I'm done, Mama.

I'm done, Mama. I'm ready to get down.

Spoons

October 10

This boy and his spoons.  I don't know what it is about them, but Oliver Mac loves him a big spoon.  I finally bought a few extra at the dollar store some we didn't have to dual over who got the spoon when I was trying to make dinner.

   

Family Pictures 2016

This year's family pictures were brought to you by Camera Shy.  I'd prefer to have family pictures outside, but this has worked so well for our family's schedule and ages.  They have two rooms with multiple backgrounds and props.  We are able to get a few family pictures and individual shots (including a wardrobe change, if they want) all in 45 minutes.  Then an hour later we can view our pictures and pick up the thumb drive to take home.  Boom!  

We headed over to a burger place to wait for the pictures when I snapped this picture.  Life is crazy and complicated at times and pretty exhausting, but we love it.  We love each one of those kids (including Amy, who had to leave after the photo shoot for volleyball practice).  Funny how that works.  

Ty and Oliver hung out.  That's what brothers do.

Em and Daniel having a staring contest.  It was close - Daniel held it together for a good 2-3 seconds before he lost it.  Emily is always finding ways to help and keep the Littles entertained.

Tyler Jared (17) 

Emily Rebecca (19)

Daniel Oden (3)

Amy Elizabeth (15)

Kathryn Elaine (4)

Oliver Macdonald (1)

  

Vicki & Matt

The Cornish Clan 2016

All he needed...

After 20+ minutes of Oliver refusing to eat pancakes, peaches, and milk, crying, kicking to get out of hid high chair, collapsing onto the floor in fits, following me around crying, arching his back so far he almost fell out of his high chair (still refusing to eat anything) I finally figured out what he wanted...

A fork.  

This boy is determined to get big like everyone else.  On a side note, we got rid of his binky two days ago. He's done ok, cried at each nap and bedtime, but if I go in and sing to him he settled down.  It's strangely hard for me to be watching him give up some of these things.  The last one to nurse. The last one to use a bottle.  The last to crawl.  The last to use a binky. Just can't believe how quickly they change and grow. 

Curiosity Museum

October 4

We decided to get a pass to the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving Point, which has been super fun.  I'm especially looking forward to it for the winter months, so the Littles can have a place to run.  I was quite surprised when Kate was talking to the girl behind the Trading Post and agreed to hold a giant cave cockroach!  She said it felt weird.  I did a slight shimmy as I watched it crawl up her arm, before I told her how cool it is to learn about new animals.  

Daniel was especially excited to try out the plane.  There's not much to do in there... unless you have a little imagination, which Daniel isn't short on.  

Kate and Daniel both were nervous to try out the rope bridge but then realized it wasn't so bad.

Oliver Mac ran around wherever I was, as well has played in the toddler area with the balls and slides.  Apparently he played harder than I realized!

Waving to Daddy

What a pleasant morning! Matt and I went for a walk early, came home and got ready, had breakfast together, and got to come up and see the Littles before he left for work. They all ran to the window so they could wave at him as he left. I sat on the couch watching them, thankful for my husband and our family.

Fold your arms...

September 25

We were getting ready for dinner and told everyone to fold their arms.  Oliver Mac was quick to follow instructions.

Bless that sandbox!

Everyday.  They still play in it everyday. Oliver didn't get to be in it as much because I want to be close by if he is out there (he eats sand and falls out of the box) and I'm usually working on something so I make him stay inside. But I've been going out more to play with them or watch, so Oliver has LOVED it!  I put water in there so they can build stuff or dig trenches, as was the case in the pictures below. I'm so glad we made it ("we" as in  me pushing the idea but Matt building it).  I love watching and listening to them play. Childhood is an ever changing time of discovery.

Oliver

Summer 2016

I was just flipping through my pictures on my phone and couldn't help but just put a few of this little boy.  He's so delighted to be mobile and likes to be wherever I am.  I snap these pictures in hopes of always remembering his face as I look down at it.  They change so fast and I hate the thought of forgetting this little person at this stage.  I don't get as many of Kate and Daniel just looking at me.  Sometimes I love them so much it hurts.

May 1 and 31, 2016

    

June 4 and July 15, 2016

     

 August 4 and 13, 2016

      

Nap Time and Bed Time

April - July

Nap time and bedtime are not always the calmest times of day.  They often start out with some objections, then some jumping on beds/couch or swinging by a sibling, usually end with a story or book, and always result in angel faces.  There is something heavenly about watching a little one sleep (or, as in the case below, the tired daddy of a little one asleep).

I got suspicious when an hour had passed since Matt took the boys upstairs for a nap.  He deserves one, too.  Look at those faces. 

I forgot to include that royalty sometimes grace our nap times as well.

Oliver's face is often peeking above the end of his crib when I come upstairs to get him in the morning.  And that chubby finger of his... that means he's spotted me.

Amy is usually way more fun than I am when putting the kids to bed.  She swings and sings and wrestles and gives piggy backs and reads and whatever else the Littles come up with and she's willing to do.  She's a good egg, that Amy Elizabeth.

She also helps with teeth brushing, which usually includes a chase.  This was actually Oliver's first experience with the toothbrush.  He wasn't quite sure what to do with it.  When all else fails, chew on it.

I went in to check on Oliver Mac and found him like this.  Love his little tabernacle.

Oliver Mac thought laying in Daniel's bed for nap time was a fabulous idea!

When it's Daniel's nap time Oliver Mac sleeps in his pack n' play in Amy's closet.  For so long he would snuggle up when I was putting him down for his nap.  It's like he knew it was time for a nap and he was ready for it.  He doesn't do that all the time now, and it often takes him a bit to settle down into his nap.  But then he's out.  

This is a common scene at bedtime.  We have been going through the pictures from the "scripture art kit" and reading the story and scripture on the back.  Kate and Daniel are pretty good at listening and answering a question or two. Oliver is good at wondering around.  I know I'm going to miss this when they get older.  It's scenes like this that I simply want to hold in my memory forever.

The following pictures are just a smattering of the Littles sleeping.  I love their hearts and am grateful to be their mama (especially when they are sleeping...).  There is something calming about watching them sleep.  On days when they wipe me out I often try to go upstairs and watch them sleep to bring back some of the calm that was elusive during the day.