The Pictures! . . .

So, here are the pictures that go along with the following post.  (The ones I couldn't figure out how to get on here last night.)  They include a few of the high lights from our awesomely awesome week.  hehe.  Like . . .

Swimming! 

 Love the picture of Anna running out of the freezing water above!  And the ones below of the kids buried in the sand crack me up.  Ben-Ben would only let us bury him to his knees. 

Feeding Baby Caleb J.!

 He had quite the audience. . . and lots of help from his big brother and big sister.  His first taste of baby food was rice cereal . . . nothing too exciting.  Caleb was really interested, but wanted to feed himself.
 

And Hiking Sugar Loaf Mountain!

 It was super windy at the top, as you can see from Anna's hair in the first pic.  Also, notice the third pic above . . . it's of Ben-Ben giving me a smooch on the cheek.  I just didn't take the shot at quite the right time.  Darn.  :)

We had a picnic at the top . . . at the insistence of Ben-Ben.  Now he calls the top, the "food place."  Oh, and Anna is carrying Ethan's empty diet coke bottle around to use as a "club" in case she saw any wild animals.  We didn't have the heart to tell her that it would help her in no way to have that little plastic bottle.   

 So, enjoy the pictures.  And, if you're interested in reading about the rest of the week, scroll on down to the next post.  Have a beautiful week!

Best. Week. Ever. . . .

So, blogger isn't allowing me to upload any pictures right now, and I'm too tired to figure out why.  I still wanted to write a quick journal entry about this past week because it was just so perfect.  Have I mentioned how much I love my family?  :)

We did so many fun things.  Such great family time.  And the kids kept saying, "You don't have to go back to Alpena, Daddy."  As if Ethan would forget that small detail if they didn't keep reminding him. hehe.   

Ethan and I had some alone, one-on-one, time with the kids. Priceless. 

We hiked Sugar Loaf Mountain all together.  Beautiful. 

We went swimming two different times, minus Cabber Bottoms.  (Even though we had a few warm days this week, the water was still freezing, so we mostly just played around at McCarty's Cove, and then South Beach.  Ethan did go under . . . brave soul.  And I think both the kids fell in at least once. :)  The kids remembered why they LOVE going to the beach!  Except when they get scoured by wind/sand.  Seriously, it's super traumatic for them, even though all the other kids at the beach seemed fine with it.  It was so funny, and so sad all at the same time.     

I took Anna and Benjamin to the Children's Museum on Friday.  We let Anna skip school on Friday to allow for more family time.  (She thought that was so special.) 

We fed Caleb his first taste of baby food - rice cereal.  Adorableness.  And messy.  :) 

WE POTTY TRAINED BENJAMIN!!!  Finally.  This is exactly when I was planning on potty training him in the first place.  But since he showed interest in going potty since last fall, we didn't want to stifle his attempts.  :)  He's had ups and downs, but this is the real deal, baby.  Last Saturday we did the whole "cold turkey" thing with Ben-Ben, just like we did with Anna.  No diapers.  No pull-ups.  Just underpants.  So, it's been just over a week, and it is going SO.  GOOD.  He's had a few accidents here and there, but also goes days without any.  And he is great at telling us when he has to go, so we don't really have to worry about making him "try" all the time. . . he knows when.  :)  Such a good feeling. . . and money saver!

We had a movie night all together. 

I enjoyed some kid-free time with friends this week, which is always appreciated.  Thanks, babe!  Fun, fun. 

We took the kids to the high school track to run around and "train" for a race we want to do together.  The July 2nd, Firecracker Race.  I think I'm going to try and do the 5K, and we'll all do the mile race together. 

Ethan was able to share the "take the kids to the doctor" responsibility since he was off this week.  That was especially helpful since we had a big developmental clinic for Caleb which takes a few hours, a dentist appointment for Benjamin, and pediatric cardiology appointment for Caleb J.   

Caleb was the smiley-est little babers ever.  That's not really specific to this week, but it just melts my heart.  And I like to think he is enjoying all this extra daddy time . . . I know I am!  (Ethan's been doing the 6:30am feeding. . . woo!) 

Ethan and I had a lot of alone time after the kiddies went to bed at 8pm sharp :). . . went for walks, rented movies, watched the NBA finals, talked about "grown up things" (since the kids pretty much dominate the conversations when they're awake), etc. 

Family walks.  Playing games.  Reading book.  You know, the usual.  But it was so special because we were ALL TOGETHER again.  Happiness.

It was such a great week.  It was just what we needed.  Especially since this coming week is going to be SO. BUSY.  -  Ethan starts his final internship tomorrow.  Dance practice, and extra rehearsals for the dance recital for Anna.  A Doctor/Dentist appointment for Caleb and Anna.  A primary presidency meeting for me.  Last week of school, including a "graduation" program for Anna.  A few more things I'm forgetting.  AND Meg, Jake and Rorie will be in town, so we'll want to spend lots of time with them.

So, life goes on . . .   

A Happy "Stay-At-Home Party" For Daddy . . .

Well, Anna is our little party planner.  Any excuse for a party, and she's all over it.  hehe.  Anna had the fun idea of having a "Welcome Home" party for Daddy, since we'd been counting down the days until Ethan would be done with his internship in Alpena.  We ended up calling it a "Stay-At-Home" party because Ethan had been coming home every weekend, so we were seeing him pretty regularly.  But now . . . now.  Oh the excitement of it all.  hehe.  He gets to STAY HOME with us, and not leave at 6:30pm on Sunday evening, coming home late Friday night.  No more traveling back and forth all the time.  No more missing each other so much.  No more long stretches of time apart.  The kids are super excited, and I'm super excited!   

 It was just a small group at the "party", kept that way on purpose :).  (We weren't going to invite anyone over, but Anna finally changed our minds at the last minute.)  The mood was fun and relaxed . . . and there was plenty of excitement in the air mostly from Anna and Ben-Ben.  Well, Caleb looks pretty excited too, he just wasn't making any noise.  And everyone was super happy to see cute, little Hudson too . . . and Uncle Andrew.  My kids LOVE their cousin, Huddy, especially Anna.   

Benjamin and Anna were super interested in all of the things that Andrew was feeding to Hudson, especially since we STILL haven't fed Caleb anything. . . we're getting to it this week.  Second pic - Besides the fact that I rolled out of bed just in time for the breakfast - so ignore my look - I love the shot of Caleb chomping on my arm.  Typical.  (Also in the pic, the lovely Miss Amy.)  And I love the pic that shows the big, platter full of bacon.  Ethan loves bacon, LOVES IT!, and we wanted to make sure there was enough.  It was a fun, lounge-y kind of morning.  Perfect.  

 The whole day turned out pretty relaxed and low key.  For the first time in a long time there was not one single thing any of us had to be at or do that Saturday.  So perfect for Ethan's first weekend back with us.  We lounged.  The kids watched a movie after breakfast since it was raining out. . . and movies are so perfect for rainy days.  We went to the sand dunes after it cleared up for some fun and exercise - ran up and down them, threw rocks in the river to see who could get the biggest splash, played hide-and-seek in the woods, had mini races on the hike back to the car, met some new doggies (and their owners), and both kids went pee-pee in the woods (yes! since it wasn't in their pants . . . except Ben-Ben a little bit :).  Fun afternoon activity.  The day was rounded out with Grampa Dewey calling us on the way home from the sand dunes to say that he was almost home too, and was picking up some dinner, if we'd be there.  So, we stopped and got some sides, enjoyed a delish dinner, bathed the filthy/sandy kiddos, and popped them into bed.  Then, Ethan and I had some alone time - grocery shopping together and watching a little MadMen when we got home.    

I am so happy these nine months of Ethan being away so much are finally over.  It was a crazy nine months, as you've read in detail on here.  It would have been nice for him to have been here for more of it - or all of it - but we made it through.  Mainly because we had some amazing family and friends to help us and spend time with us in his absence.  Thank you all again!!!  I am grateful that Ethan's longest stretch away (most of September) was over with first.  Then, we had every other weekend for the rest of the fall semester.  Then, weekends and Thursdays during his 10 weeks in Iron Mountain (that started the beginning of January after his entirely too short Christmas break).  And finally, his 10 weeks in Alpena when he came home every weekend, which are now done.  Ethan has the coming week off to hang out with us, then he starts his last 10 week internship at Marquette General Hospital in town. . . only a few blocks away actually.  The kiddos and I will probably try to walk over to have lunch with him once a week . . . or more.  And Ethan just found out his schedule is from 7:30am - 4:00pm.  Perfect for the summer. . . done at 4 with plenty of sunshine and time left in the day.  So, bring on a beautiful Marquette summer that we can enjoy all together!  Now, we just need to get our own place again. . . as soon as Ethan finds out where he's getting a job.  :)      

Friends - They Come and They Go . . .

We are grateful for good friends in our lives, but recently we've had to say good-bye to a few of them.  No fun.  (And yes, I include some family as good friends too. . . you know, the whole "blood is thicker than water" thing.)  Above are pictures of the kids with their friends Logan and Jay.  Their family moved to Utah this past week and we are going to miss them all so much!  We already do.  Benjamin has asked numerous times if he can play with, have a picnic with, or go to the park with Logan many times. . . and it hasn't even been a week.  Those two played so well together, and it was fun for Ben-Ben to have some "boy" time, since Anna was at school during many of the get togethers.  We had our final "play date" last Monday and it ended up lasting the whole day . . . which we were all happy about.  :) 

Here are a few pictures of Anna with one of her good friends, Kate.  They are such sweeties together.  And I love that they do the "girl" thing together.  Sometimes it's hard for our fancy Anna, being the only girl with two younger brothers.  Little brothers just don't understand sometimes.  So, yay for girl play dates.  Anyway, Kate isn't moving, but we might be. . . . since we don't know for sure where Ethan will be getting a job.  When Anna asks us about potentially moving, leaving Kate is one of the things that make her sad to think about it.   

Caleb is such a smiley, happy, interactive baby.  He's only had a few moments of "stranger fear," and usually warms up to people pretty quickly.  He just smiles his big, adorable, cheeky smile at everyone and wins them over immediately.  :)  His "friends" mostly consist of his family, but he's starting to venture out in to the big, wild world.  I love the picture of Grampa Dewey and Caleb catching up after a long day, and of course I love the big gummy smile in the second one.  :)  I couldn't resist a smooch. 

Finally, cousin Rorie Pie.  Meghan and Rorie moved a few weeks ago, and it's been so sad.  Anna and Ben-Ben miss their cousin, friend, and playmate so much.  I think they are just finally starting to understand what "moving away" means. . . or at least they don't ask where Rorie is quite as often.  When it was just Anna and Rorie, they did the sweet, girl thing.  But, man, add Benjamin to the mix and both the younger ones changed - and not for the better.  Then, Anna mostly acted as the mediator between the two little ones . . . because they needed a lot of mediating.  They all loved each other sooooo much, and would always be super excited to see each other.  But, within a few minutes Rorie or Benjamin would be upset, or crying, or not sharing, or taking toys, or hitting.  It. Was. Crazy.  I'm pretty sure neither of them were ever like this with other kids, just each other.  Cousin love, I guess.  We really had to limit "Rorie exposure" for the first while we lived here.  hehe.  But, it got better, even though they still had their moments.  By the time they left, Rorie and Ben-Ben were mostly playing well together . . . all three of them.  And when we let them, they would be all over baby Caleb J. too. Luckily, we'll be seeing them two more times this summer, so we got to save our "real" good-byes until later.  Then, the Kenison family will be off on their new adventure in San Diego with the Navy.  We are grateful for the year we had to live close to them - right around the corner.  And although the kids are little (I don't have any memories from when I was 2/3 . . . and hardly any from when I was 5), I hope they can at least look back at pictures and perhaps have faint memories or their time together this year.      

Life's Little Happenings . . .

APRIL 30, 2011.  Happy Anniversary!  SEVEN YEARS, BABY! 

Anna and Benjamin really wanted to make our anniversary extra special this year . . .  after my mom explained what an anniversary is.  They're such sweeties.  Anna wanted to plan a whole, big party . . . but there just wasn't time for that in the day.  Plus, seven years . . . she can plan one for our 25th.  :)  They made us signs and prepared some special pretend food for us.  It kind of hurt their feelings that we would go do something special - ALONE - together later that day.  Why wouldn't we want to celebrate the whole day with them!?  hehe. 

We kept it low key this year, but our date was so fun.  I really wanted to DO something.  So, we had Chuck and Melissa babysit all three bambinos (thank you!!!) for a few hours on the afternoon of our anniversary, and we went to play some tennis.  Loved it.  Ethan beat me - big time - but it was nice to play again since I couldn't last summer.  Love Ethan's game face in the picture above.  hehe. 

We followed it up with one of our favorites - Border Grill.  Mmmm. 

AND, we both got new rings.  Nothing fancy, but I L-O-V-E the ring Ethan got for me.  I've gotten so many compliments on it (and it's just a cheap-ish ring from Target! :)  The picture doesn't do it justice.  I love the diamond ring Ethan picked out for me when we got engaged, but currently it's a bit tight, and I like having other, more non-traditional options to wear too.  Ethan got a new ring too.  He's on to his 7th - one for every year we've been married.  Hehe.  (Some have lasted years, some months, and the original was lost in less than a week while we were snorkeling in the Atlantic Ocean.  So, needless to say, we don't spend much on Ethan's rings.  He hasn't been able to find his last one for a few months.  This was a $10 ring from ShopKo, but it does it's job.  hehe.)  So, not really important, or that exciting, but I loved picking out new rings for each other on our anniversary!  

I love Ethan.  He's my best friend.  My favorite person.  My love.  And it feels awesome to know he feels the same way about me.  I'll keep the mushy stuff short, since I've gushed about Eth many times before.  :) 

MOTHER'S DAY 2011!

Loved the sweet little notes and presents from my little ones this year.  Ben got me squirt guns, Anna got me some stick on jewels for crafts, and Ethan got me a pretty note-pad to make lists on (perfect! :).  The kids  were trying to be so thoughtful, and picked out the presents themselves, and wanted to make "my day" so special.  Precious.

I love being a momma.  I love my three babies.  I feel so blessed and so grateful when I think of the sweet spirits Heavenly Father sent to Ethan and I.  It's not always easy, and sometimes I get overwhelmed, or don't stay as patient as I should.  But, I keep trying.  I keep trying to do my best.  I try to do fun, positive things with them everyday.  I love the little moments in motherhood - the snuggles on the couch, the songs, the precious conversations, the holding of sleeping babies, etc.  Love it.  Love them.

SURPRISING ETHAN IN ALPENA!

Caleb and I surprised Ethan in Alpena last week.  We thought we should check out the area, since he's loved it so much at his current clinical placement.  (And they've loved him. :)  It was SO FUN surprising Eth, and it was fun to have alone time with Caber Bottoms. . . and have some extra time with Ethan. We got there Monday afternoon and left Wednesday after Ethan's lunch break.  So, two days of fun in Alpena. . .

Ethan drove us around, giving us the grand tour of Alpena.  Second picture shows Caleb and Ethan snuggling at the Motel Tuesday morning.

Caleb and I went to the Shipwreck Maritime Museum one day while Ethan was at the Clinic.  It was really cool (and free! :), but Caleb slept through most of it.  They had a replica of a ship built inside the museum that you could tour, and it felt like you were out on a stormy night - lights, rocking, the sounds of thundering and waves.  The Thunder Bay Museum is the only National Maritime Sanctuary located on a lake and not the ocean.   The area of Lake Huron right by Alpena is known as Shipwreck Alley, and it was really cool learning about all the wrecks.  So, if you're ever in the area. . . hehe.

And finally, Caleb J. was such a good little traveler.  I was a little nervous about going so far with him by myself (no one in the back to entertain Caleb J. if he got fussy), but I seriously could not have asked for a better, happier baby on this trip.  Cabsie was a HUGE hit at the clinic Ethan works at, and smiled and charmed the pants off everyone.  He became instant buddies with Ethan's Clinical Instructor, Wynne (who had us over for dinner while we were there, so sweet).  It was too cute.  Everyone gave him the nickname, "Cheeks" which is pretty appropriate for Caleb.  hehe.  Thunder Bay Therapy and Sports Medicine seemed like a great, friendly PT clinic.  Ethan has loved his time there, and we were glad to see it and meet everyone.  AND, Caleb even got a little physical therapy in with his daddy while he was there.  hehe.

LLAMAS IN PAJAMAS!

These are the matching jammies the kiddos got in their Easter baskets this year.  Love seeing Caber's and Ben-Ben matching.  (And Anna loves being unique. :)  Couldn't resist a little picture time before bed.  Love them.   

My Mamacita, How Can I Ever Thank Her Enough. . .

My mom is full of love.  Giving to everyone she meets.  Generous with her time.  A true example of charity.  I could write a whole book about the small and big things she's done for people.      

My mom is one talented woman.  So creative - whether it be sewing, crafting, planning singing time for the children at church, home improvements, etc.  When she tries something new, she succeeds.

My mom is a delicious cook and baker.  And she'll take the time to make it from scratch . . . and doesn't even care how many dishes she is dirtying in the process.  :)  She can even "throw a meal together" from seemingly nothing, and it's still turns out delish!

My mom can get out the toughest stains.  Seriously, try her.  Actually, don't.  She's kind of got a lot going on right now.  hehe.

My mom is amazing with children.  All children.  She bakes with them, stays patient with them, plays silly games with them, does messy projects with them.  She loves their sweet spirits.  My kids are so, so lucky to have her for a Grandma! 

My mom is thrifty.  She loves a good deal.  She knows the difference between wants and needs.  She doesn't get caught up in materialistic things of the world.

My mom is fun, energetic and young at heart.  People, myself included, love the spunk and happiness she shares.  And, she is hilarious!  Spending time with her, it is rare that I don't bust up laughing at least once.  :) 

My mom is thoughtful and smart.  She loves to read and learn about new things.  When asked for advice, she'll help you see all sides of an issue, and stay unbiased in the process.  

My mom is spiritual and faithful.  She gives God the glory for all good things in her life.  She lives her religion daily. 

My mom is all of these things and so much more.  I wish I was more like her, in so many ways.  And I try.  When I think of her life, and all she's been through and experienced, and the kindness and strength and faith she has shown. . . I feel so inspired by her.   

I wonder how I got so lucky to have a mom like her?  Would my life have turned out the same without her love and support?

When I was little, I think of many happy memories thanks to my mom - parks, picnics, wonderful holidays made extra special by my mom, fresh baked cookies after school, reading books at bedtime, songs, teaching us hard work, movie nights, homemade dresses for me and my cabbage patch kid, bike rides, summer trips up to Marquette, and so much more.

When I was a teenager, I knew I could talk to my mom about anything (even if I'd just done some lame teenage-ish thing), and she would try to understand.  I know that not all of my friends felt the same way about their own mothers, and understand now how luck I was/am.  My mom always tried to remind me what's truly important in life, and to see the big picture - which is easy to loose track of during the teenage years.  

When I was thinking of going on a mission - something I never, ever considered doing until I was almost 20 - my mom was completely supportive.  Just that I had the desire to serve, then going away for a year and a half - my mom was excited, supportive, joyful, proud (in a humble way :).  She told me it felt like I was fulfilling one of her dreams that she had not had the opportunity to do.  So sweet. 

When I decided to marry Ethan, my mom was so excited and just saw all the good and positive in him.  (And she pretty much planned, and pulled off a beautiful ring ceremony/reception all on her own . . . in only two months time! :)  She is so supportive of us as a couple, and finds ways to show Ethan that she loves having him as part of the family too. 

When I was finishing school at NMU, and had Anna with four semesters to go, my mom babysat for us when Ethan and my schedule overlapped.  EVEN the semester I student taught . . . which was about 20 hours a week of babysitting for four months!  What a blessing!  Would I have finished school without her help at that time?  

When I found out Ethan got accepted into Physical Therapy school, right away we knew his last year would consist of a whole lot of clinical placements, moving around, etc.  And right away, my parents offered to have the kids and I stay with them that third year (which we are currently living through right now :).  Immediately and selflessly, they offered to help us when Ethan would need to be away.  And my mom has been amazing!  It's been so much more help and support than I realized we'd need - from the complicated pregnancy, to the complicated birth, to the complicated start to Caleb's life.  I seriously, seriously could not have done it without her, which I've mentioned many times before.  I am so grateful for the close relationship we have; for the unconditional love they show me and my family!  How can I ever repay her (and my dad) for this year?!  I sometimes feel guilty about everything my mom has done for us. . . we're always in her space this year. . . plus Anna and Benjamin always look for her and want to be with her . . . plus she's lost out on some sleep since we've moved in (not always because of our family. . . but still, rough year!), which is very important to her.  hehe.  Plus, plus, plus.  BUT listen to this - a few months ago she shared her testimony at church about eternal families, and specifically mentioned how blessed she felt to have us living with them this year.  She got choked up explaining she felt like it was such a blessing that she had another chance to help raise and influence kids, her grandkids, even for a short time.  Soooo, I'm feeling guilty about all she's done for us, and she's getting emotional because she feels so blessed to have us with her!  My mom is so full of LOVE!  How could I have made it through this year without my sweet, sweet momma?!   

You know, I feel like this journal entry is just not capturing everything I feel, and love, and admire about my mom.  But, what more can I say?  I love her.  I am grateful for her.  Things haven't always been perfect between us, but if we've had arguments we're quickly over them, and back to our close, comfortable relationship.  I mean, good grief, we've been stuffed in to one house for the past 8 months and we still get along!  :)  I love talking with her.  I love spending time with her.  I love seeing her be a Grammy to my sweeties.  I love her. 

Mom - thank you.  You are amazing and I am blessed to be your daughter.