When Evie Comes to Town...

...they all feast on books!

Jonah's Trip to Arizona: A Photo Essay

Jonah had fun in Arizona. He got to spend some time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles. 

Hyrum and Micah called going shirtless going "Jonah style" since he was only in a diaper.

On Sunday I took our bags downstairs and was going to take another trip to go get Jonah. When I came back upstairs my first thought was "Where's Jonah?" Then I saw his little feet. Silly boy.

When Sam and the kids picked us up from the airport I expected Ellie and Nathan to be excited to see us, but I didn't anticipate how excited Jonah would be to see his big brother and sister. He was all smiles and giggles.

Ellie insisted that she had to hold him right then.

So of course Nathan insisted on holding him too.

(He really was happy... I promise.)

We had a great trip, but it is always good to be home.

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 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 10

Jonah is getting really good at tummy time, though you wouldn't know it from this picture because he kept putting his head down when I tried to take a picture... Little stinker!

The kids made some crafts.

And I made a paper chain counting down to when Sam gets back. I wanted to make one with the kids and have it be a great bonding experience, but they couldn't have cared less. Ellie was actually quite annoyed when I had her hold it up for a picture. Sigh... So much for sentimentality... But I got to rip one off this morning so that made me happy. :) 13 days, in case you were wondering.

Aunt Evie helped with Jonah's bath. She loves him so much!

And I think Sam is getting too used to India... This is our conversation:

One more day down!

While Daddy's Away: Day 2

The day started with Nathan sleeping in later than usual. I listened at the door every once in awhile, and when he finally woke up, he was covered in poop.... Awesome. It must be a rite of passage for moms.

A bath and a scrubbed playpen later, and we had a happy little boy.

Then we went to the library. We thought it would be fun for the kids, but Ellie and Nathan basically threw fits the entire time. It was strange. Those poor kiddos. They're still getting used to having their daddy gone.

After naps, Ellie and Evie read stories with Grandma...

They looked at scrapbooks and refused to look at the camera.

Evie loves Jonah. She is always asking me to hold him. And Jonah found his hands today. He has gagged himself several times today already.

Nathan felt better after his nap (compared to the fits at the library) and he actually ventured off to play by himself. That's the first time he's done that since we have been here. I'm glad he is getting more adjusted to his surroundings!

While Daddy's Away: Day 1

Sam left for India yesterday morning. He got there this morning (12 hour difference from Arizona), and he said he got only a few hours of sleep on the plane so he was exhausted.

These kids are going to miss him like crazy:

(Getting ice cream a few days before he left)

And he will miss them too. So I decided to post on here each day what we are up to... Hopefully he won't miss us too much that way! Or maybe it will make him miss us more?? Who knows?

Today the kids played non-stop. 

Ellie and Eve like to play together, but they are also both so strong-willed that they get on each other's nerves sometimes. It's funny to listen to them talk to each other.

Nathan had a hard day. Lots of his day was spent like ^ this. The poor little boy is getting used to not having his daddy around and to having so many friends around to play with. He absolutely loves Hyrum and Micah though. They taught him to say "fin, noggin, dude." It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Jonah continues to charm the pants off of everyone he meets. Not only is he a perfect little chub, he's so content. He's happy to sit in the swing, or in the corner of the couch, or to be carried around. He just enjoys life - especially when people talk to him. He just lights up and "talks" back.

Of course we have been spending lots of time in the pool! Ellie and Nathan started out really cautious, but they are warming up to the pool thing. Ellie even told me today, "I closed my breath, and I put my face under the water!" She's learning how to kick in the water, and she walks all around the shallow part of the pool. Nathan loves to sit on the steps and play with the pool toys. He will also walk around in the shallow part, but the water is up to his chest, so it is hard for him to keep his balance.

Nathan is all about balls and splashing people.

Ellie went in the floatie today and actually had fun. On Saturday she was a little bit afraid, but today she really liked it.

She stayed up late to watch a movie with Hyrum and Evie, and she was out like a light a minute after I put her to bed. Note to self: put a pillow case on that pillow! Yuck! :)

We are so grateful my family is kind enough to let us stay with them for a few weeks. We are really enjoying being here, even though we miss Sam like crazy!