Adam and Heather Hayes

Charlotte came home to a happy family.  We love her so much. We love every one of our 5 girls.

She looked beautiful in the blessing dress.

 

Erith and Tric are a lot of help with her. Erith especially is a second momma to Charlotte.

 

Well we've been off the radar for quite a while, but with good reason. Just over 7 weeks ago Heather's water broke. This was a big surprise and we were very nervous about everything. Heather checked into the hospital and has held up quite well. I've been here trying to take care of both "mom" and "dad" responsibilities. Here is what has happened.

Viola Graduated from Pre-school

Viola has been attending Onda K. Smith's "Touch Your Heart" pre-school. She graduated and didn't fall asleep during the program (those of you that don't know the story, I'll try to post the video someday, but it might just end up on America's Funniest Home Videos.

School's Out for the Summer

This means that we have a lot to do including watering, mowing, and maintaining everything around the house. Luckily for Heather's plants it has rained a LOT the last 7 weeks so I've only had to water a few times. However, I have had to mow the lawn a lot. Tricity has stepped up and started helping more and more with the mowing and does a very good job. I still do around the trees and the tricky parts, but she does the bulk of the "wide open mowing".

Plus the kids have been having fun with my parents/brothers and sisters and Heather's parents/brothers and sisters.

The kids have bounced back and forth during the day to Heather's parents or here with my mom or sister, or sister-in-law, or friends in the wards' houses. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed the different activities which have included bowling, jumping on the trampoline, making "crystals", hiking, and many, many other fun activities.

Visiting the Hospital

This happens often. We've tried to make it at least every three days if not every-other-day to see Heather. We really enjoy getting to see her and it gives her a break from the monotony. Heather has loved how many people have come to visit her while she has been on bedrest for these past 7 weeks. We've officially been in the hospital 53 days. The baby was 25 weeks along when her water broke and she is now 32 weeks along. We have 12 days left until the scheduled C-section.

Boise Trip

I went to Boise for a business trip and met with a number of clients (both existing and new). Normally Heather would accompany me, but I had to fly solo. I really missed her and the fun we normally have, so I didn't hang around too long and came back as early as I could (I left at 4:30 in the morning, and I'm not a morning person).

T-Ball and Pitching Machine

Erith and Tricity have been playing Pitching Machine and Viola has been playing T-ball. They've done great! This last week it rained and hailed on them during the games, but they stuck it out.

Viola was a little worried that she didn't know how to play yet and needed more practice, but she has done very well.

Tricity and Erith are both great hitters and are getting better at fielding.

Viola's Birthday

Viola will shortly be turning 5 but with Heather in the hospital we are just going to open her gifts from us on her birthday, so we had an early birthday party for her with my family. Everyone had fun and even my dad and mom got into the action and did the monster mash on "just dance" on the Wii.

Overall it has been a very busy 7 weeks. I'm looking forward to 12 days from now when our newest baby will make her appearance and getting my beautiful wife back.

 

Well, I'm 18 weeks pregnant and am on bedrest for the 2nd time this pregnancy. The first time they said I could still cook and do dishes and do my carpooling but spend the rest of the time in bed/ resting.This time I am only supposed to stand long enough to take a shower and get back in bed. Tonight Adam sprained his ancle hard at volleyball practice and doesn't love walking too much.And that's how kids become in charge of a household!

Happy Valentines Day!

Today started off great with some yummy homemade pancakes.

They were heart shaped for the special occasion.

The girls loved their chocolate.

They also had fun making chocolate covered strawberries and some very special sugar cookies.

I guess this is our announcement. We are 3 months along with baby #5. Heather has had a few complications this last couple of weeks so keep us in your prayers. Everything is still ok, but Heather will be taking it easy for a few weeks.

Erith and Tric have been growing out their hair for over a year so they could donate it together. We decided February would be the magical month, and they had no school today because it was -20, so we just did it!

Erith was assigned to the only guy student at Austin Kade Academy.

As you can see he has a very alternative style, so Erith and I were a little nervous.

Tric ended up giving 12 inches braided and Erith gave 10 braided. (We weren't expecting it to be braided!) Erith didn't donate the sides because they thought it would be too short.

I think both haircuts turned out super cute, and yay for lower shampoo bills!

I think they are brave, cute girls!

How many teeth can you lose in a week?

When Tric does a job, she does it thoroughly.

Not a bad money week for her.

It's always so serene after Santa comes and before the kids wake up.

I was completely surprised by the new TV. Adam thought I knew what it was by the shape of the box, but I had no clue.

We didn't take many pictures of Christmas, and the ones we did, didn't turn out so great, so now you know why I have waited so long to write a blog.  (plus the laptop dies everytime I get something done on it!)

Erith and Tric got matching bed covers.  I told them they could keep only 1 baby blanket and the rest were going to Vi and Clara.

Clara is so photogenic. 

 

Adam turned the big 32.

One celebration at home and one celebration in Jackson.

Erith turned the big 9.  Tana and Robert were sealed to the Purser family on her birthday.

Next year I'll have a kid in the double digits!