BYU FOOTBALL WITH UNCLE PARLEY

 We were really excited when BYU announced that they'd be playing their season opener in Charlotteville, VA, just two hours from our house. Sterling decided right away that he'd go and take the boys. We all wanted to go, but knew it would be a long day with all the boys. So we decided to send the two older boys Sterling Henry, and Dellin, and leave the Gouverneur and Israel home with me. Sterling's older brother Parley decided to come out and join them. He stayed for the weekend. It was a lot of fun.

The boys left early in the morning to give them enough time. Gouverneur cried at the door for a good 20 minutes after they left, poor baby. 

They stopped in the Shenandoah on the way down. Here's Parley with the boys.

Sterling and Parley are practically twins, so this picture makes me laugh.

 All seated and ready for the game to start with uncle Parley. It was super hot, but the boys were pumped.

 A HUGE storm blew in and there ended up being a 2-hour time delay. The boys waiting it out.

Even with the time delay, the boys had a great time. This was their first of many BYU football games.

Gouverneur was really sad not to go. It's a good thing we're moving to Utah and can hopefully get him to a game in Provo this season. I'd like to go myself. I haven't been to a game in years. Raising boys sure is fun!

Mt. Vernon with Josh and Laura

The last thing we did with Josh and Laura was visit Mount Vernon, George Washington's home. This is our number one favorite thing to so in the DC area. The house itself is beautiful and the grounds are amazing and there is lots to do and see. We spent the day here with Josh and Laura and had a great time.

They have lots of animals to see. The sheep are usually the favorite. Sterling Henry, Dellin and Bryn had a lot of fun trying to feed and pet them.

We sat here and ate lunch and relaxed for a bit. The Potomac river is behind us.

Dad showing the boys grain and making big plans for the future.

All the kids took turns in the stroller.

Israel and Mya. Sterling Henry and Bryn

Uncle Josh is a lot of fun.

We had such a great trip with Josh and Laura. My boys were in heaven to be with family and have cousins staying at our house.We all were in a a bit of a funk for a few days after they left.

 Thank you for coming to see us.  We love you and miss you!

ZOO TO SPACE, ALL IN ONE DAY.

The National Zoo is always one of my favorite things to do with my kids. It's free, fun and super educational. We love it when our visitors want to go there with us. We had a great time with Josh, Laura, Bryn, and Mya.

The big kids.

It gets pretty hot walking around and my boys love the water misters. They ran through this one with Bryn and got pretty drenched. They also got to touch a zebra skull. Pretty cool.

The sea otters and seals.

After a long, hot day at the zoo, we headed home to cool off and let the babies nap a bit. After naps, we headed out to the Dulles Air and Space Museum. We never get tired of seeing the space shuttle.

 

Josh and I being matchy-matchy again. I think my boys were in both of the strollers half of the time.

Another great day.

Great Falls.

After an afternoon in the pool, we stopped by the EQ social for dinner and then headed to Great Falls in Maryland. This is probably one of my most favorite places to take visitors. It's close and really beautiful. Josh and Laura had heard about it from a friend so we were all excited to go. The weather had cooled off a bit and the sun was going down. Perfect evening.

The falls are part of the Potomac river. They have a nice board walk out to the falls, with one bridge that always freaks me out with kids. Bryn and Sterling Henry held hands which was really cute.

 

Josh, Laura, Bryn, and Mya. It's hard to believe my baby brother is this grown up. Cutest family. 

After looking at the falls, we walk along the canal. Josh and I with our matchy-matchy strollers. And Sterling and Little Man. 

The sunset was perfect on the way back to the cars.

 

Perfect ending to a perfect day!

PLAY DAY.

Saturday morning, Laura and I went to a bunch of yard sales. We made a haul and had a lot of fun. That afternoon was pretty hot so we busted out the pool in the backyard. The kids were entertained for most of the afternoon.

Uncle Josh and dad were right out there in the mix with them. The kids loved it.

Mya didn't spend much time around the pool. And when she did, she got water thrown in her face. Thanks Gouv! Lucky for him, she didn't mind too much.

Laura and I sat under the shade and just watched the kids play for all afternoon. It was super relaxing and fun. Israel and Mya are just four months apart. Cutest babies. I sort of think that Mya could pass as my baby. Don't you think? (Wishful thinking maybe.)

When it got too hot to handle, the dads busted out ice cream cones for the kids. There is never a better time to eat ice cream than when you're outside, already wet and dirty. They all loved their cones.

JOSH AND LAURA CAME TO VISIT.

Josh and Laura drove down from New Hampshire with their girls, Bryn and Mya to stay with us for a week. We had been looking forward to their visit for weeks. We had such a great time with them.  We took advantage of every second that they were here, and were still so sad to see them leave. We spent a lot of time out and about, but also spent time around the house. The kids were just happy to be together. I love seeing my boys having fun with their cousins.

Josh and Laura with all the kids minus Israel.

These kids had so much fun together. They played super heroes, read book, watch shows, and ate every meal together. Bryn was a great sport to put up with these wild boys who were constantly trying to tackle her. It was fun for me to watch the boys want to do whatever Bryn was doing. They really love her.

At night, we'd do scriptures together before bed. My boy loved it when Josh read to them.

 

It was a lot of fun to have all the kids together. This picture is a good showing of what we did most of the time. Just sat around and played. All six kids here.

I really wanted a good group shot of the kids. This one turned out great. Cutest kids.

AUNT MARILEE COMES TO VISIT

My sister Marilee came to visit us this last week and we had such a great time. She is three years older than me and has five kids. Last time she came to see us was 5 1/2 years ago. A lot has changed since then. She got in on Tuesday afternoon, and Sterling left on a boys trip with his dad and brothers the next day, so it was perfect timing for me to have her out here.

We hit up all the fun stuff while she was here, including The Ribbon Outlet, Lucketts Antique Store, Georgetown Cupcake, and many other girly things.

We got frozen yogurt everyday, went shopping, and ate lots of yummy good. We cut. colored, and straightened each others hair, and watched lots of girly movies. I introduced her to my love of thrifting and yard sales. She spent lots of time reading and playing with the boys. The adore her. Obviously.

Us.

We were all in tears as we dropped her off at the airport. I kept telling my boys that we were lucky to have her for five days. Now her kiddos need her too.

Thanks for coming to see us Mar. I know that your family all made sacrifices for you to be here. Thanks Brandon for sharing her with us. Can't wait to see you all this summer.

I am so lucky to have three beautiful sisters who I love, admire, and look up to.Being the youngest girl in my family has always had it's perks, but having three sisters for best friends is the best by far.

ONCE THERE WAS A SNOWMAN

The day that Grandma and Grandpa Fillmore flew in, we got a bit of snow. The boys had been dying to make a snowman all winter. Dad and Grandpa saved the day and went out late with the boys to fulfill their winter snowman dreams. The snow was perfect for building. Grandma and I hung in the nice, warm house, holding baby Israel. It was a perfect night.

Here are so action shots of the boys with their daddy and grandpa. These are the memories that I just loved documenting.

I love this picture. The boys with Frosty.

 A few weeks later, we got some more snow and I went out with the boys to build a snowman. I haven't built a snowman in YEARS. I forgot how fun it is.

Me with my three big boys... And Frosty the 2nd.

Sterling and I both have such fun memories of playing in the snow. Now our kids are making those same memories.

ST. PATTY'S

We had a pretty low key St. Patrick's Day this year. We were having so much fun with grandma Fillmore, that I almost forgot about. Luckily, I had some green food coloring to spice up breakfast. The boys loved green milk and green German pancakes.

We also lucked out that the boys church outfits are all green. Baby Israel sported a tie for the first time, green of course! The boys with Grandma Fillmore.

This is our first family picture in months. I love seeing all these cute boys.

 The rest of the day was pretty relaxing. Dad grilled up so killer steaks for dinner and we spent the evening reading and playing with grandma. It was a great day!