Surfer Kate

Okay, just kidding, but I bet my brother can't wait to get her out there. Maybe next year!
Safe with Grandma.

Grandma's typical "day at the beach" We left her with the babies while we surfed. The funny thing about this picture is that Andee is crying and Kate is happy. I think that this is only time on our whole beach trip that Andee was upset and Kate was happy. Oh well, it's a cute picture anyway. I love how Lucy is playing with Kate's hair and Kate is playing with Andee's toes.

Happy Birthday Gracie Mae!

Hey Gracie Girl! Happy Birthday! You are so smart and fun and we love the great things you say! We wish we were there to celebrate again with you. We miss you!

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke is 5 tomorrow (the 4th)! Happy Birthday! We love Luke so much--whenever he opens his mouth you have to be sure to listen because it's guaranteed to be something good. He tries so hard to be good and and is so sensitive and loving. Hooray for Luke!
Here are some of the latest Luke sayings that have cracked us up:

In a prayer: "Please bless Kate to learn how to close her eyes and fold her arms for the prayer"
To Michael: "I'm a dinosaur. My dinosaur eats meat. And you're meat!"
At the dinner table "We shouldn't listen to Obama because he beat up Abraham Lincoln."

2nd Grade

Today was the first day of school for Allie. It's a sad/happy day. We miss having Allie around to play with, but it's happy that she has something fun and challenging thing to do. It always is an exciting time of year. I love that feeling in the morning air and the excitement of something new that comes with the first day of school. It always makes me miss being a teacher.
Allie was brave to start a new school all by herself. She had a great day and loves her teacher. She was very stressed last night about being able to do 2nd grade work which is funny because she's SO smart!

6 months old

We are finally moved into our new place. I haven't had much of a chance to post with all the cleaning and unpacking. Our new place has a pool and that has been sneaking into my time. Everyday Luke prays that we can go swimming. Allie is swimming without any flotation assistance and Luke is down to just one water wing. The big news is that Kate turned 6 months old. I can't believe it! She can roll over (although she rarely does) and can sit by herself for a little while. She a skinny little one. Her height is 26.5" (75%), head 42 cm (40%), and her weight is 13 lbs 4 oz (8%) Since she really only gained 1/2 lb in months, we have tried formula for her and she gained weight in just one week. She loves the bottle. I didn't think she would take one since she never has, but the first time I offered it to her she latched on a drank 4oz without pause. I think the poor thing has been starving. She sleeps better and seems to be a little happier. She is also eating solids now and her clear favorites seem to be rice cereal and carrots. She is quick to grab and seems to always get her hands on my plate or bowl and spilling the contents. She also will end up with a fistful of Allie's hair if she gets too close. She is talking more and laughing at the kids. Luke likes it when she is "Kung Fu Baby" and kicks him in the head. Kate has also developed a bit of stranger anxiety and cries when I leave the room or if she sees me when someone else is holding her. I think she is growing up too fast!

We're Moving!!!

So other than being on vacation for 2 weeks in CA, the other reason I have not been posting much is that we are in the middle of moving!!! Its been hectic--we found out at the end of June when I was CA for the funeral that we needed to be out by the end of August (the owner of all the property we live on is building a large horse barn, and plans to have his horse trainer live in our current house) . After our last trip to CA, my Mom flew back with us and is staying a whopping 22 days to help us move. (She's a saint, I can't imagine having to do this on my own. Although I do wonder if she feels like she's trapped in a madhouse!)

We have been out on "the farm" for 4 years and now we're moving to the city. We are so excited to be closer to Michael's school. He's always had such a long commute. I will send out an email soon with our new address and phone number. Someday I will catch up on posts from our vacation--I have great footage of the kids learning to surf with Uncle Neil--but for now it's back to packing and cleaning. Yippee!

Kate's Blessing

Kate received an infants blessing last Sunday in Church. In case you are not familiar with our church, we bless our infants with a name and then with other blessings that will be important to them throughout their life. This blessing is performed by someone who holds the priesthood. Michael was able to bless her and did a great job. As he said the words of the blessing, I could feel the Spirit and know that Kate is a special soul and a beloved child of God. I know that she lived with God before she came to our family and that she has a special work to perform on the earth. She has already blessed our family with so much joy and happiness. I can't wait to see who she grows up to become--although I hope she doesn't grow up too quickly. As the blessing talked about the important steps Kate could make in her life to follow Heavenly Father I thought about how grateful I am to have an eternal family. I'm so thankful that we can be together forever. I couldn't have a better family--I have a wonderful husband and beautiful children. I am certainly blessed beyond measure.