Joshua turns 5!!

Big changes for Josh as he hits his 5th birthday!!! This week has been a big deal to Josh. First he had his birthday on Saturday and on Monday he started school. He has changed tonnes this last couple months and at times I have found him really hard, trying to figure him out and all the changes to his personality. But for the most part we are still close and good friends and I am happy for that. He still loves hugs and time with Mommie and thats important to me. I am glad that at least for the next few weeks he is only going into school in the mornings. After then he will be full time and staying for lunch and the afternoons. I am not sure how he will manage that I am hoping he will enjoy it. He is tired in the afternoons so that will be interesting. He likes that his friends have started school with him, and already is making some new ones. He has had chance to develop some good social skills at Preschool after going there for 2 and a half years, and he really doesnt have too many problems talking to new kids and being himself.

He enjoyed his birthday and we made it the best we could despite the fact we were away on holiday. He did like that we took all his presents (which took up most of the back of the car!!) and especially that we went out for dinner, which is fast becoming a family tradition on birthdays! He and I went into town on Friday and he chose his birthday balloon - superman.

He loves all the gifts he got - so thank you so much to everyone who sent him something.

I reflected on the day he was born 5 years ago. I still can't believe that 5 years have gone by. It was all good memories and so that is the best. Having Josh was the first time I felt as confident as I did as a mother, after having all the problems with Katherine and the PND, it was wonderful to not have to endure those same problems. Everything was good in my life. Josh brought a new dimension to our family - a boy.... and its been lots of fun to have him in our lives. I have learnt alot about being a mother of boys as opposed to just girls. They are so different. And Josh is forcing me to learn things all over again ;D But thats OK. It makes my life interesting and enjoyable. I love you Josh, forever xxx

Malham, Yorkshire

Katherine, Lauryn & Me at Janet's Foss

on top of Malham Cove

All watching the Air Ambulance

Good thing we were not in a rush to get home ;D

Its the end of the school holidays and we finally managed to get a day out together as a family. Travis has been working full time for United Utilities so that has taken priority this summer. And thats OK. It being the Bank Holiday though, meant that - as tradition - the UK would be swamped with rain ;D

We spent many hours yesterday trying to figure out somewhere to go and went to bed feeling really disheartened. When you have waited all summer for a day, and then the weather threatens to ruin it well it kind of is depressing. However, this morning we woke up and thought we'd try the Dales. It looked like it would stay dry and we threw everything into the car. I hate doing things like that with no preparation but nevermind, I am so glad we did. It was the best day. The kids weren't too sure when we set off but by the end of the day they were all saying they'd had the greatest time. We drove to the village of Malham in Yorkshire Dales National Park, and started our hike to Janet's Foss Waterfall. Due to the rain all the rivers were flooded and so the waterfall was gushing! We didnt climb Gordale Scar as I wasn't sure the kids could handle the scrambling. So we did the easy hike up to the top of Malham Cove. Its a Limestone area and so the top of the cove is a Limestone pavement. The rock formations are cool looking, and the kids loved checking out the shapes and things down inside the rocks with Daddy. We had a really slippery and steep climb down the steps on the other side (and was extremely thankful we had gone up the way we had as we passed many exhausted climbers who were going up the steps! ) At the bottom the kids were amazed to see the river appearing out of the rock and then had some excitment as a lady who had fallen (but was still smiling) had summoned the emergancy services. We were passed by 4x4 trucks of Ambulance & Mountain Rescue, and watched the Air Ambulance Helicopter come in to land right by the base of the Cove! As we got back into the village the Ambulance was waiting for the Helicopter to transfer the injured lady. It landed again right by the Parking lot and the kids had a great time watching and waiting for it to leave. They were so excited that the pilots and paramedics waved at them as they took off from the field.

We hadn't long left Malham when we had to stop and wait for a herd of cows to walk down the road into another field..... a very English scene that made their day ;D

Jacob is Two !!!

Jacob loved his Blue's Clues birthday cake

With his new friend Benjie ;D

My baby turned 2 on Sunday, and it was a fun day. He had been looking at his wrapped up presents for a week (no where to put them!) and was desperate to open them. He was so excited. On Saturday we had a fun day out at the Cheshire Oaks outlets, and trekked all around the nearby town of Ellesmere Port trying to find him a birthday balloon. He saw the Thomas the Tank engine balloon and it took 1 second to decide if that was the one for him! He loves trains and cars etc. The weather was good and we spent the afternoon at Croxteth Hall park in Liverpool. It was a good day.

I really wanted to make the effort to do his cake this year. I have gotten so lazy lately and have resorted to the nasty store bought ones that are so dry. I am frustrated that I have had to buy one for Josh's birthday because we are away camping! It was so fun to make though I have learned some lessons about frosting ;D It took me 3 hours to do, but was worth all the effort - Jacob loved it and it was tasty ;D

On Sunday we had to get up so he could open his presents before church. He was happy playing with everything. He got alot of lovely things. He was not too happy however being dragged away from his new toys to get in the car! Can't blame him really. We took his Playmobil Police car with us but Josh wanted it all the way thru Sacrament Meeting so there was just fights there. In the evening the family came over and we had his birthday cake. He had a really happy day. I can't believe where these last 2 years have gone. My precious baby is growing up so fast.

He is now on the waiting list for Speech Therapy. Over the last few weeks he has attempted a few words. As much as I am dreading Josh going to school full time, I am also looking forward to spending lots of one on one time with me and my little guy. It will be great. And I hope we can make some progress. I have so many plans for us!!!!! I love you Jacob my sweet! xxxx

My kids........

Lauryn - This girl is making me feel old. Yeah she is only 9 but she is growing up sooo fast!! This last few weeks she has been learning how to deal with boys liking her ;D On Monday she was out of school and came with me to collect Katie. While we are hanging out in the yard, I spotted the boy in question, checking her out ;D She was so embarrased but I think deep down she is really flattered ;D Its such an interesting time for both of us. Mother & daughter. She is so fun to talk to, and I am glad that she and I can talk about all the changes so well. I told her the other day that I am enjoying that she will talk to me. I said when she is a teenager she might not want to. She said 'No way Mum' .... we'll see about that ;D She tried out at the Tennis Club on Friday. She didn't like it too much as they were teaching her skills and wouldn't let her play... so Saturday we got some raquets and hung out at the park playing together. So much fun.

Katherine - She got her 25m swimming certificate on Friday!!!! I am so excited for her and she needed the boost. She seems to have overcome some worries with her swimming and I am pleased she has something to show for it. She's doing better at school now too. We had an interesting lesson in FHE on Monday night about prayer. (Thanks Travis!) It was good to be able to share my feelings about how I have prayed for her during all the opposition she was going through at school and how its now working out - not how I had asked for but how our Heavenly Father knew was the best way for Katherine. ;D Great teaching moment.

Joshua - I have so far been quite relaxed about his upcoming start at fulltime school in September. Then last week he had a afternoon at the school, and he went off with the teaching assistants to the Reception class, while I stayed with the other moms in the hall. As I went to collect him (and having to go around to another door as I had the stroller with me) I found him - eventually - waiting at the other door, looking so worried where had his mommie gone... it was awful. I was hit like a tonne of bricks that I was loosing my Josh to school - nooooooo - not ready! Thankfully I have a few more months yet. He is excited. 3 of his friends are going with him from his Preschool into his class. He is worried about his birthday party already, as he will be 5 before he even starts. But I am sure we can figure something out! He is going again on Friday for the whole afternoon without me. Should be interesting..... Last night whilst Travis and I were glued to the Andy Murray tennis match at Wimbledon, Josh announced that he wants to go there for his birthday???? Why??? He is the funniest kid ;D

Jacob - Well, after a couple months of trying and researching everything I can do to get this kid talking I was getting to the end of my rope. And a bit anxious. I have been reading a book to get ideas called Baby Talk. I am really hoping it can help us out. After not having to do ANYTHING special to get the other 3 children talking, this is proving to be a challange for me. Everyone is praying for him. We had a breakthrough last week when he suddenly said 'Ball' and I was so excited. He has said it so many times now. So it wasn't just a one off. He has added 'Car' & 'Spot' today so maybe we are onto some progress after all?? Still waiting for the Health Visitor to return my phone call so I can find out if he can get some speech therapy. Fingers crossed we'll be able to get this little love of my life talking .......

Travis - (now for the biggest kid of all) ;D He got his summer placement he was after - it was an arduous process, I mean talk about making us hang on and on and on ..... So, he is back with United Utilities for another summer. He even got a lovely pay rise from last year which made the wait all the more worthwhile!! He is happy ;D He got a Golf Package Set for Father's Day. He has been to the driving range with Lauryn, and is now trying to arrange a morning of golf with the big boys so he can test out his skills ;D He is enjoying it anyway.

We have all been camping and hiking for the weekend. It was awesome. I can't believe that the kids managed the 7 and half hour slog up 4 Wainwright summits in the Lake District. I never thought we'd see the day, and we got ALOT of weird looks from the other hikers. You know there were no other young kids up there. I am so proud of them it is quite the achievement for them all. I just love Langdale. I wish I could collect it up and drag it to Utah with me. I am going to miss the Lakes alot. I was really excited to see that Eurocamp have now set up at the National Trust site that we always go to. So now there is a way for us to come over with just sleeping bags and go camping again in the future ;D YEAH!

Harbon's Got Talent

Jakey shows us his talent!!

Josh does some flips

Lauryn is so much braver than me!

Katherine & Elisabeth are the judges

Josh & Zachary do a puppet show that none of us understood :D

More judging!!

Lauryn

So, we were driving home from London and we got a text from my brother inviting us all over for Family Home Evening. I guess after the grand final of Britains Got Talent we needed something to fill the void. Hence our activity that night :D Just a few photos from all the fun!!!

Crosby Beach

Lauryn making her sandcastle

Everyone enjoying some ice cream (but us!)

Jacob wants a bucket and spade too!

Josh and his castle, he shovelled a path all the way to the water and was frustrated when he discovered water didnt flow uphill ;D

Lauryn skidding down the sea wall

Jacob had fun in the sand

Katherine's sandcastle is a work of art :D

Down on Crosby Beach having fun :D

Spending an afternoon of half term at Crosby Beach.

Celebrating the end of Travis 2nd year!!

At Stratford-upon-Avon Marina

Josh at cousin Duran's Home, with Eron

The kids riding Uncle Rowlands kit cars with Jacob & Mauricio Duran

Katie, Lauryn & Jacob in the tractor

Sir Josh the knight, Princess' Katherine & Lauryn, Travis & Jacob at Hampton Court Palace, London

On deck of the ''Golden Hinde'' Tudor Navy Ship, London

Travis finished his 2nd year exams, and we went off to London for a few days. The kids were out for Whit Week half term also. We had a fun couple days camping in Chertsey, with the Camping & Caravanning Club. It was great. Weather was good, and the kids enjoyed the club house right next to our pitch. It meant I could watch the last 20 minutes of the Champions League final tho and enjoyed watching Manchester United getting slaughtered by Barcelona. I do like it when I get to witness Manchester United having a good cry!! LOL

We had a good ride into London on the train and after we got some immigration photos done, we went to the Golden Hinde. Its a Tudor sailing ship captained by Sir Francis Drake. We got on a workshop and went thru each level which was demonstrated and shown how each person on the ship would live and things they had to do. The kids loved it. Its always good to find something different away from the usual tourist hot spots everyone knows in London. We had a really lovely walk along the River Thames along Bankside back to Waterloo Station, it took some time, but we could see all the sights on the other side of the river, and walked past Shakespeare's The Globe Theater and the Tate Gallery, Millenium Bridge. Would really liked to go on the London Eye, but its just way too expensive for us. It made a nice change from going in and out of stinky dingy tube stations and not seeing anything.

We had a day at Hampton Court Palace, which was fantastic. It was such a cool place to visit. This was one of the residences of King Henry VIII and so there was lots for us to see here. Lauryn was excited as she has just started the Tudor period at School. We liked seeing the Chapel where he married one of his many wives and the royal box. We had a good laugh in the Maze despite my attempts to memorise the way into the middle, we still got lost LOL.

Then we went to stay with my Auntie Barbara & Uncle Rowland. We just love staying with them. They are so kind and the kids love it at their house. The weather was great the whole time. We had a fun couple hours walking around the market at St Albans town center, and went to a nearby river where the kids could play in the water. There were some huge fish that would swim right past our legs! We had fun times with my cousins Clare & Claudio Duran & Janet & Ian. We had a fun time up at the Duran's ''farm'' on Sunday. It was the best.

We made a stop in Stratford-upon-Avon to break up the travel home. We haven't been there since Katie was a baby. So its been some time. Its such a beautiful place though. We didn't have time to go and look at the birthplace of Shakespeare this time, but we just had enough to spend a couple glorious hours relaxing by the River Avon and having some lunch in the sun.

Now we are awaiting the exam results..........................

Lauryn & her wrist......

So, there couldnt be any worse of a time (well maybe I guess) for Lauryn to fall off the Trampolene and sprain her wrist.... Yes for the first time since we have had the trampolene (of about 5 yrs) we have had our first major incident. Ironically Travis & I had just been discussing prior to the accident how buying it had been a worthwhile investment. Which, despite what happened I still believe it was worth every penny we spent on it. Its still the kids favourite pastime in the garden. They just need to know how to be a bit safer on it. Still Lauryn did give me a shock, when Josh came running in to tell us she was laying on the floor crying. You know everything goes thru your mind. She was lucky, considering how small our yard is and how large the trampolene is. (It takes up almost all the grass of the back yard). So she actually managed to land on the small area of patio surrounding the shed. She put her hand down to protect her head (whilst falling backwards) and landed on her wrist. I called Jenni - it really is handy having a doctor to consult - and felt it was probably best for it be checked for brakes at the hospital. So off we went Lauryn and I on the bumpy, winding, trek to the A&E Dept at Ormskirk Hospital (they are still campaigning for the childrens A&E to be brought back to Southport, last night they had every bit of my support!!!) It is not a fun ride - yeah tell me about it, after having to do it 2 yrs ago to give birth to Jacob - but luckily the roads were emptyish and that did help alot. Lauryn questioned whether or not I knew where I was going and at times, I have to say I wasn't too sure myself, especially when I came to town center didnt know if there was one way systems or not. Shows how slack I am getting by letting travis do all the driving. LOL

We didn't have long to wait, so that was 1 consolation, and I tried to keep Lauryn cheerful in between her crying. We had a good laugh looking for the X-Ray department in a deserted hospital - and got the good news that it wasn't broken but sprained.

The bads news for Lauryn is that she is going away with her school class on an Activity break for the weekend (tomorrow) and this has thrown a GIGANTIC spanner in the works. I went to talk to her teacher this morning, and discuss our options. She won't be able to do many of the activities she was looking forward to: Quad biking and climbing to name a few. She still wants to attempt the caving. I bought her a tube bandage and its helped with the pain today. So she is packed and all ready to go and will get a blessing from Daddy tonight. I am worried and stressed and anxious about it all, and even more worried than I already was about letting my daughter go away for the weekend without me....... so this is going to be a real test for me.

Katherine's 7th Birthday

I asked Katie if she wanted High School Musical or Hannah Montana "That Dolphin one over there" was her reply. Cute

Katie with her blue tounge!

Katie & her Dolphin Plymobil set. Elena loved sitting next to her and watch her open her pressies

At IHOP the birthday girl

The Parker Family at IHOP

Katie in Uncle Brad's Wildcat gear, on the morning of her birthday, after a fun sleepover at Brad & Kacie's ;D

Katie & her birthday cake at her party at Brewers Fayre with all her school friends

Playing with one of her friends on the toys

Katherine celebrated her 7th birthday in April, and because we would be away over Easter she had her birthday party with her friends before we left. She was really indecisive over what to do, you know how they are they think about it all year, and then when it came to the crunch she couldnt choose. So because we were going away I talked to her best friends Mum (whose birthday is only a few days away from Katies) and decided to save money and have a joint birthday party at Brewers Fayre. They had a great time. It was a mixed party this year, but we kept the numbers low and it was a great success. She got tonnes of lovely presents and had a very happy evening.

She actually turned 7 while we were in Utah, and it did prove to be a concern as we wanted to get her a large present (Playmobil Stables) but its way too big for a suitcase and cheaper to buy in England, so pointless buying it over there. So we got her some smaller things instead. Its hard trying to plan to do things and give her a choice when she has no idea where she is going to, but she asked if we could eat out for breakfast, and go swimming. They were her wishes. We were able to fulfill both, on recommendation from her uncles that IHOP tasted better than Dennys (we had never been to IHOP for some reason!) and everyone was so great to make it to breakfast that morning. What a treat! She really loved it, and was surprised when the staff came out to sing Happy Birthday and give her an icecream (icecream for breakfast???) her Uncle Achim would be proud!

Then everyone came to Clearfield Aquatic Center for a swim, and Katie really loved it. In fact all of them did. She went down the slide with Auntie Elisha! Lauryn got to race Daddy in the lap pool, and won ;D Thanks Travis ;D

She finished her day with Pizza and presents at the grandparents and everyone got nice blue tounges from the frosting on her dolphin birthday cake. What a great day!!

I just want to say how much I love my Kat. She is developing well at school and despite some recent challanges she is learning alot about how to cope with opposition, and also to take care of her body. I am pleased with all her progress at school and at swimming, and I love it when she helps me out at home. She really has alot of affection for Jacob, and really likes it when she is awake first and gets to play with him before everyone else gets out of bed. They are 2 peas in a pod.

I love you sweetheart xx

USA Vacation

Our family at Salt Lake Temple

Jacob wanted his own photo with the Temple. My precious boy x

The kids all waiting excitedly for the Joseph Smith movie

In the Bobsled at Park City Olympic Park

We had a great trip during April. Our trip was all about the kids, so in that regard it was a success. They came home happy and positive. It was so good to visit with friends and spend time with the Parker family. They all dealt with it in their own little ways, I found it interesting how each one of them responded to the situation. The children really liked the sunny weather and also the snow, and we had some great experiences in Salt Lake City. It was good for us as parents to have those special experiences with our children. I was especially touched at their response to the church experiences they had.

March

The kids having a picnic inside

Josh & Jacob being cute

A sunset pic I took thru the trees at the Pine Woods

The kids on an adventure......

Joshua & Jacob being my cute boys

Here is some pics from the last month that I downloaded from my camera. We finally decided to bite the bullet and take the kids back to Utah for Easter. It'll be a good trip for them, but already I am feeling like we are never going to fit everything into the 2 weeks. Whatever we need to do for them will come first though and is top priority. They are excited and worried at the same time. It will be a big deal for them.

Josh stunned us by passing his Level 1 & 5 meters at swimming. And being moved up into the next class. He is awesome. I stupidly tried to move them all to a different day of swimming (but at the same place) in an effort to have them all swimming at the same time, instead of us hanging out at the Pool half the night on Fridays. It was not to be. Although Lauryn loved the teacher of her class, and she was suggesting that Lauryn should actually be on Level 7 not 5 as she has just been on, Katie & Josh however didn't like it one bit. Josh's class for some reason had massive kids in it, and they were doing stuff he has no chance of doing yet. It was annoying and frustrating for Travis (who was doing all the watching I was doing paperwork!) that Josh new teacher just stood there rolling her eyes because he couldn't do anything she was asking. I didnt like that. So we moved them back to Fridays. The swimming co-ordinator was mad at me, but she had said we could switch them back if we wanted, and to be honest I rather they 'liked' their swimming teachers and lessons than hated them. I pay the Pool enough money every 10 weeks so they can live with it ;D

Lauryn also came home with her 200 meters certificate this week. They are my super swimmers.