Happy Birthday James!

James turned 4 on Monday!  Since Joseph, Ruth, and David's summer birthdays all fall within 3 weeks of each other, James has had an especially long wait.  It finally came.  The birthday tradition with the boys has been to take them to the Lego store to spend birthday money and then out to lunch.  This year James chose a trip to McDonalds.  This large Lego stormtrooper flashlight was his choice.  Pretty fitting for him, especially because he's been in love with star wars since babyhood.  I should add that David (his own idea) used his very own money to buy James a surprise as well.

Cute little threesome during the birthday dinner.  

Four candles

Four blows!

Before we could get James positioned behind the cake, Ruth somehow got herself situated for a turn.  I think that I was so busy with the camera, and Joseph so busy with the other camera, that we didn't quite catch her little maneuver.  Good thing candles can be relit!

We were lucky to have great-aunt and uncle Carolyn and Richard Boden over for the festivities.  They filled in for the grandparents that are in far off places. (sniff!)  Ruth and Carolyn were instant friends, of course.

I am quite in love with James.  It is amazing to see how such a strong willed, impossible toddler has evolved into a sweet-loving child.  He is by far the most easy-going of the three.  I love James because he is very thoughtful, very playful, and if you ask him about anything, he always has a lengthy explanation.  He also has the sweet faith of a child: always remembers prayers at mealtime, even at Costco, studies carefully our scripture books, and takes "CTR" very seriously.  He even requested "CTR" on his birthday cake.  His favorite color is blue, his favorite toy are Ninjago legos, and his favorite song is "The Armies of Helamen".  So glad that we had a day to celebrate this special boy.  The best part is that he belongs to me!!!

Sweet James

Since it took so long to conceive James, we often joke about how Ruth must've pushed him onto the slide from heaven to earth.  

Today, James corrected our silly notions: 

"Mom, Ruthie didn't push me.  Jesus helped me come to earth."

CindaRUTHIE

I think this girl has a weakness for shoes.  In fact, the other day, we went shoe shopping at Nordstrom Rack and spent a good 30 minutes inside the shoe aisle.  She did not complain once!

When it's just too hard to share...

Happy Halloween!!

Family Fun Weekend

I declared this past weekend to be a family weekend and designated Saturday as a field trip day.  We were lucky to have Natasha and her kids with us Friday night for a bonfire at the beach, complete with hotdogs and marshmallows.  I have been trying to avoid eating sweets all week, but the amount of s'mores I ate definitely made up for it!

Our Saturday field trip was dinner-and-a-show at Medieval Times.  I found discount tickets online, so on a whim, we decided to go.   The kids loved it.  David was happy because we got to cheer for the green knight (green is his favorite color).  James was happy to see the blue knight win (blue is his favorite color).  Ruth was very happy because a knight threw her a red carnation during the show.  Both the boys were intrigued at the jousting and sword fighting. We had explain a few times to James that the fighting was not REAL and the swords were not SHARP.  Still, very family friendly and fun!

The boys just completed their primary program today.  Up until today, James has refused to speak into the microphone at church.  It must have been the influence of the Spirit, because he finally summoned the courage to speak.  Both did very well and felt very happy afterwards.

Fall Randoms

I found these randoms on Joseph's phone.  Too fun not to share.

This is the latest hobby for the boys: archery.  I am surprised at how much harder it is than it looks.  Grandma and Grandpa's hill is the perfect setting.

The kids showing off their duplo town: lasted a few hours until some little hands got to it.

Ruthie and her cousin, Eleanor.  What could be more fun than throwing rocks?!!

David's team soccer photo.  Yes, soccer is still going on...  Yes, I am counting down the weeks until it's over!!!  5 more to go!!!  David has informed me that next year he wants to play football.... really?

James, the leaf king?  Not sure what it is, but he felt pretty official.

Recently, Ruthie was on a kick with reading to her babies.  I asked Joseph to take this picture for memory-sake.  For a long time, this was a favorite moment for both of us.  Kids grow so fast; moments like this don't last long and seldom repeat.

Guess who?

Ruthie

I haven't written about Ruthie lately.  She quite my shadow these days and wants to be involved in EVERYTHING that I do.  Whether I am sewing, cleaning, choreographing, or cooking, she is right next to me and if possible, on top of me. When I tell her that I need to get work done she gets upset, of course, but after a kiss or short time out usually feels much happier.  I know that it is quite a compliment that she wants to copy me so much, so most of the time I find it quite cute.

Her relationship with Pilot is developing.  Often I will find her reading books to him, or laying toys out in front of him.  He tolerates it pretty well.

Ruth and James have had quite a bit of time to play together now that David is in school.  Sometimes they feel like playing together, and sometimes they will go the entire day without noticing each other.  I did find this little game that they were playing together.  While we were out in KY this summer, we got these wood baseball bats.  For some reason, they are the favorite toy at my house.

Here is my latest project: a quilted bedspread for Ruth's room.  We are anticipating a switch from the crib to a regular bed in a few months, so I am getting ready.  Two of these patterns I found for only $3 a yard.  I think that bright colors are fitting for Ruthie's vibrant personality.

Swan Lake

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the Marinsky Ballet's Swan Lake.  It was such a treat to see such a premier company perform this classic.  The lead role, Odette (played by Oxana Skorik), was stunning: so graceful with out-of-this-world extensions.   It was an especially memorable night because Joseph and I attended it with our prima ballerina friend, Theresa, who has danced this role all over the world.  She couldn't stop talking during the entire performance, but that was okay because it was fun to see her enjoy it so much.  The pas de deux in this ballet is my absolute favorite; I have cried every time I have seen it.  The costumes, dancing, and staging were so exquisite.  My inner ballerina was stirred.

Time Out for Mumford Girls

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Denver to spend a girls only weekend with my sisters (minus Jessica) and mom.  It was such a wonderful opportunity to be together and take a rest from the usual motherhood routine.  My favorite part was our outing to the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, where we took a short hike and then shopped at an amazing craft fair.

This is our group.  I feel lucky to be related to such amazing women.  It is fun to be together, because when I see the traits and personality of my mom and sister, it reminds me of myself.  If I am a little like them, I must not be too bad.

My beautiful mother

The end of our trip turned into catastrophe beginning at this moment.  After our final breakfast all together, Emily immediately got sick for the entire day.  I flew home at 6:00 that evening and got the bug just as I was boarding the plane.  Thank goodness for the barf bag!  The kids didn't get a hug from me until 24 hours later, when my insides seemed to be working again.  It was worth it though... time with distant family is always worth it.

Growing James

James is working hard on growing these days.  It all started with the step from tricycle to bicycle with training wheels.  He is very diligent at getting the pedals to turn and so happy to have a "new" bike!

James also hit a milestone with the beginning of preschool this year with Mrs. Sims.  I wasn't sure if he would like it, but he LOVES it!  This is his embarrassed, shy face.

Much better.  I had a friend compare her 3 year old to a sour patch kid: sweet at times and sour at times.  I think that this could describe James as well these days.  During the day, he ranges from super happiness to incredible frustration which often escalates into massive tantrums.  On the average, however, he is a very loveable little guy and a fun-loving little companion.

Cobra Strikers

Here is David in his newest soccer duds before the first game of the season.  It amazes that his non-competitive nature goes for soccer, but he likes it.  During the game (in which they were getting plowed by the other team) he said, "wow mom, the other team is SO good!"  That was it; no frustration or tears.  For him, it's all about having fun.

The drive back home

Our trip back home from Cortez brought about a few surprises.  The first surprise was when we made the last minute decision to take a detour to the Grand Canyon, which was only 30 miles off our route.  It was well worth the stop.  For me, the grand canyon is the most amazing place on the planet.  The boys got excited when we hiked right into a couple of mule deer.

After the grand canyon, we loaded in the car for what would've been 8 more hours home.  Unfortunately, the navigator (me) directed Joseph onto the wrong road.  Instead of cutting through Joshua Tree National Park, we ended up driving around the entire Lake Havasu, which added another hour to the trip.  An hour doesn't seem like much, but when you've already been in the car 6 hours, it feels like a LOT!  Fortunately, Joseph was a good sport; we cued up another DVD for the kids, and made the best of our situation by taking a few pictures.

The most memorable part of the trip was driving through the desert on a two lane highway at sunset.  Joseph was flying through miles of nothingness.  At about 10:30 pm we were finally home.  I literally hugged the walls; nothing is better than home sweet home.

Telluride, CO

Though our trip was quite the marathon, we were able to do a bit of sight-seeing.  Sunday after church, we drove up the canyon to a quaint old mining town called Telluride.  The special thing about this place is that they provide free gondolas throughout the canyons to and from the town.  The views were stunning!

We later found out that Telluride was the site of the first bank robbery by Butch Cassidy.

These are a few of the cousins.  Alessa, Natasha, and our kids are represented here.  They had so much fun together.  I think that the boys would jump at the chance for any long road trip as long as it involves cousins.

The mountain air is quite chilly, as Ruthie found out!

One more glimpse of the gorgeous view.

Road trip

We had been debating all week whether or not to drive to Cortez, CO over Labor Day weekend to attend the baptism or our nephew, Kent.  The decision was NO until Friday at about noon, when Joseph called to say he was on his way home from work.  Suddenly, the decision became YES!  I made some last minute arrangements, threw clothes and shoes into the car, and we took off!  With such a late start, we weren't able to fit the entire 12 hour drive into one day, so we swung into Tuba City (on the Navaho Indian reservation) at midnight, woke up at 6 am, and drove 3 more hours to arrive at the church by 10 am for the baptism.  It was a marathon!!!