You know things aren't going well when...

To just put it out there, Saturday was definitely not one of my better parenting days! Mike was working an extra shift and I was home with the kids, all of them, all day, by myself. Things seemed to be going well when I let them play in their new sandbox all morning. Yes, I had to break up the occasional fight, someone got put in time out for throwing sand, and of course there was some tattling involved, but we got through it. I was even trying to be nice and told them that instead of naps after lunch they could have quiet time while the babies napped - read a book, play quietly, color - whatever, just do it quietly. Well, the babies were having a hard time going down, so they were crying on and off. The kids were playing well with the Lincoln Logs until someone bugged someone else, or took someones block, or something else drastic occurred that required the all dreaded, "I'm telling!" By this point I was pretty tired of it all, tired of the fighting, the tattling, the whining, you name it, and once I heard Kaden come to me and say "Mom..." that was just about it. I told him to stop right there. If he was going to tattle that would be it and everyone would be in their rooms. Well, he decided to tattle anyway, so he and Sam, the two major culprits, got sent to their rooms. (Gav was being pretty good and keeping to himself so I let him keep playing.) Of course this was followed by the stomping, the huge stink eye looks, the hunched shoulders, and the infamous "You're mean!" For some reason, I've been hearing that a lot lately. Well, I went up to talk to them for a bit, and after I finished with Kaden, I walked over to Sam's room, and found this on the floor in front of her closed door:In case you can't decrypt her writing, it says:

Do Not Enter
even parents, including Mom and Dad.
For Real.
Because if you do you will be sent out.
Enter if you dare, because I won't come out for the rest of my life!

Just in case you were wondering, no the babies never did end up taking a nap, the kids never did play quietly, and Sam did eventually come out of her room. I guess the rest of her life was a bit too long to be cooped up in her room. Sad thing is, I'm pretty sure I was this dramatic when I was little.
Later, while I was talking to the kids about why they were in trouble and how they needed to help mommy out by listening and doing what they are asked to do, Sam of course pipes in and says, "Well, you are too hard on us!" Which the boys both chime in and immediately nod in agreement. Then later she tells me, "I wish I was Jordan." (her cousin) I asked her, "Why?" and jokingly said, "So Kari (my sister) could be your mom? To which she replied, "Yes." Well, thanks, thanks a lot kid! Of course she said that wasn't really the reason, and she was just kidding, but she never could give me another reason, so I'm just going to have to go with that one.

So, in short, you know things aren't going too well when your kids think you are mean, think you are too hard on them, and they want their aunt to be their mom instead of you! Like I said, not one of my best days.

Halloween Happenings

Its seems like the older the kids get, the longer Halloween seems to last! It lasted about 3 days around here - about a month if you include every day the kids ran around the house in a different costume! With how much the kids love dressing up, it's pretty much Halloween every day at our house, all we really need Halloween for is to get all the extra candy!
On Friday the kids had their school parties. It was pretty crazy running between 2 different schools trying to catch all the action, and of course, by the end of Sami's party my camera battery died, so I ran home to grab the other camera for the boys party, and when I got there, that battery was dead too. So, unfortunately I don't have footage of the boys party, but the boys had a good time playing games, eating tons of treats, and their cute teachers were all dressed up as crayons. Kaden even almost won musical chairs - Gav chose to be the gentleman and let the other kids have the seats - really I think he just wanted the play dough they were handing out when you got out. Sami's party was really cute with fun crafts and healthy treats, and Sam was super excited to see that her teacher was a witch - that way she could be here black cat!
That night our ward had the trunk-or-treat and chili cook off. The kids always love this activity! There is always so many fun games for the kids to play, prizes for them to win, and of course, lots of candy! After we ate dinner Sam was off with her friend and I didn't see her again until it was time to trick-or-treat, but the boys hung out with me while we hit all the games!
Saturday we finally had some time to start carving our pumpkins!
It's so funny to watch the kids get grossed out by cleaning out their "pumpkin brains". That night we had our annual Halloween party and buffet! The kids look forward to this every year and it's so fun to see a tradition that I grew
up with, be so fun and important to my kids. We like to have Mike's family over and since they like to trick-or-treat in their own neighborhood, we always do it before Halloween so we still get to see them. Then on Halloween we have the leftovers to enjoy before trick-or-treating!
Since our neighborhood isn't finished and there aren't too many houses around, we decided to take the kids to our old neighborhood to trick-or-treat so they could say hello to all their friends and our old neighbors. We didn't stay out too long, but they each still made quite a haul! A few years ago, we started having the kids separate part of their candy for the soldiers serving over in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since then, it has become a habit for them to come home and divide out their candy for the soldiers. It was so great to see them walk in the door, and sit down and on their own make two piles, one for them, and one for the soldiers. All on their own, Sami and the boys gave up half of their candy. I was so proud of them! They did it without complaining, and I was so happy to see how unselfish they were being with their candy. I'm so glad we started that tradition, and it's one I think I will keep around for a long while. Who we give it to might change, but I love the principle it's teaching them. Now I just need to get this big bag of "soldier candy" off before I eat it all! :)

Happy Halloween my little Monsters!
Stylish Black Cat

2 Little Ninjas!

Tiger Carts

Dragon Tay

Sami's 26.2 Mile Marathon

Sami's running club at school works in conjunction with a local program called Kids Running America. This program is all about encouraging activity among youth. The kids have to run/bike a total of 25 miles over a short period of time, then come together for a big final event where they run the last mile of the marathon. This year the final 1.2 mile run took place at Elitch Gardens in downtown Denver. Sami has been really excited about the program and has been working super hard to get all her miles. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning she has attended running club before school and has averaged about 2 miles per day. We have also been taking walks/bike rides around the neighborhood after dinner with all the kids to help her reach her goal.
Saturday was the final event at Elitches. Sam was so excited and wanted me to run the final mile with her. There were over 1100 kids participating in the marathon from various schools within the Denver area. They divided the kids into age groups and staggered their start times so the little kids wouldn't get over run by the older kids. The race started in the parking lot and wound all the way through the park, then finished back out in the parking lot so family and friends could watch the kids finish the race. As the kids crossed the finish line they were each given a medal for completing the marathon. Sam was so excited! I am so proud of her! She worked so hard for so many weeks and completed the marathon with a total of 28 miles. She definitely earned that medal and I was so happy to be able to share that fun experience with her. Way to go, baby!
After the marathon we were able to stay and enjoy the park with the kids. We had never taken them to Elitches before, so they were all super excited. Mike's parents were so generous in helping us and watched the babies while the rest of us enjoyed a day at the amusement park. We had a perfect day and the kids loved every second of it! I think we rode just about everything they were tall enough to go on, some even a few times. Of course their favorites were the little roller coaster, and "Ghost Blasters" - a ride where you ride around in little cars and win points for every ghost you shoot. No, I'm not all all surprised that was among their favorites! The park was all decked out for Halloween, so the kids loved the spooky decorations and creepy music. They even got to do a little trick-or-treating in the park. It was so much fun to unwind and spend a fun day with the kids after such a hectic couple of months. Thanks so much for the help, Grandma and Grandpa! We definitely needed that!

Because we just don't do easy

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later - I would have preferred later!

Saturday morning, at about 2 am, I was actually sleeping soundly and hadn't been woken up by babies, when Mike jumped out of bed and rushed to the boys room. I was oblivious to what was going on until Mike came into our room holding Gavin who was crying. When I asked what happened, Mike said he had heard a thud and then crying and found Gavin on his bedroom floor. Gav said his arm was hurting, Mike checked it out and it looked ok, but was just tender when we touched it. We tried to figure out what happened in between the sobs. Gav said he was out of bed checking on Kaden and he fell. Gavin sleeps on the top bunk of their bunk beds, so we were worried that he had fallen off his bed, but he said that he had climbed out of bed and was standing on the side board of Kaden's bed and lost his balance and fell. We were still confused and asked why he was checking on Kaden when he was asleep, and Gavin said "Because, he is my best brother!" Honestly, what can you say to that?
Well, there really wasn't much more we could do, we figured it was just sprained so we gave him some Motrin, pulled his mattress onto the floor, and put him back to bed.
That day was Sam's final mile at Elitches, and although Gav said his arm was still hurting him, he still wanted to come with us to the park. So, he didn't really say much that morning, but said it was hurting pretty bad just before we were getting ready to go into the park. We had some Tylenol with us, so we drugged him up and set out for a day of fun at Elitches. All day he favored his arm and wouldn't really use or move it, but he never complained and had a great time. Well, that night once we got home, it really started to hurt him so we decided to take him over to Children's to have it X-rayed. Yes, you guessed it, he broke his arm! No, not just one bone, but both bones in his left arm right by the wrist.

And let us pause to reflect on the awesome parenting! ... Yep, we took our child with 2 broken bones to an amusement park for a whole day, with no brace, no cast, just drugged up on Tylenol and adrenaline!

All I can say, is that is one tough kid! He came home from the hospital in a temporary brace looking good as new - I'm sure the medicine they gave him in the ER helped quite a bit too!Monday we were able to get him his cast, which he will have to wear for 5 weeks. It hasn't even been 1 week, and he is already the same crazy, fearless boy he always has been. The hardest part about all this is reminding him that he does have a broken arm and has to take it easy - yes that includes no wrestling with Kaden!He has been such a trooper, though, and both Sami and Kaden have been so sweet with him and are always helping him out. When I first told them that Gavin broke his arm, immediately Kaden started crying and saying "I don't want my brother to have a broken arm." They both wanted to stay up so they could see Gav when he got home from the hospital, and drew him pictures and notes to help him feel better. When the boys went to Preschool on Monday I was telling Gavin that he would have to take it easy, and Kaden that he needed to help protect his brother and keep his arm safe. I told Gavin that he wouldn't be able to play on the playground and Kaden said, "I'll stay inside with Gavin." Then Gavin said, "No, it's ok, I want you to go out and play." I love those sweet "twin moments"! It makes the difficult "twin moments" all worth it! Kaden will even help Gavin get dressed when he is having a hard time. They really do look out for each other and take good care of each other. I love that they are best buds - even if it leads to breaking a few bones!
I know this is just the first of many, really, with 4 boys how could it not be! But still, I hate to see my little man go through this. Luckily he is a trooper and such a good sport. I love you my sweet Gav!

Happy 1st Birthday Carter and Taylor!

My babies are 1! I can't believe it! Yes, I will even admit I have had my share of a few tears lately. It makes me a little sad to see how quickly they are growing. Knowing they are my last, makes me want to hold on tight to this special time when they are so little. It lasts for such a short time, and I'm just not quite ready for it to end yet. I feel like this past year has just flown by, and often times I wonder where I've been for most of it! I look at my sweet little boys and wonder where the tiny babies went. They have come such a long way from the fragile little 3.7 lb. and 3.12 lb. NICU babies they once where. They are now over 18 pounds each, chubby, sweet, and growing more and more every day! They are always so happy with smiles and giggles ready for whoever is around. Their older brothers adore them, and their sister just can't get enough of them. It is so fun to watch how everyone interacts together and to see how concerned Sami is for the babies. Sometimes she is more of a mother to them than I am! The babies absolutely love her too, and often save some of their best giggles for when she is around. Mike worries that they are becoming "mama's boys", but when I watch their faces get excited when they see me I think that isn't such a bad thing!
Saturday, the 25th was their actual birthday, but since Mike ended up working a night shift Friday night, and slept most of Saturday, we saved the festivities for Sunday. We had Mike's parents over, along with his brother's family for a little party. It's always so fun to get the cousins together, especially since we don't have the chance to see them that often with everyone's busy schedules.After a yummy barbecue, we let the babies open their presents. It was fun to see what caught their attention - the paper and boxes for the most part!
They definitely didn't keep still though, and wanted to see everything, even if that meant crawling on top of each other to do it! After presents it was cake time! They were so cute! I think I took a million pictures of them stuffing themselves with cake. Carter dove right in and got to business, but Taylor needed time to warm up before he really got into it. They both loved it though and had frosting smeared faces to prove it! We decided to put them out on the porch for the big moment, which was a good thing since there was cake everywhere! Mike got a little happy with the hose though, while he was cleaning up and decided mommy needed a wash down too! Oh well, it was all worth it to see these darling little faces!
Although the party was fun, I have to admit, my favorite part of the day was the little gift the babies gave Mike and I that night, and the night before - a full night's sleep! Yes, the night before their birthday, both the babies finally slept through the night! Our first full night's sleep in a year - oh, it was heaven! Thank you for the birthday present boys!

I just can't say enough how much I love these two precious angels! These boys are just the sweetest little things! I know the Lord had a hand in sending them when He did, because they were the perfect little spirits to come to our family at this crazy time. They are such troopers and are so easy going compared to our other 3 busy munchkins. Don't get me wrong, they are definitely Hansen's, always on the go and into just about everything, but there is a calmness to them that adds a sweet peace to our chaotic lives. I look at these two and just thank my Father in Heaven every day for sending them to us. It took many prayers to get them here, and now that they are here, I couldn't imagine our family without them. They are such a blessing to us and I couldn't love them any more! Happy Birthday my sweet babies!