Kate and the Nephites

Every night we try to read a scripture story out of a children's scripture book to the kids. Lately we have been reading out of the Book of Mormon story book. As we read we ask questions to make sure that the kids are listening and understanding what we are reading. Kate answers EVERY question with a huge smile and the same words, "The Nephites!"

"Who were the people in this story who were making good choices?"--"The Nephites!"
"Who was Jesus teaching here?"--"The Nephites!"
"What was the name of Alma's son?"--"The Nephites!"
"How many days was it dark as a sign of Christ's death?"--"The Nephites!"

Hilarious.

First Field Trip

Owen and I were both excited for his first Elementary School Field Trip! I loved being able to go to Wildlife Images with him and to be there for his first school bus ride. Yea for field trips!

What we have been up to....

Davis
What he has been saying: Gracie has recently started eating Cottage Cheese and really does like it quite well. Every time she eats it Davis refers to it as "college cheese". "Do you like that college cheese Gracie?" So cute. Davis has also started asking questions about EVERYTHING, "Why did Heavenly Father create mice?" (as if I really understand this one myself!), "Why are there elections for the city council?", "How are frogs made?", "Do ants come from eggs?"..and on and on and ON!
What he has been doing: Davis just finished up his first season of soccer with the big soccer club in town. It was every Saturday for one hour...that's it. Perfect for his age. The thing that made it ideal was that for this one season Owen and Davis could be on the same team...I love having our kids close together at times like this. The first week Davis was too scared to participate, but after that he was into it. At times I think that he forgot he was playing soccer and he was playing Ninjas, which of course made him all the more fun to watch. Davis has also learned a song from Owen's school, teaching him to count by tens...he is so proud of himself. We think he is going to be really good with numbers and even has started learning how to tell time on our clock with roman numerals. He stands a little taller when he learns things his brother has just learned himself.Kate
What she has been saying: My parents were recently in town for a couple of days and they brought the kids the movie "Horton Hears a Who". Kate was so excited and for days was asking to watch "Horton and the Poo". I like to think that her mind was not in the toilet, but that she was thinking more of "Winnie the Pooh". Who knows...she does have two big brothers.
Oh, and along those lines she is the first to inform you when you say a "potty word" and will warn you that you are going to get hot sauce on your tongue. "Hot Sauce! Hot Sauce!" she chants. She also is quick to accuse her brothers, "You like P-INK! You like P-INK!" when they are picking on her. Smart girl. She knows how to hit them where it hurts.
What she is doing: Kate is more into Fairy and Princess Dress-ups than ever. She constantly has a tu-tu on and is twirling through the house. She also has recently discovered the "Angelina Ballerina" books and was thrilled when I asked her if she would like to take a ballet class in the Fall while Davis is in Preschool. She also loves playing "baby dolls" and "tea party". If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she says, "A Princess Mommy!" I love that. So sweet. She does have a very determined/stubborn side to her and will let you know if she doesn't like what you are saying. Just today she told me that she doesn't want to listen to what I tell her to do....oh boy, I am scared for her to grow up. Luckily she has promised to stay little "FOREVER!". Owen
What he has been saying: "Liar-Liar pants on Fire..." and all of the other great sayings we also used to say in elementary school.
What he has been doing: LEGOS! Owen is still loving Legos. When he is not doing Legos he is "reading" The Magic Tree House series, riding his bike or scooter with Davis, or drawing. He is an amazing artist. Owen is very well liked at school and is as humble as any six year old would be about that. I am relieved, however, to hear that he was mortified when a girl in his class kissed him on the cheek. Please tell me that I have a while before we have to worry about him liking the idea of kissing a girl! Oh, and we could not have been prouder of him than when he was named the Kindergartner who read the most minutes at the school read-a-thon. Man, does he love that red book worm tee shirt!Gracie
What she has been saying: "Da-Da-Da", "Ma-Ma-Ma", "Ga-Ga-Ga"....that's about it. :)

What she has been doing: She is now very proficient at waving and has started to play "Peek-a-Boo". She can pull herself up on just about anything, climb stairs and has even thrown her head back in the air as she has started to develop her own version of a tantrum. Oh, we are so proud. I am hoping that soon her third and fourth teeth will be in and she will be done with the tantrums for a while...we can be optimistic, right? Really by all accounts she is a joy to have in our family. We are wondering, however, why that twinkle in her eye is starting to become more pronounced with the more mischief she gets in....stay tuned for more on that.

Ten at Ten

Brace yourselves, this post has been ten years in the making....Today Jed and I celebrate our TENTH anniversary....Wow, really? Well, looking back I guess it has been ten years. Here are a few highlights:2000: We got married in Oakland, CA and after a couple months in Provo, UT we moved to Omaha, NE where Jed would attend Creighton Dental School for the next three years.
2001: We visited South Dakota/Mt Rushmore on our first ever family vacation. No photos here...we didn't have a digital camera yet...our kids will think this makes us so old!
2002: Jed continued to slave away in school. I continued to learn the family business as a dental assistant. We had WONDERFUL friends and co-workers. We loved Omaha...not the cold or humidity, but loved our life there. I also had major jaw surgery. Once again, sorry no photos.2003: Jed graduated from Dental School. We moved to New Mexico for a dental associateship and welcome Owen Todd into our family...what a little miracle.
2004: We continued learning the ropes as new parents. We were sad to leave the people and the weather in New Mexico as we moved to Oregon.2005: We bought our first home, decided to buy into the dental practice here and welcomed a very sweet Davis Ward into our family.
2006: We had loads of fun raising our two little men and felt the loss when Jed's Dad passed away.
2007: We welcomed Kate Elisabeth with her long eyelashes and strong spirit into our family. We continued to build our practice and raise our children.2008: This was the year of fun family reunions...Southern Cali and Spokane, WA.
We continued to raise our family and build our practice.2009: We welcomed a sparkly-eyed Grace (Gracie) Jeanne into our family. We traveled to Hawaii and attempted to figure out how to balance FOUR children. We were really outnumbered now.2010: We continue to figure out the four children thing, attempt to stay on top of the yard work, try not to be frustrated too often, continue to build a business, focus on our Savior and our family, look for ways to simplify our lives and make time together a priority.

Whew! Now that you mention it, I guess it really has been 10 years. Happy Anniversary Jed...Here's to Eternity!

A Mother's Day Message I will NEVER forget!

This was the Mother's Day card that I received from Owen (He made this at school. I have put in bold the blanks that he filled in with his own words.)

Happy Mother's Day
by Owen L.

My mother is the most wonderful mother in the whole world. She's as pretty as a ladybug. She weighs 10 pounds and is 5 feet tall. Her favorite food is chicken and rice. In the good old days when mom was little she used to make fabric dolls. I think mom looks funny when she makes funny masks. But I know she is really mad when she has to tell us to do our morning list over and over. I wish my mom would let me go potty in the shower. I wouldn't trade my mother for one of my gold dollars.

The End

I would love to know what his teacher was thinking as she wrote, "let me go potty in the shower." Priceless.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you important women in my life!