Happy 6...I mean 7 months!

Scarlett turned 7 months last Sunday, and guess what I still haven't posted...her 6th month photos.  I will spare this blog another dialog about how quickly time passes (at least for today), but I will try to give a little update on our growing girl and her milestones.

1) She is seconds away from crawling...as soon as she can coordinate those chubby little knees of hers there will be no stopping her.  She wants to "go" so bad, and with each failed attempt, her frustration mounts until she is prostrate on the floor stretching her fingers out as far as they will go and crying/yelling.

2) Did I mention she is stubborn...and eager and determined and okay, maybe a little emotional (I still don't know where she gets that one :-)).  But I love her passion!  I already know she will challenge me and at times try all of my patience, but I wouldn't want her any other way!  She has a fire about her and I know she will accomplish great things.

3) Remember that "beautiful smile that will lighten up every room?"  Nothing could be more true about our baby girl.  When Scarlett smiles at you (especially if her little tongue is sticking out), you can't help smile back.  She can turn full grown men into mush...

4) She is always singing!  She just loves music.  Jake's violin practice is her favorite part of the day and if you sing a note to her she pitch matches (my dad was the one who first discovered this, and he was pretty darn proud!).

5) And of course, because she doesn't want to miss a second, she fights sleep.  But when she finally gives in (and I have gotten over the shock that she is really asleep), I could stare at her angel face for hours.

The One Women Firework Show!

I don't give her nearly enough recognition, but I have a great little sister!  And she is one AWESOME Aunt!  Robyn has always been the fun one of the two of us.  With her living only an hour away, my kids get to enjoy all the energy and life she brings.  And let me tell you, she did not disappoint this Fourth of July!  She put on a one women firework show that even the grown ups couldn't resist.  I should have gotten some pictures of her performance, but it was hard to turn the camera off of all these great expressions!

I love the combination of terror, excitement and joy all at once!

Hazel might have a little crush?

"The Faces of James"

A Beautiful Blessing for our Beautiful Girl

"I thought she was just going to give the blessing herself," joked a woman from church, as she commented on Scarlett pre-blessing performance...and I was worried she was going to cry.

Nope, there was no crying from this little girl.  Looking as precious as can be, in dress borrowed from one of our closest friends, Scarlett was all smiles and coos as Arthur took her up to the front of the chapel.  Then with my father, the Elders (Cragun and Jaros), and several members of the bishopric encircling her, Scarlett recieved her name and a blessing from Arthur as he cradled her in his arms.

Scarlett, you will not remember the words that were spoken over you on the sacred morning of your blessing.  However, I believe there will be times in your life that you will be able to draw strength and courage from the things that were said.  I am recording what I remember so you can always have them.  You are precious and I hope that this blessing, given by your earthly father from your heavenly father, will always remind you of who you really are, a beautiful daughter of God who is loved more than she could ever comprehend.  

The following will not be a direct quote.  Instead it is my best attempt to remember what was said and I did try to write the words as close to the way they were given as possible:

Scarlett you were blessed to live a long and healthy life.  Throughout that life you will develop "a knowledge...a keen knowledge of your Heavenly Father's love for you."  You will also have a "love for the the knowledge of the gospel and "you will have a deep understanding of the plan of salvation."  You will be raised in a family that "cares deeply for you and you will care for them."  "You will have a unfailing love for others and you have been "blessed with a beautiful smile that will lighten every room."

Porch of July!

I don't know what it is, but since Jake was a tiny only child, the 4th of July photo shoot has been a tradition. Maybe it is the cute red white and blue outfits that are so easy to coordinate, or maybe it is just because I love America, but either way, I can't get enough of these cute faces.  And this year, I didn't even have to leave our own front porch to get that "All American" look.  Thanks to Arthur and his little helpers for painting our chairs "farm red."  They look awesome!  I give you Porch of July (and the cutest babies I know)

Win...Win? Adventures in Family Pictures

Family pictures...what a nightmare an adventure.

I realized a few weeks ago that I have very few recent pictures of my with my babies...especially with my boys.  So my amazing (and ever so patient) friend, Kristen and I decided that we would take my kiddos out for a little evening session.  She could get some camera practice in and I could have proof that I existed.  Okay, that may be a little dramatic, but long story short, it seemed like a win win.

After mentioning our little outing to Arthur, he said that he would go.  I tried to play it cool but my jaw may have dropped a little.  Family pictures are not this man's favorite event, so it was an offer I was not passing up.

Fast forward a few days later, and the time is set for optimum lighting, the location has been selected, and coordinating outfits have been assigned.  We're ready!

Well, of course, Arthur vetoes my location because he thinks it was too far away, each child is a little under the weather (each with different things), and some how the dog gets invited.  But we rolled with it anyway.  I kind of had this "it is now or never" feeling about the whole event, so we loaded up the car.

Kristen hadn't even got her camera ready before Jake was not longer responding to his name because he had started his entomology study of the location, James was crying because Jake had stepped on his finger, and Scarlett was fussing because she was had now decided it was time for the nap I had tried to get her to take 6 times that afternoon.  We were off to a good start.

Poor Kristen...this is what she was had to work with...

Arthur's true feeling about Family pictures captured

If only James and Scarlett had a pitchfork, they could be do their own version of American Gothic

But she did her best.  In total exasperation, I am pretty sure, I called it quits at least 15 times.  But knowing how important it was to me (or maybe because they were terrified that if we didn't get something they would be forced to do this again in the near future), Arthur and Kristen ignored me.  We bribed, we threatened, and I almost cried...but in the end we did get a couple of keepers.

And since this all started because I wanted a coupled of pictures with my boys, I guess after everything, it really was a win...at least for me...the verdict may still be out for Kristen.

Sunday Morning Smiles

Nearly every Sunday morning I wake up thinking, "Today is the day!  Today is the day when I will have everyone dressed and ready a few minutes early so I can snap a few pictures of everyone all ready to go."

Well, it still hasn't happened.  Between Arthur having us in car at the stroke of noon (church starts at 12:30), James lack of cooperation, and the "look" that Arthur gives me at the mere mention of being in a picture, it is a daunting task..not for Mother's Day, Father's Day, not even for Scarlett's blessing.  So, as so often happens in life, I took what I could get.  These are from several weeks ago before church.  Jake is the proudest big brother, and was more than happy to pose with Scarlett so I could get a few pictures.

These two have a very special love connection!  Scarlett lights up whenever she sees Jake.  And Jake adores her right back.  He is usually the first one up the stairs to greet her when she wakes up from a nap.  He practically preforms a circus from his car seat to keep her crying in the car. 

And he LOVES to pick her up and carry her around (although is nearly gives Arthur a heart attack every time he sees it).

Siblings are one of our greatest treasures in this life, and I am so grateful that Scarlett has such awesome  loving big brothers who will help teach, protect, and love her!

Splash Pad!

Yep, I am still blogging about our vacation.  It was really that fun...and I really did take that many pictures!  In my defense, part of it is because I had lots of opportunities to mess around with my camera a little and practice (something I don't get a chance to do very often these days), but I'll admit that the other part is that I am just flat out obsessed with my kiddos.

The splash pad at the hotel was awesome!  The boys loved it and I loved getting to play around the fast shutter speeds to capture all their fun.