today

i didn't feel well when i woke up

it rained

jude spent the morning on his bed, in time-out

i spent an insane amount of time working on the family cookbook

jude and gwyneth remembered all the letters we reviewed in class

we sang jingle bells

it poured

i played operation with the kids

i made 2 pizzas

lyle called me from work... twice

adah continued in her quest for one nap a day

camden read his first phrase

i made bean soup

and cornbread

i called my aunt patty

i cleaned the kitchen 5 times

it's still a mess

lyle put together the shelves in the church nursery while i mucked out the room

gwyneth begged jude to be her prince charming

he refused

she said she'll never kiss her prince charming

if he kisses her she's gonna say "YUCK!"

today was perfect

LOST

Yesterday, as soon as I arrived home he asked me to wiggle his tooth.
"I bit a chip and it got more loosed!" he informed me.
He hasn't left it alone all day.
So I wasn't surprised when he announced, from the top of the stairs,

"Guess what....I lost my tooth! Giggle. Giggle."
"Camden! I can't believe it! Let me see!"
"Giggle...Giggle...Giggle." As he points to the new empty space.
"Where is it?"
"I lost it."
"I can see that, but where did it go?"
"I pulled it out with my fingers. Giggle. Giggle."
"Where did you put it?"
"I don't know."
"What were you doing?"
"Eating popcorn."
"Did you eat your tooth?"
"No. I pulled it out."
"And then what did you do with it?"
"Nothing. Giggle"

And round and round we went until finally discovering it in his popcorn dish, cleverly disguised among the leftovers.

And my baby continues to disappear before my very eyes.

s'more

Her coloring is changing so much these last few weeks.
Her complexion is pretty dark and her hair is suddenly very ashen, almost gray in the sunlight.
I think the combination is so beautiful with her violet eyes.
I call her my dusty little violet.
Isn't she just gorgeous...

And so sweet...

Girls, they're so fickle.

One minute they're smothering you in loves

and the next they're hanging you out to dry.

I love these...

for aunt heidi

because she loves how you cross your ankles
nearly as much as I do.

this i know

Jesus Loves Me

is what she sang

as she twirled

God's little princess

little mermaid

Oh, how she loves the water!
Almost as much as Sissy.

homemade hot cocoa

it makes me happy and fat

yep

that's me

fat and happy

Everyone,

meet Martina.

Martina,
everyone.

As we're not a country music lovin fam,
I'm quite certain she's never heard the name in her life,
but that is what Gwyneth instantly named her paper doll from Aunt Heidi.

And, of coarse, I deemed that too cute not to share.
The rest of the gang;
Terah, (who in all reality is actually supposed to be a boy.) Kira and Adah.

And oh, to possess a wardrobe half the size of theirs...

I just love paper dolls.

Though they only reinforce my longing to have lived in simpler times...

Wholesome, beautiful, inexpensive, imaginative,

The perfect gift.

dick and jane

I mean...
Jude and Gwyneth
would like to thank everyone for coming to their party!

We had so much fun!

We love you,

Jude and Gwyneth.

oH hApPy daY!

gwyneth adara

spirited
sassy
driven
opinionated
shy
confident
creative
witty


breathtakingly gorgeous

Gwyneth,

You are not what you seem.

There are few who truly know you

for you are not easily won.

With your fiery spirit

you challenge me every day.

And bless me beyond compare.

Forever my princess.

You are my treasure.

I love you so.

Mama

jude addison

energetic
sensitive
compassionate
needy
loud
contagious
sincere
emotional

utterly lovable

Jude,

You are a favorite with everyone you encounter.

Quick to love, the life of the party,

with a most compassionate heart.

You are full of life and energy.

You are eager to please, but pretend otherwise.

Your smile melts my heart.

Your tears break it.

You make every day beautiful.

I love you so.

Mama

on turning 4 {gwyneth}

favorite color?
purple and gray

best friend?
Grandma Connie and Grandpa Lanny

favorite toy?
My little ponies

favorite thing to do?
dress-up!

favorite place to go?
Real Life

favorite restaurant?
Tomato Street

favorite food?
french toast

favorite treat?
cupcakes...at Grandma Greats'

What do you want most for your birthday?
A Snow White dress! And Snow White shoes! And a Snow White headband! And a Snow White cape!

on turning 4 {jude}

Favorite color?
blue! Always has been.

Favorite toy?
train set

Favorite food?
Mac-n-cheese

Favorite treat?
popcorn and gummies

Favorite thing to do?
play with cars

Favorite place to go?
Wynn's house.

Favorite restaurant?
the one that has macaroni...aka Tomato Street

Best friend?
Caleb and Megan

What do you want most for your birthday?
Larry Boy Costume...and a Larry Boy car!

eggs

Easter eggs!
We had so much fun with our cousins.
Most everyone lasted about 2 eggs and then took off to persue the toys upstairs.

This guy kept things very interesting. Think entire tub of orange dye all over table, chair, floor and Preston!

And this guy followed big brother's lead. Think scattered showers. Blue showers.

She's not grumpin, Mom! She's counting the eggs we'd colored.

These two were the dye-hards. (;

Gwyneth outlasted everyone by about 3 times.

And you thought she was a grumpy bunny!

Ta-dah!