Merry Christmas!

We're busy with all our Christmas fun, but I'm sure Mommy will post pictures a little later!

Still Here

I know, it's been too long. Did you miss me? I don't really have any excuses, and actually you won't get any pictures out of me tonight. I'm babysitting at a friend's house and just thought I'd say a quick hello to let you know I'm still here and I promise I'll blog something this week. Maybe tomorrow.

Oh, and check this out. Wouldn't Miss Mollie look so cute in this little frock? Oh, I hope I win! If not, maybe my next project needs to be making aprons for my kids?

Is it Too Late?

Yesterday is over, today's shopping has come and gone (I was very successful I might add) and the kids are nestled all snug in their beds. Is it too late to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving? We had a great day, but it was over waaay too fast.

Brett fried our turkey again this year, with much success. He improved upon last year's bird that was a little extra cripsy. He did 2 and they were both quite yummy (that's saying a lot coming from someone who doesn't love turkey). Brooke returned with Mollie, after spending the week together in Maryland, and then we also had the missionaries, our neighbor from across the courtyard and some good friends from the ward. After the meal was finished, and we'd rested a bit before tearing into the yummy pies and dutch oven apple cobbler (thank you Brett) we all realized that we did not take one picture of the meal or the people involved. Just take my word for it, we witnessed a small miracle with all those people crammed into our tiny apartment. Brooke and I got up super early (like 4:30) this morning to hit the sales and it definitely paid off.

And now.

The moment you've all been waiting for.........



I finally finished the turkey headbands I started for last Thanksgiving!!! I know, aren't you so impressed with my raw talent and lightning speed?! I'm going to go watch a movie with B & B now. Good night!

PS Please excuse the spooky red eyes, I was too lazy to fix it I guess!

Nine Dancing Princesses and One Handsome Prince

We had Mollie's birthday party over the weekend and it was fantastic! It was a princess themed party, complete with tu-tu's for everyone. (I don't want to tu-tute my own horn, but they turned out so cute!) We were a little nervous that the party wouldn't happen, because Mollie was quite sick all week with a high fever and absolutely no energy. I took her to the doc on Monday and everything looked great (ears, nose, throat) but she just wasn't getting any better. Finally on Thursday I took her in again and sure enough - double ear infection! The good thing was, we pumped her full of antibiotics and she was good to go for the party on Saturday.Of course, Auntie B came up and made a fabulous princess cake! She even took Mollie home with her for a few days. Check her blog here to see what crazy things have been happening to them.We had so much fun, and as a bonus all the little girls got along perfectly! Kody took a spill and split open his lip, but Dr. Daddy took care of him and he was running around again in no time! We made crowns,played "Kiss the Frog"

and "Duck, Duck, Goose", listened to a cute story,and ended the festivities with cakeand presents. I went a little overboard, making all those tu-tu's plus little purses for goody bags with hairclips inside (and ring pops and candy necklaces). I've been preparing for weeks, and she's only 3! I think I'm gong to have to tone the birthday excitement down a little or I'll go crazy!

PS Did you notice the cute crown Mollie was wearing? I found the pattern and instructions here, it was so easy!

3 Years Ago Today...

Miss Mollie is three years old today!

Feliz Cumpleanos

Today is Brett's birthday! We went shopping the other day for his presents, and I think I spent a little too much time encouraging the kids to keep it a secret. As soon as he walked in the door, Mollie ran up to him and told him what we got! Last Sunday, Brett was conducting in sacrament meeting, and it really hit me how much he has "grown up" since I first met him. I look back at all we've been through together, and I am so thankful to have him in my life forever!

Here are just a few of the reasons I am so in love with this guy:

HE is such a great father, I love watching him with the kids and they absolutely adore him. Kody told me one day that Daddy is his best friend and I believe it. They can be so silly together, it makes me giggle.
HE is an awesome husband, too. There was a day not too long ago, Brett came home from school and could tell that the kids had been less than good all day. He took both Kody and Mollie with him and headed off to the store to get a couple of things we needed. When they returned, the kids ran up to me with my favorite chocolates and apologized for being mean to me. I know they didn't come up with that on their own!
HE has worked so hard in school, and now that it is coming to a close I just want him to know how proud I am to be his wife.


Happy birthday Babe, I hope we can help you to have the best birthday ever - you deserve it!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Okay, I didn't win a chicken dinner, but I did win something equally wonderful! I will post some pictures of the kids from Halloween when I get around to uploading them from the camera, but for now I'll just tell you about my fabulous prize. A few weeks ago, I found this blog and she just happened to be having a giveaway at the time for these darling wrist warmers. I entered the drawing of course, thinking there was no way I would win. It's a good thing I subscribed on my google reader, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when her next post was this one! I even wrote a comment asking if it really was me, since I never win any of these. Sure enough, they came in the mail yesterday and they are so warm and cozy! Of course, we are currently having a bit of a heat wave these past few days, but they will definitely get used this winter! Yay me, I feel so special right now!

Who Takes Care of Mama?

The answer is: Kody does! I was lucky enough to come down with the stomach flu last night (I know, aren't you so happy for me) and was quite sick all day today. Kody and Mollie had the pleasure of watching me throw up in the toilet, which I think could be pretty terrifying for small children. I mean really, mommies aren't supposed to get sick, right? The kids were all sick over the weekend, so I knew this moment was coming. This morning, while I was getting breakfast for the kids and setting them up in front of Nick Jr. (don't judge, I was sick!) I made the comment that I felt like I was going to have to throw up again. Next thing I know, Kody is running into the kitchen and rummaging around for a bowl. He said, "it's okay Mama, I'll get you a bowl." Isn't that the sweetest thing? I really do have great kids! Mollie just played on and around me all afternoon while I snuggled under a blanket on the couch. They both chose their own clothes and got dressed with minimal help from me, and hardly complained when I told them I was too sick to do much today. I should also give a big shout out to Papa Bear, because he took care of Madi all last night while I was sick, she had gotten shots and was very sad and had a hard time sleeping. He wasn't able to stay home and take care of me, but he was able to come home just in time to pick the Kodester up from the bus and clean up the house (I can't believe how much mess can happen when I let the kids do whatever they want!), make dinner, feed the kids and then bathe them and get them in bed. What an awesome husband I have!

Tomorrow will be a better day, I'm sure.

Zero-and-a-half!

Someone asked me the other day how old Madi is, and I couldn't believe that it was her half birthday! These past 6 months have gone so fast, and she is so fun and sweet. Just this week she's learned that loud screeching gets attention so much faster than quiet fussing and sometimes it's hilarious! She might actually be louder than Mollie, more ear-piercing at the very least. She rolls and scoots all over the place, I even had to make bumper pads for her crib because she kept scooting into the corner and bonking her head all night. If I lay her down on a blanket on the floor, she doesn't waste any time in rolling right off the blanket and exploring the world around her. She loves her exersaucer and is just starting to enjoy the jumperoo. Madi absolutely loves food - anything I give her! So far it's just baby cereal and a few veggies and fruits, but she will grab for anything within her little reach. Mollie's hair is a fave at the moment. Oh, and if I have a cup of water you know she won't give up until I give her a drink. And then another. And another. Madi loves to sing. In church, as soon as we start singing, she pipes in with her cute little voice. She even sings while she eats! Most of all, she loves her brother and sister. Her face lights up and she actually gets the giggles if she even hears them coming down the hall. I love this little girl, and I am so happy she came to live with us!

GROSGRAIN

Oh my goodness, these skirts are so cute! I just stumbled across this blog the other day and it is amazing. This girl makes all these gorgeous dresses, etc. and then just gives them away! Can you believe it?! I hope I win these skirts and shirts, they would look so cute on Mollie. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Just Finished

I just finished the third book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini and I feel like a part of me is gone forever. This is what I love about reading: first, you see the book in the library or book store. You think it looks interesting, read the teaser on the jacket and decide to take a chance. You wait a few days to either finish any other book(s) you've been trying to finish or get some things accomplished around the house so you have time to just sit and read. The first few pages may not suck you in right away, but you are interested enough to keep going a little while longer. Before you know it, your house is a mess, the kids are scrounging for food in between the couch cushions and begging for one thing or another yet you don't hear them because you have been transported to Alagaesia, England, Forks Washington or somewhere in Middle Earth. For days, your life is what you are reading and you can hardly focus on anything else. And then you finish the book and fall back into reality. You bathe the kids, feed them, spend time with your husband and do all the things that have been pushed aside. But a part of you remains in the book, waiting for the next installment. I hope the next one comes soon!

PS Anyone who knows me, knows I like to embellish just a tad. My bathroom may not be clean, but the children are clean and fed and entertained (and currently sleeping peacefully in their beds). Please don't send child services just yet!

Quarantine and Other Randomness

Kody was home sick from school a few days this past week, talk about stir crazy! I was trying to get some work done and he was really bugging me so I just sent him down to the basement to "organize" his cars. I thought that would take at least an hours, considering the 3000 cars he has down there! (okay, maybe it's more like 1,075 but who's counting!?) I'm not kidding, 5 minutes later he comes back up and says "okay Mom, I'm all done with my cars!"

He had taken most of the "Cars" cars, as we call them (from the movie), and lined them up on top of his storage drawers. Of course, all the hot wheels, matchbox cars and train cars were strewn all over the floor, but hey at least he partly did what I asked him to!

Mollie was also bouncing off the walls, feeling very cooped up and not so happy that our quiet afternoons had been invaded by Kody, so I sent her to her room one morning to get dressed by herself. (she really loves this particular freedom)

This is what she came up with! Her fashion sense is not quite perfect, but at least she's trying.

Now for a random bit about Madi - she is suffering from baby-patterned baldness. I was so hoping that this one would keep all her hair, as she really hadn't lost much until now. She has lost it completely in the front, the top is going quickly and the back is pretty much gone.And then there's this mullet in the back. A very dark mullet (the picture doesn't do it any justice). What little hair she does have is gong lighter, but the mullet is just as dark as the day she was born. So here's my question, do I go ahead and shave it to match the rest of her hair or let it go and see what happens? It won't be long before I can pull that mullet in to a ponytail and she can look like a tiny little ninja master, which could be quite entertaining!

Field Trip

Kody's school had a family field trip yesterday, to the Wasem's Apple Orchard. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and I even got a little sunburned! Brett was even able to come with us! This cute lady was called Grandma Judy, and she kept calling the kids things like cherubs and sugar pies.

Sampling different apples

Ready for those yummy donuts and cider!

Kody and Rachel, his new girlfriend

Mollie and Nathan - I just thought this pose was so cute!

Love those happy smiles!

Birthday Surprise

Madi and I flew to Utah this past weekend (thanks Daddy!)for my mom's birthday, and by some huge miracle we were all able to keep it a total secret from the birthday girl! My "big" sister came to pick me up at the airport, and then we met the family for lunch. We got there first, so we were able to plan and carry out the perfect "surprise!" moment! Buffy was holding Madi in the doorway, ready to greet mom, and said "Look what I found!" It took about .05 seconds for mom to figure out it was Madi and start looking around for me. She cried and laughed, and then the rest of the weekend everytime she thought about it or anyone talked about it she got teary all over again! We had such a fun weekend, just hanging out together. My dad and sisters had planned a surprise party for Saturday afternoon with all her friends and loved ones, and it was my job to keep her entertained and get her to the party without blowing the secret. Then we hung out at my parents house with all the sisters, husbands, nieces and nephews - even my workaholic brother-in-law came (it was great to spend some time with you, Terry). On Sunday I was able to go to church with my parents before flying home, and my dad just happened to be speaking in sacrament meeting. I missed my kids and Brett, but it was so great to see everyone again. Here's a little slideshow with a few pictures. I realized that I didn't take very many, we were having too much fun! PS to see pictures of Kody's first school bus ride, click here.

Big Man on Campus

Well, the big day has finally arrived... Kody's first day of preschool! We've been waiting anxiously all summer for this blessed day, and now it has come and gone.His teachers, Marifran (pictured here) and Desiree, are great! I can tell this is going to be a fun class. I have to admit, part of me was looking forward to a few tears (from Kody, not me) and lots of hugs, but as soon as we got to the classroom he was gone in a flash.

You'll notice that some of the pictures are a bit blurry, because I couldn't get him to hold still long enough to focus.

Here is our conversation in the car on the way over:

"Mommy, are you going to talk a long time today?"
"Why, do you want me to just drop you off and leave?"
"Yeah."
"Don't you want me to stay for a little while?"
"Uh-uh.

I got a little choked up, and I might have been the only mom there with a camera but at least he's still too little to be too embarrassed by my overprotectivness!! (is that even a word?)

Mollie was sad that she couldn't stay and go to school too,but she cheered up when we came home and she got to ride her little red trike all afternoon and go for a walk with Mommy! (I only had to bribe her a little.)

Camp Photos

I was finally able to sit down and get the pictures organized from our camping trip. We had such a great time, I'm really glad we did it! The kids were such happy campers, and we had lots of adventures. We took a few short hikes to see some waterfalls, of course a few lighthouses and some fun at the beach! We even got to take in a little art, at this place called Lakenenland. It's this drive through sculpture forest, created by Tom Lakenen. Our last night up there, the skies opened up and we actually had a river going right under our tent! The water eventually started leaking through the roof of the tent, but Brett and I were able to keep the kids dry while we packed everything up in the early hours of the morning and they slept through the whole thing!