2009...What a year!

Our Christmas cards made it out this year, but our letter was MIA. That pretty much sums up our year, incrediblly BUSY and full. It's hard to imagine that this time last year we were living in an appartment, with Brian still in school wondering where we would move. Now I sit in our beautiful new home that is becoming more cozy all the time. Between my dad, Brian and friends we have made some great cosmetic improvements. We love the additional space and having room to have all our friends and family over from time to time. This year we hosted Brian's grad party, Thanksgiving, the Friends Pary, Girls night and Christmas Eve.
Brian finshed school and we found out we were pregnant and welcomed our fourth little boy into our family. The addition has definately kept us all on our toes.
Henry is a trooper and sleeps 9-10 hrs a night and the boys love him. He is growing up so fast and is in the 75th for height and 50th for weight.
Luke is starting preschool in the New Year and thinks he is as big as everyone else.
Jefferson is loving Pre-K, especially recess and his friends.
Benjamin is loving the Wii and is quite a competitive litte soul.
As for me, well right now we go day to day. The laundry has grown exponentially and it is about all I can do to keep everyone in clean clothing and fed. Fortunately, that is about all they need and could care less if the house is clean as long as I play UNO with them! I love my little boys and love being their mother.
We were so blessed this year and can't wait to continue the adventure in 2010.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our family and friends.

Happy Birthday Baby

This little boy turned three last week and I still can't believe he's not my baby anymore. I love my Lukey. He's my buddy when the boys are at school. We were all wrestling in the front room the other day and Brian told everyone to "dog pile mommy", Lukey refused and pulled me out from the bottom of the pile. He and Jeff play so well when Ben is at school and love to pretend. We love listening to Lukey tell stories, he always has something to say in his own little way. He had trouble with "S" blends in his words and it makes for some pretty funny variations. Some of our favorites are:
"Melly Kunk" (smelly skunk)
"Makitos" (mosquitos)
"nake" (snake)
"I'm going to tay in the ban, mommy"
"I'm not ready yep, but" (but, I'm not ready yet)
We love listening to you get older, and love the little man that you are becoming. You make us laugh all the time, and the boys think the best thing about you is that you are funny. Happy birthday Oakes!







We went to a bounce place with Jackson, Lukes favorite friend, dinner with Grandma and Papa, had turtle cupcakes, got a turtle at Toys R Us, daddy took the day off and we played hard. A great birthday for a great little boy.

Friend Festivities

We hosted the annual party this year. Thanks to everyone who came and made the night a great time. We want to see the banana and the kleenex box back next year!

Blessed Day

I used a title from a friends blog because I thought it was so fitting. We blessed little Henry on Sunday and were surrounded by family and friends. Brian did a great job, and lots of our family were there to participate. We missed my dad who was sick and The Virgina and Texas crews. I feel so grateful for my little family and the priesthood that is in my home. Henry is one loved little boy!

My sweet little man, in the blanket Grandma Jones made for him.

She did it again!

My wonderful friend Stacey used her amazing talents yet again and captured some great photos of our growing family. I love the pictures and saved my favorite for the Christmas card. No one likes to be photographed when you've just had a baby, but she made it bearable! There are a lot here and so many more... Thanks again Stacey for all the memories.

The "H-Man" is One Month Old

Henry was a month old this week! I am starting to feel normal again and he is gaining weight, eating and sleeping well. His brothers adore him and I will often find one of them in his room patting his head while he is sleeping. They are so gentle and caring. Henry got his PKU and Luke was with me. He told the tech that Henry wanted to go home as soon as he started to cry. Then Lukes eyes welled up and he told Henry it was going to be okay. We all can't get over Henry's mullet, we think he looks like Kevin Bacon in Footloose.
The days are long and I can't wait for bed each night, but one thing about this being the fourth one is that I know they get big too fast and I will get sleep again one day.

Happy Halloween

We struggled a bit this Halloween getting costumes together, everyone to everything and still enjoying the holiday. I can honestly say I'm am just glad it is all done. I guess I figured I would have more energy AFTER I had the baby, smart I know, so I left a few too many things to the last minute. What was supposed to be the crew from Mario Kart turned out to be a store-bought Mario, a store-bought skeleton, a dinosaur from a few years ago and a baby without a costume! Oh, well the kids could care less and had a blast and I think our pumpkin rocked. On to the rest of the holidays...

Hand-Me-Downs

I love this outfit that we bought for Lukey and it looked so cute on Henry! He is already getting so big.

Big Brothers

I had no idea how the boys would react to having another brother. They sure seemed excited to meet him. Jeff has a confirmed case of the H1N1 or swine flu so we are doing our best to keep contact to a minimum. It will be a while before I post pictures of the boys holding their little brother, but in the meantime here are some brother-bonding moments: The night before I went to the hospital Jeff kept asking to go to bed so it could be the "baby day". When we got ready to go to bed we found him on the rug in the hall. He is sooo happy the baby looks like him and loves to tell everyone.

Because of the "swine flu" the boys couldn't come to the hospital, they were so sad, but were ready to do anything we asked to see the baby when we got home. Even if it meant wearing masks until all the flu symptoms in our house are gone. They are so good about getting the hand sanitizer and masks when Henry wakes up.

They are such big helpers. As soon as I sit down to nurse I have three cups of water beside me. Ben picks out a new outfit for Henry everytime we change his diaper. Jeffey gets him toys when he cries and Lukey takes the diapers to the trash. Let's see how long the novelty lasts, but I'll take it!

Here is the green crib Ben drew for Lukey. I was worried he would be jealous, but he is just happy he isn't the baby anymore and loves to touch Henry's feet and watch me feed him my "tunnels".

Jeffey drew Henry in his crib. He is my "smotherer". He is constantly around the baby and loves to talk to him. He asked me today why Henry was "eating my elbows". We will go over anatomy in a few years, but for now tunnels and elbows work just great!!

Benjamin drew the toy he got for Henry. He also got a new Wii game while mom was in the hospital and the two new additions have made for an exciting weekend for Ben. He is so helpful and big.

Henry in his crib, by Ben.

Henry swaddled, his favorite place to be.

Henry is one lucky boy to have three older brothers that love him. When he cries they all converge with blankets toys and a song, usually "I had a little turtle" to comfort him. It is really rewarding to see all of them start to be friends.

Welcome to the World

Welcome to the world, Baby Henry.

"Fat man in a little coat", or the other way around. Brian getting ready to "assist" in the Operating Room. He always does so well and calms me down when I start to freak out, which I always do! Brian videotaped the event and I can't wait until I can watch it. (I still need a little distance)

The last picture of Henry squished, quite uncomfortably, inside my stomach.

Hanging out with Daddy in the hospital. The cute outfit Aunt Denia bought him, which is already too small.

With Mommy in the hospital room which was our home for four days and nights. We had the best nurses and I enjoyed getting to spend some time with my new son. The boys weren't allowed in so there are no cute family pictures on the hospital bed this time.

In the warmer just after being born.

Everyone has the perfect doctor for them, and this is ours. He has delivered all four boys and is such a great doctor and family friend. We are thrilled he lives in our neighborhood and we can play with his doggies.

Big hands, big feet!