Family Pictures...



Left to Right
Mom, Gibson Family, Moats Family, Myers Family



In April (yes, I know that was a few months ago) we headed to Northern Nevada to my neices baptism and to spend Easter. My husband actually took off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. HUGE rarity!! This has been the first time in at least 3+ years that my brother and his family, my sister and her family, and our Moats clan have all been together. With that being said, my sister thought it would be a great time to take a family picture, which was a great idea...I admit...HOWEVER...there is a reason we have never gotten a family picture done of just our family...TOO MUCH WORK with SO MANY small kiddos. I have to say...all in all, they turned out well. These pictures are all courtesy of a friend of my sisters who takes great pictures :) Huge Thanks to Sara for putting up with us! It may take another 3 years or more to do this again!!



Moats Clan



My Mom with her Kids...
Gus, Tammy and I



Ophir, UT - AND...30 + weeks and counting (and then some)...

So it has been a while for pics...but it seems that even though I am not currently taking any classes, I am still staying very busy. Trying to get some scrap booking in before the babies come, along with trying to get everything washed for babies...plus stay on top of my daily "Martha" chores. The days may seem longer outside but my energy level cannot keep up.

Last Sunday after church we took a drive to Ophir, UT. My husband had already been up in there and explored around a little bit, and figured it would be a nice Sunday drive. It was really nice and fun. Neat Old, Little Mining town. Due to all the flooding, we were only able to go up so far before the road was closed. We had a fun time exploring and checking out all the cool buildings.

This was the little furry creature we had seen when we were loading up to leave. This little badger was, at the most, 15 feet from the van. The kids were going CRAZY!!!

This is 30 weeks and 2 days. At this stage, my husband is very paranoid about me doing ANYTHING and is insisting that I use a walking stick when we are out on adventures.

The next day was my doctor's appointment...30 weeks and 3 days. It was an ultrasound appointment which are always my favorites. Something about seeing two babies and and two very healthy heart beats, really makes my day!! At this appointment Twin "A" weighed approximately 3-1/2 pounds and Twin "B" weighed just a little over 3 pounds. They are both growing VERY well and both have great heart beats.

30 Weeks and 3 Days

30 Weeks and 3 Days...and GROWING!!!

I am to the point where nearly all of my maternity clothes are getting VERY snug. I have to wear layers to keep from showing any skin ;) Fun Times!! So, I am VERY round and keep getting larger as the days go on. Today I am 31 weeks and 1 day. I am on the count down to the arrival of our babies. I am now on to my weekly doctor appointments. I cannot believe how quickly time is going by!!

I still have A LOT to do to be ready for them, but I am working on it day by day. Preparing for twins, plus trying to get as much mama time in with the other 5 kiddos, and taking care of the home....It is no easy task. Not to mention that my wonderful husband has been traveling A LOT for business...makes me kinda worried as time draws closer.

As the end of the school year draws near, Tate is planning on making a trip to Northern Nevada to spend time with our family there before departing to Pahrump, NV for about 6 weeks of his summer. Oh yes...he came to me tonight and told me that he has a brochure and a map due this coming Monday about a county in Utah that he has to have done. I tell ya... He has no research done on it, knows nothing and has no idea where to begin...so, tomorrow after church guess what we (Tate and I) will be doing! Not my idea of how I would like to spend my Sunday....BOYS!!!!

Shaelee tells us nearly every day that she cannot believe that she is almost in the 1st grade. Actually, I cannot believe that she is going to be in 1st grade. Last week she was working on her home work. She was supposed to write a sentence about that she is excited about this summer. I was coming up with ideas like - being excited for a new brother and sister, looking forward to being moms helper with the babies...She was quick to reply "no, I think I am excited to pick flowers". WHAT!!! She will be happy to know that she is going to be helping :)

Emilee and TJ are now sharing a bedroom, in hopes that they will some day learn to get a long. Emilee loves her bed but does not like the idea of TJ wanting to sleep with her everynight. I am looking for some sort of reward idea to bribe him to get him to sleep in his own bed. Something has to work....right?

Kaylee will be moving in with Shaelee within the next month or so. I really am not ready to move her up stairs...I like having her close by. She is growing up so fast. Kaylee will be in going into nursery next month...just in time for the arrival her baby brother and sister. As I have been busy washing clothes, bedding, carseats, and so much more, Kaylee has begun to realize that all of the "stuff" is for the babies. So...when I am putting stuff away, she runs the carseats and says "bebe". It is so Cute!!!

So, as I said, I am on the count down....but really would like to slow down time. I just need time to get so much more done before they come.

Easter Egg Coloring Fun...

We spent our Easter in Starr Valley, Nevada at my sister and brother-in-law's ranch. It was a great time. Before we left we colored our Easter eggs to take with us... What fun that was :) Talk about patience...

Welcome Home Banner

I made Tate a WELCOME HOME banner when He returned home from his Spring Break trip to Las Vegas...It turned out cute (I mean Cool). I am looking forward to making more for birthday's and holidays! Fun way to use up some scrapbook paper, which I have a HUGE abundence of!!

Swaddling Blankets and Shopping Spree from The Pioneer Woman

Ok expecting mothers out there, or mothers, or who ever would like to do some shopping for any special baby...The Pioneer Woman has an awesome giveaway going on right now, only through tonight, SO HURRY!! She is giving away 5, yes thats right...5 $150.00 shopping sprees...Go and check it out!!

Great Deals...

I thought these were some rather good deals to take advantage of...

I got this email from some baby somethin' rather website that I subscribed to and they had two offers for free items, just pay the shipping. One of the items was a Baby Sling and the other was a Nursing Cover.

Here is the link to the sling... Seven Everday Sling. I ordered the Black Magic, and it looks really cute. I have not taken it out of the package yet, but I really like the print. I also really like the Green Vibe. Looks really fun! Now if there was just something to accommodate two babies :) So these work out to be $11.95 each.

Here is the link to the nursing cover... Udder Covers. I do believe you can only get one per check out but as many check outs as you'd like. Each cover works out to be only $9.95. Not bad, I don't think!! This is the one that I am waiting for... Carson. I am thinking about ordering one more :) Maria.
The coupon code for both links is EASTER. I am not sure when this expires...but check it out before it is too late!!

Kids Pictures...November 2010

 I know, I am a little behind, but...Hey, better late than never!!

Shaelee Lynn
Kindergarten
Age 5

Tad Edward Jr.
Age 2

Emilee Rose
Age 4

Wyatt "Tate"
4th Grade
Age 9

I know, I know...Kaylee Jane is missing! Soon...I promise :)

Time to stock up... 21 weeks and counting...

So, you might remember this post back in September of 2009 "Diaper Stock Up". Well, when I started out buying all those diapers, I knew a few gals who where pregnant so I decided diapers were always GREAT baby shower gifts and always great to have on hand for gifts. Low and behold not too long after starting to buy them I found out I was pregnant with Miss Kaylee Jane. So, I decided to keep going with diapers and doing all the good sales that I could possibly find. That post showed just that...I had quite a bit stocked up in September which was 3 months before my due date. By the time Kaylee arrived, I such a supply that I did not need to buy diapers until she was nearly 7 months old. What a great feeling that was!!

Needless to say, now expecting twins, I have started again with the diapers. This time, just buying a small pack here and there, but this latest Costco Coupon Book the offer for $5.00 of Kirkland Diapers and the $4.00 off Kirkland wipes, it is really time to start buying diapers and stocking up!! So, I have started...I have a long ways to go, but I will get there!

These days I don't seem to watch the sales as closely as I did over a year ago, nor do we have any CVS around here to get great deals on diapers at...but I really need to get back on top of it! Especially when I think about when the twins get here I will still have one in diapers and no where near ready to potty train for atleast 6 to 8 months after thier arrivals... Three in diapers...HOLLY COW!!


So, Yesterday I reached my 21 week mark. I swear I am as big if not bigger than I was at 36 weeks with Kaylee. It is CRAZY how round my belly is! It just keeps growing, and growing, and growing... and will continue...



36 Weeks Pregnant with Kaylee Jane
November 2009

We finally got our 40' semi trailer here from Northern Nevada and one of the first boxes my wonderful husband got out for me was a box (or 2) of maternity clothes. After washing them all and being so excited to finally have them, I have quickly discovered that A LOT of them are not going to fit me too much longer!! I still have a ways to go, too. Scary thought that my maternity clothes won't fit too much longer. My sweet husband says, "it's ok, you can just wear a sheet, or we can make you a toga". Now isn't that GREAT!!

Last night was a picture night...





So as I continue to grow...I must say, this is like no pregancy I have ever expierenced before. This is WAY different from any of my others! With being so tired...ALL OF THE TIME, I decided I needed a little break from school. So, I am taking off through April 11th and then, back for 7 weeks and then off for 3 to 4 months. However long I decide to make it. Seven children and school full time and a home to run, might just do me in.



During this time off I plan to do some scrapbooking. Out of the 5 children that I have right now, only 3 of them have scrapbooks started! So, that is my one HUGE Goal, along with diaper shopping, and buying baby boy clothes.

 Yes, you would think that after the last boy I would have kept my boy clothes, and I did...until I found out that Kaylee was a girl, then we said we were done. We were sure that we were stopping with a baby girl. I quickly changed my mind and knew that we were not done. I had already given all of my baby boy clothes through like 12 months away to friends of mine who where expecting boys. So, now that I am having another boy...it have been shopping for good deals looking for baby boy clothes. I think I have plenty now from NB to 0-3 months, now on to the next sizes. Did I mention that we have an abundance of girls clothes...we do! We have enough girl clothes for quadruplets...(not that I would ever wish for a miracle such as that).

 Oh yes...and we have changed baby boy's name. We started out with William Joseph (will for short). His name sake would be after my grandpa, William Jay, and Tad's grandpa, Joseph Edward. But with some more concideration, we have decided on Joseph Ross. My grandpa's name at birth was Norman Ross. When he was adopted he, his adoptive parents gave him the name of William Jay. So, when he enlisted in the army he stuck with William Jay and has ever since. However, I really want to bring the name Ross back into our family (kinda wierd, I know) but out baby boy will go by Joseph Ross and nickname will be either Joey or Ross.



As for our baby girl...her name still remains the same...Natalee Marie. Sticking with the "lee" endings for our girls. Not sure what my deal is with that, but it is what it is. Our family is still in awe with the fact that there are 2 babies growing in this HUGE belly. What a blessing and a miracle :)



Felt Flowers...

Ok, I have really been wanting to make some felt flowers for my girls...but really did not want to have to take the time to hand cut all the flowers...so, I googled "Cutting Felt with Cricut". Low and behold...it can be done :) I found this blog...JoysLife.com and she has all the info about cutting out felt with her Cricut...and it works!! So, lots of felt to come from this house. Good thing there are almost 4 girls here to wear them all :) I am selling these ones...well except for the 5 layered one becuase I made more for my girls...

Check out Sweet.Bee.Bowtique blog and Etsy for all the details :)

...the VERDICT is in...and 18 Weeks and Counting...

The impatient person that I am, talked my husband into finding out what these babies are a few weeks earlier than expected. I was so excited when I contacted to ultrasound place and found out that I could find out as early as 15 weeks. I immediately made the appointment for 17 weeks and 1 day, (I was 16 weeks at the time). Remember... my doctor told me we would not be doing the next ultra sound in the office until 21 weeks and that is when we would find out the genders. Well, I am a few weeks up on him :)

So my appointment was February 12th at Fetal Fotos in Murray. Great people and extremely friendly. I cannot wait to go back and get some 3D ultrasounds done once these babies start to get chubby :) Oh yes...so we found out we are expecting one of each!! PERFECT!!! I have to say I was honestly relieved that there was only 1 boy. We were all very excited. Tate's response was "we are still out numbered". I told him to get used to it. Daddy's 1st instinct was right on!!

We were quick to find out that "Baby A" was our Baby Boy. At that same time we also found out that his sister was not going to let him get his moment in the spotlight alone. Nope...all the pics of him had her in it. Poor boy!


Baby Boy with a Half Profile Shot and His Sisters Leg Above his Head.

 

Once again...Baby Boy and his parts and his sisters head in the pic.



Baby Girl and Her Profile....Notice that she is Solo.



Baby Girl and her parts...Solo again :)



So the names are William Joseph. William is after my grandfather and Joseph is afte Tad's grandfather. We plan on calling him Will. And our baby girl is Natalee Marie. We are sticking with the "lee" ending for the girls.

NOW...

 Comes my moment in the spotlight.

Tad came home from work yesterday and insisted it was a picture day. Only because I looked bigger than ever in the dress that I was wearing. So these pictures are exactly 18 weeks. These could be the half way point :) And I REALLY am looking BIG, BIG, BIG!!

15 Weeks and Counting...

Well, no better time than now to start the pictures of the vastly growing belly. Better get as many as we can while it will still fit in the camera window. It is deffineatly getting bigger and bigger each day (or at least I think it is.) Let me just mention this...I just ate a steak dinner, with some awesome garlic roasted potatoes before taking these pictures. Not sure that that accounts for much, but no doubt about it....these babies are well fed :) 

Today we are 15 weeks and 1 day. My official due date is July 22, but my doctor has assured me that these babies will be delivered no later than 38 weeks if I have not had them before then. That was a big relief. Do women who carry twins or more really deliver on or near thier due dates? I am just seriously worried that I will not fit into much anything...not just the camera window, but the van door has got me worried. My husband has informed me he will be watching for the day that comes that I try to squeeze my way into it...camera in hand. That day, I am sure will be sooner than later :)

All the kids are just as excited as they were the day that they found out, not to mention Tad and I are too. We have all taken polls as to what we think the genders are...

Shaelee and I think that there are two little girls baking away.

Tate, Emilee and TJ think there are two boy being wild.
(Please help me if there are 2 TJ's in there.)
Tad thinks there are one of each.

Thursday I starting to feel the little fluttering movements....love it!! I really enjoyed the day and spent it not doing a whole lot. Speaking of which...I am slowing down, I think more and more everyday. There is so much I want to do, but I have to think about not just one, but two babies, and my body.

How CRAZY is this....It already hit me that when these babies finally enter this world, I will have 5 children under the age of 5. Shaelee does not turn 6 until August. Very scary thought....but even more scarier is the thought that I will have 7 children before I am 28 years old. What in the heck??

We will just ease everyone's minds now, especially my family...if we are blessed with one of each, most likely we are done, BUT if we have 2 boys or 2 girls...chances are we are not quitting there. We'll just see how well I handle 7. And lets not forget we have plenty of room....we traded in our Excursion that seated 8 for a 15 passanger van...NO JOKE!! I sometimes do not believe it, but I know when these babies arrive they will be well taken care of and we will be able to travel as a family in one vehicle...not two. Big relief.

Well....as I continue to GROW to be HUGE....I am not sure there will be many more pictures I will not want to share. That may be your clue that my belly and I no longer fit into the camera window :)

Amazing News...

So, even though it has not quite sank in yet...we are expecting TWINS!! So exciting and shocking, but such a blessing. Yesterday I went to the doctor expecting the worst and got better news than I had ever imagined. I never was expecting him (the doctor) say "you're carrying twins". They both had very health heart beats yesterday and everyone in our home is just so excited about the news.

Now we are anxiously waiting to find out what we are gaving....2 boys, 2 girls or 1 of each...

No matter what, we know that we are blessed and they will be welcomed with lots and lots of love!!

Kaylee's Birthday Cupcakes....

So these cupcakes turned out so darn cute!! And they were good. Well worth all the work that went into them. They looked like actual ice cream cones and they were good, good, good!!

I got the idea from this blog... unleash your inner cake diva. The only thing I did different was instead of baking the merguine for so long, I only baked them for like 45 to 50 minutes. I did not want the topping to be crispy, I wanted them to be soft.

Of course the little cupcake was for the birthday girl herself and she had no problems getting it down. It was quite cute ans she dug right in!!

So these cupcakes turned out so darn cute!! And they were good. Well worth all the work that went into them.

Days 3 & 4 Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies....

So day 3 of Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies is Barefoot Contessa's Coconut Macaroons. Now Coconut Macaroons are right up my ally....mmmm, yummmm!! I do have one Coconut Macaroon Recipe that I really like, but I am going to give this one a dry.

Day 4 (today) is Anne's Dried Cherry and Almond Biscotti. I do not recall that I have have tried any sort of Biscotti, and not sure that I am going to attempt to make it. I have seen it made and does not look too difficult, but maybe one day.

You Must Check This Out!!

I just downloaded the NEW Rascal Flats Album for just $1.99....yep! Check out this link to Deal Seeking Mom and you can get it too. A NEW release for just $1.99. Thats a sweet deal (to me).