Caleb's Special Day!

 

Last Sunday, April 14, 2013 Caleb was blessed by Bo.  He did a great job.  Caleb cried through the entire thing.  He kinda likes crying and does it quite a bit (super fun).  He's not super colicky like Jackson was.  I can comfort him and get him to stop.  But he wants to be held 24/7.  Jackson on the other hand cried all the time and I couldn't do anything to get him to stop.  So, that's better, but I just hope he grows out of it soon.

 

I don't remember everything from the blessing, but I do remember he was blessed to discern good from bad.  And to learn and grow in the gospel.  Two very important qualities he will need as he grows. 

 

Here are some pics of those who were able to come.  A big thank you to those who were able to make it.  We know it isn't always convenient to make the drive and for my parents who are taking care of Grandpa Shelton it isn't easy leaving him either. But, it was nice to have all of you there.

(thanks Myles for taking our pictures!)

Dad, Caleb and Mom

Grandma Porter and Caleb

Grandpa and Grandma Christensen

 Jackson, Brayden, A super excited sister (not sure what her deal was she was frowning in all her pictures), Caleb and Conrad

 All of the cousins who came (Braxton, Abbey, Hailey, Caleb, Conrad, Brayden, Eriksen, Brystal

 Jackson who has really become attached to his brother.  It's so cute to watch him bond with him.  I thought this picture was cute!

 

Caleb went to the Dr. for his 2 month check and he was 12 lbs 5 oz and 25 inches long.  Just for my record.

And Now He's Seven...

On April 3rd Conrad turned 7.  As usual I was very anxious to make everything perfect for his birthday.  I had to run to Idaho Falls and get everything the night before because it has been so crazy I didn't have time to get anything ready beforehand.  I got home at 10:30 and had to frost the cake and Bo wrapped the presents so Conrad could wake up to presents and cake on his birthday. 

Bo came home at 4 and we celebrated with opening presents and Sloppy Joe's for dinner. 
I love watching kids open presents.

He really wanted to have his party at Grandpa's house but Hailey was still recovering from having her tonsils removed.  So my Mom came and picked up Conrad to spend some time with him and take him out to my Grandpa's.  (Grandpa doesn't have much longer and one of my parents is out there almost 24/7.  Conrad is having a hard time with Grandpa not going to be here.)  I followed them out with Jackson and Brayden.  We spent some time with Grandpa, my Dad, and Uncle Dee.  We came back home and had cake and ice cream.  Not the usual birthday, but he still had fun.

At 7 Conrad loves:

Fishing (he went with Bo the day before his birthday and couldn't wait to go)
Baseball
Riding his bike
The colors green, blue, red (in that order)
Books about animals
Legos
Recess
His brothers and sister (especially his new brother)
Nerds and Mambas
The nickname Con

At 7 We love:

How responsible he is
How he is always making his brothers and sister laugh
How helpful he is
How he loves going on dates and never stops talking
How observant he is
How he remembers everything even from when he was really little
How he's a good listener
How he loves all the same hobbies Bo does (cute)

Happy Birthday!!!  We love you Con!!!

Hailey's Tonsillectomy

Hailey has always been pretty healthy.  Once she started school she began to catch things here and there.  She made it to age 7 before she even had an antibiotic and last November she got strep throat for the first time.  Then, she got it four more times in four months.  She has missed over twenty days of school so we decided to have her tonsils removed.

Bright and early Monday morning we drove up to ERIMC for her tonsillectomy.  We got there at 6:15 am and her surgery was finished and we talked to the Dr. at 8:20.  She was in recovery until about 9:10 am.  When the nurses brought her in to her room she looked horrible.  The poor girl.  She was so sick and pale.  She still had oxygen on.

They were able to get her feeling more comfortable, but she couldn't keep her oxygen up so we ended up staying until 12:30.  But, I was grateful because I wasn't ready to take her home she looked so bad and was super drugged.  But, she took a short nap and poof, she was back.  It was weird.

She had a rough day throwing up on the way home and a couple of other times.  But Tuesday she did great.  Today has been a bit more rough, but she's not in a whole lot of pain, so that's nice. 

I can't wait to see how she does after this is all over because she's had such a rough winter.  She just hasn't been herself. 

Here's some pics

Oh, and stay tuned...Bo is doing the same thing but having his deviated septum done too!


Before...

After...

Happy Easter 2013!!!

We had a great Easter weekend this year.  I always wait to do Easter eggs on Saturday.  But, it always feels so rushed for me so this year I tried to do it on Friday.  It's always one of the kids favorites.  This year I accidentally bought a weird egg dying kit.  They put drops on their eggs and then spread it out all over the egg.  I wouldn't recommend this way.  The eggs had to be done warm and they felt sticky even when they were dry.  But, it was kinda a fun change.  The kids said they liked the other way better.

Here's some pics:

We asked the Easter Bunny to come on Friday night this year because we wanted Sunday to be more about Christ's resurrection than candy and toys.  So, Saturday morning they woke up to their baskets.  We couldn't find their real baskets so they had used things around the house.

Then, of course we had to make it to the Easter Egg Hunt in Rigby.  It was a lot of fun for the kids and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was so nice to be outside and not freeze.  (And to all of you who say the wind is always blowing, it has been a gorgeous weekend with no wind. :o))

Today of course we talked and watched a movie about Christ, the Atonement, and His resurrection.  It's interesting to see what the kids understand about it all so far.  I'm grateful for Christ and all He has done for each of us.

Jackson has understood that when we die we will have to do what Christ did and be nailed to the cross then we will come back to life.  I am so grateful to be able to tell him that all we have to do is repent for our sins and try our best, then we won't have to suffer for them.  Christ has already suffered for us. What a great blessing!  I'm so grateful for a brother that loves us so much to suffer for us even though he was perfect!

10 YEARS!

March 28, 2013 marked our 10 year anniversary!!!  I think about it and these past years have gone by so fast. 

Looking back, I thought I knew a lot...

I knew we wanted to live in Idaho. I always pictured myself ending up in Idaho Falls...Not Rigby!  We used to make fun of the Rigbyites:)  But, I love it here.  It's near church and school and we have great friends and a little bit of family left nearby.  It's close to Bo's work...and it's not too far from I.F. ;)

I knew we wanted to be married.  I never knew how great being married could be.  It's great to live with your best friend, have a family and all be together.  I still can't wait for Bo to come home after work and either can the kids.  He has a calming effect on the family and we love it when he's home.  The other thing I've learned from being married is that the only thing better than being married is adding to the family.

I knew we wanted a big family but didn't know we'd have FIVE kids by now.  But, we wanted a big family with kids spaced every couple of years.  It happens fast when you start early:)  We are so blessed to have each one of these adorable kids.  They make life worth living.  They definitely bring twist and turns for better and for worse (at times) but I have grown and learned so much after adding a new babe to our family. 

I knew we were getting married for eternity and we wanted to be.  But as years pass and we learn and grow together, add new members to our family, and live every day (occasionally have scary or sad experiences).  It makes me so grateful for the plan of salvation and the knowledge and testimony I have of it. I would be so sad to know that this life was it and wonder if I'd ever see my loved ones again.  The gospel brings such peace as I know I'll be able to live with our family for eternity.  I was grateful for the temple when we were married but my appreciation grows as time passes.

Of course life is not always bliss and hard times have come.  But,  we've made it through them and I am so blessed to have such a great family to weather the storms with. 

I'm sure in 10 more years I'll think I didn't know anything back then (as in now), But life teaches lessons along the way and we never stop learning.

I love you Bo.  Thanks for sharing 10 great years of your life with me and can't wait for the many more to come...


We decided to spend our anniversary with the kids.  With Caleb being so young, there really isn't another option for us.  But, it will be a day to remember for everyone. 

We went up to Idaho Falls and started at Walmart of all places.  The kids needed new bikes so we went to see what size they needed.

Then off to the Green Belt we went.  This was the highlight for us.  We fed the ducks and then the seagulls came looking for some.  It was fun to toss the bread in the air and watch them catch it.  I think the seagulls were more fun than the ducks!

Lunch was our favorite, Pizza Pie Café.  Is there anything better than dessert pizza?!

After that we went to our first family movie at Edwards.  The Croods.  Everyone liked it, including the adults:).  It was really funny. 

We did spend the evening together just us (plus Caleb) and got a sitter for the other kids.  We didn't do a whole lot, because Caleb was really fussy. But we did drive down 17th street to reminisce about how we met :).  It wasn't nearly as great as is was 15 years ago :o).

I'm so mad at myself for not taking more pictures!!!