Deacon is 18 months!

So I didn't blog many pictures of Deacon the last few months because as they get older they don't change as much. Deacon is now technically 19 months old, so here is a little update about the last 4 months. Deacon is typically a very happy baby. He does have a good scream on him now though. If he wants something, he will definitely let you know. I've never had a screamer before, so it's been a new adventure! He started nursery a little early on the second Sunday in January. 

He certainly did not love it to begin with. The last few weeks he has gone right in though and he is doing well. It helps to have a wonderful nursery leader in Sister Zill who made it her mission for him to like her ;)

He has begun to feed himself, and although messy, it is really nice for me to eat dinner with the kids and not wait til he's done. 

This boy is so funny! He likes to talk to us when he is eating and is always clapping and laughing.

This is his normal face. He is always rolling his eyes!! I have no idea who he got that from ;) HAHA

He loves to get ready with me in the morning and loves the feeling of the blush brush on his skin...he laughs the whole time!

He always has a cheesy face and loves to look at himself in the mirror ;)...that he got from his father.

Our little Texan!! He got a staph boil on his face a month ago and I am praying it doesn't scar forever, you can see the little red patch under his right eye and thankfully it's fading.

He is always sweating!! His hair gets so curly when he is sweaty. This is a picture after his brothers soccer game. He loves loves loves playing with any kind of ball. He kicks the soccer ball, or throws the baseball or basketball, and then he will try and dribble the basketball to. He has a pretty good arm on him! He is pretty coordinated for an 18 month old.

Since Ella and Cavin are at school, Deacon spends most of his days with Channing. Channing tries to be loving and helpful, but often times she just ends up bugging him! What are big sisters for??

They do still have a fun time together.

He throws literally everything, but he is such a sweet kid. He loves to eat, and play with balls. He loves strawberries, grapes, graham crackers, fruit snacks, yogurt, and string cheese. At his 18 month appointment he was 33 inches tall, and 28.6 pounds. He can say about 15-20 words. Some of them are Mom, Dad, Ella (every single one of his siblings he calls Ella;)), Ball, num num, ink (drink), oh wow, yay, no, thank you, down, lub you (i love you). When he smells and I ask him if he needs a diaper changed, he will say "kkkk" for yuck and I know he needs to be changed. He also loves music. Especially the song "Popcorn Popping" and "Glorious". He is now officially down to one nap, as I really needed to get places and the two naps were cramping our style! We are so glad we have been able to have him for 18 months. He brings so much joy to our family!

Meeting the TWINS!

Last weekend I flew with my dad and sister Natalie to go to Arkansas for my nieces baby blessings. I was really excited to meet the little girls and see my sister Marisa. The flight over was nice and short and it was really cold when we got there. We had a quick lunch and then went to meet Kate and Addy.

These two look very very similar. They aren't sure if they are identical yet, but I do notice some very slight differences. Adelyn is always wearing pink and has the pink binkie and Kate is always wearing purple. By the end of the trip I could tell which was which, but for the first day that's how I knew.

Addy

This is how they were most of the time...except with so many visitors, they were mostly in someone's arms!

Isn't Kate Adorable!

The girls were blessed on Sunday morning and they looked beautiful!

Ethan's brother Clark and his father Paul, Ethan, and my dad were part of the blessing circle.

 My parents with number 15 and 16 grandchild.

These were the people who came to support them from Ethan's side! Hard to believe that is just 2 of his 5 siblings families! Clark and Megan came and they each have 6 kids, so the house was happening!

 Here is our small little crew!

 

We can't forget the cute older brother and sister Liam and Aubrey. 

Well I was glad to have my sisters together. It sure was cold for me! I don't think I took off this coat all weekend, except to sleep! I'm a Texas girl, through and through.

Sure love Marisa and wish she lived closer, but it was so nice to see her! 

We flew home on Monday afternoon, but our flight ended up being delayed 2 hours, so this was my happy place as we waited! I normally hate delays, but I ended up being able to enjoy this one a little as I got to read ALL BY MYSELF ;) No children to interrupt me, so I enjoyed the few moments of quiet before I got to go home and hug my crew. Oh, and you see that small suitcase...yea that was a miracle! I can never pack that light! You should be impressed!

When I got home, my amazing hubbie had surprised me with this door he had replaced. He had called over a guy in our ward to help him replace our back door that I had been asking him to replace for several years! He was a brave man to do it on a weekend when he had the kids alone, but I am so grateful it is done!! Not only did he do a wonderful act of service, he sent yummy dipped strawberries to my sister's house in Arkansas for Valentine's day. 

He took some time off for me to go and these cuties survived my absence. I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband! 

Valentine's Preschool Party!

Channing is loving her little preschool this year. For her February field trip, they went to MUDPIE and painted. She had a great time! They got to have a donut and say goodbye to one of the girls Jayne who is moving. 

She was excited to paint her heart plate!

I think it turned out great!

Now that Jayne has moved, Miss Lindsay added her two neighbor twin boys who are going to kindergarten in the Fall as well. Channing was excited to have two boys now in her small little class! I am grateful for Lindsay and the joy she puts on Channing's face each time she goes, and how much she has learned!

A Visit from the Michiganites!

This past week my brother Corey and his family came to visit from Michigan. My kids were ecstatic to have them here. They flew in on Saturday and we went to Culvers for lunch and then they stayed and played for a minute before Ragnar took John and Cavin to the Monster Truck Jam. They met up with my other brother Chris and his two boys and had a great time. Cavin looks forward to this every year, so I was grateful they obliged him and came along!

Cavin could hardly contain his excitement as he idolizes his older cousin John.

Must be a guy thing???

Ragnar brought Johns friend Collin with them and they seemed to have a good time.

Corey and Stephani left for a cruise and so we played with the kids while they were gone. We went over to Angel park for a beautiful, sunny afternoon.

Cavin and his buddy at the top of the rocks.

Here are all the kiddos. 

We went over for a quick dinner at McDonald's after playtime.

The boys wanted their own table ;)

On Friday I took the kids out of school early and we went over to Skyzone to let the kids jump!

They had a family dodge ball tournament.

Cavin was not cooperating in this picture so the kids decided to do bunny ears :) haha.
Afterward we had a pizza party and watched a movie and then Ella got to spend the night with Madi and get pedicures with Grandma in the morning. She had a blast.

On Saturday we celebrated Coleton's birthday with some of his friends. We are glad to have Coleton in our family! 

On Monday after my brother came back we got together for a family dinner and FHE. The kids play well together outside and the weather has been wonderful. They played duck duck goose....

 And then football!

Ella was so sad to have Madi leave. She doesn't have any older girl cousins here, so she sure loves to have some girl time when Madison comes. We are glad we got to see them all and look forward to our next visit!