Welcome Little One

Welcome Baby Max

8lbs 4oz

22 inches long

I would like to congratulate Jacki and Eric on their new little baby boy. She delivered Max yesterday at 4:30 p.m. Baby and Mommy are doing great. This had kind of been a scary pregnancy for Jacki and our family. At the beginning of the pregnancy they found a blood clot on her brain, which made this pregnancy high risk. She had gone through a lot to get this little guy here. We are all so glad that he is finally here and everything went smoothly. We love you guys and are so excited for you and your little family.

"Are ya kiddin' me?"

Seriously...it is May! This is the last thing

I wanted to see when I woke up this morning. So much for spring...bring on

winter and then we can jump right into summer. You gotta love Utah!

"Buuh!"

Today was Bode's first day back to preschool after being off track for a couple weeks. It was a fabulous day for both of us. Anyway we were getting his back pack and shoes on, and I said "we have to get ready for the bus to come." And he replies...."Buuh" Yes, that was "Buuh!" He has never said that before, and it did sound like he was trying to say "Bus!" He then said it a couple more times, but hasn't said it since. But, I don't care I know that he can say "Buuh" and that there is potential in this speaking thing. Good job Bode, you made your mommy proud today!Bode looking out the window waiting for the bus to come
I could not get a picture without him moving, but I loved this little smile and had to post it.

A serious case of BED HEAD...

She must be a crazy sleeper

Morning kisses....Coop loves it!

"Bode meet Tommy...Tommy meet Bode"

A year ago my cute neighbor Heidi called me and told me her sister and brother in-law just had a baby with downs. The delivery was like ours, they had no idea that their child would have Downs, and were shocked to find out the news also. She continued to tell me fabulous things about this little family and I soon after I met her in-laws (Tommy's grandparents). They were darling and so excited to met Bode. It was so good to sit down and talk to them about their new grandson and share experiences we have had with Bode. Well over the last year I have had a few people come up to me and tell me about this cute family that just had a baby with Down's and it always ended up being this same family. So by this point I knew I had to meet this family, it was meant to happen! About 3 or 4 months ago Heidi gave Kelley (Tommy's mom) my email address and blog address and she contacted me. I was so excited! We both found that we had SO much in common and we needed to actually meet. In the meantime my good friend Laurie told me she had this friend that I needed to meet and it ended up being Kelley...it is such a small world. So finally today we were able to get together and actually meet each other. It was fabulous!Tommy, Bode and Carter
Little Tommy

It was so much fun to finally meet Kelley. It was also so great to sit down and talk about the struggles and things we loved about having a child with special needs. And the fact that we have so much in common makes it even better. We just instantly clicked and it felt like I had known her forever. And this little Tommy is to die for....I just wanted to eat him up. It made me remember when Bode was that little and was so good and cuddly, time really does fly by. It also made me think of all the many blessing Bode has brought to our family over the years. He has brought us so much joy and happiness. He has taught us so much and changed our perspective on many things. We love him so much and couldn't imagine our lives without him.

Kelley it was so good to finally meet you. You are a darling mom with such a great personality and you are doing such a great job with T-bone. I am looking forward to becoming better friends with you and sharing many more stories and maybe even some tears with you.

A moment of silence....

Collin just took Bode and Coop to Coop's baseball game and I just put Peiton down for bed. There is complete silence besides the typing of the keyboard. It feels so nice. My house is clean and I can just sit here and blog without any guilt :)...ahh....I just had to post it, it doesn't happen too much.

Go Jaxx!

Cooper has officially started baseball season! Yesterday was his first game and he did a great job. It is machine pitch and his first time up to bat he nailed it, he wasn't quite sure what to do after he hit the ball, but he soon found out. He was super excited that he hit it and did not have to use the T. Last night he told me he wanted baseball to be everyday...I am way glad that he is in a sport that he is super excited for. Go Jaxx!

Salt Lake City Marathon

On Saturday we ventured downtown to see the Salt Lake City Marathon runners come over the finish line. We were able to cheer my sister-in-law Alisha on as she did the 1/2 marathon. Go Alisha!! You did GREAT!

I think it is such an awesome experience to see these runners accomplish something that they have spent a lot of time prepping for. There is a lot of work that goes into running a 1/2 or a full marathon. A lot of time and energy. But the feeling that you get when you made it to the finish line is awesome and something that you wouldn't trade for anything (at least I wouldn't). I still remember my first marathon (and I thought it would be my last...it was a killer!) it was the Salt Lake Marathon 2 years ago. It was the year they changed it to June, and it was sooooo HOT! I think it was at mile 7 that I got heat stroke and thought I was going to pass out. Just thinking that Collin would be at every 5 mile stop cheering me on, helped me get through it. But coming down the shoot was the best feeling. You have crowds of family, friends and people you don't know cheering you on...it is such a great feeling and one that I won't forget.

If you have ever had the itsy, bitsy, desire of wanting to run a marathon, I suggest you take some action and do it! You won't regret it!Corey and Matix waiting for "Mommy" to come
She made it!

A little bored


Peiton we missed you! Thanks Holly and Charlie for watching her, it made it easier to enjoy!

My favorite park!

Yesterday my friend Lou-Lou and I decided to take our kids to this park that I mentioned a while back. It is a park that was built for kids with handicaps. Everything is very easy to play on to and it was perfect for my little Bode. A little background history on Bode at the park would be.... He usually lasts about 5 minutes, 10 minutes if we are lucky, and after that time has gone by I am usually chasing him out of the street or where ever his little soul takes him. He has no fear of leaving my side...actually I think he kind of thinks it is a game leaving my side, because everytime I chase him down, he is giggling hysterically. Well now yesterday we had a record time on Bode staying at the park. He played on the playground for 45 minutes! It was heaven for me, everything I thought a park entailed. Sitting on the side, watching the kids play and talking to a good friend. It was fabulous. And let me mention that little Miss Peiton was fabulous too. I think she just thought it was amazing to be outside. But after the 45 minutes were up he realized he could run away and he did so. By that time I was ready to pack up and go. It is about a 10-15 minute drive to get there, but well worth the drive. We will see if next time will be as smooth as it was yesterday....cross our fingers!

Good ole' friends
Little Miss Peiton

Coop and Paul doing some beautiful poses...anyone need a model?

Bode experiencing the playground. I was so proud of all the things he could do there.

Show me your muscles!!

Bunco

So, I have been a big time slacker on making any posts lately...call me lazy and a little boring, whatever you want, I think it is a little of both.

I have been wanting to make a post Friday and never got around to do it. So, here it is...a little late. Each month I look forward to the second Thursday, which is BUNCO! I really love to go to Bunco. I have been in this Bunco group for about 4 years now, I really can't believe it has been that long. I love to go and just chat with all the ladies in the group. We hardly even play the game. If we are lucky, we may get 3 rounds done (that is out of 6 rounds). We really don't care about the game, we just want to have fun and discuss life and all the fun and crazy things going on. And what I love is that we are all at different stages of our lifes, we can learn so much from each other. I really love my Bunco friends! And I must mention we eat a little...okay a lot!

Well, this last Thursday it was at Heather's house. Now whenever it is Heather's turn, she always out does herself. She is amazing! I don't know where she gets the time to even breath. This girl is always on the go...she is truly inspiring. So, anyway she made a fabulous dinner, chicken tortilla soup, poppy seed salad and a peanut butter dessert to die for. It was all very yummalicsious! We got three (I think) rounds of Bunco in, and during the last and final rolling, I was at the table with Deidre and Cami, who both had the same amount of Buncos as I did. Now, we would have to have a roll off to determine who would receive the Bunco prize if nobody got one more Bunco. Now let me remind you...it was the last and final stage, and yes I, rolled a BUNCO!! O-yeah...who's the bomb??? It was awesome! And so because I rolled the most Buncos, I got the biggest prize...and the best prize! I was so surprised when Heather brought them out. So take a look at what I got...

One large duffel bag, two cosmetic bags with straps that can hook on them and two sets of earring and necklaces...holy cow! I was pretty excited. And to go along with that, Heather gave everyone of us a cute bag that is perfect for church and some yummy chocolate from Germany (she just spent 2 weeks in Germany...lucky girl!)
Goofy faces
All the prizes...so much fun!

Thanks for a fabulous night ladies...I had such a great time. And thanks Heather for being a fabulous host, even with a thrown out back...again your amazing! It was great to have everyone there, I think that is a first in a long time. I am already looking forward to next month...see ya then!

"Your friends the Backyardigans..."

I am sure most of you mothers out there have heard of "The Backyardigans." Well at the Richards household, "The Backyardigans" plays a very important role. We could not imagine life without "The Backyardigans." Our little Bode LOVES them! What I love about "The Backyardigans" is that it gives Bode his workout for the day. Now Bode doesn't just sit and watch them, he does all of the actions, and I mean all of them. He gets quite a workout while watching them. It is the cutest thing ever! And what I love is that I can actually tolerate them, they aren't too annoying like some cartoons. So it gives me a little peace knowing that he is getting some physical activity while watching these Backyardigans all day long...(not really all day long, just half of the day...)

And does anybody know what Uniqua is??? Is she a Ant???
Bode getting his groove on with some of the actions

"Man Cold"

Just for fun...I think they might have it right on the dot. Hahaha!

"Is something missing in your life?"

Have you been feeling like there is no longer that T.V show that gives you the extreme drama, the comedy, the suspense and the EXTREMELY attractive people all in one show....well I have news for you!

Baywatch, aka "Babe Watch," is on Saturday night at 5:00 on channel 16 (if you have Dish Network). Collin and I had a great time remembering how much we LOVED this show, and I forgot how EXTREMELY HOT David Hasselhoff is. And as a bonus, he sings the song as the credits go across the screen...he is so talented. So, if you have nothing to do at 5pm on Saturday night, catch up on some Baywatch. (Coors I know you will take advantage of this.)

**Just so you know, I am being very sarcastic...sorry to those that really do love this show.

Four little Princess's....and one little prince

Here ye, here ye....Peiton has been invited to her first birthday party.

Peiton was so excited to go to her little friend Kallee's 1st birthday party. (She told me she was super excited; yes I know, she is only 7 months) I think the mom's were more excited than the kids, a time to get away, eat and watch our darling daughters...and son.
Kallee's cute mom Rachel, had lined up all the highchairs with balloons, princess crowns (prince crown), bibs and everything we ate started with a "P"...little miss creative.
My most favorite part of the party would have to be Kallee opening her presents. Now, you wouldn't think a 1 year old would really care too much about the presents, but this little princess was hilarious! She got so excited to open the gift and then when she saw the gift she was so excited....she knew exactly what was going on. It was too funny.

Thanks Kallee for inviting Peiton to your birthday party. We had such a "Enchanting time."

Easter Vacation

For Easter weekend we took a trip down to sunny St. George with Collin's family. Besides the driving, the vacation was great. The driving got a little chaotic, but we managed to make it. (I told Collin this is the furthest we will be driving with the kids for a long time.) Peiton slept maybe 15 minutes of the 4 hours drive, Bode did great and slept 2 hours, and Cooper just couldn't quit asking "Are we close yet?" Bless his heart, it is a long drive for a little 6 year old. The drive was well worth it once we got there. We stayed at Green Valley and had a fabulous condo. The first night was a little crazy, I think Collin and I saw every hour pass, as Peiton just wasn't sure what was going on. So we took care of that problem, Benadryl on the way...she slept like a baby should sleep the rest of the trip.

The kids enjoying themselves at the park...Bode got a little out of control with the sand.

The next day Collin was able to go golfing while I stayed in the condo with the boys. And that is what we basically did, stayed in the condo. It isn't worth it to take the kids out and chase Bode around while trying to keep a hold of Peiton. We did venture out to the park for a little bit. It wasn't too crazy. Thank goodness Cooper had his cousins to keep him entertained.

After Collin got back, we were ready to go to the swim pool. Cooper was a little fish and had so much fun. Bode did great too, and Peiton watched by the sidelines. She did have the cutest little swimsuit on though, too bad I didn't get a picture of it.

Fun at the pool

On Saturday we woke up and went to the sand dunes. The kids had so much fun, jumping, rolling and collecting as much sand as possible on their clothes and little bodies.

Family fun

Bode at the Dunes


Coop at the dunes

Having some fun....

The next day was Easter Sunday. The kids woke up to hidden baskets left by the Easter Bunny. We then went to church and came back for a yummy breakfast brunch. We finished the day off with eating, Easter egg hunt, eating, relaxation, eating, walks, eating, and bedtime.

Ready for church


Peiton and her Easter dress


Fun Easter activities

On Monday morning we headed back. It was a great little get away that we all enjoyed. Thanks Holly and Charlie for putting it together and for the great memories! We love you!