So busted....

Blake that is.

grrrrrrr.

I've never had a hard time taking a shower while the youngest is awake.  But it looks like it might be time to rethink.  Ballpoint pen on a leather couch--no bueno.

Ryan and I's present to each other this Christmas was a Canon t3i. Being behind the camera makes me feel distracted which is usually not a good scenario in my life so I actually haven't used it near as much as I would like to.  Ryan is our family photographer.

But I do love photography.  I loved all the "artsy" pictures my dad would take growing up--he is such a creative designer type of a guy, I loved my photography classes at BYU and one day, I would love to take more to really learn this camera and enjoy it is a hobby.

That all said, I had fun today capturing pictures of the kids.  Ryan asked me to :).

Robbie told me they were all wearing sunglasses because they sent out laser beams to fight "XYZ" (don't remember who).  he made sure they were all appropriately outfitted for battle.

love the lips making car noises

chopping down trees with his sword

spring baseball at first base

Smells of Summer

The summer months have such distinct smells to me and they are smells that bring oodles of memories of growing up.  I love the smell of fresh cut grass, chlorine, the musty smell of dirt or mud, sun sweat, salty skin, etc.

Today Blake and I were having our usual two books before nap and he was curled up on my lap with his "shoes OFF and mangket ON" and he "scoosh over" to let Hallie climb on my lap so I could read to both of them. While I was reading, I was LOVING that summer smell on their clothes and skin.  And I thought how quickly the years will go by that I will get to be that close to them and hold them on my lap and be grateful that they have that just played outside all morning warm, musty smell that means that they are having fun enjoying being kids and its sunny!

I was reading this book to Blake before putting him down for a nap and remembered how much I love this book.  I get why my brother in law Jeff memorized it and recites it to his boys.  There are so many great lessons to learn and that I want my kids to learn.  Try.  Fail. Repeat.  Explore. Be curious.  And one that actually hit me today was "Don't wait".  We can spend so much of our time waiting--for buses, planes, the bathroom, mom to pick us up from school :) (kidding mom--well not really), to not be embarrassed, for someone else to do it first, etc.  And in the meantime life just passes by and we don't see or experience as much.  Spend as little time waiting as we can. Or do something else while we wait.  Chat it up! :)

i love Dr. Suess.  What a smart man and so creative with teaching.

She said it...

Not me.


I needed to write this down for Aubrie to read in 4 years.

We picked up Aubrie up from school after chorus and on the way home she says in a serious voice, "mom, can I talk to you at home when these guys are not there" pointing to Rob and Hallie.  I was so curious what she was so serious about and worried that something sad happened with friends or something.

We got home and she tells me to come into another room.  "Mom, is this shirt I am wearing not modest?  I don't know if it is.  I didn't want to be wearing it at school because it seemed like the sleeves are much shorter than any of my other shirts"  "And Nycole asked me at recess if I was wearing an orange tankle a topper or whatever its called."   I had pulled the shirt out for her this morning :).  She said, "I don't think I want to wear it again, I'll just give it to some kids that don't have clothes.  Is that okay."

Felicidades

3. 5.

That's were were at now.  Ryan is well on his way to 40!

Ryan is so wonderful.  

He doesn't care about his birthday (or at least has always said it) and so he is very grateful for whatever is given or done for him for his birthday.   It was a fun day starting with hootenannies--his favorite breakfast--singing and presents all before 7:30 a.m.  Since he's had the same baseball mitt since 16 years of age, the kids and I found a "superb" quality mitt that he seemed so excited about.  It was like he was a kid again.   I also got him a new gym bag with extras so that he doesn't have to carry his clothes/deoderant/shampoo/etc in his arms every time he goes to the Y.  (But maybe that just bothers me for him since it is still sitting on our floor).  

The night of his birthday we used tickets the kids had given him to the local baseball team (earned through a reading program) and went to a double header baseball game.  It was the best idea.  We all loved it, the kids had plenty of room to move around and all brought their mitts.  Robbie ended up catching the only home run ball of the night.  Robbie was glued to Ryan so that he could learn all the ins and outs of baseball.  Aubrie was reading Harry Potter for 1/2 of the games and Hallie and Blake were running around chasing balls/chatting with those around us.  In between games we walked over across the train tracks to the grocery store and each chose an individual container of our favorite icecream and celebrated while eating it in the cafe. 

Its been a harder couple of months for Ryan since hurting his knee, spending 3 months on crutches and going to coumadin clinics, physical therapy and chiro visits multiple times a week.  Things are improving but there is still a ways to go.  And I can say that I have heard him complain ONE time.  That is it.  He has been so positive.  I have been impressed. 

Ryan is a hard worker & good motivator to those at his college.  He tries hard in his calling as Elder's Quorum president and really cares.  He is an amazing teacher. This past Sunday he organized a Priesthood preparation night at our house for some of the men in the quorum and really prepared some good things to talk about.  I sat there while they were here listening to him teach and share and thought what a great thing it was.

 He's outside with his mitt/bat as often as possible, limping around playing with the kids.  He cares so much that the kids are loved, disciplined and work hard.  And he is the perfect person for me to be married too.  He is kind, never, ever critical and my best friend.

he's #1 in my book.

First baseball game for Blake