Sunday Photo .29

We normally don't spend a lot of time in front of the television on Sunday.  

But today is an exception.  

The Olympics have taken over.

Everyone was pretty interested in writing down the medal count.  

Except Avery, who was sitting at the table playing Headbands with herself.

~~

Sometimes it's amazing just how different our kids really are.

Take the big two boys for example:

Gage told me Friday that he is still feeling really shy at school and having a hard time making friends.

Friday morning after dropping off Gage in the back of the school the rest of us walked around to the front of the school to drop off Noah.  

A kid walked by (who looked like a 1st, or 2nd grader) and said, "Hey Noah!"

I asked Noah if he knew him and he said, "Um, sure, he's probably in my church class."

Gage is the perfectionist, serious quiet boy.

Noah is the class clown that somehow everyone already knows.

~~

I love just sitting back and watching them grow and learn.  I love watching their little personalities develop and become part of our family.  One day this week I sat back and wondered at how loud our house really was.  Each person was doing their own thing.  No one was yelling or screaming.  No one was fighting.  The tv was even off, but it sure was loud.  Everyone was busy.  All of them doing different things.

And I thought to myself, as loud as it is, it sure was nice.

To have a house full of noise, laughter and busy-ness.

Sure, there are days I crave peace and quiet.  

But I'm sure there will be days I will miss this too.

Names

Tomorrow I will be 23 weeks.  And at some point we need to get serious about naming this little baby girl.  It takes us forever to decide on a first name. Since each of our kids have middle names from their grandparents or ancestors, her middle name will probably be May, after my Grandma.  

Here are some of our top picks.

Allie 

(Wade's top pick...except we already have a niece named Allison and they call her Allie, so I say we can't use it.)

Lilly

(My top pick.  Wade says we should name her tulip every time I bring it up.  But Lilly May is SO cute!)

Our other ideas (kinda in order of how we like them)

Ruby

Elle

Lucy

Brie

Ella

Hazel

Chloe (Avery was either going to be Chloe or Avery.)

Any ideas?  Suggestions?

New Pink Dress

It's no secret.  Avery Ann is the worst sleeper in our family...by far.  And I have to admit, it is completely my fault.  When Eli was born she was barely 18 months old and still liked to drink a sippy cup of milk before bedtime.  Before long she always had to have that sippy cup of milk during bedtime to go to sleep with.  And then of course, if she woke up in the middle of the night if she woke up...what would she need?  A sippy cup of milk.  

I know, this is horrible, but I had a newborn and a 18 month old and a resident husband who needed to sleep and I was just too tired to do anything about it.  Bad excuses, I know!  Our brother in law (who is a dentist) cringes every time I admit this little secret, but somehow she's got the best teeth out of the four too.

So now Avery is 3 1/2.  Everyone else in our family sleeps through the night just fine without sippy cups.  Geez, Eli even sleeps in the same room with Avery and half the time she is screaming, kicking and yelling at everyone.  He just sleeps away!  We've transitioned from the move (I didn't want to do it before) and little baby girl is going to join our family in a few short months.  But I am the worst sleep trainer.  I just can't stand to hear them cry, or complain or whine.  I just cave.  But still, I am going to need some sleep.  So I had to do it.

Last Sunday night I told Avery that she wasn't going to get any more sippy cups.  (She doesn't have them during the day anyway.)  Not with water (we've tried that), not with milk, no cups at all.  And for every night she can sleep without a sippy cup at all then she gets a pink star on the calendar.  When she can collect 5 stars I would take her to the store and buy her something special.  We talked about what she would want, and she decided she would want to buy a new pink dress.

There were a few nights I had to go in her room and rock her.  And one night we watched some midnight Spout TV and I let her drink a little bit of milk from a regular cup downstairs.  She has decided she wants to sleep in her sleeping bag on the floor instead of her bed...which also seems to be working, so I don't even care!  Wednesday night she sleep entirely through the night!  Then Thursday she got a  runny nose  so the last couple nights it's been really rough.  But I haven't caved, she's done a great job and she eared her new pink dress!

(She actually earned 6 stars... I think I will keep giving them to her just because it seems to help)

This morning Wade took the big boys to ride ATV's so I thought it would be a perfect "Pink Dress Shopping Day."  I wasn't sure in her mind if she wanted a dress up dress, or a normal dress.  She told me she just wanted sparkles.  She found this one at Costco (we were there not really dress shopping, but works for me!) and it has made her day!  She hugged it throughout the store and I found her trying to put it on at home before I could even get the car unloaded!

Way to go Miss Avery Ann!  I'm so glad she earned her new pink dress.  

I hope we can all start to get some sleep around here now!

2012 Summer Olympic Kick Off

We are pretty excited for the Summer Olympics to kick off tonight.  Since every Friday is early out at our new school (YAY!) we had some time this afternoon to work on some activities.  

First off we headed to the library and tried to check out some books about the Olympics.  Maybe they had a display somewhere we didn't see - or everyone else had my idea? We only found 2 books...both published in 1990.  I remember a lot of the information in the book, (Didn't you pretend to be Mary Lou Retton too?!) The kids didn't care, but the books are probably older than most of the Olympic athletes this year!

Of course we had to have an activity associated with Legos.  Gage put together a few Olympic athletes.

Running the torch:

Archery:

Boating:

Hurdles and High Jump:

And then Noah brought me this guy.  I said - "Oh, Noah!  He is a wrestler, that's perfect!"

Noah just looked at me and replied, "No, he is a swimming guy"

uh.  Okay.  I love Noah, always making you laugh.

We also colored a few Olympic coloring pages this afternoon.

And then since it's Friday, which means pizza night around here, I had to make the homemade pizza a little bit special for tonight.  

(Too bad I was limiting my toppings to things the kids would actually eat.  I was so tempted to make it the exact same colors)

And now it's Friday night movie time...tonight we are watching the Opening Ceremonies...which start in just a few minutes!

Monday night  you can bet we will be holding our Christiansen Summer edition of the Olympics.

We are so excited for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Go Team USA!

July 24th

July 24th, or Pioneer Day is a fun holiday that is celebrated by members of our church.  It also means it's time for the Christiansen Annual Backyard Camp Out!  

(see last year's camp out here)

I started this tradition 4 years ago because Wade was always working or on call during residency and we never really had the opportunity to go camping.  It's a fun tradition that the kids love!  I love it too, because I can sleep inside!

I thought moving to Utah that Wade would actually have this holiday off this year (it's a state holiday), and I was right...but since the kids started school on the 25th, we still had to celebrate a little bit early.

Monday we set up the tent.  And I have to say - putting up a tent with 4 kids trying to "help" you is always a challenge.  It was always so frustrating to me in Washington.  Then I realized when this year it's because our tent was the size of our entire backyard.  Having a big backyard this year really helped.

The kids had a great time playing in the tent.

  

There was rain off and on on Monday.  So we had tin foil dinners, inside.

Monday some good Washington friends we hadn't seen in a while stopped by for a play date too!  

YAY for the Healeys!

It was so fun to see them.

On July 24th we had a pretty lazy day.  We watched a little bit of the big Days of 47 Parade on TV.  I think when you have 4 kids under the age of 8, are pregnant and it's hot outside, that is the only way to go.

Then we headed to Park City for a little last minute back to school shopping. 

We also stopped by some Olympic Sites on the way home.

Then we let the boys have the entire afternoon.  Their last day of summer bucket list was to play Lego Star Wars.  So they did.  For a VERY long time.  

We also had a Pioneer Day miracle happen...we finally got things put away enough that Wade can park in the garage too.

Our neighbors planed a fun party for that evening.  Everyone brought desserts to share and they had a spectacular fire show.  I missed most of it because Noah thought it was too loud and it made Eli cry so I took them home.  The park is across the street, so I could have watched from my window if I wanted.  I could hear it loud and clear..and I couldn't believe that Noah and Eli fell fast asleep during it.

Gage and Avery stayed up way too late (especially for the night before the first day of school!) but it was a fun day.  I am glad Wade was home to celebrate with us.  

I am thankful for pioneers, those in the past and modern day.

{First Day Of School}

Today was the first day of school for Noah and Gage!

I will be the first to admit, I was more hesitant for my kids to attend this HUGE school, than I am worried about the year-round schedule.  I miss our tiny little Northwood school.  Going from a school from about 300 students total, to a school with over 600 is a little overwhelming.  But there will be benefits I'm sure.  There were so many kids (and parents and sibling) this morning it was a little crazy!  But somehow we all survived.  And tomorrow is another and better day.

Grandma Betty, Aunt Judy, Shamae and Wyatt showed up bright and early today to watch Avery and Eli so we could head out.  They were super excited and super nervous.  

Noah's first day of Kindergarten!

Noah was a little grumpy with me this morning because he wanted me to leave.  For kindergarten the kids  were supposed to come with a parent the first day and then after a short orientation, leave with their parent.  

He was super happy when we got to his classroom.  

He quickly found a seat in the front row of the colored mat and when it came time for questions, his hand shot in the air and he asked, "When do we get to go play at the park?"  Lucky for him, after a short little tour of the library and bathrooms they got to play on the kindergarten playground the whole time while parents listened to orientation.

(Cool for Noah!  He gets is own little kindergarten playground.  Our old school didn't have that)

I asked him a few questions tonight about his first day.  These are his answers.

His favorite part of the first day of school:

Playing at the park

Eating fruit snacks after looking at the library

His least favorite part of the first day of school:

I liked it all.

What do you want to learn in kindergarten this year:

How to play video games with my feet.

Gage's first day of Third Grade!

Gage was excited to head into third grade, but this morning he admitted he was a little bit nervous.  He tried his best to be brave, but I could sense he was a little overwhelmed with the amount of students at this school.  Noah and I walked Gage to the back of the school and found his class to line up with.  When he came home he told me that one boy from his cub scout troop is in his class too.  He also said he likes that this class room has the desks in rows instead of groups.  

When I asked if he learned a lot of rules today, he said, "No, we don't have rules Mom.  We have procedures."  So then I asked if he learned a lot of new procedures?  And he answered, "No." 

He did get to eat in a cafeteria for the first time.  His old school didn't have one and the kids all ate in their class rooms.  He said he can't wait to find out when the next pizza day is, because it was pizza day today and I had packed his lunch.

And hear are Gage's (typical boy) answers to my questions about his first day.

His favorite part of the first day of school:

recess

His least favorite part of the first day of school:

recess wasn't long enough

What do you want to learn in third grade this year:

blank stare

~~

School is only half day every day this week.  So that is a nice transition.  We played at the splash pad this afternoon with our cousins and then for the first day of school dinner I let Noah pick tonight and Gage get's to pick tomorrow.

Noah had 4 helpings of his favorite homemade mac and cheese.

Tomorrow we will be eating pizza.

~~

My boys are growing up.

We're going to have a fantastic school year.

Sunday Photo .28

Gage is displaying what he thinks of Sunday Photo this week.  He was grumpy after dinner.  Who knows why.  Wade shot him with a nerf dart gun and told him to cheer up.

Noah is waiting for Daddy to read him a library book.

Avery is sad because after the boys cleaned up the living room, she threw all the stuffed animals back down the stairs.  Which means she gets to clean them up on her own now.

And Eli.  He's Eli.  Dancing on the table.  Dragging around his blankies.  Wrestling Noah.  Learning new words every day.  All with his two fingers.

Our summer is growing short. 

We have just a few days left. 

My alarm is set for the morning.  

Time to start getting up before the kids.   

Returning to a schedule will be bitter-sweet.

Ready or not...here it all comes.

Foam day

This Saturday we headed down to Lehi for FOAM day!  I remember reading about my sister in law and her family going to this last year.  One day each summer the fire department in Wade's hometown brings out the trucks to a huge park and shoots foam bubbles at everyone.  

It's pretty awesome.

There are two sections, one for kids under 6 and one for anyone older.  Gage headed over the older section with his cousin Josh and they had a ball.  He was diving, jumping and crawling all over the place.  I couldn't keep track of him.  (Good thing Josh could!)

It was super hot and super crowded.  So many people and kids.  It's a miracle we didn't lose anyone!

Avery was just like Gage and loved it.  Little bubble girl.

Eli loved it from the side.  He would walk in, get a handful and bring them back to a "safe" sitting point.  He didn't have goggles, so that was probably for the best.

And poor Noah.  He didn't like this activity one bit.  It was probably too hot for him, and too crowded.  And he didn't understand that he really needed to wear the goggles. (The bubbles would sting your eyes).  He said that it was too bright too and that he just wanted to go home.

Good thing for Noah, there was free watermelon, and Grandma came along.  So he got to go with her and find a seat in some shade, cool off and have some melon.

This is going on our to-do list for every future summer.  

We love foam day!

Cub Scout Day Camp

This week Gage got to go to Cub Scout Day Camp! He was so excited about this.  I mean really, really excited.  Every day I would find him looking at the calendar and checking the dates.  

I was super nervous sending him, since we hadn't even met his scout leaders yet in this new ward, but Wade was able to go up for half the first day...and he was so excited to go, that I thought I better let him.  I met a couple of the mom's at the drop off the first day and off Gage went.  Boy...this letting your kids grow up and go is sure tough stuff!

I only have a few pictures from the first day while Wade was there.  But Gage has a million stories.

They painted their own war faces.  They fished.  They boated.  They swam.  They shot bows and arrows...and BB guns.  What else could an 8 year old want?

Gage was so glad he got to go.  He is super excited for school to start too so he can meet even more new friends.

Rocky Road Cookie Bars

I love cook books, but I never want to spend money on them until I know they are going to be worth it. And there are SO many decieving cook books out there! 

Enter the library...

If there is one thing I love the most at the library is the cook book section.  I hardly ever leave each week without a new cook book in hand.   

This week we found the library in our new town and had a great time checking out way too many books.  

I picked up The Worldwide Ward Cookbook Mom's Best Recipes.  I've always wanted to buy one of the Worldwide Ward Cook books for a while, so this was a perfect taste test.  

So far...so good! I love the whole book!

Rocky Road Cookie Bars

1 cup butter

1/2 cup cocoa

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

pinch salt

2 tsp. vanilla

1/1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds)

Miniature marshmallows

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup cream or milk

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

pinch salt

Melt 1 cup butter; add 1/2 cup cocoa and sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add flour, salt, 2 tsp. vanilla and nuts.  Spread into a 12x17 inch baking  sheet.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven and immediately over top with marshmallows.  Return to oven for about 5 more minutes.  Remove and let cool.  Combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup cocoa, cream, powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and salt.  Mix well.  Spread over top.

Enjoy.

~

I LOVED these.  The kids liked them all right, but said they liked my normal brownies.  Wade agreed with the kids.  Which means I got the whole pan to myself!  Yippie!  

No kidding, I think they were great.  I'll be making them (for myself) again!

Silver Lake

Now that Wade has Saturday's off, we are trying to really enjoying them and make them special!  Last Saturday we took the kids on a hike at Silver Lake up Big Cotton Wood Canyon.  It was perfect for us because it's really easy and short.

I want to say the last time we were up there was when I was pregnant with Noah.  So it's been a while.

The weather was so perfect up there.  It felt like a Washington summer.  I could have stayed there all day long.

I asked Wade to get a picture of Avery and me.  Who knows what kind of face she is making.  And my baby bump looks really attractive in these picture.  lovely. 

The kids had fun watching for squirrels.

(See them all lined up?  Wade and I were looking at them and and counted...1,2,3,4 and 5 is almost here.  Then he said...man, they all sure are little, aren't they?  Yep, I think we are a little crazy.)

We also found some lady bugs.

And flowers.

The last 5 minutes of our hike the clouds rolled in and it started to pour.  It was funny to watch everyone run for cover.  It felt so great to us!  

It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.  

~~

I had actually planned on going up the canyon with the kids by myself one day during the week.  When I left, Wade said he was nervous about me going for some reason.  I drove all the way to the mount of the canyon and then decided that maybe I didn't feel too good about it either.  So we drove to Grandma's house that day instead.  Good thing we listened.  Saturday on our way back down the canyon the brakes in our van got too hot and started to smoke! Luckily we caught it before we actually lost them all together!  Wade pulled off and we ended up throwing rocks in the mountain stream for an hour or so while they cooled off.

We spent the afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We love having Wade home on Saturday!

Watermelon Slush

My sister shared this recipe with me and we can't get enough of it. It's perfect for a hot afternoon and so easy to make! Plus when I buy a watermelons we eat about half and then always seen to have leftovers that linger.

Watermelon Slush

Leftover seedless watermelon
Milk
Sugar to taste

Fill your blender or food processor with watermelon. Pour in a bit of milk...maybe about 1/4-1/2 cup. Add sugar to taste. You can completely leave out the sugar depending on how sweet your melon is, I like to put a spoonful or two just for fun.

Blend until smooth and enjoy!