Baseball, cousins and fireworks

We spent the Fourth of July with some of our cousins at the baseball game. It is one of my favorite ways to celebrate this holiday. It doesn't get much more American than baseball, family and food.  I love this picture of my sweet in-laws and their grandchildren.

At the end of the night the roof of the stadium opened and we listened to music and watched a great firework show.

I had fun making my nieces patriotic headbands for the night.

Charlotte looked so sweet in her little t-shirt, jean skirt and bow. I love dressing her up, and then squeezing her.

Cute cross-eyed smile.

Henry loved that Livi could come and be his buddy for the night.

My mom and some of her grand-babies.

Watching the show, again the best little girl. She loved the lights and music.

Watching the game in the box sweet is a nice way to go. We are kind of spoiled now.

I am very grateful to live in this beautiful land and for all the blessings I have in my life. 

Our baby girl

On April 10, 2012 at 9:03am, we welcomed our daughter into our family. She weighed 6lbs, 14 oz and 20 inches long. She was delivered via C-section by Joel Falk, our doctor/neighbor that has delivered all five of our children. It was a scheduled and much anticipated event. I think I worried about her being okay, and was still making her move until the moment my body went numb. After a little suction on her head, she was born. It was a sweet moment that I will always remember. They confirmed that she was actually a girl and that she was perfectly fine and I cried when I saw her for the first time. It was a surreal feeling to have a daughter and to add another sweet spirit into our home. She looked nothing like I had envisioned. She has petite, feminine features and is defiantly a little lady.

Papa was home from up north and my parents welcomed their eighth grandchild. Brian's parents also came and were happy to meet their thirtieth grandchild.

The sweet nurse found a purple bow and "glued" it to her head. I waited a long time to put a bow on my baby's head.

39 weeks

Here I am at 39 weeks pregnant with our sweet little girl. I was the "smallest", if you can call 40lbs heavier than I usually am small, than I have been with the boys. They think she was breech and her head resided somewhere up in my ribs the whole time. This was a great pregnancy and I felt really good right to the end. I had trouble sleeping and my feet and hands got a little swollen and I had to take my ring off. I enjoyed feeling her move even until a few minutes before she was born. I feel so blessed to be able to have had this experience five times in my life. I am so glad my body worked how it needed to and that she got to "cook" until she was done. We love our doctor and are grateful for all the skilled doctors and nurses that helped us have the wonderful family that we have.

33 weeks with baby girl Jones.

Easter Sunday

We had a pretty low key Easter. Unlike other years, we didn't host dinner at my house for tons of people and there were no coordinating outfits. I love that this is the Easter picture for our family. Daddy slept in and the boys followed clues to find their basket full of goodies in their sister's crib. With two days till baby, Mom was kind of tired and Henry had a bit of a cold. We ate dinner with Grandma and Papa Tosczak and finished off the day with an egg hunt at Uncle Darrell and Aunt Aubrey's house with cousins. It was a wonderful day with our crew and a peaceful way to remember the significance of this special Sabbath. The boys are starting to understand the concept of the Resurrection a little more each year and were so happy with their treats and being with each other. Life is so good and we are very blessed and happy.

Last weeks as the baby!

Whenever we bring a new baby home from the hospital, the last little one always seems so big to me. I spent the last few weeks before the baby came soaking up every bit of Baby Henry that I could. He is about the cutest little thing right now and I am amazed with all that he can say. He loves to sing songs and his nursery teachers always tell me how much of a participator he is. I attribute a lot of his speech abilities to hanging out with his sister/cousin Olivia. The two of them are constantly babbling and are very polite tiny humans. They both love to be in the water, whether it is the pool or the bath. I think a large part has to do with being naked. What baby doesn't love being naked?!

No one can get messier faster than H. 

Having fun at the park with our friends. Three weeks ago we were wearing coats. Today it is 104 outside!

Love this awesomeness.

Payche loves to read and read and read. He will sit with anyone willing to tell him a story or read him a book. "Dinosaurs Love Underpants" and the Elmo counting book are favorites. Henry also loves anything green, even if it is his sister's hairbows, loves cheese and candy and is starting to pottytrain.

He was very interested in the baby coming and would stuff her swing with stories, blankets and stuffed animals. He continues to be a big helper, and is very independent, insisting on doing everything themselves.

Riding his scooter, wearing underwear and a helmet. Love this little man!!

Henry loves his grandmas. Grandma Jones is always willing to read to him and he will bring her story after story. I have loved having Henry as my baby for the last two and a half years. He is very ready to be a big brother and is growing up so fast. He loves to cuddle with me and I love it too! He is always ready with a hug and kiss, please and thank you and a love you. I'm glad that even though he no longer looks like a baby, those things haven't changed. We love you Henry boy.

Spring break

We had so much fun just hanging out this spring break. The boys were happy to have each other to play with everyday and we had a few outings to stay busy and enjoy the wonderful Arizona spring weather. We started the two weeks with a lazy morning, park day and lunch. We were home in time for nap time and relaxed. That week was Benjamin's birthday and Brian took the day off to play with the boys. Then on Thursday we ventured to the Zoo. We had a wonderful time with friends and the boys loved it! We always take a picture by the monkey exhibit to show how big our monkeys are this visit.

We love these two families and love to hang out with Daddy's buddy's kiddos. Kim, Alyssa and I are all expecting and it is fun to hang around with my friends for a day in a kid-friendly place. I am so happy that Brian's friends married such great girls.

These boys had a lot of fun just being brothers for two weeks. They ate outside, played video games, built forts, constructed cities out of Legos and train tracks and jumped on the trampoline. The older boys were great with Henry and let me sleep in most mornings. It was a joy having them all home and a lot more relaxing than I had originally thought. Not having to pack lunches and letting Henry finish his nap everyday made it Spring Break for Mom too!

Ben wanted my camera at the zoo and suprise, suprise, he loved taking pictures of all things creepy and crawly!

What a wonderful two weeks with my boys before their sister is born. With Ben's birthday, baptism and Brian's birthday we were busy every weekend too! The two weeks flew by and I can't believe we only have two more before we are a family of seven. I love these little men and how fun they are getting to be around as they get older. Now back to schedules and work to finish the school year. It's going to be a challenging eight weeks with a new baby, but I'm sure with the help of family and friends we will make it. Take a deep breath..here we go!

It's Great To Be Eight

Brian baptized Benjamin Saturday, March 17th at our stake center. Ben's uncle Randall was the presiding member of the Stake Presidency. Grandma Jones gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, Grandma Tosczak said the closing prayer, Aunt Colene led the music and Avery sang "I Know My Savoir Loves Me". Uncle Darrell and Uncle Justin were the witnesses and Brian performed the confirmation with Ben's uncles and Grandpa Jones in the circle.

Aunt Aubrey was thoughtful and remembered to get pictures for us. I love this one! It was such a simple, special day. Daddy and Ben talked about the ordinance, and practiced so Ben knew just what to expect. Benjamin was very excited and calm about the day. He is such a sweet little man and a wonderful example to his younger brothers, and soon to be sister. When Brian and Ben got back from getting changed, Henry asked: "You baptized now, Ben?".

Ben got a suit for the occasion. In true Ben style, he plays it cool, but I think he felt pretty special going up to shake the bishop's hand when he got welcomed into the ward.

I can't believe how big and grown up my tiny baby Benjamin has become. I love this boy with all my heart and I'm so glad he came to our family as our oldest son. It is an honor to be his mom.

Daddy's Thoughts:

Saturday was a big day for our Benjamin. The night before, we spent time practicing how to get baptized. You did great and were prepared when the time came. You had several friends that attended including Hallie Walker, Weston Thomas, Britton Platt, and Hyrum Hendrickson. Benjamin your mother and I have always considered it to be a privilege to be your parents. You set a great example as an older brother and are a good friend to others. Baptism is the first of many covenants that you will make with your Heavenly Father. I challenge you to live your life in a way so that you are prepared to make further covenants with Him at the times you are supposed to during your life. We love you very much and are glad you are in our family.