Just a glimpse

While we were driving in the car a couple of days ago here is how the conversation went:

Xander: Mom, is there an orphanage in Utah? (random, I'm thinking. Just wait.)

Mom: I don't know. Maybe there is one.

Isaac: Is there a bad guy in Utah?

Xander: I think there is one in Utah.

Isaac: Who is it?
 without waiting for a response... I think it's Satan.

Xander: No, Satan lives in Heaven.

Isaac: Is it the Green Lantern?

Xander: No he's a good guy.

End of discussion.

Birds

The conversation tonight while putting on pjs went like this:
Me: "Did I ever tell you guys about the time a bird pooped on my head?"
Boys: "No." Questions ensued.....
5 year old: "What kind of bird was it?"
3 year old: Without skipping a beat, "It was a mockingjay." Matter of fact.

That's my boy! I secretly wish I could invade the theaters tomorrow and watch the movie (The Hunger Games, duh) because I am really excited to see it, but we have fun plans this weekend (love you Alisa and Mel). And I probably won't end up seeing it until it's on redbox or something, but it looks sooooo good.

Santa's Sidekick

Happy Birthday Bubba! We sure love you!

Can you believe our baby is one year old? He is a charming, easy going, easily excited little monkey. He is the most happy when Xander makes him laugh or when his daddy walks through the door after work. He crawls all over the place (even with a big cast on his leg, more on that later) and pulls himself to standing and walks around furniture. He loves to be anywhere with his brothers. He loves to eat most anything and especially things like grapes, watermelon, bananas, any fruit really, squash, tomatoes, yogurt, bread, chicken, etc. He likes cars, balls, books, blocks, swinging at the park, and riding in the stroller. He has very blue eyes and has eight teeth. Maybe his molars are working their way in? He is starting to give nice, big open mouth kisses and still loves to cuddle when he's sleepy. He smiles at strangers but prefers to be held by mom or dad. He expresses how he feels about things very strongly. If he wants something, he wants it right now! Otherwise he is content to watch what is going on. And if he's not grunting, which he often is, he's babbling or "singing" about something. He loves to dance on his own or in your arms, and enjoys the beat of music. He recently discovered he likes plunking on the piano. He's a wonderful little boy and we are go grateful to have him in our family. Big E, Little E, what begins with E? Ethan!

2 down, 2275 or so to go (and that doesn't count college, etc.)

My Most Awesome Big Kindergartner,

You are the first one to experience the first day of Kindergarten in our family and you have breezed through the first two days of this big new adventure and I'm so excited for you. When you said to me on the first day that you wished Kindergarten was all day long, I was not expecting you to say that and I was a little sad that you wanted to be away from us longer, but it just means that you are ready to be on your own and you are growing wings. Albeit tiny little nubs for wings, don't even think about trying to go anywhere just yet! There is so much in store for you and if you approach every big change in life with the excitement and maturity you have thus far you will be a happy successful kid! You were very sensitive to the fact that this is going to be different than anything else you have done and the clarity in which you expressed those concerns amazed me. You didn't want to go to bed the night before because you didn't feel ready to go to Kindergarten. I think our little chat and the blessing gave you much needed peace of mind. Some things you expressed were "If I go I'll be lonely without you there." "I don't know if I'll make any friends." "Ethan will be sad and miss me while I'm gone." "I don't know if I'll have fun." "And will we get to have activities and cut things?" Day 2: cut rocket paper with scissors, check. In your words the second day was even better than the first.

I hope you talk to the boy or girl that doesn't want to be friends with anybody or is too scared to be. I hope you are obedient to your teacher and listen to her directions. I hope you are an example to your classmates and do what you know is right. I hope you are confident in your abilities and help others as they try to catch up to you. I don't know how you did it, but teaching yourself to read has been so fun to watch. You are opening up a world of magic and wonder when you learn to read. I hope you know that if you ever have a question or concern or if something is too hard to figure out on your own that Mom and Dad are just a moment away. And if we aren't able to help you at that instant, your Father in Heaven is even closer than that, just a breath away.

You are a handsome, wonderful, intelligent, lovable, playful guy and your little brothers learn a lot from you as their Most Awesome Big Brother!

I Love You so very much!

Your Fan, (big squeeze)

Mom

Getting settled

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind, but we have arrived in Utah and are trying to get acclimated.  It still doesn't feel official as we are in temporary housing.  The closing on the house should be right around labor day!  We are very excited to have some space and our own place.  Keep your fingers crossed.  We'll post more after we get settled.

I'm fired

Yes. I'm fired. How do you forget the camera when you are going to a wedding? Or the playground? Or an Easter Egg Hunt? I wish I knew why I'm forgetting so much lately. I'm just half-brained. Argh.

So Winter is pretty much died off and Spring is poking it's little head out of the ground, but it seems a little scared to come out. We went to the zoo when Grandpa was here visiting in March and it was freezing cold, but we went anyway.

And Zach and Lauren got married in Salt Lake on April Fool's Day, not a single shot to show for that. Maybe I can convince Glenn's mom or sister to send us a few. (hint, hint)

And Easter around here was pretty low key. We went to the Easter Egg hunt at the church on Saturday. On Sunday we had a really yummy dinner - ham, potatoes, rolls, fruit, molten lava chocolate cake, etc. We had a couple of friends over to keep up from having so many leftovers share it with. It got me thinking that I really want to be more intentional in things that matter most.

We went to the temple yesterday and we discovered a fun new playground to hang out at while Glenn and I took turns at the temple. Of course being in the temple was a special experience. And was much needed for both of us. When I came out and talked to Glenn I was amazed by how much inspiration can take place in there almost the moment you walk inside the doors. It's such a hallowed, peaceful place.

These boys are little monkeys doing all kinds of goofy things these days....

He painted his face with marker, but only one side. Kind of the before/after kind of thing. I don't know how he did that without getting any on his right side. Not the best picture because I couldn't get him to hold still. :)

Yes he really fell asleep like that. Going without naps makes you really tired at the end of the day. Really really tired.

I think he was going for the yellow block and face planted. Thank goodness the ottoman was in front of the chair to catch him!

Lovely attire. He lives in his boots these days. Seriously. He's wearing them right now. In the picture those are his big brother's, but he wears his snow boots or rain boots everywhere.

And that is all for now!

Back to the land of the living

We are still alive. Here's proof:

Current obsession: How to Train Your Dragon

They fight dragons, they become the characters from the movie, mom and dad become the characters, they talk about dragons behind them while they are eating breakfast (this morning out of the 2 year old's mouth), somehow during scripture study Lehi gets burned by a dragon (again the 2 year old), every night they want to visit the dragon's nest when we tell stories at bedtime. Not to mention they want to watch the movie. A lot.  Obsessed.

On a recent Saturday we joined the throngs at one of the coolest museums in our area. They play in a restaurant, pet store, grocery store, make music, play with water, perform scientific experiments, and on and on. All day entertainment!

Who loves pizza?

 I do!

Can I just tell you generous gifters (I hope you know who you are) THANK YOU! Do you know how much I (the mom) love this carrier?  I. love. it. I love it because the baby loves it. I love it because my back loves it. And I love it because even daddy can wear it. I haven't tried the middle boy in it, but I bet he would love it too. Sorry big four-year-old...you have to walk!

Did I mention lights at the zoo in Chicago was cold?! Yeah, this wussy mom didn't take many pictures, and dad was carrying a cold kid a lot of the time, but the lights were neato and the few animals we saw were cool. We'll be going back when it's warm. Guaranteed.

 

 

And we blessed little "skinny" as my dad calls him. Just try getting three boys to look at the camera at the same time. Just try. Not going to happen. But they are still cute, aren't they?

Happy 4 months little bubba! I think you have doubled your birth weight now.

Wordless Wednesday

At long last!

Weighing in at 10lbs 2oz and 21 in long...... Ethan!  By far our biggest (Zeke 9lbs 2oz and Xander 8lbs 13oz).  He doesn't look like a newborn, doesn't fit the newborn diapers either.  Shan and Ethan are doing great, everything went well.