The Great Baxter Adventure - Day 2 - On to Gig Harbor

The only picture I have of day two is as we came onto the bridge heading into Gig Harbor, Washington where our Sean Baxter cousins reside. We were thrilled to have made it this far.  Aunt Melissa was a doll and had dinner all ready for us and Avery, Tobin, Tenley and Sutton all welcomed their cousins with open arms.  The big kids stayed with Aunt Melissa and Uncle Sean while the younger kiddos and mom and dad went to a motel.

We stayed here.  It was a bit of a dive.  But, we just needed to endure a couple of nights so we decided to just go with it.  Yes, it used to be a smoking motel and it was definitely still a place for many long term residents...but we managed.  I was a little scared we might come home with bed bugs...but we didn't.  The people were super nice.  It just wasn't what I expected.  It hadn't been updated since 1969...probably when it was built.

Ok.  So that was just a small hiccup in our otherwise, vastly wonderful vacation. 

The Great Baxter Adventure - Part 1 - We're off

 Well, our first big family vacation.  We haven't left the confines of Utah in years...in fact...for all the kids aside from Ben...never.  The planning for this trip started months and months ago and the day has finally come.  Wahoo!  It's exciting.  The kids each have a nice personal travel storage to stow all their gear. They are super excited. 

 For a family of 7, rest stops are a must every couple of hours.  It takes a little longer to get where we are going but it keeps everyone smiling.  Above was a fun little rest stop for lunch/dinner.  We got out our scooters and rode all around the stop.  It was a much needed break and we are about half way to Boise. 

 Back in the car, we have to find more to do.  Play with toys and sleep.  Watch another movie.  We even watched one of Mom's favorites, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  A captive audience is always good to have when we are watching musicals.  HAHA.  We are trying to make it to Boise by 9pm so we can still go swimming. 

 We stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Boise.  Super great place. 
We had an awesome suite with 2 bedrooms and a fold out bed in the main room.  So much space and the kids loved it.  Not to mention the pool and continental breakfast the next day. 
We rested up and prepared for the second half of our journey to arrive at the Sean Baxter home. 

Happy May!

May is by far my favorite month of the year.  It is beautiful outside.  Unlike April, when everything is still in mid re-birth, May is the month when things are bright and beautiful again.  It's such a blessing to be born such a beautiful month of the year.  I must confess that adds to my love of May.  I get to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day.  I get the sweetest thing from my kids.  

This year I got this really fun candy poster.  The kids split up the candy and wrote the sentences.
 Mom, you are worth 100 Grand.  You are very sweet.  You are a lifesaver.  We will roll out our love to you.  You always make us Laff.  You are not a nerd.   A starburst over you.  Thanks for helping us have good Health.   We are on a spending spree for you.  Because of our butterfinger's  we missed our payday to send you to the 5th avenue.  You take care of baby David.  You take care of us like a Kat taking care of her kittens.  we love you to pieces.  You are the best mom in the Milky Way.   

Who wouldn't just love that.  I know a lot of women hate Mother's Day.  The feel inadequate and compare themselves to the "Perfect Mom".  I currently do not feel that way.  I am not a perfectionist and don't expect my self to be.  Maybe that's why it doesn't bother me.  I like this quote. 

http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/05/downloadable-quote-for-mothers-day.html

 
I always tell myself that Heavenly Father sent my kids to me because I have some specific skill set that is going to help them.   I am weak in a lot of areas, but I hope that the areas that are my strengths are the areas that my children really need.  It was funny.  The kids brought home these simple little bookmarks that had a fill in the blank letter printed on the front.  I loved seeing the responses that the kids gave.  Emily said ...The thing I love most about my mom is "she's fun."  I know my mom loves me because "she kisses me."  Rachel's said...The thing I love most about my mom is "that she is kind and smart."  I know my mom loves me because "she helps me when I need it." Ben's said...The thing I love most about my mom is "when she helps me."  I know my mom loves me because "she tells me."

I do love them.  I'm not perfect.  I often wish there was  re-do button for how I handle things but there's not.  My kids are going to have to grow up and live with my mistakes.  That's why I am trying to raise them to be very forgiving.  LOL.  :)

Happy May! 

Getting Excited for Spring

 Where do you head once the weather gets warmer.  THE MOUNTAINS.   We went on a chilly picnic up AF canyon while Conner was staying with us for the weekend.  Conner is such a good sport to just chill with us on whatever outings we choose.  We are not nearly as adventurous as the Snowdens.  LOL. 

It was a bit chilly and there was a little breeze but we all had a good time anyway. Hotdogs from Costco, chips and some pop.  Nothing healthy to eat but good healthy fun for our family.  So glad we do these little impromptu things.  It helps keep life interesting.

One Year

I wake up at 6 am most mornings now.  For a year I couldn't do that.  I was so tired.  So very tired.  For almost an entire school year my kids were late for school EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Really, it's true.  That's so embarrassing.  For almost an entire year I was awake in the middle of the night.  Sometimes it was just once. Sometimes twice...and on the worst nights it was even three times.  For a year my children's homework has been finished...half way.  Emily did homework and never turned it in...over and over.  Rachel got spelling tests that only got practiced sometimes.  Ben just didn't turn stuff in and came home with a list of missing assignments 20 long.  My strict rules about computer time have slacked.  My determination to get the kids into something...anything...has failed.  I was true to my new years resolution in 2013...that I would have no resolutions...because I only had one thing that really had to be accomplished for a year.  I knew, on number 5, that this was a big freaking effort.  I would have very little time for anything else. 

 

He is beautiful..handsome...amazing. He walks, he talks (mama, dada, nighnigh), he laughs, he makes us laugh.  He is a giant effort for everyone.  We all raise him and put in our time to make him happy.  Sarah even does her share of helping raise him...she is a bit too good at discipline and enforcement.  She does love him though.   Ben, Rachel and Emily take turns giving him attention.  Babysitting when they are asked.  I'd hope they would start changing his diapers, but apparently that is still a job they will only do in the most dire of circumstaces.  The fact remains, even if they aren't willing to change his poopies, the older kids love Dave just as much as I do.  

 So, as I come out of a year of fog I rejoice in the fact that any failures that occured this year were on behalf of a sweet little boy that has changed all of us for the better.  Love you Davie. 

Spring Scout Camp

I don't know if I ever mentioned it before but Nate got called to be the Scout Leader for the 11 year old boys.  He is having fun with it so far and trying his best to make everything happen.  This month he had to pull off his first Scout Camp.  Lots of fun and a lot of crazy.

 Nate is really loving his calling and it gives him more opportunities to spend time with Ben.  It's a lot of work..but Nate is doing great.

Imagine having all these boys at your house once a week.....yikes.  HAHA.

My Big One Year Old

He's a year old already.  We are all simply in love with him.  What a sweetheart.  He lights up my life everyday.  He just barely started walking.  It is lots of fun to watch him toddle around. 

 He pretty much sleeps in a little ball every time he goes to sleep.  It's pretty dang cute.  I love to just watch him sleeping. 

 He has a super happy Cheesy smile. 

 HE loves good music.

 David is a bright, wonderful, glorious part of our family.  We are soooooo glad he is ours.