Visit to Salt Lake to Meet Baby Eli

Spencer and I spent a quick Labor Day weekend visiting his new cousin Eli in Salt Lake.  The first two days he ignored the baby (Eli is a very good baby that rarely cries).  Then, when he noticed the baby cried and that it was real, he became very excited.  From then on he would hold out his little hands saying "Peas, peas."

Playing with cousin Olivia and the phone camera (Spencer was very shy on this trip and cried when I went anywhere... unless Olivia produced the phone):

Falling asleep at night on the couch (Spencer is not used to sleeping without Grant):

With cousin Cody:

If you're in Utah...

... my cousin Laura has started a cake business.......

Her cakes are very yummy.  My favorite would have to be the Mint Chocolate Cake.  I was going to lift some lovely pictures of her blog, but I am not smart enough for that.  But here's a reminder of previous cakes she's done for me:

M enjoyed this for her 2nd birthday.  She'd been throwing up all day, but she definitely did not throw up this cake.

This was GQ's cake.  And yes, it is slightly girly, but we were pretending it was E's birthday because she was traumatized about the whole moving and not knowing people to invite to her party thing. 



Doesn't he look like he's enjoying his cake???  Yep, that's a Mint Chocolate Cake right there.  (When you're the mom, and the kiddo is only one YOU get to pick the flavors.)

Anyway, if you need a cake in the future, check it out:

JaneyCake

Sundry Photos

It's a bird, it's a plane....

It's Baryshnikov!!!

Don't tell me that you are not planning on dressing your son like this next Sunday. I am telling you, it is all the rage.

He's still cute, even with his sweatshirt unzipped. GQ, I mean, not Baryshnikov.



The past two years I have thrown a "Pretty Pink Party," but didn't feel like inviting a million people this year... so we just invited two of E's friends and their families.

E was SURE that we were doing something grand for Valentine's, and even practiced what outfit she was going to wear last week... so I knew I had to think up something.

M spent most of the party getting the younger participants to play in the toilet and unwind toilet paper rolls.

Heaven help me.



Grandma Paula was kind enough to get all our pictures taken over Christmas.

GQ threw a major fit during the greater part of the picture festivities.

I'll spare you the picture of Justin and me. By then I had turned into a full-on Andersen and apparently couldn't smile to save my life.

Christmas Nativity

This year the Christensen Nativity had a real baby Jesus, and boy did he perform wonderfully. Other than the itchy straw, Little Landon thought hanging out in the manger, with a bunch of small kiddoes making faces at you, was great. Cute boy!

M was a very somber wiseman (who made it into about two pictures because she kept hiding behind people).

E was an angel... like last time around. She cannot turn down a white dress and crown.

Who you looking at?

Christmas Date With Grandpa Mark

While in Las Vegas, Grandpa Mark took the granddaughters to see "The Nutcracker." He said that watching them was great because they all leaned forward and swayed with the music. E had a wonderful time and was only disappointed that this version did not have Mother Ginger. She's really wanted to see all those little children running out from under the skirt, and the film version we watched didn't have it either. She'll just have to see it again another year.

Getting ready in front of Grandma Paula's "Magic Mirror." E loved the sparkles on her dress, as you can imagine. She was excited that her lip gloss sparkled too.

M didn't get to go this year because she wasn't old enough to get a ticket, which made her very sad. But, she got a special date with Grandma and got to pick a present. I think the saddest quote was:

Daddy: Grandma is going to take you to get ice cream.

M: And if I eat all my ice cream THEN can I go to the Nutcracker???

Still, a painting book and ice cream cone later, she was a happy camper.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Andy and GQ

I only wish we could have got the real thing. These boys really "enjoyed" each other this year. Funniest thing since AnneMarie and E used to duke it out.

M's Pretend Birthday

The night before M's pretend birthday at Grandma Kathleen's, she threw up.

All over her entire bed.

That morning, she threw up again, all over Grandma's couch.

Luckily, she was feeling a little better for her party... since she has waited three years for it to come.



Laura made the cake for her and cousin Sarah, complete with figurines to match. M tried eating her figurine, but ended up dropping it on the ground where it was quickly inhaled by one of the many dogs wandering about.

We did not get her dressed or do her hair for her special day since she was not feeling too well. Grandma Penny tried not to comment.

M had a great time and is pretty sure her "Party" is still happening. I think she thinks Christmas will all be about her.

Pre-Iowa: Birthday/Goodbye Party

GQ has enjoyed his new toy... if M will let him have it.

Look at all those cousins.

Yummy Cake!!! Thanks, Laura!!

Pre-Iowa: 4th of July

Pre-Iowa: Annie Has a Birthday!

Before our big move, cousin Annie had her 5th birthday party. We all had fun at the pool.

Annie had some great cakes at her party. Mmmmmmmmm.

My girls are following in their mother's footsteps. They prefer the splash-pad to the pool.

So much fun!

Swimming

Okay, someone needs to remind me to actually take my camera places. Then you wouldn't wind up looking at these horrible pictures of the camera on my phone. But, I can't help it. This was Ellie's first swim of the summer. She played like her mom and stayed away from the water for a long time, but finally followed AnneMarie's lead and took the dive. She had a great time, and hasn't stopped with the water since.