genteel

Dear, sweet Margaret.  I cannot believe that you are already ONE.  My precious little baby!  You are getting so big and clever and strong.  We all enjoy watching you grow and develop, and we love celebrating all your new tricks.

You are such a speedy crawler.  You have great balance, and have the funniest way of standing-via-yoga. As with every accomplishment, you then clap for yourself and expect everyone else to do the same.

 

You aren't walking on your own yet (not that I expected you to, since none of your siblings walked until at least 13 months), but you are starting to enjoy walking while someone holds your hand.

You shake and nod your head and have an extensive vocabulary of words and signs.  You say Mama (with varying degrees of inflection, depending on what you want), Da (Dada), Tat (cat), Ap (clap), Des (yes), Bat (bath), Bup (up), Bruh-buh (brother), Baa-Baa (bye-bye, always said while waving).

When you get hurt or upset, you ramble on and on, very articulately, in baby-gibberish, telling us all how you were slighted.   It's amazing the vocabulary that comes out -- complete with dynamic inflections -- when you really want to be heard.

And oh, how you are loved.  Strangers flirt with you every single day.  Your parents dote on you.  Your siblings dote on you.  How did we ever live without you?

(Despite our expectations of Greta demolishing her jello cake in the manner of Casper or Gwennie, she was quite restrained and proper in her treatment of her dessert.  In fact, that perfect van dyke in the fourth picture which makes her look like a Southern Colonel is the ideal accompaniment to her manners in polishing off the cake topping -- she was even kind enough to share with her siblings!)

2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Day

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We had a wonderful Christmas. As is our tradition, we got up early (except for the boys who slept until after 8.30, incredibly) and started making bran muffins to deliver to all our friends and neighbors (something like 16 dozen muffins this year). It was a chilly morning and even though we started delivering around 8 am and tag-teamed baking and delivery duties, we didn't finish up until about 11.30. When some of us aren't bickering over who gets to actually hold the plate of muffins as we walk to the door, we all love this tradition.

When we got home, we dug into stockings and got to see what Santa brought. I wish we could post the hysterics that followed the discovery of a trampoline box in the playroom. Thanks, Santa!

We paused for lunch and then took our time opening presents that afternoon. It was a relaxing afternoon, with everyone so happy and content. We rested and played with all the new toys before Todd went outside to tackle the trampoline assembly. Merry Christmas!

Party Number One

Our last night at home before our trip to Dallas brought our first Halloween party. (We'll be visiting Granny and Heather & BJ's wards tomorrow and Friday for their celebrations.) Todd was helping the young men build a haunted hallway using some giant boxes he'd gotten at work, so he went early while the children finished eating and got costumed up.

Until earlier today, there was some uncertainty about who would be wearing which costume. Linus had been agitating for the dragon suit, but we felt that since he had chosen it two years ago -- and since it fits his brother much better than it does him -- we encouraged him to dress as a knight. When we told him that -- as a crusader -- he'd be able to take Grandpa's sword and shield, he was convinced. So Casper was the dragon (in it mainly for the fire breathing) and Gwennie dressed as a cat.

We had a great time at the carnival and trunk-or-treat, with highlights including the haunted primary room, the cupcake walk, the decorate-your-own-cookie, and the candy gathering (a theme may be developing). The only real disaster came when I forced Linus to go to the "kissing booth," where two young women gave him a Hershey's kiss, but also stamped the back of his hand with smooching lips. He was horribly self-conscious about it and hid his hand under his knight's tunic for the rest of the night. (We couldn't determine why he was so abashed -- maybe he has a little crush on one of the young women?)

But we returned home, the children examined their spoils, and they selected ten pieces of candy (from this round) to keep. The rest will be given to the sugar sprites once we return from Dallas (and the sprites decide what kind of game to leave behind).

yet again

We got to celebrate another birthday today. Jennifer got a chance to "sleep in" (meaning, she got to stay in bed with a pillow over her head while I tried in vain to keep Linus from bellowing and Casper from shrieking), but she woke to a clean kitchen. Since "a tidy kitchen" is neck and neck with "children playing sweetly" for her favorite thing in the world, it was a fair start to the day.

We also kept up with the family tradition of sharing a birthday lunch. Unfortunately, the restaurant Jen chose for her day (our local barbecue hovel) is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so we went to a favorite sandwich joint instead. We had a fun evening, too, with a great dinner, only slightly mangled cupcakes, and a few presents before getting the kids to bed late.

the perfect day

What a beautiful, memorable day. After a morning filled with last minute tasks before the baptism (including a run to Best Buy to replace the computer monitor that died as Todd was completing the program for the meeting), the rest of the family arrived and we headed to the church.

Gwendolyn, who has been a little apprehensive about being in the font and having people watching her, was beyond excited. Grandma had agreed to act as pianist, and Gwennie's much-loved Primary teacher was chorister. Grandad gave a beautiful opening prayer, then Grandpa gave a wonderful talk about the significance of baptism. The room was silent as all the children listened attentively to Grandpa's story. Gwendolyn was absolutely riveted.

The actual baptism went perfectly (no ponytails floating to the top, as Gwendolyn had been fretting). As soon as it was over, she looked out at everyone through the glass and just glowed. I helped her change as she talked breathlessly on and on about how good she felt, how pure and happy. "I feel so good!" This is what joy feels like, my love.

Granny came and helped us change, and we returned to the Relief Society room where our friends and loved ones were writing messages and testimonies for Gwendolyn on paper we'd folded for the purpose (and which we plan to bind into a book for her). The messages and pictures from friends are all so sweet. I'm really thankful we decided to add this to the program.

My sister Tiffany gave a really sweet (and emotional) talk on the Holy Ghost before Gwendolyn was confirmed. The blessing was just as sweet and tender as she is, and the love her Heavenly Father feels for her was evident.

She was welcomed into the Primary by our dear friend (I'm thankful it worked out this way) and welcomed into the ward by our kind Bishop (the father of one of Gwendolyn's friends). Granny said a few words recalling Gwennie's birth and celebrating their close bond before giving the closing prayer.

After the ceremony, we spent ten minutes watching a slide show that Todd had made of Gwendolyn's life. It's amazing how many memorable moments she's packed into her eight years. She's a remarkable little girl.

matching polyester jumpsuits

Post-baptism, the family went out to dinner at Gwendolyn's choice of restaurants -- the peanut place, aka Texas Roadhouse. Post-dinner, we returned home and ate cake before watching Gwendolyn open her birthday and baptism presents. Since she had decided not to open her gifts until both sets of grandparents had arrived, she had plenty to get through. Two highlights were a handmade wooden box Grandpa had made as a bank, and the new cruiser bike which Granny and Grandad had gotten for her. Mama and Daddy gave her a set of scriptures and her response was, "Finally!"

enchantment under the sea

Gwendolyn requested an "Enchantment Under the Sea" party for her eighth birthday. (Well, she asked for a water party, and we added the Back to the Future allusion.) Twelve children joined our three for a couple of hours of sea-related crafts and treats, chocolate cake with sprinkles, and waterplay in the back yard. If you can think of a game involving buckets, playpools, hoses, slip-n-slides, sprinklers, or water balloons, chances are we played it.

We also had a good time with our pinata and treasure hunt. After a rousing rendition of the pinata song, the children took turns whacking a flimsy fish pinata.

They children noticed that there was less candy in the pinata than they'd expected, and only once they'd broken it entirely did they realize why: hidden in the fish (I mean, "sewn into the bellies of the fish!") there was a rather provocative parchment message from the pirates who had stolen most of the booty from the pinata. With the letter was a compass and some directions, and after some searching, the children found their way to another few clues -- a rebus, a visual puzzle, and finally a poem about pirates which led them to their buried treasure.

The treasure chest contained the pirates' booty: (chocolate) coins, a jeweled ring (pop) or two, and (candy) necklaces which were missing from the pinata:

I think that they all (the older children especially) had a good time with the hunt. Here is the opening of the comic poem about pirates which eventually led the children to the spot where the sea dogs had hidden their treasure:

Not long ago, the greatest fear
of sailors sailing everywhere
was pirates, those ferocious men
who'd make you walk the plank and then
would scuttle your ship to the floor
of deepest oceans, and what's more,
would steal the swag they'd find aboard.
To do crime was its own reward.

Let us know if you'd like to see the rest of the verse.

eight!

Our baby girl turned eight today. Eight! I can hardly believe she's so old and grown up. She really is an angel of a girl. She is so eager to learn and is rarely without a book in hand. She's a hard worker (even if she does complain about certain responsibilities) and has such a giving spirit. She wants to help and nurture every living thing. I'm so proud of her budding testimony, her desire to do good in this world, and her sensitive nature. Happy Birthday, my sweet girl.

Happy 4th!

See these cute hats and necklaces? Lest you think I suddenly got all creative and talented, I want to throw all the credit where it is due -- at my friend Robyn. Everything she touches looks fabulous, so when she invited us over to do some festive crafting on a rainy Friday afternoon, we jumped at the chance. The kids were thrilled to wear their patriotic attire at the annual pancake breakfast/bike parade on Saturday. Thanks again, Robyn!

grateful Mama's day

I'm afraid that I sometimes take motherhood for granted and I don't want to. I hope that I don't sound superficial when I say that I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a mother. I am so thankful for the three amazing children that I have been blessed with. I am thankful for the things they teach me every single day and for the many, many ways I have grown since becoming a mother. I'm also very thankful that I get to take this journey with Todd. He and the kids took good care of me today. I'm a happy mama.

FIVE!

Today we got to celebrate our sweet Linus. I'm so in love with him. He's passionate, loving, gentle, intelligent, kind, and damn cute. I'm so glad he's a part of our family.



After stake conference, we had an afternoon filled with opening and playing with presents. Favorites include a big tub of legos, a kid's digital camera, a gently-used cd player (from Gwendolyn), new clothes, a soccer ball, new rain boots, books, and dress-up stuff. He's in heaven. We made his requested birthday dinner: homemade pigs in blankets, steamed artichokes, salad, and, of course, picnic cake!

Easter morning

Would you believe that we took a dozen family pictures this morning and this was the best one?

The day started with a healthy breakfast followed by an egg hunt, followed by a second breakfast of chocolate and sugar. We later learned that Linus had stuffed the pockets of his church pants with candy, most of which he ate on the ride to church. After church he sneaked in his room and ate the rest of the candy in his basket. Then he had three servings of dinner.

A dialogue before we got dressed for our Easter portrait and a single session of conference at church:

Linus (modeling the shirt he found in his Easter basket, which has a shark on it): Daddy, do I look sharp?
Mama: Yes, you do look shark!
Linus: No, I said "sharp!"
Casper (modeling the shirt he found in his Easter basket, which has a jeep on it, and getting the joke better than Linus had): Do I look jeep?
Daddy: Yes, I'm afraid you do look cheap.

Second breakfast for the parents -- a poached egg with toast for dipping.

decor

Todd is always in charge of decorating eggs with the kids. Maybe because he is the artist in the family, maybe because he has more patience with that kind of thing, maybe because he actually hollows out half the eggs and does wax batiking of flowers, names, and Easter scenes. Needless to say, the kids had a ball and the eggs turned out beautifully.

31

Today is Granny and Grandad's thirty-first wedding anniversary, and the family was able to get together to celebrate. Here's to another thirty one years!

seven (!!!)

Today Gwendolyn turned seven. Seven! I really can hardly wrap my head around that. When she was born, I felt like I would be the mother of a baby forever. She is such a sweet, sensitive little thing and we love her to death. We spent the day eating her favorite foods (for breakfast, fried eggs; her first choice for dinner, salad. We'll continue with other favorites this weekend -- bean dip, pigs in blankets, and waffles), reading lots of Harry Potter, bowling (she won, by the way), and playing with her new presents. It was a fun day spent celebrating a fun little girl.

celebrations

We continued celebrating our sweet Casper today with more presents, a birthday feast prepared by Todd (corn on the cob, grilled tomatoes, zucchini and squash, salt-and-pepper shrimp, bratwurst and kielbasa), and, of course, birthday cake.
Casper's favorite gift may be this little dragon bank (which we bought for him way back while I was still pregnant). It is a slightly smaller version of Linus' dinosaur bank, Yoshi, and Gwendolyn's unicorn bank, Sparkle Horn. The big kids brought their banks out to meet the new addition and little Casper kept nodding his bank toward the other two, saying, "Hello! Hello!" They were all very pleased to get acquainted.
Casper's favorite part of the day may have been the picnic cake. While dinner was cooking he kept begging for "birthday cake" and asking me to pick him up so he could admire the cake cooling on the stove. It was (as it always is) a hit.

travelog, day 2: the wedding

The main reason for our trip to Idaho was to attend and celebrate the wedding of Todd's brother Stephen to Shawna. The wedding was perfection. It took place at a ranch just outside of Boise. The ceremony and reception were both outside on the lawn overlooking a beautiful pond. Gwennie and her cousins Zoe and Lydia were flower girls.

They were so adorable and thrilled with their duties, realizing how important it was for the bride to walk on a bed of flower petals.

And the brothers of the flower girls

The reception was just about as kid-friendly as they come with sparklers, bubbles, a bounce house and a pinata (in the form of a wedding cake topped with the bride and groom, made by the bride and groom) with great food which included hot dogs, hamburgers, cupcakes and raspberry lemonade.

Casper was an absolute junkie. He drank cup after cup of lemonade, waiting for strangers to refill his glass and then wandering around swiping neglected cupcakes off of other people's plates. Not really wedding etiquette, but it was amazing to watch him in action.

After the reception, most of the family drove to a nearby church building where Todd's brother Ian blessed his new baby son, Christian. What a blessing that we could all be there for this event, since Ian and Sarah now live in Alabama.

And some other favorite photos from the day:

Nana and Casper

The four toddlers. A re-creation of last year's "four babies" photo