this week at our house

We had had a guest at our house over the weekend and had put up the cot in Adeline's room. After our house guest left both of the older kids took turns spending the night in the cot. One evening as we were just about to get the kids ready for bed Dallin and I were silent observers of this sweet scene.

Yes. This is hair on my kitchen floor. And I'm sure you can guess whose hair it is.

Yes. My sweet independent and free spirited daughter decided she wanted short hair. She butchered her bangs -- which were almost back to normal after her last self haircut.

And she took a LARGE chunk out of the back of her hair. And also on the side, but that wasn't as noticeable.

Here are the AFTER pictures.

I actually think it's a pretty cute haircut. And the gal at the salon did a really great job trying to cover up the mess.

This last week our little 12 year old Saturn reached a milestone. I bought the car my senior year of college to use to travel to job interviews. It was a used car -- only 3 years old and had only 32,000 or so miles on it. We're so grateful that this car has lasted as long as it has with no major replacements. One of those tender mercies. And we're hoping it holds out a little longer until the student loans are paid off. Because we can't afford a new car until those are paid off.

happy valentine's day!

Here are the valentines that Tyler took to school today. And lest you think I came up with this idea myself. Becky Higgins showed me how.

Adeline and I thought it would be fun to make Daddy a card. And I thought, why go small? So we made a BIG card for Daddy. We waited until little brother was sound asleep before bringing out the paints.

While we waited for the paint to dry Adeline took the camera around the house to get some pictures of things. I had about 10 pictures of the basement door when she was through. But she also took this one -- which obviously as a picture is not very good, but I thought it would make a lovely piece of art.

While snapping pictures of the house Adeline came up and said, "Put your arm out like this and take a picture of us, Mom." So I did. We have so many of these pictures of she and I. And I love every one of them!

Tyler also had his class party at school today. And since I'm one of the room moms I get to go help out. It's always fun to sit back and watch how my son interacts with the other kids in school. And I saw today that his teacher is right. Everybody in class likes Tyler. And he is such a social butterfly. He is definitely his mother's child.

After coming home from school the boys got to finish decorating Dad's card. McKay is eating a cheese stick -- just in case you were wondering why I let my kids chew on craft supplies. :-)

Here is the front of the card. Adeline & I did this earlier -- McKay added the green scribble in the left corner for good luck.

And here is the inside of our card. Daddy was surprised and happy to find our card on his pillow when he came home from work.

happy birthday, tyler!

7 years ago Tyler was born on Super Bowl Sunday. He arrived 3 days early via emergency Cesarean because his little body wasn't getting enough oxygen during labor. Poor little guy also had A LOT of meconium, and he inhaled some during delivery and had to be put on oxygen for a few days. This made nursing rather difficult so was then moved to the NICU room to because he was so jaundice. I was so grateful that he was able to come home with us and that he has been a healthy boy ever since.

Our kids get their favorite meal on their birthdays. Tyler's is Mac & Cheese with hotdogs and salad.

Here he is enjoying his present from the family. A new bike & helmet.

For his party this year he asked to go bowling. Everyone had such a good time. We'll keep it in mind to do again sometime.

i wear lavender

Lavender is the universal color for cancer awareness. Scott was given one that says, "I wear lavender for myself." His was included in his t-shirt quilt my mom made for him.

my brother, scott

Scott T. Ensign, 28, of 8564 Wildlife Ridge, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, at home, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 685 Fremont Ave., where friends may call from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2659 Kennedy Road, is in charge of arrangements.

He was born on Dec. 29, 1981, in Downers Grove, Ill., son of Steven and Joselyn (Hart) Ensign.
Scott attended Downers Grove North High School, where he participated in cross country and played in the school band. After graduating in 2000, he attended Southern Virginia University and Brigham Young University, where he majored in history and music.

Scott was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dubuque and was a member of the church choir. He served a two-year mission for the church in Portugal from 2001 to 2003.
Scott was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and soccer fan and enjoyed horticulture.


Surviving are his parents, Steven and Joselyn Ensign, of Dubuque; his siblings, Mark (Lauren) Ensign,
of Rexburg, Idaho, Alan, Brian and Jared Ensign, all of Dubuque, Robin (Dallin) Eggett, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Melanie Ensign, of Boston, and Stacy (Tony) Rekow, of Shawano, Wis.; his paternal grandmother, Elaine (Mont) Ellett, of Utah; nieces and nephews, Tyler, Adeline and McKay Eggett and Adrienne and Cyrus Rekow; numerous aunts and uncles; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Karl E and Quella (Allred) Hart; and his paternal grandfather, Richard L. Ensign.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque, the American Cancer Society, and Heifer International.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

The Ensign family wishes to extend a special thank-you to Hospice of Dubuque and to the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

halloween 2010

polar express day

For half of the world today is Nov. 2. For the other half of the world today is Nov. 1. For our family today is POLAR EXPRESS DAY. Today is the first day that Tyler is allowed to watch his favorite movie in the WHOLE WORLD. And he will watch it -- mostly his favorite scenes -- over and over and over again every day until Jan. 1 when Mommy makes him put it away until next year's Polar Express Day.

this and that

Tyler playing football with a friend. Tyler's the one hiking the ball.

 

This is what happens when big sister tries to pick up little brother but drops him causing him to hit his head/eye on Mom & Dad's dresser. No permanent damage, thank goodness. And McKay is okay too. ;-)

Whenever he is looking for something McKay walks around with his hands out like this. And I am supposed to guess what it is he wants and know where to find it.

He was so proud of himself the night he figured out he could stand on this box and reach the piano keys. He does this regularly now. And is proud of himself every time.

playing around

no rhyme or reason

 Just some fun pictures to share.

I LOVE this picture of McKay. This is his "sad" look. He gets this look when we've asked him to do something he doesn't want to do.

 Another classic McKay look. This is the excited, "That's so cool" look.

Here a rose from the rose bush my grandmother gave to me.

Another McKay face. This is the classic "I've had it."

Not to be outdone by her younger brother Adeline produced a face for me as well.

the aftermath

Here are a few pictures of Adeline's handy work with the peanut butter. She painted both herself and her younger brother. When I saw them with PB all over their clothes and smeared on their faces like war paint I admit I was too upset to get find it cute enough to get a pictures. After they were both bathed and in clean clothes I went to survey the damage, and got the pictures as evidence.

 McKay grabbed the toilet paper holder (which was empty). I had no idea there were so many cracks, nooks, crannies, crevicies on a toilet paper holder. I found them all and they are NOW P.B. free.