Abigail the Destroyer

A few days ago, Matthew and I built an awesome 4-story building/tower out of his Cars mega blocks.  It didn't take Abby much time before she made her way to it.  She had a blast tearing it to pieces and chewing on it.

I'm sure this won't be the last time- she's just at the beginning of the destruct-o phase.  Oh the fun times ahead.  She just brightens our day, and makes us laugh all the time.  We love this Abby-girl.

Our Walk on the Wild Side

A few weeks ago, when the weather was nice and Nathan had a day off from school, we went into the wild at the Odgen Nature Center.  We had a great time, got some good exercise, and learned some too.  I took a lot of pictures, so here are some of them.  On the walk in, we had fun looking at all the bird houses.

The Visitor Center has fun hands-on learning activities, a nice gift shop, and some small caged animals.  I'd been here long ago for training when I was a working woman, but the kids had never experienced a place quite like this.  It was so fun to see it through their eyes.  My friend and former co-worker used to work here.  Does this make you miss it Chalae?

Outside they have birds that were injured too bad to live in the wild.  Our favorites were the bald eagle, the golden eagles, the pelican, and the great-horned owl.

The Nature Center sits on 152 acres, with lots of fun trails to explore. The kids loved crunching through all the fall leaves.  The trails lead to different ponds and look-out points.

We thought the teepees were awesome.  Matthew quite liked this rock too.  (Will ya check out the tummy on that girl!  Looks like she is practically starving to death, doesn't it?!  What a cute little chub.)

One of the trails leads to this great bird blind.  Unfortunately there were no birds to watch.  I enjoy birding, and love trying to teach my kids to identify different birds.  I'm excited to come back in the spring and see some fun birds.  This bird blind has great signs to teach about all the different birds that use the waterways here.

Here's my view.

Matthew was excited about something out there.

Isn't it so beautiful!?!  Who would guess a place like this exists in Odgen?  There's actually several great nature places there.

I think it's awesome!  Just imagine these fun trees with leaves.

We hiked to a big tower...

...and these are what we saw!  Mule deer!

And these.

I wish I could just get one picture, one day with all four kids smiling at the same time!

Aw, there's a cute smile from Abby, but oh- Matthew's got his eyes closed.  Darn, today is not the day.

Abby loved it!  Who wouldn't love a cozy ride out in nature with some crazy kids to watch?!

For some reason I just love this picture of our snack break.  Maybe it's because they had this big bench to sit on, and they chose to sit snuggled up to each other.   Matthew was checking out the airplanes overhead.

Nathan wasn't wanting to go on all the trails because he wanted to follow the sign to the "bear cave."  I guess he thought we were going see a bear. This is what he found.  Sorry, no bears here...

...unless you count these two up on top.  Ha ha ha

We ended the trip with a run around this fun pond.  It was a perfect day for our walk/run in the wild (or semi-wild at least).

For a long time, Nathan has been asking for a nature kit for Christmas (he plans these things out months in advance).  He wants a bird identification book, a scat and tracks book, binoculars...  It makes me so happy inside!  Oh the fun we'll have.  I look forward to coming back here again and again.  Our Union Station pass gets us in here as well as the Dinasaur Park.  Yeah!

Chuck E. Knows How to Party

Nathan got invited to a birthday party  for Kylie (a girl in his class) at Chuck E. Cheese's tonight.  He and his friend Spencer were the only two boys attending, and I didn't know Kylie or her parents, so I took the boys together.  I'd never been to Chuck E's before and was a bit leery.  I had heard that it was a mad-house etc.  Rob had always convinced me that it was a place to be avoided. Some friends earlier today assurred me however, that it would be great, and safe- if I needed to leave him there.  We ended up having a great time. 

I did leave to go shopping for a while, but Abby preferred it at Chuck E's.  I didn't take my camera, so the only pictures I got of the trip were from the little photo/sketch booths.  What a cool idea, I thought they were great.

We tried to get me, Abby, Spencer and Nathan in the picture at once, but Nate didn't make it.

So now I know that I don't need to be afraid of Chuck E. Cheese's anymore.  Nathan and Spencer got enough tickets to get some cool prizes, so they were really happy.  Thanks Kylie and her family for the great party.

The best part about the whole thing was the drive to and from the party.  I loved listening to the boys talk as we drove.  They made me giggle.  Aw, the world of 7-year-olds.  I'm so glad Nathan has a good friend!  What a great thing it is to have good friends.

Next Up on Comedy Central... MATTHEW

The other day, Matthew walked into my room announcing, "Heeeerrrrrre's Matthew." He's always been the comedian of the family. He's just got that comedic timing thing down. He loves to tell jokes, especially knock, knock jokes. He used to just say, "knock, knock. Who's there?" and then laugh and laugh at himself. I don't get the new knock, knock jokes he tells, but he, Sarah and Nathan think they are hilarious.

When I look back, he's always been such a funny guy! Here are some pictures showing that personality, even from the time he was two months old.

Here he is at three-months-old with Grandma Z.

Costume look familiar?  Yes, he was a cute lil' punkin once too.

Matthew makes me laugh til I cry, but then he can make me want to pull my hair out and cry, or yell, or both. Here are some things that he does:

• If someone tries to talk to him when he doesn't want them to, he growls really loud at them. It's always so sudden and unexpected that he takes a lot of people off guard. It makes me laugh, but put my hand over my face at the same time. He says that is his lion growl.
• Not long ago, I foolishly thought I could take the younger 3 kids shopping at Kohl's. Silly, silly me! Abby was in the stroller, so Matt was walking, unrestrained. He ran off, and Sarah and I took off looking for him. He was long gone. An employee immediately called a "CODE YELLOW " as I continued my frantic search. He was found near the front of the store! Little stinker. Having a lost child is the worst feeling!
• He is so enthusiatic for life, and it's contagious. It's so fun to try to see the world through his eyes.  Little things like the toast popping up from the toaster gets a shout, "Horray, toast!"
• Today at church I was sitting in Primary, when the Nursery leader came in to tell me that she had found Matthew wandering the halls, and took him to class. I asked if he had opened the door and gotten out or something, and she said that he hadn't been in class yet. WHAT?!? He had gone with Sarah after Sacrament meeting, and she was going to drop him off in the Nursery. What a good parent I am, not knowing that he didn't make it there. Though the time to panic was over, I panicked. Here it was at least 10 minutes into Primary, and my two-year-old Matthew had been wandering the halls that whole time. I questioned Sarah about it later and she said, "I tried to get him to go into Nursery, but he cried and ran out. I tried to get him to go again, but he wouldn't, so I told him to go back to you." If you know how packed that halls are as everyone is getting to Sunday School and Primary, you know that the likelihood of him finding me was not good. I asked Sarah why she hadn't stayed with him to find me or Dad, and she said, "Mom, I was just so tired, and wanted to get to Primary." Ok, so note to Jill and Rob: don't let Sarah take Matthew to class- EVER! (SIGH)
• Matthew gives great hugs and kisses! He's always telling me, "nice job Mommy" or, "love you Mommy," or "You silly Mommy." I love it!
• The most common phrase out of his mouth is, "I hungry Mommy (or Daddy)." He wakes up earliest in the morning, and comes in my room asking for food and a show. He out-eats all his siblings.
• He's so loud! He talks loud, laughs loud, and walks loud! I remember the first time he ever whispered. Rob and I looked at each other and Rob said, "Did he really just whisper?!" He tries to whisper sometimes now, but then the volume automatically turns to loud again. We've decided that each child gets progressively louder. Oh Abby, you'll be the exception, right?
• He can throw tantrums like this family has never seen before. He is so strong-willed, that his tantrums can last a long time too. He hates putting on new clothes and throws a fit when I try to put them on him.
• One morning and this is what I found.
  

Abby had just woken up, and Matthew was reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? to her. It was so cute and sweet. He loves that little sister. He loves to hold her, kiss her, and is always looking out for her. He always makes sure she has toys to play with.

• 
  
  He tries so hard to keep up with Nathan and Sarah. One day he was so upset that he didn't get to take them to karate with his dad. To distract him, I got the scooters out, and we rode them in the driveway for close to an hour. He is amazing on a scooter- a two wheeled one! I have to admit, I had a lot of fun too.
  
  
  
• At church last week while I was on the stand with the Primary program, Matthew was hanging upside down off the bench by Rob in the front row of the chapel. Suddenly, he flipped off, landing on his back on the floor. Rob braced for a big cry, but instead got an enthusiastic, "You see dat Dad, you see dat?!"  The people behind him almost fell on the floor laughing.
• I've had to call Poison Control twice on him.  He sprayed Windex into his mouth, and all over himself and the room.  Another time, he sprayed Clorox bathroom cleaner with bleach in his mouth.  Luckily, he was fine, and just needed to drink some milk.  Needless to say, we are super careful to keep cleaner away from him, especially if it's in a spray bottle.  Oh, that kid! 
• If he ever does something to hurt Sarah, he runs up to her and gives her a huge hug.  They are so cute together.  When Sarah is done with karate, he yells her name and runs up for a big hug.
• If I tell him something is a "no, no" he loves to go through the list:

                                   "Ride scooters in da street?  No, no." 

                                   "Frow toof brush in da toilet?  No, no, no."

                                   "Give Mommy hugs?  Yes!"

                                   "Pway wif cleaner?  No, no."

A while back I was lamenting to Rob that I never seem to get things done anymore.  As we looked back, I discovered that the point that I become less helpful with our business, worse as a house-keeper, stopped sewing and doing other projects, was about the time a feisty little Matthew was born.  I've never been the same since.  I love that kid to pieces.  He frustrates me to no end, but brightens my day immeasurably.

Whether laugh or cry, scream or smile, I know with Matthew around, there will never be a dull moment.

First Tea Party

A few weeks ago, our cousin Ashley came to play.  She and Sarah had planned to have a big tea party.  I thought maybe Abby would like to join in.  She loved it, especially chewing on the cups.  Can you believe she is big enough to set on a chair for a little bit?

Aren't they sooo cute?!  They had a great time.

Remembering Veteran's Day

I woke up yesterday morning, happy to see an American Flag in my yard, knowing it was Veteran's Day. Thanks to the scouts (and their leaders and parents, no doubt) for putting it there- even though I paid $45 for a fund- raiser to have them put it up every holiday. I love Veteran's Day! It's not like I do anything fun or exciting, I just love that we get to pay tribute to our military, those out risking their lives, and those that gave their lives for our freedom. I am so thankful for them and their service. I love this great country! I also love teaching my children what a holiday like this means. They are proud that their grandpa was an Air Force pilot, and that their cousin Josh is in the Army at West Point.  Last year, Nathan's teacher said that he was the only one in the class that knew the words to the Star-Spangled Banner (I think that really resulted from attending a lot of Jazz games with his dad, rather than anything I had done.  Reguardless, I was proud of him).

Never does a Veteran's Day pass that I'm not reminded of a most memorable Veteran's Day spent in Belgium many years ago. You know how in life you have great memories, but then there are some experiences that much more than that. They are epic, life-changing experiences that are seared in your memory. This day was like that. I was a missionary in Belgium, in Vlaanderen (Flanders), the Flemish side of Belgium. The senior missionary couple serving with us, Barry and Carol A., became friends with Hank, the Superintendent of Flanders Field. He invited us all to attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the American Cemetery. Just being in this beautiful, peaceful place was amazing. We watched as Hank ceremoniously put flowers in front of the memorial, followed by the National Anthem and Taps. I could just feel the patriotism and pride in the USA swell, as tears rolled down my cheeks. Hank read the Veteran's message from the President, and then had Barry speak about serving our country. He was a WWII vet, and to him, being able to express his feelings about our country in a ceremony like this was a dream come true. Again, more tears from all of us fell. It was such a moving experience. I had been away from the US for almost a year, and was missing home terribly. Then to find myself standing on American soil in the middle of a foreign country, participating in a ceremony honoring our Veterans was indescribable. This picture is of Hank at the memorial.
A famous poem was written about Flanders Field:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

                                         --Lt Col. John McCrae

My parent's generation all had to learn that poem in school. I wish they still taught it today. At the cemetery, we were given a copy of the poem with a silk poppy.

We also had the opportunity to visit the WWI trenches near Ieper. Being the wily youth we were, we thought it would be fun to run and play in the trenches. However, we had to go through a museum before entering the trenches, and that completely changed our perspective. It was sobering to realize how many men lived, fought, and died in those trenches. What horrible conditions they endured! War is ugly. I am so grateful for all those who fought and endured so valiantly to protect not just our freedoms, but the freedoms of those of other nations. What a somber feeling we felt as we walked through the trenches. It truly felt as though we walked on hallowed ground.

She's On the Move

Abby just loves that she can sit up and play with toys. She is content to sit for an hour playing and trying to reach toys. The other day, I found her a good 4 feet away from where I set her down. She kind of scoots on her bum as she reaches for toys. Here she is blowing raspberries (another favorite past time). She started out sitting in the Boppy behind her.The next morning, I set her in her Boppy to play, and this is where I found her. She had scooted all that way backwards on her tummy! You can see she's pretty pleased with herself.

She's just 6 months old! This is way too early to become mobile.

Do you like my rug?! We really need an area rug for our living room, but I don't know what I want yet, and they cost a lot of money... So I put down Matthew's Cars play rug for Abby to sit on. It also becomes our "prayer rug," (ha, ha, ha) as we all like to kneel on it when we say our family prayer. The wood is just too hard on the knees

I think this is a most impressive spit bubble. It comes with lots of practice blowing raspberries.

We just can't get enough of this cute girl. She is so happy and fun.
At her 6 month well care appointment, she weighed 15 lbs. 15 oz. and was 26 1/4" long. She's growing just right, is healthy, and progressing just like she should. All things I like to hear!