Week ending 4-15-18

This week we had a stomach bug go around our house. All 10 children and Nathan got it and I lived to take care of them and do 10 loads of laundry. :) I think stomach bugs are kinda fun to watch and see who drops next; watch it spread through the family. Talea actually started it. Where she got it, I don't know. She threw up Saturday morning so she could have gotten it from Whole Foods, where we went on Thursday, or the library where we went Tuesday night. Those are the only places I remember going that week. Alexis was next to get sick on Sunday morning, then Anderson Sunday night. Samuel, Thomas, and Kaitlyn got it Monday night. Kylie was sick on Tuesday and Spencer Tuesday night. I thought we might be done with only 2 kids left to get it but they finally came down with it Thursday night and Friday morning, along with Nathan. It was really quick, luckily, and kids were feeling better in no time. 

Wednesday: Kaitlyn wanted a photo shoot to make baptismal invites. She wasn't feeling 100% yet and in some of the pics her eyes look a little sick. Also, Madalyn could have done a better job than me but she was out dress shopping with Kylie and we wanted to take the pictures while it was in the 70's as a cold front was coming through and the next day was in the 30's.

I can't believe my Kait the Great turned eight and is getting baptized! Her baptism will be a stake baptism on May 5. 

Thursday: I told Kylie it's time to start packing for college and she could start with the craft area. Then if she found stuff she wasn't ready to part with she'd have time to make a craft with it. This is her yarn area. It's been fun having it here (in our downstairs kitchen) but she hasn't been doing as much crocheting as she used to, so it's probably time to pack it up or give it away so that we can put other craft supplies there.

Cleaning out the craft and game cupboards. 

It looks great now, but I guess we forgot to take the after picture.

Our extra supply of food containers under the downstairs sink. 

Friday: We woke up to 1/2" of snow. It was Kaitlyn's birthday and she was pretty bummed as she was hoping for a warm, sunny day. I thought the view out my bathroom window was gorgeous though. 

I loved the different colors: dark green, pink, white, and lime green. 

Kaitlyn's birthday breakfast. 

29 milk lids!! 

Friday night Nathan's mom and cousin Millie came over to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday. We had stuffed shells for dinner and made fudge for her cake. 

Lighting her candles. 

She had fun lighting them herself. 

A new set of scriptures with her name on them! 

Nathan's cousin, Millie, one of Kait's favorite people. 

Sunday: Kaitlyn's hairdo today. 

Week ending 4-8-18

Tuesday: Makenna washing dishes after hers and Kaitlyn's tea party while the older kids were serving at the Jordan River temple open house from 7-2. 

Thursday: Hanging around, enjoying our spring break. Kylie and Madalyn went to Aunt Sara's from Tuesday through Thursday. The rest of us got some projects done around the house, played outside, went through clothes, played games, and read a lot of books. 

Kait and Kenna making cards for a new board game. 

Spencer reading aloud to Thomas. 

Samuel on the flashrider. 

Anderson playing basketball. 

And then to prevent boredom, they stacked milklids. :) Actually, it started when one day Madalyn stacked 2 and said it could be a leaning tower of Pisa. So then Alexis started collecting milk lids and is trying to break a world record of stacking milk lids (even though there isn't one). This picture they got 18! 

And now 20!! 

24!! 

25! Don't let it fall, Andy! 

26! 

And that is the most they got because they ran out of milk lids. :) Since then we've collected a few more, so they'll have to try again this week. Haha. The things that entertain children. :) 

Friday: Our newest cousin, baby David Hyrum. 

Katie and Devon and their 2 little boys spent the day with us and we really enjoyed their company, especially as it was a blah, rainy day. 

Devon tuned our piano and fixed the damper pedal which has been broken since we got it 3 years ago. 

Kaitlyn with sweet Baby David.

Week ending 4-1-18

We had a good, relaxing week. We had spring break from homeschool. We were planning to go places like the Jordan River Temple open house (we have spring break different from schools so we can avoid the crowds), but Madalyn was sick the whole week so we just hung out at home. We did a few organizing projects and played outside a lot. 

Andy was throwing a fit so I pulled out the camera and he immediately started laughing. The picture didn't turn out great, but oh well. Spencer is a huge help in distracting Andy, thus calming him down and making him laugh. 

Friday: Nathan's birthday. It's the first time we've had a family dinner since I don't know when, maybe months. He's not home for dinner Monday through Saturday and on Sundays I feed the kids not in choir as soon as we get home from church and Nathan and the choir kids eat when they get home an hour later. Anyway, we had a nice chicken and rice dinner with angel food cake for dessert. 

Opening presents 

Saturday morning: Hanging out waiting to go downstairs to see if the Easter Bunny came. 

The procession downstairs. 

I love watching all my kids find candy. Our first Easter with 10 children and Kylie's last before she goes off to college, although I imagine she'll come home for holidays like Easter since we're so close. 

Dumping out the loot. 

Easter bunny cinnamon rolls. I've been trying to eat lots healthier but the kids wouldn't let me skip the traditional Easter breakfast. At least they're 100% whole wheat. :) 

Sunday: Thomas had an infected toe nail and took the usual picture to send to Aunt Lori. :) 

Lots of conference bingo spread out. :) We had a great conference weekend. 

I think this picture is super cute for a random picture. 

The little boys happily played for a long time. 

Kylie made a hummingbird cake since she saw it on an Easter pinterest page. We'd never heard of it and I didn't try it, but others said it was good. I know it was a lot of work and it turned out perfect. 

I wish I'd gotten pictures of dinner because Sara and Morgan stopped by last minute and ate with us, which was a lot of fun. Everyone helped make it too, which was also fun. 

After Sara and Morgan left some of us went for a walk. Kylie said Talea had the easiest life. :) 

It was a gorgeous night with lots of daffodils blooming and popcorn trees just coming out. 

Alexis found the tiniest pine cones. 

And Kaitlyn found other pretty nature items.