Dear Delaney,

Delaney, today you left for Kindergarten. I know all parents wonder where the time went, but I truly wonder how it all happened. How did the past 5 years just fly by, in the blink of an eye, without me taking it all in. Or maybe I took in more than I remember, sitting here now. Because all I can sit here and think of is that those 5 years are over. Your time, at home with me, safely controlling what/who/where/when seems to have slipped by far too quickly.

And, today is your 5 year, one month birthday. And, I haven't written you your birthday letter yet. So, I'm doing it at 5 years and one month old. I hope that's okay, I think it is, because we had a crazy, busy, wonderful month. One, you're glad you didn't miss, and so that's why I'm behind.

We went to your great aunt Carolyn's house for your birthday. I love (well, we all love) Carolyn, and she's invited us for years to drive down and see her in Oklahoma. Well, with Krista in town, I decided I was brave enough to make the 12 hour drive by myself and off we went. It was fun to spend a birthday with family...it's a treat we don't enjoy too often. It was fun to celebrate a birthday at the Nuttall's with all their birthday traditions. You ate dinner on a special plate and drank out of a margarita glass.

Grandma and Grandpa Critt sent a huge balloon bouquet and you had plenty of presents to open on your big morning.

Now, on the occasion of you being five and all, I've decided what are my five favorite things about my most favorite five year old!

1. You love to help around the house. Rarely does a day go by when you haven't asked me what you can do to help me. In fact, just this evening, you told me you thought now that you are in school, Saturday mornings would be a good day to clean. Because, you're not as available to help as you once were. I am endlessly grateful for your diligence with helping, whether it's picking up toys, helping Addie, unloading the dishwasher, sweeping up crumbs under Addie's highchair, or sorting laundry. You're willing to do it all! And with a smile. And once the task is over, you're looking for the next. Thank you for being such a help. This year since Addie arrived has been easier thanks to your helping hands.

2. You are as girly as they come. I know, another cliche', but I cannot believe how girly you really are. You used to only eat strawberry yogurt, because it's the only pink one. You walk girly, with your hands flexed upwards, and your hips swinging back and forth. You curtsy when you tell me about something you did well. You dance around the house, singing, and looking to for the dress with the best "twirl factor". You love having nails painted, jewelry, purses, lipstick, shoes and clothes. You would spend every day in a dress if I let you. You love nightgowns. You are 100% girl and I love the contrast that you have provided against Jackson. You are a total opposite of him, and I love the soft, female presence you bring to our home.

3. You are tough as a nut. I know, it seems contrary to being girly, but for you it's not at all. Last month when you got your kindergarten shots (all 5 of them!) you didn't even flinch. On the very last one, you just said "Ow". The nurse was shocked at how you just sat there, but that's how you've been since you were a baby. When you got your ears pierced last fall, you were so excited, despite all my warnings that it would hurt, you didn't cry. You even said it didn't hurt (although I could tell it did). You are amazingly brave. You hardly ever get scared. You aren't fearful of anything. This month, when we were at Bear Mountain Ranch, those horses were 5 times your size, and I was scared of them. But, not you. You loved to be next to them, petting, feeding, and grooming them. I am proud of your fierce spirit. I hope you are never afraid to try anything.

4. You are at an age where everything you say is so funny, and yet so smart. Having spent the week in Oklahoma last month, we got to see many huge, "bible belt" churches. Huge churches with big crosses out front. Right near Aunt Carolyn's house was a cross that stood at least 3 stories high. About 4 or 5 hours into our trip home, you piped up from the backseat.

"Mom, did Jesus die in Oklahoma?"

"What??? No, why would you assume that?"

"Well, that big cross by Carolyn's house. I just thought, maybe, that's where he died."

The question seemed so funny to me, but then, as I think about it, I can see why you think he died there. That's probably one of the biggest crosses you'd ever seen. It's amazing to me the way you take everything in, and then the sometimes funny way it comes back out. Like tonight when I was trying to explain to you what being electrocuted was, and you said, "Oh, I'd become a light bulb!". Well, sure, if that's how you sort it out, for me it's close enough.

5. Joy. Delaney, all 5 of my favorite things could have just been joy, joy, joy, joy, joy. You are nothing short of joyful. You are rarely sad, angry, or resentful. You are simply put - joyful. You assume the best, even if the worst is intended. You are quick to forgive and even quicker to ask forgiveness. You are wise beyond your years in your understanding of feelings and empathy. You are so happy, that when you get sad, I am sure to listen because I know it must be something really important. You fill our home with joy and happiness, and I am so thankful for that. You bring a light into mine and Dad's life that is unique to you, alone, and I look forward to it every single day.

Happy 5th (and one month) Birthday, Laney Bug.

I love you.

Mom

It's all her fault...

My favorite 15 year old has been visiting for a few weeks, and it's cut into my blogging time. But, of course, I wouldn't have it any other way, and I plan on crying the whole drive back from Nauvoo where I drop her off tomorrow for EFY. It's been a fantastic 3 weeks having her here and Delaney was hoping today that her mom would let us adopt her ("But, I've always wanted an older sister...").

A recent Delaney funny - I (Kelli) have no strong feelings towards Michael Jackson. I grew up in a different country and missed the whole 80s as a result. Therefore, while it's too bad he died at a young age, I'm not heart broken over it either. So, I haven't watched much coverage of it, the funeral, etc. So, I would never have thought my 5 year old even knew anything about it. So, I was shocked the other day when I'm in the kitchen with Delaney and she asks me,

"Mom, do you think Michael Jackson and Joseph Smith are friends?"

"Ummm...what???"

"Yeah, now that they're both in heaven, don't you think they're friends?"

Extreme in OK...Part 2

In addition to the list of injuries from Kelli's post, I also had rubbed raw both elbows and both knees. One thing you don't see in any of these pictures is the fact that I'm wearing knee pads.

The previous picture didn't do justice to my abuse. As the newbie to this sporting event, I became the target of much abuse. Lauren felt the need to teach me a lesson on how things really work in the family. Notice I attempted to stay on even upside down.

As painful as the events were that day, I had a blast playing with the cousins. Thanks Nuttall's for a fun weekend!

Extreme in OK

Here's a glimpse of "tubing", Nuttall style.

*Original photo removed due to adult content. Thanks for the tip, Mere.*

Jeff left to go back home today, complete with bloody knuckles, a fat lip (possibly a loose tooth or two) and more sore muscles than he knew he had. We leave for home on Wednesday. I'll give a full report, for any cousin who's interested. Of course, we miss anyone who isn't here!

And, last but not least,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELANEY!!!

Independance Day

We woke up to a cold and overcast 4th of July. Still determined to make something of the day, we went to our local flea market at the county fairgrounds. It looked like if it was going to rain, it would only drizzle. Well, you know how the story goes...it poured the whole time we were there! When the animals aren't at the fairgrounds, the sellers are peddling their wares in those buildings. So, we'd dash from the pig building to the sheep builing to the poultry building trying to stay dry. We bought the kids kettle corn as a way to buy some time while we waited out a down pour. And they didn't like it! Who doesn't like Kettle corn? (By the way, Vicki L., if you are reading this, I've always meant to ask for your Kettle corn recipe. Mind sharing?)

Thankfully, about 7 pm the clouds broke, somewhat, and the town still did their fireworks show.

Delaney and Addie, waiting for the show to start.


Addie, smiling, because she thinks she's tricky having climbed into the stroller by herself.


Watching the fireworks.


I thought for sure that the fireworks would scare her, but Addie loved them. She even sat by herself in her chair for quite a while.


It was probably the coldest 4th we have ever celebrated (high was about 73*), but we felt lucky to surrounded by friends, celebrating our great country that we love so much!

Myrtle Beach, SC

At the end of last month, we were able to travel to Myrtle Beach, SC, and spend 5 days with our Clark family. We met Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sheryl and our four cousins. The weather was gorgeous...each day the same as the previous and no better than the next. Jackson and Delaney have always loved the beach, so we were hoping that Addison would follow suit. She certainly didn't disappoint, and loved every minute she spent in the ocean. The sand didn't seem to bother her, either.

Addie would sit forever at the water's edge, transferring mud in and out of a bucket. She also loved chasing the waves, and in turn being chased by the waves. Here she is in hot pursuit.


My favorite Addison face...the wrinkly nose grin.


Typically Delaney loves to gather shells, and has started quite a collection in her room. She spent lots of time searching, gathering, cleaning, and organizing.


Of course, no trip to the beach could be complete without the hair braiding.


One of Delaney's favorite parts of our hotel was the lazy river. It was shallow enough that she could swim in it without a life jacket. If she wasn't collecting shells, it seemed that she was in the lazy river.


Historically, Jackson can sit on the beach and dig and dig for hours. Though, this year, he was a little more interested in body surfing than digging, he still managed to dig a hole, almost as deep as he is tall (the picture doesn't quite do it justice).


Jackson really took to body surfing. Grandma and Grandpa remembered to bring his boogie board he'd gotten in Marco Island last November. He spent a large majority of the time in search of the perfect wave to ride back to shore.


Before we left, if you asked Jackson what he was planning on doing in Myrtle Beach, he'd tell you he planned on lots of miniature golf. In fact, he was so serious about it, he brought his own putter from home. Here we are, about to begin at Mayday golf, complete with rescue helicopter. The helicopter's rotors even spun. And as a side note...the mini golf places in Myrtle beach are so elaborate! There's one on every corner and the themes are varied (ie., Hawaiian, jungle, mayday, volcano, etc.) Jackson's idea of heaven.


We took the younger kids on the easy, stroller friendly, course while the big kids went with Grandpa on the hard course. On our first hole, Delaney announces to everyone that she got a "hole in one!" However, she hadn't, but I assumed she wasn't sure what it meant, so I just let it slide. On the next hole, she announced she got a "hole in two!" Whatever...letting it slide again. As we progressed on, we realised she'd announce that she got a "hole in whatever-number-hole-we-were-on". Here she is celebrating a "hole in thirteen!"


After we finished. You can tell how hot it was from those rosy cheeks everyone has!


However, our favorite part of the trip was getting to spend time with cousins we don't get to see very often. It was so fun to re-connect with Alicia, Misti, Brylan and Ryker. We were so grateful that Sheryl, despite being a single mother for the week, was willing to bring her crew along for us to play with!



Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for such a wonderful time. We can't think of a better way to spend a week. We loved it and can't wait to see you soon (hopefully in August?)!

Oldie but Goodie

This is one of my favorite pictures, from back in the day when we only used film. This is Jackson and Jeff, circa 2001, goofing around at my parent's home in Park City. Question is...is he being thrown up, or dropped down from above?



Hard to tell for sure, right?