Mattresses and Motorcycles

So one night I let the kids make beds on the living room floor with some mattresses. While they were putting them away I gave them the idea of sliding down them. They had great fun for 15 or 20 minutes.....cheap entertainment.

Analeise is always stealing my camera and taking pictures of herself. Here are some that I thought were pretty neat.

All of the kids and Chad bought motorcycles this spring. We finally took them out for a ride.

Kyla did not have much fun.

We drove though a spot that looked like old city remains. We named it Clay City.

I got the 4-wheeler and the 3 smaller kids. Needless to say my back was killing me by the time we got home from holding Eli. And Tessa fell asleep.

We even got to see a blow snake. YUCK!!!

Kyla always had trouble climbing the hills...so here are the other 3 helping coming to her rescue.

A view of the valley we live in.

Garden Planting

Well it's that time of year again, time to plant the garden. With this brings a great big SIGH....such work. In the past we haven't had a lot of success with a garden. I know, one would think a farmer should be able to grow anything. Well I'm hoping this year is better. For starters I might be able to spend more time babying the garden as I won't be in the swather....as much. It's time to train Analeise to cut hay....but I'm sure I'll get a turn here and there. So far we have planted potatoes, corn, summer squash, buttercup squash, and zucchini. The kids actually helped Chad do most of it while I was taking care of Eli.

Eli, showing us the faintest of smiles. He smiles the best for his "twin" Dallin.

Enjoying the beautiful day

Whoose little ragamuffin is that??

We have the plowing and harrowing going on.

Dallin loves to operate anything with a motor and does quite well. He has taken over the lawn mowing as well, and I'm loving it.

Happy Harrowers

Analeise is cutting up the seed spuds. Open your eyes and you might be able to see a little better.

I love this pic. When I first put Eli in his seat, Paco came right over to check him out. We told Paco no and he just laid right down next to him. Seems as though he was protecting him.:)

Chad digging the holes for the spuds.

Eric Dodge-The Last Real Cowboy Live at the Utah State Fair 2009

My Grandpa left this world last Tuesday, He would have been 92 on the 28th of this month. A friend sent me this link to this song, it totally describes my Grandpa.

BABY & BASEMENT

Well it's been a longggg time since I've updated my blog. Alot has happened since Christmas so we just want to catch everybody up. The best thing that happened was the birth of our little boy. Eli Foch Mills was born On March 12th, 2010. He must have been anxious to join our little circus as he was 10 days early. Eli was just a wee thing weighing 5 lbs. 15.5 oz. and was 18 inches long. The Dr. was actually expecting him to be about 7 1/2 lbs, he was very surprised to see him so small. I wasn't complaining any, it was an easy delivery with him being so tiny. The umbilical cord actually had a knot in it and they may have attributed to him being smaller. Fortunately for us the cord was in good health so it wasn't able to tighten down. When that happens you can have a still birth. We are grateful and blessed to have him here with us. He is such a good baby, rarely crying, and only waking up twice at night. Some nights he has only woken up once. I couldn't ask for a better baby.

Analeise's birthday was on the 11th of March and she was turning 12. So we had planned a party for her on Fri. the 12th and she was having about 10 girls come to the house. Well when I went into labor that morning we debated back and forth wether to cancel the party or go ahead with it. Fortunately my parents were here and they were willing to take on the party. The girls had fun and didn't get a whole lot of sleep. Eli wasn't born till 9:49 p.m so they stayed up late waiting for news and pictures via the cell phone.

Here are some pictures of the kids and Eli, hope you enjoy them.

Dallin and Eli, the night we got home.

The Circus

Kyla and Eli, Kyla always lets me know when Eli is hungry and needs a diaper change. She has even changed him a few times.

Sissy Analeise and Eli. Tessa calls her Sissy.

Getting Eli dressed for the trip home.

This pic makes him look really chubby, which he is not.

This is the know that was in the umbilical cord. Gross, but I had to put the picture on.

Happy Mamma, after it was over.

Proud Papa

The next best thing that has happened since Christmas was the finishing of the basement. HOORAY!!! We got the basement completed about 2 weeks before Eli was born. It is so nice to have the extra room and it's been amazing that I've been able the keep the house cleaner. It doesn't hurt that the 4 big kids have moved downstairs. Here are some pics of the basement.

Kyla, Zane, Allie and Kassidee setting up Kyla's room.

My favorite room....The Laundry Room. Thanks to Rick for helping Chad move down my washer and dryer.

Living Room. Chad has to have the blue wall and I actually like it.

Tessa standing in the hallway.

Analeise's green and blue room.

Kyla's pink and brown room. We definately have an assortment of colors in our house.

Tessa helping mop the cement floor so the carpet could be laid.

Me and Tessa

Dallin and Zane's Boise State Football room. This was Chad's creation, but we still have a little work left to do on it.

Even though Chad is scared of heights he painted above the stairs for me.

Real men paint pink!!

Chad's mom, Kaylene, helping to paint her favorite color in the laundry room. Did I mention this is my favorite room. I have a big table on the far end where I can fold clothes.

Zane painting primer.

Tessa

Analeise

Dallin rolling on the primer

Kyla