Snow, Baseball, and Friends

March 16 was a day to remember.  Chase arrived home at 5:30 in the morning from a long work trip in California.  The boys were so excited that they woke up at 5:00 to make sure they were up to greet him at the door.  Actually they have been waking up that early all week but we will just let Chase think that it was for him.  I woke up with Caleb at 4:30 and then I figured I might as well make blueberry muffins for Chase because I was SO CRAZY EXCITED to have him home!!!  I cannot begin to express my feelings about taking care of 4 kids and a dog in the city for an entire week by myself.  I think the doormen even felt bad for me as they would watch me go in and out, in and out, and in and out of the building all day long for days.  Luckily they didn't see Gauge poop in the hall on day 3 with still 2 days to go.  Poor dog, and poor me.

But what really got to me was our experience in Harlem going to the boys first baseball practice this season.  I have been so excited for the boys to start baseball this year because they will be on the same team.  It is for 5-6 year olds and since Jackson turns 5 before the end of April he gets to play this year!  Their first practice was Wednesday night which is our busiest day with Chase's speech but we got everything ready and jumped on the subway to make it to the end of practice.  As we, meaning me and the 4 boys, were running up to the baseball fields with only a few blocks to go we noticed that the street was taped off with yellow tape saying caution crime.  There was a crowd of people and police officers on the other side of the street and I was not sure what to do or how to get past the few blocks of tape to get to the baseball field.  We sat there...and then I decided I guess we just go under it and run.  So we did and then the officer stopped me and asked what I was doing.  He was a little upset but then escorted me and the boys through the taped off area.  Then a man on the other side of the tape mentioned that I better not go through there and that my boys should not know what just happened and I got a little scared.  I have lived in New York for three years now and this is the first time that I actually felt scared.  I told the boys that from now on we will just have to miss baseball practice when Dad is out of town.  We stayed for about 15 minutes of practice before we left to make it home before dark.  It was one of those life experience that makes you think twice.  I thought where am I and how did I get here?  It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in Brother Halverson seminary class at Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah and all of a sudden I opened my eyes and I was in the hood of Harlem with 4 boys trying to run through a taped off crime scene.  I tried to click my heels together like Dorathy in Wizard of OZ but it did not work.

But good news, we made it through the week!  When I picked little Chase up from school on Friday I was so excited because we had made it through the week and Dad was going to be home in the morning.  Apparently I was feeling it because this is what little Chase said to me on our walk home,
"Mom you are REALLY happy!"  I am happy it is a great day!  "Well cause Yesterday you were cranky but today you are really really happy!"  What can I say, I love Fridays and love Chase being home with the family!

Unfortunately Chase had taken a couple sleeping pills to sleep on the plane so he was feeling a little loopy when he arrived.  He got a quick nap while I headed out on my run.  It was so fabulous to get out  and run all by myself!!!

Then he took the boys out for the afternoon.  They went and played baseball in the snow with their two best friends Katelyn and Madison.  We are going to be so sad when these two girls move in May because my boys absolutely adore them.  They have so much fun together and their little personalities are identical to Chase and Jackson's.

Trying to have fun in the freezing cold!  Good thing Jayden and Caleb stayed behind!

Days without Dad

Life without Chase is no fun, no fun at all.  But, we have managed to survive and are so excited for him to come home!  This is for you to read while sitting in the airport waiting to board!!!  We can't wait to see you!  We love and miss you terribly!

Here is what you missed out on this week:

Taking the boys to school

a little 2 on 2

white vs dark:)

Jackson climbing on the rocks 

they can't seem to just walk home without climbing over every obstacle

Wednesday morning was a killer rain/wind storm.  There were broken umbrellas all over the place.  Luckily I managed to get ours back down before the wind took off with it.  It reminded me of that scene in Mary Poppins when all the Nannies are blown away in the wind.  Not a fun morning with all four of the boys, no umbrella, and no rain cover for the stroller.  But, they made it to school and we made it back home!

Celebrating Dads return with a morning run to the "Little Red Light House!"

Under the George Washington Bridge along the Hudson River

We counted lots of ducks and boats to keep Jayden entertained along the run.  I'm not use to having to carry on a conversation while running.    

And here is Caleb on the run, enjoying a little fresh air from down under.  He slept most of the way then opened his eyes at the end to see what was going on!  

It is now time to go pick up the boys and talk all about how Dad is flying home TONIGHT, not tomorrow or the next day but tonight!  Wahoo!  It has not even been a whole week but it feels like a lifetime!  

See You Soon!  

p.s.

Gauge is still here!

Can't get enough!

I just love this little guy!  I think I say this every time but he brings me so much JOY!  I am sitting here all by myself just beaming because he just makes me smile!  

I have a lot more pictures of him but for some reason they are not downloading so I will have to wait to put them up when Chase gets home from Florida.  In the mean time just enjoy those bright blue eyes and chubby cheeks!

Nana in New York

Suzanne came to spend time with the boys and to give me a break from all the everyday mom to-dos.  It was so nice to have help around the house, with the boys, and to have a little time to myself to think in peace!  Her plane got in Friday morning so the boys met her on the way to school as she got off the subway.

Riding on the Subway down to Time Square

The Ferris Wheel

Nana let them all pick a toy at Toys 'R Us.  Jackson knew what toy he wanted before he went into the store.  

I think he thinks he is Spiderman's soulmate.  In fact, I think he believes he is Peter Parker roaming the streets of New York.  You can imagine how much he loves this toy.

Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America...

After we went to Shake Shack! 

Still my favorite, will notify if that ever changes.  And It stars in the movie, Something Borrowed!

Caleb gets left out of a lot of pictures because he is either in the snuggly or on the lower level of the double stroller.  

Nana and the boys at Crumbs!  

Enjoying every bite and our last day with Suzanne!

Rainy Day

Suzanne left shortly after, Chase went back to work, and all of a sudden it was me and the boys again.   Whenever people come into town I get a glimpse into what life would be like if we lived near family.  

Wouldn't it be nice...

 I try not to think about it too much because my job as a Mom would be so much easier.  Instead I just try to enjoy the time that we do have and the experiences and memories that we are able to make.  

Blessing Day

Caleb was blessed today, Feb. 3, 2013.  It was a beautiful blessing and my sweet friend was so kind to write it down for me.  Caleb is a very special little boy.  I truly love him with everything in me and feel like he is such a blessing in our home.  It has been such a unifying experience as our whole family has had to work together to help take care of Caleb as well as sit back and let him bring smiles to all of our faces.

Caleb is now watching the Super Bowl game with his Dad.  For them they probably feel like it is a perfect day for a baby blessing.  I am sure in a few years I won't mind.  In the mean time I wish I would have made the day a little more special for Caleb.  Luckily this is the beginning of his life and there will be many more opportunities to make it all about him!  

A little trip goes a long ways

I told Chase this morning that our little trip to Boston was just what me and the boys needed!  Every so often I feel on city overload and it feels so great to get away for a few days.  

Our first stop was in Springfield, MA to watch Mac's basketball game!  We were so excited to get to watch him play.  The boys thought it was awesome and now think every white team on ESPN is Lone Peak.  

Jackson wanted to show McKay his little basketball really bad.  We forgot to show it to him after the game and he was pretty disappointed.   I told him I would send him a picture of it.  

Mac, this picture is for you!

Chase doing this little shooting contest.  

He won this headband and has been wearing it ever since.  Literally wears it everywhere and think he is awesome!

After the basketball game we drove the rest of the way to Boston to spend the next few days at the hotel.  Chase worked and we swam!  I was a little worried about being stuck at the hotel for two days but it was so much fun and the boys were great!  Our day went like this...

We ate breakfast, got our suits on, swam until it was time for lunch

 headed back to the room, ate some lunch, took a little nap, and headed back to the pool!

They loved it and swam their hearts out!  Little Caleb was a trooper and slept in the corner the whole time!  

So peaceful

Last night in the hotel and sad to go back 

Jackson was finally willing to smile with teeth!  

  He loves his half smile.

I must say that the trip was a dream until....it was time to come home.  Back to reality, and this picture right here is my reality!  Awesome!  We were late getting the rental car back so our plan was to have Chase drop me and the boys off in front of our building and I would slowly get all the bags up to our apartment.  We pulled up to our street and what do you know,  the road blocked off.  Great.  Chase hurried and ran the big bags up to our building and then it was me, the boys, and this rig.  I felt pretty awesome pushing this up the sidewalk, trying to squeeze in the door and onto the elevator as I was holding Caleb with one arm and pushing with the other, and giving a nice happy smile to all those that I passed along the way!

All this for a few days of fun.  Was it worth it???

YES!

Caleb is 1 month old

I have been waiting all week to write about the first month of Calebs little life!  He has already brought so much joy into our family!  It has been fun to see the boys love and take such good care of him.  Each of the boys are so proud of their baby brother and treat him like a little prince.  They are constantly aware of him and are always trying to help out.

From youngest to oldest:

Jayden loves being an older brother!

His time has finally arrived and so far so good!  He definitely went through a few weeks of throwing a few extra tantrums but is back to his normal self and luckily never expressed it towards Caleb.  He loves to help me give him a bath, get him dressed and everything else.  

My favorite thing is when Jayden gets his favorite dog "Pudgy" and lays it next to Caleb.  I think he assumes that Caleb loves his dog as much as he does.  In his mind he is so proud to be sharing his most prized possession with his favorite little brother!

  Jackson is always aware of Calebs needs; he worries when he cries, covers his feet if they are uncovered, and secretly goes in the room and turns the light on when he is taking his nap despite how many times I keep turning it off. He tells me he is worried that Caleb is afraid of the dark.  

Jackson gets so excited when Caleb is awake.  The second he opens his eyes He think he is ready to play.  Today he asked if Caleb could take a bath with him.  I am beginning to think that Caleb is looking more and more like Jackson, especially in the eyes.

Chase is very nurturing by nature and fits the oldest brother role perfectly.  If he could, he would take care of Caleb all day long.  He wants to hold, feed, carry, read him stories, and if he was a little older I would turn it all over to him and would know that he would do a great job!  It is fun to see how each of the boys with their very distinct and unique personalities each tend to Caleb in a different way.  

 Now a little bit about CALEB!

He is still such a sweet little baby.  He sleeps quite a bit but when he is awake he is super bright eyed and loves you to talk to him.  

He likes taking a bath but does not like when I put lotion on him.  

He is a trooper whenever I have to pick the boys up and rides in the snuggly like a champ- so far!  Every once in a while I will catch him smiling in his sleep! It makes me so excited to see him start showing expression and to find out more about what his personality will be like.  

The older boys are quite jealous of his new Jordans!  

A little big but I couldn't wait to try them on.  

I must say that life has changed quite a bit with the addition of our 4th child.  I use to think that we were stretched quite thin, now I know a little better.  I use to think that getting out with three kids was over the top, now it feel like a breeze.  It is funny how your perspective changes with change.  As with most change that occurs in life, there is opportunity for growth and I am grateful for that. My boys teach me lessons every day.  To sum it all up I will just say that it is through the beautiful experience of motherhood that I am learning to become more like my Savior.  

Caleb we love you so much and we are so blessed to have another sweet spirit in our home.  

We Love You!