Alexa Ricky Kinghorn has finally arrived!

Alexa Ricky Kinghorn

Born at 8:22 a.m., April 23, 2010

Probably the easiest delivery I've ever had!

Proud papa of #5

He loves his little girls!

They brought Lexie back all dolled-up.  Isn't she beautiful!

The kids couldn't wait to come see her.

Jake was very excited (I don't know if it was for the baby or just to have his picture taken)

I can hardly believe he's not the baby anymore.

Grandma and Grandpa Kinghorn stayed with the kids that day.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

We had lots of visitors:

Great Grandma and Grandpa Clayton and Great Aunt Sharee

Heidi, Holly, Grandma Reed, Great Aunt Jeanine, Great Grandma Peterson, and Great Aunt Jody

(They were all in town for my cousin Cassie's bridal shower)

Brittany, Taryn and Lexie

Trey and Lexie

Our wonderful friends the Anderson's - Laura and Lyndel

We are so excited and thankful to welcome the newest little Kinghorn to our family.  Alexa Ricky Kinghorn was born Friday, April 23, 2010 at 8:22 a.m. in Idaho Falls.  She weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19 inches long.  She is our tiniest baby by just an ounce under Karlee.  She was due on April 27th but on Tuesday of that week I called the doctor to see if we could schedule to go on Friday just for the sake of planning.  I was worried about farming out four other children, getting them to school, and making sure they were taken care of.  Luckily Layne's parents had the whole day off from the temple and were able to come stay Thursday night and be with the kids all day Friday.  We were supposed to go in to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. on Friday but about 2:00 a.m. I started having contractions about 15 minutes apart and then eventually 10 minutes apart.  I woke Layne up just before 4:00 a.m. and told him I wasn't going to make it to 6:00.  Just as he got out of the shower, my water broke.  So we left Layne's parents a note and headed in to the hospital.  When I got to the hospital, the nurse ordered the epidural and I basically didn't feel anything.  All it took was a half of a push and it was all over. 

Alexa is perfect in every way and we feel so blessed to have her in our home.  The kids have been so excited about her coming and now that she's here, they have been absolutely wonderful help!  They were all instrumental in naming her.  In fact, it's a good thing I like her name because I would have been easily out voted.  Her middle name is special to me because it honors my dad.  I had decided long before we knew the sex of this baby that it's middle name would be Ricky.  When we found out it was a girl, it just seemed even more right to give her his name.  I hope he's proud of me and the decisions I have made.  I love and miss him and wish he were here to be a part of this time in my life, but I know he's watching over us. 

I love my not so little family so much.  I was really unsure about having baby number five, but there is no doubt in my mind that our family would not be complete without Alexa!  I thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such an amazing husband and "5" amazing kids!

Easter, Easter

Jake was very excited to use his new football Easter basket

 

Kayci hits the jackpot!

Karlee finding her treasures hidden on the piano.

The kids after their morning Easter egg hunt.

Kayci, Andy, Max, Annabelle, Jake, Abby, Karlee, and Taryn at Grandma Reed's Easter egg hunt Sunday afternoon.

Jake was super excited to run around Grandma's yard and find eggs

Kayci lovin' the eggs and the sunshine!

I love Easter when it falls on General Conference weekend.  I love being able to just relax with family, enjoy the messages of conference, and give thanks for the remarkable gift of the resurrection.  The morning started out with a simple visit from the Easter bunny which the kids had really been looking forward to.  Before they had their egg hunt, we all sat on Layne and I's bed and talked about the last week of the Savior's life and the blessings we have because of His sacrifice.  It really gave us a chance to contemplate why we celebrate Easter and I am always amazed at how much the children know and understand.  After the kids egg hunt and breakfast we all looked forward to another day of listening to the leaders of our church share their messages of the gospel.  They were truly wonderful.  After conference we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Reed's for Easter dinner and the kids egg hunt.  Greg and Cara were able to come up from Pocatello and be with all us girls and our families.  It was and always is fun to be together.  Mom my is an amazing host.  It really was a great day!

Spring Piano Recital

Karlee, Kayci, Andy, and Abby after the recital

Karlee stopped after her pieces to pose for the camera

Karlee and her duet partner, Bret

Abby playing her fiddle song.  Abby got her third year trophy this year from the I.F. Music Club

All my students, from ages 5 to 16.   They all did a great job.  I'm very proud to be their teacher!

My spring recital this year was held on March 31st at the Piano Gallery in Idaho Falls.  They have a recital room with some beautiful grand pianos and it really makes for a nice recital.  We packed the room.  My students have great support from their families.  The kids all played their festival songs if they participated in festival or the recital songs they had prepared.  Some of them also played duets from their Monster Concert performance.  At the end of the recital they each received a certificate and bookmark and the festival kids received their ribbons.  Abby also received her third year trophy.  It was actually her fourth year participating in festival but because we moved after her first year and joined a different music club, she had to start over on her years.  She has really come a long way.  I was really proud of her and all of the students.  We are taking a break from lessons until this summer because of the baby, but it will be good to have them all back.  I really am blessed to have a talent that allows me to work with such great kids!

Easter a Little Early

The kids all dressed up for the Easter program

 

That's our Karlee, Miss Poser!

 

Beautiful Abby all dressed up to sing her solo!

 

My handsome little cheeser and his angelic sidekick!

 

The whole family all dressed up for church, even chubbo mom!

Because Easter was on General Conference this year, we had our Easter program at church a week early.  Our primary had to do about a 20 minute program for Sacrament Meeting and our Bishop asked Abby to sing a solo.  She sang the song "Gethsemane," and did an absolutely beautiful job.  She had the whole song memorized and just sang it out from her heart.  We were so proud of her.  My mom and Don as well as Brittany and her kids and Layne's mom and dad came to hear her.  All the kids looked so cute all dressed up.  It's getting harder and harder to find things that are matching but we did a pretty good job.  They really are adorable!

Happy Birthday, Abby!

Andy, Karlee, Kayci, Abby, and Jake ready to go bowling.

Abby's been counting down the days to her birthday.  We're all glad it's finally here.

Abby throwing the ball.  "It's a lot harder than bowling on the Wii," the kids all said!

Karlee taking her turn.

Jake was happy to get everyone's ball for them, until we let him have a turn of his own.

Needless to say, Layne's score wasn't very high!

Kayci loved packing her ball to the ramp and letting it go.  She especially loved getting a higher score than most of us.  Maybe I should try the ramp next time.

Grandma and Grandpa were there as well as Holly and the twins.

Heidi came with baby Houston, too.

After we finished we headed over to the building where Layne's office is for presents and cake and ice cream.  Trey and Taryn made it into this picture.  They didn't want their picture taken at the bowling alley.

Abby wanted a castle cake this year.  I love cakes that don't have faces!

Blowing out the candles!

Opening presents.  Abby got enough art stuff to keep her busy until  next year.  Thanks everyone!

March 16th has come and gone and Abby is now another year older.  I can't believe she is nine years old.  I can still remember bringing her home to our new apartment in American Falls.  I can also still remember how she was such an awful sleeper and refused to eat baby food.  I remember her adorable chubby cheeks and the joy she brought into our home.  We love her so much.  I really rely on her to help with the kids and around the house.  I hope she knows how thankful I am for her.

We got to go out to eat and go bowling for her birthday with my family.  It was crazy but the kids had a ball.  We went up to the college and then over to the foyer of Layne's office to have cake and ice cream.  She got lots of arts and crafts things which she just loves.  It was a great birthday.

2nd Place at the District Science Fair

After participating in the school science fair, we hauled Karlee's project over to the district science fair a couple of weeks later.  She was so excited to win 2nd place and get her first trophy!  Layne was gone on a retreat with students from the college and couldn't be there that night, but Karlee couldn't wait to call and tell him after it was over.  Congratulations, Karlee!

Baby Houston is Born!

Corey, Heidi, and Houston

He looks like a Jennings!

Thursday, February 25, 2010 my little sister Heidi had her first baby, a boy.  They named him Houston.  She went into labor probably six weeks before this but thanks to good doctors was able to hold off until his scheduled C-section.  We are thankful he is here and that they are both doing well.  It will be fun to have another boy in the family.