Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Summer 2015

We've done some really fun things this summer and thought I would update everyone.  

We've done a lot of yard work.  We had to clean up and redo the entire front landscape.  My nemesis was 3 french drains and how to make them work in a decent-looking landscape.  Here is the before, during, and after pics of the front.


 Before




During
 Mack loved the dirt pit

 Such good little helpers 


After

 The kids love the sandpit and me too.  You can't see it from the road, but I can see them perfectly from my front window.  Plus they have a play area out front and it serves as a drainage pond (aka swimming pool for the kids) for our 3 drains.


We also spruced up the side of the backyard.  It was a pain to mow this section, so we used up our extra bark, hostas, and blueberries to make a cleaner landscaped area in the back. I'm excited for my blueberries to produce:)

Our garden is a jungle.  This was taken about a month ago and it's 2x bigger now.  It's insane, but keeping me healthy by forcing me to eat cabbage salad everyday.  The kids love their teepees and tomato tunnel.

We bought a new quilt for our anniversary, but it didn't match our blue room.  So I painted our room cream a few weeks ago.  My goal was to do it all for free b/c I had extra paint laying around.  So I used the bathroom's cream color, but only had enough for 3 walls, and decided to do an accent wall last minute to use up the darker cream I had.  I am pleased and even more pleased it didn't cost me a dime.

 I used to think lots of pillows on people's beds were for decoration, but as a pregnant mama, I use at least 3 pillows a night, sometimes more, to support my growing belly.  Oh the joys of sleeping pregnant.  However, my pillows and chiropractor visits have made this pregnancy a lot easier and I have slept better too:)

In June, we ventured out to "Grandma and Grandma Reed's" or was it "Grandpa and Grandpa Reed's"  (the kids could never get it straight).  Now it's officially "grandma reed's house." Anyway, the kids were stoked to go on a "jet." They did rather well for a 2 and 4 year old. 
 They loved catching fish in the pond.  It was fun to watch them.
 They were excited and freaked out to touch the bass and catfish.

 Sandy, Hudson, James, Michael, and Matt fishing
 Covey and the kids fishing
 They really did like touching and seeing the fish
 Covey, Rae, Matt, Mack, Michael, and Hudson swimming
 Mack, Hudson, James, Amelia, Covey, and Rae swimming
 James, Mack, Amelia, and Me
 Covey, Michael, Joey, Tiff, Rae, and Mack slip n sliding

Covey thinks it's funny how our kids sleep
 It was 90+ degrees here for the whole month of June, so playing in the sprinklers was a routine activity after dinner

 Covey loved it just as much as the kids:)

Smile Rae

 Smile Mack
Our kids always seem to have a piece of gum in their mouth....or out of their mouth;)

4th of July was really fun (and hot) this year.  The kids actually enjoyed the fireworks instead of crying from fear.  They could've lit fireworks all day long:)




We went to Portland, OR this past weekend b/c the Seattle temple is closed for July.  Covey had never been and I love this temple, so it was fun to visit.
Mack and Rae walking around temple grounds while I'm inside.

 Covey said they enjoyed the fountain.


 Our attempts of family selfies.  Hehe!


 We met up with my old college roommate, Cassie Bumcrot, and her family and played in downtown Portland in the water park area.  It was nice b/c it was 100 degrees.  We also rode the streetcar and got VooDoo Doughnuts.  So Yummy!!!  I felt bad b/c our excursion on the streetcars took way longer than we expected and we returned to our cars 2 hours past the expired time.  We lucked out and got no parking ticket, but Cassie and Robert weren't so lucky.  It was fun nonetheless.




Here I am 28 weeks pregnant.  I am officially in the 3rd trimester.  Wahoo!!  I am definitely on countdown b/c I feel like my back bones and ligaments don't overly enjoy supporting a baby-filled uterus.  Only 12 more weeks....unless this little girl comes like her older siblings at 38 weeks, then only 10 more weeks.  But I am planning on 42 weeks total just to play it safe and not get flustered at the end.  Overall, I feel good and find a great joy in visiting the chiropractor:)

And, of course, my post wouldn't be complete without videos:

The kids catching fish at Reed Reunion:

Rae loves dancing in her spinning dress, especially to "Whip My Hair":

Slip n Sliding at Reed Reunion:

We eat granola every morning and this seems to happen almost daily:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWUmSWslmEY&feature=youtu.be

Covey and the kids cooling off on a hot day:

Fireworks fun:

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Spring 2015 Update

I figured I better update my blog.  We've had some fun times recently, so I thought I'd show the family:)
 Covey and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary by going to Victoria, Canada.  The first time, for me, ever leaving the country. We had a blast!  We left the kids with grandma and grandpa Richards and hopped on a ferry and enjoyed a peaceful 2 day trip. We were supposed to stay all day Saturday, making it 3 days, but we caught the morning ferry back to the USA b/c we didn't feel like walking anymore.  Our bodies are geared for toddler walks (1-2 miles) not 10-12 miles/day.  We laughed at ourselves b/c when we got to our Bed and Breakfast at the end of each night, we just couldn't move at all.  We looked pathetic, but we thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. We hadn't had a vacation like this since our honeymoon.
 This is in front of the Parliament Building.  Very beautiful.  I expected to hear "eh" more, but we heard "Cheers" more than anything. We had such a fun time going in and out of shops and hitting up good eating places.  It was so fun (and weird) to just walk around as a couple with no kids.
 Covey had never been to a China Town, so he was excited to go to Victoria's China Town.  Out of all things to buy in China Town, we bought a beach-themed quilt for our bed.  haha. We love our quilt!
 This is the Craigdarroch Castle. It was cool.  We didn't get a tour of the inside b/c we got there late and didn't think we'd care to see the inside, but after seeing it in person, I really wish we would've done the tour.  Just around the corner was the Governor's house with some really pretty gardens.  There were tons of gorgeous plants in Victoria.
 Rae, Mack, and Peter Mace (our neighbor).  Whenever the sun is out and Peter isn't at preschool, these 3 are out in the streets on their bikes having a good time.
Rae just learned to ride that big bike with training wheels and has no problem keeping up with the boys.  
 Here is me today.  I'm 19 weeks.  I will be getting an ultrasound on Friday to confirm we're having a boy;)
 Rae wanted to do a belly pic too.  She also picks out all her outfits. Love the red with pink;)
 We made a fire pit in our backyard and we love it.  Rae especially loves to help put things in the fire:(
 Mack collects big rocks wherever we go.  He likes to throw them in our mini pond out front to see how big of a splash they make.  
 Mack and Rae had a blast making beds in their boxes.  This was hilarious entertainment for them for a good hour.
This is them "sleeping"

Here are some videos:

Mack laughing at a laughing game on my phone:

Bagpipe man in Victoria. Covey filmed this for Isaac:

Mack helping Rae ride the big girl bike (I thought this was cute):

Rae is fearless. She just learned to ride the big girl bike the day this was filmed:

Mack, Peter, and Rae:

Rae riding some more:

Toddlers are funny b/c they get so excited about the little things.  What's a fly's last words? Here's Mack and Rae getting excited about a fly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I_PpeXdMsU

Mack singing I am a Child of God. I have such reverent and angelic singers for children:

Rae singing I am a Child of God (Rae usually busts out more.  It drives Mack crazy. She is always singing...."too loud" as Mack would put it:

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Spring 2015 Updates

I thought I would update my blog since it's hailing and pouring outside and my plans to work in my garden are now shot.  Plus, both kids are down for naps:)

Here is my biggest update, for those who don't already know.  I'm pregnant with baby #3!!!  Covey and I are 99% convinced that we're having a boy.  More like, we're busting out those little kid prayers where we're asking Heavenly Father for a boy. haha.  Not really, but we really want a boy this time around.  An angelic, quiet, calm boy.  Anyway, I am 12 weeks in this picture, and I am now 14 weeks, and very glad to be in the 2nd trimester officially:)  I am still amazed how fast my belly popped out with this one.  I feel like my body language in this pic says it all with how much I love belly pics.  (Forced smile, I feel silly, but I know I will be grateful for this later.) Hah!
Here are just a bunch of pics of Mack and Rae:
 Making a tower for King "Benjam" with Lincoln Logs.  
 Just chillin together
 Rae LOVES to be up on the counter.  She "helps" me cook and begs to eat up there for every meal.
 Mack loves his jammies and always has his "rainbow" blanket with him.
 Mack loves wearing his swim suit trunks even more than his jammies. He's taking general conf. notes here ;)
 Rae always wants to play on mommy's phone.  She's listening really well to general conf ;)
 We hid eggs for the kids for FHE. They were so bummed the neighbors had "birthday" eggs on Easter and not them, so we decided to use up the 2 year old Halloween candy in the cupboard and hide eggs. I love toddlers. What you don't tell them, they don't know. 
 Mack and Rae love muffins.  Unfortunately, these weren't as delicious as I hoped.  
 This is Mack's motorcycle man.
 Rae loves shoes, especially if they're too big.
 Mack and Rae love "honey bread and chips" (PB and honey sandwiches and chips). If they're to rattle off a prayer without thinking it goes something like this "Fadah in heben. Gwateful for honeybread chips. Amen" Even if they're praying for scriptures, or at bedtime.  That line is usually in their prayers somewhere.


Mack and Rae say the phrase "Sure did" all the time, but they use it in the wrong context.  They use it in place of just saying "sure". I think it's funny:
Me: Mack, are you going to go grocery shopping?
Mack: Yeah, sure did.
Me: Rae, do you want a treat?
Rae: "Yeah, sure did."

Their favorite thing to do is go grocery shopping b/c they get a treat from the bakery every time....and we always seem to be at the grocery store for something:(  We have a lot of fun together, but probably more crazy times than we'd all like. They live to torture each other, yet they can't live without each other.  The first thing Rae will say in the morning is "Mack? Mack?" and go looking for him and Mack gets so excited when Rae wakes up.  I am glad they have each other and I have no clue how I am gonna do 3, but I have a feeling that my greatest help is gonna come from these 2.  I've never had little helpers with a baby and I think they're gonna be the ones to pull me through this.  Even though, ironically, they're the 2 I'm praying about all the time for help.  And of course, Covey will help a ton, but both Covey and I know that we're both gonna need some divine assistance b/c we don't have 3 arms and we've already hit crazy so I keep thinking that the Lord works in mysterious ways and who better to help than my toddler "angels": Mack and Rae. I'm excited to see the dynamics of our family change with a new baby.  Mack has changed a lot since Rae has come along. Mack and Rae are already obsessed with the baby in mommy's tummy.  They like to touch my tummy whenever they have the chance.  They'll see me eating or drinking water and ask, "Is baby hungwy?  Baby in mommy's tummy need watah?"  It's fun, and I know everything will work out, I just don't know how.  I am hoping, just like #3 in my family, was the peacemaker, that this #3 will be the peacemaker of this home.  I live for those peaceful moments.  

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Mack's Birthday Week

I've been wanting to post these videos for awhile, but Mack had quite the exciting bday week and our computer is slowing down, so it took forever to upload videos.  But here are Mack's bday week highlights:

 After Mack opened gifts from Grandma Reed.  Thanks!
 Mack's Baymax cupcakes
 Mack excited to eat his Baymax cupcake
 Rae ready to eat her Baymax cupcake
 Mack with Peter, our neighbor the kids love
 Mollie (Peter's mom) and Jim, our best friends and neighbors
 Mack saying "Happy Birthday to you"
 Mack's color changing cars from mommy and daddy
 Mack at the Richards'
 Mack excited about his cars from the Richards
Mack opening his cars

Here are the videos:

Mack's Birthday morning: opening presents

Kids riding in Jim's lightning truck for the first time:

Mack blowing out his candles:

Mack opening Peter's surprise Play-doh egg:

Mack opening bday card from Sandy and Michael:

Mack opening Grandma Reed's present:

Mack's bday song at the Richards' (he just woke up, so he's kinda dazed):

Mack opening presents at Richards':

Ok, there are lots more videos, but I think my computer has had it, and I will have to upload them later.  We love you all and miss you!  Mack sure loved all the presents and attention:)






Thursday, February 26, 2015

Covey's "Happy" 34th Birthday

I've been meaning to post this since Covey's birthday.  Technically, he had a great birthday, but for the actual celebration of it, we thought it was video worthy.  So here is his celebration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVHFaLwjT1o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzcQ3PNvpkc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf_Eg91uJdc



Here are some other videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=707-aXjTCbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLZcSfSf5ns