Camping at Indian Lake

Last Friday night Jared took the three oldest kids camping.

We went down to Indian Lake (about 50 minutes south by Ocala) to camp for the stake Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration campout, which was opened up to families and not just fathers and sons. We got there, set up our tent, sprayed on bug spray, and explored. It was a lovely setting. Primitive (the stake rented portapotties) but a nice setting near a lake (with only one small alligator that we could see). That evening we had root beer floats (too warm to roast marshmallows) and a short priesthood restoration reenactment.

It took a while for the kids to fall asleep. I managed to have a branch under my back so I didn't sleep terribly well. I had cell coverage out there so it was nice to be able to communicate with Kristi who stayed home with Adam.

In the morning we got up, packed away the tent, and then went to help with breakfast. It was mostly being taken care of but I did what I could and the kids caught crickets, grasshoppers, and frogs. After breakfast we had a bit of time and then we walked to a nearby old cemetery (burials from the 1800s or very early 1900s) to help clean it up. The stake also helped put up a memorial sign (we were on national forest land). Then we walked back to the campsite and left for home. We didn't get too many bug bites, although Lily ended up with quite a few.

It was our first time camping in Florida in a long time (too many bugs) and we all had fun. I don't think I'd want to do it with a little baby though. Kristi and Adam were well at home.

Adam at one month

New baby Adam has brought such a sweet spirit to our home. We all love to hold and snuggle with this sweet baby.

Stats at 2 weeks: 10 lb 12.8 oz (95%) and 26.64 inches (100%)

The first time we washed his hair we were excited to see how curly it is!

Pretty dark baby hair.

At the beach with the Wright Family

Wednesday, May 13th we had a fun outing to the beach! 

The Wrights, our best friend family from our North Carolina days came to Florida this week and were staying at a house in walking distance to the beach in Ormond Beach (near Flagler Beach). It was about a 2hr drive from Gainesville, so we took a day off school and work to spend time with them. We left after breakfast (Adam slept the whole way) and arrived about 10:30 a.m. 

Everyone played in the pool at the house for a while, then after lunch we walked across the highway to the beach. It was a nice private beach with lovely sand and big waves! We set up our new tent canopy (Jared found a great deal just over the weekend) and it was very large and provided great coverage so we were easily able to keep Adam out of the sun. Everyone had a great time playing in the waves (bigger than what we've normally had at Florida beaches), and Adam slept through most of it. 

We went back to the house for more pool time and a BBQ dinner, before driving home. It was really great to spend time with the Wrights, we really enjoy and get along well with their family. 

Zach running in the waves.

Lily and Ivy

The bigger kids take on the waves.

 Lila, Joel, and Anwyn constructing a fort.

Cece and Zach relaxing in the water.

Baby Adam napping in the shade at the beach (less than a month old).

Mother's Day Interview 2015

Another year, another Mother's Day, and another annual interview with the children! By now the children know me pretty well, and they are remembering their answers from years past. Next year we might have to shake things up a bit with new questions!

For reference, Zach is 5, Lily is 7, and Anwyn is 10. You can find interviews from other years starting here.

How old is your mom?
Zach: 35
Lily: 35
Anwyn: 35

How tall is your mom?
Zach: 10 inches
Lily: 5 feet 20 inches
Anwyn: 5 feet 4 inches
(I am actually 5 feet 6 inches)

What makes mom happy?
Zach: ?
Lily: When I hold Adam when you are doing stuff
Anwyn: a happy family

What is your mom really good at?
Zach: ?
Lily: Keeping Adam happy
Anwyn: ?

What is your mom’s favorite food?
Zach: carrot cake
Lily: tacos
Anwyn: Cheesecake

If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Zach: a star wars character
Lily: Kora (from Avatar)
Anwyn: ?

What do you and your mom do together?
Zach: Play games
Lily: Read stories
Anwyn: Snuggle

What is something that Mom always says to you?
Zach: Do the dishes
Lily: Be polite
Anwyn: I love you

My mom loves to relax by... going for a walk (Zach); taking a nap (Lily).

The best thing she cooks is... nutella sandwich (Zach); egg-in-a-hole(Lily); potato soup, meatballs (Anwyn).

When my mom shops she likes to buy... eggs (Zach); milk (Lily); you buy what we need (Anwyn).

My mom’s favorite household chore is... clean the bathrooms (Lily).

If she could go on a trip she would go to... Canada and Utah (Zach, Lily, and Anwyn).

We had a nice Mother's Day. Jared made biscuits and sausage and bacon for breakfast. I enjoyed all of the nice cards and pictures that the children drew. Jared gave me a fitness tracker--I wear it on my wrist and it will track my steps and daily mileage and do the date and time. It should be interesting--I am looking forward to getting back to running after a little more new-baby-rest-time.

In the afternoon we went to church, with new baby Adam. Jared played the organ in sacrament meeting, and I put Adam to sleep in the foyer. The men took over the running of Primary for the day, so I got to attend Sunday School and Relief Society, in between feeding Adam.

For dinner that night we had grape-jelly meatballs, rice, and salad. Jared made a yummy carrot cake for dessert.

I am thankful to be a mother to four awesome children (with a wonderful husband at my side). I am also extremely grateful for my own mother and mother-in-law--they are great women who I have learned a lot from!

A Blessing Day for Adam

We decided to bless Adam at church on May 3. He was only two weeks old, but we decided not to wait, since we were worried if we waited much longer his outfit might not fit!

Adam wore the same outfit that Zach was blessed in, and it is the same outfit that Jared was blessed in.

We are thankful for the blessing it is that Jared can bless our children, through the power of the Priesthood.

What a special day for our family! 

We are so thankful that Adam is a part of our family now!