Coley's Mohawk

Cole came downstairs after his shower the other night with a perfect little mohawk, the same perfect little mohawk he'd worn to church that day. I asked him why he didn't wash his hair. He said, "I know, right? That new gel is awesome!! I totally washed my hair but still have my mohawk!" He was thrilled. I said, "What new gel? I didn't buy any new gel." "You know, that Gillette, Cool Wave stuff. It smells good, too!" Still perplexed, I asked him to run get me the gel, because I felt his hair and it was a permanent little mohawk. This is what he brought me:

Good laughs, always, at our house.

The Great Snow, the Great Sorrow, the Great Bonding....

I know this is out of order, but I had to include this part of the story. I'll never forget this morning. The kids were home because of a snow day. We heard the garage door open and felt alarmed because we were all inside eating breakfast together. When I looked out to see what was going on, I saw dear, sweet Brian standing in the snow, shoulders hunched, and sobbing. My heart sank in an instant. When he met my gaze, he just whispered, "My Dad." Our family spent the next few hours huddled together in the family room talking and crying and aching. While we mourned, the snow continued to fall. And fall, and fall, and fall. Brian and Jaden spent over seven hours shoveling snow together. The other kids and I stayed inside, hoping the electricity and water would return (it never did!). I checked on Brian and Jaden, often. Most of the time, I found them both in tears. Of course, I didn't take any pictures of that. But a few times, I found them in giggles. I'm serious. Jaden had Brian laughing. He's amazing that way. I did take pictures of that. And their monumental feat!! Brian told me later that he would never forget the day his Dad died and the Great Snow, the Great Sorrow, and the Great Bonding with his son.

That is our trampoline in the distance!

Lake Cousins

Todd and Stacey invited us all over to their beautiful new home for dinner before the funeral. Wow, they really know how to create a living space! From the moment you walked through the door, you felt peace and warmth and love. I'm so grateful for their graciousness and generosity. The cousins just LOVED each other. Cousins are a special thing in a person's life. I wouldn't be the same without mine, I know that.

More Funeral pictures....

Even though there was great sadness, we also felt much joy. Being reunited with family, after so many months, and sometimes years, was deeply satisfying. Words can't express how much we love our family.

Kayla, McKenna and Mikelle

Cole and Zack

Two of my sweet sisters drove down from the Seattle area to be there for us. It meant SO much to our family. Camille did what she does best, take care of others. Well, she does a lot of things the best! But I really needed her, especially. Brielle is having a sugar seizure in this picture. : )

Holland, Garner and Kayla

Thank goodness for a little entertainment for Brielle!

Cole, Zack and Garner

Kennedy, Camdyn and McKenna

Still happy with her cup and straw!

Brielle WILL NOT keep any kind of bow or band in her hair. Brian thinks she looks like the guy on "Dumb and Dumber". Nice.

The Funeral

I debated over whether to share these. Some things are just too personal. But when I think of the people I share this blog with, I think it's okay. This is part of our family's life, our history. It has softened our hearts and reminded us of what matters most.

The last time the Lake cousins were all together was at Derek's funeral.

The kids covered Derek's grave with rose petals. Steve was buried right next to his son.

Bev and her sweet sisters, Calleen and Cheryl. Thank you, Nicole, for your beautiful talent.

Goodbye for Now....

Brian's sweet Dad, Stephen Lake, passed away during the night. We all loved this man. Brian especially. His Dad was his best friend, his BYU buddy. It broke our hearts to hear that he was gone. We know, though, that we'll see him again. That he's happy and well. That he's with Derek. Thank you, so many of you, for your kindnesses towards our family. We feel comforted and blessed and so incredibly grateful.

First Ponytails!

Just can't get enough of this girl!

Westpoint Hockey Game

We've lived in NY for over five years and just BARELY met this sweet family. We LOVE them!! They live on base at Westpoint, not too far from us. Here's a few pictures from the hockey game we attended. It was a BLAST trying to keep Brielle from launching herself off the cement bleachers!!

Eating Jose

Worst Weekend EVER.

SO..........Remember all of the "head-to-head" pictures from the Nets game??? WELL, here's a little story for you. We returned to our home at around midnight that night. We were all so tired that SOMEONE didn't bother telling us that the toilet didn't flush properly. Brielley girl woke up at 6 a.m. When I went to get her, I heard water running. I checked the kids bathroom and THERE IT WAS. Water. Water, everywhere!!! I ran downstairs to find the whole kitchen FLOODED. My heart sank when I found it in the basement, as well. Wood floors ruined, ceilings ruined and rotten cottage cheese smell. It was awful. After cleaning up as best as we could, we started our regular Saturday morning chores. When Brielle woke up from her nap, I noticed two little brown bugs in her hair. I pulled them out and this little alarm went off in me. McKenna googled "head lice" and I just about died. My baby had head lice!! I immediately checked everyone and found it on Cole and Garner, too. So Brian and I headed to the store for "supplies". I treated all of the boys and Brielle. We washed EVERYTHING. I was exhausted and grumpy as can be. By 10:30 Sunday night, I couldn't wait to lay my head down on my clean bed. I asked McKenna to check my head one more time. Guess what she found????