Yep, We're Alive

Just in case you were wondering.

Who knew a move into a home would make three months disappear so quickly?

Other than having been on the verge of being in the middle of a crazy severe thunderstorm like none I've ever seen before while running along the Platte River, we really haven't been up to much "out of the ordinary".

The story of the end of June until now can be found in the posts that follow this one...

...as in will be above, following this one.

Just in case you were confused.

Fitting It All In

We are trying to fit in a bunch of stuff before we head out really soon.

 

Lilia had croup this week, so has been clingy and grumpy, so I didn't take many pictures of her... poor girl.

 

I have to admit, though, her raspy voice and almost silent cries and squeals are a little funny, even though it's sad.

 

We met up with Savanna and went to This is the Place on Friday morning, spur of the moment.

 

We had a blast!

 

Porter even got to ride a pony!

 

 

I got burned pretty bad because I didn't think we would be outside as much as we were.

 

Savanna got a bit burned as well, but we had fun!

 

Later, we met up with the Farrs downtown at City Creek to hang out.

 

We let the kids get soaked at the fountains after dinner.

 

It was very entertaining.

 

Although, for whatever reason, I didn't take any pictures.

 

Doh.

 

After the fountains, we asked our sopping wet son if he would like to go walk Temple Square.

 

He said he would!

 

So we did...

 

...with him shivering the whole time. 

 

The next day, we decided to take a break from packing and go hike Ensign Peak!

 

 

Lilia wasn't a fan of the wind.

 

Or her hat.

Or her baby carrier.

 

On our drive back into heart of the city, I snapped a picture of the Capitol Building.

 

I realized we have now lived in three different capitol cities.

 

Kinda fun to think about.

 

Once back downtown, we parked under the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

 

Before touring the Beehive House...

 

And then eating at the Lion House...

 

 

It was a good break from the packing and wonderful weekend!

More Independent

 

I can't tell you how happy I am about her holding her own bottle.

 

Now, I can actually get things done while she is eating!

 

Well, that is if she isn't feeling clingy, anyway.

 

But, no more mastitis!

 

*Happy dance*

Memorial Day Week

While Seth was at work, I packed up all our decorations in preparation for our first haul toward the big move back to Wyoming.

 

Lots of bundling...

 

After moving thirteen times, I've learned it is better that I do the "nice stuff".

 

Even if it gives me bruises as if I'm beaten because I have no upper body strength and the moment.

 

We took this first haul over the day before Memorial Day.

 

On Memorial Day, we visited the girls, and got to put flowers by their grave for the first time.

 

We were so out of it almost two years ago, that we completely spaced bringing their flowers.

 

Thank you to all who remembered my sweet girls on Memorial Day.

 

I hope your Memorial Day was a good one.

All my kids.

 The next day, after house-hunting from dawn until dusk, we went to a circus!!

 



 

First time for all of our immediate family except Seth.

 

 We picked a great spot as far as the performance went!

 

Check out how close those elephants are!

 

Porter especially enjoyed it.

 

Porter spent the majority of the rest of the week, while we continued our housing stuff, playing in the back yard, going to parks, and swimming in the small pool with his cousins. 

 

 

He was so happy playing so hard that he didn't want to come back home!

Lilia was adorable and happy as long as she was getting what she wanted (like usual).

 

Mama got to hang out with her quite a bit, and I think they both enjoyed that.

 

 

The trip was way fun and completely successful!

 

I think we may have set a record in home-buying history.

 

We found a house in two days!

As of right now, we have no neighbors on our side of the street, but we are just fine with that after sharing walls, floors, and ceilings for the past seven and a half years.

 

So excited!!

 

To end the week, we had Stake Conference with Elder Bednar presiding.

 

I love listening to him speak.

 

He has a gift, and I always learn something.

 

I was lucky to have him as president at BYU-I when I was a freshman.

 

Wonderful ending to a great week!

 

Wish I had taken more pictures, but we weren't "resting" much...

Li'l Update

"Mama" gave Lilia a pair of adorable socks that she embellished that Lilia now fits into...

 

 

She loves them because they make noise!

 

 

And, she trys to pull the beads off.

 

...

Lilia is becomming more accustomed to Daddy.

 

 

I love that she is.

 

 

...

 

This guy...

 

 ...has to be the world's best big brother.

I may be slightly predjudice.

But, the other day, Porter sang Lilia to sleep at least 10 times.



Why so many times?

 

Because she would giggle with joy every time he sang, making it difficult to sleep.

 

When she would cry about him laying down to go to bed himself, he would pop back up and start singing again.

 

Until she actually did successfully fall asleep.

 

I love that he cares so much for his baby sister.

 



 

Life is so good.

Teether

 We have been dealing with soaked burp rags, bibs, clothes, and basically everything else for about two months now.

 

 

 

 

Just waiting for one of those little white teeth to pop out so we can stop the drools.

 

 And enjoying the toothless cuteness until then.

Green = Gross

Except for carrots and sweet potatoes, this is the reaction we get from Lilia when she has vegetables.

 

 

She's not a fan.

February Sum Up: Part Two—Playful Porter

This guy…

…caused me quite a few headaches this last month.

Let’s just say he had a bit too much fun with pen…

…with crayon…

…with scissors…

**cut pants not shown**

…and with glue.

So, we have hidden those things.

Porter also decided, one day, he would see what this…

…would do on his eye.

He found out!

I guess sometimes we all have to learn things the hard way.

Little Mover

Lilia may start lying down on her playmat straight, but she certainly doesn't stay straight!

 

 

Her hair line is showing how much she moves around, as well.

 

Porter likes to join her sometimes...

 

To show her how to look at herself.

 

He always says, "We're together!"

 

It's really cute.

Not too impressed.

Flown

It's seriously the end of January?

 

And, I've blogged how many times?

 

Taken how many pictures?

 

Yeah...

 

I don't know what happened to this month.

 

Oh wait, yes I do.

 

First, it went to being sick.

 

Then to getting mastitis for the seventh time.

 

Yep!

 

SEVENTH time.

 

I mean, seriously, how many people do you know have gotten it that many times?

 

Well, now you know one.

 

Third, it went to tending to the babe who seriously takes up almost every second of my time.

 

Porter wasn't nearly as high maintenance.

 

I honestly feel sorry for Porter because of how much time I need to spend with Lilia.

 

He gets a bit attention deprived sometimes.

 

I guess it's good for him?

 

Because of getting mastitis over and over, I am required to pump after every feeding as a prevention.

 

This means my freezer is filled with breast milk.

 

Totally serious about that even if it is kinda gross.

 

Even though I have a high maintenance child, I love every minute.

 

Even when we start going stir crazy to the point of insanity.

 

An earlier and better schedule will be made as of next month since, according to the sleep bible I'm reading, that is the golden month to start letting the baby cry herself to sleep.

 

Hopefully we can be better at time management after that.

 

Or, it may have to wait until she's weaned.

 

Add a possible milk allergy, a visit from the parents, from a sister, and going to two families homes (sometimes more than once), and that's been my month.

 

Getting out the door has been a miracle.

 

Now, to the pix and vids...

 

(That's the part y'all like anyway)

 

Lilia's first laugh was for her Daddy!

 

 

She laughs easier and harder now, but I haven't recorded it.

 

Porter is still really cute with Lilia.

 

He keeps trying to help out in any way he can.

 

One day, he kept putting her sock back on.

 

And, she'd just kick it right off again.

 

So he would keep trying...

 

 

Success!

 

 

We've had some pretty impressive snowfall...

 

love that my Christmas stuff was still out halfway through the month.

Seth even got to go ski.

 

In fact, it's snowing about like that right now!

 

Gorgeous.

 

As long as I'm not driving in it.

 

 Lilia has given us a taste of her spitfire personality...

 

 

...and her angelic side...

 

 

...which only shows up when you're doing egg.zach.tly what she wants.

 

(And, yes, everything was taken with my iPad because it was on hand and I was too busy having a date with my machine at the time of adorableness)

 

We sure have had an interesting, yet awesome January!

 

Love all the moments with the little ones.