sand angels and lumberjacks

This past weekend we went camping.  Not "real" camping with tents and no running water--we had cabins and bathrooms.  The camp grounds are owned by the church and used for girl's camps, but families can use the facilities at other times.  We had a great time with 3 other families from our ward.  We climbed trees, braved the 25 ft. 2-line traverse, rappelled, and participated in other team building activities.  Everyone had a great time!  The following day we hiked around the beautiful grounds and went canoeing before heading home.  Millie thought that it was only appropriate to make a sand angel on the beach--if it works in snow, it must work in sand!  

Davis at the helm of the canoe--way to row boys!

Only thee of our five children made it in the picture--one is not paying any attention (Millie) and the other (Eli) is busy tormenting our little friend by pulling her hair.  Sorry Ana!  

Millie log dancing?

Thanks so much to our fun friends for a great weekend! Let's do it again soon!

4 down, 1 to go!

Being 3 1/2 years old and signed up for Preschool this fall, we thought it was high time for Millie to be rid of diapers. Yes, I choose my battles and she won! With a drawer FULL of princess, My Little Pony, and very pink panties, she was not going to budge! However, I was done! I bought the last box of #6 diapers (you know that is the biggest they make those things!) and told her that when the box was done, it's panty time! She went along with it. When the basket of diapers was empty, she threw a complete fit, as I expected. Stuck to my guns though (so proud). It was panties, pull ups, or a bare bum. She FINALLY gave in and chose the Cinderella panties. And it has been 2 weeks and only a few minor accidents to speak of! Woo Hoo for Millie! She had an issue with wearing pull ups at night (no surprise), so we compromised--1 week pull ups at night and if they were dry, she could try panties all night. Voila! She's a pro! So, 4 down and only 1 more to potty train! Woo Hoo for me! Oh, these monumental moments of motherhood!

growing way too fast!

Now I know that this is normal for his age (6 months old tomorrow!), but man how I wish I could slow time down just a bit!  Knowing that he is our last baby just makes me want to prolong most of these "baby stages."  Sitting is still a bit wobbly and he really is only rocking on his knees--so I still have time, but not much!  Eli continues to be so happy and content.  We love having him in our family!

What do you think--time for his big boy crib?  We just had his room painted (being as he has been in this bassinet in our CLOSET!) and working on making it cute.  He has been sleeping in his crib the last few days, and I think he really misses his tight, dark space!  He is still a great sleeper at night (10 hours or so), but his naps aren't quite as long. He'll get used to it!

Yum, toes!  Hopefully he will break this habit on his own!  I only wish that I was this flexible!

4th of July and then some ...

Yes, we really do have eyes!  Can you tell it was a bit sunny on the 4th?!  

Our holiday festivities began well before the 4th as we were lucky enough to have the Mills family visit us!  We all had a great time--watching high school volleyball, seeing Kung Fu Panda, playing the Wii, hiking to the "Y", running a 5K/10K, pedicures, eating out, BYU Alumni Center/Bean Museum, our own fireworks show in our street (you can do that here!), dodge ball/croquet match in our backyard, just spending time together!  Thank you for the visit Uncle Michael, Aunt Becky, Melanie, and Rylan!

We are so grateful to live where we do--it's not a hard place to lure our family and friends for a visit!  Thank goodness for all the family connections that bring you all here! Although we would like to think it was just because of us! But we LOVE, LOVE seeing you all!  It's been so fun to spend time with so many of our dearest family and friends--our kids are going through "extra, super-duper fun, get-away-with-not-doing-our-chores" withdrawal--it's back to the summer chore chart! So you see, we absolutely love our visitors!  Come back soon!

yummy

Could you just eat these little piggies right up or what?!

So just look at these cute, chubby, Fred Flinstone feet/legs/chin/arms/body.  Seriously, we just gnaw on them all day long!  And with those nibbles comes the giggles that are completely contagious!  Such a good-natured little boy this one is!  This past week Eli has accomplished some great "firsts."  His first tooth finally broke through and another is not far behind!  He has mastered the tummy-to-back and back-to-tummy roll.  Quite a feat!  And just look at our little genius--concentrating so hard--it's all very serious! (don't mind that the toy is holding on for dear life with masking tape!  Oh to be the 5th child!)  We are loving and enjoying Eli immensely--we just can't get enough of him!

happy birthday natalie!

Where has the time gone?! Natalie has been waiting and waiting to turn 6 . . . because on the time line of events, it's after her birthday that she goes to kindergarten! We celebrated on her very birthday, June 22nd, with a family dinner consisting of all her favorites--spaghetti, pretzel salad, and birthday buttermilk pie!

Because it is the year for a friend party, we took Natalie and 5 little buddies to Kangaroo Zoo. They jumped, bounced, and slid for 2 hours and had a blast! We hope you had a wonderful day, Punkin! We love you!

Exhaustingly Joyful

I'm a firm believer that the "terrible twos" really begin about 3 or 3 1/2 years old! And this time is not really terrible (or so I try to put this thought "out to the universe")! Rather it is exhaustingly joyful--the snuggles as we read bedtime stories, the inconsolable injuries (physical and emotional)--I truly mean inconsolable, the many creative pictures of Millie and mommy, the hours of changing Barbie and Polly clothes, the "you're the meanest mom ever" to "you're the best mommy ever" in almost the same breath, the out-of-the-blue hug and caress on the cheeks from the cutest little hands, and the list goes on!  I mean, some days I could just smother her with loves. And other days I could just put her out on the porch with a "FREE" sign hanging around her neck!  

But just look at this face--who could think such a thought!   

Just the other day, I had a neighbor stop me in the hall at church--she needed to tell me about an incident that she had with Millie recently.  I immediately began apologizing and thinking the worst.  However, she proceeded to tell me that our little Millie was an answer to her prayers.   I didn't see that coming!  Her eyes welled up with tears as she explained that she has had to face some difficult challenges lately, and through her prayers, has pleaded for extra strength.  One particular difficult morning, the doorbell rang. It was Millie with a handful of flowers (hand-picked from another neighbor's yard, of course!), and said that she brought them especially for her.  My neighbor was extremely touched and felt that little gesture from a 3-year-old to be an answer to her prayers.  

Are you SURE it was Millie?

Now, if you know Millie at all, no one can even LOOK HER WAY without a scowl and a grunt from her and often a high-pitched scream--yes, she even does this to her mother!  

After hearing that she approached a neighbor's house (whom she barely knows) and rang the doorbell all by herself, I, too, know that there was a little bit of heaven guiding her that morning to cheer up our discouraged neighbor with borrowed flowers from someone's garden! 

How I love, love, love the lessons that my little ones teach me.  And I'll take those scowls, grunts, and tantrums for those precious heaven-sent moments that reminds me what I signed up for!