Grins and Giggles

These two are kindred spirits. They sure love each other, and as Tali gets older you see it even more.

Easter attempt

The only day of the year my kids will match/coordinate (unless it is for a family photo) is today. Clu hates it but he loves me and that is why it happened.
Attempts at photos

They all make me laugh and love them even more. Yes, we were late to church because I was taking these (I wanted to try while hair was still combed and they were happy weren't screaming). As you can see I failed but I have pictures to remember this year.

Tali Talking

Her daddy is sure she is already saying his name. What do you think?

Newly born

I forgot to post these pictures of sweet Tali at about 5 weeks.

I love this mad face

Booties that Gma Snow made for her

We couldn't get her to sleep,

but I love these pictures because I get to see her deep eyes.

Oh I LOVE this little big yawn

Max gives us the facial expression too, I wonder if it is from mommy or daddy?

Framed Photography : Thanks for all the BEAUTIFUL photos! You captured our little angel (even if she was difficult).

Bootie-licious

Since Tali's feet are skinny and little we have had a hard time finding shoes. Gma Snow gave me this great bootie patten and this is how they turned out.

hmmm... how am I going to get a picture

of her when she won't hold still.

Bootie's on her tiny little feet.

Finally got her to hold still for a minute.

Okay, maybe only a second.

By the way: My parents were in town and we went to the Paleontology Museum at BYU to see the dinosaurs and my mom was holding Tali. A man came over and went nuts at how cute Tali was, and look at all that hair. I turned around and he said "I see both her mom and dad have dark hair (Clu was not with us)". I said "Oh, that is my dad but he will appreciate your comment". We had a good laugh but when we are together my dad will often be mistaken for my brother. That is either good for my dad or really bad for me. To answer the man's question about Tali's hair... it is from her momma. I had a head full and it was a bit curly, Clu didn't have a lot of hair when he was born.

Escape Artist

The other day Max was playing in the backyard and it seemed pretty quiet. I looked out the window and he was GONE!

I hurried out and found a trail of toys leading out of the fence. I found him down the street. We had a long talk about staying in the backyard and that night Clu bought a lock for the gate.

The next day this was my conversation with Max-
Max: Mom can I go out back and play?
Megan: Yes, but you’ll have to put your shoes on yourself to go out.
Max: (He struggles but finally puts his shoes on) Ready MOM!
Megan: OK Max have fun…
Few minutes later, I see Max just staring at the gate…
Megan: What’s wrong Max?
Max: It’s locked
Megan: Yes, it is locked because you kept getting out and running away.
Max: OH…Daddy went to Home Depot without me! I wanted to go too! (He didn't care that the gate       was locked, he was mad that he didn't get to go to Home Depot.)

I have no idea how this kid knew that you buy locks at Home Depot. There is NO DOUBT that he is Clu's boy.

Randomness

Babysitter Clu:
Using his mad babysitting skills.

Max learning to "mash" potatos:

 I think he ate more than he mashed

Making Cheerio necklace:

Tali takin' a bath:

Teaching Max to clean:

Dusting "his" bunny. He loves this bunny and will carry it around the house. I hope he knows that this bunny hibernates 11 months out of the year.

The necklace

At Tali's blessing she wore this necklace.

 

The necklace had two small rings on it, one a small diamond and the other an emerald. Nannie and Papa gave her the emerald ring for her to wear at her blessing, baptism and wedding day. They chose an emerald because that is papa's first name (named after his grandfather) and Max, Clu and my birthstone. The diamond ring was the one that my parents (nannie and papa) gave me and I wore on my blessing, baptism and wedding day. She also wore my blessing dress (she was much smaller than I was). It was such a simply beautiful dress that was made for me by my grandmother. The dress was perfect and in excellent condition because my grandmother is an amazing seamstress (she even made my Temple dress that I still wear). She made some minor adjustments and it was ready for Tali.

It was very appropriate to see her blessed by so many special men. We are overjoyed to have our little Tali, despite the hard pregnancy and her rough start she is SO happy and healthy. This momma couldn't be happier...I AM LIV'N MY DREAM with this special little family.

P.S. Thanks to my awesome sisters-in-law for all the great pictures! You make catching special moments so easy (for me) and beautiful.

Gpa McDonald

Right after Tali's blessing we got in the car and headed to Window Rock for Gpa McDonald's funeral. He spoke broken english and I didn't know him well butI know he was a great man.

The funeral was nice, even though it was in Navajo, I couldn't understand a word, Tali had a huge blow out right after we go there and the only bathroom was an outhouse to change her, and we were late to the funeral because of the excellent directions we were given.

Gpa McDonald, Clu & Max in 2009

The Graveside ceremony

(back of Gma McDonald's head and Tommy speaking)

Back of Gma

Clu told me that he (Gpa) and Gma haven't been apart (married for amost 60 years). After the graveside she said to Clu "Now what?" Oh how it broke my heart, she has lost her sweetheart and companion. How can you explain when you can barely communicate...through the spirit and love which I know she felt. She loved seeing Max and Tali and had been waiting to see them, she told everyone that her grandson Clu was coming...the whole town knew about him (she is SO proud of him).

Grave site

Max in the hotel watching one of the MANY trains go by.

When he heard a train he would bolt for the window.

At the Window Rock monument

Window Rock

"Code Talker" Statue

Hiking to the Rock

Glen Canyon Dam (to stretch our legs)

"you have to hold mommy's hand"

Tali's walk across the bridge

It was a quick, long trip but we were so glad we went. The kiddos were such troopers which made it a little easier.

Tali's Blessing

We were so lucky to have all our family gather for Tali's blessing. It was a wonderful morning to share, before we got in the car for a long trip to Window Rock.

A quick picture of our little family

Snaps from the visiting after the blessing

Photos of Tali with family:

4 generations (of girls)

Natalia Deb and Deb (who she is named after)

4 generations on my dad's side