yesterday...

We are taking things a day at a time around here. I think the change is finally catching up with Eden. Poor girl is a bit sensitive lately. We had a contest to see who could make the saddest faces. Grant could only muster a bunch of smiles and one angry face. Grace had to use her hands for help. JJ was too busy looking out the window. Eden won, which made her happy.

baby jj

We have had him home for nearly a month. And for nearly a month, with many thanks to completely generous and thoughtful friends and family, I have done little but rest and take care of him. It almost makes me feel like we could do this again... almost.

Jeffery Jack was born on a balmy Phoenix day in the middle of June. He was 8 pounds, 1 once and 21 inches long. Everything went perfectly well at the hospital, so well that we came home a day earlier than usual. JJ is a super easy baby. He nurses well - when I can get him to stay awake - and sleeps well during the day and even better at night. We are spoiling him with attention and loving it. There are always arms at the ready to hold and rock him.

My sweet mom stayed with us for two weeks. This sacrifice on her part was further heightened by the fact that she then drove with me and the three youngest kids to Tahoe for a 4th of July getaway making a total of three consecutive weeks of keeping children busy and taken care of. We've been struggling through Grammy detox this week... It was wonderful having her here with us and made it possible for us to keep up with everything while I was recovering. I got to go to Grace's last swim meet, and watch Grant at his last swim lesson. And everyone had lots to do during the day. Grammy brought sewing projects, hand bells, and other things to do. She took them to their summer movies and they went shopping at the book store. And she did puzzles over and over again with Eden every day.

Meanwhile, this guy has been busy doing all the things newborns do. We are so grateful JJ was born in June. Having him in the middle of our summer break has proven to be impeccable timing. We finished up with all our summer business just as he came into the world. And it is a blessing now not having much to rush around and do.

outside

For all my fretting after the big chill this winter, our yards have come back just fine. Cori had just about decided against planting a garden this year, but we are so glad he did. May was also unseasonably cool (relatively speaking - we only had one or two triple-digit days) which gave the garden and the chopped back yard foliage a great chance to fill in.

The lemon tree actually set fruit this year. I can't wait!

Our produce count has already exceeded that of last years. We have quite a few tomatoes these days- lots of salsa, bruschetta, and BLTs. Ah, summer!

the quick holiday weekend

My dad got to go to Texas to be a part of the recent vote made by the Boy Scouts organization. My mother will never miss an opportunity to visit her motherland and accompanied him. They built a little 48 hour layover in Phoenix into their trip home. We had looked around for some activities or outings to divert us and, in the end, stayed at home. We swam, played games, watched movies, and took it easy. Dad took us out to dinner one night. And it was great having them around on Sunday to help with the busy schedule that usually ensues. Dad also sang in our ward choir for our ward conference. Grammie Marla will be back with us in a week. Baby time!

...and a few of Eden

No graduations or big stepping stones for this little lady. I keep waiting to get serious about potty training. I just think it will be better to go for it after the baby is here and our summer schedule slows down towards the end of July.

She's not our little baby any more. We love hearing the things that come out of her little-big-girl mind. She still runs screaming to the door every night when Cori comes home from work. And she still takes a three hour nap every day. She loves to dance, do summersaults, and make silly faces.

Eden remains a feisty firecracker. She is always the first one in the pool and the last one out. Pictured below is a sweet little death-gripped kiss she gave to Grant as part of an apology. She can go from tear-streaked furious to smiling in a matter of seconds. Most of the time, this transformation is accompanied by a gesture of wiping the tears out of her eyes and an exclamation that "I am happy now!" She and I have spent lots of time talking and hugging in time out on the stairs. She is learning. Her energy and determination will become super strengths to her.

final days of preschool

Tee ball wrapped up just as the weather started getting hot. At the end of the season, the coaches put the tee aside and the boys got to try out coach pitch. This was most exciting as batting is 90% of the reason most boys like baseball, I think.

Umbrellas were regularly employed to make shade, and coach Bill organized a donut party at the last game. Grant loves this trophy!

The L boys enjoyed a weekend at our ward's father and son campout. Grant got to play and play into the late hours of the night. And Cori loves evenings around a campfire. They got to go hiking and explore a cave the next day. They are looking forward to next year already.

Preschool graduation was super, as always. I was late to the sign up sheet and drew the short end of the stick (in my opinion:)). We made these little cupcakes to contribute to the festivities as a result. 

The children sing songs and recite poems. When Miss Carrie gives them their diploma she asks them two questions: What was your favorite part of preschool? What do you want to be when you grow up? Grant's answers were that he loved playing outside at the basketball hoop the most and that he wants to work at Honeywell and be just like his dad when he grows up. 

Kindergarten glitter!

Grant is very excited to start elementary school next year. I took him in for his kindergarten screening a couple of months ago. He is so ready. It was a bittersweet good-bye to Miss Carrie this time around. After teaching Grace, and then these last two years with Grant, next Fall will be our first school year since moving here that we won't be driving to her house regularly.