More of newborn Chelsea

Here's another picture of my little, tiny girl. She was only 5 lb. 7 oz. and 17 1/2'" long---making her my smallest (although all of her siblings were less than 7 lbs.) We knew Chelsea was only a "half a peanut" size before she was born so I did buy a preemie pack of onesies, pants and snugglie gowns, which has been her main wardrobe since birth.

All of my kids (except Alyssa) have needed to have 48 hr. bilirubin checks after we left the hospital, but only Chelsea needed to be re-checked daily after that and receive treatment for jaundice, even though her skin never seemed that yellow to us. So last weekend (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) she was on this "bili-bed." It was nice to be able to do the phototherapy in our own home. I am so glad all went well and having to go to the hospital lab each day to have her heal pricked is over. She is just in a diaper under the blue covering. It was hard not to hold her, except for feedings and diaper changes. At one point I found all of the kids sitting around the bili-bed, staring at her. We nickname that phenomenon "Chelsea-vision" or "Chelsea TV". They love to just sit and watch her!

I can easily do the same thing since she is so darn cute!

CHELSEA ARRIVED---Our Precious Gift

Our little "Chelle Belle" arrived two weeks ago today. What an amazing gift. Her Sunday delivery was fantastic. All seven of us are born on the seven different days of the week. I could never have planned it better. (The kids are using their "day" names as their secret code names now---very fun.) Chelsea Abigail is loved by each and every one of us. Having the older girls around in the summer to help with everything from holding her, changing her diapers or doing household chores is soooo nice. Chelsea is a sweet little one with lots of patience and love. Having her here makes my family seem so much more complete. I am loving every moment of this newborn stage and though I know this next year will rapidly pass, I am doing my best to embrace each day with all the "memory-capturing" ability I have and savor it. Childhood is fleeting and I am certainly going to do my best not to blink!

Celebrating America---Happy 4th of July

We are fortunate to enjoy the traditional "Cul-de-sac of Fire" on my parents' street each year. I am grateful for the two families who put on the extravaganza each year and invite the neighborhood. This year on Saturday we had "Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband" performing. Our family loves their tunes. It was a really fun evening.

The fourth was a Sunday and Josie girl dressed for the holiday---so cute.

On Monday we started the day with a yummy brunch outside at my parents'. Then we went swimming in their pool, jumped in their bounce house, had a bbq with yummy smoked brisket, and swam some more. It was a great time with family. I am thankful for the freedoms that are ours in this land and for those who fought and now fight to keep that liberty for all.

Enjoying snow cones as cousins, Jeff and Bryce.
A sweet ending---Josanna out of the pool and sipping away.

Lake Adventure

Colby and his family joined us over the fourth of July weekend for a tubing trip out on the lake. I stayed shoreside in the shade (being 9 months along and all) and kept company with the snacks and whatever young 'uns weren't on the boat at the time. At some point in the trip Colby got a bit "seasick" and came shoreside with me, too. Mike and Jamie manned the boat and tube. All eight of the kids took turns being out on the tube together. They loved it! Even our Josie loves the water and being on the tube. There were lots of little thumbs up for 'go faster' from all the crew. We hope to go out on the boat a few more times before summer's end. Thanks Colby and clan for joining us!!

40 YEARS

Just a quick congratulations to my wonderful parents. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary recently. We took family pictures and went to The Chocolate after to celebrate with a bit of dessert. Absolutely yummy desserts there! We were able to have a room to ourselves upstairs (even if the rest of the establishment heard our noise with 14 grandkids!) Anyway, just want to say that I love you Mom and Dad!

A Visit from Texas

My sister, Tammy and her clan from Texas came to visit for a few weeks. We had a wonderful time with them here. This picture above of Craig and Tammy was taken by Josanna---not bad for a budding photographer.

We went to Bridal Veil Falls to let the kids play in the water. They loved it. Much better this year since we had flip-flops and water shoes on---instead of barefeet like last year.

Cousins are great---what more can I really say. I guess I can say this . . . for Josh his boy cousins are like brothers. He has been blessed with only sisters. So, cousins, especially male cousins, are FABULOUS!!!!

While the Texans stayed with us we went to the Kennecott Copper Mine. The truck tires at the mine are really big---almost as big as the tires in Texas (hee, hee, a bit of Lone Star humor.)

We also took them to the city splash pad. Lots of water fun!
Alyssa found her school friend, Maniah, there.
I loved visiting with my sister and her family. She celebrated the 4th of July with us and they were here to see Chelsea after her birth. I'm grateful for the time spent with her and look forward to the next time we are together.

Daddy-Daughter Pinewood Derby

Isn't this a cool Pinewood Derby car?
Our Activity Day girls had a Daddy-Daughter Pinewood Derby (no regulations) for a Father's Day celebration. They enjoyed dinner together and had fun racing their cars.
Mike and Aly found this design on the internet. Mike and Grandpa Bob helped her with the carving. Alyssa painted it (and ate the real chocolate bar to get the wrapper!) I helped her glue on the wrapper. And last of all Mike put on the wheels. She got "Coolest Design", which she was excited about.

Aly Kat has a Birthday

What a beautiful birthday girl!

Notice the Willow Tree flute figurine at her side which she is mimicking.

She was just a little bit excited about receiving an iPod shuffle! (Thanks to all who gave money for that request.)

Alyssa loves Kraft caramels, Radio Disney, Justin Bieber, riding the scooter FAST past our house, and helping in the kitchen.
We love you!

Swim Lessons

We started summer off with swim lessons the first week of June. I knew it might be cool weather still, but we were pleasantly surprised that only the first day was cold and after that the weather was perfect.

Josie is a little water bug. She was happy as could be to go to class and be in the water.

Both Josh and Alyssa did great, too. The lessons just got them more excited to swim in their grandparents' pool. Cousin Jaycie came with us to the last day of lessons since she had a sleepover with Alyssa.