Angel Cake

For Elle's birthday celebration we have cake and buy flowers because

cake+flowers =what every girl wants.

This year the boys helped me decorate the cake.

Don't worry mom, we've got it covered

Yep, I promise some of the frosting will make it onto the cake

The masterpiece. They definitely had it covered :)

Sweet Boys

Sweet:

"Mom, after we finish baking Elle's cake, can we build a ladder to heaven to take it to her?"

Boys:

"Mom, you know those super hard goobers in my nose? I think they're saying 'wow, we really like it here and we should stay in this super cool place'"

Happy Birthday Elle

Apparently I've used up all my wittiness for the evening. So for wishing our precious Elle a very Happy Birthday, I'll commandeer a song that has played throughout her life. While I was pregnant with her and cooking pancakes on Sunday mornings, while we attended Sacrament at PCMC, while I was alone in Denver, while we drove home after her death, while we closed her funeral and now while I sing Christian to sleep each night.

Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom

Lead thou me on

The night is dark and I am far from home

Lead thou me on

Keep thou my feet I do not ask to see

The distant scene one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou

Shouldst lead me on

I loved to choose and see my path but now

Lead thou me on

I loved the garish day and spite of fears

Pride ruled my will

Remember not past years.

So long thy power has kept me sure it still

Will lead me on

'Or moor and fen 'or craig and torrent till

The night is gone

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.

The great state of Tennessee

This past weekend we trekked up to TN to welcome my sister to the South. I think it may be the most efficient and anticipated move we've ever participated in, which is saying alot. When Reed was in Elder's Quorum they averaged 2 moves per week. So, we know moves.

Anyways, in 24hours Catherine was completing the finishing touches and hanging the girls' curtains. We are beyond excited to have them living within 3 hours of us. Let the parties begin!

Oh my Grayson,Gray...

Exactly why we're so excited to have some girls around...

they're so much more photogenic...

but still like to have fun.

That's right, the British couldn't survive. But, I could easily handle all Fort Loudoun had to throw at me (and the 4 kiddos I was solo with).

Christian found his own entertainment.

Sunday Mornings

With Reed gone to meetings this is what Sunday mornings look like at our house:

What can I say; I've got to have a few minutes to throw on some make-up and pin my hair up before we head out at 8:30AM.

Also, for all those new members in our ward: no, I am not a single mom, no, I do not have an inactive husband and yes, I'm still relatively sane.

The good and the bad

The good: endless entertainment.

The bad: sometimes you are the entertainment.

Such is the life of Christian; it's tough, but someone's gotta live it.

Grayson Gray

In defense against the middle child syndrome, here's a shout out to G.
We love you, your cartoon voice and your joie de vivre.