Gifts

Yesterday was a gift. My sister, brother-in-law, and parents came home. So we threw a party. ;) We were going to have a party anyway though because someone very special turned 3.

Guess whose pink nails those are? You can't spend 2.5 weeks with your girl cousins and not expect to be "made over". His toes are bluish green; it's called seafoam.

The Greecian Gods and Godesses have arrived home from their journey. I didn't have to do dishes yesterday; that was a gift. I didn't have to change any diapers; gift. I didn't even have to put out too many cousin "fires"; that was a total gift. I didn't have to bathe any children; another gift. And I didn't have to clean to floor or the faces of these piggies after the party; the gift of gifts.

Yes, that is chocolate up her nose. ;)

Sadie turned 3, but dug into her cake like it was her first birthday. She literally stuck her face on her plate and took big bites of her food. I wasn't kidding when I told you that her whole body, not just her mouth, eats when she does. ;)

Some pre-show snaps...

The aftermath.

Gunnar loved it.

I loved that I didn't have anything to do afterwards. It is a huge reprieve to have 4 extra adult voices around.

Welcome Home and Happy Birthday!!

Super Sadie

This little girl is comedy. She is going to be the laughs of her family for all of her life. A couple of Sadie anecedotes:

I am not sure where Jaren and I got it, but when we are brushing teeth we tell Gunnar he needs to brush well to get all the sugar bugs out. If he doesn't those little bugs eat away at his teeth during the night or all day long. Since we have been here I have been telling all of them that when they brush their teeth. The other night I told Sades to make sure she got all the bugs out. She came to me wide-mouthed and said, "Kam, did I get all the German Lady Bugs out?" What? That was funny. Sugar bugs to German Lady Bugs...

This morning I was jumping with them on the trampoline. I am obviously pregnant and have been a walking science experiment for these girls, "Where's the baby Aunt Kam? Why is your belly getting bigger?" etc. etc. ect. Today while jumping on the tramp Sadie said, "Kam, don't jump too high. If you do your baby will fall out." Good point. I took my leave from the tramp. ;)

She is fun, and a gift to this family, as are the other two beauties that chase her around and make her laugh all day.

It wasn't too funny when she dumped a full watermelon slushie from Sonic all over the interior of the car today...

E.T.A = 3 days

The girls' mom and and dad is due home in three days. Until then we continue to party like rock stars.

Gunnar is loving the full backyard with grass, tramp, and water feature. He came in naked tonight. I asked him where his clothes were and he said, "Off." I asked him why and he said he needed to, "make a fountain." That means he needed to go potty in Gunnarese. Why he needed to get naked and why he couldn't come inside is beyond me. Hope these don't make you too homesick J.

He looks like he has grown in the last week; it makes me sad.

He is also loving being with his cousins. Sadie is the closest in age and they are doing really well together, both at playing and getting into trouble. Tonight they made a huge playdough disaster in the kitchen. I was relieved it kept them busy for a few minutes, but was bummed when I saw the mess.

Speaking of messes...what is the same in all of these pictures?

Sadie is such a good eater, but you should see her. Her chin eats, her cheeks eat, her elbows, arms, and forehead eats. She gets food everywhere. It is pretty hysterical to watch. She ate so fast the other night she was sick. I have to tell her to slow down and chew before she swallows.

Gunnar has been funny with food since we came to the cousins'. He doesn't like to have it on a plate. I will serve it to him and he takes it off the plate and puts it on the counter. As long as it ends up in his belly...

These sisters are so sweet and good to eachother. I love watching them comfort and care for one another. If one is hurting the other is there to provide a hug and a laugh. They do things willingly too like get eachothers' drinks or help eachother find something that is missing. I hope Gunnar will be like that with his sister.

I have loved photographing Bri and Bethie. They hold still and love to be infront of the camera. Bethie especially. ;)

She has so much energy; and a laugh that makes me smile.

Brianna had enough paparazzi the other night. Check out those eyes...

Funny Sadie story and then I am off to work on grad homework.

Sadie was lying on the stairs singing to herself. I got up to see what she was doing and found her like this.

When she saw me she said, "Kamee, can you get my baby?"

I told her, "Your baby is right there, reach down and pick her up."

"Aunt Kam, she is too far away and I just can't reach her."

Oh brother.

I walked away and she started singing, "I can't reach my baby. She is going to keep crying until Kam hands her to me...la, la, la, la."

That's good stuff...

Tomorrow we are headed to see a movie; we'll see how that goes and then we are going here. I know; don't be jealous.

The Lone Man in the Garden: A Bible Story

First God created the earth and everything on it, and then he created man.

Then God gave man woman. And then they gained the ability to make decisions and choose from good and evil.

(This picture is terrible, the shadows, the light, etc. but it sets the stage and I wanted to get something without them seeing me...)

And the rest can be read in Genesis. Yesterday morning the cousins woke up early and wanted to be outside. I caught Gunnie before he ran out with enough time to get him dressed enough for being in the back; Sadie got out before I could get her pants on. Oh, well. I mentioned this in my last post but my sister's garden could be likened to Eden, it is really, really beautiful. She used to have this really cool water feature that unfortunately broke. Gunnar and Sadie found another use for it yesterday. They turned it into a pool and added some balloons to make it even more...fun! The water was dirty, slimey, and filled with garden gunk; they could have cared less.

Gunnar has become quite proficient at going potty in the potty; I would say we are, well, trained. Since we have been here though, he has been introduced to the "pee pee tree", the "pee pee rock", and the "pee pee bush". The other night he had to go super bad and couldn't make it to the house. He let loose in the front yard, facing the street. We have been discussing, appropriateness, privacy, and being discrete since then. I actually am just happy he doesn't go in his pants. Back to the garden. Yesterday morning Gun needed to pee. He didn't want to find a tree, rock, or bush so he decided to make a pee pee fountain...

It got crazy from there...

Needless to say everyone went upstairs and had a deep clean in the tub. Thanks for the laugh Gun. xoxo Mommy Mom

Summer time

My sister, brother-in-law, and parents are in Greece. Gunnar and I are in Utah for two weeks hanging out with my nieces while they are away. We are enjoying the heat and all things summer...

Summer is for swimming and slip-n-sliding.

If this picture doesn't make you laugh, close your eyes, open them and look again. It makes me laugh hard everytime I look at it. ;) This is Sadie, the youngest. She says funny, funny things; yesterday we were in the pool and I stayed back with Gunnie and Sades while the older two went to jump off the diving board. When Brianna came back Sadie said, "Bri, I tooted on Kamee." It was so hysterical. I had not idea and she was keeping it secret until her sis came back.

She is good stuff.

She sings to herself all day long; it is so sweet.

She and Gunnar are months apart; they have been playing well together. Today Gunnar said, "Sadie, I like hanging out with you."

Gunnar wanted goggles like the big girls. They fill with water the second he goes under but he could care less.

You have to hang out in your swimsuit all summer. Right? Remember those days?

Summer is for bug hunting.

My sister has quite the green thumb; her garden is gorgeous and full of rollie pollies. Gunnar is in bug heaven!!

Sadie prefers plastic bugs and bug candy.

Summer is for jumping on the tramp at all hours of the day and night. Remember how late it would stay light in the summer? Remember loving that as kids?

Summer is for drinking from the hose. Who doesn't remember or still do that? ;)

Summer is being so busy with friends you forget about a delicious treat until it is too late.

Summer is about losing teeth. This one is going to come out any day. Stay tuned for the after post. ;)

Summer is about being so tired you can hardly stay awake at the end of the day. (I love their little sun-kissed faces...)

Summer is probably one of the best times of year...too bad I have so much homework this summer. Summer is NOT supposed to be about homework...

More to come from our Utah adventures...xoxo Kam, Gun, Bri, Bethie, and Sadie

Baby Preston

Before I left for Utah I was scheduled down to the last minute. My life felt busier than usual, which is hard to believe. A day before we left I had a shoot that made everything stand still for a while. It was refreshing; I was grateful for the reprieve from the constant flurry that surrounds me.

There is something truly magical about a new baby.

This one especially. My personal experience with new babies is that they cry, a lot, all of the time, incessantly. (Those of you who told me I would forget how hard it was in the beginning were lying to me; shame on you. I have not forgotten; in fact, I am terrified to start it all over again...) This baby hardly made a peep, but when he did it wasn't for long and it was so so so sweet.

Preston was pulling a lot of faces; I think he might grow up to be quite a jokster.

I loved the scrunchie face the best.

When you grow up don't let your pranks throw you in the slammer, Pres. ;) For now he will be serving a term of 2-3 years, unless he breaks out early, and climbs over the gates, like some.

A little person who might end up in the family slammer for mal-treatment of a sibling is Preston's older brother, Cristian. He prefers the "love pat" or "love lick" over the usual hug or kiss. In reality he is a really, really good little boy. He is sweet and funny, another great personality in the family. He and Gunnar get along really well. We can't wait for a playdate when we get home.

Like most big brothers, he loves trains. Katrina told me that he used to associate his colors with the Thomas trains. If you showed him something blue and asked what color it was he would say, "Thomas". That's good stuff.

He loves his little bro too; he just isn't quite sure how to show him yet. ;)

I am sure they will grow up to be very, very close. They have excellent parents and a very nurturing home to grow in; they are bound to be tight to each other and their folks.

Katrina is another person I have always been magnetized to. Her talents are many and her personality fresh and relaxing. She is also really good with scissors. She does my hair, and several others. She is so good that getting an appointment with her is sometimes as difficult as breaking out of Alcatraz, but when you do get in and Katrina gets her scissors, and dyes, and foils in your hair, you leave a new person. It's good. She is also really good with scissors in terms of making things. She scrapbooks beautifully, and designs the most distinctive and noteworthy creations.

Her theme for the baby's room was trees. She painted this mural herself.

There is a phrase on the wall, "Tall oaks from little acorns grow"; I love it. (p.s. that is a sticker on the wall. If you are in need of vinyl stickers I know where to send you; just send me an email and I will get you the information.)

This little acorn is bound to be a tall oak with Jeff and Katrina as parents. Cristian too. ;)

Some fun with a new border.

Until you become a tall oak Preston, may you continue to bless the lives of your parents and brother; may you continue to be a gift to your family. May you continue to be peacefull, serene, and a good sleeper, and may you continue to poop regularly. ;)

Katrina, Jeff, Cristian, and Baby Preston- I enjoyed our time together so much. Thanks for the break from my life and for the fresh air. Can't wait to see you again- xoxo Kam