Grass.

The cozy brick house has been all spruced up with a fresh new lawn.

Wanna come roll around in it?

Growing.

Proof that Oliver isn't the only one growing like a weed around the cozy brick house.

[Owen- 4 years. In desperate need of a shopping trip with mom.]

Carrot Cake.

Our amazingly talented Aunt Phyllis brought our family a delicious dinner last week. For dessert, we enjoyed these pretty little carrot cupcakes. They were so good in fact, I have been dreaming of them since. Would you like the recipe? I knew you would.

Aunt Phyllis' Carrot Cake

2 eggs

1 C. oil

2 C. brown sugar

2 C. sifted flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 C. grated carrots

1 C. or 5 oz. crushed pineapple; drained

1 C. chopped nuts

Mix together eggs, oil and sugar. Add brown sugar, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon. Blend in carrots and pineapple. Mix well and add nuts. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 35-45 min. Frost when cool. Adjust cooking time for cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz pkg. softened cream cheese

1/4 lb softened butter

2 lb powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Happy Baking!

Four Weeks.

This little babe of mine has already reached the four week milestone. We've spent an awful lot of time this past week testing anti-gas remedies. Leg pumping, tummy rubbing, dairy intake reducing, and snuggling. It has been hard. And sweet. All at the same time. What have you been up to, friends?

Good News.

Thank you for the amazing advice on poor Oliver's gas. I'm happy to report that things are moving more smoothly now thanks to a late night talk with a pharmacist and some simethicone drops. Other good news: Audrey and I are friends again. Happy day!

Gas.

Oliver has gas. Bad gas. The kind that causes him to make faces like the one above and pull his knees to his stomach in discomfort. And although he is my fifth baby, I have never mastered the mystery that is baby flatulence. Tips welcomed, friends.

GIVEAWAY!

My dear friend Marilyn is hosting a week of happy giveaways. I realize this notice is slightly late, but I'm in the throws of diapering and nursing and I know you'll forgive me. Click on over to her blog and sign up for a chance to win. The lovelies pictured above are Wednesday giveaway items. Aren't they fab? I wonder what she has up her sleeve for Thursday and Friday?

My Love.

So thankful for this man. He makes me happier than words can express. He is selfless, thoughtful, genuine. Not to mention what a fabulous husband + father he is. My heart has been pondering the inspirational messages given at General Conference, and right now I'm feeling so happy that this little family of mine will be together forever.

Sleep.

Yesterday morning when I grudgingly stumbled out of bed to retrieve Audrey from her crib, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was wearing a really hot pair of gray sweats. A lavender maternity t-shirt with spit up stains. Oh, and Ryan's gym socks. I had black mascara all. over. my face. And my hair, my hair looked something like this. I'm pretty sure I jumped when I saw myself. Not to mention Ryan did a double take. Not the good kind of double take either. I was tempted...so tempted to post a picture of myself with big bold letters underneath that declared "MOTHER OF FIVE" . I decided to save you the grief, I would hate to offend any of you dears. Just don't show up at my door unannounced.