Camping

Yes, we actually went camping when I was 36 weeks pregnant. We went to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park where there are delux yurts, so it wasn't really "camping". The yurts have a bathroom with a shower, kitchenette, beds, heat, and a TV with DVD player. Here are some pictures. I couldn't have done it any other way at this point in the pregnancy.

Here was our view. The best part. It was gorgeous.

We went to the beach first thing. It was chilly and windy, but the kids wanted to play in the water. All the boys, and Ashlyn fell in and got soaked. 

 There were a bunch of dead crabs on the beach, that the kids enjoyed squishing between their fingers.

 They went on a scavenger hunt hike with the dads.

Smores were the best part of the camp trip, for me. :) 

 ...and for Nate, I think. 

He was such a good sport. I was bossing him around the whole time playing the I'm-miserably-pregnant-and-can't-function card a lot on this trip. He never complained.

 

 It rained the second day, so we actually left before checkout time since there wasn't much to do. 

Kids rooms are done

I forgot to post this when I finished. I painted these flowers on the girls' wall. I told Ashlyn to smile and this is what I got.

Today I did these. Since we decided on a name, I felt I could go buy the letters. No turning back now.

 Then my friend, Suzanne, cut these vinyl quotes for me. They turned out so cute. Here is how I used them in the kids' rooms. 

Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day. It is so fun when you have kids that understand that it is a special day. This was probably the first year that they got it. Nate made videos of each of the kids talking about me, and it was so cute. I will treasure it forever. I didn't post them because I think only a mom would appreciate them. Nate got me these lovely roses. Two dozen of them!

We visited my grandmas this weekend and took some pictures. I didn't get a picture with my grandma Tanner though. I love that my kids get to be around their great grandmas. I hope they will have memories of them.

Even I can see the resemblance from one generation to the next.

And another picture of my rapidly growing belly. I am about 35 weeks. My belly button has actually popped out with this pregnancy. A lady in my water aerobics class (yes, I have resorted to water aerobics with senior citizens for exercise these days) told me I "blossomed overnight". I have a feeling this baby is going to be big. I am feeling very large and slow lately. Plus I've had a cold, and all the coughing is killing me! 

I think we finally decided on a name, I think. Amber Lyn. 

Potty training success!

Recently Ashlyn has got this potty training thing down, with a little bribery. She loves to swim, and is dying to take swim lessons. She has been a spectator, watching Dallin learn to swim, and was always bummed she didn't get to swim. I told her if she was potty trained she could do swim lessons. Who wants to pay for lessons AND those expensive swim diapers? So she got motivated. She started with one of those nasty potties that they go in, dump and clean out. That got old fast. So we got her a cushy Dora (who she loves) seat. So much better!

During this whole process, Ashlyn hasn't wanted to wear panties for some reason. That all changed when she could put a picture of Dora on her bum. :) Word of advise, just get the ones they want. She has about 15 pairs of undies now because she isn't excited about the first pack we bought months ago. Oh well, maybe baby girl #2 will be more easy going, and will use them.

I think this picture is hilarious; you can see toilet paper flying in the background. 

 Ashlyn took her baby in the tub with her. Probably shouldn't have been in there, but she did need to be cleaned. She dried fast in the sun. 

Soccer time

Tanner is doing soccer this spring. He has a coach that works really hard to teach skills, which is a nice change. When Tanner was younger coaches focused on showing them a good time, which is appropriate for younger ages, but it is nice to see him progressing and playing by rules now.

 He is one of the smaller kids on the team. He is bending over so you can't really see, but he is. He started out a kind of tall baby and toddler, but he is kind of a shorty now. 

 Such a sweet big brother. I think he will be protective of his sisters. 

Pear Blossom Fun Run/Walk

Our family did the 1 mile run this year, well, I walked it since I am 30 weeks pregnant. I saw another pregnant lady running it while pushing a stroller and holding her belly! Crazy! Sometimes I ache after just walking, can't imagine the pain she is in now.

 Tanner and Nate ran it, and I pushed Dallin and Ashlyn. Next year I told Tanner we could do the 5K if he is up for it. Or I will do the 10 mile. There is a half marathon in Medford end of September that I may train for after baby recovery. We will see. 

 We all got ribbons at the finish line.

We went to the parade after, but it was pretty boring. The best part was Harry and David throwing out TONS of truffles to the crowd. We were at the end, so they were very generous with us. 

"I can do it by myself!"

Ashlyn is at that age that she wants to do everything by herself. She will persist quite a while before having a breakdown and asking for help. 

Here she is after her 2nd attempt to get her shirt on.

 She got one arm in just fine. 

 She can't find the 2nd arm hole.

Here comes the tantrum...

She finally asked for help getting untwisted. She is very stubborn, and not happy she had to get help. 

Look at how stretched out her shirt neck is now. 

Easter and a sandbox

Easter is so fun with young kids! We colored eggs on Sunday morning.

 We had Easter dinner at our house this year with all my siblings that are in the area, and our parents. All of us but my sister, Kris, who is on her mission, were there. It was really fun. I hope all of us settle in the Rogue Valley because holidays are so much more fun with family. The kids did an egg hunt, and after they did the first one, the did it about a dozen times on their own; taking turns being the "easter bunny".

Joel and Drew were there, of course.

I have been wanting to build a sand box for the kids for a while. We have the perfect spot for it in our back yard. We finally did it this week. Dallin has already spent hours in it. He is the most interested in it, but they all enjoy it.