Our little Christmas Cardinal in the snow. She is so cute I can't stand it. Thanks to my friend Angie for the beautiful dress. What 7 month old wears cashmere??
Our table.
Our little chef who was very interested in helping cook this year. Hmmm??? Who does he take after???
My two little naked Indians.
We found these really cute pajamas at Gymboree and loved having the kids in them. When Claire wears them and I go check on her in her crib. She glows in the dark. Very funny.
For Halloween this year we had, Jango Fett, Princess Leia, and Mr. Incredible. 
The KIDS: We went to a bouncy house place that had lots of massive inflatables. Very Fun.
The Birthday BOY
One of the really fun things about having Eldon's parents on a mission in Michigan is that we get to visit all the time, or they can come see us. This is in their back yard. It was a great visit.
Jackson has crazy hair. It is thick, course, and there is TONS of it. We have to buzz him every three weeks or he looks like a gorilla. We let it grow out a little and then we asked Andrew, our hairdresser to give him a mohawk for a photo op and then we would finish the buzz. So here is the before, during, and after.
So I have not posted anything for so long. It has been a crazy few months. I thought I would just take after a friend and write a few things I have been thinking about.
1. I have great friends and family. Through this whole gall bladder thing, I have had amazing friends step up and pretty much take over. I am so grateful. Also, it is so nice to live by family. It is so cool to have my mom and sister so close. They are always there to drop everything when I need anything.
2. Gall bladders are weird things. They say you don't need them, but if you want to eat 90% of what is available you need one. At least until your body adjusts.
3. Surgery, hmmm don't really care for it. It really puts a cramp in routines!
4. Just like a dear friend of mine, I HATE LAUNDRY. Why is this the mom's job? Do the kids and husband wear clothes? Do they enjoy clean clothes? Is this one of those things that women got stuck with way back in the beginning and men have been secretly been laughing behind our backs for centuries? I believe so.
5. The Flu. I know there have been some very serious cases with very sad results. But I also would like to say that the media have made this CRAZY! I'm sure we are going to get it. I'm actually planning on it. I have purchased a new fancy thermometer to track the kid's temperatures when it happens. I have gotten my kids their flu shots. Max lectures me all the time about extra handwashing and so far so good. But even though Max is trying to help us in our vigilance, I'm still planning on getting the flu in our house. Is there anything wrong with that?
6. I have to admit, I'm really excited to see the Michael Jackson movie. I loved Michael as a kid. I even have really embarrasing stories around trying to break dance in front of a Michael Jackson impersonator.
So it has been forever since I posted. I have been a little busy. First, I had a great trip to Utah. It was so much fun to see all my family and friends. I only really had one gall bladder flare up and I got to eat at Cafe Rio three times. It was a very modified Cafe Rio, but hey, it was Cafe Rio nonetheless. I will post pictures shortly.
Have you ever felt like you have lost a whole day of your life? Well Friday was one of those for me. I had my gall bladder surgery. I went in early in the morning and I was comotose until late in the afternoon. I thought I would be home by noon, but ended up spending the night. You know, it was a good thing that I stayed. The kids were a little confused since I had left them for a week before and was now gone again, but I am back now and I think they believe me. Surgery is so weird. You start being aware of your surroundings and then, boom you are no longer in control. I just have to ask how in the world did those nurses ever lift me off the bed dead asleep and up onto the operating table? Second, I talk in my sleep and so I wonder if I muttered anything particularly enlightening whlle I am drugged? Third, I know operating rooms need to be cold to keep out infection, but OH MY GOODNESS!! It's down right freezing in there.
Lastly, I'm grateful that these things are routine and that I am now home and recovering. Eldon has been a champ. I just call his cell phone from my bed and he brings me whatever I need. Claire is missing being held, so I try and make up for it by holding her kind of for as long as possible. Also, the low-fat diet is a good one. I was down 18 pounds right before surgery. I'll see what that liquid diet did for me in the hospital. I'm going to keep going. It works.
That night we tried our hand at Sushi. I wasn't sure what the boys would do, but they loved chicken katsu. I think my favorite was a roll with Mango, kiwi, cream cheese, and crab. Mmmm...
The next day, we got up and had an amazing breakfast and then went to a carnival that the student ward that Grandma and Grandpa Gale serve in were putting on. It was great. We played in a large bouncy house. Grandma and I both were brave enough to get in with the kids. I loved just having time to "play" with my boys. We then went to the the Dominoes Pizza headquarters where they have a petting farm. We had a picnic and then went to see the animals. It was so much fun!
We went home and had a nap and then got up for a great dinner and got ready for the fireworks. We went to the town of Adrian Michigan and sat with the locals for their fireworks. It was perfect because it wasn't so big that it terrified the boys but was big enough to keep their interest.
Sunday we went to church with Grandma and Grandpa. Now did I mention that they go to the Singles ward? Try taking three young children to a completely silent sacrement meeting. But I learned that reverence begets reverence as my children were amazingly well behaved. We napped again and then had fun playing games which we always do with the Gales. Very fun. We got up the next morning and drove home. It was a great time. I loved being able to get away without having to go far. We are definitely looking forward to going again.
Having a new baby at home has lot's of new and exciting things for everyone to get used to. As you can see from this video, Jackson is just trying to feel like he is a part of everything. With three children, you have NO PRIVACY. This is why Jack is able to put on this show for you all.
Here is my baby girl!! This dress is so amazing. Thank you Grandma Gale for your beautiful work!
Yesterday Max said that he didn't have to bathe for a few extra days because he washed his hair twice in the shower on Sunday. Interesting logic???
So last night was a great glimpse into my new life. We ordered Max the very beginner piano book with Star Wars music in it. He has been going to the mail box multiple times a day waiting for it. When it came yesterday, he realized that even though it was beginner, it was still too advanced for him. He was a little frustrated so I sat down with my very limited knowledge and was able to plunk out his part in the music. Each song has a coordinating duet with it that allows for a more realistic sounding version. Eldon came home while I was trying to help and pushed me off the bench.
Here is where the glimpse begins. Eldon is playing the Darth Vader song on the organ setting which makes it sound really cool at about 6000 decibals. Max is leaping through the house making amazing light saber noises. Jackson is crying because it is scary and too loud. Claire rolls her eyes literally and just sighs while I am holding her. Since we have the ability to record songs on Eldon's piano, I have had the priveledge of enjoying the Darth Vader Death March all day today with a very happy, light sabering five year old, very scared and sad 3 year old, and a very patient infant. Who says that a career is more entertaining and fulfilling???
So here are a few pictures from the last two weeks. I have been trying to get them on here but have been a bit busy!!
Here is Baby Claire in the hospital with Dad. She is two days old.
Here is her going home outfit and us getting ready to leave the hospital.
I will post new pictures tonight but I thought I would take some time to write a few thoughts. In this last week I have definitely had some life lessons. First, I love being a mom. I have had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude this week. I know it's the high that comes after having a baby, but I think my favorite time of the day is either at dinner when all five of us are together, or right before bed when we are all sitting on our bed together. I am so grateful to have my little family. Eldon has been amazing. The other night I walked past Claire's room and there he was rocking her with "Claire De Lune" playing. When I got home from the hospital, he had the most beautiful flower arrangement on the table in her room with the coolest Pottery Barn Touch Lamp, new perfume that he finds irresistable (very nice to be irrestable when you have just had a baby), and a CD with the Lullaby renditions of U2 songs. Oh how Claire and I will rock to the lullaby version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." He is the most thoughtful husband ever.
I have learned that the peace in the house stems from mom. If I am mellow, everyone else is. If I get nervous or stressed, everyone else is. So I am on the mellow train.
I have learned that not all anatomy is created equal and I am ok with that. I know we were reserved for the last days for many reasons. For me, it was so I could use formula.
I have learned that privacy is a luxury.
I have learned that taking the time to smell and cuddle a newborn baby will take away any ailment, bad thought, difficult time, anything. It is pure bliss.
I have learned that looking at my daughter is looking at my twin and that is scary. I love to say daughter.
I have very very kind and wonderful friends.
So just a few thoughts. I have been absent for awhile because believe it or not, I have LOVED not being on the computer this past week. FREEDOM!
