Getting to Know My Middle The last 5 months I've been so lucky to get "special" time with this special girl. Everyday, after lunch, Oldest goes to school, Youngest goes to sleep and me and Middle get some one on one time. I'm really getting to know who she is out of her sis's shadow for the first time and its so fun.

Here are some fun things I've learned recently from her own words:

• "Mom, when I was really little...I had SO many pets!...I want so many pets. ..Mom, can we just have two pets?? Please?? Just a dog and a unicorn??"

• "Mom, sometimes I just want a baby brother SO bad!"

• "I don't want to eat ANYTHING in our house!! Don't tell me to eat anything in this fridge unless its strawberries...that's ALL!"

• "Mom, you're the Boss."

• "Mom, was I there when you got married?
• Me- "No, you weren't born yet."
• "WHAT? Awwwww, I wanted to see your married dress!!"

• "Mom. Sometimes I want to just be a mom already and have my own born babies."

Affectionately Called "The Boo Caboose" (by her big sisters) This is a proud display of a banana slice up top. If you detect a "smart" look on her face, you'd be right. She is my first child that enjoys rubbing foods all over the top of her head--ESPECIALLY foods she detests. Who knew that massaging foods into a bald scalp was an expression of resentment?

On a positive note, she has become very skilled at folding arms and bowing her head for prayers. It melts our hearts and she is equally proud of herself. We love our Caboose.

Happy 33rd.........We love you a bushel and a peck and an onion ring stack! The theme for his birthday party was "homemade" ...homemade burgers, onion rings, pie and ice cream. Kyla's house smelled like a regular 50's diner!

Razzleberry (compliments of Grandma!)

And my sweet niece celebrated 11 years!!!! Whoo hoo! look at that blaze.

Christmas 2010

Showing off one of her favorite presents...new chap stick. I love this easy-to-please age!

playing in the snow...and token "train pic" (we should produce a calendar with all the train photography we have).

No one can ever get enough of Uncle Corey

Earlier in the month the girls got to ride on a train in the city's light parade. Super fun.

Thankful for Thanksgiving still bald, still cute

Poppy having quality time with Little People

This is almost all the grandchildren.

Of course a trip anywhere wouldn't be complete without:

Party GIRL...#1

This photoshoot had an abrupt ending.

She meticulously took this cake apart and ate the whole thing. Our first child to actually eat a birthday cake and not play with it (like the 1st), or cry about it (like the 2nd).

Something's Missing... After school convo:

Me: I like your school work! But something is missing :)

Her: Uh-huh! A marshmellow fell off...so I ate it!

Me: Oh! I bet other kids were eating their marshmellows too, huh?

Her: Nope! Just me. ;)

Me: Was it tasty with all that Elmer's glue on the back?

Her: YEP!

(reminded me of this video I recently watched on LDS.org)

My Kindergartner Donned in school approved uniform and tinkerbell backpack she was so ready to roll. She was jazzed.

When you bring a baby home from the hospital you never think the first day of kindergarten will ever come. Or at least you think you have a small eternity to prepare for it. My "small eternity" was not enough apparently. I not only bawled my eyes out the night before, but several times in the first few weeks. I love my girl.

Summer SummaryThis is just a little summary of our summer since we lived 3 different places from April to August of this year. Its been wild to say the least. And not counting our residential changes, we made 3 different road trips. So here are some pictures of the many places we've lived and visited this summer. I'm SO happy to have a place to call home as we are getting settled, but travel is fun too.

(could my lips be more luscious??)

(The Maz)

"Para Espanol, marce dos"

BYE-BYE Summer!

We HEART Oregonians

(this is my FAVORITE pic from the whole trip. The glimmer in her eye sums up the fun we had)

(of course there is always one of these)

Summer Sampler This summer has been a wirlwind! We've had so many adventures, moves, roadtrips, etc. Here are just a few of the happenings...more will follow...eventually

playing at Grandma's

First professional hair cut with cousin Rylee

crawling, pulling up and cruising!

. . . And 9 Years Later . . .

Happy Anniversary!