Let's Race!

 The kids really like Joe to race with them after work.  

 Hannah loves to get in on it to and feel like a big kid.

 Lincoln doesn't enjoy coming in second so Rachel will do some races where they hold hands and tie.

Hannah get's pretty happy when she runs.  She still has the toddler run and has more action twisting than going forward.  It's funny to see her cute chubby cheeks and hair bounce when she runs.  I'm grateful Joe races so I don't have to.

Happy Pioneer Day

We tried to celebrate Pioneer Day and this is how it turned out.

We had biscuits and gravy because we read the pioneers used a lot of gravy as fillers for meals.

For desert we made covered wagons.  Hannah's never made it far...it was too delicious.

On Monday we did an FHE talking about our pioneer ancestors.  Side note-pregnant emotional women should not read about pioneer women and how they lost babies.  For the activity we talked about how pioneers cleaned their homes in Nauvoo before they left so we had to clean the playroom:).  Then we had to pack necessities into a covered wagon fort we made. 

Will "Moo" for Food

Yesterday you could get free food at Chick Fil-A if you dressed like a cow.  Joe wasn't as excited but I tricked him into at least wearing a shirt.  The kids had so much fun dressing up.  Hannah is holding me in the death grip because of the scary man in the cow costume.

#4 and Blessed

We're expecting baby #4 December 30!  Last week we were able to see/hear the heart beat for the first time. I was surprised how nervous I was and then excited when I saw the baby and the heartbeat. It's amazing to me how a new life can start with so little and become a living soul.  I'm glad that God entrusts us with that power to bring another life into the world.

I've been thinking how blessed I am to be the mother of three, and soon to be four, children.  I know not everyone has that blessing.  I really feel like my children are my treasures and I'm glad I get to spend so much of my time with them.  My perspective has changed a lot since my niece was diagnosed with a terminal illness when she was less than a year old.  As much as I wished I could make everything better for them, I realized what I could do was appreciate my children, give them more hugs and kisses, and enjoy my time with them.

While I haven't been as sick as long this time, Joe has had to help a ton.  He has really stepped up and cleaned our house every night without complaint.  I'm grateful for a good husband whose examples challenges me to be better.

I am blessed.

Father's Day

 First was an amazing breakfast-bacon, eggs, toast and juice.

 I pushed through my Sunday fatigue to let Joe have a Father's Day nap.  Heroic I know.

 Next was presents.  If wealth were measured in pictures, Joe would be one wealthy guy.

 Joe wanted a tree for Father's Day, but we found out planting season was in the Fall so Rachel drew him an IOU.

We had a Father's Day FHE the next day.  This was our activity.  The goal was to be the first to draw a stick dad by rolling the right number on the dice, which would let you draw stick appendages.  Good times!

I'm pretty sure that between primary stuff and me being sick, Joe's Father's Day might not have broken records, but I think it went pretty well considering.  Joe is a wonderful father to our children.  He plays games over and over that are fun to only them.  I wish I had a picture of one of their favorite games of racing across the yard several times. Joe is very loving and our children adore him.

Beautiful!

Hannah has these floppy bangs that I have fought her for a long time on getting out of her face.  On Sundays I had to resort to pinning her down.  We found that if we go on about how beautiful she looks with her hair back that she'll let us put it back.  I think I have created a vain girl.  If anyone says beautiful she'll touch her hair.  She'll also go up to people and say, "Look. Beautiful!" while touching her hair. 

Lincoln's Dinosaur Party

We had a dinosaur party for Lincoln's 4th birthday.  His birthday is not until the 19th but a lot of his friends were leaving so we had it early.  

We started the party with "We're going on a Dinosaur Hunt" rhythem and motions story that they liked a lot.  After that they lined up for pin the tail on the dinosaur.

Next we played don't drop the dinosaur egg.

Lunch consisted of dinosaur chicken nuggets and Lincoln's favorite- cheetos.

Lincoln just wanted cupcakes with little dinosaurs on them for his cake.  I loved how easy it was to make:)  Rachel and Lincoln have been playing nicely with those little dinosaurs all morning so I love his idea even more now.

Next was presents. 

Last was the pinata.  It's funny to me how they request a pinata every year.  Don't be confused by the look in their eyes, a grown up has to break it every year.  I guess the candy is just as good either way.