What's he going to do next?

That's a common question for us when it comes to our Sammy. Last night I was in the middle of finishing dinner and feeding Mary. Well, I put her food down for a second to stir something. When I turned around I saw that Sammy had taken over for me. It was quite comical to see him feeding her. Messy, but funny!

Sammy feeding Mary

Another Wonderful Day

Today was another "normal" day for us. Spring and Sammy had their friends, Lydia and Gideon, over to play all morning. The girls had fun playing "house." They had the tent set up along with the kitchen set and all their dolls. The boys ran around bugging the girls and having a great time in the process. They all loved having a picnic lunch outside. I had a presidency meeting and then it was naptime. Following naptime we played games until we needed to pick Thomas up from school. Then it was time for homework, dinner, and soccer practice.

Thomas' Soccer Practice

At practice Spring asked if she could take pictures. Thomas did really well at practice today. He make a lot of progress as a goalie today as he did much better at coming out of the goalbox to attack the ball. He was excited for making so many stops. After practice we came home, had a quick dessert, scriptures, and bedtime. It seems our days are so full, but they are so fun too!

Dollar Scoops

Tuesdays are a favorite day for our kids because Baskin Robbins has Dollar Scoops in the evening. Tonight we told the kids we could go to get dollar scoops after dinner, before Dad left for YM. They were so excited. They love to try different flavors before making their final choice. Thomas had a hard time deciding tonight, but ended with his usual-Rainbow Sherbet. It is so cute because the kids love to share with each other. It is very common to see them tasting each other's ice-cream. Thomas wanted to try Dad's so much that he said, "Dad, if you let me have a lick I will give you 3 licks of mine!" Dad agreed! It was a fun evening and it helped Thomas feel better after a bad day at school today. The power of ice-cream and laughter is amazing!

Click below for more fun pictures!

Dollar Scoops

Weekend of Fun

Weekend Fun

This was a fun-filled weekend for our family, and very busy. Friday evening was Spring's soccer game. She played so well-the best she has every played. She scored 3 goals, 2 of the goals were break aways where she took the ball on the other side of the field and brought it all the way down and scored. She was so excited. She had to call her grandmas, aunts, and uncles. She would tell them she scored 3 goals and talk for a few more seconds and then say, "Can I go now? I have a lot more people to call and talk to." It was exciting to see how well she played. We got home and Thomas and Spring had a sleepover in the front room. They had been waiting all week to have their sleepover. They read books and had fun together.

On Saturday morning Thomas had his soccer game. This was also the first "Big" rain of the season. He played in pouring rain, but the boys didn't mind one bit. We were all so wet. I looked over at one point and Spring had taken off her shoes and socks and was running around. When I asked her about it she told me, "I had an itch on my foot so I had to take them off!"

We got the kids home and dry from the soccer game and then we went to the temple. The kids were so excited to have a babysitter. They had pizza and root beer for dinner and then Zingers for dessert. You can't beat that! Joel and I loved the time to be in the temple together. We have set the goal to attend the temple at least once a month and have been able to do that for the last year or so. It is such a blessing to attend the temple together.

Sunday was Sunday! After church Joel had to go back to work. The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies and took them to Dad at work. We call him when we get there so he can come and get them from us. This has almost become tradition for us when Daddy has to work on Sunday evening. It is so hard for him to be away from the family so it is a little way we can show our love and appreciation for all he does for our family. The kids love to eat the cookie dough while we are making the cookies!

It's a Daddy Thing

Scaring Mary

Joel has always loved to scare the kids. As the kids get older he has to work harder and harder to scare them because they are so used to it. Well, yesterday he scared Mary for the first time. I feel almost bad for recording it because she was so scared, but it was so funny too. He comforted her afterwards and she is just fine. She will soon get used to it, also, like her brothers and sister have.

Happy Birthday!!!

Joel is now 30!!! He had to work last night so he got home about 5:00 this morning. The kids wanted to decorate the house for him last night. They made a candy-gram and hung balloons all over the kitchen and family room. It was a fun surprise for when he got home this morning.

Thomas had a minimum day today so we were able to have dinner and birthday cake before soccer practice. After soccer practice it was time for scriptures, stories, and blessed bedtime. Then Joel was off to do his home teaching. I guess that is the way birthdays are once you join the ranks of old men!!!

Joel's Birthday

Click on the above album to see more pictures of Joel's birthday!

Fun Times

Grandma and Grandpa Biggs and Aunt Tammy stopped by on their way home from Southern CA to visit for a few hours. The kids had fun making towers with Grandpa. Sammy loved knocking them over. Thomas liked playing games with Aunt Tammy and Grandma.

Family Fun

Scorpions

Scorpions

Thomas had his second soccer game today. He played goalie for the first half and then midfielder and defender during the second half. He did well as midfielder, much better than I thought he would. He liked it because, in his own words, "I get to run a lot and a lot and get good exercise!" He is becoming more aggressive as he is better understanding the game. It is so fun to watch him improve.

Sammy-Stretch!!!

STRETCH!

Sammy is the youngest team manager in the soccer league. He likes to help run the stretches during practices and games. While we were waiting for Spring's practice session to begin, Sammy walked onto the field and started stretching on his own. When the girls finally started their stretches he ran over and joined them. The funniest thing was him doing jumping jacks with the girls. I will have to try to get video of that next week.

My Grease Monkies

Dad was changing the oil in the car and Sammy wanted to help. Sammy is a "big" help! He always finds the "right" tools as long as Dad hides the hammer!

My Grease Monkies

Our Babies

Sometimes we forget how young our little Sammy still is. He loves his sister and sometimes has a hard time controlling his "love" for her. She really is patient with him. The kids were having popcorn tonight when we looked down to see Sammy "loving" his sister. As you can see his love continued to grow! Poor Mary!

Big Brother

Thomas is such a wonderful big brother. He takes such good care of his brother and sisters and is such a help to me. On Sunday, I was busy getting things and kids ready for church and I heard Mary fussing in the front room but I couldn't get to her right then. Soon I no longer heard her crying and when I came out I found Thomas reading her a story. He is such a natural at helping her calm down.

A typical morning at home

Fun at home

Here are some pictures from this morning. The kids were just playing really nicely together and having fun. It is so strange to not have Thomas around as much. I feel like I hardly see him anymore now that he is in school all day long. I think I am going through withdrawals.

More Jam

More Jam

We have been trying to buy strawberries from a stand for a couple weeks but they were all closed so we thought we were out of luck to make strawberry jam this year. When Joel was going to the store today he saw a kid selling strawberries on the corner so he bought a couple flats. We started making the jam as soon as he got home. Spring was so excited to help. Sammy woke up while we were in the middle of it and was so excited to eat the strawberries. We did 3 batches before picking Thomas up for school. Then after soccer practice and the kids were in bed, we finished off 6 more batches for a total of 9 batches. The kids were so excited to know we have strawberry jam now too!

Got Jam?

Joel and I decided we were going to finally make jam from a bunch of fruit we have had in our freezer. We started last night around 7:30 after all the kids were asleep. We finished about 3:00 this morning. We made 15 batches of jam...raspberry, boysenberry, apricot, and plum. In the middle of all the jamming I also made bread because we needed it for Thomas' lunch for school today. We commented on how much quicker we can get things done when the kids are not helping us...but they still wake up at the same time each morning. Thomas came in to me around 5:30 this morning and I was nursing Mary. Mary was not ready to go back to sleep so Thomas said to me, "Mom, do you want me to take Mary so you can keep sleeping?" I, of course, let him. I fell back asleep until about 6:30 when Sammy woke up. When I came out to the front room Thomas had already changed Mary's diaper and got her dressed for the day. My, how he is growing up. I just love his helpful and obedient spirit.

Watching Them Grow

Oh, how they change

There are so many times during the day that I find myself realizing how much I love being a mom. Sometimes it is when I am rocking one of our kids, or playing a game together, reading with them, or watching them play together. It comes at all different times...this is the best job I could ever have. I just wish they didn't grow up so fast.

Ports Ball Game

Dad took Thomas and Spring to the Ports baseball game tonight. The kids were so excited to go. They got a free squishy soccer ball and water bottle from the Cougars (soccer team). Thomas had endless questions about the rules of the game. Spring's highlight was the fireworks show at the end of the game. Between Dad, Thomas, and Spring, they got to know the bathrooms very well. When one had to go they all had to get up and go. Then, on the long 20 minute ride home, they had to stop at the side of the road for Thomas to go again because he just couldn't hold it any longer!

Stockton Ports Ball Game

Soccer Time

Here are some pictures and video from halftime at Spring's soccer game tonight. It is too hard to get video during the game because Dad is coaching and I am trying to keep Sammy off the field and Mary happy. So, here is the next best thing.