Xander's Turn

And today preschool began. Xander is so ready. Now as long as he doesn't talk too much ;) I went with him today to introduce him to preschool and be the end he was telling me he could do it on his own next time and I didn't need to come. We had fun decorating the pizza box to hold all his papers over the course of the year. He's going to have so much fun, and I'm going to have a couple hours a week with only two kids... crazy!

First Grader

My sweet little Gavin is a first grader. He is starting at a new school today in the program we worked so hard to get him involved in. He was apprehensive at first, but this morning he was super excited. This is a big year for this boy, and it's going to be so good for him. I know he's in the right place with the right people, but I have to admit I'm struggling a little. I'm worried... I just want school to be good experience for him. I think I'll feel better once he's come home and tells me about the fabulous day he's had at school. Love this boy.

 

Blessing Day

We blessed Tanner Kevin Barnes at church today. It was beautiful, and not only that, but we were able to have family from both sides of the family be there with us. It was fabulous.

Here are four generations of Barnes Men.... aren't they all so handsome!

Ben and now Tanner both share their middle name with Ben's dad, Kevin. 

Family shot. It was funny that Roy ended up looking like he was posing for the picture too. He knows he's part of the family. 

Cameras are just too much fun. Too bad little boys can't hold still while taking a picture... these would have been cuter if they weren't blurry. 

It was so fun and nice to have family up from Utah. Daron, Brooke, and Little Miss Evelyn were able to be here.

Kiana left on her mission right before Landon was born, so it was nice to have her around this time too.

And Melissa is housing two more siblings for the summer in Southern Utah, so she was kind enough to load up her suburban and haul them and her family up to Idaho. Though I was wishing we could have had the rest of the crew with us too.

Silly sisters. Wish you were here making silly faces with us Karina!

It was a fabulous day. Wish we could do it more often. SO grateful for families and the knowledge I get to be stuck with these crazies for eternity!

Did I mention...

About 2 years ago we started trying to sell our house... we're still here. About a month before Tanner came our contract with our realtor came up, and we decided to be done trying to move for now. So since we are staying for a little while longer, we decided to make the house more liveable for us. The week before Tanner came we started the remodeling of our living room/kitchen area, and have just recently finished.

That's right... we've been remodeling with a newborn. Go ahead... say it... you know you are thinking it, and you wouldn't be the first... we're crazy... we know it. But hey, we're not as crazy as my sister and her husband... check out their remodel here. And it's already so much happier, so it's been worth it.
We've done most of the work ourselves with help from my mom when she was here and Ben's dad. The flooring was the one thing we had someone else install.
We painted the cabinets. (We actually rehung the doors the night I got home from the hospital.) We replaced the countertops, the sink, and the garbage disposal (it was broken). We repainted the walls and the trim (which we also pulled off so the flooring could be installed). My mom and Ben even hauled out the old yucky white carpet, so we didn't have to have to pay the installers to do it. So on to the  pictures...

BEFORE


AFTER
Living Room


Kitchen


Doesn't it look A-MAZ-ING! We're learning to become pretty "good do-it-yourself"ers. And because I did just have a baby a month ago, I have to give most of the credit to my husband. He really did most of it on top of taking care of me and the boys. Now for a little break before we start a new project. ;)

Newest Little Squeaker

Tanner Kevin Barnes arrived on Tuesday July 2nd at 8:26 PM weighing 7 lbs 13 oz and measuring 20 inches long. He made a speedy entrance into this world with a healthy set of lungs. His delivery was different from my other ones for several reasons, but I'll share his birth story later. This post is for picture purposes.

Hello, World!


With Daddy


With Mommy


Brothers come to visit


The newest family member


And because people ask me who he looks like... I never know what to say. This time I just say "his brothers." Here are the four monkeys pictures taken in the first 24 hours of when they were born. They're all definitely brothers... enjoy!

Update on Gavin

So yesterday we had the follow-up meeting for Gavin and his placement next year. It was a good conversation and at the end the district lady made the recommendation that he be placed in the Stepping Stones program! She even made the comment she had come with the intention to leave him at his "home" school, but by the end, she didn't feel it was what was best for him. What a mighty miracle! And it was such a huge relief to walk away from the meeting with that decision made.

Ben and I were so excited and wanted to celebrate, so we took the boys to McDonald's for dinner and to play, and then we topped it all off with Reed's Dairy ice cream.