Asher got to meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa Conrad when they came to Evanston for a visit! It was such a fun time and the kids really enjoyed getting to play with them! Asher was fascinated with all of Grandma's jewelery...especially her earrings and necklace!
These were my bed buddies for the family reunion! Nate and I each took a kid and Aunt Rachael had Noah! It was good except for not being able to kick Nate to try and pause the snoring!
All the boys playing in the outfield together! Noah and Aidan really loved playing baseball with everyone...especially Adam!
Daddy helped Aidan to run the bases! He had so much fun and ran as fast as his short little legs would carry him!
Noah up to bat!
Aidan getting ready with his whole "team" of supporters! The kids had such a good time!
Family reunions can make a boy tired. Aidan didn't even make it through dinner without passing out! We didn't notice until his head started bobbing into his plate. Then he just turned around and fell asleep in this "more comfortable" position! He just couldn't stay awake...until bedtime.
There is nothing much better than ice cream on a summer day...especially with your cousin!
Even Great Grandma took a turn at the talent show. She read the story of the Giving Tree to the kids. It was such a special moment for me to watch my kids with her. I miss my grandmas so much and wish I could have seen them with my kids so this was especially tender for me. The kids just crowded around her and kept getting closer and closer. They started out sitting at her feet and before it was finished they were practically in her lap. It was such a special experience and I hope that my kids always remember what a wonderful Great Grandma they have! We are so blessed!!
The Conrad family decided to do a grandkid song as our portion of the talent night at the family reunion! I thought it was so fun to see all the cousins together. They love being with each other...just wish we lived closer!!
Here are the kids on a piece of mining equipment at the Custer townsite in Idaho. It was a fun place for the kids to run around and play.
The kids taking a break with Great Grandma Couch and cousin Adam on the school house steps.
Talia loved the slate board and chalk...I think she would have taken it home.
Aidan just stopped and colored anytime we slowed down long enough! He is a coloring fool!!
Asher has taken a liking to "big people" food...ALL big people food! Aunt Ashley shared some most delicious cottage cheese chip dip with him. He LOVED it...kept reaching for more! He is not digging that pureed baby food too much anymore! He thinks he needs to be a big boy!
I realize I am so far behind in updating everyone with the newest happenings in our life. So...with that said...WE MOVED AGAIN!!
We were so blessed to get into a five bedroom house with a huge backyard for the kids. A wonderful family in our ward approached us about renting a house that they own. My first reaction was...I WISH!! I just knew that we couldn't afford a house of that size. Everything here is so expensive and we are financially challenged. But when he told us how much the rent was I was STUNNED!! It was less than a hundred dollars more than what we were paying at the time and that was not counting the two storage units we were renting. If you took that into consideration it was actually the same price. So...we jumped on it! The best part of the deal was that there was no deposit involved. They said they just trust that we will take care of it and return it in the same condition! They even said if we wanted to buy it they would work something out with us. They are such great people and we are excited to have such great landlords. So we are now the proud renters of a five bedroom, two bath house with a full basement and a huge fenced backyard! It is a great house and it just feels RIGHT...like home! We couldn't be happier and the kids are in heaven playing outside all day.
The whole experience has strengthened my testimony of the Lord's constant watchfulness over us. We have been so very blessed and have had so many things come into our life that I KNOW have been brought about by our Heavenly Father. He is mindful of us and our needs and that is something that I will forever be grateful for.
Only my family will recognize this dress! I wore this dress when I was Talia's age. We were getting some more of our things unpacked and I came across this dress. Talia loves to dress up so we tried it on and she fell in love...so did I. She just had to wear it to church. The first thing she asked me this morning was if her dress was clean yet. I had it dried and ready to go so she could wear it today. I think she looks so cute even if the dress is almost 30 years old! We love vintage!
Here is my little artist! I guess that is what I get for not making sure all of the crayons got picked up. We were getting the big kids out of the tub and looked over and saw him just coloring away. Of course he would do it on our newly painted door! I really thought I had some time before I had to worry about him destroying the walls!
Aidan has his own house! He likes to pretend that his house is under the piano. Too bad his neighbors are so close. Noah is usually in the middle under the bench and Talia is on the opposite side!
Every year Evanston hosts a free kids fishing day. Last year we missed it but this year we actually made it! The kids were so excited to go. Talia dressed up in one of her good skirts just for the occasion! Just kidding...she pretty much only wears skirts these days! The fishing kept their attention for about a half an hour and then Noah was the only one still interested! The other two spent the rest of the time throwing rocks and playing in the dirt and Asher just snoozed right through it all! They got free hot dogs and soda for lunch. We were excited to find out that they got to keep their fishing poles as their gift for coming! It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning!
Here is a video of Noah casting after Nate taught him how! He was so proud of himself and excited to be fishing just like Dad and Grandpa Conrad! He is such a fun boy!
Here is another video of our Talia! She loves to sing...in fact...she sings ALL THE TIME!! I think she is pretty darn cute! Enjoy! Sorry for the background noise. It is a common occurrence at this house!
Doesn't he just look so surprised? Maybe he was shocked by the dirty diaper sharing his picture! Sorry!
Noah basically got four "birthday" celebrations! What kid doesn't love that? He was so excited when his presents came from Grandma and Grandpa Conrad! It was hard making him wait until Nate came home from school. He loved his presents and had a great time shooting the rocket in the house. Now if it would just get warm enough to use the slip and slide we would be in business!
Noah also had a fun party in Logan with all of my family. We had our annual bowling party and cake, ice cream, pizza, and LOTS of fun! Of course in my excitement I failed to bring the camera! So if anyone who was there wants to send me some of the pictures I will be happy to post them! We had a great time and are so glad to have two supportive families who love our kids so much!
Here is a video of Noah blowing out his candles. It is a good thing Aidan helped him fight the smoke. Who knows what might have happened!
My baby is FIVE...can you believe it??? How does that happen? I swear just yesterday he was my skinny little baby and now he is just my skinny big boy! It boggles my mind! Noah is such a special boy and I don't think I could make it through the day without him. He is my biggest and best helper! He is so imaginative and funny! What a joy it has been to watch him grow and change these past five years! I just can't imagine life without him! Happy Birthday Baby!!
We don't get to see Aunt Tiffy as much as we would like...especially considering that she really doesn't live too far away. She came and spent the day with us the Saturday before Noah's birthday. We had such a good time. We hadn't seen her since before Aidan's birthday so he was able to open his presents too. He must be one of the slowest gift openers ever. He takes it piece by tiny piece! Noah was just excited to open presents early...a kid after my own heart! It is just sad it takes so long to get together. The kids had so much fun and were sad that Tiff had to go home that night! It was a great day and they loved all of their gifts! Thanks Tiff!
