Sweet Moments

Our girls tend to wake up around 6:30 a.m.. The other night Kate was up most the night with a sore throat. Usually when the girls wake up in the morning, one by one they crawl into Mommy and Daddy's bed. Emerson could tell that Mommy and Daddy were tired that morning (and Kate was still sleeping). Even though she is only five she took Rileigh, got some turkey out of the fridge, got some bread and made herself and Rileigh turkey sandwiches and then got them drinks. She turned on PBS and let us sleep for an extra half hour. When we woke she was only concerned whether it was okay that they were watching television. She is so sweet and kind. We call her "mini-mommy". Even for such a young age she is so responsible and so thoughful. She is always telling us how much she loves us and how grateful she is for us.

Rileigh had a rough morning yesterday. I think she may have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. After spending a good deal of the morning in timeout, we drove to New Hampshire to spend the afternoon with my friend Sarah. We came home late that night. The girls fell asleep on the car ride home. So when we got home we laid them in their beds. When we woke up in the morning Rileigh was still asleep but she had two children Book of Mormon on her bed. She said that we forgot to read them last night so she got them herself. Mike and I were so touched. She really has such a good heart. I am so grateful for sweet moments like that to remind me how precious and innocent she is.

Kate has already spoken her first word, "dada". I cannot believe how fast she is growing. Wasn't it just yesterday I was pregnant with her? We already need to baby proof again. She truly has a smile that melts me. She loves following the antics of her big sisters. And her big sisters literally worship her. This little girl has all of us wrapped around her little finger.

I remember when we lived in DC, a man got up and bore his testimony at church. It had such an impact on me. When he stood I was really interested in what he would say because he was just promoted to General. But he got up and mentionned that his last child was getting ready to leave for college. He spoke about how it seemed like just yesterday that all his childern were home and young. He said he craved those times. He said that at times life can be hard and challenging for young parents. But when our lives are near their ends that this exact time, when our children are young and so needy, and they want nothing more than to just be with Mommy and Daddy, will be the time we, as parents, will wish we could relive the most. I often think of that testimony. Mike and I truly feel that way. It can be challenging, at time, to have little ones, but the rewards are so much greater. We just love this time in our lives. We love the girls waking us up in morning and crawling into bed with us. We LOVE all the hugs and kisses. We love their "special" drawings and stories for us. We love that Mommy and Daddy to them equal Super Heroes, actually even better. I cannot imagine anything better in this world than simply being their Mom. It makes me so sad that it goes so fast. I just wish life came with a pause button.

Summer Fun

We refer to these five as the "Backyardigans". Here they are picking tomatoes in the neighbors' garden.

The girls are so lucky to have such great friends right next door. It really couldn't be more ideal.

Poor Kate scratched her eye this week. She is still such a cutie. She is such a good baby. She is so even tempered and happy. Yet, she so curious and carefully observes her surroundings. She reminds us so much of Emerson as a baby.

Here she is crawling. She is a moving machine!! We just love having a new baby again.

Emerson's Art Work

Emerson drew this picture today of Lehi and the Tree of Life, a story from the Book of Mormon. The gray represents the Fog, while the yellow line in his hand is the Iron Rod.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYDIA!!!

Ode to Alissa

Our beloved babysitter, Alissa, is leaving for college this week. We are so proud of her. She is going to be BYU on the Hinckley Scholarship. It is the most prestigious scholarship BYU offers. And Alissa is certainly worthy! She scored an almost perfect score on the ACTs. She will be studying Bio-Chemistry/Pre-Med.

We absolutely love Alissa. Aside from my mother and my sisters, when we were visiting Utah, Alissa is the only other person to ever have babysat Kate.

Alissa is not only brilliant, but she is also kind, witty, spiritual and fun. She really is like a part of our family.

We love you, Alissa. Even though we are going to incredibly miss you, we know that this will be the best year of your life. Thank you for everything and keep in touch!!!!

My Babes!!

How pretty!! How handsome!!

Rileigh's B-day, Part 5

Our neighbors and amazing friends, the Calderones, hosted a pool party in honor of Rileigh's birthday (although after spending the entire day swimming no one actually made it to the pool). Birthdays around here really do last a week.
Sprinkler fun!!
Rileigh had so much fun decorating cupcakes earlier in the week for her birthday that she wanted to do it again. I decorated aprons for all kids.
This picture is so very Rileigh!!
Rileigh and her best girl friend, Maddie!!

Trouble ...

The other day I got into BIG trouble. Me, Ms. PTA. The girls and I were driving home from swimming. It was lunch time and everyone was really hungry, esp. Baby Kate. Suddenly I heard a police siren behind me. I pulled over to let him pass me, except he didn't pass. He pulled behind me. I waited for FIVE minutes until he finally got out of the car and came over and said "Lincense and Registration, please." I was so nervous. I handed my license but couldn't find my registration. He walked away again and didn't even tell me why I was pulled over. I was so scared. FINALLY 15 minutes later he told me that my registration had expired the previous month and was he impounding my van. I completely started crying, Emerson and Rileigh started crying and Kate, well poor Kate, had been crying for a while. I asked the police officer how I was suppose to get home. He looked inside the mini van and said since you only have one (meaning child) you could walk. I said I had three (three crying children). He looked inside the van again and suddenly his entire face changed. I then called taxi. While I waited (the police officer did wait until the taxi came) I tried to calm down three crying girls, call Mike, and get three car seats out of the car. Since this is Newton and the only crime that ever happens is the occasional white collar (but a quick call to Mike's firm and even THAT goes unpunished) people were driving by staring. The taxi finally came and the 4 of us cried all the way home (although the taxi driver was so nice that I think I gave him a 75% tip). Emerson was worried ,she thought the police officer was going to take away our house, too. Mike left work, rented a car and proceeded to drive around Boston and Cambridge to pay his parking tickets on the van. We got the car back later that day. But now the girls are afraid of police officers. I hope this doesn't affect my bid for Senate someday. See Danielle, I knew I had a dangerous side.