Will power... of which I have none

Every time we go to the museum I tell myself, 'no more pictures, you've taken more pictures than anybody cares to see in a lifetime.' And every time, I try so hard to keep my camera in my bag, but within minutes my fingers start twitching and I make hasty rationalizations, 'they've never done that pose before!  This is Kolton's first time doing... fill in the blank.'  And so, every time I leave with a memory card full of pictures which I then justify that 'I won't use.'  Yeah right.  I may as well just accept that I am a picture monger.  I can't help it.  I love pictures.  I want to chronicle everything my little family does, every day of their lives.  Some day, when they are grown, they will either look back with extreme gratitude, or (and probably more likely) they'll roll their eyes asking, "do we have to look at another picture of us at the museum?"  Either way.  I have a problem.  I do not think this problem will ever be fixed.  So.... enjoy!  Oh, and by the way, don't forget to check out the picture where Kolton is coloring on the plastic wall with a marker for his very first time (perhaps also last for a while judging by his blue and green lips he wore for the rest of the day).

Rowan's birthday

We actually made it to Rowan's birthday this year!  I can't hardly believe it!  Every year we have either been out of town, or had something major going on.  It was fun filled and Kolton mastered the slide... solo!  Happy birthday Row!

Farewell til next year

My last Tahoe trip of the season is always bitter sweet.  Sweet because, well, because we are at Tahoe. By the end of the season my kids have grown new courage, new adoration, and possess a healthy understanding of how it's all going to go down.  We will arrive, mom will carry an ant load of stuff down to the beach, kids will play in sand and water approximately 5 minutes before complaining of hunger.  Mom will sunscreen, feed, get kids ready.  Then, mom will dive in.  This pattern will persist throughout the day of filling up floaties, deflating floaties, feeding kids, cleaning kids, re lathering kids, swimming out to the buoys.  Life will be demanding and just about the most beautiful existence on earth for roughly 6 hours.  Then, mom will pack up and listen to her book on CD while babies sleep peacefully in the back seat despite the unfathomable amount of sand still plastered to their little behinds, and the sweaty sunscreen still irritating their eyes.  Life will be serene and perfect.

Bitter for the obvious reasons: last Tahoe trip of the season, all the work etc.  The last trip is also bitter because it never fails that the very moment that my kids are enjoying themselves the most immensely of the entire summer, always ends up being the very moment it's time to leave for the year.

Sweet because when we get home, I will unpack the colossal size bag of floaties/life jackets/ blankets/ umbrellas/cooler that has been living in my trunk for the past three months, vacuum approximately seventeen pounds of sand out of my back seat, and pack it all up till next year.

Farewell Tahoe!  We love you, and we'll see you next year!

That time of year again...

It's that time of year again... scrumptious, fresh, ridiculously delicious produce.... and lots

and lots

and lots

and lots

and lots

of canning......

Cheese!

• When you tell Kolton to say cheese, this is what he does.  It is hysterical!
• He continues to be a holy terror on two feet, but we love him so much we find it hard to see anything other than endearing in his terrorist ways.
• He has arrived at the tantrum stage.  It's not the most fun I've ever had.... but it's also not the least.  He's pretty funny when he really gets going.
• He says: byeeeeeeee, tickle tickle tickle, bumpa (grandpa/grandma only to be yelled or exaggerated), AMEN!!! (also only to be yelled) Nana (Xiana) Eh-oh (Ekco) Hi, and everything formerly mentioned on this blog.
• He understands EVERYTHING you say.  He does, however, have selective hearing.
• He is all hands, all the time.
• He thinks everything he can get his hands on is a ball.  He swings about 10 times before he launches it. It's a tiny bit frightening because you never know quite when he's going to release.
• He still prefers men to women. 
• He snuggles... quickly... but sweetly.
• Every time I pick him up from the gym day care they tell me he is so smart.  I tend to agree.
• He loves tomatoes and picks them off the vines and eats and eats and eats them.
• He throws food... a lot.
• He's a bit of a bully, but without guile.
• He is non stop never a dull moment fun.

• We straightened Xiana's hair for church one day and couldn't believe how long it is... it's long!
• She is LOVING preschool and primary.
• She knows 6 articles of faith by heart.
• She is learning how to spell words.... it's astonishing.
• She spends her days on her head... She can almost do a cartwheel.
• She is sassy, bossy, and smart.  We like her like that.
• The other day there was a lightening storm and she asked me what lightening looked at.  I was shocked and asked, "you've never seen lightening before?" "Only on the chip bag," she replied. I was very confused until she explained that there was lightening on the Dorito's bag... hilarious!
• One day she confidently told me, "daddy told me I can't kick him between the legs because he has pearls."  Funny funny girl.
• She is so good.  I don't know what I've ever done in my life to ever deserve these kids.  They are more.   

Pony Party

I know that I've said it like a million times, but we are so very fortunate to live across the street from dear friends that just happen to have a farm.  As a result, Xiana got invited to the party of all parties for little girls... a pony party... with real live ponies!!  She almost had to miss it due to a birthday party camping with her cousin, but her daddy had to work.  In my book it was a win win win situation.  I got to teach a valuable lesson about how family comes first even when it's hard, and even when there are really fun alternatives, and she still got to attend the really fun alternative.  She was pretty much beside herself with joy.  She rode this massive horse, and the tiny pony.  She loved them both.  And fortunately, she didn't fall off the massive horse as two other little party goers did.  Luckily there was no harm done to either... though they declined the pony ride:)  It was super fun.  They gave out hats as part of the party favors which were so cute.  Xiana picked out her cute dress.  I tried to talk her out of it due to the bare legs on the ponies, but she wouldn't be persuaded so I gave in.  It worked out just fine.  Sometimes things have a way of doing so when we argue about her attire.  She's right more than I'd like to admit.

Farmers

I took the chillins down to farmer's market one evening while Brian was working.  My oh my how the old market has changed... and for once I can't attribute that oh-so-noticeable-difference to perspective... it really has changed.  When I was in my early 20's, farmer's market was THE place to be.  It was where everyone went to do everything except buy produce.  Now... well, now I'm not sure it's the place to go for anybody to do anything... including buy produce.  There were a very limited amount of vendors... as in like 10.  Still, Kolton was more than pleased with his tasty peach, Xiana was delighted to run and jump in her beloved fountains and I?  I was happy to get out of the house, visit my dear husband and... give my kids free ice cream bars from one not so happy vendor that was adamant her declining sales were due to misplaced booths.  Apparently she failed to notice that there were more vendors (approximately 10) than customers.  STill, it made for a pleasant evening with bubble gum, coconut, and cotton candy ice cream bars.  De-lish!