Sadie's Pink China Dress

I'll always remember the moments when I'd just delivered a baby and the nurse handed them to me for the first time. Looking at their little red faces and just taking them in for the very first moments of their lives. These seconds are engrained into my memory forever. Just as amazing as those moments were, seeing Sadie for the first time will always be a favorite memory of mine. In a small room, sweltering heat, filled with smiling and crying people I sat wondering if I'd recognize our girl when they brought her in. Maybe she'd look different, afterall we didn't know how old the pictures we'd seen of her really were. But then there she was, so tiny and dressed in the cutest pink dress I'd ever seen, running towards us. I will never, never forget that.
In the eight months she's been with us I've wanted to take some pictures of her in that pink dress. Finally, worried it might be getting too small we took some pictures at Grandma and Grandpa Reeder's home.

She definitely fills the dress out a little better. The hair-do is probably more my taste than hers. And as I look at these pictures, I cannot believe the things this child has learned in 8 months. The dress may still fit, but she has changed in ways I can't believe.

These are pictures I won't need, because the memory will always be better, but I'll enjoy looking at them all the same.

Spring Update

Spring has arrived, with it's tulips, daffodils, and new outside jobs. We've cleaned out the garage and mowed the lawn already, but wouldn't be surprised to wake up to snow. Cache Valley is beautiful, especially when it greens up, but it's fickle and likes to throw you a surprise now and then. Here's a run down of what we've been doing:

Todd: Finally got a new suit and shoes for church. This was looooooooong overdue. He's trying to start up running again to train for the TOU 1/2 marathon, but life often gets in the way of running time. My guess is he will get serious about it here shortly. He also has motorcycle fever and can often be found drooling over pictures on KSL.

Nikki: I have been in a cupcake baking frenzy for at least a month. I got a new cookbook for Christmas and am hosting bookclub. My neighbors have gained weight from our sharing. Maybe it's strategic so I'll run faster than them. I'm also trying to run and hit 5 miles this past weekend. My legs are threatening shin splints but what's running without an ache or pain. When I'm not running literally, I'm running kids or myself to some event. I'm currently helping with PTA, Heritage Days, 20 year high school reunion and Relay For Life. I'm overbooked and it's entirely my own fault. If the appraisal goes through, my parents are selling their home. I was raised in that home and lived there until I was married. I'm grateful that memories go with you and for all the good ones created in those rooms.

Austin got a note sent home from the school nurse telling us he needed an eye exam. He lasted longer than most kids in my family. We are give contacts a go later this week. He's busy with scouts and young mens, reluctantly camping out with friends and dad. He had his fourth laser treatment of the year and they are making great progress in lightening his birthmark. Austin REALLY wants a pet snake for his upcoming birthday. His dad REALLY hates snakes. I'm not sure if it will be a happy birthday or not yet....dad is still thinking.

Sadie started soccer...during her first game she ran more that half hour than she ever had. She scored 2 goals during her second game. They were more about being in the right place at the right time than skill, but I was cheering as if she were a pro! Her games are indoor and the walls create the out of bounds. We were a bit nervous about the 80 lb. kid on the opposing team, but he was so happy to be playing he scored all the points for both teams. It's also not uncommon for teammates to hold hands while running down the gym, leave the game during play for a drink break, or simply go sit by their parents for a little nap. It's my favorite entertainment all week. Her biggest thrill of the season so far was that her team received the blue colored shirts.
Hayden was accused of being a hippy by his Grandpa Snyder, and is loving the ability to see his own bangs and swishing them to the side. We are easily amused at our house. He was Albert Einstein for the school History Night. He looked great and we were happy to finally justify his large head with the 160 IQ.

Sara has also started soccer season and seems to be one of the few girls on her team who actually knows what they are supposed to be doing and has the ambition to try to do it. She's usually good for a goal each game and I am thrilled with her get-up-and-go. She listens and is usually in the right place at the right time.

Hayden, Sara, Sadie and Carson all participated in a fashion show. They were only involved with one set, but seemed to have fun. Carson was supposed to flex his muscles, but we preferred his deer-in-the-headlights smile at center stage. Sadie is excited to be participating in events the other kids have done that she's seen pictures of. She's experiencing the full Snyder year and it's fun to add her into the events we look forward to. As we all lay on the blanket at Sara's soccer game cheering for Sara, I couldn't help but smile at how she's one of us. She just doesn't look back and I'm thankful to be sharing my blanket with one more Snyder kid!

With talent like this (see below), you can see why they are recruited for Fashion Shows. Doesn't this just bring a tear to your eye.....yes, I'm talking of joy and pride!

Carson refuses to wear shorts even when it's close to 80 degrees. It might be a hot summer. He continues to keep us laughing with the great things that come out of the mouth of 3 year olds. When we were in St. George Todd ask him if he thought the temple was pretty. He thought about it for a minute and then replied "It sure is big!" He sounded like an 80 year old man shooting the breeze.

A few days ago Carson found ants by the sliding door. I sprayed them and as the last few were staggering around he yelled down at them "My mom killed your friends!" If the fumes didn't do them in, he was going to threaten them to death.

He's also the king of coloring and writing abc's. We continue watching and wondering if he's left handed--it seems to be more dominant, although he continues to switch back and forth.

So that's it....off we go, to piano recitals, princess pagents deadlines, Wellsville Mile training.....we are anything but bored!

St. George Spring Break

What we loved about Spring Break in St. George:

Todd: Eating at Five Guys and not having to work.

Nikki: Being with family and the Wise family, hiking, shopping, eating out, running in warmer weather.
Austin: Playing at the sand dunes in Snow Canyon.

Hayden: Everything! (especially climbing on the red rocks)

Sara: Seeing grandparents and Jesse and going swimming.

Sadie: Climbing on the big red rocks!

Carson: Seeing and sleeping at Grandma and Grandpa's and wrestling with the boys!

Candy, Candy, Candy!

Ahhh, Easter morning, when you can eat candy for breakfast guilt free. Or in Sara's case, squeezy cheese straight in your mouth without the cracker. Easter fell on conference weekend this year, so it was a full morning of egg finding and sugar binging. Everyone had over 30 eggs filled with money and candy of their own color to find, and a basket filled with a few of their favorites. The Easter Bunny is always generous because he knows mom will be sneaking a few treats when the kids aren't looking. Apparently this won't be a problem, because two weeks later we still have bags of candy. (Mom and Austin haven't been given free rein on everything yet.)
Everyone had a great time coloring eggs. Austin wasn't last this year to finish...he always works on his projects the full time he can. I don't care how old I get, I still love seeing the colors when the kids lift the egg out of the glass it's being colored in, and their little faces light up with excitement as well. The sad part was not getting to roll them because of the snow, really cold weather, and then leaving for St. George. Carson and Sadie were on the verge of tears when they caught me throwing them away weeks later. I should have cracked one open and let the smell cause a different kind of tears.

Carson even managed to choose colors besides blue. Sadie and Sara actually enjoyed eating a few of theirs, which is a nice change from throwing them down the hill for the seagulls the live near Old Main. I've always wondered if birds get gas, because after an egg feast like that on old main, it would be nasty!

The older boys love mixing colors until they achieve what they call a "dragon egg", something that looks a little different and magical. This cracked egg turned out to be a mistake that worked.

Dinner was yummy and the entire day was uplifting, relaxing, fun, chocolate filled and perfect!

Say What?

Sometimes as a mom, I truly can't believe the words coming out of my own mouth. The following phrases didn't sound any less crazy when spoken in context. Here's this week:

"Would you kids please just eat one bite of cake and see if you like it."

"Carson, take your toast off your head and eat it."

"Hayden, stop jumping on the trampoline with the shovel."

Yes, the last one I yelled out the back door for the entire neighborhoods enjoyment.

I've always loved writing down cute/silly things the kids say. Apparently I should start my own book....101 Things You Thought You'd Never Say As A Parent....because they actually do come in handy at times.

Have You Heard The One...

Have you heard the one about the doctor, the orthodontist, and the cowboy?

Well, we at the Snyder house will admit to brainwashing our children. The best rootbeer: A&W. Which college team to cheer for: Aggies. To carry it a step further, beginning at an early age, we find out what they are interested in and decide what they are going to be when they grow up. Some of their choices are logically eliminated, seeing as how there aren't any college courses offered under Spiderman Skills. Other choices require more convincing. Really, pizza delivery probably isn't as great as it's cracked up to be, and you will eventually get sick of eating pizza. Honest, the shuttle bus driver in Hawaii doesn't love his day job inspite of the location. When Hayden learned the word pediatrician we jumped up and down for joy and encouraged that route whole heartedly.

Austin wanted to be a dentist before he could even spell the word. That was until he found out orthondontists probably make more money. He still can't spell orthodontist, but he's determined he will be able to buy all the legos he wants working only four days a week, if he can just survive a mere 20 more years of school.

So with medical schools shining bright in our futures, you can imagine the shock when I was helping Sadie fill out her Star Student paper for kindergarten and she revealed she wants to be a cowboy when she grows up. Inspite of her delusional belief they had a horse at her orphanage in China, we are pretty sure she'd never even touched a horse, let alone rode one. So I've determined we have a few choices concerning the matter. We can either (a) sign up for horse riding lessons in the spring (b) move to Wyoming and buy a ranch (c) buy a Fisher Price doctor kit and pray for the best.

Early Easter

Alright, I'll admit it....I saw this dress for Sadie in the mall and couldn't quit thinking how cute she'd look in it. Then I realized she's never had an Easter dress. Then I found a cute dress for Sara in the same colors. Then I realized the boys could use new ties, and Austin loves the color yellow. Somehow it all seemed justified. Anyway, we had fun dressing up for church today in our "Early Easter" outfits. Easter falls on Conference Weekend this year so we welcomed spring today. I wondered as we were walking to church, how many more years my boys will be willing to "match" the family on Easter. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Happy Spring! Happy Easter! Happy Day!