4th of July

After the Art

Luckily, we've gotten through 4 boys without an artist who liked to draw on the walls.

#5 (a.k.a. Brett) is giving us a run for our money

This wasn't the first time

(I don't expect it to be the last)

But it was the "most artistic" so far.

Bradley was kind enough to give Brett-da-vinci a hand.

They went through a lot of wipes!

Luckily (for him) it came off everything but the ceiling and door.

Snow Play

The boys met up with Bryan's cousins and played in Logan Canyon

Brad, Bryan, & Brett

Brett was trying out the ride, but didn't get to go.

We went to Logan for groceries instead.

Bummer.

3, yea, - 3 What?

Rodney & Lucas

Brayden & Blake

They were anxious to go

(This driving scenario didn't last long though)

Kenny A, Benson, & Tara

Dad & Brad

Bradley & Lucas made a snowman

That would be Brayden

And Benson

They had a blast

Thanks Kenny A!

Benson's Wolf

Benson put it off until the last minute,

but finally earned his Wolf in Cub Scouts.

This part is always a bit unnerving.

Honor Band

Blake was invited as a 7th Grade student

to be part of the regional middle school honor band.

There were only a couple chosen from each school,

most were 8th Grade students.

Pretty cool. 

They rehearsed as a school several times,

then went to Mountain View on Saturday morning and rehearsed

as a complete band all day and performed that night.

Blake played percussion, he does such a good job.

He's so fun to watch, he is very intense and concentrates so hard.

If you are close enough you can see him nodding his head and counting the beats.

There is a lot of pressure when you are the drummer!

He's a good one!

He's out

Brett & Zippy

Sweet Thing

18 days old

She likes to look at the flowers on her crib bumpers

What a sweet little blessing she is!

We are all totally in love with her!

She's Here!

On Friday, February 19th, I went to the doctor for my regular appointment.  He said I was still dialated to a 3.  Bryan was concerned because he had to work Tuesday, and the doctor was fairly certain that we would have a baby before Wednesday.  So he gave us a list of stuff to do (all that fun stuff, walk, hot bath, spicy food...) and told us to come back Saturday morning at nine.  I was very doubtful that it would make that much of a difference - I was definately discouraged.  We did the whole list and reported to the doctor's office at 9 (he was awesome to do that on Saturday morning), and it worked!  I was dialated to a 5+ and ready to go.

At McKay Dee Hospital they put the contraction monitor on and I was already having small, but consistant contractions.  They started the lowest dose of pitocin, broke my water, and the contractions immediately became big and regular, and fast.  The nurse joked that all they would have had to do was wave the pitocin in front of my face to get things going.  She also made sure I was at the top of the list for an epidural.  (I've done 2 natural and much prefer enjoying the birth!  Recovery is easier for me too.)  Within 2 hours of arriving at the hospital, much faster than any of us expected, here came our baby girl!

She started screaming as soon as they suctioned out her mouth.  The first thing I checked was to make sure she really was a girl. 

She's perfect!

 

Dad's in love.  He had to hold her almost the whole time he was at the hospital. 

 

Grandma, Grandpa, Mark, Benson, Bradley, and Brett came to visit that evening.  Bradley was surprised to see me in a bed, and it took quite a while to convince Brett that this was really "Baby Bynee"

Despite the nursery and room service (hospitals have come a long way!) we were still anxious to get out of there on Sunday afternoon. 

Brayden and Blake had gone to the Klondike Derby Friday and Saturday, then stayed at a friend's house.  Blake was a little upset that he didn't get to go to the hospital, so we really wanted to get home to see them also.

Brayden and his friend had come over to the house and cleaned everything, vacuumed, finished dishes, they even cleaned Benson's room - that was way above and beyond!  So it was very nice to be home.

Brynlee is doing very well, a little jaundice, but after eating all night and laying in the sunshine, the pediatrician thought she looked good.

This little girl thing is so fun!  The pink and bows are a blast.  But most of all, she is just an angel.  Absolutely precious and beautiful and truly our gift from Heaven!

Brynlee Anne Hoggan 

Born February 20th at 1:19pm

7lbs 10ozs - 19 1/2 inches long

Birth Announcements by WiddlyTinks.com

My Valentine

Bryan didn't make it to my Dr.'s appointment last Friday.

We stayed overnight with my parents,

and when we got home on Saturday

 Bryan had a very nice

"romantic dinner for 6"

(as he called it)

on the table.

(Brayden was in Washington D.C.)

Wow - very sweet!

Baby Update...

Still a girl,

We've checked 7 times now.

She looks good - he says she has lots of hair

she's about 6 lbs.

I was dialated to a 3,

if I'm a 4 next Friday,

he'll probably keep me there

and get things going...

Road Trip

A typical road trip

at least the way I like them.

Blake's playing a game,

Benson was watching a movie,

Bradley was sleeping.

Brett doesn't go anywhere in the car with shoes on.

(First place to look when shoes are missing)

I had a great book on CD, and it was nice & quiet.

Benson & Basketball

Benson had a blast playing

Jr. Jazz Basketball

He's pretty good too!

Baby Shower

The ladies from church were so sweet

to give me a baby shower.

Check out the pile of pink!

The food was awesome too!

Thanks ladies!  I think I'm ready!

Walls!

Before

It's been 11 months since Brayden and Blake had rooms with walls.

They've been sleeping in the basement with

boxes and insulation for walls.

They've been really good sports.

After!

We didn't tell Blake the carpet was being installed.

When he got home from school we told him the little boys

had gotten into his stuff (not good).

He went tearing downstairs and was at the end of the hallway

and into his old "room" before we heard, "CARPET!!!"

They stayed up (way too late) putting their rooms together

So they could sleep there the first night.

Finally, real walls-and floors again!

Now for the rest of the basement...

Sledding - Our Way

The boys decided it was time to go sledding.

So they went.

I like it this way.

I could watch from the back windows in the warm house.