Turns out Sunday afternoon is a good time to take pictures...

And I knew you guys were just dying for a "sailor dress" update:

March 2011

March 2012

If you'd like to see March 1984 click here :) haha!

Half a dozen kind ward members stopped me today to tell my how precious they thought Kacie (and the boys) are and just how much they love to watch them durning church. They thanked her for turning around and waving and blowing them kisses, they said how sweet it is that she conducts every hymn, and they reminded me how she raised her hand too each time we sustained our leaders two weeks ago during ward conference. 

I happen to agree with them that she's a sweet little bundle of pure, pure joy. But I sure appreciated their kind words. Taking three small kids to church isn't easy for me, although it is getting much easier as they get a little older. This last week the boys and I have had some precious and spiritual learning moments as they remembered something they'd seen or heard and wanted to talk about it. I'm so thankful that I can learn and grow through joy and gratitude! And that I can have so many sweet moments of peace in my life. 

Feeling fancy today...

I had to give Kace a bath after lunch and while I was doing that I called to Asher to please get some clothes for Kacie and bring them in to me. After a bit he came in with a dance tutu and some frilly socks. He said "I picked this incase she was feeling fancy today."

Clean and Fancy Kacie twirling with mom.

 In fact, I think she was feeling fancy today. Hope you are too.

 kacie noelle

the love of our lives

Sunny afternoon...

We told the kids to run in and hop on our bed for a few quick pictures before they took their sunday clothes off when we got home from church. I said boys on the sides and Kacie in the middle...

 she loved all the attention.

 Then we had to take a second to wait for Caleb. They're cute even when they're bored :)

 I asked for another group shot before we had a snack. Oh, how they love her.

 Oops, this one was mid-sneeze for Asher, Caleb can not contain himself from kissing her head, and Kacie had quite the little pose. Too funny.

 Then things got really crazy with little boys, in only underpants, flying through the air. 

I guess we're done ;)

There are no words...

An old drawing and giggles from my absentmindedness...

I was sorting a pile of papers and found this sweet picture that Asher drew for Lisa last year. I never sent it to her so I thought I'd post it here for her to see :) I'd prefer to have sent it with a loving note from me attached and maybe even a treat for that scrumptious Ben who is growing up while we are away. I'd prefer that. But Lisa, thank you for being my younger (in age) and older (in experience and wisdom) sister who understands. My favorite parts of the drawing: Lily's 8 stands of hair and the giant scribble heart - the first heart he ever drew.

Kacie playing with her beloved toothbrush. Girl after my own heart!

Last night at bedtime I started brushing Kacie's teeth. She started laughing. Really, really laughing. Tears coming down her cheeks laughing. So, I started laughing. It was so funny, but I didn't know what she was laughing about. That made it even more hilarious. Every time I put the toothbrush back in she would belly laugh harder. We finished up the bedtime routine and three little babies slept soundly. It wasn't for a few hours - after I'd washed the dishes, picked up the rest of the toys, etc. - that I realized what was so funny. You see, Justin was in Portland so after a long and quite messy day I was doing the evening alone. I fed three kids, washed three kids, helped put pajamas on three kids, read stories with three kids and brushed three kids' teeth. By the end of the evening, a little absentmindedly perhaps, I grabbed Caleb's electric toothbrush while it was Kacie's turn. It was the first time she has had a vibrating toothbrush in her mouth and I guess she thought it was pretty funny.

Melts my heart...

 I'm so glad that this is a photo that just naturally keeps recreating itself. 

 "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

— Emilie Buchwald

How's this for a few random details about my children...

 Asher likes to make his own fruit salad.

 Kacie loves to wear the stethoscope.

And Caleb pretended to be a sea turtle wearing an infant sized halloween costume that he found for more than 3 hours.

Caleb learned a lesson...

Well, this happened quite awhile ago, but Justin thinks it shouldn't go untold. So, I guess now that I'm blogging again (have you noticed that I'm blogging again?) I'd better tell you about this cool kid I've got. His name is Caleb Spencer and he loves action! He's always pretending to be a superhero (almost always before he starts running anywhere he makes a sound of either his rocket boosters firing up or webs slinging out of his wrists!) and the best way to become his friend is to wrestle with him. 

Anyway, I was doing dishes and I sent the boys into their bathroom to wash their hands. From where I was standing they were behind me and down the hallway. They had been in there for just a little bit before there was a huge flash of light that filled the whole house. It was so quick that right after I just stood there for a minute feeling the eery silence wondering if I really saw it or not. I ran to the bathroom and Asher was on the floor looking at Caleb who was standing with a scared/excited look on his face. Then I saw the plug and outlet with black whatever all over the wall around it. I gasped and asked Caleb if he was okay. He held up his hand which also had black whatever on it and said "I got shocked." Once I figured out that it wasn't a burn, the black powder washed off, and that he really wasn't hurt I asked him again if he was okay. This time there was a sparkle in his eye as he thought about it. I'm pretty sure Caleb even kinda liked it. 

I guess he had a penny in his pocket and had pulled it out to hold while he waited for his turn to wash his hands. Right in front of his face beside the sink was a little space between the outlet and the plug of his toothbrush that looked just exactly big enough for a penny. So, he put it in. We are thankful that everything turned out the way it did and that he was safe. Caleb is a hands on learner. A quick learner, but hands on. Now he knows (vs. just taking my word for it, I guess) that "electricity is dangerous" and that we "never stick anything into outlets or onto plugs". I just kept thinking I hope he survives his childhood and that I survive him ;)

Asher's most favorite of seasons...

Asher loves winter time and snow. He was thrilled to wake up to our last big snow storm awhile ago. It came at a perfect time. Justin was home from work and we were able to spend some time enjoying the beautiful snow.

Even all wet and cold this kid was in heaven! He truly didn't want it to end.

This was a sad face because I said we should go in to get warm.

 Kacie really loved it too. She could hardly move, but she was happy as can be.

 Finally Kacie and I came in to get warm while the boys stayed out until it was dark. 

Dear Winter,

I'd like to apologize for all the mean things I've (often) said about you in the past. It was unkind and I am sorry. 

I want to thank you for making my first born so happy. I've really never seen anyone love you so much, especially not a 4 year old. But he does. And for that I love you too. 

I think if we try we could be great friends. Maybe I'll try snowshoeing or ice fishing...but probably not the ice fishing.

Anyway, please remember absence makes the heart grow fonder.

All my best,

Abby.

Our first hike up Badger Mountain this year...

 What a fun way to spend our evening. Kacie loved the ride!

 The boys did awesome. Caleb kept "running out of energy" so we had to take frequent snack breaks :) and Asher won the race he was having with the "invisible racers" the whole way down the mountain.

Seriously my favorite people in the whole world :)

We wanna go to Grandma's House!

Happy Birthday Grandma! We can't wait to come play at your house again soon!! Until then I guess this little playhouse will have to do. We love and miss you. Hope you had a great birthday :)

(Jeremy, Peter, Gretchen... help me out. Doesn't Kacie look just like Hannah did when she was little in that second picture? Too cute!)