Happy Halloween!

Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, so we didn't do the typical Trick or Treating through the neighborhood. However, the kids were lucky enough to participate in two Trunk or Treat Parties. One here in town and one with their cousins in Placerville. Unfortunately life isn't back to normal around here, if there is such a thing, so we didn't get around to carving pumpkins this year. Plus we were traveling so we also didn't get our Halloween themed meal. I guess there is always next year. Instead of trick or treating or passing out candy, we kept the house dark and enjoyed watching all the Halloween cartoon specials I had taped the week before. Everyone was worn out from our trip to Grandma's that we were all in bed and asleep by 9:30.

Picture highlights:

Jackson, our Scarecrow, at the Fernley 1st Ward Trunk or Treat...

Noah, our Tin Man, and Zoe, our Dorothy, at the Fernley 1st Ward Trunk or Treat...

Noah, Erik, Kysha, and Zoe...

The babies of the ward. From left to right: Jackson (9/10), Bridget Fetherston (4/10), Maggie Powelson (1/10), Kambrie (5/09), and Molly (7/10).

Zoe all tired out from the Ward Party...

Noah all dressed up for Placerville Ward's Monster Mash...

Zoe ready to go...

Dorothy and the Tin Man...

The Wizard of Oz...

Chelsea was kind enough to be our Wicked Witch of the West....

Our tale was rewritten to include a pretty vampire....

Zoe by our Cat Candy Bowl. I have been taking there pictures by this every year since Noah was a baby. A fun way to document the changes from year to year.

Jackson's first picture with our big black cat...Our Little Pumpkin.

Had to put his Scarecrow outfit on him one last time. Everyone told us he was their pick to win the costume contest, if there was one.

I had so much fun dressing the kids up this year. I am glad they are still young enough to humor me and dress up as a group theme. I'm already starting to plan, or at least think about, next year.

6 Weeks Old

My baby is already 6 weeks old. Just seems like we brought him home from the hospital yesterday.

Highlights from week 6:

Jackson celebrated his 1st Halloween and participated in two Trunk or Treats.

I got released by my Doctor. All looks good, no more restrictions. I still feel pretty worn out, we did some blood work to check my thyroid, iron, and glucose. Haven't heard anything, so I guess all is well.

While I was at the Doctor, Noah and Zoe spent the afternoon at Dad's office, or as Noah informed me Flo's office, participating in their Halloween party.

We took our first road trip with baby in tow. We all headed down to Placerville, California to visit Grandma Sandi, Papa Tim, Trenity, and Chelsea. Plus it was time to meet Auntie Tiffany and Granny Milkshake (aka: Great Grandma Thueson).

We took some over due family pictures at Coloma State Park. Next time we need to take another person with us, so Dad can get in a few pictures.

Apple Hill was fun. We picked up a few Apple Doughnuts, Apple Fritters, Mutsu Apples, and Asian Pears. We even saw Nurse Lisa there. She was the one who tracked my blood sugar during this pregnancy as well as measured Jack's growth and well being the last few weeks before delivery.

I had lunch with a few work buddies. My kids don't believe me, but I once had a job. It was nice to catch up on everyone's progress or life changes since Mountain Cellular sold in December of 2004. I think I am the one who has changed or experienced the most in the past 6 years.

Some pictures from week 6:

Jackson in his Halloween shirt....

Baby Jack and Baby Molly at the Fernley 1st Ward Trunk or Treat. Molly belongs to the 1st counselor in the Bishopric, she was born at the beginning of July.
Sleeping...
Sleeping through the festivities. All dressed up to go to Placerville Ward's Monster Mash.
Just chilling. Here he is half asleep. I love how his hands are always by his face.
With Granny Milkshake. Jackson is her 40th Great Grandchild. She turned 83 earlier this month and we wanted to make sure she got to see the newest addition.

Smiling

Jack has started smiling at you when you talk to him. Here is my first attempt at trying to capture it on film. Next time I know to grab the faster camera.

He is such a sweet boy.

5 Weeks Old

Another week has come and gone, Jackson is now 5 weeks old.

Highlights from week 5:

Zoe caught a stomach bug and woke up in the middle of the night puking. She woke us up the next night refusing to sleep in her bed.

After two nights of interrupted sleep by Zoe, it was Noah's turn to stay up most of the night puking. Resulting in his first missed day of school.

I attended a RS board meeting on Thursday, without any kids in tow.

I also was able to attend "Girls Night Out" on Friday. Dan was brave enough to keep all 3 kids and let me go to Reno with some friends. I was gone for several hours and everyone survived. The two older ones were asleep by the time I got home, Jack was dozing to, until he heard my voice. Then he decided it was time to eat. For those of you keeping track I have averaged an outing a week without kids in tow. A new thing for me, it never happened with the other two. They weren't as cooperative as Jackson is.

We discovered we can all fit in Dad's commuter car.

Jackson attended his first party and slept through the whole thing.

Pictures from week 5:

Jack is becoming more expressive and interactive everyday. Here it looks as if he has been caught doing something....
Cross eyed again...
Content...
Perplexed...
Very serious...
His half smile, more like a smirk...
Finding his voice. He often sequels and lets out these half laughs.
Looking very mischievous...
Big Brother and Little Brother in matching shirts. Noah always wants to match his little brother.
Jack the party animal...

Pump It Up!

The kids were invited to a birthday party at an indoor bounce house for Tyler and Ava. I was glad Dan was able to attend with us this year, as I still haven't fully recovered. I think Daddy had just as much fun playing as the kids did. The pizza, cake, and juice boxes were yummy too.

Zoe riding the plasma car...
Jack slept through the whole thing...
Noah running to the next activity...
Daddy finishing the obstacle course...
Daddy sliding...
Zoe sliding...
The three musketeers tackling the obstacle course together...
All the kids in attendance...
Waiting for the food...
Zoe the party animal...
Noah showing off his party hat...
Everyone sure got a good work out and slept well that night. Zoe thinks she needs to have her birthday party here next. We shall see, it sure is a cool set up.

4 Weeks Old

Jackson is already 4 weeks old, or do I dare say 1 month old. Where has the time gone? It seems like we were just coming home from the hospital yesterday.

Highlights from week 4:

Daddy left for 3 days to attend motorcycle training in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mommy got food poisoning, setting her recovery back.

Grandma Sandi came for a few days to help us all out.

Jackson had another doctor's appointment. He spiked a slight fever (100.7) and his nose was too stuffy, causing him to be unable to eat, so I decided it would be best to have him checked out. Dr. Smith said his lungs were clear and his nasal passages were open. He also confirmed that we were doing everything possible to give him relief. It looks like Jack is showing early signs of having allergies, even though they really can say that at his age, he has all the markers. We think the culprit might be the cat. It also doesn't help that we live in Nevada, where the air is really dry. On a positive he weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz. making him my fastest growing baby.

Noah had his first School pictures.

We met Grandma Mona and Papa Kyle for the first time.

Jack went to church for the first time. The Egberts weren't there so Sister Doutre helped us out. I had to take the two older ones to the bathroom and she asked to hold him. When we came out of the bathroom Noah and Zoe were very concerned - they didn't know what happened to their baby. When I finally pointed out where he was, they were very afraid that she might keep him forever. He was a really good baby and waited to eat until during during the second hour and then he attended Priesthood with Daddy during the third hour.

Here are a few pictures from week 4:

The three kids snuggling on the couch... A close up of Jack.
One month old, the many faces of Jack....
Of course the other two couldn't pass up an opportunity to get their picture taken with their baby brother....
He likes his tummy as long as his older brother and sister leave him alone....
Hanging out in his diaper...
I think he is going to be an earlier roller. From birth he has had super strength when it comes to moving his head around or lifting his upper body. In this particular picture he was able to get his lower half off the ground. I know it is just a matter of time until he starts flipping himself over.
If there is such a thing as being loved to much - he just might be. It's hard to keep his brother and sister away. They love to hug and kiss him constantly. They are also getting a little too brave and try to lift him and move him around. There is no more leaving him unattended when they around.