Snack attacks and popcorn hats

Today, after she finished her after-lunch snack of Pringles, Grace got the broom out all by herself and asked me to hold the dust pan, admitting that she had "made a mess with the Pringles afterall" (I had previously asked her to eat them over the table so they wouldn't make a mess). She tried to sweep it up herself, but after struggling with it, I told her we'd do it together, and holding her hand on the broom under my own, helped her clean up the mess. I was so impressed and proud of her for taking the initiative to make things right.

Later, we had an impromptu mid-afternoon popcorn and movie party (since all the younger girls took a super short nap). At one point, Bethany emptied the popcorn from her bowl into the cup holder of Grace's camp chair, then proceeded to put her bowl upside down on her head. Smiling, I remarked "Nice hat baby love." Then Grace, noticing what Bethany had done, said "That's a popcorn hat for pete's sake!" (like, good grief Bethany!). Travis and I laughed at the random expression, since we hardly ever say "pete's sake." Silly girls!

 

Today's (one and only) Picture:

(Cambree L, Kaylee R)

Hugs

This morning I came inside from warming up the car, when Bethany ran to me grinning and excitedly saying "Mommy! Mommy!" and ran into my arms. As I hugged her, she said "I yuv you." Loved getting a warm welcome from my sweet girl!

Tonight after dinner, Bethany came up to Travis and gave him a hug, saying "Hey! Oh! So happy (to) see you!"

Today's Pictures:

Bath time bubble fun:

Super Why

We were at the library this morning picking up some movies we had requested, when I noticed a flyer that had a Super Why character on it. I pointed it out to Grace (since Super Why is one of her favorite TV shows right now), and when Bethany heard Grace excitedly say "Super Why!" she immediately began singing the shows theme song without skipping a beat. Cracked me up!

Then, tonight, as I was saying goodnight to Grace and Bethany, I gave Bethany one more hug and kiss, and as I pulled away, she gently pulled me back to give me a kiss on the cheek too. Travis and I usually have to request our kisses from Bethany, so it was a real treat, and so warmed my heart!

Today's Picture:

Grace and Bethany trying to lay down on the babys' mat. Silly girls!

Showing the love

I was sitting on the couch holding Kaylee, when Grace asked "Can I hold her?" (This is big, since Grace has only asked to do this a handful of times with Bethany or the twins). I replied that of course she could and helped her hold Kaylee in her arms. Gazing lovingly at Kaylee she said "She's the prettiest baby in the whole world." A minute later, she leaned forward and gave Kaylee a gentle kiss and whispered "I love her." Grace truly LOVES the twins. She is always asking us "Can I see that baby?", and will quietly come over to see and talk to them from time to time throughout the day. She also loves to hold their hands and tell us the silly things she sees them doing. And when several of us are leaving the house, she always checks to make sure that someone is staying home to take care of the babies. :) She's a great big sister!

Today, as I was getting Bethany ready to lay down for her nap, I asked her "Do you know how precious you are?" She responded quietly, "I yuv you mommy." (Bethany has said "I love you" before, but rarely unprompted, so this totally melted my heart!)

New Chapter

I was on Facebook the other day, when a friend shared an ingenious idea: to create a email address or blog for each of your children, then update them with funny things the kids say, special experiences you have with them, letters to the kids from time to time, etc. Well, I thought it was a wonderful idea, and had flirted with the idea of making a whole separate blog where I would post these things for my kids, but then I thought "We already have a family blog. Why don't I just post all of those things on there?" So, starting today, I am! This will still be the place were I post pictures of family outings, vacations, etc., but it will also now be our family journal, where our daily memorable experiences are shared. I'm really excited about this new chapter for our blog (including the opportunity it will give me to practice my writing skills), and hope that the memories I write down will be meaningful to our girls later on.

With that in mind, I want to share a couple experiences from this last week.

A few memories from February 26:

As I was leaving to pick Grace up from preschool, I went to Bethany and told her I'd be back soon, then gave her a kiss on her head, to which she replied "Tank you mommy." She is always SO good at saying "please" and "thank you," even for the little things like that! We love our polite girl!

Then, when Grace and I came home and walked in the front door, Bethany quickly ran into the room towards us, saying:
  "I yuv (love) you Gace (Grace) girl! I yuv you Gace girl!," and gave Grace a big hug.
 As she's hugging her, Grace (graciously, like a queen to her loving subject) said "Yes, you can hug me." It was hilarious! Bethany so looks up to Grace, loves to copy what she does, and misses her when she's at school.

I wrote this journal entry down about a tender experience I had with Bethany later that night:

Tonight, Bethany woke up a few hours after she’d fallen asleep, crying softly.
I went into her bedroom and gently lifted her out of her crib, her growing body in my arms, curl-topped head over my shoulder, and carried her into the living room to change her diaper. After changing her, I picked her up and held her for a minute as before, this time whispering to her how grateful I was for her sweetness, her hugs, “I love you’s,” and “thank you’s”, that I was so glad that I got to hug and kiss her everyday, and that she’d always be my special girl. When she began to stir, I returned to her bedroom so I could help calm her back to sleep. Standing beside her bed, I repositioned her in my arms so that I was cradling her, just as I had so many times before when she was a baby. Her sleepy eyes stayed open for only a moment before quietly fluttering closed as she drifted back to sleep. And as she did, I told her again how much I loved her and how grateful I was that she came into our family. My heart swelled with love for her in that moment, and with gratitude for the precious gift of being able to hold my now big baby like this one more time, maybe for the last time. Before laying her down I told her in the faintest whisper “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” Then I laid her down gently, (her waking only for a moment; and I was touched by how easily she was comforted by me and fell back asleep, letting me tuck her in) and softly placed her blankets over her little toddler-sized body, then lightly brushed my finger over her smooth cheek and soft curls, and after taking a few more seconds to savor the moment, left her room.

It was a experience I hope I never forget.
 

Meet the Grandparents

Travis' parents flew in last Friday so they could meet Kaylee and Cambree and be here for their blessing. It was so fun to have them here!
Grammy and Poppy loved the twins, and took every opportunity they could to hold them and feed them. :)

Poppy and Kaylee:

Trying to coax a smile out of Kaylee;

Grammy and Cambree:

Poppy and Kaylee, Travis and Cambree

 Grammy and Kaylee: 

 

 Grammy showing off her sweet skills of picking up both babies at the same time! I was impressed!

Of course, they loved spending time with Grace and Bethany too.
Getting some Poppy snuggles:

Making jewelry with Grammy:

 

 

 

On Saturday, we introduced Grammy and Poppy to White House Fruit Farm and their delicious donuts, played at the mall, and hung out. On Sunday, we blessed the twins and had a pizza party with my parents, and a Scrabble game with all the Grammy and Poppys after the kids went to bed. On Monday, Travis showed his parents around Mill Creek Park, then we went out to lunch at Nicolinni's and icecream at Menchie's, and watched a movie at home. And this morning (to everyone's dismay), we put Grammy and Poppy back on the airplane and sent them back home. Thanks so much for a fun visit Dave and Anita! We always love spending time with you, and wish we lived closer so we could do it more often!

Kaylee and Cambree's Blessing Day

Today, Travis gave Kaylee and Cambree a name and a blessing at Church. It was a very special day for our family.

 

Our family of 6!

 

We were so happy and grateful to have both sets of grandparents there, and to have both of our be dads in the circle for their blessings. The other priesthood holders in the circle were Travis' fellow residents, Dave Zarkou, Austin Kramer, and Morgan Kizzar, and our bishop, Bishop Wait.

After we got home, we did a little photo shoot of Kaylee and Cambree in the beautiful dresses and bonnets my cousin Lori Coffin made for them (with the onesies and slips that my aunt Jane Wadsworth had made underneath). It was SO special to have the twins wear outfits that my family members had made. We were touched that they would make them for us, and really felt their love and support. :)

Our sweet Cambree Rose:

Cambree, your dad gave you your name, Cambree Rose Holloway, and through the priesthood blessed you that you will know and feel the love of your Savior throughout your life. He blessed you with a sharp mind and healthy body, so you will have the health and energy to do those things that you would like to do here on Earth. He blessed you to follow the examples of your sisters and your parents. Also, that you would cherish the gospel teachings you will receive at home and at Church and that those teachings will provide a solid foundation for you. He blessed you that you will be able to understand the Atonement and find strength in it. Also, that you will know how much your parents love you and will be able to develop a special relationship with them. Finally, he blessed you that you will one day meet a special priesthood holder and go with him to the temple and create a family of your own, as well as with any other blessings Heavenly Father would have you receive.

Travis snapped his fingers to get her to turn her head and she gave him the biggest smiles in return!

 

 

 

And sweet Kaylee Noel:

 

Kaylee, you were blessed first. Your dad gave you your name, Kaylee Noel Holloway, and with emotion in his voice, gave you a blessing from Heavenly Father. He blessed you that you would have a love for the gospel and for your Savior. Also, that you will come to understand your infinite worth and the power of prayer. He blessed you that you would develop a love for the scriptures and (again for) the Savior. He also blessed you with peace, knowing that you will be safe as long as you keep the commandments. He blessed you to follow the example of your sisters, and that you would develop a special relationship with your parents, and cherish the relationship you have with them as you grow. He blessed you that you would be able to share the gospel with those you meet. Also, that you would one day meet a worthy priesthood holder, marry him in the temple, and start a family of your own. Finally, he blessed you that you would feel God's love and know how special you are, along with any other blessings that Heavenly Father would have you receive.

 

You love to move your arms!

 

 

 We love our sweet twins and are so glad they are a part of our family!