Michael

Grandma took Michael and Reagan to her Lake Elsinore Women's Club St. Patrick's Day something or other and they had such a good time. Michael wouldn't stop talking about all of the fun that he had at the "women's playhouse".

Michael loves to play with Malia. He enjoys making her laugh, although mom doesn't approve of some of his methods. . .

Michael loves being silly. It is kind of hard to find normal pictures of him because he is normally making faces for the camera. This was our April Fool's Dinner, so silly was definitely allowed.

This is typical Michael. He has always loved the blanket Auntie Sherelda and her mother made for him. He takes it everywhere, and it is pretty much a rag now. He still loves it, but he's started doubling up on blankets. He is all tucked in for bed in the rocker in our room with his animals tucked into their bucket. Somehow he has slept all night in this position. He, at almost 5, still does not understand why he should have to sleep in his own bed. Actually, I think that Malia is the only kid in our family who doesn't complain about being put in her own bed.

And here is Michael super happy on Easter because the Easter Bunny brought him a kite, and a Batman one at that. Michael will be starting kindergarten in the fall and I am excited for him. Though I am looking forward one less head to count for a few hours each day, I will miss him. He is a sweet and sensitive little man, and also lots of fun to be with and listen to.

Kaela

Kaela is always begging to go to the snow, so she really enjoyed our Utah trip. I don't know how many snowmen she made! Here she is after a fun sled ride with Samara. She's got that cute tooth gap. I miss that. Sometimes she is pulling a loose tooth out before I even realize it was loose.

Kaela enjoying our April Fool's Dinner. She is quite the drama queen. Recently at open house her teacher asked if she is as quiet at home as she is at school. I could not help but laugh out loud, because she is so full of life at home. I'm grateful she remembers her indoor voice at school at least. Her teacher complimented Kaela on being a very sweet girl and a very good student, and I have to agree with her.

Kaela got glasses!! We noticed she was really squinting while reading scriptures at night, and sure enough, she needed glasses for reading. Thankfully she was excited about it and picked them out all on her own. We are grateful that she is such a responsible girl. She takes good care of those glasses.

Here is beautiful Kaela with her Easter stash and new best friend Ping. Kaela LOVES animals and always has a few friends tagging along with her. She is also very thoughtful with her little friends and is quick to share them with little cousins and brothers. She is actually very thoughtful with everything and blesses our family with her gifts of kindness.

Kaela awaiting the tooth fairy. . . again. . .with 2 teeth. . .I borrow money from her. Kaela will finish 2nd grade this week. She has done very well in her class this year and recently received "Student of the Trimester" which was pretty fun for all of us. She never needs to be told to do her homework. She enjoy being outside riding her bike or playing with her brothers or cousins.

Leneah

Here is Leneah holding Malia on her blessing day. Leneah adores her baby sister and is super helpful with her.

Leneah got braces! She had a retainer for a bit but had one stubborn tooth that didn't fit. We went in for a bracket, and I was surprised to see this smile coming out of the orthodontist office (I don't know much about braces. . .). This was back in January, and they were removed just in time for Easter and STAR testing treats at school. She looked so much older with them on, but we quickly got used to them. She enjoyed all of the fun colors as they changed her bands, but missed gum. That's about all she missed because I wasn't very good at remembering what she couldn't eat. Caramel and lifesavers will break brackets by the way. . .

We took a whirlwind trip to Utah to see cousins and snow, and the kids had a great time. Here's Leneah and Nani enjoying the freshly fallen snow. Leneah LOVES to be with her cousins. She also loved the snow and spent the most time in it of all the family. She learned that snowpants and boots are wonderful.

Leneah REALLY wanted to do a science project experiment this year. It wasn't required, but she was very excited and determined to do so. It fit well into my schedule with 5 children, a very busy husband, and a new baby, so typical Carrie style, we finished it together in the early morning hours, but darn, we did it and had fun doing it. Her experiment involved testing yeast and the temperatures it works best at, inspired by an experiment I did with my mommy about wheat oh so long ago. Leneah did a marvelous job and won first prize for her grade at the school. Typically 3rd graders don't get to go to the District science fair, but they sent her project and she ended up with a 2nd place there! It was so fun for her. Her winning project will be available for a nominal fee next year. . .

And here she is at Easter (note the expensive smile. . .). Leneah will be finishing up 3rd grade this week. She has had a great year and has enjoyed trying new things. She enjoyed mastering handball and tetherball this year and also served on the school student council. It is hard to believe she used to be so shy and afraid to try new things. We love Leneah!

A bit of Catch Up

Here's a fun generation photo -- Nanny and Dad holding Malia wearing Dad's baby PJs. Pretty darn cute PJs too. Amazing how great of shape they are in being that they are soooooooooooo old. (Dad doesn't check blogs to my knowledge, so I'm safe in saying that). Actually, recently the girls and I were looking at some of Dad's pictures and saw a picture of him in what may be these exact jammies. He was an adorable little baby, but really, what did we expect? The Crippen genes don't always stand out with my kiddos, but I saw Dallin in baby Grandpa. Very fun.

This is just to irritate many of you ice-dwellers. And to show off two darling girls. This was taken on January 16. Hee Hee. My kids dream of going to the snow though. . .

And this is what I get to deal with all day. The job certainly doesn't pay the bills, but what a marvelous job it is!!! I'm highly underqualified. . . They keep me quite busy, but very happy. The boys love their little sister (yes, even Dallin). We were not quite sure how Dallin would take to his new rival, but it was sweet music to my ears when he yelled at somebody who was holding her "Put baby back!!!" He did not want anybody taking his Weah.

Isn't she fun! I agree with Dallin. It's hard to imagine life without this happy face.

Thanks Auntie Amelia!!

Auntie Amelia the Amazing sent a fun little package for Malia (should've spelled it Melia). She crocheted those cute little shoes and headband! I'm very impressed and grateful. Malia is growing like a beautiful weed. At 6 weeks-ish she was 12 pounds! She is a happy girl with beautiful smiles and coos. One of my favorite things about her--SHE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never had that before, and appreciate it so much because I need it.

Thanks Amers!

Happy Girl

I finally got one. Malia has been smiling since days old (and I have witnesses--many of them--it wasnt' gas. . .) They are big happy whole face smiles like this one I managed to snag when we woke up this morning. Darn, it makes her look so old. The little butterball keeps growing!

Finally!!!!!

It's a GIRL!!!!!

Malia Grace Olsingch

9 lbs 13 ozs (just like big bro Dallin)

November 27, 2010

We are so BLESSED!

I truly thought this little gal would have come prior to her due date, but that was crazy thinking. We went in for an induction 8 days after her due date, and though I really wanted to come on her own, I don't think letting her grow any bigger would have been very wonderful for me. She is beautiful (this is definitely not her best photo, poor thing. Labor is probably as much fun for the kiddo as it is for the mom). I am in LOVE.

Our first family photo. The girls came to the room shortly after Malia was born and were SO EXCITED. They would have been excited if Malia had been a boy, but they had been rooting for a baby sister all along. It is fun to have a little girl after the boys, but I keep catching myself calling her little buddy or fella or even, oops, son. Michael is happy with his little sister, but was most impressed with the buttons on mom's hospital bed. Dallin was just not too sure of everything, but gave Malia a few sweet kisses anyways. It's going to be fun to see how they adjust.

Our pretty "little" girl. She's got dark eyes and plenty of hair (on her head, and shoulders, and legs) and the sweetest little lips. Harvey and I have seen a bit of each of her siblings in her, which has been fun.