Speaking of Teeth

Miss Kaycee finally lost her first top tooth.

And guess who is visiting the orthodontist on a regular basis . . .
Palette expander scheduled for next month.
Let the REAL FUN begin.

Mother of the Year!

I awarded myself Mother of the Year when we brought this beauty home for Clay.

A Gary Fisher bike found at Goodwill for $60!
(I actually forgot I had seen it until later that evening.
Thankfully, when I remembered, Ryan and I raced back to the store and it was still there!)

Ryan replaced one of the brake cables and an inner tube and Clay was good to go.
Well, after I first took if for a spin.
To be sure it was safe and to show him some tricks.
Okay, no tricks.

This came in well under Clay's budget so he got to pay for the
replacement parts, too, with still some change to spare.

A good day.

As Sweet As It Gets

I found this poem by Clay.
A treasure.

October 24, 2002 - Enter Clay

You know, it's a good thing I'm recording these birth stories now because I feel like my memory is going. I hope it comes back some day. But really, if you know my family history, it's not...

I remember coming back from the temple to my parents house to pick up Rylee and we told my mom #2 was on it's way. I had taken the Fall semester off after Rylee was born and so when Winter semester started I was ready to finish my last semester and graduate.

I had a feeling Clay just may be a boy as I didn't have the slightest morning sickness or nausea. Holy cow what a difference than with Rylee - and an incredible blessing so I could finish up and graduate. My stomach grew faster (not unusual the second time around) and I carried lower. We were thrilled to find out he was a boy, due October 30/31st.

On Ryan's birthday (a Tuesday, the 22nd), I had the nurse practitioner strip my membranes. That evening when we had family over to celebrate Ryan's birthday. My sisters asked how the procedure went and I said it was fine. I didn't hurt. They looked at me and informed me that if it didn't hurt (and I wasn't contracting), the NP hadn't done it right. They told me to go back to Dr. Baird and have him do it.

I called the next day and had Dr. Baird try. Yeah, it hurt. Nothing like a teeny tiny reminder of what's coming up. Ryan and I walked around to get the contractions going. We prepared Rylee to stay with my parents for the night.

One of the reasons we started seeing Dr. Baird was because my sister delivered with him and he was awesome. When Marcie was pregnant, she was having contractions, but when arrived at the hospital, they stopped. Dr. Baird admitted her, gave her the epidural and started the pitocin. He hung out with Marcie and Brackon the whole night. They had a great time. Sounds like a fun delivery to me.

So, around 10 I felt like my contractions were consistent and we went to the hospital. Why not go for a completely pain-free labor? Well, my doctor had me walk around because I wasn't dilating. AFter an hour, because of no change, I was sent home.

I talked to my mom and she told us to keep Rylee with her, just in case something happened. Discouraged and grumpy I cried getting into bed. It was just a matter of minutes, the contractions changed. The only word I've been able to describe this change was as bone-crushing. I thought my hips were caving in. Holy cow. I waited to see if more contractions were coming. They were coming alright and I told Ryan we had to go back. I walked back in the hospital and sure enough I was dilating. Because it was close to midnight now, the anesthesiologist had just gone home - to Alpine. They said he could be back in about an hour. No way. I needed him now. I wasn't going to have back labor again without anything! They gave me some drug (Staldin?) and although it offered some relief during the contractions I thought I was having an allergic reaction. The pattern on the wallpaper was swaying back and forth and I couldn't focus in on anything. I alerted Ryan and he informed me it wasn't a reaction, but the affects of the drugs. Yuck.

The man of the hour - the anesthesiologist, arrived. Glory be. I could sleep and got some rest. I don't remember when Dr. Baird came in (he did NOT stay and hang out with us..) and broke my water, but by 7:35 the pressure was incredible (I actually thought my epidural was wearing off, I was pushing that button like crazy!). I wondered if Clay was going to be born at the same time as his sister, 7:47.

He was ready to come and at 7:43 all 7 lbs 15 oz of Clay came out. He didn't look too big, but a full 2+ lbs bigger than Rylee. He was completely covered in white. They wiped him off and he was just as cute as could be. He nursed like a champ and gained weight like a pro. (By his 2 week appointment he was 9 lbs. and by 6 mos he was 19.5 lbs. He was our little brick - and my shoulders haven't been so defined since.)

He was such a mellow baby letting his sister continue getting all the attention she demanded. (But, what 16 month old doesn't.) They became the best of friends.

Clay, the past 9 years have seemed to fly by.
I remember holding you when you were just a few weeks old and sobbing that you'd have to leave on a mission.
In 19 years.
You're a great kid and well liked by so many.
You continue to make us laugh and at the same time want to pull our hair out, but here's no one like you.
We love you.
We are so happy you're part of our family.
Happy Birthday!

Eating Oranges

I’m not sure how you eat oranges, but this is the way I like to eat oranges.

• Cut the orange in half.
• Squeeze and suck all the juice out, squeezing in every direction.
• Tear the side down to the center and eat the flesh to the skin.

Elegant isn’t it?

Once you can get as good as I am you can do this without getting the orange all over your entire face.

I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember.

This is the only way I’ve seen my Dad eat an orange.

Because in his words - It’s only a good orange if it SOUNDS like a good orange.

Good job fellas.

Pinewood Derby

We (the kids and I) experienced our first Pinewood Derby. With Ryan working a bajillion hours Gma and Gpa Hunt came to our rescue and pulled everything off beautifully! With 5 sons, they're pros at this. I am so grateful. We're grateful Ryan was able to come to it, too!

Clay and Gpa hard at work

Not too surprising, I found myself feeling quite competitive as we watched the cars race. It was nice sitting by Gma who was feeling the same way.

It was double elimination and our Clay boy (and Gpa) came in 4th!
Not too shabby for 17 cars.

Great job, guys!

Dear Veteran

*Clay claims that he likes it when people call him "Clay-in."
You know, how a Utahn would say it -without the T.
He really does know how to spell his name.

Mark Your Calendars!

It was taking pictures for this event that spurred taking all the pictures of the kids (below).
Last year, I paid a gal on Etsy for Rylee's invitation, but figured out how to do it myself this year.
Ryan was afraid I'd girly it up too much, but I think the simplicity was okay for him. I love you, Ryan

And, to add to the special-ness of Clay being baptized on his actual birthday, we're blessing Henry in Sacrament Meeting that morning as well.
It should be a glorious day - we hope you can make it!

Swim Team 2010

We had so much fun this summer doing swim team. Kaycee, Clay and Rylee did so well, it was really impressive to watch and see their improvements week by week. They practiced hard every morning, Monday thru Friday and made their team proud at every meet five Saturdays. Although the season ended officially with their last meet on July 10, our kids had the opportunity to participate in Prelims. (That was complete insanity. A huge meet of 7 teams from 7:30am -4:30pm, 13 races total for our kids. Ryan wasn't able to be there, but thank goodness Gma and Gpa took the Olivia and Lucy - I'm not sure how they would have survived outside all day in 90+ degree weather. I'm surprised I made it through the day.) The kids swam their hearts out and cut time off most of their races. It was really neat. Only the top 16 swimmers in each event qualify for the Championships which was the following Saturday. (Some events had more than 120 kids racing). Surprisingly, Kaycee's little (25 meter freestyle) relay team qualified as the alternate for Championships. Ryan took her this past Saturday morning to Championships, but unfortunately all the other teams showed up so she didn't get a chance to swim. But, it was a great season and we look forward to doing it again next year.

Kaycee
Her Stats:
(longest to shortest time over the season)

25 Freestyle: 1:03:38 - 38:19
25 Freestyle Relay: 3:13:32 - 2:55:29 - These girls broke a Blue Fin Team record!
25 Backstroke - she didn't actually compete in this event until prelims. Boy was I shocked that she would do so well! Technique and straight as an arrow: 39:53 - 49th out of 91 kids.
Aren't those improvements impressive? She came home with the trophy of "Most Improved Swimmer" (for 6 & under girls) last night at the banquet. Way to go, Miss Kaycee!

Clay
His Stats:

25 Freestyle: 41:9 - 34:33
25 Breaststroke (his favorite stroke): 44:55 - 36:25
25 Backstroke: 44:48 - 26:96
100 Medley Relay (different strokes per kid per 25 meters): depending on how picky the turn/stroke judges were, kids were disqualified if their technique wasn't right or they did the wrong stroke. Clay did this relay at 2 meets and at prelims, but they were DQ'd every time so we didn't get a time.
100 Freestyle Relay: 2:55:41 - 1:56:18
100IM: at the last swim meet, Clay told the coaches that he wanted to try a 100 Meter Individual Medley. We were surprised. He did great, swam his heart out. Unfortunately we don't have a time as he was DQ'd (I think it was his butterfly - not his favorite.)
He did awesome! He has many ribbons (for the top 6 at each meet for each event) scattered in his room.

Rylee
Her Stats:

25 Freestyle: 30:90 - 22:21 - she has the most amazing technique, so smooth! I wish I could swim like that.
50 Freestyle: (she hated me for having her do 50 meters, especially when she didn't want to finish it at the first meet - but she improved A LOT.) 1:43:09 - 1:03:68
25 Breaststroke: 44:55 - 36:25
25 Backstroke: 38:85 - 24:97
100 Medley Relay: 2:06:44 (her only time - competed at prelims)
100 Freestyle: 1:52:62 - 1:32:15
Rylee did incredibly well and I could watch her swim all day. She also has a plethora of ribbons.

A great season for the Blue Fins. We won 2 of the 5 meets and came close in the others.
Not too shabby for not having won any in the past 3 years!
Boo-yah!

One Sweet Boy

I had to capture this sweet moment.

It's not uncommon for this brother, when he wakes up before us all, to come and get his baby sister out of her crib letting his Mom linger a little longer in a warm bed.

It doesn't get any sweeter.

Like "One Bad Apple. . ."

"spoils the bunch",

CRAYONS in the dryer -

ruin a bunch of clothes.

But, I won't say who left crayons in their pocket. . . :)

Fun Run 2009

Better let than never, here are pictures from this year's Fun Run:

Clay right after running his 1/4 mile.

He ran so hard, he really wanted a medal not just a "lousy ribbon. EVERYONE gets a ribbon." There was a moment of learning that day. Although he did the best he could, he didn't get a medal and it was a little tough for him to swallow.

Miss Rylee (in the blue) running her 1/2 mile

And, right after she finished.

I found out when I picked Clay up at noon, that I should have stayed for the award's ceremony. Because Rylee came home with this:

Rylee with her bronze medal.
(The top 3 boys and top 3 girls of each grade received medals and somehow I didn't get that Rylee was in the top 3. Nice one, Mom!)

Luckily, I had all afternoon to lift Clay's spirits and help him be happy for his sister. He did a great job - they both did.

Because February wasn't over...

A 6 year old named Clay + a friend + a bicycle - a helmet + a steep hill =

A HUGE knot on his skinned forehead,
and bloody, skid marked chin,
a trip home carried by Brian and Jeremy (two priests in our ward that came to his rescue!),
a frazzled mother,
our 3rd trip to the ER in 2 weeks,
a CT scan
AND a concussion.



Dare I say we've learned our lesson? I guess we'll see.

Weekend Fun

Happy, happy birthday to the sweetest boy in the world!

This past Friday, Clay turned 6! We celebrated the boys birthdays on the day in between their birthdays as they were headed off camping (with Kaycee in tow) the afternoon of Clay's big day.

Here they are blowing out their candles. Here's to another great year gentlemen!

I ordered Ryan's gifts just a day shy of a full week before his birthday. I two-dayed the shipping to make sure it would be here on time as the website indicated orders made in that time frame would be shipped out the following Monday. Yeah, they didn't get here until the day after his bday...thanks for nothing! Oh well, he still really liked his Dwight and Michael bobble heads which now adorn his desk at work.

KC: "I have WALL*E eyes." Yes, yes you do.

And, cute, cute "O-E-Ah" (as Lucy says) talking with Grandpa H. She cooed for the first time!

Clay and KC in the back of the truck waiting to leave for their adventure. Everyone was invited, but these two were the only takers. I was so glad they didn't freeze. I was worried the whole night and slept as though I was camping as well! (Yeah, not a big camper... Ryan would add "yet" here!)

I was very happy to have the babe, Lucy and Rylee keep me company.

And, I was happy they were here to meet my cousin Maggie, who came by with her husband, and parents. It was so good to see you Maggie & Justin! We're so happy to have you in CO. Hopefully we'll get to see each other again before too long.

It was a fun weekend.

A New Look for Fall . . . or Life

There's nothing like getting a note home from your child's school to let you know that he/she may have vision problems. At least someone catches it though right? Luckily, the school does these screenings and last Friday, Clay came home with a note. To be on the ball, we scheduled an appt the next day. Sure enough, our little man gets to (gets to - like it's something fun..?) to wear glasses. I had Ryan text me the options of the glasses Clay wanted to get. Rylee had gone along also, so I knew Clay and Dad weren't going to get some crazy pairs. Anyway, here is the new look Clay is sporting now.

Pair #1

Sorry for the fuzziness, here are pair #2 (You know, he reminds me a little of the boy in Meet the Robinsons - especially when his hair is spiked up a bit.. Don't you think?)

From Ryan's phone, these were the ones he actually really wanted to get. Unfortunately, after a good laugh, Mom said "no." Poor guy, to have such a mean mom!

Our Pre-School Graduate

Tonight we attended Clay's pre-school graduation. It was a 30 minute program filled with songs with actions, the pledge of allegiance, a story they acted out and then their graduation procession in their cap and gowns. It was darling! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! Way to go Clayton!

Clay looking handsome

Clay performing with is classmates (only 4 of them total!)

Taking a bow after his performance as Charlie from the story

Charlie the Caterpillar

Clay receiving the "most energetic student" award not surprising at all!!

So handsome! Kindergarten - here we come!!

So proud!

Clay with his fabulous teacher, Miss Terry