Trip to Chicago

On Saturday, we went with Del down to Chicago for work and then took the boys to their favorite park off Michigan Ave. It is always interesting when we take a trip downtown. With our kids, everything takes about three times longer to accomplish than it should. Parking, eating, walking, potty trips, diapers, bottles, tantrums. But we had fun. Gotta love Chicago!

Georgia got lots of looks and smiles on the street from people passing by.

Wally at the playground.


Will loves to chase the pigeons. Come here dirty bird!


The boys on the favorite, the metal choo choo.


Yeah, every girl's dream, the American Girl Store. We can't wait to go when Georgia is older. Can you see the the girls and their moms and dolls having tea in the windows? So fun.

Wally's Got A Plan

The other day Wally told me that when he grows up, he is going to be a mommy.

I said,"Oh, yeah? And what will you do when you are a mom?"

He said,"Make dinner."

I said, " You might have to plan on being a daddy."

He said that would be okay. So I asked him what he would do when he was a daddy?

He told me,"Sleep in mom's bed."

So there you have it. I guess he has got the basics of eating and sleeping figured out. If only life were that simple.

The View From the Back

Cheeks and thighs. I just thought I would show you Georgia's food storage! So cute!

Happy Birthday Shelley!

Shelley is having a Birthday on September 18Th! Shelley is fantastic and this is why...

- She is dedicated to her family and would do anything for them.

- Shelley is talented. She can whip out a cut and color like no body's business. I get tons of compliments on my "do" Shell!

- She has a very cute laugh, it is very distinct and fun to hear.

- Shelley is willing to do the work she has to do, to get to the places she wants to be in life. That will take her far.

- She has always been such a fun, cute little sister. She would make me feel like I was so cool when we were growing up, telling her friends about me. Even though I wasn't as cool as she made me sound, it was nice.

- Shelley is a good dancer.(I know it has been awhile but you are!)

- She is sensitive, and has a strong testimony. I admire that.

- She is fun to be around, and have around! You are going to be such a good mom, I am so excited for you! We all love you and I am so glad you are my sister! Thank you for all you are!

Party Animals

This weekend was full of Birthday celebrations at our house, and let me tell you, nothing thrills my boys like a good birthday party! We had a little party with just us on Friday for Del. The boys picked out presents for him at the dollar store and Wally wrapped them. He gave Del a tin case with Sugar Daddy's in it, and then kept trying to sneak off to eat them after Del opened it. Will gave him a multipurpose screwdriver thing.
Then on Saturday Wally got to go to a church friend's cowboy party and ride a horse. He wouldn't wear his cowboy hat for the picture but he loves his boots. From all the reports I got at church on Sunday, he had a good time and was quite hillarious in his excitment.

The boys can't take their eyes off the cake, even to smile for the picture! Sorry it was a lame cake Del.But you know we love you anyway.

Happy Birthday Del!

Del's Birthday is on September 14Th. I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday babe, and that I love you!

I remember the first time I saw Del. He was working as a stock boy at ZCMI, and I was shopping with Emily. They knew each other so they talked for a minute. Del says he remembers me there, but I'm not so sure. But as he just had a conversation with Emily, he charmed the socks right off of me! Del is my best friend. I can't imagine life or any little part of anything without him. He is the person who impresses me with his love for our children and his faith in the Gospel. He is sensitive to those around him and he has a soft spot and a talent for working with older people. He has always made his family proud. He is always trying to do what is right and he takes such good care of me! I love you more than anything and you have made this journey through life fun! Happy Birthday Dear Delbert!

I know you don't like that picture above, so here is a fishing one to even it out!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Emily is another year older as of September 13Th. I just wanted to say that I love you and miss you! I hope that you have a great day!

Emily has always been an example to me. She is someone who loves very deeply. She is dedicated to her family and anything she is asked to do. She always goes out of her way to be a little extra friendly. Even with strangers. I don't think that anyone would walk away from an encounter with Emily and not think that she was nice. She would rather error on the side of being too nice. She is a HARD worker. She always has been. She set a great example of that at a young age. Emily is talented. She is perceptive and easy to talk to. She is the kind of person everyone considers a friend. When we get on the phone the time just flies by and we both can't believe how caught up in conversations we get. She is the kind of person who wants to make you happy and she will try so hard to make things better for other people. Emily has always included me and she made me feel confident growing up. She set such a good example as the oldest child in our family. She is on the ball and gets a lot done in a short amount of time. She is beautiful and a blessing to me and all who know her. I am so glad you are my sister and my friend! I love you!


(Sorry I didn't have anther picture of you on my computer. Good thing you look so good pregnant!)

Wally Goes To School

Wally is now officially in his second year of pre-school at St. John's. He is in a new classroom this year, the red room, with two new teachers. I think he is excited. He was really comfortable in the class room and even let me put his new shoes on him this morning without a fight. He was holding a grudge against them because he was in a bad mood at the time I bought them. I am especially excited because this year they have a drop-off, pick-up program that allows me to drop him off at the door without having to unload and carry in the other kids. Believe me, my crazy Will and a new baby plus a freezing Chicago winter, were adding up to a disaster. So I hope that works out. Anything to not be a three ring circus this year at the pre-school, like last year.

Let's see, I was really sick with my pregnancy with Georgia the entire school year, so I always looked like I had just thrown up, which I probably had. I had Will tagging along, so I was always chasing at least one of my kids. Wally hated it for the better part of the year, so he would cause a scene almost every time. During the Christmas program, that was held in the church chapel, Wally danced and yelled, "Look at me!" up on the podium while all the other kids sang a carol. I thought Del might actually melt into the floor with embarrassment. At the graduation/moving on ceremony at the end, Will ran up to the front while I wasn't looking and cut in front of a little pre-schooler to cross the graduation bridge, and when I leaned up to grab him someone moved my chair out from under me, causing me to land on my behind on the floor. So, the impression I left at St. John's was probably one I would rather not know about! But those are the breaks when you run with the younger crowd. That is, three kids under the age of four! So new year, new opportunities for embarrassment. I'll keep ya posted!

Climbing Wall

This weekend Del took our boys to a local Boyscout camp that some friends in our ward run for Family Day. They tested their strength on the climbing wall and took a turn at archery. Wally was so proud of himself for making it all the way to the top! (With some help from the guy holding the rope pulling him to the top) Del said a little group of people watched and they cheered for Wally when he got to the top. They had a great day and I'm sure can't wait to be Boy scouts now! Thanks Candice and Chris!