Maisey Moment

Maisey felt a little warm to me today, so I took her temperature! She didn't have a fever, but she did insist on taking my temperature! She stuck it in my ear and waited for it to beep. When it was done she took it out and looked at it and said, "20 dollars!"

She cracks me up!

Halloween Sneek Peek

Our friend Hudson had his 1st birthday party tonight. His birthday is actually on Halloween, so they did a Halloween themed party and all the kids got to wear their costumes!

I have never seen Maisey so excited to go some where. I got her dressed in her cheerleader outfit and then told her it was time to do her hair. But then I went in Gage's room to get something and when I walked past the bathroom, I saw Maisey just sitting on the toilet waiting for me to do her hair! THAT NEVER HAPPENS!

Here she is. . . just waiting for Mama!

I got Gage all ready to go then realized that I couldn't buckle him in his car seat, so we did a quick photo shoot then I took his costume off.

Our 1/2 football player, 1/2 football. We just call him the football man! (P.S. Don't you love the helmet?)

They sure do love their cougs!

That is a 100 % genuine smile! Words can't even explain how excited she was!

I was expecting Shaun to be home to help me get all of the kids ready but there was an accident on the freeway so he decided to take a back way that he had never taken before. . . Long story short, I didn't have any help and we just met him at the party!

As I was running around trying to get everything together, Maisey kept saying to me, "Mommy, hurry! We're Leaving!" or "Mommy, Let's Go!" Usually she's the one messing around and it takes quite the effort to get her in the car--but when it's something she really wants to do, I better not keep her waiting!

She is so excited to wear her costume again tomorrow! If she gets this excited about Halloween and birthday parties, I can't wait to see her in 2 months for Christmas! (She's already been talking about it!)

Go Mommy Go!

Well, I was going to post about our Bauman Farm experience from last Saturday, but my pictures are having a hard time loading, so I will have to do that later!

I have worked out on my elliptical 5 times this week! That's right. . . 5 times!!! I've been getting up just a little bit earlier each morning to do it. Well, Maisey has also been getting up really early this week, so she just has to sit on my bed and watch the news while I finish my workout. Well, both yesterday and today she got down off the bed and stood in front of the elliptical and cheered me own by yelling, "Go Mommy Go!" or "Good Job Mommy!" Why would I not want to do this every morning with my own personal cute cheerleader?


*I've made a goal to workout 7 times a week (not 7 days a week--some days I'll have to double up if I want the weekend off) and I have scheduled a massage in November. If I keep my goal I get to keep my appointment, if I don't. . . I have to cancel it, even though I have a $39 coupon that expires next month! This goal might stretch me a little bit, but that's what it is going to take to lose that little bit of Gage I have left! Plus it makes me happier!

Feeling Left Out

This handsome boy is 26 weeks. . .

This beautiful, sassy girl is 26 months. . .

And this awesome daddy is 26 years old!!!

The closest I am to 26 is wishing there were 26 hours in a day!

I love my family!

FHE

For FHE tonight we did the story of David and Goliath. I'm pretty sure we just taught Maisey that is was ok for her to throw rocks at big kids! AWESOME!

For our closing song we sang Book of Mormon Stories. Maisey loves Family Home Evening and asks to do it pretty much any night we are all home as a family.

Excuse my singing (and Shaun's). . . we thought she needed help, but apparently she knows it all by herself!

Half a year!

We've survived another month!!! Gage definitely keeps things interesting around here. He's funny because it seems that any time we try something new with him, he LOVES it for a week, and I get so excited because I think we've finally figured out what he likes, and then after that week is up, he starts to hate it. Examples: His bumbo, rice cereal, oatmeal, sleeping for more than 3 hours, etc.

Right after his 5 month post he started sleeping so well, for a week! Now he is back to how he was before.

Not interested in any baby food anymore, but regular food, he could probably out eat his sister if we let him.

He is starting to sit up now, which is nice. He still is very wobbly and the longest he has ever sat up was during the photo shoot at the park on Thursday! Thanks for cooperating buddy!

He still ADORES his sister. He loves when she gives him attention and reads to him!

He is so good about falling asleep on his own. . . but for some reason he doesn't stay asleep, and doesn't put himself back to sleep with out seeing his mommy's face!

He still enjoys his exersaucer most of the time, which is a huge lifesaver for me!

He is quite a talker/squealer/screamer. When we go grocery shopping, people can hear him 3 aisles away because he is so loud. The checkers at Walmart know him! (so lame that we go there enough for that to even happen!)

Him and Grammy are best buddies. He can be driving me nuts all day and be so cranky, but when his grammy comes to babysit, he is so good for her!

The one thing that he has liked longer than a week is his stroller! Too bad the weather is starting to get yucky!

Overall, his demeanor is getting better. Less fussiness through out the day, and I wish I could say more sleep at night! If I've made it 6 months, I can make it 6 more. . . right?

Love you brother man!

6 months with this RASCAL!

Our little rascal is 6 months old today! I don't have much time to post about him right now, so I will do that probably Sunday! But until then enjoy his 6 month photo shoot!

On a Happier Note. . (and Maisey Moments)

. . . Shaun and I went on a date last night! No kids, no friends, no family, Just him and me, husband and wife, and the other 19,998 people at the Blazer game. It was SO SO SO fun! And let me tell you, walking up and down the stairs all the way down to the 2nd row was a lot easier this year compared to when we went last year and I was 8 months pregnant!

I love that my aunt is so generous and lets us use some of their tickets every year!

The Blazers played the Jazz, so it was especially fun for me since I knew all of the players from BOTH teams! Shaun and I went to Jazz games when we lived there and became pretty big fans. Shaun was sticking with Utah last night, and I went with the Blazers, unfortunately I got WHOMPED!!! Blazers ended up losing by 11 I think, but they were down ALL game by as much as almost 30.

I enjoyed the game, I enjoyed the food, I enjoyed the company, but mostly I enjoyed the opportunity to clear my head for a night!

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*Maisey was coloring this morning and I asked her to go do something and she looked at me and said, "I can't. I doing my homework!"

*We went to the store today to buy TONS of Hershey kisses for the wedding and Maisey was so excited because she thought she got to eat all of that chocolate! When we got in the car I gave her half of a Hershey kiss. She said "Yum Baby Abby." And I said, "Oh Maisey, are you sharing with Baby Abby?" and she said to me, "No Mommy! I don't share chocolate!"

That's my girl!!!!

Missing Him!

Shaun's friend and his wife lost their 32 year old brother-in-law, Naki Maile, last Friday morning. His death was very unexpected. He was the father of 6 girls ages 1-9. Check out their blog http://sixmailechix.blogspot.com/. The also have a family web-site http://www.nakisgirls.com/. If any of you have the opportunity to donate you can through that web-site or by going to Wells Fargo and donating to the Naki Maile Family fund. . . I'm sure anything will help.

Hearing about this really makes my heart ache for this family and it also brings up a lot of memories from when my dad passed away. Shaun had some trainings to complete online for his new job last night, and Gage was having a rough night so after I finally got him to bed I headed down to my mom's for a bit. She just listened to me cry! No situation is ever the same, and I feel that when my family lost my dad, the whole world lost an awesome man. But I told my mom, at least us kids are all able to take care of ourselves. This poor widow has not one, not two, but SIX little girls that she needs to love, comfort, and support all while trying to wrap her mind around what just happened and try to grieve herself.

When my dad died, I felt that I needed to be strong for my mom, strong for my brother, and strong for my sisters. They all needed some sort of stability in their lives and they all turned to me for that! I don't feel that I ever properly grieved the death of my dad so when situations like this come up, I just break down.

Everyone said that the first year of his passing would be the worst, with all of the first milestones without him. Well, I truly feel that this second year has been harder on me. Probably because I've struggled a lot with Gage and my dad was always the person that I turned to to make everything ok. And it doesn't help that Gage was born the day after his birthday or that he looks so much like him. I'm glad he does, don't get me wrong, but every morning when I get him out of his crib, I am reminded that my dad does not get to mortally experience his grandson. I think of all of the things that they would have done together, and then tear up at the fact that now he will only be a bystander watching from up high!

It also saddens me that there will be a point in Maisey's life where she won't remember her papa anymore. It's crazy to think that 2 years ago from this month my dad and I took Maisey on her first road trip. I remember it like it was just yesterday. . . it's kind of hard to forget because it was a HUGE disaster (she was only 2 months old!). I try to talk to Maisey about her papa and show her pictures of the two of them together. She always tells me that he lives with Jesus in Heaven! How lucky he is to be there, and how lucky I am to have a daughter who knows that!

With Stake Conference this weekend, it will be another reminder of just how much I miss him. Sometimes I think if I just close my eyes for a long time, then open them again I will see him sitting up on the stand in church, serving the members of our stake so diligently. That was his passion, serving The Lord, and now he gets to do it in a different manner.

When I was re-doing our room last month, I was cleaning out our desk, and I found this poem that I read last year to my family on Christmas Eve,

My First Christmas in Heaven

*

*

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below

With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,

reflecting on the snow

*

The sight is so spectacular,

please wipe away the tear

For I am spending Christmas with

Jesus Christ this year.

*

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

*

I have no words to tell you,

the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description,

to hear the angels sing.

*

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart.

But I am not so far away,

We really aren't apart.

*

So be happy for me, dear ones,

You know I hold you hear.

And be glad I'm spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

*

I sent you each a special gift,

from my heavenly home above.

I sent you each a memory

of my undying love.

*

After all, love is a gift more precious

than pure gold.

It was always most important

in the stories Jesus told.

*

Please love and keep each other,

as my Father said to do.

For I can't count the blessing or love

he has for each of you.

*

So have a Merry Christmas and

wipe away that tear.

Remember, I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

*

*

I am so grateful that I have a testimony of the plan of salvation. I have been praying for this young family that just lost everything that they know! I hope that the Lord can comfort them during this time, as he has comforted my family. This comfort doesn't take away that fact that I still miss my dad. It just helps to ease the pain in a devastating loss that will take a life time to comprehend. I know that God will be with every family that has experienced a death, until we are all again reunited. Looking forward to that day. . .

Maisey's Pumpkin Party

We ended up with 21 pumpkins from our garden!!!

What were we going to do with 21 pumpkins?

Have a pumpkin party of course!!!!!

All week while Shaun was gone, I kept telling Maisey that she had to be a big girl for her pumpkin party on Saturday. That kept her pretty motivated!

5 of the kids got sick this weekend, so we only had 8 come, which actually ended up being a perfect number!!!

Here are the 8 painting pumpkins in the garage.

Toddlers, paint, and carpet don't sound like a very good idea!
Maisey, Hailey, Gwenn, and Porter painting away!

After we painted pumpkins, we came inside and the kids all decorated pumpkin sugar cookies with frosting, sprinkles, m & m's, candy corns, and pumpkin peeps. (Wow! That sounds really sugary!)

Here's the party girl enjoying her cookie and apple juice!

After pumpkin cookies, we had a pumpkin walk. We listened to Halloween music while the kids walked around on the pumpkins. When I drew the number that they were standing on they got a Halloween Fruit by the Foot.

Then we went out and played pin the nose on the Jack-O-Lantern. Some of the bigger kids were brave and used the blind fold. Hailey won a special prize for being the blind-folded kid that got it the closest!

All the other kids got a popcorn ball for playing!

A quick group shot before everyone left!

Left to Right: Maisey Grimmett, Porter Hoopes, Hailey Morgan, Peyton Maughan, Audrey and Gwenn Haycock, Gracie Brown

Front: Savannah Morgan

Gage and Isaiah were buddies during the party!

The Festive Family of Four! (I love alliteration!)

These 2 were exhausted after everyone left, so they were resting and watching football with Daddy!

We are hoping to make this a tradition every year with pumpkins from our garden! Maisey sure loved it and has been talking about it all weekend!

Thanks for coming everyone!

Maisey is not a morning person

I wanted to do a little photo shoot of the kids in their Halloween jammies one morning. After this, I realized Maisey is NOT a morning person! :)

FINALLY!!! A smile from both of them!

Our week without Daddy

*Our dinners have consisted of

- Left over pizza
- Quiznos
- Sweet Tomatoes
- Walmart Deli
- Costco (tonight!)

*Our kids have only been bathed one time since Saturday. . . and let me tell you, it was ROUGH!


*Maisey has gone to bed between 7 and 7:30 every night! No staying up late this week!

*Our house is a disaster. . . I have like 5 half finished projects all lying around, including laundry from Tuesday, which I NEVER leave laundry for 3 days. However, I have run the dishwasher twice, which I don't understand how we have that many dirty dishes since I haven't made dinner all week.

*We came home from my mom's Monday night and I was bringing the garbage cans up from the curb and left the garage door open. That was a mistake. 2 cats came in our garage and were hiding under the car. To most of you. . . that's not a big deal. To me (the person who HATES pets) it is! Maisey was freaking out because I was freaking out, Gage was screaming, and Shaun was laughing at me on the phone. After 15 minutes, a broom, and finally having to pick them up, I got them out.

*The kids were dragged to walmart yesterday. . . I should say Gage was dragged to walmart yesterday, Maisey willingly came. When I got home I realized I forgot to get eggs, so after we ate our dinner from the deli, we went to Safeway to get eggs. When I got home, I realized I had a brand new carton of eggs on the top shelf that I didn't see. Grrrrrrr!

*While at Safeway yesterday, both kids pooped! What are the chances of that? Especially since they had both already pooped earlier in the day. And I didn't bring any extra diapers because it was a real quick trip. So they both had to sit in it til we got home.

*I got out of the shower this morning and heard Maisey yelling from her bed, "EM - A - LEE!!!!!" (What 2 year old calls her mom by her first name?)

*Maisey keeps saying to me, "I want my daddy!"

*****Daddy. . . Please come home! We really miss you!*****

Funny story. . . Before Shaun left, he was talking to Maisey and told her that he was going to go fly on an airplane. . . yada yada yada! After he was done he told Maisey, "You be a big girl for Mommy." And then he asked her what it meant to be a big girl. After thinking for a good 30 seconds she said, "No crying!" And Shaun asked what else? And she said, "And no picking noses!"

Maisey Moment

The other night, Shaun was getting Gage ready for bed in his room and Maisey was in there "helping." She was playing with the toys in Gage's toy basket and she would hold one up and sing the Old Mcdonald song about the toy.

Then she started singing,
"Old Mcdonald had a farm, ei ei oh. And on that farm he had a Jesus. Ei ei oh!"

Who knew Jesus lived with Old Mcdonald? I sure didn't!

Portland Children's Museum

Shaun had all of last week off and we did some fun things. We hit up the library 2 of the days and another day we went to the Children's Museum. We had never been before, and Maisey absolutely LOVED it! She would have stayed all day if we let her!

Brushing the alligator's teeth!

My little shopper. She kept telling me, "Mommy, I at Wal-Mart!"

She has a fascination with Wal-Mart, Target, and just shopping in general!

Scanning all of her food! She was in 2-yr old HEAVEN!

This is Construction Worker Maisey (Who is almost 3 feet tall!)

Driving the Ambulance. (Make this picture bigger, and check out her face! That is PURE joy!)

Daddy dressed Maisey up in scrubs and she kept jumping around saying "I a Doctor, I a Doctor!!!" (Funny thing is she hates the dr. and we went that morning to get her 2 yr. old imm's and her flu shot and she screamed the whole time!)

Then we headed over to the face paint! Maisey painted Daddy's. . .

. . . and Daddy painted Maisey's! She was so excited to be a kitty. (Yes, in the background Shaun is wiping his off! Poor Sport!)

It was a long day and Maisey was exhausted by the end!

Brother wasn't able to do a whole lot at the museum. Good thing he loves his stroller, because that is where he hung out for most of the day!

All smiles!

Thursday was the first day of a CRAZY, long, BUSY weekend full of wedding stuff! See the next few posts!

Kelsey's Bridals

My sister came home for the weekend to plan her wedding. Mormon's are crazy! Why do they think they can get a WHOLE wedding planned in one weekend? I neglected my kids and my husband pretty much ALL weekend to help her! We took bridals friday morning! We went to the same place that I took my other sister's at. Click here to see her twin sister's bridals from June. They look so much alike!

Anyway, these are my favorites! There are a ton! (I took 325!!!)