A LiTtle oF AuGUsT

August flew by.  It was kind of a blur!  Between dealing with a colicky newborn and missing some sleep, keeping everyone fed and clothed (most of the time), doctors appointments, and running kiddos to summer camps and play dates, the days were busy and seemed to run together.  Jake was in TX at the beginning of the month.  While he was away I learned that being a single parent to three littles isn't always fun, but we survived. 
We never asked, but amazing neighbors and friends stepped up to help throughout the month with our fussy little newborn.  Some stopped by to hold my crying baby while I did chores around the house or took a nap, others brought dinners, mowed our lawn, and entertained the older kiddos for us.  At church and at social gatherings there were always angels wanting to hold my screaming cutie.  Living away from family can sometimes be a challenge, but we've really been blessed by close friendships here in England.  Callie would start out happy in the morning and get progressively fussier throughout most days.  Poor baby would usually scream in the evenings until she went to sleep.  It feels awful not being able to do anything to help her.  With some help from Zantac for her reflux and my elimination of dairy, she is a happier baby lately.  She still has rough days here and there but for the most part she's a happier camper. 
Oh, and we had the Olympics to watch this summer, which was fab!  Callie and I watched all the swimming and gymnastics.  The kids and I met Carly Patterson, and saw the US Paralympians around base throughout the month.   They stayed on base and trained here at RAF Lakenheath while getting ready for the games.  It was fun watching them practice on the track and spotting them at the BX.   Here are some highlights from August.  Some pics are from my phone and not the best quality, but the phone is more convenient :)

These two convinced Jake to buy a BIG sprinkler.  They spent a lot of time jumping on the tramp with it underneath.  Brought back memories for me.  I loved that as a kid!  They had fun.  Callie got to hang out in her swimsuit, too.  Thanks Grandma Nan for the cute suit!

Looked out the sliding doors one day to see naked  Ella soaking Luke.  Don't mess with a little sister!  haha.

 This little guy had a great time at football camp.  Soccer camp, too.  He claims to like soccer best, so he's on an indoor team for fall.

My kids are all good snugglers in the mornings.  I love it.  Luke and Ella both like to snuggle Callie too. 

Ella learned to be a lot more independent this summer.  She has really grown up.  One day she was a little impatient waiting for me to make her lunch, so she made her first pb&j sandwich.  All by herself.  She was so cutie and proud of herself.  She is a pro now!

Back to wonderful people helping out, Jake was working late one day and my amazing neighbor and friend, Katrina, showed up with dinner and insisted on taking Callie for a little while.  The plate looked too pretty not to take a picture.  She's a fabulous cook.  We have lucked out having the Listellos as neighbors.

Callie grew and grew over the month.  She's definitely our baby.  Chunking out exactly like her brother and sister did.  I love to kiss these cheeks!

 She turned into a smiler toward the end of Aug :)

 
A picture from when we met Carly Patterson.  I was the one excited to meet her.  The 6 year-old wannabeolympicgymnast is still inside of me I guess.  haha.  Gymnastics has always been my favorite sport to watch.  She gave the kiddos cute autographed cards.

I left the room for a minute one night and came back to a bunch of sleepers and a reader. Productive FHE :)

Rocking my snoozing girls one afternoon.  We did a lot of napping in Aug.

Jake's sweet coworker,  Dr. Issargrill, had us over to watch the World Endurance Championships race since the course went by her house.   It's like a marathon for horses.  They ride the horses 160 km, stopping to give them water and tending to whatever else they need.  Crazy to see so many pampered horses from so many countries.  It was fun to see Dr IG's house, too.  It's a 300 year-old school house full of antiques she has purchased while being stationed here.  (Mom, you would have loved to see it!)  I should have taken a picture of her cool house.

 

cutie got to watch from the stroller.

And one more random August phone picture, just because Callie was wearing one of my favorite baby outfits.  I loved it when Ella wore this little Juicy outfit, too.  So snuggly. 

Ok, next post.. on to Sept!  :)

BaBy GiRL iN JuLY

Because I want these in the blog book too  :)

 

 

 

 

Callie's Blessing Day

  Jake blessed Callie on July 22 at church.  He did a beautiful job despite our baby girl crying through most of it!   The two of them...  :)

Mom was still here, and we were glad she got to share Callie's day with us! 

More Fun With Grandma Pam

  Before mom went back to Arizona, we made a little trip down to the London temple.  Just hung out on the grounds for a bit and made a stop at the distribution center. 

Kiddos with Grandma :)

 

 

I like these.  Don't know what they are, but they're pretty on the temple grounds.

 Mom got Friend magazines at the distribution center for the kids, and Ella planted herself on the walkway to read it.  She didn't want to leave.  They scored new CTR rings, too.

 

Mom was able to stay for about a month, and we didn't want her to leave!  We were lucky that she could stay for a few more weeks after dad had to go back home to work.  She spoiled the older kiddos with attention and fun, and helped with everything else too.  I hate it when family has to go home!   The morning I had to drive mom to the bus stop and send her off really stunk. 

Thanks again for coming mom and dad!  We miss you guys.

 Luke got a new journal at the distribution center on our little temple outing with mom.  His first entry was cutie.

 

 

Dak Got Hitched!

I neglected to mention here on the blog that Dak got married in June!  In the Logan temple.  It's only fitting that I blog about it today, since today is his birthday!  21!  Can't believe my cute little brother is all grown up.  I'm so happy that he found someone that makes him so happy.  Jess seems like such a fun addition to the family...  I hope I get to actually meet her in person before too long!  I was too pregnant to go to Utah for the wedding, but I'm glad family took lots of pictures so we could see here in England.  For the record, here's Dak and Jessica on their special day :)

 

THReE!

And the catch up game continues.  I wanted to take pictures outside in all the poppies that bloom here in July, but it was a super drisly week.  Instead of dealing with crazy unpredictable weather, mom and I ended up setting up a little picture studio in the kids' room.  Our little picture session lasted all of five minutes before Ella had a meltdown.  She kept yelling at me that she wanted to take off her "itchy clothes," and when Callie started crying Ella said it was because she didn't want to wear her "itchy clothes"  either.  haha.  Thanks Ella for letting me put you in itchy, frilly, but cutie things all for the sake of pictures.  Here are some of my favorites. 

Always wanting to touch her little feet.

 

cheezers..

 

 

Cutie sisters.  I hope they're good friends as they grow up :)

I'm glad they have this big kid to watch over them, too!  Luke's a great big brother.