Baby G Picture Update!

We often see this bug-eyed look. Sometimes we call her Bugsy.

 We also often see this look. We like this look. Especially late at night.

 And here she looks like daddy. She's been probably the first one of our kids that hasn't come out looking just like Cooper. But clearly he's in there when I look at pictures like this one!

 She frequently sits like this sucking frantically. It's all very intense.

 And here she was trying really hard to talk to me. Her lips and even tongue were working and nothing coming out. So cute!

 The double chin is definitely in the works!

 And cracks me up but this is how she sleeps. Her arms are always up like that and she is all stretched out. So cute!

 Not sure about tummy time yet!

And her new trick ... smiling back at us!!

 BOO!

My art show!

So one other thing we had to squeeze in before moving day was my art show at the local art center! Fortunately, I had actually planned ahead on this one (a first, I assure you), and had all my painting done before baby G's birth, and actually we only had one or two left to frame the night before. Truly a miracle (Usually we're still framing an hour before. Ok, ok, so usually we're still framing in the car on the way there. Embarrassing, but true). Had no clue back in January and February how important that would turn out to be! Here's the super cool, historic building the show was in:

And yes, they spelled my name wrong but it's still cool. They just got a little crazy with the l's.

Spelled wrong inside too but the paintings looked nice! These are just some of them. I actually managed to get 11 done for them to show. It's always so fun to see them all up!

I invited two of my friends to show with me. One was Janelle, who sadly wasn't able to stick around for the opening reception, but did come briefly into town to bring her lovely photography and help hang the show. 

Our kids enjoyed the excuse to hang out. They had such a blast and got along so well that it didn't even some too crazy to have 4 adults and 7 kids under the age of 7 in our little like 1200 sq ft house. Sadly this is the only pic I have of any of the kids together. These are the two betrothed birthday buddies (born just a few hours apart on the same day! How crazy is that?! And they really seem to be exactly the same size at this point. They're getting married some day for sure).

They seem happy about our matchmaking. Just not both of them at the same time, in the same picture. But we did get his arm around her. They'll love this picture someday :)

Here's hoping that some of our pieces sell!

Cherry Festival parade

So I've been quite negligent lately (why is it that negligent and negligee sound so similar but are rather different things? Sorry, there's some of my morning randomness for you!) with all the craziness that's been going on with us, so here's my first attempt at catching up.

The Saturday before moving we rode in the Cherry Festival parade in The Dalles. Never having been there for it before, we had no idea what a big thing it was or what a long obligations it was! We got there on time to check-in, but the start time was still like 2 hours away! Basically it sucked up our whole Saturday, but the kids had a blast. Well, at least the oldest girls did, while the youngest slept cooperated by sleeping soundly. I kept worrying she was going to wake up and want to eat, and what was I going to do then? Nurse her as we paraded through downtown? 

So here we are on the new city shuttles for the soon-to-be-open Dalles Dam Tours (there were big signs on the car behind us). People were really excited actually to see us, despite the lack of decoration, candy throwers, or hula dancers, because the tours used to be a big thing and they're all pumped they're re-opening. And we saw tons of people from the ward and school and neighborhood, and got pretty tired of waving. Except for little man. He never waved. Not once. Every time we told him to wave he scowled and shook his head at the people. Friendly little fellow.

 Here the girls were impressed with one of the other paraders:

It was so nice of everybody to throw such a big party to send us off!

Book Review - Million Dollar Diva

When asked if I wanted to review this book about taking control of your finances instead of letting them control you, I thought, well hmm ... it certainly sounds nice. Certainly couldn't hurt to see what they have to say. But I was a little worried that it would yet again not be applicable because you'd have to be already in a lot better position than we are, or know more, or have done more, or the worst - make more. What is "nice" about this book is that it wasn't those things I feared, and it didn't go way over my head. In fact, it's casual, conversational tone makes it really easy to follow. And it gave me lots to think about. It did remind me a bit of advice I've read from Dave Ramsey, and right now as we're moving and looking to buy a house, it teaches a lot of good stuff to keep in mind. However, to really do any good, you'd have to not just give this a casual read, which is all I've done so far. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. What they want you to do would take work. And time. You'd have to be willing to sit down and go through the, I'll say "exercises," for lack of a better word, to actually make a difference. Not having done that yet, I can't add my personal assurance that it'll help you "get rich safely," but it sure does make sense and helps fill in some of the gaps that those of us probably have who never took Budgeting/Finances/Getting Rich 101.
And here's an added bonus. They're offering the book for nothing more than the shipping and handling cost, if you order it here before June 15th. If you wait too long and are still interested, you could buy it here.

A smile from Baby G

Book Review: Motherhood Matters by Connie E. Sokol

You know how at the beginning of the movie, The Incredibles, Mr. Incredible says, "Sometimes I just wish the world would stay saved! I mean, didn't I just clean up this mess?!" I can sympathize Mr. Incredible! I think being a mom is just like that! Didn't I just wipe that nose? Can it really be time to nurse the baby again? Sunday again with no clean church clothes? OUCH! I swear I just picked up those legos so that I wouldn't step on them (is there anything other than childbirth more painful than stepping on a lego?)? Motherhood Matters is for the mom who's feeling like they just cleaned up this mess! It is for me as I sit here trying to type up this review with my 6 year-old reading to me, my 6 week-old alternating between smiling at me, falling asleep, and filling her diaper when she's supposed to be eating, and my 5 year-old entertaining my 19 month-old, who is still in his crib, until I can go get him out. This book is for me. Honestly, it's for any woman. And fortunately, it's small enough that it's easy to hold while juggling a small child, short enough to read that anyone make it through it, and inspirational enough to encourage without making you feel like you're not measuring up. (You know how sometimes things that are supposed to make you feel better about yourself really just remind you of all you should be doing that you're not? Thankfully, this book does not do that!) The chapters are super short; most are about two pages long. Some are actually over too quickly, which can't be said about most of the books I read. But it makes it perfect to pick up, put down, pick up, and put down however many times you need to, which I've really enjoyed doing as I've fed my baby. It's aimed at encouraging women of all ages, at reminding us why we continue cleaning up this mess, and would be a perfect Mother's Day gift to any mother or mother-to-be in your life!

You can learn more about the author here and purchase your copy here.

Creative kids

If you were to take a walk around my untidy house, you would find that people leave pictures and notes around like Hansel and Gretel left breadcrumbs. Okay well people leave breadcrumbs (and cracker crumbs, and pretzel crumbs, and ...) around our house too, but not for any useful purpose. Here are a couple of notes and pictures that I found today:

Not a book report. Just done for fun. I think after watching a Planet Earth DVD on Sunday afternoon. Love the spelling. And she's quite thorough.

This is clearly Rapunzel after she contracted elephantitis on this lovely tropical island.

And that is must beher twin brother who contracted a similar disease affecting his hands. Making them look like very large feet.

I have a couple of questions here. Who is Sarah? And where is she being held prisoner? I haven't seen her I swear. Oh and please tell me I'm not the evil Queen ... again.

And this one takes the cake. Though I should probably explain she meant to write, "I Love Grace." Miss a letter here or there and it really messes with your meaning!

Showing off the T-Ball Skills

Ready Position

What to do with your mitt:

 Or maybe it was like this:

 No ... pretty sure it's to use as a shoulder pad.

 Oh wait I got it. It goes out in front of you like this, more or less (pretty sure J's having social hour at 2nd base):

 What Happens When A Ball Is Hit Anywhere On The Field

Everybody, no matter where you are on the field in relation to the ball, run for it and throw yourself on the ground if you don't get to it (where even was the ball in this one?)!

 Run! Run!

 More running (M picked up on the fact that the ball seemed to always get hit to the same place, so despite the fact that she was playing shortstop, she kept inching closer and closer in and farther and farther towards 1st base)!

 More falling (Love the kid at 1st in the background. Doesn't it look like he's trying to keep the runner from leaving, despite him being like twice his size?)!

Dog pile!

 M finally got the ball!! Throw to first, throw to first! Or sure, run it until you're close enough to have a chance at making an accurate throw (less than 5 feet away) ... and then chuck it over his head. And yes, that is Papa and our little man in the background, far enough away that his monumental tantrum could not be heard by anyone other than dogs. Dude's tantrum that is. Not Papa's. 

 And despite whatever crazy shenanigans are going on (like what's with this guy? Is he trying to do a face plant onto the pavement?), always look cute!

More random cuteness

Since the birth of baby G, Dude has decided he's one of the big kids. For example, he totally refuses to sit in a highchair. The very idea is highly offensive. So we got a little booster seat so he can join the gang at the "big kids' table." And then he needs his own bowl of cereal, with milk. No more sprinkling some dry Cheerios across his tray. No siree. And make sure that comes with a spoon please (If he's really hungry, he'll let us feed him. If not, we're back to questioning the sanity of anyone putting carpet in the dining area).

I thought this was so cute. M was just catching up with Aunt Ninnie on Skype, and baby G got in on the action. Love the cute smile looking down at her sis. Please ignore the mess (we do)! 

Getting bigger but still so sleepy!

And remember the cute little curled-up peanut shot from two short weeks ago? Now we like to stretch. Still gotta put some meat on those ankles, but no doubt about it, we are getting bigger!

BIG news

Many of you know that Cooper's job here in The Dalles has been a wonderful experience, but was only for 12 months - ending in July. So we've been looking and applying for jobs for awhile and, drumroll please ... He is going to be the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Dickinson, North Dakota!! So that is definitely a long car ride from home (18 hours), and can't say I ever expected to live in North Dakota (never known someone who did), but it's a really great job and we're excited! We'll definitely be bringing our snow clothes, because I'm pretty sure we're going to need them year-round :) We're going to miss The Dalles - we've got comfortable here. And we're definitely definitely going to miss being so close to family. And everybody we know. But it's a great opportunity in a nice community with wonderful schools, and we'll let you know what there is to do there later :) Coop starts May 14th, so we have a little bit of packing to do. Okay, a lot of packing to do. He's going to head out there to get started, and we'll go join him as soon as we have housing (because of the oil boom, it's actually really hard to find - who knew?!). Until then, we'll be at my parents' house, spending as much time with grandparents as we can!

Time with our little man

Since we only had the two youngest on Saturday, we decided to go for an incredible scenic drive to take pictures of the breathtaking Columbia Gorge. While I was feeding little G for the umpteenth time, Daddy and little dude explored this waterfall. He wasn't too sure about it. Here's what he had to say (or would've said if he ever said more than truck or cracker).

Hey dad, would mom be okay with you having me stand on this table?

Holy cannoli! Did you see that noisy thing over there? WHAT is that about?

I'm not too sure about it. Let's get out of here.

This is a little better but I'm still going to keep an eye on it. You can never be too sure.

Oh blast, I got my hands dirty climbing up here. I hate that. 

I can still see that crazy white thing! It's over there! Come on slowpoke dad! Let's get out of here before it gets us.

Phew! Safe. Now I give permission for you to take a cute picture of me. Cheese.

And I don't have a clue what he was thinking/saying in this goofy photo. But it cracks me up.

Other words he doesn't say but definitely gets the gist of:

No (we're going to enjoy that as long as we can)

Mine (same as above)

I want or I don't want (though he definitely lets us know)

Outside

T.V.

I'm stinky (he smacks his crotch and gives a sad face to let us know when he needs to be changed. Although yesterday at church when he wanted out of there, he lied! He made it up so Coop would take him out to change him but there was nothing there!)

Life's not fair

Don't look at me I'm a cranky toddler!

Please put me out of my misery and get me to bed!

Words he does say:

mama, daddy, Gracie, tractor, truck, dragon, cracker, uh oh (more like uh oooooooh), shoes, cheese, again, duck, applesauce, car, a ton of animal sounds and other sound effects, and Cooper swears he said "excuse you" yesterday. Clearly he could say more if he wanted to, but he has yet to see the point. Either that or he's stubborn. Or lazy. Or a third child. Or just being a boy.

Disneyland!!