Nathan's Baptism...

My nephew, Nathan, the second of Jeff and Mary's children and just three months younger than Alice, chose to be baptized when he turned eight. It was a nice day and very special to be with him at his baptism! Here is a pic of their whole family...with another bun in the oven due mid-March...and the best news is, it is a brother for Nathan!

My Nephew Baby Davis Robert Hamm...

After some preterm labor scares and c-section threats, little Davis decided to stay put in the womb until everyone was really ready for him to come. He was born the 11th of January and was super healthy (don't make me recall the stats...8 and some change pounds...I don't know, but CUTE and I was so lucky and thrilled and moved to be with Braden and Amanda on his birth day. It was a long time for me to be away from my little man, and he wasn't thrilled with the separation, but I was so glad that I could actually have a break from him while attending such a sacred moment with my baby brother and Amanda. It is so miraculous to watch another person give birth. I know for sure from that experience that there is a negative physical reaction in my body with any imagining of labor or delivery. That will never be me again...and I'm so good with that! I think Amanda is done too and she did an amazing job getting this healthy kiddo into the world.

When he was a week old, they came and spent a day with us so I could take some pics of the little, cuddly munchkin. I got to take portraits for them AND take a dreamy nap with him sleeping against me. I was in heaven. More of that needs to happen in my future. I might stalk pregnant people or something. For now, I have Davis to cuddle with. I'm no newborn photographer, and I was nervous about this but we did get a few good shots of him and Amanda was easy to please.

This is his blessing outfit. He won't be blessed for a few more weeks so he has some growing to do to fill it out better! Davis, I can't wait to know and love you more as time passes!

November 30th, Ruby's actual birthday...

Ruby's birthday fell on a Saturday, which was an obvious choice for the Hamm's to pull out of town for Utah. SAD! So we went the day after Thanksgiving to a pool and swam with cousins (everyone but Jeff and Mary's family because they were hosting Mary's family at their house all weekend). Robb and Heather were busy packing up final items for the trek, and so they weren't there but we got to have Hailey and Emma for the day which meant a lot to Ruby.

We had a family party that evening for Ruby.

We woke up the next morning (11/30) around 5 or 6 am and said final goodbyes. There were lots of tears...I cried some the night before watching Heather say goodbye to her close friend, Kelly and seeing the cousins sit around the table and cry together after saying goodbye to Kelly's kids. The morning was rough.

Sitting room only? No. No sitting room. The entire van was packed to the square inch and the Jetta was used to transport people...

Hailey in the Jetta.

Off they went.

We had a special breakfast at Oma's house (in the random November post) and then went home and decorated for Christmas.

After Leo went to bed we got a sitter and went to see the new Disney movie, Frozen in 3D. It was good, so I hear...I slept through it. Sad!

Make-up Reunion Day...

My mom planned a day for us all to be together since Chris, myself, Betsey and Leo didn't attend the Hamm reunion in McCall this summer. It was fun! The weather was looking iffy, but it ended up burning off and being nice and sunny. We did the giant slip and slide in the backyard. Such fun! I wished I had had my swimsuit!

Ruby heading down...

Sarah...a nose plugger after my own heart.

Bearded Braden spraying the slide so it was slippery.

Alice looks like she's taking it a little rough here, but she was having fun! We started getting the soap out so that it was slippery enough. She's got suds going...

Nathan...all suds-ed up.

Alice and Emma.

Chris always finds a way to up the excitement and increse maximum potential fun and hazard. Jeff and Chris started slingshotting any willing kids down the slide.

Amanda, Van, Leo and Heather...a good audience.

All the cousins minus Leo. We should have thrown him in so they were AAALLLL there...but with two more on the way, what's the point!? Yes, Amanda and Mary are expecting! Amanda is having a third boy (yay for Leo!) and Mary doesn't know yet.

The missing kid from the grand kid shot.

We had a great water balloon fight. Why do they never last long at all? Seeeriously, all that prep and then a minute and it's all over. Still, it was fun! 

Molly with her balloon.

Alice, Leo and Chris laying around.

This is Leo's life. Women on all sides, all the time! Poor Mason (or Van, I can't tell because I can't see the face or size) wants to get a shot at his little buddy, but he's not standing a chance!

Chris, always a favorite of the cousins...getting pig piled on!

I got a gallon size ice cream maker and made peanut butter chocolate ice cream and fresh mango sorbet. TASTY.

Cousin Visit...

I love having Hailey and Emma down to visit. They are so polite and they are so much fun for my girls to hang out with. I just adore them. I wish Sarah could come too, but since Hailey and Emma live an hour or more closer, it just happens for them more often. Five girls is better than four, so hopefully we can have Sarah down sometime soon!

In this case, I was going to be in Bellevue on Tuesday and we were gathering at my folks' house on Saturday, so as long as Heather was willing to bring them to me in Bellevue, I could keep them a few days. During those days, they did all kinds of imaginative things. One thing they did was a fashion show. I loved it. They worked at it long and hard...like AAaallll day long. My office was the changing room, and the family room was the stage. My office had clothing aaaallll over it! It was super cute. I was a little sick or a LOT, forever and ever sick of their choice of fashion show song, Call me Maybe. Yes, I won't be hearing that song again for a long while. After a full day of them practicing and pausing and restarting that song, around 8 pm I jokingly but in all seriousness requested that we not listen to Call me Maybe again during the visit. They were all on the same page!

Ruby was the host and the girls each wore different looks out for their quick segment. Ruby had all the outfits named, like "Beach day" and "Green Sparkle" or whatever. It was entertaining. The moves these girls threw down! Hailey did the freaking moon walk at one point! I was impressed! Alice dramatically jumped into the air and landed in the splits, complete with an "ouch". Hahahahaha. I never want them to feel silly or self conscious around me, so I try to act disinterested when possible and then when I have permission to video them, I have to stifle all laughter and just oooooh and aahhhh. I spent most of the time videoing, so here are the few pics I got...of them bowing.

Primary Temple trip...

We have an annual walk around the grounds of the Seattle Temple (it's in Bellevue, but globally speaking...).

It's always a really nice day, which is good for being outdoors but not so much for taking good pictures!

Heather met us there with her kids so that I could take Hailey and Emma home with us for a few nights. Addy and Betsey are always excited to see one another!

Robb's kids and my kids...the sun was either in your face or behind you!