Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday we went up to the Logan Cemetery with Julie and Bonnie & Kurt. We visited Grandpa Russell's "rock" as the girls call it. We also just wandered around the cemetery looking at headstones, a few we knew, some we didn't. I think cemeteries are very peaceful places.

On Monday we drove to Salem and spent the day with my extended family. We visited Grandma Lee's grave. It was good to be there with so many people who loved her. I still miss her lots. We let the girls pick out some flowers to take to her. Theirs are the little purple mums.

Claire got to meet all the extended family. She liked all the bright colors at the cemetery.After the cemetery we went to my cousin Jessica's house and had lunch. It's been awhile since we've all been together, so it was really fun to sit around and talk with each other. Even my dad was pleasant! I don't think he made any kids cry all day long!


Grandpa Lee got to meet Claire for the first time. She really liked him. He sat and held her for a long time, and she was just happy to sit there with him. He said to me "She sure does have Sylvia's hair". We both love her dark hair. I hope it stays that way.
We fed all the kids first. (Good thinking Jessi!) It was really fun to have them all around the table together. Notice that Ian is eating while wearing his Superman cape. He didn't take it off all day long. The kids played together great all day. What a fun, crazy group. It reminded me of when we were all little. I think both Sydney and Kaylee were really happy to finally have girl cousins to play with.
We had a really great day. Thanks to all the Swensons for having us down. It was fun to see you all. I'm sure Grandma was happy that we were all together.

Our Breakfast Companion

Our kitty Jack disappeared a couple of months ago (very sad). Since then our other kitty Bobbi has been seeking out lots more attention and love. And we have responded by babying her. She pretty much gets whatever she wants now. And what she wants is to be inside with us all the time. I am pretty sure she thinks she is just another human member of the family. This morning I was getting breakfast ready and Bobbi just hopped up on the stool next to Brynny like she was waiting to eat with the rest of us. (Do you like Brynny's bed head?) Well, Bobbi found out that she doesn't like boiled eggs, toast and jam, but she did get a bowl of milk to snack on- on the floor! Meow!

Yay for Sisters

So Syd and Brynn have loved having a baby in the house. They are very proud big sisters. They are such good helpers, and they love to play with Claire. They also love to have their picture taken with her. They both feel bad when they get home from school and she is asleep, but are super-happy to see her whenever she is awake.I can't wait for school to be out so we can hang out even more. All I can say is "Yay for sisters!" (Love you Robyn, and all my sis-in-laws- I love hanging out with all of you).

Twilight the Movie

So I know that some of you out there have read the books in the Twilight series. I am a little obsessed with these books. Yes I know that puts me up there with lots of teenage girls, but I can't help myself. For those of you that are fans, the movie comes out on Dec. 12. Here is a link to the teaser trailer. Thanks Ang for sharing this link with me- I am way excited. Anyone who wants to go with me, mark the date on your calendar. It never hurts to plan ahead right?

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=44664

Payback is a . . .

S0 on Sunday Claire was sleeping away, we had eaten our dinner, and Shawn and I decided that this was a prime napping opportunity. Syd and Brynn were outside playing and we told them not to bother us unless someone was bleeding. So off we went into blissful napping. Two hours later I got up to check on the troops. I was so proud of my girls for playing so well together for so long and not disturbing us. Brynny had wandered inside and I asked her what they had been up to. She said "Playing in the mud." I said "What mud?!" She said "We made mud out by the cherry tree and we are playing in it." Now let the reader be aware that I have told these girls stories from when I was little about playing in the muddy irrigation ditch and how fun that was. So I went in to tell Shawn and then said that I couldn't really get mad at them. He said "Why, because it is your fault?" He was right of course. I definitely got what I deserved in this case.
As you can see they made a pretty good hole under out tree-where grass is suppose to be growing. They also added some beautiful artwork to the side of my shed, and Syd made a quite impressive mud shark that is at this moment drying out om my picnic table.
This is one of those parenting challenges where you should probably be stern but end up laughing instead. I have to admit I was kind of proud of my girls for following in my footsteps. I told this story to my mom and she said it is only fair that this happened to me. I just hope they forgot the story about what Jake and Mike used to do to our cats.

She's Growing!

Just when I think my baby is so tiny! Here she is laying next to Brynn's doll Molly. She is not much bigger than the doll. But we went to the doctor for Claire's 2-week check-up. She has gained 1/2 a pound and grown 3/4 of an inch! 3/4 of an inch in 2 weeks?! I was very proud of my girl.
Claire's cord also fell off. Happy day! Those things are so nasty. We were finally able to give her a real bath (me and Brynny) which she loved. The top photo is of her hanging out all clean and smelling oh-so-good after her first great water adventure.

A few more...

The previous post had pictures from Claire's first few hours or at least her first day. Here are couple newer ones from today.

She pulled that hand up all by herself to pose for us.

Claire has been a very good baby so far. Sleepy, but lots of fun!

P.S. Mindy's sister Robyn put up some great pictures of Claire on her blog: noelnews.blogspot.com