Ash and Em plus 8.........

Friday a friend called and asked if I was interested in an impromptu trip to the zoo, so I said "absolutely". I was going stir crazy and if I didn't get out of the house I was going to blow a fuse---so off we went- she with her 3 kids and me with 5 (my 4, plus one of Natty's friends).

The babies

In the gorilla house. Can you smell it?? My nose still burns....

Last week we took a trip to Beboo's for a couple of days. Swimming was the favorite activity....
Beboo was able to convince Lou-lou that she really DOES like swimming!

dallin getting the hang of things...

Our little Gene-Simmons-wanna-be...(except not so freakishly nasty...)

Brooklyn chillin' in the shade--

Speaking of Brooklyn- she's getting bigger (9lbs 12oz at her last appointment) and this gal loves her baths-this picture cracks me up--she reminds me of a littlest pet shop animal--(which I happen to think are *adorable*!!)

What day is it??

**DISCLAIMER** I have tried and tried to format this post so the pictures look nice and neat and are aligned with the text, but I'm out of patience, and I'd rather be sleeping.....
As anyone who has experienced the joy of having a newborn in the house knows, all the days start to blur together and personally, I often have to concentrate to remember what day it is. The past 3 weeks since Brooklyn's arrival have been wonderful and difficult, exhilarating and exhausting. But I've realized exactly how lucky our family is. Between a constant stream of delicious meals and visits from friends, both sets of grandparents, a great-grandparent, an aunt, uncle and cousin, we have been truly spoiled. Only over the past 4 days have I had a true glimpse into life with 4 children. (And I've only had ONE total meltdown...a few close calls, but they don't count!)
While we were in the hospital, mom and dad took Natty and Dallin to the Farm for a family reunion.
After they returned, my brother and sister-in-law and their beautiful baby girl and my grandma came to visit for a few hours...which wasn't nearly long enough, but it was SO appreciated- it took serious effort for all of them to get here! It was so, so, so fun to see all of them!! And did I mention my little niece is BEAUTIFUL and so flippin' sweet? (Katy-do you like how I leeched onto your post so I didn't have to write all about it??)




























Then Tim's parents were able to visit for about a week- it took serious effort for them to get here too---think airlines, canceled flights, and an unexpected hotel stay....you get the picture.... We didn't do anything extraordinary while they were here. (Unfortunately as good as I feel, I still get wiped out after an hour or two of running around). But we did get in some shopping and lit some firecrackers. Madison sat with her ears covered for 99% of the time saying "Ees yowd. Ees yowd." ("It's loud"). The boys (Tim and his dad) got the basement bathroom completed, and were just able to catch up and visit...we LOVED having them here! (I'm waiting for the blessing pictures with *them* in it so I can post them, but they're not on my camera...grrr).
Here are just a few random pictures that I've taken over the past few weeks.....