Almost Ready!

With only a few weeks left, we decided we better start getting everything ready for this baby. I have been cleaning (nesting) like crazy and decided we needed to get the bassinet put together. We've had this bassinet since Connor was born and my mom had put it together for us while he was in the NICU. We left it put together for Kadee, but took the cloth part off to clean it after Landon. Well, it took Rory and I about 2 hours to figure out how to put the cloth part back on the bassinet. We pulled up the manual online, tried everything we could think of, but had no success. Finally, when we were about to give up Rory had an idea. It worked! We finally go the bassinet put together. I think we are ready!!

Bowling and Winger's

For Connor's 6th birthday we had a bowling party. Originally we were going to go swimming at the National 9 Inn Pool in Wellington, but when Rory called to reserve it they said it was drained and they didn't know if they would have it ready by the 6th. So we opted for plan B and went bowling at Gateway Lanes in Helper. I had myself a little stressed out because we invited 19 kids. Only one didn't show up. Although there were what felt like a million kids, the party went smoothly. We were the only ones at the bowling alley so we didn't have to stress about the kids bugging other people. They had a lot of fun and Connor was so happy to have so many friends there. He got some awesome presents and had a Transformers Cake, it was delicious.


Bowling stud



Kadee and Tay Toe, she adores him


The whole crew



After the party we went to Winger's for dinner. My kids get to pick what they want for dinner on their birthday. Connor has picked Winger's the last three years. Grandpa Derk and Nana Kelli came with us to dinner and it was so yummy. Grandpa Gary was out of town and Grandma Debbie was still in the hospital. She was released that night and we are so happy she is feeling better. The waiters and waitresses sang a birthday song to Connor and brought him a huge serving of Asphalt Pie. He was so embarrassed. He half hid under the table until they walked away, silly kid. I hope he enjoyed his birthday and thanks to everyone that came and helped with the party.



Yummy Asphalt Pie


33 weeks pregnant

Happy Birthday Connor!!!

On this day 6 years ago one of the greatest blessings of my life was born. I can't believe he is already 6 and the joy he has brought to our family. He is our oldest, the big brother, dad's shadow, and mom's helper. Right now he loves Transformers, UFC, and video games (although I hardly ever let him play them). He loves basketball, baseball, and play fighting with his dad (he wants to play fight his friends, but I don't let him because someone always gets hurt). He is such a good big brother and loves to feel the baby kick and every once in awhile he will kiss my belly and tell the baby he loves her. I am so proud of him and I want to tell him the story of when he was born, so here it is:

Rory and I went camping with his family for the 4th of July holiday. I wasn't due until August 8 so we really weren't worried about going camping. We came home the 5th and I just didn't feel right. This was our first, so I didn't think there was anyway I was in labor. About 3am I started having labor pains but didn't think much of it. Rory went to work and I headed to the doctor's office. I got there about 9:00am and they sent me straight to the hospital. I was dialated to a 4 and they told me we were going to have a baby!! When I got my epidural Connor's heart rate dropped and so they put some sort of adrenaline or something in my IV to bring it back up.

I started pushing around 3:50pm and Connor's heart rate kept dropping. They were getting nervous but I kept pushing and delivered our little angel at 4:38pm. He was 6lbs. 1/2 oz. and 19 in. long. I only got to hold him for a few seconds before they rushed him off to put him on oxygen. He received a blessing from Rory, Derk, Derek, and Kyle. After that we knew he wasn't going to get any better at Castleview so Dr. Gagon signed an order to send him to the Utah Vally NICU.

At 2:00 pm on July 8 an ambulance from Utah Vally picked him up. They put 2 IV's in his umbilical cord and hooked him up to a ventilator. One of his lungs collapsed so they decided to keep him on the ventilator for a few days. He received his first meal through the tube in his umbilical cord. July 11 they were able to take him off the ventilator, but his bili ruben was high so they had to put him under the lights. They kept him at Utah Valley until July 15, we didn't get to come home until about 11:00pm so instead of driving to Huntington we stayed at Derk and Debbie's.

Connor was born a fighter. He fought so hard to stay on this earth, and even the nurses were impressed with his will to live. They couldn't believe he got better so fast and several told us he would be a fighter the rest of his life.

Happy Birthday Connor Von!

What do you do?

What do you do the last 2 weeks of June?

Swim Lessons!!!

Connor and Kadee have been in swim lessons for a week now and have had a blast. They are both little fish and love to be in the water. Connor is in level 3 and has an awesome teacher. He can now dive in at the five foot mark and swim back to the three foot area. He can also do a front flip into the water. Kadee is in level 2 and loves diving and playing "Here, fishy, fishy." The picture is of her and her friend Shalyce, she has quite a few friends in her class.

Rory has been at a Drug Court Training at the University of Utah all week. We have missed him. Connor and Kadee stayed busy though. Connor had a late night with his friend Gavin, Kadee had a girl's night at grandma Debbie's and they both had Pee Wee all week. Thursday we came up to vist grandma and grandpa Curtis and went to visit dad at his hotel. The kids LOVED swimming in the pool and cried when we had to leave. They really missed their dad and I am not looking forward to hunting season!




What do you do when the canyon is closed for 2 hours?

Find a new adventure!

There was a terrible accident in the canyon on Thursday. We were on our way to Salt Lake and were right behind it. We didn't see the actual accident but we saw life flight and incident management. It was right around the corner from us and an eye opener for me. It scared me, a lot. It was one of those moments you realize how precious life is. I just kept praying and thanking Heavenly Father for my beautiful babies and for protecting us. We saw the vehicle involved in the wreck and it wasn't good, I later found out 2 people died.

While waiting we looked around and saw a little campground down the road aways. I maneuvered my way out of traffic, back tracked a bit, and pulled down into the camp area. It is called the Spanish Fork River Campground and is absolutely beautiful. It had super clean bathrooms, a pavilion, a playground, a bridge that went over the river, and some really fun trails. We had a blast and didn't mind being stuck there at all. We were there for about 2 hours before traffic had cleared out enough for us to head up to Salt Lake. Connor loved throwing rocks over the bridge and Kadee was fascinated with the people we met. She is shy, but she is a people watcher. I have to laugh at my kids though, they were totally fascinated with the dog poop. Sorry, I know that probably isn't blog appropriate but it was too funny. They could not figure out why people would let their dogs poop in the middle of the trails, I have to admit, I agree with them on this!




Finally, what do you do when mom isn't looking?

Steal her camera!

Connor got a hold of my camera and these are two of the pictures he took. I think he may have a future in photography. When I told him this he said, "No, I am going to be a professional basketball player." Atleast he knows what he wants to do with his life!

Sprinklers and a Baldy

It has been HOT!!! We have been babysitting Avery again this summer and we love having her here. The kids put their allowance money together and bought a slip n slide and have been having a hay day. Avery, Connor, and Kadee spend everyday lounging in the sun, running through the sprinklers, and eating popsicles. What a life. I am so glad I have a job that I not only get to take my kids with me, but I get to have the summers off.



I asked Rory to cut Connor's hair (I am NOT talented with the scissors or the clippers) and this is what I got. Holy cow, can you say bald!? I can't believe he cut it so short, but Connor loves it because he says he looks just like his dad. I think we will be wearing a lot of hats this summer to avoid some serious bald head burns.

This is what I drank this morning:




As always I had to gag it down, wait an hour, then have my blood drawn. Good times. I actually took the test a week late, so hopefully the results will still be accurate.

Grass and baseball

About a month and a half ago we planted sod!!!!! I kept waiting to post pics because we are going to do some curbing and other things, but I was too excited to wait any longer. It looks so good and makes our house look complete. The kids love having grass to run on and can't wait to play in the sprinklers. Rory got me some beautiful flowers for my birthday and we hung them from the shepard's hooks in my front yard. He is awesome.



We started Pee Wee baseball. Connor and Kadee are on the red team this year. One of the perks of being in charge is letting the kids choose their team color. The kids love it and Connor has become quite the ball player. He can really throw the ball and hits it off the coach pitch every time. Kadee loves it, but she isn't as into it as Connor is. Rory has been working with her on batting (I love that man, he spends so much time with our kids) and she played first base last night. She is really funny though. Whenever grandma Debbie is there she takes several "breaks" to go have a drink and candy from grandma.


Kadee Jo, I couldn't get a good picture of her sweet face.



Connor Von, hardcore ball player.