October all-at-once

In no particular order...I figured I'd better do a post before we have a birthday and Halloween to post about as well.

Here is the cute little guy. He is always happy and talkative if he's held or played with...the rest of the time he's still a "big baby" but somehow we manage and we love him bunches anyway! He's getting his two bottom teeth right now (He'll be four months old on Saturday) - take an already fussy baby and give him pain = not much fun. At least he can hold toys and chew on things for some relief - and luckily he's not doing that to me!

We frosted sugar cookies and delivered them to a few people Monday night for FHE. Lots of fun!

A shot of Mark's water feature with the snow this morning! We just planted the tree too - a Serviceberry - will be pretty and practical (has fruit similar to a blueberry). We will have three of them.

We finally have grass in our backyard!! Mark has worked TIRELESSLY to get rid of TONS of ROCKS back there - Mark, Josh, and my Dad all worked quick to get the sod down Saturday morning just before the rain came - what a blessing! We are so excited! You can also see our Mimosa tree which will give us nice shade and is really beautiful with exotic pink blossoms. We also planted grapes and wysteria which will grow up on an arbor along the back fence which is yet to be completed.

Ammon. Full of love, energy, and fun. All boy - loves anything with wheels. Potty trained (woot woot!) A playful little brother and incredibly loving big brother. Smiles!

A few more cute shots...

One night, when Mark and I got home from a date, we found these treasures on our pillows :)

5 cute babes

Can you tell who's who?

Wow...two posts in one week!

This is a record for this year!

I actually found time to get back in the kitchen and make some bread this morning (between loads of laundry, dishes, a trip to Walgreens, and kindergarten drop-off/pick-up!). It was so wonderful to bake again! My heart was happy when I pulled these beautiful loaves out of the oven just in time for lunch. Every time I taste this bread I ask myself why I ever stop making it - absolutely nothing compares (even if I am tooting my own horn).

We had our second annual Horton family fall party Saturday. Although it was a toasty day, we had a lot of fun! The girls were also helping celebrate a cousin's birthday so had fun dressing up.
bouncing boys
Ammon, as usual, kept himself busy with a few trucks

Ella enjoying the bounce house

Mark enjoying the hammock. As long as he kept Bryce happy I didn't mind!

Blowing Big Bubbles

Cheese!

Ella and three of my great-nieces. yes, I am a great-Aunt. I don't feel old enough to be a great-aunt! My girls love to play with these girls ;)

Mark's innovative leveling tool: a big timber weighed down by some cute kids! Drag us around Daddy!

Everyone has worked hard to get rocks out of the back yard. Almost ready to lay sprinklers!

Happy September!

Lots of Updates

Wow! Who knew life with five kids would be so hard! I am amazed at how much things changed by adding #5. I have been busier and more tired than I ever thought possible. Tons has happened since my last post, but I will only touch on the highlights:

At the beginning of August Mark was gone for the good part of a week to scout camp and for the first time I was left on my own, days and nights, with five kids and an incredibly fussy newborn. The morning he left I was in tears. A few hours later these arrived. Need I say more?

Ella's first day of Kindergarten...she was so proud!
Walking to school with her new friend:

Showing off her "all about me" poster:

Bryce's blessing day: September 5. It was a beautiful blessing and focused a lot on what a great missionary he'll be. Grandpa Horton gave him his outfit. It was a nice day with good support from family & a nice dinner at our house after. Love his pouty face:

With Mom and Dad:

Can't get enough of these thumb-sucking pictures!

Mark used the bobcat to get all the [millions] of rocks out of our backyard. We are trying to get sod in [finally!] before the cold weather hits. The kids loved riding in it with Daddy:

Ammon is part tractor I think. He spent hours out there with Mark.

We had a fun trip to the cabin last weekend with our friends the Abeggs. The weather was so beautiful and a bonus of no bugs! I LOVE this picture of Mark and Bryce!

Three cute girls

Ella was so happy to have some time with her good friend Grace

I spent a good part of the time up there with Bryce like this. He slept great in the carrier:

Learning how to blow grass whistles:

Target practice with all the kids:

Cracking nuts for the "chippies"

Mark grew giant sunflowers this year - this shot is in August before the heads filled out. These were about 12 feet tall I think:

He entered his biggest head in the Utah State Fair and it took second place for size! Way to go Mark! We went up to the fair Monday, a fun family tradition, and were happy to see Daddy's ribbon! Too bad we didn't take a camera.

Today (Sept 17) - some more cute smiles:

Other than that I have been busy keeping up with three kids' homework, Holly's jazz class, Ella's "Broadway Bound" music dance theater class (with required at-home practice), canning peaches (although I swore I wouldn't can anything this year I couldn't turn down 2 bushels of free, beautiful peaches from my Dad!), potty training Ammon (incidentally he's doing quite well, but still - ugh!) and all the other general mommy/wife duties that run me ragged! I have been able to get "out" and play volleyball with the ward a few times & although it's not at the level I would prefer, it is fun and a much needed break. Now I'm just really glad it's fall - my favorite time of year!