Why?

I really don't get why this became a thing.

Do you?

I mean, ugliest facial expression

E.V.E.R.

I'm pretty sure I'm not just jealous - though I can be because I don't have lips - so me pulling this look off is never going to happen but,

let's be honest, nobody is really pulling it off anyway.

It's Ug. 

Historians are going to look back and puzzle over the purpose -

Wondering -

Did they just bite into a lemon?

Rip a nasty one aka extreme flatulence issues?

Let's just Say No.

Forever.

Do it. 

For your country -

and definitely your posterity.

The Baby's Perspective - Basically Whatever I Hear from Strangers -

infers mutilation of some sort,

torture,

or death.

Examples -

You are so cute I could just die.

(oh please don't.)

You have the chubbiest cheeks - I just want to squeeze them off!

(ouch)

I'm gonna getcha.... I'm gonna getcha....

(creepster alert)

You are so adorable - I just want to eat you up.

(so you eat cute things?)

:)

And you seriously wonder why I'm not smiling at you?

And now on to Utah

Had a little night by the campfire.

Love this easy, darling girl.

Little C watching Uncle Dave cook our foil dinners

The preparer of the foil meals. So yummy. We had bean and cheese enchiladas that turned out fantastic. Thanks Ruth for your wonderful invention!

Moo squeezing Baby James cheeks to death - sorry about that. :(

Lou with Baby James

Ruckus observing the fire next to his best pal cousin Grace.

Seven Peaks -

Little C and Johnnie going for a spin.

Moo loving his life driving extra fast with his Daddy

Moo and Little C

Ruckus in the yellow - trying to remain brave

Cousins Livvy, Ellie, and Johnnie

Little C climbing down whilst wearing my shoes - He had worn flip flops to this venture and they weren't allowed for some of the activities so we switched. It's weird when your kids are old enough to borrow your things. Fun and Weird.

At Grandma and Grandpa's

Lou and Johnnie looking forward to Grandpa's homemade Root beer

Little Grandpa sharing some history of the US with his great-grandkiddos

Little Grandpa combing Gracie's hair.
I love and cherish him.
He makes me miss my own sweet grandparents.

The Beloved bonding with Little Grandpa - his old roommate. :)

WA trip part 2

Homemade Pizza Night

Ruckus and Lou enjoying their creations

Does this mean cousin Ayla likes the food or hates it?

Lego time with cousin Dre

Busy, Busy Summer -

I don't know about your family but summer is delightfully exhausting to this crew when it comes to road trips. Every other week we have a new destination to visit those we love -

Here's our WA trip part 1.

The Baby with lovable Aunty Angie

Aunt Shanny is so playful and fun - sometimes I look at her and think, that is how life is supposed to be lived. Carefree and happy.

I want to be more like her -

but I am glad I wasn't a victim of her trickery.

After a water fight with our niece Nannie - Uncle Joe isn't photographed but he played a very large roll in soaking Aunt Shannon

In another water fight with our Eldest and greatest :) Those crazy kids.

Enough. I think she's saying, enough.

Enough of the water fight that is - she still has to try and put lipstick on our dear 10 year old nephew.

I love these sisters of mine.

I like when Shanny almost pees her pants down every aisle of the grocery store because we're laughing so hard - and Angie is lagging behind deciding whether or not she wants to be related to us.

We miss you Erin - move closer and party with us. We are

 SO. FUN.

 



Moo's Bday

 

Nothing makes this boy happier then a ball.

Family B-day Bike Ride

Helmet check.
Moo's new helmet was too small for his Patton head but fit his little sister perfectly - she, who also is sporting a wonderfully large, beautiful cranium.

Me pulling around our two youngsters, Moo and the Baby... I think I'm also working extra hard keeping those sunglasses on my face. Kind of huge.

The Baby cuddling up with Moo, falling asleep while we ventured around the neighborhood.

The Mooster,

Hi, my precious boy who melts my heart. You can see from the pictures above that you adore your sister. I have never seen a toddler be softer or more caring to a younger sibling. You act like she is a gift specifically meant for you - and you treat her as such.

I think you guys will be best pals.

You are always noticing things that make you happy or things you appreciate. I truly believe you have the gift of gratitude. Sometimes I'll be talking and you stop me mid sentence and say,

" I like you Mama."

Oh my gosh, I like you too!

So much.

You would follow your brothers anywhere (you refer to them as your "guys" - so wanting to be part of the group. And typically they want your companionship as well. They think you are so cute and love your little vocabulary. You can't pronounce the C or K sounds very well so you replace them with a T. This results in you calling yourself Taint. Daddy laughs hysterically - I encourage no one to laugh - which increases the laughter by a million percent. Sorry bud.

You actually refer to yourself as Tanky (Tainty) Lou most of the time. :)

You are rarely angry but when you are you take it seriously. You usually don't yell you just stand in one place and stare at the person who has ticked you off. No emotion on your face whatsoever.

You feel offended to the core when being reprimanded and can hold a grudge for a couple hours. Incredible my friend. Incredible.

Your favorite person in the world right now may be your cousin Ayla. You would follow that girl anywhere. You guys play and play and play and play. Until you're done playing and you are beating each other up - but mostly just fabulous play.
I love you my little 3 year old. So very much.
Love,
Mama
 

 

 



Ruckus' Bday

Cousin H lighting the bday breakfast soccer cake

Preparing to blow -
I think he may still be half asleep.

Dance Party

Okay, Cousin Megan may be the coolest mom ever - rockin' out with her kiddos.
Moo is bustin' a move in the plaid pjs.

Ruckus and Lou living it up.

Rock star in training.

Ruckus testing out his new bike.

Oh The Ruckster -

Happy 5th bday little one. We were in WA over your big day which was fine with you because partying with your cousins may be your favorite thing ever.... besides being a Rock Star. You have renamed yourself Coltstar of the World. Seriously. And you don't spell out the word star you draw the shape. Now, every time you see the star shape you say, "See Mom, just like my name". It

overjoys your little soul.

You truly love music. You are always humming or singing to yourself - either making up lyrics or practicing songs you know. This can cause a bit of a problem during sacrament meeting. The other week you were drawing quietly while the sacrament was being passed and I heard a little melody coming out of your mouth regarding The Transformers to the tune of Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. So awesome and creative, just bad timing bud.

Everything is a big deal in your life. If you are happy- everyone is bound to notice your gleeful smile and laughter. You are a natural comedian and can crack up a crowd instantaneously.  If you are distraught - unfortunately the crowd disperses quickly - very quickly; ready to be rid of your howls. We're working on the whining/life is over howl.

You are a boy who just wants to have fun. You get along with other kids so, so well. You're a willing playmate and not a control freak when it comes to choosing the game or activity. You just want everybody to have a good time.

You love babies and little kids - you think they are adorable! You'll often say to Dad and I stuff like - "oh, you see that little kid - they are so cute." What a gift. To love little children so earnestly.

I was nervous for you to begin preschool this last year because you suffer with anxiety a bit in new settings so I shared this with your teacher. A couple weeks later she called me and said, "No anxiety issues present. In fact, he's the ring leader of the group - animated and ready to learn."

What a relief to this over worrying Mama.

The other week I was making 20 lbs of meatballs for our family reunion. You could tell I was a bit overwhelmed trying to get things accomplished while managing a household filled with children.

You asked me if I had a lot of stuff to do.

I said, Yes, mentioning these meatballs were the #1 task.

You replied  -  Well, that's why I'm here to help you Mom. What can I do?

You pulled up a large chair to the counter awaiting instruction. I grabbed a little less then a handful of the meatball batter and showed you how to roll it into a ball and place it on the pan.

I said, now it's your turn.

You looked at me with your big eyes and said - you want me to stick my hand in there and touch the meat?

Yep, it's easy. Just do it like this. (I demonstrated once again how to roll a meatball)

You stepped down from the chair and said - I'm sorry mom. I can't do it. That's disgusting. DISGUSTING.

It was funny. And I appreciated your original thought of service before the raw meat overwhelmed your senses. :)

You are a sweet boy and I love your sensitivity. There have been a few instances where TV shows said a bad word or seemed a little scary and you have told your older brothers to shut it off - that it is not appropriate. If you get nervous at night, your imagination running wild, you can be heard singing a church song from the top of your lungs. If that doesn't do the trick - you better believe you are taking any opportunity to sleep in your parents bed. You love to cuddle with us. And we secretly like to cuddle with you too. :)

I love you my sweet boy. You bring me such joy.

 

Love,

Mama