Brad and Zach get baptized...

Once again I am lamenting the milestones my children reach. So fast? They couldn't possibly be 8. But they are. Brad and Zach were so excited for this special day.

The boys were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost through the holy priesthood which their father holds.

Of course, everyone was thrilled to support them in their decision. The grandparents flew in from Utah. Mommer and Grandpa Lund arrived and gave the boys a bank to start saving for their missions and a baptism pillowcase to design. Grandma and Grandpa Bender came with a triple combination scripture set that was also from Grandpa Mac. They also gave them their new Cub Scout shirts!

Zach was actually quite sick that day. He kept trying to smile because he was so excited but felt miserable. Because they were the only two being baptized that day, we were in charge of the program- which I loved. The talks were given by Grandma Bender and Grandpa Lund, and the prayers were given by Grandpa Bender and Aunt Jen. Mommer led the music. We were so grateful to have so many family members there.

Lauren and I sang "I Am A Child of God." Just before we were supposed to sing she started panicking, saying, "I'm too shy. Everyone will laugh." I rolled my eyes and told her I'd pay her a dollar if she did her best. She jumped right out of her seat and belted it out.

Abby was supposed to sing with us but she just clung to my leg and I ended up holding her throughout the song.

OK, these pictures are supposed to have water in them. I thought for sure I could Photoshop a font full of water. I finally gave up. If anyone knows how to do it, let me know. We went back a week later for these shots (that's why there's no water) because Zach was too sick the day of for great pics.

When Zach got out of the water and stood there wrapped in a towel shivering, he smiled and said, "Oh, I feel so warm and happy!"

Thank you to the many primary teachers, classmates, friends, and family who came. The boys felt loved and supported. Thank you!

And They're Off!

Three children in school ALL DAY! I have to catch my breath! Wow, the house is so quiet and .... cleaner. The boys LOVE school. Lauren reported on her first day that her locker partner was the "meanest go-wel (girl)" in the whole class, she cried during art class, they didn't get to play with the toys in the room, and had to wait "FOREVER" to be picked up once school was over. She didn't want to ever go back "never again."

But just as mom said, her second day was terrific. They played with toys and she didn't cry "too much." However, her locker partner is still super mean and got in the biggest trouble --which I think delighted Lauren.

Rapunzel Cuts Her Golden Locks

After five years of combing through the snarled rat's nest at the nap of Lauren's neck, I decided it was time to just let it go. Every day was a battle- crying and whining over the sight of a comb. Occaissionally, her hair looked adorable. But mostly, she looked orphanish... where is that child's mom? Why won't someone pull that hair out of her eyes?

That look wouldn't be any better in kindergarten so I finally broke down and had her long locks cut. We went to Sweet n' Sassy in Southlake. It's decorated VERY girlie girl. There were lots of little girls getting mani's and pedi's- - at which I had a twinge of jealousy-- and Abigail danced on the runway/stage.

The cut is fabulous. The hair lays beautifully! They sprayed it with a fun sparkly hairspray. Getting ready is about 3 minutes without whining!!!!! Why didn't I do this years ago???

Road Trip!

So, once again, I thought it would be a great idea to drive to Utah from Dallas. My mom flew out to help out and keep us company. This time we drove to Albuqueque and then up to Arches. New Mexico really was more beautiful than I had remembered- which was nice. But there was a lot of construction and slowing down in little towns. We thought we were savvy with our new GPS. We dialed up a few hotels as we approached Farmington, NM (who would imagine that most of the town didn't have vacancy) and put money down on an America's Value Hotel. When we arrived at the hotel three hours later we realized our mistake- the pool was unswimmable and the shower either scalded you or trickled freezing water. At least the beds were clean.

We had two DVD set-ups in the car because, of course, the boys don't want to watch Barbie Pegasus or Mermaidia- to which I am grateful. Two set-ups also meant headphone jacks for everyone! Mom and I enjoyed a blissful hour and a half as the children watched their movies BUT unfortunately, one of the DVD players died! The girls played with their Polly Pockets and magnetic paperdolls. The boys read and drew pictures.

We stopped at Arches. The kids made up names for the different rock formations they saw. The one above, although not in Arches, was a favorite entitled "Cupcake Rock".

My Baby is not a Baby!

Look at this angel! Well, maybe I shouldn't say that. Abby would correct me. "I'm not an angel (princess, sweetie, baby, insert whatever cuteness rolls off my tongue). I'm a girl."

My little Abigail Helen turned 3. Even though it was really hard for her to put up three fingers, she still turned three. She hasn't been in diapers for a year and can get in and out of the car without help. Such a BIG girl!! There isn't anything "baby" left in her- except the daily "sippy cup with Daddy's chocolate milk" and her love of snuggling.

Abby is a sweetheart. She loves her sister Lauren and her friends Gab, Brooke, cousin Sam, Olivia, Asher, Lulu and anyone who will pretend to be a kitty with her. She loves the color pink. Her favorite show to watch is Dora or Max and Ruby or Olivia- depending on the day. If she is really good, she gets to watch a show with a sippy of chocolate milk! Abby likes to play pretend shop, house, zoo-- whatever. She wants to be the mommy. She loves dolls, strollers, and Polly Pockets.

Lauren and Abby love to play together. Sometimes they are both kittens; other times Lauren is the owner. Or sometimes they are store owners. Lauren pretty much dictates what they do but Abby usually thinks it's great. They have a super-dramatic relationship filled with giggles, tears, hits, slaps, screams, tattling, and giggles again.

Abigail is quite shy at first. You might think she is timid, hugging my thigh and whining in her high squeaky voice. But she warms up quickly and dives into anything and everything. She is definately a fourth child. She seems socially more advanced than her siblings. She potty trained a year ago. She understands timeout and can fake cry to get her sister in trouble, too. She can manipulate her dad with a smile.

Abigail is a very wise brown-noser. She will be the first to report that she wasn't fighting, making a mess, being naughty. If another child is in trouble, Abby will say, "I'm being obedient." And smile sweetly. Or, "I don't pee my bed, " if someone had an accident. She has Steve wrapped around her finger. I don't know how to tell him that she is not always perfect.

Abby LOVES to do ballet. She sets up the "Bella Dancerella" mat and barre and asks me to put on the DVD. She works very hard to do what Bella does and I work very hard to ignore the obnoxious DVD (if you have this, you know what I'm talking about). She takes dance from Miss Lisa and ADORES her. She loves everything about class and continues to dance once she gets home.

She also likes to sing. We used to sing a simple goodnight song to Lauren until she got too big for it and then it became Abby's song. After prayers each night, Abby breaks into her song and the rest of us join her. She's gotten sillier lately as she points to everyone and sings their name. The song is "Good Night Ladies" from Music Man and we just insert each name.

I often feel guilty. If I look back on the past few years of photos, Abby has an extra chunk in her portfolio. She nicely poses and is willing to let me practice my photography on her- so it's not my fault! I also have more one-on-one time with her than the other kiddos because they were so close together in age. We get lots of quiet, shopping, special mom time.

But I think it will even out because.... don't be shocked or upset.... I didn't do a big birthday party. There are perks as mentioned about birth order and for child #1 and #2 and even #3, those perks included a big birthday party each year with an elaborate cake and 15 plus friends and chaos. Child #4 gets a tired mom who really thought she would do a party when they returned from Utah but, well, didn't. (Not to mention that I'm actually blogging this in September! I'm always two steps behind- or more)

Grandma Bender was here for her birthday so we did a sweet family party. I usually really take pride in their birthday cakes but this year-- not so much. We were leaving the next day for Utah and I had been running last minute errands and packing and then it dawned on me-- I need a cake!!!! So the cake was hastily done up with Grandma's help. Despite my disappointment in myself, Abby loved the Barbie cake.

She received a Barbie Cash Register with working microphone and scanner from mom and dad, a pair of white sandals from Mommer and Grandpa Lund- very cute! and a trip to Build-a-Bear from Grandma and Grandpa Bender.

Abigail Helen is such a blessing to our family. She is sugar and spice and everything nice and we love her!

Lazy Days at Possum Kingdom Ranch

We went up to Possum Kingdom Ranch with Steve's sister, Jen and her two little ones. Abby and Sam loved playing together! The men weren't with us so we ate a lot of PB&J and scouted out deer on the Gator. Zach drew a picture for the Ranch office and everyone played in the arcade, ate sno-cones, and swam. Pretty sweet!

Zach, Zach, Zach

This morning at 7 am I heard the front door alarm chime. When I looked outside I saw Zach walking out to get the mail- in his underwear. Zach is seven.

I said, "Dude, you were outside in your underwear!"

"No, I wasn't."

"Look down, Zach."

"Oh."

He turned around and went back outside. "Zach, what are you doing????"

"My pants fell off. I think they are outside. . . "

Smart kid, but not at 7 am.

Kiss and Tell

So yes. My 5-year-old daughter was caught making out in the Primary Room. With all the exuberance of a freshly kissed girl, she ran into the Relief Society room to tell me her big secret, "Nathan Weed kissed me on the cheek. I'm going to marry him."
She mentioned a few weeks ago that Nathan was at the top of her eligible bachelor list- "or maybe William or Julian but not Bryce or Jake because they are yucky." Lauren has really been into "getting married" "who do I marry?" She also has been known to chase her brothers saying, "kissy face!" Zach asked why she was so "roman-tic" as if she was actually the Roman Goddess of Love incarnate. Brad and Zach are not impressed.
At least she has impeccable taste in boys. That Weed kid is a cutie, although a bit fast with the lips. I heard he likes to hold hands, too.

Pink Tulle and Blue Bonnets

In Texas, everyone pauses for Bluebonnets. Each Spring they line the freeways and hills and you must get pictures sitting in the middle of them. I think it might be a Texas law or something. Anyway, despite the full sun messing with the camera exposure and shadows casting strangely across Abby's pale face, I ended up with a few shots that are keepers.

OK, I LOOOOOOOOVE this one!

This one, below, is delicious! She is such a poser.

A House Full Of Grandparents

How lucky are we? We got to have two grandpa's, a grandma, and a Nintendo DS visit us all at the same time! My mom and dad have visited from Utah multiple times but it had been a while and we missed them!

Grandpa Mac had not been to Texas since World War II when as a soldier, his train crossed through Texas on the way to Fort Benning, Georgia. Texas wasn't that interesting in 1945 but when the train stopped in New Orleans, they announced that the war had ended. The MPs quickly gathered all of the soldiers off of Burbon Street and put them back on the train.

Grandpa is 92 years old and tries to golf twice a week when the weather permits. I lured him down here with promises of warmth and green golf courses. But of course, the temperatures were erratic and Texas-like. Grandpa Mac was freezing cold most of his visit. We actually did go to the driving range Friday afternoon, though. Brad, Zach, and Lauren were excited to show off their skills. Abby liked to throw the balls on the green. I got a private golf lesson from Grandpa Mac and it truly improved my swing immediately!
Grandma Bender brought her Nintendo Ds which the kids worshiped. She taught Brad to play Sudoku. My family was excited to sit down to full meals which she cooked. Sorry Mom. I totally made you work while you were here. We cleaned out the pantry and fridge and random closets, etc. We did make it to Sam Moon and Canton as a reward for our hard work, though.
Abigail became Grandpa Bender's little buddy. She takes a bit to warm up to people but then she snuggles right in. She made him play catch over and over and brought him baby dolls to play with. One afternoon their was a couch full of dolls with a grandpa somewhere in the middle.

We went to the Dallas Farmer's Market and La Madeline's for lunch. I'm addicted to their French Dip sandwich. I made everyone sit through a photo shoot Sunday afternoon and we played a wild game of "Spoons" that included several bouts of tears and tantrums.
I don't know if Grandpa Mac will ever come back for a visit. It gets a bit loud and crazy here. He also tripped and hurt his golfing shoulder... but he doesn't want to talk about that. He's a bit bitter and I don't blame him.

What a sweet blessing it is to have so many grandparents who truly want to know us. Mommer and Grandpa Lund are coming to visit in a few weeks! That's two more who love us!

I grew up with Grandma Helen and Grandpa Mac completely involved in my life. They came to every singing and school event. I was always perfect in their eyes. I love that my children know that their grandparents think that they are perfect, too. They get to overlook all of our flaws and make us feel like we are their favorites. Isn't that the role of a grandparent?

Thanks for the visit! Please come again!

the MANY faces of Loo Hoo