Christmas is coming!

Leah was snow in her Christmas program....she's the one in white in the middle.

Isaac's second orchestra concert...but the first one we saw him in.  The one a few months ago started at 6:45, not 7... sooooo disappointed that night!  But this one was so fun!  We've heard him practice the same three songs now since August (one day I caught him playing in a semi-supine position on the chaise with his eyes closed...like he was really feeling it)  and as soon as we heard them start one song we've heard an upwards of ten thousand times, Benjamin and I looked at each other and smiled like we were coming home. No words needed.  Here he is with Mr. Grimm. Oh, and afterwards he came home and got chili all over his new tuxedo shirt even though I told him to take it off first.  Someday I'm going to miss having toothpaste all over the counter and Oxyclean and jello pools in the drawer a week after Isaac makes his creations.
At the bottom is his latest.  He made it on a sunday morning.  When in was time to take the glass in the middle out it was like the sword in the stone; when it finally came out what a noise it made!

The last few weeks have been busy with so many things we had to wait nearly a week after getting our tree to finally all be home at the same time to decorate it.  And it's really still not done.  It's been torture for Elizabeth but it helps that she has lots of play dates during the week.  Good for her and good for me!  I've been having some tough days lately but what always makes me feel better is spending time with Elizabeth.  We try to do a bit of school every day: singing, reading, practice writing, etc.  We had a picnic on the floor the other day for part of school and it was destroyed by Daniel.  He crunched up all the food and pulled hair and messed up the blanket that Elizabeth worked so hard to get flat.  Elizabeth says "ow, ow, ow!" when he gets her hair and in the same breath says," it's ok, Daniel, you didn't mean to."  Can't tell you how many times a day I hear versions of that.  Her goodness and kindness to him and me inspires me to be better and makes me know God must love me because He sent her to me.  

After some wildfires here in Texas a month or so ago I had what I thought to be an effective dialogue with Benjamin about sacrificing for others. I was organizing some clothes and other items in the back of the van to be dropped off for some of those families in need. By the look on his face it clicked. He ran inside as I waited in anticipation of him bringing out his Star Wars Legos or maybe some of his new school clothes. But then he ran back outside with these:

Isaac's 12!!!!

He wanted to use the whole pack of candles on his cake, so each one represented .5 year. And no, he did not make/frost his cake. That was me. I do think it's his finger that swiped through the frosting, though.

He wanted money only, but we got him a few gifts to open, too.

Leah bought him some mechanical pencils and a magic trick, Benjamin bought him a magic trick, Elizabeth bought him a package of foam animals that grow in water and he got a 600 piece map puzzle that we finished over conference weekend. Still missing Uruguay.

You're looking at the greatest thing since sliced bread: sliced Snickers. It's what he chose for his all-you-can-eat birthday treat.

I love this picture because he looks happy.

We love you, Isaac!

Oh, what do you do in the afternoons...

I love it when the kids get home, the bulk of our work gets done and we can just hang out waiting for Paul. The kids have taken up four-square since they play it in PE at school. Or in this case, three-square.

Daniel HAS to have a respite from looking at the four same walls all day. He enjoys watching the ball and cars go by. Or the occasional dog.

Elizabeth comes out with her Hello Kitty umbrella, pink polka-dot scarf and practices riding to the stop sign and back.

My little kitchen helper tries getting the peels off while leaving more than just the yolk. I love watching her slam the egg over and over again against the counter.

She enjoys the fruits of her labors.

So does she. (The one that got away.)

Isaac gets to wash the blueberry stains off the ceiling from the smoothie he made. When I told him things like: don't put your hand in the blender' and 'keep the lid on the whole time the blender's on' he brushed me off and said (and I quote verbatim) "I'm not an idiot, Mom!"

Continuation of an Eternal Friendship

As I browse through some of the pictures since Daniel was born I am filled with gratitude and love for my Elizabeth. If only every little brother had a big sister like her to greet him after leaving heaven. She was about four and a half when he was born and being the "baby" was the only thing she knew. Like most parents we talked about how hard the transition might be for her and how to prepare her and help her over certain jealousy. But our concerns have been unfounded and she has filled the role of big sister like it's what she was born to do. Only once during the last six months have I've heard her comment with a possible hint of jealously was when she needed me right away and said, "you have to feed him again?!?'' One day when I hopped in the shower I came out to find her soothing him by singing a song, giving him multiple toys and trying to hold a pacifier in his mouth...simultaneously. She makes up songs about how he is the cutest baby EVER asks to get in the playpen with him. She picks out his outfits gets nose-to-nose with him to tell him how much she loves him. Now that he crawls she tries to keep him on the rugs and station pillows around him in case he falls. Watching them together makes me wonder about their relationship before they each left Heavenly Father.

Family Pic

Thanks to Paul's mom we had family pictures taken as part of the reunion.  This is the best one of our immediate family.  Guess their smiles were all used up in the extended family pictures.  It's hard to tell, though, since I can't get the picture any bigger.  I guess it's a copyright thing?

We moved in April and one of the constant questions we got as we looked for a house was, "Can I have my own room?" We didn't see a six bedroom house is our future, though. When we got here we let Isaac, Leah and Benjamin each have a room upstairs (until further notice) and we talked up the space under the stairs so Elizabeth would want it. After tucking everyone in their own rooms at bedtime, this is what I find when I go upstairs at night to turn off the lights and give everyone one last smooch.

Daniel wasn't colicky, but boy howdy does he like to be held. If I must put him down, this buys me about ten minutes of quiet.

He loves him some Hap Palmer on You Tube!  He looks so serious, no?

For Paul's date with Leah they went biking..finally cool enough to go! After many forcasts of rain and then NONE, we actually got some! They came home soaked and refreshed. Afterwards I went out with Benjamin and Isaac. We were headed to the Big Hill (which the kids will go down over and over again) when Isaac skid to a stop upon spotting a snake on the path. We didn't recognize the type but have been warned about the venomous ones in the area and high tailed it home. More wildlife on the way....we saw about six deer cross the path after staring at us (some with antlers), run through a clump of trees and then cross the path again.  It's such fun for me to get out and do something active with the boys. 

To Benjamin holding and kissing the babe before and after anything is a must. Now he also like feeding him.

Daniel can't wait for the next bite!

Cleaning crew: Tuttie Frutti

Fat and Happy!

Moab

Four of the kids are down there somewhere.

There were tons of lots foreigners there. Paul always loves finding people to speak French with.

Paul studying his new geology book of Moab. He usually drove on the trip, but I drove around Moab so he could point teach the kids about the scenery and point things out.

Happy to be in Dad's arms and NOT in the carseat!

After our walk to see Delicate Arch. Benjamin ran up, down and around the whole time. I think he was just as happy to be out of his seat as Daniel.

We weren't planning on going to Moab on our way to the reunion, but Daniel and a tire blow-out changed our plans. Instead of taking two days to get to Utah, we took three. By the afternoon of each day the Daniel would not stop screaming to get out. If we put the DVD on his lap with Finding Nemo on, it would buy us about ten minutes of time.

They woke up about 5:30 and were sooo chatty! I tried to sleep until 6, then finally got up to make the waffles I promised.

Isaac's bus (middle school!!) come before 7am. Leah and Benjamin and I hopped in the car to see him actually get on the bus down the street. We tried to keep our distance to remain stealth.

We waited and waited for Leah and Benjamin's 7:37 bus and at about 7:36 Benjamin realized he forgot his lunch. He was the only guy running to catch the bus on the first day.

Leah's last year of elementary school. With dangly earring and all. Boooo!

Daniel thinking about his next meal of mixed cereal. He loves that stuff.