Emma's new skills

Emma is learning to ride a bike "with no training wheels". She has some friends in the circle that have learned to ride this summer which I think has been her motivation. She learned to "go straight" first and then after a few days of practice, and some encouragement from her friend Emma W., who I've been told has been giving her lessons, has mastered the turning as well:)











Ali likes to play with the big kids and tries to keep up on her trike, but she's declared that she wants a big bike for her birthday. The dress she is wearing is her favorite. She would wear it every day if I would let her.

Two weeks old

She's here!

Well, I'm definitely not as timely as Tom in the posting of our new addition. (He apparently posted the arrival on facebook just minutes after her birth, and his Dad, who just happened to be up at the forbidden hour of 4:00 (a.m. not p.m. however) was the first to get the news). Still, timely or not, we're both excited to welcome our baby girl.

Abigail Bethani was born at 4:08 am on Friday, Sept. 11. We went in the day before at around 10:30 am, so it was a little different experience than the last two (which total time before delivery was under an hour), and I've decided I'm not the most patient person. Still, we're so glad she's here. She wasn't breaking any scales at 6 lbs. 9 oz., but she is so sweet. She has bright, wide eyes, tiny ears, and a really cute dimple on her left cheek. She is still getting the hang of how to eat and had to be on lights for jaundice for a few days. With all of that she has been one sleepy baby.

Thurday my Dad had meetings in Provo and Roosevelt, so he decided to drop by in between. We decided to go get checked and after my Mom found out we were going to the hospital she came up as fast as she could. She was a life saver as the very next day and morning Abigail was born was Emma's first day of kindergarten. I was so glad that Grandma was the one to be able to take her on her first day, if I had to miss it. She said she took lots of pictures, but I still need to get them off her camera after which I'll add them to the post.
After Abby was born, my Mom stayed for an entire week. It was the biggest help and I don't know how I would have survived without her.





The kids enjoyed their Grandma time too... lots of choc. milk along with all the other delicious food she made for us.

Waiting for baby

I was sure, OK hopeful, that our baby would come on 9-9-09...
But - it was not to be. Here are girls waiting for another sister to come join the fun.

Playing dress up and dancing































Cute little sweethearts

Personal Momma

"This message is for Morris at school district. On tuesday, september 8th, 2009. Personal. Momma has ask to speak directly to the nation's school children about persist thing and succeeding in school. The Message will be broadcast live on the White House Website at W W W dot White House dot job flashlight busy intention on the school district, they have all class spurts dissipate in this historic..."

We have a new feature on our phone that Tom has hooked up so that we receive a text when we get a message on our home phone answering machine. Pretty cool, but there are a few glitches in the technology one being the voicemail transcription is not always that accurate, but it does make for a few laughs now and again. Today President Obama turned to "Personal Momma", "persisting" turned to "persist thing", and "classes participate" turned to "class spurts dissipate". I think our President has found a new nick name around our household.

First day of School

School started really late for us this year, and yet I still don't feel ready for it. We're now three days into it, and I'm in denial. It just feels like it should still be summer to me, but ready or not school is here. Bentley started second grade on Tuesday, and he seems to be enjoying it. His comment after the first day however was, "It was a really long day!"
Emma went in for her kindergarten assessment on Tuesday, but we don't find out who her teacher is until next Thursday, and then she doesn't start until Friday the 11th! I'm glad though, every once in a while I think about not sending her at all. I just don't know what I'll do without my Lou. It will be interesting to see how the arrival of our new baby plays out over the next week or so. I just have to keep telling myself to take it one day at a time and not get discouraged at my inability to accomplish all that I think I should have done by now. I am 39 weeks today! ...but who's counting right?