Someone's Planning Blackmail!

I came upstairs to find Cameron twirling around in one of the fancy dress-up box dresses. He was obviously thrilled with the twirling fabric. I was surprised by this because even though he frequently plays in the dress ups, it was the first time I'd seen him in a dress.

As I went to grab the camera to capture the Kodak moment, Elise commented "Camille already took a picture." Ahhh. Now I understand. This is one of those pictures that the older siblings engineer and then hold over your head for the rest of your natural life. Melissa in the bucket, anyone?!!

Brett is the new 'Last Counselor'

We had a big weekend at our house. Saturday night during the adult session of stake conference a new ward was created. The stake presidency also made significant boundary changes to all the other wards. With these changes, fifty percent of the stake walked out as a member of different ward than when they walked in. We lost half our ward, gained membership from two other wards and saw our ward name changed from the 10th Ward to the Bowdish Ward.

Then, Sunday morning in the general session, Brett was sustained as the second counselor in the bishopric. No one booed or threw tomatoes, so I guess that is a good sign. After conference, he performed his last assignment as an Elder and put away chairs at the stake center. Later that afternoon, Brett's dad ordained him as a High Priest. It was a very sweet ordination. Brett's setting apart was also pretty neat because it was performed by his uncle Greg Mott, who is the stake president, his uncle Larry Sampson, who is a high councilman, his dad, and President Nelson (who is unrelated but plays golf with Brett). Greg got a bit choked up as he spoke about how our family would be blessed for Brett's service. I think it was a special experience for everyone involved.

It is a big change for our family, but we look forward to the blessings that always come with service. I will still be the Primary President for a few weeks. At least until a new presidency is set apart. I will have to get either very creative or grow extra sets of arms to make it through sacrament meeting. I'm hoping for creative! Fortunately Camille and Max will be good helpers. So, send me any of your ideas on keeping a one year-old and a three year-old quietly occupied, because I'm going to need them!

Today's news

Natalie's Check-up

Natalie had her one year check up today and got a clean bill of health. She is 18 pounds 3 ounces and 29 inches tall. That puts her at 5th percentile for weight and 25th for height. She is a little bean like all the other little beans. She also started walking a bit over the last few days. First just a step or two and now up to four or five at a time. She still prefers ground transportation, so you'll mostly find her crawling.

Natalie is also learning to express her opinions. Her siblings find this somewhat disconcerting since they are used to a sweet, babyish personality, not the storms that come with the toddler years. Yesterday I showed Camille a sippy cup I'd bought for Natalie. I commented that it was perfect for her because it said "Sugar and spice and everything nice." Camille dryly responded "Yeah, that's because they didn't have one that said 'Booger Snot.'"

Believe it or not, today is sunny and nice. Not above freezing, so our snow isn't going anywhere, but at least the weather isn't compounding the problem with more snowfall. The kids took pity on the Mazda and crawled on top to start cleaning off the snow.

The little curve you see is the very top of the windows,
so you can imagine how much snow is on the roof of the car.

Elise is 'Queen of the Hill."

Today's view of the snow and some of the cleared roof.

'It Doesn't Show Signs of Stopping . . ."

While we were out of town for Christmas, it continued to snow in Spokane. The roads were great on our way home Sunday morning until we got into our neighborhood. That was the scariest part of the whole trip. We couldn't tell from moment to moment whether we were stuck or if we were just moving really slowly. The traction control light was on constantly. When we did get home, there was ten inches of snow on the driveway, which was blocked by a two-and-a-half foot wall of snow from the snowplow. So, we had to dig out before we could even pull the van into the driveway or get to the door. This is what our poor little Mazda looked like when we got home. That is all naturally fallen snow. None of it is built up from plowing or shoveling.

As if that weren't enough, we got eight inches
of new snow today. Brett says I have to stop taking
pictures, because every time I do it snows some more.

Camille standing in front of our Mazda halfway through today's snow.

Sixty inches of snow in 13 days, with more to come on Wednesday.

This is the sidewalk up to our front door.
All these deep piles got even deeper, because . . .

Brett shoveled some of the snow off the roof
to help take the weight of the weaker areas.

One more storm and our mailbox will disappear.

At least someone was happy about all the snow.

It might be a pain, but at least it is beautiful!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Look who's One!

We thought we'd post a few pictures from Natalie's birthday for those who are interested. It was a fun day. More than any of our other kids on their first birthdays, she really seemed to get what it was all about. She was visibly excited about everything and seemed to understand that this was her day.

Look at my presents!

She loved the books Grandma Borders sent.

When you get a cool new toy everyone else feels the need to jump in and mess things up. You can be patient with this for a while, but in time . . .

. . . It just gets old!

Oooh! Caaakke!


Ummm.

It's that frosting hobo look.


Peek-a-Boo!

I wasn't done yet, Dad. Gimme my cake back!


We ended up with a chocolate bathtub ring.

Has it really been a year?

It is tough to believe that it has been a whole year since Natalie was born.

I was sitting in the office a few weeks ago and started playing Christmas music. Suddenly the feelings and emotions of that time last year rushed back as if I was experiencing it all over again. It was a tough time for us. Five weeks on the darned guest bed. No sleep, plenty of pain and all the side effects of the medicine. And I remembered how the Christmas music soothed me and how Heavenly Father was aware of my needs and my family's needs even before I was. I remembered all the people who helped and comforted us. We were overwhelmed by the tender mercies of the Lord.

We are so grateful for Natalie. As hard as that time was, she was so infinitely worth all of it and then some. She is truly a joy.