The pictures Shelly Forgot

Shelly "forgot" to put pictures of herself up. So, here are a few more pictures of the horseback riding and covered wagon day.

Also pictured are Grandpa and Grandma Bassett, "Happy Pappy" (our friend who offered the instruction on hooking up and driving a team of mules--he's up close to Ken, ready to take over the reins if things got out of hand. He did have to take the reins a couple of times), and a couple of ladies who came out for a ride.

Cowboys and Cowgirls

Before Ken had to head back to Ohio, we were able to spend a few days together. It was heaven. Spending a day with my husband makes me miss him and love him so much more. How much more wonderful life would be if he were around more. Just one more year left. We can do it.

So one of the fun things we were able to do was go on a covered wagon ride (with Ken behind the reins) and horseback ride with some friends from church. The kids, of course, loved it and had so much fun.

Caden, Kailyn, and Jordan riding in the back of the covered wagon.

Caden, Chase, Jordan, and Kailyn sitting in the front of a chuck wagon.

Ken taking the reins.

Jordan and Kailyn on a horseback ride.

Cowgirl Kailyn

Cowboy Chase

Cowboy Caden

Caden and Jordan going on a horseback ride.

Ken's mom was so kind to take the kids so that Ken and I could go on an almost 2 hour horse ride. It was a lot of fun but nothing like the horses I would sometimes ride as a kid. Trail horse are not nearly as fun to ride as personally owned (never by me) horses that love to run.

Ken showing off his cowboy skills.

Boating

After my girl's weekend I headed to Montana to meet up with Ken and the kids. The 3 older kids were really excited to see me, but Chase didn't even recognize who I was. I was a bit nervous when I tried to feed him and he freaked out(I do not want to have to pay for formula if I don't have to). Luckily, he eventually remembered who I was (after the 2nd or 3rd time trying to feed him). I met up with everyone for a boating trip with the Hansens (long time friends of Ken's family). We all got to do some boating and tubing. All of the kids tried the tubing. Kailyn was way excited to try until she fell in and wanted nothing more to do with it. Jordan did not want to go in and even after we got started she wanted to be done. Jordan's trip was so quick we didn't get any pictures. Caden was a bit hesitant but ended up loving it.

Ken and Kailyn trying to get up on the tub. Unfortunately, they didn't quite get up and ended up tipping and Kailyn refused to try again.

Caden and Me tubing. Caden loved it.

Ken on the tube. Sorry I didn't get any of him in action the water was too choppy and all of the other pictures turned out blurry.

I had so much fun, although my arms and legs were a bit sore the next day.

Caden loved the Cheetos someone brought. (he had an orange face and hands)
...and apparently he loved the chocolate chip cookie too.

Jordan and Caden getting ready for a ride on the boat.

Ken and Caden trying to skip rocks.

Jordan helping steer the boat.

Kailyn and her cousin Allan on the boat.

Girl's Weekend

Girl's weekend was so much fun! Well worth all of the stress and extra effort to be able to go. When Ken was in Arizona going to medical school a bunch of the wives of the students in his class started getting together for a monthly girls night. We would meet at different people's homes each month and bring yummy food to share. It was a great time to get away from the kids and be with friends that could totally relate to what you were going through.

Amy and Jill

Where I got my amazing 1 hour massage. This picture makes it look more like a doctor's office but it was actually dimly lit with candles and had soothing music playing.

At the movie theater.

Dinner at Thai restaurant. Clockwise starting on the left side: Amy, Rachel, Jenny, Karie, Jill and Me.

Chilling in our PJs.

Dinner at Macaroni Grill. Left to Right: Jill, Karie, Jenny, Me.

The whole group.
Back row left to right: Rachel, Jill, Katie (who was only able to join us this night).
Front row: Karie, Jenny, Me, Amy

Driving in the car.

Picture of us wearing the cute bows that we bought for our little girls. Sorry it's so blurry.

On our way to Temple Square.
Left to Right: Me, Rachel, Amy, Jill, Jenny, Karie

Amy helping make some lunch.

Jill busting out a move.

If you can't read what the clock says, it says 4:11 am. Yes, we had some very late (or should it be early?) nights.

Dancing and having fun.

Jenny making lunch.

Oh, how I have missed the mountains while living in Ohio.

Girl's weekend was amazing. I love all of my friends so much, and have really missed them. I am amazed how it felt so comfortable to be around each other and not at all like it had been 2 years since I had seen them last. I can't wait for the next girl's weekend!

Road Trip to Montana

We were on the road to Montana starting at 7am on Tuesday morning. We got the kids out of bed, changed their clothes, and then they ate a bag filled with cereal while we traveled down the road. Tuesday night (after 9 hours in the car) we stopped in Waterloo, Iowa and stayed with my cousin Lindsay and her family. Wednesday we traveled for 11 hours and stayed the night in Cheyenne, Wyoming where Ken's parents met up with us. Ken, his parents, and the kids traveled up to Montana (with a stop in Lovell, Wyoming to see family) and I drove to Utah for a get together with my friends from when we lived in Arizona. Ken took all of the kids with him--so nice to get a break. He said, "Well, you took them for 730 days (the last 2 years), I guess I can handle them for 4 days."

The kids were amazing in the car. I really can't complain. I was really worried about Chase, but he did really well, considering how long he was strapped in his carseat. At one point all four kids were sleeping. Now that was nice!

Seeing my cousin Lindsay and her beautiful family (minus her husband Scott who was out of town for work) was so much fun. The night we were there she had scouts at her house. The kids had a fun time participating with the scouts in their relay races.

I don't think this picture (above) even looks like Chase. Kind of a different expression.

In Wyoming we were able to see Ken's cousin Shane, who works at the fire station as a paramedic. He was nice enough to show us around.

Kailyn trying out the nozzle.

Jordan trying on the oxygen tanks.

Caden exploring the firetruck.

We were just about to get a picture of the kids sitting on the front of the truck when it was called out.

Chase-6 Months Old

Chase had his well child check just before we left for Montana. Here are the stats:

weight: 12 lbs 10 oz (25th percentile)
height: 25 3/4 inches (50th percentile)
head: 50th percentile (which is weird for us cause all of our other kids are in the 97th percentile)

He was barely on the charts before for weight and now he is in the 25th percentile. Go Chase! It is amazing how much easier it is to put on weight when you don't spit up 95% of all you eat.

Although he was off to a slow start with weight, he is doing great developmentally. He can sit unassisted and can even do a full sit up if you hold his feet on the floor. He is smiling like crazy. Laughs. He loves sucking on his hands. Reaches for toys. He is even starting to do an army crawl to get toys just out of reach. He finally rolled over! Hurray! He babbles. He is also quite the drooler and does to continue to spit up some. He has never been much of a pacifier baby and seems to go back and forth between taking one and hating them.