Living Room "talent show"

Sometimes living room "talent shows" -as Ella calls them, can take away a bit of the inside blahs. These little forts are the girl's stages where they hang out and play with toys... Doesn't make much sense, but if it does to them it's all good!
My poor children are dealing with a mommy who has energy for minimal outtings these days.

We keep busy playing with toys and blocks and reading endless books. I keep telling myself that once school starts and we have a real schedule (and I'm not so PREGNANT) that the boredom will become a thing of the past! I think this fall will bring with it some fun new playing and learning opportunitites. :)

In the meantime, bless their hearts, the forts --I mean "talent shows" aren't going too far...

*Yes, Ella has some seriously chipped teeth! She's a wild girl, what can I say? :)

Grandmother

Grandmother is Dad's mom. She's not "grandma", nor "granny", but is specifically Grandmother, and always has been. She came to visit us about a week ago, and it's been so nice to see her.

This is a picture of Granny, Grandmother, and Ella. These lovely ladies are the two Great-Grandma's on my side for my girls. It's a blessing to have them both alive and able to see how awesome my kids are!

We love you Grandmother. Thanks for coming to visit us!

Competition

So Sarah is crazy photogenic. She takes some really beautiful photographs... She'd had this one and I thought I'd steal it and post it on my blog since I'm so much better at keeping my blog up than she is. ...Hey, I gotta have something up on her, right?

Competition within my family is hilarious. I think when you grow up with six kids and have to fight for your position, everything is (ahem) healthy competition! ...This is why I have an extremely loud voice/ opinion. This is why Rachael worries so much. It's why Sarah has so many stunning photographs of herself. It's why Dave drives an SUV with skulls on the rims (jk, Dave -you win for prettiest family). It's why Mary got a hook-up prescription for Latisse (like her eye-lashes need ANY help!).

I love how sweet and messed up my family is in our quirky little way.

I win for busiest blog!

Spoiled?

Seriously, how gorgeous are these flowers?

My Lance-

I can't thank you enough for your show of support and love for the role I have taken on here at home. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be with our little girls -and to take care of you (though low-maintenance, you are). Thank you, thank you, thank you for working so hard for us and for giving our family this new life.

-Becca

Swimming at Nanny's

New summer love; headin' to Nanny's house!

The girls are overflowing with anticipation. ...When Mia's "little swimmer" comes on, the party begins!
We've found an exciting way to spend a lazy summer afternoon...
BTW, Tummy-Yummy's are cheaper than Bug Juices. Kids love 'em, bottles are re-usable!
My Ella-Boo!

...And sissy too!

Well Bless My Phoebster!

Does this picture not say it ALL???

Sunday was been so insanely busy. Bless Candace’s heart, she called and took Ella for a sleep-over on Saturday night, which meant that I didn't take her to SLC for Phoebe’s blessing. I have officially decided that this is the LAST time I’m driving to SLC before the new baby is born (f-a-t-i-g-u-e). I slept in after my alarm went off at 6:15 AM (used to go off at 4:30 AM, what the heck?), so Lance got me up at 6:25. I was out the door having woken Mia up and thrown a dress on her. We tried to stop for gas, but good ole’ Sam’s Club doesn’t have their pumps open early Sunday mornings. It would behoove me to learn their hours! I left on a prayer that we could skid in on time and on fumes.

Here's our family -those who made it!

After the gas light turned on in Centerville, I went to the wrong church (in Taylorsville). I found Granny’s van at the next church and mad-dashed in. The shush-ing lady from the back row scowled at me when I considered darting to the seat saved for me near the front --it was during the blessing, so I stayed in the back and caught ½ of it. I listened as carefully as I could to Dave as he gave a sincerely beautiful blessing to dear Phoebe Alexis. It was SO sweet.

Here's me (wearing a fabulous black/minimizing ensemble) and the Phoebes.

After church, Lexie’s and our family gathered at Rachael’s home for lunch. It was really nice to hang out with everyone. There is a lot of history with Lex's dad from when Dave and Lex first got together, but it all seemed so full of forgiveness and joy of the occasion. I was really touched by Lexie’s dad’s prayer for the lunch, and I think we all felt the peace that the gospel can bring even after all the circumstances. Overall, it was a lovely day.

Sarah took this cute shot with Lily and Mia! :)

...And I can't resist a cute pic of Mia (thanks for the new dress, Mom)!


Congratulations to Dave and your beautiful family.

Bracelets

Sarah took this shot, and it's much better than the one I had... Mine is the veiny hand with the wedding rings showing. Nice work, butch.

Ups and Downs

From this...

To THIS. ...Joys of motherhood, folks. Kids are so darn entertaining!

Just Because

My sweetheart surprised me with these gorgeous roses and a delightful donut yesterday morning. ...Does it get any better? Thank you so much, baby.

(Ella wanted to jump in to the shot! ...Teach 'em to love the flowers young!)

4-Fer Summer Birthday Bash!

Yesterday the family gathered in SLC in honor of the birthdays of four amazing women.
First we have Granny. Some of the kiddos have been good about calling her "Great Granny" now, but she's always "Granny" to me. My mom is "Nanny" to my kids, so it works. Granny is such a special part of our family. She has been very involved and an important piece of every birthday and holiday and get-together as far back as I can remember. Her role in my up-bringing is so significant -it's the kind of role I would hope to have with my children's children. I want them to know and love me the way I do her. Thank you Granny for giving us another wonderful year of your ever-present love.

The next birthday is Mom. Mom is indescribable when it comes to the role she actually plays in my life. …She’s pretty much my guardian angel -and has been for an incredibly long time. I can’t even fake my independence from her. I love that she’s so available to talk to. She always has an opinion (hmmm, wonder where I get THAT from), but is so careful to try to stay objective. I think mom understands me much better than I even give her credit for. I’m so grateful to her for her example -of education, of dedication and hard work, of limitless love and commitment, and most importantly of individuality. Mom is a free spirit, and I have so much of her in me, it’s really an honor. I love you, Mom.

For her birthday, Mom received (from Rach -good work!) a beautiful bracelet like the ones we all have... Ours say "sisters" and her's says "mother". ...It brought a few tears, as she's now a part of the 'club'. :)

It was Rachael's birthday too!! Rachael has long been among my dearest of dearest friends. Rachael and I have been pretty tight since I moved to SLC back in 1999. She is someone you can’t help but stand back and simply admire. Rachael either totally has it all together, or has everyone fooled really really well. I’m pretty sure it’s the first choice, as she is so black and white about right and wrong -I can’t seen her putting up much of a front. Rachael is my best moral-compass when I need an opinion and feedback. She is the voice of reason for me on a lot of issues -and her opinion is one of the most valuable I can attain. Rachael doesn’t have the first idea about how beautiful she is, as she gives so much of herself and doesn’t embrace the incredible beauty and example of a woman that she really is. …She just IS those things. Rachael is selfless and loving. She’s an incredible mom, wife, and friend. I admire so many things about her, I can’t begin to express how much she means to me -it’s an honor to be her sister.

Last and certainly not least is my lovely sister Sarah. Sarah is the ‘single-and-fabulous’ woman that still owns an envious piece of my heart! She has had some great career moves that have brought her back to school now to get her Masters in Social Work at the University of Utah. Sarah has seen a lot in her time as a social worker, and I can’t help but stand back in awe at what it takes to do what she does. I know that I am not built for MANY things, and working with the public (ahem, some of the SERIOUS dregs of society) for the better good is the LAST thing I feel I could have the patience and understanding for. Sarah has a very open, but determined heart. She has shown extraordinary strength and perseverance in accomplishing her goals, and I am nothing but impressed with what she has to show for it. She’s fascinating to talk to, she loves deeply and freely, and she’s an extremely devoted friend.

I wish each of you the happiest of birthdays, and want you to know that I am SO grateful to share your lives with you.

I love you ladies.