Mike and Amber!

We were lucky to have Mike and Amber (Arthur's brother and his wife) come visit the last weekend in September. We visited the zoo on Friday while Dallin was in school, and then Saturday, we went to the BYU/UNM Football game. BYU won 31 to 24. GO COUGARS! We just wish Mike and Amber could have stayed longer! We love you guys!

Daphne is feeling a little nervous about that cougar. It was pacing because feeding time was approaching.

Sean and Uncle Mikey

The BYU football team doing the Haka! (a Maori war dance)

BYU FANS!

Big little events

Well, this past month or so, we've had lots of little exciting things happening. At the very end of August, Daphne turned four years old. When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she just said, "PINK!" Four days later, at the beginning of September, Sean turned two years old. Sadly, we forgot to take our camera up to Angelfire (where we celebrated his birthday) so I don't have any birthday pictures of him. But he had a Lightning McQueen birthday. He got lots of the little cars from the movie, Lightning McQueen pajamas and Lightning McQueen shoes that actually light up. The great thing about those is that I never have to ask him twice to get in his PJ's or put his shoes on. Daphne had her first day of preschool September 4th. She was a little shy the first day, but now she loves it and enjoys going a couple of times each week. Additionally, Dallin lost his first and second tooth this month, so we've just had big moments for everyone. My big moment this month is that we once again have hi-speed internet (at least for the next six months) which makes me very happy! Hurray!

Daphne and her pink cake

Sean in his special Lightning McQueen shoes

Daphne's 1st day of Preschool

Dallin's first lost tooth

Sean and my Dr. appointment

With my sweet little Sean, there is never a dull moment. To illustrate, here's a description of my most recent Dr. appointment. Dallin was at school, and Daphne at preschool, so instead of getting someone to watch Sean, I brought him along, like it was just another errand.

First off, he insists on bringing in this Lightning McQueen car that is almost as big as he is. So because I'm running late, I don't fight the issue, and he carries it in. Well once we're inside, he got upset about something? and throws that huge car on the floor and starts rolling around on the ground. He made a bit of a scene, but I'm thinking: at least he's not screaming. Thank goodness, that office tends to be very prompt, and I wasn't even waiting two minutes before they called me back. The checkups always start with a routine urine sample. So I'm in the bathroom getting my urine sample (hope this isn't too graphic for you) and Sean decides he's seen enough of the bathroom, and opens the door. (It has one of those handles that you just have to pull down on to unlock, and open.) The bathroom is pretty spacious, so I have to leap off the toilet to close the door before some unsuspecting patient comes around the corner and sees me in all my glory. And of course, once is never enough with Sean, so he does it again, just to keep me on my toes. It was just brilliant.

That, I admit, was the point at which I decided that Sean isn't coming to any more Dr. appointments with me. And of course it didn't help that once we were in the exam room, he occupied himself not with his Lightning McQueen car, but with turning the lights off and on while the Dr. was trying to fill out my charts, and climbing up on the chair and then jumping off over and over, and pressing buttons on the examination table. My doctor was very patient, but I know she had to be thinking, "And you're having another one because . . . ?" She had to be thinking that because I confess, that thought has flitted across my mind occasionally. But then I remember I'm having another one because they're worth it. And I love being a mom. Even when it keeps me on my toes. I can't wait to see what kind of personality this next one will add to the mix.

Anyway, the appointment was short and sweet, thankfully! Even so, when it was over, I felt like I'd been doing aerobics trying to corrale that little boy. I ended up carrying that huge two year old kid, and his almost-as-huge Lightning McQueen car, and the diaper bag out to the car, and was out of breath by the time I'd buckled him in his carseat. I had a doctor once ask me what I did for exercise. I laughed, "Well, I run around after my kids." She didn't even bother to humor me, but dryly replied, "That doesn't count." Oh yeah? Why don't you watch mine for a day, and see if you revise your answer.

First Day of School

Today was Dallin's first day of Kindergarten. Dallin was so excited this morning. He woke up and was dressed and had his bed made before I was even out of bed. He made his own little lunch, and combed his hair and wore his backpack around the house all morning. It was so cute. I took him down to Osuna Elementary where the PTA was putting on a "Boo-Hoo" breakfast, (or for some of the parents, a "woo-hoo!" breakfast.) We had breakfast together and then I gave Dallin a big hug and he went to line up with the other children to go to their classes. There they all were with their backpacks that are almost as big as they are! That's when I lost it. For me, it was definitely a boo-hoo breakfast. I wasn't expecting to cry that much, but I've been really emotional this pregnancy, so I was like a faucet! Dallin just smiled and waved and then he was gone, and I was left with my soggy Kleenex to boo-hoo all the way home. It goes so fast, and you just don't get the time back. We will miss having him home during the day.

Garden Discovery

This morning when we were weeding our garden, Dallin and I disturbed a little frog in the flower bed where we were working! He was the cutest little thing, just a little bigger than a quarter! We watched him for as long as we could before he hopped off into a thick patch of yarrow where he felt less exposed. I'd never seen a frog in our yard before, but I hope he stays!

Millions of Peaches, Peaches for Free!

When we got back from all our travels this summer, our peach tree was loaded and a friend of mine had me come over and pick a bunch of hers too. As a result, I spent about a week canning and making peach jam and freezing peaches and making peach pie. I love those peaches! But I wouldn't mind if I didn't eat another one for a month or so.