Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Mother Nature's Farm

Today I went with Clara and Clay's preschool on a field trip to Mother Nature's Farm. It was kinda hot and kind of a mad house, but the kids enjoyed it. They have pumpkin decorating, hay rides, a petting zoo, a hay maze, and an air bounce. If it would just cool down a few more degrees, we could spend all day outside!




Friday, October 10, 2008

One reason I shouldn't blog

Because while I was adding a new post, Clara learned how to take off the safety gate that's usually up to keep the kids from going into the guest room (which right now is the catch-all) and they made an even bigger mess of it.

Of course when I went to see what they were doing, Clara and Clay were nowhere to be found, but I heard a squeaky voice from the closet saying "Let me out!" in between sobs.

I opened the door to find Janie with black permanent marker all over herself and the closet door. Luckily it's on the inside where nobody can see it. Maybe I should wait until the kids are sleeping before I get on the computer.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Kiddies

Quick update on the kids: Clara's obsession lately is helping me in the kitchen. Every time she sees me in there she asks "Can I help you make something?" It's been a good motivator for me because I want her to love to cook so I've been trying to increase my cooking and baking skills. Which reminds me, if you haven't looked at mine and my sisters' cooking blog there are lots of delicious recipes so check it out here!

Clay is into Transformers right now. It's all he talks about morning, noon, and night. He got some photo album boxes out and put them on his feet and walked around the house saying he was a Transformer. At least it makes Christmas shopping for him really easy! He loves, loves, loves preschool and has grown up so much these last few months.

These girls have the best bedhead of anyone I know. This picture is actually mild compared to what it usually looks like! Janie is at SUCH a fun age! Her vocabulary is excellent and she is almost always sweet and happy. When Clara and Clay are at preschool, Janie makes a great shopping partner. She been showing some signs of interest in the potty training area, but I haven't been very faithful about it. On Sunday she told us she needed to go potty so Derek put her on her potty chair and she went pee and poop, a first! She hasn't done it since, but she was sure proud of herself!

Monday, October 06, 2008

General Conference


Oh how I love Conference weekend. Besides the fact that we don't have to get up and ready for 8 o'clock church, I look forward to General Conference because it's almost like a holiday. We get to spend 2 whole days with family and listen to our Prophet and Apostles who's words increase our faith and strengthen our testimonies. I have to admit though, the thing that touches me the most is the music. I loved listening to the Primary children's sweet voices and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was outstanding as always. I think my favorite song had to be "Oh What Songs of the Heart". It gave me chills. It reminded me of my ward growing up (Fairfield) when Candice was called to be the choir director and this was one of the songs we performed. I played the piano part while my mom was on organ and we had a very large choir- it sounded AMAZING. It became a favorite of our Bishop at the time, and when he passed away, the ward choir was asked to perform it at his funeral. Words cannot describe the feeling in that room. I'm sure even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir would have been impressed. I seem to associate music with memories, so for me this song reminds me of our dear Bishop. Music is so powerful and I hope my children grow to appreciate good music as much as I do. To listen to the song, go here (it's in the Sunday morning session). Now Dad- this is for you- my 6 favorite speakers: 1. Dallin H. Oaks- Sacrament Meeting 2. Jeffrey R. Holland-Angels 3. David A. Bednar- Meaningful Prayer 4. Henry B. Eyering- Unity 5. President Monson (Sunday Morning)- Change 6. Russell M. Nelson- Celestial Marriage

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Garden



I never really thought about a garden probably because I do NOT have a green thumb and cannot keep plants alive for longer than 2 days, but Derek has wanted one for a while and it's finally become a reality! Monday night for FHE we planted the seeds; if we can even get one good vegetable from it, I'll consider it a success!

Janie's Birthday Fun


For Janie's birthday Candice and I took the kids to a gymnastics place that has open gym every Friday and the kids absolutely love it!




I am definitely investing in one of these roller coasters- it was by far the kids favorite!



Candice made this little book for Janie with pictures of our family- could she be any more creative?



Every Sunday we go to my parents house for dinner so we had another little party over there. She made out like a bandit!



Friday, September 05, 2008

Janie

Happy Birthday to my sweet Janie Jane! I can't believe she's already 2. She's looking and acting more grown up every day. Some things I love about Janie:
- Her sweetest little voice
- Her big round belly
-She LOVES to let me do her hair (which is finally long enough to do ponies!)
- Her chubby cheeks (both sets)
- She is very polite and loves to say thank you and you're welcome
- Her obsession with bugs
- Her ability to keep up with Clara and Clay and do everything they do

We are so blessed to have you in our family Janie girl- we love you!



Here's Janie's rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
(She only got halfway and then realized I had the camera so she wanted to see)

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Preschool


I can't tell you how long I've waited for this day! Clara and Clay started preschool on Tuesday and it's 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. It's right around the corner from our house so we can walk (which will be REALLY nice once it cools down), and to be able to run my errands and get things done with only 1 child is bliss! I love my kids alot and wouldn't trade motherhood for anything, but sometimes you NEED a break and taking 3 kids anywhere is stressful. I think this is going to make me a happier person!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Hmmm...


Did anyone else get this in their mail and find it disturbing?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hold the Onions

If you haven't already noticed it on my sidebar, my sisters, mom, and myself started a cooking blog. We decided to call it 'Hold the Onions' because whether we're making food or ordering it, we leave the onions out! Hopefully you'll enjoy the recipes even if you like onions- you can always add them yourself!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

My new Motto



"If you don't want to clean it up, then don't make the mess." I've been saying this all to often to my kids. Only 2 more weeks until preschool- hallelujah!

Monday, August 04, 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Girls


We've had a fun couple of weeks! Kelli came down for the weekend and we celebrated Candice's 30th birthday with some good food, shopping, and lounging. Mason and Amanda also flew in from Florida (their new home for the next year at least- Mason is going to law school in Jacksonville) so it's been fun having them here and getting to spend time with them. Yesterday Candice, Amanda, and I took Clara and Maya for their first pedicures and we probably should have waited a little while longer because they loved it a little too much I think! Clara's already saying "it's okay if my nail polish scratches off because we can just go back to the store and get more put on!"








Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Oh the memories...

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.


Thursday, July 10, 2008

Cottonwood


We celebrated the 4th of July in Cottonwood, where Derek's parents live and it was so much fun! The weather was beautiful and there were just the right amounts of things to do. We went to a pancake breakfast/parade Friday morning on our bikes, then we got to ride on an old fire truck.




Friday afternoon we went to a fair for some hamburgers,hot dogs, and watermelon and they had a bunch of inflatable bouncers and slides for the kids. Then we went back to Derek's parents house and watched the fireworks show from their balcony and it was amazing! The last couple of years we haven't gone anywhere to watch fireworks so this was really the kids first time seeing them. I loved watching their reactions!

Saturday we went 4 wheelin' in the mountains and had a blast! It's one of the kids very favorite things to do. They definitely take after Derek! (My camera battery died Saturday morning so I didn't get any pictures that day). Thank you George and Darlene! We can't wait to do it again next year!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

4 reasons...

for my little blogging break:

1. UTI and kidney stones- not fun.
2. Potty training Clay- he's got #1 down; we're still working on #2.
3. Catching up on laundry/housework
4. My camera will not upload pictures to the computer- so frustrating!
I was able to put a few of our family pictures on here from when we had them taken in May. I love that she can make the pictures look vintage. If anyone's interested in a photo session, go here for the info.