Saturday, September 30, 2017

Rest of September

School pictures are back!  Poor Jackson handed his to me and said, "I think it would be my best picture yet if not for my ugly lip."  I told  him it's not super noticeable but, to him, I'm sure it is.  Regardless, I think he looks SUPER cute!

Hahaha, Josh forgot to unbutton his top button so he looks a bit nerdy but so cute too...
Slightly constipated smile but still pretty darn cute...

Time for school clothes shopping!  I always wait until closer to the end of September because they wear shorts until then anyway plus then I don't have to fight the crowds.  I took Jackson first because he was most in need of long pants (punk is growing like a weed and all his pants were high waters on him).  Jackson does not really care about clothes or fashion so he was quick, in and out of two stores, and done in 1.5 hours.  


All he really was excited about was the vanilla shake I promised him after we were done shopping. 

One of his new outfits, he is looking very grown up and very handsome!
I swear my house is where all the kiddos hang out all the time, not sure why.  But the other day they decided to play games on my garage floor, again, not sure why...
Bahaha, this is how Tyce came home from Scouts the other night.  So funny the outfits this kid puts together...
The weather has sure turned quickly to COLD!  Here I am freezing at the twins football game...
Then it was Josh's turn to go school clothes shopping!  This is his favorite thing to do, he said he'd even choose shopping over sports!  We shopped for about six hours, going from store to store to store, only stopping for an Orange Julius and pretzel.   He is very particular about what looks good and he's indecisive but I was Mrs. Patient Mommy and we had a fun, albeit exhausting, day together!  When we got home I noticed pictures on my phone that Josh had apparently taken in the dressing room while I was out looking for different sizes for him...

Modeling...




Finally done and on our way to dinner! 

It was raining on and off all day and we got pretty soaked running to the car after dinner...
ONE HAPPY KID!  I remember shopping with my mom growing up and, even though I don't like shopping in general, I remember feeling special that she would spend a whole day with me, spend so much money on me, and I remember having some big laughs together in the dressing rooms when I would try stuff on that didn't work for whatever reason.  So, despite my dislike for shopping and spending money, I want to do the same for my boys.  Josh and I certainly had a laugh when he accidentally tried on some girl jeggings, they were so tight it was hysterical.  Luckily Tyce only needs a few pairs of pants and he's set, he has 50 shirts and 10 sweatshirts from his brothers hand me downs!  Luckily he's perfectly fine with hand me downs, saves me money!!!

Cutie kitties snuggling...
I love Chester's tail wrapped around Luna...
Brody has decided he loves to sleep in Tyce's fundraiser box.  Tyce sold all his popcorn and was thrilled to get his Pokemon lanyard as his prize! 
 One night I got very frustrated with Josh because he wouldn't finish his dinner for like the 10th night in a row.  I probably overreacted a bit but then I went to my room to cool off.  While I was sitting in my room Josh slides this note under my door...so so so sweet!
A while ago Parker and I decided to have Thursdays be our morning to go on a bike ride together!  And by Parker and I decided, I really mean that I decided and my wonderful husband agreed!  It's hard to drag him out of bed since he is a night owl NOT a morning person but he is a good sport and we love the time together.

I've been getting up at 5am every day for a while now and I've really come to love my early mornings!  I'm super productive and get so much done before most people even get up!  Most days I go to the gym 5:30-7:00, come home, get the boys to school, then go for a quick run before I have to get ready for work.  Then in the evenings, when we're not at sports, I go for a bike ride.  I've lost 22 pounds and have 13 to go!  Unfortunately, and par for the course for Jenn Morrill, I now have shin splints so I can't run or do high impact for a while.  I'm pretty bummed and had quite the pity party for myself the other night but have decided I'll do what I can, eat as good as I can, and hope I can get that lost 13 off without running.  I don't take pictures of myself at the gym BUT I thought I'd get one of Parker and I before our bike ride yesterday.  He's beyond thrilled to be out in the cold, dark, early morning with me.  :)
SO...Jackson got in a fight with a kid at school while they were playing basketball.  Apparently he was fouled and hit in the face so Jackson pushed the kid, who in turn pushed Jackson and scratched the crap out of his neck (so gross when boys have long fingernails).  Sounds like Jackson was just defending himself but he still has some pretty severe consequences for his behavior.  Poor guy's neck stings pretty bad though...
Tyce has swim team tryouts tonight so we decided to head to the pool last night and do a quick review of what he learned in his stroke schools a few months ago.  I think this kid might be our family's first BREAST STROKER!!!  He picked up that stroke faster than any kid I've ever taught swim lessons to!  Hope he makes the team and finds a love for the pool like his mama! 





Today was pajama day at school!


Tegan and Grandpa Morrill came out for one of Josh's soccer games!  They must've been good luck because he scored both of his teams goals and they tied!  
Tyce has been talking about joining swim team for SO long now.  He had to pass all the stroke schools, then we had to wait for a time we could do try outs, and the time finally came!  He had to do a 50 back, 50 free, 25 fly, and 25 breast.  He rocked it!  His breaststroke is exceptional for his age and level of experience.  Anyway, him and Bridger both made the team!   To say he's excited would be an understatement.  When the coach told him he made it he goes, "I bet it's because my Grandma Barraclough prayed for me."  So sweet.  Here's hoping he loves swimming as much as his mommy and aunts and he carries on our swimmer legacy!


And last but not least, Parker bought the game Speak Out and they had a blast playing it...


Bring on October!!!

Monday, September 18, 2017

September!

We spent labor day up at the Owen's cabin with Lindsay and Jason, their kids, my parents, and Jason's parents.  The weather was PERFECT that day, the cabin is located in a GORGEOUS area, and the boys were in heaven.  Josh asked "how many days are we going to be here?"  He was disappointed when I told him one but promised we'd be back...

The rope swing was a huge hit...





So pretty...
Waiting for a ride...
Best buds these two...
 Steve taking them on a boat ride, the boys were all surprised at how fast it went!

Could it be any more beautiful up here?

Jack chose to hold Audrey and wait to eat lunch, so stinking sweet...
Horseback riding...


 An attempt at family pics...



It was a very relaxing day and huge thanks to Steve and Jane for having us!

I came home from work one day to see all three boys doing their homework and playing a board game together, so cute...
At one point there were eight boys on our tramp playing "streetball" which is also known as tackle basketball.  When the twins were getting in the shower that night I saw their bodies were covered in bruises, scratches, and welts but no complaints from them!
 Meanwhile, Tyce and Bridger are in the basement playing with their toys...
Tyce reading to his stuffed animals (out loud)...
One night I was yelling at Josh because he wasn't coming in for dinner when I asked the first time.  I then looked in the garage and saw that he had organized all the bikes, balls, toys, etc!  So thoughtful and, typical Josh, doesn't tell me what he did.  Josh is so good at recognizing things that need to be done, doing them, and not even telling anyone he did it.  Love that kid.
 Brody decided to hog BOTH pillows and Jackson just let him!  Spoiled guy...
We stayed up late watching BYU (lose) and poor Tyce couldn't keep his eyes open...
Morning snuggles with the whole fam in our bed!  I will be so sad when they don't wanna snuggle in our bed anymore!  
Luna and Chester were watching our family snuggle time from our dresser...

Josh trying out different costumes for Halloween, I like this one because it's free  :)
Josh is playing rec soccer this year, we did not have the best experience with comp soccer last year so we decided to go with rec partly because he's playing flag football also.

My parents were in town for his first game...
The twins are playing flag football for the first time!  Parker is the assistant coach and they are having fun.  Jackson had an awesome touchdown on Saturday and Josh had an awesome interception.  Josh is playing quarterback and Jackson is playing tight end and all sorts of other positions.  They are anxious to play tackle next year!  
The twins and Gannon spent an entire afternoon working on this fort.  It is very elaborate inside and I couldn't even get any pictures because I am too big to crawl through the "hallways" inside...
I love that they even have a SHOE RACK!  Haha, no dirty shoes inside the fort!
So a few weeks ago Tyce and the neighbor kids decided to decorate their bikes as "floats" and do a parade.  My garage quickly became parade headquarters...
Bahahaha, it ended up being a BYU/Utah parade so here's Tyce's sign...
 His finished product!

 We had a neighborhood block party Saturday which was so fun to get to know some of our neighbors!  Jenn Carlson helped me set up, hence the horrible red stuff...  ;)

We had a good turnout but I forgot to take more pictures later...
Then it was time for the parade!



Sunday we went on a family bike ride!  First one since Jackson's accident two months ago!  We rode 12 miles and no flat tires and no blood!  

Jackson wanted to do some damage to the barbed wire fence that got him but, since it's someone else's property, we had to settle for a pic...
Here's his lip after two months...
Top of the hill waiting for everyone else!  Tyce is such a slow bike rider, but I am so proud of him for going all 12 miles with us!  That's pretty darn good for an 8 year old!
We took a break halfway through to play at the park...
September is flying by but we are EXCITED for fall!!!