A Slower Pace

Today was a quiet day. We woke up slowly, hung out in our jammies for a while, and then got the kids excited to meet their Grampa Ken. We got a call earlier in the week from Mike's Dad who is in town and wanted to stop by for a visit. We were pretty excited because we hadn't seen him since our wedding five years ago due to travel distance. It was good to reunite. We are having them over for dinner tomorrow night where we will be snapping more pictures. It was cute watching Hyrum wave through the window when they pulled up.

While Daddy and Hyrum snoozed after lunch we went to get the mail. Camilla was pretty excited to ride her bike down the block and even gave her little brother a ride when my arms got tired. We took our time and went slow. It's fun that we have to go get the mail at the end of the block, but it probably won't be so much fun in the cold of Winter. When we got back to the house we hung out on the front lawn, and pet the neighbors cat. Camilla biked up and down the street to her hearts content, from the black box to the yellow fire hydrant.

There was also some riding in the backyard in the late afternoon. I'm pretty sure Hyrum would sleep in his bike helmet given the chance. He always puts it on backwards, it's the cool thing to do these days. He cracked me up and I couldn't help but snap a picture.

After a quick trip to Wal-Mart for some odds and ends, we surprised the children with dinner at the golden arches and then came home. We had lots of time to kill before bed time, so I filled up the big soaker tub and let Camilla and Hyrum go for a nice long bath. We did scriptures and prayer and then red stories to each of them in their room while Joe played around. Once they were tucked in tight, I treated Joe to his own bath. He was so excited he couldn't contain himself and giggled up a storm as he splashed, crawled and slid around the tub. His hair kind of does a natural mohawk, so after I had lotioned him up, I brushed it with a comb.

I could pretty much kiss those cheeks all day and his baby blues are to die for. He is looking so grown up and loving his newfound ability to get around. Mostly, he just practices his yoga moves right now, but everyone's gotta start somewhere!

And, kind of random, but we finished my gallery wall the other day. Here's a very bright picture of it thanks to the awesome glare from the front window, but you get the idea. Things are coming together and it's great to have pictures on the walls!



Some Happenings

Summer is flying by way too fast! I can't believe it's already mid July. I have been eyeing up the bright canola fields and looking forward to our yearly family pictures for a while. The kids have been busy playing in the backyard and enjoying the space in the basement. We've had all kinds of people in and out this week and still more to come. I love having a home and space for people to come and visit.

Joseph has been concentrating really hard on learning to crawl and almost has it down. He's super good at going backwards or switching from his bum to his tummy to get places. Last night he made a complete circle around the living room while Mike and I watched a movie. When he's upstairs on the hard floor he usually just slides to his destinations.

We've been doing lots of baking! On this particular day the tub of flour slipped out of my hands. Camilla enjoyed making footprints all over the kitchen. One of those funny moments to be remembered I guess.

Joe loves crawling on the carpet much better. We need to dig out the baby gate right away because he is pretty well on the move! He kept me company while I vacuumed and cleaned upstairs the other day. He's such a happy boy!

 

Welcome Home

Today my little missionary brother came home from his two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He has spent the last two years in Chile. It was so great to get together with family and visit with him. Get ready for lots and lots of pictures (mostly courtesy of my sister because my camera was fuzzy today). It was fun waiting for him to come through the doors. The glass is foggy so you can just see figures. We would all guess if it was him or not. Too short, too tall, too many, are they wearing a black suit... Then a member came through the doors and told us with a smile that our missionary was waiting and excited to see us!

Most of the welcoming party.

The proud Grandpa and my excited Mamma.

My anxious Dad!

And finally the Elder of the hour!!

Then it was hugs all around. I waited two whole years for this hug and it was worth it.



After all the parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt and uncle hugs, the kiddos got in on the action.

When he left Hyrum was only a couple months old!

Lovin' that Spanish name tag.

Meeting Baby Joe for the first time!

It's so good to have him back!

On the way home I was able to catch Hyrum's smirk that I am so in love with.

 My sister caught the little dude on the front steps with his Great-Grampa.

Such a special moment seeing those two together.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with good eats and lots of visiting.

Snuggles with Joe.

Before they left to Red Deer to meet with the Stake presidency for his release, I grabbed a quick shot with my very tall little brother. I am so so proud of him and glad to have him home!

Pockets

I've been meaning to record this story about Hyrum for a while now, because it's just too funny not to. When we first moved into our new place, he gave Grampa a tour of the house. Grampa followed him to his room upstairs. Hyrum said, "This is my room... It's for sleeping". Then he brought Grampa into Camilla's room and goes, "This is Camilla's room...It's for sleeping".  Next came our room, "This is Mommy and Daddys room...It's for sleeping". As they made their way back to the stairs Hyrum goes, "This is my pocket...It's for money". 

We are busy today getting our home ready for a family gathering tomorrow! My little brother is coming home from his mission!

Lucky Clover

Since Daddy was away all week, we waited until today to do cake and presents. Camilla started out the morning by finding a lucky four leaf clover in the backyard. I think after Gramma found a few dozen of them the other day, Camilla is on the lookout. Her lucky clover is now safely pressed in a big book. Before she and Daddy left to run errands I was able to snap this adorable picture. 

We spent most of the afternoon out in the yard. Camilla got a blowup pool for her birthday, and it took us a while to pump it up with our tiny bike pump and good old fashioned hot air. Joe has been teething, and had a rough afternoon.

The other two had a blast in the water after we finally got the pool inflated. Camilla was pretty excited about it when she opened it. I am looking forward to many more Summer afternoons like this.

 

She requested chicken and rice for dinner. It's always a hit, and she said we should make it "more oftener". Both the kids ate their plates all gone, and were pretty excited for Birthday Cake. They had already taken a chunk out of one half while it was cooling on the counter.

It wasn't anything too amazing, but it tasted delicious! Daddy lit the candels and I got the lights. It was so fun to hear Hyrum singing along with us. Crazy that this girl is already FOUR!

Hyrum helped her blow out her candels and then we all enjoyed cake and ice cream before bed.

Camilla, we love you very much!



Four is Fantastic

While we were at the acreage this week Auntie Emma stole Camilla away for a mini photoshoot.

We feel so lucky to be related to such a talented photographer.

Thanks so much Emma! Love the snapshots you grabbed of our lady.



Four Years Old

Four years ago at 10:05am I became a mother to a beautiful baby girl.
It's so hard to describe the feelings of gratitude I have for her.
She made me a mother.
A dream I had waited my whole life to accomplish.
That baby girl has grown into a blue eyed blonde who is full of spunk and loves life.
Camilla lives each day to the fullest and has a huge imagination.
She has a quick mind and loves to learn.

She can count pretty high, and knows all her letters, colors, and numbers.

She can write all of the letters to her name, just not necessarily in the right order.

She is a fabulous big sister and loves her little brothers very much.
I love sharing in the sweet moments they have together.
I love watching her hug Hyrum, or gently kiss baby Joe. 

She brings joy to our family each day with her laughter and sense of humor.

She is a great little baker and enjoys making cookies on rainy days.

Her favorite color is pink.

Her latest obsession is the movie "Tangled".

She has a love for animals and often pretends she's a dog.

She can talk non-stop and I love her little voice and personality.

She keeps asking for a baby sister to share a room with.

She enjoys being outside, especially in her bare feet.

She wears socks or slippers to bed almost every night.

She sleeps with so many teddies that I am surprised there is room for her!

 She already has a love for The Book of Mormon and "reads" it before bed.

Some of her favorite foods are; pizza, spaghetti, chicken, rice and carrots.

She is such a special little girl and we are so glad she is ours!

 

Happy FOURTH Birthday Miss Camilla!

Sprinklers and Smores

It's been another busy day! Grampa has just gone off to work and little Joe dozed off playing beside me on the floor. The children are winding down with a movie, and I am enjoying a few quiet moments to myself. Joe had a rough night, which turned into a rough day. He's been drooling up a storm and really working his gums with his fingers. I think we have a few more teeth on the way. Even though he's a grumpy gus, Grampa was still able to get some smiles from him!

 

 

Camilla helped Gramma stitch her quilt (surpervised this time). She would push the needle down and Gramma would push it back up. Camilla goes, "We're like a regular sewing machine!"

 

 

We spent a lot of time out in the garden. Gramma picked some spinach and lettuce for dinner tonight. Yum! Joe loved watching Grampa on the mower, especially from up high on Mommy's shoulders.

 

 

Grampa burned all of the junk and wood they collected yesterday which made perfect coals for Smores! I don't think my children fully understand how amazing they are yet! They mostly just licked the marshmallow and then set it down to go play. They prefered the plain marshmallows. Auntie Emma has been craving Smores since the last time we were out, so I made her up a couple!

 

 When we were finished with the fire, Grampa set up the sprinkler to help wash our sticky kids and pass the time. Hyrum looked super cute watching Grampa set it all up.

 

 

Lots of fun was had by all! Auntie Emma did a few quick runs before she left to work. Camilla loved getting soaked and cooling off.

 

 

I was just glad Hyrum kept his diaper on.

 

 

Camilla jumped over that thing a million times!

 

 

My very favorite part was when Hyrum stuffed a whole soggy marshmallow in his mouth before jumping through with Grampa.

 

 

Everyone is pretty worn out now and I'm sure bed time will go super smooth! I will probably lay beside Camilla before bed and enjoy her last night as a three year old. Seriously, where does time go?! She's so grown up! But more on that later.



Keeping Busy

Dear Mr. Stannix,

 

One day down, three more to go!  I tried to be good and go to bed really early last night, but it's just so hard to stop visiting. You'll be happy to know I didn't stay up as late as some, and managed a pretty decent sleep next to Hyrum in that big king bed. It was a beautiful blue sky day today. The children enjoyed being outside for most of it. Hyrum and Camilla helped Grampa clean out the coop in preparation for the new chicks that are arriving on Camilla's birthday. I looked out at them and saw your very tough daughter throwing a board twice her size onto the trailer. Hyrum made me laugh when he would pose in the doorway. Such a little farm boy. He was Grampa's shadow all day. All my Dad heard from him was, "Bampaaaaaa..." Every time he would reply, "What Hyrum?" Then Hyrum would just repeat himself, "Bampaaaaaaa". It was a nice break for me. Usually he follows me around all day with his deep little "bored" voice saying, "Moooooooom".

 

 

Camilla also collected pebbles to help decorate Gramma's tomato pots. She was quite proud of herself after the fact. After she had gone to bed we also discovered some extra stitches in the quilt Gramma is working on. She's very curious and always willing to help where she can!

 

 

Hyrum spent majority of the evening running around in his sock feet, checking out the chickens and digging in the garden. Just before bath time he ran around the yard naked and giggling. Such a funny boy.

 

 

 

Joe is moving around a lot more. He has mastered swiveling his bum around and rocking from one place to another. Very rarely do I find him in the same place I left him. He wanted to spend all his time outside and would throw a mini tantrum whenever I brought him in. He loves sitting in the grass and letting it tickle his toes. Tonight he is a little feverish and cranky. I think he may be cutting a tooth. Wish me luck!

 

 

We miss you! Hope things are going well.

 

Love,

 



Better Than Cartoons

This morning began at 5:00am when I heard Hyrum whispering in his room. I went in to find him poking at Joe through the bars of the crib. I gently scooped him up so he wouldn't wake the baby. As we left the room he started wailing. We made our way quickly to the basement and the cheerful attitude I was trying really hard to have gave way to a grumpy mamma bear. Soon the whole house was up and at 'em. We caught the morning news and played in the toy room while I did three loads of laundry. The kids figure watching the washing machine do it's thing is way better than early morning cartoons. I think the turning point for my morning came when I looked over at them sitting together peeking through the door as the clothes turned and the suds formed.

 

 

I tried to forget the early hours of the morning and enjoy the rest of my day with my sweet kids. We may or may not have enjoyed brownies and apples for breakfast. Mr. Stannix took the car to the mechanic's to get it fixed. So glad that thing is still trucking along. Then we tidied and packed up for our week apart. We dropped Daddy off at the airport in the late afternoon so he could catch his flight to BC. I hated that part. It's always tough when he's away. It makes me grateful for his job and the fact that this happens very rarely. I am so glad we get to see each other as much as we do!

 

Mr. Stannix knows that I don't do well with long drives (especially on limited sleep) so he picked me up some candy on his way home from the mechanics. After only half an hour of driving on my own my eyes started getting heavy and I had to keep shaking myself to stay awake. Two of the three kids were fast asleep, so Camilla and I shared the box of Mike and Ikes and I let her stories and games keep me awake.

 

"Mom, what has a long neck and brown spots?"

"A Giraffe?"

"Good! Okay, this one's easy. What has a Joey and jumps up and down?"...

 

Man that kid knows a lot about animals! I admired the canola fields on the way to the acreage and scoped out a few good ones for family pictures this year. We played a long game of "I Spy" and each took turns. My favorite is Hyrum's little voice.

 

"I Piiiiieeee wit widdle eyeeeeee somefink that is ORANGE!"

 

Soon the blue mountains came into view and excitement overcame me. I suddenly felt more awake and alert as we passed over my favorite hill and admired the view. The drive was almost over. With a quick jaunt through town we were soon making our way over the river to Gramma's House. I am going to miss Mr. Stannix a whole lot, but being with my family helps keep me sain while he's away. Besides that, I'm not sure how long I'd last in our new house by myself. I'm still getting used to all the creaks and noises. So while we are anxious for our Daddy to come home on Friday, we will be enjoying our week helping out around the acreage and enjoying some fresh air!