Proud Mama

Everyone knows that I have chicken scratch for hand writing. My mom has told me before in a loving way that I write like a kindergartner. Where mine is not pretty, Bob's is worse.

So we were very surprised when Abe came home with his first spelling test written in cursive. When he handed it to me I was shocked.

Abe holds his pencil in a crazy way. In pre-school his handwriting was almost non-existent by 1st grade it had improved but I never thought he would have lovely penmanship. By 2nd grade I could tell you it was nice and you could tell he took his time writing it nicely.

This year his 3rd grade teacher is a 67 year old man, who finds cursive to be very important. Old School. Abe has taken to cursive like a cat to milk. He says that it takes forever but he likes it. I won't lie.....I am so proud.

If only my handwriting was that nice.

If only his brother's was that nice.

If only it stays that way....

When I hung his test up on the fridge I told him how proud I was and Tucker dropped his head and started to sulk...

When Abe walked out of the room I told him"You can't be the best at everything. We all have our strengths and our weakness, and if it bothers you that bad, try harder when you are writing."

I didn't add, "although it didn't help me much."

Those years in jr.high I would practice the cutesy style over and over, it never worked out that well for me.

Back to Tucker.

He did come home from school yesterday with a grin from one ear to the other because he finished his RAD reading. As it turns out he was the first to finish in the whole school. He won a dog tag that said I am a RAD reader, a book, a certificate, and his picture as the screen saver on the Library computers. His name has been put in a drawing for a boom box at the end of the year.

Proud.

That's what I am.

See what I mean about strengths and weaknesses.

p.s. Abe spelled Cried wrong....guess his 67 year old teacher missed that because he was so blown away by his handwriting:)

My New Yorker's

This family is our Santa Clara family, our Santa Clara family from New York.

We moved in 2 weeks after them. They moved into Mormon central and seemed to totally adapt to it. So much they didn't take promotions and just stayed here.

Jen is the name on all of my kids emergency contact lists. She's who I call when I'm in labor to come over at 2am to stay with my kids. Geena and Nick are my other kids. They are the most polite and kind kids I know.

I love this family.

We pretty much have an open door policy except if Jen's blinds are closed, because that means they are still sleeping....sometimes at 11am.

Jen let's me boss her around sometimes and vise versa, truly she is like my sister. Steve is just Steve.....It was a pleasure to take their pictures.

Nick (11) has an old soul and a tiny bit of old gossipy lady in him.

All my kids think he is their best friend.

Geena (7) is 3 year older than Gwyn, and is truly Gwynnie's best friend.

Geena is happy and cheerful and always kind.

Don't these kids have the best brown eyes?

I love my New Yorkers....

p.s. Hope you like them!

The Layton Family

Love my self some red heads!

Is Sara not so BEAUTIFUL!

The Welch Family

Could they be a better looking family?

I'm going to Jackson.....

Okay, we went to Jackson...

Jackson Hole that is.

Over Conference weekend we had a little family reunion with some of my family. Jackson Hole is one of my favorite places. Ever. We have been going since I was a little girl.

We almost always stay out a Teton village.

The Ladies in our family planned projects for our stay. We all had crafts for the kids and then at night we had our own projects. My craft for the kids was a nature gathering. We searched for all kinds of leaves, sticks, flowers, and rocks. I had bought dark plain shirts for the kids and they laid out the things they had gathered on top of the shirts. Then we sprayed them with bleach and watched nature leave it's imprints. It was REALLY fun. (Thanks farmgirl for the idea) These are the pictures from the gathering.

This was the only day of fall we got, by the next morning we were covered in snow.

Princess G

Tuck

So, I actually didn't take that many pictures because we were SO involved in projects and activities that I am skipping to day 4 in our trip.

Yellow Stone and Old Faithful

It was literally a winter wonderland. The most beautiful drive. This is my mom and my kids getting ready to walk over and see old faithful herself.

This is my dad and my son...his look alike.

Abe is the only child who is built just like my dad and grandpa. His legs reach his shoulders...just like my dad and they walk similar.

The whole gang minus Paige and Nate.

The pregnant woman was starving and off to forage for food.

We had packed a lunch so we snuck into some little restaurant and ate next to Nate and Paige.

(notice our corona box our lunch is in)

Waiting for Old Faithful.
My older boys were fully intrigued by this natural wonder. So was their dad.

We all had our hot cocoa while we waited.

The soon to be parents....

This is Dustin...I like to call him Dustina, or just Tina for short.

I love him. I'm real glad he is my brother-in-law.

I mean otherwise how could I have such adorable nieces.

Gwyn borrowing Daddy's glasses.

Nannie

This Little Triptych is classic!

See my dad.

I take that first picture of him while he is unaware.

This look is his "Williams sneer" this is a very common expression on his face.

Then it turns into, "hey there's a camera, I better smile"

Then it turns into, "ahh, you caught me making the Williams sneer."

We ventured into the Old Faithful lodge and it was Awesome. I would love to come and stay a few days here.

Our last full day in Jackson we went into town and shopped. Really I miss the shopping that use to be in Jackson. JCREW, Benetton, Gap, and so many more. Now it's all souvenir shops, but what can you do.

Traditional family picture in front of the Antler Arch.

The kids in front of a Buffalo. We saw many real buffalo.

Abe being silly

Gwyn really kissing the Buffalo...echhhh!

We had a great time. Thanks mom and dad for making this possible. To my sisters, I love you. I had so much fun crafting together, giggling, drinking herb tea, sitting by the fire. Getting our husband to play Rummy and Snorta with us. It's never enough is it?

p.s. I love you Jackson Hole, and miss you just writing this post. Can't wait to see you next year.

10 fingers......

Robert Tucker Lamoreaux.....

On this day, 10 years ago, I had been laboring for 23 hours. Your dad paced the hospital grounds and confided to your grandpa that he was so nervous, that he just wanted to count 10 fingers and 10 toes just to make sure you were perfect.

You were.....

You are!

Today you are 10 fingers old. How did that happen?

All I know is that the day you were born all my dreams came true.

You were a gorgeous baby. You have one dimple in your right cheek that melts me every time you smile. You were such a happy enthusiastic little child. You loved to snuggle (still do)! You have so many of your dad's wonderful personality traits. You have always had the most tender and kind heart. You never exclude anyone.

You were the first.

You choose everyday to be a leader and the good example to your siblings and friends.

Your brothers and sister adore you.

You love to laugh. Abe can make you laugh harder than ANYONE!

Everything about you emulates good and lightness. You are one of my best friends and when dad is gone you step right up and help in all you can.

I am so glad you are ours. We are so very proud of you son. Happy Birthday! I hope your day is wonderful and that this tenth year is a great one. You deserve the best!

p.s. You are frighteningly good looking!

I jinxed myself....

Never mind about the Swine Flu thing.....We are back to my world of isolation and worry. At about 2:30pm Gil woke with a high fever, guess were doing this again. I did however call the doctor's office (is it wrong the receptionists know me so well?) I had to take Gil in to see the doctor, he prescribed Tamiflu. He is considered a high risk patient because he has reactive airways. So I guess we will see how this turns out.

Poor Gil, he will be watching our huge neighborhood party from our window. So sad the little man won't get to jump in the bounce house or slide down the huge inflatable slide. I will however bring him the first batch of cotton candy. His big brothers have promised to carry his trick-or-treat basket around for him. Gil gets help answer the door, that's fun right? We can try to see a little silver lining right.

Happy Halloween!

School Halloween parties!

After two weeks of being confined to our house with the Swine Flu we are finally better. (I think!)

Poor Gwyn had it the worst. I finally took her in after 7 days of having a fever. The Doctor told us she was done with the Swine flu and had developed a
secondary infection. She had Sinusitis and ear infections. We started her on antibiotics in the morning and by evening she was a new person. I hadn't realized how truly worried I was about her until her fever was finally gone. It was a real breath of relief. The best part of all of this is that we get to enjoy Halloween.

Gwyn has had her mind set that she was going to be Belle since March. She never wavered, unlike her little brother who changes his mind every few minutes. So here are some pictures of the many facets of Belle interpreted by Gwyn Lamoreaux.

Notice the hands.....

Who doesn't love a little Miss Debbie? We love our pre-school.

Graduating class of 2023...

What?

Do the Math.

Today Gil was Stitch....Tomorrow who knows? He was dressed up for all the festivities that went on today. He went to Gwyn's pre-school and then he went to the parade at the elementary school. We just think he is really funny and REALLY cute.

Abe wanted to be something scary this year.....some kind of bad guy that Tucker could "bust". What we found was this cool Death Eater costume from Harry Potter. He loves the mask.

Tucker has known since last Halloween that he wanted to be a Ghost Buster. My son, my son , my son......He is 10 next week and has no desire to be anything scary, ever! Most of his friends are dead something or other and he stays in the light areas, so him.

I love going to watch the elementary Halloween parade. It just makes the holiday. I think when my kids are all grown I will still try to make the parade. Nothing cuter than little kids dressed up. (Some of the parents too.)

~Although I froze watching it.

Anyone want their pictures taken?

I have had a few people ask me about taking family pictures for Christmas Cards an such.

I would love to!

As you can see from some of my below post I have been taking a few families pictures. If you like my work and you want to talk about pricing e-mail me.....or call if you have my number. I am really affordable. I think.;)

I have also had some friends up north (Utah County area) call and ask me if I am coming up, and if I would be available. If I have enough people interested I would absolutely make that jaunt up.

So there it is.....let me know.

My e-mail is rob2fam4@yahoo.com

For the West's.....

Kelly and Jessica are some of our (Bob and I) favorite people!

Jessi is from my home town....

We have the same alma mater....

I knew her older sister....

We know lots of the same people....

She teaches my boys piano....

She may be a bit younger than me but you would never know when we get together.

Kelly's alright too.

We love their kids and we had a fantastic camping trip with them this summer! I was absolutely thrilled to take their pictures. It helps that they are a beautiful family.

Miss A

The Big Easy

Kelly and Jessica

The Jackson's.....

I love this Family! This is my amazingly beautiful and talented sister Brooke and her family. She had a photographer flake on her so she settled for me while we were in Jackson Hole. It was my pleasure.

Minie Moo!

I could eat this girl up! My whole family would adopt miss Minie! Gwyn says to me daily, "I wish Minie and Poppy were ours."

Beautiful Poppy!

P.S. My sister likes to complain that she is not photogenic....

Soccer Time

Little lady is playing soccer this year......and it is soooo cute! They are the Bumblebees.

As it turns out she was actually pretty good and fairly aggressive. She kept telling me "just make sure I am going to the right goal."

I have to laugh at the fact that she is posing with attitude while waiting in her position.

Miss Geena and Gwyn are best buddies. Gwyn adores and idolizes Geena to the moon. When Gwyn got home from her game she had to run over and show Geena her Uniform. I whipped Geena's hair into a matching doo like miss priss and then took a picture of them. Love our Dolce family.

Because my boys are only 17 months apart, every other year they get to play on the same team. I LOVE when this happens. One less game baby. Abe tried out the goalie position. He had a couple of great stops.

Wait......Do you see that big kid?

Yep he's mine. I keep going back an looking at this picture saying "Really?"

This boy loves himself some soccer. I told him next year he has to choose. Right now everyday is full. He and Abe are playing soccer, football, and piano. He really wanted to keep doing swim team too. I had to draw the line somewhere. I was never as self motivated as this kid. He is also trying to be a RAD reader and that means trying to read 40 Beehive Nominates books before the end of the school year. He is already down 2. His teacher and I had no idea he was doing this but he and the librarian had it worked out. Surely he must not be of my genetics, NEVER that self motivated.......

Here is Abe in action.

It's fun to have our Saturdays full of soccer and feel the fall starting to move in(just inching though). It is so crazy to look at my children and realize how old they are getting and how fun all this really is especially as they get older. I find it really fun to have so much going on. Bob and I are so proud of our kiddos and love cheering them on. Gil is really sad he missed the cut off for soccer and can't wait to play next year. He keeps trying to be on Gwyn's team, but the fact that it's an all girl team makes him stick out a bit. Ahhh next year!

*Look forward to some flag football pictures coming soon!

This is BIG!!!!!

We are DIAPER free at my house! This is an all underwearing family now.

(At least I think so)

This little man potty trained in three hours.... World record for my four children. We started at 9am and were totally finished up by noon. Thank you Toilet Training in Less Than a Day, you have made all of my potty training experiences great. It also helps to wait until they are three and old enough to just get IT. In my mind poopy underwear are far worse than any poopy diaper ever could be. I will take my few hours of intense potty training over months of struggling for them to get it. My boy walked away this weekend with nothing but positive, happy feelings about being a big boy!

Now the only problem is where his hands naturually want to go......

Goodness we love this boy! It has been so fun for our older kids to cheer him on and all dance when he pooped on the potty! I can't believe after 4.5 years we won't have to buy diapers anymore.

*After my afternoon sunday nap I was thinking about when Mr. Lamoroo and I first got married and our weekends were so leisurely and we had nothing to do but hang together and go to church. I had to giggle when I have thought about this weekend being all about the bodily functions of our 3 year old son... NEVER have we been so happy!

Three!!!!!

Our littlest man turned 3 today! We love you Gil-Bear you are so happy and full of love and life. We can't imagine life with out you in it. We are so grateful that you are here with us this year after your scary fall this Spring. You are so loved!

Happy Birthday Gilly!

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Pre-School

The little lady started Pre-School again with Miss Debbie! She loves to go to school and loves Miss Debbie. She woke up extra early to put on her "school clothes" and was anxiously awaiting for her school to start. Right befor we left I took some pictures. This is my daughter posing something fierce for the camera. She's got moves! I love her bedroom eyes.....

Her homework for the first day of school was to make a safari hat with things she likes. When she and I were putting this together and I asked what is your favorite thing she answered "babies"! Unfortunately we don't have any baby stickers or mini babies to have stuck on her hat but she did find other loves like; flowers, jewels, beads,and princess stickers to put on it. She was VERY proud of this hat.



Daddy came with us to take her to school. I thougth Gil would be sad but not so much. He was happy to just hang out with me. Here she is in her class with some of the other kids.

How cute are some of those hats? How cute is Miss Debbie to come up with this?

This is going to be a great year!

I can't believe that next year is Kindergarten! Time is going to fast.