Welcome Baby

Welcome Summer! 9 lbs. 8 oz.



Sweet as can be.

Why I'm Hot, Sore, and a bit Grumpy

Because motherhood is worth it!

Thanks to my MIL for sharing.

Birthday Week, 3???

Will there be a third?

Birthday Week, 2

Next up, Scott.

A Birthday Week

First up, Rachel!

Charity is Two!

Charity turned two a few weeks back. She had a wonderful birthday. I love how all my kids give presents to their siblings, usually something they have made or don't play with anymore. It makes it more meaningful for everyone!


Dawn gave her an old doll, which she loved! Complete with handmade clothes. (We use old socks to make doll clothes, especially old soccer ones! It works great.)

The ice cream cone bubbles, maybe Charity's most played with toy, she's carrying it around as I type this. Part of Rachel's gift.

The goods, note the play food donut she's eating up. I made Charity some felt play food. I've been wanting to try it for so long, and I'm so happy how it turned out! I'll show you that more in detail tomorrow.

She was a pro at the candles. She knew just what to do!

We gave her a doll outfit that matches her sister's dolls. Aren't they cute all together?

And of course, the close by grandparents were there. Often we invite many cousins and other family to birthdays, but we've found with really little ones, a smaller party is better and results in a much happier child.

Birthday parties

I haven't had too many really cute birthday parties for my kids, okay, I haven't had many parties for them period. I just think it is too much crazy work. But sometimes I feel up to it. I may have to use some of these really cute ideas I've seen around the web recently.

A sweet candy themed one at Hissyfits Photography.

A whole slew of adorable parties at Kara's Party Ideas like this adorable Raggedy Ann party.

And more cute parties at One Charming Party.

Then Scott turns 6!

The cute, cute boy

The present

The beautiful Scott-decorated cake

A Big, Wet Smooch for My Sweetie

Happy Birthday Sweetheart. I love you, way more than 34 years worth!

Happy Birthday Charity

Oh, our sweet girl isn't really a baby anymore. I was totally excited for her birthday until Matt pointed that out to me. Then I was a little bummed. I loved Charity's first year. She was so sweet and beautiful and lovable. I'm sure she will be in her second year, too. But you know, she won't be a baby.


She had a great time, dove right into her cake and loved her little walker/stroller. It was a great success.

Jewelry Box Cake

Who can find a a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

A few weeks ago I made this cake for a Relief Society birthday party cake decorating contest. It was a nightmare. It looked easy, but the lid kept falling apart, the sides kept tipping over, blah. I'm glad it's over.

Can you believe I won? I did, out of two entries! Ha ha. At least I won a fabulous prize! a gift certificate to Panda Express.



Then, as a double bonus, I gave it to my friend and her sweet new baby, Anne.

Andrew and the trash truck

Andrew's horse ride:

Andrew's pizza dinner:

Andrew's rainbow chip cake:

Andrew's loot, including the show stopping, working garbage truck:

One of Andrew's many midnight trash runs, lamp on and everything:

Andrew's burning-the-midnight-oil birthday hangover:

Andrew's successful 3rd birthday!

Andrew at three

Favorite color: Orange
Favorite food: pizza
Favorite animal: horse and buffalo
Favorite truck: dump truck
Favorite thing to play: Zooloretto
Favorite toy: horse and buffalo
Favorite movie: Duma (the cheetah one)
Favorite shoes: Lightning McQueen shoes
Favorite day: trash day
Favorite place to go: to the store with Mom
Favorite fish: Sasha
Favorite treat: suckers
Favorite place to put your hands: in your mouth
Favorite book: Green Eggs and Ham and the ladybug book
Favorite dinosaur: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Favorite scripture story: "keep the commandments"
Favorite part of church: singing ("Hallelujah")
"I like the dinosaur museum"

Andrew is a charmer, people just seem to be smitten by him. I think it is his coy little smile and flirty looks. He certainly has us all mesmerized.

Happy Birthday Dad

Things that remind me of my dad

Jazz music, preferably without words
waffles
pancakes
crepes
french toast
(from scratch, please)
slick sweat pants with t-shirts and Birkenstocks
gospel doctrine
Star Wars
Girl saves man who falls on tracks
Sports games, mine and my sibs
Professional football on TV
big warm hands
really loud sneezes
riding lawn mowers
falling asleep on the couch
carrot cake
fudge
Taking care of Grandma and Grandpa
taking it easy, even the hard stuff
ICON
Playing on the floor with grandkiddies
Barbie shoes
Reading the Christmas story (New Testament and Book of Mormon)
running backwards
tan feet
little running shorts
checking blood pressure at the store
the Messiah
leading the music, everywhere
Father's blessings before school, and other times too
big bass singing
Aspens
attorneying
Figuring out how to do it (fixing cars, building bunk beds, wiring basements, new jobs)
Putting lights on Christmas trees (I think he held the world record in this)
choclate chip cookies
Rack-o
Hearts
big old beards
sideways grins
driving all the way through (to the beach)
That song on thew piano (what is it Lane?)
patience

Our birthday party

At Thanksgiving Point, as always.
The crew






They CANNOT resist a water fight in the secret garden despite the cold and somewhat rainy weather.

Scott lost, or was that won?

Pretty presents

I LOVE it when my tree is surrounded by wrapped presents. I usually try to get them done earlier so I can enjoy them longer. It is deep in my blood to wrap pretty presents with beautiful bows, dating clear back to my Grandma Nina, maybe longer. So now my Christmas decor feels complete.

And here are Dawn's birthday presents. I haven't been this happy with the wrapping results for a long time. Could it have something to do with all the pink and silver? Naw.