My new "job"

 In January I started watching Otto, Stephen and Shawna's baby. I say I started watching him, but all of these pictures are of the kids watching him. We all love him so much that it is a special treat to get to have him Mondays and Wednesdays.

 He loves and is super entertained by the kids, too. He is especially entertained by Pearly.

 It is pretty cute when Felix tries to baby him, as well.

Lydia sometimes does his hair. He doesn't seem too happy about it here.

Rexburg, July 4th parade

Visitors! Part two

 We were priviledged to then have another group of visitors. It was SO fun! The kids did so well together!

 Somehow I managed to hardly get any pictures of the older 4 kids. I guess because they were mostly off doing their own thing. Which is great!
I also didn't get a picture of a highlight. Jill, James and I went to Edwards Nursery with Shawna to pick out some flowers and vegetables for my garden. It was a treat (pictures of my purchases in a different post).

 We went to the park for hours and played kickball and baseball and (above) monkey kids.

 James and Otto got to meet for the first time.

 Otto displaying extreme relaxation.

 There was some foosball and ping pong played. We had a fruit snack blind taste test to figure out which brand is best? Well, if you are really interested we can tell you our findings. Though some of us didn't agree on which ones tasted like chemical waste and which ones were palatable.

Also, I got to hold this little bundle of love all weekend (when the kids weren't fighting over him).
Thanks, Shakespeares for a lovely weekend!

Otto, my new love

This little guy is such a strong little trooper. He was born 5 weeks early and didn't even have to stay in the NICU. He was 5 pounds 4 ounces (is that right?) and has been packing on the weight ever since. I am so appreciative to Steve and Shawna for bringing this little guy here for me to love. Okay, and for everyone else to love, too.

Christmas post

 We had such a nice Christmas break. To be clear, kind of a rough time for me through Christmas break. Don't know how much detail to include, but I will vaguely say that it is a really dark time mentally. But even though I had to forfeit some expectations I had for Christmas (things I wanted to do, etc.) the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

 Also, it was so nice to have family around. I know some people find that family causes stress and anxiety, but my family is so awesome that they alleviate stress.

 We had Steve and Shawna and my mom and dad to enjoy Christmas morning with us. We had Richard and Laura, Ethan, Gabe, and Logan and Elisabeth later that night.

 It was the first Christmas (probably the first holiday) that Felix was actually able to enjoy. Usually he gets really over stimulated and hates the whole ordeal. He finally "got it" and kept saying "I like Christmas" or "I like my scooter". It was so thrilling to finally have him have a positive experience with a holiday.

 Zoe was so sweet to make Christmas gifts for EVERYONE!

 Over the break we went to the church and used Liam's RC helicopter and the PVC bows and arrows that I made the kids for Christmas.

 My dad brought stuff with which to make terrariums. I have always wanted one and was excited to make it.

 We enjoyed some cousin time!

So, when I say that Christmas break was nice, it reflects the feelings of love and support and peace surrounding our family during that time, not necessarily my mental state. Just so that I am never accused of painting an unrealistically rosy picuture.

Christmas Eve Talent show

 I got a whole bunch of ill-lit, badly-taken pictures for you. But none of them are actually of the performances. Which isn't too bad, since they would've been awful pictures, too. I really try hard to not complain or apologize for the quality of photographs on the blog, since I just need to be grateful that I have a camera and a computer from which to blog. But I couldn't help it on this post.

 Look at all our lovely guests. We had Steve and Shawna, Richard and Laura and family, my mom and dad and sister, Elisabeth over for our Christmas Eve Talent Show (which is actually a Turley tradition).

 Steve and Richard juggled. Liam played the recorder. Liam and Zoe did a choreographed swordfight. Zoe did a hip-hop dance. Lydia showed some pictures she had colored. Ethan showed how he could play a game on Grandma's Ipod. Richard and Elisabeth did a violin/cello duet. Elisabeth and I did a cello/guitar duet while we sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing with Laura.

 Here is the audience, enjoying.

 Steve, Richard, Elisabeth and myself played in a Bluegrass quartet: Wagon Wheel. It was so much fun to play together! 
I did get video of all the talents, just no pictures.

We finished up with the kids opening a gift (Lydia's plates) and then Grandma Sam told the story of John and Marjorie that she use to tell us growing up.
It was a lovely night. I was so happy to have this wonderful family around me.