Lens Envy

There are some things in life you're just never sure of, buffeting yourself with a constant flow of questioning and doubt.


Then there are those things that are unmovable in their certainty, like the changing seasons.

That is why I know I need a macro lens. (sigh.)

Bits and Pieces

Natalie in the Fall

How'd her legs get so long?

One of the things I love about school starting in September is that I get some good one-on-one time with whichever little ones happen to be home. I spent this September morning playing outside with Natalie.


I have to be honest. Sometimes her adventurous spirit scares me. She begged and begged to be put into the tree. It didn't bother me until . . .

She decided to try it without hands!

Uncle Kurt

September also brought a visit from my brother Kurt and his wife Linda. Natalie and Cameron quickly claimed them as their own.

Kurt was a good sport

Carousels = Kiddie Magic

The 'B.'s' Knee(s)

Brett after knee surgery in December to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee. (You are required to notice my new craft project, the framed advent calendar in the background, because: 1) I am so NOT crafty; 2) because it took so darned long to do; and 3) because it turned out pretty darned cute.)

"He was practically an Elf-cicle!"

Elise had her first speaking part in a school play. She made a very cute reindeer and delivered her funny lines to laughter.



Elise's 8th Birthday Party

Cute girls. Painting pottery. Presents. Cake. How can you go wrong? You can forget to take a group picture until after some of your guests have already left.

(Drat!)

Gingerbread Houses

Love, love, LOVE this tradition at Cameron's kindergarten. Every December they have a 'Gingerbread House with Dad' party. So much fun! Cam was so proud of his creation. We thought Brett was going to miss it because of a scheduled business trip to New York, which was eventually vetoed by his doctor as being too soon after his knee surgery. Whew!

Arrow of Light

December turned out to be an extremely busy month for us. One of the things on the calendar was Max's Arrow of Light ceremony, which, because of an odd series of events, was held six months after he had actually EARNED his Arrow of Light. He was a little too anxious to get through the congratulating crowd to pause for the sake of a picture.

Natalie Turns Three and Mom's Big Cake Mistake

I DARE you to wish me a Happy Birthday!

Natalie had a much better birthday than the picture shows. She was delighted with the birthday hat, the presents, the candles and the . . . (cough). . . the cake. Oh, the cake! I hang my head in shame.

On the way to the table to light the candles, I turned a little too quickly and discovered that cakes, unlike cats, do not always land right side up.


Yep. We flipped it back over, ran a spatula across the top and served it anyway. Natalie didn't mind and we all got a good laugh over the silliness of it all. Happy Birthday to our little princess.

Max in Heaven (or at least the Attic)

I just don't know anyone but Max who could be so excited about climbing into an attic to lay insulation. His enormous enthusiasm for the project was amusing, if bewildering. His grandparents and their heating bill were grateful for his assistance.

Carmichael Hill

In the sixteen plus years that we've been married, one of the childhood memories I've heard about the most is all the times Brett and his siblings went sledding down the hill outside Carmichael Jr. High.

Over Thanksgiving break, we took Max, Elise, Cameron and their cousins Xander and Lily to sled the oft remembered hill. When we got there, I watched everyone having so much fun, I could see why Brett has so many fond memories.

Elise's Baptism

Elise was baptized on January 1, which we later realized was 1-1-11 (not intentional, but still kind of cool). It was a nice service. Brief, spiritual and focused on the ordinance. Our friends the Zapalacs had invited us to share their son Evan's baptismal service, which worked out well for both families.




Elise didn't seem nervous at all. She looked so cute in her little jumpsuit and was eager to go. When it came time, she marched smartly down the font steps without a pause or a look back at me for reassurance or direction. She was 'dunked' successfully the first time. Afterward, we changed her into her white dress, sweater and shoes (just in time because she was turning blue from the cold font water). We quickly pulled her hair back into a bun with a white rose clipped to the side. She looked beautiful.


The body language in this picture shows how truly uninterested Evan and Elise were in taking a picture together. This is partially due to the natural second grader aversion to the opposite sex, but was compounded when Evan's uncle commented the next picture of them together would be when they were getting married! Poor kids. How embarrassing.

When we asked Elise last week who she'd like to talk about the Holy Ghost at her baptism, she asked for Camille. We were kind of surprised because we hadn't even considered the option. Camille panicked and said no way, but after she prayed about it, consented to speak at the baptism. She did a very good job, keeping things short, simple and direct. I've seen a lot of adults do worse. What a neat memory for those sisters.

No one scowls like Elise

Grandpa Clark and Uncle Ken Peterson were the witnesses for the baptism. Grandpa Clark and Bishop Gary Percival assisted Brett in confirming her. The confirmation blessing was beautiful.

After the baptism, we returned to the house for hot soup and rolls, followed by hot fudge brownie sundaes.

When the weather isn't quite so dreadful, I'll take Elise over to the temple and take some better pictures of her in her dress.