Jeron's Camp Adventures

Jeron in background talking to Andy Johnson, his wonderful counsellor.
Jeron and Shea.

Jeron with the girls.

Jeron was able to go up to Girl's camp last week for Bishops' Night on Thursday and stayed through the end of camp on Saturday. He had a great time!

Tuesday

Jonny, Hyrum, Ben, Aaron, Tommy, Addy, Carter

We went to Peter Piper for their summer program today- we got to write letters to the troops, and meet some servicemen. The kids loved it! (Poor Hyrum had an accident at the pizza parlor, though!)

Jake is 18 weeks today! He's getting so big- he coos a lot, and rolls around, and has the biggest head of fluffy comb-over hair you've ever seen.

Tomorrow is July 1st, which means its the 2nd half of 2009 already! This year is just flying by!

Monday

Poor Jakers! He fell off the bed...rolled right off. Smacked flat on his back, and cried. Poor baby. My fault. I left him on the bed. He is starting to roll a lot- I should have known better. :(

Jeron's parents stopped by tonight and brought by an amazing birthday present! A huge 12-person tent, from them & Jolyn. Hooray! Now we can camp in comfort and style- and we still have room to have about...7 more kids! :) I'm up for the challenge... :) Thanks Mom & Dad Hatch, & Jolyn!

Thomas Returns!

Tommy stayed in CA with Aunt Holly & the family for some extra days. He got home tonight- we're glad he's home! We really missed him.

Tonight there was a youth fireside by President Alvarado. There was a Q&A session where anyone could ask anything, and I asked him what he liked to do for fun, in his spare time. He said "Church work". I want to be like that.

Christina Flores is amazing! I think she and I will definately be good friends. Friday night we're all going to go out and eat sushi and go bowling. I have nnnnnnnnnever eaten sushi. Yucky. Hopefully it's not what I think.

Things to do today (Jeron's party prep)

X1. Breakfast
X2. Shower
3. Walk
4. Sign kids up for swim lessons & get membership pass from Rec center
X5. Clean/wash/gas car
X6. Menu
X7. Grocery Shop
X8. Prepare food for party tonight
X9. Arrange games for party
X10. White elephant gifts
X11. Call Floy
X12. Email Sally / Becky
X13. Write David a letter
X14. Clean house completely

Muddy Buddies Recipe

Yum! I found a new yummy treat from Marta when we were camping. Elizabeth Godfrey made it today for us- we are having a girl's day while Jeron is away at Girl's Camp.

If you like Reeses Peanut Butter cups, you'll LOVE these!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/chex-muddy-buddies

Jeron is the big 3-0!

Happy Birthday Jeron!

Beach Bums

Pyper & Hyrum
Pyper & Hyrum Jakers in his own beach tent
Jakers & Regan

Hyrum- snoozin' it up

Special cousins Pyper & Tommy

(they share the same b-day, 1 yr apart)

Game day- Balloon Pop

Baby Jake & Hyrum snuggle in the morning

Surf's Up

Our usual set-up

We're baaaaaaaaaaack!

Our Vacation in Numbers

1 bee sting on my arm (my very first, ever)

1 blow up boat with oars

1 HUGE tent! (thank you, Holly)

2 beaches (Dohney and San Clemente)

2 days with Homemade Oreo ice cream

2 nice new beach umbrellas that stay open when they're supposed to

3 quarters for showering each day

3 cards Jeron got on Father's day (2 from Hyrum, 1 from mom)

3 boogie boards

4 lunches I made every day

also Jake turned 4 months on the 24th

5 hours and 55 minutes of driving time to get to the campground from home (according to Grandpa Hatch's GPS)

6 glorious days on vacation

7 fun games on "Game Day": badmitton, bocce ball, sand-man contest, relay race, boogie board competition, balloon-pop contest, & a beach scavenger hunt

8.... we ate...and...ate...and...ate some dang delicious food! (taco salad, burritos, spaghetti, fettuccinne alfredo, Pick-Up Stix (Chinese)...)

9 fun cousins: Noah, Mataya, Regan, Pyper, Marley, Kiersten, Ashlyn, Brenna, Hailey

$10 for 1 dozen Surfin' Doughnuts (thank you, papa!)

The Prodigal...Daughter

Sadly, today we thought Chloe was lost- the last time anyone remembered seeing her was yesterday. So, I put up an ad on Craigslist that said a little something like this:

Our 7 year old Pug Chloe was lost yesterday. She is chubby, has crooked teeth, and was last seen wearing an AZ Diamondbacks collar...

Anyway, happily, after the ad was posted and I had looked (almost) everywhere... we found Chloe in our very own house. I think she had been stuck under the kids bunkbed. Yikes. Poor girl. Anyway, we were happy to find her. And reading my post on Craigslist now makes me laugh, even though at the time I posted it I was not laughing, but was feeling rather solemn knowing that I was a bad pet parent. Anyway, we love Chloe, but if you feel like you could provide a better home for her, let us know and we'll think about it. She really is a good dog... she deserves better.

And on another interesting note, today I reached a personal all-time low and had to stage my own intervention: a whooping 3-days without a shower (hey, I did go swimming... & don't diss- I was realllllllly busy packing!). It was getting disgusting, so I am now happy to say that right now I am bathed, looking very fresh, and clean smelling.

And with that, we are off tomorrow morning to CA to live it up on the beach for an amazing week with the Hatch relatives. We can't wait!

Father's day (to do)

Father's day
X1. Get Jolyn $ for gift for Grandpa Hatch- ice cream maker
X2. Get dad a headlamp (Big 5?)
X3. Get Jeron a " "
4. Get Jeron a ---. (cannot write it out or he will know!)
X5. Write out cards for our dads
X6. Have Jeron/kids sign dads cards
7. Bring card for Jerry to beach
X8. Drop off card/gift to mom & dads house
X9. Write Jeron's card
X10. Bring it on campout

David checks in today

David, or Elder Mckellar- checks into the MTC at 12:30-ish today. Because of the Swine Flu, Pablo and Emily are just going to drop him off at the front door, wave goodbye, and that's that. Good luck, my little Doo-Goo. We love you.

Triple Shout-Out!

3 Birthdays today: Grandpa Jerry Hatch, my brother Pablo McKellar, and also a good friend at church- Lucille Durocher.

Hooray, hooray!
What a wonderful day!

As for me today, it was kid-filled and crazy. We had lots of friends over today, went to Pyter-Pyter Pizza (as Thomas calls it) for a summer art activity and lunch.

Hyrum won a silver-toned skull ring with red eyes, that he won't take off for the life of him (yup...still wearing it). Later at home, Thomas got whacked in the forehead on the bunkbead by a fast-spinning ceiling fan and he now has a big bloody bandaid on his head. ......So it was a good day. :)

Things to do today

X1. Call dr for dr appts- boys
X2. Register Tom for Camelview
X3. Refill prescriptions
X4. Pack boys for vacation
X5. Return Redbox movies
X6. David- set apart for mission tonight 7:30

Journal- Sunday

Today was Sunday. We went to church and a new couple- the Faribanks- in the ward spoke in Sacrament meeting. Sunday school was taught by an animated Bro. Campbell about D&C 89- W.O.W. I have been thinking about this a lot- how our two main gifts from our Father are our bodies and our agency. And how through different addictions, the adversary tries remove those gifts- addictions destroy our bodies and diminish our agency. Right now Jeron and I are listening online to Bro. Asim from our ward transate General Conference in the Urdu language. Crazyness.

Gotta love this man!

Kudos to Megan, who is livin' the Dave Ramsey dream and is packing up her house today getting ready move in with Mike's family in an awesome and drastic move to help them get out of debt! I'm so happy to see them follow Dave's advice, he's my hero! Way to go guys!!!

And, some favorite "Dave-quotes":

If broke people are making fun of your financial plan, you’re on track.— Dave Ramsey, Radio Show, 2007-06-08

I don’t want to walk across hot coals because it is fun, but if I can be shown how a short, painful walk will do away with the lifetime of worry, frustration, stress, and fear that being constantly broke brings me, then bring on the hot coals.— Dave Ramsey, Total Money Makeover

Get in Total Attack Mode. All you have to do is execute, execute, execute now. If your friends that are broke aren’t making fun of you, then you are not on track. If your family says, “Look, they’ve joined a cult!” then you are right on track.— Dave Ramsey, from his syndicated radio program, 2006-11-24

http://www.daveramsey.com/

& Shout-out #2 for today goes to... Aunt Fonree

What was I thinking?!? Earlier I forgot to mention that today is Aunt Fonree's birthday. She is now officially..... 38! So, now I must pay a tribute to her.....To my Aunt Fonree, on her b-day:

5 things I love about you...

1. You are hilarious & soooooo down to earth... (remember when you were assigned the snack in nursery and you brought Vienna Snausages & Funions for the kiddos? I can't stop laughing whenever I remember that... I'm sure the kids were pretty excited for snack that day! Mine would be. I can see it now... a nursery full of kids chanting "Forget the graham-crackers, we want FUNIONS!") So gross...yet so funny.
2. You are a mom of 6 fabulous kids, and drive a mini-van, and are still cool despite it. (Okay, I'm actually jealous, because in my heart I want 6 kids, too and a mini-van JUST like yours, leather seats & all...)
3. You're super fun and funky! (Helloooooo! One of your favorite songs used to be... "Don'tcha Wish Your Girlfriend was HOT like ME!" 'Nuff said.) Also, you always accessorize! (with fun jewelry, funky toenail sparkles, etc.)
4. You are always more than happy to help out those you love. I am so serious about this one- you have helped me sooooooooooo much in so many ways (picking oranges for me, watching my kids, taking me out for some much-needed time away from kids, etc...) But the best thing about you is that you always make the receiver of the service feel like it's really no big deal, you're happy to do it. I truly believe that this is your biggest strength.
5. You are the best listener and best giver of advice- and never judgmental, ever. This is also one of your biggest strengths. Whenever I have something juicy to tell you- you better believe I usually tell you first, because you are so FUN to talk to!

Love you, girl! :)

Things to do today

X1. Shower
X2. Go to movie- Horton Hears a Who with Maren, Davis fam, & boys
X3. Bake cookies
X4. Find a message to share with the scouters
5. Set up goals for next 6 months
6. Laundry
7. Sweep/ mop
8. plan Jeron's b-day (coming up...)
9. pack boys for the beach

A Shout out to D-Dawg

David's leavin'... on a jet plane!

Don't know when he'll be back again...

David leaves for the mission on Tuesday, and checks into the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday. We're realllllllllllllly excited for him! He'll be the best missionary ever! It is our family goal to write him a letter every Monday for Family Night, so we can show our love to him! You go, boy!

There's just something so sweet...

There is just something so sweet about watching Jeron hold our babies. He snuggles with them... and sings to them... and kisses them.... and all the boys just love it!

This morning I woke up to make Jeron's lunch. He has to leave the house at 5:00 a.m., so usually I am half asleep. But today I had to wake myself up enough to take a picture... or two. Jakers woke up early today, too. He is a pill because he woke up last night at 9:30, 2:30, and 4:30. I think he is growing. Anyway, he woke up early, and got to snuggle with daddy before work. And he loved every minute of it!

Special things about today...

1. Jake is starting to suck his thumb. I found him doing it 4 times today. It is precious! He is doing it right now...
2. Hyrum peed in the toilet all day, and got a billion "potty prizes" (fruit snacks)- so we had to make a special run to Wally World to buy more.
3. Thomas helped me peel corn on the cob for dinner. He fussed the whole time because he was worried about finding a worm in the corn. But at least he learned a new skill! (No worms were found...)
4. Jeron found out that one of his good buddies from the mission is also a bishop. It was special to relate.
5. I got a new purse from Jeron. He got it as a surprise for me. He doesn't think I like it very much, but I really do. It is hip! Thanks, boyfriend! :)

Yeah sure!

My two favorite words that Thomas says all the time- "Yeah sure!"

At home....

"Thomas, can you play with Jake when I take a shower? And not let Hyrum bite, pinch, poke, pull, or in any other way hurt Jake while I'm in there?"

"Yeah Sure!"

In the car....

"Tommy, can you reach over and buckle Hyrum's seatbelt?"

"Yeah Sure! ... Hyrum, hurry or the police will get us!"

....and finally....

"Tommy, do you know how much I love you?"

"Yeah Sure!"

:) He makes me smile every single time he says it. And that's for sure!

Things to do today

X1. Make Veggie "Stone" Soup
2. Organize all coupons
3. Menu & grocery list
X4. Grocery shopping
X5. Call Diane T.

Things to do today

X1. Call Floy Grahm- take her to church
2. paint nails red
X3. Make Mom's special cheesecake
4. Weekly menu/ shopping list
X5. Make 2 cards
X6. Church
7. Set goals for rest of 2009
8. Talk to Diane T.- journaling class

Mom's Special Cheesecake Recipe

Graham Cracker Crust
1 & 1/2 c. finely crushed graham crackers (20 squares)
1/3 c. butter, melted
3 T. sugar

Mix, bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

Filling
1 cube of cream cheese (8 oz pkg)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
1/3 c. lemon juice

Mix, and pour onto crust once crust has cooled. Then refrigerate to let firm up.

Once in a lifetime...

This will only happen once in his lifetime... this month cousin Levi is twice as old as Jake. (Levi- 6 months, Jake- 3 months) I'm sure forever on they will seem identical in age, but right now they really are quite different in development.

These two love eachother and are best buddies already. Last week we went to Stapley pool in Mesa with the Godfreys and the boys had tons of fun splashing in the water.

Things to do today

X1. clean my car/ wash it

X2. sort kids toys/ give to goodwill

3. make 5 cards

4. grocery shopping

5. menu

6. cook some stuff

7. call Diane Timothy (enrichment/ journaling class)

X8. find babysitter

X9. go on date

X10. go on a walk

If you've ever nursed before, you'll understand...

I'm sad to say that Jake and I are pretty much done nursing. It's been 4 days without, so far. We came pretty far this time (just over 3 months), considering how difficult it is for me to nurse. So I'm pretty sad.

The top 5 things I will miss about nursing Jakey-Jake:
5. The way he looks at me with big wide eyes while he's nursing- I am adored, I'll tell you that much!
4. The little bit of milk dribbles out the corners of his mouth when he smiles while nursing.
3. His little grunts when he's trying to latch on, but can't quite find what he's looking for.
2. The way his little eyes roll back when he is nursing and is just so content! He's like "Aaaaah....this is exactly what I wanted and needed"
1. The way that it made me NEED to stay close to him, at all times. A nursing mom cannot be away from her baby for long- when it's time to nurse, you NEED your baby just as much as they NEED you, and even though it ties you down, it has actually been precious to be so connected.

Oh, boy... we've got JOY!

Tonight was our Joy School graduation night for boyfriends #1 and #2. The celebration was finalized with the kids sliding down a tiny slide- "Sliding into Summer", a cute idea courtesy of Eileen Judd. After 'graduation' we celebrated with Ice Cream Sandwiches and Drumsticks, and some homemade cookies.

Hyrum didn't want the ice cream inside the Drumstick- he asked me to lick it out, saying he only wanted to eat the "Pine Cone". I love you, my little graduate- you always keep me smiling!

Baby Jakers

I must admit it.... I am in love! And what's not to love....?

...He's been called "Chub-a-licious", a "Little Tenderloin", a "Bundle of Love", "Cutie Booty", "Lil' Pumpkin Pie", and..... an "Arab" (thanks, Grandpa). And now, I call the new love of my life my "Baby Jakers".

With love we welcomed a new addition to our family, baby Jake Anson Hatch, born February 24th, 2009. It's been just over 3 months now, and I still can't get over his sweet spirit...and his fuzzy mop of brown hair, left dimple, and his big drooly gummy smiles! I really am in love!! And let me tell you, it is BLISS!