Dear Sammy,

Dear Samalamalicious,

Lately, you've been bored being home by yourself with me.  You are getting very social and want to have friends over.  Today, we invited little Alison.  Alison with her big brown eyes, dark brown hair and creamy tan skin.  Beautiful little Alison that is just as funny as you.  You played well and I loved listening to your conversations.  It was mainly about how your brother loves Star Wars but you love Jango.  She responded how her brothers love Star Wars but she likes to play house.  Then you showed her how far you could jump. 

You are rad little one.

After she left, we had our lunch and made chocolate chip cookies.  You wore Mia's pink apron, but it wasn't really your idea.  You were willing to wear it if that meant you could make the cookies, but pink is a giiiirrls color you say.

Baking with you was different then baking with Jake or Mia.  Mia loves to bake but is a little distracted.  Jake is intense and you can't do it fast enough for him.  It's a bit stressful to bake with him.  But you, you enjoyed yourself.  You had to feel all of the ingredients poking the butter (which you called peanutbutter), cracking the eggs, scraping the dry ingredients out with your fingers.  Lots of taste testing and telling me how you were excited to tell the kids that you made cookies for them. 

Did you know that we think it's hilarious that you refer to Jake and Mia as "the kids"? 

I love you so much little Sammy!  I can't believe that you are going to be four soon!  Time is flying and soon, I'll won't have my little helper home with me.  You clean, vacuum and put the laundry in the dryer.  You learned to fold clothes over a year ago.  Can't say the same for your siblings.  You bring in the groceries, stack the cans and set the table.  I'm thankful for you and your soft heart. 

I love you!

Mama

Dear Daughter,

Dear Mia,

Tonight, we tackled the cleaning out of your room...again.  Your room is going to be the end of me!  Right now, I am sure that your Grandma Desse and Aunt Sharmyn are laughing that I you are just like me.  I am sticking my tongue out at you two!  We can get your room clean again.  We can do this! 

We just started the cleaning tonight and we were able to get rid of:  a large bag of garbage,  a really full black garbage bag of hand me downs for friends and another black bag of donations to DI.  Great progress but shocking since we just cleaned out your room two months ago!  Where is all this stuff coming from?

We put away all of your clothes and put your shoes back on the shelves.  Your bed was stripped of all the excess blankets and you choose one teddy blankie and a soft pink blanket to sleep with.  We played a game choosing 3 items that you loved and wanted to keep, 5 items that you could throw away and 5 items that you could donate.  And Mia darling, you loved it.  You like to clean your room with me!  I know you like it clean, but, my dear,  I think that you have too much stuff that you are trying to take care of. 

I've been trying to get your room organized since the day we moved in.  Organized so you can easily take care of it.  I love for you to have toys to play with, dresses to dress up in, books to read and babies to love but those things need to be put back in their home.   This is a project that I really want to let be.  It's exhausting trying to figure out how to help you best.  I love you dearly, but maybe it's time to clean out your room entirely.  No more toys, dolls, Barbie's and dress-ups.  Just the necessities so you can have a nice, peaceful place to sleep.

Dear Mia-mine, what I am going to do with your cute self?

Loves,
Mom

On a whim...

On a whim, I made my family blog public again.  It feels oddly naked and exposed right now, but somehow, makes me want to blog again.  See, having it private means that no one is looking at it so I don't have to write.  I want to write.  So, on a whim, it's public again.

A Conversation...

A conversation between Ryan and Sam late one night after enjoying a late night shower. 

Sam:  "I sure wish I had my "I Love Dad" (pj) top."
Dad:  "I wish I had a "I love Sammy" shirt."
Sam:  "And Jango Fett wishes he has a "I love Boba Fett" shirt and Boba wishes he had a "I love Jango" shirt."
Dad:  "Really."
Sam:  "Yah, and they can put it on their chest plates!"  said while rubbing his own little chest then layed back down feeling pretty satisfied with his funny little self.

Halloween 2010

I think that I forgot how to use my camera.  I got two pictures of the kids in costume and missed one child completely. 

It was cold, wet and raining cats and dogs.  Mia and Sam were not interested in pictures.  They wanted to get out trick or treating!  Even though we were soaked through, the kids had a great time and raved about how this was the best Halloween ever!

Jake went as Percy Jackson from the book series.  We sprayed his hair black, made a t-shirt that said camp half-blood and he wore a roman chest plate and carried a pen to represent the pen Riptide that Percy has that turns into a sword.

Mia insisted on a pink pirate costume from the store.  She told everyone that she was Jack Sparrow's wife.  She has a crush on him.  Him and Connor Stout.   My goodness me, you wouldn't know that she was just seven years old with how much she loves the boys.

Aunt Dee! Dee! made Sam's costume and she did an amazing job.  "The Three Amigos" is one of his favorite movies.  I love all the detail and really, he does love it, he just HATES pictures and just wanted to go trick or treating. 

Happy Halloween!! 



North Carolina

So way back in April, I was so lucky to go to North Carolina to visit Jon and Sharmyn.  I don't know why I haven't blogged about it yet.  No offense Sharmyn, I'm just lazy.

In March, Ryan received a super secret phone call from Jon inviting me to fly out and visit with them as a suprise to Sharmyn for my birthday.  Of course, I was jumping for joy!  It was all I could do to not say anything to Sharmyn.  Turns out, Jon is not a good secret keeper.  He spilled the beans, but it made it even funner because we got to plan out our limited time. 

I flew all day to get to North Carolina.  I was warmly welcomed, took a house tour of Sharmyn's beautiful house and enjoyed her home cooking.  It was the best spaghetti I've ever had with the most delicious cheese on top.  What was it called again?  I then retreated to my lovely guest bedroom complete with beautiful tulips just for me. 

Saturday was my birthday!  Sharmyn made delcious crepes with the best homemade strawberry jam and a delicous green smoothie complete with her own homemade yogurt.  Mmm!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  We then went and did a little bit of the day of service her ward was doing.  I've never seen so many people working so hard together.  It was inspiring!  We then snuck out to do a little shopping.   Anthropology, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble of course.  I got the cutest little number and spice jars and a pretty plate just to name a few of the goodies that I bought there. 

At Barnes and Noble, I was introduced to this sweet line of sationary goods for kids.  What was it called?  Can't remember, but I loved it all.  I got the kids there own tin pencil box with pencil, sharpener, eraser, pen and ruler.  They love them!

We grabbed a HUGE burrito and ran home to get ready for my birthday party.  Shramyn invited some of their friends to celebrate with me.  The food, of course, was fantastic!  Homemade bread, spaghetti with yummy turkey bolagnese (sp?), salad and strawberry drink.  Martha Stewart strawberry cupcakes were delicious!  Sharmyn made me a cute little tray and a fabric flower.  They are so fun!

Sunday was delightful.  It was fun to watch Jon and Sharmyn in action.  The people were all so friendly.  I miss them very much.  That afternoon, I took a delightfully long nap.  I didn't mean to, but the room was so pleasant.  Then up for a delicious dinner of course.  That night, we played games and laughed so hard.  It was the BEST!

Monday, we ran around thrifting.  I was thrilled with everything that I got.  North Carolina is like a goldmine of thrify goodness.  I'm pretty sure it was mostly because I was with my sister.  Half-way through the day, I started to miss her already.  That night,  more friends came over for Family night.  Family night was really nice.  I liked having a group family night and thought that I should do that when I get home.  Maybe I've been home long enough? 

Tuesday morning, bright and early, I was out the door to fly home.  It was so hard to leave.  I miss my sister dearly and I am so thankful that she did this for me.  I only wish that I could do it everyday with her.  I miss watching Jon and their dog in the yard.  I miss the kitties sitting on the table eating their breakfast.  I miss the beautiful tree lined roads and everything about it.  North Carolina is a beautiful place !

Much love! Megan

It's not summer unless...

There is a redneck swimming pool to play in. 

    (This is the smile I get when I tell Sam to smile! Oh boy!)

The girls, Mia and Lauren, are in their swimsuits all day long.

And Jake is trying to sell something.

(Look! Sam smile as Sammy.)