A bajillion photos--Disney style.

{Waiting for the big kids and daddy to get off the "Indiana Jones" ride.}

{It must be said that Trevor was boogying down during this entire parade/show. I just couldn't seem to capture it.}

Cousin Elijah joined us for the 2nd evening.

Whew. I'm tired.

She's always had long, pretty fingers.

Paige had her first piano recital and rose to the occasion. She perfectly played, "The Mermaid Song" and "Redeemer of Israel" for our intimate audience.

I think the "cherry" shirt gave her good luck. Also, the cute side bun that she fashioned herself.

We love her teacher and I thank the heavens that we have her. Paige's mother {me} vaguely entertained the idea of teaching her in these beginning stages, but we are both happier now that I am out of the equation all together and she has this lovely woman to teach her instead.

I try not to beam too much when I hear Ms. Paige play. My favorite is when she sits down at the piano to a song that I am working on and begins to sight read the notes and sings along. When she drags her feet to the piano, I remind her that she has a natural talent and God wants her to use it to bless others--not hide it.

Plus, he didn't give her those beautiful fingers fer nothin'.

Dating a 4-year-old

{Truly, this child was enjoying the evening, but this is how he says, "Cheese!"}

Remember how we like to take our children out on one-on-one dates when it's birthday time?

Good. I thought you forgot.

Well, Preston was rousing company and we had a great time "at that Pizzookie place"--our local BJ's.

He ate.

He approved.

He danced.


Yes. Danced.

He made a wish on a Pizzookie.

Which always renders happy results.

Oh, how we love Preston.

"Equality for 8-year-olds!"

A conversation had in the kitchen. Of our home. Between my daughter and myself. While I was emptying the dishwasher. After school.

Mom, sometimes I just wish I could be normal!

Hmm...what do you mean, honey?

I just wish I was...(hmpf!) normal!

Okay, I guess I need more information, Paige. What do you mean by "normal"?

(preceeded by what can only be described as a growl) Just--every other kid my age gets to come home after school and--and eat Cheetos and play video games!!

Ohhh....that's awesome for them. But, aren't you happy with apple slices and reading?

It's not fair!

It was then that I realized I was a better mother than I thought.

Braverism

All four cherubs had their flu shots yesterday.

They were all so brave.

Preston had five--FIVE shots because it was his "well visit".

There was nothing "well" about it.

It was torture for this poor kiddo.

There were two nurses in there and when Pres started the wailing, one said to the other,

Um, go get Moses.

Moses??

So, in comes Moses, a male nurse to help hold down Preston's legs.

Pinned down and shot five times in the legs.

And he screamed so loud that the next victim in the waiting room ran for his life...there was not a soul in that office that did not hear our young man's lung capacity.

{sigh}
So, then he called grandma and grandpa and told them all about his experience...

Grandma, I got five shots and five bandages (yes, he called them that) ...and then Trevor took off the bandages very softly for me.

Oh, I'm sorry Preston. Did the shots hurt?

Yeah.

Did you cry?

Yeah...a little.

Bakerella has a hold on me.

My attempt.

I already ate one--I wonder if she'd notice if I ate just one more...

It's truly true.

We have a pet.

A real, live, alive, real pet.

He is a hamster.

And his name is Gibson.

More affectionately, Gibby.

Or Gibs, Gib, Giblet, Gibster, Mr. Gibson...

You get the idea.

And, we're already attached.

Mama's got a new baby

Hello, Mr. Canon Rebel Xsi. I think I'm in love.

Man, I'm overwhelmed with the stuff there is to learn, but I am having fun trying!

finally--Halloween

A sleepwalking cowboy, Transformer, 50's car hop girl, and our little pirate with his Easter basket(?)

Trick or treating transport

Pirate, matador, or baseball player ???

On the way to a Halloween party...I turned around and just cracked up at Optimus back there.

I'm hit!

5 things I don't leave home without:

1. purse/diaper bag
2. hand sanitizer (it's attached to my keys)
3. a list
4. sunglasses
5. a bra

5 cartoons I used to watch when I was younger:

1. Smurfs
2. Muppet Babies
3. Strawberry Shortcake
4. Care Bears
5. Scooby Doo

5 things that terrify me:

1. Any tragic thing happening to my children. (It's a long list.)
2. Plane turbulance
3. Scorpions
4. Home invasion
5. The thought of ever becoming a widow

5 things that I hate/dislike that other people seem to like:

1. Facebook: Yes, I appreciated the reunions I had in the beginning and the venue it was for posting updates when my sis-in-law was in the hospital... But, I just don't understand the pull and I feel like it can be used as a major time-waster.

2. Video/computer games: Just a combination of lack of desire and patience for it. See, I can be found being idle with the best of them, but I just choose to spend it doing something that atleast entertains or teaches me something at the very least (ie good book, HGTV, inspiring blogs...)

3. Harry Potter: Now, listen. I do not actually dislike this series, but I simply haven't gotten into this pop culture phenomenon, though I do hear it's good.

4. Exercising: {sigh} I only do it because it is necessary, not because it is fun. At all.

{Disclaimer: I was stumped for a #5 until I asked my adoring husband for a suggestion --Honey, what do I detest? --he was happy to oblige with this little nugget from my less-than-endearing qualities. Thank you, darling.-->}

5. Road trips. Ughhhh. I despise driving in a car for longer than an hour. Oh, man! I really don't like it. Seriously. I am a first-class baby when it comes to traveling. Nausea, discomfort, complaining, irritability...Does this surprise anyone? Well, not my husband. This is one of his favorite things [he can't stand] about me. Have I spelled this out? Needless to say, this is why we generally only take one road trip a year (sometimes two--if it's been long enough that I forgot how much I hate it).

5 things I want to do before I die:

1. Kiss my kids too much.
2. Keep laughing through life with my hubs.
3. Excel at putting others before myself.
4. Sit in the temple and look around to see all of my family members.
5. And on the skill set of things: Learn to belt! All these years I've only caught onto classical, pop, and middle-gospel (for all you voice students out there!) If only I could get a good forward placement and square-mouth position....My ambition astounds, I know.

Love is in the air.

I'm so thrilled for my niece, Alissa, who just got engaged!

I bragged about Alissa last year HERE. She is a phenomenal dancer on the BYU Ballroom team (as is her fiance, Trevor Gibb). They are getting married on January 16th in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple in Utah. I am so excited to be there and help my sister and all her daughters (she has 7, yes SEVEN) get things ready for the reception. Oh, and to make this momentous occasion even more supreme--Alissa is going to wear my wedding dress! This thrills me for many reasons:

One, sentiment.
Two, this means my dress is timeless.
Three, good luck for her cuz we are still a stinkin' happy couple.
Four, she will have her "something borrowed" (and her "something old", depending on how you look at it...)

Congratulations to the painfully adorable couple and I'm so excited for you both!!

Red Toenails

Aunt Becca with Gavin at our pool in May

Before September 29th came, I found myself at the hospital in San Francisco, sitting by Rebecca's bedside. I watched her with her beautiful hair and perfect eyebrows, as she slept, imagining what I would say when she woke up. Oh, the things I wanted to say. I ached with the burden of words left unsaid...the burden of knowing I felt like I should have called her that week, but didn't.

I remember thinking how surprised she would be when she woke at the many people waiting for her in the waiting room, the many people praying for her, people who didn't even know her. As each day progressed, riddled with more bad news, the thought became "if" she wakes up.

I remember wishing I could talk to her. Wishing I could let her know I was there, right there praying for her and holding on to her husband, my little brother, trying my best to support him. It is a helpless occupation, that watching and waiting. And I just kept thinking,

I want to do something for her.

Rewind to the morning I got the call from my brother. I was numb and in a literal, clinical state of shock. I remember not being able to pack, let alone put a sentence together or put one foot in front of the other. But, with the help of my helpmeet, I remembered to pack underwear and clothing and a toothbrush...and as I stood in my bathroom, staring at well, nothing,

I thought of my red nailpolish.

I opened my medicine cabinet and there it was, Raven Red. I stuffed it in my purse and off I went into a week that I will never forget.

So, there I stood by my sister-in-law. I turned to the nurse, Sue, and said,

"Would it be okay if I painted Becca's toenails?"

"Um, sure. Yeah, I think that would be fine."

"'Cause I know it has a lot of fumes, I just wondered if that would be okay in the ICU...a lot of nailpolish fumes..."

"Oh. No, I think that would be okay. Go right ahead."

I pulled out the nailpolish and painted her toes a deep, vibrant Raven Red. And I talked to her. I told her that the spa treatment and pampering by hospital staff was now going to be highlighted by fresh toes. I described the color and told her "this color is sooo you." I apologized because I didn't have any nailpolish remover for the specks of remaining sparkly blue the she had there before. I teased her that I knew she would not have been happy with unkempt toes in the hospital and so she could thank me later...

As I held her feet, I thought about the Savior, and when he washed the feet of his apostles. Though not a perfect comparison, it strengthened me to feel like I was doing something for her that she could not do for herself. If anything, it strengthened me to feel like I was offering my favorite color, something, anything, to her when she was almost untouchable.

When I went in to the waiting room and told my brother, he smiled and chuckled. He knew she would like Raven Red, too.

The next week, when I found myself in their home preparing for her funeral, I sighed as I looked around and saw the red accents--the pillows, tablecloth, candles...Yes, she would've like it, I thought.

I feel so overwhelmed by gratitude for the knowledge that we will see her again. So thankful that her children will see their mother again and life will go on again someday. We will look back and remember our time here and hopefully embrace and laugh about the red toenails.

Ick

Last month, our entire family had the Swine Flu. Yes, it's true. Don't be shocked because chances are that the fever your kids had that lasted for about 4 or 5 days with a little cough, was also the Swine Flu. Our doctor said, it's too early for the seasonal flu, so this is it. Swine. But, the good news is, we had it and we survived it. But, just barely. It was miserable and it hit us the week of my sister-in-law's funeral...when it rains, it pours.

Now, Trevor has pneumonia and Gavin has a sinus infection. Dr. thinks they are secondary from the Swine Flu.

Ick.

But, the good news is we are now immune to the Swine Flu and don't need the shot.

I wasn't gonna get the shot anyway.

Cause I didn't want to get sick from it.

But we did get sick.

And did I mention we survived it?

You know, the Swine Flu?

But,

just barely.

Punkins painting punkins

( These are the growth charts I've been working on.)

Happy Birthday, Preston!

You know what I love? I love when child's birth story fits their personality. Yes, 4 years ago, Preston was my speediest delivery. He was ready to conquer the world, yes he was. He was also the biggest baby, nearly 9 lbs at 3 weeks early. And his cheeks have continued to hang in there. Oh, we just adore our Preston and the jubilant joy and personality he brings to our lives.

See what I mean?

We do big friend parties every other year for the kids, and the other, the kids get to pick one friend to have dinner and cake with us. This is just as special for the kids, they love it. Here is Preston best bud, K.

Trevor is so thrilled to have "real" Legos added to the boys repertoire of standard boy toys.

Sadly, I missed the "I'm so excited I can't believe I got a real knight shield" face when he opened this. What you see here is the "this is kinda heavy and my mom is making me hold it up again for a picture" face.

Grandma and Grandpa Owens came too! Grandma brought her traditional "grandkids favorite cereal for their birthday" present. Another reason to love this four-year-old is his reaction when opening this cereal was as good as any extravagant toy.

What a happy day!!!