Little Trip before Baby Number 3 comes

We decided we needed to take the kids on a little trip before their little sister comes next month.  We haven 't been on a trip with the kids, except to see family, since Summer.  If you know us at all, you know non-tripping is totally unusual for us, so we definitely took advantage of Presidents Day weekend to head to Palm Springs.

We spent Saturday at Joshua Tree National Park.  It was rainy, but that didn't stop us from seeing the Joshua Trees, Cholla Cactus, Big cool Rocks, and even a bunny.  We took short little hikes in the rain.  Payson and I even did a little date hike around the Cholla cactus because Avenly fell asleep.

Joshua Tree was a lot bigger than I thought it would be, and I think it would be a lot of fun to go back in the Spring sometime with older kids to climb on the rocks, and take some longer hikes.

After a late lunch we went to Coachella Oasis. It was still rainy, but we could stand under the giant palm trees, and the rain didn't touch us.  It was really cool because it was a group of huge palm trees in the dessert- hence the name Coachella OASIS.

At the hotel, Josh took the kids swimming in the sprinkles.  They didn't last long in the pool, but all three of them enjoyed the hot tub.  I attempted to enjoy a nap during that time!

Sunday we attended a ward that reminded us so much of our Northern California Lakeport Ward.  We met some nice people.  We were just going to stay for Sacrament Meeting because I was using my very pregnant self as an excuse to not stay for the other two hours, but our two year old did not want to leave.  She wanted to go to her class.  Thanks to her example, we ended up staying.  Payson was a little anxious to go to Primary without knowing anyone, so I went with him, and ended up playing the piano for Primary.

On Monday, President's Day, we spent some time on the Las Vegas Strip.  I was reminded how much I don't really love the Strip, and I feel like Vegas has reached an all time low, by having live walking porn you could take pictures with.  There were at least three times, I had to tell Payson to close his eyes as we walked by.  Besides, the worldliness of the strip, we did enjoy seeing the bird habitat and flamingos at The Flamingo, the cool Roman pools at Caesar's Palace, the Conservatory and fountains at The Bellagio, and last M & M World.

We had to get  creative with the stroller since both kids wanted to ride at the same time.  Avenly also enjoyed riding on Josh's shoulders.  By the time we were done, I was tired!  Only having 5 weeks left until due date, my feet were killing me, and I wanted a milk shake.  :)  I didn't end up getting  a milkshake until I got home and made myself one, but we did stop in St. George to have dinner with my dad and Grandma.

The trip was a fun last get-a-way before there are 5 of us. It was a good mix of "taking it easy" and "slight adventure."  I would recommend visiting Joshua Tree and Coachella Oasis if you are ever in the area, especially if the weather is nice.

Happy 5th Birthday Payman

I can't believe the boy who made me a mother is 5 years old!  I still remember the night (very early morning- 2:30 am) when my water broke.  I was not having contractions, and it was still 2 weeks before due date.  It was also Valentine's Day, and I had lobster in the fridge ready to bake for our special dinner that night.  Little did we know, we would get a special lobster dinner at the hospital the next night.

Now it is 5 years later, and we have a boy who is the best big brother his little sister could ask for.  He is a good boy, who listens most of the time, and he still Very Much Loves me.  (A true blue momma's boy).  He also did not want to turn 5 because he is a bit scared to go to Kindergarten, and he does not want shots.  I explained to him Kindergarten is not for a long time, and I dread his doctor's appointment on Thursday.

To make him excited to turn 5, we had a birthday party with some friends and cousins.  Calvin and Tommy are in his Primary class at church, and Kayla and Benji were awesome enough to bring Alexis and Brynlee up from St. George for his party.  Of course, Avenly was invited, too, even though she thought it was her birthday.

For the party, the kids made toy cars out of toilet paper rolls and painted cardboard wheels.  Then we played Transportation Bingo.  When someone got a bingo, they could pick out a balloon, pop it, and collect the prize that was in the balloon.  After games Payson opened his presents, and then we had cake and ice cream.  I am not too skilled in cake decorating, but Payson was happy with his chocolate cake.

 

On Saturday my parents and Aaron came up for another little party.  They brought pizza and presents, and we made banana muffins for dessert.  I didn't take any pictures, but it was fun, as always.

On Payson's actual birthday, we let him open the rest of his presents from Josh and I, had a cookie cake, and went out to dinner for hamburgers.  He also talked to lots of his favorite people, who called to wish him happy birthday.

Last week we had a super nice day of 63 degrees, so the kids and I headed to the Parowan Gap for some 5 year old birthday pictures.  They turned out super cute.  I am so glad the weather was perfect, and Payson's number 5 zebra only made the pictures more fun.

I can't forget his 5th Birthday interview.  This is one of my favorite birthday traditions.  We had fun watching his previous birthday interviews, and seeing what has changed, but what is also the same.

Again, I can't believe my baby boy is not so much a baby anymore.  I'm so grateful to be his mom, and love his cute personality.

Since Christmas

The last week of December we headed up North for the third time that month.  Savannah Lee, our sister in law, came home from her mission, so we had a special Christmas with her the Thursday after Christmas at Steve and Deana's house. All eight of Steve and Deana's kids were there with the two spouses and two grand kids.  Plus, Mimi Rogers, Deana's mom, was visiting from Texas, so we had a good group, and it was a lot of fun.  After our "Christmas morning" we went and got family pictures with all of us.

After pictures, Josh and the kids went back to their house, and I headed to Idaho.  My sister had her 6th baby on December 23.  I had to see her, and the rest of the family, so I met them in Idaho Falls the next day for lunch.  They named the baby Anna Louise, and she is a darling little thing.

The month of January was pretty un-exciting, but it was great because we got to relax and get a lot done at home.  I started on my baby preparations, such as spring cleaning parts of the house, organizing baby clothes, and trying to get the kids to sleep in their own beds all night long. I wrote and submitted a Primary song to the church, but we will see if they actually want it. The kids and I also did some fun things for preschool, and our family had some good family home evening lessons that were hopefully effective.

Kids created a store.

FHE on responsibility.  They actually really like their chore charts.

Avenly singing "Book of Mormon Stories" she learned in nursery.

FHE on talking nicely.  We made homemade honey chap-stick to remind us to say "sweet" things.

Snow paint 

Homemade fruit-snacks that only worked after we froze them.

Here our a couple more pictures with explanations from the last couple weeks.

Avenly locked herself in our bedroom, so Josh had to take the doorknob off to get her out.

Payson riding his bike outside for the first time.

We went to Aunt Kayla's gender ultrasound.  She is having a boy after two girls, so that's exciting!

The last weekend of the month Grandma Molly came to visit.  She babysat for us while Josh and I went on a date, and then the next day we went hiking in Zions National Park.  It was muddy, but a beautiful day.

   

In this picture I am almost 32 weeks pregnant.

The first weekend of February we went to St. George to see Grandma Teresa's play, "The Lion King."  She is the drama teacher at one of the intermediate schools in St. George.

The next morning we went to the Temple with Kayla.

My pregnancy is getting long, but we are hanging in there.  I still have a lot to occupy my time, and I am trying to give the kids extra attention before my attention has to be split again.  Life is good.  Blog post to come next week about our big boy turning 5.