First Year

Well, Katherine got shafted on her birthday this year. (Good thing she will have no recollection of it). We were still recovering from being sick and we were all worn out—so we just decided to do something the next day. I got her a few things—a shirt, a sippy cup, a box of cereal (that the kids have already eaten), some little juices and some finger foods. It was pretty simple. I had some treats hidden away so that we could put a candle in a brownie and sing to her. Well, the kids found the treats and I was ticked. Her birthday party was pretty much a flop. I felt so bad. It made me think how often we do things that we think are for our kids, but are really more for us—or to get some really cute pictures and a good “blog write-up”. She didn’t care that there was no birthday cake, but I did. I eventually got over it. KK was as happy as could be and smiled whenever we called her “Birthday Girl!” She is a super sweet little girl and loves to show off her new walking skills. She sure gets spoiled with lots of love and is thrilled when a new face walks in from school or Dad gets home from work. We’re blessed to have her as our baby.

First Year

Well, Katherine got shafted on her birthday this year. (Good thing she will have no recollection of it). We were still recovering from being sick and we were all worn out—so we just decided to do something the next day. I got her a few things—a shirt, a sippy cup, a box of cereal (that the kids have already eaten), some little juices and some finger foods. It was pretty simple. I had some treats hidden away so that we could put a candle in a brownie and sing to her. Well, the kids found the treats and I was ticked. Her birthday party was pretty much a flop. I felt so bad. It made me think how often we do things that we think are for our kids, but are really more for us—or to get some really cute pictures and a good “blog write-up”. She didn’t care that there was no birthday cake, but I did. I eventually got over it. KK was as happy as could be and smiled whenever we called her “Birthday Girl!” She is a super sweet little girl and loves to show off her new walking skills. She sure gets spoiled with lots of love and is thrilled when a new face walks in from school or Dad gets home from work. We’re blessed to have her as our baby.

What a Night

Well, I crawled into bed last night exhausted. It was 9:30 and I feel asleep fast. I barely stirred when David came in later to come to bed. After a few hours of sweet dreams, it came to an abrupt halt with a cry from the girls room. Katherine was awake--David, the knight in shining armor got up and put her back to sleep. We settle back in and around 1AM--Michael is "worshipping the porcelain God". He's been sick for a few days and has another bout of sickness--this time from both ends. Katherine wakes up again and ends up in bed with us. Pretty much I feed her all night or she has her feet in my back.

As I am trying to invite a visit from Mr. Sandman, we hear another cry from the girls' room-- Grace walks into our room--"get to the toilet, get in the bathroom", we yell. Katherine is awake again. It's too late--Grace didn't make it. Her bed has been contaminated! Why can't they just vomit on one thing--like the blanket--no they get the sheets, pillows, mattress, blankets, floor and various stuffed animals as well as the side of the bunk bed. I take the clean-up duty. She ends up in our room on the floor. Next, is Peter, with the "lip-smacking" warning that he is going to join the ranks. This is his third night and he is already crying that he doesn't want it to go in his nose. David takes care of him--as I try to get KK back to sleep. Now Peter is on the floor, too. I am trying to fall asleep and am constantly shocked into alert mode whenever the kids roll, move, groan, or smack their lips!! What a night--this of course is spread out from 1-about 5AM!

Someone tell me why they always throw-up in the middle of the night!?

We got about an hour of sleep before it was time to start the day over again--I was just relieved that it was morning. So as Laura's blog says, "Who will barf tonight?"

Peter keeps calling it "barking". He doesn't like to be sick and bark up his nose.

PS. Be glad that there is not a picture for this post. I almost took one of Michael yesterday. He fell asleep resting his head on the toilet seat--gross, I know. I guess I need to get decontaminating this place.

Healthy Breakfast??

The other day Peter was chewing on his nails. I mean really going to town. I guess we named him appropriately! Anyway, I was trying to talk to him logically why it wasn’t good to bite your nails. (Who am I to talk though, I just kicked the habit a few years ago and I still occasionally get the urge!) Well, I am hoping to stop a bad habit before it forms—this was our conversation.
Mom: Peter, don’t chew on your finger nails. It hurts and they will bleed.
Peter: It not hurt. Chomp-chomp.
Mom: Why are you chewing on your finger-nails?
Peter: They’re good. Me hungry.
Mom: Well, finger-nails aren’t good to eat. You need something healthy. They don’t taste good.
Peter: Me like it, they taste good.
Mom: What do they taste like?
Peter: SUGAR!!
I really didn’t know what to say to that--so much for that teaching moment. I guess sugar coated finger-nails wouldn’t be such a bad breakfast. Maybe he can let the other kids in on his secret and then they can just have breakfast on the bus. Our mornings would run a lot smoother.

Summer Vacation

We had a great trip and David posted several pictures last month. I have not been able to kick into gear and get much done aroud here. I love to go visit our families, but I am always super homesick when we get home. It's probably better if we don't even go in the first place!! We really do love it here and this is home for us now, but I just miss the Cannon and DeBry families. They are lots of fun. I remember one particular day when we were in Idaho--we rode horses, played in the canal, had a cook-out, rode 4-wheelers, played at the pond and just had fun together. I was soaking it all in and I commented to David that it had been such a fun day, and that I knew if we lived here it wouldn't really be like this everyday. Well, his comment back to me was, "Not everyday, but it would be every weekend!" The kids loved being with grandparents and cousins. It's fun to see them immediately feel close to them.

Some of the highlights of our trip:

Katherine: Eating suckers in the van and spending WAY too much time out of her carseat!

Peter: On the temple--guy (Angel Moroni) on top--way up there.

Grace: Painting ladybugs with Grandma Cannon.

Michael: Canoe Trip--Kayaking with cousin Ryan.

Parker: Eating at Big Judd's--the Hungry Heifer (15 scoops of ice cream)

Eliza: Playing with cousins.

David" Camping overnight trip in Montana and Canoe trip.

Marilyn: Being with everyone, staying up late talking, eating junk, being with everyone, riding horses, float trip, Nauvoo with Grandma Rita and Opa, etc.

Facelift

It's time for a blog facelift, but I cannot figure out how to get this picture the right size--help Debbie, I am trying to do what you did on yours.

Summer Vacation - Part 3d - Idaho and Utah