a thousand words

me in 2011

 

 

I loved having both Christmas and New Year's Days on a Sunday this year.  Being in church on Christmas day was wonderful.  I loved sitting there with my family, reflecting and focusing on the Savior.  The music and spoken word were especially powerful that 25th of December.

On New Year's Day I had time to snap photos of the kids (minus isaac, the poor kid.  he was napping).  I love the idea of headshot of each of them on January 1st.  Later that night we had a spontaneous get together with friends, ate large amounts of Magnolia's Banana Pudding, and filled out these "A Little About Me" papers.

I've taken the info from those papers and added them to their new year's photos.  I need to snap a photo of isaac, quick!  His info for the record:

All about Isaac: He loves green foods (smoothies and salads), playing trains and "hoops".  is favorite book:  It's Time for Bed.  Learned in 2011 to make us all laugh, use his crib as a trampoline & wrestle his big brother. 

 

...and a happy new year!

{front}

{inside spread}

{back}

Our 2011 Christmas card.  Sending and receiving card is one of the best parts of the season!

halloween 2011

{Let's just pretend I haven't taken a 4 month blogging break.  If I can remember how, l'll get right to it...}

Ahhh, Halloween.  How I love thee and hate thee all at once!  On one hand, I love the change in the seasons (kind of, sort of here in CA), the chance to make soups, and use pumpkin puree as much as possible.  On the other hand, I struggle with the over celebration of what should be a simple night.  Between school functions and church functions and carving and decorating, I was exhausted by the night of the 31st.  Seems like I was the only tired one, though.  The kids eat up every last bit of the Halloween festivities!   Here's the proof:

{Three little skeletons who were "scared to death!"   Though Charlotte refused to spike her hair.  I think she thought it'd never come down!}

{Our Waite cousins came for a weekend visit.  A true Halloween treat.} 

{Hank, Lily, Darren & Nikki moved into our neighborhood a few months ago.  We are all in HEAVEN having family within walking distance.} 

{And finally a glimpse of Berk.  My MorphSuit boy.  He was supposed to be a BYU super fan, but I think he looked more like Dr. Suess' Thing 1.  Either way, he was responsible for pulling off this photo. "Hurry and sit and smile guys.  So we can go play!"}     

Isaac, today you...

...were plucked from your crib by an excited Charlotte.  At age 5, your sister has this down to a science.  

...grabbed my face with both of your still-chubby toddler hands and gave me a kiss.  Kisses are messy.  You still haven't learned to pucker up!

...got a wave and smile across the mall from a stranger.  You are good at catching attention.

...are closer to age 2 than you are to 1.  I've stopped counting your age in months and just say, "He's almost 2".  I don't like this one bit.

I'm a broken record, but why do they grow so fast?  I love my mister i!

xo

 

model material

Over the past year, my girls have had the chance to model for One Charming Party.  My good friend, Sara, is the creative genuis behind their amazing parties.  I'm so glad she's included Stella and Charlotte in all the party fun!  I love being behind the scenes and watching someone else photography my kids.  Nicole Hill, the photographer, is truly talented behind that lens.  

In spring 2010,  Stella and some of her best friends modeled for the mermaid party that OCP just released!  See all the photos here & here.  Or better yet, just buy the party and see it all.  It's pure eye candy.  You won't regret it!

 

Then, this spring it was easter egg dyeing with Stella & Charlotte.  This mini party was a feature OCP did for Real Simple online.  I especially loved seeing my kitchen professionally lit and photographed.  And look how much Stella has changed!  The rest of the photos are here & here.

xo 

 

12of12: May

A typical thursday in May.  I'm so glad I had an excuse to capture it.

 

{click image to view larger}

01. The neighborhood carpool to elementary school.  School is 15 minutes away, so it's essential.  Even with 6 kids in the car, we made it by the first bell.  7:55 am comes quickly!

02.  Isaac's "B".   Blankets are a big deal in this house.

03.  The new breakfast I crave daily.  Oats soaked briefly in milk, sprinkled with flax meal, sliced almond & a bit of maple syrup.  Whatever chopped up fruit I have on hand.  Delicious!!!

04.  At 18 months, this little man has big personality.  I love every inch of him.

05.  Thursday's run down via iphone.

06.  The PILE.  I am always fighting this pile and I dread it.  What comes downstairs must go back up!

07.  A happy spot in my house.  The front entry.  Old family photos including a classic of my teenaged father sporting tube socks.  I'm sure my grandmother loved that in her "formal" family photo.

08.  Jumpy Charby after a full day at preschool (I miss her when she is gone).

09.  Brothers doing what they do best-- wrestling and rough housing!  A 7 year difference in age seems to be no obstacle.

10.  3x a week this spring I've driven to MV (25 minutes away).  Berk loves his basketball club and so I empty my tank for him!

11.  Beautiful May sunshine drew us outside in the evening.  Isaac loves to pick at the chalk and maybe even color with it a bit too.

12.  Green, green grass.  Even in southern california you can tell the difference between winter and spring grass.  ;)

no. 6

Two seriously important women in my life have both had their SIXTH babies in the last month.  Impressive, right?    

First came Mr. Harrison McKay Waite.  

Harrison's mom, Stephanie, is my sister-in-law.  Forget the "in law" part.  I love this woman like a sister.

 

I have one cute nephew.  

During this Easter weekend visit we had a mini photo session on my bed & I snuggled him as much as possible.  There is nothing better than a newborn sleeping on your chest!

The other baby no. 6 coming up shortly...

xxo

 

jinx

I think I jinxed my son.

A little over a week ago, while chatting with the checker in the grocery store, I proclaimed my children broken bone and stitch free.  Bad move!  In my 9+ years as a parent we've had cuts and bumps, but nothing serious.  Through all the scooter riding and sports games and trampoline bouncing we've been lucky to skirt danger.  Until last night.

Berk went to go get in bed and missed the pillow.  Instead, he hit his eye on the edge of his desk!  Ouch.  Once I got the bleeding to stop, I knew we were headed to the ER.  

6 stitches later Berk's as good as new & I've learned to keep my big mouth shut!

{Waiting, ever waiting, in the ER}

{Brave Berk with his new battle scars!} 

12of12: April

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this project?  Once a month is about my speed & I'm especially loving the "day in the life" documentation!  I'm already dreaming about the 144 page 2011 book I'll print up in December. 

01.  Charlotte's started "reading" to Isaac.  He insists on holding the book & randomly turning pages.  Charlotte's also learning some patience!

02.  My desk.  This is a normal, daily view.  I see now that I need something pretty to hold all the papers waiting their turn for my attention.

03.  Toddler fingers and toes.  Still a little bit chubby (& most definitely irresistible), but a glimpse of the boy he'll soon be!

04.  The 12of12 reminded me to get out my Easter decorations.  I have about three total, but Stella was really into them. 

05.  My electronic brain.  Really, what would I do without my iphone?

06.  Charlotte at preschool.  This girl loves it there, but can NOT stop talking about kindergarten.  It's hard to believe I'll have 3 kids in elementary school come September!

07.  Trader Joe's loot.  Isaac sacrificed his noon nap for milk and eggs.

08. After school pick up and piano for Berk, it was homework time.  

09.  Tuesday is the day I do the most taxi-ing around town.  Isaac rarely falls asleep in the car, but I'm so glad I had my camera close by when he did.

10.  Signs of spring.  The hydrangea by the front door are sprouting.  Can't wait to enjoy those big, beautiful blooms soon!

11.  Berk's love for basketball lives on.  After a team practice, he was outside for more shooting.

12.  The normally brown hills are green and dotted with these yellow mustard plants.  I look forward to this yellow and green month all year long!  Pretty.

Spring is officially here.  That means my favorite season is just around the corner!

xo

tuesdays

Tuesdays are a bear.  My today involved:

-waking up early (6:15) in order to wake Berk early (6:30).  He had math homework to finish and does best with a rested mind.

-driving 7:30am elementary school carpool for my big kids.  

-filling up the suburban with gas and watching my money disappear.

-driving preschool/swim lesson carpool for charlotte and friends.

-watching in slow motion while isaac threw my cell phone IN THE POOL. 

-putting isaac down for a quick nap before early school pick up.  no sleeping occurred.

-more time in the car picking up from elementary, going to a piano lesson, the skate park to meet friends & a far away basketball practice.  I need to clock my tuesday driving.  The mileage is high!

-putting isaac down for nap attempt no. 2.  denied again.

-Add a few errands in there, multiple calls to the insurance company & a husband calling to say he won't be home until late.  Ugh. 

This may not seem like a lot to most, but it was enough to wear me out.

At 6:30 (12 hours into my day), I was ready to crawl into bed.  I sat down for a minute, feeling my frustration rise.  The Witching Hour was upon me.  How was I going to get through feeding everyone dinner, orchestrating baths, bedtime, homework & the general chaos without losing my mind?!?  Sadly, sometimes my kids get the brunt of my fatigue.  I wish it weren't so.  

Then like a little wave, I had a moment.  A simple thought that would change my night.  I have the power to make our evening enjoyable or to make it miserable.  I have the power to make my kids go to sleep with smiles on their faces or tears in their eyes.  Mom sets the mood.  Mom sets the mood!

I determined it would be smiles tonight!  So, I turned a happy Pandora station on in the kitchen and sent the kids outside to play for a few minutes.  I set a simple dinner out on the island.  Fed myself and isaac from the same bowl.  Listened to the hum of the kids talking about their day. Tossed them all into the shower.  Isaac finally succumbs to sleep.  Girls asleep.  Berk homework in a quiet dining room.  Berk asleep.  Done & done... until the alarm rings again tomorrow.

{my happy four.  tuesday @ 6:51pm}

I love being a mom.  I choose it.  I can't think of any other way I'd like to spend my day than serving and loving these four.  I just need a little reminder on Tuesdays!