kid photographers

The kids were taking turns with the nice camera one afternoon. While I have no idea who took which pictures, we got some nice results.

Wren is 3

Hi! I'm Wren! I recently turned three years old!


I am a fun and silly little kid whose keenly aware of how funny and cute I am. From goofy faces (I can make a hilarious side-eye) and impromptu songs to whackado questions and off-the-wall answers, I'm a funny kid. Nothing's better than when I make my brothers laugh!


I'm also a child very set in my own opinions. It doesn't matter if what I demand is logical or flip flops one second to the next, you should do what I say! I've perfected my mad face and full-blast scream. I know perfectly well how to use the potty but... no thanks. Also, please carry me everywhere always.


But worry not, I'm mostly very sweet, full of sensitivity and cuddles. I love cats and pink and purple. I love the letter W and find it in all my stories (W is the best letter, of course), plus I can make it with my fingers (and its the same as my age!)! I like to pick out my own outfits.  Mommy appreciates how I still sleep great at night at take naps. I'm happy to serenade you with a song, though I will be very particular about when you should and should not sing along. I love games that make me giggle.


Happy birthday to me! And here's a million more photos because I'm so cute.

Introducing Syl

The idea of a new dog has been fluttering around our minds for a while. Well, truthfully, the whole family was ready for one and I was the holdup, since I knew I'd be the main caretaker. After our trip, I was feeling pretty settled on it. A couple weeks before Sean's birthday, I asked if he wanted to get a dog for his gift- he was all for it! He had the next morning off so we thought we'd check out the Humane Society, just to see what there was. There was a dog or two we saw on the the website that had potential.

After taking some time in the cat petting room and again wishing I wasn't allergic to felines, we saw all the small dogs and then moved on to the bigger. Sean noticed there was a Weimaraner mix, one we hadn't noticed online. Sean and I have always adored the breed. We asked to visit with the dog. All six of us waited in the room while they fetched the dog, Demi. Boy, she was nervous. Everything tucked, trying to find a way to get out. But the Dog Expert lady gave us tons of treats and she loosened up a bit and eventually started licking some of us. The kids were so patient with her. The longer we were with her, the more comfortable she seemed. We found out she had just been transferred in the evening before. Sean and I were looking at each other telepathically. It's a Weimaraner! She's a puppy but an older puppy so less annoying! She's so beautiful! She's going to get adopted so quick! She's so good with the kids! Should we pull the trigger?

And we did. We did! We decided to adopt her. Everyone was over the moon! We changed her name to Sylphrena after the Stormlight Archive character, Syl for short (and it often becomes Sylly).


Here's that shy dog once we got in the car.


After we got home, she ran around exploring everything until she finally flopping into exhaustion.


She spent the first few days constantly by my side.


She's a ridiculous sleeper.


Let the training begin! She's doing pretty good. Probably our biggest challenge is to keep her from chewing on things (stuffed animals, beware!). She used to be solely a licker but once she met her cousin Rufus she's gotten a little more mouthy with us. She responds well to treats so we've got that on our side! She has tons of energy. We take her on a family walk in the morning, then a longer one with Sean or I in the evening. So far, we all still love her (well, Wren sometimes loves her depending on how fast she's moving) despite the things she's chewed. Welcome to the family, Syl!

Y

A long drive home ahead of us, we stopped for the night at Rachel's house. But not before first meeting them for a very fast BYU visit. We drove by our old homes and told stories, more for Sean and my benefit than the kids'.


Isn't it romantic, this is where Sean proposed to me! It looks a bit different, now with more fence but yes, a parking lot was the setting of our engagement. There was snow, that helps the atmosphere a bit. We built a snowman in the fence gap between two yellow pillars before I drove home for the evening, then he got on one knee. Aw. Love.


Hi research lab!


The Eyring Science Center is the place to be with kids in tow.


Got our chocolate milk. The primary objective of this visit.


Y! (over here Ellie!)


BYU, you are magic.