Barberville Pioneer Settlement

We took a family trip to the Barberville Pioneer Settlement here in Florida while my parents were in town. It was so much fun. I love going to places like this because I find pioneer history so interesting. I think it would be so fun to live in a small settlement where you could walk to everything.  

They had some animals at the settlement, including peacocks. Collin and Tate didn't particularly like the male peacock who felt the need to screech every 10 seconds.  

 They did however, like the baby peacock that was only 3 days old.

 The old barn full of old saddles, wagon wheels and tools.

 Tadpoles! The great thing about Homeschooling...this tour counted as school!

We found some huge grasshoppers by the pond. Tate wasn't very sure about them.

Old School House 

Collin LOVED playing teacher.

Someone was a little late for class.

The boys spotted the train as soon as we got there and couldn't wait to check it out.

Raylynn had her own "Ladies in Waiting"

This old Morse Code machine was awesome! It even worked!

So glad we don't have one of these things at our house.

Another favorite of the boys...a Firetruck!

Collin loves checking the mail at our house so when he discovered this old mail house, he was very intrigued.

But not as intrigued as they were when they found the outhouse...

Walking to church 

I found Michael's Christmas present :)

And he found us a two bedroom house.

It's hard to imagine large families actually lived in such small spaces.

Especially when certain people got mad and just needed space :)

It was a perfect day spent with some of my favorite people

A Special Dress for a Special Day

My grandma Peeler loved to crochet. She made everything from doilies to elaborate quilts. If you showed her something, she could make it. When Michael and I were married in 2007 she handed me a bag and when I opened it I saw the cutest little blessing dress with matching booties and bonnet. It probably only took her a day or two to make the whole outfit, but it was a gift that has always been special to me. My grandma passed away in 2009 and the dress became even more special. I've been waiting years to use it and a few weeks ago I finally got the chance. 

Michael was able to give Raylynn her baby blessing at church along with both our dads, uncle Richard and a family friend standing in the circle. It was a special day. One that made me very thankful. Thankful for a sweet little girl who has stolen all our hearts, thankful for the priesthood that Michael holds that continually blesses our family, and thankful for a special woman who took time to crochet a little white dress out of love for her granddaughter. I'm hoping to pass that love on, as well as the memory of my sweet grandma, to my own children and grandchildren someday :)   

Raylynn Paige Boyd

 This was not what I looked like before heading to the hospital. It had been a rough two days and I was in so much pain and so sleep deprived, that taking a picture was not really on my list of things to do. Fortunately, my sister had snapped a belly pic right before my baby shower the week before. 

I'm always amazed at how babies fit in such small spaces. 

Raylynn Paige Boyd

Born at 9:45am May 2, 2015

Weighing 5 lbs. 13 oz. 

Raylynn's birth was such a whirlwind. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the details. What I DO know, is that she came so fast I didn't have time to get my epidural. My water broke, I pushed, and a nurse caught my baby because my doctor was still putting gloves on :) 

(When a mother giving birth for the 3rd time comes in saying she feels the urge to push, you should probably listen and take her seriously.) Maybe if I had mentioned that my water has broken on its own every single time, they would have put a little more pep in their step instead of just hooking me up to a monitor for 20 minutes to view contraction progress. I guess in the end I paid them back by sending everyone into a frenzy :) 

Although this labor was a little more painful and dramatic than I would have liked, I am so thankful for the experience. Having a baby without an epidural has been a huge fear of mine, but now that I've actually done it, I know I could do it again and I have so much more confidence in myself. Having said that, will I be asking for an epidural the next go round? You're darn right I will! I'll be calling ahead. ;)     

Since she was two weeks early I was a little worried that Raylynn would have some health issues, but she came out perfect! 

A healthy mom and a healthy baby, who cares about a few labor pains and drama when you're both healthy and alive in the end right? 

I have to say, it was pretty much love at first sight with this little girl.

We can't get enough of her. 

That includes her big brothers.

I know how extremely blessed I am. I thank Heavenly Father every night for my three precious children and feel so lucky to be their mom :)  Welcome to our crazy family Raylynn!

A Little Homeschool Fun!

We have been having tons of fun with our homeschool group. We try to do a field trip every month which allows the kids to get together and learn new things. This month we took a tour of the police station with Officer Strange!

 Tate had a little too much fun beating up on this dummy.

 They learned first hand how loud the siren is!

Last month we went to Lue Gardens for their Ribbit the Exhibit. There were 18 of these frog sculptures throughout the garden and you had to go on a treasure hunt to find them all. The boys loved it.

Christmas In March

Christmas Train Ride with Grandma and Grandpa Boyd

 These are from Christmas LAST YEAR! 

Isn't it sad that I'm just now posting them and it's March?! It was fun looking back many months later though and remembering this fun time. 

Part of Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas gift to the boys was to take them on the Christmas Train. Collin LOVED it! Tate enjoyed everything but the train whistle. He didn't like the loud sound and let the whole train know he was very displeased :) 

Our friendly train Elf 

We were served Hot Chocolate and cookies, sang carols and each child got a Christmas bell to take home.

(He's not picking his nose, promise ;) )

We even stopped at the North Pole to pick up Santa!

Michael was there too even though there is no photographic proof.

I'm so glad it worked out that we could all go as a family. It's a rare occasion since someone has to work the bookstore. It was a fun day and the boys still remember the trip to this day. I'm hoping there are many more family trips in the future!