Christmas 2011

Christmas was so fun this year. We had everyone in the family there for nearly the entire week of Christmas. There was plenty of snow which was great since we didn't have an ounce back in Provo. The kids had a blast sledding behind the 4-wheelers in the field. Reese wasn't even a week old when we took her down but she did great and never ran out of arms to hold her. Every meal was delish as always. Since Christmas was on Sunday this year Santa dropped off an early present for the kids to enjoy during the week. They found a note from one of the elves who told them to go outside to find their gift. Much to their surprise, they found a 4-wheeler wrapped with a bow out on the deck! They were a bit speechless but thrilled! They quickly bundled up and threw on helmets to take it for a ride. That should keep them entertained for years to come. Christmas Eve we watched the kids put on the traditional nativity play for us then opened Christmas Eve jammies and off to bed for the kiddos. Christmas morning was so fun to watch the kids and cousins open their loot. Christmas at the ranch is my favorite! As always it was sad to lock it up for the year when it was time to go. We love sure love Grover!



Riley with the Christmas Elf



The Nativity



Reese as Baby Jesus

Christmas morning before the kids come down from the loft



The race is on!




Beck riding shotgun in Kai's new ride

Merry Christmas!

Introducing Reese!

I was starting to think this baby was never going to come. My other 3 had come at 39 weeks to the day and this one was over that mark by three days. Not overdue, but overdue in my mind. Around 11pm Monday night I started getting some minor contractions. Given my history of quick deliveries I decided to call my mom and have her start heading our way from Draper. She arrived around midnight. We chatted for a bit then waited on the couch until about 1:30am when the contractions were getting much closer. We drove to Utah Valley Hospital and checked in at about 2am. They first told me they would monitor me for an hour to make sure they could admit me. Jake laughed and said we'd be having this baby soon because I go so fast. I was at 4 centimeters. By the time they came back to check me I was having major contractions and begging for an epidural. Sure enough I was in full transition and at an 8-1/2. The nurse called for the epidural and told me not to push at all until they could get the doctor there. Once I got my epidural I felt so relieved! My doctor showed up a few minutes later and said it's time to start pushing. (This pregnancy we decided not to find out what we were having. There were several signs that pointed to a boy including a slip up from our ultrasound tech so I was convinced it was a boy.) Now back to my labor....I pushed for a quick 10 min, maybe 5 pushes and out came baby. The doc got a big grin and announced it's a GIRL! I screamed in disbelief! Such an awesome surprise. I was so happy to have another girl! She was born Dec 13th at 4:16am weighing 6lbs 6oz, 19-1/2in long and a head full of blonde hair! I was the last of six ladies to check into labor and delivery and the first to deliver. Love those quick and easy deliveries! As far as a name went, we had focused most of our attention on boy names so we were at a loss when our Dr asked her name. We told him we'd have to think about it. He jokingly said "you can always name her after her Dr. who delivered her!" His last name was Rees. We laughed but then I actually liked the sound of it. And so Reese it was! We love this girl to pieces and her siblings are quite smitten too. They just can't keep their little mitts off her. So glad she's here and healthy as can be! Oh and 4 will be it for us! :)

Halloween

Happy Halloween from my Go Go dancer, sailor, and Frankenstein!


My costume to our ward party. Fun being pregnant for Halloween!

Turning Beck into Frankenstein

On our way to Kurt and Marnie's for homemade donuts. Yum!


Rinsing out the hair after a fun night of trick-or-treating

Provo Canyon

We took the kids up Provo Canyon to play around one evening. It is gorgeous in the fall! Living so close to it we really need to spend more time up there.

Soccer

Riley started soccer this fall. She absolutely loved it and for never playing before she did awesome. I'm officially a soccer mom!

Riley Starts First Grade

First day of school. Ready to rock the 1st grade.

Summer

We had such a fun summer. We spent a lot of time at the ranch as we try to every summer. We also did some boating on Utah Lake, got in our trip to Cali and just hung out at home. Good times!










Hiking Cow Pie hill with the cousins

Weenie roast and smores