Grandma's Book Review: 5 STARS!!

The babies had their 6 month checkup yesterday. The doc says they are doing great! Aiden weighed in at 15-15 and Avery 15-7. August and Addison weighed about that at 4 months! Oh well, they are growing that's the important thing. I think them being premature has made me obsessed with their weight. I find it a compliment when people call them chubby because I know how they started out...teeny tiny. Aiden also got her first tooth on Sunday. They are eating cereal and loving it. That brings me to my birthday and some presents I received.


My birthday was last week. Two weeks ago I was at my in-laws after a rather intense afternoon with the girls. The babies can't sit up yet, but they want to be entertained all of the time. We had been looking at bouncers, exersaucers, etc., but I hadn't bought any. Anyway I was saying how I really needed something to entertain them and pronto. They then decided to give me my present early...two, beautiful, life-saving exersaucers! They were the exact ones I wanted! I wanted to cry. My sanity was given back to me in the shape of two big baby toys. Thanks again Pam & Leon!


My mom came for a few days around my birthday and all 7 of us girls had a great time together. She bought me a second high-chair to round out what's become feeding station #2. (Feeding station #1 is the recliner in my room where I usually nurse the babies for what feels like 90 percent of the day!) So basically I got a lot of stuff for the babies but it makes my life so much easier. The night of my birthday my mom babysat and Brandon & I went out, like on a date. Do I need to repeat that...A DATE! As horrible as this sounds it's true... I can't remember the last time we went out, just the two of us. We had a great time. We ate at Johnny Carino's (yum) and then went and saw Indiana Jones (and it wasn't even at the cheap theater!) Thanks for the visit mom...we didn't want you to leave!

August and Addison had swimming lessons this month. They finished up while my mom was here so she was able to hang out at the pool with me and watch. The girls really enjoyed lessons and looked forward to them everyday. No olympic swimmers yet, but boy can they play a mean game of "Fishy in the Basket!" They both had "boy" teachers and they loved it. They guys were so cute with them. (Brennan & Addison-August & Sam)

I just finished reading my Grandma's life history. She is so amazing. She has always kept journals and has written a few books. She wrote her history, had it bound, and then gave one to all her family members. Brooke and I have enjoyed reading a lot of it together -it is so entertaining. It has been so fun to look back on her wonderful life (so far) and remember how great my childhood was with her. She lived just around the block from us and we would see her pretty much everyday. Not only is she wonderful beyond description, she is also hilarious. We love how she named sections of the book with crazy headings, trying to incorporate all that happened in that section. Here are a few examples: "MINERAL OIL AND A MELODRAMA", "A SNOW FORT & SCHOOL LUNCH", "WAYNE'S WAFFLES & LOTS OF KIDS." To all you family members out there that haven't read it yet...I give it 5 stars. It's a great read...you'll laugh, you'll cry, it has something for everyone. I love you Grandma, you're truly one of a kind!!!

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July this year. It's my favorite holiday! We went to Brandon's Aunt Debi's the night of the 3rd and had hot dogs, smores, and watched fireworks. Some families in their neighborhood put on a great fireworks show. It was awesome! I didn't think the babies would last until the fireworks, but they did and they weren't scared of the noise or lights. Good babies!
The next morning Brandon took the girls with him to the parade. He had to drive the Arrow van along the parade route before it started and hand out flyers. The girls waved flags out the window and had a blast. After the parade we had a BBQ at Pam and Leon's. Lots of good food and good company. Brooke came too because Reese was working. The yard at the new house is just awesome. Lots of shade and space for the kids to play. All the cousins played great together. August, Austin, and Addie were pretty much inseparable. Becka and her friend Lisa had crafts for the kids to do and that was a big hit. They made cute, festive, visors.

I opted to stay home with the babies and not go to the BIG fireworks that night down at the river. Brandon said they were awesome as usual. If you've never experienced an Idaho Falls fireworks show you're missing out. They do them by the river and they reflect in the water. I could hear them...and we live across town! We had a great time with Brandon's sisters too. It's fun getting together and seeing everyone. Thanks for a great holiday everyone! I especially appreciate all the help with the girls.

KooKoo for Kookaburra

I have always loved licorice. I always have a package of Red vines handy. My little sis introduced me to this new treat and I'm hooked. It's called Kookaburra Liquorice and it is soft, chewy, and Yummy!

Check out my Slide Show!

The Vernon Reunion

Last weekend we went to Utah for a family reunion. What an adventure. On the way down we had to stop at Fort Hall to change a poopy blowout diaper. Real classy...we were in the casino parking lot changing diapers on the floor of the van. Then we stopped at the Malad Pass rest area to feed the babies in the van. Oh my goodness. I didn't think we'd ever get to my parents' house. The reunion was on Saturday in Hoytsville. It was a fun day. Brandon had never met that side of my family or experienced the Coalville/Hoytsville area in all its glory. We got to see adorable baby Eli for the first time, and all my cousins and their kids that we haven't seen for awhile. My siblings and I contributed 4 new babies to the family in the last 7 months, anyone that was baby hungry probably wasn't by the time the day was over. No, actually they are all really good babies. We came home Sunday afternoon and this time the babies slept the entire way. Yeah!

My Aunt Debbie from Denver came over for the reunion and then she is staying for the 4th at my parents' for a good old fashioned Willard Celebration! My mom, Debbie, and my cousin Cody came to visit yesterday. When Brandon got home from work we went down to the river. We ate Scotty's burgers and fries and then walked along the greenbelt and attempted to feed the ducks. I think they were already full, because they weren't interested in our bread.

This year we're spending the 4th here in Idaho. Three of Brandon's sisters will be here, and we don't get to see them much so we're looking forward to catching up. We'll miss you April! Just think, when you come to visit you'll get the girls all to yourself!