Where I was a year ago

In an operating room at Banner Estrella. I was laying upon the table when Dr. Ray says, 'Can you feel anything?' I respond in the negative. The very nice anesthesiologist leans down and says, 'He just cut you open.' I ask you, should any living, breathing person be awake when they are being operated on? I mean, come on. The tugging and pulling and anticipation of a new life coming in to the world is one thing, but then for 30 more minutes after the baby and husband have left, you are still laid out and being sewn back up. And of course you are behind the blue drape and the doctor and nurses are busy talking about the procedure and there is that surgeon tech doing an instrument count every 5 minutes (yes, I was very glad that they do keep track of every instrument). I was never in labor for 12 hours or suffered birthing a ten pounder, but the cesarean birth may traumatize me for life. Enough about me and my woes...

My sweet baby is 1! Her bed gift was a Minnie Mouse. It is so cute that Dan taught her to say 'Minnie.' We didn't do much today but we did have pizza for dinner, one of her favorites, and did have a mini-party with cupcakes and a couple of gifts. Ryan took the monetary gifts he recieved from the great grandmas and passed out on the couch. He never stops surprising me.

August fun

The Tucson Blacks have been entertaining us a lot the last two weeks. Alyssa and Joe (the boyfriend) came and spent one fun evening eating a Food City Mexican meal and playing a little football in the grass area. I didn't get a picture of Alyssa, so I can't prove she was here, but I do have pics of Joe playing with the Goodyear Blacks.

Yesterday we celebrated the July/Aug birthdays in the Baron/Goodyear Black clans. Our good friends the Williams let us host at their home. We had a fabulous time eating hamburgers, cake and Popsicles. There was a little ping pong, a water basketball game, and a game of HORSE. Of course there was singing, present opening, and a football draft order picking (don't you usually do your football draft order at a baby's first birthday party?).

Our sweet baby will be one on Monday. She enjoyed her cake and her brothers REALLY enjoyed her presents. Here are some photos and video from the fun. By the way, check out the very cute cupcake bib I made in honor of Macey's big day.

Real update

We took a trip to the Frassas on Friday. Alex loved playing the songs Grandma June taught him on the organ. Macey loved the organ's keys. Ryan LOVED the organ's buttons. He practically begged to play the entire time we were there. Thanks for lunch, Grandma.

Since we were in Mesa, we went to a museum. The Museum for Youth is a very small place. Do not drive across the valley to go there, but if you were going to split the kid watching while you are at the temple, go here or the Natural History museum. Right now they have a Japanese Culture exhibit.

Macey in the cat bus.

The kids playing in Artville.

Macey doesn't seem to know that she shouldn't sit in the baby doll stroller (walker).

Yes, this is a huge safety hazard! Maybe she'll climb something more stable like a table next time.
The first day of Second Grade. Alex looks so big in this picture.

Dad tried to match Alex again this year. The boys in the morning.

The girls in the morning.

Dad takes Alex to school on his way to work. Bye-bye!

Not much

I know you want to hear about Alex's first day of school and about our trek to Mesa to the Frassas, but instead you get my enthusiasim for finding that my favorite series have added new books to them. What joy to visit old friends in new settings!
Also, kudos to Amie for a fantastic talk on Sunday. I felt inspired in many things, but mostly that I FINALLY yearn to have LDS art on my walls (I don't know why I've held back. Something about being one of those gushy Mormons). No, she did not discuss art, but prayer, but it made sense in 'my other meeting' if your house is going to be like the temple, then it should look like the temple in some respects. Back in Arkansas I knew a lady that had a celestial room (her grandkids called it) in her house that was beautiful and peaceful. I'll be OLD before I can have a couch my kids don't climb on (or put their feet on) but maybe a few nice pieces of art will tame the indoor wildness!
The baby begged for a bath this morning in sign language. She is a doll! Ryan and I had a good time today, but we missed Alex. More about that and pictures perhaps tomorrow.

Videos of Macey

I was folding laundry and the baby had gotten very quiet. This is what I found when I went looking for her.

Macey found her voice once she was separated from her big brothers. This is her telling Dad all about our trip on the way home from the airport.