Memory Lane

 I just figured out how to load pictures from my camera onto the computer.

 So I shall quickly blog these candid memories,

 without much more ado.

 Here is Lane and Tate at Barnes and Noble reading and apparently Tate was in the mood to dance.

PULLING TEETH! Err, I mean, FAMILY PICTURES!

**Mother is making me note that this picture is unretouched as we just shot it last night**

This is our third round of family pictures with my mother's new photography skills. Now I can predict my family's behavior: Avery runs away, and Tate and Eric do great for 5 pictures, then they break down.  (Just teasing, Eric, you are a champ, even though you hate pictures ;)  "Where's Waldo" joined us for this outing and he will always pose with a happy "cheese".  I would love to claim him as my own, but he's in red, so he's Waldo.

I cut my hair.  Tate told me I look like grandma.  A neighbor boy said I look sexy.  I got the feeling he doesn't know what that word means.  All I know is it takes under 4 minutes to do!  Mission accomplished.

Travis showed me this skit that is family pictures to a T! Notice Eric showing off his missing tooth in the family shot, just like Mona Lisa: studio c mona lisa

Dr. Avery Hibbert

 Yesterday Avery had to get a vaccination shot. I mentioned we would be going to the doctor for the shot earlier that morning to see her reaction.  She was quite excited, so I knew she didn't understand what a shot was.  Henry was also getting his check-up and vaccinations, so she occupied her time playing with stethascopes and cleaning light switches with a giant q-tip given her by Dr. Bryant.  She told the nurse that she was a "pretend doctor" and judging by her reaction to the office and shots, I think she may be a future doctor because Avery is not squirmy at the sight of needles or anything.  I recoil at the thought of just being in a doctor's office and am a big baby around needles and blood.  I mostly do natural childbirth just to avoid needles.  When the time came, I held Avery down only because the nurse told me to, but she was really calm.  Afterwards, she tells the nurse in a shocked tone, "You poked me!  That hurt."  I thought it was so funny.  I love this tough cookie!  Neither her nor Henry cried, which was very nice =)

I was trying to get a picture of Avery's poor legs.  They are covered in scrapes and bruises all the time! 

Road Trip

I must admit that I'm proud of my children who, during a quick road trip of 5 hours each way over 2 days, only needed the portable DVD player in the last hour of the drive.  They were squished right next to each other in the back of the Honda and did very well, even without much napping.  Here's my favorite conversation:

Dad:  Avery, don't scratch Tate!
Tate:  Yeah, you only scratch if somebody itches.
Avery (with a grin): Tate, do you itch?

That girl loves her a good fight.  My mother will not argue and so grandpa enjoys a good argument or two with Avery, who is always up for the challenge.

By the way, our quick trip was to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA, where we met with all of my siblings and their families and grandma and grandpa.  I recommend the trip.  Very family friendly, fun, and exhausting.  It's a hotel with an indoor water park, arcade, mini-golf, and other activities and restaurants.

I loved the giant inner-tube slide and right in the middle as I'm thinking "best tube slide ever!", my nephew Karsten yells, "I HATE THIS!".  Avery loved the wave pool.  Tate loved exploring and unbeknownst to me, was knocking on nearby hotel room doors asking if they knew where room 1012 was.  He knew exactly where that room was, which was ours, but he just really enjoys talking to people and asking questions.  Eric and I still can't figure out how we made such social children, considering our shyness.  Henry loved the constant noise and heat of the water park that put him to sleep whenever we were there.

Kissy Kissy

We really love this boy!

But he didn't love this photo shoot.

Surprise!

I love this picture taken by mom this morning.  I also like that teddy ghost made it into the shot: Avery's doll thing which she always calls her Holy Ghost even though we always tell her it's a teddy ghost!

the blessing get-up

We were quite busy on Easter, and we never got shots of Henry in his blessing outfit.  We went with a bunny to always remember on which day he was blessed, so we took this pictures that same week.

Lane LOVES his new cousin.  He's baby crazy- good thing his baby sister will arrive in a few months.