Fourth of July

We didn't really do anything this year for the 4th of July. I didn't want to take the baby out in the heat or the crowds. On Sunday (the 4th) we went to my mom's to visit and the girls had fun watching jumping on the tramp and watching their dad shoot his potato gun.
When we got home Thad let them pop some of the fireworks he had gotten from Walmart.
Not too exciting but better than nothing :-)

My girlies in their 4 of July outfits

Keely in her cute little rufflebutts

Keely loves posing for the camera and then seeing her picture

The kids were quite entertained by the potato gun

Gina & Jackson cut the boys' hair for The Last Airbender

Keely and Grandpa Skousen

Grandma and Camden

Had to get a picture of his cute outfit :-)

My little firecrackers

Doing fireworks with Dad

Bundle of Joy

Camden John Mason was born on June 21st at 2:36 pm.
He weighed 8lbs 7oz and was 22" long.

I had been having contractions and was dilated to a 4 for over a month. I could have sworn on several occasions that I was going into labor and then all of a sudden the contractions would stop. I had both of my girls at 38 weeks so the Dr. was just "sure" I would have this baby by at least then if not earlier. Unfortunately the baby had other ideas :-) With my history of having large babies the Dr. had planned on inducing me at 39 weeks. I really wanted to be able to have this baby without being induced but it just wasn't meant to be.


When Thad and I went into the hospital the morning of the 21st I was only dilated to a 5. So after all the IV's, etc... I got to sit there for several hours while Thad made what seemed like a million trips to the cafeteria :-) At one point after checking me the nurse swore the baby had moved back up. I tell you, he just didn't want to come out yet. When the Dr. finally broke my water Thad said "Okay, how long will it be now". The Dr. said it would be several more hours so Thad decided he was done sitting around and was going to go back to work. Yes, my husband truly is a work-a-freak-a-holic. Thank goodness my Mother was there otherwise this story would have a very different ending :-)


About an hour later I knew the baby was coming. I called Thad and told him he'd better get his booty on back to the hospital. About 5 min. after Thad walked in the baby was born. I was sooo nervous about having a boy but now that he is here I am sooo in love. He is just the sweetest little thing and I can't get enough of him. I don't even mind the feedings every 2 hours because it's more snuggle time for me. Jacey and Keely just adore him and are always fighting over who gets to hold him first. I've had to take him to the Dr. at least 3 times in the past week and a half due to weight loss (he's been at 7.10 for a while now) but I think we are finally getting the hang of breast feeding so he should be plumping up any day now :-)

I am not a fan of pregnancy pictures but I thought I'd take one of my big belly at 39 weeks.

My first time having to have oxygen. Not fun.

One week old

Amazing talents

I am sooo not a crafty person. I can make cute hair bows and that's about it. My sister's on the other hand are just oozing with craftiness. My sister Delaina has more talent in her little pinky than I could ever hope to have. She is the one that makes homemade gifts for every occasion and they always turn out sooo cute. I had her make me an apron and chef's hat set for Jacey's birthday (her first attempt with the applique) and it turned out soooo stinking cute.

She called me last month and wanted to know what I wanted for a baby gift.
The first thing that came to mind was "I need a new car seat cover for the baby".
She had never made one or attempted to make one before and was a bit leery but I had every confidence in her abilities. I got it today and of course it turned out so cute. You'd never be able to tell that it was her first time making one.

Thanks Delaina for all of your amazing talents and for being so willing to try any new thing I ask of you :-)

Jacey in her chef's outfit

My car seat before the makeover

Car seat after the makeover

Sea Life

Last weekend we decided to take the girls to Sea Life at the AZ Mills Mall.
They were fascinated by all the "fishies" but my opinion is that it is a big fast waste of money.
$18.50 for adults and $10.50 for kids (3+) was way too much to look at some fish tanks. Oh well. At least the girls enjoyed it :-)

Mara was the only one brave enough to touch the star fish

Jacey and Keely enjoyed sticking their heads in the "bubbles"

Searching for fossils. Jacey enjoyed this activity more than looking at the fish.

I was disappointed by the size of the sharks there :-(

What you can't see is Thad underneath holding her up :-)

Pre school graduation

Summer Fun

The girls started swim lessons in April this year. It was a bit chilly but they loved it anyway.
The 1st day Jacey acted like she had forgotten everything she'd ever learned and cried almost the whole lesson. I was so worried about what the rest of the lessons would be like. Luckily it all came back to her and by her 2nd and 3rd lessons she was back to the little fishy I know and love.

Keely didn't actually start her lessons until this past week but she's been swimming in our pool at home. I didn't think a child could love the water more than Jacey but boy was I wrong. Keely LOVES to go swimming and unfortunately she has absolutely no fear. Her favorite thing to do is go under the water. I have to watch her like a hawk. She will be standing on the steps one second and the next dive into the pool and attempt to swim. I say attempt because she obviously has no idea how to swim. She scares me to death. I'm really hoping that between swim lessons and working with her at home she'll learn how to at least float on her back.

(Jacey loves the diving board)

(Doing the breast stroke)

(Doing pull ups-Sarah really gives them a work out)

(Doing the back stroke)

(Sarah attempting to get Keely to flip over onto her back)

(Keely's favorite thing to do-Jumping to someone)

(Swim little fishy, swim)

(Playing with Daddy in the pool)

(Keely also loves goggles, probably because she spends so much time under the water looking around)

Pre School graduation

Jacey had her preschool graduation at the end of May. She looked so dang cute in her little cap and gown. She was a bit confused as to what was happening and kept asking when she was going back to school.
She has loved going to school with Miss Kerry and has learned so much this past year. I can't wait to see what she learns when school starts back up in August :-)