Welcome To My World!

Clumsy

2012-01-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

I get those weekly e-mail baby updates - what the baby looks like, how your body and life is changing. Yes, this is my fourth child, but heck if I can remember the week-by-week stuff! Just last week it was talking about how your center of gravity is off now and to be more careful. That ain't no joke, folks.

I fell last night. It was awful. We were walking in the parking lot, headed into Max's first basketball game (SO cute). I was carrying Everett D. Kelly decided to cross right in front of me and I didn't see her (you know, big baby bump and a toddler in one arm). My foot caught hers and the stumble began. Except it wasn't straight down. I was trying to recover and in the process of trying to recover, I was hurling myself and my almost-2-year-old straight toward a curb about 5 feet in front of us. I remember thinking, "I can recover, I can recover, I can...oh my gosh, lift your arm, don't let Ev hit the curb...oh my gosh, the baby!" Then, THUD. Immediately I threw up a little because the impact was so intense. Everything hurt, but my immediate worry was Everett. Tyler (who'd been walking next to me but couldn't catch us in time) was most worried about me. I stood up and realized I couldn't really breathe because the fall had knocked the wind out of me. I wanted to cry so much, but I mostly wanted to check out Ev and calm him down. After that was accomplished (he has just one tiny bruise on his hip where he hit the curb, poor fella), I felt like I wanted to go back to the van and cry - not just because it hurt, but because it was so traumatic to have put two of my kids at risk. But moms can't always do that and this was one of those times that I needed to brush it off and head into the basketball game. It was a loooong 10 minutes or so before I felt the babe move in my belly. Very scary for me. I was trying to act normal all through the game, but it felt a little difficult to breathe and there was a lot of pressure on my insides.

We got home from the game and Tyler ordered me upstairs to lie down. By this time my knees and back and neck were all pretty stiff. And I was also feeling bummed about the new pair of jeans I'd gotten from Old Navy last Friday on a 50% off of their clearance sale (they were $8.99 and fit SO well) because they'd ripped at the knee. I know, trivial, but it added insult to injury. Do you know how hard it has been to find jeans I like the fit of? Ugh. I laid there, still feeling that same threat of a hard-core cry coming on, hoping that my baby would start wiggling like crazy the way he normally does when I lie down. He did get some good wiggles going and I was so grateful. Tyler had started putting the kids down and then a young man came over about 9:00 p.m. for Eagle Project stuff so I finished reading stories and sang some songs to Max and Kelly. Everett was already asleep. I went back to my room to lie down and thought I had remembered my little sister had fallen during her pregnancy, so I texted her about it to see if she went to the Dr. (she hadn't fallen). Then I felt like crying more. Then I talked it out with Ty and cried a little. I had dreams about my baby all night.

I feel better this morning and the babe is back to his usual wiggly self. The pressure is mostly gone. I'm sore and can't bend my knee very well. But mostly, I am so thankful everything - and everyone - is okay. It was a reminder about how quickly things can change, a very small and mostly non-threatening reminder. It made me feel so grateful. It was also a reminder about how dependent these little people are on me. I am very grateful to be a mom. It's also really scary and sometimes makes me just want MY mom.

Promises have been made (to the hubs) to carry Everett less and less and to be more and more careful and aware of that whole center of gravity shift. Hopefully that's the scariest thing I have to deal with for the rest of this pregnancy...

Snow! Glorious snow!

2012-01-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

In my last post I mentioned that we got some snow in Washington while I was travelling home from Vegas. It was more of a dusting on our side of the water and these are the pictures Ty took for me since this was the first snow we've had all season.

We don't get huge snowstorms around here very often. But usually once a year we get slammed (and by "slammed" I mean 6 or so inches)! That's a big deal 'round these parts because it doesn't happen very often and because we don't have the equipment (enough snow plows) to deal with it.

Wednesday morning I was woken up at 5:30 by a phone call from the school saying school was cancelled! A few hours later we found out Ty would be home for the day! We danced and cheered and had a yummy breakfast and stayed in our pj's all day. Well, of course we went out to sled and play in the snow, but we came back in and put pj's back on, had hot chocolate, went back out to build a snowman (the snow wasn't great for this, so our snowman is a little homely), watched a movie together...it was dreamy. Ev wasn't sure about walking in it at first. He kept saying, "No, wet!" So he stood at the back door, watching the kids play, until I got out there with him to show him that it was okay to walk in it.

The only thing that made it even more dreamy was that we got to do it TWO DAYS IN A ROW! School and work both cancelled. I love, love, love not being able to go anywhere and just being with my little family. The second morning we actually got a lot of organizing projects done around the house. That afternoon, Tyler declared we were going sledding on the hill at the elementary school, so he hitched a rope around his waist, tied it to a sled packed with our two youngest kids, and we all headed over to the school on the snowy streets in our neighborhood. Max and Kelly realized they could slide down on their bellies like penguins and make it down the hill like that...so that's what they did with some of their friends from our neighborhood. We stayed until it got dark and then headed for home. Everett D loved sledding the first few times (squealing with joy at the end of the ride), but had a little wipe-out with Ty that wiped out his enjoyment of it all for the night.

After we got home, Max and I stayed outside while Ty and the other kids went inside and got dinner ready. Max said, "Hey! This is like a little Mom and Son date!" We had a snowball fight and went sledding down our street (we live at the bottom of a steep hill) over and over again. We had a few crashes at the end where we laid there and laughed for a while. At one point I asked Max if he was freezing yet and he quickly said, "No!" But then said, "Actually, I AM really freezing, but I'm having so much fun that there's NO WAY I'm going inside yet." We ended that night playing the Wii as a family. The next morning school was cancelled again and Ty didn't have to go to work until 11:00. Even then he had to shovel his way up the hill (took him a half hour or more) and got to come home about 4:00.

I really loved those snowy days! I am sure I won't love the days tacked on to the end of the school year, but in my estimation they were worth it. Like, totally.

Vegas, baby!

2012-01-23T13:41:00.000-08:00

I went to Vegas to meet a babe. My newest nephew, Seth Daniel Tippetts. Oh my, was he worth the trip! In November I said to my hubby, "You know, Adri is having a baby and I'm not going to see my family until June and it would be really fun to make a trip and do things post-baby that I've never gotten to do for my sisters because you dragged me to live thousands of miles away." Wellll....I didn't say the last part because he didn't "drag" me anywhere, I love living where we live. The only downside is how far we are from family.

My hubs, who promised me a life of ease and luxury when we got married :), didn't hesitate and said that he thought I should do it. So I did! And I had the BEST time. It was quick, but perfect.

I took almost every mode of transportation - Ty dropped me off at the ferry, I walked through the streets of downtown Seattle, boarded the light rail, ended my train ride at the airport, and was picked up in Vegas by my mother dearest. It was SO WEIRD to travel by myself. I almost didn't know what to do with my hands and brain. I am so used to entertaining three little people. I was on the ferry, looking through the pictures on my phone because I was already missing my little fam, and found the cutest video of Kelly "PRESENTING the greatest karate kid guy, boy in the whole world!!!!....man" And Max hopped into the picture doing sweet karate moves on my bed. Made my day. I laughed out loud. After that I decided to enjoy it (the quiet, I mean, and time to myself). And I did. At the airport I got myself some Ivar's Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. Yep, I even took a picture of it and sent it to my hubs with this text: "Happy pregnant lady" I had a layover in San Jose and then the second plane I boarded was not crowded and the seats were much more comfy. Nice. I did a lot of reading and thinking....and took an unflattering picture of myself to send to my kids when I was on the plane.

I slept that night at my parent's place and then the next morning we headed over to Adri's to help get Jack off to school and hang with her and her kids. I went to two Dr. appointments with her that day and got to hold the adorable sleeping two-week-old little man a lot. I got to just be the Aunt and play with my nieces and nephews, which was SO fun! I wish I didn't get tired as quickly as I do these days, but we still had fun. I love them!

Friday my dad-dad-daddio came over to Adri's and taught me how to make a very delicious chile verde. I love cooking with my daddy. On Saturday I got to hang out with just my sisters and mom for a while. In-N-Out and Krispy Kreme were two things I was craving, so they kindly obliged. Why, oh why, do we not have a Krispy Kreme in Silverdale? My waist line is glad, but my pregnancy cravings are not. That night the whole Vegas crew was together. My dad was a regular jungle gym for a good portion of the night. I love my family so much! It was great to be with them.

I flew home Sunday morning to crazy snow in Seattle (but the pictures are the view before I landed in Salt Lake City for a layover). I had to drag my suitcase the few blocks from the train to the ferry, which turned out to be a feat of strength for this pregnant momma. I'd drag the suitcase through the snow until too much was piled up and it got stuck, lift it over the pile, and keep going until I had to do the same thing again. I hadn't packed a coat (I was going to sunny Vegas, after all!) and so my mom sent me home with a fleece jacket and gloves when we saw the forecast the night before. Thnak heavens for my mom! Tyler and Everett picked me up from the ferry with flowers in hand (Kelly and Max were in their primary classes) and my kids and hubs made a welcome home sign that Max decided would be best to hang on the ceiling above my bed. He must have known I'd be tired when I got home. :)

Perfect trip, perfect little family to come home to. I am so grateful.

Hello, Third Trimester!

2012-01-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

On Thursday I felt like I looked like a dude (I know, you don't see many dudes with a pregnant belly, but pregnant emotions don't have to be rational), so Friday I actually did my hair and put on a necklace. Such days should be documented in the life of a large pregnant lady!

Some facts about this pregnant woman:

1) I hardly ever have to shave my legs. I shaved them this morning after two+ weeks just because it feels weird to go so long without shaving, but I sure didn't need to. This is my second pregnancy with that perk and I love it!

2) The nausea is coming back. Blah. It's not awful, but definitely an unwelcome guest this late in the game. I know I'm luckier than many women who have it the full 9 months so I will try not to complain.

3) I am exiting the cute pregnant stage (and, no, this is NOT me looking for compliments). From here on out everything gets big/wide, including my nose. But it's worth it!

We still haven't decided on a name, but are getting closer I think. I don't think our little man slept one bit yesterday...he was ALL over the place. The kids got to watch my belly bounce and feel him move several times. I am really excited about my kid's ages when this babe is born - Everett just thinks babies are so cute, Kelly understands what is happening this time and both she and Max are going to be great helpers. My heart is so full for my little family. I am extremely grateful

Anniversary Perfection

2011-12-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

A few months ago one of our favorite babysitters (and friend) told me that for Christmas she wanted to babysit our kids for two nights so that Tyler and I could get away. When you don't live near family, that is the BEST Christmas gift anyone could ever give. We've paid for a babysitter overnight before, but never two nights. We were super grateful and excited to take her up on it!

7 1/2 years ago I thought that people who got married on a weekday were not very thoughtful to the friends and family who would want to be there for the big day. 7 years ago I married Tyler for Time and All Eternity in the Las Vegas LDS Temple...3 days after Christmas...on a Tuesday. :) So this gift was perfect timing for an anniversary getaway. PLUS Tyler is off of work the week between Christmas and New Years. The stars were aligned.

We got a great deal on a nice bed and breakfast called the Camano Island Inn, a couple of hours away. So on Tuesday we went to the Seattle Temple for a session and then drove to Camano Island. It was THE PERFECT anniversary trip. No agenda, spotty internet, jacuzzi in the room, right on the water, just me and my man with not a lot to do...it was heaven.

We had a delicious breakfast, exchanged gifts, took our time getting ready, walked on the beach, drove around the island, had lunch in a nearby town, stopped at a cute antique shop, read all of the e-mails we sent to each other during our courtship, looked at wedding pictures, Ty did a reflexology session (the deal came with a spa credit and most of what they offered wasn't great for a pregnant lady, so I made Ty go instead...it was his first time doing anything like that and I giggled a lot while he was gone because of how uncomfortable he was about the whole thing, but he ended up enjoying it :) ). Then we got all dressed up to walk 50 feet to have dinner. Oh, did we ever have dinner. It took us two hours to eat the 7-course gourmet goodness that just kept coming. It was incredible. I wanted Chef Nick to come home with us, but Tyler and I both agreed that Mr. Gourmet might not be appreciated by our three little ones and he probably wouldn't like what we could pay him ($0). It was a good thing we only had to walk 50 feet back to our room after that dinner because I couldn't have walked more than that. I was s-t-u-f-f-e-d...in the best possible way. We watched a movie and got to sleep in the heavenly bed once again before heading home to our kids this morning. Jessica had everything so clean and the kids were happy while we were gone, but super happy to have us walk in the door again. We are ever so grateful!

We actually had time to take naps! Oh man, I love him...

View from our room

A little post-fancy-pants-dinner-self-photo-shoot in the room? Don't mind if we do. Who else is going to take our anniversary getaway pictures? Our budget for a personal photographer is the same as our budget for a personal chef.

On the ferry, heading back to reality

I love my husband. Like, really, really, really love him. I am as excited to be married to him today as I was 7 years ago...actually, even more now. But the excitement and happiness and love run so much deeper 7 years in. I am a lucky lady and I absolutely know it. This little getaway was, in a word, perfection.

Christmas is rad

2011-12-29T23:08:00.000-08:00

I LoVe this holiday. Caroling with the Morgensens, Christmas Eve Dinner with the Lintons, treats to and from neighbors (which means something sweet for this pregnant lady to eat EVERY DAY), Daddy sent my favorite fudge (WITHOUT walnuts, just the way I like it) all the way from Vegas, gifts to and from family and friends, pure excitement from purely delightful little people...what's not to love?!

The writing on the fudge from my dad says:

"Why would you want fudge with no walnuts? Enjoy. I guess. Love, yer Daddy (me too)" :)

Mary and Joseph *sigh* I love these two.

My son never poses normal...I dig it

Camila Linton...6 days younger than Everett and absolutely adorable. She and Ev were shepherds.

Our dear friends, the Kents, came a-caroling

This is Karli. She was in Young Womens when I was a leader. Now she's married and expecting a babe just 10 days after me. Notice a discrepancy in belly size? I sure do! Oh well. She's beautiful and I am so excited for her!

Presenting Santa's treats in their Christmas jammies from Mrs. Clause and her elves (well, the main attraction in this picture is the carrots for the reindeer)

Writing letters to Mr. Clause

I recorded this (below) on Facebook about Max's Christmas letter:

I loved Max's note to Santa that he left with the milk and cookies. I was the scribe and he wanted me to write, "I love you, Santa, SO much." But then he said that he wanted to say something else but didn't want to make Santa feel bad. I asked him what it was and he leaned over with his hand cupped around his mouth to whisper in my ear, "But I love my Mom and Dad more." I told him that would probably make Santa happy to hear that he loves his mom and dad, so we put it in the letter followed by (I hope that doesn't make you feel bad)

Then he said, "Santa, I don't want any presents for Christmas, I just want to learn about Jesus. (pause) Wellll....I do want SOME presents. Thank you for all the things you do." :)

Waiting on the stairs to see what Santa brought

One of my favorite family traditions during this beautiful season? Filling the manger. At the beginning of December we have a Family Home Evening where we talk about Christmas wish lists and what the kids want from Santa, then we talk about what we are celebrating (Jesus' birth) and we write what we think Jesus would put on His "wish list" for us to do during this season. As we do those things (often they were secret acts of kindness...I had my bed lumpily made by a certain 3 and 5-year-old several times) then we place a piece of straw in the manger, with the goal of filling the manger so that it is nice and soft with our good deeds for Baby Jesus on His birth day. And this year Ty made us a pretty awesome manger. He's handy like that.

It was a very fun Christmas. I'm already excited for next year!

Random

2011-12-29T22:26:00.000-08:00

Everett hung out for a LONG time in this get-up one day

Kelly came downstairs sporting some eyeliner..."I'm just trying to look like YOU, Mom!" :)

This is what Max deemed worthy of photographing one December afternoon

Dentist Appointments...

Ty went to a Tacky Christmas Party for the youth at church...I think he should have won an award. Nasty outfit and the green lounge pants were the kicker.

I came in to find Kelly and Ev like this on the couch watching a cartoon one morning

Kindergarten Christmas Concert

2011-12-29T22:13:00.000-08:00

Delightful. I LOVED watching Max at this little concert. I love how he turned around and watched the girls sing behind him, I love how into the hand actions he got, I love that he kept waving at us, I love that he turned to sing right to us even though it meant he was looking a different direction than the rest of his class, I REALLY love the videos...the pictures are fine, but the videos are so sweet. It was fun to run into Reyes and her family on the way out for a photo op. I can't believe we're halfway through his Kindergarten year! I love this little fella.

Portable North Pole

2011-12-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

If you have small children (or grandchildren) and didn't do the PNP with your kids this year...you really should next year. It was awesome! Santa sends a personalized e-mail the child and lets them know if they are on the naughty or nice list. It is really well done and you can give several details about your child. My kiddos LOVED it. Max was especially hilarious to watch. As the elves were checking the list, Max was peeking through his hands saying, "I can't watch!" He quickly went from excitement to serious fear and started to do a nervous kind of cry. I really don't know why he was so scared (he's a great kid, just has his moments) but he was crying, walking away from the computer, super anxious. Suddenly the green light appeared and he let out a big relief laugh/cry mixture and laughed for the next few minutes. It was a total hoot...and kind of sad. But afterward they wouldn't stop talking about it. It was awesome.

Thanksgiving - breaking it down

2011-12-01T15:34:00.001-08:00

Wednesday

Ran around like crazy getting last-minute stuff done, adding to my list by dropping half of the batter for Ty's birthday cake on the floor, dishwasher, cabinets, walls, pictures. Sent the kids out to decorate the van for Ty's birthday since we were going to be in the van for a good portion of the day, came out to see them diligently taping (emphasis on the tape) crepe paper to the outside door of the van. It looked great, but they needed to decorate the INside since it was raining like crazy. Hopped in the van with some homemade cards and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (a favorite of the hub's) to pick up Ty on our way to the airport. Finished decorating while we waited for Ty. Surprised our wonderful birthday guy and sang him a song while we started our trip. Drove onto the ferry and then to the airport where we very happily and excitedly picked up my parents!!! Drove back to find that there was a 2-hour wait for the ferry. Lame. But it was past nap time for a certain 1-year-old and I knew that if we were to drive around it would be less than pleasant for everyone involved with him strapped in his seat. So we waited it out and let the kids play. We got home and went to work in the kitchen - turkey and stuffing for the next day, birthday dinner for my man. We had a nice birthday dinner, then presents and cake, cooked/baked a few more things, chatted it up and hit the hay.

Thursday

Me and my momma headed out for the Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot...a nice 5K at Battle Point Park. We ran with my friends, Tristalene and Sandy. It was super cold, but a great course. I was really happy with my time (30 minutes) since I'm, you know, with child and haven't run much at all in the past three months. I was also SO proud of my mom! The rain held off until we were pulling out of the parking lot, heading home. We came home and I started the dough for my first-ever homemade rolls. We did these gratitude rolls I found the idea for on Pinterest. The guests (Lintons and Kents) rolled in around 2:00. We watched football, talked, ate yummy appetizers, and then dove into the meal around 4:00. The turkey was deemed "the best I've ever had in my life" by most (all?) of our guests. My daddy brined, injected, and rubbed that baby. It was so, so good. And I am NOT normally a turkey lover. Everything was delicious. Perfect. I loved the experience and the company. I went to bed a very happy lady that night.

Friday
No Black Friday shopping for us. We're mostly done for Christmas and didn't see anything worth standing in line for two hours to get. Oh, actually, Tyler DID go to Costco at 9:00 a.m. to get us a new point-and-shoot camera. I was LAZY that morning. It was kind of sunny out so that afternoon we headed out to get our Christmas tree! We chose a new tree farm - Huberts - which proved a mistake. If we'd known what kind of tree we wanted before we left, it would have gone much more smoothly. But this place was HUGE (like 70 acres) and I felt like we should check out all of the types of trees they had...which meant a lot of getting in and out of the car. I am picky and a picky woman like me just shouldn't have that many choices in front of her! My poor little family and parents. But find a tree we did! It's beautiful. Tyler and I went on a very nice date that night that included purchasing two shirts for my pregnant self and ending with some hot chocolate at a local coffee shop, having the best date conversation. The kids got to play with my parents and make Karmel Korn with my Dad.

Saturday
Decorated for Christmas (so fun to have Mom and Dad here to see it AND to have their help!) Hit a few stores with my mom and made a framed jewelry holder with/for my mom. Ate my dad's delicious fajitas for dinner and apple donuts for dessert. Had a long, super fun dance party in the dark with glow sticks (a tradition with my mom and her grandkids). Put the kids to bed and watched 17 Miracles - a really wonderful movie about the Mormon pioneers if you haven't seen it.

Sunday
Max spoke in sacrament meeting!!! You likely don't know what a big deal this is, so I will dedicate a future post to this momentous event. We left from church to take my parents to the airport. :( It was SUCH a good visit, but much too short. There was much sorrow from my two oldest children when we had to say goodbye.

What a great holiday! Pretty lame that these are all of the pictures I have to show for it. I am so thankful that my parents were able to be with us. We're foregoing holiday visits with our families this year (and possibly future years?) because we also do reunions with each side and 4 trips a year is just so stinking expensive! We're far, far away from those people we love. I've felt kind of bummed all week because last week is over; I was looking forward to it for so long. Thankfully there is the JOY that is Christmas to keep me busy! AND I might be making a solo trip to Vegas in January to bridge the time between visits and meet my sister's soon-to-be-born little boy. Life is good. Reallly good.

BOY, do we know how to make 'em!

2011-12-01T15:18:00.001-08:00

This is old-ish news, but there is a tiny baby BOY inside this baby bump o' mine!!!

We love the little men in our life and are so excited to add another.

Kelly's response was a slight angry/sad face at the ultrasound. Ty immediately asked if she was excited and she let out a grunt that this momma knew meant, 'Do NOT talk to me about it right now. I need a few minutes.' So we gave her some time and about 10 minutes later both Max and Kelly cheered when Ty asked, "Are we excited to be having a baby boy?!" I had Kelly make the phone calls to grandparents to tell them the gender so that she could be part of the excitement of that. Really, I think she is just thrilled to have a baby to dote on. And Tyler has told her several times, "Kelly, trust me, you WANT to be the only girl. Daddy's who just have one daughter spoil them rotten." :)

Max doesn't mind so much that this babe isn't a girl because he's SURE we're having several more babies.

Everett likes to lift up my shirt and say, "IN?!" And I respond, "Yep, the baby is in there!" Then he nods, smiles and says, "In." Hopefully he'll be just as happy about the baby being out next spring. :)

No name yet. It seems harder this time around. All in good time; brother still has to cook for another 18 weeks or so. He doesn't move that often, but he's no wimp. I can already watch my stomach move from the outside when he gets going. I can't wait to see what this little guy will add to our bunch!

The Swift Ninjas Rock!

2011-12-01T12:17:00.001-08:00

I may have mentioned in a previous post that Tyler and I suckered ourselves into coaching Max's first ever soccer team.

Well, this wasn't just any team - these were the Swift Ninjas!

Maxwell T - Nathan - Connor - Zephan - William - Noah

It got kind of tricky at times since Kelly and Everett had to be along for the ride for all of our practices AND games while we were doing our darnedest to teach our team a thing or two about the sport of soccer. I may or may not have lost Ev during one of the games only to find him in the middle of a group of big boys who were warming up for their game on the field next to ours. He was having a blast playing with them, but I'm sure I got some head shakes from parental units on the side. The team parents and siblings really stepped in and were all so good to help out with our kiddos.

The Swift Ninjas were SO cute to watch and really learned a lot during the season. It was so cool to see their progress each week in the games. Our team cheer was cute (Everett insists on doing it over and over and over again). Either Tyler or I would yell, "Swift Ninjas!" and the boys would reply, "Hi-Ya!" (like a karate chop) as we all threw our hands in the air. We really, really loved our little team and both of us got emotional at the end-of-the-season party. We miss those little guys.

They gave us a soccer ball that all of the boys signed in their adorable handwriting as well as a $50 gift certificate to Red Robin. So nice! And my hair looks nasty because it curls and kinks in the rain, which we had been standing in right before this party during the last game...in case you were wondering.

Max was so fun to watch. He's such a little guy and so Ty drilled into his head that, "You may not be the biggest kid on the field, so you have to be the fastest." Boy, did he deliver. He'd come from the opposite end of the field to get involved in the play and scored pretty much every game. He is so enthusiastic about everything in life and soccer was no exception. But he's just as excited about watching from the sidelines too...he would run like a madman up and down the sidelines, cheering everyone on. He LOVED his teammates.

So the first season of soccer was a success! Max is now trying to decide between soccer and flag football for next fall. If he chooses soccer, Ty may coach again; we're not doing the double-coach thing next time. Now we have him signed up for basketball, which should be pretty fun/funny to watch. Naturally, Max is ecstatic. :)

Family Pictures

2011-11-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

So we had family pictures taken...oh, in August (pre-baby bump)...and just yesterday I had them printed and put on our walls AND decided today I'd put them on the ol' blog. Our friend, Eric, offered to do these free-of-charge because he's super nice and he wanted to play with his new camera. Free pictures? Cheap-O Fosters are there! We went to this little waterfront park a few minutes away and it was an awesome place for pictures. And Tyler, I'm sure, would like the world to know that HE is the one that picked out the place. He says all the time, "That sure was a great place to take pictures...I wonder who had that idea?" :) He loves when his good ideas rock. And thank you to Eric and my talented sister Bethany for the edits!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

Ward carnival, preschool/school parties, making treats for Kindergarten, pumpkin carving, jack-o-lantern pancakes, Trunk or Treat and neighborhood Trick or Treating, hot chocolate to warm up after hitting the neighborhood...it was a great year for this holiday-that-I-haven't-loved-for-years-but-now-that-I'm-a-mom-I-think-it-rocks!

Some things I want to remember:

Ev didn't want to put his costume on and was all annoyed at Trunk or Treat after I put him in it, but then I handed him his bucket, we hit the first trunk, and brother was hooked! He could hardly see above eye level because of the crazy horse head and so any time he came to an adult's legs he would hold his bucket up for some candy, even when we were just stopping to chat. :) And he was a champ at saying "fank-oo" (thank you) after every piece of candy. I was so in love with his cuteness. And he is so independent right now. No hand-holding or helping from door-to-door when we were trick or treating...get out of my way and let me get to the candy, people.
Maxwell wasn't saying thank you to anyone when we started at Trunk or Treat, he was being super silent. I talked to him about needing to say thank you because these people are giving him free candy. He said, "Mom, ninjas don't talk...they are really quiet and sneaky." Okay, bud, but ninjas still have to be polite on Halloween. He was compliant the rest of the evening. Brother was in character!
Max and I spent almost an hour wrapping a bunch of chocolate bars to look like mummies and gluing on googly eyes...and he forgot to give them out. :) We gave them out to trick-or-treaters instead.
Ty got our trunk all set up at Trunk or Treat and then realized we left the candy at home. Ha.
Kelly LOVED her costume and walked very princess-like in it. It was worth every minute I spent making it. I had never done anything like it before, but gained confidence when I found an online tutorial. Half of the time I was praying that when I turned it right-side out it wouldn't look too wonky. But the end product was awesome; I'd let her wear it to a wedding or something.
At the end of the night the kids were (for some reason) doing an exercise class in the family room when suddenly Kelly was WAILING. I went in to find the front of her dress totally ripped (luckily on the seam). I asked what had happened and when she could (between sobs) she said, "Max and Reyes wanted me to do a somersault and I didn't want to do a somersault because I didn't want to rip my dress, but they made me do a somersault!!! I really loved this dress!" I had to laugh a little at the devastation of it all. I still need to fix it.
I loved that Ev wanted to pose backward for every picture because he saw that I had Kelly turn around for one of her pictures. :)
We need to buy a stinking camera! The iPhone camera just isn't cutting it.

We did actually carve some pumpkins, but those pictures are on Ty's phone...

I meant to do a scary face, but we all agreed he turned out looking grumpy

This is Everett D's "nice smile" for the camera :)

No masks at school and a ninja without his mask is just a guy in black shirt and pants...so we brought back the costume he wore when he was 2 (it was big then...a4T) and added the little cloth that made him look like a bona fide quarterback

Behold! Max the Ninja

Princess Kelly

Everett the boy who didn't want to put on his costume but wanted to pose for pictures

Neighbors and friends - Ian, Adam, Emma, Reyes, Kelly, Max, Camila Everett

Cross-eyed :)

A Dad and His Boy

2011-10-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

Ty and Max have been talking about their next campout for about a year. The time was right and they headed out early September for Max's first backpacking campout experience, their second father/son camping trip. SO cute. They packed Max's Batman backpack with some of the essentials, Tyler's with the rest, and headed for the Bark Shanty campsite. It was about a 1-mile hike in. To say that Max was excited would be the understatement of the year.

Tyler told me that at the beginning of the trail he went ahead a bit because it looked kind of overgrown and he wanted to be sure they were on the right path...and he suddenly heard Max screaming. Thinking Max was being overly dramatic about something, Ty made his way back to check on our boy. There were bees swarming around his head and he had a sting on his hand, one on his ankle, and another on his head. :( Poor fella. But he got some medicine and they forged ahead. From the looks of it - and by both accounts - they had an awesome time. Ty is pretty sure he turned Max into a pyro. Ty went to gather some more firewood and came back to find that Max had added every single piece of firewood they'd already collected. There is a pretty funny video of the crazy fire boy.

This (above) is one of my favorite pictures of the trip. Ty said that he woke up a while before Max and just watched him sleep and felt warm, fatherly feelings toward his sweet boy and thought about how lucky we are that he's our son.

I love these two men in my life. Kelly will either join them or go on her own campout with Dad next year. This tradition is pretty awesome, says me.

Mariners!

2011-10-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

So I never watch baseball on TV. But there is something really rad about going to a professional baseball game. Last year we began the tradition of trekking over on the ferry to see the Seattle Mariners play. This year was even better than last because we saw a home run and the Mariners won! The weather was perfect, the kettle corn, cotton candy and Seattle Dog divine, the stands uncrowded so that our little man could dance and roam a bit. We all got on TV (we were told by a friend who watched the game) but were just trying to get on the darn jumbotron. Max worked it for the camera man. If only we'd DVRed the game. It was a great night...can't wait to go again next year!

Well, hello there!

2011-10-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, tiny person growing inside of me. I am so happy that you are where you are and getting bigger every day. I am so happy that we get to add you to our family and I am excited to get to know you and see what special qualities you bring to our brood. The other night we were reading scriptures as a family and I looked around the room (because your brothers and sister were moving all over the room) and I felt so excited to meet you and to have you in our family. I am especially happy that I will get to hold you and all of your tiny-ness next spring. The kids are still holding out hope that you are a girl...we'll find out early November. Dad and I think you are a boy. We'll just have to wait and see. Whatever your gender, we are thrilled to have you! How about you try kicking a little harder so that I can start feeling you move? Your sister was already very proficient at making her presence known by this time. Work on that, okay? Love you so very much, Babe #4!

The Dream Has Died

2011-09-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

So I really wanted to do a home birth with this babe. Really, really wanted to do a home birth. I haven't had horrible hospital experiences, I just know that I can do it all on my own and after the baby is born there is nowhere I would rather be than in my home with that sweet little person fresh from heaven. I want the spirit and beauty that accompanies a birth to be here, in the place where my family is. Plus I live two minutes from the hospital and I felt confident that we would be able to get to it in time if something were to go wrong. Midwives, after all, are not crazy people who never monitor and will keep you at your home whatever the cost. I did research and I was confident, peaceful, and excited about it.

However, just before Everett was born, Ty's company changed insurance. Aetna, apparently, is one of the few insurance companies who will not cover a home birth. Not any part of it. They want nothing to do with it. So we explored other options. One fell through completely. Then we thought about just paying for it out-of-pocket. Tyler was totally willing, but it was going to be a difference of $1000 + and I just can't bring myself to do it. We have insurance, I don't hate the hospital or doctors, maybe this is for a reason....so we're going the Dr./hospital route again.

I think that I needed time to mourn the loss of the home birth experience because I've know for almost a month (more than a month?) that it's not going to happen, but I was not getting on the stick to get a Dr. Insurance changed, as I mentioned, and so this babe was going to have someone new no matter what. Well, you'll be happy to know that even though I'm about done with my first trimester, I finally got a doctor. Dr. Christen to be exact. He's a minimalist when it comes to intervention and likes to let women do their thing in giving birth; just what I am looking for. The scheduler thought there was no way it was going to work out because I was calling so late in the pregnancy and he was scheduled out really far, but lo and behold, there was a cancellation for next Tuesday. And she was able to schedule an ultrasound (measuring and date purposes) for this Friday. I'm really excited about the ultrasound. My stomach has popped (at 12 weeks!?) but I don't get to feel the babe moving yet, so this will make it more real to me. And I am sure that I will really like Dr. Christen and all will be well.

Like anyone really cares about all of this, but I felt like sharing. :)

Les Miserables

2011-09-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

On the ferry to Seattle

Tyler and I went and saw the magical Les Mis at the 5th Ave Theater in Seattle. Beforehand we bought a new purse for me - my strap just happened to break while walking from the ferry to the restaurant. Darn. :) Then we went to the Cheesecake Factory where we both had scrumptious meals. Afterward we made our way over to the theater for the show which, of course, did NOT disappoint. Oh my, those voices. Incredible. I can't count the number of times I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes. We saw Les Mis in Las Vegas the weekend before we got engaged...about 7 years ago. I'd bought tickets 6 months or so before and thought, "I'm SURE I'll be dating someone worth taking." I guess I would have taken my sister or mom or someone if it hadn't worked out, but work out it did. I got myself an engagement ring just a few days later. I was thinking this time, though, how nice it is that we were going home together at the end of the night. Being engaged was fun and all, but being married is so rad. It helps to be married to such a great man.

We were chastised for taking a picture in the theater just moments later

We were in a busy spot, the guy took the picture, we didn't feel like making people wait while we tried again. Now I wish we would have. Oh well.

I loved the whole night - walking together, the ferry rides, the food, the show, kissing on a bench because we were so early for the ferry going back. It was all pretty darn perfect. Our pictures of the night are mostly terrible, but here they are anyway.

Ballet & Preschool for Kelly Anne

2011-09-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

The new YMCA here in Silverdale has been pretty fun for our little family. We've done swimming lessons and several other classes. With Max starting Kindergarten and doing soccer I thought that it would be important for Kelly to have something of her own to do. I heard that they were starting a Pre Ballet class at the Y for girls Kelly's age, so we signed her up. The class itself hasn't been really awesome (I think the teacher needs help corralling and teaching the kids), but it has been SO worth it to watch Kelly in her cute little ballet outfit. Plus Kelly loves, loves, loves it. So I guess that's what matters most. We'll start with soccer in the next year or two if she wants to do it, but I really like having her in dance too.

We're doing the same preschool thing we did with Max last year. It's a co-op with some other ladies in my ward. She is the only girl and she kind of hung by herself a lot the first day. But she loved it. Sister wants to wear a dress every.single.day and this was a new favorite of hers. I love, love, love this first picture of Kelly and her brothers.

Max was so excited for Kelly. While she was gone he said, "I'm so glad that Kelly goes to preschool now." I asked him, "Why's that?" And he responded, "Because when I was in preschool I loved it beyond the far!" :)

I'm a big fan of this little lady!

Soccer!

2011-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

I called to sign Maxwell T up for his first season of soccer in late June. Apparently that is LATE registration. All of the Boys U6 teams were full AND they were already short coaches for two of the teams. "Well..." I replied, "what if my husband and I were to coach?" "Then he could definitely play!" was the answer. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. :)

"I want to be stylish"

Another stylish pose

I played a lot of soccer and watched a lot of soccer growing up. Ty played for a while when he was younger too. But neither of us had a clue when it came to coaching. We spent a lot of time looking stuff up online and then went for it. We have the CUTEST little team - the Swift Ninjas. I really love each of the boys. We're not great, but we've got heart and the boys are already improving. Today was our second game and our boys totally thought the score was tied 6-6 at the end...I have no idea what the score was, but pretty sure the other team scored 5+ points more than that. They finally took the two boys on their team who actually know what they are doing out of the game and then we had a serious succession of goals. :)

My son, the ham, who was not really laughing, but doing a fake laugh pose

Max LOVES to play. Today I was watching him at the game and I realized that he has a huge smile on his face the ENTIRE time he is out there playing. Brother is so cute to watch! He's a really great teammate and sport too. He's always telling the other boys how great they're doing and gets so excited when they make good plays. As we were walking to our car today some of the players from the other team were walking behind us and Max turned around and said, "That was a really good game. You guys are really good players! You had some great plays!" They just kind of stared at him, but I told him how happy it made me to hear him say those things. He makes my mother heart so happy.

"Now take a picture where I pretend someone is tickling me." After a few pictures, "That kind of hurt my arm, BUT....I had to do it."

Kindergarten, meet Maxwell T!

2011-09-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

There was no avoiding it. Kindergarten was going to come whether this momma was ready or not. So I decided to embrace it for the boy's sake. He's pretty sensitive/empathetic and I knew that if he caught on that I wasn't totally down with it then he would have had a hard time, so I couldn't be anything but excited in front of him. We made a 10-day countdown, had a mom & son school clothes shopping date, and talked about Kindergarten constantly.

Finally the day came and Silver Ridge Elementary did a good job of breaking me in. The first day of school (9/7) was an Orientation. I got to go to class with Max, get him all situated, drop off his school supplies, sit him at his desk, go to a short orientation in the library, and then take my boy home with me. I liked it lots! Oh, but when I told Max that I was leaving the classroom for the orientation, his eyes got really big and concerned looking and he asked where I was going. Don't worry, I didn't rush over and hug and cry with him and tell him that I would never leave him like I wanted to. I told him I'd be back in just a bit and he seemed fine. That didn't stop me from walking away with tears in my eyes, though. That night Tyler gave him a father's blessing for the school year and as we were laying out what he would wear the next day, he laid on the ground and thought it would be funny for me to lay the clothes on top of him. :)

Making the clouds on his first assignment black - for rain clouds, of course. We do live in the Pacific NW.

My handsome boy at his desk!

Maxwell T and Mrs. Warrington - she's wonderful!

The next day was the real deal. I was putting my handsome little man on a bus - a BIG bus - with other Kindergartners and sending him off for his first full day of school. Ack! The really awesome part of this story is that Max's two best friends - Adam and Reyes - live on our street and all of them are in the same class. So we took down the last link on his countdown, had lunch, took pictures, met Reyes as she was walking to the bus, took a few more pictures, watched as all three kids walked up the street holding hands, waited at the bus stop, took more pictures, giggled when they squealed because they saw the school bus, said a hurried goodbye, gave him a kiss, took one more picture, and stood with tears in my eyes as I watched my little man drive away. Man, it's hard. But I knew that he would love it.

I'm so lucky these little people belong to me! I love them so much.

The Kindergartner!

He wanted to be sure the K was still visible in this backpack shot :)

He asked Reyes if she would marry him the other day...she said yes :)

Kelly and I came home and finished his First Day Hooray banner. (I got this really great idea from my dear friend, Carrie, to do a First Day Hooray party...thanks for yet another fabulous mom idea, Carrie!) Then Bo-Bell and I made some cookies. Before I knew it, we were headed out to pick him up. He just takes the Kindergarten bus TO school, but we pick him up AFTER school. I was super excited to see him and hear all about his day, so that's just what we did when we got home. We had milk and cookies while he told us about the kids he met and what they did all day and how much of his snack he ate before recess (not much because he was REALLY excited to play) and what he did at recess...it was so fun. He loves school, which is no surprise. That night we had soccer practice, then I ran off to do the spiritual thought at our Relief Society meeting, and then we met as a family to have dinner and celebrate the big day!

I really can't believe I have a son in school. What the heck am I going to do next year when he goes ALL day?! Nevermind, I won't think about it. For now we'll just jump in and enjoy all things Kindergarten!

Surprise... ! ... ? Probably not.

2011-08-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

We've done the wait a while to say anything bit...and nobody was the least bit surprised. So I've decided that this time I'll (possibly) preempt your speculations.

Babe Foster #4 is on the way!

We are thrilled! I am nauseated, but more mildly so than my pregnancy with Everett. I have to eat all day long or the nausea becomes unbearable. The kids are SUPER excited. Max and Kelly think it will be a girl because, as Max says, "Mom, Kelly NEEEEDS a sister!" And Kelly nods her head in agreement then tells me, "It HAS to be a girl, Mom, because I need a SISTER!" We're trying to get them excited about the possibility of another boy because Tyler and I are both feeling boy this time. I never have a feeling about these things...so maybe I'm wrong, but Tyler is usually right. Time will tell. We're very excited either way!

I am not showing yet (though I expect to very soon...I always show early AND it's my fourth), but the kids are very excited about that part of it and anxious to see my belly pop. So much so that last week I sat on the floor reading to them and they were both exclaiming over my belly looking bigger (stomach rolls). I kept telling them that wasn't because of the baby, but they were pretty insistent and began poking at my belly and trying to get me to look at the "growth". It was awesome. Kids are NOT great for your self-esteem all of the time.

Oh, and I'm just over 9 weeks. Due on 4/1/2012. (No this is not an early April Fool's Joke...but that would be funny!) Ev and Babe #4 will be 2 years and 2 months apart - our biggest gap so far! :)

Supplied!

2011-08-24T15:36:00.001-07:00

Even though I am in denial about my boy starting Kindergarten, I have been plowing ahead with the preparations. While my in-laws were here we decided to check off the school supply list. My mother-in-law was a Kindergarten teacher AND had 7 children for whom she has bought many-a-school-supply AND she really likes shopping for them...so we thought it would be fun to go with Max and get 'er done. Then Kelly wanted to go. Then Max didn't want to leave the house without his dad. So the whole lot of us (me, Max, Tyler, Kelly, Everett, Margaret & Mickey) trekked out to Target, school supply list in hand.

We followed the large Back To School signs (with arrows!) hanging from the ceiling until they led us to the school supply mecca. Sadly, that 'mecca' let us down on a few counts and it would take two more stores to supply the 16-count crayons and pencil box. BUT it was still really fun and memorable! I wish I would have taken pictures with all of the people involved in this outing, but I did get a few of the future Kindergartner, list in hand (which had been in his pocket for the ride to Target; which I will be placing in his treasure box because it's one of those things that will bring sweet memories to this momma in future years).

And after the first three pictures were taken, Max to the Max says, "Mom! Now take a picture of me pretending to buy my school supplies." And then he posed. And I chuckled. And obliged. I adore this little dude. Doesn't he look seriously contemplative about what he should buy even though at this point we were done shopping? Ha.

*sigh* How did he get so big so fast?

The Ev Man is Growing Up

2011-08-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Everett D is getting so big!

And I'm not just talking cheeks here.The boy is starting to parrot everything we say. He's had several words he's said for a while now, but now he's entered the parrot stage. Full-on talking isn't far behind. Some of his favorite words to say end in -k or -ck and he says that sound with such emphasis; it's super cute. Milk, snake (nake), snack (nack), truck (tuck), book, backpack (said VERY clearly...Ty said the word backpack on our last road trip when he was talking to Max, and Ev exclaimed "backpack!" It was so clear that I thought it was Max or Kelly, but it was the Ev Man.) I can't list all of the words he says because he's talking a ton and my brain doesn't work well enough to remember them all, but those are some of my favorite because of his emphasis.Brother has a green blanket with a satin edge that he sleeps with. About a month ago I was putting him down and while I was singing to him in his crib (per his request...he loves his bed and doesn't want to be sung to while I rock him anymore; he reaches for his crib when I start singing) he took the blanket and ran his hands along the edges until he got to the corner of the blanket and pulled it up to his face. Now I just make sure that he has the corner when I lay him down. I love little preferences like that.Everett is a prolific dancer. I thought Kelly loved to dance when she was younger, but I think Everett likes it a little more. His body just can't be helped; he HAS to move when he hears music. A few months ago we were at the YMCA pool and there is a slide that he goes on by himself (it lands in really shallow water) and he indicated that he wanted to go one more time before we left. I told him, "Okay, ONE more time." As he was walking over to the slide he suddenly became aware of the music that was being played for the Aqua Zumba class and he started to get his groove on. It was super cute so I just let him dance for a bit before I said, "Okay, Ev, go on the slide." He remembered that's what he was doing and took a few more steps toward the slide before the music overcame him again. We did that a few more times before I had to put him on the slide so that he would go down and we could leave. Brother just HAD to dance. He has a really good STOMP move and his BACKING UP moves are pretty sweet too.
Ev has all of his molars and his front middle teeth, but is missing several in between. Actually, I think the top teeth have all broken through now. But we're still waiting on 4 bottom teeth.

He's had a rough summer as far as facial wounds/bruises go. We just had to go ahead with family pictures in July because I figured that we weren't going to have a week without something on his face. So now he'll be sporting a nice bruise right between his eyes in this family picture forever. A true snapshot of his childhood thus far.
He loves to be outside and runs the toy lawnmower up and down the grass over and over again. He thinks that he is one of the big kids and can hold his own among them most of the time. He loves to laugh and will laugh whenever he hears someone else laughing. When he's excited he tenses his whole body, with his arms at a 90-degree angle, and gets a huge smile on his face. Sometimes I laugh or get excited about things just to hear/see him copy me.

Ev is now in nursery! He has loved it every single week. It might help to have a big sister in there, but he has not had a moment of sadness. It's great!

Oh, that little boy is delightful. I love him to pieces. And I totally get the kid cheek squishing thing now. With my other kids I've thought it was a little weird when people felt the need to squish their cheeks. But with Everett, it makes perfect sense. I love to squish/kiss them all the time. Love this little man.

The most romantic trip that almost wasn't

2011-08-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Let me clarify. The TRIP almost wasn't...the ROMANCE was never in question. If you read the post below, you know that I got super (weird) sick and our 5 day, 4 night backpacking trip through the Olympic Mountains had to be modified. The really cool (as in temperature) summer we've had also contributed to rerouting our trip a few times because there is still so stinking much snow on the mountains...in mid-August...it's just not right...don't you agree? We've been planning this trip for about a year as a celebration of Ty finishing his MBA. So these two things were not very welcome obstacles. But it still worked out beautifully.

I have no apologies for the vast amount of pictures in this post. In fact, you should thank me. The Olympic Mountains are just so beautiful.

We started our adventure on Thursday evening with a 3.5 mile hike to Spike Camp. We didn't arrive at camp until about 9:30 p.m. The trail was getting pretty dark toward the end, but we were just shy of breaking out the head lamps. We set up camp, ate our Subway sandwiches (I'm sure there's some backpacking code against such food, but it was easy and delicious), sat around the fire a bit and hit the hay.

The next day was a relaxing morning in the most beautiful forest in the world (I'm sure of it) and then we started out on our hike. The really great thing about being sick the week of your backpacking trip is that your hubs feels the need to take more of the weight for you. Hence, his pack was 50 lbs while mine was a mere 25 lbs. I think I'll pull the sick trick next time we go too. JUST kidding. But for our hike that day I was packless and Ty carried our food and some extra clothing. We hiked to Flapjack Lakes (gorgeous! the water was so clear and so blue), ate our PB&T lunch (peanut butter and tortilla...I was skeptical, but it was really good), then continued on to Gladys Divide. My Granny who passed away last year is named Gladys, so I was especially happy with the name of our trail. On the way we spotted a bear high up in a mountain meadow. We checked each other out for a while (pretty sure he/she was looking right at us) before continuing on and then I checked the trees near the trail for the rest of the hike to see if that bear had any friends. :) We wanted to hike Mount Gladys, but because of the snow it was tough enough to find the trail for the Divide...we thought we lost it for a little while. I just don't think we had the equipment or would have been able to find the trail for the mountain. We spent some time up there enjoying the gorgeous views and then hiked our way down the mountain, picked up our other pack, and continued on another mile or so.

Our intent was to camp at Big Log Camp that night, but as we were crossing Madeline Creek we noticed that right down near the creek there were some unofficial campsites. We decided that we liked the seclusion of it (even if it meant no bathroom...cause the bathrooms are rather gross anyway) and set up camp. Ahhh....right on the river, gorgeous forest, just me and my favorite person in the world, no distractions. I was almost brought to tears with the romance and perfection of it all. We were tired from hiking 12 miles that day, but had a lot of time to relax and talk and kiss...it was bliss. I told Tyler that night that it was up there with the most romantic things we'd ever done. We WERE totally by ourselves for a while, but had two campers join us at a site a little ways away. Luckily they came just as Ty was taking a shower with the camping shower he bought for the trip. Ha! Possibly one of my favorite memories from the trip was when Ty yelled, "Dana! There are PEOPLE!" and I looked over to see two hikers looking straight at our camp. I couldn't stop laughing.

The next day we were super lazy...just as we'd planned. We didn't wake up until 8:30 and then didn't get out of our tent until 9:30. We had breakfast, relaxed for a while, took down camp, and slowly hiked out the 4.5 miles to our car, taking pictures of the beauty along the way.

I absolutely LOVED this trip. I think all couples should backpack to get away. It was heaven. No phones, no televisions, hardly any other people around. Nothing. Just you and the gorgeous wilderness. It probably helps to go backpacking with a ruggedly (I love when he gets some scruff) handsome Eagle Scout who loves a good map, can tie knots and build fires like nobody's business, carries a heavier load than he has to, and can rig up a place for a shower and some bear wire wherever he is. I'm even more in love.

Mick and Mags Visit Washington

2011-08-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have a seemingly rare set of WONDERFUL in-laws. I am so lucky. They were just here for 10 days and I was choked up after they left and kind of melancholy the rest of the day. Today too. A friend called and I told her that my in-laws were visiting and that they'd been here for 10 days. She said, "Oh. Is that too long?" I answered quickly and honestly, "Oh, no!" Because I love having them here.

The first few days were perfect and then on Sunday something hit me and by Monday morning I was in serious pain, called Ty in tears at work, and agreed to let him come home and bring me some medicine (I NEVER ask him to come home from work). I made a doctor's appt. that day which lead to more appointments and even a visit to the ER. I'll blog about that at a later date. It wasn't fun and I was very frustrated. It especially stunk because Tyler and I had been planning to leave that Tuesday for a backpacking trip we'd planned for a year. But with some TLC from Tyler and my mother-in-law, Margaret, a blessing, and many prayers, I was able to get over whatever it was in just a few days. At first I was SO annoyed that it was happening while they were visiting because I wanted to do fun things together. But I quickly realized what a huge blessing it was to have them here during that ordeal. We didn't have to find places for the kids while we did all of the appointments or while I was trying to recover. Margaret didn't have to ask, she just took over and did laundry, grocery shopping, dishes, cleaning, and took care of my kids too. I am so thankful that they were here and were so helpful.

We were reevaluating the week on Tuesday night because at that point I could barely lean over, let alone carry a 30 lb pack through the wilderness. We talked about going to Mount St. Helens and a few other options. On Wednesday morning I was still weak, but feeling quite a bit better so I went on faith (seriously) and told Tyler that I thought we should go out to dinner that night with his parents, leave for Mount St. Helens the next morning, and then have Mickey and Margaret drop us off to start our backpacking trip. So that's what we did...and all of the prayers worked because I was feeling completely better just in time.

We came back on Saturday night to very happy kids who were loved and cared for while we were gone. It's so nice to leave kids with grandparents who love them and love the time with them! We watched Mamma Mia! that night while eating Tillamook ice cream and on Sunday after church we went to Scenic Beach State Park for a while. It was a fabulous visit and I am so THANKFUL that they came! I love you, Mickey and Margaret. Thank you so much for coming!

D-O-N-E

2011-08-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

It hasn't really hit us, but Tyler Michael Foster is officially DONE with school! No more class, no more homework, no more group meetings on the weekends, no more stinkin' research paper.DONE. On Friday, August 5th, just minutes before going to pick up his parents from the airport, he put the final touches on his 40+ page research paper. I cannot express the joy this brings to our little family. The kids and Ty keep chanting, "No more school! Play with kids!"

For this momentous occasion I decided that we should celebrate. Tyler is NOT me and so I knew he wouldn't want a million people to come to a party in his honor, so I just invited a few to come to a surprise dinner celebration in his honor. My in-laws were in on it and my father-in-law was in charge of keeping him out of the house for a few hours while my mother-in-law and I threw everything together before guests arrived. The plan was for them to golf 9 holes, but Ty messed that up when he scheduled a tee time for the late afternoon. So we had to get creative - my father-in-law pretended his hip was giving him trouble so they were going to go and buy our belated housewarming gift instead (which is usually a grill for their sons, but we were in need of a vacuum and I got myself a Dyson out of the deal!)

It was perfect. He didn't suspect a thing and it took him a minute to realize that when everyone yelled "Surprise!" it was for him. He was excited about the surprise, but a few minutes later said, "Oh, this is for me!" Ha. And the picture below is the ONLY one taken the entire night. Lame, but oh well. We have wonderful friends and had a great time eating and talking. We both even received a few graduation gifts, which was so sweet.

Ahhh...so happy to be done.

Reunion with the Fosters!

2011-08-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Date: July 20-24, 2011

Location: Breckenridge, CO

Activities: Fort building, fort attacks, hot tubbing, crafts for kids, gondola ride, family hike (which Everett insisted he walk the entire way), Manliest Man competition (my man brought home the trophy - yay for us! a gargoyle displayed in the bedroom!), Foster Family Trivia contest (my team won...helps to be on the mother-in-law's team), eating good food, ladies afternoon out (I always love these and will always remember the hilarious laughter shared with my sister-in-law Kristen...we're kind of twins), couples night out, walks and visits to park, spontaneous limbo contest (tied with my lovely sister-in-law, Liz, who had a better technique and so I think she really won) and dance party...good times and wonderful memories! I love being a Foster!

Post of Pics

2011-07-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

First, here are a few pictures of my new 'do (courtesy of the lovely and talented Jennifer Kelly). Loving it.
Also, I was going through my pictures and there are a few I wanted to put on the ol' blog that I've missed. So here they are.

Yup. Forgot to post about Easter (these are in the wrong order, but I don't have the time or desire to fix them)...

WICKED case of bed head

Reading the hints the Easter Bunny left to find their baskets

Viking Easter Egg Hunt...

I walked by the family room and saw this...

they had no idea they were lying in the same position. So cute.

Kelly's growing up! Since her checkup 6 months ago, she went from the dentist very quickly checking her teeth while she's leaned back on my lap straddling me and SCREAMING to this...full-on cleaning (fluoride treatment and all) with a thorough check by Dr. Beck. Not a single tear. Sister's maturing!

We went to the Children's Museum in Seattle a while ago...

I have, like, 6 of these pictures with each child at different stages of looking at the camera. Whatever.

Tyler built the kids a little house in the building room and Kelly was SO intent on helping him.

She spent a ton of time handing him tools and trying her darnedest to get this screwed on.

Me and the lover babe...

Dreamy

2011-07-07T08:32:00.001-07:00

That's how I felt about this weekend...it was dreamy. SO much time with my little family. I sure love them. It was one of those really great weekends that make me think I could have 3 or 4 more kids because the ones I have are so cute, fun, and easy to take care of.

**I don't expect anyone to read all of the commentary below, just want it documented for yours truly.**

THURSDAY

Packed the van to the gills with camping gear, drove 45 minutes to Belfair State Park, set up camp, went on an adventure walk (a path that turned out to be a non-path) to the water, found a log that resembled a Triceratops skull and convinced the kids it was such, roasted marshmallows, hit the hay when it FINALLY got dark, laid in bed with the HAPPIEST feeling...I love camping with my kids.

FRIDAY

Tyler and I woke up at 2 am because we were FREEZING, Ty made the 45 minute drive home and then back again at about 5 am with more blankets and a little camping heater, played at the camp playground, found a camp stage where the kids played out The Sound of Music, snuggled in the hammock, splashed in the creek running through the campground, changed into boots and swimsuits then splashed in the creek some more, watched Max climb out of the creek and relieve himself in some bushes, scanned the surrounding areas to see if anyone saw what I did, happy to not find anyone looking on, got Ev up from his nap to kayak with the kids on the Hood Canal for a while, Ev walked into the water in the only pair of shoes I brought for him (luckily I brought 2 pair for Max, so Ev tromped and tripped in them the rest of the time), Ty headed off to do YM Pres things (it was YM Pres/Bishop night Helaman's Camp for the YM at a campsite about 30 mins away) roasted hot dogs and was happy with myself for working with the coals since camp cooking is Tyler's thing, went on another adventure with the kiddos, roasted a ton more marshmallows, read and sang songs in the tent until kiddos fell asleep and Ty returned back to camp, went to sleep much warmer and still so HAPPY.

We had to explain what a phone booth is to the kids and Max said,

"Oh, I know. I saw one on The Incredibles." Ha.

Me and my little chicks. Not so easy to walk with hands hanging on your back pockets...but worth it to have ALL of the kids hanging on me at once.

Oh my goodness, I am so in love with this man

Best of friends (most of the time)

SATURDAY

Ty took Max out to kayak again, made breakfast for the fam (yay me! two meals in one camping trip), started packing up, took breaks for hammock snuggling/games, Ev was playing in the van while we were loading it but reached too far for something and fell on his face (it was literally on his face...as in, first point of contact), died a little that I couldn't get to him fast enough, loved him up and was amazed that he only cried for a few minutes because brother was scraped up, finished packing up, took kids for one last visit to the camp stage to perform - again The Sound of Music, all three kids fell asleep on the way home, unpacked-vacuumed-washed cars, sent kids to play on a neighbor's slip n' slide in last year's swimsuit for Kelly and some random way-too-big-basketball-shorts for Max because their suits were in the washer, ate dinner at Seabeck Pizza (Max ate there once with friends and had proclaimed it "The BEST food in the world!" so it was high time we tried it out), took our seats at the Kitsap Bluejackets baseball game, danced, ate popcorn, sported lots of glow-in-the-dark paraphernalia, Max ran the bases and met the players at the end of the game, enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display, came home and hit the hay because it was LATE.

The little blue speck is Max to the Max

Max said at the end of the game, "This could NOT have been better!"

Scraped fella

SUNDAY

Ty only had one meeting before Church, went to church, enjoyed a relaxed afternoon at home, Skyped some family, rode in our friend's newly acquired WWII jeep (you know, the usual)

Eric Morgensen in his dream come true...Max was slightly ELATED

MONDAY

Went to the YMCA where kids swam with Ty while I ran on the fancy-pants treadmill with its own TV, joined the fam for swimming fun, came home and made a cake (you should make this cake, seriously), dressed the kids in July 4th colors and went with the way Ev's hair dried after swimming (spiky! the kids said, "He looks like Sam!" - a cousin) took the kids and two of their friends to see Cars 2 (meh) while Ev napped and Ty did homework, finished the cake, sat outside with my hubby in the blessed sunshine, went to a very yummy BBQ at the Linton's, took down some of the fence between our house and the Linton's so that our kids can go in between our backyards at will from now on, ate my delicious cake (which had fresh strawberries from our backyard), did fireworks on our street, had a firework explode sideways and land on me and my babe, said a swear word (for which I apologized, but nobody had heard me say it anyway), got Everett calmed down, rejoined fireworks show with a little trepidation, kept finding more damage on my son's head from the rogue firework (singed hair and small burns on two spots of his head, a small burn right below his eye and a big chunk of missing eyelashes :( so sad), finished out the night joyful because Ev perked up and danced like a mad man with the other kids, fell asleep HAPPY (and kind of sad because the weekend was over) to the sound of explosions.

Doesn't he look tough? That's 'cause he is.

Reyes, Kelly & Camila

Jennifer the Pyro supplied most of the fireworks

Pre-firework exploding on us

Missing eyelashes :(

*sigh* It was really wonderful, even with Everett's mishaps. Now we're back to the grind of life and the last few weeks of busy school work for my main man. But as I said to the hubs the other day...the grind is pretty great too.

OUT!

2011-06-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

Max to the Max had a big first last week. His first tooth fell OUT. I wasn't ready. I thought this business didn't start happening until well into the Kindergarten year, or even first grade. But happen it did. Why do I freak out about my oldest child growing up? I really need to get a grip, I think. I'm working on it.

We got back from the Ragnar (which was only like a day and a half) and my mom asks if I knew that Max had a loose tooth. Ummm...no. My first thought was that he'd hit it on something and knocked it loose, but further investigation proved that this loose tooth was legit; the adult tooth was poking out right behind/below it. So he wiggled and wiggled. I told him once to just keep wiggling it and he said, "Mom, you don't even have to tell me to wiggle it because I really LOVE to wiggle it." Tyler was out of town for work and wanted to be home for the big event so Max promised that he would shove it back in if it came out.

Well...

On Friday morning (Ty wouldn't see the kids until Saturday afternoon) Max exclaims, "Mom, look! My tooth is really loose now!" I look over and he has blood starting to pour out of his mouth. So I grabbed some paper towel and got the blood under control to find that the tooth was hanging by a thread, so I popped it out. He was a little bit THRILLED about the whole experience and quickly realized that he, in fact, could not shove it back in to wait for Dad. Oh well, we sent him some pictures and Max got to tell him all about it. We couldn't do the Tooth Fairy bit that night since Tyler and I would be gone...AND we've forgotten the two nights since. But tonight will be the night. If we remember. Is this kid going to be in college next month? That's how fast time seems to go.

And THAT is a really long explanation. I should have just said "My kid lost his first tooth"...but that's just not my style.

We are OUT of races that we're committed to for the year! And it feels so good. I can now run for the heck of it, or skip it if I'm not feeling it. On Saturday Tyler joined me for the Rock n' Roll Half Marathon in Seattle. We decided at the beginning of last week that we would make an overnight date out of it. So we lined up a wonderful babysitter (Quincy, a young woman from our ward), scrambled for a hotel (tricky when there are 33,000 or so people participating in the race), and met on the streets of Seattle (I walked onto the ferry and he was coming from the airport since he'd been in Florida most of the week for work). It was perfect. We checked into our (overpriced) hotel room, went to the Expo to pick up our race packets (where Tyler crazily signed up to run the FULL marathon next year...it was $40 off and he was feeling inspired!), walked on over to dinner at Romio's (VERY yummy) and were in bed by 9 pm since our alarm would be going off at 4:45 to catch the shuttle. Waking up at that hour wasn't super easy when we were kidless in a fancy-pants hotel room, but wake up we did.

It was so fun to be at the start line with my hubs! And that's about the last I saw of him until the finish line. I patted his bottom, said "I love you" and sent him off to run at his pace (which is much faster than mine) about 20 seconds after we crossed the start line. We both ran our best time and had a great experience. We made our way back to the hotel, laid our weary bodies on the beds for a while and then realized we would have to book it to make the ferry. So we ran ('cause we totally needed to run MORE that day), only to miss the Bremerton ferry we were trying to make. Bummer. Instead we took the Bainbridge ferry and our babysitter piled the kids into the van and picked us up. I came home to a super clean house and happy kids. (Thanks again, Quincy!) LOVED the experience.

About to start!

Looking happy (but nasty....and squinty) at the finish line

We came home, had lunch, and then headed OUT the door for a Civil War reenactment in Port Gamble. It was awesome. At least that's what Ty told me. I had to take Everett across the street where the cannons and guns weren't so loud. He was not a fan.

Max was in little boy HEAVEN

Now I am OUT of time and things to say. Peace out.

Dream Realized

2011-06-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

I had a dream.

After last year's Ragnar, I had a dream of running a Ragnar with my hubs. So at last year's Foster reunion I started to push the idea, realizing that the stars might really align because there weren't going to be any expecting mommas in the fam this summer. We had 4 of the 6 brothers and their wives sign on by last fall...my Ragnar dream was going to come true!

Weston, me, Tyler, Garrett, Beth, Kristen, Drew, Adam, Laura, Jeff, Angie, Becky

I had another dream. I met Tyler's cousin's wife, Beth, several summers ago and we became friends mostly through our blogs. She was planning to run last year's Ragnar with my team in WA, but ended up not being able to. So when I realized that we were going to be short a couple or two for this year, I contacted Beth to see if she and her husband wanted in. They did! I was super excited to finally get to spend time with Beth and get to know her better. Love her.

Me and the beautiful Beth

The whole experience was awesome. Perfect. I loved our team and I loved the beauty of the Utah valleys and mountains we ran through. I love doing something hard and coming out on the other side of it. I love the inside jokes and memories made. I love the hilarity that comes from 6 hours of sleep in two days. I love that I got to shower in a beautiful home and then sleep for a few hours on a real bed before my final run (instead of climbing into a sleeping bag on the floor of a high school gym with hundreds of other runners and realize how NASTY I smelled...that was my Ragnar sleeping experience last year).

Van One: Ty, me, Adam, Laura, Beth, Garrett

I love, love, love my husband! My parents (so, so graciously) made the trek from Vegas and watched our kids at my grandparent's house for the weekend. It was so nice not to worry about them and just get lost in the experience together. The kids didn't miss us a bit and had SUCH a great time with my parents and grandparents. We were total zombies on Saturday afternoon and evening. My sister and her family drove from Payson where they were at a family reunion to visit us...I was glad the kids got to play, but felt so bad because I could barely put together a coherent sentence. (Sorry again, Adri & Trent!)

Me and my man at the finish line!

And my dad. My sweet, thoughtful Dad. He heard that we were planning to get together as a team in a park right after the finish line. So he asks if he can make lunch for everyone. Bacon wrapped hot dogs to be precise. And the reason (besides the fact that he's just really nice)? He visited Washington while I was training for my marathon and had to do a 20-mile run. He happened to be making those hot dogs for us (mostly for Ty) for lunch and I let him know it was the best my stomach had done post-long run. So when I ran my marathon at the Valley of Fire, he packed his BBQ grill in the back of his truck and made me (and everyone in the fam) those hot dogs near the finish line. So of course he's going to do the same, thoughtful thing after our Ragnar. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful parents!

Mom & Dad getting the grub ready

What a great experience! The stars likely won't be aligned for all of us next year...but hopefully a few years from now. I love me some Ragnar.

Double Master

2011-06-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

I asked Tyler last night when we got home from his MBA graduation if he wanted me to call him Double Master from now on and he agreed that it has a nice ring to it. Ha. Only if he'll call me Triple Master for mothering three little humans. When Tyler and I were engaged, I got to attend his thesis presentation and a few weeks before we were married, he graduated with his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. We didn't go to that graduation (it was held in April and he finished in December) because we were living across the country in New York and I wasn't around for all of the work, so I figured if he didn't care about going then we wouldn't make the trek.

Well, I WAS around for all of the work this time and there was no way we were going to miss last night's hooding ceremony. All of us were going. I was kind of questioning my wisdom in having all of the kids there last night when I talked to another wife who had left her kids at home and said there was no way she was going to bring them and was so happy to not have to worry about them. I realized Everett was likely going to be the noisiest kid in the room. But I am so glad that we all went...and I am so glad there weren't any verbose speakers. The whole thing was over in under an hour. Awesome. Luckily, we have an amazing friend, Russ Kent, who thinks our kids are great (I think he likes me and Tyler too) and asked if he could come. He was a HUGE help. We love you, Russ, and are so thankful to have your friendship. It meant so very much to have you there.

*Pictures below are from a little reception they had before the hooding ceremony*

Kelly Anne

The graduate and the babe who was there for half of this whole MBA business

Russ keeping the kids entertained...they can't wait to dig up his yard for some pirate treasure (a story he told them)

Don't mind us, we're just going to spread out and take all of the sitting room in the courtyard and use it as our table

The graduate with his three adorable babes...one who still manages to be cute with crazy eyes. He was holding all three. I LOVE this picture! My four favorite people.

*On to the Hooding Ceremony*

Hooded.

*Afterward Ty took us on a little tour of campus*

This is the room where a large portion of the learning occurred - Dougan 160

Russ and Tyler

I held myself together pretty well during the ceremony until one of the MBA student speakers thanked all of the family members who sacrificed and supported when they needed to do homework, go to class, meet with groups, etc. Then the tears began to flow. And I felt that it could easily turn into an ugly cry, but luckily I had my little peeps to keep quiet. Now, I know this wasn't as long or hard as medical school (we've got a lot of those doctor people in our family) or law school or dental school, but it was a challenge for us. Tyler worked full-time, served in the Young Mens organization at church, and fit in all of his class and homework at nights and on the weekends. He has been sleep deprived for the past two years, trying to do as much of his school work as possible when we were all sleeping. I didn't realize how dependent I was on Ty walking through the door every night until he didn't a few times a week. I don't know what it will be like to have Saturdays be Saturdays again and not homework days. But I am a more independent and confident momma than I was and Ty did SO much to make it obvious that his family came first above anything else. I am even more in love with him now than I was before. I like going through hard things together. You're my favorite person in this world, Tyler Michael. You rocked this MBA thing. I love you with all of my heart, Double Master. :)

On your marks, get set...go!

2011-05-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

Maxwell T was elated the other day when Tyler invited Max to go with him on his run that afternoon (Tyler's second run of the day...we're getting Ragnar ready).It was so cute. Ty had a paper he was writing and Max kept asking when I thought Dad would be coming downstairs for their run. He could hardly wait. Finally, the bedroom door opened and Ty bounded down the stairs with clothes for Max to wear running. They got in their fastest running shoes and then headed out the door.
Such a sweet mom moment to watch his excitement about the whole thing. That boy LoVeS his daddy. They (mostly) ran over to the school (.75 miles, I think) and Max played while Tyler ran at the track and then they (mostly) ran home. A few short breaks in there for those little legs.
"Whew! That was a good run!" were Max's words when he walked through the door. Love those men in my life - the little, excited, daddy-loving one, and the bigger, thoughtful, handsome one who knew how much his boy would love the experience with his dad. I'm so lucky to have them both!

Man alive...

2011-05-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Max is FIVE!

This was on his actual birthday at my parent's house in Vegas with cousins...he makes the weirdest faces

My firstborn turned FIVE and I didn't blog about it?! If that's not neglectful mothering, I don't know what is. Ha. :) We were in Vegas on the big day, we came home and had a little party for the Maxster that I wanted to have before I blogged, life is busy...but really, I might be in denial about the whole thing and that's why I haven't blogged. Maybe if I refuse to accept it, he'll stay little forever. However, as he grows he gets even more hilarious and helpful, so maybe I will commission a few more years of aging.

Don't feel weird that you have the impulse to kiss the screen or squeeze it in an effort to squeeze those cheeks

Five+ years ago I became a mother, specifically this little dude's mom. I had a hard labor that I thought would never end, but end it (thankfully) did. They put a tiny, perfect little man in my arms who was quiet and had strong enough neck muscles to turn his head to look at my face when I talked to him in those first, perfect, amazing moments. I will never, ever forget those moments. I know that my relationship with Max began before either of us stepped foot on this earth. I am so glad it gets to continue and grow here.

Oh my gosh, this picture makes me want to cry and giggle at the same time

We had a great little party to celebrate. This was Max's first official party with friends and games and stuff. 5 is the age we decided on for the first of those. Max settled on a superhero dress-up party and I found some great ideas from creative moms on the internet. Oh, how I love the internet.

These were the invitations, made to look like official folders for superhero candidates:

We decided that Max would dress in his black church suit and wear sunglasses to look like a superhero agent delivering the invites. He was SUPER serious about this and thought that they really wouldn't be able to tell that it was him when he went to the door.

Max had me, Kelly, and Everett hide around the corner of the house so that they wouldn't know it was him. At the first house our neighbor, Ryan, opened the door and said, "Hi, Maxwell!" Max delivered the invite and came around the corner punching his fist into his hand saying, "Darn! They knew who I was." We were off to the second house and Max wags his finger in the air and decidedly says, "I think they knew who I was because I was smiling." So for the rest of the walk up the street he squished his cheeks together like you do when you're trying not to smile. I was trying so hard not to laugh. I LOVED delivering the invitations. It was so fun!

The night of the party came and we had these signs posted on the lawn.Ty dressed in a suit and sunglasses and had an app on his phone that scanned retinas and one that did fingerprinting. Each kid had to be checked before they entered the Super Secret Superhero Training Facility.

We did some pictures with all of the superheroes and then had dinner before getting started on the superhero training (the games).

First they decorated some superhero masks.

Then we did a line of passing the ball under and over, a really fun web game, and a kryptonite game of passing the ball quickly around the circle until the music stopped.

I told Max a few days before the party about the games I was planning. He listened intently and came to me a while later saying, "Mom, you're games are good....bu-ut....I was thinking we could play a game where we make bad guys out of cardboard and learn to fight them!" (with an accompanying high kick, of course) So I rounded up some cardboard from a few friends and Ty made these pretty sweet cardboard bad guys. He printed out faces of Syndrome and Lex Luther (is that his name?) and then drew their bodies. {I have to throw in here that Tyler is a pretty awesome dad and husband. He got home from work, threw these puppies together, decorated the house, and put on his suit to greet the kids while I was sewing the capes I'd underestimated time-wise.} Max's game, of course, was the biggest hit of the party.

After everyone had a turn knocking down the bad guys, we let all of the superheroes go crazy on them :)

We gave each of the kids superhero diplomas and capes once they'd completed the "training".

Then it was on to cupcakes and ice cream. Ummm....I know I'm a biased mom, but Max is such a sweetheart. The kids shouted that he had to make a wish before he blew out his candle and so he says, "I wish...that my family can be together forever." Melt a momma's heart.
Such a great and appropriate celebration of this 5-year-old's life. I love him. He loves life and has a very FUN imagination and says the funniest things. I think God knew I would be in the rainy Pacific Northwest and that I would need some extra sunshine...Max is sunshine for me. I love you, Maxwell T! Especially because you strike funny poses when I ask you to smile for the camera. Being your mom is a delight.

Max-isms

2011-04-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Tyler calls Kelly Sweet Daughter or Daughter Dearest quite often. The other day Max came into me quite sad and said, "I don't like when Dad calls Kelly Sweet Daughter." I asked why and he said, with tears in his eyes, "It makes me feel like he doesn't love me." I asked what Dad calls him and he sadly said, "He just calls me son." "Well, what do you want him to call you?" I asked. "Tough son" was the reply. I encouraged him to go and talk to his dad about it. He did and Tyler felt really bad. I've heard a whole lot of Tough Son around here the last few days. :)

----------------------------------------

Overheard while he was playing by himself:

"This Batman mask keeps me safe from sin. If sin comes and hits me on the head...NONSENSE! I won't do anything bad."

----------------------------------------

Max: Do you know my favorite tool that a fireman uses?

Me: Yes!

Max (before I could say what it was): A pick ax!

Me: I already knew that. I know my son.

Max: You don't know EVERYTHING that I know.

Me: Like what?

Max: Like...that I like shutting doors.

Me: I didn't know that. Why do you like shutting doors?

Max: I just like the way that it sounds (makes door-shutting noises)

Me: What else don't I know about you?

Max: That I like watching fans spin around.

Me: Why?

Max: It looks like they're having a race...around, around, around. Like on Cars because the track is a circle.

-----------------------------------

Max (as he's putting his dishes into the sink after breakfast): Mom, my belly won't ever look the same, will it?

Me: What do you mean?

Max: I'm gonna get fat.

Me: Why do you think that?

Max: I don't know. I'm just gonna get fat.

Me: When?

Max: When I'm really old.

--------------------------------------

The next few I've posted on Facebook, but want to put on the ol' blog because this will be made into a book and I don't want to forget them....

The other day Max asks me what hostage means. I told him it means that you are like a prisoner. He says, "I'm not a hostage, Kelly's not a hostage, you're not a hostage, Dad's not." I told him that we are lucky to not be hostages and he says, "Well, Kelly and I are KIND OF like hostages when you guys get mad at us." I couldn't help but laugh. Yeah, time out is pretty darn rough, dude.

------------------------------------------

Max has started interpretive scripture reading (like interpretive dancing) when it's his turn to repeat the scripture. It makes scripture time so much longer, but so entertaining.

-------------------------------------------

This morning I was reorganizing in the kid's closet and Kelly came across her baby blankets. She was exclaiming over and over about their cuteness. Max said to her, "YOU'RE cute." Made my day. :)

------------------------------------------

Positive self-talk is important, even on the potty. Max, age 4 (overheard): "You can do it, Max, come on! Push it out! You can do it. I know you can." I know, kind of gross. But funny.

--------------------------------------------

Loved Max's logic behind his NCAA bracket picks - Georgetown because Curious George is cool; Penn State because you're using a pen (to fill in the bracket); Pitt because Gary (a guy in our ward) likes the Pittsburgh Steelers; NOT Morehead because that's a weird name - More Heads!; and choosing between the Huskies and Cougs for the final (of course) he went with BYU because they had 30 wins and Mom is 30. :) Love him!

---------------------------------------------

Tonight the song My Favorite Things came on Pandora I had playing on a speaker. I could tell Max was thinking about something and just as the song was ending he said, "She says these are a FEW of her favorite things, but there are actually a LOT of things." Ha!

----------------------------------------------

Tonight as I put the kids to bed Max asked how exactly we get to heaven. I told him I wasn't sure and he offered that maybe stairs come down and our spirits walk up them after they leave our bodies. I told him that was a good thought and that we'll find out eventually how it works. He said, "Yeah, maybe in Kindergarten they'll teach me about how we get to heaven." :)

-----------------------------------------------

Kelly just came into the room, freaking out about a bug on her book. Max went to the bathroom, grabbed some toilet paper, and marched toward the book, exclaiming, "I''m on it, Kelly!" That bug doesn't stand a chance.

Our little man is growing up and, as you can tell, brings regular entertainment to our household. We love, love, love him.

Lots of excuses...

2011-04-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

but really, I have no legitimate excuse for not posting in so long. Do you want to hear the excuses anyway? No? Good, because I don't feel like writing them.

I decided I will post according to pictures. I was trying to think of what I've missed posting about and just looked through the pictures on my phone (only working camera we have these days)...they jogged my memory a bit so I'll just throw up some pictures with commentary and then we can move forward as if this whole month-long hiatus never happened. Deal? Deal. (Max always says that to us, "Deal?" and doesn't wait for an answer before he responds with "Deal." I like him lots.)

Let's just get this one out of the way. Tears first, laughter later. He's registered for Kindergarten. I know. I only cried a little when I handed the papers to the nice lady in the office. I would have liked to see the expression on my face when she said, "and the bus will be picking him up from your house." I'm sorry, the what?! That was a little much for me. I didn't know a stinking bus was going to be involved. I only got misty-eyed twenty more times throughout the day when I would think about it. I will get emotional every time I look at this picture for the rest of my life.

Are you okay? I know, it's a little hard to handle. That's why I wanted to break the news and then move on to happier things.

Like this.

"Sometimes when people dance they hold hands like this. Right mom?" Right, Jimmer...errr..Max. I know you were thrown off because he was wearing Jimmer's number. You should have heard the squealing and cheering when Dad brought this home from his trip. Oh wait, you probably did.

This is Everett's favorite game with the kids and I LOVE watching it go down. Everyone can be doing their own thing, but when Ev comes up and clamps his little hands on one of the kid's shirts they know what to do - let the Ev Man push them all over until they run into a wall or door, they act hurt and laugh, then he turns them around and pushes some more. I love it because no words are spoken and they can literally be mid-play, but the clamping of those tiny hands signals fun. Like here, Max and Kelly were dancing, but it all came to an end when Everett changed the game.

Sunshine, blessed sunshine! Waterfront Park...we're baaaack!
Oh my. He came out of the bathroom with his pants like this. I about died laughing. Can you believe those skinny legs?!

Creative carrier. They walked around giggling like crazy with this on for about twenty minutes.

FHE before Conference was all about King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon and how the people pitched their tents with the door toward the Prophet to hear him speak. So we drew some pictures to put on our tent and then pitched it for Conference weekend in the living room (can't take credit for the idea). When I told the kids that we were going to pitch our tent like King Benjamin's people did they asked, "And are we going to fall to the ground too?" There's a part in the story where they all fall to the ground because they want to repent and are so overcome by the King's words. :) I told them no, probably not, but they insisted that they wanted the falling down to be part of it.

Max was a detective solving a crime committed in the garage. These were the clues he found and each one had a hilarious part to the story. I'm sure he still remembers it; this might be on another post in the future.
This is why I floss. You never know when someone is going to take a picture of your teeth. You just never know.
Tyler was upstairs slaving away on school work one Saturday morn, so Max to the Max flashed pictures of each stage of the pancakes cooking and then took them up to Tyler so that he would know what we were having for breakfast and that it was done and time for him to come down and eat.

I love finding pictures like this.
We're Husky fans! That's where Ty is getting his MBA and so we have become full-fledged shirt-wearing fans. Though if BYU plays the Huskies, we are rooting for BYU. Let's make that clear. Tyler went on a week-long trip with the young men from Church and Max wanted to have a Husky day. So we took pictures and sent them to Dad in Utah.
I had to show Ty I was in on the action too.
My baby boy is growing up so fast and he is delicious. Just look at those cheeks! He signs like crazy, is saying a few words and offers to say the prayer by raising his hand and then grunting sounds to repeat what I tell him to say. His favorite activities are throwing balls, reading books, and being outside. Brother seriously LOVES to be outside. Sorry you live in Washington, little man. He's also the cutest hugger and wraps his arms around as far as they can go for a really great hug. He loves making us smile and has a very ready smile for everyone. I maintain what I have stated before...he is a delight.

This little gem of a girl is pretty awesome too. Her standard nighttime song requests are Mamma Mia! and Super Trooper. She sings a ton and loves to play with princesses and be super girlie, but will put on Wolverine claws and kill the bad guys any time of day. Her toenail polish really must be maintained and she is getting much more vocal about how I do her hair every day. I'll post videos of her singing some of her favorite songs soon. Her voice is just so cute.

This dude isn't so little anymore and it's kind of breaking my heart. BUT I really love the boy he is becoming. He can hang with both younger and older kids. He'll incorporate Kelly's princesses into play with his soldiers, which I so appreciate. He is sensitive and absolutely LOVES his daddy. I know that both Tyler and I are going to be super relieved when Tyler is done with school...but I think that Max might be the most excited. I can't wait for the weekend when we don't have to tell him, "Dad's got to go upstairs to do some school work." Luckily, he has an awesome dad who makes the very most of the time he does have with the kids. I am so lucky to be Maxwell's momma and thankful that he is my oldest kiddo.

Maxwell T

2011-03-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Got his second set of stitches...this time on the front of his noggin'. Last time was on the back from falling off of the pew at church when he was 1. This time was because he forgot to duck in McDonald's Playland. Apparently when you forget to duck, the consequences are dire.

Seriously...the saddest picture

We'd had dinner there because there was little to no food in the house, and then I left Ty and the kids to play while I grocery shopped. I was almost done when I got a call from Ty. I answered, "Are the kids getting restless?" He responded, "Yeah, ummm, you need to come. Right now." He explained what happened and as he was talking I was running my cart to the front of the store. I'm such a good mom that I asked him if I had time to check out. I know. But he said yes, as long as I could do it fast. We're really awesome parents. I saw long lines of people and was about to ditch my cart when I saw an employee leading a lady to a newly opened lane, so I ran my cart over and said, "Ma'am, ma'am?! I have an emergency. Can I please go in front of you?" I explained the whole thing to her and she was pretty crusty. Either she thought I was lying or wondered why I was bothering to check out. Oh well, I didn't really care what she thought. I just wanted to get through there fast. I got to McDonald's just minutes after the manager finished the report...so I stand by my decision to check out. :) Tyler rode in the back with Max, applying pressure to his head most of the way until the bleeding stopped. We checked the emergency room near our house and then opted for a nearby urgent care with less of a wait. I came home, put the kids to bed, unloaded the groceries, and then had a neighbor come and sit with my sleeping kiddos while I picked Tyler and my newly stitched-up son from urgent care.

What a night! He got the stitches out Saturday morning, which was a tad early so now he has steri-strips. The swelling has finally gone down and now he just has a lovely green/yellow bruise in the middle of his forehead, along with a nicely healing wound. We're hoping to get a college education out of this from Mickey D's. JUST kidding. But the manager did say that they would likely pay for the urgent care visit. They called and took a statement from Tyler, so we'll see. There are dangers lurking everywhere, folks. Just remember to duck when you're supposed to.

------------------------------------------------------------

Gave a talk in Primary. Well, Tyler gave the talk and Max said a few lines of it. I'm not sure what happened, but brother has developed some stage fright. He is all confidence most of the time, but put him in front of a group of people with a microphone...*silence and nerves* But I want to share the talk because I just asked him a few questions and then wrote his answers, word-for-word. It's pretty darn cute. And he performed it for us with gusto several times on the back of the couch at home and had the whole thing memorized. I put each line on the back of a picture. The talk is about Prophets:

A Prophet is someone who teaches you.
It's Jesus' words that the prophets are speaking. For behold, Jesus speaks through the prophets. (He was very clear that he wanted me to write down the "for behold" part)
Heavenly Father sends a message to His prophets, then they know it, and then they come and teach you.
The messages from Jesus tell everyone in the whole world what to do - even robbers!
Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet today. I think he's cool and handsome and good at telling us messages from Jesus.
I know that prophets love us and Jesus Christ loves us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We're going to register the boy for kindergarten this week. I think I might have a nervous breakdown. But, boy, is he excited for that new adventure. I certainly love this little man of mine!

Sister's Days

2011-03-01T15:55:00.001-08:00

Kelly and I went on a date on her birthday. Just the two of us. We tried on shirts and dresses at Old Navy and danced in the dressing room. We got her fingernails painted (we were going to both get our nails done, but Kell was a little freaked out so I just had them paint her nails while she sat on my lap...we did this because I had a gift card and figured I may as well put it to use; I usually do the nail painting) and the lady wouldn't accept any payment because it was the little lady's birthday. So nice. We headed to Albertsons to pick out her cake flavor - chocolate - and some ice cream, plus a few birthday donuts since we weren't going to be able to do the cake until the next day when Ty would be home. Then I called my friend who was watching Max and Ev, found out things were going well, and decided to do lunch at Wendy's as well. It was so fun. I love spending solo time.

This was the little dress she chose...plus a blue and pink butterfly jacket that was on sale for $5.99. Good choice, Kelly!

drying her nails

I love this pose and how she is holding her chicken nugget and showing her newly painted nails

Later that afternoon we wrote her Happy Birthday message in tempura paint on the window and then she and Max spent over an hour painting the window. It was so fun to watch....and a great focused activity!

She wore her dress the rest of the day and all of the next...AND to church on Sunday. Don't ask if I washed it in between.

The next day Ty only had to go in to work for a few hours, so we did presents as soon as he got home and her cake and ice cream that night. It was SUPER fun to watch her open presents - she was so thrilled with each thing that she opened and would dramatically exclaim, "Oh, THANK YOU! It's so CUTE!" as she clutched it to her chest. Sister loved her birthday. We love this little woman. I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Oh, and sister has become a name-writing fool. She wrote a perfect H one day and was so pleased with herself, so she wanted to write all sorts of things. Girl catches on super quick and is very meticulous about getting each part of each letter just right...."Op!" and erases one line that went a little longer than she'd meant for it to.

Too fast, I say. They grow up too fast.

A Fabulous 3 Years!

2011-02-24T18:33:00.001-08:00

Kelly Anne Foster *Bo Belly, Bo Bell, Smelly Kelly, Kell Bo Bell, Daughter Dearest* came into our lives 3 years ago at 10:53 a.m. I didn't know how much I wanted a daughter until I had one. She is everything I imagined a little girl to be. She is full of life and emotion. She loves her brothers, dancing, dressing up, princesses, superheroes (particularly Scarlet Witch and Storm), snuggling with an animal at bedtime, snuggling with Mom and Dad anytime, playing with Max, coloring, squealing, singing, having her hair done, showing Dad how pretty she is, playing games on our iPhones, and being a mom to everyone.

I love how emotional she is (most of the time). She gets so excited and squeals over the simplest joys. This morning there was lots of squealing when she got a Supergirl shirt from Max and colorful socks from Everett. "Oh! THANK YOU, Max! THANK YOU, Everett! That is SO cute! Oh, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!" (yes, I did need that many exclamation points...trust me)

Her main request for the day is to have colorful milk each time she needs a drink, which consists of dropping food coloring into a cup of milk. This morning she exclaimed with surprise, "Yellow milk tastes just like regular milk!" She has asked each of us at different times to tell her Happy Birthday and when Max said it multiple times at once she insisted that he say it "just one time". (to my siblings and parents...is she my daughter or what?)

I will also be picking up pink tempura paint to write a birthday message on our sliding door like I did for Ev's birthday, because red and orange would never do for this pink-loving sista. In a little bit she and I will be venturing out on our date to pick out a new shirt and get our nails painted. Most of the festivities will be tomorrow since today is a non-Dad day. And she's requested that her party consist of "just our family." *I wrote this this morning...it's all been accomplished but I'll blog about that later...*

I love my little woman...oh so very much! Thanks for coming to our family, Kelly Anne! You light up our lives.

Home Stretch?

2011-02-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

When I ran my marathon, I thought that I would feel like the last 3 or 4 miles were cake. It would mean that I was almost done! Plus 3 or 4 miles was nothing...those were my easy training days. But I was wrong. Those were some of the hardest miles I ran. I got teary-eyed, discouraged, and hit a major wall. Thankfully a good portion of that stretch was kind of downhill and so my body couldn't help but keep moving even though everything was screaming for me to sit down!

The last 3 or 4 miles...the downhill that saved me

That's how I am feeling about these last months of Ty's school. Everyone keeps telling me, "Oh! You're almost done!" (Like the well-meaning lady who said, "Just 6 miles to go!" at mile 20...I'll let you imagine how I felt about that) But I just feel like I want to cry and I feel discouraged. Thankfully I have kids and regularly scheduled activities and a calling in church to keep me moving forward each day.

I didn't know that help was on it's way...

Remember how Tyler joined me the last mile + of my marathon? He was what saved me. He pushed me and believed in me and motivated me to the finish.

I think this is my favorite picture in the history of pictures

We've been running side-by-side this whole time while he's been getting his MBA but sometimes we get separated because there is just too much on our plates that we have to focus on. That's how it feels right now. It feels like we are too far apart. It's nobody's fault, it's life. We are pretty darn good about making time for dates and time to talk, but for some reason I feel like I need a date every other night right now and three-hour meaningful conversations every night, which isn't at all practical or possible, especially since there are essentially three days a week that we see him little or not at all. Maybe it's the winter getting to me (I did, after all, grow up in Vegas and right now in Vegas it's park-going weather). Whatever it is, I'm not loving it and I need to get back on top of my game. I will. I'm just having a moment.

I finished my marathon strong. Tyler left the course for me to finish it out on my own so he could cheer me along from the side as I crossed the finish line. The needed surge came, adrenaline came from somewhere, and I felt so good about my finish. I was elated, actually. I also collapsed into my mom's arms and let out a sob from deep inside me that I didn't even know was there. Like, for a long time. Oh, that finish was so sweet.

I'll finish strong . But for this moment it's hard...and that's okay, it will make the finish that much sweeter. Ty gives me the support I need, but sometimes I need to run on my own too. And the help will come from a known source, my Savior.

B-Day, V-Day, and Kelly-isms

2011-02-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Little dude had a birthday, which I mentioned, but I did not post anything about his little bash. We basically invited just a few people over, had some pizza, opened a few presents, and ate cake. I so love this little man. He is delightful and I am super lucky he's mine!

Ty took care of the cake and got the house ready (including decorations) while I was at a Zumba class that morning...I sure love that man!

Yeah, so most people decorate the cake for the baby all cute. Not us. Put the frosting we tried to make black for the wheels on top of some of the leftover cake and let him dig in. He's my first babe to dig in, actually. Not a ton, but a lot more than Max or Kelly. He's a good eater...and has the cheeks to prove it!

Max & Kelly's friends who came

If you want to kiss your computer screen right now, I totally understand. I just did.

Everett D is a lover. And we love him. Lots.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the text we sent out to some family for Valentine's Day. The kids LOVED having me write one their faces (for real). "Mom, can we play with it on for a little bit?" Kelly sobbed dramatically when it was time to wash it off, even though I did let them play with it on for a long bit.

Hope your V-Day was a sweet day! Ours was very fun and simple...lots of red food coloring in milk, heart-shaped food, making valentines for Dad, heart-attacking some of the kids in Primary, decorating cool cupcakes with Jennifer and her boys, and then we had a candlelit dinner of salmon (my first time cooking it...'twas a success!), garlic mashed potatoes, and broccoli. I was going to have a romantic fondue dessert with the hubs after kids went down, but we were so stuffed from dinner and other treats people gave us that we decided to leave that for another romantic night. I like dragging things out anyway...we're throwing a Valentine's part-ay this weekend.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was a snowstorm back in January...I love this little woman's guts!

Today at lunch the kids were having a pizza that had sausage on it. Kelly asked me to help her "take the yucky stuff off." I told her that she used to LOVE sausage when she was younger (like, 1) and so she decided to give it a try. I turned and got more food for Everett and was paying attention to him for a bit when I remembered that she was trying the sausage, so I turned around and excitedly asked, "Kelly, did you like your sausage?!" She looked up at me with her giant blue eyes and then glanced sheepishly down at her plate where there was a big pile of sausage and then said, "Ummm...maybe later....(long pause)....when I'm 3." That's next week, sister. Get ready for some sausage!

--------------------------------------------

While I was making dinner tonight Kelly wanted to sit on the counter. I said, "Actually, I would love your help setting the table!" She super sweetly and happily responded, "TOMORROW!" The way she said it made me think she hadn't understood me, so I said, "What?" And she said again in the exact same tone, "TOMORROW!" So I said, "What about tomorrow?" "Tomorrow I will help you set the TABLE!" I'll take that over, "NO!" any day.

Kelly's First Haircut

2011-02-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you're thinking, "She must mean Everett's first haircut...Kelly's almost three." While Everett did get his first full-fledged haircut last week as well, this post IS about my girl's first experience under the scissors. Why did I wait so long? Good question, thanks for asking. I can't explain what it was because on a conscious level I wasn't overly attached to her hair. But maybe under the surface getting her haircut made her seem too grown-up? I don't really know why, I just wasn't ready for it. I noticed split-ends a few months ago, though, and decided it was time. I have a wonderful friend Jennifer who cuts my hair and has a salon in her home. I cut boy hair, but I don't dare do girl hair just yet, so off to Jennifer's we went!

Pre-cut

Such a Kelly face. This is when she wasn't sure about the whole thing...

...and this is about two seconds later :)

Jennifer wanted to do Kelly's hair fancy - she just had her first baby girl a few months ago so she likes the practice :)

Kelly loved the experience and couldn't wait to show her dad!

I think you should know

2011-02-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

So I've started another blog. I don't have time for another blog, but it's something I am really passionate about and so I'm going to make time.

Check it out!

Pass it along if you feel so inclined. Become a follower (sometimes it's okay!), put it in your Google Reader, and check in for pretty regular posts. We'll see how it goes...I'll consider it a success if more than two people (namely, my sisters) read it. Sure do 'preciate ya!

Quick Kid Project

2011-02-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

I wanted a place for my kids to hang up their art and stuff. We have a stainless refrigerator so the ol' fridge display is out. I had a bunch of clothespins from a previous craft, bought some ribbon on sale for $1.49, had the kiddos paint the clothespins, attached the clothespins to the ribbon, nailed the ribbon to their wall...and voila! Cheap, super easy, and got the kids involved. My kind of project. PLUS it turned out pretty darn long to accommodate all of the painstakingly perfectly painted pins so it's been inspiring my little people to do more drawing/coloring/painting to fill up each clothespin. I like it.

A day for the (blog) book...

2011-01-30T15:49:00.001-08:00

Kelly has a cough. A cough isn't conducive to dropping your kid off at Nursery with a bunch of other little kids. So church was out for my Bo-Bell today. Tyler had meetings for a few hours before church but could trade off for sacrament meeting and the second hour (when I would do sharing time). So 15 minutes before church I loaded the kids in the van, drove to the church, and Ty met us in the parking lot. Max and I hopped out, Tyler hopped in and took the other kids back home (if I'd waited for his meetings to be done and for him to drive home, Max and I would have been late to sacrament, so this worked out swimmingly). Sacrament was pretty darn enjoyable with one 4-year-old! I conducted in Primary and then did the first sharing time. I'd talked to the other counselor right before church about taking over for me the last hour ...luckily it was a low-key lesson. I hurried back home for the next trade-off and left the car running in the driveway. Ty came out and as he was putting his stuff in the backseat I told him I thought there was a mouse in the car because I'd heard rustling papers under the passenger's seat the whole way home and I was totally freaked/grossed out. Luckily I was wrong - no mouse, just a bouncy ball. :) I came in, put Everett down for a nap, and hung out with Kelly for the next hour. Tyler walked in after church by himself and I said, "No Max?" thinking that Max was trying to surprise us or wanted to play in the car for a minute...but the look of shock on my sweet husband's face told the real tale. He'd left our kid at church! He rushed back and on the way got a call on his cell from the Bishop who had Max to the Max in his office. Ha! Max was found with a handful of animal crackers from the jar in the Bishop's office and a smile on his face. I don't blame Ty a bit...all of the trading off and the fact that he had driven to church after the second trade-off sans Max makes it all very understandable. I have to admit that I panicked at first and couldn't believe he'd forgotten him, but as soon as I heard Ty pealing out of the driveway I realized that church was the very best place he could have left him and knew he'd be back with our firstborn in a few minutes. Now Ty is home teaching, I've got to make mashed potatoes and a vegetable to go with our BBQ Pork Ribs and then Tyler is off to a fireside he's planned for the youth. Whew! I love Sundays, even when they're crazy and we forget our kid.

ONE delightful dude

2011-01-29T18:55:00.001-08:00

Last night I put Everett D to bed. Usually I can lay him in his crib and he goes to sleep, but last night he cried and so I rocked and sang to him again. This time he fell asleep on my chest. Oh, just what this momma needed on the eve of her babe's first birthday. I sat there with him in my arms for a very long time, thinking about...

the days leading up to his birth, especially the FIVE after his due date, and how it didn't matter that he was "late" once he was here;

the labor and delivery and how beautiful it was, how the doctor and nurses were so respectful of me doing things naturally even though they were worried (and rightfully so because the cord was wrapped a whopping 4 times around his little neck) but I was oblivious and able to focus; the first time I held him and the first time I introduced him to his very excited older brother and sister;

how he so easily has fit into our little family and how much joy he brings to each of us, we all have our own little relationship with him;

how he really is such a delightful little man (though babysitters might beg to differ since he prefers family).

Some of my favorite things about this little lover: he does face dives when he's really happy or excited (for example, when I walk in the room and smile at him, he'll smile huge and do a little squeal, then put his face down either on the carpet or the couch :) );

he already loves to wrestle but cries if he's watching and thinks someone is not enjoying it;
his kissable cheeks;
his smile;

his big, open mouth, slobbery kisses and that when I tell the kids after stories at night to give me hugs and kisses, he'll drop what he's doing and come to kiss me;

It seems he's been prepping for the big birthday because just this week he started REALLYwalking everywhere, he's gone down to one nap instead of two, and he's starting to pick up on baby signs (he did his first sign with Ty tonight - eat - no surprise, boy can chow down!)

Oh man, Everett Daniel Foster, I am even more in love today than I was a year ago...and that's saying a lot because the love was flowing freely on the day you were born. We are lucky to have you! Happy Birthday, little dude!