It's Great To Be Eight

Mr Noah turned eight today! He has been counting down the days for weeks now and is excited that he gets to be baptised on Saturday. He was anticipating his birthday morning so much that he was awake at 2am, 4am, and 6:30am. (It's like I have a newborn in the house again!). It's a good job he's so lovely and gives me plenty of kisses to make up for it. My favourite photo of today is this one: 

Such concentration on the blowing! And yes, that's a baking tray you see in the photo. The birthday boy wanted a tray bake instead of a regular cake, so that is what he had. Happy birthday Noah!

Ethan

Today is the day I have two teenage children. Lego, adventure books and Nerf guns were Ethan's favourite gifts; I love that he still like these things and isn't in such a rush to grow up. Though I might have to admit that he does look a little bit grown up in his cool glasses, eating birthday pizza:

Happy 13th Ethan!

Benny Boy

My firstborn turned 14 today! He is such a lovely boy, funny, helpful, kind, and rather handsome if I may say so. He is taller than me now, wears bigger shoes, and fits his dad's old clothes. He loves tinkering with bikes and regularly fixes up his friends' bikes and scooters. Time is flying by and I am savouring every minute of it. Happy birthday!

Double Digits

It's Rosie's 10th birthday today! She was so excited that her birthday fell during half term so she wouldn't have to spend it at school... unfortunately it rained all day and her two older brothers are away on an overnight temple trip so she spent most of her time playing Lego and watching her favourite films. My girl's easily pleased!

Rosie was so happy that Brandi Carlile's new album arrived in the post today, she made me update her iPod immediately and proceeded to learn a whole lot of new songs! I am delighted she has her mother's taste in music. (It's a glorious album by the way, you should listen to it too!)

It's That Time Again

Dear Jay,

Happy birthday to us! As always, I missed you lots today. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to having a birthday just for one. Today the sun came out and the blue skies went on forever, it was so hot and a wonderful pick-me-up.  I spent the morning helping out at school by walking the year 5 & 6 children to the local pool.  I sat poolside for two hours and it was bliss! Can you spot Rosie at the bottom centre of this photo?

I went to lunch with Lucy and Claire at the House of Marbles and we picked a spot outside by the old furnaces:

After a rather delicious roasted vegetable nicoise salad I had the most glorious orange and elderflower drizzle cake. If I could have posted it to you I would, it was divine.

What's a birthday without flowers?

Rosie insisted James go out and buy me a birthday cake as I always make one for everyone else! Love that girl. Want a slice?

I hope you enjoy your day too!

Lots of love,

Nae x

Birthday And Santa

Today is my little man's birthday, he turned seven!  He was excited to open his presents sat on the end of our bed this morning, and just as excited that it was a non-uniform day at school!  He chose a strawberry cheesecake to celebrate in the evening:

About five minutes after the candles had been blown, there was a knock on our door.  Who was there? FATHER CHRISTMAS of course!  Santa and his elf were raising funds for the village open air swimming pool (in winter?!) and they wanted to say hello to the children.  Ethan, Rosie and Noah stepped out to have a chat:

Because it was Noah's birthday, Father Christmas gave him TWO bags of sweets!  Noah said 'It has to be the real Santa Clause because it wasn't a fake beard!'

Noah declared it to be 'The bestest birthday ever!'

Another One

My second baby has turned twelve. (Help me, its going too fast!) Happy birthday Ethan!

Thirteen Years

Yesterday our house officially entered the era of the teenager with Ben turning 13.  We had a picnic in the park after church with grandparents and cousins and lots of glorious sunshine, just like the day he first came to us.  It was also the day I realised that my 13 year old is nearly the same height as me, and I'm not exactly short at 5'7''!

Perhaps the sweetest thing I have ever seen Rosie and Ethan do is this:

I had spent Saturday afternoon and evening baking in the kitchen and then put the children to bed.  When I eventually went into the living room I found that Rosie and Ethan had made lots of paper swans and laid out Rosie's party place mats so that when Ben came down in the morning he would have a beautifully decorated table for his birthday breakfast.  It just about melted my heart!

Nine

Happy birthday baby girl!

Six Is So Much Older Than Five

My baby turned six today.  I don't like this ageing malarkey very much.  Would you like to see some enthusiastic candle blowing and hear some terrible singing?  Enjoy:

Eleven

When James and I made it known that we were expecting our second child, there were lots of raised eyebrows and comments about how close in age our children would be.  Seventeen months apart didn't seem like a bad decision to us, and Ben was such an easy baby that we didn't think anything of it.  My only concern was how I would love another baby as much as our first.

Today I went with a friend to her appointment at the maternity wing where Ethan was born.  Being there took me back eleven years to when we were eagerly awaiting Ethan's birth.  We arrived early in the morning for our scheduled c-section and due to so many emergencies that day we had to wait until after 9pm to get into theatre.  As soon as Ethan arrived and peeked at us over the screen I knew that you can love all your babies as much as your first.  He fit into our family straight away, as if he'd always been there.  I've no regrets about when Ethan came.  He is sensitive and caring, he loves to help people and make them feel better.  Happy Birthday Ethan!

Birthday Ben

Ben turned 12 on Saturday.  How can I have a 12 year old already?  There were no toys for this birthday, Ben requested parts for his scooter he's been building, clothes, mobile phone, shoes and books.  It seems the time has arrived for smaller but more expensive presents... thank goodness he doesn't mind blowing out the candles still!

On Sunday James ordained Ben to the Aaronic Priesthood.  Ben is excited to be moving on from primary (where he was the only boy his age) to the youth programme with his dad as Young Men's President!  We spent the sunny Sunday afternoon picnicking at the park and walking along the stream.  Beautiful.

Eight

For the first half of my third pregnancy I was convinced I was having a band of boys. I was surprised when the 18 week scan said our baby was to be of the female variety (in fact when I had a later scan I asked if it was still a girl!).  The day of Rosie's birth arrived and as I had become quite accustomed to c-sections by now I chatted away to the surgeon as he was rummaging around behind the green screen, discussing England's chances in the World Cup. All of a sudden he held aloft a tiny body with legs hitched up as high as could be and arms flailing with disgust at being taken from her warm sanctuary!  She was quickly wrapped and placed on my chest to snuggle, where I examined the tiny head and fingers poking out from the blanket and we introduced ourselves to each other once more.  I wasn't kidding when I said she was tiny (6lb 6oz):

Oh how looks can be deceiving!  Rosie was the strongest of all my babies and she is the most unafraid.  She would run after her big brothers with worms while they screamed, climb and jump from things the boys didn't have the courage to, and is always the one with scabby knees.  Rosie also introduced me to non-stop talking.  Before she could form words she babbled and to this day she doesn't feel the need to let a gap in conversation exist.  Rosie likes to write letters and cards, most of them telling the recipient she loves them.  She sings and dances to music with me in the kitchen when I am making dinner.  She is my whirlwind.  I wouldn't change my little girl for the world.

Being eight looks like this at six thirty in the morning:

Rosie planned the food for her birthday tea which had to include French Fancies:

The birthday cake was made to requirement also, chocolate (of course) with Skittles on top:

Homemade paper bunting:

My favourite part of the day?  When Rosie said her best birthday present will be getting baptised on Saturday!

Enjoy Rosie's photography:

Birthday Girls

Dear Jay,

This is how I still feel when we don't get to spend our birthday together:

(Me and Jay)

I wish Utah wasn't so far away.  Happy Birthday old girl!

Love Naomi x

Baby Boy

My little man is five! Noah is our last baby and he has been a wonderful child to raise. Noah started life kicking and screaming (the back of his head had been cut by the surgeon’s knife) but he was soon sleeping and eating well and observing the passing world and loud siblings without much fuss.

A year later he still had the perfect cheeks to smother in kisses:
Noah turned two in Provo when we visited Auntie Jay and Uncle Nate. He had a stomach bug and didn’t eat anything that day, but he had fun in the snow:
I still see those cheeks at three:

By the age of four Noah had mastered the art of getting away with anything by saying 'I wove you the bestest mummy!':

Today Noah is sick again, he has a cold and cough but he carries on like he always has, with smiles and enthusiasm (but with a voice to rival Barry White!) He paused halfway through opening a present to wipe his nose... I don't think I could have done that! Happy Birthday Noah!

Ten Today!

One minute he arrives like this:
...the next he looks like this:

Happy 10th birthday Ethan!

Stairway To Heaven

Ben declared this to be 'The best birthday cake ever!' Do you want some?

For the pleasure of your ears, enjoy our woeful singing!

Where Did The Time Go?

Today I have an 11 year old. Ben woke me up this morning feeling ill and his usual understated birthday merriment was even more sober. He managed to crack a half smile at his long awaited Nintendo DS and Guitar Hero Game and went back to bed while I took the other children to school.

We spent a rare morning together, just the two of us playing Guitar Hero and talking. As today marks the anniversary of my voyage into motherhood, I have been reminiscing and marvelling at how well Ben has survived being my experiment! He has made being the first child so easy on me; he is helpful, smart and determined. It has been fun to watch him grow and change, and to see him gain more independence. I am trying not to wish that I could hold time back for a little while longer.

Happy Birthday Ben! Now I just need to figure out how to make your Led Zepplin birthday cake... xxx

Seven Years Of Crazy!

Rosie's first task in life was to demonstrate how to have a bath in a bowl:

Rosie and a young looking Daddy!

'Hmm, can I touch those candles from here?'

An outdoor play house in the living room: thank you rain!

At four Rosie dipped her toes in a Dartmoor stream:
Early morning birthday shots are the best:

I still haven't mastered getting out of bed for early morning presents:

Happy Birthday Rosie!