No Fancy Title: Summer Beach Trip

Yes, it's November, so of course it's time to catch up on summer...

We spent about a week at the beach escaping the Arizona heat and Simon spent that same week with sand plastered to his head, stuck in his diaper, lining his mouth, etc. 

He just started walking with some semblance of proficiency on the tile at the hotel and even in the sand.

He also practiced his downward dog yoga pose, repeatedly.  I think the chaos of being away from home must have demanded in him some attempts at inner peace.  Namaste, baby.

Is there anything more exciting that being able to stand up and throw sand?  Well, yes, but not when you're barely one year old.

Of course you have to have the bury Dad in the sand experience. 

This is by far Simon's favorite mode of transportation.

Dylan was likewise striving for inner peace.

Simon and Evan

A reminder that Amelia and I are outnumbered...



 A freezing Abby wearing Evan's rash guard

Amelia and Abby trying to warm up a bit

Amelia trying to smile while saying, "Mom, seriously. I'm digging here."



Dylan refused to pose. He was way too busy.

Amelia in a mid-serve ping pong pose

Dylan finally still at the fountain

Amelia and Abby bidding adieu to the ocean

Amelia turned eight

Amelia officially turned eight at the end of June. And we have seen so much change in her the last year it has been rather remarkable. It's as though eight is some kind of magical age when kids become more responsible and aware. It has been extraordinary to witness and Evan and I will catch her doing something that is surprisingly mature and just look at each other wide-eyed.

Of course, Amelia is as much a totally creative and silly goofball as ever. And we love that about her too.

These are some the photos of her in her white dress that she continually called her "wedding dress" for weeks.  I explained to her more than once that it was her baptism dress, and she finally said, "I know, Mom, but it looks like a wedding dress."  This is so Amelia.

Amongst other gifts that she received for her birthday was this Kidz Bop CD.  She's been asking for it for months and somehow seems to know all of the words to the songs because of a roller skating party she attended months ago.  A few times around the rink and she is now an expert in the lyrics of current pop music.

Other highlights of the day included being baptized by her dad...

Getting a LIV doll camping set that she identified before she even opened the package because she knew the exact size of the box...

Simon's puffy, puffy eyes just after he wakes up in the morning...

Dylan disguising himself as a gift...

The green (current favorite color) candle on her cupcake...

Getting all dolled up in the dress I wore when I was dunked many years ago...

Making words with pretzels while she was waiting for the rest of us to finish getting ready to head over to the church...

It was a good day.

Simon is one

Simon had a birthday! 

He turned one back in May and the morning began with silly siblings and Simon swatting away their party favors and repeatedly rejecting the party hat they were trying to put on his head.

He opened some presents which included plastic blue nesting doll monsters; soft, glow-in-the-dark balls; a sleeper; and a green light saber. 

The light saber was by far his favorite gift. 

He can't walk so he wields his light saber as he scoots around on his diapered bum.


Here's a little movie of his scooting, without the light saber...

We threw a little party for him and his cousin Hannah at the end of May.

 Simon was not certain that he liked his cake initially.

Quickly the cake became entirely upsetting.



We made attempts to console the little prince.

We convinced him to try just a little taste.  And he relented.



He tried a little more with his brother and sister watching on...just in case.

Finally he decided that the cake was safe and rather delicious.

And he smiled.

Spring a little late...

I am going to just have to forget catching up with Christmas.  It's an important family holiday.  We took pictures and had a great time, but they will probably never make it to this blog...so on to Easter is what I say.  After all, that was only a couple of months ago as opposed to my usual six-month lag time.

The Rogers family toyed with the idea of our traditional Easter egg hunt at the park, but decided to skip it this year.  Everyone was worn out, moving, pregnant, or all of the above.

We did do a hunt with the Richardson family in my parents' back yard with the grand kids who live here.

My mom had these marshmallow-filled chocolate eggs for the kids, but Dylan was not a fan.

Amelia thought they were great...

Dylan said, "Ewwww!  Nastehhhh."

Simon liked the Easter eggs as shakers more than containers of delectable treats.

And here are the little egg hunters brandishing their booty.