What We've Been Up To... Sort Of

I'm not one of those moms who carries around a camera wherever we go. In fact... I am horrible at taking pictures. I bit ironic for a journalist. I'm no good with any type of camera. But since it has been so long since I have put anything up here I will add what few photos I have on my iPhone.

On a beautiful Saturday morning the girls toured the grounds of the Denver Temple while mommy had the chance to spend some time inside. It was a wonderful respite. Afterwards the ward met for a picnic at a nearby park. So, when talking with their dad he asked what they came away with from their temple trip (besides a sunburn). Abbigial promptly replied, "Daddy they have a waterfall. But you can't put money in it." Well, I tried.

Yet more proof that I am raising my grandmother's great-granddaughters: they love shoes! They could get that from my Grandma Gunda, but more likely they get it from me. Today's choice of shoes (with pajamas, of course): tap shoes and white church shoes. Can Abby tap? No. Does she try? As loudly as possible.

Now this picture has nothing to do with what we have been up to, but I wanted to add it because I think I actually did a good job taking it... check out the lighting! Of course it was a happy accident. Also... isn't this a great cat. A happy, fat, great cat. He weighs more than Claire!

What else have we been up to? The zoo, It'z, Chuck E Cheese, the park, playdates, birthday parties (Abby turned 3!) and so much more that we do have photos of that I will post someday. Until then... these will have to do. Besides... they still show just how darn cute these kids are.

And how much fun we have together as a family...

And at times, no matter how crazy or upside down life can be... we are a family close together or far apart. And these sweet faces, with all of their tantrums, quarrels, and hijinks.... these faces make it all worth while.

The Oldest Sister

I'm not old enough. She can't be old enough! My baby has finished kindergarten. Today was Ella's last day of kindergarten. She had a wonderful teacher... Mrs. Huebner. The class called her Mrs. H. Ella loves her, and I am amazed at how much Ella has learned from her. She is doing math, counting money, and writing stories. Every day she leaves me a little to read. Such a sweet heart...

She loves to learn... when she isn't at school she is finding new ways to keep learning. The best way she has found is making up songs and then writing down the lyrics. And if they aren't her original songs she is writing down the words to songs she hears on the radio. So smart...

And we are so proud... she is such a well behaved little girl at school. Her grades are strong, teachers love her and are always using her as the best example.

The entire kindergarten class put together a program called, "Going On a Picnic." The girls dressed as ladybugs, and the boys dressed as army ants. Ella knew every word of every song, and her choreography was right on cue. This kid is going to grow up to be a performer. She was the only girl who made her own costume for the program!

Probably what we love most about Ella is how protective she is of her little sisters. Of course she and Abbigail fight. Sisters do, but she is always the first to defend, protect and comfort Abbigail when something goes wrong. Just look at how the two cuddle up together like a couple of kittens in bed!

And her love for her baby sister, Claire, is adorable. She is always wanting to hug and kiss her youngest sister. Ella even has nightmares about Claire falling out of bed or down the stairs.

There isn't enough to say about this sweet girl. She is smart, beautiful, funny, kind, sweet, forgiving, compassionate and a true friend. My best friend. She loves to sing, dance, pretend. She is shy but loving. Sneaky but sincere. And always persistent. She is always so beautiful... we can't wait to see how much more beauty she brings to our lives.

The Art of Abbigail

What else is there to say about Abbigail... this kid has more personality in her pinkie then most people have in their entire body. Her smile says it all. A bit mischievous, a bit of sweetness, and more than a bit of knock you down, roll on the floor sense of humor.

This kid is definitely the comedian in the family. Sometimes I think I am raising a boy... the fart humor, her super-human strength (she can take Ella down without trying), and of course... her beautiful artwork. This face surrounding her belly-button was done with a permanent marker. Explain that to the doctor.

And unlike Ella, she is very independent. She wants to do everything on her own. I tried to help her at Chuck E Cheese... but she just wouldn't have it. She gets dressed on her own. She pours her own drinks. She washes her own hair. She even likes to do the dishes. Of course... that independence comes with quite few mishaps, but the kid is learning - and FAST!

But as much as she may be tough as nails, a little "gross" at times... she is definitely a girl. The singing, the dancing... and of course the princess costumes, the high-heels, and the makeup she must put on every day proves just how much of a girl she is.

When she first started putting on makeup it was a bit sloppy. I went through several tubes of mascara. But Grandma Kuu was a big help.

Eventually my beautiful princess learned the art of blue eye-shadow and now knows how to expertly apply just the right amount. :)

Of course... there are still days she finds the mascara and goes a little crazy and it takes more than soap and water to clean up those messes.

Every day is an adventure with this crazy kid, and I will gladly clean up whatever "mess" she brings our way.

Growing Up Too Fast

This is happening way too fast... she started out so little. So sweet. So perfect.

No, that hasn't changed... she is still perfect and sweet, but not so little anymore.

I remember putting this bow on her head and thinking, "Boy, that looks ridiculous. It is the size of her head."

It has only been a few months since we left Borger. Okay, it has been 5 1/2 months, but Claire has changed so much. Her hair is lighter... she sits up on her own (without the Bumbo), and she has two bottom teeth and another coming in on the top. She loves fruit, hates vegetables, and constantly wants to be with her sisters or her mom. She is growing to be just like Ella and Abbigail.

One of her favorite things... being outside. We'll go for walks, spend some time at the park, take a ride in the stroller or wagon... or sometimes we'll just put her in excersaucer outside and let her get some Vitamin D. She loves the breeze, loves the sun, and loves watching the squirrels, cats, and dog run wild through the yard. Oh... and the other animals: Ella and Abbigail.

Probably the best part about Claire... her beautiful, goofy grin. When she smiles it is as if she is trying to smile harder than she possibly can. Her nose wrinkles up, and these perfect little giggles escape her lips. You can't help but be happy when you are with her... that's probably why God put her in my life. I need that daily, hourly, minute by minute dose of happiness.

Every day is a new discovery for Claire at this age. Whether she is finding her balance and standing on her own. Maybe she discovers how to suck through a straw. Or perhaps she finds the simple pleasure of a box. Forget the toys. A box to sit in, and pretend it is her own little car is what every baby needs.

And then she discovers the stairs. The crawling came so easily for her... but she avoided the stairs. Until one day... this day in the picture... she heard her sisters giggling and playing upstairs at Meme & Papa's house and had to join them. So she climbed all 18 stairs (with mom right behind her, of course.) Now we can't keep her away from the stairs. She can't climb down them, but for some reason all she wants to do is play on or near those darned stairs.

And no, the gash on her chin and bruise on her cheek are not from the stairs. One evening at church Abbigail was carrying Claire when they both fell and crashed into a folding chair. Claire's chin split open, blood gushing everywhere... and surprisingly mom didn't panic. Some dermabond glue at the emergicare solved the problem, and hopefully in a few weeks she will be as good as new. If only we can get Abby to stop picking up her baby sister!

If there is one thing about this beautiful baby girl that shouldn't surprise anyone is how much she loves her chocolate. After all, it runs in the family. But when this kid gets her hands on something chocolate... it goes everywhere.

EVERYWHERE!

What else can we say, but that we are crazy about this little angel. She is the perfect addition to our family, and we love watching her grow. We just wish she would take it a little slower...