Lucas John Richins

He was born on July 30th at 10:07 am. He came 6 days early and weighed a hefty 8 pds 5 oz, and 19 in long. The thought honestly never crossed my mind that I would ever have a baby much over 7 pounds. I have always wanted a chubby baby, hopefully he will stay that way. He came the day after Steve's b-day. Steve's b-day was a little bit crazy for me. I tried to make a special dinner, which turned out to be not so special, just got a little tired. Then we had some neighbors over for cake and ice cream. I ended up making two cakes, because my first cake turned out hideously ugly, but was surprisingly good. That night I had a hard time sleeping as usual so I went out on the couch. I woke up at about 4:30 after having a scary dream that I was in labor and no one would take me to the hospital. After getting up to go to the bathroom I started to notice that I was having contractions. I just thought they were braxton hicks so I tried to go back to sleep. I couldn't and decided to get up and finish the dishes I had left in the sink. I knew when I left them there the night before that this would be when I went into labor. I thought that maybe I should start timing the contractions just in case, they were about every 6 min. At 6 Steve woke up also, and saw the lights on and came out to see if everything was ok. By that time the contractions were stronger and at about every 4 min. I was still in denial that I was in labor, but Steve freaked out and called his parents to tell them he was taking me to the hospital. By the time we left for the hospital I was starting to feel some serious pain. When we finally got there a little after 7 am I was already at a 7, the nurse was awesome and got me my epidural and he was born 2 hours later. He is so adorable, we are so happy to have him. The boys love him to death, and they always make me nervous when ever they get to close. He has been such a good baby so far and I hope it stays this way. Here are some pics of him.

Sweet home California

We went home to my parents house for a week. They live about 45 minutes out side of San Francisco. It was kind off a crazy week. We were there during my birthday and Steve and mine anniversary. Kind off a bad week to go, but I wanted hurry up and come before it gets to soon to when our baby is coming. Steve took me to dinner and then to see Wicked in San Francisco for my b-day and anniversary. It was awesome!!! I loved it, and hope I can go again before their tour is over. We had 2 days alone with my parents before the rest of my family came. There is so many of us that parents always have to get a few hotel rooms. It was so fun to all be together, that doesn't happen very often. Sorry Jessica and Melissa I didn't have time to call, it was such a crazy week. We are hoping to come back later in the fall, and it shouldn't be as packed. I miss you guys and hope to see you soon. It is always so fun to go out, and seems like it goes by way to fast. Before I know it I am back home doing laundry.


This is pretty much what we do when we come to visit.

I was in the middle of getting Jackson changed out of his bathing suit when he saw Kyle and Steve laying out. He took of running before I could grab him then wiggled right in the middle of them. I debated weather or not to put this picture in, but I thought it was so cute.


We arrived in California on our anniversary, my mom was so cute and made us an anniversary dinner. She and my dad ate in the other room with the boys. She made us a 3 course meal, including my favorite dinner of Manacotti.


We were always on the go, and poor Jackson hardly got a nap all week. He must have been so tired to fall asleep like that. Hurts my neck just looking at him.


We were in California for my birthday. My twin sister came down that afternoon. It was fun to spend our birthday together, it has been so long since we celebrated it together. My mom was funny and made both of us different cakes, felt like I was five again.



Once everyone got to my parents house we realized that sleeping so many kids might be a problem. This is the solution, sleep them military style on the floor in the family room. The kids totally loved it!!!




We took Kyle and Jackson into the City so they could see the seals. We just spent a few hours at pier 39. Kyle tried crab and loved it. We got some good choclate and watched some guys break dance in the street. I never get tired of San Francisco.

Kids are just funny

I don't usually post the funny things my kids say for some reason. However Kyle said something today that really made me laugh. We were driving home from having lunch at a friends house when he found a little toy he had gotten out of a cracker jacks box at Steve's parents house in his car seat. He was so excited to find " his prize ", and was loving playing with it in the car again. I had to stop and drop off a few RS papers to someone in my ward. It took a few seconds and when I got back in the car this was the conversation we had:

Kyle: Mommy, I am sad.
Me: Why?
Kyle: I broke my prize.
Me: ohh I am sorry. Let me see it, maybe I can fix it for you.
Kyle: Nahhh, I already recycled it. (which means he threw it on the floor of the car)

I am not sure where he learned about reycling. We've never really had recycling conversations. Just thought it was so funny. Makes me laugh also how easy he gets over things. He started off being sad and by the end of our 20 second conversation he was totally fine with breaking his prize. Arn't kids great!

Our crazy life about to get crazier

I started to feel brave, and thought it was time to have another child. I am not sure why because I feel like we have way too many near death experiences and most of them are me learning not to do that again, or to pay more attention. Now that we are actually pregnant I am starting to get a little scared. Arah you must be terrified for us, you've witnessed quite a few of those experiences.=) Mostly, though we are really excited. We are due August 5th. I am so excited to finally have a summer baby. Sounds so heavenly to not have to worry about the weather and RSV for a while. Kyle thinks we are having a little sister, I am relaying on his faith, mine waivers day to day. Another boy would be great too, we are good to go if that is the case.

The Christmas Tree

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with Steve's family. Once the dinner is eaten we all immediately switch to Christmas mode. We got up early on Friday and went and cut down our Christmas tree. (I was lame and forgot my camera) In the past it has taken Steve a long time to pick out the tree. He loves Christmas and the tree has to be perfect. This year, thankfully he did in record time. We came home put on the lights and decorated the tree later that night. We decided to get it up fast so we could enjoy it before leaving for California for Christmas this year.

Kyle loved decorating the tree this year. He got so excited about all of his ornaments, especially any with his name or picture on them. I loved how he really got into it this year. I had so much fun just watching the boys get excited about the tree. It's amazing how your kids just make each holiday so much more special and enjoyable.

Jackson would look like this every time we put his ornaments on the tree, he just wanted to carry them around all night. Luckily each fit, and there were many, didn't last very long.

Finally understanding that the ornaments go on the tree.

The Finished product! Most of the ornaments were on the bottom of the tree, so we had even things out once the boys went to bed that night.

Girls can play football too!!

The leaves are changing, there is a crisp to the morning air, time for football. Anyone who knows me knows I love football!! (kami I still wish you were a BYU fan, just think of all the memories we could have) I haven't played powder puff football since high school, and thought it was a great time to play again. I had such a huge response from the girls in the original Cranberry Farms ward (before we split 2 weeks ago =( )! We had 20 girls show up to play!!! Thanks so much girls it was awesome!!! I have to give a shout out to our awesome referee Brady Fife. He was very brave to risk the possibility of making 20 women very angry at him including his wife. Steve took a lot of great pictures of everyone. Just a warning about the slide show, it has a lot of pictures, so I hope you have some time.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanks to all who were able to come. We missed all who couldn't. Lets do it again next Sat at 10. If anyone wants any of these pictures just let me know and I will email them to you.

Halloween

This year we had a massive truck or treat with four wards. It was fun to see all of our friends who are no longer apart of our ward. We ran out of candy well before it was over and had to recycle some of the boys candy for latter trick or treaters. It was tons of fun. We later went over to Steve's parents house and ate chili and some fresh brewed root beer. =) Thanks to my neighbor Michelle Acree, Kyle actually had a costume. I procrastinated Halloween because Kyle's birthday party took so much effort, that he almost had a sorry looking costume. Thanks Michelle for putting him together.







Our neighbor Oliver is an umpalumpa (sp?) and Nicole was Willie Wanka Johnny Depp style. They win best costume!!