Labor Day Special...

Well, this post isn't much yet, but hoping to add pictures of the kids this weekend while at the in-laws and have a chance to use the internet. I am also committed to Bart to giving up Diet Coke and the disgusting amount of money we waste on it to improve our cable and internet situation. Alas, this gives me hope that I will one day be back to blogging paradise. Which brings me to the question that I have been contemplating ---which would you rather have at home--more channels to watch Football on (and other fun shows too) or the internet? Just a quick poll to prove to my sweet lover that I am right yet again! We'll see if you all agree with me or him! More to come, I promise!

Trying to catch up!

Well, I have obviously been absent, but through no fault of my own. We don't have internet at our house and that just makes it near impossible to add to a blog. I can do it at my in-laws house when we are there on the weekends, but we aren't always there. So, that is my excuse. Anyway, we just played at the pool before the heat advisory went into effect yet again, so here we are cooling off inside and Bart had actually put a few pics on the computer. So, we'll start with a couple of my favorites from Bear Lake back in June, followed by a few of Rachel who is big enough to eat cereal and veggies now, and then a couple from just yesterday when we discovered a new fun beach right by us. We called yesterday our "almost Maryland" day. We had a small beach at the reservoir and some sno-cones that were almost like sno-balls. Jake and Annie were disappointed that there weren't any crabs there, but we had a great day together. Can't wait to go back again! So, without further adieu, here are the pictures!
The cousins from oldest to youngest, Tillie (holding Kate), Samara (holding Darla), Jacob, Isaak, Jack, Anna (holding Rachel), Everett and Jonah at Bear Lake in June.
The 3 dads holding the girls in matching "Daddy's girl" shirts. L to R: TJ with Kate born May 2008, Bart with Rachel born March 2008, and Erik with Darla born Dec 2007. It will be so fun to have them all 2.5 months apart as they grow up. What gorgeous girls...I guess the Dads aren't half bad either.
Jake and Rachel on the 4th of July before ward pancake breakfast, neighborhood parade and a day of swimming. Of course we topped it off with a BBQ and fireworks. I have never been so tired, I swear! Anna isn't pictured in her red, white and blue due to her temperment at the time.
Rachel's first cereal...what a cute face. She wasn't sure at first and now I can't get it in fast enough. So far she loves sweet potatoes and squash too. Man, how time flies. I love how she looks so serious. I guess eating is serious business when you aren't in control of when you get to eat!Jacob was all thumbs up for his day at the beach. He didn't want to stop for long, but I liked his pose!
And here is adorable Anna, man are we in trouble, or what?!?My sweet and HOT husband holding Rachel in the shade! What a fun day we had, can't wait to do it again soon!

A Crazy Few Months!

We went last Saturday to the Parker Country Festival. We had no idea it was such a big deal--way more stuff than we anticipated. It was SUPER hot and so we spent some time on the rides and then headed home for drinks and air conditioning! Anna was so proud to be able to go on the rides by herself. Just look at her smile!

I took this picture (above) to mark that Rachel had turned 2 months old. Obviously I am at least a month behind in photos. Anna couldn't stay away, so here is a cute one of the two cutest sisters we know! Since then, Rachel has started smiling, laughing and chewing on her hands all the time. We love watching her grow.
Nana and Papa were so good to us, they took Jacob and Anna to the school fair for a night. Bart, Rachel, and I got to go out for the evening, which was a great break for us all. Among all the food, they got to ride a pony, get their faces painted (anna decided against it), ride a train, and dunk a few of the teachers. At the end of the night, they were all exhausted, but Jacob's Tiger face was too cute to pass up the photo op. They slept so well that night! Thanks Nana and Papa!
Here is a "pre-blessing" picture. I got Rachel all dressed and put a bib on her so she wouldn't spit up on the dress. It was such a great day and Bart did a wonderful job with the blessing. We were so glad to have Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, Sissy, and our friends, the Larsens there for our special day. And to our surprise, we were EARLY for church and got to sit in the nice seats! Wow!Nana and Papa with Rachel. Look at her cute eyes!



Thanks to Stephanie, we have some great family pictures before the nice clothes were exchanged for play clothes! We have a great family! I love them all!
I think Rachel is the most blonde and has the most hair of any of the kids. What a special day and I love our pictures on our new front porch. Look at my model, Anna, too. Oh, how they crack me up! So, there is a short update on us, hope to try and be more regular now. We'll see how that goes!

A Grateful Heart

Well, I have obviously ignored my blog for far too long, and I don't have pics ready for this post, but wanted everyone to know how grateful I am for my blessed life. Really truly, I am blessed. Since my last post we have moved to our new home and been adjusting to life in a new place yet again. It has helped my kids to settle down and we are hoping to get this routine thing down. We had Bart home for 2 whole weeks to help move and unpack which was so great. We were bummed when he headed back to work. I also took Rachel to Utah to meet my family and enjoyed a weekend of my siblings. It never seems like there is enough time, but it was so nice to take a quick weekend jaunt and to focus on just Rachel. Kudos to my husband for braving the weekend with Jacob and Anna...which he later admitted was harder than he thought it would be! Ha! I knew it! Anyway, shortly after my return, my parents were scheduled to come for Rachel's baby blessing. However in one of the top worst phone calls, my parents called Wed night to let me know that my Mom wasn't allowed to fly. It didn't sink in for a few minutes but out came the details of my Mom's recent medical issues. I had known about them and along with a couple of siblings been pushing her to go to the doctor. It is really too long of a story to tell, but my Mom's heart muscle wasn't moving in one place and they figured she had a mild heart attack about 2 weeks before hand. They were keeping her in Utah to do an angiogram and angioplasty the next day. Turns out she had to wait until Friday with all of us in tears and stressed beyond belief. When they did get in there, she was 99% blocked and literally would have died if she had come over to see us. All of the "what ifs" have definitely been going through my mind. The procedure went extremely well and they placed a stint that is doing an excellent job and they are certain she will not have to do bypass at this point. Definitely some lifestyle changes, but those we can handle. And then about an hour after my Mom got home from the hospital, she got the call that my adorable sister in law, Sarah, who has been on bedrest for a couple of weeks, was ready to deliver 2 weeks early! They were concerned about her and decided to go ahead with the induction and get this baby here. In one of the longest and most difficult labors from what I am hearing, she managed to get the baby here on Sunday morning. I believe something like 20 hours later. She had a beautiful baby girl that weighed the same as our Rachel. In the end, everyone in my family seems to be doing well, but this has definitely led to some contemplation about my life. How grateful I am for a Mom that I care so much about that I was literally physically sick and had to call my in-laws (who are also amazing) to come and help me out. I am so grateful for her example and undying love for our family. I am grateful for her words of inspiration when I need them most. I am grateful she lets us make fun of her and has such a great sense of humor. I am grateful and frustrated both that I am turning into parts of her sooner than I anticipated. I am grateful that in my time of need, I could pray to my Father in Heaven. I am grateful that I was able to be comforted. I am grateful for my 6 year old soon who immediately said 3 prayers during my one phone call and another one when I was done. I am grateful for his sweet innocence and yet deep understanding of the situation and reassurance that Grandma would go right to heaven if something happened. He knows more than I do sometimes! I am grateful that we could have a new baby in the family as well and the feelings that evokes in me too. It seems that within about a 48 hours window of time we had a chance to glance at both ends of the spectrum--that of life ending and that of a life beginning--and how rare an opportunity that is. I am grateful that everything turned out the way it did and for the lessons and thoughts that I know I have learned. I am grateful for my crazy family that drives me nuts at times (and me too) and yet for the closeness that we share and the ability we have to pull together when it counts the most. I have been surrounded by them in times of need probably more than my fair share and yet they still come. Aren't families the best and most amazing? I guess that makes this entry come full circle to my title and the grateful heart that I hold and for my Mom's heart and this new baby's heart. What an amazing and integral part of our bodies and our lives. May we all realize how blessed we are...even when my house is a mess, the kids are dirty, and I am tired! And I promise pictures soon!

Trampoline fun with Dad!

Well, much to the chagrin of my mother, my kids have spent time lately on the family trampoline. Bart found his parents old trampoline that he practically grew up on. I also spent a lot of time on the neighbors trampoline not only jumping but sleeping out on it--what we were thinking?!? Anyway, the kids have enjoyed it and I enjoy them being outside exercising and having fun. The best part has been watching Bart out there reliving his glory days...front and back flips, tummy bounces, playing with the kids. I keep telling him I refuse to feel sorry when he himself has stitches or has thrown out his back. And yet, how can you resist these smiles? I have a great family. We just need a little help in the sunshine department. Here are a few of them playing on the tramp over the weekend when we had a glimpse that Spring and Summer may really make it.

Bart bouncing the kids extra high...look at those muscles on my stud!

Mom holding the kids during a quick break. However, they preferred to get back to jumping.And of course, jumping isn't any fun unless you are screaming, but look at that smile.Love the fuzz ball hair.
Here Dad holds and bounces them in a fun little back bounce. I tell you, his back will go out!Here they are taking a breather. Cute, cute, cute!
And here they are pretending to be asleep. Jacob gets it, but look at Anna just squeezing her little eyes and trying so hard not to ruin the joke on Mom! I love it!

Tiny toes

I have always loved tiny toes. From the moment Jacob was born, I became obsessed with the tiny feet. I love to touch them and look at them and love them. It has continued as the girls have been born as well. I seriously love the little feet, which is interesting because I don't particularly like my own feet or adult feet in general, an aversion developed thanks to an older brother. I will say Bart does have nice man feet though. Really, he does.

Anyway, I still love all 3 kids and their toes only now Jacob's have to be clean for me to want to touch them. There is just something about looking at them and wondering where they will travel and what they will see and do that is mesmerizing to me. And so, I took pictures of all of their toes the other day. I especially love that you can see the gross toe jam in Anna's toes as she won't let me touch them. Jacob on the other hand cleans his feet the minute the socks come off. And then cute Rachel, just learning to stretch and move her feet. She still kinda looks at you like, hey, who just moved my feet? I am sure you can guess who each set belongs to in the pictures below. Aren't they just so cute?


I also took a few pictures of their hands because they are just so beautiful. I can't wait to make these black and white. Isn't it amazing that we can make babies with all the toes and fingers and they just turn out to be so perfect? I still find it amazing. I wonder what these hands will do as well.

Boys Night Out

Last weekend Jacob and Bart were able to go to the Av's hockey game. Nana and Papa couldn't use their tickets and you have never seen two more willing participants. They will gladly bail them out anytime they can't be used. Nana bought Jacob a jersey as an early birthday present so he would be dressed in the proper attire. Anna and I got to stay home with Rachie and have a girls night in which proved to be quite fun too (Enchanted and popcorn=big fun). Jacob was extra excited to get to meet Dad and take the train to the Pepsi Center. They had lots of treats and came home with a big Nerf type thing in the shape of a hand that holds your drink for you. I am sure it is for beer, but hey, it works for Sprite and Diet Coke too. Jacob has become quite the Av's fan and the next morning was out drawing with sidewalk chalk and wrote 5 to 4 Go Avs. Did I mention it was a great game that led to overtime and then a shoot out, which they won, and I believe was the first time they've had a shootout at home. The boys didn't get home until nearly midnight, but hey, it was a weekend and who needs sleep before a soccer game? Sugar will carry you right on through. Here's to my 2 cute boys. I love them both!

Easter 2008

Easter was so fun this year. It was the first year that both Jacob and Anna knew what to expect. They were excited to wake up to baskets from Nana and Papa and a small present from the Easter Bunny too. They were even more excited to do the Easter egg hunt, as you can tell from this picture. It is quickly becoming like the Christmas tradition of sitting on the stairs before presents!
After the pictures, they jumped right into the hunt for eggs. Anna was allowed a head start so she could compete with Jacob. He was a good brother and made sure she got her fair share though. I think Papa and Daddy had the most fun hiding them all around.


Once the eggs were gathered and opened, we took a few pictures of just how many they had to find. We also thought it would be fun to put Rachel in the middle of them. She didn't make much noise. One day she will know the fun of opening the eggs! Okay, so they didn't turn out like Anne Geddes photos like they did in my mind before I took them, but hey, they are still pretty cute.

After all the festivities we got everyone ready for church so we could go and actually celebrate the true meaning of Easter. This is where exhaustion and sugar do not make a good mix. By the time we had everyone ready Rachel pooped again, Anna had a tantrum, and Jacob was ready to stay and have more candy. Naturally, I forced everyone out on to the porch for a great family photo and the end result after 4 pictures was not so great (as evidenced below). I will say that at least Rachel made a great debut in her dress for a special Sunday. Well, at least I have proof that every once in awhile we dress up and comb our hair and attempt to look like real people. Maybe next year won't be quite as exhausting!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Anna!

Our sweet Anna Kathleen turned 3 on March 22nd. We were extra lucky this year to get to have both sets of grandparents around on her real birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Nelson had to leave shortly after the party, but they were here for the best part. We spent the morning running errands and finishing touches for both the birthday and Easter the next day. Anna was so excited when we picked up her cake from Sam's Club. Sidenote: I normally make my kids cakes, but since everything I own is still packed up, I had to do a store cake. I was a bit sad about it, but my back after just having baby #3 is thanking me for giving it a year off. Anyway, I wish I had the camera with me when we picked it up, but the singing pictures are still fun. I love how she looks like she feels special and isn't that what it is all about? It is still weird to think that she is my big 3 year old girl. I remember her birth so vividly and how shocked I was that she was a girl as I was so certain she was a boy.

At 3, however, Anna is fantastic. She is the most stubborn little thing you have ever met, but boy is she also adventurous. She was the first of the kids to get stitches to prove it! She has a great smile and infectious laugh. She wants anyone and everyone to play with her (especially if you will play doll house). She loves pink yogurt, pink clothes---and will only wear things she picks out, ice cream (Baskin Robbins rainbow sherbet which is pink and orange), taking care of her sister Rachel, shopping, shoes, purses, sunglasses (yep, they are pink too), and following big brother Jacob around. Anna is very funny and loves to pretend to be about anything but her favorites are robots and doggies. She loves dolls and taking care of them. She is definitely a mother in training.

I think the thing I love most about her is that she is so darn independent and strong, qualities I definitely want her to have. I also love how good she smells, how cute she is, and how much she loves her family. Her Daddy is usually the apple of her eye, but there is room for the rest of us too. So, at this special time of year, we hope Annie, Anna Banana, Anna Banana Pants, sweet girl, princess, princess punk, and Anna Kathleen (Caf-a-ween is her pronunciation) knows just how much we love her. Happy 3rd Birthday, Big Girl!

The traditional family cake picture, but one of the only ones we have with all 3 kids and no crying! Aren't they cute kids? We think so!
Anna having just blown out her candle is proud and feeling special!

The picture with Jake is the present he gave her. He was so worried about me having a gift for him to give her, it was really sweet. Luckily, Mom (and Grandma who actually bought that one) were prepared! I love that he wants to give her gifts. The other pictures just have to speak for themselves as I am having technical difficulties right now!

Rachel meets Grandpa and Grandma Nelson

Rachel Elizabeth meet Grandpa and Grandma Nelson!!!

We were so excited to have Grandpa and Grandma come over to Denver to meet their newest grandchild. We are so blessed to be the 10th grandchild and there are another 3 on the way in the next few months! Rachel will have so many cousins to play with! We had such a great trip and definitely wore all of us out with shopping, swimming at the hotel, holding the baby, eating some yummy food (thanks Mom and Dad for cooking my favorite Mexican dishes), hanging out, washing the baby, more of Mom holding Rachel, and not to be forgotten, we watched A LOT of NCAA basketball. Good thing I like basketball as much as they do! We also got to celebrate Anna's 3rd birthday the day they left. I had a hard time watching them leave and definitely miss them so much, but we are so grateful that they could come and be with us during this special time. Rachel is so lucky to have such great Grandparents on both sides. She is already loved so much. We can't wait to see you again!

Grandpa and Grandma with Rachel

Grandpa loves how soft baby hair is...he always rubs his cheek against it!
3 Crazy Generations of Fun!

Mom loving Rachie in one of her new outfits!
Lavender is definitely a good color on her!

Add in the shrug sweater and she is a fashion queen already!
Grandma sure knows how to pick the cute outfits and how to love a girl!
This outfit is adorable, but it only lasted about 30 minutes before it was a complete disaster. Of course, by then we were already shopping and I was feeding her in the car. The poop got everywhere...a good 20 wipes later, a new outfit, a cleaner carseat, and with the help of my sweet Anna, we were able to catch up to Mom and Dad. By the way, this was the 2nd time in a row that Grandma had put on the diaper and a blowout had happened shortly after...is this a pattern?
One of my favorite pictures of Rachel in one of my favorite outfits. She is so beautiful.
Her sweet eyes trying to see everything. Here she is wearing a preemie outfit that as of today 2 weeks later, she has outgrown. It was SO cute!Rachel trying to go to sleep-leave me alone, Mom!Jacob had to fight Grandma for his time to hold Rachel. I love how he is dressed head to toe Broncos and how blue his eyes are. He truly loves holding Rachel and is an excellent helper. Fortunately Anna is learning to be like Jacob.
Time at the park...Jacob and Anna weren't ignored during the visit. Here we are at our favorite park, O'Brien Park in Parker. And it was a GORGEOUS day!
Grandpa was such a sport. He followed the kids around (bad knee and all) and played as much as he could with them. Jacob loves this spinning seat and Grandpa pushed him super high on it!We also took them to see the house and it had just been painted. I love it! And my husband is HOT in this picture too!All in all, it was a great visit! We miss you already and come back soon!