Pics for Daddy

So, Matthew likes to stick his tongue out. I am surprised that it doesn't dry out! I have been trying to get a good picture of it and this is the best so far!

Summer has decided that this is fun for her too! In some ways, I think that she still wants to be the baby. On the flip side, she loves to take care of the baby.

T Jay is on a picture strike, so he freaks out every time I pull the camera out. Maybe next time.

We miss our Daddy!

Hi daddy! I miss you a lot! "Daddy I wish you were home, I want you to come back soon & I hope you drive so long to Oklahoma, I hope you get there soon. I hope that you don't fall out of your chair. I miss you. I wish you came back to do your homework. I hope Toro doesn't scratch or bite me while your gone or I hope that he doesn't make mean sounds at me. That's all I want to say" -T Jay

I love you, Daddy!!

Matthew's new favorite spot! He loves to jump! Holding him is tricky because of all of the jumping!

Poor Baby boy!

Summer is going to suffocate him with her love!

Matthew can sit up-sort of!! Summer was holding him, and then she scooted away and he kept sitting. It was kind of a hunched over version of sitting up, but he didn't fall over for at least a minute. Here he has put his hands down and then went onto his tummy! He's getting so big!

Keeping the commandments

So, I just asked T Jay why Summer was crying and here is what he said:
"I moved her train coloring book because she was trying to put it on top of the Buzz coloring book. She's not keeping the commandments, Summer, you have to keep the commandments, Mom, Summer's not keeping the commandments."
When I asked him which commandment it was that she wasn't keeping he said,"oh, she was not keeping Jesus' commandments, when we're making a bad choice then that's not keeping the commandments." Very matter of fact! I am still chuckling!

Playing in the snow

It was 20 degrees today, but we needed to get out of the house and burn some energy. The kids love to shovel snow. Our driveway was clear, but they like to just move snow from point A to point B.
This is a very old newspaper that Summer found while digging. She was very pleased with her "buried treasure".
T Jay is showing off his "snow shoveling muscles!

Yesterday was a day to clean.

We had a busy weekend with ward conference, so I took advantage of yesterday to get the house all spic-n-span. I cleaned almost all day, and then I had a friend (whose husband is also gone) come over for a yummy dinner. We also made chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. The were to die for! After I got the kids down to bed, it was just Matthew and I up for a couple of hours. He actually fell asleep in my arms, something that none of my babies ever really do. They like to be in their beds. It was very peaceful to hold that sweet little baby while he slept. He would wake up a little, see me and then snuggle back in. I kept thinking that he looked like he felt so safe each time that he woke and went back to sleep. When it was time for him to go to bed, I gave him his first bath all alone. He loved it! He splashed and splashed, and then laughed and squealed. It was so funny to watch him get surprised when water would splash on him. These quiet evenings with him are really special. It's kind of funny, Summer's individual time is early in the morning because she is the first to wake up. (I have to say that some of the time she gets her attention begrudgingly!) T Jay gets his one on one time during nap time. If we have another, I'm not sure what other times of day are left!
I watched Oprah Winfrey's special on her new Leadership Academy last night. I wasn't going to, but I was sitting there when it came on. I am glad that I did, not because of Oprah, but because of the little girls that were on. Their plight for knowledge was incredible. It made me appreciate the things that are so readily available to me everyday. I really like to watch most of Oprah's shows, but at times I get tired of her self important attitude. I guess it comes with the territory. This new school that she has started will open so many doors for the girls in South Africa. It is the ultimate pay it forward. Speaking of, I really missed not seeing her "My Favorite Things" episode at Christmas this year, but I really liked her idea of having the audience "pay it forward." What a true way to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus.
It is now time to go and play Barbies with Summer and maybe even get a run in.