Remember how great it was to get rid of the binkie?

Well. Maybe it's not so great.
First: Because Lucy no longer has binkie to sooth her into dreamland, she has decided to do other things with her lack of sleeping. Like climbing out of crib and causing havoc.
Second: This has caused me to sit outside her bedroom and spy on her sleeping habits. Which has reduced me to saying things like, "Lucy, lay down." About, oh, 85 times. Or maybe things like, "If you go to sleep I'll buy you a brand new car."
Third: Because of "Lucy Watch" I have now read every magazine/catolog/brochure in the house, an entire book, and eaten a WHOLE bag of pretzel M7M's in one sitting. Oh and I looked at the caloric intake--you don't even want to know.
Fourth: I have ordered a crib tent...and it just can't get here fast enough. I almost broke down and revealed a binkie that I found in her toy box the other day, but alas, I held firm.
Fifth: Now she thinks I'm her "naptime" assistant. She's pretty smart and she knows I'm sitting outside her door so she says things like, "I need more water." Or "I need a bandaid". Or "Read ABC's." What's a mom do to?

Help me.

We both need naptime desperately!

Bye Bye Binkie!

So, we did it. Lucy bid a fond farewell to her beloved binkies. Whew. I am so relieved! We should have done it sooner, but amid road trips and sickness, we decided to prolong the inevitable---the big goodbye. Last night she did it! We tied her binkies to some helium balloons and let her say goodbye. Then we gave her a big girl present...a radio flyer scooter. Last night we hardly heard a whimper about the missing binkies. Lucy keeps saying, "My binkie went in the sky. I'm a big girl." Yes she is!

My Decor Of Choice

See this empty shelf?

 

It used to have things like this in it:

 

But now I have this very rambunctious, silly, baby.

 

And I can't put anything out, because she has to investigate everything. So, now, I choose to decorate with her. Isn't she cute? But she doesn't stay in the same place for long. sigh.

 

Labor Day Fishing And Lucy's Monster Face

Spence had a great Labor Day with Grandpa and Dad doing a little fishing...he caught his first Rainbow Trout. Although the motor on the boat was being a little finicky. Adam ended up rowing the fishermen across the lake...only an hour or so. I don't think Grandpa or Spencer noticed, since they fished the whole way.
And we finally caught this FACE on video. Lucy does this frequently at various times, but we never know why or when. Enjoy.

Sharing

Awww...I just thought these pics were so cute. And in my opinion, Sophie is our best sharer. Lucy never misses a chance to beg for a bite whenever anyone is eating. She sits promptly on the floor if she thinks you may actually feed her what she wants.

Christmas Dresses in February!

Finally...I got a cute picture of the girls in their Christmas dresses...Whew. Better late than never...

Baby's #1!

I had so much fun getting ready for Lucy's birthday. I made the "happy birthday" banner from templates from (who else?) Martha...I saw this same banner on Etsy for $25...and I think mine is much cuter!
Also, the little butterfly templates are on Martha too. I just love them. The girls loved helping me cut out all sorts of butterflies...Sophie said, "It was the best day of her life." Good to know. Wish I was so easily impressed.We also celebrated my Dads birthday and I must say he didn't need very much encouragement to wear the buggy headband. So funny! What a good sport he was!

And of course Lucy LOVED her ladybug cake. She didn't need much encouragment to get in there...she got the idea pretty quickly. I'm so glad we went through all the effort for a fun day. She'll only turn 1 once and we're so glad she's our baby bug!

Happy Halloween!

We took these wild ones to their Halloween Parade at school.

The whole Halloween crew.

Count Gracula.

Bucaneer Bones

I don't want to be a Ladybug...

Just one little bite...

Our beautiful Kimono Princess

Lucy Rocking it Under the Table

What's new with the White crew.

Graces' soccer team "Red Lightening" just blew through and spanked every one they played. They were undefeated--a fact she is not shy to share with anyone who comes within a 10 mile radius. Good job Gracie! Lucy goose has been doing all sort of things like: getting two new teeth, AND crawling all over the place. And, as you can see- she loves the bath. The other day we had everyone in the bath tub...except for Mom and Dad (that would have been quite a show!) and Lucy loved all the attention. Sophie REALLY wishes she lived on a farm, but for now, she'll just have to be happy shucking the corn we got from the ward garden. She cleaned these babies all by herself. Good job Soph!

You might be a redneck if...your ward has a Ward Rodeo

This past weekend our ward held an old traditional rodeo. We had sooo much fun. The night before we had a square dance and line dancing, along with a cakewalk and a hayride. We could not drag Sophie off the hayride. She even sat on the truck when it wasn't going.

The next day we had a fun run, a parade, old fashioned carnival games and an old time fair. Spence entered his Star Wars lego creations (and then sat and guarded it almost the whole time), Grace displayed two skirts she made with Grandma Char and her American Girl Doll modeling one (which was kidnapped by a four-year-old, and AW rescued her...thank goodness), and Sophie made cupcakes (of course!). They all won ribbons and were very happy.

Then they held a real hometown-get-down-on-the-ground-rodeo. Our second counselor got bucked off Queenie, (the oldest and nearly dead horse) and broke 4 ribs! Ouch! Grace did the Mutton Busten, and rode that ferocious sheep for quite a while, until she got thrown off and trampled. She said it was, and I quote, "the worst day of my life getting kicked in the head by a sheep." Seriously, it was good fun.

Adam was the MC for the dance and the rodeo and told a plethora of redneck jokes...like:
1. You might be a redneck if you've been married three times and still have the same in-laws. OR
2. You might be a redneck if your family tree has no forks in it.
3. You might be a redneck if you go to your family reunion looking for a date.

Any others? AW had a whole list.

Kung Fu Flower Baby

A Lucy First

Spring Break!

We had a great time at Zions National Park. We hiked to Hidden Valley...an extremely steep hike. We got a little nervous when at the beginning of the trail a sign cautioned us that people had fallen and died while on this hike! Hmmm.

But, we deceided we could turn around at any time. And we made it the whole way. But, it was a good thing that Spence, Grace and Sophie were with their Grandma's because there is no way we would've taken them up!

The kids had a blast as well. I took them to a different place each day. Here's the Children's Museum.








We also went to the dinosaur museum, hiked to Bridal Veil Falls, and enjoyed a crazy afternoon at Kangaroo Zoo! Whew! What a week. But we needed the break. 7 more weeks and school's out! Yipee!

Just wanted to also show you how much Lucy is growing. Like a bee-utiful little flower. 3 months and counting.

Lucy's Blessing Day!

Lucy Gayle was blessed on Sunday, March 30th. It was a wonderful day, and we were fortunate to have many family and friends in attendance. Both sets of grandparents, as all of our local family were present. Great Grandma Gigi was presiding, and even Lucy's uncle Jared flew into town for the weekend, to attend both Brody's and Lucy's blessings, and we are grateful he and Shaunalia made the trip- it was great to see them both!


The blessing was beautiful, and we had friends and family over to the house afterwards. Thank you to all of you for your love and support. We're blessed to have so much family so close- and we really miss those of you who live in other states. We pray for all of you and know that the Lord is watching over you all.

Here are some pictures from the day- enjoy! We love you all!

The Tidy Whitees

Lucy has wonderful grandparents!

You can tell Grandmas have the magic touch....no offense, Jack!

Grace is such a good helper with Lucy- she loves her little sister!

Pretty Ladies!



Jared and Shaunalia-she has such a bright smile!

4 Generations of family in one photo!

Good thing Brody was in this photo...or we might be nauseated.

Los Hermanos!

Thanks to all of you who could come! It was a fantastic day, and we appreciate your efforts to be there to share in Lucy's special day. God bless you all!