Hey, Batter Batter

Niah started softball last week! She has loved baseball ever since she was little, so this year she wanted to play. When we signed her up they asked if she had ever played before. I told them no and they said, "Okay, we'll put her in this league." Not knowing any better I just went with it. When she got to her first practice her coach asked if she had played at all before. I told him no and he acted surprised that she was on this team. He said, "We'll see how she does tonight. The machine throws balls fast and is a little hard to get used to." He talked about putting her in the t-ball group, which would be fine. She got out there and played and after being very nervous to hit she got up the courage and hit a couple of balls! Anyway, she is going to stay on this team and she is doing very well. She is the youngest one on the team, but it doesn't seem to bother her that she is playing with second and third graders!

The other kids love being at the ball park. Bennett is obsessed with baseballs and bats. At night when he doesn't want to go to bed, he climbs up on the couch and pats the seat next to him and says, "Ball," summoning Bryan to sit and watch ball on tv with him. It's so adorable!





Here's a picture that's just for fun. Mabel is growing. She weighs 24 lbs. now and is four months old. She is sweet with the kids and most of the time she is an awesome dog. I had Chloe pretend to dance with her so that we can remember how big and tall she is!


Niah plays her first softball game on Saturday. I'm excited to see how she does. I'm hoping to take some video so I can post it here. Let's hope the weather cooperates for us!

Spring Break 2011

Niah had spring break last week. It was so nice to have her home during the days. Chloe and Bennett couldn't figure out why she was gone again on Monday!! To pass some of the time, I decided to take the kids to a couple of museums. They had so much fun. We went to the train museum in Elkhart with some of our friends. It was really neat. Benny was in heaven!

We attempted to get a picture of all the kids together in this old train car, but I'm not sure we were very successful. I think there are a few kids hiding behind the seats! The old train cars were really fun for the kids to climb up in. They were not safe at all. One of the cars had insulation and nails all over the floor. I was surprised that they let people in there! I wonder if there have been injuries before?! The kids didn't seem to mind.

After building up the courage all week, I decided to go for it and take the kids to Chicago to The Field Museum. It's a natural history museum and the kids LOVED it! Niah was especially into it. She is really into learning new things about different people and cultures. The highlights for them were Sue the dinosaur, the ancient Egyptians exhibit, and seeing Bushman the gorilla that used to fling poo at the people that came to see him. Haha. That's the only story about any of the animals that they could remember!

Their favorite part was probably playing on the steps when we were waiting to catch the train! Why spend money on a museum when there are steps to climb?!

Niah took this picture for us. I think she did pretty good.

My kids were so well behaved! I was very impressed. They learned a lot and had a great time. The train was a great idea because it takes you right to the museum, but I don't think I will do the train again with the kids. It took forever!! Driving would be much quicker and it woud probably be cheaper to just pay for parking. Anyway, we had a great week with Niah home. Now I can't wait for the summer break to get here.

Waiting

I feel like we have been very busy, but at the same time I feel like life is passing by slowly and not much has been happening. Is that possible?! I know, it doesn't make sense! Bryan has been very busy at the hospital. His call nights have been awful for him. Last week, on one of his call shifts he got twelve admits just in the night! Needless to say, we haven't seen much of him the past little while.

Mabel has been keeping me very busy. She is a very good dog, but of course she has her puppy moments! She hasn't had any accidents for over a month so she is doing great in that area. We are now working on the nipping thing. She is Benny's buddy. He doesn't put up with her nipping and he will tell her no and walk away if she gets too hyper. I think she sees him as the one in charge! :) Mabel knows 'sit', 'down', 'shake', 'come' (when not distracted- we're working on that), and we are working on getting her to like her leash and 'stay'. When we got her at 8 weeks old she weighed 9.4 lbs. When we took her to her 13 weeks visit she weighed 17.7 lbs. She is growing like a weed! I'm waiting for the day when she will lay in the corner and sleep when she is out of her crate. ;) Right now she is a big fluff ball of energy!

Yesterday, Bennett, Mabel, and I were outside playing and the ice cream truck came by. I decided to give Bennett his first popsicle from the ice cream truck! He loved it and I think he was a little surprised when the guy in the van handed him a popsicle. Of course, Benny's little buddy is right by his side.

My latest frustration is this...

Seriously, it never ends. Trying to keep up with the kids, a dog, and housework is not going well! I just can't catch up! Maybe it's my lack of energy and motivation lately. I wish that I could snap my fingers like Mary Poppins and everything would put itself away! Hopefully, this phase of mine doesn't last much longer!

If you've heard Chloe talk, you probably know that she has a hard time saying certain words and sounds. I love the way she talks and I don't want it to change, but it hasn't been getting better. So, before she gets into school we thought it would be a good idea to get her checked out. I took Chloe to a speech therapist yesterday. Her doctor referred us to an outpatient clinic at Memorial. I was very impressed with the therapist we met with. Chloe really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. After performing a few tests, we found out that Chloe's smaller muscles- the ones that you need for the precision of speaking- around her mouth are basically under developed. Chloe will start weekly sessions in June because there is such a long waiting list. She can also go to a preschool that is for kids with speech problems through the public schools so it will be free to us. I think it's a win, win situation! Chloe is very excited to go to school so she was thrilled to hear that she will get to start in the Fall. And, after waiting and waiting for my new niece to get here- she was a week over due- she finally arrived last night! Paityn Ashley Forbes weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 ozs and 19 inches long. Congrats to my brother and his wife on their new addition! I can't wait to meet her in April.

Leprechaun Day

Our St. Patty's Day was fun! The kids really got into it this year, and I have to admit, so did I. We love Irish day! I made the kids t-shirts, made Shepherd's Pie for dinner, and sent the kids on a treasure hunt to find the Leprechaun's lost gold. The kids loved the treasure hunt and after they were done they used their gold and made their own hunt. Chloe really wanted to see the real leprechaun and was a little disappointed that he never showed himself! The kids are already looking forward to next year.

Weekend Visitors

Our weekend was so fabulous. My dad had business meetings in Chicago, so my mom and dad came to visit us. I hate that their visit was so short and that it's already over, but we had fun while it lasted!

They got to meet the newest member of our family- Mabel. She is growing fast. She liked having visitors. I realized that there are a few things we need to work on when people come to the house. #1- No jumping on people!

My parents took the kids to do a little shopping. My mom and I picked out this outfit for Benny. Doesn't he look handsome? I couldn't resist doing a mini photo shoot of him in his new duds.

The kids really love Grandma and Grandpa. Niah made my dad tell her many, many funny stories and I think I need to invest in an iphone and ipad. My kids would be entertained for life!

I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents and such great grandparents for my kids. I love that when they come we get to spend quality time together, but I think I'm ready to live closer to family permanently. I never thought I would say that I wanted to go back to Utah, but I think I've come to that conclusion after this weekend.

Thanks for coming to see us Mom and Dad! We love you and miss you already.

A Day Late

I know, yesterday was Bryan's birthday and I'm posting a 'birthday wish' today. Life gets too busy! Bryan turned 31. Can you believe that I'm married to a 31 year old?!! :)

Here's some of my favorite pictures of Bryan from the past year. It was a great year, lots of new experiences, accomplishments, and changes.

I'm grateful for Bryan and so glad that I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with him. He's a wonderful father, husband, doctor, church member, and just a great all around person.
Happy Birthday B! Thanks for all you do for our family. I love you.

The Birthday Girl

Chloe is four years old today!!! That is so strange to me. Chloe is such a sweetheart. I love her personality- so strong and spunky. I love her little voice and the way she talks. She has a hard time pronouncing some sounds and words, but I don't want her to grow out of it!

Chloe is my helper. She is very obedient and willing to help me out if I need her. She loves and adores her big sister, even though the words, "You're not my sister anymore!" sometimes escape her lips.

She makes me laugh every day. I really love her honesty and she just says what's on her mind. I hope she is always that way.

Chloe had a Tinkerbell party yesterday with her cousin Preslee who is here visting and a couple of her friends. She loved all the attention! I could tell she felt special when everyone was giving her all the attention.

We love you Chloe Nan. It's a privilege to be your mom and have you in our family! Have a fabulous birthday!