Grandma and Grandpa Black

Well, I haven't had internet for a couple months, so I'm behind with my blogging.  The last two weeks have been the most eventful.  My brother got married in Salt Lake.  All my family was here for that and the reception at my parent's house.  Including my Grandma and Grandpa Black who I must say are looking great for 88 years old.  It's always fun to see them.  Even though Kami doesn't show it in the picture!  

We got a few good pictures of all of us dressed up for the reception.  

My kiddies sure are cuties!!

The Middle Wife

I just read this story on a friend's blog and laughed and laughed!  I think it's hilarious.  Hope you enjoy it too.  All you moms and future moms ENJOY!

The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher 

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back. 
When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it into school and talk about it, they're welcome. 
Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater. 
She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.' 
'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke gr ew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.' 
She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement. 
'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.) 
'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.) 
'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!) 
'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there must be a lot of toys inside there. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there.' 
Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show -and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another ' Middle Wife' comes along.

Mom's little baker!

Here's my little helper with everything.  We were making easter egg sugar cookies this time.  Kami is at such a fun age.  She wants to do everything like mom.  She wanted the apron on and imitate what mom was doing.  She had such a fun time on the chair playing in the flour.  What a cutie!  Future baker!

Family

What cute little kiddies I have!  They love their little sister!

Karly and Derek's favorite story in their scriptures are the ones with boats.  Nephi crossing the ocean is asked for everyday.  This time we talked about Noah and the ark and Ty suggested they build an ark just like Noah.  This was a fun activity.  They then wanted to add animals to their ark.  I was thinking little animals, but they insisted on the giant bear! Fun FHE daddy!

Hoppy Easter!

Well, Easter was exciting around here.  We try to have a 'cousin's day' each month around the holiday.  Most people get together with just a few cousins, my kids get together with 16!  I got to do Easter.  Trying to get 16 little kiddies to play a game is near impossible, but the Easter egg hunt was a success.  Not only were there 16 kids at my house, but also about that many adults!  My house was hoppin'! (Sorry for all the puns)  Crazy Fun!  The only things we wish is that Teri was here with her kids to add to the commotion!  And my favorite part- the bunny ears!

Isn't Kami the cutest little bunny you've ever seen?

Not only is getting this many kids to play a game impossible,

 but getting them all to look at the camera at the same time. Forget it!

Kids and Dogs

Ty and I bought a puppy the beginning of January and have tried to house train it and have it join the family.  It's been an experience, but he's a pretty good dog and things have gone fairly well.  He's getting bigger all the time, but is still a puppy and acts like it.  It's interesting to have Kami at the age she is during all this.  Ty often says Kami is like a dog.  I tell him Max is like a kid.  They both put anything and everything into their mouths, whimper, drool, want lots of attention, and are always underfoot.  At least Max has been faster at potty training!  Plus, I have a new time-out for my kids! ;) 

Salt Lake Temple

So, last Wednesday, Ty and I went to Utah to sell our truck.  That was a little sad, but life goes on.  Anyway, we went through a the Salt Lake Temple since we were there, and were planning to go to the temple the next day.  This was an awesome experience.  We had never seen a live session which I loved!   Plus the temple has so much detail to see.  Those pioneers were pretty amazing.  I told Ty, it would have taken me 40 years just to do one room.  Neat experience, I suggest everyone take the opportunity when you get it.  It was just a great day and spiritual experience shared with the one I love best!