Did you miss me?

I guess it's been a while since I've posted anything. Well, more than a while. A LONG time. Life isn't quite as predictable as I would like. I'm planning on a lovely post full of pictures in the near future (notice how that's pretty imprecise, I did that on purpose). But for now. . .

Happy Birthday Henry!! The baby is ONE today. Not sure where the last year went, but I'm guessing when I'm resurrected and my body is made perfect my mind will be included and I will remember things again. Maybe?

He's cute and funny and does lots of darling baby things. But currently he's being beat up by his big brother who is mad because Henry is playing with his toy. That means this post is coming to an abrupt end. For kicks here is a picture (all of you photographers tell me how to edit this so it looks decent) of his dracula teeth. This photo is about a month old. The two teeth here were his first teeth. He now has one on the bottom, still no others on the top and these two have gotten bigger so he looks even more vampirish.

Also, be a darling and check out these two links:

http://charlenehardyphotography.com/?p=624

http://charlenehardyphotography.com/?p=647

A friend of mine is building her photography portfolio and she took some pictures of my kiddos. Right now she's only posted some of Kate and they are great! I'm really excited to see the rest.

Kate

On October 21st Kate turned Nine! The older my kids get, the faster the time goes.

Kate has changed a lot from the darling little blondie who had me sing, "You Are My Sunshine" to her every night for a good two years straight. Of course she's still darling, but in a more grown up sort of way.

She used to love having her fingernails and toenails painted. Now, don't even think about it. She's not interested. She used to have a fit if I wanted to put her hair in a pony tail. Now, she asks for one every day. She used to love to dress up. Now, she's not really interested. In case you think she's lost some girly tendencies, never fear. She's very melodramatic, she cries and giggles several times a day (love that emotional roller coaster!) and she is loving the color pink (which she never used to).

Kate loves the babies and helps a ton with them, especially Elijah. She takes great pride in telling us that Eli likes her best of all. She loves making people happy and is very compassionate. She's enjoying reading more and more every day and hasn't complained about math for a month. Yay! She's working hard at piano and just started basketball.

She's the perfect compliment to the boys. We love you Kate!

Four eyes

Ethan and Kate in their new readers

When we moved here Ethan told me he couldn't see so well at school and wondered if he needed glasses. The school nurse gave him a simple eye exam and said his eyes are just fine. For the most part that was the end of it. When Jason and I had our eye exams this month we decided to get all the kids checked too since they are now on the vision insurance. Kate went first and her exam was going great. The doctor was almost done; just a quick check of the up close stuff. She really struggled and the exam took another twenty minutes. She needs reading glasses and it turns out Ethan does too. We aren't passing our kids good eye genes. Or maybe they don't eat enough carrots? I wonder if Nathanael or Eli have a chance. . .

Kate's Baptism

Kate was baptized on Novmeber 1st. Hooray for Kate! We had hoped to have lots of family here but weather, funerals and sickness held everyone at bay. Kate had a hysterical crying fit when she realized that not one member of her family (besides the boring ones she lives with) would be at the baptism. I am sure she had visions of Ethan's baptism in her head (lots of family and friends. . . the summer is certainly a better time to travel).

But she got over it and all was well. Our family provided a prayer and the Holy Ghost talk. We asked Kate what she wanted and she requested that Ethan say a prayer and that her home teacher give the talk. Our home teacher is the bishop and he happened to be the supporting bishop for this baptism and as such was already giving the bishop's remarks. She was happy to have his companion and 14 year old son, Daniel give the talk. He did a great job! Several families from our ward came to support Kate and it was very sweet.

Before

A friend of mine made a dress for her daughter to be baptized in (instead of a jumpsuit) and offered to let us use it (thanks Gretchen!). It is so darling! She was loving it, thinking it was so pretty. While we were in the bathroom I told her how happy I am that Sis. Child let us borrow it it. Her reply, "Well, I think I want to wear a jumpsuit." That's Kate, expressing the exact opposite of my opinion. Oh her teenage years are going to be fun! Two days later she was glad she got to wear a girly dress and not a boyish (ie-pants) jumpsuit. Go figure.

She went right under without any trouble and froze in the cold bathroom while I helped her dry off and get dressed (Thanks for the towel Mom and Dad!).

After

Loving her Daddy

In sacrament meeting, just before it was time for her confirmation she looked over at Jason with tears brimming and said she had to go to the bathroom! What??? She couldn't wait. We didn't want her to wet her dress so she ran off to go. The bishop didn't see her leave (funny since we were sitting on the second row) and got up and started talking about Kate. He mentioned how nice it was to see her baptized and, "now she will be confirmed. She is sitting right here by her Dad and she is dressed in white and is so spiritual that I think she's transparent because she has disappeared and I can't see her anymore." It was hilarious. So he was like, "Well, I guess I need to filibuster here for a minute. Uh. . ." Then he reviewed a few announcements and she came running back and was confirmed.

She hand picked several men to stand in the confirmation circle. . . her two primary teachers, her friend's dad, the bishopric and her favorite babysitter's (Valentine) dad. Jason did a wonderful job. Valentine's dad bore his testimony and said he was honored to stand in for her. He mentioned how neat it is that she could just pick from so many, how blessed she is to know so many worthy priesthood holders.

At home before church Sunday morning

Music to my Ears

An unsolicited comment from Kate. . .

"Mom, now my favorite thing to do after my homework and chores is read my book, it's not watch TV anymore!"

Proof that depriving my kids of uninterrupted hours of TV does not make them desire to watch it even more. Awesome.

Kate is eight!

Kate is great!
On Tuesday last, she turned eight.
Nearly nine pounds was her birth weight.
October 21st is her birth date.
For her special day she could not wait.
Just two years ago we moved to Washington State.
Riding her bike increases her heart rate.
She has a cousin whose name is Tate.
With her dad she likes going on dates.
Her silly giggle always invigorates.
Her hair is blonde and straight.
She’s easy to appreciate.
She’s impossible to duplicate.
We love you Kate!

November 5, 2000

On the day of her blessing

A random Sunday morning in 2003, when she still liked sponge rollers.

October 2005 in Salt Lake City

Eight Great Things about Kate. . .
1. Kate loves cheese pizza.
2. Kate's favorite toys are Littlest Pet Shops, but she also loves her dolls- Emily and Bemily.
3. Kate is a huge help with Elijah. She always wants to hold him, help him, get him up, change his diaper, put him in his high chair, get him out. . . It's a wonder I ever had a baby without her help.
4. Kate loves pretty dresses. . . but ONLY on Sunday.
5. Kate loves to draw and color and ride her bike.
6. Kate loves to go shopping with me and bring a notebook along where she keeps the list and marks everything off as we buy it.
7. Kate's favorite color today is "rainbow. I love all the colors."
8. Kate giggles and giggles and giggles and giggles. And giggles.

The Nanny Tooth

Kate's other front tooth has been dubbed the Nanny tooth because of it's resemblence (in my opinion) to Nanny McPhee's (Emma Thompson) tooth. It got loose enough to suddenly be longer than before and hanging, often crookedly, by just a small root or two. This went on for days.




It's finally out and her mouth is rather holey. When it came out I thought to myself, "Finally we'll be done with teeth for a while." The tooth fairy who visits our house is forgetful and is ready for some tooth respite. Not an hour later Kate said, "Mom, I have loose tooth!"

Our Up and Coming Songwriter

Kate has written her top ten song titles for display on a gigantic post-it note that she hung on the wall of our hall for a few days. She came up with eight on her own, asked Jason for help on the ninth and liked that one so much that she couldn't top it.


If the Savior was happy
Come to America
Come with me
See, See with me
See me with Panda in China
Have a happy little day, little pup, little pup
Have a fun day at school
Yah, just my pup
Katie Lady is a daddy's girl

I don't know, but "Yah, just my pup" sounds pretty Top Forty to me.