What To Do???

I'm feeling a little lost this afternoon. Half of my family is gone. I'm not sure what to do with myself. Maddie and Sam went camping with my parents and 2 of my sisters and their families. Jess of course is too far away for comfort. We just sent Richard off to Youth Conference with the Young Men. So, I'm hear with Brin and Karly. Last night I had a little panic attack about having everyone gone. But I think I'm ok with it now. I'm just hoping there isn't a major earthquake or something like that.

So what should I do with all my "free" time. Clean, iron, scrapbook? No, I'll just blog real quick. But now I realize/remember Richard took the camera with him. So sorry, updated pictures of Karly will have to wait.

Last night we took the kids to Boondocks for a fun family night together before everyone went their own way. What a stinkin' joke! I want some pointers on how to make the most of your time while at Boondocks. We bought the kids and Richard the "unlimited" pass, which let them do basically everything, except the batting cages (the one thing Sam really wanted to do). I bought the pass that I could golf unlimited and do 2 rides. We got there at about 6:45. By 9:00 we had done 3 things. Richard and I both got to do the Go Karts, but that is only because we made Sam stand in line by himself while I was in line too. Richard joined him and rode with him after I had my turn (Maddie rode with me). So, needless to say it was a complete waste of $80. The Go Kart line was seriously 45 minutes. We didn't have time for the arcades, to golf, to do the laser tag. We had to leave so Richard could finish up some prep work for Youth Conference. The kids were totally disappointed. Brinley was wanting to ride on the boats. Karly was starving. We were thinking it was a total waste of a night. The rides were fun, but were pretty disappointing after the horrendous wait. So please, tell us, how do you make Boondocks fun? Do you just buy one turn on each ride so you aren't out so much money? Is there a good time to go when it's not so busy? It didn't look very busy, the lines didn't appear to be long. They were just SLOW!

On a positive note, Richard talked to the manager to complain about the horrible lines, the waste of money, etc. He asked for a pass so we could come back and golf or something. The manager ended up giving us a full refund. So I guess the night didn't end up being so bad. Other than melting, we got to try a few things, and do it for free. We later remembered we still had the tokens, so we'll have to try it out again, and hit the arcades.

We did get some cute pictures while we were there, but they too are on the camera with Richard. I'll post them later.

My New Sister (By Maddie)

Kisses

Adorabale

Really soft cheeks

Loveable

Yellow poop

Our First Week

This has been a great, fast week! I can't believe Karly is already a week old. So far so good. She has been an awesome baby. All of our kids are awesome and easy, so with each one, I hold my breath hoping we haven't pushed our luck. I don't want to jinx it, but I think Karly already has her nights and days figured out. Last night, and the night before she woke up only to eat and poop, but then went right back to sleep. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that this trend continues!

Richard was able to work from home or work half days all week except Thursday, which was so nice. The days he did go in, he took some of the kids. They love going to work with their Dad, and the girls spoil them so much! This time, they all got FLARP. This has been a hit at our house. For those who have never experienced FLARP, it is a gooey tub of slime basically. You push on the slime to make cute, very realistic farting noises. So gross but oh so funny. Brinley now begs for her farts. "Please can I have my fart" Just that cracks me up. Farting has always been a funny thing around our house. Richard thinks farting is totally disgusting and tries his hardest to avoid it at all cost (I know, I'm lucky, he is not a typical man). At my house growing up, farting was a fairly common discussion, and cause for a round of serious giggles more times than not. So, when my dad came to play with the FLARP and he got the giggles it was too, too funny! Thanks CSV girls for the cheap entertainment this week! P.S.--Thanks for feeding my addiction too!

Yesterday, we celebrated our 12th anniversary....whew where has the time gone! We had a nice romantic dinner at Fong's Family Restaurant (our favorite Chinese Restaurant) and then hit the new Sam's Club, such a romantic night! Our cute neighbor brought us Chicken Noodle Soup, but we thought we needed to celebrate a little. We have had a rough time celebrating our anniversary. In the past, we have been on family vacations, or for 2 years in a row I was at girls camp, and now this year....one year we are going to have a big anniversary. I don't know what people do to celebrate their anniversary, but one year, we're going to do it!

Earlier in the day, Maddie had asked me if I was ever going to leave the house, I guess she was going a little stir crazy too. I asked her where we would go if we were to leave. She said, "Maybe to the gas station to get you a coke and us Slurpee's!" What a smart girl! This was probably at about 10:30, so I had a bee in my bonnet all day to go and buy a coke! So, our first official outing was to 7-11 to feed my addiction!

Here are a few pictures of Karly. It's amazing how much they change in such a short time!

A Baby Chiasmus

Matthew 19:30- "[the] first shall be last; and the last shall be first"

This is my first attempt at the blog, and if you're familiar with the literary term of chiasmus you can guess how often I plan on doing it. I'm not likely to get anyone laughing like KT's Diet Coke story (see below, and for the record-I wasn't one laughing), but I don't think anyone will care as long as I have pictures.

K was born at 8:43 a.m. She was 8lbs 4.5 oz and 20" long. No idea on the head, but between all the family genes, I'm sure it's big.

KT is certain this is our last, and to me she looks just like our first. If you've ever seen a picture of Maddie as a baby, you know. We can't decide which one of her sisters she looks like more. Either I really am the father of these 4 look-alike kids or the milkman followed us to our new address.

KT started the morning at 5:30 ish with contractions that wouldn't let her go back to sleep. By the time she showered, thinking they may go away, they had progressed to every 4-mins. She woke me up at 6:30 and told me to not rush, but that we would be headed in. Being the morning person that I am [not], I showered, woke M up, was planning to eat breakfast, and came downstairs leisurely. I was met with a calm directive to "pick it up". Contractions had heated up, and we were in the car not more than 5-mins later.

I was given directions to drive "aggressively", which thankfully was not too necessary with good traffic. Jerrie(KT's Mom) was working at IMC today and met us outside as soon as we pulled up and took the kids home with her. This was about 7:50. We were quickly checked in and given a room. The first check by the nurse had KT nearly fully effaced and 6-7 dilated. I informed the nurse of how quickly KT has gone in the past (~3-4 hours), which has made past nurses have to scramble to setup. Thankfully, she listened.

As usual, the epidural was offered and we were met with surprise at the denial. This nurse was much more supportive of this than we've had in the past. We usually get the "well, if you change your mind just let us know and we can bring it in..." Although she usually doubts herself at some point in the process, KT is one tough cookie, and to see her in labor is akin to watching a Tibetan Monk meditate. My only job is to keep people out, keep it quiet, and occasionally "correct" her breathing. I could likely be replaced by a monkey that was trained to quietly hold hands.

Dr. L came in and broke her water and decided he better not go too far. He was sitting at the front desk and quickly came in as one of the contractions dropped K's heart beat fairly dramatically. At that point it was time to push. 3-rounds of contractions and pushes later, K came out healthy as can be.

In case you missed the time stamps, that was an arrival at 7:50, and delivery at 8:43. It was a good thing I skipped my cheerios!

IMC was extremely busy due to ~20 baby discharges today and many new ones coming in. We stayed in the delivery room until at least 2:00 until they could get us a room. Once we got upstairs the kids got to help with the bath. This is so neat to have it in the room! KThas never seen me give the first bath, and the kid's were so excited to be able to participate.

Although everyone had originally hoped for a boy (especially S), there was no doubt in anyone that K was meant for our family. Even B, who had been insisting for weeks that the baby was to be named Ely or Eli, quickly accepted "K".

To me, today was full of firsts and lasts. Our first baby to be born at the new IMC, is also likely our last. I can say definitively that this is not the first time I've been impressed with KTs toughness, strength, and love, nor will it be the last. This is my first post, and if for no other reason than the fact I am so annoyingly verbose, this will definitely be my last.

P.S. As a secondary story, I would be negligent to not recognize how truly grateful I am for the wonder of life! Throughout the day my mind was taken to my friend and business partner who's wife just had an orange-sized tumor removed from her brain in the very same hospital. It is so easy to take the lives of those around us for granted. Seeing a friend struggle to hold on to life, makes me more fully appreciate the perfect gift that was given to us today.

Pizza Bender Update

No, the Pizza Benders last night did not work. Big Bummer! We had fun, they were yummy. My family decided it wasn't going to work because the service was SO slow, but the kids were awesome and so we had a nice visit. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera. We'll keep you posted.

I Have A Problem

As everyone knows, I have a serious addiction problem. I am hopelessly addicted to Diet Coke. I am proud of it, and I have no desire to quit, or even cut back. I know it will stunt my growth, or give me cancer, or rot my insides out, etc.etc.etc., but at least I'll be happy.

I've been thinking I've been a little out of control lately with my consumption, since I want Diet Coke instead of water most of the time, but today, my addiction took over my mind.

The kids and I went to Costco, and it was lunch time so we got some lunch. I ordered 3 drinks, thinking Brin could share with me. I told the kids they could get whatever drink they wanted. So Maddie and Sam went to get their drinks, and Brin followed. After I loaded up the food I met the kids at a table. Maddie said, "Here mom, here's your drink...we got you lemonade." I laughed and said "Funny" She said "Really, you said you were sharing with Brin and she wanted lemonade." I wanted to stomp my foot and say NO. But I refrained and asked what she got to drink...."Diet Coke" (with a big smile, I don't usually let the kids get their OWN Diet Coke). So I asked Sam what he got...."Diet Coke" (again, a big smile). Being the mature grown up that I am I said, "You guys can drink the lemonade, I'm drinking the Diet Coke." Maddie said, "Mom, Brin really wanted lemonade." In the background Brin is freaking out because it's her lemonade. For a brief moment I considered dumping the lemonade and getting my own Diet Coke. Maddie then said, "Mom, you can drink some of ours if you need to." PATHETIC!!! So needless to say, we all shared all of our drinks, refilled both of the Diet Cokes, and as soon as I got home, I popped open my own can.

Hello, my name is Katie, and I'm a Diet Coke-aholic.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

July 4th was my Grandpa's 80th birthday. While he won't see this, because he thinks the only reason people have computers and the Internet is to look at porn, I thought I would blog about it.

Best Buds and their Breakfast

Brinley's new friend, Kathrine

Growing up we would have a 4th of July breakfast at my Aunt's house in Alpine. We have long stopped this tradition, because our family is so big, and most of the the grandkids are grown and married and doing their own thing now. But this year, my mom and her sisters decided to have another breakfast. It was so much fun. The weather was great, the food was better, and the kids had a blast!

A little water fun

Maddie's decided she is going to be a beach volleyball star

Let the water fight begin. Where's the respect for the elderly?

I had to document this. A few years back my mom would not have been anywhere close to the water. This year, she instigated a water fight. How things change with grandkids. She was a good sport. My cousin, Cody had just been splashed with a tiny cup of water, and so he picked my mom up and dunked her. It was well deserved I must say!

Maddie thought Nana was a little cold