Only the best Dad’s get three daughters in a row. I can only say that because that was the experience of my father and now my husband. Really though, this guy is a wonderful father and we are so grateful to have him.
And since we can’t get a picture of everyone looking at the camera, here are two. I seriously love everything about these pictures.
This year’s summer reading program is Rocking Through the Summer. As part of the musical theme, we had a Taiko demonstration at our library. It was fun to watch interesting to learn about, and interactive for the kids.
When Natalie was two there were a few different books that she became obsessed with for periods of time. We would read these books over and over and over again. They were often times cute stories with great illustrations and a bit comical. One of these such books was called "Duck on a Bike." A fun lively story about the farm duck who decides he wants to ride a bike and all the other farm animals join him. The story ends with and illustration of him seeing the tractor on the farm, leaving the reader wondering if he is going to attempt his same antics on the tractor.
I looked for a sequel of "Duck on a Tractor" during this time that Natalie loved this book, but it hadn’t been written yet. Today at the library, three years later, I spotted just that title on display.
I was so excited and surprised. Then I made the connection that this was the book the library had bought in memory of my sweet four year old nephew who loved tractors. It was kind of an odd moment for me. I knew the library had donated a book in his honor, but for my family to have a special connection to it was serendipitous. Almost like a hug from heaven from David.
We checked the book out and tonight finally found out what that silly duck did on the tractor. We also thought of David and were reminded of his happy face. We hope many feel the delight of this book in the years to come. We love you sweet boy.
In conversation with friends the generic question of "What do you have planned for your summer" seems to always come up. My answer is "keep three small children alive."
While we won’t be traveling far or going on great adventures, my plans are really to soak this summer in. This is the last summer Beth will be a baby and the last summer before our family gets into the school routine. We are going to enjoy our time of simple joys that are found in the warm sun and long days. Meaning playing outside, playing with friends, story time, dinner outside, popsicles, lots of reading, swimming, playing in the water, and hopefully playing on this amazing playhouse soon.
Justin has been working on this the past couple of weeks. He amazes me with his ability with his hands. He can pretty much build or fix anything. The girls are going to get many hours of play out of this once it is done. He works on it late into the evening, so each morning it is fun to peak out the window and see what more has been completed. We are grateful for his parents donating a lot of the wood for this project.
Playing house in the huge day lilies.I couldn’t find her outside for a minute and she popped up out of these.
A bucket and the hose. Summer is made!
I also plan to spend time snuggling, and getting smiles and coos from this little babe. It has been wonderful to have a baby in the house again. I feel like I can enjoy her more because I know how fast she will grow up. This summer is going to be a good one!
We were able to bless Beth on Sunday, June 3. It was a great weekend as we were surrounded by family and friends. Justin gave her a beautiful blessing using the priesthood power from our Heavenly Father. It is always a neat experience to see a baby encircled by the men on this earth who love her most. Father, Grandfathers, Uncles. We were grateful to all who traveled far to be with us. She was able to wear the dress I was blessed in as an infant.
Our first pictures as a family of five.This was the one picture I insisted on for that day. I am happy for the rest, but was frustrated it had taken us this long to get a picture. I think it turned out well.
Our friends Sue Ward and Nicole Thornton who traveled from Sandy and Troutdale to be with us.
The weather was beautiful so we had a taco bar picnic in my parents yard. We are grateful for our family who has supported us and shown love as we have added our sweet Beth Nicole Blazzard to the family.
Natalie had many come to support her at her graduation. It was wonderful to have all of there support. I couldn’t get these pictures in my other post for some reason, so here they are now.
What have you been doing today? This is a common question I ask myself or at times get asked. The truth right now with a new baby is a whole lot of sitting and nursing or holding a baby. When I am not doing that I am tending to her sisters needs as they are pretty patient while I take care of the baby. By the time I am done helping the older two the baby starts to cry and thus the cycle continues. I try to squeeze in cooking, housekeeping and a shower. I did get a few good workouts in this week which was nice as well. While it is at times monotonous, the pay offs are pretty incredible as well.
This little girl gave me some great smiles and baby coos this morning. She is just over six weeks old.
And this big sister was being silly and pinned her hair up in a crazy way. She is growing up so much. I am reading a book called The Trumpet of the Swan to her right now. It is a chapter book and far beyond her age level, but I am amazed at how she is able to follow the story. She is also usually a great helper.
Today was a great day. It had its hard moments, but I am so grateful for the beautiful at times chaotic life Justin and I have with these three girls.
Since finding myself awake at 1 or 2 in the morning more frequently, I have needed to take a nap in the afternoon the last few weeks. While doing this I never know just what I will wake up to. Last week this was what I found from two little girls.
I was not to pleased. Maybe they were practicing their Snow White?
Justin makes the best "pan pakes" as Jenna would call them. He does this at least once a week and these two love to be part of the cooking process.
Yet another shenanigan while mom is nursing the baby.
Sometimes this girl does really great things too without supervision. This was again while I was taking care of the baby. It was dinner time and she took it upon herself to set the table and get the noodles on the table and dishes up for everyone. She was not asked and all of these things require moving around a chair to stand on so she can reach them. I was really impressed as she is still only 2! She is sure growing up though and will soon be 3.
Our yard has a lot of beautiful flowers this time of year which means many bees pollinating. Jenna likes to try and pet or pick up these busy bees. Sometimes it is ok, but a couple of times those bees have let her know they don’t like it.
One day she will learn. Her poor thumb was swollen for three days.
