Wrestle Mania

Kris insisted on signing Joshua up for wrestling this season. Joshua was very excited about it at first, but after the first practice he realized it was really hard work. He likes the wrestling part, but doesn't like to learn the moves. Kris had to bribe him pretty well to get him to go to practice. He participated in a couple of tournaments and did okay. He didnt win much, but he also didn't cry much which is what most of the 5 year olds did if they weren't winning. In fact we watched two other boys wrestle each other and they were BOTH crying almost the entire time. All the Moms felt sorry for them and all the Dads were laughing. Joshua did win one match and he was super excited that he got a medal for 5th place. He has a season record of 1-6. At least next season there is plenty of room for improvement. Kris was so proud of his mini-me. I am glad that Joshua didn't feel too bad about his matches. He still thinks he is batman made of steel. I think WWF has a new character in the works...




Kris' mom could never watch Kris wrestle because it made her too anxious and scared for him. I never understood why she didn't want to watch him, but after watching my sweet boy wrestling I completely understand.

Staycation!

Kris and the kids had a week of vacation a couple of weeks ago. We just stayed here and tried to have a bit of fun. I did my best to keep Kris' "to do" list small. One afternoon the kids and I were all sitting in the house and I started to wonder "where is Daddy?". We finally looked out the window and found him building his own snow fort. He claims he was doing it by himself so he could get a good start on it before the kids tried to help, but I think he just wanted to play by himself:)

The kids did finally go out to help and as it turns out Kris was smart to get a good start on his own. It was hard work and the kids got cold before it was done. Gabriella went out for a long time and came in for a warm bath. She wanted to go out again but didn't want to get all bundled up. She won but it looked like child abuse to let her go out in her pajamas, rain boots and Kris' gloves.

Joshua pretty much just chilled the whole time, not a fan of hard work in the snow.

Luckily some neighbors came over and helped finish up Kris' snow fort. I think he is working way too hard at the hospital and maybe even beginning to lose his mind a bit. I hope he had a relaxing stay-cation and was able to reclaim some of his sanity. We loved having him home and can't wait until his next vacation. Maybe we will even be able to go somewhere warm. Kris could release his stress building a sandcastle, now that would be so much better!

It has all been a blur...

It has been a wonderful, precious, tiring month. I feel like we go from moments of pure bliss to complete survival mode. We have all adjusted to having Olivia in our family. After a rough first couple of days even Gabriella has gotten used to the idea that she is no longer the baby. Livvy has been a very sleepy baby and probably our easiest newborn. I am very grateful for that. We all love to cuddle with her and look forward to seeing her first smiles. It was scary to have aunt Christy leave after the first week, but luckily Grandma came soon to help us. I keep hoping someone else will come...anyone??? Can't wait to see what the next month has in store for us!Olivia Grace 1 month old and ready to party!

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby-- I think not:)

It is really hard for Bree to hold still--ever, but the baby does have a calming effect on her--at least for a few seconds:)
If Joshua had his way he would sleep with the baby in his bed all night. He was disappointed when he found out he was getting another sister instead of a brother, but he has been so sweet to Olivia. She is so lucky to have a protective big brother who adores her.

She is here!

Olivia Grace West
January 21st, 2010
12:08pm
9 lbs. 4 oz.

We are so in love with her...

After a slow start to the labor, Olivia arrived very quickly causing the entire delivery room to jump into action. She is perfect! She has the softest most kissable cheeks you can imagine. She has hardly been put down since she arrived. Her siblings could not be happier to have her here, well maybe Gabriella--but she is getting used to her. We are just not sure what we will do when Aunt Christy leaves. Is is bad to pray for a huge snowstorm so she gets snowed in with us?

We feel very blessed.

Samantha's Birthday

January seems to be a good month for us to have children! We were able to celebrate Samantha's birthday this month too! Samantha is such a precious little girl! I could have 2 dozen kids if they were all as sweet as her. No offense to my other kids, but anyone that knows Samantha knows that she is very easy:) She is a great student and friend at school. She is becoming a great reader this year and has always been really great with numbers. She started gymnastics this year and is doing great. You should see this girl climb the rope and flip herself around on the bar--she is SO strong. She could beat anyone in a push up contest. She is a wonderful sister, Gabriella especially looks to Samantha to play with her. I just feel so lucky to have Samantha in our family.
She is only 3 1/2 in this picture--with her favorite thing---Duckies!
3 1/2 with her doll "baby named 2"--yes that was really what she called her:)
3 with her big sister
4 1/2 playing with Joshua

273 DAYS

Why is it that I have been pregnant for 273 days and it has seemed to go pretty fast. But, these last 7 days until the baby's due date seem to last 3 times that long. I am just entering the "I am going to be pregnant FOREVER!" stage. I try to remind myself that I have felt this way with every pregnancy and-- in fact-- I have not been pregnant forever. My first baby is 11 so I know it is not true. If only the floor was not so far away. When I drop something it makes me want to cry. And if only getting shoes on was not such a test of my acrobatics, I might not be in such a hurry. But, I am anxious to meet this little girl.

Please remind me of this post a couple of weeks from now when I am so sleep deprived and I can't even remember where my shoes are.

You would think after 4 babies I would remember that they are so much easier to take care of when they are in rather than out:)

7 more days...

Mariah is 11!!!

Our little buggy is 11! I can't believe how fast she is growing up. I could not ask for a sweeter girl and I am so glad she belongs to our family. She is an amazing big sister and is very talented in pretty much anything she tries to do. Mariah is a great student and a terrific friend. Mariah finds happiness out of everything is life. She still thinks that the best way to get from one place to another is to do a cartwheel. I thought she would be tired of this travel method by now, but it is not to be. Hopefully she will be doing cartwheels for many more years to come! We love you Mariah and hope 11 is the best year yet!!!!

Mariah at 10 1/2
Mariah at 10 1/2
Mariah at 10
Mariah at 5--she was such a good big sister to baby Joshua!