Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was spent with the Gunnell Family and was hosted at Phil's parent's house. They have a small home but a nice clean garage where they set up tables and chairs and it can surprisingly hold us all. It is tight but it works. Everyone was present from the Gunnell siblings minus Allison and her family.

We met at 3pm for dinner, ate, then took the kids to the nearby park to run off the meal and then back to the house again for dessert. I brought a delicious from scratch, nothing canned green bean casserole, pecan pie and a cranberry orange sauce.

My kids didn't eat a darn thing of the wonderful meal! They don't eat meat or potatoes and barely picked at their rolls. Pretty sure they just ate olives and pie that night.

Pictures are few and this seems to be a recurring theme the more children I have to keep track of. All I brought along was my phone and these few images are the best we have to document our day together. Thankfully I remembered to take a picture of the kids with their Grandpa Great Gunnell.

 

During a potty break Kate and Rhett were just so darn cute that I took advantage of the natural light coming in from the skylight in the bathroom. I also love Kate's hair like this and had to document my beautiful girl.

 

Kate, Carly and Rhett

The last time the three of us sisters-in-law will be pregnant together. At least with me included in the group!

Stephanie is due January 7th, Andrea was due December 2nd and I am due January 9th.

All boys!

The rest of Thanksgiving weekend was spent with family and we loved it! Usually we just meet for dinner and that's it. I am very pleased with how things turned out. Thanksgiving was Thursday, Friday we met at the park to celebrate cousin Matthew's birthday, then we had dinner out with Phil's parents, Stephanie & Dave and Wendy & Steve at Tia Rosa's.

Saturday was a Standage reunion at the Chandler train park. The last reunion was almost 10 years ago and the picture below is missing probably 20+ more people. Such a great group and I wish that I knew them better. There are too many individual families that we don't get together. 

After food and mingling with family we rode the little train around the park and played. It was a great end to the holiday weekend.

I am very grateful for my dear family, Phil and my five children. Our numerous extended family; Gunnell, Standage, Rapier and Shelley. We have so many wonderful people in our lives. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for my eternal family and the many, many blessings that we enjoy. 

10 on 10: November 2013

One photo, every hour, for 10 hours

Clearly I have dropped the ball on this project! Let's just pretend this is a full post with 10 images. But alas, it is not. In November the 10th fell on a Sunday and I totally thought I would have this one in the bag. We are pretty much home all day, etc. Yeah, well Sunday mornings are utter chaos in our house and it isn't the warm fuzzy Sunday feeling one hopes to get when readying their offspring for spiritual enrichment. Getting three little people up and moving, fed, dressed and out the door on time before 9am is a challenge for us every week. Throw in getting myself dressed up too and we are almost always late. We are working on it.

Instead of ten images detailing our day here are a few.

Max and Kate in their Sunday best.

Not pictured are the beligerent two-year-old who doesn't like to wear pants or get his hair combed, the dapper daddy who is always ready to go and most helpful in wrangling everyone and the frazzled, maybe showered, unadorned mother who keeps looking at the clock and barking orders sweetly suggesting obedience and order.

 

After church and dinner we head outside to visit with the neighbors and burn off pent up energy.

 

A beautiful Sabbath sunset.

Not an hourly account but an accurate display of a Sunday in our home. The hourly business is getting tedious and old since my life doesn't really vary at this point.

Nutella

Our family loves Nutella. Specifically Phil and the kids though I am happy to indulge as well. Phil will usually come home from work, chop an apple and sip it in the delicious confection. Sometimes he does this on the sly but the kids have a sixth sense when it comes to the pantry and chocolate. In no time at all he has three little ducks chirping about at his feet begging for their share. We have to remind them to eat the apple and not just the chocolate, though Rhett always tries to double dip.
 

Thank you Costco for selling giant vats of chocolate goodness. It is a pantry staple in our home, part of our monthly supply.

AZ Science Center with Friends

In October we met up with our medical school friends and ventured over to downtown Phoenix and the AZ Science Center. J'lene had family passes that let us get in free and that fits us just right! We met Candice, Julie and J'lene and kids and had a fun morning.

Max and Owen had a great time sending these balls into water streams and just plain getting wet.

 

Rhett and Graham are too little but still had fun splashing around.

 

Strong Man Max working the pulley system.

 

The whole crew of kids:

Kate, Rhett, Lyla, Addy, Lili, Graham, Owen, Max 

And the brave mommies who conquered the science center with so many hoodlums:
J'lene and baby boy bump, me, Julie & Candice
Fun aside; J'lene and I have been pregnant the past 2 times together.

Julie was in town for the month and we squeezed in as many activities as schedules allowed. Even with Candice and J'lene living nearby we don't see each other very often due to sick kids and conflicting schedules. It makes me sad to think about the summer when we are all going to be scattered across the country for residency training and we won't be able to see each other for years! I have high hopes though for a girls' reunion after training though. I have been blessed to know these girls during our journey through school.

Rhett's 2nd Birthday Party

 

September is the birthday month around here. Roughly a week after we celebrated Max and Kate we got to have another party to mark Rhett's 2nd birthday. Wahoo! We kept it small; our family and we invited Kendra and Dylan over. It was perfect. The weather was cooler in the evening and we were able to hang out in the backyard and just relax.

Rhett has been in love with Cars, specifically "Mamer" aka Mater Tow Truck. It is my tradition to make a cake based on the kids' interests/request. Making a Mater cake was a no-brainer. When Rhett saw his cake he was so excited. He yelled out "It's my birthday! Mamer!". Loved it.

The cake was easy and straightforward with assembly. I made fondant for the first time since I didn't want to pay $20 for a few small pieces required. It wasn't too bad to make and hopefully I can become more proficient in the future.

 

Donning the birthday hat and blowing out candles. Love the variety of expression here and his tangible excitement and anticipation. He is such a love!

Enjoying cake with his buddy Dylan.

Presents were simple and few. My mom sent him a Mater truck and an airplane, I bought him some Trio blocks and Kendra gifted the kids with a huge slip n'slide and colored bubbles. 

Trying to take a picture with the birthday boy before it got dark. He wanted nothing to do with it, he just wanted his cake! 

Happy Birthday dear Rhett!

Rhett: 2 Years Old

 

This boy. Oh! This boy! Rhett is such a special babe and he keeps us laughing more often than not. Phil and I are constantly cracking up at him, wondering where on earth he gets his hilarity and at the same time knowing that he is going to give us a run for our money with his antics. He already has us wrapped around his chubby fingers and gets away with some naughtiness because he is so dang cute.

 

He loves to snuggle and be held. His beloved blankets are always nearby and can make everything all better faster than anything else. He still sucks his two fingers and we aren't going to tackle that habit until the new baby arrives and we are steady on our feet with four kids. 

Rhett has started to show interest in the potty. We are not entering the training zone quite yet but it is a solid start. He is recognizing when he goes in his diaper and will tell me but he has yet to have success in the actual potty. For now we are keeping it casual and following his lead. Yesterday he followed me into the potty (never any privacy as a mother) and jumped up and down and squealed "Yay! Mommy! We do the potty dance!" when he heard my own success. Funny kid.

 

Rhett also loves to go, go, go! He loves to be in the thick of the action with his siblings and gets his feelings hurt when he is left out. We are definitely in the "two's" here with his range of emotions and outbursts but overall Rhett is a fantastic boy. He follows directions well and has clearly defined opinions, often telling us "No, I don't want to" matter of factly. It can be from us asking him to clean up or us teasing him and asking for kisses or nibbles. 

Phil: "Rhett, can I kiss your face? Eat your ear?"

R: "No."

P: "Why not?"

R: "Cause I don't want you to."

Makes us laugh every time.

 

This boy can tease. Ohhh can he tease! He loves to get squabbles out of his siblings, loves to wrestle and make messes. He speaks very well, in full sentences and loves computer time doing letters.

 

He is a great sleeper, taking a good 2-3 hour nap during the day and sleeping 10 hours or so at night. We actually have to wake him from his naps so that he goes to bed around the same time as Max and Kate. Though I hear him kicking around in his crib long after the big kids have fallen asleep. Many times Phil and I take pity on him and spring him out of bed for some one on one starfall.com time. 

Rhett is enthusiastic in whatever he does. He is incredibly expressive and passionate and I love this about him. He adores being outside, (what kid doesn't?) loves to watch PBS kids and is currently favoring Super Why. He also loves to help his daddy work outside.

 

Rhett has a deep little voice, can say his ABC's, count to 20, recognizes his colors and is just a smart little cookie. He is wearing size 2 clothes, just moved up to size 5 diapers, size 5.5 shoes. He is roughly 27 pounds and I can't remember how tall he is, his well visit was so long ago. Oops!

We love Rhett to pieces and I can't imagine our life without him. I am excited to watch this little man grow up and to see how he handles becoming a big brother. I think he will do great, he has some good examples to follow in Max and Kate. We love you Rhett!

Max: 4 Years Old

Max turned 4 years old as well in September. (Naturally!).

The above photo was taken this summer in Utah and I am astounded at the difference that a few months makes in comparison to the last picture below. He is such a handsome boy.

Max is a joy to have around. He is helpful, smart and very independent. He is loving preschool and has really improved in his writing and coloring skills. He can write his own name and colors in the lines. He has more patience than Kate does when it comes to learning/practicing new skills. He is very deliberate and doesn't get frustrated very easily, unless he is over tired. 

This boy loves to sleep. He is an excellent sleeper and while naps are generally a thing of the past he will be the first to fall asleep in the car if we travel anywhere in the afternoon. His emotions can get the best of him when he is over tired and he feels things very deeply and passionately. He is a good boy though and when we have behavior struggles it is almost always tied to him being tired. 

This picture was taken after I had sent him to time out while we were out front playing one evening. Five or so minutes later I went into the house to get him out and found him completely passed out. It was no small feat waking him either! 

Max is funny. He loves to be silly and comes up with some crazy clothing combinations. We let him dress himself and he is great about doing everything himself. Every morning he takes the initiative to change out of his pajamas and get dressed from head to toe; socks, shoes and belt included.

 

He still loves to accessorize with his belt. One Sunday morning I had laid out his clothes on his bed and left to ready someone else. A few minutes later he comes down the hall with his sweater vest tucked into his pants. I told him that he doesn't need to tuck in his sweater and his response? "But mom, then you can't see my belt!". Haha! I laughed and told Phil. We both get a kick out of this well-dressed quirk of his and think it will stay with him as he gets older. He takes note of how Phil dresses for work and compliments us both when we look nice.

 

Max loves to be outside and active. He really enjoyed soccer this fall and we will sign him up for a spring season as well. He is naturally coordinated and does well at sports, I am excited to see his future progress as he gets older and more involved in activities.

 

He is a love bug and also thrives with physical touch and outward expressions of love. He will say "I love you mom" without prompt and usually at random times throughout the day. Melts my heart every time, especially after I have felt or acted like a grumpy mom towards the kids. He is very affectionate and as I brush his teeth at night he will lean into me and rub my arm, back or lately my belly. 

 

Max is good at following directions. He will clean up his room when asked and generally does a very thorough job. I taught him how to fold his clothes and he will take the time to put them away correctly when I ask him. He loves to help Phil out in the yard too. He has a great memory and will remember where certain things are around the house if they are lost or when I am at work and am unsure of where things were placed when I was gone.

Max and Kate are both finally able to attend Primary without tears and a parent present! This is huge for us and it has literally been a year of trying to get them to transition from nursery to Primary. I really credit preschool helping their ability to become more independent and social. It is lovely and Phil and I are really proud of them.

Max is a great brother and he plays well with both Kate and Rhett. He and Kate have a special bond and play really well together. They also fight well too. :) He is kind and thoughtful and I see my mothering, actions and example very clearly through my kids. It is wonderful to hear the kind phrases our family uses through them and also extremely humbling when my faults are clearly on display through their actions and interactions with one another. Thank goodness kids are so resilient and forgiving.

Happy 4th Birthday sweet boy! We love you so much.

Kate: 4 Years Old

This beautiful daughter of ours turned 4 years old in September. I took these two pictures this summer while we were in Utah. I love them and I love her.



Kate is a delight. She is happy, passionate, smart and fun. So far being 4 has been good for her. She has learned a lot in preschool, is more in control of her emotions and it is fun to hear her thoughts voiced.

She is a girly girl all the way! She loves to have her fingers and toes painted, she loves new clothes and is always complimenting me when I am getting dressed, putting on my make-up and wearing jewelry. She LOVES jewelry. One of her favorite things is to wear necklaces from my jewelry box.

 

As much as she is a girl she also holds her own with her brothers. Kate loves to play outside and is super speedy on her plasma car. She loves to go to the park and is finally at a stage socially where she will go up to new friends and start playing with them whereas before she would be too shy to talk to the other kids playing. 

 

Since she is our only girl, and will remain so, she doesn't really play much with her gender specific toys unless another girl friend is with her. She does love to play dress-up but for the most part she does with the boys are doing. She likes to build with her duplos, LOVES to color, loves babies and helping in the kitchen. I need to do better about letting the kids help in the kitchen but with three littles clamoring about it is easier for me to just get it done without all the fuss and inevitable sibling squabbling.

 

Kate is very social and is constantly asking me if we are "going" ie: what are we doing today mom?

Yesterday morning as I was preparing breakfast she asked "Mom, are we going?". I replied with our very busy morning that we were going visiting teaching, then to the park to do another visit, home to eat lunch, brush our teeth, then off to the dentist to get their teeth cleaned and finally to preschool. She looked at me and just nodded her approval that I had sufficiently filled her morning. Funny girl.

She is generally really good about letting me do her hair though she prefers to let it hang loose and free. If I do her hair nicely for school it is inevitably taken out when I pick her up or she looks like she ran a marathon or something with how messy it is. 

She loves to talk about our baby. She is always asking me about him, she loves to feel him kick and keeps telling us that she doesn't know what his name is. Neither do we Kate, neither do we. She reminds me that my belly is getting "bigger and bigger and bigger!". She is going to make a fantastic big sister.

Kate had a nervous habit of picking at the skin around her thumbnails and would just pick and pick! We would remind her often to stop, put band-aids on, tell her she couldn't get her nails done until she stopped picking, etc. It has taken several months but she finally quit. I'm proud of her. She has stopped biting her nails and picking which is wonderful for her. 

We love our Kate! She is very much a daddy's girl but I am grateful to have this sweet girl of ours too. Her love language is definitely touch and she really thrives and responds when she is getting her needs met. Phil is really good about this and I am trying to do better. It is so easy to love on my babies when they are small and I am finding that I get too distracted and busy with the care taking of our family that I too often brush my big kids aside. That sounds terrible typed out! What I mean is that I am trying to slow down and remember that they are still so small and need me and my showing of physical love and touch to them just as much as they did when they were babies, maybe more so now! 

Happy 4th Birthday sweet girl! We love you more each day.