The Armor of God
Southern Belles
Luckiest Girl in the World
Getting Big
All Snuggled Up
Defending the Home
This IS My Smile, Mama Mia!
Daddy's Little Girl
Happy Birthday Mommy!
Sooo Cute!
Cooling Off
Bathing BeautySoccer Practice
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Good Life
The Armor of GodSouthern BellesLuckiest Girl in the WorldGetting BigAll Snuggled UpDefending the HomeThis IS My Smile, Mama Mia!Daddy's Little GirlHappy Birthday Mommy!Sooo Cute!Cooling OffBathing Beauty
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Show and Tell
We took a road trip to Utah for Independence Day to show off Anna. The boys did pretty well on the drive except they never fell asleep so we started off a little on the cranky side but being smothered with love from a dozen relatives quickly took care of that!
The first stop was Granny and Pepaw's house. The boys didn't want to leave. They talked about them for months last time we visited and it looks as if they will again. Here's Anna Ruth with her great grandma Ruth!
The love is palpable.
The boys tanked up on about three cups of chocolate milk each!
We sure wish we lived closer.
My managed to visit with my cousins for a couple of hours. We grew up together as they let me be another sister half of our childhood. They are both gorgeous, talented women who I love!
We took the boys down to Provo to see BYU campus. I wanted to take them to the bookstore and get some little football shirts or something but it was closed. It was Saturday the 3rd and they were preparing for the Stadium of Fire fireworks event that night. We did get to go into the building where Josh and I first met. I nursed Anna on a bench outside while Josh took the boys into the Eyring Science Center to see the dinosaur bones and models of the planets. They were in heaven. We walked down Maser hill to eat at Brick Oven but the wait was over an hour so we ordered a pizza, salad, and root beers to go and ate them picnic style on Maser Hill. Michael says he wants to go the "Blue School" and play football someday. He kept looking at the mountains and laid on his back staring at the blue sky. He said he never wants the sky to die because it is so beautiful. By the way, Sam wants to go to the "Red School," the University of Utah where Josh went. Maybe the boys will face off in football some day!
Josh said he fell in love again with another beautiful lady on campus this trip, Anna!
Next stop was Grandma Anna and Grandpa Gail. The boys played in that cardboard box for hours while Grandpa grilled up some hamburgers. We went to church with Grandma and she was tickled to death to introduce baby Georgianna to her friends.
That looks like a lot of kids!
We stayed with Becky and Brent who graciously let us stay in their basement while they had other company and got ready for their own vacation.
The batman costume was a highlight of their house. Sam wore it during the day and when he went to sleep . . . Michael wore it! He said he could get all of the bad guys in his dark bedroom when he was wearing the batman costume. Indeed, he slept very soundly that night! Maybe I should get him some Batman pj's! He snuck upstairs to show off the costume and have some cherries and a glass of milk. Who doesn't love staying with family!
We saw Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jim. The boys love her warm smile and the monster trucks she had for them kept them busy on the ride home!
We had some down time between visits and drove up to the bop of the point of the mountain. We saw Utah county to the south and Salt Lake county to the north. We also saw four-foot tall reflective posts on the fire hydrants. I guess the snow can get that deep up there. I would be afraid my house would just blow right off the top of the mountain, but it was a gorgeous view!
We called our friends from Virginia who have a new baby of their own and went to Cafe Rio for dinner so I could try out the famed pork salad. It was enormous and delicious! We miss them!
On the way home we stopped at the base of the Sierra mountains so I could nurse Anna. It was raining a little and Josh took the boys out to look at the Truckee River. They had the adventure of their lives looking up the canyon and down at the river.
Everywhere we went the boys didn't want to leave. They have never felt so much love! I enjoyed watching them feel at home in strangers' homes because they were loved members of the family and they could feel that they belonged. I want them to hold onto that. They are part of something much bigger than our little family. They are loved by so many and we are so grateful for that!
Now, here's the latest excitement around here: Happy Talk!
The first stop was Granny and Pepaw's house. The boys didn't want to leave. They talked about them for months last time we visited and it looks as if they will again. Here's Anna Ruth with her great grandma Ruth!
The love is palpable.
The boys tanked up on about three cups of chocolate milk each!
We sure wish we lived closer.
My managed to visit with my cousins for a couple of hours. We grew up together as they let me be another sister half of our childhood. They are both gorgeous, talented women who I love!
We took the boys down to Provo to see BYU campus. I wanted to take them to the bookstore and get some little football shirts or something but it was closed. It was Saturday the 3rd and they were preparing for the Stadium of Fire fireworks event that night. We did get to go into the building where Josh and I first met. I nursed Anna on a bench outside while Josh took the boys into the Eyring Science Center to see the dinosaur bones and models of the planets. They were in heaven. We walked down Maser hill to eat at Brick Oven but the wait was over an hour so we ordered a pizza, salad, and root beers to go and ate them picnic style on Maser Hill. Michael says he wants to go the "Blue School" and play football someday. He kept looking at the mountains and laid on his back staring at the blue sky. He said he never wants the sky to die because it is so beautiful. By the way, Sam wants to go to the "Red School," the University of Utah where Josh went. Maybe the boys will face off in football some day!
Josh said he fell in love again with another beautiful lady on campus this trip, Anna!
Next stop was Grandma Anna and Grandpa Gail. The boys played in that cardboard box for hours while Grandpa grilled up some hamburgers. We went to church with Grandma and she was tickled to death to introduce baby Georgianna to her friends.
That looks like a lot of kids! 
We stayed with Becky and Brent who graciously let us stay in their basement while they had other company and got ready for their own vacation. 
The batman costume was a highlight of their house. Sam wore it during the day and when he went to sleep . . . Michael wore it! He said he could get all of the bad guys in his dark bedroom when he was wearing the batman costume. Indeed, he slept very soundly that night! Maybe I should get him some Batman pj's! He snuck upstairs to show off the costume and have some cherries and a glass of milk. Who doesn't love staying with family!
We saw Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jim. The boys love her warm smile and the monster trucks she had for them kept them busy on the ride home!
We had some down time between visits and drove up to the bop of the point of the mountain. We saw Utah county to the south and Salt Lake county to the north. We also saw four-foot tall reflective posts on the fire hydrants. I guess the snow can get that deep up there. I would be afraid my house would just blow right off the top of the mountain, but it was a gorgeous view!
We called our friends from Virginia who have a new baby of their own and went to Cafe Rio for dinner so I could try out the famed pork salad. It was enormous and delicious! We miss them!
On the way home we stopped at the base of the Sierra mountains so I could nurse Anna. It was raining a little and Josh took the boys out to look at the Truckee River. They had the adventure of their lives looking up the canyon and down at the river. Everywhere we went the boys didn't want to leave. They have never felt so much love! I enjoyed watching them feel at home in strangers' homes because they were loved members of the family and they could feel that they belonged. I want them to hold onto that. They are part of something much bigger than our little family. They are loved by so many and we are so grateful for that!
Now, here's the latest excitement around here: Happy Talk!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Close Ups
I've been determined to get us out of the house and having fun in the sun so we went out last Monday to Fairytale town and the boys had their first sno cones. We've been to our friend's pool a lot but Michael has an ear infection and I am feeling like something's coming, something with a fever and joint pain. I have decided that maybe I'll stop getting sick once I learn not to get so mad about it. I think I actually get to spend more time with the boys when we're out of the house. They have fun and don't even realize I'm feeding the baby, then when she's asleep they can still be loud and run around, two no-no's in the house. 
I put Anna in this cute dress and had a photo shoot. She is getting so big and is so happy! She's always smiling and gets excited when the boys come up to talk to her. She's going to be so lucky to have these sweet big brothers!
And for fun, here's Sam loading a book into his backpack. It's Bill O'Rielly. He pulled it off the shelf himself. I guess FOX has a future audience.
Here's Michael and Dad in the "library." The boys love taking books off of the shelf and are learning the letter sounds. This is Michael's favorite letter book. It shows the history of how our letters got their current shapes.
Off to take a load off my feet!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
This Is My Idea of Fun!
Anyone familiar with the cartoon movie "The Swan Princess?" Sam is in love with it. We've watched every day for a week. Prince Derick sports a bow and arrow and defeats the evil Rothbart to free Princess Odette from the spell keeping her a swan by day, human by night. Basically "Swan Lake" for kids. There's this great song at the beginning which illustrates the developing relationship of the young prince and princess as their arranged marriage approaches. They go back and forth between "this is my idea of fun" and "this isn't my idea of fun." It's been stuck in my head all week so that's what this post is about.
THIS is my idea of fun. Breath of heaven. Pure, angelic, joyful, warm, easy to put to sleep fun!
Three freshly bathed kids and an involved husband at bedtime.
First time on the kiddie rides. (They were actually too scared to really go up in it!)
Michael braved the flying fish alone.
Together on the kiddie train. Note Sam's D.I. bike helmet he wears every where! People ask me if there's a "special" reason he's wearing it. Well, it's his armor, of course! Every knight needs a helmet!
Climbing over the fence at the San Francisco zoo. Good thing it was the penguins instead of the lions!
Anna's first trip to the ocean at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
Picnic at the overlook at Muir Beach. I took one look and told Josh I am sold on California. That is really saying something but it's true. If you want to see me, come visit. I am staying.
My first time seeing ocean cliffs in person. Breathtaking!
I want to go back tomorrow and feel the breeze!
I asked Sam what he thought was on the freighter heading into San Francisco Bay. Pirates.
First trip to see giant Redwoods.
The boys made Josh tell them all about how the Ewok scenes of Return *of the Jedi were filmed in the Redwood forest.
Someone passed us with our two strollers and said not quietly enough that we had a lot of children. I guess three in strollers is a lot. It feels like a lot.
Michael. He got my glasses out of the van but the expression on his face is hilarious. Post your guesses as to what is he thinking?
Now for "This Isn't My Idea of Fun." I was thinking of the following post titles tonight before I decided to go positive on all of the great ways Josh has been getting me out of the house since I can finally walk further than 20 feet without having a contraction!
THIS is my idea of fun. Breath of heaven. Pure, angelic, joyful, warm, easy to put to sleep fun!
Three freshly bathed kids and an involved husband at bedtime.
First time on the kiddie rides. (They were actually too scared to really go up in it!)
Michael braved the flying fish alone.
Together on the kiddie train. Note Sam's D.I. bike helmet he wears every where! People ask me if there's a "special" reason he's wearing it. Well, it's his armor, of course! Every knight needs a helmet!
Climbing over the fence at the San Francisco zoo. Good thing it was the penguins instead of the lions!
Anna's first trip to the ocean at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
Picnic at the overlook at Muir Beach. I took one look and told Josh I am sold on California. That is really saying something but it's true. If you want to see me, come visit. I am staying.
My first time seeing ocean cliffs in person. Breathtaking!
I want to go back tomorrow and feel the breeze!
I asked Sam what he thought was on the freighter heading into San Francisco Bay. Pirates.
First trip to see giant Redwoods.
The boys made Josh tell them all about how the Ewok scenes of Return *of the Jedi were filmed in the Redwood forest.
Someone passed us with our two strollers and said not quietly enough that we had a lot of children. I guess three in strollers is a lot. It feels like a lot.
Michael. He got my glasses out of the van but the expression on his face is hilarious. Post your guesses as to what is he thinking?
Now for "This Isn't My Idea of Fun." I was thinking of the following post titles tonight before I decided to go positive on all of the great ways Josh has been getting me out of the house since I can finally walk further than 20 feet without having a contraction!
- Defining "Easily" in "Charity is not easily provoked."
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Four Airplanes and A Wedding
We went to Washington, DC for Josh's brother's wedding and I didn't have my camera with me at the temple! I came home with a lot of pictures of my kids but none of the bride and groom. Josh has some on his phone but I can't post those. Whoops! I recommend every new mom taking a trip. I came home with a marker between the early postpartum days and the rest of my life. Ah, here we go three kids!
We got up at 4am to make our first flight. I had slept three hours and had mastitis, again. Rough start. Anna slept the entire way except when she ate. The boys were very excited to be on a plane and watched a lot of movies on the laptop. We flew to Seattle, then into Baltimore. We were so lucky to stay with my sister and her family at their house. I would not have done the trip if we had to stay in a hotel the whole time.
We went up to Philadelphia for the reception, stayed in a hotel that night, and blessed Anna at the ward Josh grew up in the next morning.
Our Georgianna is named after her great grandmother who was there. It was perfect. Grandma Anna, as we have started calling her, is a wonderful example of faith, endurance, and charity. We love her with all our hearts and are so thrilled our daughter is here at last to share her name. She gave the baby a ring she was wearing when she prayed to know more about her Heavenly Father and found the Church. Anna wore this ring on a chain as a necklace along with the blessing dress my mother made by hand when my oldest sister was blessed. We were so happy to be there with all of the family in town for the wedding and my sister Debbie with her boys, Matt and Jacob, and daughter Lydia who drove up from Maryland to be at church that morning.
Anna reached six weeks while we stayed at Debbie's house. The boys played pirates and knights all day long with dress up costumes and props galore from the basement. Their cousins were very patient play mates, or should I say "Mateys!" Arrrgh!
The exhaustion caught up with us and Michael spent one day sick in bed after throwing up his breakfast all over himself. He obediently stayed in bed, sleeping a five hour stretch and being very sweet. Debbie went out to Radio Shack, twice, in the rain, with a terrible sinus headache, to get a new power cord for a little t.v. so he could watch Peter Pan in bed. Bless her!
Sam didn't like being without Michael at first, but quickly learned how fun it is to have playmate all to yourself. We were exhausted zombies the entire time we were there, but we managed to visit in between meals and feedings and felt so at home. We were all sad to leave!
We did spend one afternoon visiting friends in Virginia. Here the boys are with our good friends from our old ward. When we left their little son my boys' age said, "Bye! See you next week!" It was so sad. I wish we could see them every week! They love him and his older brothers doing boy things together like sword fighting and climbing trees.
We flew home late at night with a plane change in San Diego. Sam left his bear "Moe" in the airport but our flight attendant raced back into the terminal and rescued him, from two gates down, for the flight! Thank you!!! We went to bed at 3am eastern time that night and are still a little off from the sleep situation, but we have a newborn too, so who knows what time it is anyway!
Back at home, summer has finally come. It has been cold (50's) and rainy and miserable. We bought some flip flops which Michael especially loves because he can put them on himself. I love that too! Hurray for more independence! He's also stopped having potty accidents, at least "#1" since we've been home.
The boys love Anna. They wonder why she cries and drive me insane while I'm nursing her jumping on the couch, pawing at her and screaming at the top of their lungs, or, if I manage to "banish" them as Michael puts it, they make huge messes on purpose. The only thing that works is t.v. which we have been trying to use less and less. They really do love her though and talk about teaching her to talk and play. Michael says when she grows up he will marry her. I think that is true love right there. And really, who could resist those cheeks!
We got up at 4am to make our first flight. I had slept three hours and had mastitis, again. Rough start. Anna slept the entire way except when she ate. The boys were very excited to be on a plane and watched a lot of movies on the laptop. We flew to Seattle, then into Baltimore. We were so lucky to stay with my sister and her family at their house. I would not have done the trip if we had to stay in a hotel the whole time.
We went up to Philadelphia for the reception, stayed in a hotel that night, and blessed Anna at the ward Josh grew up in the next morning.
Our Georgianna is named after her great grandmother who was there. It was perfect. Grandma Anna, as we have started calling her, is a wonderful example of faith, endurance, and charity. We love her with all our hearts and are so thrilled our daughter is here at last to share her name. She gave the baby a ring she was wearing when she prayed to know more about her Heavenly Father and found the Church. Anna wore this ring on a chain as a necklace along with the blessing dress my mother made by hand when my oldest sister was blessed. We were so happy to be there with all of the family in town for the wedding and my sister Debbie with her boys, Matt and Jacob, and daughter Lydia who drove up from Maryland to be at church that morning.
Anna reached six weeks while we stayed at Debbie's house. The boys played pirates and knights all day long with dress up costumes and props galore from the basement. Their cousins were very patient play mates, or should I say "Mateys!" Arrrgh!
The exhaustion caught up with us and Michael spent one day sick in bed after throwing up his breakfast all over himself. He obediently stayed in bed, sleeping a five hour stretch and being very sweet. Debbie went out to Radio Shack, twice, in the rain, with a terrible sinus headache, to get a new power cord for a little t.v. so he could watch Peter Pan in bed. Bless her!
Sam didn't like being without Michael at first, but quickly learned how fun it is to have playmate all to yourself. We were exhausted zombies the entire time we were there, but we managed to visit in between meals and feedings and felt so at home. We were all sad to leave!
We did spend one afternoon visiting friends in Virginia. Here the boys are with our good friends from our old ward. When we left their little son my boys' age said, "Bye! See you next week!" It was so sad. I wish we could see them every week! They love him and his older brothers doing boy things together like sword fighting and climbing trees.
We flew home late at night with a plane change in San Diego. Sam left his bear "Moe" in the airport but our flight attendant raced back into the terminal and rescued him, from two gates down, for the flight! Thank you!!! We went to bed at 3am eastern time that night and are still a little off from the sleep situation, but we have a newborn too, so who knows what time it is anyway!
Back at home, summer has finally come. It has been cold (50's) and rainy and miserable. We bought some flip flops which Michael especially loves because he can put them on himself. I love that too! Hurray for more independence! He's also stopped having potty accidents, at least "#1" since we've been home. 
The boys love Anna. They wonder why she cries and drive me insane while I'm nursing her jumping on the couch, pawing at her and screaming at the top of their lungs, or, if I manage to "banish" them as Michael puts it, they make huge messes on purpose. The only thing that works is t.v. which we have been trying to use less and less. They really do love her though and talk about teaching her to talk and play. Michael says when she grows up he will marry her. I think that is true love right there. And really, who could resist those cheeks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)