A year in review

We had pictures.... and the disk in the camera crapped out.

I had intentions of Christmas cards... but never got around to it.

We had a busy year and I wanted to tell all about everything and then time just got the better of me.

Thank heavens for a blog... and facebook... and email.... now I can get you all caught up at once.

Our family's 2013 top 10!!

1- Swim was born!!! January gave us the best gift and our 5th little boy was born.

2- We moved cross country from North Carolina to Utah. It was quick and unexpected but we made it all in one piece and a moving truck and trailer.

3- Steve opened his own practice, and while it has been slow starting, it's starting to pick up.

4- The 3 older boys went to school this year. It was a weird transition, but they are doing well and excelling at most things.

5- I have had to redefine myself from a homeschooling mom to a mom that sends kids to school. It has been weird for me to and have found myself board on some days, but I am ejoying the time with Swim and Benji.

6- Having the boys in school was actually a really good thing at the beginning of the school year as I found out that we are expecting again. It was nice to send them out the door before I started feeling sick for the day.

7- We still have Captain. He's going deaf... or has very selective hearing.

8- We all have enjoyed being back in Utah but as winter set in we soon realized that we were not prepared for snow or cold. You actually need shoes and socks here!

9-Swim started walking at 9 months. Benji is potty trained. Tim was able to take some golf lessons. Tommy has found a love for Minecraft. And James turned 10!!!

10- We found out it's a GIRL!!!


Here's to a productive, healthy, safe and happy New Year.

And the last Child is.....

A GIRL!!!!!

I didn't think I would ever have a girl!!

I was convinced that this little one was a boy.

I was sure we would end our babies with a last round of blue and was happy for that.

But low and behold.... it is a little girl!!

I really can't believe it. And I think it will be hard to be really sure until I have her in my arms.

April can't come soon enough but I know that if think about it long enough it will be here in no time.

A GIRL!!!! can you believe it!!??

Quick Christmas Re-cap

I seriously don't know where the time has gone!!! I blink and it's Christmas. I turn around and we are in the middle of the summer. When will it all stop?? {or slow down at least}

Christmas was small and perfect. There were a few gifts for each boy and they have all seemed to enoy what they got.

For the first time with all the boys we went to Temple Square. It was nice. There weren't as many lights as I remember but it was fun to be there again. And it was fun to take the boys as they have never been before. {and we didn't loose anyone in the crowd!}

This was the best picture that we could get with the boys.... Benji was more interested in the sign that says "Do Not Touch" than taking a picture.... figures}

And I thought this was a god on of Swim and I. So often I am not in the pictures as I am the one who carries the camera and demands... encourages everyone to look at me.

Then on Christmas Eve we decorate the gingerbread house. This year I was ambitious enough to make it and it actually turned out!! {I did buy a back up from Target just in case....}

I am in charge of the frosting and the boys tell me where they want it. Their vision is usually different than mine.

We have the family f bears bringing the tree home....

And what I can only assume is the carnage left over from the battle of the Bears vs. the Snowmen.

We decorate it Christmas Eve and then they are allowed to eat it Christmas morning. It was pretty picked over by the end of the day.

After the boys were in bed and instructed not to leave the bedrooms until we came to get them, they were tucked in for the night... and surprisingly stayed there!!

Our plan was to wake them after Swim woke up... which of course was the day that he slept in. The boys were awake at about 7:00 and we could hear the giggling, so we left Swim to sleep and let the boys enjoy the morning.

Benji got a giant dinosaur which is almost as tall as he is.

 Tommy got a breif case..... this was on his list and it was something he really wanted.... not sure why but he was so happy to have it.

James got a Kindle and was so happy! There were things that were already installed so he was able to play a few games and read books.

Tim got a Pogo Stick and a Perplexes ball {a maze inside of a ball}

 Benji also got a space helmet and now he can "blast off!!"

{there's that Perplexes}

And Swim got a little stackable toy.... I think he appreciated the effort....

But in the end.....

he was happy with the paper towel tube.

It was a quiet Christmas and it was nice to enjoy the time with the boys without worrying about going anywhere or cleaning or anything.

And to top it off it was a white Christmas!! So it made for a very "Norman Rockwell" type of day.

A Whole Decade!

I can't believe it!!!

Look at this boy. He is 10!

10 years old!!

Where did the time go?? It really doesn't seem that long ago that he was placed in my arms and was looking up at me with his big eyes. At that moment I became a mom. I had no idea what I was doing.

I know heaven has a special place for first born children.... the parents never know what they are doing and are often times wrong. Only the strongest of spirits can be first children.

James you are amazing! And we love you. You bring such a spark to our family and such a different perspective as well.

Your love of all things random keep up on our toes.

Your love and knowledge of the gospel teaches me daily.

You have a gift of forgiveness that I love. Thank you for forgiving me.

I love that you love music so much. And I love that it is all music. I hear you tapping out or humming a tune and it makes me happy to know that you are choosing good things to listen to.

I am so happy and yet sad to watch you grow into a man. I love that you are learning about life, but sad that it is moving so fast.

James I love you. I have loved you from the moment you were put into my arms, and I will love you for the rest of eternity. Thank you for being a great kid.

Happy Birthday James! I hope the next 10 years are just as great!

The very last one.

Being pregnant and having all boys is interesting. I can't tell you how many time I have been asked if I want a girl.

To put this out there.... I want a healthy baby. Boy or Girl it really doesn't matter.

I tell people I don't care, and really I don't but I don't ever want my youngest 2 to feel that we kept trying to have a girl. I love my boys and wouldn't trade them for all the pink in the world.

Our choice to have another child had absolutely nothing to do with the gender of our children.

We love being a family of all boys.

And while we are on the subject of having another child let it be known that this was a prayed about choice.

I have NEVER been baby hungry. That's not me.

Our children have either been planned {4 of them} or definite surprises {2 of them}.

We are so excited to be having number 6 and feel that our family is now complete. And honestly it's a wonderful feeling.

So I am enjoying this last time of carrying a child and boy or girl our family is complete. 

I love being pregnant and will be sad to close that chapter in our life, but I am excited to be at a point where I am just raising kids rather than doing that and being pregnant.

We do not yet know what we are having although I do know it's not a giraffe. And Benji wants a droid, but I think he might be disappointed to get "just a baby"