Robby's Birthday

Robby's "R" Birthday cake






Like father like son


For anyone out there who might read this - just bear with me in my backtracking a little - I am trying to catch up a little on my journaling.
Robby turned 7 in May and this was his year for a family party so he decided he wanted to go to Chuck e Cheese's for dinner - the kids had a great time, especially Robby and Dad - what a team! Robby is quickly learning to beat his father at video games. We did this family party before Connor was born due to the fact that Robby's birthday is only a week after Connor was born. But we saved opening presents and having cake and ice cream until his actual birthday. Robby got Star Wars - The Last Saga for the Wii, a super soaker and a basketball hoop - so far his favorite have definately been the Star Wars game and the super soaker! Robby also went with his Dad and 2 of his friends and played Laser Tag - he said it was "awesome"!
Robby's favorite things to do right now is play any type of electronic game - the Wii, the computer or his game boy. He also loves to play outside with his friends (once you can drag him away from the Wii or computer) - - it is so fun to watch them and the games they make up - it almost always involves guns or swords(what is that all about - boys can turn anything into a gun or sword!) He loves to play soccer - he and Madi attended a Soccer camp this summer and loved it - he is looking forward to soccer starting in the Fall, especially since James will be coaching his team again. Robby - You are awesome - I love your smile and your laugh - Happy Birthday!

McDougal Family Vacation 2009

With the birth of 2 new babies and one more on the way very soon - we all decided to do a "staycation" this summer. We decided to have a family campout in Brad and Tammy's backyard and so some of the local fun stuff. So we started our adventure at "This is the Place" Park and had a great time. It was plenty warm with the temp in the high 90's but the kids had a great time touring the old pioneer houses and shops, riding the train, doing plenty of crafts, petting all the animals and riding the horses. We had a great picnic under the shade trees and had plenty of popsicles to keep us cooled off.
After a full day of pioneer adventures - we headed back to Uncle Brad's house for a BBQ, movie watching under the stars, marshmallow roasting and campout. The next morning we began with a big breakfast and then packed everything up and headed to Grandma's for a day of swimming. We all had a great time - the kids loved sleeping outside under the stars and being with all of their cousins!

The Latest of the McDougal Clan!

8lbs 13 oz. 21 inches

Connor Briggs May 20, 2009 1:45pm


I am a little behind but that's what happens after #4 is born!

I am so glad that our little guy is here safe and sound - I was so nervous this time - but he is healthy and strong with a head full of red hair! I am not really up on my genetics lessons - but what are the chances of having 2 little red heads from non-red head parents - crazy - we just hope that he is a little bit calmer than Elli! Connor was born by c-section and all went good except having to wait around all morning to go to the hospital and then wait some more for the Docs.
The kids were so excited to come and see him - and the girls still think that he needs there constant attention. Robby likes to talk to him for a minute and give him a hug and then he is good to go do his own thing. Madi has been a great helper and loves to hold and feed him whenever she can - she has even changed a few wet diapers (won't go near the poopy ones!)
Life has definately been crazy since he was born - and it is amazing how quickly you remember the constant exhaustion of having a newborn but with each additional child you get fewer and fewer chances to nap with the baby! There were plenty of sleepless nights and many crying moments for baby and Mom, but 2 months later we are starting to feel a small bit of normal. We usually only have one night feeding now and have made some store runs with all the kids.
I would suggest to anyone out there to not do a 4 year spread between babies - we were definately in a comfort zone and have been dealt a huge dose of baby reality again! But with that said - now that he is here, we can't imagine our family without him!

Fun with the cousins

Before the Bissendens left for their new life in Washington - we had lots of fun hanging out with all the cousins. We were able to go to the Zoo on a beautiful sunny day and see all the animals.
We also spent the day at the movies and the park before they left. We really miss having them close (Robby especially is missing Josh at the family gatherings - too many girls) . We wish them the best of luck in their new home and hope to be able to go and visit soon!

Way to Go Madi!!

Madi did awesome at her first clogging competition of this year in Pocatello. She got 1st place in her solo freestyle and her team also got 1st place in their team dance called "clumsy"!

She has just moved up to this new intermediate team this year and has had to work very hard to catch up with the new and more difficult steps - Way to go Madi - we are so proud of you!

It is always so fun as parents to watch your kids do something that they love and have fun doing - mom has decided that clogging has come a long ways since her clogging days many years ago - it really is a fun thing to watch!

Elli turns 4!

Wow - I can't believe my baby is 4 years old - it always amazes me how fast time flies by! And lucky Elli - I believe she also got 5 different birthday celebrations. First she got to celebrate with her McDougal cousins which included celebrating cousin Shelby and Olivia's birthday. Then on the weekend of Elli's birthday - our family was in Pocatello for a dance competition for Madison. Elli thought this was great because this meant she got to spend her whole birthday weekend with her friend Halle (our awesome friends the Richards were nice enough to let us stay at their house for the weekend). We had so much fun - besides the competition, we were able to hang out with good friends and we went out for Pizza and then bowling at ISU on Saturday night to celebrate Elli's birthday - the kids had a blast (until about frame 8 and then they were done - small attention span!). Then on Sunday we went to our old ward and had a great time catching up with so many of our old friends and neighbors and then we went back to Richards and "awesome Steph" made Elli's favorite lunch of ham and potatoes and of course Birthday cake -(Thanks, Steph) and we opened presents. It was a great weekend. Then Elli got to celebrate birthday fun again on Monday with cousin Olivia when we met up with their family at good old Chuckie Cheese - the kids played for over 2 hours and loved every minute of it! Then last - she got to have a party with the Gallacher cousins - to celebrate her and cousin Adam's birthday. Sure seems like a lot of celebration for a four year old - but who's counting!
I can't believe how independent and stubborn our little Elli has become. She is very particular on the clothes that she wants to wear each day and they are usually the farthest from what mom would pick. She lately wants everything her way or no way and she is not shy about letting you know this. She has become very clingy to mommy which I don't complain too much about except when it is time to go to primary or preschool. She loves to sing and dance and can make up a song about anything and everything. She always wants to do what Madi and Robby are doing. For how darn stubborn she can be ... she can also be that cute and hilarious- she makes me laugh almost every day - I love you Elli.

Costa Rica Let Down

James and I were so excited to find out that he had won a trip to Costa Rica for being one of the top salesmen for his company last year...until one month before we were supposed to go I was told by my current doctor and my old doctor that I shouldn't go due to where I am at in my pregnancy and the fact that Costa Rica is not known for it's awesome medical facilities and care. I feel a little silly admitting it but I was completely devastated - I became a professional ball baby for the next week(I like to blame this on my lovely erratic pregnancy hormones). So in the end James went to Costa Rica with his Dad and had a great time and I got the awesome privilege of spending a fun-filled week at home with my kids!(But I am not bitter!) I have decided that this baby had better be the best baby yet - good sleeper, great temperament, etc - because he owes his mama!

Ok - I am done venting - James is home now and life is back to normal chaos with 3 months left until even greater McDougal chaos!