10 days of long summer days and fun nights

I got to take our four kiddos to California to see family about a week ago and keep thinking I better hurry and post it before it gets trumped by back to school stuff! My kids are exhausted from all the fun and sun. We swam nearly every day...nice to get a few days off. (It's hard to watch that many kids around water) Grandma was so generous and every night she would indulge the kids by honoring their requests for dessert. I have to admit, I didn't mind. I have such a stinkin' sweet tooth! We got ice cream, ice cream with cones, s'mores, rice krispy treats, some caramel shortbread brownie bars that Gma Larkin made, and we couldn't help but go for the gusto and make the Pillsbury Caramel brownies that Grandma used to show up with when she'd visit. It was a pretty funny sight to see the adults (used to be Faylor kids) sit and pick right out of the pan. Pulling a pan of these out of the refrigerator is like moths to a flame. I almost forgot that we even got birthday cake...thanks Porter! So I just had a moment to read this and realized I better hit the gym hard starting Monday. There may be calories hiding out in my body still.

Some of our favorite activities this trip were:

• Just hanging out with family and talking (always a favorite!)
• Playing Scum and Spoons
• Huddling around the oscillating fan to stay cool
• sleepovers at the Heywoods' house (thanks Mike and Amy!)
• Swimming: Doing head stands and somersaults in the pool with Aubree and watching Bryan teach Amy "special" dives...life guard dives (how to jump into the water without your head going under-Amy has great form. Maybe it's not too late for her to make the diving team for the Olympics.), the correct way to do a belly flop, and cannon balls.
• More swimming: crazy, made up games like "let's throw the aqua skimmers and try to hit each other in the face and no one's allowed to dodge the skimmers".
• duck... duck... goose(!) (Dad...picking multiple geese and no one realizing)
• Red light, Green light
• What time is it Mr. Fox? and Freeze tag
• Three legged races with the adults only. (Too bad none of the kids took pictures. Use your imagination I guess)
• Dessert EVERY night!!!!! Yummm.
• Our late night run to Nubi's with Mom, Dad, Amy, Shannon, Kaeleigh and Aubree
• Water fights
• Our Friday night camp out with tents in the backyard, s'mores included (Listening to Mike was priceless...he had "100 kids" in his tent and couldn't go to sleep, poor guy! Who knew Faylor's could reproduce so fast? It's hard when you have the coolest tent Mike. Naturally the kids are going to choose your tent...sorry!)
• The winner...Brent riding Deegan's scooter at inappropriate speeds and doing what we told every child NOT to do and watching him fly over the handle bars of a kiddie scooter to pay the price
• No wait...the real winner...watching Brent re-enact his near-death flight for everyone in slow motion! Thanks for the laughs and good times Brent.

Mike and Amy put together a slide show to music with a lot of the great pictures. Here's the link:

To see a fun slide show CLICK HERE

How do we not gain 10 pounds every time we go to Grandma and Grandpa's

We Faylors' don't mess around when it comes
time to make s'mores! We HAVE to do it when
we are together...good thing we don't have to
leave the backyard. We camped every summer
growing up, so this brings back good memories.
There were 11 grandkids present this night and
8 adults. (Some adults were rather childish this
night, but I'm pretty sure I finally got my numbers
straight.)

The man in charge...Uncle "Trebor" (Trevor)

Rice Krispy BALLS...more can help this way. We

had lots of help!

Every time these girls, Emily and Ashlyn, got near

food, Emily just had to feed Ashlyn. It actually

strengthened their bond as you can imagine...at

least Ashlyn's love for Emily is stronger.

This is what happens when you let a 2 year old

feed a 1 year old an ice cream cone. Everyone has

these kind of pictures...I know, but I couldn't resist!

Aubree and Kaeleigh's sleepover breakfast.

Good thing we don't always get ready-whip on

our pancakes!

How often do you catch your kids happy enough

to squish up for a photo-op? Too bad Ashlyn was

off sleeping.

some of my favorite plants:

So this is definitely one of my favorites!
It is one of our two gardenia trees. This is by far
my most favorite smelling flower. Maybe that
makes me weird. They have been here about 2-3
months, and they have done great! I am still getting buds
on them and they continue to flower in this summer heat.
They get full shade and once a month, I water them by mixing
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of water.
I haven't done this since I added the hearts and flowers
to the pot, so I am hoping they can take the
vinegar treatment as well.


Parry's Penstemon: During the winter to late Spring
these will get pink trumpet-like flowers up the spikes.
(Which the hummingbirds are attracted to...yeah!)
We planted these behind the new wall in the front. My
nursery guy is trying to convince me that I can water
these until established and then just quit watering them
all together. They are native here in Arizona. That just
doesn't sound possible because they are so pretty...my
pictures do none of these justice! These are about a month
and a half old...maybe 2 months.

This is a CHOCOLATE MINT herb...can you
say "mmm"? Every time it gets wet (hello, it's
by a fountain...) it smells delicious! My salesman
at our favorite nursery (Elgin-props!) had this
idea to tuck a couple of these through the back
to get the sent and fill in the dirt area. These aren't
even a week old. Admittedly, I didn't get these
from our nursery though...these are from Lowe's.

These are hearts and flowers. They are succulents,
so I am trying to learn more on how to nurture these.
Believe it or not, I think I need to not water much...
that seems to be the theme here is quit watering so
much...I am drowning my plants.

I have these in the front and back where I get shade
in the later hours (hotter hours) of the day. They are
just beautiful. I think they just look happy. I have
put these in the pots that house our gardenia trees.
My hopes is that they will droop over the pots and add
to the lush green feeling in there.

More yard stuff...

So I haven't claimed to be good at this blogging thing yet. I don't know how to get things where I want and all and my pictures aren't in any particular order. I would've put the one of the house first, which is the order I posted. So I learned today to do my pictures in the reverse order of how I actually want it to look on my blog...is this correct, or is there something I missed?

Anyway, the empty pot on the column will get flowers as soon as this weekend possibly. I am still looking for just the right thing (that won't die) for our yard. Any suggestions are welcome. I want it to be colorful and have stuff that can droop over the edge of the bowl...heat tolerant is a must. This is full Arizona sun, and the cement bowl will retain a lot of heat. I don't want my babies suffering and scorching to death. I will also show you some of my favorite things that I have planted so far. I say I, but I should add that without Ryan and his expertise on drip systems, I would have no plants. He has been there every step of the way. It is I that disappears in the more challenging, hotter times.

Yard pictures

So I finally am able to upload my pictures so I can post pictures for all of you that are interested. We are loving the yard, so we hope you like it too. I will be the first to say that doing things yourself totally stink most of the time. It takes longer, it's messier (there's no one to watch your kids, so the house gets dirty as well as your project area-HATE that!) it's still expensive and it can be very trying on relationships. Ryan and I are finally aware of which projects we can both do together and we find enjoyment on many projects together now. If you would've asked me about projects involving the two of us when we were "young marrieds", you wouldn't have thought we'd last this long! Well, we're still going strong, and we're still doing projects. I've just learned which ones to stay well out of range for....good thing we never tried wall paper together. That could get nasty! Painting is hard enough!! Well, if you've ever done anything on your own, you know what I mean when I say it is so rewarding in the end...when it turns out right, that is, otherwise...trouble in paradise! Good thing Ryan always does a good job and he's also aware of which jobs we need to hire out...that's the trick folks.

Baby steps...

So naturally, I bet by the title you all thought this would be something cute about my little Ashlyn. Sorry to disappoint! If you know much about me, I have a couple babies. I have projects, plants, children...whatever I can take care of. Right now, I am nurturing all of my newborn plants in hopes they won't fry a miserable death from this painful heat.

Ryan and I started our (near) dream yard about a year ago. I say near, but if we really do everything on the plan, I don't know what else would be left to do. Of course money doesn't grow on trees...at least not in Arizona-maybe we're the wrong zone? So we have chosen to "phase" our yard to make it more affordable and less painful on the budget. We bit off A LOT about this time last year. We are working our way, corner to corner, around the backyard. So we started with the corner closest to the house where the BBQ will be. (You have to be able to feed yourself when you work this hard...kidding!) Next we will finish up the kids' trampoline area...I am thinking that sounds "holly, jolly"...but that's just me. Ryan gives the green lights around here and I just wait for the signal! So, maybe we will have to wait a little longer than my ideal timing. A couple more summers then we will do the pool and then the last corner would be a nice fireplace/sitting area. It sounds like a lot, I know. Ryan is a big do-it-yourself-er, so this may not get done until Kaeleigh needs it done for her wedding reception!!! So for now, it has been the BBQ and the front yard. Only one side of the front yard can be done before "the pool" though, so just when we will think we are done...(that's how it always works!) we will finish up the other side of the front yard.

So, the wall on the East side of the yard got done first. Our wall got stoned yesterday. What a relief! We have been told that our wall looks like a prison wall and all it needs is barbed wire, and who knows what else has been said about it. I'm sure the neighbors thought it would never get done...BUT, (big but...) they are thrilled at what they get to look at now! We turned the front area by the entry into a nice water feature. The neighbors can hear it across the street and they have said that they actually feel cooler when it is on. We are more than grateful to have this beast of a project completed...ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!!

I will post some pictures tomorrow of the front yard. It's dark, so it can't happen today. Sorry...I bet most of you won't even get to this for a couple days anyway. That's OK. We have a similar wall in the back. It is much smaller. The idea is that we can sit on the walls when people are over for extra seating. Our street is a pretty happening place when the weather is cooler. All the neighbors come out and talk and the 20+ kids come out and play. It will be nice to have somewhere to sit instead of standing around in the street! Ryan is working like crazy trying to get the BBQ done in time for my birthday. We'll see. I will put up pictures as we go.

A new family picture...well, new...er

Yeah!!! I finally figured out how to put a picture in that didn't overtake my whole blog. For most of you, that comes easy, but for me; I can't even remember how many tries it has taken me. This picture was taken in California this past March. My sister's sister-in-law took the picture....Thanks Shawna! We laughed when we (ok, I) finally figured out how to save the files from the cd only 2 days ago (thanks Mike!). I can finally run to Costco and print my beloved pictures...only, none of our kids look the same anymore. Don't you hate it when that happens? I will have to add some updated pictures of our wee ones here for you. Ashlyn's hair is really coming in, and we just gave Carson a new SCHOOL haircut...holy cow! (Give me a week-of course I will have to post his first day of school!) It's a good thing we took this picture of Kaeleigh when we did. It may be the last time we see her with all her teeth for a while. Shortly after, she got 3 teeth pulled and now she is sporting a very stylish palate expander, until Christmas time possibly. Deegan looks the most similar to his picture. His personality is what has changed the most. They say pictures say a 1,000 words...that's more than Deegan can say by far, but he is getting there. With words has come a whole new sense of pride and confidence. We love just about all his words...except for his favorite..."NO!"

A new word for Ashlyn...

So, we are in CA for a week! I could do a whole post about our crazy road trip that should have been 5 hours and ended up being 6 and 1/2, but I will spare you... and myself! I think it sums it best to say that our poor, sweet daughter Ashlyn's new word is "OUT"! The poor thing was in hysterics by the end, and I turned and asked her if she wanted out (of her seat) and she just started shaking her head yes with those eyes like the cat, Puss in Boots, from Shrek. Well, the other kids thought it was hilarious, so with all the laughter going on around her, she decided to change from crying to giggles. Imagine "peek-a-boo"...all I had to say was "out" and she thought I was some stand up comedian! We did this for probably the last 15 minutes of our drive. Don't kids have a way of making you feel like you're the coolest thing to man?! In this case, laughter was definitely the best medicine!

Ashlyn's words

After having two speech-delayed boys, back to back, it has been so exciting to have a little girl that is ready to make her mark in this world. Already Ashlyn is starting to talk. I want to start making a list of her words, so allow me:

Mom, milk, yeah!, no, hi, baby, ball, and the best of all...POOP!

Not too bad for a girl only 1 year and 3 weeks old...YEAH ASHLYN!!!

Confessions and passionate kisses

So first, I guess I must confess to some of you that I have a touch of insomnia. Don't worry, I think someday I will outgrow it. My problem tonight is that so far, both of my boys have visited me. Ryan wanted to sleep with Kaeleigh tonight. We agreed that she needed one of us tonight. Ryan has been very busy with his calling lately and work, and we think Kaeleigh is feeling a little lonely. I was kind of looking forward to sprawling in the king size bed, sleeping diagonally or whatever I wanted. First, there was Deegan...an hour after listening to the routine "ows!" of his horrible eczema, and me scratching (gently) he went back to his own room when I got up and used the bathroom. He must have woken Carson. Carson paid me a visit right after. These are my snuggle bugs. There is no king size in pint size! They are like velcro! Guess what...I love it!

So as I lay awake, I realize that all I keep thinking about is this blog. I confess that I have been a lurker to many a blog. So this is not completely new...just my actually "owning" a blog is. I thought to myself what would I write next...and of course I must tell you something about my sweet children! I have complete bragging rights on this page!

I feel so loved every day and every night. I have a family of the BEST KISSERS! First there is my darling little Ashlyn. She absolutely loves kisses. Sometimes they are wet ones...OK, most of the time they are! But, when she figures out how to put her lips together to press them to mine, or my cheek, it is so perfectly my favorite! She may be my "earliest kisser" of the four kiddos.

Deegan...people should line up for kisses from this boy! I don't know how to say it without fully doing him justice. Have you ever had a child that was so hard and you craved affection back just to know that they loved you and felt like not everything was war? Deegan has been a VERY hard child, and thankfully, he is coming out of that. My favorite moment is bedtime with him...not the nap time, but night time when it is dark. He always snuggles to the wall side of his bed and points to the other half and says "Mom's 'bot!" He 99% of the time convinces me to stay a little longer as he has found my weakness. As I lay there, he does sneak attack kisses. If I close my eyes, he (always sneakily) kisses my nose, then my forehead, my cheeks, my chin...then he starts kissing the wall, the bed, his pillow, etc. as he is giggling through all this. But in all the silliness, whenever he kisses me at this game, he is the most delicate, tender child. His kisses are soft and gentle, unlike the rest of his day of blazing fast craziness. This is the moment that I love. I should add that he has figured out that he loves to kiss Ashlyn's hairy head. I want to take a picture every time I catch him, but he stops every time I pull out the camera.

Let's not forget my Carson. Carson loves his hugs and kisses at bedtime. He probably sneaks in nearly 5 of each every night. I get all the way to the door and he calls me back for "just one more". It's a set kind of thing. You can't do one without the other. If you only do one, then you have to start over. He is the one who started this kissing thing with Deegan. I am sure, as they share a room, Deegan has watched this go on probably every night of his life that he can remember. Carson gives Ryan such hard time if he tries to put Carson to sleep. Carson is devastated if he can't get his Mom hug and kiss! There was a time that Ryan nearly banned me from being gone at bedtime I think.

Then there is my Kaeleigh. Kaeleigh may not admit it to you, but she loves my kisses. She is not too old for them yet. I don't get many from her, but I love to give them to her. (She's more of a hugger.) I love to kiss her soft cheeks, and especially her forehead right after she takes a shower and her hair smells so good from the conditioner! She is my first child. It all started with her! Kaeleigh was our only child for over four years. With every kiss to her, I think of how grateful I am for her. She is my rock solid child. She was born "choosing the right". She puts so much pressure on herself to be good and I sense that she is frustrated right now. It is not easy being the oldest when the little ones are so much smaller. She is practically my little mama. I know we ask a lot of her, and we are trying to remember to let her be a child. She is going through orthodontic work right now and she has been a trooper. I am constantly impressed by the example she is to me. I want nothing more than for her to be happy...same goes for the rest of my kids. I just wish that with every kiss I give them I could somehow "suck out" their pains and frustrations. I wish it were magic like that.

Well of course Ryan may be offended if I didn't include him in my list of good kissers...Ryan KNOWS he is the best kisser...at least that's what he tells me! Just kidding babe! Ryan is the best at everything though. I have to give him that.

Well, I think I will give the sleep thing a try again. Who knows, maybe now I can stop thinking about this blog. Probably not...I'll just think of something else. Lucky reader, you!

Here we go...

So I am just about the last person on this earth to have a blog! Too many of my friends and family have recommended it...everyone but Ryan. He will learn to love it too. I finally decided that this is a better way to share our lives with family and friends. We tried the monthly update with our Faylor family, and if they expect that of me still...sure, but it seems so hard to keep track of a whole month's adventures when you have six in your family. My emails ran on forever, so this way, they can look at us whenever they want and our friends can too. Here's to a fun, new hobby! I see this is very addicting!