We had a nice Independence Day. Corey was off work all day, and he didn't even close the night before. I let him sleep in a little bit (7:30 is sleeping in, I swear!), and then he got up to help with some work. We went swimming at about 9 am for about an hour, while Eliza slept. After swimming, we ran some errands and had lunch at In-N-Out. Then we came back, put kids down for naps, and everyone kind of rested. We went swimming again in the late afternoon, with Eliza this time, right around 4 pm. Then at about 5, we started making the preparations for the barbecue we were having. The kids played out on the back patio on their bikes. They were all still in their swimsuits. Then Toby and Jenny came at about 6 pm, and we all ate. After a delicious dinner of steak fajitas for the adults, hot dogs for the kids, fruit salad, potato salad, and pasta salad, we had root beer floats for dessert. Then we put Travis down to bed (Eliza went down before Toby and Jenny came over). Then all of us (except my parents) went swimming until there was lightning and we had to get out of the pool. Then we went in search of fireworks, but the two churches near my parents house that usually have them didn't this year, so we didn't get to see fireworks. But one of the churches postponed them until Labor Day, so we will go see them then.
Hope everyone else had a happy, safe holiday! We sure enjoyed ours--it's very rare for Corey to have the whole of the 4th off! Hopefully I'll remember to take some pictures in the near future--I keep forgetting to use the digital camera at all!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Busy Day
Today was a much more busy day than usual. For an anniversary gift for my husband's brother and wife, we have been baby-sitting their kids since last night through tomorrow afternoon. Today, Corey had school, so he was gone by 6:45 am. Then I got breakfast on for all six kids (Eliza doesn't count yet--she just sat in her swing and babbled). We had scrambled eggs, toast and juice.
After breakfast, everybody wanted to go outside. It was already pushing 90 (7:30 am), so we went outside and rode the scooter and bikes around the back patio. Caitlin tried my roller blades, and Toby tried the skates that were out there. Then we took it out front and shot some baskets, but everyone ended up fighting over the two basketballs we had, so we went back in the house. Plus it was getting warm.
At that time, I put Eliza down for a nap, so the other kids had to be quiet. We played Disney Scene It for a while and with puzzles in an effort to keep things quiet. Finally Corey came home, thank goodness, because I was about to lose it, and we put lunch in the oven (freezer chicken nuggets--Banquet Ocean Animals, pretty tasty for freezer nuggets). We did the whole bag and had just enough for everyone.
After lunch, the four younger ones went down for naps (Caleb, Wyatt, Travis and Eliza). Then the older ones (Caitlin, Toby, and Westley) went swimming with us. Caitlin also made brownies. When we came in from swimming, Travis and Eliza were both already awake. Caleb woke up shortly thereafter. Corey worked on stuff for school while I got the kids dressed and fed a snack.
Then, when Wyatt finally woke up, around 2 pm, we gathered up the group and went over (in two cars, might I add) to the City of Mesa Museum of Natural History. It was fun to see all the great exhibits, plus the kids got to pan for gold. It was also fun to see if Corey and I could handle seven kids at a public place like that. Things went well. We had Travis and Eliza in the double stroller and Wyatt in an umbrella stroller. The older four walked and most of them did pretty well. We enjoyed it, plus, it was a cooler way to pass the time than sitting around in a warm house trying to keep the kids from fighting.
We got back and made snow cones to cool off from the jaunt from the museum to the cars, then from the cars to the house. Then we started dinner, and popped in a movie for the kids. After dinner, we did baths, bedtime stories, and right now, 6 out of the 7 are in bed for the night with only Wyatt remaining, whose bedtime is WAY later than everyone else's (my kids between 6 and 7, Caitlin and Toby at 7/7:30 and Wyatt between 8 and 9!). Hopefully he'll fall asleep soon (sooner than last night--it took us until 10:15 to get him down!) and we can finish folding laundry (yes, I even did laundry between all this) and get to bed!
What a day! I'm glad tomorrow is only a half day and I'm glad I only have four kids and not seven!
After breakfast, everybody wanted to go outside. It was already pushing 90 (7:30 am), so we went outside and rode the scooter and bikes around the back patio. Caitlin tried my roller blades, and Toby tried the skates that were out there. Then we took it out front and shot some baskets, but everyone ended up fighting over the two basketballs we had, so we went back in the house. Plus it was getting warm.
At that time, I put Eliza down for a nap, so the other kids had to be quiet. We played Disney Scene It for a while and with puzzles in an effort to keep things quiet. Finally Corey came home, thank goodness, because I was about to lose it, and we put lunch in the oven (freezer chicken nuggets--Banquet Ocean Animals, pretty tasty for freezer nuggets). We did the whole bag and had just enough for everyone.
After lunch, the four younger ones went down for naps (Caleb, Wyatt, Travis and Eliza). Then the older ones (Caitlin, Toby, and Westley) went swimming with us. Caitlin also made brownies. When we came in from swimming, Travis and Eliza were both already awake. Caleb woke up shortly thereafter. Corey worked on stuff for school while I got the kids dressed and fed a snack.
Then, when Wyatt finally woke up, around 2 pm, we gathered up the group and went over (in two cars, might I add) to the City of Mesa Museum of Natural History. It was fun to see all the great exhibits, plus the kids got to pan for gold. It was also fun to see if Corey and I could handle seven kids at a public place like that. Things went well. We had Travis and Eliza in the double stroller and Wyatt in an umbrella stroller. The older four walked and most of them did pretty well. We enjoyed it, plus, it was a cooler way to pass the time than sitting around in a warm house trying to keep the kids from fighting.
We got back and made snow cones to cool off from the jaunt from the museum to the cars, then from the cars to the house. Then we started dinner, and popped in a movie for the kids. After dinner, we did baths, bedtime stories, and right now, 6 out of the 7 are in bed for the night with only Wyatt remaining, whose bedtime is WAY later than everyone else's (my kids between 6 and 7, Caitlin and Toby at 7/7:30 and Wyatt between 8 and 9!). Hopefully he'll fall asleep soon (sooner than last night--it took us until 10:15 to get him down!) and we can finish folding laundry (yes, I even did laundry between all this) and get to bed!
What a day! I'm glad tomorrow is only a half day and I'm glad I only have four kids and not seven!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
7 Years Ago...
...on June 21, 2001, we went into the Los Angeles Temple as two individuals from two different families and came out united as one family.
Let's recap the last seven years:
June 2002 (1 Year): We spend our anniversary looking for apartments in Idaho Falls and the surrounding area because we are moving in 1 week. We spent the first year in Lancaster, CA in a two-bedroom apartment. Corey finished his 2nd year of junior college at Antelope Valley College, playing football during the fall and working at In-N-Out during the spring. Jenna finished her second year of teaching second grade in Lake Los Angeles. Neither of us have found jobs yet in Idaho, but are moving anyway because we feel that's where we need to go. Picture: At the In-N-Out Picnic in June 2002.
June 2003 (2 Years): We are in Idaho Falls, Idaho, getting ready to move back to California. We've just had Westley, he is about 6-1/2 weeks old, born 5 weeks early. Jenna has spent the last year in Idaho teaching a bilingual kindergarten while Corey has worked two jobs: in the warehouse at Sears and as a teacher's aide in the second grade at the same school where Jenna taught. We had moved to Idaho so Corey could finish his degree at BYU-Idaho, but found that it wasn't going to work out for us. We were moving back to California where Corey could have a guaranteed job that would give benefits and possibly go back to a state school there. Picture: First Christmas (2003) with Westley.
June 2004 (3 Years): We have just moved from Palmdale, CA, where we lived the last year, to Prescott, AZ. We have one child, age 1 and 1 month, and are expecting #2. Corey has just become a 4th manager and is going to be opening the new store in Prescott as a 4th. We spent the last year in Palmdale living in a townhouse we rented with Corey's mom. Corey worked for In-N-Out and Jenna subbed for the Wilsona School District until becoming too sick in the pregnancy to work anymore. Picture: Christmas 2004 with Westley and Caleb in Prescott
June 2005 (4 Years): We have two children, ages 2 years 1 month and 8 months. We are living in Prescott in an apartment. Corey is working as a 3rd manager at the Prescott In-N-Out, having just been promoted from a 4th. Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At Aaron and Kaori's wedding in July 2005
June 2006 (5 Years): We have two children, ranging in age from 3 years 1 month to 1 year 8 months. We are expecting a third child. We are living in Queen Creek in our own house, and Corey is working in Tempe as a 3rd manager for In-N-Out. Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At the Fellows Family Reunion July 2006 with Grandpa Fellows
June 2007 (6 Years): We have three children, ranging in age from 4 years 1 month to 9 months, with one on the way. We are living in Queen Creek in our own house. Corey is working as 3rd manager for In-N-Out, and Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At the In-N-Out Picnic in June 2007
June 2008 (7 Years): Corey finishes his second semester of his 3rd year of college while working as a 3rd manager at In-N-Out, while Jenna stays home with the kids. We are living with Jenna's parents to be closer to his work and school so we can actually see each other during the week and to hopefully save some money and get rid of our debt. We have four children, ranging in age from 5 years 1 month to 6 months. Picture: At Adam and Eve's wedding in May 2008
So that about sums up the last seven years. We've been places, mostly between Utah, Arizona, and California, greatly increased the size of our family, and tried to keep afloat. We've found that life is hard but that we can make it by working together and building a strong family. We are grateful for where we are now and looking forward to how things will be in the future.
Happy Seven Years!
Let's recap the last seven years:June 2002 (1 Year): We spend our anniversary looking for apartments in Idaho Falls and the surrounding area because we are moving in 1 week. We spent the first year in Lancaster, CA in a two-bedroom apartment. Corey finished his 2nd year of junior college at Antelope Valley College, playing football during the fall and working at In-N-Out during the spring. Jenna finished her second year of teaching second grade in Lake Los Angeles. Neither of us have found jobs yet in Idaho, but are moving anyway because we feel that's where we need to go. Picture: At the In-N-Out Picnic in June 2002.
June 2003 (2 Years): We are in Idaho Falls, Idaho, getting ready to move back to California. We've just had Westley, he is about 6-1/2 weeks old, born 5 weeks early. Jenna has spent the last year in Idaho teaching a bilingual kindergarten while Corey has worked two jobs: in the warehouse at Sears and as a teacher's aide in the second grade at the same school where Jenna taught. We had moved to Idaho so Corey could finish his degree at BYU-Idaho, but found that it wasn't going to work out for us. We were moving back to California where Corey could have a guaranteed job that would give benefits and possibly go back to a state school there. Picture: First Christmas (2003) with Westley.
June 2004 (3 Years): We have just moved from Palmdale, CA, where we lived the last year, to Prescott, AZ. We have one child, age 1 and 1 month, and are expecting #2. Corey has just become a 4th manager and is going to be opening the new store in Prescott as a 4th. We spent the last year in Palmdale living in a townhouse we rented with Corey's mom. Corey worked for In-N-Out and Jenna subbed for the Wilsona School District until becoming too sick in the pregnancy to work anymore. Picture: Christmas 2004 with Westley and Caleb in Prescott
June 2005 (4 Years): We have two children, ages 2 years 1 month and 8 months. We are living in Prescott in an apartment. Corey is working as a 3rd manager at the Prescott In-N-Out, having just been promoted from a 4th. Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At Aaron and Kaori's wedding in July 2005
June 2006 (5 Years): We have two children, ranging in age from 3 years 1 month to 1 year 8 months. We are expecting a third child. We are living in Queen Creek in our own house, and Corey is working in Tempe as a 3rd manager for In-N-Out. Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At the Fellows Family Reunion July 2006 with Grandpa Fellows
June 2007 (6 Years): We have three children, ranging in age from 4 years 1 month to 9 months, with one on the way. We are living in Queen Creek in our own house. Corey is working as 3rd manager for In-N-Out, and Jenna stays home with the kids. Picture: At the In-N-Out Picnic in June 2007
June 2008 (7 Years): Corey finishes his second semester of his 3rd year of college while working as a 3rd manager at In-N-Out, while Jenna stays home with the kids. We are living with Jenna's parents to be closer to his work and school so we can actually see each other during the week and to hopefully save some money and get rid of our debt. We have four children, ranging in age from 5 years 1 month to 6 months. Picture: At Adam and Eve's wedding in May 2008
So that about sums up the last seven years. We've been places, mostly between Utah, Arizona, and California, greatly increased the size of our family, and tried to keep afloat. We've found that life is hard but that we can make it by working together and building a strong family. We are grateful for where we are now and looking forward to how things will be in the future.
Happy Seven Years!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!
Corey got a game for his Thanks, Corey for being such a great dad to our little brood! These past few months, we've sort of unofficially instigated "Special Days with Daddy" when each child gets to spend the day with Dad doing whatever. It's totally random and we try to make sure each boy gets one day (at least a few hours, anyway) to spend with Dad. Eliza will get her "daddy-daughter" days with him too.
Corey has done so much for our family, with going to school and working full-time, he's got a lot on his plate. But he still makes time for us, swimming with us, like on Saturday, taking the boys to see "Speed Racer" a few weeks ago, and just hanging out with us. We love it whenever Daddy is home and has time to spend with us! Thanks, again, honey!
In-N-Out Picnic
This is Daddy and the boys hanging out in the eating area at the In-N-Out picnic. When we were leaving, we saw the big truck and trailer parked outside, so we wanted to get a picture of the boys in front of it (well, I did, anyway!). When we got to the picnic, we went straight to the eating area. It was about 12:30, lunchtime, so we got in line for burgers and then Corey waited while me and the boys found a seat. Caleb and Westley played a candy-pickup game while we were waiting, except they were late in starting, so they only got one piece of candy apiece. The other kids all had brown sacks, but we didn't get them because I didn't notice the game going on until right before the guy said, "go!", so we jumped in and they each grabbed one piece. After we ate (after they finally made me my "double-single" with ketchup and mustard instead, no onions--it took three attempts to get it right!), Corey participated in the associate relays. His store came in second. We watched bits and pieces while we were waiting for him to be done. The rest of the relays, I went to the wave pool with the boys to cool off (It was like 107 degrees outside!).After Daddy was finally done with the relays, we all went over to the park and went down some of the slides--Daddy with Caleb, me with Westley, and then we switched. We took them over the kiddie part of the park, where the slides are smaller and the water is shallow. They LOVED those slides and went down them over and over. Westley was able to go down those slides completely by himself (thanks to all his swimming lessons!). We went back for the raffle and some ice cream, didn't win anything, and then went back into the wave pool for a little longer. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait for next year. We will probably leave little Eliza behind next year and bring Travis. It was a LOT more fun with two older kids than with such young babies that you can't do anything. By next summer, Westley will probably really be swimming (he's just about there--he can go off the diving board at Grandma and Grandpa's house and swim to the side by himself-no floats or anything), and Caleb will be swimming better, so it will be easier. But it was a lot of fun! And the weather was perfect for a day at the water park!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Swimming with the Bowens
On Saturday, May 31, Corey had the day off from work (a rarity--a Saturday off!), so we had our friends, the Bowens, over to swim and barbecue. Lindsey was a roommate of mine at BYU, and they live in Mesa. Their boys, Jeremy and Tyler are very close in age to Westley and Caleb (they even take swimming lessons together). They have a daughter Megan who is only a couple months younger than Travis. Anyway, we had them over in the afternoon. After swimming and practicing their skills, we had the barbecue. Westley has started going off the diving board with only the pool noodle and Tyler went off the board also. I can't remember if Jeremy went off the board at all, but Caleb wouldn't attempt it. Westley was sure getting brave, and he gets even braver every time we go out there. Actually, it's a bit unnerving because he's really not skilled enough to swim without an adult right there with him, but he thinks he is. So it's kind of a dangerous time for him, and I have to watch him really close. But he's doing better and better all the time! After swimming, while Corey was cooking up at the grill, the kids ran around the patio, playing, riding bikes, and climbing on the "tower". Corey cooked up some delicious hamburgers for the adults and hot dogs for the kids. Barbecue always tastes so good after swimming! It was a relaxing, fun time. We even had popsicles for dessert, but I only managed to get a good picture of Travis for that. Eliza slept in her swing most of the time that we were swimming. She woke up for the barbecue, but was content to sit in her Bumbo for most of it. It was a great day. Hopefully we can do it again later this summer when they come back from visiting family.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Daddy Worker Guys
Here are Westley, Caleb, and Travis being "Daddy Worker Guys". We went to the Arizona Mills Mall to look for shorts for me and stopped in to have lunch at Johnny Rockets. They gave the boys the same kind of hats. On our way home, we stopped at In-N-Out for shakes and the boys asked for hats again. When we got home, they changed into their In-N-Out shirts, red shorts, and put the hats on and the rest of the afternoon, they were "Daddy Worker Guys" (what Westley calls In-N-Out associates), making food (the plastic food Westley got for his birthday) and running a restaurant. They are so cute!
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