I'm done, Mama.

I'm done, Mama. I'm ready to get down.

Spoons

October 10

This boy and his spoons.  I don't know what it is about them, but Oliver Mac loves him a big spoon.  I finally bought a few extra at the dollar store some we didn't have to dual over who got the spoon when I was trying to make dinner.

   

Family Pictures 2016

This year's family pictures were brought to you by Camera Shy.  I'd prefer to have family pictures outside, but this has worked so well for our family's schedule and ages.  They have two rooms with multiple backgrounds and props.  We are able to get a few family pictures and individual shots (including a wardrobe change, if they want) all in 45 minutes.  Then an hour later we can view our pictures and pick up the thumb drive to take home.  Boom!  

We headed over to a burger place to wait for the pictures when I snapped this picture.  Life is crazy and complicated at times and pretty exhausting, but we love it.  We love each one of those kids (including Amy, who had to leave after the photo shoot for volleyball practice).  Funny how that works.  

Ty and Oliver hung out.  That's what brothers do.

Em and Daniel having a staring contest.  It was close - Daniel held it together for a good 2-3 seconds before he lost it.  Emily is always finding ways to help and keep the Littles entertained.

Tyler Jared (17) 

Emily Rebecca (19)

Daniel Oden (3)

Amy Elizabeth (15)

Kathryn Elaine (4)

Oliver Macdonald (1)

  

Vicki & Matt

The Cornish Clan 2016

All he needed...

After 20+ minutes of Oliver refusing to eat pancakes, peaches, and milk, crying, kicking to get out of hid high chair, collapsing onto the floor in fits, following me around crying, arching his back so far he almost fell out of his high chair (still refusing to eat anything) I finally figured out what he wanted...

A fork.  

This boy is determined to get big like everyone else.  On a side note, we got rid of his binky two days ago. He's done ok, cried at each nap and bedtime, but if I go in and sing to him he settled down.  It's strangely hard for me to be watching him give up some of these things.  The last one to nurse. The last one to use a bottle.  The last to crawl.  The last to use a binky. Just can't believe how quickly they change and grow. 

Curiosity Museum

October 4

We decided to get a pass to the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving Point, which has been super fun.  I'm especially looking forward to it for the winter months, so the Littles can have a place to run.  I was quite surprised when Kate was talking to the girl behind the Trading Post and agreed to hold a giant cave cockroach!  She said it felt weird.  I did a slight shimmy as I watched it crawl up her arm, before I told her how cool it is to learn about new animals.  

Daniel was especially excited to try out the plane.  There's not much to do in there... unless you have a little imagination, which Daniel isn't short on.  

Kate and Daniel both were nervous to try out the rope bridge but then realized it wasn't so bad.

Oliver Mac ran around wherever I was, as well has played in the toddler area with the balls and slides.  Apparently he played harder than I realized!

General Conference

October 2016

We (Emily, Amy, Mom, and myself) went to the Women's Session.  It was wonderful.  I do love sitting in our home and watching conference, but there is a special something about joining with thousands of other girls and women to sing and listen and learn.

This was the first time we got to go through the tunnel.  It wasn't very long (we thought this was "THE" tunnel... turns out there are lots of them) but it was windy.  We all felt like we were in a Star Wars movie.  I think Mom was entertained that we were so entertained.

There we are!  Sister Oscarson gave a remarkable talk about needing to be and raise a "sin-resistant" generation because conditions are not going to improve.  She quoted Pres. Nelson as saying that attacks against the church and the way we live are only going to increase.  It was kind of scary to think of the world we're sending our children into.  But then I looked at Amy and Emily and felt reassured.  They are strong and capable.  We need to teach the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ with sensitivity and common sense, otherwise the world will teach our youth Satan's lies.  That is not acceptable.  Another quote by Sister Oscarson was that young women need to see themselves as essential to this work.  I think that goes for all of us women.  We are needed and we need to be ready.  It was a sobering, empowering reminder of the reality we face. 

This is the place

September 5
I've wanted to go to the "This is the Place" park for a long time.  We made plans to head up with Mom, Dad, and Reid and had a great time.  It's a good mix of inside and outside things to do, teaches about pioneers and the old west life, it's got the little bus that can take you around, you can pan for gold, and there are mini donuts!  What's not to love?!

Daniel beating a rug.  He's got a good swing. 

 

The pony ride was a big hit, and there wasn't even a line!  

   

And panning for gold was great.  It's a shaded area with cold mountain water to wade in (and a grouchy guy  that was awfully picky about how we panned). 

Oliver Mac had a good ol' time just splashing around (which didn't go over well with the grouchy guy).  

First day of preschool

August 30

I was more nervous this year to start Kate in preschool because it is 4 days a week. That is more like kindergarten.  And that means this ride is getting started.  I've long felt like once kids start school time flies and before you know it they are in junior high.  Then high school.  And then, you guessed it, college and full-blown adulthood.  They are gone (snap you fingers) just like that!  So here is this little lady, ready for school in her butterfly shirt ("'Cause I got butterflies for my birthday so I want to wear that shirt and tell my teacher that they fly-ed away!").  

Daniel started asking more and more when he's going to school.  Kate told him you go to school when your big. "I'm big. I'm 4.  You're little. You still wear a diaper.  You'll be big when you wear panties."

She was excited and nervous as she walked in to her classroom. The evidence of that was her endless hair twisting as she told the teacher about the butterflies. I love this girl to pieces. I'm looking forward to, and just a tiny bit sad, to watch her grow up.

General Conference

October 1

Traditions.  I love them.  General Conference traditions have grown since April 2011 Conference when Dad (Devn Cornish) was called as a General Authority.  I still remember that he got tickets for that session, and we were running late.  He was in the aisle waiting and ushered us into our seats just a few minutes before the session began.  I thought he seemed extra anxious about us being on time and then realized why when his name was read from the pulpit.  That was an especially memorable moment when we sustained him - Dad/Grandpa/Father-in-law.  

The following October he spoke in General Conference about prayer.  Again, we got to be there.  It was a wonderful talk that I still remember well.  After he spoke in that Sunday afternoon session, the extended family wanted to gather to talk about conference and hear more about Dad's experience of speaking.  And thus started the tradition of a Cornish/Simmons potluck Sunday afternoon after General Conference at our house.  It's been several years now, so we don't even send out reminders because they all know the drill.  Come, bring a side or dessert, eat, chat, and then gather to share thoughts and questions about the gospel and conference.  It's a delight.

We are often able to get to one session with the big kids, Matt, and I, and then eat a quick lunch at mom and dad's hotel room/apartment between sessions.  Another part of the tradition is that the Kotters come out whenever they can.  It's always a good time.  Here we are all snuggled (aka squished) into the the elevator at Mom and Dad's apartment building.  Everyone smile!

Waving to Daddy

What a pleasant morning! Matt and I went for a walk early, came home and got ready, had breakfast together, and got to come up and see the Littles before he left for work. They all ran to the window so they could wave at him as he left. I sat on the couch watching them, thankful for my husband and our family.

Fold your arms...

September 25

We were getting ready for dinner and told everyone to fold their arms.  Oliver Mac was quick to follow instructions.

Look, Mom!

September 22

"Look, Mom!  I made gears!"  This boy loves seeing how things work (usually from a distance if it is something bigger than him).  I'm not sure where exactly he learned about gears, but not only did he make some out of these plastic stars, he's got his own always turning in his head.  

Oliver Fun

14 September 2016

One man's canned food is another boys toys.  Oliver spent a good 30 minutes taking cans from the pantry to this basket in the living room and back again.  He often stacks the cans on the bottom shelf of the pantry like blocks.  I've given up trying to keep them organized because he is always building towers and fences with them.  He's quite proud of himself.  (Oliver Mac, age 1)

  

Grandma Kay's birthday

12 September 2016

We wanted to get together for Mom's birthday (she sure did pick a good time of year to be born!) at Scera Park.  Mom had a secret word that she wanted to teach the grandkids about that started with the letter "P" so all the food had to start with that letter.  We had popcorn, parfaits, pickles, pizza, pop, etc.  It was super fun.  The word mom wanted to focus on was PERSPECTIVE.  She talked about how she and Kate were looking at the mountains and that they look like they change depending on where you stand.  She also gave some examples from her recent WWII readings about how expectations change with a different perspective.  She's always a teacher.  What a lady!

Uncle Brett

9 September 2016

Uncle Brett.  He's kinda awesome.  I told him about Kate finding a humming bird that she thought was alive (it might have been when she first found it), but when I told her it was dead she burst into tears.  We wrapped it up and put it in a raisin box and buried it in the backyard.  Brett thought it was sweet and found a night light with a humming bird and sent it to her in the mail.  She was delighted at receiving a package in the mail and with the night light. 

And because he knows that sometimes it's hard when your sister gets a present and you don't, he also sent Daniel a fire truck hat.  He was thrilled.  Too bad everyone doesn't get an Uncle Brett.