Celebrating Anne

 We blessed Anne on Sunday with family and friends galore. The bishopric asked us if we could do it again during the month when sacrament meeting attendance determines next year's budget. I agreed only if somebody else hosts the luncheon.

 It was a wonderful day. My mother, as tradition dictates, made Anne's blessing dress. I love this tradition. In the evening we pulled out William and Marie's outfits and admired all three together. My mother is so incredibly talented.

Anne's blessing was calming and reassuring. It was beautiful. When we arrived at the church she was screaming and tired -- she was so mad that I had thrown her into her car seat instead of putting her down for a nap. My nerves were getting the better of me and I was so worried that she would scream through the blessing. She did calm down enough for me to go into the chapel and I braced myself when we had to unswaddle her for Brandon to take her to the front of the chapel. (Thank goodness she didn't start crying!) As soon as Brandon began speaking I was overcome with a sense of calmness. There is no doubt in my mind that Anne is loved by her Heavenly Father. She has a wonderful purpose here on earth and I will continually feel blessed to have her in my home and to be able to be her mother.

The luncheon following was as simple as a luncheon for 40 people can be. Baked potato bar, veggie tray, fruit salad, cake, ice cream, and pumpkin pie for dessert. The highlight was most certainly the cake. Oh the cake! Gorgeous and delicious. My cousin's wife, Misty, was generous enough to share her talents with us. Incredible. We joked about saving the top layer for Anne's 1st birthday. I decided it would be fun to at least save the shoes. They will make their reappearance on her 1st birthday cake, so stay tuned.

When we found out we were pregnant with Anne I was trying to list the perks of having a summer baby (so as not to focus on all the I'm-going-to-be-pregnant-in-July?!?!? thoughts). At the top of the list? We would be able to have the blessing day luncheon in our backyard instead of squeezing into our living room and kitchen like we did for Marie's blessing. Since our guest list increased by almost 20 people this time around, having the luncheon outside became not only a perk but a must!

At the end of the day, Anne let us know that she was over all this craziness, we were all tired, and our house was a mess. But on Monday morning I woke up feeling happy and excited about the day. Now if that isn't the sign of a perfect weekend, I don't know what is.

More Vernal Highlights

Food

Family

Fun

Enough Said

Sleeping Beauties

Over Labor Day weekend we made our way to Vernal. The weekend went by too quickly -- visits with family always do.

The highlight of the trip was a hike on Saturday. Anne was quite cooperative and slept the whole time, besides a brief wake up to eat while we were stopped to stuff our own mouths.

Marie decided her sister had the right idea with the sleeping business. Unfortunately, Baby Bjorns don't come in a 4T. I don't know if Grandpa's shoulders will ever be the same.

Oh Boy, I've Got Joy

When William started preschool last year I was excited for him, but always felt unsettled. I tried to talk myself out of the unsettled-ness all year. He loved school. His teacher was wonderful. He was learning his ABCs and 123s. He was making new friends and learning to sit still. All the proper elements to the preschool equation.

I just didn't like it.

I knew what I really wanted. I wanted him to be in Joy School. I wanted to be his teacher every once in a while. I wanted access to the curriculum so I  could know what he was learning. I needed him to begin to learn how to handle himself emotionally and socially so much more than I wanted him to learn his ABCs and 123s.

I had tried to put together a group, but it just wasn't in the cards then.

Leading into this fall I was determined to make it happen this year. Even though I knew I would have a new baby, I was determined to make it happen.

And it did. And I am so glad.

No unsettled feelings here. We all know Thursday was a little (a lot!) rough, but I still know this is what is best for William and for me.

Bad days come and bad days go, but this little boy will only be a preschooler for one more year. With the help of some other fabulous moms I know that I am making the best of it and that this year is going to be stupendous!

At Least Someone Thinks So

We had a rough morning around here. Unfortunately that rough morning coincided with me teaching Joy School at my house. Let's hope the neighborhood kids that had to witness such ridiculous behavior from my children, and therefore me, won't be scarred for life. I'm betting the pudding finger painting and Jello jigglers for snacks made up for the yucky moments.

After sending the kids to their rooms for eternity and having a good cry over the phone to The Voice of Reason (aka Brandon), I sat down and got some good TLC from this sweet face.

When I have a house full of lemons, someone needs to be the sugar. How else would I make lemonade? 

Thanks for assuming the role, Anne-girl.

First Day of School Eve 2010

Yes, it was as simple as it looks. Thirty minutes during nap time brought us the tissue paper pom-poms. A quick trip to the dollar store after daddy got home brought us the yellow paper products. Put them together and you have a party. My philosophy on parties? You can hang one streamer from the ceiling or spend hours decorating. Either way, if you call it a party the kids are going to be thrilled. There is a time and place for both versions. This was the time and place for simplicity.

The menu was a favorite of both kids -- soup and sandwiches. I was a bit risky with the soup and tried a new recipe for pea soup. We all loved it. Phew! Dessert came from what was in my pantry and it needed to be prepared oven free. Peanut butter Rice Krispy treats dipped in melted almond bark and rolled in sprinkles.

The theme of the night was listening and following directions. Hullabaloo seemed a fitting game for the occasion. Love this game, especially the part where the winner is instructed to "do a funky dance." I can't help but giggle every time the kids start shaking their booties.

And the most meaningful moment of the evening was when we all gathered in the living room and Brandon administered a father's blessing to William to give him strength and guidance in his second year of preschool.

Happy First Day of School Eve 2010!

Goooooooooooooooaaaaaaaallllllllllll

At the end of August William started his first season of soccer. At the first game, the only thing I can claim as a success is that we got there with his entire uniform and the camera. No chairs. No water. No snacks. Thankfully a boy from our neighborhood is on his team and this boys parents were generous enough to share their chairs, snacks, and water with us. (The snacks for Marie specifically, you know that right?) I am such a rookie. My first kid is playing soccer and I didn't even play when I was little. Rookie to the first degree.

William showed up with his usual zest for everything in life. This kid's happiness is so contagious. I can't help but grin from ear to ear when I look at this picture.

Are you smiling yet? You should be. I think he likes soccer, just a bit. Who knew such joy could come out of waiting your turn to kick the ball into the goal. I love this kid.

 In all the excitement, he did manage to kick the ball a few times and during his first game he even scored a goal. Yay, William! 

His second game was a bit different, with more time spent like this than actually playing. He even managed to give the entire group of spectators a good laugh when he wrestled down a couple of members on the opposite team in the first play of the game. A football player in the making, perhaps?


We now have three games under our belts and I am happy to say that the third game was tackle free.  As  for me, I think I've got this soccer mom thing figured out and you know what, I think I'm gonna like it.

Confession...

Only moments after Anne came into this world and Brandon had exclaimed, "It's a Girl!" I thought to myself, "Oh how fun! I get to dress them in matching clothes!"

 Perhaps this is exciting to me because I have three sisters (whom I have been known to match or coordinate with a time or two or ten).

Or maybe this is exciting to me because of my somewhat OCD attitude towards all things that match.

Most likely, this is exciting to me because I am a big nerd.

The obvious would be that this is exciting to me because they are just so dang cute in matching clothes.

 Whatever the case, you can rest assured that this isn't the last time you will see my daughters looking like this.

This might actually make up for all the moodiness that daughters bring with them.

Our Current State of {In}Sanity

I walked in the door from our trip to the library and saw the diapers I had meant to pack sitting on the couch still. Yep, it's been one of those days. Good thing I didn't end up needing one for Anne while we were out and about.

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Naked chubby baby = Deliciousness

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Someone please tell me when Marie suddenly grew up on me. Who is this little lady (that doesn't sleep through the night) and what happened to my baby girl (that did sleep through the night)?

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This morning I asked William to straighten his room before we went to the library. After only half-a-meltdown and just one Gunny Sack threat he went in there and cleaned it up in less than 10 minutes. Miraculous!