Costco wore them out

These two are somewhat of a handful, most of the time. so going to Costco can be quite the chore! I am always worn out after this outing, but usually my kids are still full of energy somehow! I loved this rare moment when all three of them were dead asleep in about 5 minutes into the trip home. one of those times when you wished you could drive around for hours, then you remember you have all that food in your car! At least I got to enjoy my car ride home with no screaming or fighting.

Back to school

 The kids started school at Mickey Cox Elementary (yes, another new school). Pierce got Mrs. Hamm (2nd grade) and Brock Mrs. Ervine (Kindergarten). We decided to have Brock do another year of Kindergarten, since he was younger for his grade. We felt like it was important for him to be confident and more mature. It was a decision that wasn't easy, but that when we prayed about it, it just seemed right.

 A little Michael Jordan Love.

The boys enjoy riding their scooter to school everyday and me and the girls jog behind in the jogging strollers. It is one of our highlights of the day. So far so good and they both love their new classes and teachers. Go Cowboys!

Courtright Reservoir

 A few weeks back we braved the almost 2 hour drive into the mountains to try our hand at some fishing. Can you believe the beautiful view? It was worth all the car sickness to be able to enjoy the nice clean fresh air and spectacular view. The fishing on the other hand proved to be a dud, but fun was had by all.

Next time we go I hope that we are more successful with fishing. I love little day trips like this that help to make our family closer. That is one of our favorite things about this area that we live in that there is so much outdoorsy things for us to do together.

It's pretty rough

Being a baby is a rough life sometimes. lounging back in the stroller as you take walks around the neighborhood can just plain wear you out. Doesn't she look cozy in there? I wish I could be pushed around the block in a stroller.

Allie 8 months

At 8 months Allie really started growing up!  She:
* got 6!!!! teeth all in a weeks time.
* started jabbering non-stop
*learned to clap
*wears 18 month clothes (Chubby)
*wears size 5 diapers
*loves peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, squash, fruit loops
*hates getting dressed
*loves her bath time
*gets her feelings hurt
*can get around by scooting on her back

We love her more and more everyday.

Brock's Amazing Lemonade and Cookies

 Brock has literally been bugging me to let him do a Lemonade stand for over a year. I finally gave in and let him do one. He was pretty particular about how he wanted things done. He wanted everyone to know that he was in charge and running the show. He hired me to help him with the signs and bake the cookies. He hired Pierce to be a sign dancer to attract more customers.

 He went door to door placing these flyers all down our street and the one behind us.

Saturday came and he was so excited. They actually had great success and sold out in about an hour and a half. For me the highlight was watching Pierce dance his heart out trying to get cars to stop. This is something I hope I never forget. My little entrepreneurs oh how I love you.

favorite picture

Every so often you capture the moment on camera. This was one of those moments. You can see the joy on both of their faces. My kids are so lucky to have such a great dad. Trent is so hands on and loves spending time with them.

Sewing 101

 The boys both came to me one day and said that they wanted to learn how to sew. They both came up with the idea to make mini pillows. I decided to start with the basics and teach them basic needle and thread technique. They both did surprisingly well and didn't complain. I was impressed that they kept with it and didn't give up. Not sure what they are actually going to use them for, but they were pretty proud of themselves.

Allie's many moods...

 Screaming her bloody head off.. for no apparent reason. just because.

 Her I just woke up and in a daze face. Give me some space or I will lose it and I'm not in the mood to be entertained or smile kind of face.

And last but not least her I'm not even interested face. Most likely to be seen if the camera is present.

Saturday Selfie

My family teases my Dad because he is always sending out selfie pictures to everyone in the family and a brief explanation of what he is doing. It actually is quite funny and cute sometimes. So as a joke (in the beginning) we started sending out random pictures of our selves. Now it has become something kinda fun to see what people are doing on Saturday. So yes here is a pretty glamorous one of me cleaning toilets on my Saturday! I know pretty interesting. Love my Dad.

Window Watching

 Sometimes it is just to plain hot outside for a little baby to endure. She absolutely loves being outside so sometimes the next best thing is sitting in front of the window and watching your siblings having fun outside. She laughed and giggled and flapped her arms with excitement every time they came near the window. Priceless.

They look nothing alike

Brock absolutely adores his Sister Allie. He is constantly trying to make her smile, wanting to hold her, making sure she is comfortable and always telling me that I am not taking care of her right! I hope that this is always the case. I hope that as her big brother he is always there to look after her and protect her. It is very tender to me. I love seeing him interact with her.

boring bathroom

 We have a case of boring bathroom at our house. I bought this cheap towel rack on Amazon. I decided that it needed some color. I spray painted it yellow. Then I bought some wood at Home Depot and stained it a dark walnut stain. Had my always adoring husband cut it for me and Walah.. We have a project completed. Just have to get around to staging it cute!

Just enjoying a churro

This Cute thing thoroughly enjoyed every single ounce of this churro. Can't say I blame her! I love churros.

Summer Movies

Over the summer the theatre here did dollar movie Tuesdays. The kids and I went to them and loved it. We enjoys seeing the movies and of course indulging in the gigantic tub of movie theatre popcorn. Some may call me crazy for dragging all my kids out to the theatre.. is it easy? No! Is it enjoyable? Not always. But most of all we make so very fun memories together! We laugh and have fun in ways that I cannot create at home. It teaches me that sometime I just have to learn to roll with things. That yes my 3 year old maybe still sucking on a pacifier and laying on the disgusting theatre floor, but that is okay! We will live another day. Sure my 6 year old boy may giggle and shout out what comes next in the movie, but that is okay. His laugh to me is priceless and I love seeing him enjoy himself. And My 7 year old might think that going to some of these cheesy movies is dumb and "Not cool" But guess what I saw him smile and actually love the movies! And Most of all my 7 month old may squawk and squeal in the most annoying ways, but guess what I wasn't alone. There were plenty of other mothers in there trying to do their very best as they drug all of their munchkins to the theatre themselves. It made me feel unity and powerful as I sat there as a mom. I can do this! I am not alone! And that is what charges my battery sometimes. I love these little things even though they can drive a girl crazy sometimes.

goodbye Frank

The boys had a leopard gecko named Frank. We got him back in December. He wasn't a very social pet. He stayed in his cave all day and was nocturnal. He didn't like to be held and when we did get him out he would just poop all over the boys.

About two months ago he stopped eating and refused to come out ever. So it was a very hard decision for the boys but we decided it was best to give him back to the pet store so that they could do what was best for him.

Good Bye Frank! We will Miss You.

Pierce's Baptism

 Can you even believe that My little boy is 8? Crazy right. Pierce has been so excited for his baptism. He talked about it all the time and was so happy. He was excited for family to come, for his new scriptures, that our primary gave him a personalized hymn book, and for his dad to be the one to baptize him.

 We were so happy that we got to have so much family come and celebrate this special day with us. We had Grammy and Papa Russ, Gramsie and Brown Papa, Aunt Ninny, Mia, Jase, Tyden, Hadlee, Aunt Dee, and Uncle Cory.

 Pierce's baptism was with one other girl Desi Luna. It was very special and intimate. Our program was:
Opening Prayer: Diane Belliston
Opening Song: When I am Baptized
Talk on Baptism: Kari Barker
Musical Number: Cory Bellliston, My Heavenly Father Loves Me
Talk on Holy Ghost: Brent Belliston
Closing Song: Teach me to Walk in the Light
Closing Prayer: Russ Barker

I was so proud of Pierce's decision to be baptized. This was a decision that he made all on his own. I love the example that he has set for others and especially his siblings. It was really special to see all the little children gathered around the font watching him being baptized. There was a very special spirit that day. Way to go Pierce, We love you.

Pierce with his Birthday loot.

 

 

 

Lots of family came to support him.

And our awesome friends the Haretuku's.