Summer Fun!

Here are some of the fun things we've been up to this summer:

We made fun visors together. The kids loved putting the stickers on to spell their names. Cade did his all on his own. He even knew what colors he wanted and what ones he didn't want.
Myla saying, "See Mom!" with her cute little lisp on the s, so it sounds more like, "Thsee Mom!"
The Gav-Man

What do mom's do to get away and hang out with the girls? Play Bunko, of course. Here is my fabulous Bunko group. It was good to get back into it. I missed June because I had the Gav-man. This last time I came in last place, but ironically ended up with the prize I wanted!

Abbey (wearing the Sassy Pants hat), Maren, Chelsea

Sara, Rachel, Anna, Stephenie

Beka, Jen (the hostess this month), and Nicki (subbed for Dawn and Stacey who we missed!)

After 5 weeks of being stuck in the house during the day I decided it was time to take the kids out. Where did we go? Joanns, of course. Yes, I'm crazy. I swear there is a silent message at Joann's that only kids can hear that tells them to make their moms miserable as soon as they walk through the doors. But I really wanted to pick up some fabric to sew up some burpers and receiving blankets for Gavin. So, I did what any mother would do...bribed them with slushies from Sonic if they were good.

Taking the three kids out for the first time.

They were great! We went right to Sonic and got drinks.

Last week my mom watched Gavin and we went to the Tempe Splash park for the first time this summer. We lived there last summer and we've really missed it.

Cade running through the sprinkler.

Myla getting her feet wet.

The Buchanans joined us for this trip. I didn't get any pictures of James--he was havingn too much fun to hold still. The kids are snacking on their "dog bones."

Cade sliding.

Myla sliding. I had to sit at the bottom of this slide and catch her because she would shoot off about 3 feet and land pretty hard on her bum.

Last Friday we saw The Dark Knight. We traded babysitting with the Haws so we could all see it that day. I got the morning shift while Jared and Nicki saw the movie.

Overall the kids get along wonderfully...until you throw trains into the mix. I pulled out the train tracks and they did great for about 5 minutes. Here they are even letting Rachel have some fun and play with the tracks. But then someone wants someone else's trains and it all goes downhill. Life is so much more peaceful with preschoolers when Thomas and Friends sleep nicely in their train sheds...safely out of reach.
" Cheeeeese Mommy!"
Me and Rachel. Isn't she a cutie?!
Connor playing so nicely.

To end this really long post is a picture of Cade with his mittens. Cade is getting tired of the heat (he has a lot of his dad in him!). He told us that he wanted to go to the snow and see Aiden (his cousin in Utah).
He wore his mittens around all day and wouldn't take them off, even though it was 108 degrees outside! I guess it was wishful thinking. :)

Memories

I got this from Kerry and thought it looked fun! Those who take a peek at my blog, just follow these instructions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is the most memorable for you.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you...!

3. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And please do this on your page, too, so we can all share in the fun times together. :)

Oh Good Grief!

Tonight, as I was driving home from a training I needed to attend, I was planning that I would get home, put the kids in bed, get Gavin to sleep and read a book or cuddle up with Kevin and watch the latest movie we just got from Netflix. Well, Cade and Myla had different plans for us. I was talking on the phone to my sister upstairs when I hear, "Christie! Get off the phone and get down here." I walk downstairs and before I get to the last step a distinctive, familiar smell hits me and I instantly know why Kevin had that irritated, trying-to-keep-his-cool tone to his voice. I get to the kid's bathroom and this is what I see:

Myla and Cade covered in diaper rash cream. We thought they were in bed. We were wrong. (Notice how Cade even took off his PJ bottoms so he could rub it on his legs? And I love that "I'm so busted!" look on his face.)
All that is left of the poor, helpless tube of Desitin.
Anyone who has tried to clean diaper rash cream off knows that you have to have lots of soap and you have to put lots of elbow grease into it. It took forever and seemed to just smear around. So while poor Gavin screamed his head off in his swing, Kevin and I got to clean up the kids, their beds and bedding and the carpet.

Maybe tomorrow, after the diaper rash cream smell wears off of us, Kevin and I will get to cuddle and watch that movie. :)

Tagged

Tagged by Heather:

What was I doing 10 years ago?

10 years ago I was 20 years old and living in Flagstaff going to NAU. One of the best times of my life! I lived with 3 awesome roommates and worked at the NAU Speech and Hearing Clinic. Although I didn't have any hot boyfriend I did have a secret crush on my Math professor. :)

5 Things on my To-Do list:

1. Finish the laundry! I've been working on this weeks for 4 days.

2. Teach Myla her colors and start Cade on putting letters together to read.

3. Do the monthly RS report.

4. Study scriptures

5. Get into a routine.

5 Snacks I Enjoy:

1. Watermelon

2. Chili Cheese Fritos

3. Salsa Sunflower Seeds (although they may be called jalepeno hot sunflower seeds now)

4. Almonds

5. Homemade cookies

5 Places I have lived: (earliest to most recent)

1. Mesa, AZ (where I was born and where I am now)

2. Flagstaff, AZ

3. Coconut Creek, FL
4. Key West, FL

5. Homestead, FL

What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire?

Cry, then laugh, then cry again. :) There are so many things I would do. I started to list all of them and then realized I'd be here all night. Other than all of the "pay off debt, buy a bigger house, donate to charity, give to family, go get my Master's degree" stuff that everyone else would do too, I'd say buy me a beautiful Audi.

I LOVE Audi. Any Audi will do. The Audi website has a cool "Build an Audi" feature where you can build your ideal Audi. This is mine, the Audi TT Coupe (it comes as a roadster as well, with a convertible top..I'd definitely take one of those too!). I really love black Audis, but this ocean blue color caught my eye. Complete with Fine Nappa leather seats, the full audio package including navigation and ipod interface, and high performance tires (along with other fun options), this baby would run me $51,875.00. That's all. But hey, we're dreaming I'm a billionaire, right?

So that's my selfish "If I had a billion dollars" wish.

What are 5 jobs I have had?

1. Burger King

2. YMCA child care

3. NAU Speech and Hearing Clinic secretary

4. Sequoia Charter School (library aide, dean of students, substitute teacher, HS English teacher)

5. IQ Abacus English teacher

I tag anyone that would like to do this. Have fun!

A Good Day

Sheesh, it's been a while since I've really updated what we've been up to lately. I thought I'd catch up a bit.

The 4th of July was a lot of fun. We had a BBQ with the Webbs and had a great time. My dad has been working on this train for about 6 months. He built it from scratch and he did a great job. It's three cars (Kevin will be detailing them later with Thomas, Princess and Bob the Builder stuff on them) that are pulled by the four wheeler. The grandkids and my dad were so excited to take them out on their maiden voyage...or whatever it is you call a train's first run. Here are some cute pics (I stole these from Nicki and Jamie, I left my camera there):

All Aboard! My Dad even had a train whistle on his quad.
Everyone is loving it!
It was like a carnival ride. Cade still talks about it. It was a great 4th of July.

Things around the house are slowly getting back to normal. It has been a rough 5 weeks. My c-section incision is finally on the mend. Several spots opened up on the incision after I got home from the hospital. Just a couple of days ago another hole opened up. I've been seeing the doctor every week, cleaning it at least twice a day, have been on antibiotics to prevent infection and have been trying to take it really easy (hard to do with 3 kids!). Luckily there has been no infection. Kevin and my sister Nicki have been wonderful helping with Cade and Myla. All I have to say is anyone who thinks having a c-section is the easy way to have a baby...well, think again. There is no easy way to have a baby. There are pros and cons to having a baby both ways, and there is always potential for complications. Having a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and a healthy recovery really are miracles and ones that I will never take for granted again. Here is our little perfect Gavin:

Cade and Myla just adore Gavin. Every time Gavin cries they both announce it at the top of their lungs and if I don't drop what I'm doing right that second and run to pick up Gavin then they are there to "make him feel better." Usually this involves trying to shove the pacifier in his mouth or rocking the bassinet so hard I'm afraid he'll fly out. But it's sweet to see them so concerned about him.
I told my doctor last week that the only time I am able to leave the house is to see him, and although I adore my doctor, I need a little bit more of a life. He told me to start getting back into my routine. So even though I am not healed completely yet, I have the go-ahead to start doing stuff again! Yay! This morning Cade, Myla and I dragged out the little pool and slide and played outside until it got too hot.
Cade going down the slide.
Myla saying, "Hi Mommy!" in her really high, squeaky voice that I love. Gavin wanting to join in on the fun. Okay, really he just wants me to hold him. He is such a cuddle-bug and loves to be held. My favorite thing he does right now is when I hold him on my shoulder he always finds a way to scoot his little head underneath my chin. He loves to be held like that. Such a sweetie.
Splashing each other is so much fun...until it's not and then we cry. Okay, we're friends again.

For Family Home Evening we took the kids to see Wall-E. Really, I wasn't too excited about seeing it. Another robot movie? C'mon. But everyone I talk to who has seen it raves about it. And Cade has been walking around saying "Wall-e" in that robot voice, so we went. And it was so cute! The kids enjoyed it and Gavin slept through the whole movie.

It's been a good day.

Daddy's Little Girl

Myla is happiest when in the arms of her daddy.

In Loving Memory...

Yesterday the memorial service for my grandfather, Richard Cochenour, was held. Grandpa had a stroke last week and passed away on Wednesday. My grandma died about 11 years ago, so I can only imagine how happy that reunion must have been when grandpa passed.

My grandpa was an amazing man. He overcame so many obstacles throughout his long life. He was a very strong man who loved his family very much. He was always so happy and positive. He was so generous with all he had. My dad, brother, sister and I married into the Cochenour family when I was eight years old. I remember the first time I met them I asked them what we should call them. Grandma replied, "Well, Grandma and Grandpa, of course!" They were so welcoming and accepting of us. They never made us feel any different than any of the other grandkids. We were their grandkids too and that was that. I know that meant a lot to the three of us...and still means a lot to me today. Grandpa had the unique ability to make everyone he came in contact with feel special. That is something I will always remember; everytime I saw Grandpa he would tell me how special I was and to not forget it.

Grandma and Grandpa Cochenour had 8 kids, 35 grandkids and 55 great grandkids. I have very fond memories growing up with many cousins my age--all of whom unconditionally accepted us just like Grandma and Grandpa did. My favorite memories are of the yearly family campouts we had and the times when we just hung out at our grandparent's house--sleepovers on the trampoline, having water fights, playing Rook, making up extra verses to songs, or just talking. I am blessed to have such great cousins.

Mason, me, Cory, Larkin

These were the cousins that were my age (only Mandi is missing). We had a lot of fun growing up together. I am glad I get to see them and their families every now and then.

These are the older cousins that were at the funeral. It's been a long time since we've all been together. A lot of them came in from out of state. It was really great seeing everyone.

Goodbye Grandpa. Thank you for your loving and humble example. I am most definitely a better person from knowing you. I love you!

Budding Artist

Cade has started drawing people. And they are adorable! I especially love the arms, fingers and legs. It's so fun to hang his drawings on the fridge. He's so proud of what he does. He knows how to write his name and this week started writing Myla and Dad.

My Handsome Boys

Whenever I tell Cade he is cute he always corrects me, "No Mom, I'm handsome." So true.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I would be so ungrateful if I didn't publicly thank all the wonderful friends and family who have done so much for us the past couple of weeks. We've had awesome friends bring us meals and treats and diapers. My sisters are wonderful and helped watch Cade and Myla during our hospital stay. My sister Nicki actually has Cade and Myla right now so I can get some sleep and get things done. My Mom K. stayed with Cade and Myla the whole time I was in the hospital and my Mom W. stayed with me all last week and took care of the kids and me. Kevin's dad and stepmom were here this weekend doing our dishes and cleaning up Myla's pukey messes. Thank you! Also, thank you to our out-of-state friends and family who have sent gift cards and flowers and well-wishes. We are so lucky to have you. Mostly I have to thank Kevin, the most wonderful husband and father anyone could ask for. He's pretty much had to do everything the past couple of weeks and he doesn't complain at all. He's been the dad AND the mom AND my personal nurse. I've had problems with my c-section incision opening up and Kevin helps clean and dress it every day. He is so compassionate and has dealt with my post-partum crying spells with such love. He's up with me and Gavin at night and goes to work all day long. I just love Kevin so much! (Don't worry, that concludes my mushiness.)

Sweet Siblings

Cade and Myla are as close as siblings can be. They can't do anything without each other. Recently we found these two taking a nap together. Now all Myla wants to do is sleep in "NaNa's" bed (that's what she calls Cade--we have no idea where she got NaNa from).

Cade and Myla adore their baby brother. They always want to hold him and are constantly giving him kissies and lovies. This past weekend they both had the flu and it was very difficult keeping them away from Gavin. I love watching my kids together.

Twinners

Cade and Gavin are almost identical as babies. It will be interesting to see how Gavin looks as he grows up. He is a little bigger than Cade was...but their features are so similar. Those McMillan male genes are pretty strong! I didn't think I'd have twins 4 years apart. :)

Cade at 1 weekGavin at 1 week.

Some Gavin Lovin'

It's a BOY!

On June 4th at 4:00 PM our family was blessed with the addition of a healthy baby boy. He weighed 8lbs and was 19 inches long. Both he and Mommy are doing well, and the older kids are excited to have a new baby brother. We've decided to name him Gavin Webb McMillan.

Thanks for all the thoughts and well-wishes you've been sending our way! Here's some pics of the little guy!