Summertime's Siren Song

And so it begins...




Our siren's song is quite unique -- one minute she's blasting Christmas music, then makes a strange transition to an extra-ordinarily patriotic rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and continues on with an even stranger bridge to Rocky's Theme Song.

At least her ice cream's good and even better, my kids still think getting the 50 cent cup, rather than the insanely overpriced, unnervingly unnaturally colored push-pop, is the coolest thing ever.


Ahh ... summer days. Guess I better get my cup of quarters at the ready.

Amen, Frank!

Here's me on my last post: Oh Ruby! You are the light of my life. My days are dark and dreary without you!

Here's me today: Ruby, so help me, if you don't ...

Actually, in order to keep up the ruse of being the perfect mother, perhaps I'll leave it at that. Some things are definitely better left unsaid ... out loud anyway.

So all I'll say is ...

SERENITY NOW!!!

Ain't No Sunshine

Last Thursday I went to the cabin with some girlfriends for a scrapbooking/ladies' weekend and it was glorious. The weather was beautiful. Warm mountain breeze coming through the windows and everything.

But I have to be honest. Something was missing.

And her name is Ruby.

Seriously, when she's not around I feel just a little off, though I might actually be a little less stressed (because let's face it, she can be the teeniest, tiniest whiner nearly ALL THE TIME).

She's my shadow. My girl. My favorite little lady. My raison d'etre as well as my raison d'insanite (I minored in French, okay? It's okay if I make up French words because I don't really remember any).

She's also my comic relief from the all-too-familiar stresses of motherhood. Yesterday at lunch I was harping on her and Henry to eat and she looks at me with those big eyes and funny smile and says, "You. Are. Driving. Me. Crazy!"

In short, Ruby's funny little personality is my sunshine.

Meeting a Great

On our way home from Utah a few weeks ago, Abram started whining about making a quick stop in Rigby, Idaho. We thought it was a little bit strange he wanted to go gallivanting around the podunk town and tried to talk him out of it but he wouldn't relent!

We were pleasantly surprised when he drove us to a familiar-looking house so he could meet this dapper gentleman ...


His great grandpa!

Scott is lucky enough to still have THREE grandparents so we know it's a huge blessing that our kids have three wonderful GREAT grandparents.

As you can see, Abram was entranced by the whole meeting ...


Thanks Grandpa George for letting us stop by and introduce the little one!

A Baby Blessing

A few weeks ago we blessed our beautiful Abram in Utah. We were so happy to have so many friends and family come and celebrate the day with us. Scott did a great job and Abram behaved himself quite nicely during the blessing (not quite as well during the after-blessing photo shoot but whatever).

Here's a recap of the day.

Abram in all his angel-white glory, during his dress rehearsal (aka the day before trying on his sweet shorts outfit):

(Why can I still not get over that dimple? I'm pretty sure it's the most adorable thing on the planet.)

Scott apparently looking exhausted before the guests even arrived and the big event actually took place:


The littlest mousketeer and her balloon-hat-wearing brother amusing themselves before everyone showed up:

Family portrait (minus 2):


Our darling girl gettin' her grub on afterwards (thanks Sharon, Mom, Liz, and Jodanna for delicious food!):

Abram is grandchild #18 for my parents!


And grandchild #5 for Scott's parents.

(We're so lucky to have such great parents who make perfect grandparents for our kids!)

My siblings who live in Utah:

(Nick, his girlfriend Mairin, Blair, his wife Kim, and my sister Liz)

And Scott's two sisters, Becca and Kate:

(No, I'm not usually such a camera hog but Scott was running around trying to get all of our stuff in the car for the 7 hr. trip home. Poor guy, with three kids, a dog, and snacks and drinks out the wazoo, that is NOT a fun job. Thanks Scotty!)

Even though he's only been with us just shy of eight weeks, he has brought us so much happiness and joy -- it's incredible. We feel blessed to have him in our family and hope that we make him as proud as we know he will make us!