She's Finally Here!

We left for the hospital at 1:45 am on Friday September 19th. Yes you did not read that wrong. We were scheduled to be induced at 2 am on Friday morning. To my dismay she did not come two weeks early like I just new she would. I told my doctor that I did not want to go past my due date, so he scheduled us for delivery that day. After an hour of trying to sleep in the waiting room, the nurses admitted me into a delivery room. By 4:00 am, the nurses had me wired up for the induction. Progress seemed painfully and discouragingly slow and I felt like this was going to be the longest labor of my four children. At approximately 8:15, I went to the bathroom, laid back down and had a very strong contraction. The nurses checked and I was progressing rapidly. Everything went into high speed and seemed a blur. The anesthesiologist attempted an epidural but was too late - just my luck, I felt the poke, but no drugs.
Long story short, about 7 contractions and 30 minutes later (8:42am to be exact), I gave birth to a beautiful 7lb 11 oz, 19&1/4" baby girl. I feel great and she is as healthy as can be. We named her Marianne after my great grandmother and my mother-in-law (not Marianne Bunnell-sorry, we still love you though and congrats on Lochlan!!!). We love her so much and are grateful for the blessing of a healthy, happy baby girl.



Does my husband look a little pale in this picture??? You'll have to ask him why the nurse took all the pictures of our baby!!!

Madeline's first words upon seeing her baby sister were "I won't hit the baby, only kiss her." Thank you Maddy for being so sweet! Did I mention that Marianne has already learned to sleep through her three older siblings screaming at the top of their lungs?








Our first day home! I always love leaving the hospital for the comforts of home.

Haley and Scotty both love their new baby sister. Both are so gentle and sweet with her and are anxious to help Mommy take care of her. However, Scotty hasn't quite completed his "how to properly hold a baby" course.
Grandma Iris has been here to help and we are so grateful for her. Marianne and Grandma "sunbathed" a little this morning because she looked just a little jaundice.

Our First Family Camping Trip

Doesn't this picture sum up the trip....well at least for everyone but Scott. This was on the way to the campsite up Mt. Charleston. The kids loved the bumpy roads, why did we pay so much money for Disney World? This was more fun than any ride we went on there.
Look at that DIRTY face! I think this is why we don't camp much. I am not a huge fan of going somewhere for the weekend so I can come home stinky and dirty with a ton of laundry. Well, it may grow on me who knows. Maddy definitely got the most dirty. She did not have any clean clothes by morning. She spilled gatorade all over her and just loves to play in the dirt. She did not come from the same mold as Haley that is for sure!
Well, we survived! Even Scott who did not want to go in the first place. Then he was in charge of cooking the burgers for dinner and the old grill we brought did not end up working, so we had raw hamburgers and ended up having to cook our hot dogs in the fire. (this did not make Scott happy, he prides himself on his BBQ skills). Then our 3 man tent did not accomodate our now family of 5 very well. So Scott decided in the middle of the night to go and sleep in the truck. I am not sure which was worse. He was freezing and had several kinks in his body.

But after a refreshing morning run his spirits were much better and I think he admitted it was an ok time. The company was great. We went with the Butler family, the Meyer Family and Melanie Johnston and her foreign exchange student Sara!

Field Day!

Haley had her field day in May! They plan it when a regular 9 month school would get out, however because she is in year round school will not be out for her until July 17th. I was so glad that I got to go and watch her. She loves to have us come to her classroom and help out so it was extra fun for her to have us there on their big competition day.

Here she is running in the potato sack race. Their teacher Mrs. Winters was real competitive, they her class was on task and paying attetion all the time. They did not end up winning, but they did take 2nd place!
The highlight of the day for Scotty was this ladybug that landed on his arm. I think he showed everyone one of the kids in Haley's class.

Here is her class. Each class was a different planet. Haley's class were Mercury! Haley is in the front row on the far left!
Scotty thought he was so big sitting in line with his sister. He cannot wait to go to 1st grade!

This is Haley and her best friend in her class Skyler. They had a lot of fun together this year! Haley is so thoughtful. She made sure throughout the events that her sister and brother were getting gatorade breaks when her class did. It was in the high 90's or low 100's that day. The kids loved the water brigade game so they could cool off with the cold water on their heads! It was a fun day and I am glad I got to be there with her! I love you Haley.

Preschool Graduation

I know it is now September... and preschool graduation was clear back in May, but I am determined to update the family on our fun summer adventures... even if it takes me until Christmas!!!!
This was the second year that I did a co-op preschool with Scotty. Kim, the girlfriend who organizes it is fabulous. I cannot believe how much he learned and how much he loved it! The first year I felt overwhelmed every time it was my week to teach, but this year it was a breeze. I was way more confident and just had fun with the kids! I LOVE this picture of Scotty. It totally shows his personality. Miss Kim gave awards to all the kids at graduation and Scotty's was the "SNICKERS" award. Can you guess why? He was always making everyone laugh. This is no surprise to anyone that knows him!

Miss Kim put on a great program with 4 or 5 songs, each with costumes and actions! Scotty had a great time. He loves to sing and knew the words and actions to all the songs! One thing about him is he is not shy and is quite the performer!
In this song he was a villian and got to spray goo (silly string) at the audience. He was the envy of all the boys!
This pirate song was my personal favorite. Not to mention the cool homemade sword he got to keep. Miss Kim is truly amazing.
This song was dedicated to their dads. They sat on their laps and gave them a rice crispy treat kiss. The other thing that came out at the program was that Scotty was the ultimate instigator of the discussion, "My dad is better that your dad!" In his eyes his dad can do anything!!!

Here is is preschool class, with exception of Emmitt who got cut out of the picture. Ethan, Greyson, Scotty, Gage, and Madison (the only girl). We are proud of you Scotty!

Surprise Baby Shower Fiasco

I know I have not blogged in forever, and I will give you updates on our crazy summer soon.... I think.

But tonight was worth a post, kind of an embarrassing putting myself out there post. I am in the Young Women's Presidency and we had a great activity planned tonight. It was to learn self defense. Yes, I know that I am 9 months pregnant but I was excited to learn some new tricks and will try anything even with my huge belly.

I worked very hard today to have dinner ready before I left. I was making taco soup, which Scott does not particularly love, so I had a breast of chicken left over from the other night and I BBQ'd him up some fajitas. He said he would be home at five, and I was getting ancy when 5:45 rolled around and I had not seen him yet (this started my irritation). Well he did make it home, I was hoping to show him the car seat and stroller I wanted to get for his approval (yes I do not have a carseat yet and I am due in 2 weeks, BUT I have the most adorable crib bedding!!) but there was no time , I was hot from grilling in 100 degree weather and as I am getting my things to go Scott ask me, "are you going to wear that?" (this is where I get upset) I said, "yes why not" He says, "well it looks like you have been doing housework all day." I try to hold back the tears and say, " we are doing self defense I am supposed to wear something comfortable." Then he gets the glare and I walk away. I admit I looked in the mirror, went to my closet, then out of spite did not change my clothes. I was going to show him.

Well, I am of course fashionably late at this point, but not worried because this activity is combined and surely they are still doing opening exercises with the young men. When I walk through the door all the Young women are there with some of their moms and they yell surprise. The activity was not self defense, but a surprise baby shower for me! I was so shocked that I had to walk back out side because I started to cry. I instantly realized my husband was trying to help me without ruining the surprise and I was so rude to him. Now I have embarrased myself not only for my very very casual dress but I was crying.

The leaders got a kick out of it, who knows what the girls thought. Oh well. It was a fabulous evening and I had a great time. Thank you beautiful Young Women and leaders for all of your gifts and the continual love and support you show me every day! You guys are the best!

I learned something tonight. That my husband does always have my best interest in mind and I should not be so quick to get defensive. He loves me and would never intentionally hurt me. Next time I will listen to what he is really saying and humble myself and follow his advice. I love you Scott. Thanks for forgiving me so often!



Hopefully I will get pictures soon and I will post them!