Moving

I haven't taken very many pictures this week.  On Tuesday Stephen had to take a test so the rest of us tag along for the drive and then played at a mall in the city he took his test in.  I let the boys play in a little playland the entire time.  They were in heaven!  Stephen did take them into a reptile pet store before he left to take his test.  I refused to go in.  I HATE snakes.  They make my skin crawl.  Anyway, I guess the boys loved that store too.  Vance was afraid of some spiders they had, but not of the snakes, lizards, or other weird things there.

We made a big decision this week.  I say that, but really it's been a long time coming.  We just made a definite plan as to when and how.  We are moving to a new state.  When Stephen decided to go into the IT field last year we both new that the chance of moving was likely.  There really aren't any entry level IT jobs around where we live.  As time has passed that realization has become more apparent.  Stephen could get a job anywhere doing anything and we could continue to live here, but he really would like to gain some experience in his field so that when he graduates he has that experience and also contacts to take with him as he takes on his career.One reason we decided we should move now is to try and avoid moving Vance in the middle of the school year.

I am really sad to move away from where we live now.  I love the size of city we live in.  It is big enough that we have everything we need right here, but small enough that I feel comfortable driving around and I feel safe.  I love the mild winters we have here.  I love living an hour away from my parents.  In fact, that will be the saddest thing for me as we move.  I have enjoyed being able to see them on a regular basis.  I love being in an area where there are lots of members of the church, but not everyone is a member.  We live near a temple and an LDS bookstore.  We live in a great ward.  We have enjoyed our duplex (for the most part).

On the plus side, although we are moving away from my parents we are going to be moving closer to Stephen's parents, two of his sisters, and my older sister.  When my youngest brother gets off his mission he will return to school and we will be closer to him too.  In fact, we will be closer to where my little sister goes to college.  So that is all good news.

We are going to have to sell our contract with our duplex and try and find somewhere to live and Stephen a job all while he continues to go to school so it's going to be a busy month for us.  We feel this is the best decision for our family even though it seems the hardest (that's the way it is, isn't it?). 

Well, let the packing begin...

Summer Fun

We are trying to have a fun summer.  The boys would live outside if I let them.  Personally, I would rather stay inside when it is hot, but it's not really an option with my kiddos.  Thankfully, it hasn't been too hot yet.  Although, I believe that is soon to change...

The boys all showing off their Cars shirts.  I made Vance and Tanner hold Porter's hand so he wouldn't run away before I snapped the picture.

My sweet baby is no longer a baby anymore.

We had a water balloon fight this afternoon.  Porter laughed and laughed watching the big boys, but he still wants nothing to do with getting wet.  The older boys had fun tossing the water balloons at each other though.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!  I've been so blessed with many wonderful father figures in my life.  Of course, my own dad whom I love dearly.  He is also a wonderful grandpa.  We spent the day with him and my mother and sister.  It was a lovely day.

My dad told Tanner the story of the Gingerbread Man.  Tanner did not like the ending...

 I've also been blessed to be married to a wonderful husband and father.  Thank you Stephen for all that you do!  My children love their dad and I admit, I am quite fond of him myself.  :)

I also have a wonderful father-in-law, two wonderful grandfathers, and most especially a loving Heavenly Father.  I feel truly blessed in my life.

We had a lovely weekend.  I got to see some old friends and spend time with my parents, little sister, husband, and children.  Life is sweet.  Even with a little sunburn on my face...

Dancing in the Car

I pulled out my camera to videotape Tanner and Porter dancing in the car yesterday.  Porter doesn't do much dancing in the video (isn't that how it goes), but Tanner's facial expressions make it worth watching just the same.  Porter was so tired.  You can tell he is a zombie baby...

Vance is so far in the back it's hard to see if he is ever dancing or not, but generally he doesn't.  Sometimes we can hear him singing along to music when he doesn't think we are listening.

Stephen's Birthday

Today Stephen turned 30.  We never really do much for Stephen and I's birthday, but since it was a big one I thought we should make a big deal out of it. 

Stephen and the older boys went and got donuts for breakfast.  Porter and I opted to stay home and have our green smoothies.  Then we went miniature golfing.  It was a lot of fun.  We went soon after it had opened so we were alone the entire time, but when we were getting ready to leave there were about half a dozen groups of people starting so I'm really glad we went when we did.

Every time it was Tanner's turn we would try to show him how to hold the club, but he went right back to this position each time.  For those thinking of trying it, it's not a very effective method.

Vance taking a turn.

Tanner and Vance loved holding the flags at each whole.

I had to get a picture of the Birthday boy taking a turn too.

I made Stephen this Oreo Cake.  It was fun, easy, and just up his alley.

Stephen was hamming up open a little gift from the boys (a Wii game).

My men!  Aren't I a lucky girl?

 Stephen is a wonderful person I am so grateful for him.  I am so glad we were able to spend his birthday together as a family.  Most birthdays he is working away.  I always love having family quality time together.

Life is good

We brought this tent into the house to let the boys play with.  You can see why we had it set up in the first play by going here.  Porter grabbed his bowl full of his snack, Stephen's gatorade, and plopped himself into the tent to watch a movie.  Simple pleasures.  He is so funny.

Precious Boy

Porter is 15 months old.  Every night before I lay him in his crib I sing a couple of songs to him as we sit in the rocking chair.  It is nice to be able to have that quiet one on one time together.  Tonight he was singing along with me, "Aaaaahhh."  He was hugging me and patting my back.  Moments like that make me want to bottle them up and keep them forever like that.  Every stage of growing up has it's own fun and unique things about it.  I wish I could remember all of the precious moments I have with each of my children forever.

Let the swimming adventures begin

We got the little pools out for the boys to play in yesterday.  I bought a baby one for Porter because I didn't think he would like all the splashing about the older boys did.

 The older boys jumped right into their pool and played until I made them get out.  They played hard.

As it turned out Porter didn't want to get in the baby pool either.  I filled it with warm water from our bathtub and put my suit on and got in to entice him.  Maybe next time... 

He did love running around in his swimsuit and watching the boys play.

Since I was in my suit Vance and Tanner begged me to get into the bigger pool with them so I did.  Their water was much colder than Porter's.  Brrr...  They didn't seem to mind.

After the boys got bored with me they convinced their dad to get into the pool as well.  Here is the proof.

 Did I blind everyone with our pasty white bodies?  The entire day today Vance has been begging to get back in the pool so you can guess what we will be doing later...

Gross

One of Porter's favorite things to do lately is dig through one of the drawers in the kitchen and then put what he finds in Tanner's potty.  Sometimes I go in the bathroom to this sight.

EW!  Good thing he leaves them there instead of putting them back in the drawer so I know just which ones need to be washed.  Mostly, I just try to keep the bathroom door closed.

Quote of the Day

I have been playing aroud a little bit, putting quotes on some of the pictures I have.  It's fun.  Here is one for today.  I love this picture of Tanner when he was just a week old.

Hanging out with the cousins

We hung out with Holly and her daughters today.  They will be at my parent's place for a couple of more days, but this was the last day we will see them while they are up here.  I wanted to let them swim, but the wind was just too much today.

 The three oldest thought that this would be a great napping arrangement.  Somehow I just couldn't see it.

 Stephen entertained the kids for a moment with mentos, cola, and a rocket.  It last about 30 seconds, but it was a fun 30 seconds.

 The little kiddos!  They are sure hard to get a picture of together.  Gosh, I still can't believe that Chloe is 3 months older than Porter.  She is such a petite thing compared to him.

 Porter has fallen in love with our slide.  He also has overcome his fear of walking in the grass.

Tanner and Jillian hugging and saying their good byes.  It has been fun to see Holly and her family the past few weeks!

Rose's Graduation

I thought I'd share a few pictures from Rose's graduation.  Holly and I made her a "BYU-Idaho Freshman Survival Kit" for her graduation gift.  I had a lot of fun putting it together.  It had a lot of different things in it.  I made tags for everything.  Hopefully, she'll find some of it useful.  :)

She did it!  Now with any luck I can get away with not attending another high school graduation until Vance graduates.  (very scary thought...)

Rainy Day

What do you do on a rainy day when half of your family has a cold?

Lay on the floor with a pillow and blanket and watch a good movie, of course. 

Porter was also packing himself up to make sure we don't leave him behind when we take another mini trip to Grandma's for Rose's graduation.

A mushy letter to my baby sister

To My Little Sister,

I know you probably get tired of hearing this, but I can't believe that you are graduating from high school already!  Time goes by so quickly.  You have grown into a beautiful young woman whom I am glad to know.

When Mom was pregnant with you, I hoped and prayed that she would have a girl.  I had an older sister who I loved and two fun younger brothers, but I didn't have a younger sister and I wanted one so much.  Heavenly Father sent you to our home.  I was so excited.  I remember helping Mom pick out clothes for you to wear and changing your diapers.  I was nine when you were born so I also helped babysit often throughout the time you were little until I left for college myself.  Holly and I would always joke that Glen was her baby and you were mine because she always watched Glen and I always watched after you.  Rosemary, you were a beautiful baby and a cute little girl.  I remember during my teenage years getting so irritated with you because you always wanted to hang out with me when I had my friends over. You have grown up so much since then.    I remember when I would go through tough times even if you didn't understand the situation you always made me try and feel better.  I remember when we shared a room together for a couple of months when I was engaged. 

Our personalities are different in a lot of ways yet we get along well.  You have many traits that I admire.  You are friendly and outgoing, something that I have difficutly with.  I have seen and heard about you making friends wherever you go.  You are so talented in many areas, theater, music, academics, and more.  I hope you know that as an older sister any amount of lecturing I have given you over one thing or another is because I love you and I want you to be happy.

I am so grateful that we have lived closer to you the past couple of years so that I could get to know you as a teenager and watch you grown into the pleasant woman you are.  My boys adore you.  I am sad to see you move away from us and go to college, but I know that you will learn and grow in so many ways there that it'll be exciting to see what you accomplish.  

I love you so much!  Congratulations on your high school graduation.  Good luck at school!

Love,

Heather 

I know we have pictures of Rose and I when she was a baby, but this is the older picture of us I could find in my possession.

Sisters.  Summer of 2006

Vance, Rose and I.  Christmas 2008

Rose and I in the Winter of 2009

Rose and I after the Spring Play in 2009

Rose and I after the Fall play in 2010.

Rose with Vance and Tanner after a play for her drama class in 2011.

Sisters.  After the Spring play in 2011.