All I want for Christmas...

Isaac holding the 2nd front tooth.

Isaac is so cute!

I pulled out Isaac's two front teeth. I didn't know I had it in me. They just were at the point they needed to come out.

Bridie's new do

The back

New "bangs"

She is so proud of herself.

The sink full os hair that tipped me off.

Guess who got a hold of the scissors today while I tried to get a nap? Matthew was "babysitting". I can't believe she did this. The girls are scheduled for pictures next Wednesday. Do you think her hair will grow out by then? And I didn't even get a good nap, it might have been worth it if I had gotten a really good nap.

Pioneer Trek

James and his friend John at the pick up.

James listening to final remarks.

James.

James at the drop off.

James in his pioneer clothes.

James is such a good kid.

James' stuff is in the burlap bag.

James left to go on Pioneer Trek. Man, I miss that kid when he is gone. He's going to have a great time.

To the best dad at our house

Isaac, Adaline, Bridie, and Jacob

I bought some candy bars and the kids did a really great candy bar poster. I also had a picture framed for him. We have a wonderful dad.

dressing in layers

Bridie has begun dressing in layers. Yesterday she had on 3 tutu's, 1 leotard, and 2 shirts. Then we went to the bean museum. It wasn't a problem until she had to use the bathroom and the leotard was the first layer. We had to unstrip all her clothes for her to go. I stood there holding aa pile of clothes. Then I had to re-dress her. For bed she had even more layers on. And then she wet the bed. Sometimes I wish I could climb into some of my kids minds and see what they are thinking. Why does she want to wear all those clothes? My best guess is that it has to do with being a ballerina princess.

Parade of homes

Adaline is such a good sister, she deserves some one on one time.

Last night Adaline and I went to the parade of homes. It is so fun to take Adaline because she is such a creative person. We both love to look at other people's creations. The dreams, thought, planning, and action that goes into one of theses houses is something I have great respect for. Saturday night I dragged Gordon to two houses in Provo. Because he was fasting (food was out) and he couldn't think of something else to do we went to the Parade of homes. When James heard what we were doing he said "So Dad is going to be tortured and starved." That pretty much sums it up. We went to a house that evening that I want to take Adaline to. Not that it was the best house I've seen, in fact I would never want to live in it, but it is different. Modern Industrial was the style. No carpet in the house. Lots of wood and steel and glass. I would not call it beautiful, but some would and that is what I want to teach her. Just because things are one way doesn't mean that another way isn't just as right or good, just different. I think that is what I love about the Parade. Different people, different dreams. And that is why I wouldn't think of missing it.

It's ugly

The above ground pool. It's ugly, but the kids love it and they spend hours in it.

Bridie and Adaline

Matthew

Isaac

Jasmine, our new dog.

I LOVE having my kids home. We have settled into a really great summer routine. Get the kids up at 9. Jobs and practicing until 10. Swim team for Matthew, Adaline and Isaac until 11:30. They ride bikes- it's so nice! Come home have lunch and then they're off to play. It's going to be a great summer!

Eleanor's baby blessing

Bridie, Eleanor and Adaline I made matching bracelets made for them before Eleanor was born.

Eleanor in her blessing dress.

Eleanor

Eleanor

Gordon, Laura, and Eleanor.

Opa, Grandma and Eleanor

Bill, Marlene, and Eleanor.

Terry, Gordon, Eleanor, Bill, Ben, Paul

Julia's family, Bill and Marlene, Athena and Ben, Paul and Rita.

Gordon and bridget and Eleanor.

We had a great blessing day. Loved ones were in the circle. Later in the day we had dessert at my mom's. Homemade ice cream and brownies. A perfect day. We are so happy to have her in our family.

Physicals

Eleanor and her fair skin. She had her first exposure to the sun and got a blister on her cheek.

This week all of my kids except Jacob and Bridie had physicals. James and Matthew had scout physicals. Adaline and Isaac just had routine physicals (just making sure height, weight and eyes are ok). Eleanor had her 4 month physical and shots. The funny thing is that they were seen by 3 different doctors. My babies are seen by a high school friend who is now a pediatrician. The other kids were seen by 2 of Gordon's partners. I would have all my kids seen by his partners but I really like Joe.