Change is inevitable

I am going though growing pains with my oldest, Kiley. Not in a bad way, she is just growing way to fast for me. She started kindergarten this past Monday. Well I should say that she went for an hour on Monday and then did her assessment testing for a half an hour on Wednesday and she starts going everyday, starting this coming Monday. So...change number 1: she is a big school girl, excited about the adventure that awaits her and she will do great.
She also started a new dance class tonight and it went really well. She was nervous about going because she didn't know anyone in her class. But did she let that stop her? NO! She came out telling me that she made a new friend. Change number 2: she is growing more and more independent. Which I like, but wasn't it just yesterday that she relied on me for everything?
Change number 3: We were eating dinner tonight and we were talking, enjoying our meal of stuffed zucchini and scalloped squash(zucchini was much better than the scalloped) and corn on the cob (all from our garden. Yeah!) when Kiley says, "I bit down on my teeth hard while eating my corn and it hurts." I look in her mouth and her bottom tooth was bleeding a little. I wiggled it and sure enough she has a loose tooth. Now this was almost more then I could bare. I am excited for her, but couldn't these changes be a little spread out? I mean, I wanted to bawl like a baby when over her loose tooth. However...I kept my self very composed and was excited for her.
I love my little girl. I always tell my kids that they will always be my babies. Does that stop them from growing, no but it does my heart good knowing that they know that mommy loves them and will always think of them as my babies. Kiley is so sweet and loving. She has been such a great help to me with everything. She is thoughtful and kind and loves her family.
(I will post school pictures next week.)

Kade is having a bit of a hard time with her going to kindergarten. He broke down crying last night when Ki asked if it was hard on him having Kiley go. He said (in between sobs), "YES, I won't have anyone to play with." I assured him that I would play with him and Daddy told him that Olivia would as well. I don't think he was in anyway consoled by that. Kiley and Kade are best buds. They play everything together and they love each other a lot. Hopefully, he'll be okay once he starts preschool.
He has also had a major change in his life, or at least is working pretty hard on one. He is working on no longer sucking his thumb. He has done awesome. He started yesterday afternoon and has only sucked it once tonight. He was distraught because he forgot. No worries, he still gets gum in the morning and a toy surprise when he is off it completely. Good job Kade!

Happy Birthday Olivia!!

• Happy Birthday Olivia! You are one!!! I can't believe she is a year old. She turned 1 on August 2nd. She has been such a fun addition to our family. Some things she loves are birds (she can spot them so quick), baths (she can't get enough of the water), her big sister and big brother (absolutely adores them), grapes, being outside (if the door opens she wants out!) and our neighbor Ann (she always wants to go over and see her or goes to her whenever she sees her). I love you Livy!!
  

When it came time to open presents, Olivia didn't want to have to give up her hippo. But once she saw the other kids ripping paper, she was all for it. The kids picked out this doll for her. When you push on the tummy, the doll giggles. Olivia loved it, as you can see. She gave it loves and it was precious! She also got some fun puzzle blocks, a new outfit and a new tub toy.

Kiley and Kade made these cute streamers and waved them while we sang "Happy Birthday." They were as excited about Olivia's birthday as they are for their own.
Olivia of course only wanted to reach out and grab the candle. Kiley and Kade were more than happy to assist her in helping blow out the candle.
Since Olivia can't choose her cake yet, I chose German Chocolate Cake for her. It sounded so good and it turned out to be pretty yummy. The recipe I used for the icing wasn't my favorite. It was runny instead of gooey. Olivia liked it well enough as you can see. These kinds of messes are cute. They're the kind I don't mind!

July 2010 continued

We spent the weekend of the 24th at Ki's parents. It was the Aston family camp, so lots of Ki's aunts, uncles and cousins were there. We camped out in the backyard. I love being able to see the stars and hear all the night sounds (although there were a couple of really loud birds that woke me up both nights). We went fishing Friday. The kids had a good time, but the fish were not biting. Kiley is the only one who caught a fish. She was super excited but it was disappointing for the other kids. We had a hot dog and marshmallow roast that night. It is amazing that the kids weren't sick the next day from all the marshmallows they "cooked" and ate. We had a big family dinner Saturday night. It was so delicious. Sadly I probably gained at least 3 lbs. Sunday, my sister Jamee and I, sang in our brothers ward sacrament meeting. We did a medley of "Come Come Ye Saints." We had dinner afterward. It was fun to spend the day with them and hang out and chat.

July 2010

July was SUPER busy. Olivia and I went to San Diego with my sister, Camille and her family. We went to the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, the beach and Sea World. did really well on the drive. I was pleasantly surprised. She was also really good about being in her stroller for 5 days in a row. It was fun to be with Camille's family, but I missed Ki and the other kids A LOT!! Kiley and Kade spent the week in Idaho with Grandma and Grandpa Aston. They had a great time, but also got homesick. Ki surprised us all with a trampoline when we got home. It has been tons of fun for the kids. Happily they are spending more time outside and less in front of the TV!

Olivia is walking!! She is getting better and better each day. Last Thursday she got up and decided to walk. She would take about four steps and fall down. Yesterday, it was her desired mode of transportation. She falls, but instead of crawling she gets back up and walks again. Her steps are cute and wobbly. It is fun to watch. It's amazing how fast kids progress at things when they decide that it is time to do them. Way to go Liv!

Independence weekend

Our 4th of July weekend was a lot of fun. We kicked it off Friday night with a picnic at the park. The weather was absolutely perfect. The kids played for quite a long time. It was so relaxing and it was great to be together as a family. Kiley and Kade both mastered the rock climbing wall and Olivia loved the swings.
Saturday we did some yard and house work (always a must on the weekend.) That evening we had Emily (Ki's sister) and Jeremy (my brother) and Leslie and their two boys, Will and James, over for a BBQ. After dinner we did some fireworks out on the front lawn. Thanks Aunt Emily for the fun fireworks. Ki took the kids to Hatch park to watch our cities fireworks. Aunt Emily went with them. Olivia was ready for bed, so sadly I had to miss out on the show. I did see three out our window just before I put her down.
Sunday my brother Jeremy blessed his baby, James. We went to church with them and dinner afterward. It is fun to celebrate special occasions as a family. It was fun to visit with all my siblings (minus Derek :0( ). We headed up to my Mom and Dad's that night to stay over.
Monday we woke up early and went to the Lewiston parade. I love parades. I think they are so fun. The kids scored on candy. Which isn't really that great because then they just eat sugar all day. Anyway...after the parade we walked around the booths at the park and then went back to Mom's and had lunch. We did a hike and played in the water and slip n' slide. We BBQ'd that night. I love being with family. The kids have so much fun with cousins and it is always fun to catch up with my siblings.
I love America and am proud to be an American. We are so blessed to have the freedoms we do. This country was founded by men lead by God. May our freedoms be maintained and preserved!!

June News

June has flown by! I can't believe the fourth is this weekend. Where does the time go?
We had a reunion a couple of weeks ago with my Dad's whole family. We haven't done anything together for a really long time; aside from the occasional wedding. It was a lot of fun. We camped up Ogden canyon at one of the church's sites. Let me just tell you the bathrooms were awesome! Flushing toilets, a shower (which Ididn't take advantage of, we were still camping:0) and nice sinks. Anyway...we had a great time. The kids had a blast and it was fun to catch up with my cousins and their families. Olivia did well too. The first night was ROUGH, but the second night Ki graciously gave up his spot on the air mattress and we made a bed for Liv. It was much better than sharing my small sleeping bag with her. Thanks honey! I was really bummed because I forgot to take our camera. UGH! I'm hoping that loved ones are true to their word and email pictures. (hint hint)

I went and stayed at my Mom and Dad's for three days last week. It is always so nice to be there. Mom helped me with a quilt I'm making for Kiley's bed. I started one for Kade and Kiley before Olivia was born. Thought that I could get them both done and I was wrong. I got a row done on Kade's before Liv came but that is it. I hadn't worked on them since. I love going home. It is always relaxing and nice. The kids were outside most of the day jumping on the trampoline and swinging. We really want to live in the country someday and I hope we get to! Thanks Mom!