Trent's helmet

We arrived home from SLC this afternoon and everything went well! The boys did great in the car yesterday morning however, not so great coming home... they were pretty much sick of their car seats and wanted OUT! But, they survived (and so did mommy and daddy!) We met with the helmet specialist yesterday afternoon and went over everything that's required for his helmet. Over the next 5 days he'll work into the helmet slowly and by the end will be wearing it for 23 hours a day. It's taken off for his baths, swimming and if he has a fever. During the time that it's off I will clean the inside with rubbing alcohol and dry it before putting it back on him. We also have to watch out for something they call "red spots" on his skin. The helmet itself (Star-band brand) is pretty pliable and the left side can stretch open as you put it on then, velcroes closed. So far he doesn't even seem to notice when he's wearing it! Trent is SO happy to be home again!

Last night we were able to stay with Casey's Uncle Don and Aunt Arlene (actually second cousins) We had a wonderful evening visiting with them and Tys loved their backyard! They had just arrived home from vacation themselves and were so kind to have us in their home last minute!

Tys exploring in the backyard

I weighed Trent today and at 5 1/2 months, he weighs 19.5 lbs. So far he's still just a little bit smaller than Tys. At 4 months old, Tys weighed 19.4 lbs.

One last picture of Trent before he gets his helmet tomorrow! The weather was SO beautiful today... we've had so much rain lately I had almost forgotten what the sun felt and looked like :) I did lots of laundry and packing today... getting ready to leave tomorrow. And, while I did that the kids had a great day playing outside. Trent and I did go outside in the late afternoon and evening... he wasn't too sure about the grass and liked being in his walker much better.

"I don't want to ride for 5 hours in my car seat tomorrow"!!!

Tys' new favorite thing to do is swing on his belly!

Just 2 more days until we head to Salt Lake for Trent's helmet. It really feels like we were just there... but I had better get used to it since we'll be going every 2 weeks (and again next week) But, hopefully, that'll make the whole process go faster and it'll be over before we know it. He was SO happy to get a new toy from Nana last night! Actually, I thought he looked sort of evil in this picture :)

We have all been fighting sickness since Sunday and are just now feeling better today. I started it with a cold, high fever, body aches etc. on Sunday. Then, passed it along to everyone else (because sharing is the right thing to do, eh?) I was actually pretty miserable and don't remember having that high of a fever in a long time. I was happy when Casey arrived home from work Sunday evening and was able to help me with the kids. Then, he was sick (although not as bad) on Monday and we both sort of "gimped" around taking care of the kids. It was actually kind of pathetic! Thankfully, Trent and Katie just had runny noses and, we were able to keep Tys' cold and fever under control with medicine. The good thing was we were able to get caught up on watching a few movies. There are MANY new movies that I haven't seen yet but, just don't have the time to sit for 2 hours. Unless, the kids are in bed and then, I just fall asleep! And, we hardly ever go to the movies anymore for 2 reasons: 1. the nearest theater is 50 miles away and 2. my husband cringes and begins twitching at the very thought of spending $8.50 a piece on movie tickets! lol Anyhow, we watched Taken (after the kids went to bed) Nights at Rodanthe and Night at the Museum (I know, the second movie is already out and I hadn't even seen the first one yet!) So, that's been our week thus far. I now have a lot to do in the next two days before going to Salt Lake.....

Trent may not be rolling yet but, he can get himself around! He does this thing where he wiggles his body and scoots around by pushing his legs. It's pretty funny :) Oh, and he's found his toes!

Good friends... good times

The kids and I had a great week/weekend( too bad Casey to work most of it ) We spent quite a bit of the week at our friend's, Judy and Kens, house visiting our friends, the Thomas', who were here from CO for the week. They have 6 boys and 1 girl, Patience, who is Katie's age. Add all of our church kids in there and there were kids/adults EVERYWHERE throughout the week at the Cox's. Katie and Tys LOVED playing with their friends and it was so amazing to see them all playing so great together. Each night they went home completely exhausted! I also enjoyed visiting with Alyssa and John and, our friends that I see throughout the week but sometimes don't always have the time to actually "sit and visit". Here are a few pictures from throughout the week.... Trent with his buddies, Josiah and cousin Will

Katie, Marisa and Patience... playing in the big water trough/swimming pool! This was in between rain showers... and at times, that didn't even stop them.

celebrating Christian's birthday last night

Happy birthday Christian! He looks very amused with all those rabbit ears :) My raggamuffin daughter is on the far right... we are missing a few kids in the picture but, this was pretty much the core group of kids throughout the week

Tys hanging out with his Uncle Joe... this was towards the end of the day and Tys was SO tired!

A beautiful view of the rainbow! It was been raining off and on, everyday, this whole last week. We also had a great visit with Matt's mom and girlfriend, who came down from Boise for the weekend. On Friday night I made dinner for "the guys" (Joe, Micah and Matt) my parents and Justine and Sandy. Then, Justine stayed with us for the two nights that she was here. We definitely have had a busy week but, it was all so much fun! Thanks Judy and Ken for letting us all hang out and feeding us :)

Now, I'm looking forward to relaxing tomorrow and hopefully, getting rid of this nasty cold that's settled in my head. AND, the construction should begin on our foundation this week!!

rain, rain go away

With all this rain we've been having lately, we've been doing lots of indoor things: baking cookies, cleaning house, playing princesses and catching up on Dora the Explorer. Also, yesterday we got to spend time at Judy and Ken's house and, visit with our good friends, the Thomas' (who are here from CO) It's been so nice to see them again and, Katie has had a great time playing with their girl, Patience (they also have 6 boys!). I realize all this rain is good for the ground and, Nevada has probably never been greener, however I'm starting to worry a little about our garden. The seeds that haven't come up yet aren't getting the chance to dry out and soak up any sun. Instead, they are sitting day after day in puddles of water... so, I'll be surprised if they make it! Anyhow, my parents came over for dinner and ice cream tonight. Here they are with the kids... it's so hard getting ALL of the kids to look at the camera at the same time AND smile! The kid's new favorite song is "rain, rain, go away... come back another day"!! And, Katie informed me yesterday that it's been raining "forty days and forty nights"... glad to know she's been listening to Mr Doug in Sunday school! I should've took it as a "sign" when Tys and Katie were trying to build Noah's ark with their daddy's wood a couple of weeks ago :)