State Fair

I'm not a huge fan of the fair, but since today was opening day, admission was only $2 and kids 5 and under were free. So my mom and I took Hallie and Audrey to see the animals and eat lunch. I actually had way more fun than I thought I would. We wandered around looking at all the cheap crap they have for sale and mingling with the awesome array of freakishly strange people that usually hang out at fairs. The highlight for the girls was riding the miniature horses. Hallie was beyond excited and Audrey being the dare devil child she is got right on and LOVED it. I honestly don't think the fair is worth it to pay full price, but for $4 to admit us all and $5 to park the car - it was TOTALLY worth it!!!

Temple Square

We were so late for church today we decided to skip it all together and take the family to Temple Square. I felt kind of bad about it at first, but honestly it is just what I needed today. We sat through an awesome presentation on The Family. Everyone felt such a strong spirit, even Kesley cried. Such a great afternoon with our family, I'm almost glad we were slackers and missed our church meetings - don't worry though, it won't be a regular occurrence. :)

This Weekend's Project: Little Girls Room

I finally got the time (more like I made the time) to finish Hallie and Audrey's room. It is SO much better then the room they moved into a year ago. Now I finally feel like it is "theirs". One funny thing: Audrey was scared to sleep in there last night because her bed was in a different spot. She bawled and cried, "Audy bed Audy bed" and kept pointing across the room.


BEFORE...







AFTER...

Bountiful Parade

We had a great time at the Parade last night. It was VERY hot, but the kids had a blast. Kesley was home "sick" - I didn't think she really wanted to be with the family, but she was green when we got home, so yeah - she wasn't well. The rest of us had a great time at the parade and watched fireworks later from my mom's circle.

I think Audrey drank at least 4 of these - it was hot!

PLEEEESE - throw us some candy!

(L to R) Scott's mom, my mom, Scott's dad, Scott

Me, Audrey & Hallie waiting (& baking) for the parade to start

Dallin hoping for candy (he got a ton).

Yeah, it's kind of white trash, but it was HOT.

Hallie had it - she moved to the shade and tormented Audrey for the last 30 minutes of the parade. We dragged her to the car crying.

Water Table

After seeing this fun toy on someone else's blog (thank you Annemarie), I had to get one for my girls. Meet... the water play table. Oh, the fun that we had this afternoon. My girls LOVED it and even Dallin played for awhile - until he started dumping water on his sisters and they LOUDLY protested. I highly recommend this toy!

Ahhhh, the quiet...

I am loving this afternoon. My SIL Jennie and I took our kids to lunch and the pool. After an hour and a half the littlest kids were getting tired (and whiney), so I offered to take the 3 youngest home for naps. My Hallie (3), Jennie's Brooklyn (2) and my Audrey (19 months) are ALL asleep at the SAME TIME. Audrey fell asleep in the car on the 5 minute drive home. Hallie settled down and was out in record time. Brooklyn had a little drama at first and cried, no screamed for awhile, but I told her I was calling her mama to see when she'd be back, and she calmed down and fell asleep. No, I never called - and yes, I lied to the sweet innocent child. Here they all are sleeping blissfully (a little dark since I didn't use a flash)...

Hallie in my bed

Brooklyn in Dallin's bed

Audrey in her crib

I love how the pool and being outside always wears little kids out.

Random Weekend Pictures

Our weekend was pretty low key. The kids and I traveled to Vernal with my in-laws and BIL & SIL to attend a nieces baptism (Scott had to work). It was a LONG drive, but glad we were there for Hunter. I didn't get many pictures - my camera is not the best (Kellie, send me copies of yours if you get a second!) But, here are some shots of the rest of our weekend...


Hallie & Audrey all dressed up for the baptism.


Pulling Audrey down the stairs in laundrey basket. Hmmm... is that really a GOOD idea???



Kesley in her standard spot - at the computer with her ipod. I just had to show that she really IS a part of our family and this picture is why we have hardly any pictures of her.



Audrey is DONE being in the laundry basket!



I don't know. They wanted capes, but then it became more like a nativity reenactment.


Outside playing with Dallin's remote control jeep. Notice Hallie's nightgown and snowboots ensemble.

Made for Audrey

My sweet little Audrey LOVES the tags on her blankets. I know, most babies do. So today I was cleaning out my craft room and noticed I have A LOT of scrap fabric and lots of ribbon - hmmmm..... what to do? I made her a taggie blanket. Well, not really a blanket - it's only one square foot. The side showing is flannel and the backside is pink satin. So easy to make - I wish I would have made her one long ago! She LOVES it! In fact she cried when I took it from her to show to Kesley. Love it when I can make something great from things I have on hand - NO money spent! AND Audrey is 18 months old TODAY, so happy day to her!!!

Simon Says

Eating WHILE sleeping

Audrey was SO tired this afternoon. I caught her falling asleep in her high chair, but she wanted her graham cracker so much, she kept eating it, even while falling asleep. So cute! I love this kid.

Dress up?

It's always cute when little girls experiment with their wardrobe. Princess panties on their heads is just cute...

But my 8 year old son as Tinkerbell is a little strange. Even weirder is that he wore it around the house for most of the afternoon and even ventured outside to get the mail. Someday this photo will haunt him...

Hallie however seems thrilled she has another dress up partner.

Piggies

Kind of hard to tell, but there are two little piggie tails in Audrey's hair. I know it was pushing it, but she looked so dang cute!!! My baby is growing up.

Our house - The infirmary

So this week really hasn't improved a whole lot. Hallie is still hacking up a storm and Audrey, although she tried to get out of Hallie's way, has caught it with a vengeance. Sad thing it, she's so little, I can't give her any cold medicine. Her little nose just runs and is getting red and sore. Yesterday afternoon I gave her a warm bath. We have a sponge thing she can lay on (or usually sits on so she won't slip-slide all over the tub). She laid on it while I poured warm water over her belly for 20 minutes. I had to add more water to keep it from getting cold. She was so relaxed that her eyes closed and she just kept sighing like it felt so good. She was about asleep - it was so cute.

Later Hallie fell asleep in front of the TV while watching Lion King. She's so congested and was snoring so loud, I had to turn the TV up so Audrey could hear the movie. Then Dallin came home yesterday complaining he didn't feel good either. At least he's older, but he still whines! By the time Scott got home I was so at my limit - I took a 30 minute shower and regrouped so I could face the evening and night. Audrey only woke up 4 times and actually slept from 2am until 7:30 am. I really needed that good stretch of sleep!

I haven't been to work since last week and haven't been out of the house since Monday. I haven't done my hair for 3 days either. Can you say stir crazy!!! I have cleaned up puke, crap and snot that would make even the most stalwart cry like a baby (don't you just want to rush over and visit me?). My house is a disaster. Hopefully this afternoon I can put children down and find some sort of organization to this chaos. These are the times of motherhood that you just hang on for dear life and hope it gets better soon. :)

How I feel...

12 minutes of church

That's as far as I made it today. I arrived a few minutes late with Kesley & Audrey - Scott had taken a separate car with Dallin & Hallie because I was planning on only attending sacrament and then taking Hallie & Audrey home. Hallie has been coughing and I couldn't send her to nursery being sick. I really didn't think we should have taken her at all, but Scott insisted she was ok - funny thing is, HE wasn't the one who was up with her last night as she had hysterical coughing episodes and a high fever, I was!

As soon as I sat down, Hallie came over and laid her head on me and went into a complete coughing fit - I am shocked (but thankful) she didn't throw up right there. As soon as the sacrament was passed we (Hallie, Audrey and I) high-tailed it out of there. I am sure all the people sitting around us were so glad to see us go!

Since I had dressed them both so cute in their church dresses, I took pictures so at least I felt like all my effort was for something!

Kids can sleep anywhere

I was at Target today with Hallie and Audrey, and being it was Target, we were there for a long time - I LOVE to wander around that store. We had just finished lunch before we came so Audrey was full and ready for her nap. Soon her little eyes were just too heavy and she was nodding off. Mind you she was belted into the cart and fell asleep sitting up. She slept for more than 20 minutes as we rolled around with Hallie chattering ninety miles an hour behind her in the basket. It was so sweet and I could kick myself for not taking a picture of her with my cell phone.

However over the last 2 weeks I have caught both Hallie and Audrey sleeping in funny places. This one is Audrey asleep in her high chair after eating lunch...

And this one is Hallie alseep on the stairs when my mom was tending her one day...

Maybe we need to put them to bed earlier. NO, they just need to sleep in later - that's another thing, why do kids wake up soooo early all the time? As soon as it's light, my kids are up running around. I can't even think straight yet and they are so wild. Maybe I need thicker curtains in their rooms to block the light. Hmmm....

OK, so I am finally trying this out and I have to say I feel a little weird about writing - I have NO clue what to say! I guess I will just intro my family. I am Rachel. I'm married to Scott and we have 4 children. Here are some highlights about each of us:

Rachel (34)

• I work part-time at the Utah Department of Health in the HIV/AIDS treatment & care program. I've been here for 8 years and love the fact that I am actually using my hard earned college degree, I am able to be home a lot with my kids and I have full insurance benefits (woo-hoo)!
• I am so lucky to be the mom of four great kids. We really struggled to get our family put together and I am just amazed we have been so blessed. After all the different ways our children came to us, we are extremely thankful to be a family!
• In my spare time (yeah, like I have that!) I like to scrapbook, go for walks, read, play with my kids, shop, cook, watch movies, and spend time with my husband.
• Some of my favorite things are: holding my sleeping baby, fresh snow, coconut lotion, days off with pay, tomato soup, someone helping me with housework, fresh sheets, kisses from puppies, pedicures, a good hair day, opening presents - but I equally LOVE giving gifts to other people, winning an auction on ebay (it's an addiction!), shopping, making lists and crossing off items as I complete them, I could go on and on...

Scott (almost 35)

• Scott currently works at a power equipment store in sales. He spent 8+ years as a State Trooper and decided to leave police work when the pressure became too great and he just didn't love it anymore. He's trying to decide what he wants to be when he grows up. Our goal for '08 is to decide if Scott will go back to school or find another job. My goal is to be supportive and patient - I have a hard time with that!
• Scott loves his family. Not just our immediate family, but our extended family too. We spend a lot of time with them and they are a great blessing to us. Scott is very close to his parents and siblings and it is a big strength to him.
• Some of Scott's favorite thing to do are: camping, 4-wheeling, yard work (he really likes mowing - I think it's therapeutic), taking naps, watching movies (right now we are watching 24 Season 6 series - it's very addicting), playing Halo with Dallin, going out with our friends, and having the day off.

Kesley (14)

• Kesley is in 8th grade and started a new jr high this fall because of our move. She wants to go to beauty school eventually and already loves doing hair (hers and whoever else will let her). In our school district they have a program in high school where she can also attend classes for her cosmetologist license, so I am hoping she'll take advantage of that in a few years.
• Kesley loves to hang out with her friends and loves to instant message them on the computer. She is dying to have a cell phone, but Scott and I are holding out for her grades to improve (we can only hope). She loves clothes and has her own unique style that she is very proud of. Kelsey is a total night owl - she loves to stay up very late and then sleep in. And this girl loves sweets - she is a candy-o-holic. She loves it when I make cookies or brownies, and I have to admit I really love making them for her.
• One of her biggest talents is her creativity. She is very gifted with her ability to draw. When she was younger she drew hundreds of individual people - each unique with their own hairstyles, clothing and names. She spent hours drawing and creating her own world of people. She is a great scrapbooker and I hope we can get my craft room in order and scrap together this next year (it's the last room I still haven't unpacked and organized - it's only been 6 months!).

Dallin (7 1/2)

• Dallin is in Second grade and also started a new school this fall. he is doing so well with his reading and is making lots of friends - maybe too many since he gets in trouble for talking a lot. His best friend is another boy named Dallin - they are so wild together! Winter is tough because I can't send them outside to play, but at least our basement is great for them to be loud and away from Dallin's sisters.
• Dallin is really looking forward to getting baptized this spring. I can't believe he is almost 8, it really feels like just yesterday he came into our family. One of my most favorite things about Dallin is his eyes. They are piercing blue and are just beautiful. I also love the tender side of him - when he hugs me, I know he really means it with all his heart. He has always been a snuggler - as a baby he loved to be held close and rocked and he still likes to sit right next to you when we watch TV or are at church. Sometimes it's a little claustrophobic because he's almost sitting on top of me, but I love that he still wants to be close to me.
• Some of Dallin's favorite things are: playing baseball, jumping on the trampoline, riding his bike (even in a snowstorm he gets so mad if he can't ride his bike to school), playing video games with his dad, eating - he is always hungry!, playing with his friends and his cousins, and watching movies - his favorites right now are Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and Transformers.

Hallie (almost 3)

• Hallie is my drama queen. She gets all worked up over everything and makes even little things into a huge commotion. Just last night she was in tears because Scott turned off the bathroom light BEFORE she finished pulling up her pajama pants all the way. She just couldn't continue with the evening until the lights were back on so she could "see" her waist so the pants were on correctly (like it was going to disappear in the dark or something). She is very precise about the way things should be done.
• Hallie loves everything princess. She can spot a princess item at any store we walk into. I don't care if it's princess toothpaste or princess shoes, she finds them. She especially loves her Cinderella dress-up dress. She won't wear it over anything though, so now that it's winter, she's freezing in it - and you can't wear socks with princess shoes (according to Hallie), so her feet are ice cubes.
• Other things Hallie loves are: Polly Pockets (especially this princess ones), brushing her teeth - she brushes them at least 8 times each day (hey, there are far worse fetishes), bows in her hair, sippys of milk in the microwave, the fisher price nativity set - she has lost the cow and baby Jesus was missing for awhile, bananas, popsicles, movies (her favorites are Matilda, Princess Sing-A-Long Songs & Shrek), and Hallie loves to get her free cookie from any grocery store bakery we go to.

Audrey (1)

• Audrey is my sweet lovey baby. She gives huge slobbery open mouth kisses and lays her head on you and says, "Ahhhh". She is very good natured and has the silliest grin and giggle. I just love to talk with her and hold her.
• Audrey is FINALLY starting to sleep through the night. After more than a year of waking at least 2-3 times each night, her Dr suggested she might have gastric reflux and put her on a daily antacid. Oh my - it has helped soooo much! Most nights she only wakes up once and this week she has slept through the night twice. This is one overjoyed mom!!!
• Some of her favorites are: her baby dolls - although she has to fight Hallie to play with them, Elmo, any toy that is loud and/or plays obnoxious music over and over - she loves to make noise, a warm bottle of milk, her binky, dried apples, licking the beaters when I make treats, her daddy - she is a daddy's girl, her new big girl car seat, and the remote control or anyone's cell phone.

Wow, for a first blog, this is really long. But in a nutshell, it's who we are. I love my family and I am excited to keep a blog of important events in our lives. Hope you enjoy!