Eliza's 6th Birthday

(And now she's 7--did I seriously never put these up??) Oh, Eliza at 6. Just look at that amazing hair! She was begging daily for a haircut and a few days after these pictures I relented and we chopped off her whole length. There's a picture somewhere in the black hole of digital storage. She is stunning with long curly and short bob and any style in between. She just is. She's a light and a sweetie from the inside out. 

Family Pictures 2019 (Standford)

I keep trying to exchange favors with a friend for family pictures before Christmas but so far it hasn't worked out. Cue the handy dandy tripod and off we go for an adventure in self timers. We hit up Standford one Saturday evening for their pretty arcades and gardens. We were in and out in 45 minutes and had a shot or two for the Christmas card we wanted to send. That deserved a stop at Yogurtland on the way home for sure. 

Eddy's 8th Birthday and Baptism

Edward John turned 8 years old and decided to be baptized. He is the sweetest boy, giving the best hugs and smiles. He looks for problems to solve and jumps in with solutions. He's smart and silly. He is hardworking at school and a great helper at home. He is simply growing up so well. We are proud of Eddy bear and love him to bits.

He made a pinata of an Ender Dragon from Minecraft for his party after the baptism with family. We were so lucky to have family come to be with him on his special day. His menu was pretty telling--oreos, mint chocolate any- and every-thing, sandwiches but NO TOMATOES.

Interview with Eddy

How does it feel to be 8 years old?

     Fun. I'm one year older.

What will you always remember from your baptism?

     Probably playing When I Am Baptized on the piano.

How long did you prepare for your baptism?

     I started preparing like a year before.

What did you do to prepare?

     I learned When I Am Baptized and practiced it. We also practiced going under the water. But we didn't actually go under the water until that day. Just the motion.

How did you feel?

     Cold because the water was cold. And then kind of warm when I got the Holy Ghost.

How about your birthday party?
     I had a huge sugar rush! and also I got a tooth ache from the candy.

What can 8 years olds do that only they can?

     I don't know what 8 year olds do. They just be 8 year olds I guess.

What's your favorite color?

    Green

Food?

     Minty food.

Subject in school?

     I really like reading and PE

What do you want to be when you grow up?

     Something to do with Lego or Minecraft. Like maybe design Lego Minecraft sets.

Favorite thing about Minecraft

     You can do whatever you want and there is also a lot of challenge in it.

What do you like about living in CA?

     It's nice and hot a lot of the time. It's got ok schools but I like London schools better.

Where do you want to live when you grow up?

     Somewhere in America but I might move. But I'd like to visit Denmark and also Sweden again.

Davy's Ninth Birthday

(Now six months later) Davy turned nine!  His birthday is a week before Christmas and it seemed to especially get a bit lost in the shuffle this year.  We did several small celebrations spread out and I hope that it together made one satisfactory one.  We had birthday cake and make-your-own Lego face cupcakes with Aunt Camilla and Becky one day, a special family movie night with treats and movie chosen by Davy another night.  On his actual birthday we stopped in at the grocery on the way home from school and chose several flavors and toppings for ice cream sundaes.  I played waitress at home and served everyone the sundae of their desire.

Despite the less than fanfare-tastic party celebrations, I hope Davy knows how much we value him in our family.  We appreciate how seriously he takes his big brother role.  He is bright and bursting with energy and enthusiasm for learning and doing.  He loves playing Fur Elise on the piano and can figure out other songs by ear.  Davy may not play Minecraft very often (at cousins or friends occasionally) but he knows everything there is to be read and studied about it.  He is a talented writer and is becoming an extremely fast and precise typer. 

I can't believe how much he has grown.  Every time I turn around and expect to see a little child I'm astonished at how mature and tall he is.  The years have flown by since I could hold him cradled in one arm.  We really love this boy.  I can't wait to see what more he brings to the world.

I see this expression a lot.  "What do you want from me? What are you talking about?"