Clarence

 We have a dog. We are officially Fort Collin-ites now I suppose. I've never had a dog before. After a summer of math study and a trip through the Book of Mormon, Gabe earned a red heeler named Clarence. A 13 week old puppy from an animal adoption agency. Clarence is yet to be fully potty trained and likes to chew on things like my carpet, but he seems like a nice little fellow. When Gabe is home from school he has been very responsible about feeding Clarence and cleaning up his accidents. Gabe is not always home however. I have a lot to learn about dogs, but lucky for me I have time to learn it. I take care of small things for a living, how different can it be? 

This is Lincoln 2 1/2 telling Clarence, "Sit on your bum!" Lincoln totally bossed him. Unlike Mac and David, Lincoln is the alpha dog where Clarence is concerned. It is so funny to watch. Clarence totally loves Lincoln for it. 

Pretty in Pink

 This picture is from Easter. Someone wasn't too happy about having her picture taken but that's OK, she cheered right back up afterwards. It's fun to take a girls-picture every once in a while.

Alara 6 months

Alara is getting bigger! 

She has made it all the way up from the 5% to 15% for weight, 

Weight coming in at a whopping 14 lb 6 oz

Length -26 inches 50%

She is also beginning to roll around and try to push herself towards objects of interest. She can manipulate her hands quite well so I try not to let her get too close to my plate at dinner. Alara is still our dainty little girl with tiny giggles and pitiful cries. I'm always a little bit sad when my babies hit six months because it means half of their babiness is gone. I savor the time that I have. I love to hold her in at night in the big purple chair and just watch her drift off to sleep. I think to myself, if I had just this one I would consider myself most blessed, how lucky am I to have six.

Tina and Steve's Wedding

Zach, me and the two girls had a chance to go to Tina's wedding in Massachusetts over spring break. Kylan was  a champ and stayed here with the four boys. It was a wonderful visit with with family, but also a bit of a whirlwind since the girls and I came back after only a few days. Zach stayed behind to do research for his book. It was good to have an excuse to make the trip.

(I'll post more wedding related picture on my photo blog and Facebook page soon)

David's Baptism

My sweet David got baptized yesterday. Daivd means Beloved and he surely is. Zach performed the baptism and confirmation for our second oldest. Our family performed a special musical number, Heavenly Father Loves Me, with me on the piano, Gabe the violin and everyone with a voice singing the words, including little Lincoln who loves to sing. It was a nice number but nothing stunning yet the Lord was able to use us to touch someone's heart that hadn't been to church in years. A mother, there for the baptism of another child in the stake, said that she used to sing that song to her now inactive daughter. The daughter had come to the baptism and been touched by the spirit when we sang. That made me smile.

This moment will echo throughout eternity. Thanks for being our adopted family again Kylan Rice and standing in as a witness.

Five Months

Congratulations! Alara has now made it to Zach's birth weight -12 lb 13oz. Actually I'm just guessing because a month ago she was 11 lb 13 oz. She is still cute and wonderful, not much has changed. All the ladies in the ward want to hold her. Actually some of the men do too. Alara is like a doll. 

(I want to make one of those 12 month heart collages for Alara, which is why I am taking a picture of her every month)

David David Bo-Bavid

  Here's my very special, not-so-little guy. David makes me smile. He is full of life and expressions. My second son has a stubborn streak one minute but is also good for tons hugs and kisses the next. School seems to come naturally to him but he would rather be outside exploring. We are so glad he will be baptized on Saturday. Our family will be performing a special musical number at the baptism with me on the piano, Gabe on the violin and David singing with Zach. Love you David!