She's a Keeper

Where did it go. 3 1/2 months old, really? Can't believe that it has happened again. I don't know how it went so fast. She is a super baby. Happy, content, sleeps well, can't ask for more. Loves eating her hands now and has just started rolling over. Kicks like crazy and squeals in delight. I sure do love you little girl.

Thanks Nadia for this adorable dress, I just love it so much!

Sisters. Livy just loves holding Ellie. She is a great big sister and little mom. She helps out a lot when I need something done real fast. And she is really good at entertaining Mr. Trouble. Thanks Livy!

I sure do love you too sweetie! And Rachel and Colt too! You are all awesome in so many ways!

Ellie and mom, 3 months old, sister Livy our photographer.

Colt is boy all the way but is trying to figure out the girl stuff too. He wears the princess shoes and tries out headbands while kicking, hitting, and teasing his sisters.

The girls are so different in many ways including their prayers. She amazes me by the detail and directness in her prayers. She prays for the electricity, and timber to build our house with, batteries for our smoke alarms, money we give the church, and to keep safe from thunder. I love listening to hear what they will pray about. And Livy is always ready to say the prayer when we say it is prayer time, she just bows her head and will offer the prayer.

Rachel has just recently started feeling comfortable to say prayers. She amazes me by the things she remembers and the concern about others. She prays for people who are sad that we had talked about a week before, Izzy who got squished by a car, friends to be happy, help Colt to be good, and keeping the power on. It is so fun to hear them pray.

She over heard me telling Eric one night about how Colt was getting into trouble that day and responded "Are we going to sell him now?"

And she loves her brother and sisters. She smiles a them and loves when they come talk to her and keep her company! 

Ellie's Blessing

Ellie was blessed by her daddy on Sunday September 18th at our house. Eric gave her a wonderful blessing. It is so awesome to have a husband who can bless our children and hold the priesthood. That in itself is a wonderful blessing we have in our family.

We were so happy to have the Williams here with us but missed the Psillos'. Next one is in New York!

We love you Ellie. We are so happy to have you here in our family!

She wore the girl's dress and it was a tight squeeze. If we waited any longer I don't know that she would have fit in it!

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He is obsessed with her. He loves her, sometimes a little too much.

This is the face I fear. Clenched teeth and trouble eyes. He is about to squeeze too hard. Poor Ellie.

Diapering 101

What a sweetie pie, right? Well, don't let this sweet face fool you.....

or these ones.....

This little girl likes to make me clean! Look at the blow outs she has daily. When I get her up from a nap this is what I usually find. Sweet. I didn't dare get a picture of her undressed.

Colt has taken an interest in diapering as well. Barney always needs his bum wiped and is "stinky."

Every time I got to get a wipe out the first few are always used and stuffed back in.

Hard at work getting that diaper on Barney.

Lots of diapering going on around here. Ellie is not going everyday any more so there has been a break from the extreme clean ups. But since she is such a great baby and sleeping at night I will gladly accept blowouts. I am just glad Colt doesn't have blowouts!

Halli's Baptism

My niece Halli got baptized on September 3rd. It was awesome to be able to be there with her on the special day. She looked beautiful in her baptism dress and did awesome during the whole thing. We are so proud of you Halli and the wonderful choice you made to be baptized. Thanks for being a great cousin and setting great example for all of your little cousins!

The girls were excited to see Halli get baptized. We talked about if for Family Home Evening that week and practiced "baptisms" with the girls dolls to show them what would happen. They still are not sure if they want to be dunked like that! You've got a few years girls!

Just Because

Eric brought me home these beautiful roses the other day "just because." It was very sweet of him and they were gorgeous.

The girls insisted they were for them since he had already gotten me flowers another time (Valentine's Day).

There he is! Of course he wouldn't stand with the flowers so I had to sneak him in the picture! Thanks Eric for brightening my day. You are wonderful and I love you so much!

Izzy

A few days after we left New York our dog Izzy disappeared. She was always wandering and always came back but not this time. Two weeks later a man saw Izzy's missing sign and called to tell mom that two weeks prior he hit her with his car on accident. It was raining and he couldn't see her. She had no tag on, thanks to my kids who were playing with her collar while we were there, so he didn't know who to contact. Then he saw the sign later and called.

We will miss you Izzy. Even though you didn't like all the little kids, they loved you.

Izzy would be 18 years old next month. She as been with us forever and I felt like she always would be. It will be strange going home and her not being there.

I knew when she died it would be sad but it surprised me how emotional I got about it. I didn't think I would cry but now a days you can count on me to cry about everything. I'll miss you Iz. Even though I didn't give you lots of attention you were a constant in my NY life and I will miss you.

I wish I had some of the pictures when she was a young fluffy puppy. They are so cute.

Bye, Izzy. See you on the other side.