15 Months

What does 15 months look like?? Well around here, it looks like plenty of this.....

and a lot of this......

with plenty of smiles.....

and a whole lot of trouble!

My mischievous little Petunia is almost 16 months old, believe it or not, and pretty much rules the roost around here. She is

• a handful
• strong-willed
• determined
• persistent
• bull-headed
• stubborn... starting to get the picture?

But she also

• is quick to give kisses
• adores her brothers
• can't nap without her green silkie
• loves my 35 year old Raggedy Anne doll
• hates to be in a room alone (unless she is being naughty)
• can climb on pretty much everything, and does
• is SUCH a daddy's girl
• loves to be outside
• can say Jacob's name clearer than any other word in her vocabulary

She is a sweetheart and a diva, a terror and a love-bug. She has been nicknamed the "winged-hair-howler-monkey" by her aunt, and nearly convinced her baby-hungry cousin not to have kids. In an instant she can light up my day and make me want to tear my hair out. But I love my little girl and wouldn't have her any other way!

Six 1st Graders, Wild Animals and Rain

Yesterday I volunteered to be a chaperon on Jacob's field trip to the Oregon Zoo. I figured if I survived 75 kindergarten kids at the Butterfly House last year, this would be a walk in the park!

Of course, being Memorial Day weekend in Oregon, it was raining. Not a big deal, it wasn't terribly cold and of course the kids didn't mind. There were three 1st grade classes on the trip, and someone had the brilliant idea to split the kids up into smaller more manageable groups instead of trying to navigate the zoo with a herd of 75 six year olds. I will attribute this genius to Mrs. Beckley, who we LOVE! Mrs. Beckley also split the kids into groups of friends as much as possible, which made things much easier. We had 6 kids in our group - Jacob, Nico, Samson, Alex, Ramon and Adrian.

What a fabulous experience! I loved seeing Jacob interact with his friends in a way I don't usually get to see. It gave me visions of a house full of the kids and their friends as they grow up. I usually have such a hard time realizing how fast my kids are growing up but this time, it was just exciting to see Jacob in a whole new setting, running with his friends and not caring if I was around. He was so happy!

One of the boys in our group has a learning disability and for the most part likes to be off lost in his own world, singing a song or immersed in his own thoughts. It was very heart warming to see the boys treat him no differently than any of the rest of the kids. They were so great with him! I truly enjoyed getting to know some more of Jake's buddies, and reconnecting with the parents of others, planning summer play dates and sleep overs for the boys.

The boys in a polar bear den. Not sure who the random kid in the hat in front is - he jumped in when I yelled "Yoshikai Dolphins smile!"

The real wild animals are in front. Of course, Jake is a head taller than most of his friends.

They were so excited to see this elephant! Due to the rain, there weren't a whole lot of animals outside to be seen.

Lunch - one of the only times they stopped moving and were halfway quiet.

Back Row - Jake, Samson, Adrian

Front Row - Alex, Ramon, Nico

Women's Conference

Last week I went to BYU Women's Conference in Provo with two of my good friends, Chelsea and Holly. What an amazing experience! I came home rejuvenated and excited to set new goals and be a better person, wife and mom.

We were able to stay with our good friend Jeneal, who moved back to Provo from Salem last summer. It was so great to see her and her adorable family!

It was a crazy, fast weekend, but we packed in alot... Conference on Thursday and Friday, and then Temple Square on Saturday. It was 3 wonderful days of being mentally, spiritually and emotionally uplifted and motivated.

I took about 80 pictures Saturday at Temple Square. It's been so long since I've been there and I don't know when I will be back. This is one of my favorites.

The Salt Lake Temple from the observation deck on the 26th floor of the Church Administration Building

The girls with Janice Kapp Perry, one of Chelsea's "idols". So neat to meet her!

Me with Sister Barbra Thompson of the Relief Society General Presidency

Waiting for a session to start

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go! I am also very grateful to my husband for flying solo with the kids for 4 days (with the flu no less) so that I could go, to my babies for being "champions" (as their dad called them) while I was away, and for my girlfriends for taking me with them!

Spring Vacation

The kids and I spent the last few days of spring break visiting my parents in Medford. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a fabulous time. Austin decided he was going to live there forever and started calling my parents Mom and Dad and referred to me as Grandma. Jacob spent the better part of his time riding his bike, and Leah loved just being outdoors. She left with a pretty big crush on Grandpa - who wouldn't after he pushed her around the playground for 2 hours!

Our weekend was finished perfectly when we came home to find that Dad had spent the weekend without us painting the house! Goodbye blah baby blue! Unfortunately, the rain hampered his plans, so finished pics on that to come...

The 3 Rules of Throw-Up

1. It always happens in the middle of the night

2. It almost always happens in my bed

3. By morning, I am exhausted and my kids are miraculously cured

I am starting to think my kids have started a conspiracy against me......