another year started, another pose by the maple tree. It's fun to see how the girls have grown each year. Hope we live here long enough for many more tree pictures. If you can't tell by Chloe's pose, to say they were excited was a huge understatement! Would that everyday of the year could be like the first day. Lauren and Chloe bright eyed, bushy tailed, dressed, beds made, all that jazz, with backpacks on at 6:45 this morning. After removing the backpacks, reading scriptures, family prayer, and a good breakfast they still would've had time to walk. Although today they wanted me to drive them and make sure they made it to where they needed to be.
And as they both ran back one more time to where I was standing to give me one last hug, I couldn't help but just cherish this time when they want me to be there until the very last second. I know that one day I'll hear something like, "Mom, just drop me off here, you don't need to park and get out." And then I'll remember this day and once again wonder where the time went. And these blasted pregnancy hormones-as if I don't cry enough at things too embarrassing to post anyway. But seeing them grow up, so tall they could've passed for 3rd graders, really gets me, such a sentimental sap I am...
On the other hand, it's nice to have a schedule again. I think Noah was most disturbed by the whole day. He usually comes into our bedroom around 7:00 and climbs in bed with us to sleep after asking, "Noah visit?" This morning we were already up and at it and he groggily stumbled into the kitchen. After we all said good morning he grumbled, "Noah not good!" He missed those sisters too, as I knew he would. But we kept busy with exciting things like grocery shopping and a visit to the midwife today. Poor little man, he gets to go on all the fun errand trips now. We did see some tractors and motorcycles though, so maybe it was all right in the end.
All is well and typical with my pregnancy, 29 weeks this week. I feel like we're in a rush against time, trying to finish our basement before I can't do much to help. We're getting so close. I'm logging in a few hours painting almost everyday and getting mighty sick of it, glad you asked. Cody's finishing with trim and other odds and ends, but there's an end in sight and it's going to be beautiful. We'll love it, once it's done :)
safely delivered...
still here...
Just been ignoring the blog. I know I'm not the only one who is going to miss seeing these three sitting out on the grass eating popsicles. Lauren and Chloe spent most of last week visiting Cody's mom and her family. Noah missed them like crazy! Everytime we headed out somewhere he would ask if we were picking up sissies. Poor guy, he has no idea school is about to begin. But at the end of the summer it seems the squabbles are sometimes a bit more frequent so maybe some time apart will help us all appreciate our time together? Maybe?! I forget how much less work it is with just one child around, even though I missed visiting and hanging around, Noah and I had some good bonding time. He helped me cook and we played in the water several times. Glad to have those two back, four days was long enough for me!
We celebrated Cody's 31st birthday when his family came up on Thursday. Hard to believe we're THAT old :) We had the traditional birthday BBQ and then he hit a few golf balls with his friend Paul. I have to include the obligatory-full-cheeked-blowing out of the candles pose. I'm so good at getting those shots, everyone hates them though I'm sure. And I have to be commended for actually getting a gift that surprised Cody. I have the hardest time shopping for him. The toys are either too big or too costly, whereas women, the little gadgets and fun items are always popping out at me. Anyway, he had new running gear to wear for his first triathlon yesterday. He did great as far as I'm concerned. Nothing like just jumping in and doing it, now he knows more what to expect should he forget the misery and do another one sometime :)
I think we're ready for second grade here, all the new school supplies, backpacks, shoes, clothes, can't believe it's almost here. I remember being a second grader, maybe that's the mind-boggling part of it for me. My gals can't possibly be there yet. So many good things coming their way. They start piano lessons in September with the teacher I had hoped to get, she miraculously had just two openings left for the fall. They've met once with her and I think it was a good match for them both.
A little off the subject, whatever that was, but the cutest thing Noah is asking these days is, "Are you happy Mom?" Today in Sacrament meeting he spilled Cheerios all over his lap and looked up and asked if I was happy. He did the same thing to Chloe when she hurt herself, that definitely cheered her up quickly. Sweet guy, he's really into how he feels these days, telling me "Noah mad!" or "Noah not like it!" So endearing in the third person :) He also picks up on how Cody and I are feeling, especially those feelings of frustration and irritation, he's right there reminding us to be happy. And all is well in his world when he can say "Mama happy girl?" And of course I answer yes, how could I not be? I'm a blessed and happy girl...
camping...
What is summer good for if not camping, sticky treats, county fairs, and hot days in the sun? I'm making up for lost time here on the ole blog so here's a whole smattering of pictures from the last few weeks. I cannot believe school is starting this month, I think I say that every year though. Some days of summer truly drag on, but looking back it zooms by. We started an annual camping trip with my family this year. We were the only family able to make it because of scheduling and a new baby being born, my first nephew! We still had fun, wading in the stream, hiking, and eating lots of delicious food like dutch oven enchiladas. We only ended up staying one night, but had the mosquito bites to prove it. Here's to many more smores around the fire!
county fair...
I have to admit that I'm a small town girl in a lot of ways, one of those being the fair. I much prefer a small county fair to the huge state fairs. I'm probably partial to the Caribou County fair since I grew up going to and participating in it. My Mom and I took the kids and saw the parade, had a picnic, some arm painting, and of course rides. We managed to miss both magic shows, but after snow cones all was forgiven. The day was fun and completely tuckered everyone out. We had such fun being Bancroft for the 24th of July as well. My kids have seen four parades this month and the girls saw their first rodeo. It was unlike anything they'd ever seen, everyone should experience at least one I guess. It ended around 11 p.m. Needless to say, Noah was bushed and very squirmy most of the time. I felt like an Olympic wrestler by the end!
O Pioneers!
Any other Willa Cather
fans out there? That's the phrase that comes to mind with my girls. They must have walked the plains in another lifetime! While visiting Bancroft for a week we spent one day at the Chesterfield townsite. It has buildings, homes and a store that have all been restored. We had a picnic under the trees at this home and there was loads of old equipment in the yard. The kids played pretend pioneers for a good hour or so. They especially like the store, which has old time candy and these pioneer dolls fashioned out of socks and random fabrics, like a pioneer girl might have had, so we took home Agatha and Nathan, whom Lauren opted to change to a girl named Sophie :) I'm glad they love and are learning to appreciate old times and those people who lived in them. For all of you with Danish ancestry, like Cody, the pink trim and door frame are authentic paint colors for that country, they loved bright color. It will probably be a place they always like to visit and I'll indulge them, there is a special feeling out there.
