Dropping By

Good grief!  I've become a lazy blogger, and it's definitely NOT because there isn't anything to journal.  I decided I needed to check in to keep things current.  Just a few thoughts. . .

*  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I've celebrated as I've always done--I'm wearing a green shirt. . . hooray!  I've never been one of those fun Moms who turned the milk green, hid a magic leprechaun, or made a rainbow jello salad (like my awesome SIL). 

*  March Madness.  Now this is the 'real' March holiday in my world.  It's tournament time baby!  My two teams, Gonzaga and BYU, are in the tourney, albeit both have a tough first game.  Here's hoping that a little magic happens and they play well and win.  That would be awesome.

*  Spring is just a few days away.  I really can't say that this winter has been particularly bad, but nonetheless, it's time for some sunshine, rainbows and butterflies!

*  Baby Watch!  Our 4th grandbaby is due shortly.  I can hardly believe how blessed we've been the last couple of years.  After waiting sooooo long for Grayson, Clara and Max arrived, and now we are anxiously anticipating Brittney and Stuart's 2nd BOY!!  I'm headed to Utah again in a few days.  Count on my next blog entry being full of baby pictures.

Speaking of baby pictures, here are a few of the latest of some of my favorite people!



 Camille and Clara in Cancun.  They were treated to a vacation with the Lewis Family. 
Aren't they beautiful?

Sunbathing babies with their refreshment of choice!  Love, love these sweet little ones.

Grayson playing with Grandpa Brent's tool box.  He thought that was pretty cool. He's a busy, curious and
 super sweet toddler.  He keeps us all in chuckles. 

Just a few candid shots from Jace and Bella's wedding reception. . . they're my babies too!

"Ya. . . We're out of here!"

Gorgeous dress, beautiful bride, handsome groom, happy couple.

My last child is married?  OMG!  It was a wonderful day.

Oh, Wow!

Grayson, my favorite toddler, frequently says "Oh, Wow!"  That's exactly how I feel.  I knew it was November when I blogged last, so sadly I wasn't able to keep my goal of checking in once a month.  However, it was all for good reason.  That past 68 days have been some of the most exciting, happy and eventful ever for our family.  The whirlwind has come to an end, and so let's get it recorded!

Thanksgiving this past year was our "off year" meaning that the kids spent the holiday with their in-laws.  However, Brent and I did venture down to Utah ourselves and spent time with many extended family who were also in the area.  Utah is becoming a gathering place, that's for sure.  We had dinner at Chuck A Rama with the Nielson/Bird Family (it was delicious) and also spent time with several of Brent's relatives.  It turned into a busy week.  The main event, however, was the blessing of the twins, Max and Clara that Sunday.  It was a gorgeous winter day in Lehi, and Camille and Russ hosted about 50 people at their home following the service. 

A family picture on Max and Clara's blessing day.  Max wore the shoes Brent was blessed in as a baby, and the outfit Jace was blessed in.  Clara wore a heirloom blessing gown that has been in the Lewis family for over 100 years!

We headed back to Spokane for several weeks, and then I once again hopped on a plane to Utah.  I spent some time in Richfield with my parents the week before Christmas.  Dad absolutely loves the holidays and he does such a good job every year decorating the house and yard.  It's really quite admirable that a man his age goes to so much work.

Last winter we had decided as a family to use our timeshare week at Christmas and have a destination vacation somewhere.  This was all before the twins were on our radar, and before Jace and Bella had even met one another!  So, it was off to the Florida Keys for us all for the week of Christmas.  We feel lucky that 10 of us (2 newborns and a toddler included) boarded a plane and survived the flight without a really crazy story to tell.  Our flight from SLC to Las Vegas was delayed and we barely made the connection, which necessitated us being seated all over the plane, but hey, we managed.  The kiddos did quite well, considering.  Florida was warm and the sunshine felt so good.  Eighty degrees in December isn't too bad!  The home we rented was on the water, comfortable and lovely.  One day we drove into Key West, the southern most point of the US.  It is a funky tourist town, and is famous for the beautiful nightly sunsets.  We weren't disappointed!  The other days we really just took it easy--explored a few parks and beaches, did a bit of shopping, and just generally enjoyed each other's company.  Santa found us on Christmas morning and left a few gifts.  Although it was quite the effort, it was definitely worth it.  Who knows, maybe we will try a Christmas vacation again sometime in the future.

Grayson and his Mom playing in the water.  He loved it!

Water baby!

Maxfield's at our picnic.

Me and my Clara.

Not sure what's caught Clara's eye up there.

Camille and Clara in her cute little swimsuit.

The Lewis' Family.  Sunbathing Babies!



Grayson and Grandpa playing in the canal.  Brent isn't the type to just sit on a deck and enjoy the sunshine.
 He's ALWAYS in the water. 



Christmas Eve dinner.  Yum Yum!

Our baby rocker!!  Grayson got a ukulele from Santa.  He knows just what to do with it.
 It's so fun watching him strum, sing and bob his head.   

He's a natural!

Santa Babies on Christmas morning. 

Bella and Clara look like they coordinated their outfits.
 

The guys all got ties, headlights and gloves. 

In Key West awaiting the sunset.

Clara's enjoying the sunshine.

Russ, Stuart and the boys at dinner in Key West.  We had Cuban food.

This is the beautiful sunset we saw from the pier.  It was so worth it. 

Relaxing on the beach.

Max is stretching. . . this beach thing is sooooo exhausting!

Bella is Grayson's new best friend. 
Of course her Kindle was also pretty interesting :)

Gray loved the swings at the beach too.

Pretty brave to post this pic, aren't I.  My hubby looks pretty handsome though!

Crazy as it sounds, we arrived in Utah on December 28th, and shifted to wedding mode!  Jace and Bella were to be married in Manti on January 2nd.  Those 5 days were busy, but oh so fun and happy.  January 2nd was a beautiful, sunny winter day.  Manti is the place where both us and Bella's parents were married, so they wanted to share that connection.  It was a wonderful choice.  The temple was gorgeous, and they were the only bride and groom that day there, which made it so special.  It was a beautiful ceremony and the day couldn't have been better in any way.  Those who know Jace would say that Bella is a lucky girl; those who know Bella would say that Jace is a lucky guy!  So, in my book, they are pretty much "The Luckiest" couple around.  We are thrilled to welcome Bella to our family.

Happy Day!  Our family in Manti.

The old Mr. and Mrs. McLaws with the new Mr. and Mrs. McLaws!

Brent and his beautiful girls.

Brent and ALL of his beautiful girls :)

Who's that gorgeous lady in those shades??? 

The groom. . . he's just a little bit happy.

Jace and the G Man.  I wish I knew what they were laughing at!!

Me and my favorite son :)

My kiddos.

Jace and Brent.  Handsome guys.

Jace, Stuart and Russ. . . 3 YOUNG handsome guys!

After the festivities we packed up to head back home.  Camille and the babies made the trip home to Spokane with us.  It had been a while since she had spent time here, so it was so fun having her and the twins here for 12 days.  Russ came up after the first week and worked remotely.  Last Friday was the Spokane Open House for Jace and Bella.  So many wonderful friends supported them that night.  On Saturday we drove them to Seattle for an open house at Bella's parents.  It was great meeting so many of her family friends.  Alas, the "Jace and Bella Fest" is now over!  They are back in Provo at school.  Jace is busy interviewing for summer internships.  Their future is very bright.

The "Love Altar"  This was for our Sokane Open House. 
That bridal photo of Jace and Bella is our favorite.

Dessert Table in Spokane

At Lake Washington in Seattle.  We spent a few hours touring Seattle with Camille and Russ after the Seattle Open House.

The Lewis Family at Lake Washington.

So, there you have it.  A busy, busy few months for sure.  2013 definitely was a blessed year for our family.  We are so grateful for our Savior, eternal families, and the firm foundation that only the gospel can provide. 

Everything good in my life is because of it. 

I'm looking forward to whatever this year brings. 

Gosh, only a little over 2 months until another little grandson

joins our family. . . I better get quilting!!! 

Oh, Oh, Oh Babies!

Oh Babies!  (The kids tease me that when I'm excited about something I frequently yell "Oh babies!")  I've been so excited to submit this post!  It's been a long time in the making.  Every pregnancy is long, and by the end the anticipation is palpable.  However, when infertility makes the whole process that much longer, by the time the miracle baby(ies) arrive, it has seemed like FOREVER! 

Meet Clara and Max!

On October 15, 2013, Camille and Russell welcomed Maxwell John and Clara Evelyn into their family.  Camille has written so beautifully about their arrival, so I will just direct you to her blog (russandcamille.com) for all the details in case you don't know (although I'm pretty sure that all 6.3 of my readers are all fully aware!!)   

Clara at just a few hours old--6 lbs. 7 oz.  She was so pretty right away. 
She actually looks a lot like Camille did as a newborn.

Max was born first (by about 25 mins) and paved the way for his sister--6 lbs. 5 oz. 
Poor little guy had bumps and bruises from delivery.

Max looking like he is thinking deeply about things.
 He looks so much like Russ.

A proud Dad with his kiddos!

Momma Camille and her babes.

 Since this is my blog, let me just back up a bit and start where I last left off.  I packed a big suitcase this time and headed to Utah on October 2nd to await the twins arrival.  Camille was so done with being pregnant, and the last week or two were miserable for her.  We just took it easy that first week since technically she was still on bed rest.  The second week in October she hit the 36 week mark (yea!) so she began moving around more since the babies would be OK if they came.  I also went to Richfield for a couple of days to check in on Mom and Dad, and watched Grayson a few times, which I enjoy so much.  That little guy is growing and changing so much--he's quite the little boy--so curious, smart and an occasional stinker too!!  His new nickname is "The Tornado." 

The first week or so after bringing the babies home was an adjustment for everyone.  Two newborns definitely kept 3-4 adults hopping most of the time.  Camille had so many wonderful friends and neighbors who stopped by that first week, and we were spoiled with meals and gifts.  We fell into a routine of feeding, burping, changing, etc. pretty quick--I often took the first shift at night just to give them a few extra hours of uninterrupted sleep.  Poor little Max had jaundice and a gassy stomach.  We chuckle how the most exciting moments were when Max would poop (which wasn't much. . . he's doing a bit better now though.)  Clara is pretty sweet and calm, but she can go from "0 to 100" in a flash!  We can already see their little personalities coming out and it's so fun.

Max and Uncle Jace

Looking like a natural!

This is the day they were born.  I hadn't slept all night, and Brittney didn't get much sleep either. 
She's meeting the babies for the first time.  Grayson wasn't quite sure what to think of these two!

Grandpa Brent

Best picture ever! (sort of)  But hey, we've waited a long time to be able to hold 3 grandbabies!  I love it!

Beautiful Camille and her precious daughter.

Another sweet picture of Clara

One day we went to Richfield to introduce the babies to my parents.  Mom was so excited to meet them.  Being a twin herself I think she felt a special connection.  Luckily the weather in Utah through most of the month was beautiful, so we were able to go outside a few times with the babies as well.  Brent was back and forth a few times (work stuff. . . a good thing I guess) and finally got back down for a week the first week in November.  So, all in all, I was able to be there almost 6 weeks total!  There was lots of time with Brittney, Stuart and Grayson too, as well as Jace and Bella.

Clara meeting my Mom.  Mom was so happy and excited.

Max and Mom

OK, so Grayson is obsessed with guitars!  He really does know how to play them.  Not every kid has a rock star
for a Dad and gets to hang around with a cool band.  He's pretty good at the drums too! 
The best part is he knows how to nod his head and he "sings" when he "plays."

Just jamming!

This is the Maxfield's on Halloween.  Brittney had a party at her work and we took Grayson to trick-or-treat there.
 He was a puppy dog, but he wouldn't wear his ears! 
Oh well, he quickly figured out how cool the pumpkin candy bucket was!

Oh Bella!  That's the second of our "Oh Babies!"   Such exciting news. . . Jace finally found a wonderful girl to marry (just kidding bud!)  Bella Torgerson is from the Seattle area.  They met in their ward over the spring/summer and have had an awesome time falling in love the last 4 or 5 months.  She is cool, calm, cute and a perfect girl for him.  She is studying advertising and graphic design, and is a talented photographer.  They will be married on January 2, 2014 in Manti, Utah.  We are thrilled to have her in the family. 

Bella and Jace.  They were at the hospital the whole time we were awaiting the babies arrival.
 Bella is just plain awesome!

It was Bella's birthday on November 4th.
 Don't they look like they are twitterpated!

Now for our third "Oh Babies!" miracle. . . Grayson is getting a little brother!!!!!  Yes, Brittney is pregnant and due on April 1st.  This little baby was a welcome surprise (meaning no IVF, which in our family is a shock) and has thrived even though Brittney has had a few miscarriage scares.  We all are just so incredibly grateful and amazed at this news.  Just several years ago we all were just pleading and praying for one baby for B and Stu, and now we are overwhelmed with the bounteous blessing of Grayson, Max, Clara and baby-boy-to-come!

This little handsome boy will be a big brother soon!  Oh wow!!!

Clara just chillin in her boppy.  This was just before I came home. . . she's almost 4 weeks and changing already.

Max napping in his boppy.  He's a sweetheart as well.

Best thing ever. . . rocking a baby.  Love it.

Life is good. . . very, very good.