Siblings

One evening I get a phone call from Justin, who has 3-way called me in with Lex.  We chat it up for a while and I repeatedly get asked to give Charlotte a call and see what she is up to.  I wasn't born yesterday, it was 8 o-clock my time, which meant 10 o'clock Charlotte's time.  And there is a well known rule around our family, don't call Charlotte after 9 unless you want to get hung up on or possibly sworn at.  Next idea, 4-way call in Phil.  Without hestitation, Phillip calls her as we all snicker and hope for some good entertainment.  About the third ring, Phillip realizes his time mistake.  We all laughed and were severely disappointed when Charlotte's answering machine picked up. 

And that my friends, is just a sliver of why I love those 4 siblings of mine.   

Maxamillion turns 3

This guy turned 3.  I thought all day of his sweet birthmother and her brave decision.  Her decision was a miracle amidst her circumstances.  I think of all the what-if's that could have happened and know Heavenly Father truly is in charge.  Max is funny and sweet and definitely getting into 3 year old OCD mode.  Things must be just right or it gets scary.  For instance, last night he woke up with the sole determination to sleep with his new swords, he also had to go potty.  I told him I would go find his swords while he took care of business.  I brought the swords into him while he was still "going" and all heck broke loose.  I couldn't figure out why he was crying and screaming.  15 minutes later, he calmed down enough to tell me that he didn't want to see the swords until he was done peeing.  So, we had to reinact the whole scenario and then he went to sleep in two seconds flat.  Exhausting and funny.
Max also:
----Loves his "Nannah" (Zannah) more than anything.  They will be fighting over a toy and eventually he will say, "Here Nannah, you can have it".  She needs a push on her bike and he gets off of his and helps her. 
----Changes his clothes umpteen times a day.  Wears Z's sparkly shoes any chance he can get. 
----Obsessed with swords, sticks, guns, ropes, etc.  He always has them down his shirt and pants. 
----Wants to be a cowboy just like Papa Max and "Yex".  He loves feeding cows with them and carrying around his rope. 
----Gives sweet, un-prompted compliments.  "Mom, I yiiiikke your new haircut" (Nope I didn't get one).  "I yiiiike your new car" to the babysitter that drives a 1970's something and always has.  "Grandma, I yiiiike your bum" as she is bent over getting something out of the fridge. 
----Always climbing and jumping.  He is more cautious than Z as far as getting out of my sights, but she has nothing on his climbing and jumping and bouncing capabilities.  His head always has bruises and lacerations to prove it. 
----Wants to know where dad is at all times of the day.  Marcus can still calm him down or get him to comply much easier than I can. 
----Loves juice.
----Eats like a champ.
----Can recite his first three Articles of Faith.  I didn't realize as I was teaching Zannah, he was sitting there memorizing them himself.   

Grandma Barbara

Grandma Barbara passed away the end of September.  If I remember correctly, it was the first day of fall.  I stole from Charlotte's blog a list:

-Valedictorian of her high school class (not unlike a few of her granddaughters)

-Loved my Granddad from the moment she first saw him (but he asked out her best friend before he asked her out)

-Had 6 kids, 26 grandkids and I don't know how many great-grands.

-Feisty and fun

-Served two missions with my Grandad

-Excellent homemaker

-During her last few days at the hospital, family members would take turns staying with her.  She told my Granddad he was the only one she missed when he was gone.

-Ate hot cocoa and toast every morning for breakfast

-Was a good sport, but usually got revenge, when we switched her and Granddad's dentures in the night   (Charlotte did that, I would never)

-Never had to dye her hair because it didn't go gray

 Theirs was a true lifelong love story.  What an example.  Below is what my Grandad wrote on her casket box. 

 All the grandkids got together at Danette and Perry's house and shared memories.

 Bart and Grandad. 

 My mom and dad.  My heart was so sad for my mom.  It is one thing to lose your grandma,  another ballgame to lose your mom.  I hope that day is far, far away for me. 

All 26 grandkids.  Grandma Barbara left quite a posterity, the amazing thing is we all really, sincerely like each other, now that is a legacy.  Our group pictures always end up like the last pic. 

September 2012

We started September with the Brigham City Temple open house.  Zannah was in awe of the sparkly, crystal chandeliers. 

 I did some canning, this year I am going to up the anty because we only have 1 can of peaches left. 

 Miss Z is a huge kitchen helper. 

 Z played soccer.  A bribe of a trip to the dollar store encouraged her to try to touch the ball.  I wish I would have gottten pictures of her favorite pastime, which was picking grass and putting it down her pants. 

 Marcus and I took a fun trip to Portland.  We went on an underground ghost tour.  Of course we found some great food, my trip's happiness depends on it.  My sweet grandma Barbara passed away while we were in Oregon, Marcus switched our flights and we headed to Colorado.  That post coming up. 

August 2012

 August started with these two getting hitched.  Swisser-pants is such a great addition to our family.  Honestly between her and Ang-babe we won some kind of lottery. 

The above are my beautiful cousins. I think weddings and receptions are so enjoyable when they aren't your own.  Justin and Swiss's day was gorgeous and fun.   

The below picture is of Lex sawing and prying off Max's cast.  Max didn't even bat an eye. 

We swam in Bear lake the same day the cast came off with the Firth cousins.

Charlotte and I cleaned out our old closet.  We modeled our old prom dresses for the kiddos, it might have been a little scary. 

We ended August at the Western Idaho State Fair.  Z still loves rides.                     And Max was thrilled with the goats. 

And She Moves!

I finally felt her move today. One day shy of 20 weeks.  It was amazing.  And yes, it is a girl!

The Birthday Girl!

Zannah Mae turned 5!  I was in tears the night before the big day as I tucked her in for bed.  She is growing too fast, am I taking advantage of this time, etc. etc.  But, then as she ecstatically told me how excited she was to be 5 and what the big plans were for the next day, I thought maybe we should all be this excited for life and turning a year older.  Her requests for the day were chicken nuggets from McDonalds and to go swimming and decorations.  We stayed up late hanging streamers and blowing up balloons.  She loved it.  We ate Chicken McNuggets and met Grandma Dana in Boise to go swimming.  She was in heaven.   

Life just wouldn't be fun with out Missy Z around. 

Here are her favorite things right now:
Food: Yogurt, grapes, oranges, apples, waffles.
Candy: Suckers and lollipops and Gum.  (all the things she rarely gets)
Animal:  Butterflies and Ponies
Toy:  Castle and EVERYTHING!
Color: Pink, Purple, and Blue
Song: Ring of Fire
Game: Dancing or playing house with Max
What makes you laugh? When my friend Jensen, says "Tissue, Tissue, Tissue"
What are you going to be when you grow up?  Whatever I want to be!  
If you could do anything you wanted all day, what would it be?  Eat a healthy lunch, cook my own food, go swimming, and eat chicken nuggets.