La Vida Loca

Our recent trip to Mexico was fabulous. We stayed on Isla Mujeres, off the coast of Cancun. Things began a bit stressfully when we arrived at the airport with 4 passports (oops, Tina, we're a family of 5 now). Ben went home to get it, and we made our flight. [READ: Ben cursed at the top of his lungs while driving 95 mph and Tina had a nervous breakdown at the ticket counter while Liv tried not to throw up, Kiki dumped the contents of her suitcase on the floor, and Milo pooped all over his clothes.] But as you can see, it was all worth it when we got there.....


Kiki is ready for a nap after snorkelling. She surprised us all
when she jumped in and swam along the reef with the rest of us.

Our room was steps from the pool with the beach just beyond that. We had an actual "cabana boy" who brought
drinks and snacks to our patio, pool chairs, or beach umbrella. It was great to be so spoiled.

We visited a turtle farm where sea turtle eggs are protected
and hatchlings are later released into the ocean to try to increase their numbers. The girls got to hold these baby
land turtles while we were there.

The beach was our favorite place to be whether swimming, napping, or playing in the sand.

We walked into the little fishing village every evening where
we enjoyed the live music, the fresh seafood, and the local
people who were incredibly friendly.

The island is small enough to see in a few hours by golf cart.
The girls took turns steering, and we stopped at lots of beautiful places along the way.

My favorite moment all week was at sunset on our last evening. I can't think of anything more spectacular than watching the sun sink into the Carribean Sea, listening to acoustic guitar with Ben and the kids laughing on the beach in the background.

We all loved having Ben to ourselves. No work, no phone, no
interruptions. He is such an amazing father, and I couldn't hope for a more loving partner to share my life with. It was wonderful to watch him play with and enjoy the children so much. But most of all, I was happy to see him relax during a
much deserved vacation.

Proof that being a work-a-holic sometimes pays off!

Happy New Year 2009

This was to be the photo on our annual New Years card that we usually send out to friends and family. This posting is as close as we got. Oh well, there's always next year for ambitious projects.

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow! This is Ben's current workout routine.

Liv had her hair, nails, and makeup done at a birthday party...isn't she gorgeous?

Future ranch owner gets her first tractor for Christmas...notice the horse in the trailer.

After asking Santa for a Barbie house for 4 years straight...Liv finally broke him down.

After 35 years of NOT being a morning person, Milo's song has me waking up with a smile on my face. Who wouldn't be happy with this sweet sound as an alarm clock?

It's a beautiful life

I can't believe I have three such fantastic kids. Ben and I marvel at them every day. Life just doesn't get any better than this!

We had a gingerbread party at our house last weekend. We made a stable for Santa's reindeer, complete with fence and feeding trough.

Newest pics of the kiddos.....

Baby Mac is 3 months old today! He is growing and changing daily. He is the sweetest little soul.

He babbles and coos continually, but my favorite is the giggle.

I hope this stuff washes off....

We got a bit carried away with the face paint. The kids thought it was only fair that if mom and dad got to paint their faces, they ought to have a go painting ours and each others.

Gratitude

I don't know if it's the beauty of autumn, the plenitude of harvest time, the countless hours I spent in church during my childhood, or having consumed my first caffeinated coffee in months, but I find myself feeling especially blessed (yes friends...blessed) this Sunday morning. I would be remiss if I allowed the moment to pass without acknowledging the generosity and kindness of the Universe and the bounty I enjoy in my life. And I'm not just referring to the obvious things that we all take for granted daily such as our health, our jobs, our homes, our children and spouses, our country....I'm also thinking of the number of days of sunshine Utah experiences per year, the way the cat keeps my feet warm at night, the way my far away friends turn up in my dreams to remind me of their love and loyalty (thanks Amy, Leann and Keely), the absolute pure indulgence and pleasure of a good massage, the sweetness of my 3yr old's voice when she says "I love you," a good book, the burn that only a Coke can make in your throat, complete silence during a 2am feeding.........I suppose these are all "simple pleasures" and maybe not worth noting or sharing. But I hope that I can pay it forward in some Karmic way, so that they continue to come unbidden and often into my life.

Reflections at four weeks

Life in our household is gradually resuming its usual rhythms. The girls are busy with their activities and school work, I'm in charge of meals and laundry again (it was a nice break though), Ben is finally able to sleep through the 2am feeding, and Milo is beginning to establish his own schedule. He has mastered 2 new sounds this week: ahn-goo and oooohhhhh (see video clip below). He also has started to giggle, but his dad is the only one funny looking enough to make him do it.

Here are the latest pictures. Enjoy!

Mommy in training....

I feel like I should legally change my name to "Milk Truck."

Liv has earned some new badges in Brownies.

Kiki has enrolled in gymnastics again.

Liv has decided that painting requires formal wear.

I'm new at uploading video clips, so forgive the strange angle of Milo's movie.

Kiki is reading her favorite book.

Milo MacAvoy Benjamin Craner

That's right, he finally has a name. And call me crazy, but I am loving the newborn phase. There is nothing more precious than his milky sweet mouth, his eyes just the color of the Mediterranean Sea, his silky soft head that forms a perfect question mark in profile, his quavering little chin when he cries for mama, the way he smiles in complete adoration at his daddy, and his purity. I am in love with this boy.........