Introducing Shelby Claire

And you wonder why I haven't posted in a while...

Our new baby girl was born on Nov. 30th. She was due on Dec. 8th, so I was totally unprepared. My water broke about 2 am on the 30th and she was born at 6:04 am. She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz...my smallest baby... and was 19 1/2 inches long.

This first week has gone by quickly. Her brother and sisters are totally in love with her. I feel bad for Madison and Jake though, Madi has a cough and Jake has a cough and runny nose, so their love (especially Jake's) can only be expressed trough kisses to the back of her head. He is not to happy, but I am sure once he gets healthy again, he will enjoy his "face" time again!

We are all doing good. Kind of hard adjusting again to an infant, but we've done it 3 times, so this 4th time should be a breeze... right?

Rachel turned 8...it was GREAT!

Well I am officially getting old! Rachel was baptized at the beginning of March. We had to have a "cattle call" baptism. I was worried that it wouldn't be personal, because all the kids in the stake had to be baptized at the same time. It turned out nice. There were 3 children baptized that day. Two were from our ward. It was nice. I would have enjoyed it better if she was alone, but c'est la vie. My mom and grandma came from Michigan for the week, so we had a nice visit with them as well. I cannot believe that my Rachel is 8. I cannot imagine how fast the next 8 will go. And then she will be DRIVING! Time flies!

A New Occupation

So, this morning, Jake and I were watching Hip Hop Harry and they were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up. I turned to Jake and asked him what he wanted to be. I thought he said teacher because that is what the little boy on TV had just said. He said, "No Mommy....TIGGER!" I then asked him what he liked that Tigger did. He said he liked that he jumps!


The funny thing is that we have only watched Tigger and Pooh a few times on Disney. He was Tigger for Halloween. He will look kinda funny in it when he's 30!

Happy Valentimes Day

Happy Valentines Day to everyone!

I liked Valentines Day as a kid, but I love it as a mom. My kids have made me sooooo many cards this year. They (especially Madi) are so proud when they give them to me. Earlier this week she was writing Happy ValentiMes Day. I hated to correct her, but then I realized that was how she pronounced it too.

Scott brought me in these beautiful flowers this morning. They were slightly frozen, because he didn't realize that it was going to get so cold last night and left them in the car so they would be a surprise this morning. I think they are going to be just fine.

Here's the kids, just hanging around (corny I know) on Valentines Day. --- Thanks Mom Mom for the red valentine shirts!!!!

An update...WHAT????

What? It's February already. The time sure does go by quickly! What have we been up to the last 2 months? Christmas was great! Lots of food, fun, and family. January brought Hannah Montana for the girls and I. They loved it. Rachel said the only thing that would have made it better was if they turned the sound down. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the Jonas Brothers more than Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus, but it was a well put together show! I have some video I taped with my new camera Scott bought me for Christmas. I thought I had ruined it, because when I got back to the van to watch some of the video, there was no sound. I thought all the screaming blew the audio on the camera. (The screaming actually made my ears ring - kinda like when the kids have a high pitched squeel in the car...or right next to your ear!) But it worked and we got some fun video memories.

Speaking of screaming at concerts, I was overcome with excitement when I found out that New Kids on the Block were reuniting and touring again. I am SO THERE! I can feel like a teenager again if only for one night.

This month, I hate to think about it to much, but Rachel turns 8 and is going to be baptized. I don't hate to think about her getting baptized, but about how the last 8 years have slipped by and I know the next 8 will probably go by at warp speed. I am excited that my mom and grandma are coming down for the baptism. It's too bad it will be the "cattle call" type, but I guess I have to be grown up about it and deal! Not that I will like it though!

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentines. Any suggestions on a fun Valentines dinner for kids? I was thinking about making heart pancakes and eggs tinted red/pink? Not quite sure though.