Chet is 6!

This boy has been planning his birthday for months, actually, once his last Birthday was done he began planning for this one. He let me know how he wanted the house to be decorated and what colors he wanted, what I should make for every meal...He has been letting us know what would be the perfect birthday presents for months. The morning of his birthday he woke up at 5 am...which makes me nervous for Christmas morning. He waited as patiently as he could during my workout and then he was able to open his presents before Tanner left for work. 

Mariah and Austin both picked out gifts for him and it was so sweet to see how excited they were to give their gifts. Mariah even bought hers with her own money. And Austin went to the Dollar Store with me and roamed the aisles until he had found the perfect gift. It wasn't easy because he thought Chet would like almost everything he walked by. 

 Walkie Talkies from Austin and "a pancake bigger than my head, bigger than dad's head!" with whip cream and blueberries, as requested. 

Grammie and Papa Ralph got him a mitt, ball and bat and he has only conked himself on the head once with the bat. Mariah and Austin also got a glove and ball too so we've begun daily baseball practice. 

Tanner was on call for his birthday so we ate his birthday dinner of hotdogs without dad and then hustled to their first soccer game. Mariah and Chet both did so great and it was fun to see their faces when Tanner made it. Probably the best present Chet got that day. His team even sang him Happy Birthday. 

We had cake on Saturday when the Hilton family could be there. Chet has had cupcakes for the last couple years and was adamant that he got a cake. He wanted to pick out the flavor and design. We went to a website and scrolled through a lot of cakes. He decided a candy bar cake looked the most delicious. He wanted a road and race car on the top. He helped make the cake and then decorate the top. He made his very own checkered banner and picked the "shiniest car" to go on the top. We had to get gummy bears to be spectators for the race. 

 He didn't even care that the cake was a little lopsided (I'm not a professional, or perfectionist) 

I think it was a happy couple days for him and it was fun to show him how special he is to us. And now for his sixth year interview...

Mom: What is your favorite color?

Chet: Green and Black

Mom: What is your favorite food?
Chet: Hot dogs and pizza and ice cream and lollipops and suckers! (And this is why I don't let him choose his own meals on a daily basis. But the boy can sure eat; his slim build is very deceiving.)

These Iowa State Fair corndogs were delicious...good enough to go back so we can all order one.

Mom: What is your favorite animal?
Chet: Horse 

Mom: What is your favorite book?
Chet: About every book (He doesn't love reading on his own but loves being read to. He begs Mariah to read to him and she is pretty great and most often does.)

Mom: What is your favorite movie?
Chet: Peter Pan 

Mom: What is your favorite song?

Chet: Let's Get Down to Business (Be a Man from Mulan) His favorite primary song is The Army of Helaman and he loves to belt that one for his bedtime song. 

He pulled out his most recent loose tooth by tying it to the end of his dart gun and letting the shot pull it out. Anyone he got the chance to talk to the next week or two after that heard the story. 

Mom: Who is your scripture hero
Chet: Captian Moroni

Mom: What is your favorite dessert?
Chet: Ice Cream, cake and lollipops

Mom: What do you like to do for fun? 
Chet: Play sports, wrestle my dad, ride bikes

Chet boy has so much energy...the only time we can get him to sit is for a movie or book; otherwise he is always on the go.

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?
Chet: Read

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?
Chet: Play soccer

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Mariah?
Chet: I like when she reads to me. 

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Austin?

Chet: Play with race cars (Those two are the best frienemies...they can be playing along great and the next second they are duking it out complete with sound effects)

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do with Eliza? 
Chet: Sit by her during mealtimes.

Mom: Who is your best friend?
Chet: Charlie, Mariah, Dad, you, Austin, Eliza and all the friends I've had. 

Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Chet: A cowboy and soccer player

We love our Chet boy. He'll talk your ear off and you better not make any idle promises to him because he'll never forget them and make sure that you never forget either. As long as we make sure he is well fed and well rested he is a happy boy who is up for anything. He is my hard worker and loves to do things outside for me. The other day he helped me haul some yard waste to our burn pit and was concerned that he wasn't helping enough. He now can bring the trash can up the lane to our house and runs right out when I ask him to do it. While he can get frustrated with his siblings I can see that he usually tries his best to be patient and show kindness to them. He wants to do what is right and it has been wonderful to see the boy he is becoming. 

Fifteen Months for Eliza

Our little Eliza girl is getting so big and doing so many sweet things that we don't want to forget. 

 Eliza loves her babies. She gives them kisses, covers them in blankets and carries them all over. When she sees a real baby she points to them and says, "beeb!" 

 She wants to do what her siblings are doing and gets really indignant if she doesn't get to.

She can be really friendly to other people, saying hi and bye, but if they get too close she gets real sassy and puts them in their place.

When I put her down for bed or naps and she's in a good mood she will say byeee and blow kisses to me. It's just the sweetest. 

 She has become a really messy eater. I'm pretty sure she thinks her hair is a napkin...

If she sees food she wants she says, "Aye, Aye Aye!" over and over until we give her what she wants. She does this cute little noise where she rolls her tongue when she wants water too. 

 Eliza got knocked over and face planted pretty hard. She had a fat lip the first day and was pretty scraped up. 

These two are real cute together. Sometimes they'll take hands and walk around the house. They also like to dance and spin around holding hands. But if Austin climbs on my lap the kind feelings disappear. Eliza shrieks and tries to hit him off my lap. She's a little possessive. 

 Eliza loves being read to. She wants a book in her crib at naptimes so she can look at it before she falls asleep and after she wakes up. And I think Mariah looks so grown up in this picture. 

We are now in survival mode during church. She seems to be getting a little better but we have had some really rough Sacrament Meetings. Second hour is spent following her around. But the last few Sundays she has done much better. 

While she isn't saying a lot, she jabbers like we should all know exactly what she is saying and it is pretty cute. 

 Eliza Ann you are such a joy! 

Crossley Time

Before my family reunion in McCall, we were able to spend a few days with Chad and Kaisa's family in Mountain Home. Tiesha and her kids came down from Boise one day as well. There was lots of scooter, bike, skateboard, and longboard riding; as well as some soccer games in the backyard. We even got to swim at a neighbors house twice. Kaisa set up a family band where everyone got to play an instrument and my kids loved it. The Chad and Kaisa family know how to have a good time.

 Ephraim and Austin 

 Eliza and Brigham are just a few weeks apart and it was really cute to see them interact with each other. 

 Mariah and Mary 

When Austin got tired on our walk Uncle Chad gave him a ride on the scooter. They zoomed past everyone and Austin had the biggest smile on his face. 

After my family reunion we headed to Twin Falls to be at the last few days of the Crossley Cousin Camp. We slept in the same little cabin with Ty and Lisa's family. All the older kids slept in the upstairs and Eliza was next to my cot in a pack in play. The next night Tanner decided to sleep out in his hammock...if thats any indication of how our first night went. 

We got to do an improv skit, play fun games, sing songs around the campfire and even learn a square dance. The kids had such a great time with all their cousins. Grandma and Grandpa Crossley even showed up, surprising all the grandkids. 

 Lining up before a game

 We went on a short little hike that ended at this beautiful little waterfall. 

 Playing Cracker Whacker

At the end of Cousin camp Kaisa had all the kids fill out a questionnaire to learn how to improve the camp for next year. One question was, "What is one thing you would like to see next year?". Kaisa meant an activity but Mariah interpreted it a different way and answered, moose. Later that evening Tanner brought Mariah out to see her first moose in the wild. She even had a calf! Chet got to come out and see them too.  

The next morning after cleaning up camp we headed out for the long drive to Iowa. We had our nieces Shera and Bethany ride back with us and they were so helpful. We stopped in Wyoming on Sunday and went to church with the Obergs, our good friends from Morgantown. Although it wasn't long, it was good to see them. 

We arrived at our new home late Sunday night to find that the garage door opener wouldn't work anymore. After debating for a while what to do, Tanner called the owner of the furniture store where we got our appliances to see if they still had our key. They did and he was willing to meet us at the store so we could get the key. That could only happen in a small town. Then began the unpacking and settling in. 

Reunion in Idaho

When my family started talking about a family reunion I pushed real hard for it to be in Idaho. I knew we would be up there already visiting Tanner's family and that it would be a good location for most everyone (sorry Tiff and Cameron). We ended up finding a cabin a little ways outside of McCall and it was a wonderful week. 

The kids never stopped the whole time. There were bunk beds to jump off of, an air hockey table, pool table, hot tub and more than enough treats to keep them fueled throughout the day. 

We went on a couple little hikes around the cabin which was more than enough with our big crew of littles. There are 14 grandkids with the oldest being 10, so it's a little crazy when we all get together. We learned that the preschoolers do much better when they are holding one of their Aunt's hands instead of their mother's. The fear of the unknown I guess. 

My mom and I  decided we should have a Stripling Warriors theme because of all our boys. The first full day we had all the men act out Ammon the missionary. They really got into their roles and the kids loved it. 

Ammon before King Lamoni

The robbers who chased the King's flocks away. They gave a stellar performance, keeping their hands behind their backs after their arms were cut off. We then had everyone bury their weapons of war out on the beach. This beach was so beautiful but there were signs up warning about the levels of bacteria in the water so we stayed on the shore. 

We had a fun beach day at Lake McCall where the kids got to play to their hearts content in the water and sand. Tanner, Andrew, and my sisters and I tried a little volleyball. It wasn't exactly pro...but we laughed a lot and that was more fun anyways. 

Tanner and Chet on the paddle board

Emily and Andrew helped Mariah with an epic sand castle. And they were such good sports when all the little boys decided to be the elements on time lapse. It didn't take long for it to all be in ruins. 

Eliza and Chet had a good time in the hammock. 

Another day we had Andrew dress up as Captain Moroni with his Title of Liberty and call the people to stand for their freedoms, families and religion. It was really special to see the enthusiasm of all the kids as they jumped up and raised their hands when Captain Moroni asked, "who will join me in this fight?" We didn't have to encourage them at all.

After that Helaman came and gave them all their own swords. And recruited them to be in the Army of Helaman. Tyler had made them for all of the grandkids. They then had some pretty epic battles with Tyler who was such a good sport. 

On the last night we talked to the kids about how the Stripling Warriors had great faith and part of that was because their mothers had great faith and had taught them. Each child was then brought to a room where they were alone with their mother who told them a truth that they wanted them to know. They then were given a glow stick. Chet and Austin didn't care too much what I had to say because they had already seen most of their cousins with a glow stick and that was all they could think of. But Mariah and I had a very sweet moment where the spirit was so strong. After going out to my mom she said, "I'll never forget this."  I'm so grateful everyone was willing to put in the time to have a theme for the reunion. 

The last day we had a lot of treats that just had to be eaten before everyone left. There was donuts on a string...

Great Grandma Young's birthday cake and Grandma Irene's Orange Jello salad

And even a "pop" party with crazy music and bubble wrap on the floor. The kids also got some soda pop to stick with the theme. We then followed that up with a pinata. I think we reached our yearly limit of sugar in one day. 

Mariah had so much fun dancing with Grandpa. That night she ended up throwing up all over the bathroom...it was real scary. Poor little Tycen got sick as well and there were some sick kids on the drive home, but at least it was at the end of the reunion and not the beginning. 

These kids wore Grammie and Papa Ralph out! Austin would make the rounds and cuddle with anyone who would take him. It was really sweet. 

The adults had fun playing games and eating way too much ice cream after the kids were in bed each night. It was great getting to know Andrew before he and Emmie were married. It was such a wonderful time to be with family. Thanks mom and dad for putting this on!

Yosemite

Tanner and I aren't always the best of planners. But when Tanner packed to come out west he brought all our camping stuff thinking that we may want to use it. The night before we left Oakland we debated whether we should head down to Yosemite. It wasn't until we got into the car the next day that we committed to going. We didn't have a reservation but we were lucky enough to find a campground right outside of Yosemite that had a spot. We ate a delicious dinner of bagels, lunch meat and watermelon. Because we hadn't planned ahead, the meals were a little lackluster. But it didn't dim the enthusiasm the kids had for camping. 

 After our dinner we hit up the creek to try to wear the kids out. They were really disappointed that I wouldn't let them get in their swimming suits but it was cold and I didn't think them starting the night off cold would be a good thing. 

We then took a walk around the campground and then went back to put Eliza to bed. While she was falling asleep we played Uno in the big tent and then told some stories. 

Our night went about as good as we expected it to. Eliza and I slept in Tanner's hiking tent and she either wanted to be nursing or sleeping in my sleeping bag. So I tried to huddle up under her baby blanket with my bottom half under my sleeping bag. Sometime after getting her to fall asleep I heard some movement in the other tent and then Tanner say, "Chet what are you doing? Chet, are you peeing?!" Yes, he was in fact peeing on his sleeping pad. Luckily Tanner was able to move his sleeping bag out of the way. I got a change of clothes for him out of the car and Tanner and I had one of those laugh to keep from crying moments. Chet had no recollection of it in the morning. I then went back to freeze to death while Eliza slept in my bed. 

By the way the kids acted in the morning they obviously got much better sleep then Tanner and I did. So so Chipper...and loud. I'm sure we were the least favorite family in the campground. Our children have no volume control and they were super excited about the fire Tanner had built. We had a great breakfast of bagels and lunch meat and some dry cheerios. Our kids don't remember the last time we camped so I think they just thought this was the normal way to eat while camping. 

 We packed up as quickly as we could and then headed into Yosemite. We stopped at Mariposa grove.  

A nice lady humored Tanner and took a bunch of pictures of us walking out of this tree. 

The kids had so much fun with Tanner on this hike. Austin started to get tired so Tanner tried to keep things interesting. They held hands and ran down the trail and Tanner would lift Austin over objects. Their laughs were so wonderful. 

After the hike we drove through the park and got to see El Capitan and Half Dome. We didn't stop because Eliza was sleeping and there's nothing like a sleeping baby to make you settle for a view out the window. It was so breathtakingly beautiful. The first couple hours of the drive back to my parents' was amazing. And then we got to the "roller coaster" road that I had remembered as a child. There were times when I wondered if that road really was as amazing as I remembered it and it totally was. The dips made our stomachs flip flop and we were screaming and laughing the whole time. It was so fun for my kids to get to experience that. 

Though impromptu, this trip was so fun and we will be going to Yosemite again. Maybe we'll plan ahead well enough to even eat some good food...