Aidan's Owie

Warning...look away if you're squeamish with injuries. This should earn the worst-mother-of-the-year award for me. I took Owen to the doctor's because I thought he might have an ear infection, then we went to Wal-mart to get some ingredients to make dinner for a neighbor friend who just had a baby. I made the mistake of letting Aidan ride sitting on the bottom of the cart...filled up the cart...realized I forgot the paper plates so whipped the cart back around forgetting that Aidan was sitting on the bottom part, and his head got slammed into the corner of a shelf. I had never paid attention to the shelves at Wal-mart before but they're extremely sharp! Aidan had a very deep gash in his head...I covered his bleeding head with one hand at the same time that Owen was trying to climb out of the top of the cart so I grabbed the baby with the other hand. We left the cart and got to the car holding a paper towel to his head that a Wal-mart employee gave us. Then I called the doctor's office we had just left and asked if we could get back in to see the same doctor we had just taken Owen to. I knew Aidan would be less afraid if it was his usual doctor. Luckily, they fit us in. I called Jason and asked if he could come home early from work and stop at Wal-mart to pick up some stuff for making dinner for the neighbor...I didn't want to cancel on them last minute!  When the nurse came in she cleaned Aidan's head, and the doctor looked at it and at first said he didn't think it needed a staple, but as he finished cleaning it off, some fat was coming out of the cut, so it did have to be stapled after all. I felt so bad for Aidan...he was being so brave, but the first staple went in crooked and they had to remove it and do it all over again! They don't numb you because it would just be more shots...so it was all done without numbing! Poor guy. The doctor said he could have a mild concussion because of the size of the swelling on his head. I got scared for a minute when the doctor pointed to a picture of Mickey Mouse and asked Aidan if he knew who that was and Aidan said, "I can't remember." I think he was still just upset about the staple and didn't want to answer questions because a few minutes later he was willing to answer questions but only after the doctor bribed him with not one but two prizes! I took Aidan out for ice cream on the way home for being so brave and sitting so still for the doctor. Poor guy! I felt so bad! Here's a picture of Aidan the next day...he wanted bread with sprinkles for lunch...I wasn't about to tell him no!

Owen's Puppy

Owen loves this little puppy. He gives it kisses and insists that others kiss it too! lol Luckily, if I can't find this puppy before bedtime, he's willing to take a different stuffed animal as a substitute, but this little puppy is definitely his favorite.

No More Training Wheels...

The kids were playing outside in the front yard when Connor came inside and asked if he could take Aidan's training wheels off his bike...he said Aidan wanted them off. I said he could, but thought that I'd be needed out there to help take the training wheels off and to help Aidan take off. A few minutes later I went outside and got there just in time to see Aidan take off all by himself without training wheels! I wasn't sure if I should feel hurt that I wasn't needed or proud that my kids were helping each other and that Aidan had the confidence to tackle this hard task by himself. He was so proud of himself...grinning from ear to ear.

I love how Connor has his camera out too taking pictures like the proud big brother that he is :)

First Day of School

My handsome boys all dressed up for the first day of school. Gavin & Connor are having fun at the elementary school this year. I miss them during the day, but sometimes it is nice to have the house quiet! lol Aidan likes to play outside a lot with a neighbor friend, and Owen still takes two naps during the day so sometimes it's really quiet...these are the times when I either tackle a project I've been putting off or just take a moment to put my feet up and relax!

Owen

Growing up! What has happened to my baby?! He's turning in to such a big boy! I just can't get enough of his goofy little grin...it always makes me smile :)

Soccer Tournament

This year Gavin tried out for a competitive soccer league and made it on a team. They have a really good coach...he's strict and expects a lot from the boys, but he also really likes the boys and doesn't make it so winning is everything, but just wants to see them do their best and improve over time. Gavin has gotten so much better and built up his confidence. He really loves soccer. Gavin is my little bundle of energy so running constantly during soccer is perfect for him. His coach has the boys running 2 miles a day to build up stamina which means that I'm usually running with Gavin which is good for me too...even though I dread it some days! For the kids first soccer tournament they didn't have their uniforms yet so they just all wore red shirts. Our team is a level 5 out of 5 meaning that they're on the lowest skill level. For the tournament they competed against level 3 and level 4 teams (teams above them in ranking) and won the whole championship for their age group! So cool! That was really a boost for the boys feeling like they can do it! It's been really fun to watch the games...I get so nervous for our team and especially for Gavin...as a parent you just want to see them excel and be proud of themselves. It's even more funny to watch Jason watching the games...he can't sit down...literally!...has to stand up and is way into the game :)

Gavin proud to win 1st place in the tournament.

Go Gavin Go!

Typical Saturday Afternoon

A Friend Visits from California

In July, a good friend of mine (really she's more like a sister to me!) came to visit from Califoria. It was so great to see her! She's the kind of friend where we could pick up just where we left off as if no time had passed at all...friends like that are the best! I just love her, and it was so great to see her and get to know her kids a little bit too :)

My cousin, Corinne, and her family came for dinner the second night Danelle visited so they had a chance to catch up too:)

Somehow Danelle and I ended up matchy matchy both nights! haha  Don't we look cute! 

Danelle took a picture of Jason and me...we have so few pictures together since it's usually one or the other of us behind the camera taking pictures of the kids, so I thought I'd better post this one :)

Here's a picture of all of the Danelle's kids and my kids minus Owen who was already down for the night by this point..not sure if Aidan wet his pants or if they're just wet swim shorts from playing outside...we'll just say the second one! lol

Gavin's 9th Birthday!

In July Gavin turned 9! Where has the time gone?! Seriously! He's such a sweet, funny, outgoing, energetic, friendly boy! We love our Gavin :) This year all the kids had just a family birthday party. I told them they could have friend parties next year...I think every other year is a good deal and probably about all I can handle for friend parties! lol

Here's Gavin blowing out the candles...I forgot to buy candles so had to improvise!  I know...lame! But, you'll notice that I did remember the other decorations :)

Gavin got a few video games and lego stuff...as they get older the presents they want get more expensive!  But, the kids have a lot of fun with the video games and legos.

Dirt Biking

Jason's brother, Travis, and his wife, Trudy, have dirt bikes for their whole family...so fun! My kids get so exited when we get invited to join them for a great dirt biking adventure! Connor is our craziest dare devil who could live on 4-wheelers or dirt bikes. Gavin loves it too. Aidan is happy to just take one quick turn as long as Uncle Travis doesn't let go! lol

Aidan all geared up and ready to go!

Here's Connor in the blue shirt.

Aidan (above) and Connor (below)...can't you just feel their excitement?!

Pioneer Weekend

Over Pioneer Weekend, we had a neighborhood get together...it was so fun...so chill and not stressful...most of the people there were from our Ward (Church) but not all...but it was way less stressful than planning a Ward activity...no one was technically in charge...the event was announced on facebook and on notes on doors...anyone who wanted to come was welcome to bring their own chairs and a treat to share and fireworks if they wanted...we met on a side-street by some empty lots and someone brought a blowup water slide and someone else brought a bounce house...so cool! We all had a blast!

Fireworks!

Gavin getting in on the snacks.

The water-slide and yes some young women convinced me to go down it with them!  I was the only adult to go down it until I convinced my friend Emmie to go down it with me too :)

My sweet Cheeky Monkey and me watching the fireworks.

Owen

Don't you just want to squish his little cheeks?!

Connor Broke his Wrist

This happened back in June, but I don't think I posted about it yet...After Connor's baseball game he went to play at the park and fell off the monkey bars and landed on his wrist...I took him to urgent care where the wrapped up his wrist and told me to go the hospital for an x-ray...we found out he had a fracture in his wrist...we had to wait a few days for the swelling to go down and then go back for a cast. Connor was kind of excited for the cast...to be able to pick the color and have everyone sign it, but a couple of weeks later when he was invited to go dirt-biking with his Uncle Travis (one of his favorite things in the world to do!) and had to decline because of his broken wrist, he was ready to get that cast off! lol Connor was actually our first child to break anything...after 9 years of being parents...not too bad! Here he is showing his cast.

I drew a monkey on his cast because that's his nickname...also I just realized that's how he broke his arm falling off of the monkey bars...so it definitely fits! lol