Sunday, November 20, 2011

Grandmas, Grandpas, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles

We enjoyed a great trip to Utah a few weeks ago. Bryan's lovely niece Ashley got married and we thought it would be the perfect time to head up and eat some cake before REAL cold weather set in.

AND so, without further ado, here's a gigantic splattering of photos in no particular order (cuz I just spent WAAAY too long editing them and I'm getting sick of staring at the computer) :



The older Webb cousins: Hyrum, Ella, Jack, and Isaac

My sis Amy is so sweet- even though she's due any time now she's always thinking of everyone besides herself.  Here she is helping me out by feeding Delia. 

DD getting a ride on Grandpa Trump's lawnmower.


Delia and Ella

Uncle Golden and DD

Grandpa and DD (the girl gets lots of snuggles)

When we get-together in my family the girls tend to congregate in the kitchen (the men are probably off watching sports or reading the newspaper) 


Two cute little girly-girls, Annie and Ivy

Ivy, Grandma, DD, and Hyrum.

Ivy and Avery.

Ivy, Brookie, and Hyrum
At the wedding


Juliet, Bry, and DD

I couldn't just pick one of the next photo.  Each has such cute little faces in it:  (they're kind of weirdly squished, I don't know why)





Jack, Isaac, Annie, Ivy, Hyrum, James, Junah, Delia, and Ella

Another fun ride.

Gathering leaves at Grandma Trumps




AND last but not least, it's Uncle Zack building an airplane or jet or something with Hyrum!
It was so wonderful to visit with our dear family again.  We will never forget the kind hearts who shared their homes, vehicles, food, time, babysitting talents, hugs, support, and love.  It was so hard to leave them with new babies coming (NOT MINE), Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, lots of birthdays to celebrate, and so many other seemingly inconsequential milestones and memories that we'll miss out on... I guess it's nice that we came back to 80 degree weather in Texas.  It's hard to feel down with warm weather and sunshine!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Low-Key Halloween

I haven't forgotten about you my dear, dear blog. You were in my thoughts everyday. I'm finally not feeling completely zombieish anymore. Because of many sleepless nights, a vacation, and lots and lots of sickness the blog has taken a back seat. I have missed writing about our silly little lives and keeping updated on everyone else's!

Delia had a super hard October with needle-like protuberances ripping through her gums all day and night ("teething" just doesn't do this EVIL stage of life justice). Our darling, happy-go-lucky baby has turned into a grumpy monster!!!!

I was talking to my friend about our difficulties and she sent me this PERFECT quote:

In the church news today, they quoted Elder Holland about the seasons of life a woman goes through. I thought you might relate at this time in your life. I sure remember feeling this way.

"The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife--or both--may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband's bread-winning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs--Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island...Even so, young mothers will still find magnificent ways to serve faithfully in the Church, even as others serve and strengthen them and their families in like manner. Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones."

THANK YOU ELDER HOLLAND (and Stephanie)!!!! It's amazing how just sending along a simple quote can give so much comfort!  The most difficult moments I've had as a mom have been during sleep deprivation- BY FAR. I'm grumpy, I don't eat healthy, I don't exercise... I pretty much stop taking care of myself and just survive, it's miserable (I'm not sure why this happens, maybe some sleep expert can tell me).

So... on to the actual topic of this post:  I usually make a big deal about Halloween and have costumes planned and made months in advance, activites and crafts prepared ... not so much this year. It still ended up being a fun holiday and I don't think the kids noticed things weren't planned or prepared!

We had a great time at the Ward Festival.
 (Dee Dee was too sad to party, so Bry stayed home with her)
Here the kids are eating a healthy dinner of rolls and Root Beer.

I always think such a well-rounded meal should end with a cupcake.
(Does anyone else think there's too much junk-food at stuff like this?)

Besides candy, cupcakes, and doughnuts the kids got lots of fun little toys and stickers at the carnival.
The best prize of the evening were super cool balloon shapes
(Hyrum's is a light saber of course!)

Ivy chose a fairy wand which almost survived the whole night. 

Carving Jack-O-Lanterns is always the funnest Halloween activity (not so much the clean up)


On the actual night we tried to have a quick dinner and get homework done, but the kids were too excited to Trick-or-Treat... we figured it wasn't a battle worth fighting. 

Poor Dee Dee couldn't walk in her bumble bee costume, but she sure looked adorable!


She didn't quite get the Trick-or-Treating thing this year (it wasn't expected that she would).  She just wanted to sit and eat the treat the FIRST house gave her.  Why would she put it in a bucket?  Why would she walk up to complete strangers when she already had a piece of candy?  It was so fun to see her confusion and frustration.


Ivy decided to go as a fairy/princess/ballerina. 
We love how she poses for pictures now.


Hyrum chose to wear his Spiderman pjs (could it be any easier?). 
He refused any make-up on his face, but I couldn't complain! 


We have a SUPER fun neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating now.  Everyone goes all out with decorations and music.  The festivites even ended early since it was a school night.  It ended up being a fun weekend of celebration!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ivy the Hairdresser

Ivy is obsessed with hair lately.  Anything with hair that will hold still long enough for her to wrap an elastic around a few strands is at risk.  This is one of her creations:


She's not a gentle, or tidy hairdresser, but she's already better than her dad:)

Pumpkin Patch

This year we decided to tag along with Hyrum's class when they went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch in our area.  It was a fun little day trip. The kids loved feeding the farm animals and eating a picnic lunch... I love that we were prepared with lots and lots of wipes.

On the itchy, itchy hay ride




Playing with the pumpkins


Here's Hyrum's cute class.  He loves his teacher and classmates.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fun Runnin'

Hyrum's Elementary School's fundraiser this year was called "Boosterthon Fun Run".  It was great to support a cause that encourages an active lifestyle and sportsmanship... instead of junk food...

The gist of the whole thing was: students gathered pledges from friends and family and then ran a certain number of laps around a field on the actual day.


  

The recommended number of laps were 25-35 and Hyrum did 43!  It was crazy.  He just kept running and running.  I seriously couldn't believe it.  We've never considered him athletic- until now.  I guess I shouldn't really be surprised.  Both his Grandpas were amazing distance runners and Bryan is crazy fast too.  It was so great to see him do so well, but the best part was his attitude.  He just kept smiling as he ran, even though there were plenty of bigger and pushier kids sprinting past (and then walking the rest of the time). I can tell you it was a proud mama moment.

(Be patient with this movie, there are only a few quick glimpses of our sweet boy:)



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Autumn Time

Even though it still feels pretty Summery here, I still can't help eagerly decorating and celebrating the actual season.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Autumn!



When the calendar FINALLY reads "Autumn Equinox" we dig out the dusty boxes and explore their contents, discovering so many fun decorations, games, and costumes- completely forgotten all winter, spring, and summer. 

Some of my favorite surprises are the fall-themed books we stow-away all year. 

Here's some of our favorites:





This is better for older kids (6 and up)

Also 6 and up

A little scary

Beautifully explains why we celebrate Thanksgiving

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Dee Dee's Daily Fiber

Yep, that's sand all over her face and you can bet it's in her mouth.  I would have never DREAMED of letting Hyrum and Ivy put sand in their mouths, but Delia eats it by the handful.  Welcome to having three kids...