Is She Allowed?

Yesterday, we took a wedding present to a very special girl who is getting sealed today in the temple. We ran by real quick to drop off her wedding present, because we aren't sure if we are going to be able to make it to the reception tomorrow night. As we were talking, her dad took Sariah outside to look at the fish. He was asking Sariah about how old she was, etc. Sariah was telling him all about preschool starting. His eyes widened in excitement as she was telling him all about the things she was going to get to do.

Simply, I said, "I am not quite sure if this little girl is allowed to grow up or not."

He kind of chuckled and I realized something - his little girl was way beyond preschool. She was going through the temple, and getting married. I am sure he blinked his eyes, and had this upon him. A loving father, watching his world age around him.

But whether or not Sariah's allowed, she is growing up.

Today was her Preschool Open House, where she met her teacher, found her cubby, and made some friends. *Sigh* Preschool, here she comes!



"Miss Malia is magic, Mommy," she whispers as we leave her preschool classroom.

Learn with JOY little one!

Nothing Special

Just a video of an ordinary day. Girls playing on the slides and climbers. James wandering and exploring.

Thought Grandma Franklin in Illinois and Grandma Wilkes in Prescott could use a little piece of our day. Enjoy, Grandmas!

14 Months

I am more in love with this boy every day! I mean, who wouldn't be? Look at those chocolate brown eyes, those gorgeous dimples, and that sweet face. He is 14 months old today, and it is hard to believe. Walking, talking up a storm (in his own language), curious, stubborn, and is dramatic as a hormonal 14 year old girl! But, he melts in my arms, reaches for me when he's upset, and is a real lover.




Quick video of him jabbering away. And then walks in Miss Emerson, in her "tutu dress"!

Kenzy Suzy Girlzy

We had my sister's little girl with us, Makenzie! We had an absolute BLAST. Sariah and Emerson loved having someone else to play with, and played their little hearts out.

Because all of our rooms are taken, this is where Makenzie slept:


Don't judge. It was dark, cool, and perfect. She LOVED it.

There was lots of this:


And this:


And of course, this:



Thanks, baby Kenzy Suzy Girlzy (as Sariah called her nonstop) for visiting us. PLEASE come again!!

I love my job

Sariah and Emerson are utterly mesmerized by a tractor working right outside our house. Our water pipe broke, and the crew is out there fixing it. They have been watching the crew work for about 45 minutes - perched atop the dresser/changing table like two little prairie dogs.

And then there's James...taking the baby wipes out of the tub. One. By. One. Ahh, the different stages of development!

Dirty Clothes, Kitty Kat, and a Hideout

For Sariah, there is no better place to hide and play than in my hamper. Gross. She is constantly emptying out our dirty clothes into a pile on the floor, and climbing in. She usually has an animal in tow, or her little brother. She hasn't successfully figured out how to get him in there...yet.

This morning's obsession was this little Kitty Kat bobblehead doll that she got in a McDonald's Happy Meal. Heaven forbid we lose either piece to her!

Who Knew...

That balloons could generate such a belly laugh?



(James at 13 months, Sariah at 3.)

Life Is Sweeter...

When you have your best friend by your side.

Ho-Hum

Dear Blog,

I really need to update you, don't I? I've neglected you for the last couple of weeks, and I am sure you feel as though you aren't important. In fact, you are very important for me because you are my journal, my documentation, and our far-away family's link to our lives. Please be patient with me because I have a lot on my plate right now. I will be back real soon to cover you with pictures, smother you with stories, and lighten you up with praise.

Yours always,

Amber/Mama (as Sariah says)/Mamamamamamma (as James says)