Oregon Coast - Coos Bay

The only picture of Zachary...just to prove he was there too :)


Marty and Martin


Elizabeth walking away, she was done after she got splashed



Playing


Martin dragging the seaweed


Elizabeth getting splashed by the waves...and yes it was very cold!


Enjoying the water


Running...you can see his little footprints behind him.


This was our trip to the coast. We went over Marty's birthday and had a blast! The weather was perfect, however the water is always cold...very cold. This was the 1st time this summer we ventured to the coast. Next year we will have to go more often. The kids LOVED it. Even Elizabeth up to when she got wet from the wave and was just done. Martin didn't care if he got wet or not he just loved playing. The kids would run up to the edge of the water and turn and run when the wave brought water closer to them. We spent 2 hours running in and out of the water. It was so much fun. We did enjoy other aspects of our little trip, but I think by far this time at the beach was my favorite. I enjoy seeing their happy little faces.

Apple Orchard

We had an awesome time on our field trip to the Apple Orchard.


Martin running


Elizabeth on the deck overlooking the pond


Smelling the flower


Elizabeth picking an apple off the tree



Elizabeth examining the apple she picked


Martin picking an apple off the tree



Martin taking a big bite of the apple


Examining the apple


Elizabeth showing me her apple

This if a fun trip for the kids. They get to go and pick apples. One of the apples they pick go to the classroom and the next time they are at school the teacher and kids help make a delicious apple pie and get to eat it. I'd love to say that I am home baking apple pies with my kids, but I really don't have the time. I'm grateful their teacher has the patience to do this with all the kiddos.

Ode to Play dough

Elizabeth came home the other day from school singing a new song:

Play dough is fun
play dough is fun
play dough is fun
but it's not for your mouth!

It's quite catchy. I guess there are some kiddos in her school class that enjoy the taste of play dough and what a great way to teach a child that it doesn't belong in your mouth. Now we are singing it at home, even though I don't really pull any play dough out for the kids to play with, but they sure do know not to eat it!

Pictures

What a mess!!! But he's so happy!!!

Cute baby (4 months)
Yes...he is sucking on Elizabeth's thumb


My little painter




Lea Ann with the kiddos

Elizabeth taking Martin for a ride
Sisterly love
See...Martin likes him too

Late night

So...it's one of those night when I just cannot sleep. There is no reason I shouldn't be sleeping peacefully in my bed while my little ones are dreaming away. I also know that my little ones will be up in about 7 hours so I really should be sleeping as well, but I just cannot seem to fall asleep.

I figure I should inform everyone about the exciting things that have happened already this week. Yesterday was an eventful one...for Zachary and myself. Me, because I really enjoy watching my children go through their milestones. This one happens to be the rolling over milestone. I have been waiting so patiently (not really) for this to happen. I really don't want my baby to grow up any faster than he needs to, but I also know these things are going to happen whether I like it or not. He finally rolled over once yesterday and 4 times today, so I'd like to announce that I have a rolling baby. He also found his feet for the 1st time and tried desperately to get them into his mouth. Unfortunately for him, it didn't work. Fantastic for me that I don't have to teach him that feet don't go in mouths. I failed miserably on the thumb part. Yes, I have a thumb sucker.

Second big eventful news...Elizabeth had her 1st day of Preschool today. I have been waiting all year for this. I was so happy to have 2 boys at home today and get that time with them. My baby slept for the majority of the time so it was really just Martin and me. I don't think he was too thrilled about this concept, because 15 minutes into us being home he asked if we could go pick up sister from school. I had to tell him that it wasn't time for that and he was okay with that answer for about 5 minutes...when he asked again. I do think it is super sweet that he loves his big sister. They really are best buds for the time and it's nice to see them play together. Elizabeth did love her school and she really didn't care that we left her there. In fact, she got in the door and went to play, essentially ignoring us. I'm just glad she enjoyed her day at school. I could tell by her clothes that she has fun, because they were covered in paint. I am excited for my aide day, just so I can see what her school day looks like. Even though Martin was sad to leave the school, he is very happy he gets to head to his school on Friday...he needs some fun time too.

Elizabeth underwater

So...we had a small incident this past weekend at the pool. Our neighbor has a pool that he allows us to come use whenever we want (he is so wonderful). We decided that with our cousins in town it would be a fun outing to go swimming. When we get to the pool the kids are super excited and ready to get in. Our neighbor comes out to show the kids their new pool toys and floats. He put one of the floats in the water and Elizabeth immediately jumps onto the float. I have my mom watching Martin (to make sure he doesn't jump in too) while I head to the car to get my swim clothes and towels. As I'm walking back to the pool I hear a scream. So I head running to the pool to see what is going on. I see Elizabeth has flipped her float over and she is in the water kicking her little feet to keep her head above water. The float is over her head and she has this pocket where her head is. Without thinking much, and with my mom there, we both go diving into the water to get Elizabeth. Yes...she is just fine. She got really scared and it took her some time to get back into the water. I am so grateful for the swim classes she has been taking. Even though she wasn't in the water but 10 seconds, she know how to keep her head above water and not sink down to the bottom. We did enjoy a fun swim day and the kids played and had a great time jumping into the pool.

Home again

Macaylah (3 months) and Zachary (2 months)

Martin sleeping on Chloe...I really couldn't separate the two

Elizabeth with her cousins at the splash pad

Macaylah giving Zachary kisses

We had a wonderful time in Las Vegas visiting with my sister and mom there. It was so fun watching my kids play with their cousins. Martin really loved Chloe. When she went to daycare he would continually ask where Chloe was. It was too cute. Because it was so hot there, we did have to play in the mornings. We took the kids to the park and let them play in the splash pad they have. By 11 in the morning it was hot and crowded at the park so that was our leaving time. I do wish we had a park like the one in Vegas here in Roseburg.

Thursday we picked Marty up from the airport and drove to Salt Lake for my sister's wedding. She was a beautiful bride and I really loved being able to see family that I haven't seen in some time. The kids were great as well. Being a wedding, things don't always go according to plan and through all the craziness they did awesome.

2 months...tomorrow

My Martin...watching cartoons
Elizabeth loves to hold her baby
Here's his goofy smile...big and wide mouthed :)
My peaceful sleeping baby


We are approaching our 2 month mark. It's amazing how fast time flies, especially with a new baby. 2 days ago was father's day and Zachary smiled for the 1st time. I think that is such a great gift. I have been trying since then to get him to smile again and he does, but I can't click the camera fast enough to capture it. He's so wonderful.

5 weeks

Zachary at 5 weeks

Zachary is 5 weeks and counting. It amazes me how my little newborn is growing and changing. He is still so little to me, but when I hold him he feels like he has grown in length and put on a couple of pounds. Just looking at him his cheeks are filling out and he's getting the rolls on his legs. He is an awesome sleeper...he sleeps all the time, which is wonderful. I don't feel like he is taking too much of my time away from Elizabeth and Martin. I'm sure Marty might disagree...he comes home every night from work and sees me sitting on the couch snuggling my baby. This is truely one of my favorite stages. I love the snuggling and his little head nudges on my neck.

To be honest, I was worried about having another baby. I had one boy and one girl. How could I possibly fit another child into our routine and have just as much love to give? It amazes me how Heavenly Father can increase our capabilites. I know Zachary is only 5 weeks and I already feel that Zachary was meant to be in our family. He fits into our mold and how did we function before he was here. Adding a new member to our family was an easy transition. He is perfect and wonderful.

Elizabeth has been such a big helper. She loves her new little brother and wants to help in any way. The other day Zachary was crying and I looked over just to see her carrying him to me. Of course I paniced, but it shows her loving, nurturing personality. She always asks to see his "cute face," and loves to give him kisses and hugs. Martin is getting there. He's a little more aggressive about helping, but he too likes to look at and hold the baby.

I sure do love my little ones and want them to stay kids as long as possible. I enjoy seeing Martin and Elizabeth playing together, even if we have some injuries along the way. I feel truely blessed.

Dance Recital

Elizabeth spent this past year in dance class and last night was her dance recital. She will be done for the summer. She was so cute in her little costume and looked so grown up on stage with all the other kids. I am so proud of her. If you can't tell she is the one on the right.

Easter

Zachary

Martin wearing Marty's boots

Easter outfits

Martin

Elizabeth

Easter came 2 days after we had Zachary, so the kids got to dress in their new Easter clothes the following Sunday. Aren't they all just so cute!