What do these two have in common?

I think Enzo had an Andy (The Office) moment today. Remember that episode where Andy is floating away in his blow up sumo suit and Angela pretends she doesn't understand what he is telling her?

I've been a very boring mom these last couple days since I've been sick. Today Enzo woke up at 6:30am and Chris was out surfing. After getting all of his books from his bedroom and bringing them in our room to try to get me to move he started saying "papai, papai" (daddy, daddy). This went on for about 2 hours. I just ignored him as I crashed on his bedroom floor pretending to play blocks with him but not really moving. He then went to my room grabbed a picture of Christian from out night stand came back pointed to Christian's face in the picture and said is a very sad voice, "papai please, papai please."

Pammy and Sienna

I'm late--not really for Pammy, but definitely for Sienna--Suzelle reminds me that I'm choosing my life, so I must like being insanely busy--but I still have my priorities, and they involve both of you. You two are very much alike. Must be why your birthdays are so close together. I love that both of you are always insightful, very well centered, creative, so dang intelligent--and beautiful although in this way, you are very distinct, and don't look any more alike than me and Noelle. I love how original you both are. I love you both.

Colleen

Happy Birthday Pammy and Sienna

We love you and hope you have a great birthday! Andy's party was fun too. Wish we could all be together but I know we are all in each others hearts.
Love, Grimsmans

The (Un) Matron

The first time I spent a significant chunk of time at the Palmer household, I found myself surprised at the relaxed atmosphere where a mother could actually suspend her judgment and maturity to relate to her children (and their friends) without giving up respect and rank in the household. This is always what we, as teenagers, requested of adults ("We want to be treated like adults!") but we also realized that it was a paradox of a situation. Pam is the only person I know that can extend the range of time in empathy and advice. She somehow is connected with a huge range of her own personal experience when most of us forget a feeling or attitude within days, and she does not lord over anyone with her "knowledge" of the way the world is or should be. She also cares very deeply for everyone. She is slow to blame-- usually she will turn it on herself first. She always looks for ways to improve her relationships with others and has the kind of self-reflection that I wish I could maintain. I don't think she gives herself enough credit for how amazing she is. In her situations, I would have already wallowed in self-pity and blamed every other factor before failing miserably. I could only wish to garner as much respect and love from my family and friends as she has. I count myself lucky to be a part of her routine and life.

Happy Birthday tie-dye queen of the tropics!

You are the most beautiful 50 something year old that looks like 20 something year old that I know.

Thank you for not only loving me as a daughter-in-law but as a friend (and a very grouchy neighbor). Thanks for loving me through my “I can not be a housewife phase” and always making it seem like I did a good job. Thanks for encouraging me to apply for grad school and making it seem like it was a good decision, every step of the way even when I know deep down you didn’t want us to move. Thanks for sharing your precious helpful son with me and making me feel like I was his soul mate since that first Christmas when I met you. Thanks for treating me like a best friend when I felt like I didn’t have any friends. Thanks for all the Costco trip conversations, the Ross trips, the afternoon walks to the beach where you never seemed rushed to get in the water but instead patiently listened to my troubles and watched Enzo so I could wash away the day's stress. Thanks for the beautiful jewelry, skirts, endless tie-dyes you’ve given me. Thanks for holding my hand a couple times in church. Thanks for hugging me. Thanks for loving Enzo despite my criticisms and insecurities. Thanks for knocking on our bedroom door and taking him so that Chris and I could get a little more sleep. Thanks for sharing your house with us, my friends, my sister, my cousin…

Thank you for taking pictures of us and cherishing our faces in your albums. Thank you for spending so much money on our wedding and never making me feel bad that my family couldn’t help. Thank you for thanking me for joining the ward choir even though I can’t sing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insecurities with me, allowing me to learn. Thanks for letting us go. I love you more than I’ve been able to show and I really miss your friendship.

Have a wonderful birthday filled with cake and ice-cream, surrounded by nature and people that love you.

Da

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAMMY!

Happy Birthday Mommy! I hope you already know how much I love you. I am sure I don't realize everything you have done for me, but I am grateful anyway. You have been the most beautiful example to me of always being motivated by love and true concern. Thank you for helping me so much since I have been away, always listening to my meltdowns. I definitely rely on you still. I hope you have a really beautiful and relaxing day.

Boo-ti-full See-Ena

Sorry, it's bad quality, but trust me when I say it's a good picture. I had to scan in my hard copy photo. Back in the days when digital was still the future of photography, or something like that.
I used to dislike the name Sienna. I'm not sure why, just something about it hit me wrong, or had associations with "burnt".
Sienna has recreated her name for me, and now I love it. I even wanted to name one of my children "Serena" which really sounds like Sienna, when you say it right, because I wanted it to be original, but I also wanted it to be pretty much the same.
Sienna has come to mean:
a calm, thoughtful moment that listens when everyone is talking
longboard wheels over concrete
a preference of glasses over contacts because intelligence is visual
a lemon semi freddo cake, and other culinary confections
a sunny afternoon nap with a breeze blowing over
long hair pulled into a perfect upswirl

Sienna has a kind of grace that I hope to emulate, and an old soul that I admire.
Happy Birthday Sienna! It's still your day from here. I hope it was a good one.

Sienna in Santa Barbara

Thank you Sister!

good times with Sienna

Here are a few pictures I have: me and sienna at graduation, hiking to the hot springs, and car-top picnic in the parking structure in salt lake city after general conference.

:)

Happy Birthday Sienna

Happy Birthday Sienna. Since we are living in the future over here, we get to be the first to wish you a happy 23rd. Congratulations. Already graduated, too. You guys seem to have lots of fun, good plans and possibilities. We want you to come here, but we know you'll have fun where ever you go, since that's how you are.
Here is a picture from the archives. You caught a lot of waves that day. We loved having you. You played with the girls, did our dishes, etc. If only all guests were that easy to have around.
I know it wasn't easy to be the youngest in a family with so many people who know everything, but you handle it with grace, good humor, and style. Keep us posted in your exciting new life.