I love my family. Everytime we get together I'm reminded why. They're crazy. They're fun. Sometimes brutally honest, but kind - if that's possible. They're easy going and they love life.

My parent's have maps all over their house. They make for great future missionary pictures.



Lily with the crew.

Back row - My dad, Lily, Reas, my Grandpa Dunn, my brother Kevin, brother-in-law Scott. Front Row - Uncle Joe, Reas' brother Keith, brother-in-law Andy, Uncle Vern.







This is Great Grandma Dunn with Lily. She makes the best homemade grape juice.




Unfortunately, most of Reas' family couldn't make it. We were happy that Reas' brother, Keith could come. He's great. The kids love him.

We are so grateful for a loving and supportive family. Life definitely wouldn't be the same great adventure without them.

What to you get when it's Friday and the weekend is bringing:

I am so excited to have a 3 year-old in the house again. Our little Claire turned three (three weeks ago), and in my opinion there isn't a more entertaining age! A little family party at home was fortunately enough for her, since I wasn't quite ready to throw a real bash. She was happy enough with her chocolate cake and purple princess crown that she wore with pride all day long.

The future make-up artist Claire

(while squeeling with delight over the polish going on her toes): ohhhh! It looks like pinkish, purple-ish, reddish!

The therapist Claire

Make a sad face, so I can kiss you and make you happy.

Claire is always quick to give hugs and kisses and is very sensitive to how others are feeling. She loves taking care of her babies and has names for all of them (either Sarah or Emery - her two favorite little friends). Current favorites are macaroni and cheese, apples, apple juice, applesauce, -see a theme here?, "Strawberry Shortcake's Adventure on Ice Cream Island," and dancing like a princess (that involves lots and lots of twirls).

We love you Claire Bear! Don't grow up too fast.

Lily is now 1 month and 1 day. It's so unfair how the last month of my pregnancy seemed to last 3 years, but this past month has zoomed by in a wink! Last week I turned the corner - I'm beginning to feel normal again, rather than zombie mommy. The sure sign was when I woke up one morning and my first thought was, "I'm going to rearrange the furniture today!" I didn't actually do it because I had sick kids laying around all day, but the desire was there. That's got to count for something. Me and the Lily babe had our first trip to DI too - post partum, that is. I'm sure she felt right at home considering a great deal of her fetal development occurred while wandering around in there. After six weeks of not stepping foot in the place, it was very gratifying (and maybe a little embarrassing), when manager Leland came sprinting over to me from across the store to welcome Lily to the world. Yeah, me and him are pretty tight. Occassionally, he even knocks a few dollars off my purchases. A preferred shopper, I am.


Be back soon with blogging updates. I've slipped behind. There's a birthday to post, Primary Little League, and I need to rant about a public matter. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here are some pictures.


Ty is absolutely in love with Lily. He must kiss her 50 times a day. I love big brothers!

I have a confession. I am not perfect. I know. I know. This may come as quite a shock to you, and that's why I am clearing up any confusion. Recently I was reading that people become more comfortable around you when they know of your flaws and weaknesses. Makes sense, I think. I know how I have felt around certain individuals who seem to have it all together ALWAYS. You know, the ones that make you sputter to the point where you can't seem to get 3 sensible words to come out of your mouth. Or the ones who make you so worried about doing something stupid that you go and dump your dinner in their lap. Yes, I have done that - been the dumper, that is.


So...since I like to think of myself as a good friend and would hate to put this kind of needless pressure on any of you, I've decided to put it all out on the table.

Yikes. This is kind of scary. I'm going to do myself a favor and limit myself in number.

1. Sometimes I stand in the corner of the kitchen where all my papers, coupons, directories, and shopping lists are and eat cocoa puffs so the kids don't see me. Sometimes I don't like to share. But only sometimes.


2. When a solicitor comes a knockin' I've been known to tell everyone, "SHHH...be quiet and don't move a muscle." They go away eventually.


3. I need to read more and play Mahjong less.


4. I don't floss regularly. Good thing for those biannual dentist appointments.


5. When the phone rings and there's that little delay before the telemarketer picks up, I hang up FAST. Sorry if I've hung up on you, but now you know to talk faster.


6. I should probably mop my floors more, but oh how I hate to do it. I prefer the wet rag method.


7. I love chocolate. As in I Am In Love. I don't think that's a good thing.

8. I'm kind of obsessive about having a clean house, but unfortunately only in areas that I know will be seen. Please don't look in my closets or cupboards.

9. Sometimes my kids ask me questions like, "Why are you still in your pajamas?"

10. I kill anything green or fragrant. Therefore, I'm glad our kids are white and sometimes stinky. That's WHITE as opposed to GREEN - don't get the wrong idea here.

Wow! That felt good. It's very liberating to not have so many secrets. Try it. I dare you...if you're imperfect that is.

And NO. A big nose or ugly feet do not count.

Computer hacking skills. Nun chuk skills. Grilling skills. And he can quote Napolean with the best of 'em.

Oh, and I must mention breakfast in bed, the roses in the purple cup, the sweet little heart keychain that Maggie made at school, and the 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep that Lily so generously gave. Thanks for the great day, family. I love you all!

Happy Mother's Day to Mom, my awesome sisters, and to all my sweet sweet friends. Love you all!

If I do say so myself, I should win a prize for this. Our own Mr. Krabbs is economical, practical, space efficient, and self-heating all rolled into one.

A sand box October through March and a swimming pool (maybe puddle would be more accurate) April through September.

We're now going on our 3rd year of the crab cycle. And I think it might be our last. We'll probably need to upgrade soon considering the fact that kids um...GROW. What do you think, could we fit one more?




I'm actually counting my blessings that they still think this is fun. Even our tub is bigger than this one-eyed beauty.

It's a fact - I'm a cow...and apparently I smell like one too, according to one very honest 3 year-old. I was holding Claire on my lap, having a nice morning cuddle when all of the sudden she gets the unpleasant crinkled up nose look and says, "I smell Lily. It smells like milk. Take a shower."

Well, thank you very much. That's just what I wanted to hear this morning. Cows are nice animals...I guess.

If you happen to have 3 little girls in your household and a Kenmore Super Capacity washer, you can fit exactly 61 pieces of laundry into a load of "lights". Yes, I said 61. I counted each and every blessed little sock, burp rag, pair of Ariel undies, and onesie just so I could pass this useful information on to you.

Do you know how LONG it takes to fold, sort, and put away 61 items? I don't. I was too busy counting, but it takes a lot longer than I'd like.

I think I need some chocolate.

Ah, the newborn stage. There isn't anything else like it. There's no other feeling like holding that little baby ball all nuzzled up under your chin and breathing in that scent that doesn't last long enough! I love the little baby buns that fit EXACTLY into my hand. Oh and the little cross-eyed stares that look so intent that you just know that baby knows something you don't. Then there are the little noises - the coos and whimpers that melt your heart. I love, love, LOVE it. I feel blessed to be soaking it all up again.



I love it all, but I will admit that a certain amount of adrenaline comes home from the hospital with the diapers, free samples of all things baby, the new baby clothes, and packing up (or burning) over-used maternity clothes. I'm afraid that little rush is beginning to lose steam. More and more I find myself thinking, "oh yeah...THIS is what it feels like to have a newborn." Ha ha, silly me. How could I have forgotten?

Newborns have waaaaay more power than we give them credit for. Here are some of the more significant things I've learned about myself and babies during the last two weeks- or RElearned since I seem to have a very short memory.

- Small people do NOT=small messes! No indeed. It seems to be the exact opposite! This cute little bundle doesn't do a thing to earn her keep around here. And besides that, she keeps everyone else from doing anything too.

- My makeup lasts a lot longer now that there's no time or energy for such vanities. Poor husband.

- As peaceful and bonding as those nightime feedings are, I think it's healthy to mutter every once in a while, "Are you kidding me?! You can't possibly be hungry again!"

- If my self-esteem is still in tact by the time I get through this "nothing fits me" stage, I'll be all the stronger for it. But to look on the bright side - this is the only time in my life that I have to consider being a bit too busty for some shirts.

- LAUNDRY. Need I say more?

-Disposable nursing pads must be the worst invention EVER. Whoever thought little crumpled balls of paper would work got it all wrong. Reusable cloth all the way.

-When the sleep deprivation begins to set in, I have two choices - laugh or cry. I'm trying really hard to laugh.

-I am living proof that no matter how tiring and trying this work can be, it is SO absolutely wonderful at the same time. I love Lily more each day, am blessed to be her mother, and wish this time could last just a little bit longer.

And it just dawned on me why my babies end up losing the little hair that they're born with - I can't stop kissing their cute fuzzy heads!