Chevon’s Blog

I wanted to update the blog with some of the fun stuff we have done this summer. On Memorial Day we went to Heber to see Thomas the Train. Miles was so excited to see him and Grandma stayed with Avery while I took Savanna and Miles on the 20 min train ride. It was really fun, it went very slow so the kids could put their heads out the windows. We didn’t see much scenery, just some fields and people’s backyards, but it was neat to ride the old train.

The next week we went to Lagoon. I didn’t bring my camera but we had a blast! Savanna is a very brave little one, having fun on some rides that I thought would freak her out! Miles had a good time too, Charles and Trish came along and took them on the Terror Ride for the first ride of the day. I thought Miles would get scared but Trish said he just jumped a bit at the loud noises and looked around with wide eyes.

We have also been swimming a few times this year. I was curious to see how Miles would do in the water, last year was just learning to walk so he mostly just sat in the pool when we went. He is doing great! It took him a little while to get his feet wet (pun) but now he can keep up with Savanna and they both have so much fun together.

James came home from work one day and needed to change some sprinkler heads and in the process of doing so made some mud, which he decided to splat on Miles. They had a great time with their mud fight. Savanna stayed pretty clean but Miles was caked!

On the 4th, or I mean 3rd of July, we got up early to go do our traditional Independence Day morning of  watching the balloon launch and having breakfast at the park. We were let down though because a cold front came through and it was too cold and windy to launch the balloons! We had breakfast at the park, then spent the rest of the day at home (James put in a new swamp cooler!) before going to the Bayless’ for a bbq and fireworks. I made a festive cake and it was good!

For the last couple of years James has done a backyard camp out with the kids, I have always been either pregnant or had a new baby so I have slept inside, but the kids love it! The first thing Savanna said when she woke up that morning was “Mom today is the camp out!” Then she went in the backyard and set up chairs around the fire place! When James got home from work we had dinner and then when James went to set up the tent we noticed mold growing all over it from a paper plate of smores left in it from last year! So James ran and bought a new tent, set it up and then built the fire and we had smores. James said it took them awhile to settle down to sleep. Miles just thought it was a game, he would lay down for a minute then get up and say “Morning!” It took some time for him to realize that he was actually going to sleep out there, but he finally did and they all spent the whole night in the tent.

We have had a busy, fun summer so far.

We went to the zoo for my birthday this month. It was really nice to have a fun family day. The weather was perfect and the kids were pretty well behaved. They all enjoyed seeing the animals but I think their favorite part was riding the carousel and playing at the playground! It was also the orangutans birthday and we got to help decorate the boxes her presents were in. It was a pretty fun day!

James gave our new daughter a blessing this past Sunday. It was wonderful to hear what he said to her, I can’t believe he has done that three times! Our family is growing and everything is so crazy, but wonderful. Whenever I get stressed out or overwhelmed with raising three little ones, I just remind myself that I have exactly what I always wanted, a house full of kids! I love my kids and my awesome husband, I am so lucky!

It’s been awhile since I have posted anything, so here is a little update. Avery is two months old now and is growing fast. She weighs 11 lbs 6 oz now! I had to dig out all of the 3-6 month size clothes of Savanna’s so Avery would have something to wear. I think she is starting to grow out to the colic a little bit, there are more times during the day that she is happy instead of just screaming. She still has a hard time at night, but that is getting better too. She has been smiling a little and definitely getting cuter! When I found out I was pregnant I was terrified, I couldn’t fathom taking care of three kids ages 4 and under. I didn’t think I would ever be able to go anywhere ever again. I have to say, I have surprised myself. It is harder, but we adapt and move on, groceries still have to be bought, doctors appointments have to happen and we still need to have fun, so we figure it out! Savanna has been a good helper and watches out for her brother and sister.  Savanna will be starting pre-school in the fall and I can’t wait. I think it will be so good for her, she needs to be around kids her age and have something to do other than hang around our crazy house! Miles is growing up too, he is such a chatter box! He talks so much and is picking up new words everyday. The other day James had the camera out taking pictures. Miles was reaching for the camera then he blurted out, “Hey! I wanna see the say cheese!”  It was pretty cool.  James has been doing well with the business and a couple of great opportunities just came along so we are happy with that. I am training for the Provo City 5K which will be on May 1st. It’s the same 5K I ran with my sister-in-law Trish last year and we are doing it together again. I really enjoy running and it is great with helping to lose the baby weight! All in all we are happy, life is busy and I never imagined I would have 3 kids in four years, but that’s where we are and I like it!

Our new little girl was born on Friday Feb. 19th at 1:01pm. She was 7 lbs 11 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. The labor was pretty fast and easy. Thank you so much to all the family and friends who helped us out taking care of the other kids and bringing food and supplies. With three kids to take care of now, this is as much as I can write!

I can’t believe my baby is 4! We had a small birthday party with family. Savanna had been talking about a pinata for months so we did that, had cake and ice cream and let her be the center of attention, which is actually not out of the ordinary for her! Four years ago my life changed in a way that only having a baby can do. She is my joy and I love her so much.

This year my goal was to have a stress free holiday season, and I am happy to say, we made it work! We set a very small budget for James and I and the kids, and instead of buying gifts for every family member and friend we know, our family decided to do service. We made meals for The Food and Care Coalition, tied a quilt for the Womens Crisis Center and adopted an angel from the Angel Tree.  We stayed close to home and even had tater tot casserole for Christmas dinner, making everything as simple as possible. After doing this I will never do Christmas another way again. It was so peaceful and calm and James and I got to enjoy being with each other and the kids, it was wonderful. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our savior, nothing more, nothing less, this is how I want it to always be.

For Thanksgiving I made a greenbean casserole to bring to my in-laws for dinner. I had been talking about it during the week, telling Savanna I was going to make it and that we needed to go to the store to get the ingredients, etc.  On the morning of Thanksgiving, James was talking to Savanna and reminded her what day it was and that we were going to Nana’s to eat. Savanna told James that she was going to help mom make greenbean castles. It was a priceless moment so I made sure to take pictures of her helping me and tell the story to always remember it!

Halloween is getting more and more fun each year! With the kids getting older it is so fun to experience the holiday through their eyes. This year I had planned to have both the kids dress up as crayons, but Savanna decided she wanted to be a fairy and the duck costume I bought a few years ago fit Miles pretty well so it all worked out. We went to the ward trunk or treat then headed out around the neighborhood as well. Miles was thrilled when he discovered what trick or treating was. Everytime someone put candy in his bag he said “oh!” and gave them a huge smile. Savanna had so much fun and would have probably gone all night if we let her. When we got home Savanna dumped out her candy and was admiring it. James said he couldn’t believe that he had a kid old enough to do that and it brought back a lot of memories. All night I kept thinking about the fact that next year we will have three kids to take out!

James has a blog for his business. Please go to etherealfurnishings.blogspot.com to check it out. We are continually working to spread the word about the business so if you wouldn’t mind becoming a follower of his blog so other people who read your blog can find it easily, that would be so helpful! We appreciate all the help and support we have received so far, thanks again!