Sweet Sharing

 

Grandma party cars

Every year Grandma Allen has a Grandma Party.  It's big and elaborate and wonderful.  The kids think it's the best part of the summer and they are probably right.  One of the activities this year was a car derby race.  So before the day of the party the kids got to paint their own cars.  Grandma had some extras so Ashley and Hannah got in on the fun. Ryan was really fast with his so I didn't get a picture.  And yes, I am aware that Ashley is naked.

Ryan graduates from Weblos

Ryan graduated from Weblos when he turned 11.  He was so excited to move on to 11 yr old scouts!

In this video clip he is enjoying his moment in the sun.

http://youtu.be/N-wqhvmx5KM

Blues

Not sure if I'll post this, but this is really as much of a journal as I keep these days.  Just a little discouraged tonight.
Not loving the fact that I've been consistently exercising and eating less and although I know I'm stronger and have more endurance, I'm still so tired and nothing is changing with my body shape/weight thanks to my delightful PCOS.  For the record, I'm grumpy tonight about having PCOS.
Also not loving that another month has come and gone with no baby news.  While this isn't shocking considering the fact that we're not working with the doctor yet, it's still frustrating and disappointing.  I'm still nursing once a day and the dr. won't help me until I'm done.  I know Tommy is a year old, but I'm struggling emotionally to let go of this feeding and I know it will be hard for him to give up as well. I wish I didn't have to give up this part of my relationship with Tommy to begin the process of getting our next baby here.  It makes me a smidge resentful.  Sorry.

Oh well.  This too shall pass.

Tommy and Yankee

Tommy and Uncle Paul's labradoodle (I think) Yankee.  Tommy loved her but couldn't decide what to think of her when she tasted both of his ears.  This poor child has joined the family of dog lovers with a mother who currently refuses to take on a serious pet.

Ashley's Other Birthday Cake

After I told my friend about the discussion I had with Ashley about cakes, she decided to make Ashley and elephant cake.  Not only was it beautiful and and elephant, but it was delicious.  Seriously...delicious!

 Ashley telling Valeri thank you and comparing earrings.  You know, the important things.

btw  - she puts the recipe on her blog here

Ashley's birthday - Beautiful girls June 11, 2012

I love these pictures of my beautiful daughters the morning of Ashley's birthday.  I love that they show how much these girls love each other.  Just like all sisters, they have their moments, but they treasure each other.  I love it.

 Look at Ashley's face - it's priceless to see how she feels about her big sister.

Tommy the picky eater

These pictures are proof that more food ends up on Tommy's face and clothes than go into his mouth. He is a terribly picky eater like his sister Ashley.  I'm not sure what to do about it.  He's such a skinny little thing, I'd love to know he was getting enough to eat.  Things he will generally eat: watermelon, grapes, raspberries (that's a new one), yogurt, mac 'n cheese, eggs, toast, chocolate milk (instant breakfast), peanut butter sandwich.  The things he'll eat when he is in the mood: bananas, strawberries, cereal, rice cereal (although he is starting to refuse that pretty consistently).  Things I love to attempt that he loves to throw: vegetables, noodles.  I guess it's not too bad, but he still doesn't eat as much as I think he should and he often refuses food when I know he's hungry but I can't figure out what the magic food is.  It's kind of tricky.  Little pill.  :)

This picture also shows his favorite trick (at the time - in June).  He loved showing how big he is..."sooo big!"

Ashley's birthday

Beautiful Ashley the day before her birthday all dressed up and ready for church.  We had dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and Carolyn.  She requested waffles and grapes and cheese for her birthday dinner.  Cute girl.  

 Grandma made her cake.  At first she requested an elephant cake but when I talked to her about it later she said, "Elephant's don't go on cakes!"  So I asked if she wanted balloons on her cake and she said, "No, then it would float away!"  Later Grandma offered to do the cake so she chatted with Ashley about what to put on it.  They decided on frosting flowers and balloons.

 Happy birthday to my beautiful three year old dancing darling!

s

Orem Summerfest Parade

It was a cold windy day for the Summerfest Parade but we went anyway to watch Ryan with his karate group.  We ended up having a grand time!  The girls liked gathering candy and Tommy loved the music!  Ryan had fun but was tired and hungry when he was done!

Cherries!

We were delighted to share the bounty from the Schacher's cherry tree this year.  Izzy and I helped to pick while the little ones played with the Fairbanks boys.  June 2012

 Mya 

 Izzy up the ladder

 our haul

 Ashley mad that I wouldn't let her use the ladder to pick (we were sharing with Susan's family).

Yum!!

 Tommy, Micah, Christian and the tunnel.