Merry Christmas!

This Christmas season has been extra special for us as a family as we have welcomed a new member into our family, Madelyn Pearl. She has been an absolute angel in our home and is a content baby. Clara and Owen love their “family baby” and call her “Natalyn.” Having a newborn in our home this Christmas season has reminded us of that first Christmas and the dear Baby Jesus. May His Spirit be with you this Christmas season.

More Munchkins

40 Weeks
Thursday, December 4

Madelyn Pearl
arrived Saturday, December 6, 10:28am
8 lbs 3 oz, 19 in

"With wondering awe"

Our three munchkins!

Where have we been?

Just hangin' around...

...in the kids' "jungle"...

...in an airplane...

...playing dress up as...

...Super Owen...
(complete with mask, cape, gloves, and "seat belt")

... as Shirley Temple...

...tending tomatoes...
(our gigantic tomato plant supported by 5 cages plus twine)

...catching a snooze where we can...

...at the dinner table...

...in the car...

...on the kitchen floor...

...and getting ready for the family baby...

...27 weeks...



...35 weeks

Happy Halloween!

Sizzlin' Summer

4th of July
Lil' bikers

Hiking in the canyon

Fun at the zoo

Tummy Time

One day after reading "The Little Engine that Could" Owen asked for the "baby book" that we gave to my sister who is expecting. I reminded Owen and Clara that their aunt has a baby in her tummy and so we gave it to her so she can read it to her baby.

"Mommy baby tummy?" Owen and Clara asked. Well as a matter of fact, "Yes, Mommy has a baby in her tummy too." "Clara baby tummy?" "Owen baby tummy?" "No, Mommy has the baby in her tummy because it is our family baby." We're looking forward to an early Christmas present around December 5.

Family Reunion

The highlight was "making wishes" while blowing dandelion puffs
and floating dandelion blossoms in the stream.

Clara especially liked our "hike"
and playing "we're following the leader,"
as long as she was "the leader."

Shoot the Moon

Owen and I (Daddy) were outside throwing a foam softball around. He asked me to “hit the moon.” So I threw the ball up in the air as high as I could. Completely unimpressed, he matter-of-factly said, “You missed.”

Buddies

Best Buddies

Pretty Princess

Our cub reporter

Cloning

We used to do these self portraits growing up
and they made fun Mother's Day gifts.

First watermelon of the season

Fun with cousins

Not so "Pretty in Pink"

Our bathroom remodels are complete.

(Special to Brian's parents for letting us stay in their house.)

Hall Bathroom Before




















Hall Bathroom After

Master Bathroom Before















Master Bathroom After




















Basement Bathroom Before

Basement Bathroom After

"Why" - Part II

...a week or so later...

"Owen, we need to change your poopy diaper."
After a pause and a sigh, sounding somewhat deflated
Owen responded, “Fine…fine Mommy.”

"I Wanna Know 'Y'!"

Let the ‘why’s’ begin!

“Owen, I need to change your poopy diaper.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s stinky.”

“Why?”

“Because your body breaks down your food.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the garbage of your food.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s how Heavenly Father made you.”

“Why?”

“Because He loves you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re His child.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re His Spirit child.”

“Why?”

I have a feeling this is just the beginning of the ‘why’s’ and believe that most, if not all, of life’s ‘why’s’ can be answered with our Heavenly Father’s love for us.

Our Sand People

This is not the local arcade. These 20 pinball machines were in the game room along side 2 bowling lanes in a 21,000 square foot home in the Parade of Homes we went to last week. The most ironic thing I thought about the home was that in the laundry room it had wood cut letters S-I-M-P-L-I-F-Y! Simplify?! How about downsize? Well the family that is was built for is expecting triplets. I would hate to baby proof this mega-mansion with its winding staircases, two waterfalls, and pool.

After attending the home show, we've decided to take the laundry room's
advice. We've decided that this home fits our retirement style best.

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

Birthday Bash

The "Terrific Two's" have begun.

What did Owen get for his birthday?
- a black eye (a fall against a coffee table)

What did Owen get the day after his birthday?
- his tonsils out

Elmo and Cookie monster cupcakes were a hit.
I had a blast making them too.

Tonsil and black-eye recovery
Clara was very nurturing during Owen's recovery.
We watched A LOT, and I mean A LOT of TV.

Introducing..."Snowy"

Blog Hiatus

After a long blog hiatus and begging from aunts and uncles...
WE'RE BACK!

Thanksgiving 2007

Owen became one with the sand.

Do they make "stair" bunk beds?

Our little snow bunnies first time playing in snow.

It took Owen about four times
for him to decide he liked playing in the snow.