Babies R Us

I love that we're still playing with baby dolls at our house. 

For Christmas Kami and Kaitlyn both got a new doll.

 Kami got a toddler size doll that she packs around on her hip all day.

Kaitlyn got a newborn that she swaddles and cradles while she plays.

These girls love their babies. Every night they dress them in pajamas and get them ready for bed.

Every morning they get them dressed and comb their hair. 

They take them for walks, and check out books from the library to read to them. Most nights, they even eat dinner with us. 

Each morning they bring their baby down for me to tend while they're away at school.

Even "Aunt" Kelsey is sometimes forced to get in on the action.

I know it's only a matter of time before they no longer want to play with baby dolls so I'm cherishing every moment I can.

20 Years

Last month was Clint and I's 20th Wedding Anniversary.

Last weekend, we were finally able to carve out some time to celebrate.

(It's been a crazy busy summer full of camps, college orientations, and yard work!)

Friday and Saturday, we took off on a little overnighter to Park City while #2 held the fort down back at home.

We attended the symphony, ate, shopped, and just enjoyed each other's company sans kids while #2 took everyone swimming at the pond, scootering along the river trail, and for a picnic. She's pretty awesome.

I think the saying "Choose your love, love your choice" couldn't be any truer. I definitely love my choice. I'm so grateful for this man and how our life has turned out. Here's to another 20+ years.

Auntie

 Last week we had the privilege of watching my nephew while his parents partied it up in Hawaii.

You forget how easy life is with older kids until you have a two year old staying with you.

I had forgotten how fun and funny they can be, but also how much they still need you.  Sometimes it's nice to be needed.  Sometimes it's exhausting.

We played trains (it was the only boy toy I have left), and telephone, jumped on the trampoline, and rode 'bikes' outside. He even sat in as a 'computer buddy' for his cousins.  We feasted on cookies, and string cheese, and lots of crackers. Oh yes, and we watched what seemed like thousands of episodes of Mickey Mouse Club and Octonauts.

(I think #2 did not like me taking her photo)

I don't think he walked the whole time he was with us- poor guy.  He kept yelling especially at #5, "Put me down!  I can walk!"  But she nobody ever listened.

Aren't two year olds the best?!

Loss for Words

I really don't have much to say today.  (I know shocking!)

I could tell you about Clint and I's date night over the weekend and how poor #2 (along with our two little girls) was left in charge.  How she was "forced" to pick up her brothers and their friends from a basketball game.  How on the way to pick the crew up, her little sister accidentally hit her little sister in the nose which led (of course) to a bloody nose - which led to a lesson on being more careful and also a shirt sleeve being used to soak up the blood because there was nothing else to use in the car -which led to a lesson on preparedness, and first-aid - which led to having to bathe her sister in order to remove the blood stains from her arms and face - which also led to a lesson on how to remove blood stains from clothes by first soaking them in the cold water - which finally leads us to the crime-like scene that is still in my bath-tub.

BUT, I wouldn't want to bore you or waste your time.

So, I'll just tell you to spend your time reading THIS instead!

Happy Monday.  Hope everyone is surviving the time change!  These are the days when I wish we lived in Arizona.