While Daddy's Away: Day 23

Today was our last day without Sam. He's coming home tomorrow afternoon, and we can't wait! Hooray!

I'll give you one try to guess who did this to Jonah:

That same girl asked me to take this picture of her:

Since we are home now, Jonah is back to the pink bumbo. He loves for me to set him right in the middle of the floor where Ellie and Nathan are so he can watch them. It's so funny to watch his head turning back and forth watching them. He always smiles at them, and occasionally he will get really excited and wave his arms and legs around like crazy to get in on the action.

Jonah genuinely enjoys when his siblings play with him. My initial reaction is to protect him by telling them to leave him alone, but he always has a smile on his face when they're around... Except for the time yesterday when Ellie accidentally hit him in the head with her princess wand...

This time was no different: I almost told Ellie to stop touching his face, but then I realized he liked it.

And this little guy is turning into more of a boy every day. He loves to explore and get into everything he's not supposed to. I went to find him today, and he had plugged the bath tub and was filling it up... In his clothes with his shoes on. He was quite proud of himself. Now I know I need to be more vigilant about closing my bathroom door!

While Daddy's Away: Day 22

Ellie came in again this morning and snuggled with Jonah after I fed him.

And she was quite proud that she got to stir the juice all by herself.

The kids share a room at night, but I usually put them in separate rooms at nap time. Today, however, they requested the same room. I figured why not, so I got them in their beds and all set. They talked and played for quite awhile, but I decided not to let it bother me. When I went in to check on them because they were quiet, I saw this:

I did laundry today from our trip to Arizona, and my swim suit has to be hung to dry. I came out from helping Nathan get to bed, and Ellie had grabbed it and put it on - it made me laugh.

Since we have been home Ellie and Nathan have both been asking about Daddy a lot. I think now that we are back in our normal routine they miss him even more. 

One more full day until he gets home! We can't wait!

While Daddy's Away: Day 21

Ellie came in around 5 this morning. She didn't say a word - she just plopped down next to me in bed and fell asleep.

I definitely didn't mind that.

And once Jonah got up, she insisted on holding him. He's almost too big and wiggly for her to hold, but not quite.

And Ben went home this afternoon. He's awesome. I was sad to see him go.

While Daddy's Away: Day 20

We made it home to Rexburg safe and sound. I am so glad to be home! We left this morning at 4:30 (Arizona time), and got home just before 9 (Idaho time). We made pretty good time, I think!

The kids were so good considering how long we were in the car. I really can't believe how well-behaved they were for such a long drive. It was definitely a tender mercy for me since I was really stressed out about the trip.

Some things we did to help the time pass by were movies for the kids (I am an unashamed advocate of letting the kids watch movies in the car on long trips. I can't read very many books to them before I get carsick, so if it keeps them entertained and keeps them from fighting, it's alright with me. I'm sure my opinion will change a little when they get older and can do more things for themselves, but for now it works.) I also bought a few dollar store toys/books and put them in paper bags, then every once in awhile when the kids got restless I would let them open a surprise. (It was my mom's idea, and it was absolutely worth it.)

One surprise was a coloring book with stickers and crayons. The stickers didn't actually end up in the book though. :)

The biggest hits were the slinkies. They played with them for quite awhile. We won't mention what they looked like by the time we got home though... Let's just say they can't be untangled.

We found that if we let the kids out for about two minutes each time we got gas - enough time for a potty break but not enough time to get used to being out of the car - they were refreshed and ok with getting back into their car seats. Nathan just wanted to be held when we let him out, and I definitely didn't mind snuggling him.

One of the biggest helps was that my brother Ben drove with me. I really couldn't have done it without him. He took half of the driving and helped the kids while I drove.

We stopped in Tremonton so I could feed Jonah and Ben played with the kids. 

I didn't get any good pictures, but they were in heaven. I'm so grateful for that brother of mine. (And my three other brothers too, of course :))

Jonah hardly made a peep the entire time. He cried a little when he got hungry, but other than that he slept and just looked around. He is such a pleasant baby.

And of course there was a fair amount of crying from the older two, but that is to be expected on a long road trip with three tiny kiddos! We are all grateful to be out of the car and in our beds tonight!

While Daddy's Away: Day 19

This is the only picture from yesterday:

Eve taught Ellie to put tape on her face and say that it was a beard, and she thought it was the funniest thing.

Other than that, we pretty much just packed everything up and got ready to leave. We are heading home to Idaho today. We sure are going to miss everyone!

While Daddy's Away: Day 18

Today was another day full of swimming. We have to get it all in while we can because we are going home on Saturday!

When we got in the pool we noticed this bird - it wouldn't get out even when the kids splashed it and tried to scare it away. Poor bird. I assume it's not doing well if it is acting like that.

Micah and Hyrum (Nathan calls him "Hammer") let Nathan play with their swords. He loved it!

We went swimming again in the afternoon, and this time Jonah was awake so he came out with us. I took him in the water and he was as happy as a clam. When I went to buy him a hat earlier during this trip, they only had girl hats... So that is what he was stuck with. Oh well, he makes a pretty cute girl if you ask me!

Ellie got a hair cut, and this is the only picture I got of the after. Just a little trim.

And good thing Jonah had an auntie to keep him warm when he got out of the pool!

While Daddy's Away: Day 17

I just realized that this picture is the only one from today.... I found the soap tipped over and spilled.

But don't let the picture deceive you into thinking we had a boring day... We pretty much swam the day away. We swam at my parents' house this morning, the kids took naps, then we went to the public pool. Everyone had a great time, especially at the public pool - even Jonah. Too bad I didn't get any pictures!

As I was typing this I decided to take and add another picture - spilled soap is pretty lame. The girls are currently having a movie night because the older kids are gone and Nathan is sleeping. What are they watching? Well, Frozen of course! And what's a movie night without popcorn?

While Daddy's Away: Day 16

I can't get over this little chub. I just love him so much. I decided that he needed a picture too!

Today we went to the Idea Museum, and the kids had an absolute blast!

It was hilarious to watch Ellie beat the heck out of that thing. She was quite vigorous with her music playing.

There was an indoor play area with huge, soft blocks, a play kitchen, things to climb on - it was kid heaven. We decided that Rexburg needs something like that! The kids played in there for quite awhile, then we went to the other part of the museum.

They colored,

Painted on the iPad,

And glued. Ellie had the time of her life with the glue stick. 

They also has a section where the kids could look through binoculars, and Ellie loved that.

We came home, and while the kids took a nap I went to the new Gilbert temple. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture, but it is absolutely beautiful. And HUGE! My mom is awesome for watching the kids again.

And I couldn't pass up putting this picture on here... 

While Daddy's Away: Day 15

Yesterday this little guy got to be my and Lily's shopping buddy. My mom was nice enough to keep the other two so we could go.

I cannot believe how good-natured he is. We were gone for a little over 4 hours, and he didn't make a peep the entire time except for some little giggles. How did I get so blessed? (And not just because he was good.... I like them even when they're naughty)

When we got home, the girls has to have turns holding Jonah.

This is how Ellie requested to hold him. I'm not really sure why...

After dinner we went outside to help grandpa with some stuff.

Just hanging around. :)

Nathan hung out in the pool while grandpa did chemicals, and when he saw the goggles, he put them on all by himself. I was impressed that he got them on!

After the kids went to bed Liky, my mom and I watched "While You Were Sleepong." And, ironically, this little guy fell asleep and just snuggled with me for awhile.

While Daddy's Away: Day 14

I only got one picture yesterday: Ellie making me food while I got ready for church.

We went to my cousin Sam's ward because he gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting. He did a great job. I loved listening to the stories he told.

Then that night we went over to Amy and Hubert's house to see Sam again. The kids had a great time playing together. I wish I got a picture of Manon and Julia carrying Jonah around - they love him and would carry him around everywhere.

While Daddy's Away: Day 13

Yesterday we went to Pine to see where my parents are building their cabin. It was nice to escape the heat of the valley and to let the kids run free. The kids had a picnic lunch with Grandpa and Uncle Hubert, then went hiking while the girls went into town and had lunch. It was fun, though I didn't take any pictures of my kids.... Good thing my mom did.

This was in one of the shops we looked at and I thought it was funny.

Nathan had so much fun - he was absolutely filthy, just like little boys like to be.

The kids all slept on the ride home, so they were full of energy and decided to have a dance party.

While Daddy's Away: Day 12

We started out the day with a trip to the public pool for Micah's dive team party. I didn't bring my phone to take pictures for obvious reasons, but the kids had a complete blast. 

And this picture was taken right after Jonah rolled from front to back. Cute boy.

The girls put on their princess dresses and danced and sang to Frozen. I love this picture of Ellie mid-belt.

Jonah also began liking toys today. He can't hold on to them super well, but he started reaching for them and enjoyed putting them in his mouth.

While Daddy's Away: Day 11

We had another episode of taking off a poopy diaper during Nathan's nap, so that was fun.

He was a lot cuter after his bath!

Ellie was pretty excited about the magnifying glass she found and had to look at everything through it.

And of course we swam twice, just like we do pretty much every day!

Ellie and Nathan are both brave enough now to go in their floaties throughout the pool by themselves. Of course I'm always close by, but it's a little bit of a comfort that they're not clinging to me every time we are in the pool now!

And, just because I love a good baby in a bumbo. ^