Happy New Years Eve!

I decided to start a new tradition this year that on the 30th I would take all the christmas stuff on the tree then decorate it with balloons, and crate paper to celebrate new years eve. It works out perfectly actually because my dads birthday and Tom's birthday is on the 31st so it makes the house look birthday festive as well. The boys thought it was an awesome idea and loved all the balloons they could bat around. And then I added this awesome picture of Scout girl who is loving her jumper. she is getting so big and smiley. There is something special about having a baby during the holidays am I right? I don't know what it is but it's just a nice feeling. We have nothing going on tonight because we are lame and getting old plus with a nursing baby theres not a lot of parties to bring her along to. We will probably watch a movie and fall asleep before midnight! 2014 what a year! 

  

Our First Christmas In The New House! 2014

Once again I should have taken more pictures of our christmas adventure in the new hours BUT it was a nice christmas a fun to decorate the house a different way. The only bummer is that our fireplace doesn't have mantels yet so we had to make do. Also it was fun to figure out some lights outside. Larry had to finagle different way to walk around the tile roof and it was a little nerve racking seeing him so high up but the end result was nice! 

I loved the tree we got this year, it was spacey enough to not cram all the decorations...but notice only the top half is decorated which will be the style for years to come. And the awful goose. One day I'll have my own house with my own tree but for now I did get to have the white lights this year. I loved watching scout lay by the tree when the house was clean with the fire on and music playing! Nothing better then a quite clean christmas house! Love that little baby girl! 

 

I know there is lots of photos from actual christmas day on an actual camera somewhere but this one I grabbed of Max when he got his light saber he has been wanting forever and his blue razor scooter he was so excited to get! I love christmas with these kids. We try hard to focus on the real picture of christ and we try even harder to make sure they only get a few presents so it is not all about that, plus they are extra grateful for the ones they have! It can be hard, I'd love to spoil them rotten but I don' want to set a president each year. It is fun to watch them open toys and love playing with them. Anyways I will try to find some more pictures of Noah because I know he enjoyed Christmas in the new house just as much!

 

Family pictures 2014

My main goal in life...well one of my many goals is to get really great family pictures at least once a year. I think its really important to document your family and fill your walls with pictures of those you love! I also have this thing where I really didn't have great wedding pictures for various reasons and I get envious of those who do...so I make up for it with pictures of my sweet albeit crazy family.

It is pretty hard to get everyone to smile, look at the camera and get that perfect shot. I always just want one for christmas cards but I am trying to loosen up and be happy with the candid and real life because let's face it my our life is no where near perfect. Also I am trying to soak up all these memories of these little guys because I know how quickly they grow!

The ones of the 3 of them together just melt my heart. It is so sweet to see them treat each other with love, it doesn't happen all the time but I would say for the most part Max and Noah play really well together, they are so close in age they really have never known life without each other. I love that Max is holding Scout, and Noah that smile...if that doesn't make you happy then nothing will! Their personalities come right out...our Shy reserved Max and our crazy playful Noah. Then sweet baby Scout only 3 months old it feels like she has always been with us.

        

There are a few more I can add but I love the one of Larry and the 2 boys. It is so amazing to see what a great dad he has developed into. The boys love him and love being around him...the second he gets in the door at night they all scream "DAD" and run for him. I was so happy with how the pictures turned out I was a perfect evening and it only cost me a lego and a car to bribe the boys with! I'm exhausted just thinking about next time but at least I have another year to plan it all out! 

From the Mothers Lounge...

 I'm not one to post a selfie but I sat in the mothers lounge the other day with a sweet sleeping baby and I thought man this is maybe the first quiet moment in awhile I have had. Sure I get those moments in the middle of the night while I am nursing her but I'm usually not awake or I did try to read my scriptures during those night feeds to make use of my time ha that didn't last long! I tried though! Anyways I sat rocking her looking at all her delicate tiny features and felt such peace. There is a magical feeling that is given off when you hold a sleeping baby. It renews and refuels me as a mother to sit and soak it in. Then when the crazies run in screaming, laughing, wanting something I can say "you got this AnnMarie" The mothers lounge the other day was my happy place. Scout has not been the easiest baby. She nurses lots and cries even more..sometimes I am at a loss as what to do..I've even thrown around the word colic around. Larry thinks it is my milk supply but I am determined to not giver her a bottle...and so I nurse around the clock. It is a wonderful and soul sucking thing to give so much to a baby but I love that I can comfort her in a way no one can. All my babies have loved to nurse I just can't keep my milk supply up as much as they seem to need it. Scout has gone the longest without being supplemented and I am digging my heals in waiting till she is 6 months to supplement. We will see if I last but I hope I can but I also know that either way as long as she is healthy and growing we call it a win! This motherhood gig is pretty good and these babies of mine are even better!

Happy Rainy Halloween!!

SO this year halloween was a bust..it is currently raining! Noah didn't take a nap so he went to be at 6:30 and Max went trick or treating to one house! Our neighbors across the street go all out for halloween! In fact almost all month I had to run after Noah as he kept going over to look at all their spooky decorations. It was really fun for the kids.

We did do our ward trunk-or-treat and I almost died from going to the thrift store 2 times in one day with all 3 kids trying go find something just right for Max. The problem was that I hadn't planned ahead and was pretty consumed with taking care of Scout who is such a fussy baby that costumes did not get made this year. Max really wanted to be a golden ninja from Ninjago but there was nothing in his little 4t size anywhere. I kept putting it off then wham it was the day of trunk-or-treat. I sometimes bring it on myself and as I was driving across town for the second time with a screaming newborn and Noah who I can barley keep  2 feet from me I wanted to cry.

We finally figured out a ninja costume that worked for the night and Noah being the tired grumpy guy that he was being wore something that I can't even remember I think he wore a shark costume! It was a night let me tell you. Larry was busy with school so I braved the party with all 3 by myself. Everyone was willing to help and I know the kids did have a blast. I lost Noah countless times and Max ran around with all the other kids!

Since we didn't have formal costumes I did get the kids all matching pj's because I am a sucker for anything matching and holiday. I really do love halloween it makes it feel that even though sometimes it's hot that fall is on it's way! So to document Halloween 2014 we snapped some of these pictures after a fresh bath. Love these spooky skeletons. 

 

Also how cute is this baby??? She is a screamer but oh she is a cutie!! I just love all the pink we get to put her in! It is so fun and cheery to see her with her brothers. I am obsessed, I can't get enough of stop taking pictures of them. I might need an intervention. 

Also I never got any shots of trunk or treat because that's how I roll BUT Larry did come meet us at the end at we took our starving non chili eating children to dinner after. This is the only picture I got of Noah the shark eating the table. I love Larry in the background looking over at us probably thinking why are my kids so crazy and loud...and probably shoeless. Not our finest parenting moment but not one to be forgot as well! 

Super Man Noah!!

This boy is giving me a run for my money. He is wild to say the least. He is sweet and loving but oh man he has a switch and then he just becomes wild. Every Wednesday we go to music makers it's a class for toddlers designed to sing songs and do different things, his favorite is the parachute. The week of Halloween everyone comes and we have a spooky music makers day. Noah decided to wear one of the many costumes from our box his superman one. He loves the cape and running and flying around. He also picked up these vampire teeth and thought they were the coolest thing.  Oh man little boy never grow out of this sweetness and imagination you have! 

Perfecting The Family Selfie..or Groupie?

Some times we have way to much fun trying to take pictures as a family. This night in particular everyone was getting a little nutty. The transition to having 3 kids has been a rough one for me, the hardest yet. Scout has been a particularly hard baby but nights like this, looking back at these pictures makes me laugh. I can see everyones personality and I love it.