Our Boy Collin

Collin loves to cheese it for the camera. I love his little smile! (Rita does the outfit look familiar?)

I love the pirate doggy look on him!

Here is a little video of Collin "talking." He loves to coo and "talk" to his sister. He will sit on the couch with her and "talk" and play for more than a half an hour. They really love each other.

Tribute to my Parents

I just wanted to publicly thank my parents for all that they do for me and others. They have been a great example to me of charity. As a teenager I remember all the times my dad went to help others and when he got home late he would start to mow the lawn. There were times it didn't get mowed but I never saw him complain. I remember my mom always had enough food to share, even with short notice. (Including when I would tell her that I had invited the visiting family at church to dinner.) And it was served happily. When my parents see a need they fill it. (Even if it is to give away the bed they were just given or lawn mower because "someone else needs it more and I can make due with _________.") They do not seek out acknowledgment for what they do, just quietly do their callings, serve in the community and help their children with whatever need they have, big or small. I am grateful for the example they have set and I hope to emulate it with my own children.

Mom and Dad (aka Grandma and Papa): I know that my little family has been blessed by your selflessness and I want you to know that it is noticed and appreciated.

A few favourites from the last week

She loves to put her foam chair on the couch so that she is the same height as us.

He loves his Bumbo!

I love the hat but the look is priceless!

Scrip-ta-churs and Goldfish

Emily makes me laugh at times. Here are two of her latest antics.

Scrip-ta-churs

Last night I told Emily that when I was finished feeding Collin it was time for scriptures. Immediately, she ran into her bedroom, pulled down each book in her bookshelf until she found her "scriptures." (A picture book of basic Book of Mormon stories.) Then she climbed up on her bed next to me and calls out, "Dad, scrip-ta-churs." He was on the computer and so she ran into the tv room grabbed his hand and said, "Dad, come, its scrip-ta-churs." Landon laughed and said, "Do I have to?" She yanked on his hand and said, "Dad, its scrip-ta-churs." And then she pulled him all the way onto her bed and had him read them to her. It was so cute!

Goldfish

I don't know about anyone else's kids but Emily is obsessed with Goldfish crackers. (Her mom loves them too...) At church today I looked over and almost laughed outload. Emily had placed a goldfish cracker between every other toe. It was hilarious.

Bears
Yesterday, Emily was eating a candy shaped like a bear. She picks it up and says, "Hi Bear! How you? What ya doin?" Then she gave it a kiss and ate it. I couldn't stop laughing!

As always, she keeps me on my toes.

Six Years

Yesterday Landon and I celebrated our six year anniversary. It is hard to believe that much time has past. I am so thankful that I made the decision to marry my husband. Neither of us is perfect but we both work hard to make this marriage work and the benefits are shown more everyday. We have both made positive changes in our lives due to the love and support we give each other. I am grateful for the love and forgiveness that is shown to me. I need both! :) Our beautiful kids are the joy of our lives. Thank-you Landon for all the memories and I look forward to all the years ahead.

Pie in the face Dad?

One of the local grocery stores had a fundraiser for the Children's Wish Foundation. They had local "big names" (ie mayor, well known businessmen) come and for $5 you could throw a pie in their face. My dad was one of the people asked to come. Much to his dismay I decided that Emily just had to be there. (Just kidding, he thought it was great) Some of his staff put money in but were unable to come so we had four pies to throw. Emily was a little distraught that Papa had stuff thrown at him. She was worried about his eyes. Dad on the other hand loved it. The pie plates had either lemon pie filling or banana cream pie filling with whip cream on top. He thought it was fantastic! Enjoy our little slide show. (I asked one of my dad's workers to take a picture of Emily and I throwing the pie but he got it of my dad's face. One of the grocery store workers took one though and she is going to send it to my dad. I'll post it when I get it.)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Isn't she beautiful?

Our friend Jordan brought Emily a dress back from Cuba. I was trying to get a picture of it but Emily did not agree. I did get this cute shot though. I love the elastic in her hair. Our friend Darlene made them for Emily they are a crocheted flower that is attached to an elastic.

Bubbles

Is there anything better in life than blowing bubbles?

Emily doesn't think so. To save myself hours of blowing I bought her a Nemo motorized blower. She spends hours a day in bliss.

My Monkeys

I have renamed my children.

Emily is now Monkey Girl. Her super power is to get into all imaginable mischief no matter the obstacle with stealth.

Collin is The Chunky Monkey. He gets chunkier every day. He still insists on eating every 2 and half hours and his thighs show the result. He must take after his mom! :)

Emily calls Collin Monkey Boy so I'm sure as he grows up she will nurture his super mischief power until they become an unstoppable duo and I will be counting my blessings that Landon is the one who stays at home. :)

(Actually I will be sad because Emily and I have had some pretty awesome adventures lately. What can I say, her naughtiness is funny and very contagious!)

After Church Bliss

I stole the title for this blog from my friend Rachel. It just fit our afternoon so well that I had to.... sorry Rachel. :)

Sunday mornings are crazy around here since Landon has meetings before church. He is usually gone by 7:30. It is hit and miss on how well the morning will go, no matter how much prep I do the night before. The joy of children. But after church, oh the bliss. Emily usually falls asleep on the ride home and will nap for up to 2 hours. Collin will usually fall asleep and if he doesn't I feed him and voila sleeping baby. It is the only time that my kids nap at the same time. Landon and I were able to enjoy peace and quiet. We even got to eat lunch together and talk! :) When Emmy woke up we took a walk up to Sunset Park. It was a perfect day. Sun was out and it was the perfect temperature outside. We had a great time on the swings and climbing on the play equipment. The walk home was relaxing and Emily even got out of the stroller and walked with us for part of the way. The rest of our day has just been hanging out as a family. What could be better?!