June Fun

This past June was full of family, fun, and popsicles.

Family:  On June 16th Sam's sister Gina and her husband Chris had their wonderful baby Levi sealed to them for time and all eternity.  It was a beautiful occasion.  We were lucky to have 3 of Sam's sisters from California visiting for the event.  Sam's parents also made the trek.  We were sad to be missing Lindsay, Casey and Kylea, but happy to have everyone else in attendance.
On June 17th, Father's Day, we had all the family plus my parents at our house for a Father's Day celebration.  It was nice to be together and the kids loved having both sets of grandparents around.

Fun:  The next Monday my parents, the kids, and I went to the Natural History Museum.  We had a lot of fun seeing all of the dinosaurs and animals.  On Tuesday we went to the Hogle Zoo.  The newest attraction of polar bears, otters, and seals was definitely worth the hot weather and large crowds.

Popsicles:  On Wednesday I had my tonsils removed.  It was a very painful recovery filled with lots of popsicles, lots of ice cream, and lots of vicodin.  My mom helped me with the first part of the recovery and Katie (Sam's sister) with the second week.  I am so grateful for their help.  I would not have been able to care for the children on my own and mom and Katie were integral parts in my recovery.  (Thanks ladies, you really are the best!)

Here are a few pictures from our Father's Day celebration (photos by Camille Knecht):

 Sam's parents with their 4 grand kids.



My parents with 3 of their grand kids.

Sleepy Girl

Today after church I put Eliza in her high chair and fed her lunch.  I walked away while she was feeding herself some bread, and soon after I could hear her breathing heavy.  When I walked back in I found her like this.  She'd totally fallen alseep.  I have never had any of my children do this before.  This proves again how much she is like me.  I have always been a sleeper.  I usually need 8-10 hours of sleep per night.  I've always been like that.  My mom has told me that she would often finding me fallen asleep in random places.  Eliza is the same way.  She goes to bed at 6:30 pm and we get her up at about 8:30 am.  She lets you know when she's tired, and don't try to mess around with it.

Dear Mom

Today is my amazing mother's birthday.  She's pretty fantastic. 

Dear Mom,

Do you know how much I love you?  Do you know that you're my hero?  Well, I do, and you are.
Happy birthday today!  I hope you're having a wonderful day.  I hope this year will be even better than the last.
I was thinking about you today.  Remembering all the things that I love so much about you.  Here are a few, in no particular order: 
You love to have fun.  You're always game for a girl's night out, watching a chick flick, or getting a pedi.  I love that about you.
You can do anything.  I know, I've witnessed some of the amazing things you've done.  I love that about you.
You are an amazing cook.  The pies, desserts, dinners, Mexican food, basically anything you make is delicious.  I love that about you.
When I was young and in high school you would let me stay home and have a "mental health" day, even if I wasn't really sick.  I love that about you.
Another time when I was young you took me out, just me, for my birthday.  That was a big deal.  I love that about you.
When you come to visit me you're always willing to get Thai food.  I love that about you.
When I need you, you come.  No matter what.  I love that about you.
When I had my first baby, you were there right next to me to comfort me.  I love that about you.
You painted a beautiful portrait of my boys for me for Christmas.  I love that about you.
You let me get married when I was 18 years old.  You understood that it was the right thing.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you put candy pees and carrots on my plate to try to fake me out.  I love that about you.
When I need to know what to make for dinner, you always have a good idea.  I love that about you.
You made the most beautiful wedding dress I could have ever wanted.  I love that about you.
You and dad got married in the temple.  I love that about you.
You take your temple covenants seriously.  I love that about you.
You have always stayed firm in your faith.  I love that about you.
You know that staying true to your beliefs will always get you where you want to go.  I love that about you.
You have have always practiced what you've preached.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you helped me learn to read from the pages of the Book of Mormon.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you made me an amazing baptism dress.  You let me pick out the pattern and the fabric.  I love that about you.
When I was little I remember the first time you took me to the store to buy a Sunday dress.  I was about 10 years old.  I can't believe that you made all those dresses up to that point, and so many after.  I love that about you.
When I was little you would put Tabasco sauce on my tongue when I said bad words.  I love that about you.
You love being with my kids, and it shows.  I love that about you.
When I was a baby you used to sing lullabies to me, and you still sing the same lullabies to my babies.  I love that about you.
You love to do yoga.  I love that about.
You laid most of the flooring in your home.  I love that about you.
You serve everyone around you.  I love that about you.
You're always checking in on people, making meals, or helping people out when they need it.  I love that about you.
You're loyal.  I love that about you.
You say that you're bad at math, but I don't know anyone who can calculate yardage better or quicker than you.  I love that about you.
You're beautiful.  I love that about you.
You're skinnier than me, and have cuter clothes.  I love that about you.
You have a beautiful voice.  You can pick out a harmony and sing it out.  I love that about you.
You're not afraid to tell me to what to do.  You're still my mom.  I love that about you.
You've got some great dance moves.  I love that about you.
I can talk to you about anything.  I love that about you.
You always make time to talk to me when I need you.  I love that about you.
Mom, you're the best.  Thank you for being you.  Happy Birthday!
I love you,
Stacy

Conversation with Ben

Yesterday I had the following conversation with Ben.  It was hilarious.

We were talking about nicknames.

Ben:  "Wouldn't it be funny if I called Aunt Rachel, Aunt Hube?"
Then he laughed at his funny joke.
Me:  "I think you should.  I think she'd like it.  What about your other aunts?"
Ben:  "I would call Camille, Aunt Gomes.  That's what I call her now.  What's Katie's nickname?"
Me:  "I think you could call her Aunt Little Kay.  What about Aunt Lindsay and Aunt Gina?"
Ben:  "I would call Aunt Lindsay, Aunt B." (chuckling to himself)  "What's Aunt Gina's nickname?"
Me:  "You could call her Aunt Gi-na-na-na." (pronounced He-na-na-na)
Ben:  laughing
Ben:  "You could call me Chuck, that's my nickname."
Me:  "Ok, sounds good.  What about Tom?"
Ben:  "His nickname is GooToo."
Tom:  "I'm not GooToo.  I'm GooThree."

Me: Laughing hysterically at Tom.  My boys crack me up.