Little Dude

Little dude is what we call this sweet boy.  He is 3mths and 11 days old.   I took him to the Dr. last week.  He weighs in at 12lbs 8 ounces.  He is 24.5 inches tall and he has a big head.  He's definitely ours. :)  He is most similar to Zina as a baby - skinny, tall, with a big noggin.  Sam loves people.  He just lights up when anyone starts talking and when he hears voices he is all ears (and eyes).  His focus is amazing.  He will just stare and stare like you are the most novel thing he has ever seen.  The intelligence in those eyes gets me every time.  He is starting to drool drool drool and doesn't like to sleep by himself.  I cannot count how many times a day I put him down for a nap so I can get something done and 5 minutes later he is awake again.  I know he is only 3 mths old but I seriously think it has something to do with the drool. i.e. teeth.  Isn't that what we always blame it on? "oh he's just teething..."

He is also probably the wiggliest baby I have ever held.  I cannot contain him and he refuses to do anything but stand up on my lap.  Rarely will he sit and he only likes to be held on his back or side if he is nursing.  He wants to be up where he can look around and he can because he is strong.  I will hold him at the waist and he will hold the rest of his body up and watch his siblings play.  He has now rolled over from his tummy to his back several times and when I lay him down for tummy time he will often get so mad and get his little legs kicking and moving so hard that he scoots himself clear off of the blanket.  He loves the jolly jumper because then he is upright in standing position except he is so little that he often slides out the bottom of one of the leg holes.  Needless to say the jumper is used with strict supervision.  Sam loves loves loves infant massage.  Whenever I can find time to give him a full body massage he is all grins and coos and it really is something that I look forward to.   I don't know if all babies do this or not, but Sam seems to regulate the other kids emotions.  If they are having a hard time controlling said emotions (anger, sadness, frustration, etc.) and things are getting out of hand then they both gravitate to loving Sam and those strong emotions fade away into love for their little brother.  It is one of my favorite things and proof that this sweet boy was not long ago in a more perfect place.   He is a little bit of heaven in our home.  We love you Sam!

July 4th

Our Utah trip was a lot of fun.  We packed it full of delicious food, hiking, more delicious food, water fights, swimming, more delicious food, playing games, blessing babies (ok just one), sleeping in, meeting new baby Dylan (who is a doll, and made me baby hungry for a sweet little girl), and more delicious food!

Zina and Kate's Nail Spa.  

Kate made a sign and then sat out on the curb holding up her sign trying to get customers for her spa.  It was pretty cute. After about 15 minutes she decided that tomorrow there would be more customers driving on Grandma's road and she would try again.  Grandma Judy and I felt sorry for the customer-less nail painters and despite our abhorrence for painted finger nails gave into getting our nails done.

Water Fight!

We had a great get-together at Marilyn's where we ate Joel's famous ribs, corn on the cob, yummy salad, fresh salsa, homemade cake with whipped cream cheese icing, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon etc etc etc!!  I'm telling you, I always gain 10lbs when we go to Utah. :)

On Sunday we blessed Sam.  It was so nice to be able to do it with family in attendance and celebrate such a sweet boy.  I am so grateful to be a mother to such wonderful children!

Sunday afternoon found us eating more delicious food, including  homemade ice cream.  Oh how I love homemade ice cream.  We worked it all off after by playing a heated game of soccer.  I'm pretty sure Kaitlyn broke my toe and that every two seconds someone was telling Lincoln, Wilson or Wade that they couldn't touch it with their hands but to KICK the ball instead. 

The grand kids chasing down the soccer ball.

Zina, Wade, Lincoln, Wilson, Kate.

I didn't take one picture after church when we were still dressed up but I was proud that I got a picture with everyone who was there this weekend. 

And of course this is the best shot I got of Sam in his blessing outfit. (Thanks Marilyn!)

It is strikingly similar to the only pictures I got of Zina in her blessing outfit.

That night after a visit to hear Grandpa at the Band Concert Jessa made the kids a bonfire where they roasted marshmallows. Yum.

And the next morning surprised us with the big firetruck that Kevin drove in the Provo parade.  The kids were pretty in awe of that big old truck and super excited that they got to ride in it and clean out Grandma's gutters with the spray gun in the front.

All in all we had a fabulous trip!

While the cat's away the mice will play!

Attena watched Zina & Wilson while my Mom, Dad, Sam, & I went to the wedding reception in Montana.   She had way to much fun taking pictures of the kids.  She had them posing and everything.  Some of them are hilarious! (well at least to their mother... :)

She told him to put his hands on his hips...

This is the reality!

Along with this.

Thanks for tending Attena.  I think they had as much fun as you did. :)

Nothing better

There are 3 things that I absolutely love being a part of: weddings, new babies, & missionary homecomings.  It doesn't get any better.  Hence this post.  My cousin Melissa tied the knot during our last couple days in Canada so I gathered my chicks and headed to the temple. I love the temple.  Better yet, I love my family at the temple.  I hope someday to feel the deep joy that comes from having my little family inside the temple together. 

Waiting for the beautiful bride.

Mr. & Mrs. Daniels! 

I had to post this picture because I loved her dress and her bridesmaid's get-up behind her. 

SO cute.

Uncle Johnny, Wilson, and Great Grandpa Joe.

Me & my hoodlums.  Love these 3.  

Only thing that would make this picture better is their dad.

But since Dad's shoulders are unavailable.  Uncle Johnny's will work.

This is Wilson's favorite place.  If he is in any kind of bad mood offer the shoulders.

It works every time.  Thanks Uncle Johnny!

Canada Recap on Canada Day

First and foremost - Happy July 1st to every Canadian/Raymondite out there.  I SO wish I was gathered with family right now eating breakfast and getting ready for the parade.  But we are leaving for Payson, Utah today and I then I can sit and commiserate with my mother-in-law.  She understands.

They say that pictures say a thousand words.  Well, here are a thousand pictures.  How many words does that say?  :)  I think we'll just suffice with - WE LOVE CANADA. :)

Mark and I were having a heated game of HORSE and Sam wouldn't be happy unless someone was pushing him so Zina pushed him all around Grandma's driveway through every puddle she could find.  And he was totally content.

And I lost the game.

We had to make a trip up to Waterton and it was absolutely gorgeous.  We hiked up to Bertha Falls and had a picnic at Emerald Bay.  

Zina got a little to close to the edge and fell in the lake.  She was so mad at me when instead of comforting her I grabbed the camera, but when we started cheering for her she decided it was pretty cool and both her and Wilson got in again!

After dropping Mark off at the Great Falls airport I came home to find Attena taking the kids out for a picnic in the sunshine. So I joined them!

Attena found her passion in life - photographing her niece and nephews

I love this picture of Sam sitting on Grandpa's chest.  And especially smiling at whatever Grandpa is telling him.

It was Father's Day so we had to celebrate this guy.

He is a 100 year old Father, Grandfather, & Great Grandfather after all.

We celebrated in true S.B. style.

Once when I was a little girl we had thanksgiving dinner at G&G Williams house in Turner Valley.  All of the sudden Grandpa Williams stood up on his chair, put his foot on the table and proposed a toast in true military style.  (my grandparents met, and fell in love, in the Canadian Army during WWII).  All the grandkids loved it and everyone was laughing and it was even more fantastic because Grandma Williams was SO mad at him for putting his feet on her nicely put together thanksgiving table. :)

So for Father's day all of the sudden my mom stood up and put her foot on her nicely set dinner table and  proposed a toast.

To S.B.

It was fun and my kids thought it was great.  After they got over their confusion. :)

The best part.

The three musketeers!

Sam 2mths, Nate 2mths, Brigham 4mths.

Yes, they are giants and yes, Sam is my little squirt!

Summer time and the liv'n is easy!

The 5 oldest grandkids

Liam 5, Camden 3, Wilson 2, Jacob 7, Zina 4.

The reason behind Jacobs bandage:  Johnny was helping Jacob ride one of the bigger bikes, but instead of breaking Jacob ran into the barbed wire fence to the horse pasture.  It was just a little scratch + blood but he insisted on putting tape on it.  In the morning when Grandma ripped the tape off she also ripped some hair.  Then she gave him that large bandage to solve the torn hair off pain. 

Look'n good Jacob!

We love little people!

Camden and Wilson = Best buds

These two were hilarious.  Wilson would push Camden down and then ask:

"Awe you o'tay Camden?"

and Camden would reply:

"Ya, I'm otay."

When it was Camden's turn on the strider bike Wilson would stroke his face and say:

"It's otay Camden, it's not you tuwn yet.  It be otay."

Impromptu concert: Attena on the violin, Jacob on the piano, Zina vocals.

Of course we had to hit up the new pool

The kids had so. much. fun.

even if it was a little cold for the Arizonians. :)

And that's a wrap. (for now)

Because I need to pack for Utah.

We miss you Canada.

Be back soon.