Barney Family

Jonathan is eight!

2012-02-07T03:02:00.000-08:00

Our Jonnie Boy celebrated his 8th birthday at the end of December and a couple of weeks later came his special baptism day. I can't believe he eight. He was so excited to have his own scriptures. He picked the blue, large print edition. He also started Cub Scouts with mixed emotions...excited to go with Matthew, but a bit bummed out to miss the crazy sibling soccer games that go on in the gym while the scouts are meeting.

New Adventures

2012-01-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

For months and months I have wanted to get this blog going again...mostly because it is such a great family journal! I had decided January was a great time to start...a new year, new beginnings. On January 1st we got an unexpected suprise..a new calling for Dave as the new Bishop of our ward. He as been the Bishop (officially) for 12 days...definetly a new adventure for us. He is always busy, but this week, we have reached a new level of busy. He'll do a great job, this is the ward we have lived in since we got married, and we love it.

Matthew

2010-07-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Matthew celebrated his 8th birthday at the end of June. Eight is great, because he chose to be baptized--right on his very birthday. We are so proud of this little guy. He has such a great heart, the best smile, and is such a smarty pants! Here are some quick Matthew facts: Has read four, and now on 5th Harry Potter-loves to read (especially HP), still a dinosaur fan, loved baseball this year, still has not lost top two front teeth---probably the only kid in 3rd grade that still has them, talks a mile a minute!
Finally, a picture from our camping trip we took right after school ended. We went to Greer. It was beautiful, but whew, so much work!!

Last Day of School Picture

2010-05-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

Happy to be out of school, but unhappy we had to stop for a picture. Oh, and then we stopped at the grocery store on the way home...double torture.

Wake Up!

2010-05-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Yawn...Stretch...time to wake up my hibernating blog.
I want to keep track of what we do this summer here.
Summer is starting.
School is ending ...tomorrow.
Baseball ended last week.
As busy as they have both kept of for the last few months
it is sad to say goodbye to teachers and coaches
that have worked hard for our kiddos.
The kids found out about next year, today.
Everyone is happy.

Since last time

2010-01-30T20:52:00.000-08:00

Mom said it had been a month since the last blog-just about! We've had two birthdays-Meg and me. She loves being 9, and although I've bee dreading this one-it's not so bad!!!
Michael had his big band concert. We have been practicing one song for so long, so long that I can't remember why/how we thought it was the right one....it was a terrible one. We have been suffering through it for months...and they didn't play that one! Oh well--he thought it was great.
Everyday for school we are out the door by 7:55, but for some reason getting out the door early one a Saturday is a momumental task.
There is always a lot of whining, compaining, and general "I'm not going" attitude.
Doesn't matter what it is, a game, walk, family outing. They don't want to.
It it's a chore...like this morning we're going to clean the yard---WATCH OUT
Today Matthew had to be at a test in N Scottsdale at 9am.
Lizzie had her preschool Rodeo (no sibs allowed), also 9am.
Dave went with Lizzie.
I flew up to the test with everyone else in tow, somehow made it on time.
We finished at 10:30--off to PVCC track meet--drop off our 4 oldest.
Go get Lizzie who Grandma rescued from the rodeo so Dad could run the meet.
Home to clean the house ALL day because it has really never recovered from Christmas.
My expectations are always high with only 2 of our 6 home, but these 2 little ones are tornados.
So while I decluttered(only when big kids are gone -declutter=throw away) and organized in the bedrooms, they dumped and scattered everything in front. So with my 5 hours with only 2 kids at home, the house looks a little bit worse than when I started---ugh!

Happy Birthday Jon and other stuff

2010-01-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

Jon has been counting down to his birthday since about July--MADE IT!! He started off his day with with a bang...made soccer goal straight through our front window--notice the broken glass behind this beautiful birthday face? Just as a side note--each of our three boys has broken a window in the last 7 months, starting with Matthew--on the first day of summer break--a golf ball through our bedroom window. Then Michael, football, through the other front window, and now this. No more balls in the yard, boys!!
In other news....
School kids finished up another quarter working really hard-especally Michael. We love his teacher, but SHEESH she is a hard grader--love the high expectaions, though. He has really had to stretch, but made honor roll again.
Meghan made the all star team in soccer and her team won...onto softball next week!
Starting with Saturday of the all star game, a stomach virus got us--Rachel first-then bang, bang, bang--all of us. Christmas day was the first day we had no throwing up--6 straight days. I have just finally caught up with the laundry.
This is all of the kids trying to look happy making gingerbread houses. Such a bummer--candy everywhere, but nobody could eat it.
Loved the break, and sort of sad everyone has to back tomorrow. We needed another week since the first one was spent being sick.

Rachel

2009-11-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Okay-almost 2 months late on my birthday spotlight!
Rachel at 2.
Weighs about 24lbs.
Can usually be found on the kitchen table, eating other kids' leftovers, markers or erasers off pencils.
Loves to color (on everything).
Still doesn't say "yes"--no can mean yes or no.
Very picky about clothes--swimsuits are a favorite--but its getting cold now (have to hide them). Spends lots of time switching outfits.
Favorite saying "I don't like________!" whatever-mommy, daddy, Lizzie, horses, beds, nap--whatever.
Cries when strangers talk to her.
Follows Lizzie everywhere.
Hates to be strapped in carseat.
Looks so much like Meg.
Loves to cuddle and be held.
She is our first two year old we have ever had without someone younger in the family. It has been fun being able to enjoy the two's.

Halloween and Happy Birthday Elizabeth

2009-11-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

First of all, the Princess turned four. FOUR!! I can't believe it. She kind of got the difference between her bday and Halloween this year, where last year she kind of thought the whole event was HER big celebration. It was a full day--first a 2 mile road race in the morning, then home for a bit finishing off putting together costumes, then soccer for Meg, then home for the birthday party, then costumes on, off to Trunk or treat at church, then off to real trick or treating. It was exhausting, but really fun.

We had an Indiana Jones (Michael), gypsy (Meg), Darth (Matthew) Luke Skywalker (Jon),
an angel (Lizzie), and Rachel was Snow White--really it was the only costume she would wear. It was a fight to get it on, and then a battle to get it off when it was all over. She is so stubborn in her two year old glory! She loved trick or treating--she lost all shyness when she figured out EVERYONE was giving out candy. She was eating out of her bag, wrappers and all, as we went.
Look at this sugar filled, happy girl looking for more!

technical difficulties

2009-10-09T22:53:00.001-07:00

Can't get pictures to post!! Hope this will--trying to figure it out!

Little girls

2009-09-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

Whisper, whisper, sister, sister...
It must have been a funny one...especially coming from someone who doesn't really talk!!

Two!

2009-09-27T22:13:00.001-07:00

Our little cutie turned two this week. She loved being the star and was so silly whenever anyone mentioned "birthday"! We had a little family party for her at home. None of the pictures turned out great--darn camera. I'm working on a Rachel spotlight.

Must be Fall!

2009-09-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

We're definetely outside more often enjoying our 90's

Taking walks.

Playing soccer (Meg only)

Trying to learn the monkey bars-mostly dangling by one arm.
I'm not unpacking cooler weather clothes just yet, but maybe sometime soon! I love fall!

This and That

2009-09-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

Today was SUSD's first early release day of the year (one per month). We were off to the park to burn 2 hours of energy that didn't get used up at school. It seems like maybe fall is around the corner. YAY YAY YAY!!!!

This is how Lizzie felt after a busy day at preschool on Tuesday-exhausted.

On we go....

2009-09-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where I am with my 365, and I know I've missed a couple of days. I am trying to take a picture everyday. Posting is a different story--sometimes time or energy isn't there. So here are the last two days.
Did you know that Campbell's makes Princess Chicken Noodle for little princesses like this one? This one doesn't really even like soup...unless there are princess shaped noodles in it!
Look what we got! We've been looking for one for a longtime. There has been someone on it pretty much every minute that we have been home.

Trying to be a Big Kid!

2009-09-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

Michael insisted that I take a picture of Rachel "playing" a video game--sure looks like it was fun!

Back Home

2009-09-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

<
We had a great time on our trip. It was cool and rainy. I didn't bring enough warm stuff (who would think of it being so hot, here!) and didn't plan for all the mud, but other than that it was really fun. There were so many kids there for ours to play with and they loved being outside pretty much the whole time.

They always save the lodge for us--here are the monkeys swinging from bunk to bunk over a hard concrete, head-cracking floor.

Here is Rachel on that same bridge that I posted a picture of before we left--she wasn't born yet in that picture! Isn't she getting tall!?

A Camping We Will Go...

2009-09-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

We're off to Camp Lo Mia for our ward campout today. The kids are very excited.

About this picture....our first trip ever to Camp Lo Mia...about 1 month after Meg had her transplant. It was our first trip anywhere in a year. It was so fun and I love this picture-happy kids.

A Clean Room

2009-09-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

For the last year or so, we have major room cleans on Saturdays--meaning clean enough to vacumn the floor. We did this because there just didn't seem to be time in the evening to get the rooms clean, have baths, read, etc at bedtime. Toward the end of the week I would have to literally close the door...stuff everywhere...a tornado of junk. So when Saturday rolled around, everyone had ALOT of work to do and it took a long time! Just recently (during a Saturday room clean), Michael and Matthew decided that if they just do a little bit everyday, Saturdays would be much better days. So we are giving it a try. A quick clean up every night. Tonight, Meg's room was a disaster with clothes and toys all over the place. She went in there for about 2 minutes, came out carrying dirty clothes to the bathroom, and told me to go in an check it. Clearly, we have two different ideas of a clean room. Here she is after her first attempt. Didn't get the tantrum that followed on film.

Weekend in Review

2009-08-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

Whew, what a long week--maybe it was the 110 degree heat. Picking up the kids after school was pretty much torture. Finally as the sun went down it was time for some "Jedi Training". Jon an Matthew like to set up little training courses for themselves to do their Jedi workouts. They let Liz and Rachel stand on it -only for the picture.
Saturday -the whole day of it- was spent at a friend's house cooking. We were trying one of those coop cooking days where we both make 3 dinners, double it, trade, then we both go home with 6 to put in the freezer. It was exhausting. Everytime we finished one we'd head straight into another. It took from about 10-4. I'll be happy to have them, I'm sure.
Sunday was restful, as always. After church, we watched some movies, played, read, napped, etc. We finally headed out after dinner for a walk to Chap. Park(by now kids were bouncing off walls=destroying house). While we were there Lizzie figured out how to "pump" the swing all by herself! She was happy to get herself going so high.
Crazy girl!

Cub Scouts Can...

2009-08-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

Jump rope!! Sort of, anyway. They were practing their "run throughs" here. :) Michael's first Pack meeting of this school year tonight. There was LOTS of energy there. They were happy to be back at it. He is in Webelos this year.

2009-08-27T05:45:00.000-07:00

Swimming lessons...our only "sport" for the moment.

Happy

2009-08-25T21:55:00.001-07:00

Here is our boy in time-out. He looks like he is really suffering, doesn't he? We have a couple of time out rules: 1.It has to be alone 2. No noise of any kind (recent addition because Jon likes to lay on the floor and kick the door with both feet to let us know he is really mad).

So here is Matthew serving his sentence--alone, and as silent as can be with a favorite book of Michael's that he always wants to read (Michael never lets him), but seeing how Michael can't be in the room right now (because of rule #1), sieze the moment, buddy!!!

Catch Up

2009-08-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

These two wanted pictures of their feet! Not pictured, but right next to them--their dolls, blanket, pillows, baby strollers, all over the place. They love to drag out EVERYTHING!

Sunday nap--way too late--killed any chance of early bedtime. Day 9

We had no internet for a couple of days, but I took the pictures. This is Sat (Day8, I think). Despite the 105 degrees, these three are racing up and down the street on scooters, at noon.

Pajamas?

2009-08-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

We just sleep in our swim suits around here. I have to hide them from Rachel--whenever she sees one, she has to put it on and then its such a battle to take it off. So here she is tonight...good night little mermaid.

Big Sisters are For...

2009-08-21T13:54:00.001-07:00

Getting sunscreen in your eye!!! No, I mean helping you put your sunscreen on. Meghan is the ultimate "mini mommy", always in charge, keeping everyone in line. She often is the 3rd and 4th hands that I wish that I had. Thankful for her.

When the BIG kids are gone.....

2009-08-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

As soon as we get in the door, Lizzie and Rachel run down the hall, straight into Meghan's room. The purple, pink, princess room is the popular spot for these two, with the Polly Pockets, hundreds of beanie babies, barbies, dress up clothes, 20+ pairs of shoes to try on and scatter about the house...and the greatest part... no one to yell "GET OUT!!!" Just perfect! And then at night, when I am putting Meg to bed and I am exasperated at her room, I make some comment about if she would just spend 5 minutes a day picking it up--she gives me her, famous "are you CRAZY??" look, and reminds me that this in not HER mess!!!

Busy Tooth Fairy

2009-08-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here you see them....

Now you don't!! Where are you teeth Jon?

Here they are! Jon lost his first two teeth with the help of the dentist!! Very tough, brave boy, like all Jedi Warriors (serious Star Wars craze at our house)

Michael lost one on Monday...at school(FINALLY) The kid has been trying to lose one at school for 5 years because there you get a plastic tooth holder, shaped like a tooth, to wear around your neck the whole day...very highly coveted Kiva teeth.
DAY 4

Celebration Bedtime

2009-08-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

What's going on in this picture? Let me tell you...sometimes when a day is finally at its end, Dave turns on an oldie clip from You Tube for the kids to watch while they brush. Here they are watching a clip of an old Pink Panther movie. They LOVE this occasional treat!!

Big Girl

2009-08-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

Day 2
Miss Elizabeth started preschool this week. Here she is with our favorite teacher for 3 year olds. Matthew and Jon were in her class. We always told Lizzie that she would go to preschool when she was four...now that preschool has started she says she is four.

Back to School

2009-08-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

After a short, fast and FUN, summer, back to school they go. Not to much whining or nerves. Everyone has a good teacher and someone they know in class.
It was Jonathan's first day of kindergarten. This was a sad day for me...the first time I haven't had a little boy at home in 10 years!!! He was excited to go to the big kid's school! He wants to be called Jon (and therefore, write Jon on his papers--smart boy) He still has to get used to the going everyday part of school, instead of the every other day of preschool, but he has the energy of 10 five year old boys, so its just a matter of time.
When Michael started Kindgarten, Jonathan was 8 months old. I remember him spitting up all over my shirt while we were at the storytime they have a couple of days before school starts. I remember lugging him, sleeping everyday, up the long sidewalk, Meg and Matt in tow, to pick Michael up at lunch time (back in half day kindergarten days)
Anyway, in honor of that "where did the time go" feeling that I have had this week, I am going to try that Project 365 that I have seen on other blogs...to take a picture everyday, FOR A YEAR. Then next year we can look here to see where the time went!! Taking them won't be such a challenge, but posting them is another story. I'm going to give a try!!

Matthew Colin Barney

2009-06-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is Matthew on the last day of school with his 1st grade teacher.

Matthew is seven!! He had a swim party with some of his favorite first grade buddies. His birthdays always remind me about his real birthday--the day he was born. His was an especially memorable birth. First, he was due on June 20th. I finally went into labor on the evening of the 25th. I wanted to stay home as long as possible before going to the hospital. I remember walking around the block around 10pm with the dog and being sooo hot! Finally, around midnight we went and found out I was at 8cm. It really hadn't gotten that bad yet. We hung around with little contractions here and there...they kept offering an epidural, but I thought if I was already at an 8 and it was this easy...no need! In the wee hours of the morning my Dr. came in broke my water AND started pitocin. Then there was no more fun or relaxing. Then I really wanted an epidural, but the Dr. was in surgery (UGH!). It was crazy,and I was screaming. Finally at 6am, on June 26th he was born....9lbs! He had and has an enormous head. With my next three, I asked for the epidural ASAP whether anything hurt or not!!

Matthew at 7!
Crazy about dinosaurs.
Ask questions not stop and will not accept a simple, no thought answer.
Loves reading--sometimes I have to make him stop to go out to play.
Loves scripture stories.
Doesn't like scary movies at all.
Sweet, happy personality---such a great smile.

Rachel at 20 months

2009-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

The long neglected blog....I decided to do an update on Rachel who all the sudden seems so big!! She definetly has a toddlerish attitude with lots of pouty looks and tantrums. She is still so sweet and cuddly--when she isn't on the floor screaming.

Favorite words
No (can mean yes or no)
Baby- loves to see herself in the mirror and say baby or show me any baby we happe to see
Ouchie
Doggie
I want more!!
Stop!

She must be a budding artist because she is crazy about markers. She has drawn on walls, dolls, carpet, furniture, lots of homework papers. Her favorite thing to do though, is to draw on herself...ugh! See?!

Everyone else is doing great. School is out tomorrow! They are excited! Matthew is a little sad because he just loves his teacher. They had "move up day" today where they met their new teacher and class for next year. Jon finished last week. Our last thing to wrap up is Michael's baseball. His playoffs start Friday. We have a week or so then to just relax until swimming starts.

Here are some pictures of the kids last week while we had a little rain. They love umbellas! This little storm gave us some nice, cool weather for a couple of days-so nice for May!!

Birthday Boy

2009-04-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

He's 10!!!!!!!!
What a lovely 10 years it has been.

Bats and Balls

2009-04-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

So lately, when I open just about any of our Suburban, baseballs come rolling out, bats come crashing down, and water bottles with lids sort of on sort of off drop and with a splash. The boys can't even fathom the thought of leaving one of these balls that has found its way underneath someone's car, so we are always chasing them. Almost always the balls in my car are ones that they have found. In Dave's van he keeps a big bucket of about 80 balls. So if we own 80...why do we worry about these ones that we find??? They say because those 80 are Dad's and these are THEIRS!!

So baseball and softball has kept us busy. It seems less hectic this year, but busy. Maybe it is easier because I'm not pregnant (2years ago), or with a little baby in tow. I have to say my 2 big babies are a handful at the games, but it has been fun. Meg has 1 game left, Matthew and Jon have about 5, and Michael goes all the way through May.
Did you know that all the softball stuff comes in pink and purple. Michael could believe it...pink bats???

Update

2009-03-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

I couldn't remember my username of password to this blog just now...its been a longtime!

First, Spring Break was fun. We spent two days in Tucson, swimming, going to the Reid Park Zoo and hiking at Sabino Canyon. It was fun, besides all of us being in one hotel room.
CRAZY!! Especially because of these sweet and lovely troublemaker!

Here is one of everyone(except for Rachel who would have jumped right over or through the rail.

After that...back to school and lots of baseball and softball. Jon and Matthew are on the same Tball team. Michael moved up to minors this year and is...still adjusting.

Today was the last day of our Kiva Running Club. It was Race Day. Dave set up about a 1.5mile loop around campus. See Matthew's #1 bib? He got that for running the most miles during running club this year, Michael was close behind for #2. During the race, Michael and Meg were right up front at the start. I thought for sure they would both poop out, but Meg ended up winning and Michael was 2nd. Now, I really was afraid to see Michael after the race because I thought he would be so mad that his little sister beat him in front of all his buddies, but he was just as happy as can be to get 2nd. I guess its okay if your little sister beats you AND your buddies. It was fun, but I'm glad its over. It will clear two afternoons up.

Spring Break

2009-03-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hooray, a week off of school for our kiddos. This means busy days and a very messy house, but it is fun to have them home. Maybe the greatest thing is ...not packing lunches in the morning, ugh!! Much of today was spent filling and then launching water balloons over our house. I noticed that our neighbor has a few popped balloons on his roof. I can't believe how far they can go. We also got to go swimming thanks to Grandma and Grandpa's heated pool.
The kids BEGGED to eat outside tonight. The weather was so nice, so I let them. I love picnics out back, but the problem is that someone ALWAYS dumps their plate. With all the people in our family you can only have so many dumped plates and then you're just out of dinner. So tonight I made nine hamburgers with a stern warning that there would be no more, dumped or not. We would have been okay, but Lizzie kept following me around with her plate, telling me how yucky everything was (she must have missed me enduring a cloud of smoke, grilling that thing for her!) She did dump hers, but then sat on the ground and ate it. I guess it makes it a little less yucky with a little dirt and grass on it.

We had such a fun day in Flagstaff last weekend with my college friends, especially Grace, Kathy and Larah. These are best friends that I ran cross country and track with, roomed with, and just spent so much time with. I have so many great memories with them at NAU. We watched the Big Sky meet in the dome and remember how we hated racing and working out in there. We went to our old dorm and found our old rooms. We were trying to show our kids where we lived, and they just weren't that interested, but it was so fun for us. On the way home, I thought about how we were so young when we all left there, and now coming back together, married, kids, many life experiences...it was just the coolest. I'm so glad we were able to go. Coach Mann was even there, and it was to seem him.

We're off to Tucson tomorrow to visit the Reid Park Zoo.

Bathroom Buddies

2009-02-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

Its probably no surprise that there is no privacy in the bathroom around here. Especially in the kid's bathroom where there are two doors in...so they all walk through there on their way to somewhere else. One of our little guys takes advantage of this. Matthew thinks that this is a perfect place to chat and when someone walks in while he is in there, he wants them to keep him company. I heard him in there this week helping Jon count to 20. Jon kept missing 13, so Matthew was very patiently explaining that its after 12, before 14, etc. If I don't go in there and remove his visitors, I think he would stay in there for an hour...not kidding. So here is a picture of a recent visitor. They like to chat with him while sitting on the sink stool. This friend can't even talk yet, but loves to visit!!

And then another sister came through and stopped to chat.

Sorry I've been absent from bloggerland. Sometimes hooking up my camera to the computer at 11pm just seems too hard!! Baseball is in full swing (practices anyway). Meghan continues to enjoy softball. We are heading up to Flagstaff tomorrow morning to visit some old friends that I am so excited to see. I'll write about it when we get back.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!!!!! Love you!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa

2009-02-10T21:57:00.001-08:00

43 Years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for being such an awesome example of marriage for us!
We love you!

Meghan's Month

2009-02-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

This month has been filled with Meghan Happenings...first her birthday. Then on Jan 31st she was baptized. This special event happens after a childs 8th bday in our church. She had a lot of family and friends there supporting her. It was a great day.
Then, finally, last Friday (ignore the fact it was 3 weeks after the real bday), we had her friend birthday--with a movie star theme. We had 12, 8year old girls, lots of younger sibs, our house many never be the same!!
And then on a final note, Meghan had her first softball game on Saturday. Her team is the Pink Panthers...despite their uniforms being blue and orange?? They were very cute. I was too busy trying to keep Rachel from killing herself on the bleachers to take any pictures. Her game tonight got rained out. Hopefully next Sat. we'll get some pictures.
Have to include a picture of the brothers clean and dressed up!

4th Grade Band Concert

2009-01-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that Michael now plays the trumpet? All kids in our school district are required to pick and instrument or join the chorus in fourth grade. Michael picked the trumpet (after Dave gave some subtle hints that flutes, clarinets, and chorus are for GIRLS) AT the start of this school year, all of these kids were very much beginners. Michael didn't know how to read music at all. They have band three days a week and are supposed to practice 15 min at home a night. It took about 3 months (December) for anything "musical" to come out. There were some tears as Dave made him go up and down the scale, again and again. But finally there was music!! The concert was so fun seeing all of these 4th graders all dressed up, finding their places on the stage and just looking so grown up (knowing so many of them since kindergarten). It was the coolest to see them so serious when they were playing--just trying so hard to do it right. And the best part, when they were done, and the audience was applauding so loudly for them... their smiles and obvious sense of accomplishment were just awesome. I love these times with our kids when they can tell that their hard work/practice time has paid off, and that what they get out of these little endeavors of theirs, are worth the time that they have put in...great lessons.

Further Proof of Hospital Mix-UP

2009-01-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

So just who is this sorta blonde haired green eyed girl that lives here among the rest of our brown eyed, brown haired children. Surely she can't be ours because today she told me that "Brownies are YUCKY!!" Not our kid!!

Happy Birthday to US!!

2009-01-14T17:59:00.001-08:00

This is what I got for my 31st birthday...Baby Meghan. So I gave January 10th away to her as HER birthday, so I must still be 31, right!?!

And now she is eight. I can't believe it. I always tell her that there can never be a better a birthday present than her--then, now, or ever. There is a new version of her every year a little bit funnier, taller, tamer (in some ways, less in others)cuter, louder(really). It's been a great adventure all her life...with strange turns that I'd never expected to be on. I'm thankful for the perspective that those turns have given and I'm especially so thankful to be her mom!!

Happy, Happy Birthday Megs. (and Mommy)

A New Sunbeam

2009-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

Today was Elizabeth's first day of Primary. She has not been excited about this...she LOVED nursery and her nursery teacher. Dave sat with her for a few minutes, but then Sister Shelley said it was time for Daddy to go. He peeked in on her after a few minutes and said he could see her laughing. She can't wait to go back next week.

The Holidays...

2009-01-03T14:20:00.000-08:00

Have been busy!! We had a great Christmas. We had most presents wrapped before Christmas eve (thanks to Grandma)so we had a fun night after the kids went to bed because we finally started to watch our "24" collection that Dave bought us last year for Christmas. We used to love this series, but haven't watched it for a really long time. I don't know if it is even on TV anymore, but we have the 1st 5 seasons in our DVD pack. We have stayed up late every night this week watching it after kids are asleep. This is when I usually clean the kitchen, fold laundry, write on this blog etc, so I feel behind in everything. Certainly there is no time for any of these chores with our 6 all at home for 2 weeks. We have had a great break and I'm kind of sad to go back to the craziness of the school schedule. Here are some pictures

Silly girls...we took a lot of walks...

Santa came and brought a lot of presents!

Dave gave rides on the go cart on the Street (no police around on Christmas day, I guess)

And we celebrated this cutie's 5th birtdhay.. Happy Birthday Jonathan!!

What's a Boy to do on a Rainy Day?

2008-12-23T23:14:00.000-08:00

Jon invented this little game the other day when he was stuck inside because of the rain. He scooted it all over the house. It seems like it has been raining so much lately...good for our sprouting garden, but bad for playing outside. There are few places that we get BIG mud puddles in our backyard. This is a favorite activity of course, to go out there, drag all the dump trucks, bulldozers, etc, and dig away (making these problems even deeper!!). But then I end up with a huge pile of muddy clothes that have to be hosed off before being put in the washer. No time for that today Jon, keep that basket moving.

....Lots of wrapping done tonight as we got all the goods out to make sure there was equality among all. We really want to try to get it done before tomorrow night. It looks like I'll have to head to Grandma's ...see you in the morning Mom (not too early)!!

We're Still Here

2008-12-16T21:16:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a month since I've written here! I'll just start where I left off....Thanksgiving.

We did the 2mile fun run at the Turkey Trot in Mesa. Michael, Meghan, Matthew and Jon all ran the whole way. The first mile was slightly uphill. It felt a bit more that "slight" to me as I pushed our triple jogging stoller loaded down with Lizzie, Rachel, water bottle, jackets, etc. Dave has a delicate calf muscle that just can deal with pushing jogging stollers..hmmm...how convienient to have a strong, sturdy wife to handle this.

Then, that weekend, we planted a garden. We have vegetables sprouting all over the place. They aren't exactly in the nice, neat rows that we planned, but everyone planted something, and seeds ended up just about everywhere. I won't be suprised if carrots start growing out of our lawn.

Then we said goodbye to a long soccer season. All three kiddos were excited about their end of the year trophies. Meghan got selected to play on the All Star game, but we had a big snow/Christmas tree cutting down expedition planned with Dave's brother Rob and his family. We haven't done this for awhile...since Meg was on dialysis, then the next year had just had had her transplant, then last year Rachel was new... Michael, especially has been missing this tradition. Last year we PROMISED as we trudged around Target looking for the perfect tree, we would go to the mountains this year and chop one down with our own ax. So this past weekend, up we went to the White Mountains, into the snow, to look through the forest to look for a tree. No surprise...babies don't really like snow. Rachel cried most of the time unless we carried her, and by the end everyone was crying (except for Michael-who must have a high tolerance for frozen feet), because they were "ssssooo ccoolldd." They all took turns chop,chop,chopping. And then, in our rush to get wet clothes off, and warm dry ones on, we left our trusty ax right on the side of the snow road. Dave says we'll go back and get it next year....

She wasn't crying EVERY second!

The sleds were a hit!

And here's the tree!

Pinecone Turkeys

2008-11-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

One of the MANY things that I am thankful for this year is that I have a few more years of these coming my way.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!

Running and Meg's Fall Festival

2008-11-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

In the crazy pace of yesterday, with the two big events falling on an always busy Friday, I forgot my camera on both occasions--AMAZING!!
Yesterday, was Meghan's second grade Fall Festival. She had a couple of lines that she has been practicing about Christopher Columbus and his holiday that we celebrate after "Lumber Day." I have heard her practice this in the car as she sat behind me for about a month now, always saying Lumber Day, and I would gently correct..Labor Day. I gave up a week or so ago, thinking that Lumber Day is sort of cute anyway. Yesterday, she marched right up there, took the mic and said everything perfectly--including Labor Day. She is so confident, she always amazes me.

Then after school, we rushed home, quickly changed into running clothes and headed out in the lovely Friday afternoon traffic to Gilbert, where we ran the Gilbert Days 1 mile fun run. Michael and Meg ran about 9:15, and Matthew and Jonathan ran about 10:30. There were so many little kids out there running. I ran with Matthew and Jon almost to the finish, and told them to keep going, and that I'd meet them on the other side. They reached for each others hand and held them together all the way through. They were so cute, and OH, was I wishing for that camera.

Buddies

2008-11-16T06:18:00.001-08:00

Not a great picture, but so typical of Matthew and Jonathan. They are sitting in our big sandbox, but instead of spreading out, they are right next to each other. Matthew has sparked Jon's interest in dinosaurs, so here they are making a dinosaur volcano. These two are such good friends most of the time. They are constantly rolling around in a wrestling heap, usually one or the other getting hurt by the end, which never seems to deter them from jumping right back in next time. Jonathan has finally recovered from Matthew leaving to Kindergarten last year. I love watching them play.
Notice the bathing suits? Still able to be in the water/sand at 4pm, in mid -November. Still warm days.

I can't believe it has been this long since the last post here. We are full speed with school, soccer and running club. I thing soccer is over in about 3 weeks. I'm looking forward to some slower afternoons, and of course CHRISTMAS!!

Halloween

2008-11-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Halloween really is so fun, isn't it? The getting ready for it this year was busy. Matthew, our dinosaur fanatic, of course wanted to be a dinosaur. I looked EVERYWHERE for one in his size, but the biggest I could find was a 4T. I tried to talk him into many other options, but he wouldn't budge. I found a penguin pattern that I sewed into a dinosaur over the course of two nights (really-all night). I haven't sewn anything for about 4 years, and am very much a beginner. I bet Matthew had 15-20 safety pins holding that thing together as he trick or treated.

So...Michael was an army man, Meg, an angel, Jon was Zorro, Rachel was flower only long enough to take a picture. She couldn't stand the costume on. And then Cinderella and T-Rex. They were so excited.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!!!

2008-10-31T22:54:00.000-07:00

Uh, oh...Cinderella has dirty feet!! Where are those glass slippers??

There they are. Doesn't she really look like Cinderella?

Lizzie has been planning her "Cinderella Birthday", as she has been calling it, for months. How lucky to have your birthday on Halloween and to get to dress up in a costume! She had a party with Grandma and Grandpa, Granner, and all of the girls on Dave's team came dressed as princesses-so cute. Then off the our ward's Trunk or Treat (more on Halloween tomorrow).

Hard to believe she is 3! I had to dig out her baby stuff because I couldn't remember the time of her birth.. which was 3:07pm. It reminded me that I went into the hospital at 10pm on Oct 30, to be induced (because Meg on dialysis, Dave's nationals on our due date). After starting pitocin at about 11pm, it seemed like labor was taking forever. I remember my nurse finding Dave a quiet place so he could "get some sleep"--what!?! Finally she came, many hours later and I was SO tired! She was fiesty from the moment of birth, to now. She certainly keeps me on my toes. She has such a happy smile. I feel so lucky to be her Mama.

Report Cards

2008-10-22T23:19:00.001-07:00

Hooray to school age Barney children. They just finished their first quarter which is so funny, because it seems like school just started back-maybe because its still feels like summer here. All three got great report cards. I have to brag about my big guy for a minute...Michael is in fourth grade this year, which happens to be the first year that they use letter grades in our district. When I first heard this, I have to admit I cringed a little. Those O,S+,S they use in grades 1-3, always leave me a bit unsure of the meaning (is this good, or just okay...), but there is no guessing with letter grades. Michael probably wouldn't say that school is easy. He is a little smarty, but he would much rather be home, and playing than studying, reading, etc. This year I have noticed that he has seemed a bit more responsible for getting his papers done at home, knowing when test are, and wanting to well in them, etc. Long story short, Michael got all A's on his report card. I am so excited for him. What a huge confidence booster and payoff for a lot of hard work. We are proud of you Michael!!

On Sleep....

2008-10-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

Lately with our Elizabeth, we just can't win in the sleep department. She is at that age where she still needs a nap, but if it is too late, or too long, she is still up at 11pm. A month or so ago she decided she didn't want her paci anymore. They started getting holes in them. They were all kind of old so I bought some more, thinking they were kind of worn out getting sucked to death. Well, wouldn't you know it...the new ones got holes in them too, because she was trying to chew the nipple off!! I know that she should have given up the paci long ago, but those that know her and her high maitenance personality, can attest to the need of some calm in her life. Anyway, so gone were the pacis, and unfortunately, gone were the naps. She would do fine until about 3pm. when she would turn into a crying whirlwind that would keep on spinning through soccer, homework, dinner, bath, etc. right on into bed. She did go to bed at about 7pm instead of 10pm, but the screaming wasn't worth. So like any desperate mother would do...I bought 2 new PINK pacis for my almost 3 year old and MADE her use them. How could she resist pink? And so far she isn't biting them. Naps are back!!

Busy, Busy

2008-10-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Soccer has started. Michael, Meghan, and Matthew are playing. I really try not to overschedule us, but just with soccer there are five separate practices to go to and three games each Saturday. When Dave is available to help it goes very smoothly, but when it is just me driving all 6 kiddos here and there, dropping off, picking up...arriving home with everyone starving and dinner still to cook...hectic doesn't even begin to describe it. Last week was rough, but this week were getting back into our sports routine with crock pot dinners, etc. It has helped that no one has really had any homework this week, I think because it is the end of the quarter. It feels like it is starting to cool off which makes those afternoon practices so much nicer. Fall break is next week and maybe it will really FEEL like Fall! I love Arizona this time of year.

Our Baby is ONE!!!

2008-09-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Rachel Emma!! I just can't believe she is a year old. I can't believe that last year at this time I was in the hosptial having a baby! Her first year has just flown by. She is funny, noisy, happy, so beautiful and has such a sweet spirit. I feel so lucky to be her mommy. We had a family party tonight for Rachel with the traditional messy cake- she loved it! Lizzie was not so happy that all the commotion and most especially the presents were not for her. One more month, Cinderella, and you'll get your day.

Rachel Walks

2008-09-19T22:00:00.001-07:00

I have tried putting this on a couple of times now...always unsuccessfully. Here I go again. She has been walking for about a month now. This is at Camp Lo Mia where we had our ward campout. The video is in the lodge where we stayed. Last year we were there about 2 weeks before Rachel was born. Needless to say I mostly sat around in the lodge. This year we did a lot of hiking, and the kids did the zip line, built rockets, swam in a swimming hole, etc. We had a few injuries this year- Jon had a very weird looking bite on his thigh that looked like a bruise that started peeling (spent about 4 hours in the PCH emergency room getting this checked out) , Lizzie fell of a bench and cut her head open, and Meghan fell running down a hill and got a huge bruise over her new kidney. So far it still seems to be okay!! Over all it was a great trip. The weather was great and it is so nice to let the kids just run free with all the other kids up there. We are always so glad to be able to go.

Barneys in DC

2008-09-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

A few months ago Meghan entered a drawing contest put on by the American Kidney Fund where 13 winners(have to pediatric kidney patients) would have their pictures published as part of their yearly calendar. In May we found out that Meg was one of these winners...she was so excited. Besides having her drawing in the calendar, she and a parent got an all expense paid trip to Washington DC. We decided Dave would go, and we bought a ticket for Michael, thinking he was old enough to enjoy the sights. They went last weekend, a quick Thursday - Saturday trip. They had a blast. They did a lot of touring, went to several museums, and saw the famous things to see there. Dave survived a weekend alone with his oldest two, despite having to do hair (Meg), medicine, (also Meg), endure all day bickering and other small details of kid life he doesn't usually attend to.

Fun at ATC

2008-07-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

We just finished two weeks at Dave's running camp. I say "we", but it was really Dave up there working hard for about 20 hours a day. Michael stayed up there the whole time. The rest of us made two trips up there to enjoy the cool weather of Pinetop. I can say with certainty that single parenthood is for the birds and I am glad to have my parter back to manage this crazy bunch of ours. Daytime is never too bad, but bedtime is exhausting when we are away from home--none of them ever want to go to bed!! Anyway, we are happy to be home and that camp is over for 2008!

First day of school, Aug 07, and last day May 08

2008-05-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

Last Day of School!!

2008-05-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

This year just flew by! Now we have a fourth grader (Michael), second grader (Meghan), and a first grader (Matthew). They are all excited for summer. I am excited to have them home and have a break from the hectic and usually frantic school and sports schedule. We are doing swimming, but that is just for something to do and will be very low key. We can't be totally free and without a plan because that means CHAOS, and that is never fun for me-the kids actually love chaos!

Easter Picture

2008-04-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

This is my first time doing this...blogging thing. This blog is most definetly under construction.