Spray Park Fun

Well, we finally bit the bullet and went to the spray park. I swore I wouldn't take the kids this year because I'd rather let them swim in a ditch than run around in the park's disease-infested water, but somehow I was convinced to give in by one of our friends. It was a short trip but the kids had a ball. Tyler would have stayed all day if I would have let him. Zach had fun but somehow kept getting cold, even though it was scorching hot outside. He would come and wrap up in his towel and curl up in the blanket I laid out. He was melting me, but still kept saying he was freezing. We went with the Walker kids and their mom had threatened them that if they opened their mouth and let the water get in, they would have diarrhea for weeks. Her little girl just kept walking around saying "poop." We'll see if we end up making any trips to the doctor. I still think I'm a bigger fan of my dad's pond water. You just have to wonder how some parents can let their kids run around and sit in a pool with a dirty diaper on and not think twice about it. Sick, sick, sick. I know I need to relax, but something about it just grosses me out! Next week, I call the sand bar or Rigby Lake. As long as the kids have sunshine and water, they'll be as happy as little clams.

Cuz that's what you do!!

Tyler had his first t-ball game yesterday and it was so much fun! He was so excited and has waited so long to play. It was the most fun thing I've been to in a long time. All of the kids were so cute and funny and clueless. Tyler was ready to go though and his team had first bats. Before anyone was ready he grabbed his bat and walked right up to the tee and swung away. I didn't even have the video camera going yet so I missed his first hit. He got a triple and was so excited. The highlight came at his next at bat though. He smacked it past first and all the little kids took off after it. He just kept running and running. When he got to third he looked to see where the ball was and all the kids were still chasing it down so he kept going. When he got there he Pete Rosed it into home plate! It was so awesome and we were all dying laughing so hard. I asked him later why he slid and he just looked at me and said "cuz that's what you do!" Maybe he's seen a few too many of his dad's and uncle's games. Our little homerun king was finally in baseball heaven. It was a day I had waited for long before I even had kids. I'm just glad our boys love sports as much as we do.

Has hell really frozen over???

Did the universe stop moving??? I didn't feel it, but I've had to wonder ever since our last doctor's appointment. The verdict is in, the truth is out.....the Peña's are having a girl!! What?!?! Can it be real? I thought only testosterone ran through Peña veins. Girls are so rare in this family???? We really couldn't believe it even after we saw it, even after Tyler got his Chuck E. Cheese cheesy face, even after he grabbed his brother around the neck and said "did you hear that Zach???? We're having a cheerleader!!!!!" even after we tried to tell ourselves that people have girls everyday. So Susan was nice enough to sneak us back in this morning for a better look. (Brooke, your mom is the best!) She was so stubborn yesterday and had her legs all tucked into her butt, but today she gave us a better show. Her feet were in the way for a while, but then there it was.....no boy parts!! We looked from every angle...top, middle, bottom and back. There just isn't anything there. At least nothing our other two have. So now we have a 99% chance that it will be wearing pink. Eli is still convinced it will come out needing blue but for now we'll just get ready for big changes in our boy proof house. The boys are so excited now....we'll see what they think when they start parking their hotwheels and throwing their baseball gloves next to some pretty pink princess shoes!! Even if it was a boy we would have been excited...maybe just a little more prepared. It will be a good change for all of us.......I keep saying I need more patience. I guess heavenly father thought that meant I needed to learn to live through emotional breakdowns and moodswings instead of black eyes and bugs.

Fun in the Sun

Fun on the slip n slide



Nothing like a cold, fresh drink of water


Payson helped keep an eye on everyone


Our future swimsuit model

It has been so nice over the last few days. The kids are loving the good weather and are so excited to be able to get their swimsuits on. I decided to get a couple of pictures of them having fun before it gets cold again and they're stuck inside. Friday we just put on the sprinklers but Tyler was the only one that had a good time. It was still a little cold for the littler kids. Over the weekend we picked up the slip n slide and it was a huge hit! They didn't want me to turn it off. Payson wasn't so sure about the water but he loves being outside and was a good sport. The other three would have played all day. I've really enjoyed the nice weather and am looking forward to the summer months ahead. Looks like we'll have to wait just a little bit longer since the weather man says the rain is on its way and it should only be about 55 degrees tomorrow!!!! You've got to love living in Idaho!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Oh my goodness, the day finally came. I have hit the ripe old age of 30!!! After a year of relentless teasing about diapers, walkers, etc. from Eli, the big day finally came. It was one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time. Eli made a huge breakfast for me, and cleaned and did dishes all day and wouldn't let me lift a finger. Then he made steak dinner......it was soooo good. After that, some of the family came over for the big party. I got so spoiled!!! I don't know if I deserved it, but it was so great. Eli even gave in and got me the cricuit I wanted so bad. He is so sneaky, all that time I thought I was getting Mario Kart to play with the boys!! They probably would have liked it a little better, but one day they'll appreciate all the great things I can make for their scrapbooks now. Once presents were over we had the best cake. Eli made strawberry shortcake and it was awesome! Definitely better than any I've made. It was a day I'll remember forever (if my memory doesn't give out on me any time soon)! All the attention made getting older a little bit easier to bare. Thank you honey for everything!

Down at the Hollow

Looking for his echo with Grandpa Kim

Eating the smarties out of his head
Last weekend we went out to the hollow on Grandpa Kim's farm. It is always so much fun. The weather was perfect so we brought some hot dogs and marshmallows and just kicked back. Eli's mom and brothers came too so it was really nice. The boys always love it. There are two golden eagles that have been there since my dad was a kid. (I don't know if it is the same two, but they have always been there). It was really neat because they flew really close to us this time. We saw a rock chuck too. It was kind of cool because that was the first place I saw my first one when I was little and this was the first one my boys had seen and I swear it was right in the same place. It is such a perfect little spot to just go and relax. The boys had fun playing catch with their uncles, and Zach loved eating the marshmallows, even though I think more got on his hands than in his mouth. Oh, and about the picture of Tyler. My Grandpa Roy used to knock on our heads when we were little and if we had been good, somehow he magically pulled a ton of candy out. Well, my dad must have the same gift because every time we see him, candy starts raining from our kids heads. He's not quite as sly, but I guess my kids are the first so he gets to practice on them. Being out there really makes me want it to get warm so we can start camping with the kids. All they need to be happy is a stick and a fire....just watch your hair!

How Many Kids........

For those that don't know, I watch my neighbors two kids four days a week. It has been such a blessing for us to have me at home and everyday is such an adventure. Our other neighbor behind us just started watching four kids plus her own three. So between the two of us there are a zillion kids running around in the backyard (now that it is finally thinking about being warm). Today seemed like a regular playground. We had nine kids ages five and under outside all together, and they were having a ball. They managed to all jump on the tramp together at the same time without anyone getting hurt. When they got bored with that, they found another neighbors swing. I had to grab the camera to have proof that seven kids can fit on a porch swing at the same time. You can count the heads if you don't believe it. And everyone of them are smiling. We live in such a great neighborhood and are so thankful we are surrounded by great neighbors on all sides that are quickly becoming even better friends. I can't wait to see what the hot summer days have in store for us and our clan!