Why My Husband Rules

He took me dancing. Yes, dancing. Like the real Ballroom kind - think Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.

I'll tell you what - it was exactly like the movie Shall We Dance with JLo, Richard Gere, and Susan Surandon. If you haven't seen it, then do. It is wonderful. I've been hinting to Brian that we should do something like that for years now. He's really good at taking my hints. Sometimes it takes awhile to pull through, but we always does. Big. Minus Brian coming up an escalator in a tuxedo, he pulled out all the stops.

This is Martin. Pronounced Mar-teen. He was hysterical. Can you tell? He made us get up for every dance and would come and help us with our moves. We weren't super great at the Cha-Cha, but I think we rocked the Argentine Tango and the Waltz. He told me to stop looking down, let Brian lead, and don't have floppy arms. We took an hour class on the Tango and then hung around for the free dance afterwards.
So all of these people are regulars. I counted about 25 people total. We were the only couple there. People come from everywhere to dance. Some come alone, some with a friend or date. Besides the carnival, you've never seen such a variety of people in your life. The guy in his button-up shirt, tie, and slacks dancing with a young 20-something shy wallflower type of girl. Girls dancing with girls laughing and having the time of their life. Men butting in with Brian to show him how to properly lead me. It was just normal. We were the newbies and were quickly welcomed into this family. Although we were only there for a few hours, everyone waved as we left.
This is pretty much what we looked like - me laughing and Brian trying so hard to be precise and lead me in the right direction. Interestingly enough, I was to blame for my feet getting stepped on. Even the teacher agreed with him!
In addition to the dancing, there was shopping, dinner at Biaggi's, more shopping, swimming, hot tubs, and a stay at the Little America.

The perfect weekend.

Angie Dudley a.k.a. Bakerella

Yep, I met her. Drove myself up to SLC last week for her star-studded appearance at Williams-Sonoma.
We're pretty much BFFs.

Sunday at the Park

It's what you do when the weather is perfect, which is what is has been lately. Fall is my new favorite season. Hands down.
Gavin is growing up so fast. A true big boy. Who needs mom and dad to follow him around so he'll be safe to climb up ladders and go down big slides? Not him.
And then there's this sweet boy. We're pretty much attached at the hip. He's a little person now - totally alive and ready to see the world.

I'm in love.

Human

Sometimes I reread things I've written and wonder if people think that I think life is perfect. Not that it matters what everyone thinks, but still. It's not. And I'll tell you, I'm as faulty as they come. At lots of things.

Yesterday I lost it. Completely. I was tired. I was over-committed. I was snippy. I was downright mean. Nothing major even happened except that, as usual, I got started on too many things and then got irritated when things weren't going smoothly and little fingers were trying to help me. Note to self: making dinner and sugar cookies and holding a crying baby and entertaining Gavin are not good things to do all at the same time. All good things - just not all at once. I find myself in a good, great, productive place about every third day. On the others I'm just scrambling. How's that for being human?

I vowed today would be better. Talk softly. Be patient. Just get the kitchen back in working order (since that was the LAST STRAW yesterday) and love on the boys. Period. Such a better feeling around here. Turns out when I'm calm the kids are calm. Hmm. I think it's true that I control the weather - I can hurt or heal. Why am I always the last one to figure these things out or take 100 lessons to learn it?

Movie Day a.k.a. Conference

Who wouldn't love to sit in a tent and watch movies all day? Saturday was golden. Still a treat. By Sunday morning, it had lost it's charm. But, we did our best to keep these two entertained/quiet so we could listen. It's hard to be spiritual with children, isn't it? Let's not even get started with Sacrament Meeting...


The new tradition: Blowup mattress. It was already out from Matt and Lynsey's visit. Totally the way to go.

What I heard:

"Simplify."

"Don't unnecessarily complicate things."

"Resist temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of every day life."

"Become great at mastering the fundamentals."

"Don't get distracted by things that seem more enticing."

"Forego some things to choose others."

"Slow down a little. Steady the course."

Thank you, Pres. Uchdorf. You spoke to my soul. It's always nice to hear a talk written just for me.

Natalie's translation of what she heard:

Develop myself spiritually and work on my relationships with God, my family and other people. Be selective about how I spend my time. Easy on the technology - internet, TV, etc. Be more organized. Writing a 20-item list each day isn't going to help me feel better because I will never, ever cross everything off that list. Simplify. Focus on what is most important.

New plan: one chore, one room, one load of laundry, something fun with the boys, something to uplift me, and something good for someone else each day.

And this time, don't just talk about implementing the plan. Do it. For reals.

So far, so good.

Brothers

BYU time! We get mixed reactions on who McKay looks like...Robinson? Woolf? Gavin? See for yourself.

McKay @ 6 months
October 2010



Gavin @ 6 months
December 2008

Cornbelly's

2009 - The tradition begins.

McKay was there in spirit (and in fetus).

2010 - The tradition continues.

Thanksgiving Point hosts this kid-friendly fall festival. This year was super fun. Matt and Lynsey and Anne and Paul came with their kiddos as well. The activities are endless. Gavin was in heaven.



Uncle Paul bought smores to occupy the boys while the babies were fed. I may or may not have killed Paul in a teatherball game soon after.

And for my favorites...
I cannot get enough of these put-your-head-in-it pictures. Our family of four. Getting two kid heads in there was no easy task...
See you next year!

Six Month McKay

Dear McKay,

Today you are six months old. How is it even possible that one-half of your first year has passed? I truly cannot believe it. Times goes more quickly every day and I blinked for one second and you're no longer my little newborn. You're a full-blown baby. A sweet one at that.

You are such a good natured little guy. I feel like this past month has been a good one for you. I know I may have said you were a high-maintenance divo, but I think you're growing out of that. You certainly have your preferences, but I no longer think you are the "hard" baby from a few months ago. I think it was the whole binky thing...I know, I'm obsessed with the binky (or the lack of one). You love sucking on your hands instead. Whatever works, I guess.

You are super smiley and fun to talk to. You love people paying attention to you and get a little stressed out when we walk away for too long. You are grabbing and pulling and squealing and laughing. I have to keep your nails trimmed or else you get serious scratches on your face and feet.
You are consistently rolling over from your tummy to your back. Your head is strong and I can hold you with one arm and not worry that you are going to fall backwards. You love to be held. The world is right when you are in someone's arms. But, you are getting better at playing alone on the floor for a bit. You prefer standing in your bouncer and can stay there while Gavin and I get breakfast. You laugh and squeal the whole time. Loud. Gavin doesn't love your screaming and gets frustrated and tries to tell you to stop. Really, you're just talking to us in your own little language. He's just going to have to get used to it.

Speaking of your brother, he has recently taken a bigger interest in you. He is very concerned about helping you. He's been trying to put a binky in and hold it there for you. He fetches age-appropriate toys for you to play with. He kisses your head constantly.
You were getting pretty hungry and wanting my big people food, so we started you on rice cereal about two weeks ago. Boy, were you ready for that. You love it. You sit in my lap and literally grab my arm to pull the spoon to your face faster. As of today, we are done nursing. It's probably equally me and you, but I think bottles will be better for us. I didn't think you were getting enough. And you were hurting me. Ouch!

You have the cutest mouth. Lately it goes in a straight line and you do this smile or you suck in your bottom lip. Just to die for cute. See??
I have never seen a more ticklish baby. You laugh SO HARD! I love it. Wiping under your chin with a baby wipe is almost more than you can bear. Hearing that real belly laugh - I can't help but smile. I think you will grow up to be a pleasant little thing.

You are reaching and grabbing. Just in the past week or two you have gotten good at reaching out and grabbing what I put in front of you. Everything goes in your mouth. You're just exploring and figuring out your world.
We are so grateful to have your in our family. I hope the next six months doesn't go quite so fast, but I have a feeling it might. I love you to pieces, my little munkin.