{Double Didgets}

My biggest baby is ten. And she's adorable. And big. And absolutely forbidden to grow up any more. Do you hear me Miss Elizabeth?!?

Her self-designed cupcakecake.


With strawberry ice cream. (Heart you Auntie Laura!)

I'm honestly not sure if she really wanted a pink BB gun, or if Todd wanted a pink BB gun for her birthday. The conversation went a little like this.

Todd, "Are you sure you want roller blades for your birthday?"

Elizabeth, "Yep."

Todd, "You know, there aren't very many sidewalks around here."

Elizabeth, "That's OK. I can take them to the circle, or use them at the park."

Todd, "That doesn't sound like very much fun. Are you sure you don't want a PINK BB GUN for your birthday?"

Etc. etc. etc.

Guess what he got her...?

Guess who loves it? She totally does. He set up a bunch of targets for her, and she's been going out shooting after school. She's really good too!

Ever accommodating, Elizabeth bends over for a good bonk on the head from Aiden.


Walking the slinky. This was also on her list. Along with Poprocks (yes, really).

Funny Slinky story: Over cake and ice cream, Lou starts telling me a very detailed story about how dangerous slinkies are for boys. Slinkies can slice little boys hands off and are full of electricity. And you will get big shocks. But only boys, and boys can never touch slinkies ever, ever, ever. It's very important, because "Uncle Adam wants me to LIVE!" Wonder where all that came from...?

The next day out shooting targets in the barn (it was really windy). I think the pink cowgirl boots from last year her secret weapon.

She had such a big party last year, so we kept it small this time. A trip to the bead store was still in order, where the girls got to make whatever they wanted. It was a blast!

Then we finished the day off with homemade pizzas and more cake and ice cream. Yum.

Elizabeth, you sure know how to party. Happy Birthday, girlie! We love you!

{It's a...WHAT?!?}

If you would have talked to Todd about the gender of this baby (up until 24 hours ago, anyway) he would have told you "GIRL!"
No ifs, ands, or buts.
No doubts.
100% sure.
In fact, a big reason that we decided to even have another baby was because Todd was sure that there was a little girl waiting. I honestly don't even think he considered that there was a tiny possibility that it might be a boy -- even when I brought it up as we were walking into the Dr's office. Well, this doesn't leave much to the imagination:

I made the technician double check twice. Talk about a shocker. I still think I'm in shock over the idea that this baby is a BOY. The whole last 5 months I've had in my mind that we were having a girl, we were thinking of naming her Ada or Ava. But I have to admit, I love this new idea! I little brother for Louis! It's going to be so great! Two girls, two boys! Another darling (hopefully) super-blond little Buster Brown. I'm so in love with him already. A BOY!!!

...but wowsers, does it change up my five-year plan. Considering this time last year we were done having kids and now...? Sheesh. I can't even wrap my mind around it. I'll worry about that one later.

We do know a few things about him from the ultrasound. He's measuring just a little big, but they didn't change my due date. Hopefully I'm not in for another 9 pound boy like Louis was. He was super active during the ultrasound, and also showed off quite the little trick. Talk about flexible! He had one leg sticking straight out, and the other right up next to his head! (...and look at that adorable profile!)

Now we just have to name the little guy. Easier said than done, I'm pretty sure we could have gotten a divorce over picking a name for our last son (Todd won). Although Kevin Bacon has been thrown out there, I think we'll keep up the search for something... else. Any ideas would be appreciated!

{Party Pooper}

When it comes to his birthday, Todd is officially (love you, dear!) a Party Pooper. This year he wanted no party, no big family get together, nada. So what do you do as a tired loving wife? Respect. those. wishes. (It's the least I could do for his birthday.)

All he wanted was #1: Steak (from our newly butchered cow) (umm... yeah, he had to cook it himself. Wouldn't want him to feel too pampered on his birthday.)

... and #2: His new gun (watch out, Toddy! Your redneckedness is showing!)

At least he's easy to please.

The kids and I made our exciting trip to the dollar store so they could pick out gifts. He was very impressed by the rope Lou chose and the flashlight Caroline picked out.

And Elizabeth has learned at a very early age that the way to a man's heart is through his sweet tooth.

So Happy Birthday to our favorite Party Pooper! We love you anyway!

{Ode to a Poet}

(OK, not really an ode. Mostly because I don't know the exact format of an ode, and I'm too lazy to look it up, and I'm not the poet here, Elizabeth is, but I thought the title was clever anyway...)

Eizabeth's teacher entered a poem she wrote into a contest and she tied for third place! (Rexburg's Civic Club rocks... they're the same organization that put on the spelling bee she placed 2nd in.) She got to be excused from school early so we could go to the tabernacle and hear all the poems be read and check out the cool art winners as well. Here she is with her friend / neighbor Taylin (who won Honorable Mention!) They were so excited.

Sledding

by Elizabeth

I sit at the top of the hill.

The air is so frozen and still.

I start to glide down the hill so wide.

At the end, you should see how far I slide!