Sepa - 6 months

Oh my goodness! In editing these pictures (cleaning up a scratch on his nose and popping the color a little) I just wanted to squeeze this sweet little boy. He is such a sweetheart and I love looking at him. I love his big, dark brown eyes and happy smile. He is such a good baby. He is really starting to recognize faces. It is so fun to see him get so excited when I come in view. He has the greatest little squeal. He loves to talk in the morning and reach for things. I dare say he will be the most out going of the three boys - we'll see if my prediction holds true. Anyway - happy half birthday to Sepa. I love my baby boy sooooo much.

Cootie

I have been wanting to play some fun games with the boys lately. We don't have very many kid games (the boys often just play with the pieces to Blokus) so I decided to look for one at the store. We came home with the game Cootie. Kekoa enjoys it and this particular cootie creation has become his favorite. He calls it his cowgirl with skaters. When I asked him if he wanted a picture with his cootie he said he wanted to do it up in my studio - and this was the result. So funny - that kid.
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PS. I have decided that Kekoa is going through a growth spurt - today he ate a bowl of oatmeal. cereal and a full peanut butter and jelly sandwich all before 9:30 this morning. Then he had a 3 hour nap this afternoon.

Summer Fun

We were outside this morning playing with the kids on our street. I love the area where we live - there are so many great people around us. Here are a few pictures of the boys today. One of their favorite things is to ride the "mustang" motorized car that our neighbor has. Kekoa was having a blast driving. The two boys looked so cute together, so I ran and got my camera. But by the time I came back Kekoa crashed into the curb. The rule was if he crashed he was done driving. I was sad to not get any more pictures of the two of them. Ikaika happily jumped into the driver's seat (but I pulled the battery out). He complained it was broken so I told him to check under the hood. Such a cute picture. I also had to throw one in of Sepa because he is so darn cute.

My Wonderful Kyle

Kyle never ceased to make me fall in love with him again and again. He has such a good heart. I often think of how lucky I am to be married to him. This past week I mentioned somewhere in a conversation that I try to keep the house presentable so when people come for pictures I look at least slightly professional. I wasn't hinting or anything, but next thing I knew Kyle was out mowing the lawn and weeding the flower beds. Just when I thought the guy couldn't get any more lovable, he let Kekoa help him mow in a very patient, fatherly way. Those little things I notice and appreciate so much. My mom has said that Kyle is the kind of guy she thought only existed in stories. How blessed my boys and I are. Kyle is one in a million. . . no one in a trillion.

Sittin' Up

Today Sepa sat up by himself for the first time. I declared it today because he finally did it with out the support of his tummy. We have been practicing (I am anxious for him to be able to entertain himself a little more), but he would always lean too far forward. Today he did it sitting straight up. I got my camera, but this was the only shot I dared to take - he would have toppled over for sure the second I left him alone. Doesn't he have a cute head of hair?


This is the position he likes the most right now- he is pretty quick at rolling from his back to his tummy. It is really time to get him in his crib. Cute boy - even when his hair reminds me of a China-man's hat (there will be a haircut post very soon).
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Wonder Woman

You all know that Kekoa is way into Superman and Batman. He still wears one of his superhero outfits 80% of the time. And the only reason he takes it off is for me to wash it from time to time. It sometimes takes a while for me to get it in the washing machine, but after 30 times of Kekoa asking if his outfit is clean, I usually finally get it in for him.
Anyway - he has decided that I (mommy) need to be a part of it and so I am. . .


. . . Wonder Woman. It is kinda cute, though I do not think I look much like the gal, especially with her scandalist outfit (guys, I do not recommend googling 'wonder woman'). I was going to say that the only thing we have in common is 4 limbs, but even that is not true -ha! But I am happy to be a part of Kekoa's superhero force. There have been a few times when I have blocked Kekoa from Ikaika's attempted hits (doing his terrible-twos thing) and Kekoa will just look at me, smile and say, "Mom, you're my superhero." So funny. I also think he thinks I am a super because I made him a batman cape with a scalloped bottom. I love this age - such a creative, carefree mind. So to all you Justice Leaguers out there this is WW signing out.

Oh Happy Day

One of the great things that happened while we were in AZ was the baptism of my sister-in-law, Dawn. I have seen other baptisms before, during and after my mission, but this one was one of the most amazing and meaningful to me. My brother and his wife have been married for almost 7 years. Though we have a great relationship with Dawn, we did not know when the day would ever come when she would have her heart softened to the gospel. We were all shocked and thrilled to hear she had decided to be baptized. It was a spirit-filled baptismal service despite the fact that there were loud grandkids trying to run around (headed by Kekoa). She was baptized on Friday and confirmed that Sunday. It was so neat to have fast and testimony that Sunday. With my hometown only having a small branch, our family visiting for the reunion made up half of those at church. All of my siblings and I as well as my mom shared their testimony. Dawn even stood and shared her sweet testimony. As she did I thought of how far she had come and truly felt that I was witnessing a miracle. I can only pretend to imagine the effect that this one decision will have on generations to come. Truly the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives for the better.

Family

I feel like I have been slacking on posts. But there is a lot to get caught up with. I just have to find time to do it.
We just got back from Arizona for family reunion. It was such a wonderful weekend - I am so sad that it is already over. I just wanted to quickly put up some pictures from the trip and will write more later.

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We spent a night and day camping out at my grandparents summer home. I spent a lot of my childhood here and it was so fun to be able to take my kids and Kyle there to visit.

My mom and her grandkids (less one that was asleep at the time).

Kyle enjoyed riding my brothers horse. He was able to fulfill another one of his life goals (he has over a hundred) of riding a horse in full gallop.

I had to hold Ikaika most of the time because he was afraid of my brother's dogs. Poor thing.

Such a fun picture for me. I remember playing on these rocks so many times as a child.

My aunt Corrine was a great help in holding Sepa. Don't you love the Wrangler shirt. He actually has a Wrangler diaper cover to go with it. I wish I got a picture of it.

That's all for now, but there is more to come : )

6 boys under 4

I love being around my sisters. I only have one that is here in UT - Celeste, my lifesaver. She is usually able to help me with the boys and I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. My younger sister Jessica lives in AZ, but is able to spend her summer up here while her husband is off for the summer. I am so glad. My older sister lives in Albuquerque. I really miss having her near, but her family have been great troopers to make the 10 hour drive with two young boys at least 4 times this year already. We have a lot of fun together. It is kinda interesting that we all have boys (the race is on to get the first girl). I love my sisters so much and am so thankful for the wonderful influence they are in my life.