St. Anthony

For the second year in a row, over the UEA break, the Major family trekked to St. Anthony, ID to stay in the Three Peaks Lodge. Max has been looking forward to going again for the entire year and it didn't disappoint. This year he tried out the canoe with Grandpa and built everything bigger and better with the foam blocks. He had a blast and is already talking about next year. Klein was great and had a blast as well. Preslee travelled pretty well and was spoiled by family. We went to Big Springs and to West Yellowstone for one day. The weather was perfect for fall. Unfortunately, I had to go back to work the following Monday. We are already looking forward to next years trip.

Preslee

Many of you have seen some of these pictures on Facebook but here are a few more that Alana took of Preslee, one week after she was born. She didn't cooperate very well- she was supposed to sleep through the photo shoot and hold still but she did neither. Alana had some darling props and hopefully they were easy to wash because a newborn with no diaper led to some wet spots. I love the pictures of Klein and Preslee. I wish I would have done this with my other two kids. Some day I hope to get some cute pictures of all three of them.

Happiness is...

An energetic six year old, a sweet two year old, a smiling six week old and an amazing husband

Okay, AND a round of golf on a sunny fall morning

Random

A few random things from the past few days...

My dear friend Jenny, the crafty girl, gave me the most adorable baby quilt. I am in love with it! Thanks Jen!

Klein keeps taking Preslee's binkie, which I am not sure she is really into but just in case I decided to buy some extras to have on had. Klein also picked out two of her own and can suck, or chew, on both of them at the same time.

I am not sure I will be able to go back to work when the time comes. I am loving being at home with the kids. I have still been working at home, or trying to. I currently have 545 emailed assignments waiting to be graded. Someday I hope to get to them...

We have a freezer full of beef and coincidentally, Klein's new favorite song is "Rawhide"-- thanks to a weekend trip to the Cracker Barrell where the Tumbleweeds band was performing. I downloaded the song from iTunes and now we both have the words memorized.

Yesterday we went to the MC homecoming parade. The kids had a blast but Klein couldn't figure out why they were throwing candy. At one point, she started throwing the candy back. We drove through out old neighborhood and saw that our first house was up for sale. Max really wants to buy it again. I shed a few tears thinking about the memories we made there. Darn hormones combined with a lack of sleep... I cry over pretty much everything these days.

Today, Max's first grade class put on "Lady Bug Day." Max really wanted his Grandpa Lee tocome more than anyone else. Grandpa Lee was a great sport and showed up for the big event which totally made Max's day. It was fun to see Max in his classroom and see him interact with his peers and teacher. I wish I would have taken my camera...

Sunday is Preslee's blessing- there is a lot to do to get ready but I did find a darling dress for her. She is growing and changing every day. Her pretty dark hair is still there but her head is growing, resulting in a receding hairline. She has quite a bit of hair in the back and she will reach back and pull it and then cry- Klein did the same thing.

Preslee- 5 weeks

Klein- 7 weeks

Max- I couldn't get a baby one to upload but here is one of my favorites of him at about 18 months

September

There is not too much going on around here- trying to adjust to three kids and to Max's school schedule and keep on top of everything. Max has lost three teeth in week and got a new bike. Klein got her stitches out. Preslee is growing. Life is good.

7 Stitches

Last night, Klein and Max were riding their bikes and had a head on collision. We weren't outside and didn't see what happened but Max came running into the house to say that Klein was bleeding. I rushed outside and our neighbor was carrying a blood covered Klein toward me. She said that Max turned around and was going full speed but couldn't see Klein because the sun was just going down. It was the most horrible sight-- there was so much blood and Klein was screaming. We got her and the other two kids into the car, make a quick stop at Grandma's and the headed to the emergency room only to have to wait forever. When they brought in a little TV and movies, I figured we were in for a long night. The worst part was the clean up shower and the hair washing which she doesn't like anyway. The numbing part was also pretty bad but when the doctor finally started putting the stitched in, she fell asleep. She has seven total stitches in two different places. It was a four hour adventure but Klein was really brave.

We definitely need to enforce the helmet wearing for all bike riding.

A funny coincidence is that Max also had seven stitches when he was Klein's age. Although his accident happened during church...

Busy Week

This past week was full of craziness as school started and we are making the adjustment to three kids. Max started first grade and that first day seemed like the longest of my life. Max, being a typical male, didn't have too much to tell me about his first day. I wish I could send him back to kindergarten because I hate to see him grow up. It was strange for me to be home on the first day but I didn't have time to worry about my students because my kids were keeping me plenty busy. I have a great substitute which has helped ease my stress.

Preslee is a very sweet baby and has spent the week sleeping and being loved by her siblings. She sleeps at night for four hours at a time which is great unless Klein also wakes up during the night. It is fun to play with Klein during the day. She really misses Max. She also wants to help with the baby and constantly tells me "My do it!" Luckily the newness has worn off a bit and Klein is not constantly trying to carry the baby and shove the binky in her mouth. For the first few days I had to literally hide Preslee from Klein. I am looking forward to my short stint as a stay at home mom and am already dreading October 18, the day I return to school.

Everyone said that the transition from two kids to three is really tough. I don't think it has been too bad although at one point on the second day home with the baby, all three kids were crying and I really didn't know what to do. I think the hardest part is going any where in the car and trying to get them all in and out. I am lucky to have such sweet kids and I thank my Heavenly Father every night for sending them to me.

Klein reverting back to her baby days-- although she never used a binky

Preslee in the bassinet and hiding in my closet.