Happy FIRST Birthday Marcus. What a good boy he is. I adore this little chub. We had a great day. Hazel, Matt and Mary were more excited than he was. In the morning we went to Music Makers and they sang happy birthday to him. I unexpectedly got choked up. As I held back the tears I felt such love for my baby boy. I can't believe he is 1 year old now and learning new things everyday. It is such a joy to have him in our home and to hold him and snuggle him everyday. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

Thanks for the birthday party mom. I love his kisses
We love a party!!
And Dad loves cupcakes
He obviously loves his new toys, Thanks Grandpa and Grandma.
A little story behind the shirt... I thought it was so cute but do they have a first birthday shirt in a size 24 months?

I decided this was the easiest way to let Marcus loose with his cake and have some for the rest of us too. Hazel was actually really worried about this so we did a cupcake balloon boquet and the kids got to frost them. It was a great time.
Is he bored or is he getting a new tooth. Let's say the latter.
Oh Yah!!!! Life is sweet. Being 1 is good stuff!
Do I have something on my face?
Want some? Are you SURE?

He escaped in the middle of a diaper change. Crawled away as fast as he could and posed.
His new trick, he folds his arms every time we pray. In fact, the other day during a busy lunch Matt, Mary and I started eating and I looked at him and he was waiting to pray. Who would've thought I could be kept on the path by a 12 month old. I love him so much!!
He has been doing this for months and I have always told my self I would capture it but I always had my hands full of him and holding a bottle so I finally got it. He used to play with my hair and would pull my hair out so once I pulled my hair back he went to his own. It puts him right out.
He is always so good to give kisses.
On the morning of his birthday he woke up to balloons and decorations.

Hazel's and Matt's first day of school.

Here she is at the Zoo ready for her first day of Kindergarten.
She is one of 16 who were chosen to attend the special program
at the Henry Doorly Zoo here in Omaha.

Hazel with her teacher Mrs. Callahan. She is a great teacher.
Matthew and one of his best friends Nicole ready for their first day of Pre K.

Both so happy to be there!!!
WHAT A SMILE. MY SWEET BOY.

Well we are now a month into school and the kids love it. Hazel had a surprisingly difficult time leaving. She had absolutely no problems with Pre K but I think "all day" Kindergarten was too long. She fell asleep twice in school the second day and she was falling asleep at dinner. I think before Matt starts all day school I will take away naps a few months before. As for Matthew there has been NO problem whatsoever. He can't wait for school every morning and loves to spend his choice time reading. He has just started to read and is so proud of that. Mary misses her older sibs, but I dont' think she minds being the boss for a few hours everyday. And Marcus loves his "mommy-time".

What a vacation!

In May we went to Nauvoo. It was the perfect time of year. It was not hot, not cold, there were no crowds, and the entire city was covered in tulips. The kids soaked it all in. Hazel was particularly affected by it. As we were leaving she was sobbing. So I asked her "How do you think the pioneers felt when they had to leave?" She looked at me like straight in the eyes and said "Not as sad as I feel." Since then she has informed me that as soon as she gets married and has a baby she is moving there. So I asked her why after she has a baby and said "Because there are no doctors there." Oh Duh. The highlight was probably the temple. It wasn't there when I lived there, just a grass plot. And as we drove down the street and I saw the clock tower for the first time it literally took my breath away. What a tribute. The pioneers must be rejoicing to have their beautiful temple on the hill again. We all loved it. I think it is a must visit for all.

More summer pictures

Morgan ran his first race. He ran the 10K and we were so proud of him. Even if an 80 year old man beat him. Hey as long as he finished, right?
24 th of July at my parents. We had a great time of course. So did these two party animals!

Lagoon was so fun. Everyone had a great time with G'ma and G'pa Cummings and Shelly.
Their favorite grandchildren, Ok their only grandchildren. But they'd still be their favorite even if not.

Fun in the Sun!

What a great time we had this summer. We were in Utah for 3 months and made such great memories with our Grandparents and cousins etc. It was a great preview to the rest of our lives. A few highlights... Bear Lake, Lagoon, Liberty Park, and living near and with family. Hazel, our little Mermaid, became even more of a princess. In fact, here, she turned into Ariel.
Marcus didn't really understand the difference between food and sand...again and again and again. As a consequence, he left the beach weighing just about as much as a bag of sand.

Mimi and "You-You" enjoyed each other's company all summer long.

Matt, the surfing-magazine model shown above, grew about 4 inches, so all of his pants are now capris. But, when you are as handsome as he is, you can pull off just about anything.

Here we go!

Well we are finally blogging. We will see how this goes. We appreciate you patience as we figure out how this even works. I am really the one who is challenged in this area, but some friends have offered to help. Kath