It's been awhile.

So Beth has been getting more and more personality and using more of her charms. Like, of course, her eyes and vocal cords. Where have I seen this look before. . . ?

Oh, yeah. Here. Eric has been exploring other sleeping arrangements. I mean, why sleep in a bed when there is so much open space on the floor?
Ryan has found a way to keep the kids quiet. At least it muffles the noise.

All in all we are doing good. Ryan has been home sick for the last two days and I have enjoyed having more time with him. Beth is trying out more words and will imitate almost anything. She is also cutting one of her last 2 teeth. (Yes, this is the same tooth she has been cutting for the last 18 months or so. Did you note the sarcasm?) Eric is still enthralled with Thomas and has started to play upstairs and close the gate so Beth can't mess up his tracks. I have a new calling as first counselor in the primary that, truthfully, scares me. This is my first time back in primary since I was 12, but so far so good. I feel more blessed everyday.

Falling, Speaking, and Praying

Beth fell down the stairs on Tuesday. She had a red cheek for two days but other than that she’s fine. It could have been worse but when she started to fall she cried out and we all came running. Ryan and I were too far away to help but Eric rushed in and keep her from hitting the tile. What a great big brother.

This is a clip of Beth practicing her talking. She likes the words that end in "y".

"Say hello to my little friend." This three inch long praying mantis has been hanging out in our back yard for the last few days. He is the same color as a dried leaf.

For lack of a better title, we will call this... Whatever.

Beth will eat ketchup on everything and anything. Really, anything. Carrots, cheese, radishes, marshmallows, you name it.

Eric likes to put straws together to make one long straw. He is up to 4 or 5 now.
Corn on the cob. Beth does a great job getting most of the corn off. No food will survive!!
Food is good. Getting him to eat anything is good.
A new Sunday dress.
A new enjoyment. Pirates.