Showered with Love

Tonight my sister in law Keren and good friend Emily Walker threw me the pinkest baby shower you ever saw! It was such fun to get together with the girls, and I am overwhelmed with the cuteness that came out of these packages, and the friendship shared. All the food was pink, and I am absolutely tickled pink that they would even do this for me. Such fun. . . Here are a few photo highlights. . .

How many squares around is she? 10.5 to be exact!

Goodbye Grandma

My Grandma Hazel passed away this morning at 2 a.m. after a couple of weeks of steady downhill. Actually, she's been steadily declining for about 5 years, and we are all happy for her that she can move on and out of the body she's been trapped in for these 5 years. She went in for a knee surgery right before Aidan was born, and basically never came out of the anesthesia and back to her old self. She had to move into a home and has been so unhappy ever since. I am so glad that she is free from that prison now. When I think about the fact that since Aidan's been born, she's basically been trapped there, sitting in a wheel chair, it makes it seem like so long.

This is her, pre-surgery with Ethan when he was new, and this is how I remember her. Neat hair, big and healthy. She hasn't looked much like this for quite some time now.

This passing comes with some mixed emotions for me, especially because I am going to be unable to attend the funeral. It's scheduled for February 9th, and by that time I'm well over the "safe to fly" marker, at only 3 weeks from my due date. So while this was expected, and not a big shock, it's kind of sad I can't be there to participate, take the children, and generally get some good closure. I would have liked to have been there to help, so it's the ultimate bad timing.

That being said, I'm going to miss Grandma, but really, I've been missing her for years now, as she really hasn't been herself. So I'm glad to know she's back to herself now, and wish my children could have known her before she was in the home.

In her memory, here are a few things I loved about Grandma:
1. She made the best tuna sandwiches, and always had the pickles I liked to go with them in the fridge.
2. She was always good for a board game, and never "let me win" but really played.
3. When we slept over, she always made our favorite foods for every meal, and took requests.
4. She kept the cupboards stocked with jelly beans and frosted oatmeal cookies.
5. She was always there for my big events. I don't think she missed ANY birthday parties, Christmases, choir concerts, gymnastics shows. . . you name it, they were there to support!
6. She always had gum in her purse after Church. Doublemint for me, and Bubbalicious for Ellen. We would always seek her out by the bishops office after Primary and she would be there waiting, with gum!
7. She could turn a handkerchief into many little folded things during Sacrament meeting. A doll, two babies in a cradle, she had a few tricks up her sleeves.

So there you have it, some random fun things about my Grandma. I'll miss you Grandma!

Snow Day!

Today we had a whopping INCH of snow! But, it was enough to get us excited and out into the back yard before 8 this morning. The kids had a wonderful time running around making the yard look like one giant mess, and I had a great time playing with the new camera. If school hadn't already been canceled for inservice, I'm sure they would have canceled it for the snow. I wonder if all this snow will inspire all my children to take a "long winter's nap" today. That would be nice!

Snow Angels!

Hey! nobody told me it was slippery!!!

Up down, up down, round round round!

That's what Chandler's been saying for two days now. We had another little adventure out to the Jantzen Beach Carousel yesterday, and I think Chandler is a fully converted Carousel Cowboy. He LOVED it. He's been talking about it ever since! After a week VERY STUCK in the house due to Chandler's asthma situation, and the hand mouth foot thing combined, it was a welcome little field trip. We looked online and it said they would be open at ten, but when we arrived, the carousel didn't start operating until 11! So, we dragged the three reluctant children through Ross and Burlington Coat Factory doing a little shopping for the new baby. Which was fun for me, not so much for them. Then, we headed back for two rides on the carousel and a picnic lunch. Such fun! I wish we had a carousel closer by! Here are some photos of the fun. . .

Aidan is an experienced cowboy. . .
This is the most fun ever!!!
Chandler and Cousin Carolyn on the "baby horses." So cute!
Someone should tell this very large woman she has no business horseback riding, don't you think? She couldn't resist . . .

A Welcome Prayer

Ethan, tonight at FHE, during the opening prayer:

"Please bless Emilee to get here soon and healthy. And please don't let it hurt mom too much."

Amen, Big Brother, Amen. . .

Darth Chandler

Fresh and Clean!

I got a few Christmas presents this year that have helped me keep things tidy. A new dustbuster, a shark to clean the floor. . . it's been great! But by far, the best gift in this area was from Gordon, who offered himself up as a "maid service" for the next few months. This is so appreciated because the house is starting to fall apart. Since my "I'm happy and 7 months prego" post, things have started to go downhill a bit. More pain, lots more laying around, and therefore, lots less cleaning! Last night I enjoyed my first enstallment of maid service and felt only a few twinges of guilt as I layed around and Gordon scrubbed the house. Thanks hunny! This is the best Christmas present for me right now! I don't even think you really needed to include that fine print, as you did a fabulous job! :) I know we really needed it, as every time I made a trip to the potty last night, I thought "my my that floor feels clean under my toes!" It's so nice to be fresh again!

Mr. Snuffle-upagus

Here is poor little Chandler, such a sicky icky poo! He's got "hand mouth foot" virus, as well as a NASTY cough and cold, all at once. The poor little snot faucet has had a miserable couple of days. He takes his inhaler every 4 hours and calls it his "Breer" (breather). It's all very sad here this week! We can't wait to get out of the house again soon!

the S.H.M.M.T

That's "Super Hero Memory Match Tournament!"Aidan got this superhero memory game for Christmas and I think we've played it at least 500 times since! It's by far his favorite gift, at least if you can judge that by the frequency I get asked to play it! (I swear he asks at least every 20 minutes) Aidan is pretty good at this game, which is fun because when I play with him I can really PLAY! And he wins most of the time. Yesterday Gordon set up a double elimination tournament bracket and we had a tourney! Daddy was the ultimate champion, but we all had a lot of fun playing!

Checking the Bracket Game one, Ethan vs. Mama
Game 2, Aidan vs. Daddy - a tight match!

Aidan concedes his second and final loss to the champ . . .

I knew I would love it!

We're loving our new camera! We're by no means "photographers" yet but we've had a wonderful time playing around with shutter speeds and such, and seeing what it does when you do. Digital makes the learning curve pretty high because there is no wait time for film development, and no cost either. Happy day! Here are some of the fun things we've snapped at so far. . .

Speedy boy Experiments. . .
Chandler Says "Cheese!"
I can see it's going to be much easier to take nice close ups of the kids. . .

Ninja Guys!

Hiya!

The hummingbird effect. . . flap flap flap!

Christmas Comes but TWICE a year?

That's what it feels like today! We have a new toy! Our new camera, courtesy of Christmas gifts from Great Grandma and Grandpa Price arrived today and Gordon and I can hardly wait to take some pictures! Merry Christmas to us, again!!! Hopefully there will be some nice photographs coming our way soon. . . that is, as soon as we learn to use it! We've definitely got some reading to do!

Seven Months!

Baby is due 2 months from today! Hurray! Almost 32 weeks along. So far, I think I'd have to say that this has been my easiest pregnancy, which is a nice and unexpected surprise for number 4! Less pain so far, almost no sciatic nerve problems, less nausea at the beginning, I'm still working out, things are good, and I am a lucky girl. Starting to get uncomfortable and sit around more, but that's to be expected, right? I am glad that this baby hasn't been as hard as Chandler so far, he was pretty rough there at the end. But, I guess I've still got two months to go. . . I shouldn't speak too soon! We'll see if I'm still so cheerful for the 8 month post. . .

Big Boy!

Yea Chandler!

We gave Chandler his new "big boy" bed for Christmas. He was so excited about it, but then refused to sleep in it. Every night it was "Chandler, do you want to sleep in the big boy bed?" Followed by, "No, Twib!" He got all panicky if we put him in the bed at bed time. Gordon had been saying all along that we'd need to take down the crib if we wanted him to make the transition smoothly. But, I was resisting. "don't take my crib away!!!" If there is no crib, there is no cage for the monkey. But, Gordon pointed out that if he didn't make the transition now, our little possessive man would probably be feeling a bit kicked out of his crib when his little sis arrives. So, I conceded. And, as usual, Gordon was so right on! Chandler helped Gordon take the crib apart, and didn't seem sad at all! He was helping and having a great time. Then, that first night, he just hopped right in his new bed, gave a few extra kisses, and slept the night away. Nap time the next day went just as smoothly, and I'm so glad I have a smart husband.

Chandler's new side of the room. . .

See my new cute frogs bugs and turtles???

Sleeping like a baby. . . I mean a big boy. . .
Way to go Chandler! You're really growing up!

After checking on Chandler that first night, we made our way into the boys room, and it's a good thing! Because we found Aidan about to tip right out of his bed. Doesn't this just look so comfortable! I am amazed he didn't tumble out!