BLING!

After being on the fence for quite some time, Sierra finally got up the nerve to endure the pain and get her ears pierced on Saturday afternoon. She was so brave. (Wish you could have seen Marc, though!) Instead of anguish on her face you could see the pure delight. This is just one more triumph for this girly-girl!

Waiting for Mom to get out of the way so that the piercing could be done.

She wanted an up-do for church today so that she could show off her new pink, flower earrings.

The expression, pose and bag say it all!

And this one has nothing to do with earrings, but I just had to add it:

Looks like Valerie is using her teddy mobile as a revolving punching bag, doesn't it?

I love this girl!

The Blasted Willow

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

A major project last week was the trimming of the blasted willow tree that had completely taken over our front yard....and some the the neighbor's yard as well. It was no small task! Marc borrowed the ladder and tools from Grandpa Obenchain and then worked for HOURS cutting branches and then loading all the trimmings into Dad's truck to haul to the dump. For someone who didn't know the first thing about tree trimming, I think he did a mighty fine job. I'm proud of him for tackling the job by himself.

You know you have a newborn when...

• it's 8:30 A.M. and you're ready for a nap!
• you can make a lovely wig for Barbie each time you run a brush through your own hair.
• you've been pooped on, peed on and puked on in the last 24 hours.
• you wish they sold Oxy Clean or Spray-n-Wash by the gallon.
• there is a faint odor of spoiled milk that follows you wherever you go.
• you trip over the bouncy seat that's in the middle of the living room floor for the 17th time.
• your children are dressed and fed, but it's almost lunch time and you're still in your pajamas.
• you've sung every song you've ever heard and made up a few more to keep your little one calm.
• you've rubbed a path in the carpet from walking the same way each evening...because heaven forbid that you should hold that baby and try to sit down!
• you know what time and channel the M*A*S*H re-runs are on. (Late!)
• your oldest daughter asks, "Mommy, are you happy?" and again you reply, "Yes, honey. I'm just very tired!"

But it is OH SO WORTH IT!!!

(Please feel free to add your own items to the list!)

A Picture of Health

I already mentioned that Valerie had her 2 month check-up last week. This week it was time for Sierra and Ally's annual check-ups. All three girls are a picture of health according to Dr. Welch. Praise the Lord! Sierra is topping the charts for height and weight in her age group. Ally is just above average. They were both quite nervous to begin with, but were very relieved to know that neither one was getting shots this time. Yippee! Don't they look cute in their gowns?

Poor Valerie after her first round of shots.

Sierra and Ally waiting for the Dr. to come in for their check-ups.
(Ally kept this face for the entire visit!!!)

Stanley, ID

Last weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to Stanley for the Sawtooth Mountain Mama Arts & Craft Fair. Time at the fair itself was rather limited, but we did stop long enough to enjoy some good Dutch oven cooking and some bluegrass music. The rest of the afternoon was spent at Stanley Lake. Sierra and Grandpa fished from the canoe for a while and came back with a nice rainbow trout. (Marc had to shuttle Ally back in the kayak because she lost interest rather quickly.) It was a lot of driving for a short get-away, but the view of those beautiful mountains always makes it worth the effort! Next year we will just have to plan a camping trip so that we can enjoy several days in the Sawtooths again.

Susie's having a...

Boy! Boy! Boy!

Well, just one....but I'M SO EXCITED!!! Now I can start shopping for this and this and this. Yipee!

Two Months! *Updated*

Can it be?!

Valerie Joy is two months old today.

Valerie's first trip to Krispy Kreme!

This little girl has turned into quite a chub-chub this month. Besides adding the pounds, she is developing quite a personality. Her blue eyes and toothless grin are a lethal combination. They almost make us forget about the late night parties that she likes to have. We're trying hard to change things, but she likes to go to bed between 11 and midnight! Valerie is a sweet little baby and already she is growing up way too fast.

**Update: I just got back from taking Valerie to her two month check-up. Here are the "fish facts," as my brother likes to call them:

Weight: 11 lbs. 3 oz. (65%)

Height: 22.375 inches (25%)

I told you she was a chunky monkey! Short and chubby like her Mommy. Dr. Welch said that she looks like a perfectly healthy little girl...but we already knew that!