Rolls anyone?

I think along with most mom's we take pride in our babies getting fat. Ruth was my tiniest baby weighing in at 5lbs 8oz. Now at almost 3 months she has probably doubled her weight. I just love the little pudgies that are developing on her arms, legs, face, and belly. She is growing so fast witch makes me happy she is healthy but sad that she is not going to stay tiny forever. But I do get to keep them small longer then most people since mine start out so small. She is such a sweet baby, we couldn't ask for more. She has been sleeping 7 to 8 hours at night the last week! I can hardly believe it. I have had babies do this before but I am always suprised when they do it. She is getting so smiley too. I keep trying to get a good picture of her doing it but I always am to late with the camera. I enjoy playing with her and getting her to smile then I remember to get the camera and by then she is tired and ready to go to sleep...

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2009

Hayden got this doll from Santa. It is all she asked for. Originally she just asked for a present but I think her older brother coached her to ask Santa for a baby doll. She loves her baby and everything else she got! I would post more pictures but apparently I was busy playing with my new Christmas present and only took about 5 pictures and most of them were not great... My new toy is a video camera. So at least we got some great video. I hope! I haven't watched it yet. I love it though! We had a wonderful Christmas and I know I truly felt glimpses of the true spirit of Christmas through out the season!

We went to Prineville the morning after Christmas to visit everyone there. It was a lot of fun. Ethan took the Bebe gun he got (no he didn't shoot his eye out!). They shot stuff up, and rode 4 wheelers all afternoon. I don't think I hardly even saw the kids much of the day.
This is my "little" sister holding Ruth. I think Ruth looks like Emily, most of my family said she looks like Brock. I guess she just has very strong Workman genetics because Brock is ALL Workman also! It was so nice to spend time with my sister and visit with her. We don't get to see her much because she lives far away so it was a nice visit.

This is the fun toy Grandma bought Ethan. It is a marble roller coaster. He is having lots of fun with it.

Here are my kids in the Christmas clothes at Grandma's house. I couldn't get a "normal" picture of all of them! This was as close as I could get... so I guess that is about normal. They all looked so cute in their black and red fancy clothes too. It worked out nice because Ruth fit perfectly into Hayden's first Christmas dress which matched the one Amelia wore that year and it fit Hayden this year. All I had to buy was Amelia's dress and new ties for the boys. Brock wore the suit coat that Ethan wore the year Hayden was a baby... Ethan already has a black suit.

Gingerbread house fun!

Forgive me but I am having technical difficulties! But here are my cute kids making their annual gingerbread house! We had a "good" time. As good as it gets with a pack of kids at night doing a craft! We all lived!


Brock used ALL the yellow candy on his Gingerbread man. (accept the few we got out before he got to them!)

This was our end result. After each of the kids helped Larry do a side of the house and we were ready for them to be DONE! I took a turn (I usually don't do any of this it I am just the photographer while Larry does this project with the kids!) I told the kids they couldn't eat what was left of the candy (they were begging to eat the rest) I told them I was going to keep decorating till I used every piece of candy! I did use it all but what was dropped on the floor, what the snuck into their mouths and what was dropped on the floor!

Here is Hayden helping decorate the Gingerbread house! She was so cute!

Is that a camp fire in my kitchen?

No just my birthday cake! My sweet babysitter and friend made this cake for me with my kids while she was watching my kids on my birthday. Larry took me out Christmas shopping all day and we went out for lunch AND dinner! It was a wonderful birthday!

3 Sisters!

I wanted to post a few pictures of Hayden holding Ruth so that my mom would have a comparison to see how much Ruth has grown! She is 2 months old today! Tomorrow is her check up so we will know how much she has actually grown. I will post her stats then but I just love these sister pictures of my girls. I thought I would do a few video's too so you could see Hayden in "big sister action!" It is pretty funny!

Singing at the Capital

Ethan is in the Monmouth Elementary Choir. Today they were singing at the State Capital building. They sounded great and looked like they were having fun. My pictures aren't the greatest since my battery was about to die. Hayden really loved it. The last song they sang was called Reindeer Twist and they do a little dance with it. Hayden got so into it she was dancing a long with them. (We were sitting right in the front too!) Ethan saw her doing this and started to laugh. It was pretty cute! I was so proud of Ethan. He really is active in so many things and is doing well in all of it! He really is a great kid.

 

 

 

Here is Larry loading up our beautiful Chirstmas tree. We forgot our tape measure so we had to guess this year. (code for I picked the biggest one I could find!) We got it home and it was about 13 feet! We had to only cut 1 foot off. It is so beautiful! Last night Larry and I got it up and in the stand and lights on. Tonight we will put the ornaments on for Family Home Evening. This is our new tradition. We have done this for several years now. This way the kids don't keep asking if they can put the ornaments on yet over and over. This way they wake up and it is all ready and we can do it as Family Home evening, and we are all still having fun when we are doing it and not grouchy.


This year Larry promised the kids that if thier rooms were clean they could get a real little tree to put up in their rooms. They actually did it and got their rooms clean (with out any help from mom). This is the girls with the little tree they picked for their room. It is so cute!

A visit with Santa and Hunting for Christmas Trees!

No visit to Santa is complete with out a ride on the Carosel. All the kids loved riding! It put Ruth to sleep. They all got to ride 4 times, and had a blast!

Ruth's first time to see Santa. I am not sure she saw him though because she slept through the whole thing. I think all she wants is a good nights sleep... oh wait that is mommy. I can't complain though really she is an angel!

Hayden went right up to Santa. She was a tiny bit shy but was so sweet to sit there with him. She asked for a present.

Ethan had a good talk with Santa. He is asking for something I have never heard of or seen...Maybe someone else has heard of these cars that can even drive up on the wall? I am not sure what they are but that is how he describes them to me...

I love this picture of Amelia visiting with Santa. She was so excited to get to see him.

Here is Brock getting to have his visit with Santa! I think he asked for a skate board...

First Family Photo Shoot!

I love what Julia did to this picture! She added our name and the year Larry and I were married to the top of the bridge! How cleaver! I don't love me in this picture but I have to remind myself I just had a baby... So this is my before photo in a few months I will post an "after" shot! But I can't thank Julia enough for entertaining my kids and taking beautiful pictures of them! I can't wait to get these shots up on my wall!!!

Ruth was exactly 6 weeks old at this photo shoot. She still looks so small, but in comparison she is grown so much I can hardly believe my eyes sometimes! She is so sweet and really responding to my voice now. That is how we got her to look at the camera. I stood behind Julia and spoke to her and she looked right at us. She is now starting to smile with more purpose. If I tickle her just right or catch her attention just right she will give me a bit open mouth smile. It is the most magical thing in the world to me when a baby starts to smile, and laugh! If only they could stay tiny and snugglie longer while they do that!!! She is quite the snuggler! What an angel...

Hayden is always a little shy with "new" people. She was a little hesitant with Julia at first but eventually warmed up. I just love this shot. It really shows off her blue eyes!

Amelia was cold while we were out and didn't want to sit still but again Julia worked her magic with my kids and got some great pictures. I can hardly believe how much they have grown since she did their pictures 9 months ago!

Brock was being a little "shy" at the photo shoot but Julia got him warmed up enough that he would finally smile! He always looks so cute it was just a matter of getting him to hold still. She did a fabulous job!!!

Ethan was such a good model. He kept thinking of new poses, and places to get his picture taken. He was a great help and his pictures turned out so great!

Season of Change, and Thankfulness

I love all the seasons because I love change. I love fall for all the beautiful colors, the cooling off of the hot weather, the holidays, going back to school and so much more! I have another change this fall along with adding a member to our family making us a family of 7, this week I received a new calling. I only had my last one for a few months but I had started enjoying going to Relief Society. We got a new bishop in our ward at church the week Ruth was blessed and a lot of times that means changes in other areas. (Not always) So this Sunday I received a new calling. I was called to be the 2nd Counselor in Young Women's. This is a whole new thing for me! I haven't served in Young Women's ever. I haven't had anything to do with the Young Women's organization since I was one which was 12 years ago. Some things have changed I hear but they are minor. I am looking forward to this experience. I already love the group of girls I will be working with since I have spent lots of time with them while they were in primary. They are also my favorite girls to call when I need a baby sitter! It will be fun, and much busier then I have ever been. I thought being Primary President had a lot of meetings.... Good thing I have a wonderful, supportive husband who does a wonderful job putting kids to bed at night and even does a great job giving the baby a bottle every once and a while so I can leave her when need be.
Since this week is Thanksgiving yesterday at church the talks were all about Gratitude and being thankful for the blessings in our lives. I know I did this a couple years ago but I thought maybe it was time for me to count my blessings again. I truly am blessed and am so thankful for all the things my Father in Heaven has given to me and my family. I truly have much to celebrate this holiday season. I think I will just list some of my blessings, I know I can't write them all this would be incredibly long.
I am thankful for: My family, my mother who raised me and taught me so much about the gospel, motherhood and being a good person all around, my dad who taught me tons about service, work, honesty, what being a good man is (this helped me find one!) and tons more.... Brothers and a sister who I fought with as a child but totally love to hang out with now! They are some of my favorite people, they make me laugh, and bless my family in more ways then they know! My grandparents who are all passed away now taught me tons of things and more then I can list. I love them and am so grateful they paved the way for our eternal family! My husband and the wonderful man that he is. He makes me a better person, he strengthens me and blesses our home with his priesthood. I am grateful for his parents who taught him many things. I am so grateful for my 5 healthy children. They bring me more joy and love then I ever imagined. They each have wonderful traits that bring joy into our home.
The Gospel: Priesthood blessings, leadership, a prophet that leads and guides us today, scriptures, inspiration, Temples, Eternal marriage, tithing, hymns, and all that comes from living the commandments of our Father in Heaven.
This country: The freedoms that come from living in the USA. Even when I can complain about how messed up some of the stuff that goes on here is we still live in the greatest country in the world. We have more freedoms and rights then anyone and are truly blessed to be a part of this land! I am thankful to all those who helped make it what it is, and fought and died to make it what it is!
Friends: All of them passed and present. The ones who helped me when I was younger shape my testimony of the Savior and his teachings, who taught me how to have fun and still be good. The ones who help me now as a mom not feel alone when I am struggling, who help me when I need it, teach me ways to be a better mom, and wife. I know I wouldn't be able to function, with out the love and support of good friends in my life. There are so many times when you just need a break, a time out, or support as you care for your families and I love having friends who help me with this and I love being able to help them with this also! I think my life would be so lonely with out good friends in my life!
There are so many temporal blessings I have been given I can't count them all but I will list a few, a warm safe beautiful home, (a husband that takes good care of this home and is able to fix anything in it,) 2 vehicles that run well, are dependable, and affordable. Food that is abundant in our home. Clothes that are abundant in our home (hopefully mine will fit again soon!) scrapbooks and scrapbook supplies that help me remember all the wonderful times I get to have with my family and friends. There is much much more but I need to go care for my family now so I will just say, I am grateful for all the things I have been blessed with. I often feel more blessed then I deserve!

Cousins

Dwight loves cars and had lots of fun with all the cars at our house. My boys don't play with them a lot any more but once they got them out to play with Dwight they had a great time all the way till bed time. I am sure this means they will be playing with their cars for a few more days.

Yesterday we had a special treat of getting to spend the day with my wonderful sister in law and her little boy Dwight. We just love this little man. He is so cute and full of energy. I love watching him run! Ethan really loved playing with him. He took Dwight down the slide, helped him hold a bunny, and pushed him on the little car.

It was so wonderful to sit and visit with my sister in law. I am very lucky to have great sister in laws on both sides of my family. I enjoy visiting with them and yesterday was a treat. We sure miss Annette since they live in Vermont. We can't wait to meet the newest member of their family due to come in Feb.

The 3rd Brithday Party!

Here is my second attempt at the Monkey cake. Which I think turned out better. They usually do after a practice run. She loved it! It was really yummy to. How could it not be with all that chocolate and candy on it!


Memory and Candy land are the presents she got on her actual birthday and she loves them. So they had to play those games!


Amelia did a great job of running the games while I sat feeding Ruth and watching. They played ring around the rosie and duck duck goose. Which was apparently new to the 3 year olds. They had a lot of fun learning and loved running around the "circle".


Hayden got this cute little Doctor kit from Matthew for her birthday. She went right to work. She gave Claire a check up and even took her Health history. It was pretty funny, and so cute! It was funny when she was doing the "history" for Claire she said "what's your name Claire?" Then she checked her nose and said yep you have buggers. Gotta love it!

Hayden's 3rd Birthday!

 

 

 

 

So I am finally posting the pictures of her actually birthday. She wanted a Monkey cake. (Even though that is what I made last year! I wanted to make a parrot cake since she is such a parrot!) But The monkey was totally cute too! She got this doll from great grandma Lucy and she loves it! Larry built her a new cradle for her dolls that she really loves! I painted it purple (her favorite color) we used my doll cradle from when I was a little girl as a pattern, only Larry cut out little hearts for the handles it is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Amelia was made because her cradle (my old one) is brown and not a pretty color! But such is life. We got her a new stroller for her dolls to since the one she got for Christmas last year is all broken thanks to her older brothers! She loves it and walks her doll down the the bus stop everyday in it to get her sister! She had a great day and loved telling every one "I'm the birthday girl" it sounds more like "I da burday dirl!' But totally cute!