Scriptural Tree

We have been working in the yard with some over grown bushes and trees we are taking out. One tree seems just like the tree in the scriptures where they are talking about grafting in a wild branch and then the branch over runs the roots and the whole tree is wild. This was a rhododendron tree that then another tree took over. It looks like part of it is still rhododendron in the picture, but that is just another bush in front. I only prune out the branches on the tree because I am a little curious to see what happens with it over the next season. I wonder if I could graft in rhody branches and it would take over. I love gardening here in Washington with all the weird things that happen and the amount of random plants come up everywhere. We took out another maple tree and two other bushes this weekend.

Nona January 2017

 Miya did Nona's first pigtail. 

Nona is such a busy baby. She is everywhere and in to everything. She loves going up the stairs and seeing which bedroom is open so she can make a mess. Everything goes into her mouth and she loves eating most foods as long as it isn't baby food. She is loved by everyone including the 18 youth I have in my Sunday School class. She loves climbing up on things, eating pencil erasers, climbing under the desk, showers, walks in the stroller and anything outside. She doesn't like being in the car, being quite at church, milk of any variety (soy, almond, cow, rice) and getting these latest four teeth.

Kids

Sometimes I find myself thinking about the future and what it will be like for Nona since she is so much younger than the rest of the kids. She will be eight when Lyla graduates and moves out. She will be starting Kindergarten when Miya leaves for college. Then I see them all playing and loving each other and how much Nona looks like them all and I am happy this is my family.

Combs' Family Swim Party 2017

 Nona swam with Miya because we were late getting there after Lyla's basketball game. Phil had already left early to get Cannon to his basketball game. Nona loved the water, but it was super cold so she was shivering when we got her out.

 Everyone else was playing a serious game of shallow water polo. Andra was ready to take anyone down. 

9 Months

Causing trouble with Owen and Carter at church.  You feel like you are part of the gang when you hang out with these two. Their mom is just glad she only has twins and not triplets.

 Sleeping on the way home from a shopping day with the older girls at the outlet mall in Centralia.

 Hanging out at the Newville's and getting dressed up for our entertainment.

 Banging on the heater at church during Relief Society.

These pictures have been on my phone since January mostly just document all that she did at 9 months. Mostly just loved standing and moving around the furniture. I always feel like I am doing a pretty good job at journaling on the blog until I take all the pictures off my phone and realize they are from months ago.

Miya Babysitting

When Phil and I started going on dates again after Nona was born and we felt we could have Miya put her down for the night without me was such an amazing relief, It seems like I had so much freedom for so many years and then it was all taken from me. Nona was such a hard baby and with her not taking a bottle I was a necessity for mealtime. Miya is such a great big sister, but also such a great daughter and gets that I needed a break. Nona didn't stress her out even though she was a screamer. Miya would take pictures and text them to me of getting Nona ready for bed. I loved these two pictures she sent the first time I headed back to the temple. One of those stressful trips that you love and have a hard time getting back to because it is such a long night. Even without going to dinner it takes 5 hours. Leaving a baby for 5 hours is really hard for me for the first year, but Miya made it so much easier. What an amazing blessing Miya is to me and I am so grateful for all she bring to our family.