Andrew Turns 9!

We have a lot of events in September.  Our anniversary, Grace's birthday, and Andrew's birthday.  Today, Andrew had the honor.  He has a very famous birthday.  He was born on the actual Sept. 11.  I got to the hospital that morning, unaware of what was happening.  I called my mom to tell her which room I was in, so she could come up there later in the day.  She told me I had to turn on the TV.  We turned it on just as the second plane hit.  Then we watched the plane in DC, the plane in Pennsylvania, and I wondered when it would stop.  I was still excited to welcome our little baby into the world, but I wondered about how our world would be changing.

The nurses came in throughout the day, not to check on me, but to watch the TV.  That was fine with me.  I'd rather everybody just leave me alone when I'm in labor anyway.  I get sick of people bothering me.  But I left the hospital the next morning, about 15 hours after I had Andrew, because they closed the hospital to guests.  I was lonely.  And there was nothing to watch on TV.  So I just went home.

Andrew has been a wonderful blessing in our lives.  He is such a genuinely nice person (just like his dad).  He is happy, gentle, and kind.  I'm so glad he's here with us.  We love you, Andrew!

Here are some pictures from your special day:

Matt has loved the "Happy Birthday Song" for many months, and he loves to pretend to blow out the candles.  Lately, he's been turning things into candles and blowing them out.  This morning it was a bunch of pencils in a play-ice-cream-cone.  He was pretty proud of himself.

After a hearty dinner of Taco Soup, Andrew patiently waited for everyone to join him in the living room so he could start unwrapping the main attractions.  He was very pleased with what he got (thank you, everybody!).  We've been having a lot of fun with the laser tag; he has already put together the biggest, baddest lego set ever; and he is awaiting my laundry services so he can wear his new pajamas tomorrow.

Joey and I took pictures of each other.  It was his idea.

Grandma Jane tried to get Haley to cooperate.

We were so glad that Allison and Sam could join us.  I just love her!  We were talking about how weird it is that both my parents and Ben's parents have the same anniversary.  And Allison's parents have the same one, too.  Isn't that weird?  All three of them, on September 12 (which happens to be her birthday, too).  Whoa.

The birthday cake.  He wanted green.  I did what I could.  I should take a class or something because -- wow.

Happy birthday, buddy.  You're awesome!

Gracie Turns 4!!

Our little Gracie turned four Friday!  She has grown into such a cute young lady.  She makes us laugh everyday.  We are always surprised at the things she does and says, and love to soak up every minute we spend with her.

I remember the day she was born.  Joey, at age 18 months, woke me up to let me know I was in labor.  He just got up in the middle of the night, and sat there and stared at us.  That had never happened before.  I mean, he had been up in the middle of the night before, but this time it was for no reason, and he was completely calm.  And it hasn't happened since.  He wasn't upset, he wasn't tired.  He just knew she was on her way.  Those two have always had a special connection.  So I got up, and started having contractions.  Grandpa Jerry came over to sit with Joey, who still wouldn't go back to bed.  Three hours later, Gracie was born!  It was my easiest labor.  We were so greatful she was okay, because she had her cord around her neck.  But she was just fine, and was the sweetest little baby!  Joey would hold her for hours at a time.  He would hold her and stare at her.  And touch her tiny little head.  I never want to forget that!

Click here to see Gracie through the years.

We celebrated Grace's birthday a little bit Friday, but had the party yesterday. Friday her brothers woke her up, saying "Grace, happy birthday!"  She then proceeded to ask me if she was in charge for the day.  Not so much, I told her.  But she did wear a crown, chose what we had for breakfast, went to lunch with Daddy, and helped make her birthday cake.

Her party was graciously attended by her siblings, Mom and Dad, Grandpa Jerry (Grandma Jane is in Utah), Grandpa Fred and Grandma Nan, Jill, Hiram, Micah, and Great-Grandma Bertha.  We ate bbq chicken, salad, and cake and ice cream.

Grace got a lot of really nice things.  Aunt Jill got her an apron, oven mits, and a Tinkerbell plate.  Grandma Nan got her a new dress and a Hello Kitty purse.  Grandma Bertha gave her a card and $20.  Her brothers and sisters got her a Hello Kitty wallet.  Mom and Dad got her Tinkerbell dolls.  Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Jane got her Buzz Lightyear sheets and a blanket, and (my personal favorite) a real, red vacuum!  It's just her size.  Her brothers like it, also.  There has been much vacuuming in my house today.  I'm okay with that!

Here are a few of Gracie's favorites:

toy: Clifford

show: Clifford

movie: Avatar, the Last Airbender (the TV show discs)

food: cake

person: Joey

place to go: McKenzie's House

color: red

thing: cake

thing to do: Ride my bike

place to go eat: Chinese Food

song: I am a Child of God

book: Clifford

animal: tiger

Happy Birthday, little Missus!  We're so excited for you to be 4!  It will be a fun year!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

On this day, 10 lovely years ago, I married my sweetheart.

Look how young and cute and thin we were:

I remember that day perfectly.  There had been forest fires for two weeks before our wedding.  I was so worried that our outdoor pictures wouldn't turn out, but two days before our wedding, the rains came, and the smoke left.  I was so relieved.  And excited.  You had finally proposed ;) and the day was finally here!  I was so excited to be married for all eternity to someone so wonderful, gentle, honest, hard working, and loving.  You were an instant father, so patient and kind.  If I could pick one word to describe the last 10 years, it would be "beautiful".  You have given me four more beautiful children.  You have worked tirelessly (well, maybe you get a little tired -- but you keep going) to give us a beautiful life in a beautiful home.  I get to stay home and watch our children grow because of you.  Thank you.  I love you.  Here's to 10,000 more years!

Longest Blog Post EVER!

Man, I've been bad at this blogging stuff lately.  I hope I get my act together soon.

As promised, here are some pictures of our trip to the fair.  Did you know that the fair is the place on Earth that you can blow through your hard-earned money the fastest?  It is.  I promise.  It didn't take us long before our wad was gone.

Our first stop was the ferris wheel (a.k.a. the first ride we passed).  Grace and Joey were so glad to be up there.  Andrew was safety patrol, and made sure everybody sat down and didn't touch the "doors".  He was kind of freeked because there were no seatbelts, and the previously mentioned "doors" had no latch, and swung open at will.

Next, the bumper cars.  Dad and Joey were on the prowel for Andrew.

They found him.

Haley and her friend Kalin had fun on the big-girl rides.

And they even took Andrew on a few.

The little ones were so happy to go on the kiddie rides.  They went running from one to the next, and were always quick to say "thank you" to the creepy-ish carnies.

Hey, I think this guy is too big for that helicopter.

One of the four fun houses.

Riding on the train with Daddy.  They could have gone around all day.

Spinny wheel.  This part is always my favorite to watch.  I remember going through it as a kid, and hating it.  My kids thought it was pretty awesome.

The boys loved this one.  It just whipped you around.

Another fun house, with Daddy helping.

I was laughing hysterically as she went through this.

Here we are on one of the spinny rides.  I think Andrew had just about had enough by the time we got to this one.  He kept saying, "Slower... slower..."

Oh, and why should I be surprised at the fact that Joey ran into one of his girlfriends?  I mean, he's got them scattered around the city.  We run into them often.  He had just gone to this one's birthday the week before.  They were oh-so-glad to see each other again.  They sat on the ride together, and then sadly parted ways.

***

We made enchiladas as our back-to-school dinner.  Gracie always helps with the cheese.

Joey was ready for school, and even though he doesn't look too happy, he was pretty excited.  He just wants you to know that he's tough.

Andrew was super excited, especially because he's once again got his best friend in the same class.  Hooray!

Joey was still deciding if this was fun or not.  It turned out that it was.

Is there anything in the world more cute than a bunch of five-year-olds lined up with bulging backpacks and great big eyes?  I tell you -- there is not.

***

We made it through the first (half) week of school.  To celebrate, we had our first sleepover of the new year.  We took Andrew's best friend, Andrew, Joey, and Grace to see the Ramona movie at the Drive-In.  We were pleasantly surprised at how fun it was.  The kids loved the rides and sitting outside.  Until the car died because we had the auxiliary on for two hours.  But have no fear, our hero came to the rescue.  Ben arrived a few minutes after I called him, and promptly started my car.  I guess it wasn't totally dead.  But it was pretty dead.

The roller coaster was a hit with all the kids... for the first loop.

Then they stopped it to let Grace off...

Then they stopped it to let Joey off...

And the big boys enjoyed every minute!