Little Star

I got to be the mom helper at preschool today. It is so much fun to watch Landon learn and participate with others. He LOVES to sing and sings right out loud an on tune. I am starting to see him interact with friends and share during lunch time. He is very bright and so interested in the world around him. He learned a song today and could still sing it all the way through after school. He LOVES to learn and is fascinated with the human body, national parks and space. He continues to learn his letter sounds and is writing well. It is very rewarding as a mother to see your children grow and progress. I am so glad I am his mom.

Marc David Harris

I am a great aunt again! Our niece Katherine had this beautiful baby boy! I can't believe how much hair he has. He came a little early but both mom and baby are doing well. We are so happy for the Harris family. Landon is especially excited to have another boy to play with.

Company

We have had company. Jerry's Uncle Gary and Aunt Sue came from Michigan and stopped on their way to visit friends in Arizona. We had so much fun getting to know them. I had only met them a few times so it was fun to spend time with them in our home. They were very patient with the kids. I lost count of the number of questions and stories the kids told them. We do not have shy kids. Jerry also had two of his former mission companions and their families in town. We had a BBQ and really enjoyed each others company. They had a great time reminiscing about the mission. I really enjoyed chatting with their wives. Clyde and Jeannette stopped by today on their way back to Springville. They had been here staying in a condo and attending the plays at Tuachan. We love having visitors.

SLC

We had a great weekend in Salt Lake City. Jerry had meetings on Thursday so I was dropped off with Roz and her kids for the afternoon. It was so fun to spend time with them. She and Richard have the cutest kids! Our kids are all pretty close in age so it is fun to watch them interact. I am always uplifted after I spend time with Roz. She understands me so well and is an amazing friend! On Friday we went to the church office building and visited Jerry's mission president. He is an amazing man. The kids did pretty well and we enjoyed our time together although Jerry maintains going to work is easier than spending time with the family. That night we attended Nate's football game. It was fun to watch him play. I was really overcome with emotion being at the game and not having Gary there. It just doesn't seem right. We had a good night. On Saturday Jerry and Landon went to the game while I met some of my former roommates for lunch. We had a ball. Nat came down from Idaho for the day! She's the best. I was so glad to see her and we had fun catching up with old friends. Teresa and the kids were at Kevin's when we got back there. Lindsay and Mom watched the girls while I was gone. It was nice to have a little break! We had a BBQ that night at Landon and Dana's. They have a beautiful home in Saratoga Springs. We headed home on Sunday morning to prepare for company tomorrow. It was a full weekend but lots of fun to be with family and friends.

Nine Months Old

Our little Avery is nine months old! She is getting a tooth that we can actually feel and see...just the very top. She is rolling and pushing up on her hands looking like one day she may consider crawling. She is babbling a lot and is a Mama's girl. I think it's about equal though because she always smiles really big for her Dad as well. She has gotten in to playing with the bigger toys that make noise and can be easily entertained by her brother and sister. She had a night light in her room now. She was a little fussy with our company here I think because I left her a few times but also because of the tooth. Grandpa watched her while I went to the temple with Dave. It was so fun to spend time with him and Grandpa said she did great. She is eating really well. She is working her way into ground up table food along with the food in the jars. She is really good with a sippy cup as well. She loves to lift her legs up in the air and kick them back down again when you put her in her bed. She seems to be very happy in her crib. She still goes to sleep with Tad, her piggy and her blanket. She is a sweet baby with fat rolls in all the right places. We love her!

First Goal

Landon scored his first goal at his soccer game today. He really caught on to what soccer is and knows now to go after the ball. It was so fun to watch. Unfortunately, we were not able to video his reaction but it was priceless. He threw his hands up in the air with both thumbs up (a little excessive celebration) and yelled. After he went back in the huddle and out for the next play he yelled to Jerry, "Dad, are you proud of me?" and then to me, "Mom, are you proud of me?" It was so cute. What a fun kid. I added a little video clip for the grandparents. You'll notice he usually falls down after each play for dramatic effect. He is number 7.

Stitches

So one of the highlights (or low points)of Grandpa's visit was a visit to the instacare for Lauren. It was our first time for stitches and fortunately, it was only three. We went house hunting with Grandpa and as I asked her to come with me to the car, she turned and ran the other way (surprise, surprise) and into a corner of a cabinet. I ran outside and got her down on the grass but unfortunately couldn't find anything but a dress of Avery's to catch the blood. We got the bleeding stopped and poor Grandpa had to spend two hours waiting with Avery and Landon while we got her sewed up. She was very brave and never complained. I told the nurse I was surprised I had not been in there sooner with my little dare devil. Never a dull moment...

Les Miserables

I had an amazing experience last night. My Dad and brother Dave came to town and we were able to attend Les Miserables at Tuacahn. It was an amazing experience. I can understand now why everyone raves about this musical. I kept thinking about how I didn't quite grasp the real meaning of this wonderful story when I was taking English in high school. Our seats ended up being on the front row which intensified the experience. I was very moved and appreciated so much the talent of those who performed. It reminded me of what a gift mercy is and how each of us can bestow it on others through acts of kindness and putting the needs of others before our own. Thanks to Jerry for watching the kids and giving me a night out on the town!

Lauren

So Lauren tried to put Avery in time out today. She called her Dad at work and said, "Avery hitted me!" Jerry said, "Why don't you tell her to stop?" Mind you, Avery is strapped in her high chair just minding her own business eating a cracker but whatever. Lauren is always trying to discipline her so she is trying to slide her chair into the corner. Lauren ended up in time out due to her agressive behavior and bullying of an 8 month old. She loves Avery so much but isn't quite sure how to interact. In the past two days, I can remember at least two major "askidents" involving Lauren and Avery.

1. Avery is playing on the floor, Lauren bites her stomach. Avery screams bloody murder. Lauren says, "I forgot?!"

2. Avery playing on the floor again, this time in the sitting position. Lauren takes the Leap Frog magnetic farm and hits her in the back of the head. Lauren goes to time out yet one more time that day. She says, "I love my baby sister?!"

3. Not involving Avery but involving Landon. Landon comes out of the bedroom with play earrings on Lauren got at a birthday party. Lauren takes my "sparkle spray" and sprays him in the eyes. Mom proceeds to flush Landon's eyes immediately with cold water to prevent blindness. Landon declares, "You shouldn't spray stuff in peoples eyes!" Lauren doesn't respond.

These are the kind on incidents which occur on a daily basis. What would I do without my Lauren to make life exciting?

Journey Rae Schiess

I am a great aunt! My niece, Paetan had a beautiful little girl today. Mom and baby are doing well. I can't believe Mike is a Grandpa. Congrats Paetan and family!

Busy Week

We had such a busy week. On Monday, Kevin and Lindsay came over for breakfast and we celebrated Kevin's birthday with breakfast and red velvet cupcakes. It was so fun to have them in town. You can see how well the princesses get along! Lauren maintains Brooklyn is her best friend and gets so excited to play with her. Britton is growing up so fast! He is such a cute kid. Landon started pre-school this week and Lauren started a weekly play group with some girls. They were both so excited and had a great time. The first thing Landon said when I went to pick him up was that he told his friend Lauren that her lunch box was cool. He is working to impress the girls already! It was amazing to come home and have an hour and a half with only Avery and she was asleep! It is amazing how much work you can get done without the "help" of a three and four year old. It was good for everyone. That night Landon had soccer practice. It was so cute. His Dad made him cry when he told him not to grab the ball with his hands. He is so sensitive! It is three on three soccer and the other boys on his team are super excited as well. We went to the library story time the next day and one of the boys on his team was there so it will be good to make some new friends. It was really fun to watch him play on Saturday. He dribbled the ball all the way down and his teammate scored their only goal! Lauren had fun playing with her friend Gaby and we realized we were totally unprepared to play in the heat! Next week we will be better prepared with an umbrella and lots of water. Jerry spent the weekend keeping up on football. He was happy with a Michigan, BYU and Cowboys win. It is so fun to be home and together as a family.