The last post title says it all....

What a year it is turning out to be is RIGHT!  Its been a long time since I have posted.  Life takes over.  There are so many things to report about the last 6 months.   More surgeries; of course, trips, summer vacation, the boys getting into an awesome charter school, Jack finally getting into the Peanut Allergy Program, but I think the thing that stands out the most is the fact that we found out the SAME DAY that Jack got into the peanut program, the boys got into the charter school, and that I am expecting baby number 4!! 

I know, its crazy but we aren't finding out the gender.  I am due in January and already more than half way done.  Its a bit overwhelming but we are excited too!

 

So, in just a few sentences, that catches everyone up to date!  I hope to post more soon!

 

 

What a year 2015 is turning out to be!

 Our little princess completely messed up her hair while wearing her tiaras!!

 But how can you resist....we don't really understand why she always puts them on backwards! lol

 She's picked up some habits from the boys lately too.  She is telling jack to "stick em' up" here...he thinks its hilarious if you can't tell.  She has picked up some other bad 2 year old behavior as well...still coloring where she shouldn't (and has upgrade to markers not crayon), climbs anything she can, yells FINE and stomps her foot, and is copying words that I don't think are 2 year old appropriate (don't get too excited, I have a pretty strict word list.  My kids think the S word is Stupid the F word is Fart and the B word it Butt).

 She is so tough she eats the nerf ammo....

She can be soooo sweet too!

 I know, I know, toddlers aren't suppose to eat popcorn.  She rarely gets it but just loves it!

A rare selfie... I think Drew and I were so exhausted this day that we just laid on the couch and made funny faces.  He was eating candy at the time.

 I'm not gunna lie.  Its been a rough 6 weeks around here....after Jack's surgery Drew got strep. Luckily no one else got it.  But I got a sinus infection. Then Av got really sick.  I had taken her to the doctor on Tuesday and she had an ear infection.  By sunday she was so bad that we took her to the ER.  The anitbiotics hadn't worked at all and she had a raging ear infection, RSV, bronchitis, and was dehydrated.  We were there about 5 hours getting IV meds and she made a big turn around (they kept threatening to keep her for 24 hours but luckily we got to go home).  That week she had daily shots of antibiotics.  That was pretty rough but we are so thankful for the awesome care!

 As you can see she is feeling MUCH better now!!!  Poor baby!! 

We also took Jack to a World Renown doctor about an hour away.  It is a blessing that he is one of four doctors who do OIT (Oral Immunotherapy) for peanut and tree nut allergies.  Essentially, he can be cured of them over a period of time by increasing his exposure to it.  Then he will have to eat them the rest of his life to maintain allergy free.  Its a long process but we think it will be worth it!

Can you find Bella? She better be careful on laundry day napping in the laundry room...she may find herself in the washing machine! Just kidding. 

A friend told me not long ago that the hardest number of children to have is three (she just had her fourth) because you keep trying to do everything and still care but once you get to the fourth you just can't do it and give up trying.  LOL.  This winter has taken its toll.  I can't wait for spring and I'm actually starting to dream of summer.  I've missed Jack gone all day.  I am ready for a change of pace.  Maybe spring break in a few weeks will help :)

Two Posts in the Same Month!!

 Christmas 2014 will definitely be a year our family will be talking about for years to come.  It was pretty crazy....let's see if I can fill in some of the details.

 The family room was packed with toys for all the good little girls and boys.  Alison's grandparents, mom and dad, brother and sister in law, and two nieces stayed the week with us.  Jeff's Christmas present which was only suppose to take a day to set up, ended up taking all week, the garbage disposal broke (and went all over), and then my 18 month old niece threw up (it was sooo bad) about 3:30 am on Christmas morning...so, we after we got her and everything cleaned up, we woke everyone up and had Christmas about 5 am.  It was pretty quiet opening their presents because they were all so sleepy.

 Avonlea has loved her Dr. McStuffin doctor table.

 Jack loved his kindle and legos...

 We made gingerbread houses at my bro and sis in laws.  The kids loved decorating them.

 This was the mess of the garbage disposal and my picture of distress that I sent to my dad and Jeff (it happened as we were trying to get all the cooking done on Christmas eve).

We love being so close to temple square again!  We loved looking at the light (ok, we all loved it except Drew).

 We took a great trip to the aquarium with family and friends about a week ago.  It was so fun!

 Jack was so brave for surgery.  He had great care! There were some complications but everyone was able to be fixed in surgery. Recovery was a little harder than we had expected but he is doing so great now and we are glad it is over and hope it doesn't happen again!

 Jack reading to the kids on his kindle.

 How in the world did I ever live without one of these, puppies??  It has changed my life.  Cooking life, anyways.

 Drew continues to crack us up.

 Loving the touching pool at the aquarium!

 Avonlea loves the aquarium too!!

 We woke up to this on Christmas morning.  I hated it.

 We had tickets to Savior of the World  and a babysitter but Avonlea was sick so Jeff said he could handle it and let me go with a friend and Mark and Alicia.  It was so fun!

 This funny girl!!

 Enjoying spaghetti!

I wasn't feeling very good one Saturday morning so Jeff did Avonlea's hair. So funny! Who knew, he knew how to use bobby pins?!?   I asked him if he meant to do a side pony tail and he said, "No! She was moving way too much.  That was suppose to be the middle!"

Life is good!

Again! It's been WAY too long!

Its funny how drastically life has changed for us.  We have found life is so busy!  It has been a blessing to be close to family.  Grandparents come all the time!  And we see aunts and uncles and cousins almost weekly!  And when there is a need, we have really appreciated the help!!

 The pictures are a little old but I'm trying to catch up. Hopefully, I'll update Christmas by St. Patrick's Day (lol).

 I think Jeff would say the best thing about our house are the four wheeling trails that cover the mountain behind us.  He (and the boys) spent HOURS exploring during the summer and fall.  As you can tell, this was an evening ride (complete with pjs) before bed.

Jack, especially has taken to four wheeling and all he wanted for Christmas was his own.  He needs to be a bit bigger though.

 We have had lots of cousin outings.  The kids really enjoy being together.  Drew really liked to tell Audrey what to do and she loves to do it, so it works out. Here are all the kids at the zoo for Avonlea's birthday and pre-Halloween.  Audrey's birthday is 5 days after Avonlea's so it also works out perfectly.

 Avonlea had a Sophia princess party (complete with prince and brave knight).  We had a couple girls come over and everyone had a very good time.

 Avonlea really enjoyed her cupcake this year!

 These girls were so adorable!  Our friend (Jack's good friend) and Audrey (cousin) in our play house.

 Opening presents with Avonlea during our family party.

 So spoiled!

We can't believe she is 2!!! Where did the time go!