Utah Visitors

Uncle Nate, Uncle Ken, Aunt Amy, and Liam all came to visit us last week. We had so much fun with them! Unfortunately there was some sickness that was spread around, but we made the most of our time together when everyone was feeling well.

On Saturday evening we met up at the Mackay's house. It's always an adventure when we get these 3 boys together who were all born within 6 months of each other:

 

Ian loved his first time in the Mackay's sandbox:

I thought this picture was pretty funny, Ian just waiting for scraps from Liam (not really):

Papa and Grandma Smith had sent surprises for the little ones:

On Sunday we all got together after church at our place. The kids enjoyed putting their bubble machines to work:

On Monday we met up at a park for a picnic lunch. We then went our separate ways to get the 1 year-olds naps. Once Rachel got out of school we headed down to the Mackay's house for water fun and dinner. Ian LOVES water. He was more than content just sucking the water out of the sponges:

The three 1 year-olds:

Ian also loved being squirted by the hose:

Ready for more water from the hose:

 

On Tuesday we went on a free tour of the Port of Houston. Here's Liam, Uncle Nate, and Ian right before we got on the boat:

 

Ian, Chase, Landon, Liam, and Audrey ready for the boat to start moving:

 

Here are some pictures out on deck:

Back inside:

  

There was a professional photographer on vacation and she wanted to snap some pictures of Ian. She then gave me her card and said if I'd email her, she'd send them to me. Here's the pictures she took:

 

Group shot at the back of the boat:

 

All the kiddos after our tour:

Uncle Nate stayed at our house and the girls enjoyed stories from him every night before going to bed:

Wednesday was a wash for our little family. The rest of the group headed to Galveston for the day. Unfortunately Ian woke up that morning with the stomach bug that had surfaced on Tuesday for Chase. After that several more of us got sick. While the others enjoyed Galveston, I took care of my sick little boy. I'd never had a child this sick before. It was no fun...

 

On Thursday we did our best to celebrate Rachel's birthday. Andy's client filed that afternoon and once he got home, he came down with the stomach bug. Here's a picture of Uncle Nate taking care of Ian while I went to a Mother's Day Program at Rachel's school that morning:

 

Thursday evening everyone who was healthy came over to our place to celebrate Rachel. I encouraged the kids to play outside, since hopefully there were less germs out there. Here's some pictures Uncle Ken took while they were playing outside:

 

 

 

 

A cute picture of Liam playing at our house:

On Friday (my birthday) we all got together by the evening. Here's the best picture I think we got of these 3 busy boys:

Uncle Ken flew home Saturday morning. The rest weren't flying out until the afternoon. Everyone was pretty healthy by then. Luckily none of the Utah visitors got sick and I was spared also. Saturday morning we headed downtown to the Cockrell Butterfly Center. 

Group shot:

Checking out the butterflies:

 

 

 

 

 Having fun playing in the beehive kid area:

 

We had so much fun with our Utah visitors!!! We are so grateful that they spent the time and money to come visit us. We are hoping the next time we get together everyone will be a bit healthier, but overall I think it was still an enjoyable trip for them!

My Birthday

My actual birthday was Friday, May 10th... Let's just say it didn't quite turn out the best. But for family journaling reasons, here it goes... Rachel ended up not feeling too good when she headed to bed the evening of her birthday and of course Andy was sick. So, around 10 pm Rachel emerged from her bedroom not feeling good and not able to fall asleep. So, her and I camped out on the family room couches. Around midnight I think I finally fell asleep. Rachel had stopped tossing and turning and waking up every 15 minutes. Around 2 AM a thunderstorm rolled through, which made Audrey emerge from her bedroom worried about the storm and where Rachel was. I then tried to get the girls to settle back into their bed. Unfortunately shortly after that Audrey became sick. So, I was taking care of her off and on until about 5 am. Eventually we did get some sleep. 

So, on my birthday morning I was a bit tired. Not much sleep the night before... And Ian still wasn't doing well. He was the first one in our family to come down with the stomach bug. He'd been sick since Wednesday morning and still wasn't doing too hot. I decided to take him to the doctor that morning. While there we discovered that not only did he have this yucky stomach bug, but he was battling a double ear infection. Poor baby! So, for the first time in 7 years of parenting I had a child with an ear infection and had to administer antibiotics. Yay, for my 33rd birthday!!! 

After the doctor visit Andy was feeling somewhat better and Rachel was fine. So, I sent them off to spend time with the family who were visiting. Audrey and Ian both went down for naps and I crashed too. Andy felt bad that I wasn't getting much of a birthday, but all I really wanted was sleep (and of course, healthy kids).  

That evening everyone migrated to our house for dinner. My sweet sister-in-laws brought me a case of Dr. Pepper. They know what I love and rarely buy for myself!!! :) I opened a few presents and cards that evening. I decided that the best birthday/Mother's Day gift I got this year was not getting sick! I was sure I was going to get sick. The whole Mackay family had been sick and it was going through our family. But luckily I was spared... 

So, the pictures of me on my birthday are horrible.  I was tired, I had gotten rained on from the doctor's office to my car (like torrential downpour), and I don't think I really put any make-up on... So, I'll leave you with a better picture of me a few weeks later enjoying Mexico:

This picture turned out a little funky due to the humidity and lighting, but I like it nonetheless... 

It's crazy to think 33 years have come and gone. My heart is full... My life is good... If I could freeze time, I think I would right about now. I'm loving the ages of my kids right now. I'm blessed with a wonderful extended family and fabulous friends. I feel very loved and appreciated. I'm grateful for my good health and for the things I'm able to do on a daily basis. I love being home with my kids and love how Andy takes care of me. So, here's to another wonderful year. And hopefully each and every year will be one that I'll want to freeze!

7 years old!!!

Our Rachel turned 7 today! And it was quite a busy day. It didn't turn out perfectly, but overall I think the birthday girl was pleased. And she's pretty easy to please... Rachel woke up to streamers hanging from her doorway. She then went into the kitchen and discovered her chair at the table decorated with balloons. Since everyone was up a bit earlier that morning, I made pancakes. Rachel thought it was pretty cool to blow out a candle on her pancake:

Before school Rachel opened up her present from Papa and Grandma Michaelson:

 Rachel was excited to wear her new dress to school:

 

I went to Rachel's classroom that morning due to a Mother's Day Program. Here's the birthday girl wearing her crown and "Birthday Princess" sash. Her teachers were very kind to let her wear her sash all day.

Uncle Nate, Audrey, Ian, and I had lunch with Rachel at school as well. Rachel requested her favorite, Chick fil-A.

Rachel took pink frosted cookies to school to share with her classmates. She received birthday cards from everyone in her class. After school she came home and got serious about decorating her cake:

Rachel had her gymnastics class that afternoon, which she was super-thrilled about having gymnastics on her birthday. Once we got home from gymnastics we discovered Andy had come down with the stomach bug that had been going around the family members. So, those that could join us, joined us to celebrate her birthday that evening. Chase, Aunt Amy, Uncle Ken, Liam, Uncle Nate, and most of our family were there. (I think Andy emerged when we sang "Happy Birthday".) Aunt Natalie and Uncle Craig were back at their house sick.... But that didn't stop us from having fun! 

Uncle Nate took over and barbecued the chicken for us (Rachel's birthday dinner request). Rachel had fun playing with her cousins and sister outside while Uncle Nate barbecued:

 

Rachel was so spoiled by so many people. She was so excited to open each and every one of her gifts and cards:

 

To end her day we had cake and ice cream and sang to Rachel:

Rachel never did have a piece of her cake. By the time we were having cake she was tired and just wanted to go to bed. That made me nervous... Luckily she never got sick, but I think her tummy was a little bit upset the rest of the evening.

It's hard to believe that this beautiful girl is 7 years old. She has brought us so much joy and happiness to us. We are so grateful to have her at the head of our family. Rachel takes seriously being the head of our family. She's a good protector and a good example. Rachel loves gymnastics, swimming, reading to her younger siblings, riding her bike, having friends over, playing games, and playing on the computer. When she gets home from school she just wants to play. On the weekends, if given the opportunity she'll be a TV bum, but overall she wants to play. Rachel wants to please and can also be pretty hard on herself. She wants to do well and sometimes even the kindest, slightest correction can upset her.  She still wants to be a dentist when she grows up. Although, she also wants to be a gymnast. We've told her she can do cartwheels and routines for her patients when they don't have any cavities! :)

WE LOVE OUR RACHEL!!!

Swim Lessons

These cute kids just finished their swim lessons! Chase joined the girls this year, which thrilled them. Audrey and Chase were in the same class. All three did a fabulous job! We did swim lessons a little earlier this year, due to different travel plans during the summer it was hard to find a 2-week period that would work. So, they started on April 22. Usually it's plenty warm by then, but this year we've had a very mild Spring. No complaints, believe me! However, it did make for a few chilly days at swim lessons. Even though the pool is heated, it was still cold. The last day was the worst. But the kids mad it through it and I think it was a positive experience for all. Rachel's swim teachers once again suggested swim team. And once again, Rachel has no interest... When she wants to do it, we'll do it. But until then we'll just have fun at the swimming pools during the summer!