Woodland Reunion- Nauvoo & Carthage

Ryan's family reunion was July 21-28th and started in Nauvoo. We set out on our 5 1/2 hour drive, which turned into a 6 1/2 hour drive. My kids can be pretty addicted to technology. At one point I turned around and Cole was watching a movie on the kid's phone, Hayden was watching a movie on Ryan's phone, and a movie was playing on our dvd system. Ridiculous! Once we got home, their time on gadgets has been limited!!

AJ and Brooklyn

It was fun to catch up with cousins! 

There have been 3 new babies born into the family this year, Quinn, Owen, and Brooklyn. Brooklyn is much darker and has more hair than her baby cousins. It was fun seeing them together.

While we were in Nauvoo, we saw a play called "High Hopes and River Boats," played pioneer games, watched the Pageant (Cole didn't even last through the first 10 minutes, so he and Ryan got to wonder around for 1 1/2 hours.), walked the Trail of Tears, went to the gravesites, and Ryan and I went to the temple. The temple workers even took us down to see the baptismal font!

We were all in our green Woodland shirts

We weren't in Nauvoo for even 48 hours, so we didn't see too many sites. We have been to Nauvoo a couple times, though, so it turned out perfectly. 

On Sunday, after Sacrament Meeting, we went to Carthage. This was our first time there. It didn't turn out quite as we expected. Cole was SUPER tired, and his major fit started about 3 minutes into the tour. Ryan took him out. We planned to switch after I had gone through the tour. We expected it to take about 30 minutes. 2 hours later we came out ornery, Cole was sleeping in the van and Ryan was bugged. I sat in the car with sleeping Cole and Brooklyn, while Ryan ran inside and took a quick peek.

It wasn't as spiritual as it should have been, which was our fault, but it was still a really neat experience to be right where Joseph Smith was. I'm glad we went.

After a couple of nights in Nauvoo, we headed out to continue the reunion!

Botanic Gardens

A few weeks ago, we went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens with the McMillans.

Hayden, Harper, Cole, Zoe, Avery

It was nice to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful day! The gardens are just gorgeous. 

There was a close call when Harper took a tumble down a hill and was thankfully saved by a plant that stopped her! Melissa was able to reach down and grab her to pull her up. Scary!!

The kids were all so good. When we were leaving, Melissa and I were commenting on how much more enjoyable outings are when the kids are all good!!

We always love hanging out with these great friends, and this was no exception!

One Month

Brooklyn turned one month old on July 13th, so we had to take some pictures. 

These were taken on the 15th. (2 days late,  as Ryan would point out- she's obviously a 3rd child )

(I need to learn how to take better pictures. These don't do justice to her cuteness!)

I took her to her one month check up and she is growing and nice and healthy. 

At her appointment she was:

9 lbs 10oz- 75%

21 in- 50%

She had to get a couple shots and was pretty sad the rest of the day. She is usually a pretty happy easy going baby. She eats well and was on a pretty regular sleep schedule, waking up at 2 and 5. 

Brooklyn is such a joy to have in our family.

So Many Pictures

We always have the camera nearby, ready to snap pictures of Brooklyn. It's fun to see how she changes over a matter of weeks. 

I just had to throw this one in!

Grandma and Grandpa Woodland

The week after my parents left, Grandma and Grandpa Woodland came for a few days. We ate good food, took the kids to see Brave (again), and visited.

The left on the 4th of July, so the night before we decided to do fireworks. 

We had this little pack of fireworks for 4 years. We decided we better use them. It turned out they were all poppers. So, not super exciting, but the kids thought they were fun.

Brooklyn slept through all of the excitement.

It was fun to have Ryan's parents in town, and Hayden and Cole loved having another round of visitors!

Gammy and Grampa

As I mentioned before, my parents were able to come into town when Brooklyn was born. It was SO GREAT having them here!! They cleaned, cooked, and entertained Hayden and Cole. Hayden and Cole were definitely spoiled. My parents took them to see Brave, bowling, on a bike ride, outside to play, to the store..... It was so nice not to have to worry about them feeling forgotten. They did have a hard time every so often, when they just needed some alone time with mom and dad, but they loved having Grammy and Grampa here.

A week after Brooklyn was born, we decided to take my parents to Lake Geneva. We love it up there!

We walked over to the Riviera, and then Brooklyn and I parked ourselves on a bench. The rest of our group walked to see some of the awesome houses around the lake.

The next day Grammy and Grampa left for home. We are so thankful for their help while they were here!!

Thanks Grammy and Grampa :)

Cuddlin' Baby

There's is something about a sweet new baby that makes everyone want to cuddle them!

Aunt Stacey and Makensie came into town the day we came home from the hospital with Brooklyn, and it was so nice having them here to cuddle all of the kids!

The first month of Brooklyn's life, Hayden asked to hold her about 57 times a day. Now that Brooklyn is 1 1/2 months, it's down to about 32 times a day ;) Hayden sure loves her little Sis!

Grammy didn't get as much cuddle time, because she was super busy with the other two, and she had to fight Hayden for the chance to hold Brooklyn.

Ryan sure loves his little babies :)

Cole is a great big brother. He loves Brooklyn, but one of the first times she really cried, he said "Uh-oh. She doesn't like us. We better take her back." 

Grampa even got some quick cuddle time in.

The poor girl gets smothered sometimes, and I have to tell the older two to give her some room!

(Don't you love Hayden's choice of outfit. She wore that for 3 days straight, until it got dirty and I made her wear something else so I could wash it)

Sisters. These two just sat and stared at each other for a while. 

Hayden and Cole each drew a picture for Brooklyn and then stuck them in her crib for her.

This little baby is definitely loved!!