Cell Phone Picture Recap of last few months

I usually capture the best pictures on my phone throughout the day with the kids. Here are a few of our favorites:

Wrestling Brothers

Carder
He gets so excited when he gets to be up on the couch.

Cruz

Manly Cruzer

Carder practicing his climbing skills

Just shopping at Target

new table where were we have our snacks now

crawling up the stairs has begun! saggy diaper is just an added cuteness

Cruz thinking he's pretty cool because he's on the other side of the gate.

Unfortunately our neighbors house caught on fire due to being hit by lightening. Everyone was safe inside. My kids loved the action on our street that morning. There were probably 6 firetrucks, plus a few police cars, ambulances, etc. We were getting ready for church when it happened. Only two of the three kids were dressed when I realized there was no way to get out of our street, so church wasn't an option.

We've checked out a few splash pads and the kids seem to enjoy them. Sometimes it takes some warming up to though.

Even though she looks said in this picture, she had the time of her life and was so brave.

Cuz Cuz

Carder eating his veggie straws. My kids love those!

Tay being sweet and eating her snacks.

A few seconds later Tay letting me know she was out of snacks.

Carder had a fever this day and just wanted to lay around. Cruz kept trying to lay on him to be near him  until I got him his own to lay in. 

The eating of the foam balls has started. I found this and all those pieces in Carders bed one night. 

Tay loves black beans!

Which sippy cup should I drink out of?

Cruz is very concerned as he watches the news one morning.

Cruz walked around with this on his head for awhile. He thought he was funny, so did Sissor.

brothers

Carder trying to get the hose. 

We got a little pool for the kids to enjoy in the yard. It's also turned into the bathtub.

Tay put this headband on all by herself. She would take it off and put it back on again and again, showing me each time because she was very proud of herself.

Swimming

Some friends from church let us come over and play in their pool a few weeks ago. It was so fun to see how excited the kids get about different activities and people. They loved trying to get the fountain.

The Zoo

We got passes to the zoo this year and the kids have enjoyed looking around. I think they like looking at the people more than the actual animals, but it's still a good family activity. They love being able to get out of the stroller and walk around in the petting zoo part. I think they like the walking and being out of the stroller more than petting the animals, but it's cute!

Our California Trip

I believe I've mentioned this before, but haven't blogged about it. In March Peter had some time off so we took the kids to California for their birthday to celebrate with Grandpa and Grandma Bell. It was such a great trip for all of it. It was a nice break from regular life, the kids got to experience the beach, and lots of time was spent with family. My sister and her two girls were in down so we got to spend some time with them and I got to see my niece, Halie perform in her cheer competition. Marianne and Brad came to spend their spring break with us. And Aunt Katie even drove down for a surprise weekend to see all of us. It was so fun and carefree (well as carefree as a trip with three 1 year olds can be). Peter's parents were so generous with their home, time, party planning skills,  and taking us to do all the fun things. It's beautiful in Huntington Beach, we really enjoyed our time there. Here are some cute pictures:

Making formula in the popcorn bucket. So fitting for Peter!

Taylor loved the water and the waves. It was unreal. Check out the video of her on Grandpa and Grandma Bell's blog.

Carder Boy

The boys didn't love the water, but they did enjoy the sand and the ocean breeze.

sandy little feetzys

Grandma and two of her boys

We even got to see my Grandpa Hutchins a couple of times since he's close by in San Diego.

Bike Rides

We recently go a bike for me and a seat and trailer for the kids so we can start going on bike rides together. I probably look crazy to people, but we love it. It's fun to get out and enjoy the sun. I'm hoping this will help me get in a little better shape, because my legs are burning by the time we get to the end of the street. It's hard work biking around pulling three babies and a trailer!

The Park

Our kids are getting to the age where we can start taking them to different places for them to explore and enjoy. A few weeks ago on Peter's day off we went to the park. They were a little hesitant to walk around on the grass and there was no evidence of any enjoyment or displeasure on the slide. They did, however, love the swings!

It was fun to enjoy the day together as a family and explore something new for the babes.

Getting through the 1st year

Every time I meet someone with multiples they say the first year is the hardest, so when my babes turned one in March I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. I wanted to scream out loud, "We did it!" We made it through the first year! Everyone is alive, we have 3 healthy babies, our house is still standing, Peter and I still like each other, and I haven't had to be admitted to a mental institution (yet). To be honest I felt a sense of relief and a great deal of gratitude for a loving God who not only blessed me with the 3 cutest babies in my world, but also gave me the strength and support I've needed this last year. My physical recovery was not easy, I've had to learn how to be a mom, we've moved across the country away from our support group, I've had to adjust to my new body and not working, Peter has had to work a great deal, and having 3 babies at one time is hard. We have been given strength when we didn't know we had anymore. Now this doesn't mean that I still don't ask myself some days, "How did He think I could do this?" because I do.

We've also been blessed with wonderful family members who have sacrificed time and money to help us. We truly have been strengthened by so many. Peter has been my biggest cheerleader during this time, even when I felt like I was failing. I was very emotional on the day of the babies birthday thinking of all that has happened over the last year. I know it's still going to be hard at times, but I can always look at my little family  and be proud of how far we've come. Taylor, Carder, and Cruz have been the greatest kids. They eat and sleep well, they play together, they give us loves, and they could not possibly be any cuter. We love them and are so proud to be their parents. Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged us along our adventures of starting our family.