Jensen's Grove

Since Chad has been gone so much, we decided that on Saturdays we need to do something fun with the whole family. Claire has been begging me to go to the beach. She loves to swim, and apparently loves going to the beach, so off we went to Jensen's Grove in Blackfoot. By the time we got the car packed it looked like we would be gone for months, but we were only gone an afternoon! I had called some family that lives in Blackfoot, and was hoping that they would come and join us for some fun. They all came! The kids were so excited. Grandma and Grandpa Clayson even joined us for a little while. Claire had a great time swimming. Owen is still a little timid, but he got in most of the way. Kate had brought goggles, and the kids thought they were great!! Owen told me he had to wear them so he could "breath" under the water. Grant didn't like the water but he loved sitting in the little floatie on the grass. He was quite happy doing that most of the afternoon.
After we left the beach we ended up heading over to Uncle Trevor and Aunt Shanna's house for pizza and a late night movie outside. The kids had a blast, but were very tired by the end of the day.

What do we do at night?

I have been a single mom for the past month - it is not fun. We all miss Chad a lot, so in the evenings right before bedtime (pretty much when I have had enough!), the kids all climb onto my bed and we watch something together (I love the Wii streaming of Netflix!!). This is pretty much what it looks like, and I am just waiting for the moment that it is just Ava and I and a little peace and quiet!

Ava's 1 Month Pictures

I just got Ava's one month pictures back, and I am sooo happy. Let me know what you think. All photos were taken by Heather Neeley at New Start Photography.

Park Time

We are happy to report that we finally have some warm weather!! It has been a long time coming, it is only almost July. We have been spending this week at the park with friends. Grant loves to swing and go down the slide. Claire and Owen enjoy digging in the sand, swinging, and playing with their friends. Hopefully the kids will continue to love going to the park this summer because it gets us out of the house, and keeps me from going to the store to get out of the house.

What have we been up to??

We have been busy - I'm not sure why. I feel like there is not much time to get anything done. Last week we spent a week at my parents house. I braved the 8 hour drive with 4 kids all by myself. Luckily Grant is getting better at riding in the car and Ava slept the whole time. As always we stopped at our friends the Turgooses for a little break in Boise. It is always a welcome sight to see their house, and always fun to visit with them. I spent the week helping my mom paint. She just got new flooring in her kitchen/entry way, so I painted the entry way/laundry room a really pretty brown, I painted her craft room yellow, and I painted her front door blue (I hope my dad doesn't read this!). She has wanted to paint it for a long time, but my dad didn't want it done. He didn't even notice the two days he was home when I was there, so I'm wondering if he ever will. Claire and Owen started swim lessons this week, and they are loving it. The first day Owen wouldn't get in, so I just took his arms, and handed him to the teacher. I'm sure she thought I was a terrible mother, but when he came out he told me he loved swimming lessons. So, I guess my theory worked out. We have spent lots of time at the park, and are finally getting to enjoy some warm weather. However I think my kids are wimps because today they complained about how hot it was. I think it might be in the 80's; maybe! Chad has been busy with work and school. We don't see him much. He has 2 more weeks of these two summer classes, and then hopefully the kids will have a dad again. He is gone from 8:30 in the morning until midnight. It makes for a long day for me. Owen is missing his dad the most, and has started to invite other male figures to do things with him that his dad would normally do. Lets just say we are all ready to see him a little bit more. I will try to catch up on all my blogging. Just keep checking in, and hopefully soon I will be all caught up.
Icouldn't resist. I think this is when she is 3 weeks old.
Owen and Grant love to help me make anything. Don't you love Owen's outfit - ahh independence!
Grant loves to get his picture taken. Whenever the camera comes out, he gives me a big smile, and takes the best pictures!

Happy Birthday Ellie

I am happy to share my birthday with our cute neighbor girl Ellie. She was turning 5 however, and I am a bit older. She was nice enough to invite us over for her first real birthday party. It was nice for me because the kids got to play, and I had someone else cook dinner for me that night. We had a lot of fun. It was a luau theme, so the kids got to play in the water, have a water balloon fight, and eat cake and ice cream. They were so happy. We hope you had a wonderful birthday Ellie, and thanks for sharing it with us!

33!

I hate to admit it, but I am now 33. We celebrated my birthday on Sunday, instead of Monday because Chad had school and work on Monday. So once again I got to share my birthday with Father's Day. We had some friends over for dinner (which was actually for Father's Day), and then Chad made me a cake. He surprised me with the camera that I have wanted for awhile. Apparently he bought it months ago, but he won't tell me where his hiding place was. Claire was so happy because my new camera is pink - I think I will have to keep it up high. We had a great time, and I am so grateful to have such wonderful kids and a wonderful husband.

Clayson Birthdays

The Clayson family has a lot of birthdays in June, although I think May is becoming a close contender! We got together for Kerry and Jason's little boy Matthews baby blessing, and were able to celebrate some birthdays too. The kids had so much fun because all of their cousins were there. It is always nice to get them all together. Plus to make it even better Grandpa Clayson has been working on his swing, and now has 4 swings, and it goes a little faster. My kids were in heaven! Especially Grant who had never got to ride on it before. They were all so good about taking turns, but couldn't wait for another chance.

Big Sister Claire

Yes, I fear for Ava's life. Claire thinks that she is her own personal doll - she is not. I figured that she would be safe in her bed since she is in a pack and play, and it is pretty low. I was wrong. Then I discovered how Claire gets her out. She hoists herself over the edge, then grabs Ava's arm and pulls her up - yes, she did get in trouble! Claire is now learning about Ava getting exercise (basically peace and quiet time to lay and stretch on the ground!). I am so grateful that she loves her sister, and she is already talking about sharing her room with her someday. Although we all know when the time came (if it ever does), that she would not be to happy about it. Claire is a great big sister, and is sooooo happy to have a little sister. I just hope that she is always this happy to have her around.

Brotherly Love

I am so happy that the boys love their new sister. Grant is infatuated with her, and now whenever he sees a baby it's name is Ava. I love hearing him say it. Owen would sit and hold her for hours if I let him. He is constantly reminding me that he was right (meaning it was a girl), and I was wrong. I was just trying to prepare them for the possibility of a boy. I am so grateful that they love their new sister, and hopefully they will protect her as she gets older.

Ava's First Bath

My mom didn't get to come until Ava was over a week old. Since I had her early, and was told to cross my legs while in labor, she had other things to do like my little sister's graduation. I was sad to miss it!! But, the good thing about a grandma coming later is they get to give the first real bath. Ava loves her baths, that is until you take her out!! Grandma loves giving them, so it was a win win situation.