Fantastic Family Weekend

We had such a fun weekend with family thanks to family visiting due to a baby blessing.  We started it in the week by meeting Alex, Sarah, Jenny and boys at a park for lunch.  

Spencer

This kid moved away a baby and came back a little boy!

The Morrise/Kimball boy crew

Since the Morrise's love halloween, Friday we had halloween party.

Batman Christopher

Pirates Ryan and William

Zombie Steven

I love this picture

Superman Spencer and Batman Christopher

These two...

Older kids

Younger kids (yes my kids were bawling)

Thank heavens for helping hands while I made bottles

 Saturday morning everyone got haircuts including Max.  This was his first official haircut and he did awesome!  Such a great baby!  (Spencer didn't have enough hair to cut, next time buddy)

 I had brunch with my siblings Julianne, Dorene, Melanie, Matt and our cousin Megan. I didn't take any pictures but you can bet there was A LOT of laughing.

I did take a picture of our family taking up the whole isle while shopping

 Sunday we went to sweet Gideon's blessing, and had a fantastic time chatting with family.

Grandma Morrise with Jenny and all the boy grandkids there (plus Hadleigh)

Best buds in the making
Spencer Gideon and Max (4 months apart)

Kind of blurry but I loved seeing Max interact with Grandma

I love Spencers face;
 "Sure Gideon lean on me any time you need"

Max. He's so cute!

 We spent the whole day chatting.  At one point Max rolled himself into this corner and zonked out.

 While Max slept, Spencer played with Grandpa Morrise

After such a fun weekend our boys had had it when we left, Christopher was crying when we left because he couldn't find something he wanted.  We told him over and over again to get in the car and he just stood and cried, so Jacob left him.  He stood there for a second and then started to run.

 and fell

 but got back up and got in the car, just in time to fall asleep.

 Minutes after we got home Jacob, Ryan, and Christopher were all sleep.  I was jealous, but luckily everyone was nice and went to sleep early.  It was a perfect ending to a fantastic family weekend.

Proud

I don't know about your house, but general conference around here is not what I'd necessarily like it to be.  When I think of general conference I think of a peaceful time in the home where the Spirit is felt by all; it's a quiet and loving time.  BUT in reality, my boys are small boys and cannot be quiet for any amount of time, so I end up being upset and angry at them for not allowing the Spirit to reside in our home.  (which I'm aware is probably the real reason it's not there)  But this time I lowered my standards of what would happen and it turned out great.  We bought a new puzzle for Jacob to do with the big boys to help them listen (note to self Jacob will work on the puzzle until it's finished, so make it a smaller one next time).  We had mini german pancakes and hot chocolate while watching the first session and it really kicked off for a good weekend.  Even if I didn't get to listen as intently as I would have liked, I think the Spirit was there more and I can always read/listen to the talks afterwards. I was proud of us.

 We only have a tv up in our house for two occasions: general conference and the olympics.  Since our house was a complete mess, I figured we could keep the tv up for an extra day and let the boys have a public television day while I deep cleaned the house.  While they were eating breakfast they turned it on and a western came on, the boys loved it and I was sure my dad would have been proud. I know I was.

 Steven was awarded the Student of the Month for his class (we think) for making an improvement in his writing.  His teacher said she's seen Steven's love and interest grow in writing and everyday he does his best and writes great stories.  Jacob and I are beyond proud of him and his hard work.  At first he didn't understand why we were making such a big deal about it, but soon he learned to milk it for all he could.  We went to Pizza Pie Cafe for dinner to celebrate (he got a coupon there) and when he didn't get a big cup for soda just a small one he said, "I'm the student of the month and I want a big cup!"  Good try kid, but we are proud of you anyway.  When Jacob came home for lunch (I was bursting to tell him about Steven) Christopher said, "Dad! Steven's way awesome!"  He is.

*While at Pizza Pie Cafe, I came back from getting another batch of pizzas which included a dessert pizza.  I let William and Ryan have a bite of it and when I wouldn't give Ryan the whole slice he screamed at the top of his lungs. (his new tactic for when he's not happy.)  William took a big bite towards the end and with his next breath grabbed the rest of the pizza and tried to stuff it in his mouth.  We had a good laugh about both of them.

Spencer Max 6 months and Solids!

A couple of days before these boys turned six months I finally got my act together and gave them their first solid foods.  Their older brothers of course wanted to help.

 They liked the attention at first and amused us...

Max

Spencer

 ...it didn't take long for them to let us know they were less than thrilled about it.  All the boys kept telling me to STOP feeding them, they didn't like it!  Now that they've had it for a week or two, Spencer tolerates it and Max doesn't.  At first Max cried through the feeding, I crammed food in, then he would keep his tongue out so he didn't accidently eat any of it.  Now he's learning.  He smiles at me but keeps his mouth closed the whole time.  It's adorably annoying.

Cutest 6 months olds!

 Spencer:
At his 6 month appointment he weighed a whopping 20 lbs 1 oz (90%) is 28.5 inches (98%) and his head is now back on the charts with 45.8 cm (97%)  - it was off the charts last time.  We are glad that his head/neck are getting back to normal and he will not need a helmet!  He is perfectly healthy and EVERYONE loves his adorable cheeks.  And yes they get kissed a lot.  all the time.

 Spencer is rolling over both ways and can turn where he wants to, but he's usually content to stay in one area.  He has two teeth on the bottom, and my guess the top two will come soon.  We are still working on controlling that very large head of his, but he's getting good at standing on his legs and we are still working on sitting - it's a hard one.  He loves any attention and will give anyone his adorable smile.

 Max:
At his 6 month appointment he weighed 18 lbs 15 oz (76%), is 27.8 inches long (91%), and has a head of 44.3 cm (77%).  So still a bit smaller than his brother.  Other than refusing to eat solids, he's perfect.  It's funny how his personality already manifests itself, especially with eating.  If he wants something he WANTS it, and if he doesn't want it you cannot make him.  He's usually all smiles, but once again, if he wants to be held; you're going to hold him.

 Max has two teeth on the top and two teeth on the bottom (almost).  He loves to roll anywhere and everywhere.  He's my first kid whose not fazed at all with grass and will gladly roll in it and try to pick it.  He is all over the room when I put him down and is even starting to get on his knees a bit. He loves to kick his legs and if he's on his back he scoots himself anywhere. My favorite about Max:  whenever I kiss his cheek he always leans in for more.  He presses his head against mine to get all of my love, it melts me every time.  He is going to be the one always on the go, when I'm holding him and standing still for too long, he leans one way or the other or backward till we start moving.  Such a happy good kid.

 And yes, Max looks like Christopher and Spencer looks like Steven.

Max Spencer

I love Max's face on this one

Nothing cuter than naked babies waiting for the doctor to come in.

I can't believe we already made it to the half year mark with these two.  We love you boys more than words.  Thanks for being so patient with us and all the love from your older brothers.