Buddies...

Chloe and Parker are so adorable to watch interact and play together.  It absolutely makes my heart sing to see the love they have for each other.  I love to sit and watch them play with their "invisible fake friends" and love even more to watch them reunite after a long day gone at school.  With arms out-stretched and huge smiles on their face, they run to each other and squeeze.  "Parker!" says Chloe.  "Girlie!!" says Parker.  They love to have pic-a-nics out on the back porch or on the trampoline (yes, we finally got one!!!).  And oftentimes, it is just a little bowl of goldfish that they are sharing, but they pretend it is more. 

They love it when I make up a story before bed.  I usually ask them what they want to hear about, and it usually is some sort of animal.  Their favorite is the "squiggle fish" and their adventures in the ocean!  I try to put in some kind of hidden lesson into the story, hoping that someday, they will be able to use the lesson they heard and it will help them in whatever they are faced with.  They are simple lessons, such as being nice to others, sharing, being happy, etc.  They seem to remember these stories so much more than when I just open up a book.  And it's fun for me to get to make up stuff and pretend with them!  They will often chime in and help me make up the story too. 

I hope that these two sweet little people will always have a strong bond and friendship.  I hope that they will always be there for each other and that they will find ways to encourage and support each other (along with their other siblings, of course).  I am so grateful that they are mine and that I can watch them grow up and learn new things.  I am so grateful to be their mom!

(Parker calls this his "nice" smile.  I LOVE it!!  I just want to squish him and kiss his chubby cheeks every time he does it!!)

I'm pretty sure....

...that it has been WAY too long since I have posted anything!  I have good reason though...at least in my mind.  I am sure my sister disagrees...right, Amy?!  Unpacking, putting away, cleaning, organizing, and taking care of my 4 cute kids and handsome hubby has taken precidence.  But I feel bad that I haven't been posting pictures of my darling kids, especially Dallin, who is now 5 1/2 months old!  What a crazy time it has been since he has been born!  We've moved twice, bought a house, started 2 new schools and one new job, a new ward and new callings...just a lot of changes!  I can't say I have handled them all with ease, either! 

I am going to try to post often for the next bit, though.  I was going to say everyday...but I don't want to say that and then not deliver!  So...I will post....often!  Here is a picture of my darling kids right after bathtime to hold you over (that's if anyone is actually reading this!). And yes, my little boys are in matching jammies!  I have always wanted twins, but never got them....so I decided that my little boys will occasionally get to dress the same while they are still young enough not to care!  It's fun for me - and for now, it's fun for them!! (even though they look nothing alike!)

Did you know...

I miss her...

everyday.

Look at this!!!

My darling Dallin rolled over all by himself this morning!!

I laid him on his play mat and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for the kids.  When I heard him squawking weird, I came in to check on him.  This is what I found!  He had his arm stuck for a little bit, but then managed to pull it out and look around.  What a stud!!!  (he will be 4 months old on the 17th!)

First Days of School - 2011

How in the world did I get old enough to have a son in Middle school?!! Really?! I'm still pinching myself that this really is reality! My Zach-o started 6th grade this year and is really enjoying it so far. He likes being able to switch to different teachers and be up and moving around to different rooms. He was not too nervous about starting at a new school...because hey...he's been there - done that - plenty of times!

I had to take him something that he forgot right after school started on the first day. I was glad to see him and ask him if the first hour of school had gone okay. I was somewhat comforted when he told me yes, it was all fine. Only somewhat comforted because I was more nervous for him than he was for himself. I never had to experience being the new kid at a school and it always has made me SO nervous every time he starts somewhere new. I left and sent Chris a text saying how I just wanted to hold his hand to class and go introduce him to all the nice kids and tell them to be nice to him and help him make good choices and to be his friend - especially lunch time. That was always the most awkward time for me...finding someone to sit with! But my happy, social Zach has done lovely and has been working hard already on his assignments and friend making and girl flirting!

And another amazing-to-me reality is that my little girlie is a big, full-fledged Kindergartener!! Wasn't she just a little squishy, curly-haired baby?!! Seriously! I thought I would loose it after dropping her off, but Parker did it for me! He had gotten up super early that morning which added to his breakdown, but the fact that his favorite play buddy had just left for the day, was just not ok with him!! He had lots of tears that morning! Chloe on the other hand, was all smiles and excitement! I just LOVE how much excitement this tiny little person can have!

She was a little nervous the first and second day to let me leave. She had to keep running back out in the hall for "just one more hug and kiss!" So after lots and lots, she took her teacher's hand and walked bravely into her class. Then we had to talk all weekend about how brave she would be when she jumps out of the car and walks into school all by herself!! The confidence she had after doing that was just so fun to watch! She is such a happy little girl and I just love it!! I am so grateful that she is mine. Even though I miss her, I am really enjoying watching her grow and experience new things!

Summer 2011 in pictures...continued...

Continued from this post...

July 2011

Chris's parents and youngest brother, Brian, came out for a visit and for Dallin's baby blessing.

Here we are waiting for the ferry to take us out to Peak's Island for the day!  Lots of pictures!!

After being on the island all day and soaking in the beauty all around us, we headed over to show them the lighthouse.

My super good baby just enjoying the day outdoors.

Dallin's blessing was on July 3rd.  He was so darling and fit into Zach's blessing outfit!

Swimming in the neighborhood pool!

Um...she's pretty cute!

So is he...

So is he...

So is he...

Lots of time in the sprinklers on HOT days!!

LOTS of time spent walking to and from friends houses

Summer beach days!!!

...and a mom that needs lessons on applying sunscreen! Maybe i need to not be in such a hurry! Poor little guy was in lots of pain!

Our last beach day in Maine before we moved!

Zach's moving away pool party with all his neighborhood friends!  He was SO lucky to have a bunch of great friends in the neighborhood.  They got to swim and play and eat pizza and snacks...all while the younger kids were at a friend's house and the movers were busy packing up our house!

Our summer has felt very short and VERY busy!  But at least we were able to get some fun activities in while it lasted!