Goodbye to Uncle Brian!

We have so enjoyed having Seth's brother, Brian King, live with us for 3 months! He has been a woderful help. He's been so helpful with the kids (Jacob cried when he left), and always helped ease any tension with a joke. These are some pictures we took on the last night of his stay.

We miss you, Brian!

This picture made me laugh so hard! And normally I'm opposed to pictures of Seth flexing being on our blogs, because we got so many comments last time he posted . . . Brian wanted a shot of the 3 King men flexing, but Jacob had already put on his favorite pj's and insisted that he doesn't know how to "make muss-ohs!" Isn't his face priceless?

Waiting for baby . . .

Seth has the camera at the seminary this week, so I haven't taken any new pictures. But I thought I'd let you know our status on little Junior-on-the-way. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and *sigh* the doctor says I'm barely at a two and will most likely go until my due date, probably longer. I know by now I should expect as much, but I can't help but get my hopes up! :)

I love Relief Society! I'm so grateful for how the church helps in every stage of our lives. Our Compassionate Service leader is amazing. She's had people scheduled to tend my kids all week and had a sweet sister bring dinner a couple of nights ago (it was HEAVENLY!!!). And I haven't even had the baby yet! There is nothing like the love and sisterhood I feel in Relief Society from such remarkable women.

Because of the pre-arranged dinner, I was blessed to be able to attend the temple one last time before the baby comes. There is no place on earth more peaceful! Which is a blessing, except that I was SO HOT--but when am I not in this blasted oven-of-a-city? So I'm afraid I slept through most of the session. But then at the end, I had a very strong feeling about this little baby. I felt that he is a special little spirit, very strong, and will be such a powerful addition to our family. I feel so blessed to be trusted with these sweet spirits, even though they grow up and drive me crazy sometimes! Truly, there is nothing I would rather be doing than raising them. I also felt like the name Jacob picked is the right one--Gabriel Noah King. We'll keep you posted if that changes, but I think it's the name that's going to stick. Jacob is already planning on playing trains with "Gaaaay-bree-yul as soon as he grows up into a big boy like me."

First day of 2nd Grade

Well, it's the first day of 2nd grade! Isn't Lydia cute as a button? She could hardly sleep last night, she was so excited. Unfortunately, Eleni wouldn't sleep, and we have all 3 in the same room now, trying to make space in the crib for the new baby. Last night we had a huge fight trying to keep her in bed, until Seth came home and she went right to sleep for him. Thank goodness for Daddy!

It was Seth's first day too. We spent last night sharpening red pencils for his students and wiping the imaginary dust off the brand new desks at his new seminary building. Seth is now teaching at Desert Hills Seminary, and is so excited! It's a brand spakin' new high school--very beautiful! His room looks great--I'll take some pictures sometime.
And I couldn't resist throwing in these pictures of Jacob in his long johns. Someone gave us a big bag of baby clothes for the new little guy, and there happened to be this very big pajama thing with a tiny matching baby one. Jacob was THRILLED. He wears it almost every night, in spite of the hole in the toe. And if you know Jacob and his OCD tendencies, that's really saying something.
And Ellers . . . what a nut! These are her current favorite toys to hold. Our neighbor, Elsa Picklesimer (isn't that the most wonderful name?) gave her the squeaky baby toy, and the Barbie comes from a very patient sister. Eleni spent lunchtime today painting her hair with peanut butter. She sleeps with "Bobby and Baby" every day. And Barbie, being the authentic Barbie from Princess and the Pauper, sings two songs. All the time. ALL the time. It drives us crazy! That's actually how we know Ellie's awake in the morning: "When you live your dreams you'll find desssstinyyyyy is written in your heaaaaaaaart!"

HAVING FUN!

this is Lydia. Mommy let me make a post.
this horse is made out of horseshoes!
we are playing with playdough!
this is me making a playdough cookie.

this is jacob runing .

Wild and Crazy at the King's!

I couldn't resist taking this picture of Ellers on Sunday. I was recycling a hairdo and this is what it looked like before I could get her new ponytail in.

A little too much fun with grapes in cheeks . . .

King Patriotism

Thanks to my cute sister Beth, my kids looked very festive for the 4th of July. She & Jonathon sent a fun package with these adorable outfits.

It was a little tough getting Ellers to stay still.

And what's more American than Daddy's baseball hat? Eleni and Jacob fight over this one, but Ellie usually wins. The crazy thing is it almost fits her! :)

You have to love them when they're sleeping!

Lydia & Jacob begged to sleep together the other night so we let them. We found them (as we usually do) bundled up in a blanket cocoon, dripping sweat. It didn't seem to interrupt their slumber!Eleni is the best little sleeper! But she has to have about 10 security items before she'll sleep: This purple blanket, her "bee-bo" (the belly-button book in the picture), her "Aaa-eee," which is her Alice in Wonderland book, her bear and its blanket, and her "bih beah," or big bear, which is really a dog Grandma Katapodis gave her and is as big as she is. And she has to have either an arm or a leg sticking through the bars, as you can see here. Then she tucks everything under her arms and sighs a happy sigh. I'll say, "I love you, Ellie." And she always says, "Bye, Mommy." Those are the moments we treasure, aren't they?