good day

Some days are better than others and today was a good day.

Carter woke up asking where TT and Port Port (Clayton and Porter) were. I told him in bed and then found him in their room. He was laying next to Clayton, but I couldn’t get a picture in time, before he got out and tried getting to Porter.

Carter’s not used to being awake before them. With school they are early risers, but now that I let them sleep in until 8 am, Carter is up before them.

My bed is full of laundry and boys. I think it’s funny that they all watch netflix on the phone together, instead of the TV. While they relaxed, Marlee and I had a great time at Zumba at the church. I felt a lot more energy than normal.

I love that Clayton and Porter can babysit. I went to my pregnancy appointment without Carter today. Since my last visit a couple weeks ago, I’ve lost 2 pounds. Which is no shocker since that’s when the doctor told me I barely passed my glucose test and can’t have dessert the rest of my pregnancy. With eating less sugar/white carbs, that is a quick way to loose weight, even when prego. It’s been hard, but I’ve done pretty good and I’m proud of myself. Hopefully, I won’t have a 9 pound baby! And I’m 34 weeks pregnant today…only 6 weeks to go (unless she comes early).

work & fish

It was so nice having Laun around on a Monday. We got a lot of cleaning done. My Tahoe finally got washed and vacuumed. Laun and Clayton even waxed it for me. I sure loved my view from the garage. Carter was a soapy mess and fell several times, but he sure liked helping. Then Laun took Clayton and Porter fishing. They went out in the boat and the waves got crazy. They were all happy to make it back to shore. Love my hard workers.

schools out for summer

Let’s just take a little look back to what the beginning of the school year looked like. Our Spanish Fork rental home was still not available to move into, so we were living in a camper (thanks for Brandon and Mary letting us borrow it) when the school year started. The night before the 1st day of school, Laun was out of town and didn’t want the kids and I staying out there by ourselves, so Clayton went with me to grab our stuff from the camper that we needed to take to Trent and Lindsie’s house to spend the night. When we got there we realized that we didn’t have the key (can’t remember now if it was on Laun’s key chain or with my stuff at Lindsie’s) and I began to panic. Thank heavens for Clayton who has been my lifesaver. He found a way in through a window and unlocked the door, so we could grab our stuff. Then when we got back in town and when the younger kids were asleep at the Johnsons, Clayton went with me for school stuff (clothes, supplies, lunch stuff, etc.). It was a crazy day. I couldn’t wait to move the camper into a spot in town, so we aren’t so far out or better yet, move into our rental!

Don’t get me wrong, the camper life wasn’t all stressful…it’s really just because school was starting and we weren’t settled. We had lots of fun taking it easy, going on walks, playing in the water, etc.

The first day of school was August 19th and we were happy to be sleeping over with cousins and have real showers (in length and temperature and with continually running water). I was happy to do our laundry there and not at the laundry mat.

1st day of the 2015-2016 school year.

Clayton 8th grade, Porter 7th and Marlee 1st.

Today was the last day of the school year! And it was only a half day.

Carter is certain he should be in every picture.

We have a tradition of going out for breakfast on the 1st day of school, but since that was such a crazy time for us, it didn’t happen. So we made up for it, by taking the kids out to Denny’s for breakfast this morning. 1st day-last day, same difference, right?

What an eventful year it’s been for our family. I’m so proud of my kids and all they’ve accomplished this school year.

Tonight we went to Utah Lake and Lucy and Jeff came with us (they head home tomorrow morning). We had dinner there, the younger kids played (Marlee has no hesitation to get in the water and mud) and Laun and the older boys fished. Porter didn’t catch anything this round, but Clayton and Laun got some whoppers. Clayton was glad he got some good catches, but Laun still caught the longest fish, barely!

Porter, Clayton, Laun and Marlee

Carter with Laun

He is the fire, especially since he’s turned two!

big ol’ fish-

FHE-fishing

Porter brought home this beauty from school today- so proud of his determination & brains.

Then we headed to Scofield spillway to fish.

Carter screams unless he’s right by Laun and more importantly, fishing.

Clayton’s friend Cannon came along with us, which he may have regretted after driving for awhile with our crazy kids.

Marlee is the cutest!

Clayton might be taller than Laun before we know it!

Then Marlee, Carter and I kicked it in the truck, while the boys fished some more. I got some reading in, so that’s good.

We didn’t have much luck, just some small fish, until Laun caught this whopper! Clayton’s probably bummed because he just got moved to 2nd place for biggest fish of the year so far!

Carter loved the big fish.

love boys

I taught Relief Society today and it was about helping refugees and service. I love how the church does so much good for so many people! What a blessing the gospel is. Laun taught Porter and Clayton’s class at the same time I was teaching, so Clayton was a champ and changed Carter’s diaper when the nursery came to find us. After church we had Trent and Lindsie’s family over for dinner, which was great since Lucy hadn’t seen them in so long. Then we went on a walk around Canyon View Park. This is one of the places we stayed in the camper this summer, so it brings back a lot of memories.

Porter must have been desperate to try and reach the crawdads.

And Carter was pulling out the duck calls tonight.

It’s amazing to see how far he’s come. He’s made so much progress and hasn’t let all his surgeries hold him back. Tonight he walked all over the place and then he and Marlee did summersaults down a hill over and over again.

soccer time-family time

Lucy & Jeff were in town, just in time for Clayton’s last soccer game.

Clayton did well in his first year of club soccer. He especially shined during the indoor-winter season playing futsal. He’s starting to become an aggressive player. He has a lot of power and is a great kicker. It’s been so fun watching him as he scores goals. His coach, Jeff Bird, is about the nicest guy you’ll meet. Not only did he train with his own team, he was also invited to train with the A team, which gave him even more experience.

Go #21! And I love as his younger siblings watch him play and yell, “go T!”

Porter had his soccer team party today, so he wasn’t at Clayton’s game. They went and played laser tag and not only was it his first time, he got 4th overall and had a blast. Then they went to the goalies house, Marcus, to eat and play soccer. He had a great night.

The adults went out for dinner at the Riverwoods.

Brandon, Mary, Lucy, Jeff and Laun

oldest boy & youngest boy

I’ve always loved watching Clayton with his siblings when they are little. There’s a reason why Clayton came first to our family. He’s a leader and amazing with young kids.

I found him and Carter laying in my bed watching a movie together.

Laun got me this sweet light weight TV for Mother’s Day. I like to watch shows or general conference while I’m doing chores, so this way I can move it around the house with me. The kids are happy to have another TV in the house and it will come in handy when we have company, since it can be taken down stairs so easily.

I’m glad they are squeezing in some time together, since Clayton, Porter and Laun are about to head out the door for an over night scout trip.

hard workers

I wish I’d gotten a picture of Porter mowing, but here’s Clayton edging the yard. I’m so grateful for our boys who keep our yard mowed and trimmed & also serve our elderly neighbors, by doing their lawns, too. They’ve been pretty busy with school, soccer, track, church, scouts, but I’m thankful they take time to serve. Love you boys!

slowing down…almost

There’s only a week and half left of school and I’m so excited for summer. We are so busy lately and I’m ready for time to slow down and not set an alarm for a little bit. Although, time won’t slow down for very long, because baby girl is due July 11th and there’s some trips this summer (not for me, but Laun and the boys- scouts, work, EFY…).

Today when the kids got home from school it almost felt like summer. I dropped Clayton and a friend off at a nearby fishing spot for hours, while Porter played games with a friend.

The littles had popsicles and played outside and I worked on some of my Relief Society lesson for this Sunday.

my boys

Everyone loves Carter snuggles. Carter really loves T (that’s what we call Clayton a lot).

At the Junior High they have these contests where the kids try to solve math questions and who ever answers them correctly, gets entered to win a gift card. Porter was so excited he won and picked a Cold Stone Creamery card. He got his favorite- cotton candy with gummy bears.

Porter’s last game of his first official club soccer season was this evening. They lost, which was a bummer, but they also had a huge win on their game before. Their team really starting coming together near the end of the season, but now with all the age changes, I’m curious to see what team Porter is on for the next soccer year. He is an awesome player and so fun to watch. He’s very aggressive, has incredible ball handling, seems to always know when/where to pass the ball and has the best reactions ever when he scores goals. I’m so proud of my soccer player!