Check It Out!

We did it!  Well, THEY did it.  I have to admit I was pretty surprised with how well they cleaned up their mess and how pleasantly they did it.  Definitely not always the case.  Yeah!  Thanks boys!  I feel more peaceful just looking at this picture.  Amazing what a clean house can do.

Don't you like all my mismatch furniture?  I think my purple recliner especially looks nice with my red kitchen walls.  It's funny, I get so used to seeing it everyday that when I finally see a picture of it all together it's really something else!  I'd love a nice full size couch with two pretty stuffed chairs with amazing fabric (like the ones I saw at Down to Earth at Gardner Village with my Mom and sisters.  So cute!  I couldn't get enough of their fabrics and my imagination was going wild!)  But then I probably wouldn't let my kids build forts and rearrange them so much.  And I'd worry and get upset when they climbed on the back of the couch or tipped over the chairs, which happens a lot around here.  I guess these are just right for us for right now.

Someday....

....And it's going to be beautiful!  

...But I'll miss the little forts that my babies made.  So I'm just enjoying what I have today.  

Because it's not the furniture I notice every single day.  

It's the people who sit there.

And boy do I love those five little people and their handsome, wonderful father!

Is there a Mrs. McGrerry in the house?

Dallin's been in a little phase lately.  A name phase.  And the name of choice?  Mrs.  McGrerry.  No matter if you're a boy, girl, man, or woman you will be called Mrs. McGrerry.  Which is really pretty funny since 5/7 of us are boys in this family.  At dinner:  "Pass the salad, Mrs. McGrerry!",  at play "Let's get him, Mrs. McGrerry!", between meals "What's for dinner, Mrs. McGrerry?", a welcome home to Dada "Hey!  Mrs. McGrerry's home!", and to a crying baby brother "What's the matter little Mrs. McGrerry?"  So funny.  I don't know where he got the name.  I certainly don't know a Mrs. McGrerry!  And half the time I don't think he even realizes he's calling us all Mrs. McGrerry.  Kind of like when you say "Dude" or something like that.  At any rate...we all answer to Mrs. McGrerry around here these days!

Ghost Park

Yesterday, it was a bit overcast in the morning and early afternoon.  It didn't really cool it off much but felt a little better without the sun beating down on us so...we ventured out.  And not just out to the van to run errands.  We actually loaded up bikes and strollers and scooters and went to a park.  Outdoors.  I know.  Crazy.  We also brought lots of water.  We started all the way at the end of the trail and headed out with Austin and Dallin on scooters, Coco on his bike, and the two babies in the stroller pushed by moi.  We were instantly sweaty but it wasn't too bad.  Everyone was having fun and I have to say it was sooo nice to be outside.  We got to the main park and hadn't passed a soul on the trail.  And there wasn't a soul at the park.  It was like a ghost town.  The kids got out and ran around and played.  We saw a runner pass by but she was our only company.  Even the squirrels seemed to be quiet and the ducks were all laying in the shade by the too shallow creek.  What a lazy summer day.

Look how dry everything looks!  Where's all the green?!  (Well, besides the trees.)  And where's all the water?! 

100% pure sweat

A sweaty Dallin having fun.

Little red faces on everyone.

Dallin and Beckham having fun.

Austin and Coen rocking the boat.

Claire on the slide.  Cute braids, huh?  :)

Beckham's turn on the slide.  He sure is lucky to have so many big brothers to always help him.

Going for a spin with Coco.

Claire having so much fun!

Loading back up.  I asked them if they wanted to turn around and go back to the van or keep going.  They voted to keep going so on we went.  It was good to be out.  And we only met one other runner and two bikers the rest of the afternoon.  Crazy!  That trail is normally hoppin'!  Unfortunately, the sun came out on the way back to the van and I didn't know if we'd make it back.  Holy smokes.  The sun just sucked our energy right out of us.  Thank goodness it was only for the last part of our trek.  I will say, our popsicles at home tasted mighty nice and everyone took a great nap that afternoon!

Sooo HOT!

It's hot here.  Sooo hot.  Too hot.  Too hot to even venture outside.  Too hot to swim, too hot to play at the park, too hot to ride bikes, and too hot to get the mail.  We've been in the 100s for weeks now.  And that's not including the heat index which raises it several more degrees.  Crazy!  Is it always this hot in the summer?  I don't think so.  But maybe I just can't remember.  All I know is I normally feel like we get outside to the parks quite often in the summer mornings but not this summer.  A couple days ago, I said goodbye to Tory at 7:00 am and shortly after went to my computer and it said it was already 91 degrees.  You see what I'm talking about?  Hot.

So we've been hanging out at home a lot lately.  Which the kids are fine with but my house suffers.  What do 5 kids do in an *almost* 1800 square foot house all day?  We color and draw and do workbooks and my furniture gets rearranged daily to make forts or to make room for games.  Blankets, toys, and books are everywhere.  I don't know if there is really any point to cleaning but we do it anyway.  At least in the evenings so we can get a fresh start for the next day's disaster zone and limit the layers and layers of mess.  So if you come to my house (and I guess it's a good thing that no one ever does) be prepared for a disaster and please don't judge my housekeeping skills based on what you see.  It's a true sign that 5 kids are living and playing here nonstop and that it's been a hot summer.  I'm just so thankful that we have a van with AC now so that when we DO get out it is nice and cool.

And looking at this picture makes me think we need to get out more.  Yes, you see a suitcase, a laundry basket, chairs, tupperware containers, the boys' toy baskets from their room (and where are the toys that are supposed to be in those baskets?  I don't want to know...), every pillow they can find, and pretty much anything else you can think of in that one picture.  And it was only noon when this was taken.  Deep breaths.  This is not going to be a fun one to clean up.  

Taking a little closer look at what may "look" like a big "mess" to the untrained eye.  Upon closer investigation you will find a castle for Coen's dragon over here.  Complete with rooms and doors and all sorts of interesting and very necessary things for a dragon to have in his home.

And over here we have Dallin's dragon castle which also has an assortment of rooms and very cool details.

And behind this lovely scene we have an amusement park for the toys made by Austin in the dining room:

Complete with a scary ride that goes all the way up to the light...

...teacups...literally....teacups....

...a Superman Tower that lifts the toys up and then lowers them down again...

...and a rocking skateboard ride.  Hold on tight furry friends!

Claire was busy in her corner playing with my old dollhouse I picked up at Mom's house when were were there a couple weeks ago.  Because we need more "stuff" in our little house.  Yes, indeed.  But she likes it and has fun with it.

Beckham was busy getting into everyone's stuff, crashing down roofs, messing up doll house rooms, and trying to have fun with all the big kids.  Look!  He found a car!

And me?  I'm just trying not to look.  And then I also throw out comments like, "You know that everything you get out HAS to be put away, right?" and "If you're done with that please put it away so we don't add to the mess." and so on.  Now what's wrong with having kids watch TV for 8 hours everyday?  Sounding pretty good right now.  Ha.  Hey, at least the kitchen's clean and it was mopped last night thanks to Tory!  That's where I'm hanging out today! :)

Our Vacation Continued...

OK, going back to the first week of July and our family vacation to Utah and Colorado.  After we left Utah we came back to Colorado Springs to have a longer visit with Tory's parents.  Tory's brother Logan and his wife Jamie and their two kids, Connor and Evelyn, also live there so we got to spend some time with them as well.  The weather was beautiful.  So nice and cool in the evenings and with the daily afternoon rain showers that come with summers in Colorado Springs.  Ahhh...I miss those days!  Sometimes it seems so long ago that we lived there!  I guess it has been exactly 7 years ago at the end of August that we moved to Texas so it has been awhile!  Dallin wasn't even quite one year old when we moved from Colorado Springs.  It was fun for Austin and Dallin to see where they were born.  We didn't get out much to see the area.  We were busy doing a major remodel!  Ha!  Tory's parents put us to work tearing out their wood floor in their entire main level (except for family room and formal dining room) so they could tile everything.  Before we even started on the floor we had to remove cupboards, pantry, island, furniture, toilet, vanity, washer/dryer, etc.  

I didn't get an actual before picture but here we are early in the process of removing the hardwood floor.  They wanted to save the pieces to put in a room upstairs later on, so we carried them all out to the shed in the backyard.  I think we wore the deck out walking back and forth.  Crazy!

Finally got the wood floor all removed that night!  We were all very, very sore.  I climbed into bed and my arms were like buzzing.  Very weird sensation.  Took awhile to fall asleep after that day!

Peeled off all the black sheeting and cut a hole in the floor to run electricity to their island for their new cooktop.  They only had gas before.

Next came the layers of underlayment.  The first was a wood layer.  Everything had to be measured and cut to size and then screwed down.

Grandma running one of the at least 4 drills.  After this layer we did another layer that covered every square inch of this one with the cement underlayment.  For some reason I didn't get pictures of this step.  It was the final layer that the tile was actually placed on.  The boards were quite a bit smaller than the wood layer so everything had to be measured and cut again.  These boards had about 15-20 screws in EACH one!  Wow.  We found that it was easier to countersink the screws so I got to do that part.  I actually wore a blister on my thumb from holding the drill so long.  Softy.  Ha!

Finally time for the tile!  Tory was in charge of mixing the tile mortar or cement (whatever it's called) and the cutting station.  Say "Cheese!"  Being in Colorado he got to work out in the middle of the afternoon rainshower and everything.  Those storms just come and go and you just keep working.  At least we weren't the roofers working through the storm on top of the neighbor's roof!  

Starting the tile!  They began with the entry and front hall.  Don't forget, we did the entry, coat closet, hall, bathroom, laundry room, dining room, and kitchen!  Whew!  You can see the cement underlayment in this picture.  See all those screws?!  Like every five inches!

This was the progress that had been made the evening before we left.  We had worked nonstop for three days.  Not bad.  Tory's dad is the Bishop in their ward and he had a few service projects he had volunteered to help out with so they threw those in there along with this big job.  They helped lay about 1000 square feet of cement for a guy right before they even began tearing out the wood floor!  Crazy!  But alas, we had to go back to Texas so that Tory could work the next day.  We were sorry we had to leave them with such a big project to finish...but we weren't too torn up about it. ;)  Just kidding.  We were glad we could help.  That would have been a big project for them to do alone.  Tory's brother Logan was there working with us, too.  I don't know why I didn't get better pictures of all the PEOPLE.  Geesh!

When the tiling began, we were confined to the family room.  The kids kept busy playing the wii...

...and watching Diego and Dora on the iPad.  But they also got some serious outside playtime in.  Grandma and Grandpa have chickens and a yard full of rocks.  They were in heaven collecting the best rocks to "sell" and "trade" with each other.  The most interesting part of this leg of the trip was the cooking.  Without any kitchen appliances we had to get creative.  We had crock pot lasagna and also put the grill to good use.  It was fun coming up with ideas!  It was a fun trip even though it was a lot of work.  It was good to see everyone!

He Speaks!

Finally, this little man knows a word and uses it appropriately!  Not Mama or Dada or App-o (which was Coen's first word) or even some variation for "car" (which I really thought would be his first word.)  No, Beckham's first word is "drink-drink" and sounds like "dee-dee" when he says it.  Soooo cute!  

Yesterday before church we were eating our strange breakfast/lunch meal that we have to do since we have church from 11:30-2:30.  I asked him if he wanted a drink-drink like I always do and this time he said, "dee-dee"!  We all thought it was cute and on we went.  Well at church when the water was being passed down our row he got all excited and started saying "dee-dee" over and over again.  That's when we realized he really knew what he was talking about and not just copying (not that he copies words either.  Still working on that as well.)  Yeah!  We're so happy he finally learned a word.  And I can tell he thinks he's pretty big stuff, too.  If I say "drink-drink" now he'll jump up and run looking for a sippy cup.  He never used to do that.  Everything's finally clicking.  :)  Such a big boy.  Now let's work on "Mama" or "Dada" okay Beckster?

Hungry Herbivore

Coen:  Mama, can I have some oatmeal with applesauce on it?
Mama:  You already had that for breakfast.  Why do you want more?
Coen:  Because I'm a hungry, hungry herbivore!

What?!  Where does he come up with this stuff?  Cracks me up!

GGma

On the day Mom had to go back to work we went to see some of our other relatives in the area.  First up was Ogden to see Tory's grandparents.  They weren't there.  Too bad!  Then we were going to see his Aunt and Uncle but they were camping.  So we went over to Roy and saw his other Grandpa.  It was the first time he had met Beckham and last time he saw Claire she was a tiny baby.  It was fun to see him.  We forgot to take a picture though.  Bummer.  I left Tory to stay the night with Grandpa Baldwin (their tradition whenever we come to Utah.) and the kids and I headed up to Morgan to see my Grandma who we now call GGma (since she has...let's see...29 great grandchildren with another 3 due by the end of the year!)  It was so good to see her.  Amy and her kids and Kirsten and Nick met us up there for a fun afternoon.

Me and the kids with GGma

Nick and Kirsten

Beautiful Morgan mountains.  I remember sitting right there with my own cousins.  It wasn't that long ago was it?  The tree might have been a bit smaller.  Where did the time go?  How can those possibly be MY children sitting in that same spot with THEIR cousins?

L-R:  Hayley, Claire, Dallin, Brandon, and Austin

GGma handed out baggies full of her candy she always keeps.  Beckham's working his magic trying to get a piece or two.  I'm pretty sure he was successful!  

L-R:  Hayley, Brandon, Ella, Beckham, Dallin, and Austin

I couldn't get Beckham to take his eyes off that bag of candy for anything!  Ha!

The big boys-Austin, Brandon, and Dallin

The boys had so much fun with Brandon.  Brandon is such an awesome cousin!

Uncle Nick and Auntie Kir took Beckham and Claire over to see my Uncle Scott's buffalo.  They were quite curious and came right up to the kids.  A little too close for comfort for the kids though.  

Keira and Coen enjoying their candy stash!

Taking time to pet GGma's little chihuahua.  Of course Beckham had to be right in there with them all since he goes crazy over fuzzy things-especially if they are moving fuzzy things!

Saying goodbye.  It's never long enough but I'm so glad we got to spend time with my Grandma.  She is so wonderful and one of the neatest ladies I know.  I miss the days when I would come up from BYU and spend days painting and doing ceramics and going through her piano music with her.  So fun.  Now she is preparing to put her papers in to serve a mission!  Something she has always wanted to do.  What an amazing lady!

Love you Grandma!

4th of July Surprise

We were very blessed to have the opportunity to go visit family in Utah this month.  The last time our whole family was able to go to Utah together was for my sister's wedding in 2008!  It's been almost 3 years!  And even longer since we've been there in the summer.  Things just fell into place and we were able to go.  Our van, which hasn't had AC in over a year was one of our biggest concerns.  We tried looking online and found a used van that we loved.  Tory drove the hour long drive up to the dealership after work on Monday.  It had already sold.  There was one more that was almost identical just a little further north so he tried it.  Bingo!  Not only were we able to get the van into the same payment range that we were already paying, but they also bought our Kia from us for all that we still owed on it!  Broken AC and all.  There's no way we would have ever been able to sell it for that.  Blessing.  Our new van is like a dream.

So we bought it on Monday and on Thursday we packed up to go.  Tory came home from work with more good news.  He was going to get Monday off as a paid holiday but we were going to have to take three more days unpaid.  Well before he left the office manager told him she wanted to pay him for the entire week and would he like his check in advance?  He's NEVER had paid leave before.  Ever.  Blessing.  So off we went.

We didn't tell the kids where we were going.  It was such a fun surprise!  And it was so funny to hear their guesses.  Austin was so sure we were going to San Antonio.  Dallin thought it was Six Flags.  Funny.  We stopped halfway at Grandma and Grandpa's house (Tory's parents) in Colorado Springs where they warned us that on our way back home (when we'd be spending more time with them) they would have a BIG project for us to help them with.  We stayed the night and then headed out the next morning.  As we crossed the Utah state border the kids all screamed with delight!  If we were in Utah then that meant we were going to Nana's house!

No one in Utah knew we were coming except for my sister Amy and her husband Mike.  Mom and Amy and Kirsten had just gotten home from Dara's baby shower so they were all at Mom's house.  We knocked and yelled "Surprise!" Mom and Kir yelled, too!  LOL  It was so fun to surprise them!  And the best part was everyone was there in Utah!  My brother Levi and Dara, who are both busy students at BYU-Idaho, came from Rexburg, ID for the 4th of July weekend and my sister Kirsten and her husband Nick are in Utah for a few weeks on their last break in his med school program.  They live in Tucson, AZ.  Perfect timing!  And of course my sister Amy and Mike and their 5 kids and my brother Ben also were there since they all live in UT.  The only one missing was my sister Heather and Chad and their 5 kids but they were way too close to becoming a family of 8 to come that far.  We had such a fun time.  We talked, shopped, cooked, talked, did nails, played games, and talked some more.  Tory stayed busy helping Mike with their yard and garden and the kids just played and played with their 5 cousins.  It was wonderful!

For the 4th of July we actually celebrated on the 2nd of July. :)  

We went to Amy and Mike's house for a bar-b-que and fun. 

All of the girls cooking in the kitchen.  L-R:  Dara, Amy, Mom, Kirsten, and Moi.  Missed you Heather!  As you can see we have two more little ones on their way to our family soon!  Amy is due with her 6th (a little boy) in August and Dara is due with their first (they want to be surprised on the gender but the majority vote is boy) the beginning of November.  So exciting!

Cousin Hayley, Uncle Ben, Uncle Levi, Aunt Dara, and Coen enjoying the burgers.  Coen LOVES Aunt Dara!  He stuck to her like glue.

Cousins Hayley, Keira, Uncle Nick, cousin Jackson, Uncle Mike, me, Beckham, and Ella's arm. :)

Then we were off to watch the fireworks.  Nick knew the perfect place to go up in Bountiful.

See what I mean?  We all sat up on the hill and had a great view!  I took a picture of my beautiful sister Kirsten so it wouldn't be just a random shot of random people.  It was quite the hike to get there from our parked car but totally worth it!

Happy "4th" of July!  Our family sportin' the red, white, and blue.

We had some time to pass before it got dark.  With that many people and a huge hill at our feet it was tricky to keep the little man occupied but a bag of cheerios held him off.  That and Auntie Kir.  He loves Auntie Kir!

I brought a few fun things for the kids to do.  Tatoos, sunglasses, and glow-in-the-dark necklaces.  I bought them way back in June in Texas before we even thought about going to Utah.  It was nice to have them!

Claire sportin' her shades.  Cheerios in one hand and water in the other.  Good times.

Coen and Austin with Aunt Dara and Uncle Levi.  See?  I told you Coen was always with Dara!  Too cute!

Dallin and Dada making relaxing and making sure they had a good view of the sky as we waited for it to get dark.

Of course that hill was just too much for the kids to resist for all that time.  Here's Austin racing up.  He just HAD to run down and up that hill.

Finally dark enough to begin!  Ben, Mom, Tory, and the group.

It was a great show!  And I kept thinking "Oh, this has got to be the grand finale!" but it just kept going and going!  Awesome!  Super long show with great music.

Beautiful!

And while we were busy that day getting groceries and cooking and watching fireworks, my sister, Heather, was busy bringing this cute little girl into the world:

Yes, little Olivia was born on July 2nd early in the morning.  What a beauty!  So even though we missed Heather and her family...we're sure glad she stayed to bring this little girl to their family.  She is number 6 for them!  So exciting!

It was a great trip to UT but too short as always.  There were so many people we wanted to see and things we wanted to see and do but just not enough time.  I guess we'll just have to go back again.  Hopefully it will be much sooner this time!