Lost pictures...

Saturday I tried adding some pictures of Lindsay and Kaylee during the watermelon eating contest. My 2GB disk is fried. It says I need to format it, and when you try, it won't format. I feel really bad that I lost all the pictures from the 24th of July. There were some cute pictures on there as well. The one I am most upset about is the one of Lindsay eating watermelon, and realizing that she won the contest. She had juice dripping off her face. Kaylee had some really cute ones of her playing before the fireworks started. Oh well. I'll look on the bright side, the disk also included Ashlie's entire life. All the pictures from the hospital, everything. Basically this disk had everything from January on. But...I had just transfered the disk in order to add some pictures from the family reunion at Bear Lake. So in reality I only lost the 24th of July ones. I would really be sad if I had lost all of Ashlies pictures. Starting this blog really paid off bigtime.

24th of July

Yesterday we (me and the girls) went to our neighbors for breakfast. Wade had to work so he couldn't join us. Then we headed into town for the parade. I still haven't figured out why so many of the parades around here start at noon. It is so hot. We took our big umbrella so it wasn't too bad. People next to us also sat under it with us. The girls had fun collecting candy. Afterwards we headed to the park where there were a lot of activities for them to do. They were able to make some paperbag scrapbooks, a picture frame, and a sand braclet. They also would paint your hair in cool colors, I wouldn't let the girls do that one. Thankfully they didn't seem to upset by that. They also played some water games, like duck, duck, goose. Instead of touching them on the head, you dripped water on their heads and picked someone by squeezing a sponge of water on their head. Kaylee was picked, got drenched but just sat there. I think she was the youngest player, and was being a little shy. Yes, Kaylee can be shy at times.

They both participated in the pie eating contest. When Kaylee did it, she quickly opened the pie, and then stopped. She just sat and looked at it. Didn't take a taste, not even a lick. Lindsay did a little better, she got the package open quickly and then nibbled the pie. When I asked her about it she just said, "I don't like lemon pie". Not a problem, they had fun anyway, and it was a free treat. After that they wanted to do the watermelon eating contest. They were so funny trying to eat this watermelon without using your hands. Lindsay had watermelon juice from the top of her forhead to dripping off her chin. Kaylee was a much neater eater, much slower, but much neater. The coolest thing was that Lindsay WON! Yep, that girl can snarf down watermelon. She won a 5 punch pass to the Aquatic Center. It costs $5 to go to the pool, so her prize was worth $25. Pretty good for a 7 yr old. She wanted me to reward her by getting cotton candy. Like she needed more sugar. Later, after dinner, we did go back to get cotton candy. The girls were standing there watching the cotton spin out, and the lady wind it up onto the cones. She was just finishing up a batch of pink vanilla, and offered the girls a cone that was about 1/2 size for free. The lady gave it to Lindsay with the instructions that she had to share with her sister. Lindsay held it up to Kaylee, who was sitting on daddys sholders, and asked her if she would like some. Kaylee said "Sure", and grabbed the top of the cotton candy, in the process pulled over half of the cotton candy off the cone.

While we were waiting daddy to meet us we played Bingo. Kaylee wanted to know if we were going to play the song Bingo. I told her no, but shortly after they started playing the song. She enjoyed that the most. Lindsay thought being so close to blackout was the funnest part. She was all set to run if the called out O64. They called out B something. She was so close. We had fun anyway. After dinner we hung out at the park for the fireworks. After fireworks it was home and bed. All the girls were asleep by the time we got home. Last night we invited a few friends over to watch our fireworks with us. They kids did sparklers and set off some fountains. I bought a package of tanks, and the kids thought they were great.

Ear Infections, attitudes, and reflections

Ashlie has her first ear infection. After having her temp go up to 102.7 we decided that we needed to take her in. Already she is acting better, and happier. She had been such a good baby, all my girls have been good babies. I think I am spoiled. It is when they get to be about three that they get their little attitudes. The other day Kaylee was told to go inside for something, on the way in she stopped, looked back at us, and swatted her little bottom and said "That's for you". Wade and I just looked at each other, not sure what to do. Were did that come from. Lindsay hasn't ever done anything like that. She has given us attitude, but not that. We didn't know what to do. Do we act on it and discipline her, or ignore it. We decided to ignore it, because knowing Kaylee it would then become a game. She hasn't done it since, nor anything even close to it. Kids...where to they come up with things. Gotta love them. Lindsay has almost the entire neighborhood planning and practicing for a Bonanza. They are practicing speaking parts, songs, dances, and everything else you could think of. She even has rules about drinks and treats at the performance. They aren't allowed. She definitely has a creative mind. She wants to do everything I do. Today she wanted to sew a blanket that is red, white and blue. I just finished making a jean quilt. She gets so frustrated when she can't do something the first time. I am constantly reminding her that she just needs to practice. She hates that part of it, unless she is in charge of it, like the Big Bonanza then she practices forever.

I do love my girls so much, I am so blessed to have them in my life. I always wanted to be a mommy. Then after getting married and it never happening, even when we did everything we could possibly afford, and even some we couldn't. Finally after almost 8 years we were finally blessed with our first girl. I still think back to that time and get very emotional. There was someone that wanted us to raise her child. What an awesome privilege and responsibility. Then after another 4 1/2 years we were finally placed with another daughter. It was a long hard road to get Kaylee, with a lot of ups and downs. But Lindsay and Kaylee are suppose to be part of our family, they just took a different way to get here. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the privilege of being their mommy. Ashlie has been such a wonderful addition to our family, her older sisters adore her. The spirit that she brings is so amazing. Many people mention that I finally have a baby of my own. I know what they mean, but Lindsay and Kaylee are as much mine as Ashlie is. Biologically they aren't, but they are never the less my girls. Wade is such a wonderful husband and father. He loves his girls, and does all he can for each one of us.

Here's a couple more pictures from our family reunion. This is one that I took right as they turned all the lights off in the cave. It was dark, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Lindsay looks a little nervous.











Here are the cousins before the hike through the cave. From left to right Nick, Lindsay, Nathan, Kaylee, Steven, Marley, and Jessica.

Fevers

Ashlie has a fever. Poor baby was miserable yesterday and very cranky. Slept great last night, but had a higher fever this morning. She has no other symptoms so, I'm just watching her right now. Give her some Tylonel and her fever comes down. If it goes back up, I'll probably go to instacare.

Sleeping & Family Reunion

Ashlie slept through the night...twice!! while we were at the cabin. She ate at about 10pm and didn't wake up to eat again until 6:30am. She slept though her 2-2:30am feeding. Now that we are home she is back to her normal schedule, at least she was last night. We are trying to get her pictures taken soon. Kaylee's also, we still haven't had her 3yr old pictures taken. We're only a few months late.

We spent Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun morning at Bear Lake for a family reunion. As we were getting ready to go Byron called, he was in Logan. We decided to meet him at McDonalds for lunch. Then we came back to our house to finish packing. Mom had asked me to bring Fat Boys (icecream sandwichs) so we headed to Caspers and got a case of their seconds, Byron also got a case. Then we stopped by Pepperidge Farms for cookies, they didn't have any Milanos. After a quick stop at Walmart, we met up with Byron again at our new doctor's office. They were having a big open house. The kids got to do some rock climbing, jump in the jumping castle, get balloon animals and get some other freebies. Then we headed to Bear Lake. We got to the cabin Thursday night. Mom & Dad were already there, the actually stayed at the condo Sun-Thurs, then they moved to the cabin and Grandma, Jerlyn, and Darlene moved into the condo. Darin & Kim came with Jess & their boys at about 1:30-2am. Karena came with her family on Friday about lunch time.



Friday morning everyone went to the Minnatonka cave. Lindsay held hands with Nick & Nathan most of the time. Kaylee was with me or dad the entire time. I carried Ashlie in the front pack, she slept the entire time. There are 444 stairs into the cave and then 444 out again. Kaylee walked almost the entire time. Mom,dad, grandma and the rest of the aunts and uncles went to Lego to see the house g'ma used to live in, they were gone for about 7 hours. After the cave we all came back and had lunch then headed to the pools, first the outdoor (it was too breezy) and then the indoor. Everyone came to our cabin for dinner and smores that night. We had almost 40 people there that night. The kids entertained themselves shooting off the PVC pipe rockets, and losing a few in the process. The view from our cabin was awesome, we got some great pictures of it.

Saturday we sent most of the day at the beach, after some crazyness we finally got situated there. The kids played hard and there were no fights, at least my kids didn't have any fights. Lindsay had fun playing in the sand and on the blow up boats. Kaylee spent most of her time in the sand and just wading. I tried to keep Ashlie out of the sun, she was held by aunts and cousins most of the time, so I just kept track of her. Wade took the girls out in the blowup boat and got a workout paddling back. Then he took them out in the paddle boat, getting a work out in his legs. He joined the guys in playing football, and jammed his finger. It looked really sore, but he kept playing. He says it feels better after icing it yesterday. Saturday night everyone was back at our cabin for dinner and more rocket launching. Sunday everyone packed up and headed for home. We got home and were headed back out the door 15mins later for church. Our van is still loaded with stuff and I'm sure enough sand for a small beach. I thought about vacumning it out before I left, but remembered how much sand comes home even when your really careful. We'll probably clean it out for family home evening tonight. It was a fun weekend. Now only two more family reunions left to go, and only a month until school starts. YIKES!! I don't think I'm ready.

Changes...

A lot has changed the past few months. First off, Wade got a new job. Actually he got it in March, so it isn't really new anymore. He seems to be enjoying it, but he doesn't really like the commute. Neither do me and the girls. We figured that we would move closer, but we didn't want to make any moves until after the baby was born. We spent a few months working like crazy getting our house ready to sell. We got lots of help from my parents (I can't thank them enough). The entire upstairs has been repainted, deep cleaned, dejunked, etc. Lindsay and Kaylee now share a bedroom, it works for now. Another year or two and Lindsay isn't going to like the idea of sharing a room with her little sister. It is hard for them at times because of the 4 1/2 year age difference. It isn't the same as it was when I shared a room with my two sisters. We were a lot closer in age.

Because of the new job, our house is for sale. That in itself brings lots of emotions. We don't want to move, but we want to be closer to Wade's work. We are basically putting it in the Lord's hands. We have done what we feel like is the right thing, and will just wait to see what is in store for us. If it sells great, if not we will be commuting. At least Wade is in a carpool now, that really helps with gas. We love our neighborhood, city, ward, everything. The girls have opportunities here they won't likely have other places. But then again there would be different opportunities for them if we were to move.

Our most exciting change is that we now have three little girls. It still seems so unreal. Ashlie is such a good baby. She is now two months old. She was 23" long and 11lb 5 oz at her 2 month checkup. Growing really fast, too fast, just like her sisters. I still look at her and think, wow, I was pregnant. I keep thinking that I should know information about her birthmother. Now granted I do know everything about her. It seems like it was so long ago, and that she has been part of our family forever. Definately a different feeling than with Lindsay and Kaylee. They both came to us so quickly, one day they weren't there, the next they were. Each one of my girls are miracles to us. They were suppose to come to our family, when and how they did. There is no doubt in my mind about that one. Heavenly Father was looking our for us the entire time. Are there any more in our future? I hope so, but only time will tell. I think there are times that Wade needs a break from all the girls and their emotions (yes even little girls are emotional and they can change just like that.) He loves his little girls, and they all have him wrapped around their little fingers. He is such a great daddy, I couldn't have asked for a better husband and father.