Too Too Cute

For your one year old pictures, Ms. Karalynn, we busted out those things that make my heart happy.

A hat I crocheted, an Aerosmith tshirt, the cutest jeggings you've ever seen, and silver ballet flats.

Add in your eyes, your dimples, and your pudgy cuteness, and KABLAM!  My heart just exploded.

Great Grandma turns 80.

Dear kids,

You are very, very special.  You have a great relationship with your Great'Grandma Norton.  Her real name is Marilyn, but you probably don't even know that.  It sounds a lot like Karalynn, doesn't it? 

She lives with Grandma and Grampa so we're able to see her a lot.  Kariah,  you love to visit with her in her room, look at her dolls, and sometimes even have a tea party with Grandma's tupperware dishes and Great'Grandma's mini card table. 

Great'Grandma's favorite story to tell about Kariah:  One day while Kariah was visiting, she pointed to Great'Grandma's donut cushion and declared "When I get old, I want one of those!"

Great'Grandma is a pretty great person to have in our lives.  She's genuinely interested in our day to day going ons, she doubly understands the pressure of motherhood, as she had ten kids, don't you forget.  And she is a wonderful example of honesty and lack of pretense.  When I grow up, I hope I can tell it like it is, just like Great'Grandma.

I was absolutely honored that she asked me to take some birthday pictures for her.  I immediately thought of the Temple as a great location.  I remember that shortly after Grampa Norton passed away, Grandma was going to the Las Vegas Temple so frequently that people thought she worked there!  What an awesome example for us!

We love you Great'Grandma.  We truly do.

Karalynn turns 1.

Dear Kari,

As much as I tried to slow time, July 12th rolled around and you, my darling, turned 1.  Unfortunately, you are a my daughter which means you have at least a 50% chance of being sick on your birthday.  Just ask Marcus, he's running a high percentage so far, I think.

You had a fever and more importantly, a very grumpy demeanor.  You hauled out a smile or two during presents.  And for your cake we caught a glimpse of a grin.  But most of the time, you were pretty much miserable.  So I'm adding a few super-cute photos we had taken a few days before. 

You are completely obsessed with watermelon and believe that chewing is optional.  It's pretty much hysterical to see and now it's documented.  You love watermelon!!

And I love you.

The Fourth. Of July.

Dear Kids,

This year was the first year fireworks were legal in Gilbert.  So even though we desperately wanted to either be swimming in our own backyard or up in the mountains at a cabin somewhere, we still had a lot of fun playing with some fireworks in our driveway.

You guys pretty much thought it was awesome and it was a good way for Mom to ease into pyrotechnics with children.  Next year, we'll get out the whistling loud crazy stuff, but for this year we had just enough to have a good time.

Love you guys!!

Jonah had a Birthday!!

Dear Jo-Bear,

You turned nine.  You had an awesome Lego party.  You picked great guests, you played some super fun games and your Daddy made  you a yummy cake.  Really, does it get any better?



I'm so proud of you, my nine year old boy.  You are smart, funny, happy, and so much fun to be around.  What more could a mom want?  I love you!