Let's start off right

I must admit. I have thought and debated whether I was going to keep a blog. Just another thing to add to my list of things to do or accomplish for the new year. Since it is a new year we are starting it off right. I do this for myself and for my children, so that one day we can go back and read and remember all the good and the not so good that has happened.
I can't believe that we are approaching Valentine's Day already. I was always told that the older you get, the faster time flies. Well I am really starting to believe that.
So much has been going on. We are all healthy again. We had a few crazy weeks before Christmas but we are back to good and I am thankful everyday for a healthy body and for healthy kids.
Here is an update on the last few months with each and everyone of us.

Ellie...

 

So full of life. So busy. So cute! Ellie is now 2. She is our busy 2 year old. I don't remember any of my other children being this hard at 2. To sum  her up... ENERGETIC!

She breaks everything she touches, she is right behind me to mess up whatever it is I have cleaned.

She will put anything in her mouth. I find myself constantly asking her "What's in your mouth?"

She is a good sleeper. Except for the fact that once a month she will have a night that is completely off.

Everything is mine. She claims it all. She wants it all. You will usually find her playing with her brothers, or stuck to my leg. She loves when the two older come home from school. She is sad to see them go each morning. She goes with me each morning to drop kids off with her backpack on and ready to go to "school"

She is connected with her blanket. It goes everywhere with her. The ends are starting to fray.

It is always dirty because she is carrying it around. She loves to get into her dad's desk in his office and make a mess of things. That is really fun to clean up. Most of the time we try to get it cleaned up before dad sees. Don't tell him that though.

She LOVES nursery. She just advanced to Sr. Nursery and we just love her leaders. They are a great couple that moved back into our ward.

We LOVE Ellie!

 

 

 

Hayden.....

 

When did my baby grow up? Seriously we are going on almost 6 months. Yes! It is true, our last is getting so big. I can't tell you how much I love this little guy. He just melts my heart with each and every smile. He has been a great baby. So happy and so full of giggles.

We started him on solids and he is loving it. I was hoping to wait a bit longer but he was licking his lips and smacking them while we would eat our meals. I knew that was in indication that he was ready. So we did and he loves it! He looks so big sitting in a high chair. Once you start solids you can't go back. Here we go.........

Hayden is a great a taking naps during the day. It is the nighttime that we could do better at. He is still up every 3-4 hours to eat. Sometimes I just tell myself that he will get the hang of it but so far he hasn't. He slept better as a little baby then he does now. I guess I am partly to blame because it is much easier to go in and feed him for a quick 5 minutes than to hear him cry all night long. Not ready for that yet.

He can almost roll over. He is almost there. He has a whole team cheering for him when he does try. He will get there sooner than later. He still doesn't like being on his tummy.

I think a tooth is in the works but I am not sure. He is drooling like crazy. Gnawing on everything and is constantly biting. There is one coming. I am prepared for the teething stage. Bring it!

He is doing much better in his car seat. Doesn't scream anymore. Only when he is tired.

CHUBBY!!! CHUBBY!!! CHUBBY!!!!

We are so in love with him.....

 

 

Keaton.....

 

I am so thankful for this sweet helper. He is really a huge help. He is a great kid. We really lucked out with this one. I shouldn't say that, we really lucked out with all great kids. But this guy is just on fire. He is doing so well in school. He has a great group of friends and his favorite thing right now is football. He is really good at it too. Since Christmas they have been collecting football cards. That

must be the new thing to do at recess at school. He comes home and just stares at them and reads all the stats to me on the back of every card. I am starting to remember all the players.

He is really smart and getting all A's. He loves to read. He is really good at math and spelling.

He loves learning new things. For Christmas he got a new basketball hoop that we mounted for him in our garage so they can go out and play. They love that. Thank heavens for a garage that is so incredibly big that they can use it as a gym in the winter.

He is in Senior Primary and supposedly that is a really big thing. He is excited to go each week to church. Love that fire in him! He is helpful. He is a wonderful big brother and I love watching him play with the other kids. What would we do without him?

 

 

Andrew....

 

This sweet boy of mine turned 7during Christmas. I can't believe it. I still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday and now he is 7. He has reminded us each year that he doesn't want anything that has to do with Christmas for his birthday. So this year we took him and a bunch of friends and family to a jump house. He had a great time until he saw the food stand and wanted something to eat. Sometimes those things can set him off. So the whole time he spent it starring at the food and demanding something to eat. So we caved in on his birthday and we bought treats for him and his friends and he was happy as a clam.

One thing that drives this kid is food. Even if it isn't good he will eat it. He does appreciate good food or new meals that I try out. I love him for that. He LOVES to eat. He could eat all day. It is has been that way with him since the day he was born.

He was moved up to Senior Primary with Keaton and he is big stuff now. He is playing Basketball right now and doing really well. He loves playing sports. He has a new interest in Football now like Keaton. When they come home from school that is all they talk about, the football games they played at school during recess.

He loves to play the Wii U. Santa gave them one for Christmas. I think Santa could have done okay with just and only that and they would have been happy as clams. Note to Santa: Just one big fun toy is enough to make them happy.

This little guy keeps us smiling.

 

 

Owen......

 

Oh my goodness. This kid as so much energy. He is so full of it that it is making me worn out just typing and thinking about it. He is up at 6 each morning and in bed by 7:30 each night with no rest in between. Oh heavens! We are in trouble if this is how it is always going to be.

He has the cutest speech impediment but hopefully that will change once he starts therapy. It is so cute right now but as a grown man- not so cute. Very nasally. He is a loud sleeper. Maybe I should have his adenoids looked at. He still creeps into our bed each night. He sleeps so crazy that we are always having to readjust him or us multiple times during the night. We have taken him back to his bed many times but he still ends up in our bed. I can't sleep.

He has the worst morning breath ever! Seriously, I just laugh every time he asks me what that "Bad air" is. Dude, it's your own breath.

Still apart of the no cavity club. Proud of that.

He LOVES to be with his older brothers. Waits everyday for them to come home from school.

LOVES preschool. He has a cute little group of friends that we always have play dates with.

He is into anything that Keaton and Andrew are into.

He is always in Hayden's face. Hayden doesn't like that too much. Owen is always there to see if he has ear wax in his ears or fuzzies in his toes from his socks. Gotta love him!!! What would our family be like without him?

He is on the countdown until his 5th birthday in April. He is growing too fast.

 

 

 

Lance....

I don't think I have ever known someone who moves as much as he does. He is constantly busy. Work, church callings. You name it. He is doing it right now. I LOVE his ability to work and play. He knows when to put work aside and play.

His children know when he walks through that door and when he stomps his dad stomp they know dad is done with work and it is time to play.

The kids love wrestling with him. I think he loves doing that as well. Maybe not the kids jumping on his head or back but he loves good quality time with his children. I LOVE him so much for that.

He is still building up a storm. Last year he built over 20 homes and this year he is looking to do that same. He has really enjoyed building them and being creative. He has a great reputation.

This month we won a trip to Vegas to the BMC Conference at the M resort. So Lance and I, along with Hayden flew to Vegas for 2 days. It was so fun to see him be in that environment. He gets really excited about building. Me, not so much. I like that he really enjoys his job. Most of the time. There are times when it isn't so fun.

He is still serving in the Bishopric. He loves being involved and the ward members just love him.

Thanks Lance for all you are doing.

 

Me......

I have a lot to do this New Year. I have decided that this will be the year to discover Melissa. I can't really remember what it was that I loved doing. Since having kids those things tend to get put on the back burner. So this year we are going to rediscover. I have always wanted to play the piano. So this year we are starting. I have always wanted to learn to sew. So this year we are going to learn. Time to loose all the baby fat. Time to get back to working out.

Every morning Lance and I do P90X. It is kicking me into shape. LOVE that.

I am still teaching in Relief Society. I really enjoy that calling.

Besides taking care of 5 children and a husband I am happy and doing well.

 

 

Family pictures

We finally found the time to get family pictures taken. The weather has been so cold and most days now are hit and miss. Luckily the day we rescheduled for was great, just a little cold. But I am pleased with the way they turned out.

 

a broken collar bone

This is a Snyder first - a broken something. Of all the seasons we have gone through and of all the sports we have played good and hard, never in the history of the Snyder family have we broken a thing. Well there is a first time for everything they say.
It happened to Andrew too. He is our most accident prone child too. If anything was going to happen it was going to happen to him too. Sad to say it but it is a true statement.
Sunday we had just walked in the door from church and I we had just finished lunch. Lance was at the church still and then had some Home teaching to do so it was just me sola. I was upstairs helping with Hayden when I heard this blood curdling scream come from outside. I figured it was the boys outside who were playing football. I always know it ends in a fight. This time it ended in an injury. Andrew came in the back door just screaming. I knew that his scream was different this time.
He came in screaming that his shoulder hurt. Meanwhile I had to sit Hayden down in his bouncer screaming because I needed to help Andrew. We laid him down on the couch so I could see what had happened. He was in too much pain to even move it. I knew something was wrong. I had no one around to help me out so I called our good friend Matt who is a chiropractor. I asked if he wouldn't mind coming to look at his shoulder. They had just gotten out of church and I didn't know who else to call since Lance wasn't answering his phone. I also called my parents because I had the gut feeling that something was wrong. I needed help with my other youngins. So my dad and my sister were the first ones to arrive. They helped with Hayden and the other kids who were a bit nervous about what was going on. Then our dear friend Matt showed up.
He examined him and ruled out a dislocated shoulder. Then he started feeling around and noticed that his collar bone on his left side was missing and when he gently pushed on it Andrew screamed bloody murder. So he guessed that he had either broken his collar bone or his shoulder and recommended that we go to the ER and get an X-ray to rule it out.
Just then Lance walked in the door. We jimmy rigged a pillow under Andrew's arm to keep in the one position that didn't hurt as much and then tied it off with one of Lance's belts to keep it in place so we could go to the ER. My sister and dad were kind of enough to take Hayden and the rest to my parents home for the rest of the day. Which on Sundays we always go to my parents home of Sunday dinner.
We arrived at the ER and got Andrew in for an X-ray. Yep, it was a broken collar bone. Snapped clean.

They gave Andrew a sling to put his arm in and some meds to keep the pain at bay. So after an hour they sent us home with a request to call the Surgeon the next day to be seen.
He was a true sport! He surprised us all. So we walked out of the ER and what did Andrew find on the floor right outside the door, a caterpillar that we took back home with us.

I kept Andrew home on Monday because we were under the impression that the doctor would get us in right away. Not so. Andrew got to spend a whole day with me. By the end of the day he was wanting to go back to school. Once he realized that I am not having parties while they are at school he was okay to go back. So this morning we took him to school with strict instructions for him and his teacher. He survived. He did great. No complaining about the pain unless the sling is taken off and his arm moves positions.

Tomorrow we go in to see if surgery is necessary. The bone is completely snapped and floating far from where it is suppose to be attached. Wish us luck! I just want to get his guy back up and running. I know it is going to take quite a bit of time but let's get going.

Just my thoughts

I have pretty much neglected my blog because I haven't had a second to sit down and type out what has been going on. It has been a crazy 2 months let me tell ya. Hayden is officially 2 months old. Just blows my mind at how fast and yet it has been so incredibly slow. I have been standing on my feet for 2 solid months trying to get this one to sleep. Just for the records, he doesn't sleep well during the day. I will come back to that in a minute. One thing at a time.
We moved again! Yes, it is true. We seem to do this every 2 years. I guess that is the curse and maybe a blessing of being married to a contractor. Seems like we get tired and ready for another challenge in a new place every 2 years. I am okay with it for awhile. Lance assures me that I only have to do it maybe one more time and we will settle and call it home. But for now, we are all moved in. Almost, there are a few things here and there that we still have to unpack. But for the most part we are all moved in. We are loving it! I am loving all the space. Not a neighbor in sight. We own this place and everything around it for right now. The kids have so much room to roam, they are loving it. Now if only the weather would warm up a bit so we can enjoy the outdoors. We are surrounded by beautiful farm fields. It is very beautiful this time of year. I am loving my views. If only I could pull up in a chair and blanket and read a good book. Only two things are missing, time and a good book. One day, hopefully soon it will come.

Hayden is 2 months old. Where did that go? And at the same time, I am completely worn out. Tired, back hurt kind of worn out. We have created a little monster in the sense that he thinks he has to be walked around or rocked to go to sleep.

 Yep, one of those kinds of sweet babies. But he is honestly so sweet. He is starting to smile and talk and I am just loving it. Makes the tough days worth while.
I am still off of dairy for the most part. Every once in a while I will eat some and he doesn't seem to be too bothered by it. He has gotten some really bad dry skin so we have been trying to tackle that. He sleeps pretty well during the night and I guess I am really grateful for that.
The kids love holding him. Keaton is a great helper for me. All the kids are to some degree.
This week the three boys have school off. Fall break. So far we have done..... drum roll...... nothing much. Too cold to go anywhere and to cold to do anything, so we have been playing games inside and watching some fun movies. I think they are ready to go back to school.
Last night Lance and I got to go to the Josh Groban concert. We LOVE Josh Groban! We went to his concert about 5 years ago when he was in town. He was excellent so when we saw that he was coming back we bought tickets right away.  His very first concert was performed in Boise, Idaho. I didn't know that. So every time she starts a tour or when his new CDs come out he goes on tour and his first stop is always Boise. Love it! He is so clean and so classy. I just love his voice and he is one of those performers that just gives you the chills every time you hear him. Thanks Lance for a nice night out! A huge thanks to my mom and my sister for coming to watch my kiddos so we could go. It was the first time in 2 months I was able to get out without Hayden. It was really, really nice.
I am ready to run again. I have really missed it. Now if only I could find some time to do that. I am itching to get out and run.
For now, we are getting ready for Halloween.. All our decorations are up and the kids are excited. Trying to think of some creative costumes this year. Any ideas? I am too tired to think.

sneak peak

My Ellie......

You are so cute to me!

 

I love the faces you come in each night with. Covered in dirt. Proof of a fun day.

You love to get dirty! Playing in the dirt in Grandma's garden is your idea of fun.

Eating is what you love to do to pass the time. You are always hungry. Your mouth is always full of something.

You LOVE go-cart rides with your brother Keaton. He is so good to you!

 

Ready for school, jus like the rest of them!

 

Finding gray hairs

 

Yep, that is what I found this morning while brushing my hair. When did this happen?

But do you see me frowning? Nope. I guess it is just life and apparently it is coming early for me. Maybe it is because I have 5 crazy little people running around my home. Seldom is there time for me to take time and get ready. Most days you will find me in sweats and a T-shirt. Why? Well, there is so much to do and kids running in and out of my house and I never know who it is or where they are going. I have a 4 year old who believes that he is old enough to just go and do what he wants, without letting me know. His little partner in crime lives just right down the street. They are so fun to watch but I have to be careful because they just come and go together. So Tonia, Joey's mom, and I have a communication thing going on so we know where they are. It has been helpful.

Owen will literally wake up at 8 in the morning and then get dressed and kindly let me know that he is going to Joey's house. Our rule: no bugging friends until 9:30. Some people actually like to sleep in. So he will get dressed and just ask me every five minutes if it is 9:30. We are getting better but my goodness, this is getting to me. I should just buy him a watch and teach him to tell time so he can do it on his own.

School has started for Keaton and Andrew. They are both full time now. It has been quiet around here. I never really realized how much they helped me out until this summer when Grandma Snyder took them to Utah for a week. Well, I am missing their help. I know they are in a good place and that makes me happy. They have darling teachers. I feel really confident that they are in good hands. We have a great Charter school that they attend. I couldn't be happier. It sure beats public school.

This year is going to be a great year for them. They get on the bus at 8:30 in the morning and we don't see them until 4:30 when the bus drops them off. Riding the bus this year is new to them. I have always had issues with buses. Weird kids ride the bus and I didn't want my kids around that.

Well, they are loving it and half our ward rides the same bus and they are happy and content with it.

At least they have each other to sit by. I think that is why they like it. I am okay with that too.

I already live in my car. Once the kids get home, we eat dinner and then it is out the door for football practice or some other event. Scouts, Let's play music or something else. Life just got even crazier.

Owen will start preschool next week and we will have a lot of family coming this coming weekend for Hayden's baby blessing.

Then we will move into our new home. It should be ready the first week in September. We are all so excited! I will post some pictures later when I find time to get over there and check it out.

Yesterday they were installing the cabinets and prepping the floors for tile.

We are going to be a little secluded. There will be no neighbors for awhile. I am okay with that. It will be nice for a change. We have a lot of farmland around us and a ton of space for the kids to ride the go-carts, the rhino and just be as loud as we want. I know they are really going to miss their friends that are here in the cul-de-sac but we will make due. With school starting there will not be much time for playing. We will just have to set up play dates.

So now, I am going to go and enjoy my quiet time for another hour until the rest of the gang comes home from church. Happy Sunday to everyone!