California!

We were able to spend a few days in California in July!!!! We haven't been since I was pregnant with Lenora, so this trip was LONG overdue. And thankfully, coronavirus didn't cancel our plans. Nearly everything was still closed out there, but we still had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying the perfect California sunshine.

One thing that had just re-opened was the beach! Sunday morning the boys woke up early so the three of us headed to the beach for their very first time. They LOVED it! 

There's something so magical about seeing the ocean for the first time.... 

They were timid at first, but soon they were running in the waves before rushing out laughing when bigger waves swept up. It was one of those perfect moments in life that you wish you could just freeze in time.

It's no surprise they ended up soaking their "church" clothes. Rookie mistake on my part! 

The rest of Sunday we enjoyed a slow day spending time with Jamie, Grandma, and Grandpa. We enjoyed a late birthday celebration for the incredible Aunt Jamie! 

Monday morning I repeated my beach trip with all the kids this time while Michael helped Jamie with a project. It's been so long since we've been, I don't think any of the kids remembered the ocean well. They were in heaven! We ate breakfast on these rocks they laughed, played, and got soaked again! 

We spent the rest of the day swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool and capped off the night with a beach bonfire!

Tuesday we enjoyed a short visit at the beach with Michael's aunt who is also deaf. The weather was perfect for some kite flying! 

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was introducing Lenora to Mama Faye! Lenora's middle name Faye is in honor of this incredible women. It was so much fun for these two to finally meet, and for us to hear stories from her long, exciting life. 

After our lunch with Mama Faye it was time for more swimming. Lots more swimming. The kids came home SO tan!

Grandpa and Grandma helped Eliza overcome her fear of the deep end and she swam from one side of the pool to the other! 

By this point Conrad was so tired from so much fun and sun he crashed on the floor in the middle of the living room.

All too soon it was time for us to head home. We left fairly early Wednesday morning so we could have a nice visit with Michael's grandpa on our way out of town. This was his first time meeting Orson and Conrad in person. We had a wonderful visit with him! 

 

Now that we're closer, it won't be another 6 years before we see you again California. Thanks for a great trip! 

Learning to Love

Guess who is learning to love chickens? Okay, love might be a bit of a strong word, but guess who's learning to not kill chickens and let them roam the yard in peace? Haley! 

This dog that has killed 8 chickens in her lifetime can now be trusted not only to be around them when we're outside, but to rest lazily on the grass while they peck around. I guess all of Eliza's admonitions that "chickens are friends, not food" were taken to heart. 

I feel like there are good life lessons in this one: 

- We can love those who are very different from we are

- Anyone can change

- With practice, self-mastery is possible even for the most difficult of skills

Lessons learned on our urban farm are priceless! Also, all but one of the chickens are now laying eggs. Orson checks the coop for eggs about 5 times a day, and I don't see his excitement waning any time soon. I'm so thankful for the blessings of chickens, a silly dog, and the joy they bring our kids. 

Last Year of Single Digits

Little E is now 9 years old and entering her last year of single digits! I cannot believe this tiny sweetie below has grown in to the amazing young lady above. (The dress she's wearing used to be my dress. She wanted an outfit for the 4th of July and I haven't worn it in ages, so we turned it into this cute dress for her. I must say, she wore it better!)

For the girls' birthday we invited all our cousins to the lake for a day of swimming and kayaking. It was the first time we've seen the Smith cousins since before COVID hit, so it was so nice to all be together again! 

Eliza also decided to make her own cake this year. She made this chocolate cake from scratch, and it was literally the best cake I've ever eaten! 

Now on to the things we love about Eliza at this age.... First off, she is such a wonderful friend. Eliza is so outgoing and makes friends with everyone we meet. She just has a way of making anyone feel comfortable and ready to play! 

Eliza is still such a snuggle-bug. She snuggles mom and dad, her chickens, stuffed animals. She also loves to be cozy! It's no surprise she turned this nook in her bedroom in to her own cozy reading room full of stuffies. 

I love Eliza's excitement! She always turns things in to a game and finds fun, silliness, and joy in small moments. 

"Sparkles" from a giant dandelion 

Sand Beard

Eliza is SO good with little kids and babies. She's going to make an incredible mother someday. 

I love how much Eliza loves the outdoors. She's always creating new ways to play and finding excitement in little moments in nature. 

I will always love watching Eliza with chickens! Seriously, I sometimes think this girl loves chickens more than people. She is the best "chicken tender" I've ever met. 

Eliza, we love you so much! I love how much you enjoy reading, I love how you constantly invent and create (even if it tends to get a bit messy), and I love you sweet smile that lights up the room. Happy 9th Birthday Eliza! 

Happy Birthday Muggle!

Our sweet, amazing Hazel is now 11 years old! And, as she was hoping, on her 11th birthday she received an owl with a letter from Hogwarts...

I just couldn't let her birthday pass without a Hogwart's letter, and I think she loved it! While the letter was a fun nod at her favorite books, it was also a wonderful opportunity for us to share some wisdom and encouragement with Hazel as she prepares to start Young Women's in January. Along with her letter, we wrote to her about the incredible powers that are hers if she will but learn to harness them - the power of agency, the power of the Holy Ghost, and the power found in temples. We also gave her a leather journal to fill with all she learns on her journey through adolescence. I hope she always looks back fondly on this birthday and feels empowered to build the life she wants as she grows up. 

Speaking of growing up, I celebrated what may very well be the last of Hazel's birthdays before she is taller than me. She's sure catching up quickly! 

Things we love about Hazel: 

She is a great hiking buddy! I love that she loves to hike just as much as I do. A few weeks ago we hiked in Albion Basin with friends. On the way down, Hazel joined me in walking down and meeting up with Michael and the car further down the mountain. I'm so glad we did because the meadows we hiked through were bursting with wildflowers. 

 

I love that Hazel loves to cook (and is quite good too!). She wanted to make her own birthday treat - a peach pie with lattice crust. 

I love how much Hazel cares for her younger siblings, cousins, and other kids. It's not always easy being the oldest in the family and of all the cousins, but she is so patient, sweet, and kind with young kids. 

I love that Hazel's favorite color is still purple! Her basement bedroom is almost finished, and it's going to be a purple delight. Purple walls, the most beautiful purple, pink, and mint quilt my mom made her, purple decor, purple sheets. All of her school binders and notebooks are purple. Keep rocking the purple!

I love that Hazel loves to learn, and she's always eager to share what she's learning. She is a wealth of facts! She is currently learning to identify 20 native trees, and planning to read the entire Book of Mormon this year. 

Michael adds that he loves how Hazel makes her own decisions. She isn't swayed by what others are doing or what is trendy (in fact she hates trendy things). She an independent thinker and happy to choose what she knows is best for her. He also loves how she thirsts for knowledge and is always exploring new subjects. 

I love that Hazel loves to read, that she still sleeps with Rafi, Giraffe, and Frogger every night, that she is becoming a beautiful piano player, and most of all that she has profound integrity. Happy Birthday Hazel!! We love so much about you, and we're so thankful you made us parents.