Penny and the Triplets

Okay, for those of you who don't look at my sisters' blogs but may be interested in the antics that go on, check out this video. My twin sister Emily, KC, and their triplets Alex, Bennett, and Ruby live on the main floor of a darling house in Maryland. Elise, Jeff, and baby Penny live in the basement. This makes for lots of crazy and awesome baby times. Check out Elise's latest film, showing us just what it's like in Babyland...



I like to call them "Penny and the Triplets" because it sounds like a band or something.

Run, Grandma, Run!

Anyone who is related to or acquainted with my grandma Julia Barrett can't help but be completely inspired by her. It's no wonder my daughter is named after her. She is and has always been one of my heroes - and it's not just because she has run 139 marathons. If I had to choose one word to describe her, it might be colorful. Everything about her is colorful, from her clothes and home decor to her personality. She is creative, brilliant, unique, artistic, faithful, caring, funny, strong, and brave. And because we all love her so much, it was decided to throw a surprise party for her 80th birthday. What better way to celebrate than running together? (I have been running races with my Grandma since I began running in junior high school. These races are still the highlight of my summer. Last year Jonny, Grandma, and I ran a half marathon together. You have no idea how fun it is to shout, "Go, Grandma!" as this beautiful, tan woman with striking white hair crosses the finish line.)

So on her birthday weekend, much of my extended family met at a park near her Logan home in matching blue t-shirts (which my talented sister Elise designed) to surprise Grandma with an 80Y 5K. And was she ever surprised. She laughed and cried and exclaimed and cheered. Then we all ran. It was perfect, I think. See for yourself:

This is a picture of only my family with Grandma. I don't have one of the whole group, but I know someone's camera snapped one. Anyone know where that picture is? I'd like one of the whole crowd, as it was pretty big!

Jonny loved playing with Baby Penny, as she and Lili were in town from Maryland. (We loved see you two.  Thanks for surprising us all with your visit!) 

 Allyson + Julia + Todd = Awesome

 Sweet picture of Todd and Gma:

 This is older and wiser Sawyer (Gabe's second cousin, I think?) telling Gabe that it is not a good idea to eat Mommy's keys. So fun to get these little cousins together.

 My cousin Ben organized a vacuum buying for Grandma. She was so excited to try it out!

Julia, looking cool. Jonny thinks her sunglasses are ridiculous. I think they are fabulous.

See Gabe Read

Big news! It appears Gabe has actually learned something in his two years of preschool attendance (whenever he wasn't napping, that is). More likely though, he knows these letters thanks to Super Why and the Leapfrog Letter Factory movie. We do read a lot too. Wherever his knowledge came from, I was pretty surprised by it the other day in Moab when he rattled off the letters on some signs...

a fourth year "graduate" (and a class clown)

Today my sister Amber and I held graduation ceremonies at Little Learners Preschool. This was Julia's 4th (and not even final) graduation exercise. Yes, she has been attending (and napping through) preschool at my sister's home her entire life.

Usually Amber and I are ecstatic and ready to crash on the couch after the final class day, but this year's graduation was a little bitter-sweet for me as it was the last at Little Learners.

Most of you know that I have been teaching with my fun and funny sister Amber for seven of the ten years she has held preschool. It is finally time for her to take a break. As talented as she is and as much as she loves teaching, I am thrilled for her to gain more time (and space in her house!) for herself. But you better believe I will miss my days teaching with her.

So much of my life is tied to that preschool. I remember studying for college exams on my commute to Lehi two or five days a week, missing my preschool students when I had to be away student teaching, creating love notes for Jonny during playtime with construction paper and crayons, teaching my nieces Jillian and Allyson (who are now 10 and 7), being surprised by fiance Jonny who'd show up at school once in a while and win the kids' hearts by doing magic tricks and dancing with me, team-teaching with a dear friend Megan Wadsworth, hugging several of my darling students who attended my wedding reception, sitting on those tiny chairs while being humongously pregnant with Julia and Gabe, wearing baby Julia and then baby Gabe in the Moby wrap while leading singing time, listening to the noisy playtime from the other room while nursing a baby, Amber being so accommodating and making my work schedules comply with nap times, matching Amber and the kids on field trips in lime green t-shirts, watching movies and eating raisenettes while Amber and I did prep work, laughing so very hard with Amber at the funny things the kids say and do, fishing thumbtacks and dried-up pieces of play dough out of the mouths of curious crawling babies (Allyson, Julia, Gabe, and Brady!), realizing how important classroom management is and really getting good at it, loving witnessing so many "a-ha moments" for the kids, being amazed by Amber's energy and creativity, trying to keep a crazy Gabe from wreaking complete havoc during circle time, and being accidentally called "Miss Melody" at home by my own little learner Julia. 

Okay, that list ended up being longer than I intended. And I could go on and on. Maybe Amber and I will get together to reminisce - perhaps over some well-deserved pedicures? I'll call you, Amber.

Anyway, the point is, the last seven years (there was one in the last eight when I didn't teach, as I was student teaching full-time before graduating) have been incredibly fun, difficult, exhausting, enlightening, and entertaining ones. Luckily Amber and I are such good friends that we'll still see each other plenty. And luckily I will be teaching my own mini-class from my own home next year to (finally) pre-k Julia and some neighborhood friends, so I don't have to say goodbye to preschool teaching just yet.

P.S. Amber says she will likely "come out of retirement" when her last little one Brady is 3 or 4. So this isn't totally the end for her either. I say enjoy the time off, Amber! You deserve it.

Now to post some pictures, which is all I meant to do in the first place!

 (Yes, she is the only one with a black felt hat. We ran out of the blue ones so at the last minute Amber dug up an old one from another year! Phew. Crisis averted.)

 And just in case you are wondering why Gabe didn't attend the graduation, watch this video of our little class clown hamming it up at preschool a few months ago. You will understand why I left him at Aunt Cami's house...

Moab with Hoosiers

We love Jonny's Aunt Barb and Uncle Dan. So when they told us they were making the trip from Indiana to Utah, we were thrilled! For at least a week Julia was planning what she'd do with "Uncle Dan and Daddy's aunt." She and Gabe took to them from the start. After staying the night at our place we all headed to my Grandma's condo in Moab to spend a few days in the red rocks. I don't know how many times I've been to Moab. It doesn't matter - I never tire of the rugged beauty. And hiking a few of our favorite trails was even more fun this time as we were able to be there with Barb and Dan as they experienced Arches for the first time.

On Friday afternoon we hiked Corona Arch, which is outside of the national park. It is a great 2 mile hike with a few challenging parts. Gabe was happy in the backpack and Julia was quite the trooper. She loved being the leader and I loved listening to all the songs she made up as we hiked.

The next morning we hiked Delicate Arch. I don't know that I've ever been to Moab and not hiked that one. This was Gabe's second time on that trail and Julia's third, but first time as a hiker. She remembers hiking it two years ago and has often mentioned the "big rock!" I always love coming around the bend and suddenly seeing the arch, so I was extra excited this time for Barb and Dan to take in the surprise.

We picnicked at Sand Dune Arch, another favorite. Then it was back to the condo to swim, relax, and meet up wit Jonny's Dad who drove up from Durango. It was great to see Dad and his sister Barb having a blast together. Reminds me of my siblings and me. Dan and Barb treated us all to a lovely dinner at the Sunset Grill - a restaurant set upon a cliff that I've always been interested in.

It was actually a perfect weekend. The kids were great sports and actually quite delightful. (This was a nice surprise after several tantrums earlier in the week.) Barb and Dan were the best of company, and of course we love any opportunity to see Dad. As fun as the hiking was, I believe what we loved most were the evenings when we all relaxed and talked. Just good conversations late into the night.

We already miss Barb and Dan, as do the kids. (Julia asks about them often! They were so fun with the kids.) Luckily we have tons of pictures to remember the trip by. Here they are for those who wish to see:

Gabe is two

It seems Gabe's age has finally caught up to his size. He's been a big boy for most of his little life. When people ask how old he is they are often are surprised by my answer. He was 20 pounds at five months, and has remained big ever since. Well, now he may just have the age to go with his girth.

We love our two year old wild man. He is darling, very loud, clever, sweet, brutish, curious, and hilarious all at once. He'll hardly sit still except when you are reading a book that he loves. He give kisses and hugs like crazy, and has recently started saying, "No thank you" and "You're welcome." (Though he often uses the phrases at the wrong times. Like when Jonny gave him a piece of cake and he said, "Ur wel-un!") It is so fun to watch him grow and discover. Yes, we are in love. Even when he is kicking and screaming and writhing out of my arms for all the neighborhood to see (and/or hear) as I struggle to carry him home after I have taken my eye off of him for less than a minute and he has run away and far down the street. (He is fast.) He keeps us on our toes, but it is all good. He is our Gabey Baby. Still. Two years old, shmoo years old - he is my baby.

Jonny snapped some pictures while Gabe opened a few presents this evening. It was funny to see a pattern in all of the openings: First he is excited/surprised and says, "Ohhhhh!" while shaping his mouth into a perfect little circle. Then he is frustrated as he tries to get through the shrink wrap and into the toy. I can hardly wait to see if this pattern continues when he opens his scooter in a few weeks. (Julia and Gabe are both getting scooters. To avoid two weeks of fussing and fighting over one until Julia's birthday, I decided to wait to give them both at a big combined party. Then I'll really have to be on my toes as I chase a scooting Gabe around the neighborhood. Wish me luck) 

"Ohhh!"

 Frustration

 "Ohhh!"

 Frustration

 "Ohhh!"

 Frustration

Happy Birthday, little man! (Not sure why I always call him that, as it has hardly ever been true.??)

Happy Easter

 

These two sillies had a lovely Easter, as did Jonny and I. We did the usual egg coloring and hiding and hunting, baskets, and a great dinner with my family. Jonny and I both taught lessons on Sunday so it was nice for us to prepare and study about the Savior all week. We had a home evening lesson about Easter last Monday. It went something like this: 

              

Jonny asks, "Julia, do you know what Easter is about?"

Julia answers while Gabe runs around the couch like a crazy man, "The Easter Bunny! He hides eggs and we find them!" 

Jonny proceeds with a brief lesson on the Savior's life, death, and resurecction. 

(Gabe chants "Theethuth!" while running around the couch.) 

After looking at some pictures and singing a nice song, Jonny asks Julia, "So, what is Easter all about?" 

Julia answers enthusiastically, "The Easter Bunny hides eggs!" 

The End. 

But not quite. That night while praying Julia thanked Heavenly Father that "Jesus got died and was es-er-ected and that means he was alive again." And I'm pretty sure she also expressed gratitude for the Easter Bunny in that prayer. I was more than satisfied.

 Gabe took the liberty of cracking open a freshly-colored egg and eating it immediately. (Shell and all - until we stopped him!) 

 

I thought I might as well put more pics on a slide show. The kids made such funny faces when we were trying to get a picture of them outside. And Jonny caught some classic Gabe expressions before church. Check them out if you are interested...