Sunday, July 10, 2011

July 2011 Update

Well, our family picture is officially out of date! We have had a fun couple of months since my last post…

To play “catch up” a little…

Austin finished his life as a “Cub Scout” on May 26th as this was our last Pack Meeting before he goes into 11-yr old Scouts. Austin (and his Webelos leaders) worked very hard to accomplish a lot this last month, and he was given 7 awards that night, including his Religious Knot and the “Arrow of Light” award. We are very proud of Austin for his many accomplishments in Cub Scouts.

Austin receiving his "Arrow of Light" award
Austin also had his 5th grade Graduation on the last day of school, June 2nd. We were pleasantly surprised to find out he qualified for the President’s Award, which means he got 90% or above in all subjects 3rd through 5th grades. He got a pin with the Presidential Seal on it and a congratulations letter from Barak Obama himself. Way to go Austin!!!

Austin's last day of Elementary school
Austin, Logan & Carson started swim team again mid-May. Carson was overjoyed to be joining his big brothers and took to swimming like a fish. During the month of June we had 4 swim meets. Austin and Logan did well in all four meets, earning many ribbons. Carson had a slow start, but was able to swim in the last 2 meets of the season and did really well. The Championship meet was held yesterday for Austin and he swam in 3 individual events and 2 relay events. All in all we had a wonderful swim season and the boys enjoyed every minute of it. Tomorrow we have our End of Year party and the boys get awarded their trophies. Can’t wait!

Austin

Logan

Carson
Carson celebrated his 5th birthday on Thursday, June 2nd. Since Rhett had to work, we did a quick opening of presents when he was home for lunch, then had cake later that night. On Saturday, June 4th we went bowling to celebrate Carson’s big day. Of our kids, only Austin had ever been bowling and they are all hooked now….especially Jackson. He later found that he could use empty water bottles and his ball to play bowling at home. Since then I bought Jackson one of those cheap plastic bowling sets. He’s in bowling heaven!!!

Carson's cake

Carson's new bike

Austin bowling

Logan bowling

Carson bowling

Jackson bowling
At the beginning of June I was surprised by a visit from the Bishop. The new Relief Society President wanted me for her Secretary, so I was released from my calling as Primary President after just 1½ years. It was definitely a bittersweet day. I haven’t been in RS for 5 ½ years, so it was a big change for me. I will miss the children, but I think it will be a good thing.

On Thursday, June 16th, Grandma Stewart came to visit for the upcoming birth of our beautiful Hailey. We all had so much fun with Grandma while she was here. We had 2 of our swim meets, my baby shower, Family Fun Night for swim team, 4 lunch dates (one with each boy separately), Cars 2 movie, bowling, and of course lots of fun & games. Not to mention all the help she gave in cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. We couldn’t have done it without her!!! One of the fun things that Grandma did with Jackson was puzzles. He has recently become obsessed with them. At the age of 2 ½ he has mastered the art of puzzles and now has multiple 36 piece puzzles that he puts together multiple times daily…with very little or no help!

Jackson and his puzzle
Austin's lunch date w/Grandma to BJ's

Logan's lunch date w/Grandma to Chili's

Carson's lunch date w/Grandma to Freddy's

Jackson's date consisted of a grocery shopping trip w/Mom & Grandma

On Friday, June 17th I was overwhelmed with the show of love & support from my many wonderful friends at my Baby Shower. There were over 40 people in attendance and I was literally “showered” with so many gifts…they filled my entire van on the way home! I am so blessed to have such a marvelous group of “sisters” to share special moments with.

Tuesday, June 28th was planned well in advance for the birth of Hailey. Bags were packed for the hospital, pre-op blood work done, meals for the family planned, etc. However, Hailey decided to shake things up a bit. I was originally scheduled for a 1:00pm C-section, getting to the hospital by 11:00am. That morning started off much earlier however, when at 5:30am I started having contractions. They were approximately 5 minutes apart from the get go. We hurried and got ready and left for the hospital by 6:30, they started monitoring me before 7:00 (my contractions were only 3-4 minutes apart by then), prepped me for surgery, whisked me into the O.R. (ok, technically I walked there) and Hailey was born at 8:50am. It had been almost 11 years since Austin was born that I had experienced contractions and I couldn’t remember how bad they hurt. Although with him I had an epidural by the time I was dialated to 3, so I probably never got to the really bad ones with him. Anyway, believe me, I was sooooo ready for the anesthesiologist to give me that Spinal block. Everything else went just like clockwork.

Hailey Kristine Zimmerman was born on June 28th, 2011 at 8:50 am. She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 ¾ inches long…my longest and biggest baby of all. She is beautiful!

Hailey is here!

Hailey with her big brothers

We came home from the quiet peaceful hotel (I mean hospital) room on Friday, July 1st to a house full of rambunctious boys excited to have Mom & baby Hailey home. They love her too much to describe…constantly wanting to look at, hold and kiss her. They are even interested in what clothes and headband I’m going to put on her each day. They LOVE their baby sister!!! She is just the perfect baby. Eats and sleeps good, and has a very laid back & relaxed personality. She mostly only cries when getting her diaper changed. I say it again…PERFECT BABY!!! She is the most wonderful and final addition to our family. Thanks to my friend Maggie for the wonderful photos!!!

Hailey with Grandma

Rhett was overjoyed to pose for this picture...NOT!

Looks like she has Mickey Mouse ears

Maggie caught a smile

Ballerina baby...I love her face in this one!

Happy 4th of July! Her shirt said "Brand New Red, White & Blue"


Well, that’s about all for this time. We look forward to celebrating Logan & Austin’s birthdays in July….more fun yet to come!

Until next time….
Love – Rhett, Maren, Austin, Logan, Carson, Jackson & Hailey Zimmerman