Delicious

So, a couple weeks ago I decided to finally introduce Charlie to the wonderful world of playdough. With Mabel I was super freaked out about mixing colors but I decided this time, who cares? The kids certainly don't, and if I want to get anything done while they are playing, they won't have the luxury of unmixed playdough. They may care when it all turns brown, but for now it's all good.

Speaking of playdough turning brown...remember the title of this post? Charlie is all about the playdough eating. I yelled at him a few times, but it's too good to resist. But hey, the container says non-toxic, right?

Singing in the rain

We had a nice summer rain storm the other day. Here are the kids splashing in puddles and playing with their umbrellas.

I remember when I was 6 and it poured rain! Our neighbors yard must have had a foot of water in it because I got in my swimsuit and rode my big wheel into it. The water was freezing but I had so much fun. I did get in trouble because I didn't tell anyone where I was or what I was doing. It was sooooooooo worth it! My kids would never do that...

Noooo!!!

Note the title of this post. That would be Charlie's favorite word and now my new favorite word. We both just yell no at each other all day every day. It's great fun. This is just one of his many naughty moments captured on camera. The reason a picture was taken is because Randy was home. I really don't think his naughtiness is cute anymore. I'm totally over it.

Charlie took a bottle of glitter and dumped it out on Mabel's art table.

Then he cried.

Then he went to time out.

Not as bad as a week ago when he dumped a bottle of glue on the art table and then it dripped down onto the carpet. THAT was fun cleaning times. AHHHHHHHHH!!! Okay, I just had to get that out.

Crafty Katie

Here it is. The beginning of my mega star career as a... person who makes and does super crafty things. Woohoo! I've always wanted to be one of those people. So here is my amazing blanket that I made for Faye.

Please hold the oohs and aahs until the end.
Here is my nursing cover, also for Faye. What a stylish little girl.

And here is my super cute bag.

Am I fancy or what? I am so proud of me. I seriously have no idea how to sew. I just guess. My next project should be a pioneer skirt. I have the material but... I kind of burned out. So let me work up that craft vibe and I will get back to it.

I also learned how to make salsa and can it this summer. Mmmm...salsa. It is way yummy! Who knows what I will do next? Guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out.

We Love You Faye!

First of all, I'd like you to note how we can hardly get a picture of Faye without her thumb in her mouth. Secondly, isn't it so darn cute?!!! Now to the topic of serious discussion. Can you be loved to death? This is a serious issue that my sweet Faye faces every day.

Here is big sister, Mabel, pausing for a nice picture. But as soon as the camera is off, out come the, "Oooooooooh BABY's!" Mabel probably says and screams that at Faye about 87 times a day. Covering Faye with kisses, pats, and endlessly annoying baby talk.

Ahhh, here is the sweet, unsuspecting Faye taking a brake from basking in big sister's love. Then, out of nowhere, BOOM. Big brother Charlie, (not pictured) goes for the toes. Head butts and open mouthed slobber kisses are Charlie's specialties.

When Faye does tummy time, Charlie likes to ride her like a horse. That's what little sister's are for, right? And then there are the eyes. I am waiting for a scientific experiment to prove that there are actually magnets in babies' eyes that attract older sibling fingers. I can hardly keep Charlie's fingers out of her eyes. She will be lucky to make it to age one with her eyesight intact. Good luck Faye! Mommy is trying.

But at the end of the day, there is always safety in Daddy's arms.

I love you Nauvoo

So we finally made it back to Nauvoo. I think it has been 3 years. I looooooove Nauvoo. We made it a quick trip, but it was still pretty fun. After the 1 1/2 car ride, we headed to pioneer pastimes to let the kids get their wiggles out. Apparently, pioneer children enjoyed riding on sheep. Interesting...

Pioneer children also enjoyed cooking,

cleaning,
teddy bear races,

and according to Faye, sticking their tongues out.

We went to the Relief Society garden. Mabel stood next to one of the statues.

On our wagon ride through the outskirts of town, all three of our kids fell asleep. Nice.

We also purchased some pioneer bonnets. Here are the kids trying them out on the ride home.

It was too short of a visit. We only drove by the temple and didn't make it to any of the houses. But at least we made it. Maybe in three more years our kids will appreciate it more and we can spend some more time. Nauvoo is probably my most favorite place ever. Ahhhhh (sigh).

4th of July

We were privileged with two 4th of Julys. At the Moran reunion we did tattoos, glow sticks, and lots of sparklers.

Here is Faye enjoying the festivities with aunt Heather

With 7 children running around crazy with sparklers, we were pretty lucky with only one casualty. Cousin Chloe burned her little finger on a sparkler, but she didn't need to go to the hospital, so darn it, I think we did pretty well.

4th of July with the Teed's included a parade and fireworks. No, this isn't a picture of Randy and I...it's actually Ricky and Samantha with Grandma Teed in there.

Mabel with cousin Caleb.

A valuable lesson was learned this year. If your fireworks say CAUTION: Flying flaming balls,

it in fact means that balls of flame will fly through the air. One of our fireworks started out a spraying fountain and we thought that was it...until it exploded and the balls of flame started flying everywhere. WHOOPS! We were actually very lucky no one got hurt.

Charlie with cousin Caleb