Our last Month or so...in pictures

My younger brother Robert was married on November 6th to sweetheart Whitney. The wedding was great, and the majority of the family was able to come celebrate with us. Out of the 11 siblings, 6 spouses, and 12 grandkids, Elder Paul and Debbie's husband Jesse were the only ones not in attendance.

The day after the wedding we all got together at my brother Anthony's house for a pre-Thankgiving dinner. None of us were going to be home for Thanksgiving this year, so we had it early. It is crazy how much an early Thanksgiving can throw off your month. This is part of the crew. Rob and Whit were boviously unavaliable, and we took this picture in the evening after my older sister Marie and her family had left for Utah.

That following week, all of my sisters, and my new sister in law Lerin, spent 3 to 5 extra days at my parents' house without our husbands. It was great to have the extra time to visit, shop, make crafts, and let the kids play. Connor had such a blast with his cousins. After trips like this he gets really bored at our house.

I don't think it is possible to look at these pictures and not laugh. Connor is doing great at potty training and has pretty much gotten to the point of not needing my help at all. However, we are still working on getting the underwear back on the right way. OOO- LA- LA!

Andrew and Samantha are growing so well. There is still a two pound difference between them, but as they get older Andrew doesn't dwarf his sister quite as bad. They are smiling so much and Andrew laughs quite often. Sammy isn't quite to that point yet, (she is usually about a month behind her brother, smiling, laughing, rolling over, etc.) but there is nothing in the world better than their smiles. We are coming up on 4 months and I can hardly believe that it has been that long. They are wonderful babies, and great sleepers. Which I think is the only reason I'm able to make it through most of my days.

Trav's sister Shannon and her husband Jared and little boy Henry came to Blackfoot for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them, and because we now live so close we got to spend much more time with them this trip. Connor and Henry played like crazy; taking baths, playing soccer, hide-and-seek, and of course trucks. Although Henry didn't really like the wagon ride obviously.

This was at our Ward Christmas Party. We had dinner, Connor threw up, there was a program, and then he was the last kid in line to see Santa. So, all in all, a normal party. I was in line with him a while before the end, but then he decided that he needed his dad, so we got out of line, until Connor felt better about talking to Santa, with his Dad in tow. Now we are using the "Santa only gives Rocky the Robot Trucks to good little boys," line more than we should, but whatever works right?

Brian and Lerin came by a few Saturdays after Thanksgiving and helped us put up the tree. Connor had so much fun putting on the ornaments. But there were only a few branches he wanted to decorate. In the end, the three bottom front branches held more than 13 ornaments between them.

My friend Cassie came over this past week to visit and make some treats. Jackson and Connor had so much fun with the sprinkles. Oh, and the cookies were good too. There is nothing quite like decorating cookies with two three year olds.

Awesome Music...Lindsay Mac

Trav heard this girl on the Bob and Tom Show this morning, and she is great. She plays the Cello like a guitar, and has an amazing voice. Here is the link to her My Space page...check her out. Definitely worth listening to!
http://www.myspace.com/lindsaymacmusic

Blessing Day

We blessed Samantha and Andrew on the 11th of October. It was WONDERFUL! Many of our family members and friends were able to join us for this very special day. Thank you to everyone who was there to support us, and everyone who couldn't come as well. The babies of course looked adorable. But the most important part was the actual blessing. It is difficult at times to remember that that is what it is all about when there is so much else going on.

Trav blessed Sammy first, and then Andrew. The spirit in the meeting was so strong. I'm so very grateful for the blessing of the Priesthood in my life and home. And to see the blessings given to my babies through its power is amazing. Words just can't describe what it is like for a Mom to experience. I just love it so much!

These are pretty much the only pictures I took. I wanted to get so many more, but things just get crazy with more than 50 people at your house. But I love all that I was able to capture.

My Dad, brothers, Trav, and bro-in-law Tyler.

More family: Dad, Brothers, Uncles and Doug, Trav's best friend.

In both of these pictures I dragged these men away from the party to get a few shots before everyone started to leave.

Snap shots of family at the BBQ.

Connor didn't sleep much on Saturday night, so he made up for it during the BBQ. By the time he woke up, most everyone was gone.

The twins in their blessing outfits. Grandma Verna made Sammy's dress, and Andrew wore the outfit my sister Char and I made when Connor was blessed. They each had a pair of booties from their Great Aunt Julie, and adorable afghans from Great Aunt Lucy. Sammy got a pretty bracelet from her Aunt Nancy. Thank you all.
What a stud!

Sammy was so good when we were taking pictures. And so pretty.

It was quite a dress!

Newborn and Kido Pictures!

So a few weeks ago the kids and I spent some time with my friend Rachel, who offered to take their newborn pictures. I'm grateful that she was patient with us. Crazy enough it is harder to keep two infants happy and fed than it is just one. But, the pictures turned out so adorable. We even got a few good shots of Connor.

This picture really shows how much bigger Andrew is than Sammy.

I didn't think kids started doing this kinda smile thing until they were a bit older. Oh well, it is still cute!

The hat is just too adorable!

Weight Update

Trav weighed the babies last night for the first time at home. And I'm very glad to report that Andrew weights about 9 lbs., and our little Sammy weights just over 7 lbs. I figured they were each much smaller because of the rate they were growing at before. But apparently they are now making leaps and bounds. Andrew is trying to be like his big brother Connor by putting on the weight quickly. But I don't care what the scale says, they are still just tiny!

The 5 of us!

The other day we were visiting Trav's grandma and I said "The 5 of us went to church for the first time the other day." That just seems crazy to me! We went from 3 to 5 in just a few minutes and I'm still recovering from the shock. But we are all doing great and just trying to get into the flow of things. Connor has been so great with Andrew and Sammy. He is such a great big brother, and he loves "his babies" so much that when they start to cry, so does he. At first it was really cute, and now I just tell him to go see Daddy.

Andrew and Sammy are a month old today. And just like every Mom, I feel like time has just flown, while at the same time it feels like they have been with us for much longer. I tell people all of the time that they are just growing like crazy, which actually isn't the case. Sammy is ALMOST 6 lbs. and just the tiniest, most petite little doll ever. She has these large eyes that just take everything in. And, unlike her brother, she is just content most of the time to sit quietly and look adorable. Andrew is the larger, noisier, and more needy big brother. He is a great baby, but Sammy is so quiet, that it makes Andrew seem fussy. And it is amazing the difference a pound and a half makes when they are this little. Andrew's legs are twice the size of Sammy's, even though he is only 7 1/2 lbs. He always has his tongue between his lips which makes them look huge, and he is such a snuggler. He always wants to be held, and is not one to hide when he isn't content. They both have such different personalities already it is crazy. They are both great eaters, and (knock on wood) only get up once or twice a night.

I'll try to be better about getting pictures up. But for now, these are a bunch of my favs, so please excuse the large number.


These are pictures of their first real baths in the tub. What scrawny little ones.


Debbie was here for about two weeks with me and Robert and my Mom came for a few days to help. They were a total blessing!

I just love this one. When they are so little they really fit just about anywhere.

Apparently I no longer care about how I look in pictures. Oh well!

Welcome Andrew Scott and Samantha Elaine

On Wednesday the 19th, I went to Pocatello for a check up and 5 hours later we had two little babies. Andrew was 19 inches and 5 lbs. 11 oz. and was born at 6:23 p.m. Samantha was 18 1/2 in. and 5 lbs 6 oz. and was born at 6:27 p.m. Sammy had to spend a few hours in the NICU because she wasn't able to keep her lungs inflated and was having a tough time transitioning. But she bounced back amazingly and we were able to have her back to us in next to no time.

All of my siblings were in town for my younger brother Brian's wedding, and everyone was going to be staying at our house for a few days. Which actually still worked out great because I have awesome sisters, and Travis was wonderful. Although the twins definitely came earlier than we were hoping, it was great to have them when a lot of our family was here to see them.

My sister Deb has been here for a few days and I wish I could keep her forever. She has been cooking and cleaning like a crazy person, and anything else she thinks she needs to do. I don't know what we would have done this week without her. And Connor has been so great with "his girl and his boy." We thought he would have a tough time, but overall he just loves to see the twins and sit as close to them as we will let him. He has had both pink eye and a major ear infection this week. But the twins are so lucky to have such a great older brother to keep a close eye on them.

I'm constantly amazed at how tiny they are, and we just spend so much time just staring at them. They are gaining weight, although quite slowly, and we are figuring things out together. We want to thank everyone for all of the love, gifts, and congratulations.

The final stretch!

I know I have been such a slacker with belly photos, and I was ordered to put a new one up. We are hoping to make it to the end of the month, and hopefully not past the 5th of September. I have been feeling pretty good, and the twins are doing great. I guess the next few weeks just can't fly by fast enough and at the same time go slow enough. I was thinking the other day that it would be so nice to be comfortable again (not pregnant) so that I could sleep. But when I'm no longer pregnant, the last thing I'm going to get is sleep. The fact that we are having twins hits me every so often, and I get a bit overwhelemed, but we are still so excited and terrified at the same time. We love you all and will keep you posted as much as possible.

The House is Sold!

Hey, this is just a quick note to let everyone know that we have signed the contract to sell the house in Pocy. It only took about eight days, and we are really counting our blessings! We will be closing on the 13th of August, so it should be all said and done before the babies get here. We are doing great here in Blackfoot and now just trying to make it our Home. Thanks to everyone for your support!

Good Bye Pocatello!

It has finally happened! We moved out of our house in Pocy last Monday, and into the long awaited house in Blackfoot. It has been tough adjusting to all of the changes. Especially for Connor. But he has been such a trooper. We have also had a few family activities the last few weeks that have kept our weekends plenty busy. But more to come on those later.

As part of selling our house, I've put together a blog with pictures and thorough descriptions. If you want to check it out I've linked it to this blog. A friend of ours who recently purchased a house suggested it, and said it was a great help when they were house hunting. This should also please of all of my sisters who I have been promising for months to send pictures of our new kitchen and bathroom. They are finally done.

It is sad to put so much time and work into remodeling our other house just so we can sell it. But, anything that will help it sell quicker and for the price we want, right?

Our new house has a lot of things that we like and a lot of things that we would love to change. But my motivation hasn't kicked in yet, and Trav has been really busy with getting the gravel pit up and running. So the wall paper and 70's carpet will have to stay for a while. Unless there is someone out there willing to do all of the work for an endless supply of Otter-Pops? No...Really...No takers? Shocker!

I'll get pictures of our new place up soon, and a pregnancy update too.

The Belly

Here is the latest picture of my ever growing belly. I'm surprised at how big I am already. But, I guess the bigger I am... the bigger the babies are, so it is a good thing. I am feeling good so far, and I don't have too much to complain about. Travis has been amazing. He puts up with all of my whining and takes great care of me.

These two pictures were taken a month apart, and the difference is quite noticeable if I do say so myself. And I'm so glad that people have stopped saying "You can't even tell your pregnant," which is really just mean some times. JKN!

Like a Rock Star!

Anytime Connor sees a guitar on TV or hears rock music, he wants to play "Tars". Trav got a PS3 for his birthday/every other holiday this year, and soon after found quite the deal on Guitar Hero. We don't play it very often, unless Connor wants to. But, even though we have 2 guitars, only one of us can play at a time, for pretty obvious reasons. He is so funny when we play! He dances around and sings and yells, and has so much fun with it. Trav gets into it much more than I do, so he usually wants Dad to play with him. And he is better. I can't say I ever would have imagined my 2 year old holding a guitar and rocking out to Aerosmith. Like Father like Son!