My little nurses

Yesterday evening we went grocery shopping as a family. Aaron and the girls got a birthday present for a friend and a bird feeder for our birds in the backyard. I did the grocery shopping. I kind of had a headache all day long, but after being at Wal-Mart for over an hour it was pretty bad. So when we got home Ellie made a comfortable bed for me on the couch and covered me with blankets. Carly brought me dinner on the couch and offered to rub my feet with oils. Aubree brought me a sopping wet rag and "gently" patted it on my forehead. :) Aaron made dinner for us - scrambled eggs, his specialty - and put almost all the groceries away (I found the chicken still on the counter this morning).

They are such sweethearts!

Bedtime stories

The girls love to have Daddy tell them bedtime stories. Some he makes up and others are from books or movies he already knows that he'll make into a story for the girls. Well, a few nights ago he started telling them the story of Lord of the Rings. After the 3rd night of Lord of the Ring bedtime stories Carly was having a hard time sleeping peacefully. She finally came into our room and stood by my side. "Mom, I can't sleep".

I ask, "Why? Are you scared?"

"Yeah"

Then the fateful question, "Have you been thinking of Lord of the Rings?"

I have never seen Carly move so fast! She scurried into our bed and into the covers between us faster than I could say Gollum!

She started whimpering and said, "Mom! Don't say that!" (just the mention of it scared the "living daily wicks"* out of her).

So, we have decided to re-introduce the story when they're a little older.


* "living daily wicks" is Carly's version of "Living daylights" :)




Another Favorite Bedtime story


Carly LOVES Calvin and Hobbes. She usually just reads it to herself, but sometimes Daddy reads it to her. Ellie and Aubree enjoy listening in occasionally.

Hey friends,

So, we are now in our new (50-year-old) home! We like the community (most people do) - we’ve found that most people living in Davis county, are from Davis county. I don’t blame them, because I think it’s a great part of the SLC area.

This is part of our backyard and these are our new pets (awesome, low maintenance pets – they take care of themselves). My father-in-law took this picture and said he counted 16 mule deer living in our backyard! This backyard is going to be absolutely breath-taking in a few weeks with new spring– I’ll post pictures of the view from our living room windows.

Aaron – Aaron loves having a yard to take care of finally – lawn to mow, trees to prune, leaves to rake – he really does love it (lucky me). We also have a piano here, so he’s been playing the piano more and we all love it! He’s been going to bed early, waking up early, and taking long bus rides. Aaron’s commute is a BIG one – 1 to 1½ hours one way. He’s usually home by 6pm, so it’s not too bad (for me and the girls). Work is really slow right now and they just did some more layoffs and cut more hours. So, he’s down to a 4-day week. It’s nice to have him around more and this will give him more opportunity to do his own work with residential designs. Luckily our insurance premium is being lowered quite a bit, so we’ll still be taking home as much money each month. We’re just really hoping that he can keep his job (just like we’ve been hoping and stressing about for the last year). Aaron is so talented so we’re hoping that if he does lose his job he’ll be able to make enough money doing his own work and networking with other design/build companies.

Camile – I have been dedicating myself to trying to make our days here at home a little smoother and happier (lifelong goal). Having a bigger home has not cured Carly and Ellie of sibling rivalry like I was hoping. I don’t think that they know how to separate themselves from each other very well – even if they are totally annoying each other, they are still stuck like glue! So, I’ve started making a loose agenda for each day so that I feel a little more organized. I’ve been scheduling time for doing preschool with the girls and going to the library or park. I plan what we’ll have for each meal and what chores need to get done that day. It seems so simple (and maybe a little too overboard), but for me if I don’t have it written down and planned it just doesn’t happen a lot of the time. Well, this has helped us all A LOT – my stress level is a lot lower and I think we’re all happier. Another thing that has helped my stress level is having a bigger kitchen – our last kitchen was claustrophobic so I hated being in it. A picture of me with our top-of-the line-fifty-years-ago oven/broiler. The cutting board below actually pulls out and that is where our stove top hides – pretty cool!

Carly – She has been such a sweetheart lately! She is so sensitive to other people’s feelings (unless Ellie is driving her crazy). I especially appreciate that she recognizes my efforts to be a good Mom. She has made a new best friend here – Rosie (our 10-year-old neighbor). Carly is very outgoing and makes new friends very easily – whenever we go to the park she makes a new friend. She also just started a music class through a program called MusikGarten. Carly is so musically talented and she is just loving it! She’ll be going to the elementary school just 3 blocks from our home in the fall and I think we are all really excited for that day.

Ellie – She has recently informed us that she likes to be called Ellise (with a hard “e”). She had her 4th birthday in January. I planned a big family party for her on MY birthday (kind of a stressful way to spend a birthday – but it ended up being a lot of fun for everyone). I worry about the second child – they have so much to live up to! Her and Carly are so close in age that they compare themselves to each other (and I think Aaron and I do too sometimes). She is also doing a music class and we specifically put her in a different class than Carly so that they can become more independent from each other. Ellie took naps up until she was almost 4 (I realize that’s pretty lucky), but the afternoons get to be pretty rough for her still. It will be really nice to have Carly in Kindergarten next year so I can spend more one-on-one time with Ellie – our relationship needs it.

Aubree –

Look at those cheeks!!!

She turned one in February. She is still our little baby, but is starting to do things that are showing us how fast she’s growing up. She says, uh-oh, doggy, ma ma (for me and Aaron), thank you, baby and hi (not with perfect pronunciation, but we know what she’s saying). She folds her arms for prayer (or when she wants food), she loves to talk on the phone and she also loves to wash her hands with soap – so cute! She stands alone and walks along furniture, but she has not even attempted to take a step alone – but that’s okay, because I still want her to be my baby for as long as possible because we probably won’t have another baby for a LONG time. She sleeps in until at least 9:30 in the morning and takes one nap in the afternoon. I’m still nursing her in the morning and at night (she wants absolutely nothing to do with milk in a cup or bottle). Aubree brings so much joy into our family – she is at such a cute stage and makes all of us smile whenever she’s around! I can totally understand now how the youngest in a family gets spoiled, you just want to keep them a baby for as long as possible!

Too much info.

Aubree - 7 1/2 months old. height: 25" (10%), weight: 16.5 lbs (25%), head circ. (75%). She takes after her sisters...(and her Daddy) :) She's getting so big so quickly, time just keeps going faster and faster for me. She'll be crawling pretty soon, but it seems like she should only be 3 months old. I can't even describe how much joy she brings into our home! I think the more kids you have the more you enjoy the baby stage. Preschoolers can sometimes be such a handful and kinda' sassy sometimes, but I never have to worry about Aubree throwing a tantrum (on purpose) or hitting me (to be mean) or saying she'll never play with me again. The worst a baby can do is nothing compared to a 5- or 3-year old!
Ellise - 3 1/2 years. And she is very aware of how she looks too - she brushes her long, beautiful, blonde hair about six times a day and is very picky about what she wears (which is usually a dress or a skirt). I think it's hard for her to be the second child (especially since her big sister has such a dominant personality). So, we have a lot of crying and whining from her, which drives me crazy, but my Mom keeps telling me that she's just trying to figure out how to be seen and heard. We still try to have her take a nap every day (but it usually only happens about 4 days a week). I asked Ellie what she wanted me to say about her on our blog and she said "I love you" - she is a very sensitive and loving person.


Carly - 5 years. People ask us all the time if Carly and Ellie are twins (Carly is only 1 1/2 inches taller than Ellie), which used to really bug Carly, but now she thinks it's funny that they always trick people! Her and Ellie have been getting along pretty well lately (only fighting 30% of the time instead of 60%), I just love to see them playing well together and make-believing with each other - they are so creative! Carly is definitely a leader - she is very good at directing all the other kids (neighbors and friends) when they play house (even if she is supposed to be the baby in the game). I asked Carly what she wanted me to say about her on our blog - "That I'm really nice" - well, she gets an "E" for effort. She really does try, but she takes after her Mom...(not a whole lot of natural patience). I've said this before, but she is just a very passionate girl. Aaron hopes that when she's older she gets called as the R.S. "Passionate" service leader (his version of compassionate service leader I guess) - ha ha!! She asks some of the most interesting questions - she is so curious and eager to learn.
hair-brushing train

Me - I'm not one of those superwomen who can keep up on a blog and be a good mother, wife, housekeeper, enrichment leader, etc. all at the same time. I'm really trying to work on my organizational skills! So, I've been blogging less and watching movies less and going to bed earlier and waking up at 6am (a few days a week) to go walking and read my scriptures (I realized that I need to start my days off better). The biggest reason I decided to start walking is because I usually go through every day feeling tired and in a fog. And I'm sick of feeling so worn out and having to miss out on motherhood because of it. I want my girls to have memories of me playing with them and being cheerful and excited about life. (As I said earlier "I'm trying".) Most people I talk to who do exercise say they can tell a difference in their energy level, so I'm hoping it works for me. Another reason I've started walking is because I've been blessed with a healthy body, and up to this point I've just taken that for granted, so I want to do something to show that I'm grateful to have a healthy body. I know walking isn't a big deal, but it's a starting point.


Aaron - Still has a job which is seriously a blessing (and a miracle considering how slow things are at his firm and how many landscape architects are out of jobs right now). But, it's still likely that he could lose his job at any time. I just wonder when things will pick back up again. It's interesting to think about where the future might take us! Aaron's been studying for the last two tests in the licensing exam and he takes the tests this weekend. I'm thinking he'll pass and then he will be official! He's also been getting really excited for his big hunt in two weeks with his cousin Terrance. Right now Aaron is carrying Aubree on his shoulders and supervising the other kids outside - such a good Daddy. (Sorry, no picture of Aaron - I just realized that Aaron and I need to actually include ourselves in some of the pictures.)

p.s. Another movie recommendation that I forgot about: BBC's Little Dorrit (based on the novel by Charles Dickens). Very highly recommend it - both Aaron and I really liked it! Sometimes BBC movies aren't very good with the acting and look low budget, but not this one. Seriously, WAY good acting, awesome story, very well made.

Happy Birthday Aaron!!!

Another reason I feel so blessed...

What we've been up to...

Carly - Climbing up the apple tree (She get this high all by herself)!
Falling down the apple tree (natural consequence of climbing it without Mommy or Daddy with you). Poor girl!
practicing photography skills - a sample of her latest work below :)
We've been trying to teach the girls about being polite, we still have to work on it a little:
While passing a lady at Temple Square Carly whispers to me, "Mom, that lady has pretty hair", moments later, and much louder, "I won't say that she's fat, that might be embarrassing."


Ellie - She's been doing a lot of Rolly Polie hunting (you know, isopod crustaceans of the family Armadilliadiidae- a.k.a. potato bugs)
singing opera (so dang cute, but she's too shy to do it for the camera)
Aaron thinks that she is possibly OCD ( I think she's just 3...but maybe)
Earlier this week I checked on Ellie during her naptime and I found her like this. In her closet inside a pillowcase.

Aubree (Bree, Breester, BreeLyn, Chub-a-wub) - Smiling, talking, and laughing (I can't get enough of it)! She also loves to look at her hands and will try to catch one hand with her other hand and get it in her mouth. Weighs about 12 lbs and is working on rounding out her cheeks (I just want to nibble on her cheeks all day long). She is exclusively breastfed, but I did find a binky that she likes (both a good and bad thing), so maybe she will take a bottle now if I tried.

This picture makes me want to wake her up and cuddle her! I just love my sweet baby!!!
Have you ever seen cuter little piggies?!

Me (Camile) - I had the stomach flu a couple weeks ago (sure makes me grateful for the good health I normally enjoy....and not being pregnant). 2nd Enrichment activity as Enrichment leader. Trying to spend more quality time with Carly and Ellie (an ongoing goal of mine - problem is I'm not as organized with my time as I would like to be). Trying to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of summer (thanks to motivation from my friend, Leah). Just finished the book "A Girl of the Limberlost" by Jene Stratton-Porter. I really liked it (but I like her book "Laddie" even better).
My sister, Steph went to the Bountiful Temple yesterday to receive her endowments. Aaron and I were able to be there - so neat!

Aaron - Still has a job! YAY!! (Although things are still REALLY slow at work.) He's also got a couple of free lance jobs that he's been working on which is such a financial blessing. He's been studying for the Landscape Architecture licensing exam. He drew out on an AWESOME hunt (bull elk and Mule Deer buck - at the same time)!!
Unlike me, Aaron is very organized with his time and very self-disciplined. He usually wakes up at about 5:30 or 6:00 to practice piano and organ, then ride his bike to work (7 miles). When he gets home in the evening he plays with the girls, helps clean the house, and helps get the girls to bed. (What a guy!) Then he works on one of his extra jobs or studies for the licensing exam. (I can't wait for this exam to be over so we can start watching movies again - we are movie junkies.)

St. Patty's Day & Super Powers

St. Patrick's Day was also the day of my first Enrichment as the Enrichment Leader. Thanks to my AWESOME committee the night was a success (as far as I could tell). We had a delicious dinner and a video presentation of Sherri Dew giving a talk at Women's Conference. We also had some conversation starter questions at each table which was fun. One of the questions was:

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Normally I would choose flying - just to feel the sensation.

But considering my current life circumstances I would have to choose endless energy/no need for sleep (self explanatory, right)?

Aaron says he would want to be Superman because he has it all. But, I explained to him that the question said a super power not a super hero. So, then he chose "either speed, or strength, or flying" (middle child syndrome - can't make up his mind. :))

So, what about you (and why)?

Why Carly is the most popular

She's the new girl, she has fun and creative ideas, she's cute, she's tiny, she's got lots of personality, she has a cute little miniature sister, but mostly because...

she has the COOLEST Dad!

When Aaron gets home from work he plays with the girls while I finish dinner. Carly and Ellie are usually outside with their neighborhood friends and Aaron will play hide-and-seek and tag and just chase them all around.

He is such an awesome Daddy! He loves to play with them.

My Sisters & Aaron's Job Prospects

My Sisters

My Sister’s and I had a Girl’s Weekend in Boise the last weekend in March.
We Shopped ‘Til We Dropped (10 hours straight on Saturday…way too long!)

Aaron's Job Prospects

Last week Aaron had two different companies fly him to their offices (Aspen, CO and SLC) for 2nd interviews – we’ll let you know more when we know more! On his way to Aspen (for Design Workshop), the flight was not able to land because of weather conditions so they landed at the nearest airport (about a 3 hour drive away – 6 hrs because of weather). The guy sitting next to him on the flight offered him a ride to Aspen. This same man had also worked with Design Workshop on several projects and was able to give him lots of information and advice about the company and the Aspen area. He also happened to be the Land Planner on the site that Aaron is studying for his Master’s Thesis! Is Someone watching out for us or what!?

Our First Post!

We had our ward's primary program about a month ago and Ellie got to sing with the other kids. Well, after they got done with "I am a Child of God" Ellie burst out singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" - she didn't get too far into it, but boy was it cute!

Carly told me yesterday that she had a pretend puppy. It's name is Girlpit. (What a creative name!)

Carly's favorite friend up here is Emery (Jordan and Jenny's girl). They are the cutest little friends! They are only four months apart in age, and yet Emery is almost a full head taller. Whenever Emery comes over, Carly runs to her and gives her a huge hug and says (in a very grown up way) "Oh Emery, I'm so glad to see you! Let me kiss you!" They get along so well.

Emery is also Ellie's favorite scapegoat. One of Ellie's first two-word sentences was "No Emmy!" (very emphatically). If there is a page ripped out in a book Ellie will tell you"Emmy did it". The other day I found Ellie with a piece of gum in her mouth and I didn't know where she got it, so I asked her and she said "Emmy give it to me" (she hadn't seen Emery all day long). She really does like Emery, but I guess she's an easy scapegoat because she isn't around to defend herself.

Aaron was selected as a recipient for the 2007 Alumni Award for Excellence. He was one of only 12 graduate students awarded this year. Basically, . . . Aaron is talented . . . and I am lucky!!