Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  We truly do have much to be thankful for.  First and foremost we are thankful for our family, immediate and extended. It was nice to have a laid back holiday and spend time together. The kids and I really enjoyed so much time with Jerod.  We are grateful for how hard he works, but even more grateful for the emotional and spiritual care he takes of our family. We had so many laughs and little jokes during our time together this weekend, and a really nice and quiet Sunday to wrap it all up. Too bad reality starts again tomorrow with work and school .   :)
With all of our down time, Brighton decided to learn to ride his bike.  We had hoped to do that last summer, but with the broken collarbone (twice!) that didn't happen. B is proof that once you put your mind to something you really can accomplish it.  He learned to ride his bike without training wheels really well in three days. We've been up and down our street and all over the neighborhood.

Our little Claire is getting big fast. She is starting to smile and we are so ready for all the fun to come as her little personality emerges. Samantha still is a very comforting big sister and loves rocking Claire to sleep.

 This is on the bear rug at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Claire isn't afraid of this big bear, she is even smiling!

 More little smiles...

 And Uncle Steffan and Claire finally meet.  Just wait Claire, he'll be teasing you too before we know it!

Serious Hunting

Watching the fall go by from the comfort (and sometimes prison!) of home is really hard when you have a newborn. We have missed hunting this year! Granted, preparing to go hunting is a lot of work...but I won't complain next year because I will enjoy being able to go! Fall and hunting are my favorite seasons. Jerod got a late cow/calf tag this year, because we knew he wouldn't really be able to hunt the regular season. He has been able to go a couple of times, and hiked quite a bit each time, but without getting an elk. So last weekend we decided that it would be nice to break out of these four walls and take a drive. We didn't leave the house until 4 or so, and just went about 20 miles out of town. Jerod took his rifle, but left it under the back seat of the truck in the scabbard. We were just driving along slowly, listening to the kids' new lyrics to a Selena Gomez song (very entertaining!), when I looked up and there about 75 or so yards in front of us was an elk! Just standing there! I alerted the family to the fact and Jerod got out, found his gun amid the coats and diaperbag, and shot! Sometimes you are just given little gifts from above, and we feel like this was one of them. It was really awesome to be together as a family and have this experience! We have also decided that Claire is a hard-core hunter--her first hunting trip was at 3 1/2 weeks old!  We were able to drive within 25 yards of the elk.  Samantha and Brighton were great helpers and we got the elk loaded whole!  We were even home by dark.  :)

The serious road hunters!

Proof that Claire was even awake for the big hunt!

Claire's birth announcement

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And baby makes 5....

Our family is bigger.  The mini van seems more full.  It has been a whirlwind almost 3 weeks already!  We are now outnumbered by children in our house...but we love it!  Our baby's due date was October 7th, but by October 1st I was SO ready to have the baby that I was going a little crazy.  So, on the 2nd we decided to watch General Conference and then drive up on South Pass to see the beautiful fall colors and take a walk.  Walking seemed to help things along with the other 2 labors.  I didn't go into labor that day, but it was nice to be out of the house and see the beautiful trees.  I don't like to show pictures of me big and pregnant, but for the baby's sake I will show one...here we are on our walk.  Since it was hunting season up there, Jerod made the kids wear their orange.  We didn't want anyone getting shot. :)

The week started and was dragging by, until Tuesday night.  Jerod and I went on a dinner date and ate a yummy dinner.  When we got home and were getting everyone ready for bed the contractions started. They were ten minutes apart and not hurting, so we went to bed.  That went on during the night, but still was not serious.  The next morning we had to take Samantha to a MAP test for WYVA, and Jerod decided he had better come with me. We walked around Walmart while she took her test, with the contractions still being about every 10 minutes or so apart.  After the test we came home, ate lunch, and decided that since the contractions were getting closer we had better call Grandma Bird to come get the kids so we could go to the hospital.  On the drive over the contractions backed off...so Jerod and I walked around the block at the hospital for about an hour.  There finally came a point when things felt serious, so at about 2pm we checked into labor & delivery....and an hour and a half later we had a baby girl!!
Claire Lila was born at 3:28 pm on October 5th, 2011, was 7 lbs 6oz, and 20 1/4 inches long.  We couldn't believe how dark her hair was and that there was so much of it!  We were all in awe of this precious baby and that she had really joined our family! She has two very doting and proud siblings!

Claire is just a little joy!  She is a really good baby and doesn't cry often now...I'm sure she will find her voice soon enough.  She has been sleeping pretty well, so we are functioning better than I was expecting at our house!  She is definitely going to be spoiled because she is constantly being held by someone.  Samantha especially loves holding her and is a big, big help!  Brighton will be excited when she starts interacting with us a little bit more with smiles and laughs, but for now he is content to shower her with brotherly kisses.
One week old...

 Almost 3 weeks old (below), and starting to fill out.  Daddy says, "It takes a lot of energy to make all those chins!"  And now the cheeks are getting chubbier too!

It feels like Claire has been in our family for more than 3 weeks.  She just makes things feel more complete. We love you Claire bear!

Brighton turns 5!

I can hardly believe it was FIVE years ago that we brought a baby boy home to join our little family!  Being pregnant with #3 on B's 5th birthday really made it seem crazy that 5 years had gone by so quickly.  Brighton wanted a cowboy theme for his birthday...and I usually get a little more creative with the cake at least, but this year being 9.9 months pregnant caused a lack in motivation and follow through!  So, B dressed up as a cowboy, Grandpa Larson did too, and we still had a fun time.  We watched B's soccer game and then went home for pizza and cake.

Brighton, we love having a crazy and fun boy like you!  You are sweet and sensitive even though you are sometimes a wild little guy who loves to wrestle with Daddy!  I love reading books with you, and it has been so fun lately watching you learn to read!  You love doing your "homework" and you are such a good boy.  We love you very much! Happy 5th birthday!

Beginning of Fall '11

Fall in our state is the best ever!  It is so beautiful and refreshing! This year I am especially grateful for the cooler weather (my feet have stopped swelling)! We have started off the school year with gusto, soccer and dance seasons have begun, and we are very prepared for the arrival of our new baby! She's almost here!
This was at Brighton's drop-off on his first day of preschool...

And he is really getting the hang of soccer...after the first game where he ran AROUND the ball or group of children chasing after and kicking the ball, he is now actually trying to kick the ball himself-and succeeding! (B is on far right in green)

Daddy, also known as coach, giving some pre-kick off pointers!  You can see B shrugging like, "I don't know Dad!"

Samantha has started homeschool again, this year through WYVA, which is actually considered a public school.  The curriculum is through K12, and while somewhat rigorous in schedule and material at times, we are enjoying it so far.  We are pushing really hard right now to be ahead when the baby comes, and we are winning that battle!  This big rainstorm seemed like the perfect time to take a break the other day, however, and go play in the gutters!

This is out at the house Jerod is wrapping up, having built it this summer. It is in a really beautiful place, so when we had to go check on progress the other day we took a short hike and some pictures! Hooray for fall!

Samantha's Birthday & Baptism weekend

We had a really special weekend last weekend. On August 20th our big girl turned 8. How did 8 years go by so quickly? We had a really fun weekend. I think there were 21 total family members here to help her celebrate her birthday and support her in her decision to be baptized. Many traveled far and we were so grateful to have them here. This was the picture we took of Samantha in her new dress to use on the baptism program. I love it!

This is right before we left for the church. Everyone was so excited!

 These 2 goofballs are like 2 peas in a pod.  There's just something about a little princess and her daddy. :)

 This is everyone in the family who were able to attend.  What a nice crew!

We had an incredibly special time at the baptism.  After Samantha was baptized just she and I were in the bathroom getting her dried off and dressed and she said to me, "I've been waiting and waiting and it was finally my turn!"  She has been waiting...since she is pretty much the youngest of her group of friends and the girl cousins around her age...and it was wonderful to finally see her get to be baptized.  Then she asked me if she "went all the way under," and I assured her that she had, otherwise she would have been dunked again!  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and all that it brings to our lives.  We are truly blessed!

So, to our big girl, wonderful helper, beautiful dancer, sweet sister & daughter, avid reader, outdoors enthusiast, fun & funny kid....Happy 8th Birthday!  It was wonderful to celebrate with you! 



Let's go to the hills!

Last Friday we had made a plan to go up fishing somewhere in the mountains with Grandpa Larson and Steffan.  It is difficult to get away from work and all of the responsibilities, but we finally got in the trucks and headed into the Wind Rivers. We first went up to Fiddler's Lake, where we were able to try out our new canoe.  Jerod has wanted to get a canoe for awhile, so we finally just made one of those spontaneous purchases and got one.  It was a great choice!  As often as we love to go into the mountains, I think it will be used and enjoyed for many years.  I had never canoed before, and neither had Samantha & Brighton, so we were a little nervous about how "tippy" it felt, but we soon got used to it and had a nice time paddling around the lake.  Brighton loved his special short oar, and often paddled against the way I was paddling! :)  If it weren't for Jerod's muscles paddling in the back of the boat we may not have ever moved!
Brighton and his little oar.

Beautiful Samantha in the beautiful scenery.

The bros took the canoe on its maiden voyage!

Dad & Steffan in the "tidy bowl" (raft).

Steffan and the kids paddling around.

Around lunch time we went to the other side of the lake and found a picnic spot to eat our lunch.  Then we decided to head to Worthen Meadows to see if the fishing was any better there. We'd had no luck at Fiddler's.  On the way down we stopped and hiked on top of the Blue Ridge fire watch tower.  The view from the top of it is spectacular!!  Dad (Grandpa) and the pregnant lady even made it to the top, where we were truly in awe of God's beautiful country!  Oh how I love Wyoming!  I will have to make another post of those pictures however, because I forgot my camera back at the truck.  We got some with Dad's camera so I will get them from him. :)

Then at Worthen Meadows there was more boating and fishing.  I was happy to stay on shore and read and watch the dogs.  Sitting in the canoe for a long time is too hard on my big belly and my back. The only person to catch a fish all day was Grandpa...and it was not a keeper.  Oh well, it was a really great time in the peace of the outdoors. I love being somewhere where I can't hear the cell phones ring!  I'm so grateful for our family and our enjoyment of the outdoors!

4th of July

The 4th of July weekend was a big one!  We had lots of family here and lots of exhausting fun!  Grammy, Aunt Mallo, baby Ashton, and Steffan's girlfriend, Lindsey, came up to visit.  On Friday night we drove up to Worthen Meadows and roasted hot dogs and Starbursts with everyone.  The warm, gooey Starbursts were the best!  Brighton cast his fishing line in for about 30 seconds and caught a small fish, but we turned him loose since he was too small.  Then we had to get back to town because poor baby Ashton wasn't feeling well.  Aunt Mallo and Grammy ended up taking him to the ER because he had a bad fever and was acting so yucky.  Turned out that his allergies had been so bad that he had an ear infection!  The next day was much better for him with some antibiotics on board!

My goofy siblings...love them!

The cousins had a fun time in the pool in the backyard!

Grammy with her 3 grandkiddos!

Then Saturday night we went to the Bills' fireworks show.  We had parked the truck along the highway in the ditch earlier in the day so we could just sit in the back of it. About 30 minutes or so after we got there all three kids were asleep in the back of the truck.  So, the adults just watched the show.  It is a really huge and amazing fireworks display, but I don't think we will go again now for a few more years. (This is only the 2nd time we have been in the 6 years we have lived here.)  We just are not night owls, or too into fireworks...it was a really late night and we had 9am church the next morning.  We like sleep too much!

Sunday was a great day at church, even though we were all tired.  We usually have about 130 people in our ward, but on that Sunday we had 405!!  I've never seen the chapel so full! They had to put people in the Relief Society room because it was overflowing.

Then on Monday, the actual 4th, we went to the parade.  Our friends, the Fowlers, invited us to watch from their chalet.  They have garden hoses that they hook up and they let their grand kids squirt the people on floats that try to get the crowd wet with squirt guns or water balloons. I thought that was great!  Ashton had a good time dancing to the bands and other music. Brighton got some sympathy candy with his sling on and waving at people with his good arm.  At the end of the parade, the firetrucks SOAKED everyone but me, B, and Ashton. We hid under the tarp lean-to that the Fowlers made for shade.  We were lucky not to get soaked!

Monday night we let the kids do a few of their own fireworks out at Grandma and Grandpa Bird's.  Grandpa Larson and Steffan & Lindsey came out too.  We had a yummy BBQ with all of us and the missionaries, played some corn hole and Frisbee, and then did the fireworks.  Then it was off to bed, which is always interesting on the 4th in this town. It is truly like WW3 with all the noise.  I wouldn't be sad if they outlawed the crazy firework mayhem.  (Please no one send me hate mail!) I'm just not that into it!  It took a full week to recover from our weekend of too many late nights, but it made for some good memories.

Summer 2011 Activities

Summer finally came, and now it is going too fast!  We purposefully signed up for a lot of activities in June so that toward the end of summer when I am bigger with baby I wouldn't have so much running around to do.  It seems we will still be busy in August, so that plan backfired, but we still had a full and fun June.  This first picture is of B playing with water balloons...in his vampire cape. Our new van is in the background...we went to Utah the end of May and found one that will be nice for our whole family to comfortably fit into. I said I'd NEVER own a mini van, but it is the most practical vehicle choice at this point. We actually don't mind it and are grateful for the extra room!  It will be especially nice I'm sure when the baby gets here...I love that I can open the doors or the back hatch with the clicker!

Brighton finally got out of his sling from his broken collarbone at 5 weeks post-break and was able to participate in a "How To Train Your Dragon" dance funshop.  He had a lot of fun with that and danced pretty well for his first time. The jumping and flying were his favorite parts.

This is his prop from the dance....it is a shield. He decorated it when he got home.

And then that Thursday night after Brighton's little dance performance, he re-broke his collarbone. He was crawling across the hammock and mom saw out the window and said not to do that..but he did again, and kind of rolled to the ground to dismount....well he must have landed just wrong on his still weak collarbone, resulting in 4 more weeks in the sling.  :(   This was very sad.  The next day we still went on our trip to Billings to the temple that we had planned. The pediatrician said that we should just do the same things as before...sling, ice, and motrin.  He seemed to do okay on the trip. It was mostly just sitting in the truck or riding in a cart at Costco.  Aunt Kori moved to Bozeman (our old town...miss it!!) this past may, and her student ward was having a temple trip to Billings on the same Saturday as our trip, so we met her there and visited for a minute on the temple grounds.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we always love attending the temple.

Jerod and Joni (and the growing belly) around the back of the Billings temple.

Samantha did the "Barbie Fashion Fairytale" dance funshop.  It is really fun to see her skills improving. She will take one more funshop in August and then start up regular classes again the end of August.  She seems to really enjoy dancing. We feel so lucky to have Ms. Tricia as a teacher...she makes it fun while learning!  The Barbie funshop was full of friends...

The following week Samantha participated in a Pioneer School at the Museum of the American West. They dressed up as pioneers every day, had pioneer style treats, played pioneer style games, and had some lessons pioneer style in handwriting, math, reading, & history.  The last day the class performed some of the things that they had learned, like a poem they had memorized in partnerships, and songs.   This was an excellent experience for her, and we hope to do it again!!

Samantha showed Brighton her desk in the pioneer school. Since she was the second shortest (and  2nd youngest) she was in the front row!

Samantha and one of our favorite friends took swimming lessons for three weeks.  This is actually our final week.  Brighton had to miss out because of the sling/collarbone issue...but he hopes to be able to catch the last session in 2 weeks.  Samantha and Jam are like little fish...they swim up and down the lanes!  After swimming they are hungry and a little tired!

So far we have had a great summer!  We have been able to play with friends often and go here and there and everywhere with different activities! 

school, cousins and collar bones

We're having a very full May already.  Is there a theme here? Does every post start seem to start with "we're SO busy?" I'm gathering that this is just how our life is going to be for the next I-Don't-Know-How-Many years!  My older and wiser friends have told me to enjoy these years, because they are the best ever. I'm trying to do that. But some days I just need a good nap! Thankfully school will be out in three weeks and we are looking forward to a break in the day to day routine. And sun.....where is the sun!?  I'm beginning to feel like we are back in Washington!
So, I don't think that I have mentioned in the past that we decided to home school Samantha this past year. I have been wanting to fly under the radar so to speak...and just give our experiment a try. It seems that everyone has an opinion anytime the words "home school" are mentioned, and this was just something we wanted to do without being under everyone's microscope. Now that we have just about successfully completed our first year, I am just really excited to see all that we have accomplished. She took the MAP assessment at the public school last week so we could see if she had fallen behind or anything, but she scored above the 2nd grade level. That was nice to see that we are still on track.  Samantha's confidence, happiness, and abilities in general have seemed to really grow this year. I don't know if that can be attributed to any one thing, but I have seen some good changes and growth this year. She has "come out of her shell" quite a bit. It seems we have packed our days SO full...and if I had been worried about socialization before I am definitely not now.  We have a home schooler's group that we participated in swimming lessons, sledding days, and Valentine's parties with, and we got invited to many more things that we had to turn down.  We also had a couple of field trips. The most recent was to a fellow home school mom's farm to see baby chicks, bunnies, a bum calf, sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs! That was a fun time. Brighton made a new friend named Skipper. He is a sheep that has been raised as a pet because of a bone disease that he has, so he thinks he's more of a dog!

It is amazing to watch these kids grow and experience many new things.

They had an excellent time playing with cousins Tayler and Baylee when we went to Idaho last weekend to help Jerod's sister and brother-in-law work on their house.  They are buying a new house with an awesome back yard and lot area full of many secret hideout locations (according to S&B).  The kids had fun searching for "mysteries" back there.

B also got a new bike this spring....

...And the plan was for him to ride for a few weeks and then take the training wheels off. That plan was foiled, however, yesterday when he broke his collar bone.   :(   4-6 weeks in a sling means no bike riding.  This was a classic case of a monkey who was jumping on the bed. Now for the rest of his life I will get to say, "Remember what happened the last time you were jumping on the bed?" 

He was NOT smiling yesterday when it happened, but seems to be more comfortable when he wears the sling and takes it easy.  We'll see how many of his activities he has to cancel because of the necessary healing time. And finally, to make May even more complicated, we sold our car a lot quicker than we thought we would, and so now I am vehicle-less again until we can figure out what we want to replace it with.  I have fought minivan ownership for years...but when you add more kids (and a dog) to the mix it may be unavoidable. So, another May without a car. I hope it is not another trend I'm starting here, because this time last year my car died. It is funny to see how things turn out. In hindsight I can always see the Lord's hand in our lives and many blessings, but it would be nice to know more beforehand so I could stress a little less! ha!