Just the 5 of us!

Tattoo You

2012-02-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Last year my mom sent the girls some tattoo markers and a bunch of temporary tattoos. They still haven't used them all up, but go on occasional tattoo sprees. This one was particularly impressive and Clarissa even called me in for back up.

"Draw one on my back, Mommy!"

Had to sneak this one in.

Dancing a show because she was a rock star, the tattoo said so.

She had "Clarissa" on her leg and...

random dog shot

And because he's growing, a few puppy pictures.

Down on the Farm

2012-02-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Because I know you never tire of pictures of my family at the farm...

The baby calf in these photos had just been born that morning!

It's hard to see in the photos, but the baby still had the umbilical cord hanging from it's belly!

This horse came right up to us and obviously loved being petted. He was very sweet.

Clarissa said, "It looks like you Mommy!" Gee, thanks.

This goat was not a fan of the dog and kept ramming the fence.

There was a lot of mud at the farm this day. Good thing I put rain boots on the girls.

Jello and Cookies!

2012-02-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

Last week we weren't able to get together with the Wiist girls because they were out of town. So, on Saturday we headed to their house for lunch and a walk to the park. When we arrived Timbra greeted the girls with homemade grape jello! Mmmm

Airi had colored her tongue with a green marker and the girls thought that was a riot!

Home made jello with homemade coconut milk whipped cream! Mmmm

Then, because cookies are always a good idea, Timbra rolled out some heart and lip shaped sugar cookies for us all to decorate. When she asked Airi what shape she wanted Airi's response was "mustache." HA!

Lila was putting on this face just to be silly.

We also took a walk across the road to Murray park, but as I had brought Ozzy with us and had to drag him and Clarissa (she hates walking) I left the camera at the house. After the park we went back to more snacking and playing before heading home in the late afternoon. It was a nice long play day and we all had fun!

Oh the things you can say!

2012-02-08T18:54:00.000-08:00

January 2012
Lila, she has got most words down, but there are a few she still struggles with.
pop-lee-ur = popular
She was telling Clarissa not to taunt the dog, "Don't taught the dog!"

My favorite recent Lila-ism was after having a hard time going to sleep two nights before she announced upon waking, "Last night when the lights went out I was as still as a carrot underground."

Clarissa, at three and a half has a unique way of saying many words.
aminal= animal
pail nolish or paint nolish= nail polish
Sqwungbob Squarepants= Sponebob Squarepants
Oitmeal= oatmeal (oit said like oil)
wore=your

The best was when I was trying to help her into her chair the other day she said, "Leave me alone, woman."

All this reminds me of some of my favorites when Kurtis was little as well of when Lila was younger. Once at about three years old Kurtis asked me, "Mom, why do you pee out your butt?" Seems reasonable as the only reason boys sit on the potty is...

Also, Kurtis once colored his entire body blue with a crayola marker when I fell asleep on the couch. And when I say entire, I mean ENTIRE! Man, how I wish I had had a camera back then! He also twisted my glasses into a pretzel once when he was three and I was taking a nap. I've learned from this and no longer nap when I'm the only adult in the house. lol

Then when Lila was three I overheard her saying what I thought was the word "crap." When I asked her what she said her reply was maybe the best answer any of my children have ever given me for any question. Her reply was, "I was saying crash Mommy. Don't worry, I didn't say damn or fuck!"

HA HA HA HA

Little Miss Welder

2012-02-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

Lila, along with a bit of help from her Daddy, did her very first welding project! She picked out all the materials, told Daddy how to them and did all the welds herself!

I love it that Jeff teaches the kids so many things. Kurtis is already a pretty skilled welder and he's only 15! Lila's project is now hanging on her wall.

Just the 2 of us!

2012-02-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Clarissa and I stayed home this Sunday while Jeff took Kurtis and Lila to Snowbird for some snowboarding fun. We did whatever we wanted and it was a very nice day with my youngest. We took the dog to Wheeler Farm, played at the house, and visited Denise for a bounce on the trampoline and some popsicles.

Ozzy loved the farm.

Some women carrying purple balloons offered one to Clarissa. Score!

Her favorite part of the farm. The outhouse.

Later on at Denise's house the dogs had a blast together.

Can't go to see Denise and not jump on the tramp.

Denise has this new popcicle maker that makes popcicles in seven minutes. Yes, 7! It's pretty rad!

And just a few shots of my smallest. <3

4.3.2.1. blast off!

2012-02-01T21:08:00.000-08:00

Jeff and Lila made a rocket and we took it to the park to send it off. This was Lila's first rocket and she was very excited about it. Both the girls loved it and we sent it up a few times.

Putting popcorn in the rocket to send up, up and away.

Very exciting!

The countdown.

Such happy faces. They were thrilled with the whole process.

Blast off!

It was bitter cold out.

One last blast off. I'm sure there will be more rockets in our future!

Say Cheese!

2012-02-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Clarissa is totally into having her picture taken and posing for the camera. I'm eating it up while I can, because I know it won't last forever!

I'm a Dance Floor Tiger Lady

2012-01-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

I went out and got myself some New Balance water resistant Minimus running shoes. I've been on the road and the trails with them. They keep me warm and, more importantly, dry! I also purchased these bitchin' ankle gaiters. You know you wish you ran so you could wear some!

Rarrrr! Look out! Here I come!

Sisters

2012-01-30T07:21:00.000-08:00

My girls love rain gear! They love being out in the rain in their rain coats, boots and umbrellas. Even if it is January and it's freezing rain!

We tried this for bedtime. It only lasted for about fifteen minutes then had to be put away and everyone went into their beds. It was fun while it lasted.

Riding Down Memory Lane

2012-01-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

Going back to Snowbird with the kids is always such a mix of emotions and memories. I spent six years of my life working and riding there and now I only visit when the kids are snowboarding. I'd love to go ride too, but a day with put you back nearly $80! So, I watch and enjoy that they love it. Kurtis has a season pass this year and is loving it! Lila is really beginning to love snowboarding and is even going over jumps!

Last Friday Jeff took Lila and Kurtis up early and Clarissa and I met up with them mid-day. Clarissa loves the snow so much. We haven't had much in the valley this year, so it was hard to get her past the snow in the parking lot!

Finally to the slope. Here comes big sister down Chickadee! Lila can ride on her own on the flatter, upper part of this slope, but the bottom half is steeper and requires a little help from Dad.

Kurtis came down to the tram deck to meet up with us and have a snack.

Clarissa was itching for a turn on the snowboard. Here she goes with Jeff and Lila up the magic carpet. I asked her later what her favorite part was and she answered, "The magic carpet!"

That didn't last too long. She'd rather eat snow!

Snow angel

This is Chickadee bowl. A very flat and short slope for beginners. Lila bombs straight down this hill. It is way too easy for her this year.

Lila and Jeff on the lift. Ahh, the memories of my Dad and I riding chair lifts together! I'm so glad my kids will have these same wonderful memories!

What great times! I think I need to start searching for a discount ticket so I can go at least once this year! I'm sure Kurtis will kick my butt!

Yep. More Gym

2012-01-30T06:27:00.000-08:00

Gym Again

2012-01-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Yay! Hooray! Wiistmanday!

2012-01-28T16:51:00.000-08:00

We played at the Wiist girl's house last week. Because of Lila's school schedule it's a short but sweet visit. We left with the girls asking when we'd play again. <3

First Filling

2012-01-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

Clarissa had her first cavity. This surprised me very much because the girl loves to brush her teeth and does so about four times a day, sometimes more. Granted, she's only three, but I was still surprised. She handled the filling better than I expected and the dentist even said she should be the poster child for fillings. She didn't even notice when she got the shot and sat perfectly still and followed directions through the whole thing. She was a bit tired after and semi confused about the numb face, but took a short nap and was just fine afterward.

Right after

Silver, just like Mommy...

Her prize from the prize box: lipstick

Sweet girl. I'm doing a lot more brushing for her every day because even though she did well, I hope not to repeat this any time soon!

Riding, Coloring, Painting, Cooking

2012-01-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

Kurtis' first day of the season! Finally we got snow!

Clarissa is getting really good at drawing animals. Here she's drawn "Luna's Mom."

Finally! I finished the paint that I started years ago when our kitchen cabinet started to fall off the wall. Jeff and I took this cabinet down, Jeff fixed it and I painted. What a difference!

Painted the inside too.

The girls helping me make pizza. Mmmm

Crawling in the Sand

2012-01-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

A couple weekends ago the whole family went out to black rock for a rock crawling competition. It was a beautiful day and not too cold. We all had a good time and there was plenty of sand and rocks to play with. Doesn't get much better than that.

Fridays are Funny

2012-01-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

Ready for Funny Bugs! Big sister had the day off school and got to come watch. The girls were ready to go in their new ear muffs from my Aunt Dolores and Uncle Tom. (Thanks! They LOVE them!)

Run!

Backwards Rolls

Jamison

Riding the wedge looks like fun! Jamison...

Then Clarissa!

Looks like they're plotting something.

Another fun day at gym!

Otters, Jesus, and Sting Rays.

2012-01-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

They got otters at the aquarium! They're so cute!

I know this is lightly wrong, but I took these next three pictures so I could get Jesus in the background. This guy was wearing a dress, had a crazy beard, super long pony tail, a bunch of children and had apparently never heard of deodorant.

Clarissa touched a sting ray for the first time this visit! She loved it and didn't want to leave the pool.

Winter Wheeler

2012-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

Ozzy

2012-01-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

Well, we got a new dog. We weren't really planning to yet, but this is what happens when you *just check* the classifieds. There was a man in Sandy looking for a home for this puppy because he was too allergic. So, we went to see him. He is a nearly four month old Golden Retriever and Yellow Labrador mix. He is wonderful and sweet and so soft and cuddly. We brought him home last night and named him Ozzy.

Quickly picking up because Ozzy was playing with everything!

He really likes tug-o-war.

Today we took him on a walk.

I guess we wore him out because he slept a lot this afternoon!

I'm already smitten!

Let's Twist Again

2012-01-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

Time for Lila's gym class! She is now in the Flips/Twisters grade school class. What a big kid!

Clarissa, "Is it my little gym too?" No, just your sister. She was still excited to go!

Big Sis all ready to go.

Little sibling theater

Doing what she does best, running!

Cartwheels

Hand Stands

Good balance on the bar.

Flip!

and push off!

Assisted hand stand. Good job Lila!

Lila had a great time at class. It's good to see my girls back at gym and enjoying it. They're both so good at it! The day ended with this beautiful sunset.

Funny Bugs

2012-01-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

Clarissa and Lila got Little Gym classes for Christmas from my mom and Jeff's parents. They were both so excited to start their new classes! Clarissa would be in Funny Bugs, her first child only (no parents in class) class and was very excited about it. My friend Meghan also put her son Jamison in the same class, so we each have a buddy to hang with during class!

Clarissa and Jamison waiting to go into their first class.

Hopping like bunnies.

Clarissa had the biggest grin all through class!

Jamison's little sister, Raquel.

Jamison

She had a blast! Glad to be back in gym!

Final Fun

2012-01-15T17:53:00.000-08:00

The day we came home from Florida it was a lovely day and we didn't have to leave until after lunch so we had a bit of fun before it was time to go. We played at the house and went to the park before loading into two cars and heading to the airport.

Dress up in Dodo's closet!

It was such a great trip. We got to spend time with so much family and enjoy the sunshine. It was a bit hard to come back home.

The birth of Conner Paul

2012-01-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

When Katie was pregnant with Mia she and I both hoped that I could be there to be her doula during labor. Since that was just too hard to plan we decided I'd come a week after her due date. I ended up being there when Mia was a week old ans stayed for the week. I cooked, cleaned, helped around the house and gave mothering and breastfeeding encouragement, post-partum doula style.

When we arrived in Jupiter and it was clear Katie was indeed in labor I told her I would be happy to be her doula and/or birth photographer should she and Chris decide they want me there. I left it at that and headed with Jeff, the kids, Paul and Josie to the hotel to tuck in for the night. I got the girls to sleep and crawled in bed with Jeff. I nearly slept for a little bit when I got a text from Katie asking me to be there. I was thrilled, kissed Jeff, grabbed my camera and headed out the door.

When I arrived around midnight Katie was laboring quietly and Chris was busy filling the birth tub. Oh, did I mention she was having a home birth!? So exciting!

Katie did an amazing job. She is very good at birthing babies. She was able to sleep off and on from about 3:30-5:30am.

The birthing ball and tub, both of which were worth their weight in gold!

Being there helped Chris to get some sleep through the night, however not too much. A little caffeine was in order for us all!

Expectant Grandma waiting patiently to meet her new grandchild!

Mia waited and watched quietly, never questioning that the situation was anything other than normal.

Here comes the baby! Watch!

Of course, there were many many more pictures than this, but they are not mine to share. It was an amazing opportunity for me and a night I will never forget. Thank you for letting me be a part of your birth Katie. I am so very proud of you and Chris! Thank you for making me an aunt again! Conner Paul Bouyea was born December 29, 2011 at 1:44pm 9 pounds 10 ounces and a sweet crown of hair. Welcome to the world Conner!