The Center of attention--6 weeks

Baby Shower and Ballerina Buns

My sisters and I threw a baby shower for my cousin Clarissa who is ready to have her little boy any day now. It was a huge success and it was super fun to work with my mom and sisters to get ready. Thanks alot to my cousins who helped too!

This is the 'fun bun' we did in Helen's hair for ballet. It was a huge hit and she wanted it again. Helen has been in an intensive ballet program this summer and has really, really enjoyed it. With my experience in ballet, it is so fun to see her catch the bug. She is constantly stretching, kicking, jumping and twirling. Does this sound familiar at all? We enjoyed a nice end-of-summer program and it was fun to see her progress. I wish I knew how to get a video on the blog--I'll try later.

5 weeks and amazing Molly

My dad said it. The five weeks after the baby go alot faster than the five weeks before. Eds is able to focus on us now and his head is alot less wobbly. He's filling out, and at the doctor he was 10.5 pounds. I keep telling him to stay little--he is growing too quickly.

Beautiful Molly. What a sweet helper. She is always willing to hold the babe and can hardly wait for him to wake up in the morning or after a nap. Her happiness is like sunshine and she has such amazing zeal for life. I love you, Moll!

Friend Lunch

So it literally has been years since we have all gotten together, and not even all of us were there. It was awesome to see these great gals and catch up. These are some amazing, dedicated, generous and kind women. And I think we look pretty good--between all of us we have about 30 kids! Another was born a few days after this picture was taken. Go girls of '94! I am honored to know you.

The White Mountains

I celebrated the big 33 and Helen tried her hand at cake decorating. Get this, it's an ice cream cake that she baked, she made the fondant and designed the cake. I can't believe that I have a daughter old enough to do this. I sure appreciate all she is and all she does.

We then headed up to Pinetop to my parent's cabin--another bit of heaven. My sister Kaylani was up there with her kids and Matt's sister Emily had her family up there too. We just love being so close to family and our kids can't get enough of it.

Livvy and cousin Blake being silly on the swing. I don't think I have ever seen these two get tired of eachother. Molly and Laura in the hammock--this is a coveted spot. The kids wrap up in it like a cacoon and Matt pushes them so high-- I am amazed no one has fallen out!

On Sunday afternoon I walked into the family room of the cabin and found my boys just sitting there enjoying the quiet. I couldn't resist the photo-op. These are just a couple of my favorites. I love these two!

A beautiful afternoon hike--Rach found some pretty flowers by this creek. All the kids also found the creek and jumped in!

Three weeks old

One of my favorite things is when my baby falls asleep on my chest. The first shot is on Sunday morning before getting ready for church. I love the quiet sounds of his breathing and the smell of his breath. Eds' 2 big sisters Rachel and Laura absolutely adore him. They take their job as big sister quite seriously, to the point of exhaution! Boy do I feel their pain!

2 Weeks Old

What is more beautiful than a sleeping baby and the triumphant, beaming smile after pulling a tooth? There is more to the tooth story... and triumph is the right word to use, for mom and Molly. Molly is entering 2nd grade and really likes to hold on to her teeth. Her first 2 bottom teeth never wanted to come out. In fact her permanent teeth were coming in before her baby teeth came out. We affectionately called them her 'shark teeth'. When it became apparent that her primary teeth were not going to budge, Matt whipped out a little Lidocaine and syringe and numbed her lower jaw and we pulled those suckers out on 2 separate occasions. Oh the drama! Well, when this top tooth showed promise and there was no 'shark tooth' in sight, I proceeded to wiggle with vigor. And then I whipped out the 'magic tissue'--a plain kleenex that gives you great grip on those tiny teeth--and yanked until it was dangling my a thread. Molly was then able to pull it out with ease. Hooray--Triumph!