Zoo day!

We have annual passes to the zoo..so one day we decided to squeeze a trip in before it got too cold.  

We brought along some new friends we have made. 

We love this family and have so much fun with them!

Kristen and I thought we would be so smart and go on a Monday while school was in...that way it wouldn't be too crazy. hahaha...little did we know it was the last day of fall break for Salt Lake. Oh well..we still had a blast, crowds and all!

The kiddos.  The boys get along with C & M so well!

I love this shot of the kiddos watching the baby elephant:

Ryder only asked to see one animal: a BABY giraffe. I'm SO glad we had one to visit!!!

The polar bear was definitely the highlight! She kept swimming and doing a flip and then jumping up in front of the window. The kids loved her!

It was quite the adventure doing the zoo with these four kiddos by myself. I'm so glad Kristen was willing to come, we had a blast!

Callen: 5 months

 Stats

Height: 26.5 inches

Weight:  16 lbs

I just adore this age. Callen is so alert and loves his family. He watches everyone constantly and gives us huge grins when we talk to him, tickle him, and play with him.

He rolled over for the first time!  Now, the minute he is placed on his back he rolls over to his tummy!  He can't quite figure out how flip over to his back, but he'll get there. He doesn't love being on his tummy and definitely lets us know. :)
He also sucks on his bottom lip a lot. It is sooo darling!
He reaches for things constantly and is getting pretty good at grabbing EVERYTHING. He especially likes holding on to mommy's hair.

His favorite toys are the books that have the crinkle noise stuff inside. He plays with those a LOT and kind of grabs the other toys and shakes them until he drops them.
Still thinks his toes are awesome.
Sucks on his fingers.
He's taking bottles of pumped milk! Which is a pretty big deal because we're going to be apart for an entire day. Oh man, I don't know if I can handle it!

He is developing a little fear of strangers. We knew he was a home-body because of the trip to MO, but we didn't know that extended to new people as well. He's the sweetest, gentlest, happiest little guy, for us. He doesn't really like being held by anyone else. That's okay, we are so happy to hold him all the time!!
We've been working on a nap schedule.  It's going okay. 4th babies just have to adapt, I guess. Between kindergarten, preschool, play dates, and grocery trips things are kind of crazy during the day. But we're working on it and trying to be home at nap times as much as possible.
He's an A+ sleeper at nights,though. I scooted his bedtime up to 8:30. We'll do that for another little bit and then move it up to 8 after that. So far, so good.
He discovered his voice even more!  He loves to talk back and forth with us and have conversations. It is awesome.

Dear Callen,

Little boy, can I just tell you that I am even more in love with you today than the day I brought you home? It's true. We all are.  When you talk to us, you make us each feel like we are the most important person in your life. And you are that important to us.  

I love that when I reach for you, your eyes light up, you smile and wiggle your little body in anticipation of our hug.  My arms wrap around you and you immediately find your spot between my neck and shoulder. You nuzzle your head in and curve your body to fit just right. And then we both just laugh and smile and breath each other in. 

Our family feels right and good and perfect in every way possible. Because you are here. Your brothers can't get enough of holding you and helping you. They all can't wait to hold you in the morning...and even at the end of the day, just when I think we are all at our grumpiest, I call out "who wants to hold Callen?!" and they all come running to the couch calling "me, me, me!!" All three of them. You do that. YOU.  They want to be near you and feel of your calm and gentle spirit that tells them of Heaven. 

Thank you for bringing such peace to our home. 

We love you.

Love,

Mom, Dad, and your bros. 

Family Photos Fall 2012

We decided to try out Fotoflyaway this year for family pictures. They did not disappoint!  The photographers who worked with us were absolutely amazing. They were so much fun and were able to get our kids laughing and smiling naturally. It was wonderful. 

We sure love our boys and think these photos captured them perfectly!!

Our sweet Weston...looking so old!  

Funny funny Tave always making us laugh!

 Mischievous Ryder, melt my heart!

Adorable Callen giving us his serious look!

 These boys have my heart.

 Our family of six. 6!  Love them.

I adore this family of mine.

So in love with this man.

We saved our favorite family photo for Christmas cards....so you'll have to wait until then to see it! ;)

September's Everyday Moments

September was an interesting month for us. We are getting used to life in the new home. Even though our friends aren't that far...they are still not a 2 minute walk down the street or to the park. It's been an adjustment. We've had friends over to play, done lots of unpacking and organizing, gotten used to new schools and schedules, had to adjust to daddy being gone again, and spent lots of time with just the 5 of us.

In all of that doing, I haven't taken enough photographs of the every day stuff. This one simple day of bath-time fun is a good way to sum up our September. 

We're having fun:

Love these little men, more than I could ever say.

Welcome Fall: Grotto Trail Hike

We went up Payson Canyon to welcome in fall.  It was stunning and the absolute perfect time to go.

We have met some good *friends in our  new ward, and they took us to the perfect spot: Grotto Trail.  

We had so much fun with them...it was a fabulous morning hike!

(not edited - gorgeous colors!)

I am sure we have lots more hiking days ahead. Love this family of mine!

Weston, Annie, Emily, & Tave

Ryder doing what he loves:  running (away!)

 I love Amy and her cute girls.  I see lots of fun get-togethers ahead!

 Chad & Amy took us to a look out a few miles up the canyon (after the hike).

This is what makes me love where I live. What a beautiful world we get to  live in.

I had to take a few shots of my boys:

 Ryder: dare devil, sweet, crazy, fun, busy, runner

Tave: funny guy, silly, happy, easy-going, energetic

Weston: Sweet, kind, compassionate, caring, loving

A small part of our collection from the hike:

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*It's a small world: Chad was in mine and Jeff's singles ward. I randomly ran into him at the library with his three girls. We talked about where we lived and I mentioned we were moving soon. When I described where, Chad said he thought that was right by his house. Yup, we are now neighbors and I got to meet his wonderful wife. We love this family!

Callen: 4 months

Stats

Weight:  15 lbs 12 oz

 Height:  26.5 inches

This adorable little Callen is just SO fun!!  

He is turning into such a chunk (to us, at least!) and is so squishy and sweet.

He has started grabbing things and holding on...hasn't quite figured out how to let go!

He bats at the toys on his playmat and loves to look at the star that plays music.

He is tracking things with his eyes really well and likes to watch the fish that circle around on his swing.

He loves being held and is such a snuggler. Oh I love when he snuggles into my neck and cuddles there.

He found his toes! He thinks they are the coolest toy ever and grabs them constantly!

He officially gave up the binky and sucks on his fingers...ALL THE TIME! 

He is such a good eater and sure loves his nursing time.

We tried giving him a bottle and he refuses formula. Hates it. I should have tried sooner, but kind of forgot with the business of summer!

He doesn't really like tummy time.

LOVES his brothers and watching them play.

Loves being talked to- he smiles a HUGE, adorable smile the minute anyone gives him some attention:

He is sleeping through the night completely now! He has one final feeding around 8 pm after the other boys are in bed, gets a little one-on-one snuggle/play time with mom & dad and then is put in bed around 9. Then he sleeps until 7 or 7:30. Oh it is WONDERFUL! We are both loving his sleep schedule!

Dear little Callen,

Every day with you is better than the last.

You are so alert and aware now, and love to interact with all of us.

You love watching your brothers and have the best giggle to give us when we play with you.

You are such a special and sweet soul, we are so grateful every single day that you are part of our family.

You are ours and we are yours- you have all of us completely wrapped around your little fingers.

We love you to the moon and back,

Mom, Dad, and the bros.