The Rest of August

Once Jamie and Ken and Jane left, life was pretty much back to "normal".  But it sure seemed hard to remember what normal was.  We were back to our playgroup, weekly grocery swaps, dinners at home, and bedtimes.  I went an entire week without going down to my parents' house--that hadn't happened since our Utah trip in April. 
Candace grew like a weed during August, Dan and I got out a few times without the kids, Brookie definitely took on being 2 with enthusiasm, and Megan started her second year of a home rotating preschool. 
There is comfort in returning to routines.  But also pain at being forced to find new routines.  Since moving to Houston, I'd been having "craft days" about once a week at my Mom's.  Those were the best days!  I'd come over with my girls. Amy would come over from across the street.  We'd chat and Mom would make us a yummy lunch and sometimes we'd even work on projects :).
I've discovered that craft days are not nearly as fun without Mom.  I tried to keep them up--but I soon realized that without Mom there, I was spending very little time doing projects and a great deal of time keeping my kids out of trouble or cleaning up the trouble they'd get in while I worked.  So, at least while my children are so small, my craft days have become a little fewer and farther between.

Aug. 9

Aug. 10

Aug. 11...One month old and no, she can't be any cuter

Kisses and snuggles on Mom and Dad's bed, Aug. 12

She sleeps right through it!

 Darling bow, Aug. 12

Aug. 14, naptime after church

Aug. 15, starting to get a little stronger!

Aug. 16, Megan LOVES her little Candace

Aug. 20, those cheeks are starting to round out!

Aug. 20, alert after bath time...

Aug. 21, in one of my favorite dresses.  My Dad gave all of his children Father's blessings this Sunday.  It was a tender night.  

Aug. 22, 6 weeks old, first smiles!

Aug. 23, Daddy and his girls

Aug. 23--Candace's first bottle. She downed it!

Aug. 24--Megan and Brooke playing in the backyard (who doesn't love a good beanie when it's 105 out?)

Aug. 25--she was sleeping...until the flash went off--sorry sweet baby!  Aunt Carrie came to babysit that night so we could go to the temple.

Aug. 29--morning cartoons

Aug. 29--singing to baby

Aug. 30--a VERY excited preschooler.  We switched to the "Joy School" curriculum this year and it's been a lot of fun.

Aug. 30--these two have become such good friends this year.  Brooke sure misses Megan while she's at school.

  

Mmm...Blue Bell

My 27th birthday, August 8 was Jamie's last full day in Houston before heading home to New Canaan (also her 15th anniversary-congrats!).  It was Dan's parents' last full day before heading home to Bountiful.
So we decided to head up to Brenham, TX and enjoy some time at the Blue Bell Factory.  You show up, watch a little video about the history of Blue Bell Ice Cream, and then you get a free scoop.  Oh so good.
Going to this factory has been a staple field trip for pretty much my whole life.  Mom would take us every few years growing up.  We went at least twice with classes in elementary school.  I took Dan there for his birthday a few years back.  Good times, good times.

Hats are complimentary...and quite stylish (they've given these out as long as I've been going there too). L to R--Adam (4), Zach (6), Madelyn (7), Brooke (2), Julianne (11), Megan (3), Catherine (9), Hailey (8)

We've been so much that my sister Jamie kept spouting the facts they share on the tour before the tour guide told us. Top 5 flavors?  We were all over that...mostly.  (homemade vanilla, dutch chocolate, the great divide, cookies and cream, pralines and cream?--I think was the list that day :) )
The factory was recently remodeled and boasts a new bigger ice cream parlor at the end.  I sampled a new flavor there--Krazy Kookie dough (sugar cookie dough flavored ice cream with balls of sugar cookie dough in it--AH-mazing!).

Grandma, Papa, and our fam (we probably won't have a picture with all of our kids looking good for the next 10 years--case in point...)

We had a great time.  And it was good that we were all full of yummy, happy ice cream so that I didn't completely fall apart when we said goodbye to Jamie.  That day marked the end of our golden summer.

It wasn't the summer we had hoped for, but it was a great summer just the same.
It started with the joy and pain of Mom's last few weeks.  Then came her passing and funeral.  And after that, there were 5 more weeks with Jamie and her crew here.  My little Candy was born.  We fixed who knows how many crazy meals for 12 grandkids and 8 plus adults all together in my parents' house.  It was full of changes and adjusting to life after Mom.  There were tears shed and love shared and memories made.  I wonder sometimes if the grandkids will look back on this summer as one of the most fun of their lives--having 9 of the 12 cousins within 30 seconds across the street and my 3 just 30 minutes away was pretty unique.  They played and fought and swam and were loud and crazy and helped us all to remember that there's still a lot of living to do and a lot of joy to be had.  And of course, a lot of Blue Bell to enjoy--and don't worry Mom, we did.

Blessing Day

On August 7, Candace was given a name and a blessing by Dan.  It was such a great day with family and friends.  Other than my Dad and Tyler who were still on vacation in Washington, my entire side of the family was there along with Dan's parents.  We felt so supported by our friends in the ward and our neighbors who came to share that day with us also.
Naming Candace for my Mom made this blessing more tender for me.  Dan blessed her to be like Nephi and Lehi of old and to remember the goodness of her Granny when she remembered her name and be inspired to live like she did.  He blessed her to be a peacemaker and a kind and loving person like my Mom.  It was a beautiful blessing.
My sister Jamie bore a nice testimony also and expressed a lot of the things I was feeling without losing her composure (unlike me who was blubbering in the pew!).
It was fun to have all of my nieces and nephews in primary with me. 
To top off an already wonderful day, we had everyone over for a nice lunch after church.  We also celebrated my 27th birthday a day early.  Dan's Mom even made me a yummy cake.

Our little sweetheart on Aug. 7 (one day shy of 4 weeks old)--ready for the car ride to church

 Oh I love those little shoes...

Candace and Mommy after church

A not-so-happy baby--our best attempt at a family picture (the older 2 girls were too crazy to even attempt)

With Grandma and Papa

Three generations

Grandma and Papa with Candace (their 14th-I think-grandchild)

Carving the cake!

That's a lotta fire (and I don't think we even put 27 candles on!)

Seeing the Sights...

Dan and his Dad took the day off on Friday Aug. 5 and we decided to head to the Downtown Aquarium for some fun. It was HOT! But the kids loved it. Candace slept like a champ pretty much the whole time we were there.

Dan's Dad and Mom with Megan and Brooke (and Dan in the background)

Sleeping sweetheart

By the tigers.  I love how Megan is looking at Grandma in this picture.

Sweet little feet

Waiting for the train ride...

On the train...

And nothing beats some Culver's frozen custard to cool off after a hot day...

On Saturday Aug. 6, we headed down to the Galleria.  On the way, we drove past the Waterwall (we declined walking around it--it was WAY too hot).  Then we walked around the Galleria and had lunch at the food court.  Obviously we had Chick Fil A--the girls were thrilled.  When we got home, Dan and his parents took Megan and Brooke to the pool for some fun.

Our sweet Candace in the morning before going to the mall...

Candace is a little worried to have Brooke SO close :)

Hanging at the mall...

Look at that headstrong girl...

Papa and Candace before bedtime

Megan and Papa

Brooke and Megan having their crazy time with Papa before bed.