She's here!

She's finally here! Little Gracie Nicole was born on the 29th at 4:12 pm. She waited a lot longer to get here than I thought, but I'm so thankful that she waited until after the holidays and can have her own special day. She weighs 6 pounds 3 ounces and is 19 inches long. Such a little thing and so sweet and cuddly already. I don't think the size will last though because this girl is one big eater! She is putting the rest of the kids to shame. She is definitely a little Peña with her dark skin and tons of hair. I think she might be our darkest one yet, but she has her own little look to her. It will be so fun to see what she looks like as she gets a little older. Everything went great and it is so nice to be home and getting back to real life. The kids love her so much. Zach has been waiting and waiting to take care of his little sister. Allie wasn't so sure what to think but once we brought her home all she wants to do is hold her and feed her a binkie. It is so cute. Tyler is so grown up and is going to be awesome. He is such a proud big brother. We all love her so much and so excited to be a family of 6! It is hard to believe and is still sinking in, but it is great. She is a little sweetheart!

All cleaned up

So proud

He even wore his brand new shirt and cologne to look his best for her

Happy parents

She is so sweet and cuddly

All ready to go home.

So cute in pink

Allie finally held her after we brought her home. She thought it was so funny that she was trying to "kiss" her face.

The newest little Peña...Gracie Nicole. We love you so much!

8 years old!

I still can't believe that we have an 8 year old. Tyler's birthday was last Saturday. We packed the day full of friends and family and had tons of fun. It was amazing to watch him with his friends and how grown up they all are...they talk about big boy things, want to play big boy games and pretty much just want to be big boys. I always get worried that people will be busy and not make it to his party, especially since it is the week before Christmas but most of the kids made it to his friend party that morning and all of the family made it that night. He got so many fun things, and some stuff for his baptism. We let him wear his suit Sunday and he was so grown up. He had his chest puffed out and everything like he was a little man. Every comment someone made had him standing a little taller. He has mellowed out so much this last year and has tried so hard to "be responsible" especially over the last month. It is amazing how all of the sudden they start to understand choices and consequences. He has been such a good helper lately...I'm so glad in more ways than one. He still is a little stinker though, something that I'm sure he will be throughout his whole life. But, that's what makes him our Tyler. We love you buddy and are so glad you had an awesome birthday and can't wait until the 1st for your baptism!

Almost all of his birthday pictures look just like this. He got the beenie from his Grandpa Ron and Kathy and wore it all night...silly boy. He is smiling in this one (he is just making crazy faces in the others) so this is what you get...sorry mom, you have the crazy face here.

The party

This year Ty wanted a "minute to win it" party. It was so easy and the boys had so much fun. We were laughing so hard at them. Here are just a few pics...enjoy.

A little news...

Ok, I've been told by WAY too many people that I needed to post this a long time ago. Yes...we are having another little baby! We are so excited to add one more to our family. We waited a while to tell everyone this time and it got to the point that after a while we realized there were a lot of people we hadn't told. So if you didn't know...SURPRISE! They tell us it's another little girl so we get to even things out. I thought for sure we'd get another boy but I am so excited now for some more pink. I am 7 months so it will be here in no time...I just hope it waits until after Christmas. (Sorry the picture is so lame. She didn't cooperate at all and this was as good as it got. We never even got to see her face).

Witches, don't bother me!

But scary mummies, sneaky ninjas, and little cowgirls do! Halloween was so much fun this year. I can't believe how much can be packed in to one week, and we didn't even do half of it. (I'm such a mean mom)! We started by our annual family home evening pumpkin carving. Somehow I didn't even get a picture of carving, or the pumpkins. What kind of a mom am I? Then Wednesday we had our ward carnival. It was the warmest it has ever been I think. The kids had a blast. Allie even loved fishing for candy bars and pumpkin bowling. The boys couldn't wait to do the doughnuts on a string. It is their favorite every year. Friday was pretty busy. I spent all day at school helping with the boys parties. They had so much fun and did a ton of fun activities. Allie thought it was great because she got to be in both costume parades. Then that night they got to sleep over at Andrew and Britni's for a Halloween party. They made halloween pizzas, decorated cookies, made their own hot chocolate mugs, watched movies and told ghost stories. Ty was so funny because he took a glove filled with popcorn that Zach had made at school and stuck it in a shoe box so that he could tell a scary story in the dark and make everyone stick their hand in the box and guess what was inside. He was so pumped to play a scary trick on everyone. Halloween was crazy as always. We had our moms and my sister come up for dinner, then went off trick or treating. We got a late start and only hit the relatives but the kids came home with more candy than ever! They loved dressing up. I love that Ty wants to be something bloody and nasty all the time, and Zach wants to be something "cool". No surprise that Allie was a cowgirl. She didn't like the cowboy hat very much though. Just the shirt and her horse. They were all so cute.

Don't let these two get you!

She hated these gloves until the costume parade. Once we got them on her hands she started running all around Ty's class trying to scare all the kids. It looked so funny because they are as big as her. Our super cute/scary little trick or treaters. (Check out Zach's nunchucks. They were a big deal. I made crappy paper ones and was told by him and his dad how lame they were and that a ninja needs real nunchucks. Eli took over and made a real weapon that was the coolest thing ever...mom got fired real quick on that one).


What would Halloween be without sugar cookies. Grannie helped out this time and the kids had a ball. They are the best little helpers in the kitchen.

Spud Harvest

This is one of my favorite times of year. I love harvest. I love the smell, the dirt...all of it. And my kids are right there with me. We were pretty busy this time heading back and forth to Grandpa Kim's farm and "dad's farm". Eli worked for my cousin so we were all over the place. Tyler loved the treats and pop. Allie loved Daddy's big truck and Zach just loved everything. That kid would drive a digger today if we let him. The days are long but I love them. And I realized I get a lot more done around the house when Eli doesn't get home until midnight. My dad swears up and down that this is his last year and I actually believe him. Everyone kept asking me if I was sad riding around with him on the last day. It was just another harvest to me. It's all I've known my entire life. I think it will hit me more next year when I have no tractor to ride in but.....there is always the water truck Kimmer! I know as good as the next person how hard it is to keep a farmer away from the farm.

"I ride a horsey!"

Now before I start this post I just want to make it clear that we do not own a horse. We are never around horses. We don't know anything about them, except that they eat apples and sugar cubes and your hand if you don't pay attention. The closest I've come to horses was about 20 years ago (or more...) when my uncles horse stayed in our windbreak for the summer and I would fill a big bucket with water for it everyday and we would try to jump on its back to ride around. As far as I know, Eli has never even been on a horse. We have boys that play sports, catch bugs and get dirty but not around horses. And up until 3 weeks ago we had a little girl that loved babies, pink and pigtails. Then she woke up and I heard these words "I ride a horsey!" Ok, I thought...whatever. Then she said it again, and again, and again. For about 5 days I listened to this phrase over and over until it got to the point that I loaded the kids in the car, drove to my uncles where luckily a horse was standing by the fence. We got out, fed it some grass, pet its neck and got back in the car and came home. I was hoping it would calm her need for a horse...I was wrong. Suddenly she needed a horse, to watch a horse movie and still "ride a horsey!" Where did this come from????? My sister had a sick obsession with horses. She would only wear a dress if she could wear boots. She would only play with her cabbage patch dolls if they were dressed like cowgirls. She grew up and bought a horse. Is this where I'm headed? It is so far out of my league. Nevertheless it is so cute, and funny that she came up with her own little quirky thing that she LOVES. So for her birthday I got ahold of my sister's friend that has a pony and the rest is history.

Even though it was for her, the boys were digging the pony too...and the goats and the dead dog by the trailer that got shot in the face the day before for eating all the chickens. That is life on the farm and they thought it was so cool.
Oh boy! The horsey!

Don't let little Scooby fool you. She may be small but she is no lightweight. Just ask Eli's toes how they are still feeling after being trampled.

Our natural born little cowgirl. I thought she might panic when we tried to put her on the pony, but I was wrong. She practically dove to get on, and grabbed right onto the horn of the saddle like she had been doing it all her life. She sat up straight and took off. So cute. Guess what though...this morning I woke up and heard the words "I ride a horsey!"

Andrew and Britni......welcome to the family

After years of waiting it finally happened! Andrew and Britni got married last Friday. It was such a perfect day. We got to go to the temple with her Wednesday night and it was amazing. She was so cute and happy. It is so much fun to keep adding to the family. We have spent so much time with her over the last couple of years that she really does seem like a little sister. Friday was perfect. Their sealing was that morning and was amazing. President Clark (the temple president) was able to perform the sealing ceremony. I wish they would let you record it to remember everything they say. He was so funny, but so spiritual. Andrew and Britni couldn't stop smiling. The rest of the day was filled with food, family and fun, fun, fun. I've never had so much fun with a wedding. They did a carnival theme and it was better than going to the fair! We got to eat pulled pork and corn on the cob (just like at the fair) all night long. They had a balloon lady, kissing booths, candy and popcorn. The kids were in heaven and nowhere ready for bed when we got home that night. It was so much fun. Even Eli asked if we could get married again. There is so much more to do besides cake and flowers! Congratulations you two! We love you both so much and are excited to have you with us for the rest of forever!

The new couple
They didn't stop smiling all day

She was so pretty. When she came out I looked at Zach and said "isn't she pretty?" he looked back at me and said "no mom, she's beautiful."

Don't we look good???

Guess I got hitched twice that night. I'm just not sure which hubby is better looking.

My handsome boys. After pictures the lady started popping popcorn. All they wanted to do was eat candy and watch her...this is where they spent 90 % of the night.

Daddy and his little princess. It won't be long before we are dancing the night away at her wedding.

After a birthday party the night before and wedding parties all day, she'd finally had enough.

2 going on 20

Every day I find myself asking where the time has gone...today is even worse. Our little girl is two! I keep thinking it should be her first birthday, that there is no way she is that old and that it still feels like we just brought her home. Then I look at her, and listen to her and am reminded that she is in fact two.....only two, even though she thinks she is at least 16 or somewhere around there. This little princess is in the center of everyone's hearts. Thank goodness she is full of sweetness. She is my little helper and our little shadow. She loves her brothers and loves to get scared...when you jump out at her, not from hanging halloween decorations in stores...that is not ok, not at all. She can do anything we can do, just faster. She loves pink, babies, and horses (more on this in another post). She is such a big girl and so much fun. Happy, Happy Birthday Allie! We love you!

This is what I mean by 2 going on 20. She already is on the phone 24/7 trying to call her grandmas and grandpas. At least she isn't calling neighbor boys yet.


Blowing out the candles

Her horsey cake....more on this later

The "cheese" face. This is as good as it gets with her now. No normal pictures. Either no smile, or this face....I don't know which is better but at least she is smiling. Happy Birthday turkey!

Flag Football Time

Flag football was so much fun again this year. Zach is old enough to play and he loved every second of it. He already wants to grow up and play pro for the Broncos so they can win. Haha, maybe by then they'll be good again. We had a ton of fun watching them. Tyler gets better every year and Zach can keep right up. It is even more fun now because when we are home they get their flags and go "practice" in the back yard together. I love my little boys. They are best little buddies. Even though they don't realize it yet, they are starting to get competitive with each other. Right now it is still all fun and games, I just can't wait to see where it takes them.

First day of school

Another summer gone and another school year started. Tyler is excited this year and already thinks he's the big kid in school now that he is in 2nd grade. Zach was excited for kindergarten until he found out that he didn't have the same teacher Tyler had, then he didn't want to go anymore. Thank goodness for open house day. Once he met Mrs. Judy and the class turtle he was ready to go. I just can't believe he is old enough for school. He is so much bigger than I realize. They didn't even give me time to shed a tear that morning. They hopped on their bikes and left me in the dust. I got to the school right as the bell was ringing. Tyler was already on his way in and Zach had already lined up with his class. He stopped long enough for a a picture and went on his way.......pretty sure they don't need me anymore. They had it all figured out.

All ready to go

Meeting his teacher

The turtle...the coolest thing about kindergarten. All we had was a sandbox.

Last Days of Summer

Oh my goodness, I'm turning into the worst blogger. I figure the best way to play catch up at this point is just with a lot of pictures. We were so busy this summer, it just flew by. I'm pretty sure we only had 3 or 4 hot days, but we still tried packing in a lot of fun. To sum up the end to our summer break...enjoy!

We got to go to Utah for a baptism and stayed with my sister Becky. It was short and sweet but we had a lot of fun with family...shopping, eating, 3D movies and the very best....the kids got to camp out in a tent in the dining room! They loved it. We were just going to have Allie sleep with us but when she saw the boys camping out she wanted to be right there with them and she slept all night. The first night they were all just on the floor. This is what I woke up to the next morning. Good thing none of them move in their sleep! When they passed out they were all lined up side to side and their heads were all by Zach's.

Alexis is our little fish. In fact, I'm pretty sure she is more than that. As far as I can figure, she is convinced she is part mermaid. There is no fear of any body of water with this little girl. Even after we let her go in the deep end at Green Canyon and she sank with her mouth wide open. I just loved this picture and had to add it in. She would play in our pool all day. Somehow she found her snow hat and thought it looked better as a swimming cap and this is what she looked like the rest of the day.

What would summer in Rexburg be without days at the spray park. It still annoys me but the kids love it so much that I'm warming up to it.

This picture is so funny. Allie loves her brothers, and her and Tyler share a special bond. They understand each other so well. He is her hero. He couldn't wait to show her the slide and this is the first year she even cared to touch the water at the spray park. She got so excited for him as he came down. Then she went with him, but only once. She might be a fish, but only in bodies of water, not slides.
Our summer ended with a bang at the Celebrate Youth party in the park. I'd never gone before and I'm so glad we did. I can't believe how much there was to do. These doughnut beachball things were awesome. I wish they had them for grownups. It was so funny to watch the kids run around and bounce into each other.

They had a blast and it was so chaotic. I could have watched it all day.

While the big boys went off to the jump houses (side note...while Tyler and his best friend Daniel were in the jausting thing they smacked heads. Ty got the worst of it and it looked like he had a marble on his cheekbone. By the next day -first day of school- it was a black eye in full force that lasted 2 weeks) Allie hung around the kiddie things. Her favorite was fishing for ducks. She wouldn't look at me to save my life so this is the best shot I got.

Tyler on the rock wall. For a boy that's scared of heights he climbed right up and made it pretty far.

Zach couldn't wait to climb it and only made it about 3 feet. He was still brave though. I was so proud of both of them. It was a great summer overall. I just can't believe it's over.