Growing Up!

Our dear Miss Natalie is growing up.  She never ceases to amaze me when it comes to her off the wall comments, her silly antics, and her stubborn personality.  She is very much a strong-spirited little girl and sending her to school has been hard on me.  I want to keep my babies safe, and away from the cruelties of the world, but I know they have to grow up sometime.  This past August brought such an event . . .

Natalie's 1st Day of Kindergarten!

Getting her hair done while Parker makes silly faces at Daddy!

 

Natalie was so excited to be going to school that she went on ahead of me!  Nathan stayed outside with the other kiddos while I walked Natalie in to her class.  But, we had done the backpack/meet the teacher night already, so Natalie knew where her seat was.  And I'm not kidding - she was so excited that she marched right in, put her backpack on her chair, and sat there grinning ear to ear.  I had to say "umm, Natalie" before she realized that she didn't say goodbye to mommy!  

She ran up to me, gave me a big hug, then said "it's ok mom, I'll see you after school." 

And yes, I am surviving without Natalie at home - but I do miss her!

Parker turns 1

I can hardly believe that Parker is 1 year old already!  I don’t know where this last year has gone, and I wish I could slow time down.  But, that is impossible, so instead we’ll try to enjoy everyday that we have with our sweet Parker.  He is still quite a cuddly baby, and still loves his mommy!  He has the sweetest spirit, but is growing into his red hair – loud screaming, throwing things, playing in the toilet, etc.  But, we love our Paker-roo! 

Parker got a new pool with some balls to play with.  He also got a toddler swing that fits perfectly on our swing-set.  His friends gave him some toy cars, and Grandma and Grandpa Larson sent him his first card with money!  He still hasn’t spent his dollar yet because mommy hasn’t taken him to the dollar store yet.  But, I’m sure he’ll pick out a ball, car, or some other boy toy!

Maejae Turns 3

My poor Maejae.  Everytime her birthday comes around something happens to make it so she can’t have a big ol’ party.  We did have the party in Utah, but when we got to Iowa and her real birthday came around, we didn’t know anyone.  So, we had a small family birthday celebration for our little girl.  She is growing up fast, but still continues to be our free spirited, wild, animated little girl!  I love her smile, her silly ways, and the rare moments when she settles down enough to cuddle with me!  Happy Birthday Maejae!!!!

Maejae loves to play with balls, so we got her a basketball hoop for the basement play-room.  She also got a Dora doll that swims in the bathtub, and a Dora Towel.  For her birthday, she chose a Curios George birthday cake – which is quite fitting for our little silly monkey girl

* And yes, we did get new flooring put in.  It does not still look like crap.

My Sister

I just love my sister!  She’s one of the strongest, most amazing women I know, and I have loved living within a days drive from her.  But now that we have moved to Iowa, I miss her.  It’s been 2 months since I last saw her, and I’m going through withdrawals! 

On our way to Iowa, we had to stop in and visit my sissy.  The cousins all had a wonderful time playing together, and we celebrated all the summer birthdays (Russ, Shelly, Maejae, Gavin, Austin, Parker).  Poor Natalie was the only kid without a summer birthday, but she did get a prize so she wasn’t too upset!

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My sister’s husband is part of the K-9 unit for his district.  That means that Gavin has a cop car just like his Daddy, and the kids all loved going for rides.