A letter to my boys

To my sweet, most precious Tanzen and Makett,

Thank you for blessing my life with your happy spirits. There is nothing I would rather do than be with you each day, helping you grow and learn, in continual awe at your very existence. Thanks for the giggles, cuddles, playfulness, kisses and tears. You push me each day to become better so that you may have the wonderful mother you deserve.

Now, my little darlings, there are a few things I'm rather confounded about, and I'd really appreciate your enlightenment.
Mr. Maketty, you have a pluethora of toys designed by experts to stimulate your brain and quicken your developmental learning. Why is it you prefer to push the table around and bang on the clock? Don't you need the fancy toys we got for you?
My dearest Tanners, are you sure you prefer the citrus juicer over your other toys? Could it possibly be more entertaining than the farmhouse with its lights and music? I mean, think about how much more Ben Franklin could have accomplished if he had an Exersaucer!

Ketty, Ketty, Ketty...I bought the extra soft, cucumber melon scented baby wipes in order for you to have a pleasant diaper changing experience. Somehow I missed the part about why you like to pull them into tiny pieces, then eat them? I tried one, they really don't taste like cucumber and melons. And why won't you eat real cucumbers?
Tanny man! I put great effort into making you baby food that is fresh, organic and full of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Why is it you prefer dog food? Seriously, I don't think my cooking skills leave that much to be desired!
Maketty, how is it that in the thirty seconds I was pulling the dog food out of Tanzen's mouth you managed to crawl from the living room to the back of the house to dine on dog food as well? How in the world are you that fast?

And, my dear sons, while I have your attention, a few other things I've been meaning to ask...

• How is it that you decide who will be the long and short napper? I mean, I love you to infinity and back, but I probably would be ok if you decided to nap simultaneously for a blessed ninety minutes...even just once a week. I wouldn't feel the slightest bit unloved. That being said, I suppose it is nice to never lack company!
  
• Where does this warp speed come from? I couldn't have been in the bathroom for more than 45 seconds...how did you manage to unzip the luggage, pull out the bottle of acid controller, get the child proof cap off, sample it, then crawl into the other room leaving the pills all over the floor? Impressive my loves, thank you for not overdosing! Jane at Poison Control is also grateful.


• Where does the energy come from? How do you feel about sleeping in till 6:00? Tanzen my dearest, 5:00 is early! That being said, I expect you to keep this habit through your teenagehood.

My boys, how have you grown so quickly? Where did all this independence come from? And how do you learn to do all you do? You were so dependent and helpless...how did you figure out how to laugh, sit up, crawl and communicate?

Lastly, my tiny ones, how is it possible that we love you so much? You've been in our lives for such little time, yet I cannot imagine living without you. How did I get so lucky as to be blessed to have you as my sons? I am undeserving, but ever grateful.

I love you.

Love,

Mommy

Havasupai Nation!

Havasupai is located deep in the southern end of the Grand Canyon. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever hiked! to learn more check out their website : www.havasupaitribe.com

























There are lots of falls within the canyon. This is Mooney falls, it is a roaring thunderous fall that drops about 200 feet. Access is only possible by climbing down a narrow ledge




This is Cameron, Riley and me in the village, also known as Supai, has been home to the Havasupai Indians for many centuries. The village has a small café, lodge, post office, school, church (actually a mormon church), clinic (I thought it might be fun to volunteer there for a month or so. I would have to make sure I was up to date with Diabetes care. I dont think they could helicopter in a radiation machine), police station, and a general store.









This was day one, the early morning hike into the Grand Canyon.

What a guy!

Brandon has created a beautiful backyard (more on that in a later post!) He tells me he plants the flowers for me so that I can always have pretty flowers to look at. Lately he's been putting them in a vase in the kitchen for me. I commented my amazement that they never died...aparently what I thought were everlasting flowers in my kitchen get replaced without my even realizing it. I thought it was so sweet that he takes the time...definitely lucky to have Brandon as my man!

Our favorite toy...

Who knew the dining room table would be so popular?

Tanzen and Makett were jealous of Brandon's corn on the cob. Daddy was kind enough to share, and they went to town!

Everyday life...

Michael went with us to the National Constitution Center...

Mastering the stairs...

Lovin' these baby gates!

Tanny loves doing sun salutations with his blanket. I haven't been able to snap a picture of it, but he modifies his downward dog-- keeping his forehead on the floor and standing his back legs straight (for those not familiar with yoga poses). Funny boy!

Getting dangerously close to walking!

Khylo is in high demand...and puts up with a lot of teasing! We don't worry about him being able to hold his own, however.

Camping!...and raining!

Brandon has been impatient to take Makett and Tanzen camping since their birth. He reserved a campsite months ago and has been eagerly anticipating teaching them to appreciate nature and cultivate their inner Thoreau.

It rained the entire week leading up to the blessed event. We were packed. It was thundering.

We slept at home. I had been somewhat leery of figuring out the logistics of camping with two mobile and energetic ten month olds...not to mention the sleeping situation. Our tent wouldn't fit 2 pack n plays, the boys couldn't share one. Driving up Saturday morning simplified things!

We wanted to hike around the lake to the education center. Brandon was confident in being able to push the double jogger on the trail. It started off pretty well...

He did an excellent job navigating over boulders and across thin bridges, but pretty soon we were carrying the stroller over fallen trees and around huge mud bogs.

What was meant to be a forty minute hike was taking forever.

Then it started raining: mission aborted.

Happy campers!
Tanzen loves chewing on carrots

Last of the Utah pics!

Playing at Grandma and Grandpa Fishy's...

Opetero brought us some delicious food from their Sudanese restaurant. My sister Kenzi has been working at a wilderness camp for troubled teens all summer...she had just returned from 8 days trekking around the desert carrying a 40 pound pack made of from a tarp with sticks. She's extremely tan, but to be fair, lots of the tan in the picture is dirt.

Hanging out at the cabin...

Brandon helping the boys play in the stream at my parent's house

In February we welcomed our new sister Gabi to the family. She came to us from Foster Care and we are so happy to have her! Gabi made the decision to get baptised, here we are on her special day. We were excited to be able to be there for it. She is truly amazing!

Makett checking out my grandpa's beard...then playing with his "ggma"

Our other grandparents...

Wedding Bells!

Brandon's brother Andrew married Andee on August 7th. The wedding was beautiful! They are a perfect couple with a fun style and everything came together perfectly for the wedding. Andee's mom actually made her wedding dress, it was gorgeous!The newlyweds with all the grandkids. Brandon's mom sewed all the clothes for the kids, impressive eh?
Exiting the temple...
The eleven grandkids...
Brothers Chris, Brett, and Brandon

Just in case you hadn't seen the grandkids yet, here they are! My camera battery had died by now, hence the pictures I do have were stolen from Brett...

I loved the way Abby was looking at Makett...

Happy Wedding Drew and Andee!