Growing Kids

Our little Lillian brings us lots of happiness.  This morning she was up before the boys, so I brought her back to bed with me for a cuddle.  I yawned, and she looked at me with a puzzled look and then opened her mouth as wide as she could - little cutie!!

Stockton has been learning poems at pre-school and says them with great expression.  A couple of our favorites are:

Pussy Willow Kittens

Pussy willow kittens are drowsy sleepy heads
Lying with their paws on their little willow heads
If ever one should waken and stretch and meow
There would soon be lively kittens on every purry bow

and....

Chubby Little Snowman

A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch
Ate the snowman's carrot nose, nibble nibble crunch

and...

Freckles

Some girls and boys I know, have freckles on their faces
Their noses and their cheeks, and lots and lots of places
I wish that I had freckles too, for everyone to see
I wonder what I have to do, to have them land on me

and...

Thanksgiving Day

Today is Thanksgiving Day and we have a treat
There are so many yummy things to eat
Tom Turkey is on the table, just waiting to be carved
I hope my dad soon does it, for goodness sakes I'm starved

and

Apples and Pears

If apples were pears and peaches were plums
And the roses had a different name
If tigers were bears and fingers were thumbs
I'd love you just the same

and

Friends

I'm so happy, I could climb a tree
Stand on my head and kiss a bumblebee
Swim across the ocean and ask a worm to play
Why? Because I made a new friend today

Logan is right on the edge of becoming a young man.  He still sleeps with his "cold blanky" that Grandma Wainwright made for him as a baby, and he still loves lining up his stuffed animals in his bed and sleeping with him.  We know these days are numbered, and we're grateful for him and his innocence.

Happy First Birthday, Lillian!

We are in love with our sweet girl.  This year her giggles and smiles have brought us so much happiness.  Here are some of our favorite things about Baby Lil:

1. She is learning to talk.  As of her first birthday, she can say the following words:

• Dada
• Mama
• Stockton
• Sorry, Logan, she can't say your name.  She calls you Dada.
• Grandpa
• Again, sorry Grandma, she calls you Grandpa
• Bow bow
• Uh-oh
• Bye-bye

2. She also gives friendly waves hello and good-bye.  

3. She catches the eye of any stranger at church or in the store, puts on her biggest smile, and shrugs her shoulder up to one side.

4. She doesn't rip books, she is very dainty when she handles things.

5. She has two cute bottom teeth.

6. Her hair has a darling curl in the back.

7. She has a tender heart - actually, she is extremely sensitive.  If someone takes her toy, she collapses into very sad sobs and sprawls her body out on the ground while she cries.  We haven't figured out what to do about this yet.

8.  She still gives long cuddly snuggles when she wakes up.  When she greets someone, she'll pull them in for a big hug and nestle her head in their neck.

9.  She is so sweet and affectionate with her family.  Her disposition has been so gentle and happy.

10.  She loves taking baths in the sink. 

Happy Birthday, our sweet girl.  We love you so much.

Disneyland

 We celebrated Logan's birthday in Disneyland!  Here we are resting in our room after lots of long hours in the car.

None of us can get over this darling shot of Baby Lillian.  Little Sweetie.

When Topher was six, he pulled this very sword from this very stone and was crowned King of Disneyland for the day.  He got a special pass to take all of his brothers and sisters right on all of the rides.  It is one of his happiest childhood memories - and he was so happy to relive all of the fun with our littles.

 Brave little Stockton was so scared on the first few rides.  He cried and cried and then finally said to me, "Mommy, is all of this pretend?'  After he realized that this wasn't real, he finally calmed down and had lots of fun on the rides.

Stocky and I shared the same sentiments after finally arriving to the beach after a couple of days with the crowds at Disney.

Leo Carillo 2015

We made our annual trek to the Beach this year.  Fun and happiness had by all!  My favorite shots in here are of Grandma and Grandpa Wainwright, who are still hosting this great party.

Baby Lil Meets Leo

Sweet little Baby Lillian met the beach.

Merry Christmas 2015