The Latest

Matt took his board test on Thursday. We are so happy he is done, now all we have to do is wait for the results in Sept. To celebrate we had all his favorites: Steak, baked potatoes, fruit, and for dessert I made my first ever "real" cheesecake.

It was a little runny, since I didn't read until I was done that it had to sit in the frig over night, but the next day it was really good.

Yep that's right there was even his favorite cookies, Oreo's, on the inside.

Also a couple of Gracie.

Who is getting big way to fast.

And one with her big brother who was nice enough to share his toy.

Wallace Wipe Out Course

I invested in a blow up swimming pool for the kids.

They love it to say the least.

But once that got boring, they took some advice from their cousin Nate and built their own Wipe Out Course.

You start by going through the swining swings and down the slide.

Then through the sprinkler hurdles.

Around the figure 8 chairs.

Jumping off the last chair.

And landing in the pool on your bottom.

Fun for an hour and tired little boys, so worth it.

Until the little guys get cold and tired.

Fourth Fun

For the Fourth this year we had much more fun then I thought I would. I have to admit I was a little homesick for our annual Frei for All fourth party and I really missed our friends from our beach party last year. I was also worried if we would be doing anything, since we didn’t know where to go to watch the fireworks even. But we had Matt home, so I knew things couldn’t get that bad. We ended up having a huge day of fun, which in turned tired us all out.

We started with a pool party and BBQ. I was in charge of dessert, super yummy if I do say so myself.

We then came home for naps and a quick dinner and we headed off to our second party.

We had chips, snacks, soda and dessert again—got to love it.

Then they lite fireworks off in their driveway, a front and center show—too cool.

On Sunday Caleb was asked to give the prayer in Primary. It cracked Matt up when he thanked Heavenly Father for watching the fireworks and that no one from his family got hurt from the fireworks. I hope you all had a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Craft Time

Craft time quickly turned into finger painting, which turned into making things for Dad, which turned into Isaac having a major fit because he misses his Daddy so much. Thankfully we only have six more days to wait.

Having Fun

We are starting to make friends. It’s still been a little hard, just because I haven’t met that instant friend yet. Ya know the kind of person who you met and know that you are going to be wonderful friends with. I know those people are hard to come by, that’s why it’s so wonderful when you finally met them, but so far every time we’ve moved somewhere I’ve met that instant friend. Maybe it’s because we are only going to be here for a year, that the Lord thinks don’t need one. Maybe he wants me to work on becoming a better mom and wife and making those important people more important in my life. Maybe he is teaching me to fully enjoy the friends I’ve made in the past, to treasure them more. I don’t know, but I’m happy we are meeting some new people. We went swimming on Monday (no pictures, I forgot), to a water fountain park on Tuesday, and to a park day today. It’s been a busy but fun week, just missing those best friends (and I hope you know who you are) to do it all with.

Just a Few Things

Our Kitchen--Love that it is big enough for two people to be in it at the same time, love that I actually have shelves with nothing on them, love that you actually have to take two steps to put things away from the dishwasher, love that the sink is where I can still see the kids-its hidden behind that counter that comes out on an angle and to the right of the picture is our family room. Don't love the frig that puts out water from the door-constant mess, don't love the hard wood floors-so worried they will be ruined since they are real, don't love the electric stove-so missing my gas one and hate having to wait for things to warm up.

Oh and in case you were wondering,

he ain't a bruiser, just got a nasty bug bite

-curse the bugs in the South.

OH and Happy Father's Day to our Daddy, who is away studying like crazy. I don't know if being away from your kids on Father's day is the best gift ever or the worst. We love and miss you and are counting down the days till you come home.

Last Day

Matt had is last day of residency yesterday. Turning in his pager was the best feeling according to him.

It’s hard to believe he is done, five years of training is a long time. Though we are happy to be done, we are sad to say goodbye to the wonderful people he worked with and I survived with.
When we started five years ago, we meet up with the other residents and started a monthly dinner group. We got together once a month and bonded.

The boys complaining about work and the girls complaining about husbands never being there. We welcomed ten and a half babies to our group, had one engagement, one marriage, and many laughs.

We had a great group of people to go through this with and will miss them all.

Matt is now heading out to Maine for a review course for his boards and then he will be back here with us.

Their Latest Favorite Thing

Feeding the Baby.

And taking pictures of the little ones.

It’s been a busy day and we’re only half way done.

I finally went to the store to get bug spray, I swear I think I’m going to be bathing the kids and I in it all summer long.
Then we went to our churches park day,
The boys weren’t too impressed with the park. They have been so spoiled by parks from Minnesota that I fear no place we live in will have as nice of parks.
Andrew and Isaac were truly disappointed and sat and pouted by me for an hour. I have to admit I was a little sad too, that no one from church showed up, it was a sad morning seeing as we all were hoping to make new friends.

We came home ate lunch. She loves her high chair nd any solid food we put in front of her. I then gave the boys much needed haircuts.
Before…

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Half Way...

I wish I was a cool enough mom to say sure, lets keep your hair like that. But alas I'm a control freak.

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After…
Now they are ready for the heat and won't be sweaty mops of hair.

Once I bathed the boys, I collected their clothes to start a load, and found these little guys outside creating their own pool.
It was funny, until I realized I had to change their clothes again. If you are counted with me that is their third set of clothes for the day. I’m a little worried; at this rate I’ll never see the bottom of my laundry basket again.

Best Part of the New Rental

The

BACKYARD!!!

It came with a swing set

And a full Garden.

It is huge.

Only bad part are the bugs...

I have

got to

remember

to buy

bug spray.

We Made It!

We made it to South Carolina in wonderful time. This was my view for two days.

The kids did great in the car which was a blessing.

We unloaded the truck on Thursday, in record time. Matt’s brother Danny was in the neighborhood and came down to help, which was huge blessing. It was a lot hotter for us though than when we loaded the truck, Andrew actually said, “Mom where did you move us to, this place is so crazy HOT!”

The next day, Friday, we spent unpacking and filled the living room with our empty boxes.

Saturday we continued to unpack and went to COSTCO, yep that’s right folks, I now live by a Costco again and I’m so excited. We actually got our living room completely ready that day, well, I’m still working on the decorating part.

Sunday we went to our new church and are super happy with it. It's not our Rochester ward, so it will never be that good, but we are still pleased with it. The boys did well, excluding Isaac, who has decided he needs a parent with him the whole time, oh the joy. We left right after church to drive Matt to the airport, poor guy still has to work and study for boards while we are living the vacation life down here.

Today I finally got the internet and TV hooked up, so I feel reconnect with everyone again. It’s amazing how alone you can feel when you don’t know what’s going on in the world. We are adjusting to the new house, and working every day to get it all in order again. The boys love the new neighborhood, and have already made good friends with the kids on the street. The heat is getting to us, and I’m off to pick up a blow up pool and water guns for the kids tomorrow. But we’re not complaining, the heat makes it actually feel like summer should feel. I promise to post more pictures when I have everything in order.

Nana and Papa Fun Times

Since we got our truck packed and chores done we have been playing with Nana and Papa (or Poppy as Adam calls him).
We went swimming at their hotel.
Isn’t she the cutest thing?

Had a little down time.
We all went on a field trip with Caleb.
A walk to the closest Dairy Queen is the best field trip in my book.

On Friday night, Matt and I went to his Graduation dinner to celebrate him being done with residency, though he still has three weeks left, so it was kind of anticlimactic, but still really nice. No pictures, but let me tell you we where looking hot. Thanks again to Nana and Papa for watching the kids in your hotel room, since there is nothing in our house.
On Saturday we went bowling.
Then out to lunch and a little shopping.
That evening we had two parties, one a fair well party from our church, and one a party put on from the junior residents where they roasted Matt.
Isn’t Gracie looking cute in her outfit for the roast?
Here is just one picture from Matt’s past…
Cutest boy ever.
Thanks Nana and Papa for coming out to help us, it was so wonderful having you here.

It’s hard to believe our five years here have come to a close. It’s so bitter sweet. Bitter to say goodbye; sweet to finally be done.

Packing Day

Yesterday we packed the truck. With the house looking like this...

I had a lot of little boys acting like this...

Thankfully my friends came to my rescue and took the little guys so I could get the last couple of things done before this showed up.

Thankfully my inlaws came in to help us with the move and boy did they help. Together we loaded the front 2/3's of the truck ourselves, I swear my father in law has super hero strength and my mother in law has the patience of a saint for watching the kids all afternoon. When the 20 people from our church showed up, at the time we said we would start to pack there was very little left to do and our truck looked like this in no time.

We only had one problem, I forgot a very important piece of paperwork for our house selling process in a locked drawer in one of the desks. Thankfully I remembered before the truck drove away this morning. Thankfully one of our good friends came over a little late, and he helped me unpack the back part of the truck to get to the desk. Thankfully it only took an hour to find the desk/paperwork and pack the truck back up. Thankfully no one got hurt, it all fit in the truck, and it was beautiful weather.

Now we are camping out in our house until next week. Again thanfully our grandparents are in town to help entertain us for a while.

Family Photos

Finally a post not about feet. We got our pictures taken by my friend Brooke, if you live in this area, you NEED to contact her (bmoldroyd@yahoo.com), she does amazing pictures. Here are just a few of my favs.

So I Don’t Forget… They can actually be nice to each other

This evening, Caleb dropped a super heavy packing roll on his big toe. He hopped around and cried before I came over and looked at it. When I did, I noticed it was black and blue under the nail for a good area of his nail. I called Matt in to look at it and he said he was going to need to drain it, so he left to get supplies.

While he was gone I talked to Caleb about what was going to happen and he just cried and cried. I had to leave him to get the little brothers asleep before Matt got home so I could assist on another procedure; I’m working on my degree if you didn’t know. Anyways, while I was downstairs, Andrew was hanging out with Caleb, while Caleb sat on the couch with his toe elevated and iced. I was hoping they were being nice to each other, but I was bracing myself for the worst.

When I made it upstairs, and was shown this…
Andrew had made it to help Caleb feel better. I love when they are nice to one another, it makes smile.

We then noticed this…
After a half hour of ice and elevation, Caleb’s toe looked pretty good. No need for the drain after all, much to Caleb’s delight. Here’s hoping his toe isn’t swollen and ugly again tomorrow morning.

Why Did I Wait So Long?

Tri, Tri, Tri Again

The boys did their first triathlon this morning. They had to swim 50 yards, bike 2 miles and run ¼ mile.

After a crazy check in the night before, the boys got a little nervous and laid out all their clothes the night before.

They were up at 5:30 the next morning because they were so excited. We left the house even early then planned, because they were so ready.

First we set up their bike transition zone.

Next we got marked for the race.

Caleb thought it was so cool that they got to have permanent marker written on them and mom wasn’t getting mad.

We posed for pictures.

Waited for it to begin, much nicer than the night before.

Waited in line to go to the pool.

The boys swam first. But due to the small size of the pool area, parents were not aloud to watch. Andrew said he did really well, and I was happy Caleb got a kick board to help him through it.

Andrew, coming out of the pool.

First transition.

Caleb, coming out of the pool.

First transition.

We missed Andrew’s second transition and finish due to having to wait for Caleb. Thankfully we had some good friends from church whose older daughters cheered Andrew on during his run. He said, “Ya, know Mom, I ran a lot faster once I heard the Frei girls, I wish they would have been yelling at me the whole time.” I love those girls.

Caleb’s second transition.

Running across the finish line.

We were so lucky to have so many friends racing with us, it made it fun for the kids and parents.

Andrew took 6th over all for his age group, and came in 3rd for the boys, with a time of 17:58. And Caleb placed 4th for the 7 year olds, and was only 2 minutes behind Andrew with a time of 20:34. Both boys have now caught the tri bug and already planning for their next one in Aug in South Carolina.

Caleb's Program

Caleb had his end of school program today.
He was so excited to see us in the audience;

it made it worth it hauling all the kids there to watch.
This is his friend, he went to kindergarten with her, and had this cute story to share with her.
His class read from their memory books, and then had the kids sign them.

Isaac was Mr Popular as all the kids wanted his signature.

Adam, got a little bored, but lasted.

Here Caleb is with his sweet teacher, they both learned a lot from each other I hope.

This House

We load the truck in a week, A WEEK, and I don’t want to pack. I don’t want to do it, because when I finally commit to packing up this house means that it is all too real that we are actually leaving our home of 5 years.

5 years is a long time.
We brought 3 babies home to this house.

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We taught 3 kids to ride bikes in the driveway of this house.

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We potty trained 2 1/2 kids in this house.
(Only

one

pictured

and he

is the 1/2)

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We stapled,
stitched, and
casted

the

boys

in the

kitchen

of this

house.

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We have weathered 5 cold winters in this house.
We

have

survived

5 years of

residency

in this

house.

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We have dreamed, we have laughed, we have cried, we have lived for 5 years in this house.

It’s not that this is my dream house. It’s not. It’s the history of our little family that has happened in this house that I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to. This is the only house that Andrew and Caleb remember. Isaac and Adam probably won’t remember it, which is so sad to me.

I just needed one more night in our house, just the way it is.

Tomorrow I’ll start packing, and try not to cry while I’m doing it.

It's Just Like....

I’ve decided that selling a house is just like dating. When you date you are looking for one, the one who will sweep you off your feet and be your one and only for the rest of your life. Selling a house is the same way, you are looking for the one who will sweep in and take your home for the rest of your life.

But the similarities don’t stop there. There is the excitement of the phone call asking for a date or showing. There is the getting ready process: dolling yourself all up and cleaning the house like never before. There is the nervousness of will they like me, will they like the house. There is the silent prayers said of hopefully they will like you or the house. There is the let down of going on the date, having the house shown and realizing that it’s not going to work, they don’t make an offer. There is the worry of it’s never going to happen, it will never sell. There is the maybe there is something wrong with me/house worry. There is the, what can I do to improve myself or make the house better process.

Then someone comes along, makes an offer you can’t refuse, and all your worries are taken away. Thankfully our prayers have been answered and we are off to South Caroline without a worry.