Looking for Christmas Magic!

Sarah and Drew wish you all find the magic of the Christmas Season.

Photo by their mother, Kelli, used without permission -- SORRY KELLI!
I mean, doesn't that look like a Rockwell picture? It's amazing what a iPhone camera and some filters will do.

Jaime Just Grew Up! Happy 1st Birthday!

Somewhere in the rush of the last year, I may have not given the birth of Ms. Jaime its due. Which is very bad of this auntie.

Happy First Birthday, Ms. Jaime!

The most recent addition to the Idaho Branch of the Tree turns a whole year old today. Wow did that year zoom by.

Look at this little peanut with her mom and siblings back in December 2014.

Fast forward almost a whole gestation cycle later, and I got to see her chubby smiling face IN PERSON back in August 2015. She didn't quite know what do to with me (and why would she?), but her mom has figured out the trick to get all those great shots that Grumpa has been sharing with me, like the ones above.

And even though Mom was her favorite person, she's kinda of okay with her poppa too.

The older kids love her too - in their sibling-esque ways, 

and there's not a family resemblance at all or anything.

In August she wasn't quite mobile yet, so you could put her down and she'd play. 

Maybe roll over, and definitely rock,

but to get around, she had the best transportation mode of all figured out.

What a smiley little one. Another water baby for the family.

My visit was too short, and she just keeps growing, developing, and investigating.

Per Christina's SM accounts (thanks Grumpa):

 

Look at this face! She even held still long enough for me to get a few pictures in. This little lady is EVERYWHERE!

 It has happened- Jaime has been out as long as she was in: 9 months. It sure is racing by. Love my little princess!

 This little trouble maker is so pleased with herself that she finally found the pantry door open so she could investigate.

  10 months old!

Lucky shot by Grandmary of Grumpa and the youngest 

Pretty Kitties for Halloween 2015

 At 11 months, quoth her mom:

This little lady is so fun and hard all at once. She is into everything but has so much personality. Love her.

 (Sorry Jaime. There has to be the obligatory baby bath shot somewhere.)

Thanks, Grumpa, for sharing Birthday Celebration photos:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME! Hope you enjoyed tasting the books!

Post-script to her birthday:
By mid-December, Grumpa shared this one from the gang, with the quote:

This little one has decided now that she was 1, she would take off and start looking and acting all big.

Also, apparently the winter rolls around in Idaho and now the little monkey is out playing with her sibs in the snow.

I don't WANT to wait a year to see her, but the way schedules are looking, it may be. I need to make a Skype appointment here soon.

~my August photos by iTouch; rest courtesy of Jaime's folks via SM, except one by Grandmary

Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus - Idaho Crew

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Christina: Finally got the fire pit out for the summer! The kids actually ate the s'mores this year.

June 2015

Visiting Utah to hang out with their cousins from Heber and maternal grandparents

A rarity in our family, but not in others, a gathering of the maternal family tree and branches

Quoth Christina: Fun times at the science center today!

 Pool time!

 Quoth Christina: They wanted to all sleep together!

July 2015

Quoth Grumpa? Christina?: Dad is away to cheese head paddlesports convention so mice will play.

Splash pad fun times

Quoth Christina: We had a great time bowling today! 

We were even lucky enough to have Grandpa Ben and Grandma Virginia with us too!

  Quoth Grumpa: Christina posted the following pictures from their day at the park and lake Friday. 

J took a day off work and headed the family off for a day together.

Quoth Christina: We had a beautiful day playing in Coeur D’Alene.

It's been 1 year, 5 months, a few weeks, and a handful of days since I've seen this crew in person. 

In two days I will FINALLY be on my way to see them.

I can't wait. But I am SO SO SO tired!

Festival Fatigue is real.

Updates: Kute Kids Korner - Jaime

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Christina: "For days she has been fighting her legs to get those toes and finally she has won!"

Quoth: "Somehow another month has flown by! Jaime is 5 months old today."

Grandmary's friend Mrs. P sent these to Ms. Fashionplate. 

Grumpa things the hats need a few more months.

June 2015 

Quoth Christina: "This little one is growing so fast!Don't you love her untamed hair!? Sure love her."

July 2015 

What is it with these kids and their underwear as hats?

Updates: Kute Kids 'Kaus - The Twins

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Kelli: What do you do when your kid paints herself with peanut butter? 

 Quoth Grumpa: I think I have seen that look somewhere before!

June 2015

Quoth Kelli: Splash pad? We don't need no stinkin' splash pad! 

Quoth Kelli: My twins refuse to be potty trained. 

They believe that underwear is meant to be a fashion statement for their heads......UGH!

Happy Father's Day?

The Twins at Thanksgiving Point

July 2015

Quoth Bro: Sarah's not happy until she gets her morning cup o' Joe!

Quoth me: Me NEITHER!

Quoth Kelli: New books from the library and peace and quiet for Mom..........priceless!

This makes me happier than I can say.

Quoth Kelli: Sarah loves broccoli stalks. Of all the green veggies she could like.......weird daughter. 

early August 2015 

Quoth Kelli: Looks like someone ate a grasshopper:)

 

Forget your little finger. She's wrapped around all your fingers.