Since we've been home...

Life keeps moving swiftly by for us, and we have one week until school starts for Sam and Jack.  I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by, how quickly our time in Idaho came and went, and how soon we'll be welcoming a new baby boy into our home!  I haven't had a lot of time to write about some of the smaller rays of sunshine that have filtered into our life.  

First, the boys had the great opportunity to go to the Jet's football game thanks to some free tickets and while there, watching Tim Tebow throw an interception....Sam lost his 3rd tooth!  He's been working on this one for a while and was thrilled to finally get it out.  The Tooth Fairy, amazingly left him a special note about how cool it was that he lost his tooth at the game...that is a once in a lifetime experience!

 Finally, my poor kids have been running around with me trying to get things back to normal and get ready for school, primary, and baby.  I haven't been the most patient of mothers and the kids have been in several time outs, received several spankings, thrown many a tantrum, and received a few sharp words from their dear sweat momma.  In between these crazy times, I have to try to remind myself to enjoy the moment... and this includes keeping up on our frog catching.  These kids are getting pretty good and catching them, and today we caught a whopper of a frog!  They were so proud that they asked for a picture.... Here are my beautiful - wonderful kids!

Jersey Shore ... Mormon style!

Move over Snooki there is a new Situation....oh, yeah baby!  We brought our goods to the Jersey Beach.  Maybe it was the 6 kids, or the farmer's tans, or even the pregnant bellies, maybe it was the fact that we didn't have a gold chain, a tattoo, or a tan...but we left no doubt that we weren't from around those parts!

With the Tolboe's we decided to hit up the beach, and headed to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.  We've really wanted to try out the Jersery beaches and get the boardwalk experience before we left.  We had a great time, and had a great hotel right across from the beach (thanks to Jennilyn). We had a lot of good boardwalk food - the kind that plugs your arteries, and a lot of fun playing in the sand and surf.  

Jenni and I both with babies on board didn't get a chance to show our body surfing skills, but Christian and Shawn spent hours getting SLAMMED by the waves and loving every second!  I did however take advantage of my lame-sauce state and enjoyed gazing at the life guards on duty!  They were, how do you say this, "physically fit" - and knew it.  At one point one of them was doing triceps curls with a long board nd then dropped down and did some push ups just for good measure!  Seriously, this shows how old I am because after yelling at Jenni and laughing out loud, I thought "can he see my kids if they got in trouble out the water while working out?"  

Lyv and Claire were a little scared of the waves, (they were pretty strong) so they played in the sand most of the time.  The first time to the water, Jack got his first taste of waves by being taken out completely.  He quickly learned his lesson and stayed on the fray the rest of the time.  

  Could there be any cuter beach bums than these three?

 Lyv was listening to the ocean.... "Ariel, are you there?"

 I convinced Jack to let me bury him, which he thought was great.  Not to be outdone, Lyv wanted a turn, but didn't last as long - sand kept getting thrown into her face by her helpers... nothing like a "sandwich".

Jack had this crazy Karate Kid inspired dance with the waves before entering the water.  It was hilarious to see him try to build up the courage to go in.

 Some action shots of Sam - he and Brooklyn played in the waves as much as the guys.  I was so glad he braved the water!  He had a great time, and thought he was a pretty cool dude!

We hit the boardwalk and tried out some of the rides.  The kids of course loved this part of the adventure. Each one rode a few of their favorites. Jack loved the motorcycle ride, Lyv LOVES the carousel, and Sam loved the "roller coaster"!

  

 

My personal favorite was of course the imitation Dumbo ride!  I was DYING to try it, so I decided to put my gynormous self into this tiny ride!  Okay truth, these carnival people know how to get every nickel and dime out of you and require ALL riders to pay to get on the rides, even the rides their kids can only ride with an adult!  So Lyv - who you can't see because my sexy bod is covering her wanted to ride this ride, and so I was nominated to ride with her!  It was amazing....life changing in convincing me that #1) I have a lot to work on after the baby comes and #2) a carnival is not a money saving event.

Thanks Tolboe's for a such a fun vacation, and for coming all the way to see us!  We had a great time!  And thank you Jersey for a great time!  I left with a tan... so I guess I'm fast on my way to becoming Jerseylicious!

Visit from the Tolboe's

Every once in a while you make friends that last a lifetime.  We found these kind of friends in Iowa, and have been blessed to call them some of our best friends ever since.  As a last summer hoorah, and possibly a last residency hoorah... the Tolboe's were kind enough to make the 11 hour drive to NY from Michigan to visit us.  We had a great time, and the kids loved spending time with each other.  The only sad thing is that is makes me wish they were just down the road like they were when we lived in Iowa.  But for now this visit will fill us up until next time.

A big bonus for Lyv was having girls to play with.  Claire and Lyvie played dress ups constantly, which was new for Lyv.  Claire showed her the ropes, because I don't think Lyv was even aware that is what those cute dresses were for.  The older kids had a great time catching frogs, getting messy in the mucky yucky mud pit, playing beyblades, and bowling!  

Yes I introduced the Tolboe's to the joys of Kingston by driving to Hoe Bowl - gotta love the name.  We had the alley basically to ourselves, and we did some pretty serious bowling (I got a whopping 100!) Better luck next time.  Shawn had to work for the first day they were here, but he and Christian spooned over a scary movie and Jenni and I got to enjoy the pleasant site of Thor without a shirt. Not too shabby!

 The kids named this frog something like: Spot-legs Jumpy Leapy the 3rd!

 Landon and Jack attempting a high five!

 Two of my favorite peeps!

Oh it's taking me back...

My kids have started to have conversations and/or say phrases that I know were in active use when I was a child.  For example:

I can't breathe.... (always a go to when someone is beating you up or you need to get away from them)

He started it! (this is my least favorite, but most heard)

"Mooommm!" (Somedays I wish I could change my name to something really funny so that I hear that all day)

I'm not tired! (usually after a complete break down or tantrum over something completely ridiculous)

I Know That!  (Sam's new favorite phrase of choice.  Yes he does have a little bit of Hill in him and thinks he knows EVERYTHING!)

I'm telling!

I had it first!

*Whack* Thud* Clunk* Slap* .....followed by a wailing cry. (Like the old Batman episodes)

"This is so Stupid!" (I don't like this word at all, and this is always followed by a quick vocabulary lesson on alternative words we could use instead.)

Finally, "I'm so hungry!"This usually occurs minutes before bedtime and used as a delay tactic - these kids need a lesson on what it really means to be hungry.

The further I dive into this thing we call parenthood, the more I respect, admire, love, and am in awe of my own parents who dealt with these phrases x 7!  Yikes, I'm barely able to handle 2 1/2, the half because Lyv's talking still camouflages some of these phrases.

Rick Hill Family Reunion - Heise

To top of the weekend of Mom and Dad's Big Bash, we went up to Heise Hot Springs and camped.  The kids loved swimming and the whether was so hot that the adults had a great time splashing around too!  We did some golfing, miniature golf, and of course lots of eating!)  There was a little "general store" there that the cousins frequented and I'm sure we raised their sales by 100% for the two days we were there.  It was a great way to spend a little more time with everyone.

 We had a little diving competition while there and Christine took the cake with double flips, twists, and a back flip that she got in major trouble for!  Shawn and Dave represented with a few killa' moves too!

 We ended the night with a family talent show and the boys whipped out some break dancing skills, while the girls did a mix of cheerleading-gymnastic-dance routines.  We have a very talented bunch of kids.