Taylor's Birthday!

My baby boy turned 4 years old today... Omi's sprained back has prevented her from making her traditional cake and a near mommy-meltdown on my part prevented me from making one of my own so we got this orange shortcake at Co-op (their strawberry shortcake is the BEST!).

He looks so proud to have blown out his candles here!

Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Norm came over for a quiet family celebration (Aunt Ariel was in Nova Scotia). Taylor got 2 tanks and a jet from G & G as well as a ghost nightlight and road map rug from us.

Our exciting celebration of Taylor's birthday took place at Calaway Park on the 28th.

I do not know what's going on with Blogger's photo orientation!!

Taylor loved the bumper cars once Daddy explained how to get the car moving!

We didn't even mind that we didn't get to go on any adult rides. It could be due to the fact that
even the kiddy rides make us sick!

Kids in Church

Avi is now kept rather happily busy during Sacrament Meeting with numerous books. However, every time the organ kicks up for a hymn, Avi immediately folds her arms and yells "Pray!" We had to remind her that it was music time, not prayer time. She also does the same thing at the end of a song, which is when it typically is prayer time. Since the chapel tends to hush right about that time, everyone can hear her pronouncement. It's cute, just loud.

Taylor had his first talk in Primary today. Since I learned from his experience "giving the prayer" (he wouldn't go up at all), I expected the same today. Actually, he did stand up with me (though not behind the podium) and briefly held the picture I was using to talk about temples. It worked out pretty well. I was pretty nervous but was able to wing it fairly successfully.

Ella was so cute today in a simple dress with polo collar and a headband with flowers that matched the color of the dress. Aunt Ariel made a bunch of those headbands for me and they're so adorable!

Avi's Birthday!

Our little girl turned two on August 17th! We had some family over for dessert: I purchased a blizzard cake since Mom had sprained her back and was unable to prepare one. Averi loved it...


...though Taylor did not...

The kids were kept occupied for at least an hour just playing with balloons!! It was awesome!

Aunt Vickie brought Avi a ball and several types of barrettes. Avi, who constantly fights having her hair done, loved them and kept wanting me to put more in her hair! Her favorites are the ones shaped as fruits (bananas, apples, pineapples, grapes, etc).

We got Averi a ball, as well, and a doll stroller which was a big hit.

Avi Words

My mom found an old journal recently and happened to open it to the spot where she'd written about Lerina's 2nd birthday. She had included a list of her vocabulary at that age so I thought I'd do the same. Avi's words currently include: food, up (which can mean either "up" or "help" depending on context), cheese (her fav food), Dude, Taylor, Mama, Dada, monkey, wawa (which she uses for "drink" and "water"), shoo shoo (I often tell her this), juice, pizza and peaches which are both pronounced "chee-ha" (hilarious but I think she used to say both words better in the past), baby, mine, blankie pronounced "bedgie" or "beddy" (she's really attached to one particular blanket), "wake" for awake, sit, yup, yes, yeah, yeehaw or weehaw, no (she used to say "mo" but can now say it properly--and frequently), Ella, poo (which can mean poo, diaper or toot), pee, toot, bath, "this" which means either "thanks" or "movie" or just "this" depending on context, please, more, okay, hide which sounds like "hat" or "head" (both of which she can also say), uh-oh, ow (which can mean either she's hurt or scared), pray, Heavenly Father, Jesus, amen, beebee which means "sunbeam" (she uses this to sing "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam"), tree, eye(s), play, toys, happy, bye, hi, nose, shoes, socks, hot, cold, book, mess, arm, spoon, milk, teeth, out, Avi/Averi, Mimi for Omi, me, all done/gone, Papa for Grandpa, nice, woah, animal sounds like meow, woof, neigh and ee-ee, look (more like "wook"), 'mon for c'mon... I may add to this list as I think of more. She also counts to 3, as in I say "one" (when someone's in trouble) and she continues on "two, three!"

**Addendum Sep 21/09: After Avi turned 2 her vocabulary exploded! She's also started stringing words together.**

She loves books, constantly perusing the collection in Taylor's room, aka making a mess of them. She also loves music and singing and it's so fun to listen to her versions of Primary songs! Her favorites are Popcorn Popping and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, though she also sings along with I Am a Child of God and Love One Another. She and Taylor also sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star together.

Avi's also a frequent shrieker... :)

That's What Little Boys Are Made Of...

Taylor was climbing on the furniture (which he knows he's not supposed to do) and fell off. I called over to see if he was alright and he replied, "Yes, I fell on my head."

Sleepy Avi

Avi fell asleep in an upright position...

and doesn't seem to be able to sleep until she's pulled all her blankets onto the bed...

Spontaneous Trip to Drumheller

We've been so fortunate as to become close friends with our neighbors behind us. So when Stef called on the morning of August 10th and asked if I wanted to accompany her and her children to the Tyrell museum, I was all for it!

We hit some unfortunate gridlock traffic on the highway heading for Drumheller but otherwise the trip was quite palatable due to our van's DVD player.

We were quite surprised at the number of places to take a young family for fun in Drumheller! There are several large dinosaur sculptures as well as a wading water fountain and spray park.

The "ball room" is still Taylor's favorite. We haven't been to the museum in 2 years but some things don't change. Avi wasn't sure what to think at first but got into the swing of things.

Here are some other pics:

Ella's Blessing

I asked Dad and Wendy what excuse they would use for a visit next since the pattern has been limited to baby blessings and Ella is likely our last. We'll have to see what occasion will draw them up once more! It was splendid to have them here! They took the children off my/our hands on multiple occasions enabling naps and housework. They also took on the long-needed chore of washing the windows, inside and out, as well as the screens. Many thanks!!!

Ella wore the blessing gown that I had used as an infant. I was going to use it for Averi and my sister, Eva's, gown for Ella (she offered) but a friend had given Avi a beautiful christening gown as a gift and I was happy to let her wear it. I guess Eva can pass her beautiful dress on to her granddaughter! My gown was slightly yellowed with age but still lovely. Who could've guessed it would cost $28 to dry clean!?!

We had a family luncheon at our home after the blessing. It turned out amazingly well! Thanks to all who contributed food!!

My favorite pic of just Ella

Ella with Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Kyle

Ella and Mommy

Avi folding arms for blessing on the food

Avi showing some leg!

Beautiful, sweet little Avi

Omi's cake for Ella

Uncle Kyle playing with the kids:

Ella Progresses

Our darling number three has progressed to smiling and cooing! We haven't caught it on camera yet, though Daddy got some footage. She's so adorable!

Here are a few pics, courtesy of Auntie Ariel:

Military Museum

Went to the Military Museum with Norm, Ariel, Rebecca, Mark, Jace and Aiden. It was surprisingly well done!