Trooper

For several weeks now, we've been anticipating October 24th as a very busy day. And it was. I pulled Hyrum out of bed (a cardinal sin at our house to wake a baby) to meet the young women at the church at 8am. From there we went to EFY - outstanding by the way. Then we changed our clothes, ate a sack lunch, and headed to Badger Mountain for our second annual virtue hike. Hyrum in tow all the way. From the hike we headed home to change, make arrangements with babysitters, and deliver a birthday gift. Then James and I headed to the temple for our ward baptismal trip. Then home to pick up Hyrum, switch babysitters, and wrap a wedding gift. Then to a wedding reception, and finally to the stake Green and Gold Disco dance. Phew. By the time we got to the wedding reception, Hyrum's eyes were red and super tired from missed naps and exhaustion. What a trooper!At his check-up this week he was 16 lbs. 7 oz (9th percentile) and 28 1/2 inches (84th percentile). He's our baby bean pole!

Sinking In

When I flipped on the light in the boys room this morning to wake them up for family scriptures study, a muffled voice came from under the covers on the bottom bunk, "Come on grandpa we've got to go! Well I'm not leavin', I was born in this hole, and I'll die in this hole!" From the top bunk came, "Then you'll perish!" HILARIOUS! I laughed then, and I've laughed every time I've thought about it since then. Talmage was quoting a line from Ice Age, and believe it or not, Bryant got his terminology from the scriptures. Something is sinking in!

Talmage received his Cub Scout Bobcat badge. That means I've received my first scouting pin---hopefully the first of many.

Bryant is still recovering. He came home yesterday and slept for several hours after school. This morning he said he didn't feel well, and needed to rest. He fell asleep after he was ready for school so I didn't wake him up. He stayed home from school again.

Sariah finally went on her long awaited date with Aunt Haley. She had a bath, got all dolled up, took her purse, sunglasses and Shopko add (in which she had a seen a princess tea set nearly a week ago), and didn't look back when I told her good bye. She had a wonderful afternoon, milkshake and all.

Hyrum is in the 9th percentile for weight. The doctor wanted to see us back in two weeks with weight gain. Because of that, when he wakes up at night, I've felt like I needed to feed him. It's killing me. It's also not helping the "learning to go to sleep on his own" process.

Not Himself

Bryant laid in bed ALL day with a fever over 103 degress. It has been a long time since he has been this sick. He couldn't keep any medicine down so he has not had any relief. Just before bed, his temperature was below 100. I hope it is a true "fever break." As energetic as Bryant is, I don't like to see him so laid out. The only plus about the situation is that he holds still long enough for me to rock him. He is such a sweetie. Last night when I went to bed, our bed was made (Bryant style) with a note on the pillow that said, "To Mom, Love Bryant." It hadn't been made for a couple of days as we've been trying to keep kids separated (Talmage had the fever on Friday) and they've been using it for naps.

Better get to bed, I have no idea what is ahead of us tonight.

Hot Dogs and Hot Cocoa

When I asked Sariah what she wanted for her birthday dinner, her response was, "hot dogs and hot cocoa." I was happy to oblige. Everything else about her birthday was princess, including the plates upon which we ate our hotdogs. So our little princess has been a part of our family for four years now and we are so grateful. We started a new tradition as we passed out the Cinderella birthday cake. As each person was served their dish, they were able to say something they truly loved about the birthday girl. So much to love about this little lady. My contribution was that I love that Sariah remembers to tell me "thank you" for the simple things.

This brand new four-year-old is not just a figurative "big helper," but a real big helper. She has been known to load and unload the dishwasher, fold clothes, sweep, and clean her room without being asked. Not to mention she can load pumpkins with the best of them.

Other updates. Bryant lost his other top, front tooth. He is now our Halloween jack-o-lantern.

Both our boys received the McGee Starship award for RESPECT today.

Just as the other children, Hyrum loves to ride in Dad's pick-up. However, he does not love learning to go to sleep on his own.

Pumpkins for Sale

After 6 months of planting, transplanting, weeding,
and waiting, harvest has finally come. It is beautiful!

One of our giants, a crossbreed, and a beautiful rouge squash.

A swan gourd among other gorgeous gourds.

Our front door welcomes you!