a thankful turkey

Hewitt came home from preschool today with this:

pete report

It seems like there is a lot to say, but now that I'm sitting down to "say it" my mind is drawing a blank. Hmmm.

Let's start with Liv. Is anyone tired of me talking about what a great baby she is? Her new trick is clicking her tongue (it's uber cute). She is also scooting forward on her tummy a bit and getting closer to sitting up on her own. She is still going to bed early and waking only once to eat around (5AM). Today I had to wake her up twice (once at 8AM to take Burke to school, and then again at 11:30AM to pick up Hewitt from school). She is so easy going about it (she wakes and gives me a big smile), and when I'm ready to put her down I just simply put her in her crib, walk out of the room and never hear a peep. I've never had a such a great sleeper, eater, and all around "dream baby." Liv is the "tops" and I am so, so thankful for and enjoy her every minute of my day.

Tosh, Tosh, Tosh. He is quite the character and cracks us up all the time. His new "trick" is jumping off of my bed and doing a rolling somersault right as he lands. This was one of those things where Rob yells, "Tamsen you've got to come and see this!" and then Rob says something like, "I know he probably shouldn't be jumping off of our bed, but it's awesome..." Tosh is really interested in trains and so we've been spending a lot of time setting up tracks and watching them run lately. He is officially addicted to milk and would only drink milk, eating nothing else except "candy Halloween" if he had his choice. We even gave him some pudding tonight for family night treat and he had one bite and then wanted milk (granted he was tired). He starts most sentences with "Be-tuzz" (because) and talks all the time. He still gets lots of attention wherever we go and I have all the Young Women begging me to let them babysit for us. If only we had places to go and money to spend, right?

Hewitt had a rough week (physically). A week ago Sunday we had dinner at some friends' in the ward and the kids were in the backyard when all of a sudden we heard this horrible "thud" sound. Hewitt ran straight into their sliding glass door. It looked and sounded absolutely horrible (I repeat) and we were thankful he wasn't injured. Then last Tuesday evening Hewitt was running and tripped and hit his face on the ottoman. His cheek swelled up immediately and he got a horrible black eye! Ouch. An' THEN last night he jumped from the couch to our black bench and jumped too far and ran his head into the wall. Another huge goose egg on his forehead. It's good his hair is long right now, or we'd be getting a call from the state for sure! He must be growing or something to be a little "off" on his coordination. You can really see the bruise pretty good in this photo:

Hewitt and I were chatting during half-time at his soccer game on Saturday and we got talking about how old Liv is. When I told him that she is six months (and reminded him there there are 12 months in the year, etc.), he laughed and said, "Liv is zero and a half!"


I love these photos of the three younger kids. These two love on Liv almost all day long:



I sure don't have many photos of Burke compared to the others lately. He does not like having his photo taken, and let's face it he isn't around as much. When he is around he is wanting to play soccer in our play room or is reading books like crazy (Any book suggestions anyone? He has read almost all the Magic Tree House series, Junie B Jones, Captain Underpants, Jigsaw Jones, A-Z Mysteries, etc.). I'm looking for something more challenging, but not too scary. Ideas?

Burke has been saving his money forever. He took a dollar to school the other day because they were selling pencils ("Smencils" really; pencils that smell) and he wanted to check it out. He came home with his dollar and said, "I decided I didn't need a pencil. I'd rather save my money to buy a game, or actually I should save it for my mission. I can't wait to go on a mission!" This something new that Burke is talking about. He is also getting excited about being baptized which is great because just a year or so ago he told me that he didn't want to be baptized and that he wasn't going on a mission because he never wanted to move out of our house. (My mother would probably like to insert here that I promised my mother at one point that I would never move out or leave her). Anyway, it is nice to see some growth and maturity in Burke.

So here is Burke's school photo (pre-glasses) and his soccer photo. His soccer photo is pretty funny (goofy). We didn't think it was possible for Burke to have a double chin...

We miss you all and will be thinking of you this week. Happy Thanksgiving! Much love, Tamsen

six month check

Liv had her 6 month well check-up today.

Head: 20%
Weight: 25% (14 lbs. 11 oz.)
Height: 40% (25.5 inches)

She is still a little thing but is getting taller (at 4 mo. she was only 25% for height)! She has some reflux issues, but never cries or seems to be bothered by it so the doctor isn't putting her on medication. We are going to start doing rice cereal twice a day instead of once. She is rolling across the floor and is getting close to sitting up on her own. She slept 12 hours straight twice last week (I actually had to wake her up one morning because I was dying!). She does lots of "raspberry" and cooing sounds. And did I mention that she is darling?

progress

For over a year now, Hewitt has been saying just about the same prayer every time it's his turn. There is always an expression of gratitude for the day, and a blessing on the food (even at bedtime). I'm not sure of the reason (he was clearly not feeling well and was extra sensitive tonight), but his personal prayer tonight was notably different. He was still thankful for the day and for the food, but ALSO included, "Help me to not get so mad, (pause), to find my way, (pause), and to follow the prophet and Jesus..."

This is certainly my prayer for this sweet (and sometimes sour) child every day.

mid-week comments

A lot has already gone on this week and so I thought I'd write about it.


I was driving home (from visiting teaching) on Tuesday and our van suddenly started making a HORRIBLE sound like there was a wire hanger scraping inside or something. We ended up having it towed to a place that was recommended by some people in the ward. It ended up just being a rock that got stuck in the wheel or something (can't remember what the guy said exactly), but there were some other major problems with it including broken engine mounts, leaking shocks, etc. etc. etc. The "damage" is over $2200! Ouch. I guess the "rock" was a blessing of sorts as we needed to get these things taken care of. I had a very long conversation with the guy at the car shop. He is from New Zealand (is LDS) and was very friendly and chatty. He asked why we moved down here and when he found out that Rob works for Intel he told me that we should go to New Zealand when Rob gets his sabbatical (in three years). I told him that we would love to, but can't afford it now that we have to pay him $2200!


Last night we did our "dating" night with the youth. Rob sang a song (with guitar) about dating standards that went off really well. Rob and I wrote lyrics to the melody of a song that Rob had already written. It was a great way to keep things entertaining but still touch on some serious stuff. After the song we were asking the kids to talk about some of the things that were mentioned in the song and when "french kissing" came up, one of the darling Priests said, "Oh, that's gross." Rob and I thought that was pretty wonderful to hear.


The Young Women's President arranged for her son (that just got off his mission last month) to babysit our kids last night so we could do this dating thing. The older boys had soccer and so while Rob was at soccer with B + H, I gave the two younger kids baths and got them in bed so the babysitter would not have to worry about them (and so I wouldn't have to worry about the baby either). Liv and Tosh are seriously such good kids. Liv was down by about 6:15pm and Tosh was down at 6:30. While I was getting Tosh in bed he said, "Close my door!" He must have been very tired. Our two younger children are both SO good and easy going! I love it. The older boys got home at 6:30 and hurried to shower so they could play with the babysitter until bedtime.


Burke woke up acting like he did not feel well at all today. He was stuffy, had a dry throat and felt a little warm. Tosh and Liv have both had minor colds so I figured with all the H1N1 madness that I should probably keep Burke home (that and the fact that I have no van and had no way to pick Burke up from school if he got worse anyway). He was begging me to "homeschool" him today so I printed off a bunch of worksheets: multiplication, story problems, etc. He also read books and wrote a long story. It really makes me feel like he probably learned more today than he would have at school. I think that if Burke was my only child maybe I would homeschool him. He is so motivated to learn, loves to be challenged and loves calling me "Miss Dunning." He is so funny.


It is overcast today and is a nice 76 degrees out (I threw that in for the weather lovers out there). I made soup on Tuesday and I'm doing a roast with mashed potatoes tonight. I'm acting as if it's fall even though it doesn't feel like it. Now off to make some hot cocoa.

My turn

Well, Tamsen asked me to write this week's update, so here I am. I'm sure you're thrilled about becoming acquainted with my narrative tone and color.

So, this week...

Let's start with today, since I can still remember that. The McQueen 2nd ward primary program was today. Hewitt and Burke both did admirably at their 'lines' - had them memorized, which was exciting for us - but song participation left a little to be desired. Hewitt was in the front row (where speakers sit for sacrament meeting), and moved his mouth up and down every time there was a song to be sung, but didn't appear to be really singing any of the words, or singing at all. Burke held a program (I think it had the words to the song in it?) in front of his face for each song, until the last one I saw, so we couldn't see him for the entire program. It was just as perfect as I had imagined it.

Other than the feel-good feelings that come with the primary program, the best moment was after the first song. Remember where Hewitt was sitting? Well, in that position, all we could see was basically Hewitt's head. At any rate, as the kids are directed to sit down by the chorister, I see Hewitt's head disappear, followed by two legs and feet sticking up in the air where his head just was - for maybe 5 seconds (until a nearby primary teacher noticed and helped him get unstuck). It was classic. You can picture the folding 'sacrament speaker' seats and imagine exactly what happened, huh?

Yesterday at Burke's game some of the parents got pretty heated. One of the kids on our team took an elbow from a player on the other team. The mom of this kid proceeded to yell at the ref (for the non-call) at the opposing player ("I'm not afraid to take down a seven year old") and her son ("Go get him, Cam! You take him out!"). Her obedient son played the 'man' rather than the ball immediately thereafter, going arm first at the other team, and pushing anyone in a red jersey. The ref stopped the game at that point until everyone settled down, but there were yells from both sidelines. I'm not sure I'm ready for that next competitive level of sports...

The mom apologized - I think a little embarrassed - this morning right before sacrament meeting started.

Tosh is talking more all the time...of course I can't remember what he said this week, but I'm sure at the time I told Tamsen that "...you should put that on the blog." Sigh. But he really is hysterical - honestly. BTW, BTP is over my shoulder and he had me change that last description of TRP from hilarious to the word you see. Love that kid.

Liv is cute, and a really good girl. She doesn't wake up too much in the night, but I'm still excited for November 10, when she is officially 6 months old. That's when Tamsen and I get to stay up watching some show in the middle of the night and crank up the volume when Liv's cries are too loud. Any suggestions on what we should get (you probably recall that '24' got us through Tosh's nights)?

I love my wife and kids!

We had a game night on Friday night at our house with 5 other couples from the ward. Good food, pretty fun game (played Scum - biggest group I've played that with, but it worked) and great company. We're getting to know quite a few people in the ward, but total comfort takes time, I suppose.

At any rate, life is pretty good. I really like the weather here a LOT. Even when it was super-duper hot this summer (which it was), I surprisingly didn't mind because relief is 10 steps out the back door. Burke is telling me he did mind, but he's always been a bit sensitive to the heat. Anyway, right now it's as wonderful as people told us it would be. I am Rog's son, having dedicated an entire paragraph to the weather (and the sad thing is that I want to write more about it, but I'm stopping), aren't I?

OK - that's enough for now - things are pretty nice in AZ and we welcome visitors at any time!

the pete report

Here we are at the end of another busy week. I was just thinking about how much Rob and I "divide and conquer" all the time. For example: Rob takes older boys to soccer practice, I stay home with younger kids. Rob and Tosh go to Burke's soccer game, Liv and I go to Hewitt's game. I stay at home (with sleeping Liv) and pass out candy, Rob takes boys trick-or-treating. I guess we are just at that stage of life.

We all went to a Halloween party yesterday afternoon. Rob decided to change up his costume (since he had shaved his head and couldn't do the great 50's look as well) and went as a Russian dancer. This was a costume Rob wore when he was 14! It was pretty tight at the shoulders, but still fit. Rob and Burke ready to party:

I was able to volunteer in Burke's class on Friday afternoon to help with the "Fall Festival." The school did not allow the kids to dress up for Halloween, but had them wear school colors instead. Burke was also able to go a birthday party on Friday so he has certainly had a good week. Burke went through sort of a "quiet" stage this spring/summer, but is back to talking or asking questions constantly (well, when he isn't reading that is). Just tonight he has been asking Rob all about former NBA players, wanted to know all about Australia (the year it was discovered, who discovered it, what the boat was called, etc.), was asking all about grapples and how they work, and is now reciting the alphabet backwards as I write.

Hewitt's preschool had a Halloween program and parade on Thursday. Hewitt dressed up as a Power Ranger for the preschool program (see photo below) and then as Spiderman yesterday (the Indiana Jones costume he wore last weekend was my favorite of the three). Gotta keep it interesting, that kid. He is reading and spelling better all of the time and has fallen in love with writing books. He draws and writes in notebooks and then likes to read them to us at bedtime.

Tosh must be growing. He fell asleep on the couch yesterday afternoon and it took us about an hour to wake him up to go to a neighborhood Halloween carnival. Tonight he fell asleep on the couch the minute we walked in the door from church (around 4:15pm) and slept until 6:00. He woke up, had a little bit to eat and told us his legs were hurting (poor kid). At 6:30 he said, "I want to go in my bed." And he went right to sleep. He had a blast with all of the Halloween fun this week so maybe that helped wear him out too. These are photos of Tosh sleeping WHILE we are getting him dressed in his costume. Can you say tired?


Liv is rolling a bit more and is becoming more aware of whether she is being held or not (she is already "working" Rob with the sad cry so that he will pick her right back up if he tries to put her down). She is also starting to play in the excer-saucer a bit and seems to like that. Liv is still very content and easy going (and I'm so thankful). On Halloween night she was exhausted so I put her down at 6:00pm and she slept until 8:00 this morning (waking twice to eat). That's pretty good I think.

Some favorite photos of Liv taken this week:


I like taking pictures of Liv, can you tell? (and she can't run away from the camera so that helps.) The boys are already starting to talk about Christmas and I still can't believe it is already November! The weather is faking me out, but it was really nice that it was 70-75 degrees while the kids were out trick-or-treating. It was down to 40 degrees a few mornings this week. I am so glad we brought our sweaters and warm clothes with us! Our house got down to 65 inside and it actually felt wonderful to be cold.