Cory's Birthday

So this year for Cory's birthday, I was keeping it low key.  What am I talking about, we always keep it low key.  He doesn't like to be the center of attention, he's not real into social gatherings on his behalf, and I never ever know what to buy him.  So we always keep it pretty low key.  However, this year, I was quite pregnant so I really couldn't be bothered with anything too fancy.  So I bought him a pair of pyjama pants because he has none, and last winter was kinda cold at night, made him an ice cream cake and was going to pick up some nice steaks from the butchers that he would have to cook himself and call it good.  Pretty lame, right?  But like I said, I couldn't be bothered.  And we had already gone out to dinner with friends to celebrate the week before.  

Well his boss called me two days before and said we should do something special, so I was like, okay whatever, you plan it and I'll show up with my ice cream cake.

Well then, I went to the doctors on April 14th the day before Cory's birthday and based on the doctors assessment of me, he decided that I should have this baby asap, and that it should be tomorrow, April 15th, Cory's birthday.  So I went home and told Cory and asked him how he felt about sharing a birthday, of course, he didn't care.  And so, I was keeping it low key, but it turned out that I was able to give Cory the best present in the world on his birthday, a daughter.  But we'll get to that in our next post.

So after that was decided that we would be having a baby the next day, we decided to celebrate Cory's birthday that night.  So Cory's boss's plan was just going to have to wait, and the girls went into hyper drive mode getting dad's birthday celebration ready.  If you ever want to feel special, have these girls prepare a party in your honor.  They go all out.

 They made Cory with throne of pillows and that super fancy crown.

 Then they put the candles in the cake and lit them and they were all so excited that Cory had said they could help blow them out that once they were all lit, they just blew them out with out singing to him.  Haha!  Cory didn't mind one bit, but I made him relight them and have them sing.

 Will loves blowing out candles.

 Everyone was excited to eat the ice cream cake.

We all love Cory so much.  Couldn't ask for a better dad and husband.  I am grateful everyday for the blessing that Cory is in my life.  Happy birthday, Cory!  Here's to another year!  :)

The Last Days

As April began, I knew we were nearing our last days as a family of five and for me, as a mother of three.  As I anxiously wait for the arrival of my new baby, hoping it will come sooner rather than later because I'm quite uncomfortable, I try to remember to cherish the last few weeks of this stage in my life.  Knowing that things will never be as they were again once that new addition arrives.  This time around, I didn't realize how little precious time I had left to cherish just hanging out with Lily, Ava and Will.  But here are some of the things we did.

The girls took their first trip to the dentist.  Where they both got great reviews on their beautiful teeth.
They had them wear these glasses because of the bright light they use.

 My friend was moving house, and she had all these Thomas the Tank Engine tracks and accessories that her son no longer plays with so she donated them to Will.  And he was in heaven!!!  The girls really like them too.

I finished up all my projects for Baby Sofia and the house.

The next morning after we got the tracks.  Back at it again, bright and early.

Will has been so silly lately.  We were getting ready to go to a baptism and Will came out of my room wearing my dress. I think he looks quite stunning.  ;)

Then when they were eating a quick dinner before it was time to go, Will put all his spaghetti noodles on his head.  Such a funny boy.  :)

I was so excited that we can now hook our computer up to our TV that even though we have to do it a week later because of time differences we get to do General Conference Utah style.  From the comfort of our own home!  Yay!  I was just sad that Cory still had to go to the church for every broadcast.  We missed him.

We played draw the speaker.  Which was my favorite game.

And the girls drew their own bingo boards.  Sorry they are facing the wrong way...wasn't sure how to fix that.  But their little drawings are priceless.

More speakers...President Monson.

Elder Holland

Not sure who this is, whoever spoke after Elder Holland and the Sister speaker from Saturday morning.

Here are just a few pictures from my nesting frenzy all over the house.  I really should have put some before pictures, but trust me, it's a huge improvement.

I was so glad that I had this put together front room that people could come and visit after I had the baby and there was a place for everyone to sit and visit without having to go deeper into my house and see the disaster that was there.

After conference on Sunday the kids really wanted to go have a picnic at Hammond Park.  I was feeling really tired and not up to it, but I decided to just do it.  I am so glad that I did, because little did I know that two days later I would be having a baby.  Last park trip with just the three of them.  And it was great.  I love them so much.

On Monday, after I went to my doctors appointment and he told me I was going to be induced the next day we were running around doing all sorts of things.  We got to go stop by Cory's work.  Will always asks everyday if we can go see Daddy's trucks.  So he was in heaven.  Strangely, I don't have any pictures of him driving and playing on the equipment...but I have plenty of the girls.

That was it for the last days before baby number four.  :)  I sure enjoyed being a mom of three and am really excited for this new stage in my life as a mom of four.  :)

Teacher Strike Day

So it seems to be a common occurrence here for the teachers to strike for a day.  This year it was on April 1st.  You might think that it was a joke, but nope, it was for real.  The school had to shut down because it didn't have enough staff that wasn't striking to look after the kids.  I didn't mind one bit either.  It was so fun to have a day to play hookie with my kids.   It was hilarious too, to hear Lily explain to Ava the reason why they had no school.
Lily: The teachers have to go tell the government to stop taking all their money.
Ava: Yeah... is the government taking all their money?
Lily: They're trying to.
Ava: Even Miss Perrotts? (Ava's teacher)
Lily: Yep
Ava: (quiet concerned now) I hope they don't take all her money.

Those two are a crack up!  Anyways, we had quite a full day.  We went to a playdate at one of Ava's new friends houses.  Then we went for a picnic at the park.

Here is Ava at the play date with Shylah, who had just done Ava's hair so fancy.

 And here is Ava, Shylah and Tallulah.  All such cute girls.

 We decided to try out a new park today, called King's Park. Which I liked....except it had a skate park and so it was crawling with teenagers. and for some reason that made me feel like my children were so much less safe.  I was on high alert at this park, so it wasn't as relaxing as most park visits are.  But the kids loved it.

 The kids loved this spinny swing thing.  I just can't believe how brave our Ava has become.

 Here's Will being a man!

 Will got on it for a second and then got off.  He preferred to do the pushing.

They finally decided they wanted to try out the other equipment!  :)

The girls had both made kites the day before, and they even made one for Will and they declared a kite competition.

Here's Lily running around trying to fly hers.

Ava with her fancy hair and her fancy kite.

Will's string was a little too long! :)

And they were off.

I can't believe how Will is just one of the big kids now.  :)

After all our park fun, we had to stop by the shop.  It has been a long time since I took all three kids to the shop with me.  It actually wasn't even bad.  :)

Then we just went home and relaxed.  It was fun to have a random day off in the middle of the week.