Friday, May 2, 2014

March Happenings

Not long after we came home from Edmonton, we heard the sad news that Richard and Leslie's triplets have Retinoblastoma, a RARE eye cancer. Not just one but all three have it...meaning they are all identical as well. It is just from a random genetic mutation that occurred BEFORE the eggs split. Chances of identical triplets are already ridiculously rare...but for the triplets to have a cancer only 20 people in Canada/yr are diagnosed with is astronomically rare. So so sad and unfortunate. The fortunate part of this all is that they randomly caught it early on and there is an amazing doctor across Canada in Toronto that treats this very thing. Dr. Gallie. They have to fly to Toronto every 2 weeks -month for a few years. THAT is a huge ordeal. Plus Richard still has over a year to finish of his residency. Not easy. Anyway, Brian and Cynthia were visiting with other family in Texas and Portland and couldn't easily change plans, so I got to go up to Edmonton and help get them ready to make their first trip to Toronto. Total mix of emotions, but I just loved snuggling these sweet baby boys. Not going to lie, it was EXHAUSTING even with 5 adults. Plus I was 11 weeks pregnant...tired! I felt honored to be there though. They have a long bumpy road ahead of them, but these little guys are fighters and will come out on top.
Look at those sweet cheeks and bald heads. If you want to follow their progress here is the link to their blog!
Brothers! Benson is 2 years older than these guys. Too much cuteness.
Leslie's photographer sister Emily (the amazing one that keeps up the blog and everything!!) took this picture of me with the trio. Pretty sure she edited out a lot of darkness around my eyes!! :) That is a lot of baby to hold. So fun. While we were there I even got to be on TV for a few seconds helping hold and feed the boys. :) Here's the link to the interviews.

I wish I had this pillow when I had twins!! A nursing pillow and a boppy propping pillow--in soft minky fabric! Its perfect!

This was the struggle...keeping these guys asleep and not letting them wake up the others. Good luck boys. We love you so much!!

Don't cry over spilled milk! Smile! ;) A fun random occurrence.

FROZEN came out!!!! These kids have been waiting MONTHS for this and asking every single day. We watched it for a week straight. At least once a day. Everyone loves it, especially Addie.
 

 
Ugly weather. Mid-march...SO SICK OF THIS!
We went to Back to School night and Zach's teacher showed us this. I laughed SO HARD!!! I have to go poo my makeup on now! ;)
 
I couldn't find Addie for a while...then I did! ;) She carries the girl's dolls everywhere. Love it.

We had a visitor!! Dallin's friend Aaron stopped by. "Dallin's brother" as the kids call him. It was fun to catch up with him and the kids had a blast with him.






March is also Speech and Music Festival time. Zach's class sang 2 songs and did a great job! I was SO MAD I didn't video it! Zach was so animated and into it! Their teacher is amazing with them. He is in the yellow shirt, middle row.



SKIP TO 2:30 and 4:30 to see the songs. This is the video the school shot. He is on the far right in a yellow shirt.
 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!
Green eggs and green pancakes! I didn't do the green milk or orange juice this time. Too gross looking. :)

Even though it was a snowy wintery day, Zach really wanted to wear all green...so he did! I figured whenever he goes outside he has his snow pants on anyway. Can't pinch him! What a weird holiday.
 
Lucky Addie, her bib even matched!
 
And these two cuties. :) They both had a green shirt and jeans on. Twinners!

And the final update of March...the end of gymnastics! This was the kid's first organized anything. They had a great time!


Studly Gymnast.


You totally deserve that medal Zach! :) Zach's favorite thing was climbing the rope.
Kate loved the trampoline!
Kara's favorite thing was the trampoline and climbing the ropes.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Valentine's Day and Edmonton!

 
PERLER BEADS! These were the new obsession in February and I am totally okay with that! Zach did these for hours!!! In fact we decided that's what he'd do for Valentine's for his class. He made an individual heart for every kid with their favorite colors in mind. It was so sweet, and he really did well! He is very creative.

A fun selfie from my phone...I don't even know. :) Crazy girl.

I got sponge rollers and rolled the girls hair one night. Brought back memories. :)

There they are, little Curly Sues. :)

One morning Addie was calling for me, but the kids got to her first. Zach was reading her a book! Aw! She doesn't usually like to let them get her out on their own. She wants to wait for Mama or Daddy. Smart girl. ;)


I can't get enough of this girl and her cute coat and pigtails, and pink tights, and chubby cheeks. Delicious!


One day this little booger came and found me after she helped herself to applesauce while I was occupied! She knows how to open those? I can barely open them without getting it everywhere! She looks pretty proud.
 
 These are just some blurry memories...Addie LOVES books. I often find her like this...
Or like this! When she watches shows she always has some kind of doll or baby in arms and a blanket or pillow. :)

The hooded towels I made for the triplets Thomas, Mason, and Luke! All in their respective colors of course! :)
 
:) I have a Valentine. A handsome one. A handsome one that buys me flowers. :)

Heart shaped pancakes and pink smoothies for my Valentinies!! I used to be so fun, and since having 4 kids I've been a bit more boring and not as much into the holidays...however, I am seeing that these kids LOVE and miss it, and now request certain things, so I need to be better.


The girls did a "Cheers."

Me giving the kids their Valentine's Surprise...




I was an awesome wife and decorated Justin's car. Like I said, my effort in the celebrating holidays area has been very low compared to how it used to be. So I stepped up my game and surprised Justin at work with a decorated car! :) Just like the old days when we were single. And by single I mean dating or married with no kids. :)

You WISH you could read that scandalous candy gram written on his window... ;)

Justin's favorite part of Valentine's day...the huge heart shaped cookie. It is delicious.

 
Right after Justin's work on Valentine's day we drove up to Edmonton. The only memorable thing was Addie's blowout in the parking lot at Peter's drive in. It was HORRIBLE. I was alone with the kids while Justin got the food, leakage, ran out of wipes (couldn't get extra in the suitcase --in the back on the bottom of course--until Justin got back). Grateful for him to come back and replace the horrific smell with the smell of greasy fries. :) Soon the potency of the other came back though. In full force. Ugh...but look at these cute big boys chatting it up. :) Probably about some kind of Doctor stuff since it's their favorite thing to talk about. :)
Then I FINALLY got to meet the triplets!!! 2 months old and 8 lbs. :) That is a lot of baby in my arms and lap. Leslie is a champion and I am amazed how much work it all is and at how it can keep so many adults so busy and so tired. And I've had twins!!
 

We took the kiddos to Galaxyland! It was Family Day up here and the kiddos had the day (and week) off!
Had a bunch of videos of the rides and such, but my go to site for video posting is gone now! :( Sad. Anyone have any advice let me know. I don't really want them for the whole world to see on Youtube so I am just being selective. That's probably a good thing for this girl that overshares everything anyway!

 
They were fine. They're from Cardston! Totally used to it! That was just a slight breeze ;)
 
The Carousel! Gotta love the horsies!

Can you see Kate and Kara on this ride? Not sure how much they loved it!?
Jason's creepy mask...now Zach can scare HIM! ;)
Here's the 2008 post where Jason haunted Zach


So weird.
 

Cousins! The day we left...missing Triplets, Talia, and Penny.

Think she had a good time? Zonked right out.