Monday, December 29, 2008

Better Late Than Never...

Well, I put this Christmas card together sometime last week and I even ordered 75 copies to send out to all near and dear to us. Unfortunately, most of the 75 cards are still sitting in the box they were delivered in! To say these past few weeks have been a little hectic and busy in an understatement. With Christmas orders to place, Christmas pictures to edit, Chistmas cards to design, and Christmas shopping to do, blogging has fallen off of my list of things to do everyday for the past several weeks! I am also the Ward Activities Chairperson for our church, so the Christmas program/party was my responsibility. I love doing it, but it is a lot of work. Thank heavens for my dear mother and my sisters. Somehow, we always figure out how to pull it off!

So, if you receive this card in mail a week or two (or three) late, just know that I wanted to get it sent out in a timely manner, but some things are better late than never.

We love you all. Aly


Sunday, December 7, 2008

Gorgeous!

We just got back from Utah and I wanted to share one pic from our trip. Kyle's youngest brother got married last Saturday and it was such a wonderful day. I'll post more pics from our trip later. But until them- enjoy this one of the gorgeous couple.

To see a few more- visit my photo blog at www.alydart.blogspot.com

Monday, November 17, 2008

Proof and Reflection

Since I had Zac five years ago, I have heard many statements describing my children including:

"Your boys sure are marked by the Darts!"

"Your boys are just like Kyle and his brothers!"

"Zac sure does look like Kyle's mother."

Let me say, I appreciate these statements very much. I think Kyle is the most handsome man on earth, so of course, I want my children to look like him! He is followed very closely in "handsomeness" by his brothers. I am so happy my boys are "Dart Boys," both in looks and in name. And let me be the first to say that Zac is so much like Ann! I see so much of her in him.

All of that being said, I found proof that yes, I do have a child who looks like me, at least in this one picture! I can see so much of Will in my facial features in this picture. Especially through the lower half of my face. As much as I love their father and his looks, I know of no one who isn't flattered by being told that their cute kids look like them.

So, I agree with the all of you who say I have Dart-looking boys, but now I see a little Hancock shining through!
Today would have been my Grandma's 96th birthday. She died eleven years ago in a car accident, but she is still thought of and talked about every day. I miss her laugh, her house, her yard, her landing; but mostly, I just miss her. It makes me so sad that my children never knew her - I guess that leaves me with a huge responsibility to make sure they still "know" her.

I wrote about her a couple of years ago. Here's the link.

http://thedartfamily.blogspot.com/2007/05/flood-of-memories-and-depth-of.html

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Much Needed Update

I haven't posted for a while, so I'm playing catch-up.


Zac, Will, and Sam in ther first photo together. I'm sure there'll be thousands more to come.

This is one of the few pics of Sam and me that I'm willing to let be seen! I think he looks so cute. This is a pic from Sam's 1 month photo-shoot. Thanks Kel for the adorable blanket.
This is just a moonrise as I was crossing the bridge a few days before Sam was born. As I drove, I noticed how blue the world looked and how the blue of the sky and the blue of the water were exactly the same. I'm glad it translated onto film.
These are of Halloween night at the Trunk-or-Treat. The boys had a great time. Will hung out in the car with grandma and Eden most of the time.


These are a few snap shots of Sam tonight before I got him dressed for bed. They are totally unprofessional looking and it's obvious I had to use the flash, but I had to get a couple of shots. He's growing so fast.


Thursday, October 23, 2008

Five

Five glorious years of Zac, Zac-Attack, Zac-aroni, Zacker-Cracker, Zacky Boy, etc.

The years of heartache from trying to have a baby were definitely worth it once we saw this pretty face for the first time. You'll never find a kinder, more sensitive and loving child.

Happy Birthday, my Zacky Boy!



Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Grinning From Ear to Ear

This should arrive at my doorstep on Monday. To say I'm excited is an understatement! Happy New Baby, Birthday, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's,etc., etc.,...to me!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Adding to the Family...

Kyle's youngest brother got engaged this past weekend. Here's a couple of pictures of the happy couple. When we were in Utah this past summer, Zac told Laura that she was going to be his newest aunt. I don't know if they had discussed marriage at that point, but Zac was sure that he liked Laura! We love her, too, and we're so happy for both of them.



Friday, September 26, 2008

5 Days Old




Pics Coming Soon

For those of you wanting new pics, they're coming soon. I'm gonna try to get some taken and loaded up this afternoon, I promise!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Samuel Hancock Dart


I'm no Aly when it comes to picture taking (this is Joella), but here is the handsome little man (weighing in at 8 lbs, 5.7 oz) and his wonderful parents!

She said she's gonna keep him!

You certainly can't tell it's the middle of the night and they've just gone through a few grueling hours of labor by looking at them. It's no wonder they have such beautiful babies!

Sam: "So that's who I look just like."

They did it!

He's Here

Samuel Hancock Dart made his grand entrance at 1:09 this morning. He weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz, and was 21.5 in. He is so much like his brothers, especially Will. Aly made out great, even though the epidural didn't help out very much. One big push and that baby was out! I think that's a record!

Pics will come in the morning, I promise. The nurses were wondering why there was paparazzi there because the boy had about 200 pics taken of him within the first 15 minutes. That's what you get with so many doting aunts around!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sam's coming!

Hi - this Joella signed on as Aly - just letting you know that Aly's in the hospital and hopefully Sam will be here in a few hours! Woo Hoo!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Full Moon?


My next best hope is the full moon. Let's see what happens!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Optimistic?

I went to the doctor yesterday. Before checking my cervix, he asked, "Are you optimistic?"

I answered, "Not really, but I can always hope!"

He then did what he does and said, "Yeah, no need to be optimistic."

I asked, "Nothing?"

He answered, "Nothing, at all."

He's a really nice man (kinda reminds me of Bill Boy), but I wanted to punch him! I know, I know, hate the message, not the messenger.

My cousins wife had her baby several weeks early a few days ago. She was due on the 30th of September! I am so happy that she and baby are doing great, but, oh, SO JEALOUS! Can't I be early, too!? Even one day!

Monday, September 8, 2008

No Such Luck

No, Hanna does not = Sam.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Does Hanna=Sam?

So, Labor Day didn't turn out to be "labor day," but Hanna is coming our way! Does this bode well for the hundreds of pregnant women in eastern South and North Carolina? Well, I've been trying to find some proof that it does, and here's the best I can come up with...


The Wall Street Journal on Monday examined the "commonly held" theory that declining barometric pressure -- which occurs during a hurricane -- can cause a pregnant woman's amniotic sack to rupture and induce labor. A study published in a 1997 issue of the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery measured 12 significant drops in barometric pressure during 1992 and studied 162 births that occurred that year. The researchers found "significantly more occurrences of onset of labor" within 24 hours of one of the drops in pressure. However, researchers who undertook one of the largest studies on the issue -- which included data on 2,400 births and was published in 1996 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology -- found that labor was less likely to begin after periods of dropping barometric pressure, although the findings were not clinically significant, according to the Journal. Research into the theory remains "inconclusive," and some doctors and researchers say that most of the data supporting the theory is anecdotal and that labor onset is just as likely caused by the stress associated with an impending hurricane, the Journal reports. However, gathering adequate evidence and data to find a scientifically conclusive answer about barometric pressure's potential impact on pregnancy is difficult, the Journal reports. In order to get a clear answer on the issue, researchers would need to be able to measure the exact barometric pressure of the location of each pregnant woman and gather that information at varying times, including before labor, during labor and during times without low barometric pressure (Morse/Carrns, Wall Street Journal, 9/20).

In other words, maybe, maybe not. I'm going for the "maybe" option. But, did you notice in this little clip how it said that the stress from the hurricane could just as likely cause labor? So, my question is, just how much stress would it take to induce labor?

Anyway- get to the grocery store and stock up on bread and milk. If you have your 72 hour kits like you should, then no worries. If you haven't put together a 72 kit yet, then shame on you! I'm totally joking, by the way. The only reason I have a rockin' 72 hour kit is because my mother and mother-in-law saw fit to basically do it for me. Ann gave us a full kit a couple of years ago. All I've had to do is update the food items. Then mama led a huge ward project to get everyone a 72 hour kit a couple of summer's back and she made up for what wasn't already there. Rope, check; battery powered radio, check; change of clothes, check; flashlight, check; first aid kit, check; anything else you can imagine, check!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Just In Case You Were Wondering...

For those of you who have been wanting to see the belly, here it is. I'm nearly 38 weeks and I'm hoping I don't make it to 40 ;)

Please excuse the full laundry basket in the background. Can you tell what I'm gonna be doing tomorrow for Labor Day!? On 2nd thought, I hope Labor Day truly becomes "labor day" for me! I can dream, can't I?!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Gooooooooooo Pirates!

These pics are pretty self explanatory. Let's just say that the Dart boys take their sports seriously. It's not enough to just be a fan, they have to actually become a part of the team. Don't worry Grandpa, we still love the Cougars, but we just couldn't find pint size uniforms in Cougar Blue. I must admit though, we are looking forward to heading up to Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium in a few weeks! Pa, Uncle Joel, and Uncle Mike were pretty excited when they saw these uni's! Mike even whipped out his cell phone and started playing his Purple Haze ring tone. You know Zac just ate that up!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Restless Legs, No Sleep, and a Goal in Mind

Have you ever heard of Restless Legs Syndrome? If you haven't, you're lucky. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders says this "Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings." Under normal (unpregnant) circumstances, I only get restless legs when I'm extremely, overly, and completely exhausted. Not necessarily exhausted like I just ran 12 miles, but exhausted like I've just had a really hard day. Well, welcome back RLS! During my third trimester with all three of my pegnancies, I have experienced RLS. It is a miserable thing. For those of you who have it on a regular basis, I feel for you. It is truly a miserable thing to go through.

My restless legs manage to peak at night while I am trying to catch a little sleep. Between getting up to go to the bathroom and getting up to walk around and get my legs to stop twitching, I feel like I walk around all night long! Well, at least I can count those trips walking around the house toward my daily step count (you know we're all supposed to take at least 10,000 a day.)

So, on to other things. Most of you know (or maybe you don't) that I used to run quite a bit. "Used to" be the key phrase there. I have a marathon, a few half marathons, and several 10k's and 5k's under my belt. I must mention that all of this is thanks to my dear friend, Kellie. The first time I went running with her, we did 3 miles and I think I made her stop and walk about 10 times. She has run 15-20 marathons and countless other races, including the Boston Marathon. Her dad was my boss/drill sargeant who helped me prepare to run 26.2 miles. Gosh, I loved those days! Anyway- back to my point. I have decided to officially dive back into my running career after this little guy is born. Kyle and I have set a goal to run a half marathon together sometime next spring. He ran a few 10k's with me back in the day, but he has never done a half marathon, so we're both very excited. I also do better when I have a goal, so here's to setting a goal and meeting it!

Yesterday I went to TJ Maxx in hot pursuit of something totally different, but I ended up leaving there with a new Nike Dry-fit jacket and some Puma running pants. They, along with my running shoes are sitting in my room, anxiously awaiting their debut sometime near the end of September. I am officially pumped up about this! (The countless people I mentioned in my previous post who think I currently resemble a beached whale have nothing to do with me setting this goal!)

Being pregnant is such a wonderful thing. I know that I will miss feeling the pokes, prods, and punches from this little guy. We've gotten pretty close over these past nine months! But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to get him out! If you've ever been pregnant, pat yourself on the back for making it through. If you haven't, tell your mom how much you appreciate her doing it for you.

That's all I got for now! Aly




Somewhat like the new jacket.
The running shoes wondering where I've been. The new pants.

Me, in a former life. I'm coming back, I promise!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Did You Really Just Say That?

As all of you know, I am pregnant. In fact, I am really pregnant. With my first pregnancy, I gained 28 pounds. The experts all say it is healthy for the average woman to gain between 25 and 35 pounds, so I did just right. With my first pregnancy, I was so happy to be expecting, I didn't care how large I got. It had taken us over three years of lots of heartache and tears to get pregnant, so when I finally found out I was having a baby, I wanted to get big fast so that everyone would know I was pregnant!

My second pregnancy came as a surprise, but a very welcome one. It had been so difficult the first time, we felt very fortunate to have gotten pregnant with no fertility treatments. During my pregnancy with Will, we found out at my 20 week ultrasound that I had a few weak spots in my placenta. It was nothing to really stress over, but I was instructed to take it easy. Well, I really took it easy. At my last doctor visit before going in to have Will, I had gained 40 pounds. I still went one more week, so I'm thinking my final tally was probably somewhere around 42 pounds. I wasn't really all that self conscious about my size with my second pregnancy either, even though I managed to gain 14 more pounds than the first time! With both of my first two pregnancies, I was able to get back to my starting weight within a few months, so I wasn't too concerned.

Now, let's talk about my current pregnancy. This pregnancy has been difficult for me in so many ways. I was sooooo sick at the beginning. I threw up so often that I had a blood vessel in my eye that wouldn't quite heal up all the way because I kept re-bursting it! Some of you know who are around me a lot, but a lot of you don't know that I have a condition when I'm pregnant called ptyalism. It makes you produce much, much, much more saliva than you naturally would, so to deal with that, I had to spit ALL THE TIME! I know, it's so gross!!! I hate it! It is miserable. I can't explain to you how embarrassing it is to be speaking to someone and have to excuse yourself to go spit! It's crazy! Luckily, that has just about completely gone away. Occasionally, in the evening, it'll come on a little bit, but it's nothing compared to what it was for about 26 weeks straight!

This pregnancy, I have also been much more aware of how I look. I think I'm on track to gain a little over 30 pounds, which is within that 25-35 pound window, but for some reason, I have felt huge. No matter how many times my sweet husband and family tell me how radiant I look, I still feel like a blimp. I'm starting to think lately after some of the statements that have been made to me, that I am a blimp. Here are a few of the things people have said to me in the past few weeks. (Remember while you read these that I have 9 more weeks to go.)

Person 1, "Aly, when are you due?"

Me, "Sept 17th. I have about 10 more weeks."

Person 1, "Wow, I thought you were gonna say next week!"

Person 2, "Honey, how much longer do you have?"

Me, "About 10 weeks."

Person 2,"Oh me, you'll never make it!"

Person 3,"Bless your heart! You look like you're gonna pop!"

Me, "I hope I don't pop!"

Person 4, "Have you ever gotten this big before!?"

Me, "Yep, I sure have."

(This one's my favorite)

Person 5, "How far along are you?"

Me, "I'm about 30 weeks."

Person 5,"Good Lord! By the time you have that baby, you'll be as big as a house!"

Me, "Well, I hope I won't be as big as a house."

So, the moral of this little diatribe is this:

If you see a pregnant woman, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all! You don't have to shower her with compliments! She (I) may be really large! She (I) may look like I'm going to go into labor any second, but don't tell me those things! I can promise you that I, along with every other woman who ever carried a child, am acutely aware of how large I am. I am the one who tries to put on pants that fit me two weeks ago, but will no longer fit around my belly. I am the one who is now having a great deal of difficulty bending over to tie my kids' shoes. You don't have to tell me, nor do you have to tell any pregnant woman. WE KNOW!

Anyway- I have spoken my peace.

Be nice to pregnant women. You never know when her crazy hormones will take over and she'll point out all of your imperfections in response to your snappy comment!

Aly

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Have You Ever.......?

Allison had this list on her blog and it was so interesting to read, I decided to do it, too. It's pointless, but entertaining!

If it is highlighted in red, that means I've done it.

1. Touched an iceberg

2. Slept under the stars

3. Been a part of a hockey fight

4. Changed a baby's diaper

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Swam with wild dolphins

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a tarantula

10. Said “I love you” and meant it

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise

15. Seen the Northern Lights

16. Gone to a huge sports game

17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Bet on a winning horse

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Taken an ice cold bath

28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Ridden a roller coaster

31. Hit a home run

32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

33. Adopted an accent for fun

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment

36. Loved your job 90% of the time.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Watched wild whales

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach

41. Gone sky diving

42. Visited Ireland

43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited India

45. Bench-pressed your own weight

46. Milked a cow

47. Alphabetized your personal files

48. Ever worn a superhero costume

49. Sung karaoke

50. Lounged around in bed all day

51. Gone scuba diving

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Done something you should regret, but don’t

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Been in a movie

60. Gone without food for 3 days

61. Made cookies from scratch

62. Won first prize in a costume contest (I don't dress up. Ever.)

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Been in a combat zone

65. Spoken more than one language fluently

66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone

67. Bounced a check

68. Read - and understood - your credit report

69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy

70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did

71. Called or written your Congress person

72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

74. Helped an animal give birth

75. Been fired or laid off from a job

76. Won money

77. Broken a bone

78. Ridden a motorcycle

79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph

80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing

82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

83. Eaten sushi

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read The Bible cover to cover

86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about

87. Gotten someone fired for their actions

88. Gone back to school

89. Changed your name...(when I got married)

90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands

91. Eaten fried green tomatoes

92. Read The Iliad

93. Taught yourself an art from scratch

94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt

96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

97. Been elected to public office

98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream

99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you

101. Had a booth at a street fair

102. Dyed your hair

103. Been a DJ

104. Rocked a baby to sleep

105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours

106. Raked your carpet

107. Brought out the best in people

108. Brought out the worst in people

109. Worn a mood ring

110. Ridden a horse

111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap

112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe

13. Buried a child

114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play

115. Been inside the pyramids

116. Shot a basketball into a basket

117. Danced at a disco

118. Played in a band

119. Shot a bird

120. Gone to an arboretum

121. Tutored someone

122. Ridden a train

123. Brought an old fad back into style

124. Eaten caviar

125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need

126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant

127. Published a book

128. Pieced a quilt

129. Lived in an historic place

130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage

131. Asked for a raise

132. Made a hole-in-one

133. Gone deep sea fishing

134. Gone roller skating

135. Run a marathon

136. Learned to surf

137. Invented something

138. Flown first class

139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite

140. Flown in a helicopter

141. Visited Africa

142. Sang a solo

143. Gone spelunking

144. Learned how to take a compliment

145. Written a love-story

146. Seen Michelangelo’s David

147. Had your portrait painted

148. Written a fan letter

149. Spent the night in something haunted

150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane

151. Ran away

152. Learned to juggle

153. Been a boss

154. Sat on a jury

155. Lied about your weight

156. Gone on a diet

157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget

158. Written a poem

59. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox

160. Gotten food poisoning

161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission

162. Hiked the Grand Canyon

63. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks

164. Gone to the opera

165. Gotten a letter from someone famous

166. Worn knickers

167. Ridden in a limousine

168. Attended the Olympics

69. Can hula or waltz

170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books

171. Been stuck in an elevator

172. Had a revelatory dream

173. Thought you might crash in an airplane

174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert

175. Saved someone’s life

176. Eaten raw whale

177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint

178. Laughed till your side hurt

179. Straddled the equator

180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing

181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival

182. Sent a message in a bottle

183. Spent the night in a hotel

184. Been a cashier

185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

186. Joined a union

187. Donated blood or plasma

188. Built a campfire

189. Kept a blog

190. Had hives

191. Worn custom made shoes or boots

192. Made a PowerPoint presentation

193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course

194. Served at a soup kitchen

195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube

196. Know CPR

197. Ridden in or owned a convertible

198. Found a long lost friend

199. Helped solve a crime

200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Nine.............

Nine years ago today, Kyle and I got married in Washington D.C. This year, Father's Day also happens to fall on June 15th. I'm not one much for PDA, but I do want to say that I have been perfectly matched with my husband and the father of my little family. I am fully aware of how blessed I am and I am infinitely grateful that he picked me. Happy Anniversary, Kyle, and Happy Father's Day.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

A few days ago I ordered the boys and Kyle a new pair of swim trunks to take on our trip to Utah. I order things for two reasons: 1. It's so easy and Old Navy was having a great sale 2. The boys LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to get packages in the mail. They get so excited. Everytime I get a picture order in the mail, they sprint out to the UPS truck. Mr. "Brown" obliges and lets the boys help him carry the packages up to the door step. So today, when they saw that one of the packages was actually for them, they were elated.

I took these pictures while we were waiting for the UPS truck to come. I'm still just trying to get lots of practice with my 85 mm. I did finally use it in a shoot yesterday evening and I think I'm gonna love it. The hardest part is just getting used to the focal length.

So, we're off to Utah tomorrow to visit with our family out there. The boys are so excited and I am dreading the flight, but excited for the visit. Enjoy these pictures of my sweet boys. Zac was in a silly mood and pulling as many crazy faces as possible. This is my favorite of all of the crazy face pics. And I love the picture of them hugging. They really do adore each other, when they're not punching, kicking, boxing, head butting, or body slamming each other!




Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Cute, Handsome, Studly, Beautiful, Georgeous.....

They are mine, so I can use all of those adjectives to describe them, but I think others may think they are at least cute! I have been practicing with my new 85mm lens pretty diligently so I can get comfortable enough to use it in a shoot. These are a few of my practice shots from today. Both were taken on the carport. Technically, I know the pic of Will has some pretty distracting background stuff going on, but I'm OK with that! I've been working on new black and white conversions as well, so I thought I'd try those at the same time. For anyone who cares, both of these conversions were done using a grayscale conversion, than a curves adjustment, levels, a slight soft light layer and a bit of color to give them a chocolate finish. Now that I've bored you all to death...

I'm so anxious to see who this new little one will look like. So many people tell me how much Zac and Will are alike, and I never disagree, as to not be offensive, but I don't think they are alike at all! Zac is all Swenson, to me. He looks so much like Ann through his eyes that it's hard for me to see anyone else! I do see lots of Nate in Zac, but Nate looks more like Ann to me than any of the other Dart boys. It's so funny how we all see different things, but I'm just telling you how I see it! No matter who he looks like, I can see that he is beautiful inside and out. He is so tender and kind. He gets embarrassed sooo easily and wants everyone to love and accept him. He tries so hard to be a good boy and is so hurt when he realizes he's messed up! He loves to ask about anything and everything, "Mom, why did Heavenly Father make......" Sometimes I can answer and sometimes I have say that I don't know! One thing he's really concerned with lately is why Heavenly Father allows people to do bad things. We talk daily about free agency and our right to choose and make decisions. He's only four now, so I'm wondering what kind of discussions we'll be having when he's ten?

Then there's my little Willy. Emily hit the nail of the head today. She said that Will looks like mine and Kyle's faces morphed together! At times I see so much Kyle in him, but other times, I really do see myself in his expressions and features. He is definitely a Dart looking boy, but I like to think there's a little Hancock shining through, as well. Will and Zac are such different animals. Zac is overly affectionate. I feel pretty lucky if I get a good hug a day from Will. Now, he'll dish the love out to my mama, but he's a little stingy with his affections. He is much more introverted than Zac, but once you're "in" with him, you're "in." He loves Uncle Tommy and he loves baseball. He loves it more than Zac. It is in his bones. It amazes me that a two year old can watch and completely understand a baseball game, from start to finish. There's no way I can explain to you, unless you've seen it in action, his love for the game.

Will can also throw a tantrum with the best of them, but I think we're finally getting that under wraps. I am so lucky to have good, sweet boys. Kyle and I try so hard to teach them to be kind, so I can only hope it is sinking in. Parenting is hard stuff, but also the greatest stuff on earth. If you want to know the name of boy #3, just ask Will. Eventually you'll figure it out!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Completely Random...

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was a little cooler than is typical for this time of year, so yesterday evening was so nice and pleasant - except for the gnats! Grandma and Pa had just finished cutting the grass, so it made a perfect outfield for fly ball practice. Zac and Will love for Pa to hit ground balls, throw pop flies, throw batting practice, and any other thing that has to do with baseball. I asked Zac if he was ready to go inside (because of the gnats), and he said, "I could stay out here forever!"

Saturday night was Joel and Lauren's reception. This picture was last minute and thrown together, but it has our whole clan in it, so it works! If you haven't noticed, the wedding colors were purple and gold - ECU colors. As I was looking at this picture, I realized that all of the adults in our family have attended ECU at some point. Of course, ma and pa met there in the library and that's where it all began. Emily and Joella and their husbands are all ECU grads. I went there for my freshman year before transferring to BYU and Kyle finished up his last few courses there to get his bachelors before law school. Leah and Rodney are both ECU alumni. Lauren was a ECU cheerleader and Joel just finished up one degree there and will be starting his next in June. Mike just barely transferred out to BYU, but put in his two years as a Pirate before heading out west. So, I guess it was quite appropriate that we were all donning the purple and gold!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Vote for Alexa!

Even if you don't know Kyle's cousin, Alexa, you can still follow this link and vote for her! She is one of the final three on Utah's Rock Star! Please, vote for Alexa!

http://www.kutv.com/content/morning/default.aspx

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Wedding Day

My brother, Joel, got married yesterday to his high school sweetheart. It was such a wonderful day and I took so many pictures, I can't sort through all of them tonight, but here are a few. I thought I'd share a pic of all of my sisters and their spouses as well. I realized as I was posting these that I left poor Mikey out, but I'll dedicate a whole post to him soon. I'll post millions more wedding pics later, but I'm tired and I'm going to bed. Aly