Look at how fun photo software is. This is the same picture as the other!

Here is Claire Pretty in Pink. It looks like her eyes are going to stay blue!

We are so excited for the beach this summer!! Look at the cute crew who will be going with us! I think the cutest is the one holding Claire and Parker.

Today she looks just like Eldon. It's amazing how they go from looking like one parent to the other overnight!

Another off of my List - Elton and Billy purely iconic

All I have to say is "OH MY." There is nothing like seeing truly amazing musicians with truly amazing songs, and seeing them together! My sister and I were lucky enough to go to this amazing show. I can't believe how good Elton John's voice is still and how much I love Billy Joel songs. It was so much fun. So I killed two birds with one stone and got two more off of my list.

4th of July

So we are the luckiest kids in the Doug Gale family by far. We get to live 2.5 hours away from Grandma and Grandpa while on their mission. This means we can visit them and see them in action. Also, our kids are getting precious time with Grandma and Grandpa that they otherwise would not have. This past fourth of July we had a great week.

First on Wed. July 1st, Eldon scored some free tickets to a Clippers game for us and the boys. Aunt Lisa was kind enough to watch Baby Claire so we could go. It was a beautiful night and really fun. When we left, Max said: " That was the most boring thing I have ever done." So we have some work to do in the baseball appreciation department.

Thursday July 2nd, we had our annual Settlers of Cataan tournament at our house with my family. I won, but my sister insists that I cheated. For the whole world to know, I DID NOT CHEAT to win. I won with skill and strategy!

Friday morning we got up and left for Michigan. I swear that traveling for three days and six weeks you need the same amount of stuff. The van was packed to ceiling. I'm just glad we had the van! We got there around 1 pm and headed off directly to the Henry Ford museum. What a great place!! My boys LOVED it.

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.

Scarred for Life

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.

Claire in her blessing dress

Here is my baby girl!! This dress is so amazing. Thank you Grandma Gale for your beautiful work!

Some good creative reasoning

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???

My new life

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???

The long awaited pictures

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.

Here is the nursery that she came home too. Thank you to her Aunt Paola for the letters on the wall.

With every baby, Eldon always has flowers for me when I get home. I thought these were GORGEOUS! You can see the U2 lullaby CD and the perfume. He is so awesome!

Our kids. Including puddles.

Claire at one week old.

Claire today at 2 weeks and 3 days.

Things I've learned

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!