Chandra

Dear Chandra,

I have enjoyed you so much lately.  You are adorable, ridiculously sweet, creative and loving.  You are also fiery, fiercely determined to have things your own way, at times completely unreasonable, and I often think your shrieks could shatter glass. So we definitely have moments of frustration, but when you are happy, you are delightful.

You smother us in hugs and kisses every day.  I often remind you to be gentle with Kinsey as you squeeze her.  You love reading with me, dancing to music, drawing and writing, building with legoes and magformers, and fixing your stuffed animal's hair with a spray bottle and brush, and lots of flowers and bows.

You love everything beautiful. Everything with glitter, ruffles, flowers or bows.  You see beauty everywhere...you often gasp, "Oh! Look! It's so beautiful!" and I find you trying to catch the dust that shines like gold in the sunshine, reaching for the flower bouquets at Costco, or finding sparkly metal garbage or rock "treasures" on the side of the road.

Yesterday you searched for a rubber band to tie your shirt back behind you so you could see the little ribbon on the waistband of your pants. Silly girl! I love when you come and climb on my lap, wrap your arms around my neck and say, "I'm snuggling with you because I love you!"

I love you.  I know we have rough moments where we feel like we're banging our heads against each other.  But I'm so glad you're my daughter, and my little friend.

Love, Mom

Our 3 Kids

Sumo Wrestling

This is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen.  Brian and Bracken stuff pillows in shirts that are too big for them, then run at each other screaming and body slam.  Bracken usually goes flying backwards (hence the mattress and pillows piled against the couch). They make the funniest facial expressions and always talk smack.  Every once in a while Brian yells like a comanche and goes charging at Bracken, and Bracken screams like a girl and looks terrified for a moment and then giggles hysterically as Brian smashes into him and sits on him.  Boys. :)

Playing in the snow

We came back from Arizona to the snow. We had to play in it before Brian started back to school. The kids love playing in the snow and having Brian pull them in the sled.

Bracken

They set up a snow store and had grand plans of how much money they were going to make selling it.

Kinsey just fell asleep.

Camelback Mountain

After a big breakfast on New Year's day our family set out to hike Camelback Mountain with Stetson (6), Kristi and Spencer. Brian carried Chandra in a backpack, and I carried Kinsey.  We made it all the way to the top!  I was quite the topic of conversation for all the other hikers as I hiked with Kinsey.  I had people tell me I was brave and strong, and others told me I was an idiot for hiking with her (not in those exact words). It was more difficult at the top than I remembered-- probably because I couldn't use my hands to climb with Kinsey-- but we went slow and steady and were safe the whole time.  Stetson was a trooper and never needed any help.  Chandra bawled the entire way down even though she was carried the entire way, because she got cold.  Bracken did pretty good, but I'm glad Kristi and Spencer were there to help hold his hand on the way down.  It did get cold about the time we got to the top.  So we came home pretty chilled and got baths and hot chocolate for the kids. We felt triumphant at the top!

Visits from Grandpa Rudy and Grandma Ginger

 We are always excited when Grandpa and Grandma stop by for a visit.  We're only an hour or so away from their house, and they often stop to see us when they come to the city for doctor visits or errands. They almost always bring the kids little bags of gummy bears.  Chandra always tries to steal Grandpa's hat...just like me and the rest of the grandkids did when we were little. She gives him one hug, then teases him the rest of the time they are here by refusing to hug him and giving Grandma lots of hugs and kisses. We love you Grandpa and Grandma!