Cache Valley weekend

Andy was able to take a couple days off work and Maddie had a long weekend away from school, so we decided to head to Utah.
This was Sophie's first trip. The kids did pretty well on the trip except when Garen got car sick about 10 minutes out of Clarkston. He got throw up everywhere! As I try and wipe him up I hear Maddie in the back seat, "that is so gross, I can smell it-What color is it?" And Maddie's favorite thing on the trip was to ask every 5 minutes, "how many more minutes are left."

It was a fun trip full of family and friends!
We were able to find Andy a new suit (it's about time, he still has his suits from his mission).
I got to spend a couple hours with my friend Brenda.
We visited Andy's grandpa who got put in a nursing home last month after a stroke.
The kids played in the snow, played with cousin Levi, and enjoyed lots of grandparents!
And Sophie met a bunch of family she's never seen before.
We miss everyone already!

Lots of pictures from the weekend-
Great grandpa Roger and great grandma Janene-

Great grandma Margaret and Sophie-

Maddie and grandpa Boyd-

playing in the snow/ice-

Levi hugging Garen (too funny)-

My cute family-

my friend Brenda helping Maddie on the wii-

Garen and friend Danny munching in the kitchen-

Sophie and great grandpa Ira (both very tired)-

Garen taking a rest in the car-

Gramdma Sue and Grandpa Paul visit

My mom and dad came to visit/help on Monday-Wednesday. It was so nice to have them here! We miss them already! My mom did all my laundry and dishes; my dad kept Garen occupied and he held Sophie alot while I showered, ran eronds and got Maddie ready for school. Thanks mom and dad for everything!
Maddie wouldn't smile for the picture because grandma and grandpa were leaving-

Sophie was smiling at my dad-

Just some other random pictures-

train tracks in the mouth and bruises on the head, that's Garen for you-

Thanks for the sweater and jeans grandma Jann-

One Month Old

Sophie Mae is one month old today! I can't believe how much she has grown in the last month. She has already grown out of several of her little outfits. She is now smiling at people, holding her head up and cooing. She loves to just stare into peoples eyes and look around. She is such a good little baby and handles the loud activity of her siblings very well.

I got the blessing dress that Alisha made, so we decided to take a few pictures of her in it since the actual blessing day is always so busy! Isn't she beautiful. (notice the pink quilt under her, that was a gift from Alisha as well-the other side is even cuter).

When did they grow up?

I took Maddie to school yesterday morning and as she hops out of the van she sees a boy from her class headed toward the doors. She yells, "Aidan, wait up." The boy stops and yells, "Oh, hey Maddie, in their 5 year old cool voices. Maddie runs up to him and he puts his arm around her and walks her to the door. Then he pulls the door open for her and lets her in first. How do five year olds know how to act like that. They resembled a little dating couple a little to closely. :(

When did my little girl grow up?

My little gymnast in her new leotard. Check out her buff arms and shoulders-

Then when I dropped her off at school this morning I was wishing I had my camera so I could have video taped her trying to get to the front doors.

It is so windy today, I can't believe it. I mean my whole bedroom was shaking last night. I thought at one point Maddie had come in and was climbing on the bed, but nope it was just shaking because the whole house was shaking from the wind.

My computer says the wind here is blowing at 47mph.

Anyway, before Maddie got out she was telling me how much she likes the wind. And I was telling her how bad it was today that she probably wouldn't be able to walk in it. And again she reassured me she likes walking in the wind. So she gets out and starts heading to the front doors. She is totally blown of course and shes hanging onto her backpack with one hand as it threatens to blow down the sidewalk. As I was getting out to go help her get to the door I was laughing so hard. She kept getting blown further and further to the right and further away from the doors. I guess that's what happens when you send a 35 pound little girl out in wind that strong. I hope they don't send them out for recess, because Maddie will probably blow right of the playground.

Now Maddie's not the only one growing up! Garen went poop in the toilet for the first time yesterday! He's really warmed up to the idea of using the toilet and he is excited about his big boy pants. So we'll see if we continue to have success with the potty training.

And then there is Sophie. This sweet little girl slept from 11:30 PM to 5 AM this morning! This is the longest stretch we have had so far. I hope it continues! Then Sophie can move into her sisters room in the next few months. (Maddie is excited for Sophie to sleep with her, but she thinks they need bunk beds so Maddie can "sleep up high")

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Sophie's blessing dress and Maddie Montana

My dear friend Alisha made Sophie's blessing dress for me. It turned out so beautiful. I can't wait to try it on her. Alisha is so talented, I am so lucky to call her my friend for the last 20 years! Check out all the great stuff she does on her blog.

Sophie loves staring at this red dog-

My brother's family gave Maddie a Hannah Montana dress up for Christmas. She really likes Hannah and she had fun dressing like her.

Who's Who?

I finally got some old baby pictures of Maddie and Garen out to compare to Sophie. I thought at first she looked a lot different than the other two, but now that I compare the pictures I guess they all have real similar features. Sophie's eyes are a bit different, she has less hair then the other two, and her head looks bigger.

What do you think?

Sophie Mae-

Garen Andrew-

Maddie Leigh-

Garen

Maddie

Sophie-




Madelyn-

Sophia-

Garen in his hunting vest-

Happy 2009!

Andy was home yesterday for New Year's Eve, so we all just had a nice relaxing day at home. We rented Horton Hears a Who, made pizza, and had party poppers.
We were a boring old couple this year. Andy had to go to work this morning and I was so tired and knew I would be getting up several times in the night so we went to bed at 11pm. I did welcome in the new year at 12:20 when Sophie woke up to eat.


watching the movie-

yeah, confetti-

Happy New Year!-

I can't believe it is now 2009!!! Where does the time go? We look forward to a new year full of new adventures and new resolutions. Happy New Year everyone!

Bath Time

Sophie's belly button cord fell of a few days ago so it was time for her first real bath. She seemed to really like the water.

Maddie and Garen had to be involved too. Maddie did a wonderful job washing Sophie and Garen stood by and blew his whistle the whole time.

all done-

What a good big sister!-