Good Days

I walked down my stairs today and was hit with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. My life is so full of good. Good people, good family, good surroundings, good books, good music, good conversations, which makes for lots of Good Days. Not to say that the good days aren't spotted with the occasional tantrums, messes and timeouts. We have our fair share of all of that, but at the end of the day when my little ones are sleeping soundly in our safe home filled with food. I can't help but think how GOOD we have it. 

We took a bike ride to get some ice cream sandwiches from the store this evening. I think Taycee REALLY enjoyed hers.

Love this boy

24th

We had a little party for the 24th. Chris had the day off and for once I didn't have a "to do" list to accomplish. So we spent the entire day partying. We started out with some pancakes and bacon then headed to Cherry Hill for a few hours. We came back home for naps and lunch and then finished the night off with games ice-cream and fireworks with the neighbors.

A few blooming flowers

Not sure what these are called but the kids really liked them.

Hunter spent the last few days with us while my mom was in France visiting my sister so he got to party with us. 

 Sparklers are the greatest!

Hope everyone else had a fun 24th. I highly recommend a day filled with family and no to-do lists! :D

One year older...

And cuter too! ( how is that possible?)

Family and the Fourth

We had a family reunion on the Tolman side the first part of July. It was broken up into a few different days, the first day was at the Lake in Honeyville. My kids were so excited to go ride the boat and play in the sand and the water. 

Addison spent most of the day in the shade with grandma, they took up knitting together.

 Grandma Halladay was such a good sport and agreed to one tube ride with Amber. Considering her hatred for the water this really was a big sacrifice. I don't think she loved it. :D In fact when Kaden saw this picture he said "grandma did not like that. When she was done she said "WHAT WAS I THINKING! THAT WAS CRAZY" in a really high pitched voice." haha.

 The boys played a little pick up ball

 The kids were in heaven eating good food and being surrounded by so many fun kids to play with.

Chris took the kids and walked way out to that jump on the right. They slid down it over and over.

We spent the fourth of July up at my moms house for day 2 of the reunion. We went to good ole Honeyville for the parade and park festivities.

This cute boy had a rough night before the fourth. He woke up about 2am telling me he was having bad dreams so I put him in bed with me. At about 3am I woke to the sound of Kaden throwing up right next to me. Luckily it missed me and just got him and the pillow. We spent the next hour showering and washing bedding and changing clothes. I was worried he was sick and would have to sit out all of the fourth. Chris was so good to help me clean up everything. Luckily he always carries his consecrated oil with him and he was able to give Kaden a blessing. Kaden fell asleep immediately after the blessing and woke up about 9:30 happy and healthy as can be. A tender mercy from Heavenly Father. How thankful I am for the power of the priesthood.

 Waiting for the parade to start

Taycee loved sitting with Great Grandma Halladay

 Our favorite part of the Honeyville fourth is the trout catch. Kaden was so excited to get in and try to catch a fish. Taycee was less excited but she got in after observing for a while.

 Kaden would really go after the fish, but they were always just out of reach.

 Aunt Leanna caught one swimming under her legs as she was sitting on the side and she was kind enough to let the kids hold it.

I didn't take any pictures of the rest of the day but it was filled with fun. We had a pool party at my moms house and then went to the Brigham city fireworks. The kids loved the fireworks and it was fun to snuggle together on the blanket and enjoy them together.

How grateful I am to live in a free country. How grateful I am to be able to worship as I please. How grateful I am to live in the land of opportunity where I am not oppressed because of race or gender. How grateful I am to enjoy all the liberties that are provided me by so many men and women fighting and sacrificing their lives so I can snuggle the ones I love most on a blanket in a field of grass and watch fireworks.

 God Bless America.

One Year

Remember when my little baby was this big??

And she fit so perfectly inside her little hippos arms... well it is safe to say she is not so little now!


watch her grow...

Here she is all growed up... well not really, THANK GOODNESS. ( notice the NICU sticker that is still on the hippo tag?)

She won't lay by the hippo anymore, it is a miracle I got her to sit with it without her picking it up and snuggling into it. She now holds the hippo instead of the hippo holding her. It is her favorite little pal, I think she knows it has been right there with her from the very beginning,

I took her into the doctor for her one year check up and she weighed in at

18 lbs- FINALLY THE 5TH PERCENTILE

29 inches long- 40th Percentile

Tiny and perfect. :)

The doctor said he suspects she will lose a few pounds once she starts being mobile. But since she pretty much just sits and eats and is totted around everywhere on my hip she has put on a little chub. :D

At 1 year Addison:

Says bu bye

dada

mama

baba (bottle)

uh-oh

and hi

She is turbo roller and can get anywhere she wants to in seconds by rolling. She is also a great sitter.

We are working with physical therapists and hope soon she will

 be able to get into a sitting position on her own, crawl and walk. :D But just between you and me I don't mind her staying a baby at all. :D

Dear Addison,

  There really aren't words to tell you how much I love you. All of my kids have a special place in my heart but I am extra tender when it comes to you. Maybe it has to do with the time I was separated from you in the NICU, maybe it is watching you struggle and beat so many illnesses. Either way you are my little sidekick and I don't like to be separated from you, not even for an hour. For being so tiny you sure are a fighter, in your first year of life you have fought with Acid Reflux, whopping cough, the flu, impacted teeth, respiratory distress (twice) and most recently a milk allergy. We have been in and out of doctors offices Emergency rooms, dentists offices, physical therapy and allergy clinics. But each time you come off a little stronger and ready for the next battle. Your mother comes out haggard and even more protective of you :) You are my little buddy, you are the first child I have had that prefers me over you dad. :D At 1 year old you don't crawl or walk but I really don't mind one bit, because you are still so snugly. You are growing everyday. You change so much from week to week and if I could find a way to freeze you just as you are I would. NO. QUESTIONS. ASKED. You are the sweetest little baby, you always have been, people always comment on your pleasant demeanor and sweet disposition. You are so loved by everyone who knows you. Your siblings dote on you all day long, you don't always appreciate it, but they do it out of love. You have the most heartbreaking sad face. You get pretty much anything you want with that big lip and those alligator tears. I am so thankful you came to us. You are and always will be loved more than you know. Happy birthday my little miss.

XOXO,

Mom.