To Utah and Back Again

 5 children. 5 years old and under. 5 car seats. 2 days of driving. From Minnesota - to Utah - and back.

 Brigham, Bennett and Blithe.

 Tillie, Darla, Rachel and Anna.

 There is no one like Grandma.

My friend and I hopped in her mini van and drove to UT. Best idea ever. Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Of course. The drive out the kids did fabulous. We made it 14 hours the first day. Leaving only 7 ( yes I used the word only) for day two. Of course being in Salt Lake with family and friends was wonderful and was a great break from the Minnesota winter. The way back - everyone was a little tired . . . making the drive seem longer than it did before. But when we returned the snow drifts had melted and we've been outside in the sunshine the past two days. What is it about the sun that makes life so much happier? Those 2 1/2 weeks flew by, but they were much much needed for this tired PREGNANT mom that I am. Yes, we are expecting baby number 3 at the end of October! What a blessing.

Princesses and Ketchup

This is Darla. She and I were able to go to the Disney Princess on Ice show last weekend. When the lights went down and the music started she was literally shaking. I think she was just a little bit excited. Tinkerbell was the first one on the ice and she called out, "TINKERBELL!!! HI TINKERBELL!!!" Each time a specific princess would leave the ice she would scream, "GOOD JOB SLEEPING BEAUTY!" or "GOOD JOB BELLE!" depending on which princess it was of course. When the show was nearing the end I was letting her know that it was almost over and she said, "Mom, they have done all of the princesses but Cinderella. After Cinderella it will be over." She was completely keeping track. Amazing. It was a wonderful time together. I think I liked watching her watch the show more than the show itself. She is a little princess, that is for sure.

This is Bennett. He LOVES ketchup. Sick right? Well I don't mind ketchup on a hamburger, but this kid wants to and will dip anything and everything in ketchup. Apples? Yup. Waffles? Yup. Chicken Nuggets? OF COURSE! He goes to the fridge and pulls it out around lunch time and keep repeating "Che-Chup, Che-Chup" until I get him something to dip for lunch. What a guy. Nothing like having a little boy that smells like Ketchup all the time. Sick. I LOVE HIM.

round 2

Well we saw a little bit of hope in February when the temperatures rose above freezing and things began to melt (thus the pictures are actually of the kids outside!). But then of course this weekend winter came again - another round of snow and ice cold days.
Luckily I have these two to hang out with.

Real Life

 Bennett has learned how to feed himself. 

Yes, it is helpful because he just eats and eats and eats, but it sure is messy!

 These two do puzzles all day long. 

 Nice boots Jenny! I mean, Darla!

This is her first attempt and trying to write her name. Pretty good right?

 So today I am cleaning up, and I see something behind the couch. . .

. . . so this is where Darla has been putting things that she doesn't want Bennett to touch! Brush, car, ballerina costume, baby bottle, headband, fake credit card, etc etc etc. Every day is different that is what's tricky. These must have been todays items. Yesterday it was her doctor kit. The other day it was a balloon. She says - "Mom, put these up high where Bennett can't get them." But what is sad is that she doesn't even miss playing with them. I could leave those items "up high" and she wouldn't even care - as long as Bennett isn't touching "her stuff," she is happy. Why do we even have toys?
Last night at Family Night she is singing Love One Another for us - "As I have loved you, Love one a mother. This huge commandment, love one a mother."
Love is a huge commandment.
Luckily this little girl has a big, little brother who is kind enough to usually give whatever item back to her so that she'll stop crying.

"feels like"

Just checked the weather to see what low we are supposed to hit tonight - Don't worry, only -13. Which means it will feel like -30. Good night.

saw, ate, laughed, talked, watched . . .

Mary and Joseph (Cousin Jonah)

"Ballerina Costume" from Santa

Happy Birthday Darla

Crazy Grandma Christmas Party!

Couldn't be more perfect of a picture.

Birthday Ice Cream with Afton!

Birthday Lunch with Grandpa and Grandma Linda

I don't know what to say. . . um . . . New Years Eve?

You lika the butta-cracka?

Mad at me for taking a picture.

At the airport before heading back to MN

Static. Need I say more?

While in UT we. . .
Saw family and friends
Ate at many delicious places
Laughed hysterically
Talked until the wee hours of the morning
Watched great films
Sang Christmas songs
Received many kind gifts
Enjoyed the wonders of Christmas Morning with D and B
Visited the Doctors/Pharmacy (double ear infections, colds, coughs, eye infections etc)
Listened to my Nephew give his farewell talk
Celebrated D's birthday!
Played a wonderful bowling game
Moved Erik's brother to TX
Danced our way into the New Year
Sat on many comfortable couches
Warmed ourselves by the fire
Counted our blessings
Wished it would never end. . .

let it snow?

this is snow.

somewhere under there - is our car.

About 19+ inches in 24 hours.

She colored this all by herself. She works so hard every day at cutting and coloring.  Amazing.

I want to kiss his face off.

We had quite the storm this weekend if you can't tell. We were inside our house (not by choice) all weekend. The plows even gave up because it just kept on coming. Truthfully it was nice to have so much time with Erik and the kids. Erik finishes up his semester this week and then we are off to UT! Darla has been literally counting down the days. I believe the paper chain had 40 something rings when we started. We can't wait to be with everyone.

Mom

I am Mom. I am Mom to Darla. I am Mom to Bennett. Erik even sometimes calls me Mom. I feel that becoming Mom to Darla was a different experience than becoming Mom to Bennett. I feel as though we become Mom all over again with each child. Questions that linger in my thoughts are - How do I be Darla's mom? How do I be Bennett's mom? I know those questions are separate. If I were just to be Mom (one in the same to both) that wouldn't work - for they are not one in the same. They are my daughter and my son. Daughter. Son. I believe they are learning those roles, right along with me; learning to be Mom. Simply - I'm grateful that I am Mom.

nothing cuter

"Mom, I need to go potty!"

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1 - Every morning, Darla and Bennett sit together on the couch while they wake up. I love little kids in soft, warm fleece pajamas. 2 - Bennett and Bea are only 1 month apart. This picture was taken to show the world how tall Bennett is. 3 - Darla and Audge - Podge (Darla's Best friend). Every day Darla tells me how much she loves Audrey. I remember a picture that my mom took of me and my friend Brooke when we were around this same age. We too were playing with Play-Dough. 4 - This is Darla! Proclaiming to the world that she wears big girl underwear and goes on the potty! What a great week it has been. One day she just said to me "Mom, I want to wear underwear like Audrey" She has worn them ever since. Yes! 5 - This morning we woke up to the first snow of the season. Instead of being on the couch these two stood by the window for the longest time. Bennett of course was still looking for the squirrels, "Qurl" he says. 6 - Bennett hiding in the toy closest. 7 - First snowman of the season. We all know that after today the snow will be too frozen for play. She loved being outside.
I couldn't be more grateful - sure may be it is because of the holiday that is approaching, but truly every day I am humbled with all that I have. What a beautiful life we have been given. I am thankful for that.