Ice Cream

I could eat ice cream ANYTIME.
It doesn't matter what time of year.  It doesn't matter what time of day.  It doesn't even matter what kind of ice cream.  I am pretty much a fan!!  A super fan!
On a day of freezing cold temps, with 3 little boys, 2 of them very active, the boys and I were stranded in the car looking for something fun to do to get energy out one day, when plans didn't go our way.  We tried one bounce house and 3 different McDonalds.  1 had moved.  1 had closed down and 2 didn't have a play place.  What is a McDonalds good for without a play place?
Finally at a time when baby was so hungry and the boys energy ready to burst out we drove past an ice-cream shop and decided that was the best place for us right then.
It didn't get our energy out but we sure did fill up on some delicious ice cream that satisfied our bellies and helped us to get out of the car.
This day was a win in my book.  Sometimes as a mother we have to count the small victories because they come disguised, when we least expect them!  
T chose cotton candy.  WHY?
L chose mint chocolate chip.  No surprise there!
I don't remember what kind I chose.  No surprise there...  My brain is gone.

Snow Fun

The boys don't feel the cold.
They bundle up no matter the temperature and spend hours outside.
The perfect playground for two little boys and their friends.
Nice fluffy white snow that you can jump in, build with, sled down, eat, throw, and climb.
I love watching them from indoors.  Making them hot chocolate and cookies.  Kissing their cold cheeks and holding their cold hands while snuggling on the couch and listening to their adventures.
I hope they remember these days.

New Normal

Just after having Harrison, while staying in the hospital, I made the comment to the boys that when I got out of the hospital our lives would continue as normal.  

Just after saying that I paused, looked at Daniel, and said, "well our new normal."  

Life has pretty much continued as it normally did.

Thomas still wakes up way before any of us are ready.  Between 5 and 6.  

He still has learning and growing to do in the 1st grade.

He still plays basketball on the weekends and plays with his friends out in the snow after school.

Daniel still goes to work each day and is busy with church responsibilities. 

Lewis still dresses up like a ninja turtle and snuggles with me in bed each morning.  

He loves playing with his brothers toys and often sneaks off with the i pad to play games or watch his shows.  

I still love to wear my pajamas during the day and hanging out with my men making memories.  

I love their snuggles and kisses and laughing at their silly grade school humor. (most of the time)

I still love life and hope to make the most of each day.  

The only difference is that we have added a new little one to the mix and although most things stayed the same our whole world has changed.  How is that?! 

We are all learning about patience.

We are all learning about what it truly means to be quiet.

We are all learning how to slow down.... enjoy and just be.  

We are all learning that our hearts can burst open and fill with even more love than we ever thought that they could.  Just because a new little one has come into our lives.  

I love watching the boys with their brother.  They say things like "oh sweety"  "bud" and "I want to see his face" all the time.  

They will be wrestling with the best of them and stop for a quick moment to share a hug and kiss with brother.

They love to pick out his clothes, change diapers, and hold him for mom.  

They are learning about responsibility and are preparing to become the best husbands and fathers!  

This is what families are about.  

LOTS of LOVE and LEARNING.  

I love our new normal! My heart is full.

Christmas 2014

Christmas this year was special.
There was a lot of quality time spent together.
Relaxing.
Playing in the snow.
Snuggling.
Napping.
Playing basketball at the church gym.
Eating yummy foods.
Playing with new things.
Loving.
Enjoying each other as a new family of 5.

On Christmas Eve the boys and I made sugar cookies for Santa.  I did the frosting.  They did the sprinkles.  I sure hope Santa likes his sprinkles!  They even left reindeer food out on the deck!
I love love love spending time with my boys in the kitchen.
We had our traditional dinner, not as fancy as other years, but delicious just the same.
We read from the scriptures and sang carols while Big D played the guitar.
Opened our new Jammies.  Fox jammies for the boys.  Red one piece for Daniel! (Sorry no pictures were taken!)

As always we feel so grateful and so blessed to be a family and to have each other to experience life with and show love.

Welcome Home

After a visit from a friend Lewis and Daniel came to pack us up and help us get home in the afternoon.
Harrison wore his cute fox outfit.
He was a champ in the carseat and slept the whole time.
Sweet sweet friends and family sent flowers.  They arrived minutes after walking through the door.  Perfect timing.  They were so special.
We took a nap when we got home.  Living the dream life!
Got settled into our new space.  Were greeted by a sweet love note left by Thomas.
Cried because I laughed so hard.
We changed our clothes because we spit up all over the other ones.
Were treated to a great dinner by friends.
Celebrated Harrison's birth with an ice cream cake.  The best kind of celebration if you ask me!
Met Elfie.  Our Elf on the shelf.  How did he get in there?!
Another family movie night.  Ninja Turtles.  I definitely live with all men!
Welcome home lovely.  We are glad to have you with us!

Family Movie Night

We love us a good Movie Night.

Lights out.  Everyone gathered on the couch.  Treats a must.

Really it is just another excuse to have something to look forward too.  Plus snuggling on the couch with these handsome men of mine isn't too bad either!

The boys came to visit me in the hospital and we had our first Family Movie Night as a family of 5.

Family of 5?!?!  Crazy!  Not to mention it was hospital style!

We ordered room service!  Pizza.  Chicken sandwiches.  Cookies.  Salad.  

We fought about what movie to watch.  Hook or Cars.  Cars won.  

We all took turns holding baby brother.

We were really excited to be in a cool room with cool buttons and had a hard time focusing on the movie.  

We had a few tears shed because we were really tired and lots of things in life are changing.  

Snuggles with dad helped to comfort all involved.  

Rides on the elevator are a must.  Especially when you are the only ones on it and can show off your tricks!

A great start as a family of 5 if you ask me.  We kept it real thats for sure.