Week ending 3-17-19

This was an ok week. We had a lot of appointments and things going on at the beginning of the week and then was dull at the end of the week. But we tried to maintain a good balance of school, chores, playing, I went walking with a friend one day and to the temple another day and talked to another friend for a long time another day. My sister-in-law came over one day. We went to the library pajama story time when all the older kids were at youth activities. We also went to a puppet show. We were unsuccessful at getting a tire fixed. We got some sun and some snow. Nathan got to attend a work conference Friday and Saturday which was a welcome break from his usual 14 hour days in his little office.

Last Sunday: Kylie was home and able to help get kids ready for church. 

After church my brother and his family came over for dinner. Alexis loved holding their baby and trying to get him to smile. 

I think Kaitlyn took all these of us hanging around. 

Me, Tami, and Brady 

Tuesday: I think Lexi kidnapped my phone this night and took a bunch of pictures of Talea being cute and silly. She and Madalyn were getting her to make all kinds of funny faces. 

Tuesday I had worn short sleeves on a walk with my friend and we played outside all afternoon. Wednesday we woke up to 3" of snow and eventually got 7" by the end of the day. 

The kids had sat here doing their schoolwork in the sun the day before. 

Whenever I get on my exercise bike Talea will get this picture off my desk and point to everyone over and over and get me to say all their names. One of these days it will be nice to exercise without her hanging out with me and I can actually read, but I know I'll miss her little chatter so I took these pictures to remember these moments by.

Madalyn 

Thomas 

Kylie 

Wednesday: We dropped Madalyn off at the train to go spend time with Nathan's sister. 

Thursday: A bored day so we invited Tilly's friend, Ruth over. Kaitlyn took a whole bunch of pictures of them. 

Samuel's therapist, Tom, playing with him. 

The chairs the 2nd day with some of the snow melted. 

Friday night Alexis was at Aunt Sara's too (with Maddie and Kylie) so we facetimed to say good-night. Andy won't go to bed without Alexis singing 4-6 songs to him and tucking him in, but facetiming always helps him feel better when she's gone. (As long as she's with Kylie, who has the phone. :)) 

Saturday: Nathan left for his conference at 7:30am, Spencer went to a choir performance at the U from 7:30-4:30 and the 3 oldest girls were gone. So I took the 6 little kids to try to get the van tire fixed (need to go back a different day) and a puppet show. Samuel got picked to help and he loved that. 

He was the last "green speckled frog" to hop into the water. 

Week ending 3-10-19

We had a pretty laid-back week. Nathan worked till past 11pm every night. I homeschooled and mostly stayed home. The little kids never left the house all week. But we kept busy with the usual routine of in home autism therapy for Samuel 4 days a week, homeschooling, lunch, more school, naptime (my walking time), play, dinner at 5, scriptures and bedtime afterward, then hanging out with my older kids till 11pm. As for the weather, most days were rainy or snowy and cold.

Last Sunday: I took Talea to nursery and really enjoyed all these precious toddlers. Most Sundays she sleeps on me because we have the unfortunate circumstance of having naptime church two years in a row, so she probably won't go much until she's 2. But this Sunday the kids were adorable. 

I like the kid sitting on the other kid while another one is gleefully enjoying the bubbles. 

Random after church picture Kaitlyn took. 

Monday: Saying the opening prayer for FHE. 

Tuesday: Snuggling during school. Tilly usually hangs out with us, scribbling in her notebook and participating as much as she can. Or else she snuggles.

She climbed on the counter and did the cutest dance. 

Makenna and Kaitlyn made fairy wings. 

Madalyn applied to BYU-I on Monday and got accepted Tuesday! Last fall she only applied to Provo because she didn't want to go to Idaho. Since she's so young she was scared to leave home at all but was fine with either Provo or BYU-SLCenter (and live at home.) She found out a couple of weeks ago that she didn't get into Provo so we're now reconsidering Idaho. She applied on Monday and the little kids and I got a surprise party ready for her when she returned from YW Tuesday night. 

Makenna made a treat, then read to the little kids so I could make a treat, then I put Andy to bed, made a card, Kaitlyn came home from A.D., we made popcorn, and turned out the lights just as Madalyn and Alexis were pulling up. (The boys rode with their leader and came home later.) We made all of Maddie's favorites and I think she really appreciated it. We're proud of her!! Whatever she decides to do I know she'll excel and love it! 

Watching a Duggar movie. 

Wednesday: Talea is always randomly cleaning something and when Andy saw her cleaning the fridge he joined her. They cleaned for 30 minutes and had a great time. 

Kait taking pictures of the wings she made Tilly. 

She used a lot of cardstock and a lot of masking tape and then the glue gun to attach rubber band straps, but they all turned out great. She's super creative and does these projects without me even knowing. 

Jumping on the tramp in the sleet. 

Talea insisting she and Andy both ride in there but then being so frustrated that they don't fit. It was hilarious. 

Squish in! 

Friday: Huge snowflakes! 

I love walking through the dining room and seeing all these huge snowflakes out the windows. 

They're hard to see, but it was so beautiful. We love the huge flakes.

Another doll birthday. :) Alexis was saying if we celebrate every family member's birthday and half birthday and apostles birthday and half birthday and now doll birthdays and half birthdays, we're going to be doing a lot of celebrating! 

Saturday: playing with bikes in the house again.