Das had surgery

I dropped Das at the hospital early Thursday morning.  Two hours later I came back to pick him up.  He was in a lot of pain. Hmmmm...Morphine!

Logan at first seemed really concerned and was afraid to go near him.

But after a minute he wanted to give him loves and make sure he was okay.

Das has spent the whole week laid up in bed.  He hasn't complained much.  I know he has been hating not being able to do much.  And it probably kills him that I have had to drive him around.  I am a very cautious driver.

I took all the kids to church Sunday and left Das at home.  Our primary class made Das some get well cards.  They were cute!

I left the boys with Das for an hour and came home to these sleeping boys.  So sweet!

Das has to keep the brace on for a little longer.  The surgery was a lot more intense then his first one.  Longer recovery and physical therapy.  But I am glad he finally got it taken care of and he can focus on less pain in the future.  Ive enjoyed having him home.  It has been a lot of work.....but I've loved the company while I have been painting and my regular daily duties.  But its back to work for him tomorrow.:(

Photo dump!

Logan is our funny boy.  After we took the sacrament, he stuck the water cup into his mouth.  It is now his favorite thing to do during church.

After the big snow fall, I had to go buy Tristan some new snow pants.  I came across this ski suit that was on sale.  Purchased it for 30 bucks. Score!

Logan loves books.  My Aunt Nancy gave us some really neat books when Dallon was born, and Logan wants us to read them to him all the time.

Aunt Keli came over to babysit last week and brought a bunch of stuffed animals for the boys.  They sure do love her!

Dallon sure is a chunk!  I think he may way as much as Logan.

Tristan and Ashton love sleeping on the floor.  I only allow it on weekends.  I know I wouldn't be comfortable on the floor.

Dallon is the sweetest baby.  He loves to cuddle and eat!

Looks like some one is teething.  Slobber galore!

Who you calling fat?! I love his muffin top!

Tristan was baptized!

Tristan William Monroe was baptized yesterday into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He has been so excited ever since he turned 8 in October.

It was a stake baptism held at 11:00 on a Saturday.  Which was nice to have time in the morning to get ready.  The stake primary president had called me earlier that week asking if I would do a talk.  I asked her if we could do the musical number instead.

We asked Tristan if he would like to sing, and he definitely wanted to.  We practiced all week.  He sang "When I am Baptized" with his cousins Savannah and Carly.  They sounded beautiful.

After we got done taking family pictures, Das and Tristan headed to the dressing rooms to get into their baptismal suits.  Das told me later, that when he and Tristan were about to go into the water, Tristan said, "I feel so good right now I want to cry."  I am so excited that he has chosen to become a member of our church.  He is going to be such a great example to his little brothers.

I am so blessed to have 4 fantastic boys whom Das and I can teach the gospel too, and to someday serve missions.  I can only pray we do a good job in preparing them.  They seem to teach me more each day than I feel I teach them.

 While we were waiting for Das and Tristan to finish getting dressed for Tristan's confirmation we were lucky to have my nieces perform.  Claire was supposed to play the violin while the three kids sang.  But due to the horrible weather, they were late and missed that part.  Which I was glad they did....so we could hear it again.

 It was such a nice surprise to see my neighbor and her kids there to see him get baptized.  Tristan and Ashton adore them.  Brayden is....I think....12.  And the boys are always going over to play with him.  He is always so nice to them.  All the boys in our neighborhood have been so great to let our younger boys tag along.  Logan loves them too.  He didn't want to go to anyone else at this time.  Tristan also received a gift from Savannah, Paxton, Will, and JD.  It was such a sweet thought and he loved it!

Afterwards we headed to Spaghetti Factory for lunch.  Tristan didn't care where we went, as long as his cousins could come.   

It took a while to get every one's order and food....but it didn't matter.  We had our own separate area.  The cousins all played and had so much fun.  And the adults just enjoyed each others company.  It is so much fun having a large family.  Sisters, brothers, moms, dads, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and most importantly...Grandma and Grandpa.  Best of friends in this group! 

Top left corner of this picture....Logan and my sisters boy Riley.  Everyone thinks they look exactly alike.  I have to agree. 

Bottom left...My nephew Dan and Dallon.  Again....they look so much a like.  I am so grateful for this amazing family.  And a big thanks to all of you that came.  I know its not easy to give up half your Saturday.  And I also know the weather was disastrous....so even a bigger thanks for coming.  It means the world to me and I know means even more to Tristan on his special day.  Thanks to all of you...this will be a day he will never forget!  Lots of Love!

One special gift that was given to Tristan was from his Grandma.  To each grandchild that turns 8...she buys them their first pair of scriptures, makes them a blanket(resembling the Holy Ghost) and a pillow.  Tristan has such a special bond with his grandma.  They always have.  So this meant the world to him.  He sat during sacrament looking through them and marking scriptures that he liked with the highlighter she gave him.  Thanks mom!

 

 

 

Chunky Monkey

This beautiful blue eyed boy is such a joy.  The other day I pulled out the bouncer...and I was surprised how well he did in it already.  It took Logan quite a while to bounce in it and play.  But Dallon loves to grab for all the toys and can sit for quite a while.  He also loves to sit in it so he can see his brothers running around.  He is such a chunk.  One of our primary kids asked us why we put rubber bands around his wrists. 

He sleeps through the night...most of the time.  But I don't let him cry or fuss in the middle of the night, cuz he is in his crib and shares a room with Logan.  He loves to be held...and I need to not hold him as much as I do.  I don't want to spoil him....too much.  Logan loves to play with him.  And is always helping me wipe his face off.  Dallon laughs and laughs at him when he does it.  But I can not leave Dallon in a room alone with Logan.  Logan has been caught trying to pick him up, pile his blankets on top of him, and feed him food....with a fork.  What and adventure to have all these boys in my life. 

Warm Weather Get Away

We originally had planned to go up to our cabin for the weekend.  But unfortunately, our friends that we had coming up weren't able to make it.  Plus, it was suppose to be an extremely cold weekend.  We decided to sneak away to St. George instead to get away from the low temperatures.  And it was perfect! 

Of course all the boys wanted to do, was swim.  So we headed to the pool.

I do love this pool, but wish they had an out door one for hotter days.  But the boys love that its not too deep, and that we are always the only ones there. 

Tristan and Ashton use to hate it when Das would throw them....but they now won't leave him alone. 

This picture is priceless!  I am glad I captured the moment.  Logan is such a funny kid.  He keeps us laughing constantly with his corky behavior.  The kid could be a comedian. 

 We spent most of the time swimming, and watching scary movies.  Oh...and sports!

I sure do love Ashton's scared face.  Ashton lost his very first tooth while we were down there.  The tooth fairy gave him lots of money for it.

 Tristan loves to watch discovery shows.  Shows about sharks, dinosaurs, mysteries.  I love his enthusiam to learn.

We did more relaxing and of course went out to eat.  We love trying new places.  My parents told us of a new place called, "The Black Bear Diner."  It was really good.  We might go there for Thanksgiving...if they are open. 

We really enjoyed our weekend with these sweet boys.  We didn't want to come home.

BOO!

I love this old picture of Ashton(on the left).  It was taken at a corn maze a couple of years ago.  He doesn't get quite as frightened these days...but on occasion we get a glimpse of his sweet scared face.

We were able to go to several Halloween stores this year to check out spooky costumes.  Surprisingly...Logan would let us get him right up to all the scary things. 

Das game home with a couple of large pumpkins for the boys to carve a week before Halloween.  The night before Halloween we finally got around to carving them. 

Das came up with a bright idea to stick Dallon and Logan inside the pumpkins.  We were only able to get Dallon in though.  And I was able to snap a couple of priceless photos before he started screaming.   

Halloween morning Tristan and Ashton got their costumes on and headed to school for their parade.  I went up and sat with my friend Jessie and enjoyed watching all the fun and creative costumes go by.  When Das got home from work, we took them to a few houses to trick or treat.  Then Das and I went inside while they went with their friends to terrorize the rest of the neighborhood.  It was a fun and eventful month. 

The BIG 8!

I can't believe this big guy is eight years old.  Where has the time gone?!  The Sunday before his birthday we knew the Primary would be singing to him...so we told him to look his best.  My awesome neighbor who also has all boys, gave us this sweet suit for Tristan to have.  And if fit perfect!  He looked so sharp! 

On his birthday Das brought home a cake and we gave him his bday present...an awesome bike.   

 A few days after his bday he got to meet with the bishop for his baptism interview.  He acted so grown up.  I was very proud of him.  He is so excited to get baptized in a few weeks.  We are very proud of him for making this decision.

The weekend after his birthday, his dad, step mom, and little sister came to visit.  The first night out they took them to a lobster house. 

The next day they drove up to Farmington to go fishing at a stock pond. 

That night when they got home, they asked if they could sleep on their bedroom floor.  I allowed it this once....and found them sleeping like this.

Saturday we met up with Ethan, Season, and Anna at Planet Play for Tristan's birthday party.  He also invited his cousins to come.  The night before, his cousin Riley broke his leg, so he decided he wanted Savannah (the triplets older sister) to come.  They all had so much fun with the games, laser tag, go carts, buffet, opening gifts, and goofing off. 

 

Besides being able to get baptized and take piano lessons....Being 8 years old also means he gets to go to Scouts.  He has really enjoyed it!  He has already attended several outings, a Cubory, and a pack meeting (where he received several badges).  I am finding it to be such a great program and I am so excited for him to continue growing and making new friends.  Tristan has such a big heart and a strong spirit.  He is so kind to everyone and works hard to make others happy.  We are so proud of the young man he is becoming and are excited to watch him grow each day.