"Butter"

Grace will be getting a baby "butter" in January. I am so excited, and even more surprised!! And Josh couldnt have been smiling bigger.

Here are some creepy/cute pics of our little guy.

Blueberry Pancakes, A Parade, Birthday Cupcakes, Bread Pizza and Legos

Josh was able to come with us to our ward Pioneer Day breakfast. We enjoyed FRIED blueberry pancakes and a fun parade at 9 in the morning together, as a family. Grace loved riding her car from G & G Mixa in the parade with Ellie and Wes.

Later to celebrate Hill's birthday we went to Georgetown Cupcake. It was so hard for me to decide on a place to take Hill, she is one of the most talented dessert Queens I know. Hill is the type that when you stop by on a tuesday morning at 10:00am she is just finished frosting the 3rd layer of a raspberry delicious cake(and her house is lemon-y fresh and spotless). So, im glad she enjoyed these little cupcakes from heaven, the red velvet was my favorite. Happy Birthday Hill!

That night was just as enjoyable. Grace and I got to spend some time with just Ellie and Dylan. We made homemade bread pizza (bread, cheese, olives and pepperoni - broil for 1 min), read books, danced to loud music, and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. After we (Dylan and I- he is SUCH a good helper) put the girls down, we sorted through 50lbs of star wars legos that I grabbed at a garage sale at 7 am (when I woke up Josh to tell him I was going to "go buy legos at a garage sale" he laughed and told me that I was hilarious- and he was right! Best find of the summer so far). Dylan and I stayed up late chatting and sorting (to even find 7 dead caterpillars in the huge tub- that by the 6th one Dylan was ready and willing to rescue me from) until our eyes got heavy and sore.

What a fun Saturday. One of my other favorites.

Virginia Beach

Markers

While I was trying to get a few things done I thought I would let Grace be a little creative and use markers. She has used them a few times before with me monitoring closely, but I was busy! And I thought the 2 month break we had given them was long enough for her to remember that we dont put them in our mouths. Guess not. She ate the entire tip of the red and blue.

Rain, Rain

This little fountain has kept Grace busy all summer long. Its perfect, big enough to stand in, deep enough to splash in, and about 10 feet from our balcony. Grace sings a song she dedicated to it and it goes like this... " Watow, Watow, WAtow, Watow"- yes i need to get this on video too. I will.

The other day we had plans to go for a walk and when it started raining, we decided why not play in it! The kiddos thought this was so fun. And so did us moms.

Grace is really into bugs lately. She looks for them everywhere we go, and if she can find one and catch it, she likes to watch it crawl all over her hands and arms. And if it falls, she quickly says " whis it"? This was the bug she found while playing in the rain and was so excited to show me.

4th and a Day with Josh

Fairfax had an awesome local parade! Grace sang, danced, marched and waved her little flag for an entire hour and a half.

After Josh finished work at 1 we rode the Metro downtown. The weather was perfect and so was all of the great company. Celebrating right between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial gave us a perfect view of the fireworks going off right above the reflection pool.

Riding the Metro home was a little scary, but we made it home safe, and asleep by 1:30. This was the best day we have had out here so far. Spending time with Josh is always our favorite day.

Pretties from Grandma

Lorna made her DC babies these adorable skirts! Grace calls skirts and dresses her pretties...

Mr. Obama's White House

Lincoln Memorial and the Air and Space Museum

Him

HE is a Good Dad
HE tickles me when I deserve it
HE just turned 25 and devoured every marinated ounce of tri tip and coconut shrimp I made him
HE taught Grace to say "SASSY!"- I need to record this
HE knows his scripture stories like the back of his hand
HE has the entire "I have a Dream" speech by MLK memorized, and can recite it perfectly
HE ate with nothing but chopsticks (even his cereal) the entire year of 1995
HE attacked me with a sharpie while we were dating and gave me eyelashes that went to the middle of my forehead. Oh! and whiskers!
HE can long board like its nobodies business
HE has someone named after him- an adorable 15 month old tongan baby
HE has completed a triathlon
HE Loves Grace

HE made me mow the lawn and rake leaves on Saturdays- Josh thanks him every time they chat
HE baptized me when I was 8
HE loves his family and ancestors
HE made me my very own desk when I was 9
HE taught me my assertive bargaining/not letting people take advantage of me "skills"
HE has read the BOM cover to cover in 24 hours multiple times!
HE is the Ebay king!
HE ordered a 200 lb shipment of walnuts to our house when I was 12. We shelled them and used them as Christmas gifts for others.
HE makes cool sound effects when he holds his grandkids. They LOVE it, just like I did when I was little
HE gave me his car when I turned 16. 1986 Chevy Nova. And then bought 3 more for the rest of his girls. ( I have 5 sisters, 4 of which can drive)
HE gave me my nose
HE looked like superman
HE worked at the marina on Lake minnetonka renting and selling boats
HE loves all 5 of HIS girls and my Mom with all of his heart
HE is a great Dad.
(this post is about 2 weeks late!)

Sneaky

Not a Baby Anymore

- Opens front door and leaves when she pleases
- Asks to play with her friends and cousins on a regular basis
- Folds her arms for the prayer and says "amen"
- Has used the big girl potty 1 time
- Saw me eating a cookie and asked if she could just "hold it"
- Said " No touch it" today after she got in trouble for banging on the computer key board
- Will sit still for an entire hour and a half to watch " Wo Wo" (nemo)
- Thinks trail mix should be served at every meal. Yes, she devours cashews, almonds, raisins and dried fruit. Also loves olives and GREEN ONIONS! What!
- Will be a big sister on Jan 7th 2010!

Eastern Market. Down town

This last Saturday we went down to the Market. It was the highlight of my week as it brought back some perfect memories of going with Grandma Mixa when I was little. She always bought fresh nuts, bread and jam.

I went a little crazy on the pictures but I had to take in all the colors, smells, and sights. I will be going again soon.

Aunt Buff

We LOVE our Aunt Beth. Look how beautiful and grown up she is.

Cari is HERE!

Cari got here Sunday and Grace has been on her hip ever since. Tonight I borrowed "Kee Kee" while we were waiting for "Akk"to get home and we enjoyed some pilates. Cari whooped me, she is SO strong!

(picture courtesy: my hard working husband)

23

(so sad I didnt get one of Josh and I)

morning kisses + a special package + ckn cordon bleu (from Jenilyn) + funfetti cupcakes + PF Changs + Sur Le Table + something green (a new plant!) + rice krispie treats + lots of Birthday wishes = A Happy Birthday!