growing like a weed

Neal is making all kinds of progress that I need to update on! He has preferences and opinions and even some little quirks. Here they are..

laughs at peek a boo
rolls around the house and is completely mobile!
scoots forward by putting his bum high in the air and pushes with his feet as he smashes his face in the carpet (picture and inch worm)
favorite toy is measuring spoons
nurses 2x in the night
does not like to practice sitting up- he has a very strong back but no balance
splashes in the pool and kicks his legs getting both him and I soaked in the face
thinks Grace is the greatest
can get out of the stroller- caught him half way out today! scared me!
loves his blankie and chews on it before falling asleep
does not have a preference as to Mom or Dad
scream is identical to Grace's
holds his feet
studies his hands
pulls Grace's hair

He is still very easy going, taking naps wherever and whenever and eating in between. We just love this little guy so darn much. Cant get enough of his square little face and mini mouth!

-5 months old-

arm and hammer plug

These were my models today while the kids were napping, they performed great! They stayed in one place and didnt move a muscle while I took all the pictures I wanted. No talking back, buggers or blurred pictures.
Arm and Hammer should pay me for this advertisement, but I am honestly impressed with ALL of these products you see. The toothpaste leaves your mouth "sweater-less" (an old friend used to say), the deodorant lets me sweat and feel natural, the scrub free bleach saved me from even getting close to scrubbing my toilet bowl rings, and the detergent is "our scent". I have finally found it! I have searched and searched for just the right smell for us.

meet Bjørn

Last night Cari surprised Alec with a golden retriever puppy. They are so excited to have Bjørn (bear in Norwegian) in their little family, and we are so excited to share in the benefits of letting Grace "have a dog" without any of the clean up! She carries him wherever she wants and he doesnt even complain. They hide under couches, tables and trees together and even play in his kennel. Grace is so in love.

for the love

breakfast in manual focus

This is one of my favorites right now.
vanilla yogurt
target granola
&
blueberries

Happy Ruby Kaye Collette day!

Our sweet little niece Ruby arrived today after a "perfect" delivery into a perfect little family of now 5. Happy Birthday Ruby! We already love you so much and are feeling of your sweet spirit all the way from Chicago.

a special blessing outfit

Josh's Mom Lorna made this perfect little linen blessing outfit for Neal. I absolutely love how it turned out and it fit him to the T. She is so very talented and we love her so much!

I turned 24

Josh took me to KiKu for Sushi and boy did we eat! It was such a treat to have a nice dinner together to just chat and laugh and kiss.

(and wear matching shirts and for me to have frizzy hair.)

a happy Mother's Day

(This picture makes me laugh!)

Josh and I were talking tonight, over the delicious barbecued dinner he made for us, and he gave me some really sweet complements about me as a mother. He said that of all the things that I have ever committed myself to, he notices a common theme: Things that make me a great Mother. He talked about how dedicated I was to my job and Tricks and how that prepared me to be a mother. And it did, and I absolutely loved that job. He talked about a few other things and I just sat there beaming and blushing. I have a sweet husband

I also asked Grace what things she likes that I do for her and she said, "um the presents"
Then I asked her what she likes that I make for her and she said "Candy"
And last I asked her where she likes to go with me and she said "Costco"
Funny Girl! I hope these answers change by next year!


I am so grateful to be a Mother. I know that my Father in Heaven has put great trust in me to teach and care for these perfect little babies. I need to do better.

Jenilyn sent me some "pick me up" (what Josh calls anything inspirational or motivational) and I want to share it with you.




Happy Mothers Day to my Mom and Mom-in-Law. I love them both so much.