Time Flies!

Since Grandma Clayton is requesting blog updates all the way from Tonga, I guess it is time to do it! It has been a busy couple of weeks. Since it is late and I probably only have an hour or two before I will have one of my little ones awake, I am going to briefly update you through pictures. That's what we really want anyway right? Not just a bunch of words!

Here is Annalise on May 26th, ready for her

car ride home from the hospital. She slept the

whole way. What a wonderful birthday gift it

was for me to be taking my little girl home!

When we arrived home the boys and Alea greeted

us with a loud surprise and "Happy Birthday".

They lead us right to the Pin the tail on the donkey

game they had set up to celebrate my birthday.

However, the game didn't last long since the boys

were much more interested in checking out

the beautiful baby sister who had just arrived

home. Here is William, Spencer, and Annalise.

We then had cake and ice cream. Can you believe

I am 39? As Spencer puts it, I am now tied with

Dad for the oldest in our family.

A couple of days after we arrived home, my sister

Sheri came back into town and came right down

to meet her newest Niece! She usually comes

to the hospital, but was out of town this time. It

was really strange not to have anyone other

than John and the boys come to visit us in the

hospital. That's what happens when you give

birth over a holiday weekend I guess!

The first week that we were home, John was home

from work. It was a good thing too because Alea

was sick all week. John really stepped up to the

plate and kept things running smoothly. Here is

a pile of laundry that he had washed. It was taller

than I am! The boys and I attacked it one Saturday

morning while John was at play practice and got it

all folded and put away. John also got to spend some

great quality time with the boys while Annalise and

I rested. We were very blessed also by many people

in our ward who brought in wonderful meals that first

week. We are very thankful for all the help we have

received!

On Tuesday, June 2nd, John went back to work. That evening my Mom came out to help us for a few days. Somehow I missed getting any pictures of her while she was here. It may be because every time she was holding Annalise, I took advantage of it and took a nap! Mom was here for 5 days and thanks to her, we now have 21 meals in the freezer that I can just take out and pop into the oven. That has been a huge blessing! She says that when she and my Dad come out for the blessing, she will fill our freezer again. How great is that?!!! The boys also loved the time she was able to spend with them. I'll have to get some pictures next time!

So that brings us up to a week ago. Throughout this week it has been back to just us...with Alea's help of course. She has been great with helping to keep the house cleaned up and taking the kids out while I have not been able to. The older boys keep asking when I will be going to the movie, pool, etc with them, so I am going to venture out to some of the places this week as well. In the past I have been out and about once the baby is about 2 weeks old, but this time I am taking a little longer. I think a lot of it has to do with the extra work that Bryce is right now. It's like having two babies and I am still trying to figure all that out. Anyway things are good and always moving forward!