4 month shots

so her Texas cousins can get their Clara fix.

She misses you too.

We used to know a family who had several teenage boys. When the fighting got out of hand the punishment was that they had had to sit on a bench in front of the house holding hands. We
thought that was the best idea and mentally filed it away because we knew it would come in handy someday. Yesterday, Carson's pestering and followed by Baden's screaming brought to memory that punishment for fighting. Since we don't have a bench, I decided to kick it up a notch and have them walk down the street and back holding hands.


Haven't had to break up a fight since.

I love being a mom.

treasures

Water balloons, rocks and smarties wrappers. A sampling of the surprises that come with doing laundry around here.

Clara's first swim

she liked it.

Priest Lake 2009

(click to enlarge)

Next year's reunion can't come soon enough.
We had fun, fun, fun! Despite the cooler temps.

We've been back for awhile, but loads of laundry, yard work, tomatoes, catching stupid mice (AHHHHHH!), and everything else have kept us busy. Why is coming back to reality is so hard? My kids don't know what to do with themselves. Bored out of their minds. Maybe it's time for school to start.

before every family trip the car MUST be cleaned out

you know . . . to make room for the new crumbs as well as all the sand and pine needles we will bring home with us

It really stinks when the forecast for your yearly vacation to the lake looks like this:Stinks big time.

Clara @ 3 months

Where has the time gone?

Reunion

Yesterday we had a big family reunion. Those unable to attend were missed. See you next year!

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the belly flop competition.
Or the doggie paddle relay. (participants ages 7-50+ !)
I don’t even have a picture of my cute cousins who held and played with my girls, so I didn’t have to. I’ll return the favor in a couple of years.

But, I did get a picture of this. An aunt and uncle pyramid with Grandma in the front. You can see why we have so much fun together.
And this picture of my cheeky baby.

How about this one of my kids lip syncin’ and air guitarin’ it to Barbara Ann? Some like to perform more than others. . . Our family was embarassingly “out-talented” in the Family Talent Show.

3 observations

1.
apparently, finally, having your own room isn't all it's cracked up to be

2.
lounging in a bathing suit on the rocks is only comfortable when you're two


3.
the mother of this darling baby is

definitely not losing weight as fast as she is gaining

I look out the window and what do I see?

Oh, that would be my boys taking turns sitting in a dirty old bucket filled with water.

And to think I'd contemplated purchasing one of those big fancy schmancy water slides.

Sometimes I forget they can be so easily (and cheaply) entertained.

When she's not eating yogurt with her sunglasses upside down,
she's waking up her baby sister or begging for some ice cream.
Either one is a pretty safe bet.

Things that made my day (yesterday)

With Chandler being in school all day I think I've been missing out on some of the humor he has to offer. So summer has reminded me of how funny he can be. Well, at least to his mother. Here is a sampling of things he said today that made today so worth it.

When I saw that Michael Jackson died, I told the kids and Chandler said, "I can't believe Michael Jackson died! He's was like my favorite singer. At least the Beach Boys are still alive."

Somehow Chandler "accidentally" pushed Baden off his bed and so Baden was hurt. Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of the teeth. I was feeding Clara so I couldn't help Baden out, so I told Chandler that I wanted him to console Baden. He kept refusing to do it and finally I ask why he won't obey me and he starts crying and in-between sobs says, "Because I'm a man! And men don't do those sorts of things." (it was really funny and I lost all sensitivity and started laughing, but really I'm gonna bust the chops of the macho man who is feeding him such lies. And I know it's not Brian.)

I was trying to pull a fast one on them tonight and skip reading scriptures, but Carson set me straight so I repented and summarized the story of Abraham and Isaac. When I finished Chandler said, "Mom, don't you read the Bible? That is not how it ended." Then he proceeds to tell about the sheep in the thorny bush etc... Then he asks me if I need to borrow his Bible stories. I've been sufficiently humbled.

Stop the clock!

My babe is 2 months old.

Growing, growing, growing!

We love her overpowering cheeks and her serious nature (she's got some Lybbert genes).One thing we know for certain. It is virtually impossible for a baby to get too much lovin'.

She's a keeper, that's for sure.

My saving grace

I'll be flying solo for half the week so my cousin, Katie Sue, has come to the rescue. She arrived yesterday and I don't think she's left Kate's side since she got here. She even slept on the floor by her crib! It's got me thinking that adopting an 11 year old might be a brilliant idea.

Wednesday Letters

I love reading the weekly emails from my brother Andrew who is on a mission. But, I have to say the one he sent today is my favorite. He's right. It's all about obedience and sacrifice. Good lessons to remember.

FUN

Napoleon style

Thanks for the Costco tip, Debie!

Last Day of School

Some of us are more excited than others.
I'll let you guess who's who.


Chandler 2nd grade Carson Kindergarten

I have approximately 67 hours to figure out how exactly I will keep myself these bundles of energy busy all SUMMER LONG!

Care to share what you will be doing to keep your children entertained?
I'd love some ideas...

So happy to have her around.