Richards boys

For many years now, when it is time to get gathered up to go somewhere, or if we need to get the boys' attention, we have said "Richards boys!" We still say it even we now have a girl, because she's not running around like they are.

But when they are staying still, and I look into their eyes, I see their spirits shine through more easily.

James Byron, age 3

aka Jamesy, J-Dog, little JB

Andrew Rockwell, age 5 1/2

aka Andrew-alligator

Benjamin John, age  8 1/2

aka Benihana

Maxwell David age 11
aka Max

The older three Richards boys didn't complain during Valeri's photo shoot, especially because she had her almost-11-year-old daughter with her as an assistant to help make the boys smile.  And when James threatened not to cooperate (he was all flopsy and nope-y), she suggested he ride his bike over to her.

It's the same red trike JB rode at that age. I expect American Pickers to come knocking for it some day. Perhaps when the next generation of Richards Boys comes along.

The Richards at home

We have the sweetest couple in our neighborhood: the Hallidays, Jill and David. She was one of the very first to come say hi and welcome us as we were painting the kitchen in our newly purchased home 12 years ago. Their daughter Valeri is a photographer, and when she was visiting recently she said she wanted to take pictures of us as a gift. So....OKAY!

I love everything about these pictures. The bright colors, the composition, the background (our backyard), the framing and focus -- and of course, the subjects themselves.

Well, ok, since you asked, yes I did crochet that headband. She looks so angelic with her blonde fuzz of hair forming a halo of sorts.

These two Valeri just snapped on a whim when she saw Millie's sweet face. That's our soccer net resting out of the way in the background in the picture above, and in the picture below I think that's Max's leg.

This is in front of our snowball bush, where many a soccer ball and basketball have gone flying. I can't remember if Andrew voluntarily put his arm around Ben, but it is a cute gesture. These two are getting along better lately (as long as Ben doesn't hustle Andrew out of his cash or Pokemon cards. Or tell him what to do).

Lest you think it was all smiles the whole shoot, I present hangry Millie:

As a matter of fact, I think I hear her now. So many thanks to Valeri! If you are in California, you should have her do your pictures. And be her friend. I will post the boys' individual shots next.

A great grandma

On Millie's month mark, she met her mom's mom's mom, her Great-Grandma Emily Joan Crossen. Millie was born on her birthday!

She goes by Joan, which is pronounced like JoAnne. The story my mom told me, was that her mother wanted one name, and her father the other, and her father filled out the birth certificate but spelled it that way. He called her Joan but her mother called her Emily. My younger sister is named for her.

She lives in Bountiful, but I only saw her every few years growing up because we lived away. I should make more of an effort to visit her now. I think she has a great wry sense of humor, and she has really survived through some hardships in her life. My grandfather died of ALS in 1997, the day I arrived in Utah to attend BYU.

The meeting was for a sad occasion. It was the funeral of my Great-Aunt Caroline, the second sister to die in two months. She has two Patten siblings left. They do monthly Patten family nights still with extended family.

The funeral made me realize that so many stories of this great generation are dying with them. I heard again the stories of the orchard and 40 acres where they grew up in Provo, on land that used to be countryside way north of BYU back then, and is now the Missionary Training Center. And my grandma and her sister Caroline both had polio has little girls in the 30s and 40s. They stayed in the hospital in Salt Lake City for a long time, and suffered effects for the rest of their lives. Thank goodness we don't have polio now (IF EVERYONE GETS IMMUNIZED). Caroline had long blonde hair that the nurses thought was too beautiful to shear off like the rest of the children.

I remember Caroline was often smiling when I saw her. Both women are great examples for my daughter.

The Subway and Barracks

Blogging about the Tetons reminded me I never posted about JB's June trip to Southern Utah (he got back the day my sister Bekah came).

Ryan arranged the guys' trip to the Barracks and the Subway in Zion National Park.

They saw some petroglyphs.

And beautiful red rock and canyon scenery.

This is the Subway. I am told it is much harder and less popular than The Narrows, which I did a part of in college. They didn't see anyone else for the whole time they were in there.

JB says when they emerged on the last day, all dusty and bearded and hauling their backpacks, a whole group of overseas tourists at the popular part of the park were fascinated by their appearance. I think they thought they were genuine western mountain men! They took lots of pictures of the men, and when JB put his pack down, some tourists even came over and took pictures of it. 

The Tetons

Monday August 15 JB had surgery on his knee. Torn meniscus. He's doing better every day, thanks be. It had been bothering him and hurting a while. But I am glad he was able to go with the boy scouts from our ward to the Tetons on a trip the Thurs-Sat the weekend before the procedure. It sounds like it was amazing.

It is all about hammocks in the outdoors for sleeping, though it can get cold. Or so I am told.

On the Snake River.

JB with his second counselor, Ryan Romney.

They also did Big Kahuna Rapids with rafts and guides.And they paddle boarded on a lake near Jenny Lake.

What a beautiful place.

First day of school 2016

Last first day of elementary school for Max, first day for Andrew today!

We have a 6th grader, 3rd grader, kindergartner, and a 3-year-old who was pretty bummed this morning.

We all walked down to the school at the end of our street, and met up with friends like the Romneys.

There's a good batch of kindergartners from our ward, including L-R  Ethan, Cooper, Cory (and brother Coen in the shot) and John. Girls, too.

Max and Ben kissed us bye and ran back to their doors to line up and meet their friends. Many of Andrew's friends are the oldest in their families, and one of their parents said we must be used to this by now.  Here is Max's first day (he was so tall, and just barely five) and Ben's first day. (those cheeks. And James had just been born in June). Each time you pray your little one will be fine without you.  Look at Andrew all lined up.

JB took James for a treat after we walked away. He was sad, and told us he really really missed his brudder Andrew. In future the 3 boys will walk to and from together every day, because Andrew is in full-day.

To get ready for school, last week I took all four to the barber shop for haircuts. Bribery with gum and phone games is the key to having James sit still. She took a lot more off this time. His hair grows fast. See the rest of us in the mirror behind him?

Andrew's face is always so cute above the cape.

Afterward, each boy picked out a donut across the street. Millie took her first pumped bottle like a champ from JB while we were gone.


As a last hurrah for summer, we went ice-blocking with 10 other families from our neighborhood. This is the only picture I got. Ben got banged up a bit with some bruises and cuts, and the little boys couldn't stay on the block long enough to go down the hill. Fun fun!

Hooray for routine and schedule.

Outtakes

We were looking through the pictures again to pick some to get enhanced, and I couldn't help but post some of these.


Tiny feet while nursing on the bed in between pictures.

James cheesy and Andrew either resting his smiley-muscles or being goofy.

James the cheeser smile again.

The kisses. Awwwww

Shushing in her ear.

Honey....we have five children!