Happy Birthday Grandpa Lattin

Yesterday was my Grandfather's 89th B-day. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so I have posted two pictures that I think speak volumes about my Grandpa. The first is a picture with a few of his great grandchildren last year during the annual Thanksgiving visit to the family farm.

The second is him sitting on a golf cart (the mule) he fixed up and brought down from the shop for anyone that wanted to ride it. He lives in town but makes the trip to the farm each day to help make things run smooth.

I used to spend the summers following him around the farm like a puppy. He would teach me about everything: Model T's, tractors, welding, shoveling, irrigation, and hoeing. Every morning around 5:30 he would start the process of getting me out of bed to start working. I would roll out about 6:30 only to find that I had already missed some of the "fun" work. We built things like grape arbors, fences, and food stands. We dug trenches and I must have driven hundreds of miles up and down the fields of corn on the tractor. He is a great example of working hard every day. I am grateful for his influence and the great example that he is to all of his descendants. Grandpa we love you and look forward to many more years of seeing you on the farm.

Ashkii and Fam...

Some things never change . . .

My dear sister, Camille, came to visit a couple of weeks ago. She had a work conference in DC, so we lucked out with a visit from our wonderful sister/aunt/friend and even a babysitter for a fun Valentines date!

So, Mille was here for a night, then went to her conference for a few nights, and on the last night of her conference, my AWESOME hubby took care of the kids while I went into DC for dinner with Mille and some of her colleagues. I then joined her for the night in her super-nice hotel, got a GREAT night's sleep, and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with her. It was a blissful and needed break. I am grateful for Mille and Ashkii for providing this for me. I am soooo spoiled.

After Mille and I ate breakfast, we left the hotel and returned to the homestead. Mille was napping on the couch, and I went in to change Trev's sheets (his room doubles as the guest room). I removed the comforter and top sheet and then saw that there was a pair of socks at the end of the bed. "Oh, Trev . . . " I thought, but then realized these socks did not belong to Trev - they belonged to Camille (she'd slept in his bed for one night before her work conference). I couldn't control my laughter as I recalled our Mother being frustrated with Camille when changing sheets and finding MULTIPLE pairs of socks left in the bed. I guess old habits die hard! We are glad you paid us a visit, Mille, and hope you NEVER change:)





Rachel was so funny with Camille - she kept looking at her when she talked, as if to ask "Who are you and what are you doing here?" I'm sure it is confusing to her that our voices are SO similar:)

Seven months

Our sweet baby Rachel turned seven months old this week. I wish I could freeze time for awhile. This is my FAVORITE stage - sitting, playing, giggling, learning, but not yet crawling! She is generally a very happy baby and loves to stick her tongue out and have us mimic her. She loves pears and sweet potatoes, but NOT peas. No teeth yet, but I think she is trying to get some. She loves it when Daddy comes home at the end of the day. She loves pictures and books and bounces with excitement when we show them to her. I love her big, open-mouth smiles, giggles, and snuggles.

GOODBYE January!!!!

Historically, I have never been a fan of January. But this year, January has been especially NOT enjoyable at our house. We have visited the doctor 8 times in three weeks for various reasons, from well visits to ear infections, to Savannah getting staples in her head after falling and cutting herself on the bookshelf.

This was our first serious injury, and though I was amazed that I handled it so well, it scared me. Luckily, Ashkii was able to meet us at the Dr. to get the staples. I went home, but he almost passed out and they had to keep him there until he was okay to drive. Savannah found this hilarious, telling everyone she could that she was tougher than her Dad . . . until one week later, when they removed the staples and when the Dr. handed them to her in a keepsake envelope, she went pale, and almost fainted. Savannah decided she's not much tougher than her Dad after all.

Here is a pic of the staples the night of the incident - whatever happened to good, old-fashioned stitches!?


And it is soooo cold!!!! So, Mr. Groundhog, please tell me that Spring is coming soon. And that we can all get healthy. Thank goodness Valentines Day is coming up - one of my favorite holidays.

The high point of January (for my kids anyway) was that we got some snow (about 2 inches) and school was even canceled one day! They haven't seen snow (other than visits out west), and we certainly didn't have any sleds to enjoy the day. They tried to follow Ashkii's suggestion to slide down our backyard hill on cookie sheets. That didn't work so well. So, luckily, the local grocery store had a few sleds left and the kids had a great time. I stayed inside ALL day. (I have such a difficult time equating cold and wet with fun - I am ready for a trip to Florida!)

Happy February everyone!



Trevor was so tired!

Color blind

Last week I met with Savvy's preschool teacher, Mrs. L for parent teacher conference. After showing me Sav's work and discussing her progress, Mrs. L shared a great story with me.

The day after the inauguration, Mrs. L brought in a picture of Pres. Obama and put it up on their "circle time" board next to a picture of ML King. She also brought in a newspaper article showing pictures of Washington, Lincoln, and Obama. The class all new about the new president and they discussed that it was a special day to get a new president.

Savannah raised her hand and said, "Mrs. L, not only is it special that we got a new president, but it is special because he is the first African-American president of our country."

Mrs. L: "Yes, Savannah, you are right. And Savannah, what does 'African-American' mean?"

Savvy: "That he's from a different city."

Mrs. L: "You are absolutely right, Savannah."

Her teacher was just tickled to share this story with me.

I love that my kids are color blind. God bless America!!!

Christmas memories

We had a wonderful Christmas.

Savannah's preschool Christmas concert was delayed a day due to power outage at the school, but WOW, I was so glad they didn't cancel it. She had been looking forward to and practicing for it for weeks. I wasn't able to get much video at the concert (except the one of her walking into the concert room pretending she didn't see me), but she did every song for me at home afterward. These are a few of my favorites (mainly for the grandma's out there:)




On the 23rd we went to DC to see the National Tree and to the DC Temple lights again. We attended a violin concert at the visitors center - Jenny Oaks Baker - she is an amazing violinist.

National Tree - there are smaller trees (one for each state) around this huge tree. I thought the train displays were the best part of the display. It was VERY cold.


My favorite event this year occurred on Christmas Eve. We went ice skating and it was just a perfect day for it. Beautiful weather, beautiful outdoor rink, and the kids were so happy we stayed until they closed! The park and the rink are so picturesque - it was a memorable, lovely afternoon.










After skating, we returned home for vegetable cheese chowder and then decorated cookies for Santa. We read the Christmas story from the scriptures, and then Trevor and Savannah slept downstairs (in the tent they have set up in our unfinished basement) - it took them AWHILE to fall asleep.

Christmas morning was magical. Rachel was awake all morning, like she didn't want to miss anything! The excitement of the morning led into a day of play and relaxation. Here are a few pics and videos - thanks to so many of you who sent gifts and cards our way. We hope your holidays were wonderful and that 2009 is marvelous!!!

Savannah's favorite gift was this harmonica from Trevor!

Holiday fun and a flashback

We have had a fun and busy couple of weeks getting ready for Christmas.

Setting up our Nativity and decorating the tree - I take no responsibility for what my kids are wearing once we are in our house! They come up with the craziest get-ups, especially after church on Sundays! (For example, above, Savannah is sporting the black tights she wore to church with the summer outfit she decided to change into after church:) And above and below, well this is pretty much what T would where all the time if I would let him.


Some funny things . . .

Last Sunday we attempted our tradition of making my Grandma's famous fudge. I decided to use butter instead of margarine and well, it didn't set up so well. It made really great frosting, though! We put it in between graham crackers (we call these Camille cookies, after my sis), and they are super yummy. Maybe even a new tradition! The second batch turned out perfectly . . . whew!

I bought some Christmas cards for Ashkii to take to some co-workers - just bought what was on sale at Target on Monday. Well, they were glitter cards, and we have glitter EVERYWHERE! He got some serious flack at work for having glitter all over him, too! Really, my house is covered in glitter right now. I should send it all to Camille, who thinks it is funny to send my kids cards full of confetti:)

Our house is also covered in fuzz. My sweet aunt Cheryl made my kids these cute, snuggly, fleece blankets, and for some reason Savannah's continues to shed! She loves it, so she drags it everywhere, so we have fuzz everywhere (maybe Aunt Cheryl is playing a joke on us!). We are a holiday house of glitter and fuzz!

Rachel turned 5 months old this week! I can't believe this - it goes faster with each child. After the first couple of months, I finally have felt less discombobulated! It is so nice when they start to sleep through the night:) She is such a fun baby - very content and smiley. And very patient with the ever-in-her-face siblings:). She started eating rice cereal and seems pretty excited to finally be a part of the dining table action. She is discovering her feet and is mesmerized by them! It is so fun to see each stage. I find I appreciate it more this time around because I know how short each phase is and that something new is coming up around the corner.




Trevor came home last week singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and it reminded me of Christmas '06 when we caught him singing it (or trying, anyway!) in the bathtub. He is a little embarrassed, but says I can post it as long as you all understand that he was ONLY 5:)