Tom

Tom is a cute kid who doesn't want to hold still long for the camera. I want a nice photo of each of my kids to hang on the wall (I didn't buy school photos, I figured I could do my own, but here it is the end of February and I still haven't done it, until today). He asked if we could just take two pictures and then he could be done. I told him it would be a few more than two, but it wouldn't take too long. After I had taken 10 shots, he asked if we were done yet. I said, "not yet, I need to get a good photo" and cute little Tom said, "they are all good pictures". Right you are Tom, all of your pictures are great because you are such a cute boy and that came out in each of the photos.

becca

 Becca is such a beautiful little girl. She is fun to photograph and it is so easy to get fabulous smiles out of her. Becca is three years old and full of life and fun. She laughs easily and loves to get others to laugh too. Becca is my story girl. She always is wanting stories read to her or told to her. At bedtime she likes me to make up stories and have everyone she loves be in the story. Becca also loves to dress up. This pink dress, in the photos, is in her dress up box and she has changed into it about three different times today, with other outfits in between each time.

Favorite picture for today

I took a lot of pictures today, but this one is my favorite, even though Becca is faced backwards, there is something about this picture that I really like.

Missionary Tom

Here are Tom's "missionary" pictures.
Today was Stake Conference. I was happy that my boys did quite well. We took their new bags that I made - the crayon roll was great - the crayons stayed all together (except every time that Becca tried to empty it out).
The lady that sat behind us gave me a note at the end of the meeting. It said,
"What a beautiful family. Your children are full of love. What a precious gift Father has shared with you. True they are strong willed and determined - but this must be; that they may stand in these last days - and Return With Honor to their Creator. When the day seems it will Never end - remember you are equal to the task He has given you. Prayer is our staple in life. It will heal and strengthen us as we look to Him in all things. What faith our Father has in you!"
What a beautiful note. Even though I thought the children had done quite well at being reverent, I was in and out many times with Becca, and this note was a great boost to me. I'm going to keep it and read it on those days when I don't feel that things are going so well.
Being a mother is a great challenge and it's nice to be reminded of the great gift we have been giving - our children - and the great responsibility we have to teach them. I'm thankful for support and encouragement from others.

Becca Turtle

Becca had me put this sweater on her, then she started pulling on it like she was trying to take it off. When she got it up on her head she left it there and started prancing around. It was so funny, and she knew it - she was doing it for the laughs. Her walking around with that on her head reminded me of ET.

Future Missionary

Last week I went to buy Tom some new church shoes and I took the boys with me to the store. After we found Tom a pair of shoes I remembered Charlie needed a new white shirt. While I was finding a shirt the boys were trying on suit jackets. "Mom, we need to get these." I thought they looked nice, but didn't really want to spend the money to buy both of them a suit - I couldn't buy just the jacket, they didn't have black church pants, they usually wear tan pants. I gave in to their pleading and begging and bought them each a suit.
I love how handsome they look wearing them and now they look forward to getting dressed for church and looking their very best.
Last Sunday when Charlie was getting ready he said, "Mom, you know what I look like? I look like a missionary". I thought he did too.

Charlie

Becca

I'm not doing anything


Happy waking up.













Sad you took so long to get me out of my crib.
Happy or sad, she's still cute.

Sweet Becca

What a sweet face! Could there really be anything cuter? Even at 11 months old (the picture was taken in October) Becca is aware of the camera and knows how to cheese it up. This day of the picture Becca was climbing down off of the couch and I wanted to take a picture of her getting off. Well, as soon as she saw that I had a camera she reversed her progress and got settled back on the couch and began smiling for the camera. Notice the drool down the side of her cheek. She is teething, but even as of today has no teeth yet. My kids teethe for months and months before teeth ever show up.
Becca turned one years old on Novemeber 27, 2007. She's really taken a liking to walking and practices as much as possible. I was impressed at how rapidly she progressed from a faltering step or two to walking small distances, from tottering from side-to-side to even, little steps. Sometimes when she knows she is about to fall down she picks up speed and almost starts running and then gravity takes over and she falls face down. She never gets frustrated or whines about falling, she just gets right back up and keeps going.