After a long Hiatus

I'm back! I've been such a scrooge about posting since we have been sans pictures. A family blog should never be without photos!! So, we went and purchased a new camera this week (finally!!!) and are back in business!!

But before I get to the fabulous pictures I have been taking this week ( I have totally gone picture crazy since I have been missing my camera these past two months!) let me post about the wonderful and fantastic Jessica Hughes!! I am in LOVE with her and her work! Look at the fantastic photographs she took of my children:

BTW: Baby Logan is present in these photos, too. I did not go out and find a three month old. I'm done in that area!!

Logan Scott

Logan Scott

Born September 23, 2009

6:05 p.m.

6 lbs. 14 oz.

19 1/2 inches long

The waiting game

Just sitting here and waiting.

Waiting for the phone to ring.

Megan went into the hospital at 2:00 this afternoon.

Maybe sometime soon she'll have a baby.

Yup. Just waiting.

Wooah!

So, we went to Ikea last night.

Just to get out.

Buddy had to use the little men's room.

(Tangent: I totally am still paranoid about him going to the restroom on his own. He still comes into the women's restroom with me. He hates it but I don't care!!)

Anyho....they had a family restroom there. Yay!

IT WAS THE COOLEST!!!!

There was a big plush comfy chair for a tired mom to sit in while the kiddo uses the potty. Ingenious.

SOS Summer

Going in line with my Pay It Forward Friday I am participating in the SOS Summer of Service plan sponsored by Mom It Forward. This week's focus is on the family.




Honestly, the best way to improve our society (and BOY does it need improvement!) is by increasing positive family relationships. I cannot tell you how many families I have worked with that are in total disarray. And the problems from one dysfunctional family have long reaching and long lasting devastating consequences.

But the same is true for strong families. I can quickly name several families that I respected as I grew up. They had trust, love, compassion, and fun! I look around me and see many now. I am thankful for all these great examples as I aspire to become one!

My question for you today: what is your family strength? Ours: Dan and I are a team. We support each other 100%, especially in front of the kiddos. I don't believe they have ever heard us say a disparaging remark to one another, let alone fight.

Let's focus on making our families great!

Be honest.

I was totally going to blog about the wonderful field trip I went on with Buddy and his school today. Then all craziness broke out here.

So, instead, I'm going to complain about being a mom.

Because, it is hard.

And I don't like hard things.

This week, I have honestly been disliking this particular job I signed up for 5 years ago. Why? Who knows. Maybe it is the fact that Dan has been pretty absentee lately with the whole basement being finished thing. I spend all day and all night every day and every night by my little lonesome then head to the basement to work. Props to all you single moms out there!

Anyho, I just want to go skinny dipping in a lake by myself right now. It would be cold but also completely reminiscent of college days past. I used to be crazy like that. Now I am a whiny mom.

Fess up, ya'all! Have you ever had times like this? If you say no, you are either a killer mom (call me if you want two more [I'm keeping Champers cuz he is in the adorable, cute, and easy stage]) or you are a liar, liar pants on fire.

Finally!

Yes, ladies and fine gents, the results are in. Megan is having a boy!!! Logan Banner is expected to arrive a week early, as well. Look for pictures of the little fellow in mid September!

Random pics of family schtuff

So, my camera died before my sister's wedding two weeks ago, but I have some "before" pics:

Alora practicing being a flower girl.

(She did NOT want to wear her "princess" dress because she wanted to wear pink. Hence a compromise!)

Mom and Sister. You might have to turn your head a bit. Sorry!
The Orme Sisters who are no longer Ormes:
(Note the dress!!!)

Debonaire:

Aiden is just so darling in the tub. He loves to swim. He never smiles for cameras, though.

We had a visitor Friday Night. He left all sorts of fun and yummy things hidden in the house!

The trail of jelly beans that silly bunny left!

This pic is out of order, it should go down below. Oh, well!

Grayson on an easter egg hunt at the Orme's house.

Jamie: Note the arm!!! It does make a huge difference!!!!! (My cousin discovered that placing arm on hip as I am demonstrating here makes you look better in pictures!)Phil and Dan before the dunking begins. What a great weekend to get baptized! Way to go Phil!! (BTW, Phil is my new bro-in-law)

Before 9:00 a.m. What smart children I have! They went straight for the good stuff.

Geez, all these pics are out of order! Anyway, more candy! Yum yum.

Easter egg hunt continued!

Finally, here was our Easter Morning. Yup. This picture says it all. It was sad and cranky.

The best I could get (Grayson refused to participate):

Bliss

This morning we awoke to children playing with one another.
Ahhhhh, happiness means we don't have to get up yet.
After keeping one another happy for one hour (yes, one hour! Heaven.).....

Three happy children in bed with us.

One under the covers at our feet looking for the hidden blankie.
One excitedly grabbing handfuls of Mom's hair and teeth.
One learning naughty Great Grandpa Woodward poems.

This is true motherhood. This is bliss.

Questions

Oh, the joy of motherhood! The constant wonderings, deliberating, confusion. Here are my current musings:

1. How do I know when I should stop giving Aiden a bottle before bedtime?
2. How can I get Grayson to tell the truth?
3. Why is Alora hitting everyone all of a sudden?
4. When is Grayson old enough to use the men's restroom?
5. How do I keep Aiden's socks on?
6. How do Grayson and Alora understand one another so well?
7. When will Aiden's hair grow in? And what color will it be?
8. How does he smell SOO bad?
9. How much TV is too much?
10. Is making Alora take at least one bite okay?
11. Is it wrong for me to enjoy my ice cream in front of Alora because she did not take her one bite?
12. Will Grayson EVER get over his cough.....That is one question I do know the answer for and it is no! Poor kid.
13. Will my children be happy adults? Do I demand too much? Too little? Will they ever realize how much I love them?

The reasons that make Christmas so Wonderful!

The man I LOVE!

Dan and I
Sorry its blurry!
Pouting for picture time. What a man!

It is a TIME for HAPPINESS

Kim (sister in law) and Alice (mother in law)

Grayson loves Scooby Doo! Again, sorry for the blurriness. Aiden was helping me.

Aiden always brings happiness with his yummy kisses for Grandma Orme.

Who wouldn't be happy holding their baby? I love him so much!

Alora loved her medical kit for her dolls!

Being surrounded with PEOPLE I LOVE

Megan, Myself, Mom

Nichole and Aiden

Dallin, Jaycie, Kylie

Grandpa Woodward, Grayson, Lyndsay

Alicia, Jaycie, Me

And the best reason of all: He who makes it all possible.

I love Him.

Wheh!

Well, I have GOBS to catch up on! Here is a photo recap of the past two weeks:

We had a fantastic time with the U of U game...sorry Mom and Dad for losing!!!

mOm Of tHe DaY AwArd: aLoRa DiD mY hAiR!

(I let her do it and I kept it that way...all day....I looked HIDEOUS)

Houses, Houses, Houses, and MORE Houses. Will it EVER END??????

What is Thanksgiving without Woodward Turkeys? Alicia, Aiden; Grayson & Turkey; Alora, Blake, Ellie Finally, a picture of Aiden and Grandma Orme!!! uNcLe BrYaN aNd mE!

Happy Upcoming Holidays to All!!!