have imagined! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-64213947753830569802015-01-22T10:05:00.002-08:002015-01-22T10:07:32.377-08:00Halloween 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
This year for Halloween we were all extra excited. We purchased our costumes super early and had to wait what seemed like forever to wear them. Finally our ward had a trunk or treat, so we got dressed up.</div>
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Brynlee was our little dog, we figured she had the perfect cheeks for a little bull dog. The whole night of the trunk or treat she had the little dog tongue in her mouth. It was quite cute since it looked like a little doggie would look. </div>
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Katelee wanted to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She rocked it of course! </div>
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Ethan chose tp be Spider man. It came with gloves and a mask thing, but he just wore the outfit with super strong muscles on it. </div>
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Ashlee was Dr. McStuffins, she loved her outfit because it has a Tu-tu and was dropping glitter like crazy!!! </div>
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We parked our van this year and Daddy and the little doggie Brynlee stayed behind and passed out candy. I took the kids around to all the millions of cars passing out candy. We were still pretty new to the ward so it was a bit awkward for me, but the kids fit right in. </div>
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We all had a good time and the kids came home with WAY TOO MUCH candy! </div>
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Funny story from that night, whenever someone would give Ashlee something with nuts she would look at them crazy and then turn to me and yell, "Mom, they gave me nuts again! Geezz!!!" It was the silliest thing and all I could do was shush her and tell her it was just fine. That girl is a firecracker! </div>
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The next day the kids' school did a costume parade. I was able to take the day off and helped out in Ethan's class and then was able to watch the parade. Katelee was shy as always but she really enjoyed herself. </div>
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Ethan was his normal crazy self and loved seeing everyone else. </div>
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Once the classes reached the end of the parade they got to sit down and watch the rest of the kids walk by.... Here is Katelee with her class. </div>
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Ethan with his class. </div>
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After a little bit I snatched the kids up and we left school early!!! </div>
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On Halloween we put out a bowl of candy and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for their ward party. We trick or treated inside and played games at each room for candy. We also had dinner, which was yummy! We still have some candy from Halloween and Daddy scored huge with all the nut candy the kids received. He is not sad by that at all! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-77712654962181372742014-12-16T15:16:00.003-08:002014-12-16T15:16:55.828-08:00Tis the Asthma Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our house does not like Asthma season, especially poor Ethan. During the allergy season Ethan's asthma is always bad. He will do OK during the day but at night he will wake up and not be able to breath well, or cough all night. There are many night that I will set the nebulizer up and prop Ethan up and he will sleep through almost the entire treatment. The poor boy, I still remember his first nebulizer treatment and would have never guessed that he would one day sleep through a treatment. </div>
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I usually lay down with him so I can take it off when it's done but this night the baby started crying so I had to go into her room and get her taken care of. When I came back he just looked too precious and I had to snap this picture. <br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id9UHtyBLsc/VJC6ks-77sI/AAAAAAAAEOg/O1-bX_9SAEw/s1600/147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Id9UHtyBLsc/VJC6ks-77sI/AAAAAAAAEOg/O1-bX_9SAEw/s1600/147.jpg" height="320" width="320" /> </a></div>
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One morning before school Ethan woke up early and got all dressed. He was weezing quite bad so I told him to lay down in my bed and do a treatment. When I finished getting dressed and came back into my room this is what I saw...... </div>
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A boy, his dog and his nebulizer.... We sure do hate asthma in our house, but we are grateful for medicine that helps make it easier to deal with. And for sweet pictures of this boy with his mask on..... </div>
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The human body is so amazing and I believe our Heavenly Father was divinely inspired when he created it. Every aspect of our bodies were thought out and planned. Each had their own function and place. Our eyes, nose, brain, hands, thumbs, blood, muscles... I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. We are capable of doing so much, running miles, lifting large amounts, comforting with hugs and tender touches, crying tears of joy and pain, creating life and giving birth. Then every person, every body needs rest in order to continue to function. It is a vital part of our daily life. This I believe was truly inspired as well. I don't think sleep was just an after thought, it was part of the plan, it had to be. There is something so serene of seeing someone sleep, something peaceful and calming. Often in death our loved ones appear to be asleep and that provides us with a sense of comfort that they are at peace. </div>
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As a mother I have grown to love the view of a sleeping child. Of course as a first time mother I loved when Ethan was asleep. It meant I could sleep as well, it meant he didn't want to eat or be changed. It calmed my nervous mother heart. With each birth sleep was valued higher than the last. As we move out of the newborn, up all night phase, sleep is still so calming to me. There are days (more than I'd like to admit) that don't go so well. Where the kids seem to find my last sting of sanity and pull with all their might. Where scriptures are skipped and kids sent straight to bed. And then before I climb into bed I check on the sleeping kids and am reminded anew how wonderful it is to be a mother. How peaceful and beautiful each one of my kids is. </div>
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I'm convinced my Father in Heaven knew I would have real rough mother days and he smiled knowing that each of my kids would eventually fall asleep and I would see them as they truly are and it would be his reminder to me how special they are, how lucky I am to have them in my life. How fortunate I am to be called some form of mother by each one of them. I once read a blog of a mother whose toddler child had died in his sleep. For her the sight of any child sleeping was painful to see and would cause her anxiety due to this tragic death. My mother heart ached so much for her, how tragic and how sad that such a source of joy and peace could cause someone else such pain. </div>
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Every night before I crawl (or fall some nights) into bed I go room to room and check on each child. It allows me to go to sleep knowing each one of my kids is safe and sound. One night I went into Ethan's room and he wasn't in bed. I was a little upset with him thinking he had snuck out of bed to play or sneaking around the house. I decide to check on Brynlee before I busted Ethan and how great was my surprise when I found him sleeping in the rocking chair in Brynlee's room. They were both sound asleep. The next morning I asked Ethan why he had slept in Brynlee's room and he said that he wanted to make sure she was ok all night. (He really is a sweet boy)</div>
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How thankful I am for little reminders, such as a sleeping child, that the world is good, kids are great and being a mother is AWESOME!!! </div>
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Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-68097781472437668402014-12-16T14:26:00.001-08:002014-12-16T15:17:29.039-08:00Mommy's Mini Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The other Sunday Ashlee actually let me straighten her hair..... And we were twins.<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDBuvioeyfQ/VJCv3li08dI/AAAAAAAAENs/hm08Ad9710Q/s1600/028.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></div>
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I wasn't sure what Ashlee would think of that, she usually doesn't like things that I like....</div>
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But I think we got her! She loved it and said multiple times during the day how Mommy looked just like her. It was quite weird to see her with straight hair, it changes her looks so much. </div>
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This girl is hilarious and stressful and beyond taxing to be her mother, but I am often reminded (mostly by my parents) that she is just like me. Not only in looks but also in action and attitude. Ashlee is go, go, go! She never stops and she is relentless with silly noises, annoying her siblings and attitude expressions. I love to say I have no idea where her looks and expressions came from, but I'm lying. She brings our house so much joy and frustration and I think we wouldn't have it any other way! </div>
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I loved being this girls twin, even if it was only for a day! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-31859334153822311032014-10-28T09:40:00.001-07:002014-10-28T09:40:16.403-07:00First day of School 2014-2015 School Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my stipulations with moving was that it had to be during the summer break so that we didn't have to move the kids from school during the school year. When we got into the new house I was excited about the school until they realigned the school zones and our house was now zoned for a different school than I was hoping for. Of course the offices were closed for a month so I could do nothing, I couldn't get a zone variance turned in, I could call and ask questions... NOTHING!!! The one school I did want the kids to attend is run by Principal Hybarger, which just happens to be Grandma Alberta's son. So I reach out to her and asked if she could ask her son if he took zone variances very often. She called me back and gave me the scoop. I needed to turn in their zone variance on the first day the offices opened back up and I need to stress that going to the school we were zoned for would cause a financial hardship since we would have to do safe key in the morning and the afternoon. I wrote my letter and did everything I was told and we were able to get the kids in to Goynes Elementary School. I was so excited and so were the kids. </div>
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We attended the "Meet Your Teacher" day and explored their new school. It is much larger than the school we came from and I could see that it was a little overwhelming for the kids. Ethan was so use to knowing exactly where everything was at Goldfarb. I made sure to point out bathrooms, offices, classrooms, etc to help them feel more comfy. I also got the kids signed up for Safe key which is a whole new thing for them. Since we didn't really know anyone real well in the ward yet and didn't have Kira and Korina to take our kids and pick them up for us they would have to go to Safe Key after school. We were able to find someone to drop them off in the morning. The kids were introduced to Mr. Joe who would be at Safe Key and they liked him. </div>
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Finally the first day of school came around. I took the day off so I could drop them off and pick them up on their first day. We were doing really good on time so were able to get a few pictures before school. You could tell how excited they were about starting school again.</div>
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Not wanting to be left out, Ashlee joined them for a picture or two. Katelee gave her the old backpack she used last year just so she would feel special also. And I got her a new outfit for the day as well.</div>
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Back of bags...</div>
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We got to the school and it was a mad house, but we survived parking and got out of the car and headed to the line by the gate. We waited for a bit for the gate to get opened and then headed in. They had fun music blaring and it felt like the kids were going to a party, not school. </div>
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And then my mother emotions took over. I'm going to blame them on postpartum (Brynlee was only 4 months... That still counts right?) I got choked up and was trying to talk but had to just node and fake smile in response to the kids! I don't know why, I hadn't been too nervous for them to start school, but it just hit me as we walked through the gates... We found each of their lines and I snapped a picture and then I had to head out before they saw the tears fall from my eyes. </div>
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Katelee was ready to go, not scared at all! </div>
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Ethan played it cool and was also ready to go.</div>
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I know I seemed like a bad mom walking out of the school when everyone else was walking in... But the tears had started and I could do nothing to stop them. Fortunately I was wearing sunglasses. We got out to the van and I put Ashlee and Brynlee in their seats. Ashlee was a little confused why I was crying. She kept asking if I was sad and I said no, just excited for Bubby and Sissy. It was time for Brynlee to eat and they were making announcements over the speaker so I decided to feed her in the van and listed since I wasn't there to support my kids. Finally we drove off and the tears continued to fall. It amazes me how my emotions hit so hard at times. We were all good to go. We were early and I wasn't stressed about Katelee staying all day long, I was ready for this year.... And then it hit me, my kids are one more year older and school starting means much more added stress to our lives. Homework, school stuff, early bedtimes, Safe Key, lunches, early mornings, etc.... </div>
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I picked the kids up that afternoon and they were so excited. They loved school and had a blast. I was a happy mother. The kids continue to do well in school and we are loving our new school. We miss our old school and our old friends there, but this school isn't too bad either! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-20703586482559775872014-10-28T09:12:00.000-07:002014-10-28T09:12:05.529-07:00Katelee is SIX!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't know how it happened but Katelee turned six!!!!!</div>
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I have been telling
her for years to not grow up and just like a typical child she did not
listen to me!! Last year Katelee's birthday was a little overshadowed
by her grandmother's passing. We tried to make it as fun and uplifting
as possible, throwing her a birthday party at Aunt Lisa's house in Salt
Lake with cake, presents and family, going to McDonalds for her birthday
breakfast and Mom and Dad being home from work during that week... But
there was a lot to distract us from celebrating her birth last year so
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On the morning of Kate's birthday we woke up and got ready for school and then she opened presents before we left for school. </div>
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Katelee did not want to take treats to school, she didn't really want anyone to know it was her birthday. I decided it was up to her and we didn't take treats to school that day. <br />
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Of course during this time of year Ethan is always having problems with his breathing, so he got to do his treatment on the bed so he could watch her open presents. </div>
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Ethan had a ballgame that night, so we went to dinner the night before to celebrate. Kate picked Chilli's only if she could play one of those silly games they have at the table. We decided since it was her birthday dinner we would let her, otherwise we don't really like those things at all. They take away from our family dinner time, although, sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just talk to Chris and let the kids play those games.... We surprised her with having them sing happy birthday to her, which she liked, but certainly didn't need. </div>
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Aunt Lisa came into town and her and Grandpa Snickers came to school and picked Katelee and Ethan up instead of them going to safekey. They got to hang out with her at home and get all kinds of treats and goodies. Then Katelee got to open her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Jiggs at Ethan's baseball game that night. She was loving all the dolls she got and the clothes too. </div>
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The Saturday after her birthday we had a party for her at the house. (side note; it sure was nice having a party in a house big enough to hold all of our friends) She wanted a Little Mermaid cake and the day of her party I was able to find a cake pan of Ariel... I was doing such a great job until I did her skin... Apparently Ariel spent a little too much time at the tan salon because she was more orange than skin color... When Kate saw it she said, "I don't think it looks like it's suppose too..." I just laughed, my kids definitely got my blunt mouth!</div>
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Katelee opened her gifts, there were so many, and had a really fun time. She played with her cousins and friends the whole time. The cake tasted much better than it looked and we all had a really good time spending time with family and friends. </div>
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It sure doesn't seem like 6 years ago that this little lady joined our family here on earth. She has grown up so fast, especially in the last year. She is all about fashion, dresses herself and doesn't like when we pick our her clothes. She like girly stuff, but also loves to be outside and play rough with her brother. She has the longest and skinniest legs, still curly brown hair and the most beautiful blue green eyes. She can still throw some major fits, but those have significantly decreased over the last year as well. Her smile is beautiful and the gap between her top front teeth is perfect!!! She loves to play school and church. Loves baby dolls and jumping on the trampoline. She is still a big help with Brynlee, loves to carry her around all the time and play with her. She is doing very well at school, loves her teacher and loves to learn. She is a smart girl and hates when she doesn't get 100% on something. We sure love having Miss Kate in our lives, she makes us all smile and makes me as a mother so grateful to be called her mother! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-75536663444521999702014-10-01T11:00:00.001-07:002014-10-01T11:00:34.169-07:00Ethan's Basketball Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This summer a friend asked if Ethan would be interested in playing basketball. He has never played before and so we asked him if he'd like to. He quickly said yes and I signed him up right away so he couldn't change his mind. Since I was back to work my friend offered to take Ethan to practices during the week and then he could hang out afterwards until we got home from work. Ethan was really excited and nervous. The boys he was playing with had all played before and Ethan felt a little overwhlmed by their skill. But in true Ethan fashion he made the best of it and swore he was the best one on the team. They had a few practices and then it was finally time for the first game. That night he went to sleep with basketball shorts on and his uniform top. He talked with me about being very nervous and scared and worried because he wasn't very good. So he got the Mom pep talk, you have to start somewhere, sports is about having fun and learning to play with a team, he could do it, Ra Ra Ra!!! Not to toot my own horn, but he was feeling better about it when he went to sleep. </div>
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You could tell that this was Ethan's first time playing ball, he was not the best dribbler and he threw the ball at the basket instead of shooting it. But he ran the whole time and celebrated each basket as if he was the one that made it. He played every Saturday for about 6-7 weeks and LOVED it! </div>
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One FHE we went down to the church with the Maynor family and practices basketball. Ethan's defense progressed 100 fold and his dribbling looked better also. He didn't score many baskets but he had fun and loved the sport. His teammates were awesome players and passed the ball better than most professional teams... It was a lot of fun to go and watch basketball, the game moves quick (much quicker than baseball) and we won every game... which always helps the enjoyment of watching. </div>
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I think Ethan would play basketball again, and if he does we'll sign him up. He had fun, loved hanging out with all those boys and trying a new sport. </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-12899932630353963142014-07-27T22:27:00.002-07:002014-07-27T22:27:30.727-07:00Ashlee's Transition to BIG SISTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ashlee has been the baby of the family for THREE long years. She has enjoyed having cuddle time with mom and dad, being the youngest and getting some things because of that. When Brynlee was born Ashlee was beyond excited to become a big sister. It's all she could talk about for a while, that she was a BIG sister, not the little sister any more. Her transition was pretty smooth, although we did have a week where she had three accidents, but once we caught on to that we gave her a little more special time and she hasn't had one since. Here are just a few pictures from the first week of Ashlee being a big sister:</div>
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We had a few errands to run one day while the kids were in school. We took Ashlee along with us. She was a good girl, but towards the end of the trip she was very tired and bored. I looked back at one point and Ashlee was playing with her fingers like they were people in the sun. It was the cutest thing ever!</div>
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One day for nap time I was able to go up to put her down. I told her to get a book to read and she insisted that she would read it to me. She did a good job and didn't take too long, which really surprised me!</div>
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Ashlee was so cute when she would hold Brynlee. She would beg to hold her and then after like 10 seconds she was done. And you better be there to get Brynlee because she would practically throw her at you so she didn't have to hold her any more. As I looked through my pictures the next day and saw this one it struck me as so sad. My "baby" was holding our new baby, her life was changed forever and this picture was proof of it. It also made me smile because that smile on Ashlee's face shows how excited she is to be in her new role and have Brynlee in our family.</div>
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And this picture is just a silly picture of Ashlee one night as she slept. She sleeps like this quite often when she finally falls asleep at night. It takes her forever, For....Ever! </div>
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Ashlee has adjusted quite well to her Big Sister role. She loves her little sister dearly and loves being in her face and touching her all the time. </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-25783262683606097142014-07-27T22:13:00.002-07:002014-07-27T22:14:01.902-07:00Brynlee's First Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Around two weeks of age Brynlee's cord finally fell off so we were able to give her a real bath. All of the kids wanted to "help" so that made for a real fun time for Mom and Dad. I could hardly reach Brynlee because I had to reach around the girls that were standing on the stool, but we got it done. Brynlee didn't completely hate it, but she wasn't the biggest fan either.</div>
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After she got out the kids continued on their mission to help and surrounded Brynlee while she got dried and dressed by daddy. It was so cute how much the kids wanted to help. </div>
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Daddy put lotion in Brynlee's hair and it was so adorable. It just kind of stuck up a bit, but you could see that she actually had some hair. </div>
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She was nice and calm after her bath and ready to sleep again....</div>
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<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-40318427041684485372014-07-15T22:12:00.005-07:002014-07-15T22:12:48.017-07:00Brynlee's First Days Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brynlee was quite a popular baby when she got home, of course. Her big sister Katelee was enamored with her from before she was born. </div>
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Maddy and Uncle Matt came over one day to meet her and Brynlee stayed awake for a while to meet them...</div>
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Ethan had baseball practice that day so when he got home and wanted to hold the baby I made him wear a cover because of his dirty shirt. Don't blame him, he was just doing what his mother asked him to do.</div>
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We were so lucky to have GG down right after Brynlee was born.</div>
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Don't want to forget Ashlee and Aunt Anna!!!</div>
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<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-7034548296850924252014-07-15T21:59:00.001-07:002014-07-15T21:59:11.893-07:00Spring Break 2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So last year for Spring Break we took the kids to the LVH for two nights. We all had a blast and the kids kept talking about it this year. I was very pregnant and there was a little concern that I might have our Brynlee before or during spring break. We talked about it and decided that we should still take the kids and if we had a baby she and I could stay inside the room or Chris could take the kids and have fun. Brynlee did not come early and so we were all able to go and enjoy ourselves... Well for the most part.</div>
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We got there early afternoon, checked in and went to our room. I had gone online and reserved just a basic room and then asked my dad if he could just get us into a larger regular room. Well he worked his magic and got us into a very nice suite, the one he got us for Chris's graduation. The kids were beyond excited and ran straight to the Jacuzzi tub. My parents were going to come over so we let them get in while we waited for them to join us. </div>
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Every year my parents stay in a nice suite at the hotel for their anniversary and invite us over for night for dinner and playing, so invited everyone over as well. Since it was a week night only Mom and Dad were able to come over. We went to go to the café at the hotel, however it closed at like 3pm, so we went looking for somewhere else to eat. We ended up by Benihans and decided that we might as well really enjoy ourselves. Plus the week before I was notified that I was getting a raise, so we decided we would splurge. The kids LOVED it and with my dad we were able to get a good employee discount....</div>
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The next day Chris went to the library to study for his upcoming exam. We didn't want Chris to take any study time off, so the kids and I hung out for a while. We decided to go down to the pool and swim, then we had lunch and relaxed in the hotel some more. When Chris got back from studying we went back down to the pool again. The kids were loving the pool and us parents weren't minding it too much either!</div>
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The water was heated a bit, but it was still pretty cold. When we got out the kids were pretty cold because they were all wet, but this big mother was quite hot and just enjoying the weather. It was quite relaxing and very much enjoyable! (Looking at this picture it reminds me how big I was...)</div>
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Brynlee played nice and let us all enjoy our time. We got to cuddle at night, stay up late and eat junk all day long. The kids got to have some fun on their spring break and so did the parents. We all knew that the next week our lives were going to change with the addition of Brynlee. </div>
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The kids were loving the cuddle time and I was loving the comfy bed and sleeping in late. I always love hanging out with my little family. They are so much fun and times like this remind me how grateful I am to have them with me forever!!!</div>
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<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-6487130140804120992014-06-01T22:09:00.003-07:002014-06-01T22:09:59.649-07:00Mother's Day 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Mother's day was great. I have four wonderful children that call me Mom, and I'm so thankful for that. Ethan made me a mother, but each kid after that has made me a different kind of mother, as they are all so different to mother. Ethan is a boy and beyond crazy at times. He has a sweet, kind and huge heart, but sometimes his boyish craziness gets in the way of that shining. Katelee is a sweet, opinionated and shy girl when she wants to be. She can flip on a dime, but loves with all of her heart the things she loves. Ashlee is our "monster" child, she is active, loud and a free spirit. She keeps us on our toes ALWAYS and gets called "little Hilary" far more than I would like. And then Brynlee is our ever sweet and wonderful infant. They each share my heart equally and my life wouldn't be complete without each and every one of these amazing kids. They make me smile, cry, pull my hair out and rejoice. They make me feel that I have accomplished something wonderful in the life, with more pressure and worry that I have so much work ahead of me. I love being a mother and look forward to the day that it is my only full time job to do! </div>
<br />Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-52519268509686011812014-06-01T21:59:00.002-07:002014-06-01T22:10:27.791-07:00Brynlee Hazel's Birth Story<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is long and may be considered TMI, read at your own risk...</div>
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This pregnancy has been quite different from all my others one, except for one thing... At 39 weeks I was still not dialated at all... How does that even happen? After three other kids and my body still refuses to start labor on it's on??? Being that this is completely normal for us we were good to go when the Dr. suggested that we be induced, only difference this time was he wanted us to go into the hospital late at night. He thought this would be best since my cervix was not dialted or softened at all... After I protested a bit he did agree to go straight to Pitocin induction if I was dialated when I got to the hospital... This time we didn't just have to worry about who would watch out kids, but we also had to worry about how Ethan and Katelee would get to school. We finally worked it out that Ethan would stay the night at our good friends, the Maynor's house. He walks with them to school every day so it seemed to be better than having my mom take Ethan at 7:20am to school and having to wake the girls up to go with her. The girls stayed at my parent's house since Katelee doesn't have school until 11:40am. It was tough for me to accept that my mother wouldn't be able to join us for this birth like she has for all of the others, but things change and we have to adapt, right?</div>
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Monday night we took my parents to dinner and then we dropped Ethan off at Aiden Maynor's baseball game. We headed back over to my parent's and hung out there till about 9:30pm, then we headed to the hospital. (Side story, we have delivered all of our children at Valley Hospital. It's in the ghetto, but it's closer to us and it has a level 3 NICU... Well they decided to close their maternity floor the week before our Brynlee was due, so we had to go to Summerlin Hospital this time around. It's pretty far away, but they have a level 3 NICU as well...I am one of those mothers that wants the comfort of knowing my baby can be taken care of in the hospital we deliver at, if needed.) We got to the hospital at 10pm, our scheduled time to arrive, and we were quickly told that they were packed and wouldn't be able to see us right then. They apparently had called us to inform us to not come in, but they called our house phone after we had already left for the night. So after trying to get a timeframe from the nurse we decided to head home and just go to bed. If they called in a few hours at least we had a few hours of sleep. We went to bed and they didn't call until 7:30am and asked us to come in at 8:30. I had slept alright, but the anticipation of getting a call in the middle of the night woke me up several times. And did I mention that I was still fighting a horrible cough? Well it was about day 5 of the cough and it seemed to be getting a bit better, but it still woke me up at times. We got to the hospital at 8:30am and they got us to our room, it was officially going to happen.</div>
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The nurse came in and gathered ALL the information they gather. She checked me and determined that I was at a 1 (WOW) and my cervix was super soft, so she would let my doctor know and hopefully he would just skip the 12 hour long induction way... It worked and they got me hooked up to Pitocin. With all of the other kids it took 6 hours from when they get the Pitocin hooked up to delivery. We were ready for that again... Things went really smooth, Brynlee was a champ and never had any moments that worried anyone. Her heart rate was super strong the entire time and she stayed on the monitor for the majority of the time. Before they ruptured my water they got the epidural started and that was a bit more painful than normal, but it worked and I guess in the end that is all that really mattered. I was not progressing at my normal rate, but I was making some improvement so it wasn't a real concern. At six hours I was barley a 6 or 7 so they had me start laying on my side in a certain way to try to get the baby's head to push on my cervix. I started to feel some pressure in my back, but when I was checked I wasn't much different. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Poor Chris was freezing and I was so hot... He was studying and kept blowing warm air into his hands to warm up. Eventually the socks came off and those blankets never went on me... poor guy wouldn't change the air temperature even though I told him to multiple times...</span></div>
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Chris jokingly said that Grandma Karolyn wouldn't stop talking to Brynlee and that is what was taking so long. I started crying at the though of how sweet that was, and how very true! From then on there was a special spirit in the room and no rush for our little girl to get here if she really was hanging out with loved ones that had passed on. Our focus was changed and I was fine with Brynlee taking as long as she needed to, to say good-bye to everyone she might be hanging out with. We switched sides and after about an hour I had a lot more pressure in my back, so the sweet nurse agreed to check me and I was a 10. She had me push a few times, to which I was a complete failure, and then she said, "you'll get it figured out by the time the doctor comes, you've had three other kids!" Talk about stress, what if I didn't figure it out? And how on earth was I not pushing right? I have three other kids that I successfully pushed out.... Well after a few pushes she said, "Ok, that was perfect, no more pushing I'm calling Dr. Bart and we will push again when he comes." Well just then another nurse came in and said Dr. Bart had called and he would be up in 5 minutes and she better have me ready... The Dr. came up and got all ready and I pushed one full contraction and then started on another when he told me to stop so he could suction out the baby's mouth. I didn't push again, she just popped on out. They placed her on my chest and I sobbed like a new mother sobs. She was born at 6:33pm.</div>
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The spirit was so strong and so were her lungs! The girl cried/screamed for quite a while. They rubbed her off and Chris eventually cut the cord. One thing I love about Summerlin Hospital is they do everything for the baby in the room, so I was able to see it all this time. Her first bath, measuring and all the other medical stuff they do. She was perfect, she had a little blond hair and super long fingers. She looked just like Ashlee to me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is in grams, the regular weight was 7lbs 9oz... and 19 1/2 inches, with a bent knee (Chris says)</span></div>
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This time it was just Chris and I in the delivery room. He studied for a portion of it, since his big exam was in a week. I laid around and dosed off and on, watched some horrible TV and read a little. My mother was watching the kids and wasn't able to be there for the birth, but I know Karolyn was there, she was very much felt! I could feel her and almost hear her talk my ear off with excitement. It was a sweet, sweet experience, different in its own way from the other kids' experiences. They are all sweet just this one was a different kind of sweet experience.</div>
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Ethan had a ball game that night so my parents took him and the girls to that since Brynlee was born later than we expected. With the kids having school the next day and Summerlin Hospital being so far away they decided just to come out the next day. So it was just me, Chris and Brynlee. The postpartum rooms were all full so we stayed the night in the delivery room. I didn't get much sleep, Brynlee decided to stay away forever. Chris did get a few minutes or hours of sleep... While Brynlee and I got to know each other a little more.</div>
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I enjoyed the quite time and getting to hold this fresh little princess from my Heavenly Father, but I was exhausted too... Around 5am Brynlee spit up a massive amount of amniotic fluid and started chocking on it. I jumped up to my knees in the bed and rolled her over to her side while shouting for Chris to get up and help me. Her lips started turning blue and I yelled at Chris to pull the nurses emergency cord. My nurse and few others rushed in and helped out. Our nurse was so great, she looked at me and said, "I think Mom needs a good hour of sleep, can we take her to the nursery for a bit so you can sleep?" I was so grateful for her suggestion because I was beyond tired. They took her for a few hours and I got some sleep. I finally called them back when it was time to feed her again and after I had taken a nice nap. It was much needed!</div>
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After school and my dad got out of work the kids and grandma and grandpa came over. Grandpa Snickers had already been by at lunch time and spend some good time cuddling with Brynlee. The kids were beyond excited to see their new sister. We were told we could go home once Brynlee was 24 hours old, and we were ready to get home. The kids stayed for a little while and then grandma and grandpa took them home. It felt a little overwhelming having all of the kids there and a little like "what the heck did we do having another kid?" But we just can't imagine life without her, out family was missing her!</div>
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We were all packed and ready to go and then we sat around and waited and waited. Chris fell asleep and when he woke up an hour later was surprised it was so late. He went down to see where we were on discharge and a little while later the nurse came in and we were ready to go. My Grandma Alberta made a beautiful dress out of one of Grandma Karolyn's old shirts, so she could be apart of our special day! We made it her "going home" outfit and she was beautiful in it. Brynlee was a bit cranky about going home just because I didn't know if I should start feeding her or wait till we got home... So her pictures in the dress that night weren't the best.</div>
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We finally got to go home and were welcomed by my parents, Uncle Matt and his friend. The kids were all upstairs asleep, that's how late we got home.... </div>
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This recovery has been my easiest yet, I felt great after birth, my pain was almost nonexistent and I was up and moving with no problems. I guess that is what happens when you get to number four! Our family feels complete with little Brynlee Hazel, she is a joy to have around and a great baby! Welcome to the world little lady! We are so glad you are finally here!</div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278686737151276989.post-7765186017984790662014-03-31T16:04:00.000-07:002014-03-31T16:04:12.830-07:00Take Your Parent to School Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day was Take Your Parent to School day for Ethan and Katelee. Ethan's teacher was going to be out of town on the "real" day, so she had all of her parents come the day before. I was able to go with Ethan for the first half of the day. Ms Miller had coffee and bagels for the parents and Ethan thought it was funny that Ms Miller thought I drank coffee. I tried to explain that many people drink coffee in the morning, he just kept laughing... I was able to see how they do their phonic and what a typical morning looks like for Ethan. He is a smart kid, but even with me sitting right there he was getting bored and messing around with stuff in his desk and not paying the best attention to what was going on. I got to sit in an Ethan size chair for 2-3 hours and that proved to be quite uncomfy in the end. I got to do station with him, and see him interact with the kids in his class. Then I got to go to recess with him as well. I was a little bummed that I'm 8 month pregnant and not able to run around with him while he played soccer, but it was fun to watch. He was moving the entire recess and I was tired just watching him. Then I got to have lunch with him. I considered buying school lunch with him until we walked in and found out it was sack lunches. No thank you to the Bologna and cheese sandwich... Good thing it was only 10:30 and I wasn't too hungry! After lunch I headed back to work, but had so much fun with him. I know he was excited I was there and we talked about it when I got home from work that night too. I have worked in his class in the afternoon before, so I pretty much know what all day looks like for him now. I don't blame him for getting bored, I get bored while I'm there sometimes too... I love visiting the school and letting the kids see how important education is to us and also showing them that we care about what they are doing at school. </div>
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Katelee's day to take a parent was the next day and Chris was able to go with her. She really wanted both of us to go, but we thought it might be a little crowded and I had just helped in her class the week or two before, so I let Daddy do this one. Chris had fun seeing Katelee at school. She is such a sweet, quiet girl at school. She is the ideal student, raising her hand, answering questions when called on, knowing the right answers and being a big helper. It's so interesting to see the differences between Kate and Ethan when it comes to school. Katelee was able to show her dad the daily routines, calendar, recess, centers and more. Since it was a Friday he was also able to see her take a spelling test and even go to the computer lab. (The picture is from the computer lab) Kate was so excited to have Chris there and he enjoyed himself as well. I was able to hear all about it from Kate when I got home from work that day! You could see the excitement in her eyes as she told me what they did and that she enjoyed having Chris there. <br />
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I'm so thankful that the kids' school has days like this where the kids and the parents are able to enjoy one another and show the parents what they do all day. A day for the kids to feel special and be the center of their parents attention. I know that I take for granted that my kids are at school every weekday and that this is a major part of their growing and development. It's great to see them interact with their classmates and teachers. To see them get bored and truly enjoy learning and being educated. I'm so glad we were able to work our schedules to be able to enjoy this one on one time with our kids! </div>
Hilary and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07142801166943672673noreply@blogger.com0