last party in Utah

The Mother's Day and May Family Birthday Party was on Sunday, the day before we left Utah. There were cousins and uncles and aunts and a grandma and grandpa. It was so much fun for us to get to see (nearly) everyone before we left. I wish everyone could have made it, but it was Mother's Day after all and lots of people were celebrating in other ways too.  After church everyone came over for dinner. Grandma's house started looking like a flower shop with all the beautiful bouquets she got from her sons. I guess when you have six boys, you deserve them, right? :)

The kids ran around and played with their cousins. Wes grabbed my camera and got these shots, pretty good, huh? I think he should ask for a fancy camera for his birthday.

Here's a picture of some of the moms. We tried to get everyone, but some people had already left by the time I thought to get one.

Saying good bye to some close cousins. We sure do miss everyone, and it's only been a few days. :(

Kipp and Krystal and their kids stayed to take a bath and get their jammies on with our boys (Lulli was already sleeping).  They play this group hug game whenever they see each other. It's pretty funny to see because they always end up knocking each other over and giggling and doing it again...

Then of course, they had to make some funny faces for me. I can't pick a favorite. I love them all. What good friends these cousins became in such a short period of time. So sweet. I love these four together!

sweet kids

Mother's Day was simple and nice and filled with my three favorite little people.  Paul took the kids to a fancy chocolate shop on Saturday to pick out chocolates for me. They also each got to eat one of their own so the next day, they would remember that the three they were giving were for me... Nice sentiment anyway, because as soon as I was presented with these three lovely chocolates, the kids stretched out their open hands waiting for them back. :) Matix shared his last tiny bite with me, and Hawken did only because his was too big for him to finish, and I could have eaten a small bite of Lulli's, but it had a little too much spit on it for me. Sweet kids. The bits of chocolate I did eat were delicious.  It's really the thought that counts though, and I was happy that they got them for me.  At church, the kids made little Mother's Day flowers, with a cookie and marshmallow to top it. Very fancy, and again, they wanted to eat them right away. I was a mean mom and made them wait until we got home (a whole three minute wait), so I could take a picture.  Here they are.

They were much more excited about eating them, than posing for pictures. 

After the treats were gone, Hawken wanted more pictures taken. He has been really into posing lately. He loves the camera, and the camera loves him. My kids are so cute.

Taylee and Paislee's bday!

Taylee turned 5 and Paislee turned 2 and we were SO excited to go to the party. I wish that they lived a bit closer to Grandma and Grandpa Berg's house so we could have hung out more often.  The kids jumped on the trampoline and ate cupcakes and cake and ice cream until their bellies hurt.  Hawken and Lulli were too cold to play on the water slide much, but everyone else LOVED it.

We stayed after everyone else left and Paul and Kipp had fun with the helium balloons and an airsoft gun... Those two should be monitored when they get together. Really. Krystal popped some popcorn for the kids at 9pm because we were STILL hanging out. They had a blast and of course were SUPER upset with us when we told them we were going home and not having a sleepover party. Poor things.

out with the old

Our second to last day in Utah, we went up to Farmington for Paislee and Taylee's birthday party. Right before going over there, we stopped at Paul's cousin Alicia's house. The kids ran around with her boys and Paul and Brandon got to catch up while I got my hair cut. A lot! It was getting rediculous. Really. Before:

After, Alicia holding the mops!:

Yes please! I love it. Alicia did a great job and I have been loving feeling 2 inches taller and 10 pounds lighter without all that hair! :) I have been playing around with it and trying out how to style it the way I like it. Now I have to figure out what color I want next... Paul suggested orange??? What do you think?

last week

Our last week in Utah was bittersweet for the kids. We spent every moment doing something, visiting cousins, having picnics, going to parties, and lots of packing.  Although in these pictures, they were DELIGHTED to be sitting on Daddy's new scooter, they were a mess most of the rest of the time.

We kept them up way too late doing way too many things, and they let us know! I can't tell you how many tantrums were thrown and how many times I was told that the boys wanted to stay in Utah with Grandma and Grandpa Berg instead of going to Arizona/Texas.  All this change is hard on little ones and I feel bad doing it to them, yet again.  BUT, now that we are here in Arizona and slowly getting them back into a more regular routine they are doing a bit better. They are still naughtier than usual, which I don't love, but the days are few until we are in our own house in Houston. We really have been loving all the time we are getting with family, but it will be nice to get back to normalcy. You know?