Her's a Queen!

This morning, after a very late night, we told Sariah to tell the boys what happened. She said, and I quote, "Laryn's not a princess anymore, her's a queen!" And so she is. Laryn was named Miss North Franklin last night! We all knew she would do a great job, but truly she was stunning. She swept all of us off our feet.

What made it even more special and fun was that lucky number "7" you see on her dress. That 7 represents each of her seven older siblings who came from near and far, through all hours of the day and night, to support their baby sister on her big night. Her support crew included our more refined in-laws, Jennifer and Severin; Kase's girlfriend, Brielle, Mom (the seamstress) and Dad (the one with the most mixed feelings), and her biggest fan, Sariah. It was so fun to be all together! Thanks Laryn for bringing us all together and representing us with such poise and dignity.

Messes

Sick kids translate as mess. Sariah has finally pulled out of her three days of digestive problems and Hyrum has passed the 24 hour mark and still has a fever. One week after his first birthday he had his first experience vomiting---all over both of us. Then he smiled and gave me a big hug. Then straight to the tub and the 7th set of clothes for today! All this with my own terrible head cold and I'm ready to be done.

We've got to get better quick! Everyone is coming for Laryn's Junior Miss pageant, and I mean every sibling. The first time we've been together in a year and a half. Jennifer and Hayden get here tomorrow and by Friday we'll all be home. Kase is even bringing home Brielle.

So, to bed I go for what kind of night, I do not know.

First Birthday

Hyrum turned one year old today. Even the kids have vocalized disbelief at the thought. There was something very special about his first birthday that he probably won't appreciate for years to come. He got to spend the day with his namesake, Grandma Hales (Barbara Joan Barrow Hales). This is a special treat since Grandma lives in Utah and just happens to be here on the day that she and Hyrum share as a birthday.

How did Hyrum celebrate his first birthday?

His first well-wishing came from Sariah at about 6:20 when he joined us for family scripture study.

At Shopko, he tried on his first pair of shoes, size 5, which he later unwrapped. This was his second birthday gift. Grandpa and Grandma beat us to it with a tub toy this morning.

He licked the maple frosting from the beaters with great delight and protested when it was all gone.

He ate pizza for dinner.

He treated his birthday cake more like play dough than a dessert.

He performed pat-a-cake by request several times today. We all love it.

Grandpa Hales coaxed and coaxed to get Him to walk, but not today.

In general, Hyrum...

can scale up our entertainment center with nothing but molding to hang on to and to put his little toes on.

saw the ocean for the first time this week.

woke up at 11pm, 12:30am, 4:30am, and 6:20am last night. This is a typical night for him.

is a carnivore; loves turkey, ham, and roast beef.

drinks water from a sippy, but gives anything else a very strange look.

has had two haircuts.

has eight teeth with molars on the way.

Happy Birthday Hyrum, we love you very much!