He’s more than we expected…

Layton is such a character and so much more than we ever expected.  Having gone through everything with two other the children, we thought we knew what we would be dealing with when Layton came along.  Not so.  He is completely original and we never know what he is going to do next.

Do you know that we have had that self same dirty clothes organizer since we got married?  Do you know that not one other child has ever found his way into it?  But then comes along Layton and he of course finds a way to climb in – and of course then can’t climb out!

But then should I really be surprised?  I mean this is the same child that found his way into a toilet and then couldn’t get back out again.

That pictures still makes me laugh after all this time!  It never gets old.

I had a bad dream…

When the kids woke up this morning, they had a very sweet little story to tell me.  Apparently Mandy woke up early this morning and told Dallin that she had a bad dream.  Dallin climbed down out of the top bunk and laid down beside her in her bed so that she would feel safe.  Considering how much time I spend daily trying to break up fights between those two, it never ceases to amaze that when they really need each other they are always so sweet and caring.  It makes my heart smile!

Homework

Who wouldn’t enjoy doing their homework surrounded by your own little support group?

Everyday – without fail – when it is time for Dallin to do his homework, both Layton and Mandy gather round to “help” him out.  Sure it is a little distracting – but it is also very sweet.

Family Reunion

Every year on Labor Day Nathan’s family holds a reunion.  Nathan’s Uncle Walter always mans the grill and there is always tons of really good food.

And of course lots of talking,

catching up,

picture taking,

and best of all – lots and lots of swimming!!!!!

Layton was being his usual crazy water bug self.  He adores dunking his head in the water.  We don’t know why – he just loves it!

He is also getting very good at “swimming”.  We are pretty sure that by next summer he’ll be out there swimming on his own with the big kids!

If you haven’t already seen them, check out some pictures from a fun maternity session here.

How to Seal a Deal

I had a couple come over on Saturday with their daughter for a few minutes to talk about the possibility of me taking pictures of the daughter’s wedding next March.  While I was quite seriously explaining my services and showing them some sample pictures and products, Layton came over and climbed into the chair with me.  Then in his gravelly low voice, that sounds almost like a growl, he quite loudly announced, “I need CHOCOLATE.”  It completely broke up the seriousness of the moment and filled the room with laughter.  I think his cuteness sealed the deal for me and they signed a photography contract for me to do her wedding next year and to even do an engagement photo session as well.  My little Layton sure knows how to help a mother out!  I’m thinking I should include him in all my business transactions :)

Taking Pictures of Layton

I decided I needed some updated pictures of the kids to put into my picture frames.  So being me, I decided to create my own little studio in my living room to take the pictures.  So I got out my lovely white sheet and set it up.  Took a few pictures of Dallin and got a cute one.

Then took a few pictures of Mandy and got a cute one of her.

And then we have Layton.  I’m almost embarrassed to say the total number of camera clicks it took to get a workable picture of him.  Here are a few out-takes to give you an idea…

 

And what is really sad is that is not even all of them!!!!!!!!!!  I did eventually get one picture that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to put in a frame in the living room.

Oh my goodness, what am I going to do with this boy!

Traveling with Larry

Mandy’s teacher is doing a little activity with her class where they talk about different countries, states, and interesting places in the world.  She heard through the grapevine that I like to play around with pictures, so she asked me to come up with some pictures of her little friend Larry visiting some fun places.  So this what I have come up with so far:

St. Petersburg Cathedral, Russia

Riding an elephant on the plains of East Africa
 
Enjoying the view in Anchorage, Alaska
 
Rowing down the Amazon in Brazil
 
Exploring the Australian Outback
 
Surfing in California
 
Walking along the great wall of China
 
Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (don’t you love his little beret, I think it brings out the black in his eyes:)
Sailing in Hawaii
 
Carrying water in India
 
Talking with his Geisha friends in Japan
 
Leaning with the Leaning Tower of Pisa
 
Playing soccer with friends in South Africa
 
Ok, so maybe I enjoyed this assignment just a little too much.  But really aren’t they fun!  My friend Mandi is going to take the pictures and create cute fun scrapbook pages for each of them.  They are going to be adorable!
They are doing a new location each week during the school year, so I’ve got to come up with quite a few more.  Stay tuned in a few weeks for more traveling with Larry.  And feel free to offer suggestions of where he should go to next!!!!

A Daddy-Daughter Moment

Our home teacher came over to visit a couple of Sundays ago.  While we were talking with him, Mandy climbed onto the couch with Nathan and curled up into a little ball and fell fast asleep.

I thought it was so sweet.  Doesn’t she look so safe and secure wrapped up in Daddy’s arms.  That’s what Daddy’s arms are for!