summer begins today

and again - i am already behind. spring cleaning is not done, no spring planting or yard work - is this just going to be the way it goes?

idyllic spring day

This winter has been so long - so cold - so full of snow and gray days. Even the most optimistic attitudes had work trying to find good things to say about the season - and I am not a super fan of winter in the best of times. Which is why the recent respite was so welcome. I felt an uplift to my whole mental status just by experiencing a day out of doors. Having a chance to share it with kids made it just that much better.

Reagan and Kalli started by climbing the playset together.

Kennedy was not about to be left behind either. She crawled up the steps too.

They got a chance to run around some - although the ground is still awfully wet.


Is there anything better than the smiles we get when the weather is good enough for playtime?



I can't wait until this is the norm for our activities, although I will take it any way we get it.

feeling idiotic (pronounce eye-dot-ic for katie)

I used to tease my sister that she had accidents all the time. She broke her finger while swimming and got a head laceration while trying to catch a ball in softball. She shut a window on her toe. and locked her jaw when yawning. But even though I tease her, she has been a good sport about it - especially as, it seems, I actually have some pretty good 'accidents' of my own.

There was the time when our family and friends all went to a concert at the fair. There had been rain and a lot of mud. Do you see where I am heading? I lectured all the kids to be careful and not slip, and then totally lost my own footing, wiping out thoroughly - yes, covered in mud.

Another incident involved the breaking of my little finger (picture a break that includes a right angle) when I tried to catch a basketball thrown by one of my children. It was bouncing low to the ground and I hit my finger on the gym floor.

But the newest episode was just as silly. This past week I went to the park with my two daughters and grandchildren. I was pushing a stroller (an empty one I believe) towards a bench. My head was down looking at the stroller and it must be admitted that my hair was in my face too, but I basically ran full face into an iron rod. Right at eye level - one I should have seen - but instead I bounced off it like a rubber ball. It was slapstick at its best. I now sport a small black eye and a little more understanding of the word 'accident' - at least as it relates to my sister - or myself.

random

Bud and his Miller granddaughters in St. Louis in February this year.

I realized I never post on the blog any longer - have been reading everyone else's - but we have had great times lately with family so here are a few pics.
Karyna in her own back yard - while Nayeli was in school we played in the sunshine.

Nayeli showed us some dancing and her costumes for her dancing - I think ballet.

Kennedy being a good sport waiting for the numerous pictures to be taken at the Brooks.

Reagan found she has a calling for music and here she is practicing her rock star moves.

Kalli was emptying out my suitcase - and shaking everything she could find in it.

Bud asked Austin to please carry on his tradition of the tourist wave - so Austin did.

perfection

I am way behind in posting about events in the family - will have to try to catch up soon. However, I have time to post one picture of the perfect children - from a great day together.

goodbyes

One of the best - and worst - aspect of being part of the Williamston Ward is the fact that it is so transient. It is good because we have so many wonderful people entering our lives that we would not experience in a different ward. The bad thing is that they leave. And it hurts. It is amazing how hard it is to say good-bye to all of them. This time we said good-bye to the Mauss family. I had no idea when they first arrived that they would become such an integral part of our ward and my own family. Rebecca - I will miss you - you were always such a positive person - an example for all of us. And Austin will miss his good buddy Charley for a long time. I am so glad they got to be friends! Good- bye and good luck in the next phase of your life!

I think Jill would say that you look simply fabulous here - but you always do.

Austin and Charley - the world would be a better place if we all had their kind of friendship.Molly and Kalli will miss seeing their friends the Mausses too.

playing around

One of the first really cold evenings of the winter, we had some fun company. Nothing like kids to warm up the night.

Kalli likes to chew on anything and everything - and here we see that she found a straw to chomp on. I THINK it was one we got for the kids to play with - don't remember leaving used straws around at least.

Here we have Austin showing me what he thinks is the look of Zack and Cody. We played a game where we had to act or look like different characters.

I think this is Kalli's perpetual look - big grin - or snorting laughter.

This is another character shot - here Austin is Iron Man. I never saw the movie but am sure it is a good portrayal.

Both the picture above and below are the serious moments for both kids. So adorable.