laughing baby

it's raining, it's pouring

Kaylee reminded me of Leisl so I told her to stand in the rain and shout, "weeeeeeeee!"

Taylor wanted to do it too:)

avocado

We have a thing for avocados in our family.

and when I say "we" I mean Kaylee, Riley, and myself.

Lily and Michael only think they they don't like avocados.

but they will someday...

trust me.

and Mallory will love them when she's old enough to taste one:)

So every single time I cut an avocado open I pull the pit out and think to myslef, "Self, you should plant this." 

Clearly I can't have an avocado tree outdoors in Idaho, but I don't plan to live in Idaho forever and who says we can't have an indoor avocado tree for a few years until we live in a more "avocado friendly" environment?

I researched "how to grow an avocado tree" and I'm glad I did because I would have never guessed that this is how you start.

It was really fast, really easy, and I didn't have to purchase any soil or pots or anything. 

I talked to my sister, Emma, yesterday and she said they tried this at my mom and dad's a while back and nothing happened. Evidently it's very common for the pits to never sprout. Lucky for us, we go through enough avocados that we can keep trying and trying and trying:)

Mal at five months

Look at the back of her poor head! It's been rubbed bald from turning her head from side to side while lying on her back!

I can't believe this tiny girl is five months! She still seems so new to me. She is so fun and her sisters love her more everyday. It's fun to watch Mallory as she begins to interact with the other girls.

Mallory has become quite the talker. Much of her day is spent exclaiming things like:

"bah, bah, bah, bah, bah!"

and 

"la la la la la!"

and

"bleh, bleh, bleh, bleh, bleh!"

It's so adorable. 

She also smiles any time anyone talks to her and every time anyone talks to her. When she's happy, this child is very happy. and, oh! how happy she makes me!

Photo Booth

and-a-woo

I just watched my brother, Andrew, drive away in his little Pontiac. He's off-track during the summer and won't be back in Rexburg until after his mission. We'll move away long before he comes back to school.

My heart feels so heavy! I have LOVED having him up here. He came over every single day last semester; I was so excited each and every time he walked through the door because it meant he was going to stay and visit for a while. My house is going to be so sad and empty now:( I'm going to miss our many conversations about who-knows-what in the kitchen; Andrew is so much fun to talk to. My walls will be empty without the sound of his lovely singing voice bouncing off of them; the toy room (Andrew's "practice room") will be void of his guitar playing. Did you know that when Andrew starts playing his guitar, Mallory is instantly calmed of any fit she may be having? Watching Andrew play his guitar and sing for her is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.

Oh, Andrew. I love you so much, Little Brother. I hate that this phase of our life has come to an end. As difficult as it is to say goodbye to one phase, life is full of new ones. There are opportunities to make friends and do good everywhere you go. I'm jealous of the people who get to have you near them. My house is already too quiet without you here! I'm excited for the adventures you have ahead of you. Life is such a fun and wonderful journey.

Thanks for being my friend, Andrew. I have so much loved having you here and talking with you and singing with you. I am going to miss you so very much.

pretty good

I gave her pop rocks...

um... happy st patrick's... day?

... 3 weeks later. (almost)

I got after poor little Riley for not looking at the camera and her feelings were hurt:( Seriously, I took like 25 pictures and told her 62 times to "look AT the camera, Riley!" To which she'd reply, "I am!" as she looked out the window, or at the curtain, or anywhere but the general direction of the camera. Lucky for her she has big sisters who adore her and want her to be happy. And look! She finally looked into the camera. It only took me telling her sixty-three times, two sweet kisses, and a few tears..