Gabe's 7th Birthday!



Gabriel is now a whopping 7 years old! It's crazy that it's been 7 years since I became a mother.  Poor guy was our guinea pig... as with all first children, it was a lot of trial and error! :)  But what a ride so far.  Gabe is my buddy. He always has been.  He has been there through two more babies, several moves, all the wonderful and exciting changes in our family... there's something special about that.  Like he is Eric and I's partner in crime or something! Maybe because he is 3 years older than Nyah.  But he is such a great kid. He loves and takes care of his little sister and brother - which includes a fair share of teasing but is there really any other way to be a big brother?!  Most of the time he is concocting really fun games and activities for them all to play and they are giggling away. Nyah and Ian don't get how lucky they are to have such a creative and energetic big brother! Gabe is SO incredibly creative. He can build anything - and I mean ANYTHING - out of paper and tape.  He sees a movie or reads a book (or is exposed in any way to something that intrigues him) and he is immediately building a recreation or his own invention.  Recently it is traps. We have a gopher problem and so he has been involved with our attempts (unfortunately unsuccessful) to exterminate them.  So he has been building all kinds of traps from paper, rubberbands, wood, staples, whatever is on hand. They are often elaborate and always well thought out.  That boy has a machine for a mind and can design and build anything he wants or makes up. It is amazing!  This past week he has spent days outside with his friend next door Cole, rigging the jogging strollers so that they can ride inside them and still steer and use the brake - all with dog leashes! (Our driveways are long and sloping so it's perfect.)  Gabe named his stroller Blue Fire and Cole's is Black Ninja. Haha they are so hilarious!  Then Gabe added a wagon behind his and started yelling out while he rides "Big rig coming through! CAUTION! Wide turns!!"  Every day it's something new.  I LOVE seeing what he will come up with next. 

He is also such a sensitive soul.  He is really starting to empathize and recognize others' feelings.  He also comes up with incredibly deep questions and insights about the Gospel and life here on earth.  He does not like anything remotely scary or even too adrenaline-inducing. That coupled with the natural phase at his age of following the rules and being uber-fair, he is no wild child! And I'm sure never will be (knock on wood).  For being only 7 years old, I feel like he takes up an enormous place in our family and in our hearts. Life is unthinkable without him! 

For his birthday this year we did a family bbq at the park which turned our really fun.  Gabe had all his cousins to run around with and lots of presents to open (very important at 7)!  To explain the purpose of the blue squirrel cake... Gabe loves the movie the Nut Job right now and wanted a squirrel birthday party! Well, since I had no idea how to do a "squirrel party" I made the cake a blue squirrel at least! He loved it. 

 

Happy Birthday Gaber Goose!! We love you bigger than the sky!!



cousins Jack and Wesley with our birthday boy



Crazy Nyah, Ian, Crystal

Dad with Ririe, Amy, Mindy

Nyah and Jack helped Gabe blow out all those candles

Mom and Ririe, me, Mindy

Gabe's blue squirrel cake as requested!

spring sports

This was the first year that Nyah played soccer and Gabe played baseball. Nyah didn't turn out to be much of a soccer enthusiast. Most of the time (99% to be exact) she refused to even go out on the field and by the last game she was bawling the whole time. We won't be trying soccer again for awhile. What a drama queen! The picture above was taken at one of her first games, before the game as she is playing around. I think we will try gymnastics or dance next... leave team sports alone for a few years.

Nyah playing soccer.

Gabe on the other hand LOVED baseball and tried his hardest every game and practice. It was a pleasure to watch him. He genuinely enjoyed playing and would often set up his own bases at home and play with his little siblings or the neighbors.  Eric and I were so happy to see him have fun - since that is the whole point at this age!

It was coach pitch and Gabe did really well.

Ian watching his big bro play.

Nyah is at the top of that tree in the blue shirt! She is a little monkey!

Happy Easter!

At an Easter egg hunt at a local park

Ian did NOT like that scary batman!

After church on Easter Sunday - what cute kids!

Ian's 2nd birthday!

My baby is two! It's crazy how much their personalities just burst into life between 12 and 24 months. Before it's like you have a hint... but by 2 you are seeing some definite patterns!  This is what I"m learning about my little boy Ian.  He is a mischief maker. Not only does he get into things, like most toddlers, I think he actually enjoys the thrill of doing something he's not supposed to. He gets this look in his eye like he is just waiting to see what I'll do. And he's obviously fighting not to smile. What a stinker!  He's a cuddler. He takes after his big sis and loves to give and receive lots of TLC. He has a great sense of humor. He has silly games he loves to play with us and he is always up for a tickle - he loves to laugh.  Even when he doesn't get what everyone is laughing about, he will heartily join in. Melts my heart.  He is stubborn. Like his  Daddy. And his brother. And his sister. I've learned to choose my battles to win the war in this family. ;) He adores Gabe and Nyah. He parrots what they say and copies exactly what they do. It's like he wants to be a big kid so bad. He is just so aware of them and what they are doing. And they love him so much. What a blessing siblings are! He is a comfort baby. He is still attached to his special blanket that he calls "wee". That and his habit of thumb sucking when he's tired, helps me remember that he is still a baby. It is so sweet.  He loves to sing and read books. I know he would sit on my lap and read books or sing songs with me all day. I haven't actually tested that theory out but I would bet it's true! He gets sooooo excited to read books - he actually pulls the big family Book of Mormon out and says "book!" when he wants to read. And don't even get him started on the Popcorn popping on the apricot tree song.  He is obsessed! He can sing that over and over and just gets more and more excited with each time. He cups his hand like a visor over his eyes and says "see! see!" at the end to let me know he wants to start over and do it all again. It is so cute. He just bounces and wiggles in delight.  He is genuinely a ray of sunshine in our home.  I remember thinking that exact thing with each of my children at this age but it's so special to see how unique each one is and how much their individuality adds to our happiness as a family.  I love birthdays because it gives me a chance to sit back and cherish my babies. To remember all the sweet little details of life with them.  Ian is such a joy. I just can't put into words how much I adore that little boy!

Ian adores his Papa. And of course everything tastes much better off his plate!

Ian loves baby Ririe. I love his expression here - shows exactly how sweet and happy he is.

Sand toys for the new sand box mama made for him!

#4 for Nyah Leigh

It's been 4 years since Nyah joined our family. I can't believe how much one little girl could so dramatically change our lives.  Nyah is full of mischief, affection, sassy spunk, and sweet cuddles.  She is a creature of opposites and completely impossible to describe because of it.  She loves to scream as loudly as possible and will race around the house hollering like a wild animal. Then later I hear her sweetly singing to herself or her little brother Ian or quietly looking at books for an hour.  She loves to please me and will go out of her way to say or do just the "right" thing and then look at me with the happiest look of expectation of praise and love.  It's enough to melt my heart every time. Then other times she won't hesitate to (loudly) proclaim her independence of any authority, least of which mine, and will fight tooth and nail for her way.  She loves dressing up in her princess gowns, plastic heels, and assorted jewelry.  She loves anything to do with glitter and shine and is constantly asking if she can put on my lipstick. And yet she insists that she talks like a boy and seems proud of it.  (She lowers her voice a lot when she is playing with Gabe and his friends - maybe it makes her feel more included.)  Most meals she sweetly tells me "thank you for the dinner, mommy" with a darling smile. But then some nights she takes one look at the food and declares she hates it!!  I could go on and on. But one thing is for sure... this little girl keeps us on our toes!  She is one complex little bundle of personality - precious and fiery at the same time. She has a firm grip on all of our hearts and has brought enough laughter and love into our home that life is unimaginable without her in our family.  My heart is so full.  I love you Nyah, my beautiful daughter.  I just cannot wait for all the years to come!

 

Nyah loooves kitty's and the color pink... so that's what I gave her!

 

The party scene: Gabe declared that there was entirely too much pink... he couldn't come in the room!

Mommy and Daddy with our girl. Wearing pink in her honor!

Nyah shared her bday party with Gage - here is our 2 bday kids!

Nyah and her Grammy

A little rose among thorns! ;)

Mother of the Year Award

Today was career day at school. Gabe told me all about the parents that came in and shared with the kids what they do at work. One was a pharmacist and Gabe was fascinated with how they described counting and separating the pills.  So he asked me if I had any empty orange medicine bottles and if he could use one to play pharmacist with some M&M's.  I was in the middle of making dinner and didn't give it a lot of thought other than "how creative, sounds fun!"  I fetched him the empty bottle (incidentally an old Percocet prescription) and gave him some mini M&M's.  Of course he soon discovered he couldn't open the bottle and so I helped him but told him I couldn't show him how to do it - they were very special bottles that kids aren't supposed to open.  Several minutes later I began to have doubts as to the wisdom of my actions when I saw Nyah and Ian crowded around watching Gabe counting his "pills" and doling out one or two at a time when they said they were sick.  Things got worse when he asked again for help opening the bottle and this time Eric said "you're never going to get that open, Gabe. Kids can't open those." Then immediately we hear Gabe say: "It says Push Down and Turn" then he proceeds to do that and opens it with a triumphant grin on the first try!!!  Oh boy.  Even though I laughed out loud I immediately told him NOT to show Nyah how to do that.  I knew I was in big trouble when a few minutes later I find the pill bottle full of M&M's in Ian's little fist as he is trying to pry it open to get the treats inside.  Yeah.  Not my finest moment as a mother.

To top off this stellar day of parental excellence, I was half way through Nyah's bedtime story before I realized it was a pro gay agenda book!! Let me just add that I was the one that chose that book today at the library too. 

Ririe Ruth

After missing out on the past 5 babies born in our family (and being "alone" - no offense Eric :) - for my own last 2 deliveries), I finally got to be involved again in the awesome experience of welcoming a new little spirit into our family!  My little sis Mindy had a beautiful baby girl in early January and I had the privilege of being there for her delivery.  I love childbirth.  Call me weird but I just love it.  It's one of the most intense and yet spiritual experiences we will have here on earth.  When I was working, I genuinely loved witnessing the renewal of life through childbirth, strangers or not.  But when it involves loved ones?  It's a heart-in-your-throat moment that can't be described.  Needless to say I was thrilled to be there for my sister and help her welcome her sweet little baby girl into the world!  She is just a doll - a little dark-haired, chubby-cheeked, precious darling.  I already love her so much! Congratulations Mindy and Griff!!

That's just 4 granddaughters for Grammy and Papa - so excited!

Nyah is in love with Ririe!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It's been far too long since I've truly blogged and I miss it.  Yes, I've kept up on big events fairly well, but I've neglected to record all the incidentals. All the little details that really make up our life.  So here it goes....

The Good.

Gabe and Nyah are adjusting wonderfully and enjoying their respective schools and friends. It feels like over night that Gabe has just taken off with reading - it is so fun to see!  And Nyah with her super-social attitude is flourishing in preschool.  I have to intervene quite often when she enthusiastically invites her classmates for sleepovers at our house!!  We have a fantastic next door neighbor with 2 little boys that are a perfect match for my 2 big kids.  And with this mild winter, most days they can all be found outside happily playing together.  (Unfortunately their favorite place is the "mud pit" as Gabe so appropriately deemed it - an empty lot down the street full of wonderfully thick and moldable mud. Gabe quite literally can't get enough of it!)  Ian is growing bigger and talking more every day, much to the delight of us all. He is obsessed with pointing out anyone and everyone's "EYE"! (Which most strangers understandably interpret as a cheerful "Hi!")  Needless to say he loves the game of naming all the parts of your face.  He is a darling.  And he actually cuddles! Which is very exciting for Eric and I!  There was a brief 3 day stint where he discovered how to climb out of his crib that had us all scrambling... but once I placed his mattress directly on the floor inside his crib, that was over. Nipped right in the bud, whew.  It was extremely disconcerting to find him wandering around the house dragging his blanky and sucking his thumb at times when he was supposed to be asleep and safely confined to bed. I have to admit he startled me half to death several times!  And as sweet as he looked, I didn't appreciate his attempt to nix all naps and get up any time he felt like it during the night. Oh no, that wasn't going to fly.  Once I figured out how to thwart him, he accepted his renewed lack of freedom quite well though - maybe it was a relief for him as well.

The Bad.

That's easy. I'm writing this at 2am since I foolishly indulged in a very late afternoon nap after church today.  Not much worse than laying in bed for hours not able to sleep.  Yuck.  Moving right along....

The Ugly.

Gabe has discovered the art of teasing that comes naturally to all older brothers.  He delights in finding anything that makes Nyah scream. Which really doesn't take much.  She is the perfect victim.  If he calls her one of her nicknames at the wrong moment, she screams. If he looks at her the wrong way, she screams.  You get the picture.  My days are punctuated with the bloodcurdling screams of Nyah or the outraged "STOP IT"!!!!!  When I hear Gabe giggling or else loudly proclaiming his innocence, I know exactly what is going on.  What mother doesn't, really.  My other favorite phrases I hear at least a thousand times a day is Nyah yelling "You're not the boss!!" (aimed usually at Gabe but even myself at times) and Gabe saying "sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry" (always to me or Eric, never to the party he has offended).  Oh and Ian's "MINE!!!" every now and then too!  Our communication skills are really going down the toilet as of late.  Gotta brush off one my parenting books tomorrow.

Well I hate to end this way but I really couldn't change the sequence of this post... not with that perfect title.  Now I'm off to bed!

Be My Valentine

I love Valentine's Day. Isn't it great that we get a holiday all about love? It gives everyone a chance to remember who is special to them, who they love and maybe don't always appreciate.  It gives us all a chance to make sure our loved ones KNOW that they are loved.  It's wonderful. It feels good and it's fun!  My parents always made is so special for us growing up and I've tried to continue in their footsteps.  So to begin with we had pink heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. There is my girl, keeping me company! 

And that is the view from below... this poor, sad face is a regular occurrence in the morning. That boy is not happy until he has eaten! :)

 

Later we headed over to Mindy's to drop off our valentine's... the kids LOVE the whole doorbell ditching tradition we have when delivering Valentines! It just wouldn't be Valentine's Day without that excitement!!

Please ignore me and focus on how adorable that baby girl is! Ririe is so precious!!!

Valentines from cousins!!

Then we had a lovely dinner at home all together complete with a lot of secretive valentine deliveries at the door and a lot of giggling!  I sure love this wonderful little family of mine!

Dinner with my favorite people in the world - my loves!

snowshoe date

It's official, we both love snowshoeing! We hiked up to Donut Falls and it was such a fun date!  Being outside in the mountains is a favorite for both Eric and I and the snow made everything so beautiful that day.  The waterfall was mostly frozen over - really cool!