Oh, What Do You Do In the Summertime . . .

I was going to try to be clever and rewrite words to the primary song "Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime" to tell about everything we've been up to this summer. But then I decided to take the easy way out and just post the pictures with a little blurb about each. Hope you're having a fun summer too!
What we've done:
-Moved kids into different rooms after repainting and decorating each
-Jackson played T-Ball
-Swim lessons
-Going to Lagoon twice a week
-Tennis lessons for Jackson
-Gymnastics for Collin
-Had a baby
-Swimming and trying to stay cool with friends
-Going to the Dinosaur Park
-Parades
-Family Reunion

Bring On the Chub!

Brooklyn has had jaundice since she was born. The jaundice tends to make babies sleepy so they don't eat as well. I have had to wake her up every few hours just to eat. As a result, she isn't back up to her birth weight yet like she should be. She is starting to put on an ounce every couple of days. Slowly but surely. I had to include this picture of her with Jackson because she looks so tiny next to him.

The Big Sister

These pictures are a big relief to me. When Alexis first came to see Brooklyn in the hospital, she would have nothing to do with her. It only took her a couple of days to warm up to her and now she is the biggest helper with "Brookin," as Lexi calls her. She often comes up and gives Brooklyn a gentle kiss on the head whenever I'm holding her. I'm excited they each have a sister to grow up with.

Pictures of Brooklyn

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Family Reunion

Our 4th of July was spent hosting The Black Family Reunion with all of Kurt's extended family. It was a scorching 102 degrees and we were outside all day. Thank goodness for shade. Our kids had a load of fun playing games with cousins and playing in the bounce house. I had to include this picture of Alexis. You may not be able to see just how dirty she is but she has never been dirtier than this in her life. She kept finding candy from somewhere and would go sit down and chow down while watching the volleyball game and attracted dirt to her like a magnet.

Let Them Eat CHOCOLATE!!

I am one of those privleged mothers who has babies that are sensitive to what I eat. With all of my children I have had to eliminate things such as chocolate and cinnamon from my diet while breastfeeding. People are amazed that I can cut out chocolate cold turkey. But I always tell them that one night with a screaming baby and it makes the decision pretty easy. I only have a couple of more days to gorge on chocolate so here' s the plan. Everyone who reads this MUST eat chocolate either Monday, July 7 or Tuesday, July 8, or both nights if you prefer (I will be doing both nights!) in "celebration" of my last 2 days with chocolate for many months. My binge will include a blizzard or sundae with lots of chocolate! Let me know how you "celebrate!"

Thanks Girls!

Last Saturday, some friends in my neighborhood held a "shower" for another friend and I who are expecting our last babies. Instead of receiving gifts for the baby, they pampered us with gift certificates for pedicures (which I'm using tomorrow night) and yummy lotions. We went out to lunch at Taggart's (near Morgan, UT) and had a fun afternoon topped off with delicious desserts! Thanks Melissa and Heather! It was a fun girls day out.

NEVER Say NEVER

What's that parked in my garage you ask? I still ask myself that at times. I am now the owner of a "mini-van" or as I prefer to call it, a multi-purpose vehicle. Those of you that know me well know that I have always said I would NEVER ever own a mini-van. Well, thanks to gas prices, I had to be a practical, middle-aged mom and go with the multi-purpose vehicle. We bought a Honda Odyssey, and I must admit, it hasn't been as bad as I thought. My favorite features include: heated leather seats, DVD player, automatic doors, sunroof, built-in sun shades, and my kids have enough room to get out of the car without having to climb over a seat or each other. That last feature has been heavenly! So, maybe in about 5 years I can get my black Toyota Sequoia or Cadillac Escalade. But until then, I will embrace practicality and savor the fact that I'm saving money in gas and insurance.