Just Because

 While cleaning out my e-mail inbox, I discovered these beauties that were taken last summer by my all-time FAVORITE swim teacher of all time, Darla Sandy.  I cannot believe how much Robby has grown in a years time. crazy.  One thing that hasn't changed though, is how much I love this little/big guy.  As naughty as he can be {frequently}, he is also the sweetest little boy at times.  These days he is LOVING all the momma time he gets during the day while his sister is at school.  He always gives me a big hug in the morning and tells me how much he loves me, he loves to do "eskimo kisses", he enjoys me holding him to and from the car when we drop Miss M off at school (I don't love this so much though--too heavy), he loves to read "Hansel and Diesel" and "The Three Little Rigs", he will spend hours playing with his matchbox cars, trains, and digging outside in the dirt with his shovel and dump trucks. Love you buddy!!!

and that is all!

Sweetness

 Sometimes in life you get so caught up in the fighting, tears, fighting, kicking, yelling, hitting, name calling,  and of course more fighting between the kids that you tend to forget that they really are the best of buddies.  The other day when we went to pick up Miss M from kindergarten I witnessed a tender moment for me as a mother.  Robby sprinted straight over to the fence where Maddie came walking through and gave her a meaningful, joyful, bear hug and said "I missed you so much Sissie".  He had a look of pure excitement that his friend, dare I say best friend, was finally home from school and ready to play with him.  I have to admit that they hardly fought that night and played like best buddies until bed time.  I even heard Robby tell her several times "Did you know your my best friend?!"

{too bad the very next evening they were back to fighting like true frenemies--at least I know that there is som lovin' in there!}

(at the Phoenix Zoo this summer)

Bryce Canyon/Trip to Utah

Several weeks ago we went up to Utah for a family reunion.  It was a great excuse to be able to go on a vacation and spend time togehter as a family. We stayed in this little town called Panguitch in Utah and we were able to go to Bryce Canyone while up there.  Originally we were going to make the trip a bit bigger and go up for more than a few days, visit with family, and possibly hike and see more of the canyons.  But, with Maddie's school already starting, and my brother in law's homecoming talk that Sunday we cut the trp down to three days, including travel time. 

**

The whole trip was a little wild because I worked the night before we left {Wednesday night}, got home, packed, picked up kids from school, and left mid-day.  By the time we finally pulled out, I thought I was going to die.  I was so tired.  I had been up since Wednesday morning, had a splitting headache, and semi-whiny kids in the car.  I got very little sleep on the way up to say the least :(

**

We didn't arrive in Panguitch until 11:30pm and once we unloaded into the hotel room, the kids were WIRED. Eli had slept for several hours in the car, and so he had defnintely gotten his second wind.  I even tried putting a movie on for the kids, but they were too busy jumping from bed to bed screaming at the top of their lungs. YIKES. Finally Jesse grabbed Robby and took him for a ride in the car, while I layed down with Miss M. We fell asleep listening to Eli babble and laugh in his pack'n'play.  Jesse told me later that Eli was still awake talking when he came back several hours later. 

**

Needless to say, we were all exhausted the next at Bryce Canyon.  I had a sore throat, congestion, headache and was nauseated.  But the day still goes on right?!  Jesse and Tyler headed off on their bikes for a little mountain biking adventure in Bryce Canyon while the rest of us headed off to see the lookout points.  We were a little crammed in one vehicle, but were able to save the extra admission price and visit with one another while driving.
**

We were all a little nervous about roaming around Bryce Canyons with 5 kids under the age of five, but we ended up having a lot of fun and thank goodness no one got hurt :)  We ended up with four adults and five children so we each assigned ourselves one child (+1 for me) on each lookout point and the kids had to hold hands with someone every time we were out of the car.  The results= the view points were beautiful, the kids were slightly cranky, we laughed, ate peanut butter sandwiches {yuck- I had forgotten my jelly back at the hotel room}, ate ding dongs, and eventually couldn't wait to pick up the boys {Jesse & Tyler} and head back.

The crew at Bryce Canyons: Robby, Grandma, Eli, Tiffany {me}, Maddie, Kaylin, Lori & Zack

Note to self: time to put some of the current clothes in Eli's wardrobe away and pull out the next size :)

"Natural Bridge"

Miss M, Mommy and Eli

**

After we were finished at Bryce Canyon I was beat.  Thankfully we went back to the hotel room and I layed down for a nap.  Jesse took the kids with the rest of the family to Panguitch Lake where I heard it was beautiful!  Apparently the kids had a blast splashing in the water and soaking themselves.

Miss M

Eli

My wonderful hubby

They did manage to keep Eli out of the water, thus he returned to me slightly dirty but toasty dry. {Not too difficult seeing that he would rather throw rocks in water any day over swimming}

Grandma West (my kids great-grandma), Grandma Sheffield, Aunt Amy, Kaylin, and Lori

**

That night my parents graciously allowed me to sleep in their hotel room in the extra bed so I could catch up on sleep.  Jesse was husband of the year on this trip, and managed to get all the kids to sleep in our hotel room all on his own.  As he said, "I do this three to four times a week at home." (but much different on a vacation in one room hunny!)  Thankfully I got some good sleep and felt much better in the morning!

**

The next day we got ready and headed off to the family reunion/luncheon.  It was a little disappointing to not have ANY of my immediate cousins come, but still fun to be able to head up north out of the heat wave and spend quality time with the family.  I did have several aunts and uncles come, including my Aunt Amy that lives in Hawaii.

Tiffany {me} with Uncle Mike Criddle

Cute cousins: Maddie and Kaylin playing at the table

(Kaylin is Maddie's only girl cousin)

Robby with Uncle Mike Criddle

(Robby kept telling me he was scared of Uncle Mike :)

Our car packed up and ready to hit the road

Once she over her initial shyness at all the new people, Miss M had no problem acting like her silly self and crawling under the table

This is about as good as it gets with family pictures these days...

Robby, Mommy, Daddy, Eli and Maddie

(at least Eli is smiling and looking at the camera)

Yeah, I was not too thrilled that Jesse bought this little toy for our three year old.  It is now hidden in a very remote, dark place in our house that our kid will probably never discover :)

Mr E enjoying the yummy cake; he probably ate three slices of this stuff

Yet another attempt at a family picture...basically this is on here to prove how DIFFICULT it is too get a picture of all five of us together 

Aunt Lynn & Uncle Mike Criddle, Uncle LaMar & Aunt Sharon West, Grandma West, Maddie, Eli, Tiffany, Robby, Jesse, Mom Sheffield, Zack, Kaylin, Lori, Tyler, Dad Sheffield and Aunt Amy West
**

After the reunion, we climbed in the car and drove back home.  We ended up getting home around 8:30pm Saturday night and were so excited that Uncle Adam was able to come out and visit with us/play with the kids before bedtime.  He had just flown in from Boston, for Uncle Brett's (Jesse's brother) homecoming the next day.

**

Regardless of how crazy, eventful, sleep deprived our vacations may be it is still nice to get away every now & again and spend that quality time together!

Birthdays and Other Family Fun

Here are some fun family pictures from this summer with my family that I have stolen from my dad's computer :)

End of July my brother-in law had his birthday, so we celebrated at my parents house with yummy mexican food and a ding dong for the cake! It is always fun to get the kids together and allow some fun cousin time.  They all love to hide under the trees in my parents backyard and pretend they are in "tree houses", jump on the trampoline-- Eli kept saying "I jump" over and over while he would bend his knees--, play by the rose bushes, fighting over who gets to play in the play car, and of course throwing rocks in the pool {not Grandpa's favorite game}.   

 Eli, Me, and my sister Lori

 My aunt and uncle also came to town in July with my cousin, Caylene and her little family.  Maddie was in heaven with Brynn and Tori.  She loved having some more girls around that were "cousins". Over one of my work stretches my mom took Maddie for the day to her house and she got to hang out with Brynn and Tori for the day.  Some of the fun things they did were go to the new temple site in Gilbert (see above pic), visit the duck pond, and of course SWIM.  We hope that they come back next year and visit!!!

 Maddie, Bryn, and Tori at the park walking to the duck pond

Apparently this duck was "sick" in some way and didn't run away with the all the other ducks.  Maddie and Bryn were very concerned about this duck :)

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Just last week we went over to my parents again for another birthday party....this time for Grandpa!! I was told he is turning 30 years old {again}.  It was a busy day/evening with school, gymnastics, party, and homework but we were so glad we got a chance to visit.  Some of my kids favorite things to do inside Grandma's house include: hiding under the chair in the front room, looking at the fish tank and trying to see if the little frog will swim around, watch old movies {such as "Annie" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie"}, help Grandma cook, play with the dinosaur hand puppet, ride on the inch worm, running circles in the family room, and looking for treats in the pantry.  I am so thankful to have such wonderful parents that are kind and loving to my rambunctious children!

Robby playing on the couch

Eli loves to pull my dad's old footstool over to the Fooseball table and "play" the game.  It is hilarous to see him pick up the footstool and walk around with it because it is almost as big as him!

Two of the boys in my life

My little lady posing {as usual} in her gymnastics leotard...I picked her up straight from gymnastics and brought her over.

The two sisters

One of the funnest parts about this little guy is how snuggly he is.  He LOVES to give kisses and hugs to anyone he knows...what a sweet boy!  I hope this part of him never ever changes. Please?

Kindergarten and Preschool

With mixed emotions I sent my oldest off to kindergarten for the very first time. 

She's so mature, and yet so naiive. 

She's so smart, and yet has so much to learn.

She's so independant, but still needs her hugs & lovin' time.

She's so brave, and yet likes momma to be the brave one with crickets, spiders, etc.

She's so clever and yet so cheeky.

She's so fashionable, but sometimes just a bit too much :)

She's so funny, but sometimes too silly.

She's so bratty, and yet so sweet.

She's such a great helper {when she wants to be}

But all in all, she's my little girl and I will always want her as mine!

She was absolutely fearless when it came to school.  When I dropped her off on the first day she went right into class with a neighbor friend, sat down and began to color without a backward glance my way.  At that moment, I wanted to run into the room, pick her up and take her back home for another year.  I wasn't ready for this, I wasn't ready for the mix of emotions inside as I watched her face this new phase of life.  Instead I walked over to her and asked her "Won't you miss me?"  And with a confused look on her face she answered "no".  I then whispered into her ear "did you know I will miss you sooo much".  With that she replied "okay."  And with a kiss and a hug she went right back to coloring. As I walked out of the room I heard her say "see ya." 

Then the second day of school she argued with me the whole way over as to why she wasn't allowed to walk "all by herself" to school.  She pointed out various other kids that were going to school without a parent.  Once we reached the school she began to push me away saying she could make it on her own.  I followed her, sadly wanting to whisper a few more words of wisdom and love but she was ANGRY that I continued to follow her. I have never felt so old in my life, then when she was actually embarassed that I wouldn't leave.  She furrowed her eyebrows and kept shooing me away.  After making her give me another hug and kiss I gave up and wandered back to the stroller where Robby was patiently waiting.  Good thing he was ready to offer up hugs and lovin' to his sad momma. 

When she came home from school the first day she excitedly told me that she has "Braden" in her kindergarten class and that he held hands with her....oh no, I can SOOO wait for her to hit the teenage years of life.  Like pretty much forever.......

Miss M: my sassafrass super stylin' little girl

On Tuesday, after dropping Miss M off at school, then it was on to preschool for Robby.  He had his bag packed and was ready to go learn!  I loved that he wanted me to do his hair "spiky".  He was excited to meet all his new friends and was especially happy that he could go play at a friends house afterwards.  When I picked him up I asked what he learned about and he proudly yelled "alligators" (for the letter A).  He then proceeded to show me his super cooled alligator with "big teeth" and showed me how an alligatory snaps his teeth (with his hands).  I just know he is going to love learning and going to school!!  {and I must say I am loving having a few minutes with just my little E at home as well}

and of course this post couldn't be complete without including a picture of Eli from last week with a yummy Circle K slurpee.  We have all loved enjoying their 79cent drinks....maybe a little too much!

Camping Trip

We had a great time camping up north the end of July.  I have to admit that this was actually our first camp out we have taken as a whole family since before we had children.  I love the outdoors, just not the dirt, lack of showers/baths, and zero privacy from kids.  But.....I have to admit it was an experience and actually turned pretty fun.  We went up and stayed one night, before heading back home which was a perfect amount of time for me!

The kids enjoyed roaming the general camp vicinity, constanly bugging our camping neighbors, getting nasty dirty, the fish hatchery, playing in the creek, and eating lots of junk food!

Our camp set up with soda and chips {of course}

We had to check out the fish hatchery and it took a fair amount of begging/persuading to finally get the kids to leave this place so we could pack up camp and head home

 My dirty children much in need of a bath

-before leaving camp we basically hand bathed each of the kids and changed them into new clothes-

Oh how we luv our little boy, who is growing quickly before our eyes!