November

I haven't really blogged at all in November and feel like we've done a lot! So here's a little recap of our November...

 We took the girls sledding for the first time after the big snowstorm and Ryan didn't kid around with any small hills and took them straight to the big one in sugarhouse! I promise I was nervous to go down and actually started halfway down the hill the first time. (I know I'm a wuss) Ryan took Sara and Lia on the big sled together the first time, then went with just Della the second and they turfed it. So Della only wanted to go with Mom after that :) I really couldn't believe how fast we were going down. I haven't been sledding since I was little and really think I had the most fun out of everyone!

 The girls had their first Parent Day Preschool Program right before Thanksgiving and since both programs were on the same day at the same time Ryan went to Sara's and I went to Della's. Ryan forgot to take pictures of Sara and only got a video, but I got plenty of pictures of Della.

We started off by making a little Christmas craft before the program. Now if you know Della, you know it's not easy to get her to smile, so I was so happy when she did for a picture! I was also a little worried how she'd do in the actual program, and you can call me bias, but she really did better than any of the other kids! She was pretty much the only one singing and doing all the hand signals. It really was so cute and I was the proud mom with a smile on my face the whole time taking pictures.

Then it was Thanksgiving weekend! This was our year with the Goodrich side and we celebrated by going to Dustin and Stacie's house who live in Vegas. It's always fun getting together with them 'cause we rarely see them, but when we do- our girls have SO much fun together! We had a tasty Thanksgiving dinner thanks to Dustin, Stacie, Cathie and Steph, then had fun playing games, doing perler beads, black friday shopping, watching football and just relaxing!

After Thanksgiving it was time to go home and celebrate Della's Birthday! This cute girl turned 3 on November 25th!

She had been looking forward to this day since July 23rd (which is Sara's birthday) and was so excited when it was finally her day! So we spoiled her with presents, balloons, and even let her pick out her own cake, and she picked... Santa! She really loved every minute of her special day, and we've loved having her apart of our family these last 3 years.

And this handsome boy turned 1 month old on Della's Birthday! And I'm kind of in depression about it, I really need him to stop growing.

The week after their preschool program these girls had their school field trip to the Treehouse Museum. We had never been before and they absolutely loved it!

Then on the last day of November we got together with my brother Ty and my sister Tawnya and their families to go to the Festival of Trees! It always makes it so fun when the girls get to get together with their cousins. They had fun looking at all the trees then we headed over to kid corner to get their nails painted, which was their favorite part of course!

And... besides those few eventful occasions we've just been loving our little Landon and trying to get in the swing of things with four kids!

 

He's Here!

8 lbs 6 oz  -  Landon James Goodrich  -  21 inches

I don't know why but it seems like we waited SO long for Landon to get here. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we've had his name picked out for every baby if they were a boy and we were finally having our "Landon". But for some reason, I felt like it took a long time for him to finally decide to join our family. Although once he decided it was time to come, ready or not, he was coming.... and FAST!

My contractions started at 6:00 am and weren't extremely bad... and I've had SO much false labor with him that I kind of just brushed it off thinking it was more false labor. Once they were a little stronger, I figured I'd get up and pack the last few things just in case. I told Ry I was having some and he kind of thought the same thing "more false labor". Well, once I got three in a row that were starting to hurt more Ry called his mom to come watch the girls. My contractions were so random, every 5-10 minutes and not very consistent, but they were bad enough that I thought it could possibly be the real thing. It took us a while to get to the hospital just because it was the first big snowstorm and canyons were closed so there was traffic and the roads were bad. But we made it! I still don't understand why all the labor and delivery nurses look at me so funny and literally ask "why are you here" so once I explained why I was there "uh, I think I'm in labor" they got me in a gown and in the temporary curtain room to monitor me and see if I was in true labor. Well, once I was in there my contractions slowed down even more and weren't as bad! I thought they were sending me home for sure. After the usual questions and what not, she asked about my pain and asked if I was planning on an epidural, which I was. Finally checked me and said "You sure you don't want to go natural? You're a NINE!"

I about died when she said that! I could not believe I was dilated to a 9! So I said "I'm guessing the epidural won't do much now anyways?" especially 'cause I've had problems with my epidurals working in the past, but she said "oh no, it will work immediately, you'll still want to get one" well I was going back and forth the whole ride to the delivery room, wondering if I should just pass on the epidural but they were talking me into it rather than out of it so I went ahead and got it. Although I'm still not sure if I should have or not. It didn't numb my contractions one bit. As soon as I got it they started coming on strong, painful and fast! It was pretty rough those last few minutes, but the doctor got there just in time to tell me to "push during the next contraction" so I did, and he was here!

Poor guy got a little beat up because the delivery was so fast, but stopped crying the second I got him in my arms. Seriously nothing better than that first time you hold your baby. Once we had our hour alone with just me, Ryan and Landon they were ready to move me to post partum. It was so crazy 'cause I could still move my legs and everything! So they just wheeled me over in a wheelchair and once we were settled and Landon got his bath, Ry left to go get the girls so they could meet their baby brother for the first time!

I couldn't believe how excited they ALL were! I thought for sure Lia wouldn't really care, but she was just as excited about the "baby" as Sara and Della were. They all took a turn holding him and loving him. I can't believe we're now a family of six!

Well after what seems like forever waiting for Landon, he was definitely worth the wait! We love him SO much and are so grateful he's now apart of our family! I was so excited to bring him home and start our life as a family of 3 girls and a boy!



Trip to St. George

I totally forgot to post about our trip to St. George we took the beginning of October for the St. George marathon. Ry was registered, but wasn't able to run because of his stress fracture on his shin, but we had already booked a place to stay with my brother Ty and his family so figure we may as well make a trip out of it and support Ty even though Ryan wasn't running.

 The place we stayed was SO awesome! We rented a house that had a pool, hot tub, fire pit, and mini golf course all in the backyard! The girls were in 7th heaven especially 'cause they got to do everything with their cousins! They loved being with Gwen and Noah all weekend and they had a blast playing and swimming non-stop!

The pool was pretty fancy. It had two small waterfalls, then one big one that spilled over from the hot tub to the pool...

After getting in some good swim time, the kids would take a break and do a little mini golfing...

Then the night after the marathon we thought it'd be fun to light the fire and roast some smores!

I would post more about the marathon but.... Ty actually got really sick and ended up having to go to the emergency room for an IV. He DID finish though! Which is amazing! And ended up feeling better to at least come out and enjoy the fire :)

And the fun didn't stop there! Whitney picked up this cute gingerbread "haunted" house for the kids to decorate. Then we made a couple attempts at a sleepover  with Gwen and Noah but my girls never lasted long enough.

It really was such a fun little getaway to do with Ty and Whit and their kids before I have the baby! So glad we were able to go, 'cause it really was a fun trip I know the girls will never forget.

It's Autumn Time

My favorite season! And I think we've started it off right by doing some fun stuff for our family night activities. Last Monday we planned an FHE to Gardner Village to see the witches! My sister Teneil works at the restaurant, so I called to see if she'd be working so we can eat dinner- but she wasn't, so she and her kids joined us as well as my brother Ty, his wife and their kids!

(Sara, Gwen, Tycie, Noah, Mehki)

The kids loved going on the witch hunt and trying to find all the different witches. They loved the frog witch (in the picture above) which was probably Lia's favorite. Sara's favorite was the "pink witch" (breast cancer awareness witch)  and Della's favorite was "the witch going potty" There was a witch reading a newspaper in an outhouse and Della couldn't believe it. She loved it! I wanted to get a picture of my girls with a witch but that's pretty much impossible to get them all together and sit still at the same time! So, I got Ryan to take a picture with Della with this witch and I love it 'cause it looks like the witch is laying on Ryan and really posing for the picture.

...of course Della isn't smiling, but we all know that's pretty typical. It really is so much fun to see the witches and it was even more fun that some of the girls cousins were there. They loved it! We just might have to go back before the season's over.

With it being fall and all, we thought it'd be fun to go on a Sunday drive up the mountains to see the leaves. It really is so pretty up there and the girls loved it!

These were the best pictures I could get. Of course I tried getting one of all three together but that was just disastrous. So, I've just come to accept the fact that I'll just have to do more individual pictures. (even though those are still not very easy)

(...or candid pictures with daddy since they're always happy when they're with him)

 

The girls have been talking about going to the zoo forever, but I just don't see the fun in going during the summer when it's hot and crowded- so we waited 'til October 1st and went last night for FHE. We were pretty much the only ones there, it was awesome!

Okay, so everyone looks crabby here but I'm pretty sure they all liked it. Sara got a little nervous about the snakes, but Della was loving everything! And Lia would pretty much just say "ew!" to everything with a disgusted look on her face as you can see...

Then I'm sure everyone has seen or heard about the new Rocky Shores exhibit, but this was our first time and I can't believe how cool that Polar Bear is! Seriously comes right up to the glass to say "hi" then does a back flip and does it again! I think Ryan and I were loving it more than anyone, but it really was so cute!

So glad the fall season has just begun 'cause it never seems to last quite long enough. Crazy to think baby Landon will probably (hopefully) be here some time this month! So, unless we have more fun fall events to blog about that may be my next post!

paint rocks camping trip

Ry's fam has a tradition of camping at Paint Rocks Wyoming that has been passed down from generation to generation. Well, Ryan fell in love with the place when he was little and wants to keep up the tradition and continue camping there every other summer. (despite the fact that we have to drive 9 hours to get there) Now I usually have my smart alec remark about how there are plenty of places around here we can camp that are just as good, but there's just something about Paint Rocks that the Goodrich's love, and the fact that they love it so much makes me love it too!

We woke up at 3:00 am to leave so the girls could sleep for a while and luckily they did. And as much as I complain about having to drive 9 hours (especially with three kids) the drive wasn't even that bad! And went by pretty quick!

We got there and it was FREEZING! So we got the girls jackets on, and bundled them up while we set up camp.

That first day never really warmed up so it consisted of mostly huddling around the fire and talking and eating (which is actually MY favorite part about camping) and hoping the next day would be nicer.

Which is was! So, while the boys did a lot of fishing...

The girls stayed back and the mom's played cards and let the little girls play. Some of their favorite things were going on a "hike" (as they liked to call walking up and down this dirt hill) while holding hands.

...hanging out in the back of Papa's truck.

...or just playing in the dirt.

They loved collecting rocks and sticks and getting dirty and everything else that came along with camping. They really did love every minute of it and never wanted to leave.

...neither did Ryan.

He was in heaven catching over a hundred fish while we were there. He even brought a couple back to camp and cooked them over the fire for me to eat and they were SO good!

I felt like I hardly saw Ryan 'cause he was always gone fishing! And it's kind of weird 'cause I would usually go with him and take tons of pictures but this time I had a few other things to take care of- named Sara, Della and Lia. Ry took the older girls a couple times but I forgot to give him my camera so we don't really have any fishing pictures, just mostly the girls at camp...

... and I had to get one of the whole clan the day we left. Stephanie made a good point that we should have taken it the day we got there instead of the day we left so we're all a little cleaner and look a little better.

Tyler, Stephanie, A-russ, TJ, Mark, Sara, Lia, Cathie, Ryan, me, and Della

It ended up being a really fun camping trip and I'm actually pretty excited for the next one!

first day of preschool

Dropped these two off at preschool at 11:30, came home and laid Lia down and now I'm just sitting here in a quiet house not quite sure what to do! Usually takes me 2-3 days to update the blog since I can spend an hour here, maybe another hour there, then some more the next day- but now that I have a couple hours a free time, I figured why not update it now about their first day of school while they're at school!

I love that these two both get to go to preschool. Having them so close together I originally thought they'd only be a grade apart, but the way their birthdays are I think there will be a grade between them. So this is Sara's last year of preschool, but Della will still go for two more years. We went back and forth trying to decide whether we should start Della this year, but I am so glad we did because she was SO excited to go!

It's nice because their preschool is at an actual school, so their classrooms are pretty close and I think they might even have snack time and recess together. I'm sure I'll get to hear all about it when I go pick them up. Is it weird that I already miss them? Seriously love my girls!

JULY

July is usually a busy month for us. I feel like we have a lot going on! We start it out with the 4th of July of course, where we do the same traditions Ryan's done his whole life. Starting out with the East Millcreek Parade.

As well as some face painting at the Carnival after...

Then we head to Ryan's parents for some lunch and go swimming at the Evergreen swim club with the Goodrich clan.

(I promise Della does know how to smile... when she wants to)

Then we head home to give the girls naps before the night fun begins! First we get together to have a BBQ with all the Goodrichs.

The girls had SO much fun playing with their cousins who came in town from Vegas to celebrate the 4th. I really wish they lived closer!

After the BBQ we all meet over at the Holladay Park to watch their Firework Show.

And I tried one last attempt to get a picture of all three girls together but... this was the best I could do.

The girls typically have more fun dancing and playing with cousins than they do watching the actual fireworks. They also love doing the sparklers and playing with their glow necklaces.

All in all it was a fun 4th of July! Then it was time to celebrate Ryan's 29th Birthday on July 11th.

(this was the only decent picture that was taken--with my iphone)
Then Sara's Birthday was next! When we asked what she wanted for her Birthday, all she wanted was "to go to Bear Lake" So we got together the Friday before we left to celebrate it with Ry's fam. She got pretty spoiled by her Aunt Stephy who gave her Cinderella jammies and slippers and Grandma & Papa who gave her the Jasmine dress up with matching shoes, a singing Jasmine doll, and the Aladdin figuring play set. She made a wish and blew out the candles...

(another poor quality iphone pic)
... and we headed to Bear Lake the next morning for her actual Birthday.

The first day we headed out on the boat with my parents and Terra's fam and had fun swimming and tubing.

Sunday we went to church then celebrated Amiya's birthday!

(The Birthday Girls!)

 We also let Sara open her presents from Mimi & Pop and her cousins...

...and since Amiya got a bike for her birthday, we figured we'd let Sara open her new bike so she could ride it around with her cousins.

It took her a little bit to get the hang of it (she kept wanting to pedal backwards, which triggered the breaks) but she gets better and better the more she rides.

The next day was July 23rd, Sara's actual Birthday! We woke up and let her open her presents first thing.

She got perler beads, a sketch pad, some gel pens, shrinky dinks... but I think her favorite was her makeup and earrings.

She's always asking to put on my makeup and really wanted some earrings for her birthday, so we got her some of the sticker ones and she loves them! Anytime anyone asks what she got for her birthday she says "a bike and makeup and earrings"

After presents we went and got breakfast at Paris Grill (once known as the Motor Lodge) then went out on the boat for some more tubing and swimming!

We ended up leaving that night and poor Sar cried for the first 15 minutes of the ride home because she wanted to "stay at Bear Lake" I think it's safe to say she had a pretty fun 4th Birthday! The month of July also included some more swimming with cousins, family time at City Creek, BBQ for the 24th and another one at my Grandma Betty's with almost the whole Christensen clan- we had every grandkid but one and we were missing a few siblings but it was fun to see everyone that came!

I'd like to say August should slow down a little, but I know it's going to be just as crazy with Raspberry Days, our camping trip to Paint Rocks, and Sara and Della starting preschool!