Operation

Before the year ends, we had a minor operation scheduled for Preston at Primary Children's Hospital. He was adorable the entire time. He loved the attention from the nurses and doctors. He loved getting a bracelet, his weight and height checked. He also thought his new "pj's" were pretty cool!

He had his Mickey Mouse plush doll, blanket and passy...and he was off with his nurse and doctor in the little red wagon. 
They told us later they put him to sleep in the wagon with a gas mask that smelled like bubblegum then they moved him to the operating table where the plastic surgeon removed a large (hairy) mole on his shoulder.

When he awoke, he was a little groggy, but happy. Never crying once. They even wrapped his Mickey doll's hand where his IV was located. He asked for juice and popsicles. He downed four of them! 

This is what it looks like a week after the operation. Not too bad! 

The Boys

Will is a smart, hard-working, handsome son. He's the oldest, and he's great at it. Will is a great example to all his brothers and a huge help to me. Will loves football, lacrosse, and park skiing. He's in 10th grade at Olympus High School, has all advanced classes and is pulling straight A's.

Jackson has a great imagination and keeps us laughing. He is very creative and is great at drawing, writing and making up stories. He is my number 1 go-to-guy for babysitting; Such a great helper!! Jackson is in 8th grade at Evergreen Jr. High, is in advanced classes and is doing great.

Tyler is in the 6th grade and is my super athletic son. He is great at most sports but excels at football, lacrosse and basketball. Tyler is wild and crazy and always fun to be around. Tyler is great with his newest younger brother, Robbie. It is so sweet to see such an aggressive guy become so soft and kind to a baby brother. 

Gavin is almost 9 years old and such a great kid. Gavin is the most confident and brave kid that I know. He will disappear, off on his own, without a care in the world.  Gavin is a good looking kid with lots of girls that follow him around. Gavin loves most sports and especially loves park skiing. You will find him skiing backwards down the hill. Before leaving, anywhere, he makes sure his hair is combed perfectly. 

Brigham is the biggest "ham" of them all, and that must be why it is in his name. He is the sweetest little personality, and is so kind to everyone. Brigham is the biggest love bug; always hugging, kissing and snuggling with me. He is the biggest 6 year old you'll ever meet, but a super soft teddy bear inside. Brigham tries to do everything his older brothers do. He loved playing flag football, but is ready for the real stuff next year. He loves playing basketball and park skiing. 

Nathan is such a great kid. He is 5 years old and loves playing outside and playing inside. He enjoys watching YouTube tutorials on Minecraft games and then grabbing my cell phone or iPad and advancing in the game. He's a little quieter than the others, but still a fun, outgoing kid. Nathan is enjoying his last year of preschool and is already excited for Kindergarten to start next year. 

Preston is secretly my favorite son! He has such a great personality. Preston talks ALL THE TIME and asks a bazillion questions about everything. I love how inquisitive he is. If you are sad or angry, just spend 5 minutes with this kid and he'll make you not only smile but you'll be laughing. Preston is such a riot! He is a little mini version of all of the other boys. 

And then there's Robbie. He is a darling. He sleeps great, thank goodness! He's starting to smile and coo at me and the other boys. He reminds me of Benjamin Button with his grumpy old man faces that he makes. I love his huge dark, blue eyes and when he scrunches his forehead. So cute! He's also my favorite...shhh, don't tell!

Following Dad

Several days ago it snowed... and snowed... and snowed. We have a very long driveway, and so it takes a while to clear the snow. While Scott was out plowing the snow in the driveway, Preston chased after him and followed him the entire time. It was adorable!

He turned around at one point to make sure I was watching him the entire time. He would turn around, yell "MOM" and then either wave or blow kisses to me. 

Then, Preston would stand back while Scott turned the blower around and come back up the driveway. How precious!! 

Outtakes

 

We took family pictures a few weeks ago in an apple orchard. It was fun, but it sure is hard getting 7 little, energetic bodies to hold still, smile, and not move for several minutes. Here are just a few of the outtakes of our adventure.

 

Look at cute little Nathan in the middle with his mean guy scowl.  Watch out, he's about to punch you out!

 

And then the next one is a tad too smiley. He is such a ham!

 

 

 
Preston kept eating apples the entire time we were there. So 99% of the pictures he has an apple in his hand and a mouthful as well.

 

I asked Will to smile and he gave me this sleezy pose.

 

 
Nathan is totally done with posing, Preston is still chomping away and Brig's is getting into it. What's up?

 More apple tasting.

I have no idea what Jackson is doing, but he sure is a cutie!!

 

 

 

I will be posting the real pictures later!! Stay tuned!



1 year photo shoot

I know everyone always says this about their own kids, and it's always true, but I have the cutest little guy!! Preston is such a cutie, but his blossoming personality makes him even more cute. Seriously! All my boys have been good babies...thank goodness. And Preston is no exception!

He sleeps well, plays well, is happy and smiley all the time and is so much fun. I lay Preston down for a nap and he'll sleep 3-4 hours. Sometimes, I have to wake him up because he's sleeping too long! He lays right down and falls asleep by himself. At night, he'll sleep 10-12 hours straight! 

Preston's hair is long and stringy like Tyler's and Brigham's was. And it so blonde! My adorable, California surfer boy! He has 6 teeth and counting. He's a super fast crawler, stands whenever he can and is taking a few steps here and there.

Preston loves playing with his brothers. He's always super excited to see them. He claps, tries to snap his fingers, eats like there is no other meal coming, tryies to walk around, blows kisses, points his finger when I ask him how old he is and loves playing peek-a-boo. 

The picture above is of him clapping.



Blowing kisses...

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESTON!!! You have been such a wonderful addition to our family! I am honored and so blessed to have you in my life. To raise you and to love you. Thank you for the wonderful space you have filled in my life and in  my heart. You are such a special little soul!

I love you always!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESTON!!!!

Oh my goodness, my baby turned ONE years old!! While we were in Santa Barbara we celebrated Preston's 1st birthday. I made a small cake for him and cupcakes for everyone else. While we were singing, Preston was looking at us, like we were crazy! We FaceTime-d Scott, Will and Jackson (because they were in Salt Lake at the time).
Preston was fascinated with the cake! Once he grabbed at it, there was no going back. He dug those cute petite fingers into the moist cake and fisted it into his mouth. He started gnawing on the plate after the cake was gone. He was so cute!

He would suck it off his fingers and make cute little noises while doing that.  It was a great day! We also FaceTime-d Grandma and Grandpa so they could watch little Preston chow on his birthday cake.

           HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESTON!!!

PEEK-A-BOO!!!

 

 

 

Preston's new favorite game...PEEK-A-BOO!! Even with food all over his hands and face!