Extraordinary Things

FIRST: Extraordinary Desserts

Brock and I are so glad that we were introduced to this wonderful oasis with windows full of cakes, streusal, cobbler, tortes, and tartes. Its amazing, and when Rebecca moved in with us we made a deal that when she got a job we would take her out to dinner, and after she got her first paycheck she would buy us dessert. We decided to cash in on dessert on Saturday after our day full of General Conference. We got them to go since we had sleeping babies in the car, and so you don't get to see them in their full spendor because they always present them so nicely at the restaurant, but they were extraordinary.

TWO: Claire's new sound

Maybe Claire has a future as a beatboxer like that girl who was one of the ten finalists on America's got Talent. She may win us a million dollars one day. She does this from time to time. I don't know how it started, but it makes feeding her rice cereal really tricky when she is in a beatboxing mood during dinner. The video is a little long, but brock is doing back-up so...enjoy!

THREE: Ashlyn

She is growing up so fast; it's amazing to me. She has such a fun personality. I love it when she wakes up from her naps and informs me that she had sweet dreams, or when she tells me that she is proud of me and that she knew I could do it after I use the potty. Brock got a sticker after he went the other day...she likes him better.

I think younger siblings naturally fall into two different rolls. Some become tattletales such as myself, who was no match for my two older brothers so I resorted to bratty tactics in order to get mom on my side and make sure I could always watch the movie Annie whenever I wanted. Other kids become sidekicks/cohorts in crime. I don't think Claire will become a tattletale. In fact the way she studies everything Ashlyn does and laughs and doesn't complain when Ashlyn pulls her around I'm convinced they will be quite the dynamic duo someday and will really give Brock a run for his money. Future boyfriends beware.

I heard Ashlyn say this morning, "Hey Claire! Let me borrow some sweats!" Then she went and did a nice pile drive to the bean bag. (refer to Nacho Libre if you wonder what I am talking about.) It is amazing to think that Ashlyn used to wear this little outfit when she was 3 months; she is getting so tall. I don't know if I should be overly concerned with her new desire to wear Claire's clothes or sit in claires little car seat, swing, or bath tub. Claire gets a kick out of Ashlyn running and dancing around, and just giggles and laughs. I think Ashlyn is just asking for more attention. I'll have Brock do a complete psycological analysis and I will get back to you.

Claire on the other hand has discovered her tongue. Her aunt Becca taught her how to blow raspberries with her tongue and now she can't seem to keep it in her mouth. She is always blowing spit and cooing. She is so proud of herself. Very cute, but very wet.

Who's tired?

This is what happens when we skip nap time. This happened back in July. Are we cruel parents?

The words that preceded this picture were, “I want to hold it.” Ashlyn is a very good big sister. I'm so glad to have two little girls, it's so fun to have a sister. They can play together and share clothes. Just the other day Ashlyn found one of Claire's onsies and wanted to put it on. She didn't have a purple shirt to wear. Claire consented as long as she put it back in her drawer. My little sister Becca just moved in with us until she finds a job down here. It's been a lot of fun and the girls love having their aunt to play with.

Here are some photos to sum up the last part of our summer...

Ashlyn is gaining more confidence in the pool, so hopefully we will learn to swim next summer.

Claire discovered that she can get her toes in her mouth... very satisfying.

We blessed Claire on August 5th. Here she is with great Grandmother Plumb. She just woke up from her nap in the other room...she knew I was talking about her. So I'll need to end this quick.

Brock just started classes again last week, and he is working at two different internships...definately keeping busy. And I'm busy with the girls. We are in the world of potty training and playing. So fun.

Our little thumb and bottom lip sucker

I think Claire came to this world determined to enjoy herself. She is easy going and smiles and laughs easily. She is already 3 1/2 months!!! All she needs is a little love, a soft blanket, her thumb and her lower lip.

Now you see it...

Now you don't.

Well Ashlyn liked the fireworks this year supposedly. She had her head buried into my shoulder most of the time, but glanced up to get the general idea that they were in the sky and were different colors. It must have made quite the impression. She still points to the sky from time to time naming all the colors she saw. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Here are a few fun pics.

The Girls love walking with daddy...very lively conversations

Claire is already quite the jabber box. Smiles a lot and coos and does this funny laugh/cough. She usually likes to chat with us at 9 or so at night before she goes to bed.

It's fun to see these two together. Claire is really patient, even when Ashlyn shows her love by laying on her and saying, "Hug!" Ashlyn is still really concerned when Claire is fussing (maybe because it is so rare) and she loves to make her smile. Claire is smiling and is a lot more talkative than we remember Ashlyn being, probably because there is so much more chattering going on around her, thanks to Ashlyn. It's been a mighty fine summer so far. We'll be blessing Claire on August 5th if anyone wants to have an excuse to come to San Diego. The trip is worth it. Look as these beautiful sunsets...

I still have cougar pride, even with spit-up all over my shoulder.

Children see the world from a different perspective

Ashlyn came up with a new beach game...and it's good for your hair too.

Here are some current pictures of our little Claire. We are amazed that she still has her hair, and she has also started laughing. She is so fun and cute in my unbiased opinion. 7 weeks has flown by.

Maiden Voyage

My mom got us this 3-D clown fish kite that I've had in the trunk for about a year waiting for a chance to use it. We had a fine wind last week at the beach so Brock got to take her for her maiden voyage. Ashlyn's new favorite movie is Mary Poppins and she was so excited to go fly a kite up to the highest height. I also clipped this picture out of an Abercrombie&Fitch ad and it had an uncanney resemblance to Brock and our clown fish kite.

I took this picture of Ashlyn yesterday and thought I could find some other pictures that would illustrate her tendancy to organize and stack things. In my opinion, a little OCD never hurt anyone. Remember that these are things I had no hand in, but rather walked in on. I don't know too many two-year-olds who prefer order to chaos.

In the forth picture above Ashlyn had balanced her fork in her sippy cup flip-lid hole. She did a similar thing this morning when she discovered that a waterbottle Brock had on his nightstand could balance on top of the light shade. I've taken it off a few times, but when I go back in the room the water bottle is back. During mealtime she will also stack her little cheese squares or crackers neatly before she eats them, and if she has a few items like a cup and some utensils on the table beside her she will line them up and put them the same distance away from the edge of the table. Bathtime is also interesting. She currently has 17 rubber duckies representing different holidays in her bath which she will line up on the edge of the tub all facing outward. She does like to dump toys out all over her room, and knocks over her block towers after she builds them, so I'm not too worried about her.

I think whoever coined the term "terrible twos" was mistaken. Ashlyn is quite fascinating to interact with and observe. Kids are amazing.

No time to explain so just imagine the story behind each picture!