Millie!

Guess who's two! Oh- that's right!

I loved my party. I HAD to dance.

These are the only two presents I cared about. Butterfly wings and my own telephone.
And here are some pictures from the past year.

Oops. Umm....mom?


I can be really goofy. My mom finally gave in and put this on me after I turned on the whine. I thought I looked pretty cool and admired myself for quite awhile.


I loved helping my brothers harvest the garden.

Mr. Potato Head glasses are where it's at. I love these things. I wear them everywhere. And a girl can't have too many purses.



I am crazy for water. Anytime my mom turns on a sprinkler, I pull off my clothes and head on over. Sometimes I even forget to take off my clothes.


I like to try things on. Shoes are usually my favorite.
Harvesting oranges last December.
I love my Daddy so much, and I'm pretty sure he's crazy about me, too!

And the biggest change of all in the past year.....I GOT HAIR!

We love you little lady, and can't imagine life without you!

Wednesday Buffet

Here are a few little things that were running through my mind as I laid the floor singing to my boys tonight....

I read a fascinating article in the New York Times today entitled "Are your friends making you fat?" So interesting. Obesity was not the focus, nor was avoiding fat people so you don't end up that way....but social mannerism movement studies that were intriguing, and also made me excited to continue making happy, healthy choices with the realization of the great effect it can have on those around me. Can't wait to discuss it with Mike tonight.

When I got home from mutual (church youth group that I help lead) I went upstairs to check on the boys and Jake was engrossed in Aesop's fables, and Andrew was settling in to bed wearing....blue gardening gloves. "They help keep my hands soft, Mom." (whatever, honey. Will they help you fall asleep faster?)

Just two weeks ago I was sad, realizing that our dress up stuff doesn't get used near as much as it used to, and then today.....

some adorable little girl decided she knew how to undress and dress herself and enjoyed herself very much. She was a clone trooper, then robin hood, then this. Looks like we may need to add a few female characters to the basket.

And we had fun making and eating peanut butter chocolate cookies. (After Jacob consumed too much dough he informed me that he "maybe isn't such a fan of peanut products after all.")

This is not to say we didn't have two very difficult hours trying to get homework done, or craziness at the dinnertime hour, or crankiness from the two year old when told she had to eat something this week besides cheese, but I just had to chuckle tonight at all the funny, sometimes odd, and varied things that can happen in the home in a typical day.

The Heavens Have Opened!

We have had a terrible drought this summer. One of those where we are filled with hope every time we see a grey cloud float into view, and then kind of get this ache when it blows away again. It's been in the hundreds since the beginning of June. It's now September.

Well, the stakes in the Austin area had a day dedicated to fasting and praying for rain last week. (along with fervent prayers from those of many other faiths, I'm sure.)

IT HAS BEEN RAINING WITHOUT STOPPING FOR ALMOST TWO DAYS.

CE........LEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!!

I swear you can hear the grass, trees, and all living things gulping. Ahhhh....Makes me want to cry.

First Triathlon

What a fun day we had today! Up early for Mike's first triathlon. He smoked 'em in the water. Nice form, Mr. Michael.

Then he was off on his bike. The kids and I had a ton of fun moving all around to different locations to cheer him on. The boys shouted out "Clone helmet!" every time they saw someone ride past wearing one of those funky looking sideways-teardrop-shaped helmets. Reminded me of shouting "Slug bug!" when I was younger. Pardon the half captured image. It was always interesting to all of a sudden spot him and then frantically turn on the camera and shoot as fast as I could. I actually erased a number of pictures that were of total strangers.

Workin' it.

He finished!
700 meter swim
27 km (btwn 16 and 17 mile) bike ride
5k run
1 hour and 47 minutes
Not too shabby for his first time!

Afterwards we enjoyed some ice cream, while Mike enjoyed the free massages offered. Ahhh....

While waiting for Mike to be able to get his bike, the kids found their own entertainment. Climbing large dirt hills and camping out under a few giant toadstools.
Andrew is showing you the crystal he found, and yes, I make Amelia's hair cute in the morning, but it has a mind of it's own.

Then we threw in some delicious burgers and a 50 cent movie at a newly discovered discount theatre to make for the perfect day. We finally got to see the movie UP! and we LOVED it!

Happy Labor Day and gooooOOOOOOO MIKE!

**oops! I forgot that Mike also did a triathlon at both Utah State and BYU. But they were much shorter. So let's say this is his first Bigger Triathlon. (:

Mike's trip to Four Lakes Basin

I (Mike) went with members of Cheri's family on a backpacking trip. Here are some pictures of the trip.
Our destination was the Four Lakes Basin in the Uinta Mountain Range. It was a nine mile hike. After our hike, a few of us got in the lake, to ice our legs, and it felt great. I actually dipped my body in up to my neck for a second. You could see snow on the mountains still, but the water wasn't that cold.

And eventually we had to hike back out. Three days wasn't long enough, but I'm very glad we got to do it. It was a fun hike both ways, difficult at points, but well worth it. It had the type of scenery you don't get in Texas, and it was great to see everyone again. Thanks to Don for flying me up there, and to all the guys for planning the trip.

Back 2 Skool

The boys started school bright and early today! Jake started off third grade with confidence and excitement. Andrew tightened his grip on my hand as we approached the front door of the school. He told me he felt a little nervous. I told him that was normal, and that there were four whole kindergarten classes full of kids starting just like him, and that the teachers were there to help him. Jacob spoke up and reassured Andrew that everyone felt a bit nervous today, because everyone had a new class in a new grade, so for Andrew not to worry at all.



As we walked in to the cafeteria and split up into grade sections, there were 5 other kindergarteners there so far. Three of them were silent with tears pouring down their cheeks. I'm guessing their parents had to leave for work already. As soon as Andrew saw them, his eyes got red and began welling up. Of course this made me almost lose it. I gained control, though, and quickly began introducing all the little kids to one another, and asking what teachers they had (most of them told me they couldn't remember) and then we found some things to laugh about. After a few minutes Andrew's teacher came striding up waving both arms high in the air and calling out Andrew's name. He gave her a little wave and a big smile. She was so sweet! She came right over and said, "Andrew! I have a TON of pencils that need to be sharpened. Would you like to come with me to the classroom and help me sharpen them?!" Oh boy, would he. He gave me a kiss and was off.

At the end of today Jake reported that his class was "Great! My teacher has excellent control of the classroom. It was so quiet. And I really like the kids in my desk group."

Andrew told me that an "Emily girl" was driving him crazy. "She kept getting up and running all around and out into the hall and was just so loud. I kept looking at her like 'what are you doing?'"

Conclusion: they are both excited to go back tomorrow. And Millie and I look forward to all the time we have to read books together, dance, and work on our popsicle weaning! (; Good times!

Jacob is 8

Happy Birthday, Jake the Snake! Oh wait, Captain Rex, sir! Here is the post you have been looking for, buddy boy. I'm slow, but my brain's fried on kids. Behold the sweet, blue masterpiece. Ok - decent for a 10 minute time slot allowed for frosting the cake before people start arriving for the party.

Chipmunk boy extinguishes the flames.

Jacob is obsessed with all things Lego and Star Wars. Many kind family members and friends fed his appetite. I thought this picture did his reactions to the evening justice. BEYOND thrilled.

Two of his youngest uncles team up with he and Andy Roo to race against each other in building identical droid bombers Jake received. (I already know that "droid bomber" is SO not what these are called. As soon as Jake reads this he will inform me of their real name which is probably something like Droid Battleship 4TP originating from the Galactic Region which was overseen by Lord So and So....)

Fittingly for the birthday boy, his team (okay- Kris) won by a close margin with Sterling moments behind.

We had tons of fun this night with lots of family and some friends over. Barbequed (Mike made some awesome grilled pineapple), and played some Bocci.

Family Came to Town!

Some of my family came to town and it was so much fun to spend time with them. We took my sister and her husband and their sweet nine month old baby girl (who we met for the first time!) for a little "hike" and around town. They are wonderful to be with and it was fun to show them where we live. Their daughter is hilarious. Quite the personality. She and Amelia had a grand time together. Amelia loved being able to share her Weebleville town and to teach all she knows about Mr. Potato Head.

Then my parents and grandma came. We, of course, had to hit the pool. Doesn't Amelia look like she's thinking, "Yeah, little girl, you should be nervous." My dad and mom had lots of fun swimming with them.

Here Amelia is trying to be hot stuff. She looks so much like my mom did as a child! Same eyes definitely.

Here we are after Jake's baptism. This is the reason they all came out. It was a beautiful program and it meant so much that family came to show love and support to Jake. This certainly was the highlight of our summer. And we were so happy that Granny felt well enough to come! Look at her! She looks beautiful and always spreads happiness. We love you all, family!

Hey Baby!

Andrew just came running in the kitchen while I was cleaning up dinner. He has been in the front room making me birthday presents (6 weeks early).

"Mom! I just found a [gift] bag that says 'Happy Birthday'! And it's so beautiful, see... (holds up bag)"

"It is beautiful, Andrew! But instead of Birthday, it says Baby. Good job though, they both begin with a B."

"oh............Mom! Remember in Maria (Sound Of Music) the boy (Rolf) calls the girl (Liesel) baby?! (Big sparkle in his eyes) And you are a baby, too! That's a nice thing to say. So I am going to use this bag!"