Sad News...

We found out this Spry Guy has Celiac Disease:(  I've suspected it for a long time, so I finally decided to get him tested.  I felt like I needed a diagnosis to make me plunge into Gluten Free diet world.

We're sad, overwhelmed and now mostly mourning a normal life for our tiny guy.

Although, I also know the truth, and I'm getting ready to focus on that:
   He will have a normal life, just slightly high maintenance when it comes to food.
   He now will be more healthy and happy than he has ever been.
   His bum will be so much easier to wipe:)
   I will never get to just get him school lunch, but I don't really trust school lunch anyways.
   A GF diet will force us to eat most meals home, which will save money.  Perhaps it'll help pay for                          expensive GF flours and such.
   Being on a GF diet will probably make the whole family more health conscious.
   I'm going to have to become a real cook.
   I am sure we will fall into a new normal soon.

Wish us luck, we are going to need it!

Everything but Hannah

This is Hannah.  She's called everything but Hannah.  Mostly it's Bear, Hannah Bear, Hannah Banana,  Hannah Bob, Hanner Bananer,  Hanner, Hannerd, Hannie, Princess Pie, Sugar Buns, Baby Girlfriend, Tiny Baby Girl....and the list goes on.  I was hesitant to name her Hannah because I like nick or short names and Hannah didn't seem to have an obvious variation.  It looks like we've found a few though:)

Ahhh, Camping Again!!!

If there were any memories that I could give my kids, I think it would be of family camping trips.  I was talking with one of my oldest friends today and we both agreed some of our fondest memories were of our yearly easter camping trips to Arches that our families used to do.  For me a childhood isn't a childhood without free reign on red rocks.

Tent's are great, but not with 4 babies.  We used to have a trailer that we took out all the time, but we sold it because we got an offer for almost as much as we bought it for and we couldn't pass up the opportunity.  But I've missed it ever since.  Ever since we've been keeping our eyes open, looking for a good deal.  Well this last week we found one so so the camping trips resume and I love it!  It's so much work, but well worth it.

This last weekend we went to Sand Hallow.  The weekend was filled with sand toys, RZR rides, hiking, balls, bats, shovels and campfires.  It was great just having our tiny family together with nothing to do except play with and enjoy each other (most of the time:)) 

We had a few hiccups like getting the campground 15 min after the campground closes, spending the night in a Walmart parking lot with a leaf blower seeming to go all night, getting the motorhome buried to its axels in sand, and Ben ripping the tip of his thumb off.  But what's a camping trip without several minor disasters?   It's part of the adventure right?

Faith has turned into quite the little climber.  She's so independent and brave now!  It's cute , she'd talk herself up all the obstacles.  "I'm just going to climb up this. I'm just going to do it"

Ben with the lake behind.  I think we need a paddle board...

The park was empty.  So Jesse had an access pass to all the trails.  He was in heaven,  so was Wyatt.

An accidental picture, but we spent a lot of time investigating tracks.  Trying to figure out what animal or bug they came from.

Wy guy was quite the little climber too.  A little too independent.  It was hard to keep him in a safe distance!

Yes they scrambled up to here by themselves.  Scary!!!

The rocks here are sooo loose so you have to be careful.  Ben has the missing  thumb end to prove it.  Ben knocked the rocks that Jesse's standing next to a few moments later.

It was such a great trip and I can't wait for many more.  Such a great way to chase away the winter blues.

Night Skiing with my Favorites!!!

St. George Weekend

Over the MLK weekend Ben and I ditched our kiddos and went to St. George and Zions for some outdoor fun.  The weather was perfect--60ish and blue skies.  We biked, ran, and hiked the weekend away.  We also snuck in a few hours with my parents, which is a rare treat:)  Just what we needed.

We did some new rides and Ben finally got to ride his new bike after mending the broken arm and back.  That made him happy, and him happy makes me happy

And on our way home we went to Zion.  Ben had never been so it was new and exciting.  We hiked Angel's Landing and it was beautiful and spooky.  If you've never been the last half mile takes you out on a thin fin that has 1000ft cliffs off each side.  Some spots are about 5ft wide and most of the way has a chain you can hold on to to help scale the edge of this thing.  Normally it really isn't that big of a deal, but it was a little spooky because it was all ice and snow and slippery!!  It sure made it an adventure though.

It was a great day to go--blue skies, free entrance, no crowds, and warm.  There was waterfalls coming off the cliffs every so often--just beautiful (uh oh, I'm sounding like my mom)  But it was!

About to head out on the fin.

Ben contemplating jumping--not really.  He couldn't live without me.

Christmas 2010

 Ahh, Christmas was so much fun!  The Christmas season is so exhausting, but it's all so much fun and Christmas morning is my favorite.  I just love the excitement that my kiddos have and guilty confession--I can't wait to play with some of their toys too!  I think the kids had a magical morning, and it was a pleasure to watch.

Faith's Fairy Fashion Fairytale Barbie--say that five times fast.  I loved asking her what she wanted because she would spit that out so fast.

Are these two twins or what?

Wy taking his sisters for a ride.

Jesse's a big lego man this year.  I think legos are great toys too, I just wish they weren't so dang expensive!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too.  Filled with family, fun, and a chance to celebrate Christ's birth, his life, and most importantly the Atonement--the greatest gift.  Happy Holidays!

Mexcio 2010

We went to Mexico the week after Christmas and lapped up some sun and warmth!  It's always so great to leave this winter wonderland and enjoy wearing a little less clothes.  We went with my parents and Amy and Gary's families and we all had a lot of fun--except that Wyatt and Ivan had a serious case of the "mines".  I think they still love each other though.

I was lazy with the camera, and somehow lost my new point and shoot but we caught a few pictures with my phone and I dared bring my big camera down once to the beach.

This is how the little kids spent the time--playing in the sand.

Pretty Mermaid

We rented paddle boards this time for the first time and it was so much fun!    The surf was next to none, so it was a good time.