Happy 5th Birthday

I can't believe these "babies" are 5 years old!

We told the kids we weren't having birthday parties this year because we went to Disneyland instead. Daisy and Walt were really having a hard time with it, so we kind of through one together at Uncle Jeff's house for them. As you can see they are super easy to please, they were ecstatic for bubble gum and coloring books. (They don't get gifts very often). Daisy couldn't eat the brownies, but she was happy with rainbow sherbet.
All the kids get excited about gum, of course! On the way home I told the kids if they start getting tired to pass up their gum. About 20 mins. later we heard Daisy whimpering in the back and I asked her what was wrong, she said "I got gum in my hair". I didn't even look at it until the next morning and as you can see in the picture below on the right it was the full wad of gum! She had taken her gum out and set it on the seat and forgot about it, she laid right on it.

Thankfully, with the help of peanut butter and a few tears/screams it all came out.

We love you both so much and feel so blessed to have you two in our family!

Happy 5th Birthday Daisy and Walt!

First Day of School 2013

I can't believe I have 5 kids in elementary school! 

Max 5th, Hanna 3rd, Van 1st, Daisy and Walt Kindergarten

and Clark home with momma!

Our mornings are crazy! 

After I get them on the bus Clark and I take a breath, it's been nice for the both of us.

This was the second day of school; heading to the bus stop.

Hanna got a new hair cut. And Daisy lets me do her hair everyday.

The kids have been doing pretty well. Daisy loves school and Walt would rather stay home. It's been the hardest on Walt. This year it's full day Kindergarten and it's long and tiring on him. The first day Walt was excited to go, but that night he said, "we don't have to go again, right?" "A yes, everyday Walt". By Thursday he thought he could throw a tantrum and get out of it, but nope, sorry. He is getting a hang of it all.  He finally started bringing home "wow" cards last week, so he is starting to get a hang of no talking as well. It's a lot on these little guys, but I'm glad Daisy and Walt have each other. Max, Hanna and Van have their close friends in their classes and I am super happy with the teachers the kids got. Besides Max, the teacher I had requested for him moved at the last minute so he's been with a sub until next week. So I am just hoping and praying all will work out for him as well.
I started teaching my Pre-K Class last week. I am only teaching a 2 day Pre-K Class this year and it's been super nice! It's a little strange not having any of my own children in my class, but hoping that everyone might actually listen to me now :)

Summer Misc.

Someone found the chocolate cake!

 Brother's napping together, so sweet!

 Clark thinks he's a big boy and thinks he should sit with the big kids!

We took care of Cole most of the summer and when we took him to the park Clark would try and walk him. The problem was I'm not sure who was more stubborn about going where they wanted to go, Cole or Clark. As you can see Clark is upset with Cole not going his way.

 Hanna loves to climb trees. She gets way up there!

 Daisy wanted to try and climb too.

Getting creative!

I learned some cute new hair tricks!

The kids watched a movie and slept on the trampoline.
Enjoyed lots of sleepovers with their cousins Zachary and Ruby.

Playing summer games with dad.

One morning Hanna came out dressed like this and I said, "Rock Star Hanna!" A few minutes later Daisy came out dressed like this and said, "This is how you be a rock star!"

 

I took Max, Hanna and Van toilet papering. We toilet papered our friends house, so we were nice.

Found this creepy scorpion and a tarantula (no pic.) after the storm.

The storm! Summer rain!

I learned how to crochet this swim bag out of plastic grocery bags.

Ate lots of Popsicles, of course!

Bought school supplies for 5 Elementary kids!

Mt. House

After beach camping we headed to the Mt. House for a more comfortable vacation. 

The Mt. House is a beautiful place located in the San Diego mountains at Lake Cuyamaca. 

We took a walk by the lake and enjoyed skipping rocks.

Having fun together!

We swam (well some kids did, it was cold), enjoyed the weather, played games, did a puzzle (well only a couple special people did that as well), picked apples and berries, ate good food and enjoyed being together!

Clark and Ella played as normal as toddlers can play together (sometimes great and sometimes not so great). I think they look like twins in their green and black outfits. 

Isn't this such a cute picture of Ella, my brother's little girl.

It was fun doing Ella's hair and making her this cute headband, it made me ready for another baby girl. I'm excited to watch her and Clark grow-up together!

Beach Camping

We love our traditional beach camping trip, it's a family favorite!

My friend Chanelle (an old mission companion of mine) and her family came and spent the day with us. Our kids look like they could cousins since her husband James is Danish like Danny. Plus as you can see in the pics. James is super tall (he's 6'10") which makes for tall children just like us! We had a great time visiting with the Neilson Family and we all agreed we need to plan a vacation together!

My dad came and brought us lunch and a buggy board the next day!

The little kids squeezed in a nap on the beach.

Burying each other is a must!

Sandcastles and splashing in the waves! 

(Oh and bee stings that swell up too).

Excited to go again next year!

Timeout

Clark had his first timeout today! He bit Hanna super hard on the cheek and pulled her hair. I put him in his crib and told him no biting, you are in timeout!  He was not happy about that.

(This picture was taken last week at the beach, but it fit this story well!)

A couple weeks ago we were at McDonald's and he and a little girl about his age were playing inside the tunnel and the little girl started screaming. Clark had bitten her on the leg! I felt so bad! I told her dad that I was so sorry. I also told Clark no, no, we don't bite! but he just smiled. I made him sit with me the rest of the time we were there.

 I really hope the biting ends soon!

Just a side note, Clark is usually a pretty calm, sweet little boy.
Yesterday, Van was sad and Clark tried to console Van with his pacifier.
Clark sure knows how comforting it is!