Happy Birthday Michael!

I had the hardest time trying to come up with a present for Michael this year. As I went shopping with the boys to pick out a lego toy for Dad. Joshua suggested that we get a bike for Dad, because he wanted go riding with him. I thought it was a brillant idea, so that is what we did.

The boys also picked out a lego truck for Dad.

We made strawberry shortcake for Michael. The boys all helped Dad blow out the candles. The cake turned out great!

Michael requested to rest on his Birthday, so I suggested the zoo for the morning and stay in for the evening.

Michael got to see the cheetahs up close and personal, which are his favorite animal at the zoo. We got to watch the zoo keepers train them.

We invited our good friends to come with us. The boys had a great time. Joshua ended the day telling me that he likes Dad's Birthday. :) All in all we love Michael and he is a great Dad. He works so hard and deserved his relaxing time at home. :) We only wish we could do more. I also just wanted to share some of the many faces of Leah. She is smiling sometimes now, and is growing fast. Michael finally got to see her smile for the first time. You can't ask for a better present from a 7 week old. :)

Leah and her cousins

Leah was born within a few weeks of three of her cousins. I thought I would share a picture of all the cute babies. Emily is the youngest she is is in the top left, Susanna is the in the top right she is second oldest, Leah was the first, and Christopher was the third. I think Leah looks most like Susanna who is also a West. Congrats to all of my siblings on their beautiful babies!

Functional Week

Even though I feel like I had a functional week, I still look exhuasted all the time. :)

This is the first week where I have felt like I have accomplished most of what I needed too. On Monday I took everyone to the Arboretum. I forgot my camera, but it was beautiful. The tulips were amazing. The kids had a great time and Leah did great. Tuesday we ventured to the grocery store. The boys did great, and were actually helpful. Wednesday we made it to the library. Thursday we cleaned house because I had a meeting in the evening, and the boys even helped with that. On Friday we went to Sam's Club and purchased food for Scout camp and Enrichment. We spent about a paychecks worth at Sam's. Every day I made dinner and did school with Joshua. I am so proud of myself because Michael was pretty much gone all week. He got up really early for work and worked late. After work he was busy preparing for Scout camp, so he has been pretty busy.

Since Michael is going to be gone all this week, I had him take a couple of hours on Saturday to take the boys to the movies. I feel bad Michael left early Saturday to prepare for scout camp and only took two hours for the boys and the rest of the day until 1:00 am or so was filled with Scout camp prep. Joshua will miss Michael. Dad is his favorite and he tells me regularly. I will ask Joshua who plays with him and feeds him, and he will say Mom. I will ask him who gives him time outs and he says Dad, yet Dad is still his favorite. (we both give time outs, but apparently Dad sticks out) :) I think it is funny. Joshua will tell me that I am Leah's favorite because I am a girl.

Dallin went to the movies for the second time. He actually sat through this one. The first movie about half way through it he told me he was done. :) Dallin has been so helpful with Leah. I am really impressed by the things he will do for her.

Truthfully I am Leah's favorite, but I am sure that will change over time. :) Leah is growing and fitting into some really cute out fits. She has been doing great being packed around everywhere the boys want to go. She is sleeping a little better most nights.

Getting Back to Normal

Joshua loves cars and racing. He has really gotten into watching Nascar. He will sit on his Jeff Gordon race car and cheer on Jeff Gordon. If I am in another room he will give me updates on the wrecks and what is happening. He will also start racing around the house and having me be his pit crew. Dallin will join in on the racing fun.

Leah went to Church for the first time last week. She did really great. She has been doing so much better the last couple of weeks. She is not crying as much and seems to sleep so much better at night. The boys are great with her.

Dallin has had a difficult week. He has been a bit upset at the world. Joshua and Dallin have been fighting a bit. Dallin been acting out a little, but at times he can be so sweet that it can make me forget the huge fits he throws. He came up to Leah the other day and just gave her a kiss. It was so sweet. He did much better today, we are all just adjusting to our new family size I guess. I am hoping Dallin grows out of his fit throwing stage soon. :)

Leah had her first real bath. She loved it. The boys love to be a part and help. I just love my family. It is so fun to watch my kids grow and learn.