Saturday, October 27, 2012

Fun while Dad's at Work (and the not-so-fun move into our new house)

Ken helped us move out but then had to go back to his old job to work. Since we were in a one-room hotel, we got out every chance we got.

At the Farm.
Caden had stagger start, so he went to school the first day but didn't go the next, so we went to a little farm.
Chase checking out the pigs.

Trying out the tractor.

This picture so captures my kids. Ava so jealous and yelling at the top of her lungs, Chase so wrapped up in exploring what he is doing, and Caden picking at a scab on the side of his nose.
Saturday we went and played at this great park for hours. The kids loved the woolly mammoth.
I should correct myself.  The big kids loved it, Ava just watched from below and then found something better to do.

Chase, Caden, Kailyn, and Jordan


Our move into our house was the worst. Ken was still working out of state.  Saturday night Ava woke up (we were still in the hotel) and threw up. She then continued to throw up all night (it was just dry heaving by the end). It was a really long night. She seemed OK the next day (I was exhausted). Then Sunday night I woke up sick as a dog. Oh, I was so miserable. I will spare you the details but I spent most of the night in the bathroom (throwing up AND diarrhea). We had to be out of our room by 10 the next morning and meet our new landlord at our new house to get keys and do a walk-through. We had quite a load of stuff at the hotel because we had lived there for 2 weeks and cooked there. I was so sick I really didn't think I could do it. I tried to get the kids to help as much as I could. Packing took forever. Finally it was time to take loads down to the car. We would take a load and then I would run upstairs and throw up, lay down and rest for 5 minutes and do it all over again. I never want to go through that again.

We finally got out of the hotel and to the house. I was so sick that I couldn't wait for the landlord to leave so I could just collapse on the floor. I realized that we had no TP at the house, so we had to do a grocery store run. I only went because it was an emergency. I mustered all the strength I had and just prayed I would make it without loosing my lunch all over the store. After we were done shopping, we were walking out to the car and Kailyn said she didn't feel good.  I watched as her lunch started to come up and I quickly grabbed a grocery sack, just in time.

We get back to the house.  By this point I was over the worst of it, but Kailyn and Jordan were now both sick. Some nice members from our church who live down the street came to welcome us (they had seen the moving truck of the previous renters and thought it was ours, what a blessing they came). They invited us to dinner, but I said my husband wasn't around and we were all sick. They left but then came back a little later with a dinner for us. Oh, how they saved us. Not only that but when they heard that we were going to be sleeping on the floor, they brought us air mattresses and blankets (they also brought us a folding table and chairs).

OK this was so extremely nice and thoughtful and I was so grateful, but their kindness doesn't stop there. Jordan threw up all over the carpet. I had nothing in the house to clean with. I called them to see if we could borrow some cleaning stuff. I answered the door expecting her to just hand me some rags and carpet cleaner and be on her way. This amazing women came over with gloves and towels and cleaned up the mess as I tucked everyone into bed. After she was done she helped the kids brush their teeth.

Still their kindness does not stop. I had just planned on moving stuff from our storage unit over a little at a time until Ken came back in a few weeks and then we would move the rest (the big stuff) together. This family insisted on helping us. The husband called some people and got a bunch of men to come and help (a couple days later after we were feeling better). We did one load using pickup trucks and vans. We didn't get all of our stuff, but we got our beds and couch and table, which made life so much easier. We are forever thankful to this family for just stepping in to help us. They are amazing. Thank you, Scotts!


In our new house. I swear these kids were laying on their own beds when I tucked them in. Ava is asleep hanging off of her bed and Chase somehow migrated to the floor.

The weather here is gorgeous! The kids eating popsicles on the front steps.

Jordan on the steps in front of our new house.
Saturday, and dad is still not around, so we decided to go and check out the Denver Zoo.
Jordan Ava, Kailyn, Chase and Caden watching the polar bears.

Let's hope Jordan never meets a real Polar Bear face to face (or face to belly button, as the case may be).  This thing is huge!

They had an elephant demonstration. We lucked out getting to see the elephant the most playful it has been for more than a month

The elephant was so fun to watch. He was diving in the water and doing somersaults. He was so close to where we were standing.

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Move and Kailyn's Birthday

Moving is exhausting. Ken and I loaded up two pull-behind trailers with all of our necessary belongings. Our kids were being watched by the Stevens, and Ava had fallen asleep. Ava has not been a good traveler so we decided to send Ken on his way with the 3 youngest while I stayed behind with the girls and finished loading the last trailer and cleaning the house. I hate the last-minute packing and getting all of that last-minute stuff gathered up.  We have moved several times, but this time was the worst with all of that last-minute stuff. I think it was a combination of the sudden move and having 5 kids.  It took longer than expected; but doesn't it always? By the end I was just throwing everything away or piling it into boxes. I was so glad to be done and on the road.
Chase, Ava, and Caden making a dinner stop with Dad.



Poor Chase was so tired.

He must be really tired to sleep all bent up like this.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAILYN!
What a way to spend your birthday--on the road and moving.
Kailyn outside our hotel in front of the moving trailer ready for her first day of church in our new ward.

Thank you to Aunt Brenda and family who saved Kailyn's special day.  We went to see them after church (since they only live an hour and a half away now! Yippee!).


Birthday presents. (Magic eight ball and Kerplunk from brothers and sisters)
A little about Kailyn (I some how forgot to do this on her birthday so I actually asked the questions 6 months later)

Favorite color? blue
Favorite food? pot roast, German pancakes, Mac and Cheese, pancakes
What do you want to be when you grow up? an artist or photographer
Favorite thing to do? read
Who are your friends? Jenessa is always my friend, Avery, Gracie, Amanda (answered like it was August)
What is your favorite toy? books
Favorite Story/Book? my favorite genre is mystery and adventure
Where do you want to live when you get big? Utah or Arizona
How many kids are you going to have? 5 seems like a reasonable sum
Favorite song? Find the Power
Favorite movie? The Little Princess
What makes you happy? lots of stuff, my family my friends
What makes you sad? when someone isn't righteous
How do you know mom and dad love you? everything they do

Friday, October 19, 2012

First Day of School 2012

When we moved we spent the first couple of weeks in an extended stay hotel because our house wasn't ready yet but I didn't want the kids to miss the first few weeks of school. The first few shots are standing outside of our hotel.



Kailyn, Caden and Jordan the school kids.

Kailyn the 4th grader.


Jordan the 2nd grader.


Caden the Kindergartner.


Outside the school waiting for me while I park the car. Their mascot is a dinosaur.

Chase insisted that he get a backpack and lunch just like his big brother and sisters.

Jordan's teacher, Mrs. Moore.

Kailyn's teacher, Mrs. Davis.
 
Caden's assistant teacher Mrs. Peeka.

Caden's teacher Mrs. Rolwes

The Day After July 4, 2012

Tired! That is how I would describe our kids by the end. All of the kids were sleeping together in the loft area of the cabin but they got all wound up and would not got to sleep. I had to separate them one by one.
Caden and Jordan finally asleep (after being moved away from cousins)

We took a car ride to go for a hike. Good thing there was a little drive it gave everyone (except me) a chance to catch up on much needed sleep.




Chase, me, Caden

Part of the hikers. Kelsey, Scott, McKay holding Brinlee, Megan, Kailyn, Ashley, Makayla (bending down) Jordan, and Amy.



Kailyn, Jordan and Hailey at the top of the hike.
Good thing Kailyn was prepared with her first aid kit. Chase was walk with a stick and tripped and jabbed himself on the side of the face.

Fixing up Chase's "owie."

Proof that we all made it.

Standing above and looking down at the water was not enough the kids had to get a closer look so we hiked down to the water...

where the kids touched it and threw rocks in. Luckily, no kids fell in.


Caden, king of the mountain!

Mosquitoes love this Caden...and apparently the left side of his face is especially delicious. Can you see the six bites?

Love the mountains.

A stop for ice cream thanks to Grandma and Grandpa. (clockwise starting at top right: Ava, Caden (and yes he is about to lick up some ice cream that spilled, can't let any go to waste...YUCK!), Hailey, Brinlee, Chase, Jordan, Makayla)

Chase sharing his ice cream with Ava.

Gotta try Caden's now.
Jordan did so good at entertaining Ava and making her laugh.
Late nights are great-no kids and we get to play games. It was a fun night with a game that made everyone do crazy things and laugh.
Grandma and grandpa trying to figure out the clue.

Scott and Kelsey
Jorden wondering if he really has to do what the card says.

Ashley and McKay acting something out.

Scott and Kelsey

Grandma laughing uncontrollably. 

Ken and I got banned and had to sit under the table for a little bit.

Jorden and Jessica.

We also played 'minute-to-win-it.' This one you had a partner that was bouncing ping-pong balls and you had to catch them in your cup and then take the cup from the bottom of you stack and put it on top and catch another ball, etc.