Steve & Joy

 

Family Photos

 

 

 

 

School Photos

 

 

 

 

Still 3 and Long

No progress on the baby front. The induction is set for the 10th. We're just counting down and trying to get through the long "to do" list. :)

Happy Birthday, Daniel

7 years. Can you believe it? I can't. It's crazy to think that 7 years ago there were 17 people in my hospital room welcoming our new addition into the world. Sean Buckley brought me a chocolate shake from Burger King (A TRUE FRIEND). He came on a Friday afternoon and it was a rainy weekend. I remember that. I loved having so many visitors.

Daniel is really changing a lot these days. He's growing taller and leaner, he is athletic as ever, and he is a good brother. He is a sweet friend to our neighbor's little boy, Nathan, who is 2. It is really fun to watch them play together. I can't wait to see him interact with our new little one. He chose out 2 small pumpkins this year (he always seems to go for the little ones), and he wanted to save his smaller one for the baby. He is very thoughtful and he's a good problem-solver. We went around the table at dinner saying what we love about Daniel and he started by saying that he loves when people feel his hair (he has a really short buzz, and you can't resist rubbing it when it's freshly cut). Caitlin said she loves how he shares with him when she asks nicely. I said that I love that he solves problems and gets the solution all by himself (for instance: He's cold. That's the problem. Instead of whining or complaining or walking around in shorts and a t-shirt, he dresses warmly and gets socks on and gets his jacket on all by himself - without asking for help.) Steve said that Daniel gives the best hugs, and Kenneth said that he loves how Daniel is easy to please.

Daniel is a good boy and a wonderful addition to our family. He is sensitive and tender and a caretaker.

We talked about the big decision he has coming up (choosing whether or not to be baptized - he can make that choice at 8), and he decided he would like to memorize all the Articles of Faith (there are 13 of them) before he turns 8. Kenneth is trying to learn them right now, too, so I guess we'll work on it as a family. What a cool goal for him to set.

It was a wonderful birthday for our boy, and I'm relieved that he doesn't have to share it with baby #4. Now that we got through today I'll be fine whenever this baby chooses to make his entrance.

As a note: Daniel's favorite food is crab, he loves soccer, and his favorite cartoons are Scooby Doo and Phineus and Ferb.

Dilated to a 3!!

I am now dilated to a 3. So, my body is doing something. We'll keep you posted.

Update on Baby #4 (still yet to be named)

I had my first pelvic exam this morning, and we learned that I am 2 cm dilated, and 0% effaced (sp?). My cervix is still long, she said. This is no surprise as it's exactly what I was told at this point with Daniel. My blood pressure was really good (114/60), and I learned that I've only gained 14 lbs with this pregnancy...which was really good news for me.

3 more weeks!!!

Speaking of growing up.....

Who gave them permission?

 

This was taken 2 months before we moved to Seattle. Who gave them permission to grow up??? Holy cow!

First Day of Preschool

Oh yeah! She's ready!

Mom did a great job on the hair, as you can see!

Is the hair flipping thing just a natural extension of being a girl, or what?

Such a Glamour-Girl

The Many Faces of 5th Grade...

This is one good looking kid!

"EW! Dad just hugged me in front of the WHOLE school"

Yes, son, you really DO have homework tonight!

"Dad! Don't you DARE come over and give me another hug!"

1st Graders Rule!

"Just follow my lead...I'll get us through this" he says!

He's growing up folks!

Ummmm...I'm reading "Class Clown" in our future!

A picture's worth a thousand words.

First Day of School

Welcome to the first day of school 2009. 1st and 5th grades will never be the same again!

General Update

Steve took the kids to CA for almost 2 weeks in August, and we're so happy to be reunited. Well, I'm so happy to have them home. I was very lonely without them. Even though the vacuum lines stayed in the carpet for 5 days straight, I'll trade the quiet for the noise and the mess any day.

We are deep into soccer practices and Steve is playing, too, so we have soccer on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. We love it, though.

Suzanne has been visiting us for a week, so we've eaten REALLY well, and we went for a drive to deception pass last Friday. The weather has been rainy this weekend, so we're having a low-key holiday weekend.

School resumes on Wednesday, and I think we have mixed feelings. It will be good to get back on a schedule and I'm sure the kids will enjoy seeing their friends again, but I've really loved spending time as an entire family this summer. I know our world is going to rock come November, but we made lots and lots of great memories this summer.

11-10-09

That's a cool birthday, don't you think? 11-10-09? Well, that'll be the birthday for the Layton baby #4 in a little less than 3 months. I went to the OB this morning, and after another discussion about my previous births and the issues, etc., she said, "Well, I feel good about inducing at 39 weeks - how about you?" I told her that I think 11-10-09 would be a cool birthday, and it's a done deal. The only thing that would change it is if I go into labor on my own (which has never happened before, so I'm not holding my breath). So - let the planning begin!

New Nephew!!

I have a new nephew born about a half hour ago.

Samuel Richardson Clay

10 lbs. 6 oz.

23 inches long

born in CT at 10:07 pm August 22, 2009 with NO PAIN KILLERS. Missy - you are a REAL woman!!

Welcome to the world, buddy. You officially hold the record for the largest baby delivered in our family. I think you deserve a little spanking for all you put your mother through, but we're so glad you're here, healthy and strong.

Fun in the Sun!

 

 

 

 

The group photo is missing one child - Sami's baby is not pictured.

They had a great time at the beach.

Separate Vacations

Steve says people are going to start to wonder about us if we keep taking separate vacations, but oh well. Steve took the kids to CA early on Wed. morning and they arrived safely in Fremont late Wed. afternoon. They went to the beach yesterday with their cousins, and today they're just playing the day away. Tomorrow is a special baptism, then Steve will probably move on to Sacramento - then to Fresno later next week. They will get to see all of Steve's family in CA and I'm sure they'll all have a great time. Steve says he got a really cool shot at the beach yesterday, so I can't wait to see it. This blog is overdue for some photos.

Home at last

We arrived home safely on Friday late afternoon. We arrived to a visitor from our good ol' days in Texas! It was so fun to see Aaron and visit with him. We shared a wonderful crab dinner, and proceeded to make plans for boating on Saturday. We put the boat into Lake Stevens for the first time - and we hooked up with the Allen Family - also Texas friends. What a fun time! It was just fabulous. We stayed longer than we ever planned, but time seems to stand still when you're out on the lake. It was a great day! We had Caitlin's birthday party after arriving home and we were thoroughly exhausted by the time our heads hit the pillows. We awoke early this morning to have hair cuts before our 9am church. Crazy, I know. Anyway, we got it done, and the boys look so much better. Well, if you ask Kenneth, I RUINED his hair and he was so mad at me he ripped off the cape and cried and cried. I THOUGHT I did what I always do, but apparently it's a little shorter than normal. Well, it looks good to me. I had no idea he was so sensative about his hair. I was very sorry to ruin his day. Elder Wickman was in our ward this morning, and it was so good to see him. He's a good friend of my folks' and Danny & Amanda. He's provided invaluable counsel to Danny through his many army decisions, and he even sealed Danny & Amanda in the temple. This afternoon we went for a walk (we took 4 soccer balls as everyone except me is enrolled in soccer this fall, including Steve). The weather was lovely and it is so nice to be together as a family again in Seattle. We get 2 days together before Steve takes off with the kiddos and they have a grand adventure in California. I'm not even bothering to unpack their suitcases!

On the road....again.....

And we're off.

We're headed to Boise today, and Utah tomorrow. We'll be back next Friday. Steve is still off with the scouts on their high adventure and he'll return this Saturday. We can't wait to see Elise and her family (especially little Luke) in Utah, and Angela's going to be there, too! What a fun week we'll have. Meanwhile, Missy is due in 3 days with her baby, so we'll probably get some fun news while we're there as well!