Ruth's First Day of Nursery

I think nursery leaders are so wonderful! Technically Ruth won't be 18 months until tomorrow, but Brian took Ruth in on August 3rd and just asked if he could sit in there with Ruth while she played for a bit. After a few minutes, the nursery leader said Brian could just leave her there for the rest of church. Granted, Ruth was doing great and wasn't crying or anything, but even still, the nursery leader was so nice to add another toddler before she was technically 18 months. 

So, here's a picture to document her first day in nursery like I did with the other kids. To me, she looks nothing like Sydney did (probably because of the hair) and here's a throw back to Wes' picture as well (and when I was pregnant with Sydney).

Random Pictures from July

Here are our random pictures from July 2014!

Ruth just chillin' on the piano bench.

Brian came to help gather the kids at the end of our swimming session. He's trying to keep from getting soaked by Ruth!

We celebrated Uncle Mike's 39th birthday on July 1st.

I got out the infant pool for the kids in the 100-degree weather. Wes and Sydney are a bit big to really play in it, but it was great for cooling off!

Brian helping Sydney with some workbook pages.

Sydney.

Wesley.

Ruth.

An award that Brian randomly received in the mail one day.

Sydney and Lydia reading. I love that they both crossed their legs.

We had my sister's kids over for a night so Brian and I taught our nephews how to play Pounce/Nertz/Conch (whatever your family calls it.

We celebrated Danny's 14th birthday on July 8th!

We went to Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A while cousin Audrey was in town.

Brian helping Sydney make a loom band bracelet during the Eagle Fun Days carnival.

I helped Wes for a bit, but Brian was much faster at it so I let him take over.

Brian hula-hooping with Sydney at Eagle Fun Days. He seems like he's having a good time!

Brian testing out his strength. He was able to ring the bell!

At breakfast, Wes had asked Brian how the spoon changed colors and Brian told him that if he looked it up and figured it out himself, he could earn extra screen time. With a little help from his mamma, he learned about the process called thermochromism and then gave a report to Brian complete with a demonstration.

Ruth and Brian were playing and then she took a break to lay on him. Cuteness.

Brian's first project after unpacking (most of) the boxes, was to build his own CrossFit gym in our third bay. It's been a long time dream of his and is finally being realized!

The kids blowing bubbles that Great Grandma Swensen had given them. I'm not sure why they have to close their eyes to blow.

More Legos! If my kids ask me to take a picture, I'm going to take a picture. :)

Another Lego kitty house.

Ruby and Ruth at the pool.

The kids wanted to make masks this day. Sydney's is a cat and Wesley's is a Minecraft wolf.

We went to find out who Wes and Sydney's teachers are for this year and decided to play on the toys for a bit. Ruth would not let go of this book while she played!

Brian's cousin was going flying to practice landings one morning and invited Brian and the kids to join him. They had a great time even with the 6am wake up call!

Looks like a picture shortly after takeoff!

Sydney making a silly face. Again I'm reminded, she is only 5!

Brian with the kids safe on the ground!

I feel like I haven't been a very fun mom this summer (a move and pregnancy, maybe?). But one day I felt like I could handle a spontaneous trip to get ice cream and play at McDonald's. Easy, close, and cheap.

My lap is going to be even more crowded soon with my three girls! (And my son photo-bombing in the background!)

We went to the Stake Pioneer Breakfast so Ruth got to try horseback riding for the first time. She's a big fan of our My Little Pony figurines (or "moanies" as she calls them).

First bump picture from this pregnancy...36 weeks on July 27th.

I gotta admit I'm going to miss having this little girl be my baby. She's going to be a giant soon! However, it's good she'll have a younger sibling otherwise she'd be super spoiled because she's so darn cute!

The kids - even Ruth for the first time! - helping Brian make cookies.

I went on a date with my older two to get a first-day-of-school outfit for each of them. Lucky for them it was also National Cheesecake Day so we stopped in for a (half off) slice. I think this is the fanciest restaurant they've ever been to!

Boise Arboretum

My sister, Angie, came into town for a couple of days so on July 29th, my sisters, our kids (sans the oldest two), and I went to the Boise Arboretum. The kids had a great time running around together!

All the kiddos (minus Nathan and Danny).

In the rose garden.

In the meditation garden, as demonstrated by Mitchell.

Sydney climbed on top of this log and then proudly asked me to take a picture of her.

The tough boys on top of the log: Wes, Mitch, and Ryan.

Ruth got to eat dinner with the big girls (Lanie, 3 and Ruby, 2 1/2). She did great, actually!