Loving every part

My oldest got baptized this week.  My youngest is learning to eat solids.  My girl is becoming a fantastic babysitter (I don't actually leave them home alone for more than 4 minutes at a time, but when I'm in the other room she does a great job!).  My middle child is as old as our oldest was when we moved up to Idaho! Sam is becoming a big helper sometimes, but mostly just the family comedian.  LOVE my family-- in every stage!

Did I mention that after nearly nine years my husband is hotter than ever?

Life is so good.  And I don't care what the negative, complaining people want to say, They're great when they're babies, and they only get better!  For all the hard things there are at least as many good things to balance them out.  I am thankful for five healthy, wild, brilliant children.  And I am SO, SO THANKFUL for my wonderful husband to help me teach and raise them-- he makes my life easy and all-around better.

So, Michael, Andrew, Michael, Evie, Michael, Truman, Michael, Sammy, Michael, Perry, and Michael:
 I love you with all my heart.  Happy Valentines Day.  You make my life complete.

Winter: a photo essay

We have pretty well fallen off the face of the earth in some regards since Perry was born.  Posting to this blog is one of them.  So, to catch up, here are pictures of all the fun things we've done since then.

Perry is super smiley.  This is him at like a week old already grinning!

We made Thankful Turkeys in November-- it was a HUGE ordeal, but I guess I'm glad we did it.

Andrew made his first pie for Thanksgiving-- Caramel Apple.
He was really excited to weave the crust.

Perry after his baby blessing

Family picture after Perry's blessing

Evie and Truman dressed up as Fat Man and Skinny Girl

I helped Truman build an igloo.  He kept saying, "I love you mom, this is the best day ever!"

Perry sat on Santa's lap at the ward party (at Evie's insistence)

Underwear man!

Kissy face.

We got dressed up for church and took a detour to Preston to visit Brent
(actually, we were skipping out on Stake conference, but we went to their ward)

Christy met us at Brent's house for dinner and the cousins got to play for a bit

My beautiful daughter, playing in the scanty snow

Sam loves to help cook.  Here he's making Broccoli cheese soup.

Truman is growing up into a handsome big boy

Took the kids and Andrew's friend Derek (the supine one) to the park

Sammy loves his baby brother

FIVE KIDS!!!!! They keep me busy, but I adore them all!

Any questions? :)