About Me

My photo
Our adventures started in amazing Alaska, but have since taken us to beautiful Spokane Valley, Washington. Our family consists of Nick (Dad), Becki (Mom), and our four boys: Alvin, Alex, Rilie, and Jackson. I enjoy homeschooling our kids and we're excited for what adventures Spokane has for us.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Baby Jackson

I'm tired... and should be sleeping... oh well!

39 weeks! 

Copying Andrea's pose... since my face is so swollen, it's cuter this way!

Sweet precious boy.


Proud brother! Alex held him the next day, he was scared he'd hurt him.
Rilie enjoys poking him, fortunately he is very soft. 


Yes, it's blurry... but oh so cute!

He looks so much like Nick. 
Their noses are different, but everything else is very much the same. 

Gas... what's not to like?

I've got my eye on you!


Proud daddy!



Thursday, June 21, 2012

39 weeks...

Things continue to go well. Jackson has dropped and I had my first contraction yesterday & three today. Other than that, no signs of labor coming soon. My midwife feels pretty sure that we won't deliver until July... but acknowledges Jackson can change his mind at any time. A part of me hopes for a 4th of July baby. We already have two in the family, it would be fun to add another.   


I'm making friends. Park Days started this week and it was fun getting to know the other moms. This ward is full of hilarious women! Everyone is full of smiles and the best stories they share shamelessly! That makes me feel more and more confident moving up to number #4. The RS President gave me a list of six sisters that want to watch our kids when we go into labor. A couple of them have sought me out to get to know me and reassure me. It's beyond touching. 


The boys are making friends as well. We decided to throw their birthday party tomorrow... well we decided last weekend, but it's happening tomorrow. I called the families of the 8 boys between the 4 primary classes around their age. 7 of the families are coming! They are all excited to have more boys in the ward (our Cub Pack has 5 cubs total!) Most of the boys have all sisters. Alvin & Alex hung out with one of the boys and he asked them if they wanted to play with make-up, my boys told them "Boys don't play with make up" and thought of another game. HAHA!



Thursday, June 14, 2012

The "Cool Park"

So, it's actually called Discovery Park, but according to my boys... it's the "Cool Park". It has rock walls, a large sand area, large chimes & drums to play with, a trampoline built into the ground, and all sorts of other fun things... including a water pad.

Sand Area... it's not a box, it is its own area.



Water Pad




Some of the musical instruments



Other fun stuff...













Sunday, June 10, 2012

38 weeks

Today, I am 38 weeks. I've enjoyed the burst of energy this past week. The boys and I are still park hoping. It was a rainy week, so we checked out the children's museum (similar to the Imaginarium in AK), as well as the local & down town mall. Nick and I made 17 freezer meals, and I found a comfy nursing gown & robe. We also found a babysitter and went to the movies Friday night. Avengers was AWESOME!

We found knew motivation for Alvin & Alex to help me clean (and get along). They have to earn their computer time and movies (3 stars = 30 minutes of games; 7 starts = 1 movie). They get a star when I catch them being helpful & getting along with each other (they can't ask for one) OR they offer to do a chore for me. Since we were making freezer meals this Saturday, we thought we'd stop stars for the day and let them watch movies/play games to keep busy... but they were eating each other before we even turned the computers on, so back to stars! They weren't too thrilled, but things perked up very quickly. They are so cute about it. They know they can't ask for a star, so they say things like "Mom see how nice I'm playing with Rilie"; "Alex and I are getting along REALLY well", etc. School gets out this week, so hopefully we can start getting to know more kids. I'm sure that will help too!

This park is around the corner from my chiropractor. 


This is the super big twirly slide.

Alex enjoys hanging under any bars he can find.


Alvin's getting more confident with fireman poles. 
Unfortunately, Rilie is too. 



This is our new van! We love it!




Thursday, June 7, 2012

Today, we went to Riverfront Park. Keeping up with Rilie didn't allow a ton of time for pictures, but I did my best. When we bring Nick, you can see more.

Riverfront Park is a cross between a town square, fair grounds, and trail side park. There isn't a fee for entering, but different attractions cost money with in it. Overall, it is a very pretty park that is full of bridges, gardens, and fun things for kids to see.



Now, that is a BIG wagon! Video on FB.

That is the wagon's tire behind them. There are monkey bars under it the boys enjoyed climbing. Unfortunately, Rilie could not reach them. He kept running underneath it with his arms up, flapping his fingers, saying, "Help, help" I felt so bad! Daddy can help him next time. 


There were fun blocks. They're made out of concrete.

We were leaving when we found this "rock wall" under a bridge. 
This is Rilie's second attempt up.

This is his first attempt up. I thought they looked so good I had to get my camera out. Well, he kept going higher and higher while I messed with my bag. Then he began to say, "Help, help". The wonderful mother in me pleaded, "Hold on I'm taking a picture!"














Monday, June 4, 2012

Magic

Nick, Alvin, and Alex are learning a new card game - Magic. This is a game their Uncle Adam enjoys and they are so excited to learn it. Adam & Nick had to modify some of the rules for them, but overall they are loving it.

Here are some morning pictures. I'll post a video on FB.






Sunday, June 3, 2012

Happy Birthday Dad!! ~ Your Baby Dragon

Today is my dad's birthday! 

Even though we weren't close enough to celebrate together, 
we celebrated by making a peach & raspberry tart! 

It turned out quite beautiful! And, tasty!

My dad means the world to me and I miss him dearly! Here are some photos I'd like to share. 

At my wedding. 


Teaching Alvin & Alex how to show gratitude for our catch and gut a fish. 

Enjoying a warm fire with Rilie. 

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY*

Love, Your Baby Dragon