One at the morning time

Little Cy was trying everything he could to convince me to give him a bottle one morning.  I still allow him to have 1 or 2 a day and don't think it's a big deal if his only vice is drinking milk.  Anyway, after I told him he wasn't ready for one, he wanted to sing this song in his falsetto voice (knowing I would fold).  I had to capture it (and try to restrain from laughing at the end).  This boy takes himself very seriously.

Lena

My wonderful sister came to Salt Lake to celebrate her birthday with us.  We had a great time reconnecting, and a blast swimming in the hotel pool!

 The Brothers

 

So happy to swim at Grand America

 

Cy took advantage of a lunch plate someone left...gross I know, but he wanted the fries

 

Sharing his findings with Esti

 

Cy massaged Lena's feet while she was drifting off to sleep.  He wants to be a doctor when he grows up so he can "manage" people and be the hero who makes them feel better.

  

Our Madison was no where in sight...she was too busy steaming and pampering in the Spa.

 

Mormons: most prosocial members of society

A very interesting new study
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-volunteerism-report

March 2012

Find A Happy Place

I knew it wouldn't be long after a lovely trip to South Beach that I would begin to feel overwhelmed.  The trip was spent mostly alone, which I didn't mind one bit, because Michael was there for a conference. We did have some great date nights which were so special given that it was only the 2nd time we've left the kids in over 7 years!  I am very grateful to Michael who "removed" me from life and my (as of the past couple months) high maintenance kids, though I love them dearly.  I'll be looking at these serene pictures and try to find a happy place till the cloud lifts (hopefully sooner than later!)

 

Valentines 2012

We had the most amazing snow fall the week of Valentine's.  I've never seen such graceful, slow, and enormous flakes in my life.

Our Dreamy Neighborhood

Mike and I went restaurant hopping in SLC with some great friends (to the disappointment of Cy who thinks he's my husband)

Little Esti celebrated her first Valentines Day and turned 1 year old the day after.  We are so grateful to have such an easy going, strong willed, happy and healthy little girl.  Here are some fun details about our Est
She is off the charts with her height...a long lean girl
She adores her siblings and Dad and likes to rough house
She's a pro at crawling and walking (with her walker) and climbing Madison's stairs
She loves to say "Hi" in a very flirty cute voice to everyone
She appears to have strawberry blonde hair!
She has 4 teeth
She loves to dance
She eats more than any of her siblings, chowing 2-3 eggs several mornings a week
She is so easy and good natured we love our girl

 

 Madison went to her High School Sweethearts Dance tonight with a great group of kids.  They came to our house first for some grub...my how they grow.

 Cy wanted so badly to be part of the crew

Cy's Personalities

Our little Cy guy is filled with personality.  Almost every day he wakes up and transforms into someone.  We have to treat him with complete respect because if we laugh he is mortified and attacks us.

Cy wanted to dress like a clown and walk around the neighborhood making people laugh

 The Hulk (or Vulk, as Cy says it).  Cy thinks if he makes himself cross eyed, it looks tougher.

Bumble Bee

 Batman

 "Sunday school teacher"

"Powerful mohawk boy"

 

"Black Beard"

 "Jezebel" (we had to make paper nails, give him a glass of water to overindulge in, and top it off with a crown and my heels)

 "Captain Moroni"

 "Dragon Warrior" post bath

"Teenager"

Cy took this by himself

"sweet boy"

January 2012

This month has been a bit of a daze for me.  I had sinus surgery (due to a collapsed nasal passage) 4 days after Christmas and spent the first two weeks recovering, and the last couple catching up on everything that was neglected.  I'm glad things have been busy, because I officially can't stand winter.  Yes the snow is fluffy and the air is dry in Utah compared to the wet icy bone chilling NY winters, but anytime the temperature is under 45 we are on lock down and indoors...not fun for a Mom and kids who live outside usually.  As we wait for Spring, we are trying to pack our weekends with a little fun.

Sundance Film Festival (on our way to see Queen of Versailles in Park City)...Cy is a bit jealous

Jensen Adult Game Night 

 (Girls killed the men in pictionary)

 Esti attacking Grandpa Coleman's dessert

 Madison's Drill Team placing 3rd

Cy and Esti enjoying kitchen sink bath time (and similar profiles)

He loves his girl

 

 

 Esti loves making us laugh with these absolutely ugly bitter beer faces

Cy making little sister laugh