Catching up!

So I wanted to play a little catch up.  I hadn't been super motivated to post lately, but this month has had so many fun things going on.  I can't believe that there are only 2 days left to finish everything for Christmas.  I am still ahead of most years, but have yet to finish the blankets for both boys.  Steve wants to help, so I have to wait for him to be around.  He is in AZ today and starting tomorrow, although he has to work from home, he will be home until next Monday.  My family comes on Wednesday and so this week will be so crazy.  I am excited for Christmas this year.  It is fun to have both boys so excited.  Their letters to Santa were so fun.  I will have to take pictures of them later as they are on their way to Santa right now.  Maybe he will bring them back!  Good thing Iron Man is at the top of the list!

Cohen is registered for school, although Steve is now wondering why I want to spend the money to take him since he will already get 2 years of pre-school.  I am really looking forward to getting things in order for the baby.  I know it is hard for him to understand, but how can I deny the little guy what HE really wants.  He tells me every day about going to school after his birthday.  (And this will be the first time in 5 years and the last time for 3 1/2 more, that I can actually have time to get a pedicure during the week without getting a babysitter.  Totally worth the money!  Love you babe!)

p.s.  Santa, please come soon, as Landon is getting close to being TOO naughty to get presents.  I will explain in another post, not in the happy month of December!  

Merry Christmas!

T-K/Christmas party

So Landon has a class mascot named Tom-Kat or T-K.  Each weekend one kid from the class gets to take him home and take pictures of all the "adventures" he went on and write in this journal.  I don't think I have ever seen Landon as excited as I did the day he got to bring him home.  We get to have T-K the entire Christmas break.  His first adventure, other than the fashion show he had the first afternoon (T-K has a whole suitcase full of outfits!), was the next morning for the class Christmas party.  The kids did crafts, had snacks and played.  Cohen was so excited to be in Landon's class for the day and get to do "big guy" stuff.  We are really excited to get to do some fun things for T-K and Landon has asked me to make a cape and blanket for him.  Too cute!

T-K even got to go see our friends do their sing and dance show.  I just wish Landon hadn't been so tired.  It was a really cute show, but the morning had been crazy and I forgot to feed him breakfast.  Oops!  He enjoys seeing people he know do that kind of stuff.  

I am sure there will be many more adventures.  We are grateful to his teachers for letting him have T-K for the extra long break.  

Dr. Newharts Christmas Cure

Landon has a school Christmas program this year.  It was a mini play, I guess that is what you would call it.  The long and short of it was that these people had a hole in their heart because the were missing the true meaning of Christmas.  Dr. Newhart helped them at the hospital to find the true meaning of Christmas.  

So in preparing to go, we had Landon dressed, fed, and on time.  Mom actually remembered the regular camera and video camera.  I drop Landon off in his spot, find a seat and wait for Steve to meet me.  The kids pile on stage and mom gets the video camera out and, yes, the battery is dead.  AAAAHHHH!   So I get out the regular camera and ready myself to take a million pictures and Landon gets in his spot and (check the picture below), WHAT?!?!?, there is a huge desk/prop directly in front of where he is standing.  I picked the complete wrong seat.  AAAHHHH!!!  We were totally frustrated the whole time.  They did video it and projected it on the 3, yes 3, state of the art projection screen tv's in their chapel.  Man we Mormons are out of the loop!  

The kids couldn't get enough of seeing themselves on tv.  It was totally entertaining.  Face making, wiggling, complete fascination with the tv.  Man are kids funny when they are supposed to be standing quietly waiting for their turn to sing.  Kids screaming the music, picking their noses, poking the kid next to them and then giggling!  What a riot.  

I must say, that I am glad I choose green not red.  He did stand out.  It was cute.  I will just order the DVD from the school.  Who needs a video camera?!!!

School Thanksgiving feast

These are a little late on the posting, but I thought they were too cute to not post.  It is so fun how many things the kids get to do at school.  This was their Thanksgiving feast.  They have "big buddies" at school in an older grade, someone for them to look up to.  They do all sorts of fun stuff together.  They had a kids style Thanksgiving dinner (complete with Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets)  and made a placemat for the table.  Cohen was miserable, but I loved being there to see Landon.

Brothers

So, can I say how much I love these 2 little guys?  They have been playing so cute together today.  They seem to be hot or cold, but when they are getting along, they are so cute.  Today, my dear sweet Landon (who was out of bed 5 times before going to sleep and up again in the middle of the night to sleep with me the rest of the night, since daddy is gone!), well that dear sweet boy wouldn't take his nap.  While I know that he probably shouldn't need one, I need it especially when Steve is out of town ALL week.  I was a bit cranky today since I couldn't fall asleep last night (3 hrs of sleep is just NOT enough), so after a big hoopla, I gave in and he didn't nap.  So, TV time instead of a nap is a big no,no for me, especially since we don't do TV much anyway.  Well, cranky mom laid down the law and it was quiet play until brother was awake.  When Co finally woke up, Landon had hid a bunch of their toys and he was going to give Co a bunch of gifts for Christmas.  So for almost 2 hours those boys played quietly, their new game they call "Christmas".  Landon helps Co, but pretty much they give each other a toy, gush over how thankful they are that they got it and then play with whatever toy it was.  Ok, this is way too cute!!!  I hope they are this polite and excited for the things we got them on Christmas morning.  I was feeling very overwhelmed today and I just needed to say how much I appreciate how sweet they are.  Some days, I wish I could manage 4.  I even let my thoughts roam to the baby after this one.  But then days like today, as sweet as they are, man is this job way too big for me on my own.  I am grateful for the 3 boys we will have.  I am so glad they all love each other so much.  I know the baby will be just another Musketeer, since he gets so many hugs and kisses already!  

Public vs. Private

So the debate is on as to what we should do with Landon next year.  Before this school year started we were all set to be done paying for Landons' school for a while, but now I'm not sure.  I haven't heard terrific reviews on the public schools here and I don't think we could be any happier where we are at.  My 2 points of discussion are: 1. Do I want to pay for school when it could be free?  2. Does it bother me that much that they say God instead of Heavenly Father?(because I am constantly correcting Landon).  I had to talk Steve into doing the 5 day/wk pre-K program and now he is SO glad we did it.  Landon gets so much attention from his teachers.  They have much smaller classes, they notice when things aren't going well, they can say the pledge of allegiance, they can pray (or say grace, as they call it) and the families are very involved.  

I knew exactly where Landon would go if we were still in AZ, but here I am not sure.  

Also, I wouldn't have to drive 2 different places since Co will be in pre-school next year and could go to the same school as Landon.  But, then again, Co would be half day and Landon would be all day.  Aaahhh!  Education is SO important to me, and I know how a good start can affect them for years to come.  What to do, what to do!!!  I am envious of my friends in AZ who are sending their kids to the private school where I went.  I knew it was a perfect fit for Landon.  I want him to stay close to his church friends, but I think we can do that by just hanging out with the people we do on a regular basis.  Diversity is good.  Right???

Christmas Party

Tonight was one of our friends Christmas parties.  The boys had so much fun.  There were tons of kids there and Santa, so lots of playing and excitement.  Landon was so cute with Santa.  He was the last kid to sit on his lap because he would never be the pushy one asking to go first.  He always sits back, watches and waits for someone to notice him.  After a little encouragement he raised his hand and got his turn.  I am not sure what he asked for, but I think he said a red power ranger costume.  Since he already has one, do I technically have to get another one?  Ha, ha, that kid can't get enough of costumes.  We have 3 drawers full of them.  Cohen wouldn't even come close enough to Santa to get a candy cane.  I had to do the hand off.  We did get some good pictures.  Glad I remembered my camera!  

Love/Hate

Ok, so I am working around the house all week, and all I can think is that I really hate to work around the house.  Folding laundry, paying bills, organizing papers, organizing toys, changing sheets, etc, etc.... Then, as I think to myself, "self, you complain way to much!", I start to think that I love a lot of things, too.

I love a clean house, I just hate to clean it.

I love newly vacuumed carpets, I just hate to vacuum.

I love the smell of clean laundry, I just hate to wash and fold it.

I love a freshly pressed shirt, I just hate to iron.

I love to cook a good meal, I just hate the clean up part.

I love when my husband is home, I just hate when he travels.

I love hanging out and doing fun stuff with my kids, I just hate when they are naughty.

I love to be organized, I just hate putting stuff away constantly.

I love being pregnant, I just hate getting fat.

I love that I have a diaper free home, I just hate stopping at every place to go potty.

I love how I feel with makeup on, I just hate to take the time.

I love to have my hair done, I just hate to spend the money...

So, one subject that all I can think of is things I love is...

CHRISTMAS.  I love everything about it.  I love to give to others.  I love to have my decorations up.  I love planning and shopping for gifts for my hubby and kids.  I love to bake Christmas goodies.  I love Christmas music.  I love holiday movies.  I love that my hubby gets another short vacation with us.  I love being reminded every day that this time of year is all about our Savior and His amazing birth.  

So, this one month, I am going to try and not be overwhelmed with my cleaning and daily duties and focus on all I love about this time of year!

Here is a couple of pictures of our tree and my first nativity set.  Thanks mom for knowing I love Willow Tree! (and for buying me stuff when you think I am mad at you since someone had the nerve to read her the blog entry on family.  Glad they can't see it anymore!)

Family pictures

So I am a little disappointed with our family pictures.  I know it only takes one good one for Christmas cards, but I don't think that means an artsy one of our backsides.  All of the group ones, not so good.  Even the pictures of Steve and I are just different.  Maybe I am just being picky, but with the crazy lighting she uses a ton are out of focus and the others there is at least one person that looks really bad.  Oh well, I guess I will chalk it up to another picture day disaster.  We are just not a photogenic family.  Individually, we do fine.  As a group, not good.  Here is the one picture I like as a group (other than the butt shot).  The more I look at it, the more it looks out of focus though.  I don't know. Aaahhhhh!!!

Riding quads

I mentioned we took the boys to ride quads on Saturday.  Here are a few pictures.  I really love doing things like this and I had a blast on Steve and I's ride.  Wish I had a pic of us.  There is so much beautiful country up here, and we are lucky to have such fun friends that invite us to do fun stuff.  The boys had so much fun.  Of course, then my husband thinks we need some of our own.  Good thing he doesn't want to store them here!  

Thanksgiving

I can honestly say this is one of the best Thanksgivings we have ever had.  First of all, it was SO nice to have Steve around for 5 full days.  We have really been missing him a lot around here, and it's just not the same when he is gone.  Because this was going to be the first of many holidays that we will be spending without family, we decided we were in need of making sometraditions that we would do each year.  It is hard to start something new, but I am just taking baby steps.

So here is how the weekend played out.

Wednesday: Since Steve had to work most of the morning we did some organizing and straightening up around the house in the morning.  The boys played and I tried to keep them quiet while daddy was on conference calls.  Daddy ran out and did some last minute shopping while the boys took their naps and then we decided our pre-Turkey Day dinner should always be mexican food.  We went to eat and then hit Lowe's for a few things we wanted for Christmas decorations.  We decided last minute that since I won't let the boys hang ornaments on my tree, they should have their own fun tree.  Our is artificial, too, so they got to pick out their very own Christmas tree.  This is going to be a tradition, too, for the day before.  Now we just have lots of work to do to start getting fun ornaments for them.  

Thursday:  Steve left early and went and played in a Turkey bowl (a flag football game.)  The benefit of having boys, he had to take the kids, too.  I stayed home and made pumpkin muffins, our Thanksgiving day breakfast tradition, and brought a bunch for the men to have.  I watched them play for a while and then we all headed home to prepare the feast.  (side note: I was really impressed at how organized they looked and how well they all played.  They did pay the price the next day, because I heard of several that could hardly walk.  Ha,ha, they are getting old!)

I cooked almost all day, and that didn't include a turkey.  We aren't crazy about home cooked turkey, and it was just the 4 of us, so I picked up Honey Baked Ham.  I made stuffed celery,jello, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls ( a big flop!), and pies (lemon meringue and pecan).  Steve made some crunchy punch to drink, too.  I really enjoyed the cooking, it went pretty well, but I was really tired that night and had some seriously aching feet.  There was no stress, no one complained about anything, and everyone just had a great day.  I cooked mostly just for Steve and I since the boys didn't eat much, but I am impressed that Landon did try at least one bite of everything.  

That night we watched a Christmas movie (Fred Claus), which we will make a tradition, too.  We love "movie night"  where we get all our blankets out, pop popcorn and lay on the floor and watch a movie together. 

So in hindsight: the table was pretty pitiful.  No napkins, no decorations, no placemats, no table cloth, nothing special.  I would really like to work on making the table pretty next year.

Showering:  I would like to shower and get makeup on and feel put together before the dinner is served. Something about wet hair at the table, just felt wrong. I may have to prepare a little more next year.

Rolls:  Never let your hubby talk you into trying something you are sure is going to be a flop.  I tried to find a simple recipe, but in the end, I think I killed the yeast.  Oh well.  Again, no one made a big deal of it!  I will try a few recipes this year and hopefully get good at one.

Pies:  Pecan pie- note to self: don't bake pie crust first or have the recipe before you start.  My dad thought it would still be ok, but it definately wasn't.  It burned.  Oops!  Should have just made a new crust, but I guess that is what learning to bake pies is about.  Lemon Meringue:  needed a little more corn starch so it wasn't so runny, but it tasted awesome!

Friday:  We headed out to the mall.  We weren't out for any bargains, but we decided we would make this the day we did our Christmas Eve pajama shopping.  We also decided, that the boys could pick one small toy out ($20 or less) to start the season.  It helped to get them thinking about what they wanted for Christmas and gave them something to play with the rest of the weekend.  We got the Christmas decorations out and started putting things up. 

Saturday:  We got our tree up, but not decorated, we got the lights up outside, and we went to a friend to ride quads.  It was a super fun family day.  

Sunday: Church, naps, decorated our tree.  

We had lots of together time, lots of hot cocoa, and lots of fun this weekend.  We love our little family.  We have SO, SO many things to be ThAnKFuL for and I am grateful that we all recognize that.

  

Burnt pie, the food, the family

Potty Training: Day 8

First, I am looking forward to some quiet time tomorrow to update this from the holiday weekend.  It was an amazing last week and I am grateful that I have an amazing husband and kids to spend it with.  

On to the good stuff...  Day 8:  Still NO accidents.  Not day, nap or night.  A true miracle.  I am still waiting for Co to decide this is not nearly that much fun.

We have cleaned up a fair amount of pee off the floor, though.  Just around the toilet.  He forgets to aim when he sits down to do the rest of his business.  Therefore, we usually Lysol wipe the door in front of the toilet, the floor and the seat several times a day.  I'll take it anyday!!  

Day 3

The potty training diary: Day 3

So yesterday, he finally did ALL of his business in the toilet.  While I was busy making bread, he decided to go.  If he didn't have such a sweet tooth, I may have never known.  He came in, undies in hand, and proclaimed, "I did two really big poops in the toilet.  One black one, one brown one.  I have my treat now!"  I know, I know, this is way too much info, but I have to tell the story.  I, of course, thought he just wanted a treat.  So I needed evidence.  "Did you flush?" "Yes, mommy!"  "Did you wipe?" "Nope"  At last, the evidence was there.  A quick wipe, several party dances, many phone calls later, we had a big treat.  

3 days, no accidents.  Not during nap, not at night, not one.  This is way too good to be true.  Why are we so proud of something that we really shouldn't even talk about.  Oh well, we are REALLY proud.  Now we'll see if he gets bored of his new idea that this is cool.  And if that big glass of milk he threw a fit about having before bed leads to a middle of the night sheet changing, since he refuses to put a diaper back on, even for bed!!!

My Little Amigo

Ever heard the saying "This salsa is so good I could drink it?"  If you were in my family growing up you have.  So why do I ask?  I knew this "mini me" Steve had to have a little of me in there somewhere with that olive skin.  So the other night we are out to eat at mexican food and I look over and my son is literally eating the salsa with a spoon.  He sees I am looking at him and says, "Look mom, it's like soup."  He definately got my love for mexican food.  I love you little man!

A few updates...

We are waiting for our family pictures to be done.  Hopefully I can post them by Thanksgiving.  We are so excited to see them.  I have a good feeling this year!

And Cohen is potty training himself.  He really wants to do it and made it all day without an accident (not even during his 3 hour nap).  He was really upset we put a diaper on for church, so to prove to us he didn't need it, he held it for all 4 hours (it takes us 25 minutes each way on top of the 3 hours!).  No #2 success yet, but maybe tomorrow.  Ok, maybe the last part was TMI!  Wish us luck!

Apple Hill

So we took the boys to this fun place up here called Apple Hill.  It is miles and miles of apple orchards, ranches and wineries that are about 40 minutes from the house.  There is so much to do there and we went on a whim without a plan of course, but they had so much fun.  There is tons of good food (carmel apples, pies, fresh apple cider, donuts, apples, etc,), crafts, animals, activities for the kids, and much more.  We only got to do a few things, but the boys loved it.  Next time we will know where to go first, but we are just not great planners.

The boys loved watching kids fish, feeding the ducks, and hanging out by the water.
Man, Steve looks to tall in this picture.  I love my boys!

Their first pony ride.  I wasn't going to pay to let them go because I was sure they would totally freak out and it would be a waste anyway.  I guess I though all that out loud because Cohen kept saying "I won't freak out, mom.  Mom, I won't freak out."  He didn't, which he pointed out "See mom, told you I not freak out", but Landon on the other hand wasn't quite as calm.  He got really nervous because Co's horse was sniffing his horses rear.  He was sure it was going to bite him.  Cohen of course picked the black one (since its about the only color he knows) and it was also the biggest.  It was super fun for them.

Brothers.... I am so glad I am having another boy.  These two really do look out for each other and have so much fun together. They couldn't be more excited for another baby.  I hope they will be the 3 musketeers!  Now if we could just settle on a name for the new baby.  Go figure, the only time we can settle on a girl name, it's a boy.  We have always avoided this name game, but this time it is a fight to the finish!  Ha, ha.... hope I win!!!

Glitter Paint

So the other day Landon got out these glitter paints that I had bought him over a year ago.  We got them from Costco and they came with this super cool electric dispenser.  Of course, the first time we got them out we discovered that the dispenser was broken and I said I would take it back and exchange them.  Well, I never did.  So I finally caved and told Landon we could try them out anyway the other day.  I saved it to do during Cohens' naptime since I knew it would be messy.  As you can see, we both had a blast.  Landon found a love for coloring in pre-school last year, and he loves to try new stuff.  Well worth the $7 and who cares that the thing was broken.  I think I had more fun than him and Cohen even got a chance at it too.  We painted for well over an hour.  So fun.  I wish I had gotten a picture of him working on it.

TGIF!

I always look forward to the weekends, but especially when Steve has traveled all week. He crossed the states this week and we are glad he is headed back to the west coast. I kept the boys busy all week, but they really do miss him when he is gone. What we did this week:

Ran errands, school, ate pizza at Costco, RS Enrichment, check out new Whole Foods, lunch at mall with friends, more errands, miss daddy, check out new mall, lunch and park with friends, more errands, miss daddy, check out a few baby stores for bedding, school, took kids to new CPK and ice cream, miss daddy, miss daddy, miss daddy.

I really don't know what we did with all of our time. The kids were actually pretty easy this week. Sad to say, but it is usually easier when Steve is gone all week. We just settle in to a routine. No cooking necessary, one less person to clean after, but we really do miss him. I love my life. I love being a mommy. I love being able to do so many fun things with and for my kids. I am thankful for how blessed we are.

And by the way, the baby in on the MoVe!! It took a long time to recognize it this time, but he is definately MoVinG!!! Fun, fun fun!!!

It's a ........

I haven't said too much about this pregnancy on my blog, but yes, we already know what we are having.  The wait is over and the results are in.  Our third and final baby is a BOY! 

We are so excited to be blessed with another little boy.  Who would have thought I would be a mother to a brood of boys?  I know I knew I wanted boys, but 3???? WOW!  I don't have a scanner so I took a few pictures of the ultrasound prints they gave me.  They are a little blurry, but I still think the boy parts are pretty obvious.  Thank heaven for little boys!

Now if I could stop having all these vivid dreams about the baby girl I am having.  I know this is it, but for some reason, I keep having the most wild dreams about a little girl.  Wouldn't be strange if I had dreamed with the other 2, but I didn't and I am most definately done, so let the dreams stop already!!!

Southern California September 2008....Finally!

My parents have a time share down in Southern Cali and we get to go spend some time with them each year.  We all look forward to this trip because it is packed with so much good family fun.  We try to make it to Disneyland at least one day, beach time, shopping time, pool time, and lots of good food.  This year the boys warmed up to being on the beach.  They actually wanted to spend most of their time there.  The boys got to spend some good quality time with my parents and I think my parents actually enjoyed their time with the boys.  I love being down there with my family.  Since Steve was raised down there, he always know of fun things to do that I wouldn't ever know of, and he always seems at home there.  

Gotta get a picture in the famous spot at Disneyland. 

My dad hurt his ankle really bad on the body board the day before we were going to Disneyland.  He said he was fine to go, but as soon as we got there we knew there was no way he was going to be able to walk all over.  He rented this scooter and with it he got a "go to the front of the line" pass.  Thanks for being such a goof ball Dad and letting us have no wait at Disneyland!

The boys loved the characters this year.  Usually they want to look from a distance, but they just wanted to go right up to each of them and shake hands and hug them all.  It was a fun change.

My dear sweet goof ball!  Papa G did a mini triathalon while he was there so he was practicing his swimming with his cap on.  Of course Landon thought this was super cool, so Papa got him his own and he swam every day with that thing on.  Oh, boy!!!

This little cutie had so much fun on this boogie board.  On dry land of course, because he is still afraid of the ocean, but he loved to play with it in the sand.

Daddy got to do some good body boarding this year.  As the boys get older and we can do more, it is so much fun to have vacations together.  I read, Steve went in the ocean and the boys played forever in the sand and seaweed.  

Halloween

Halloween is always so fun for the boys.  They both love to dress up, especially Landon.  This year we let Landon be Spiderman for Trunk or Treat at the church, but he was a black Power Ranger for Halloween night.  Oops! I forgot to get the camera out on the actual Halloween night, so no Power Ranger pictures.  Cohen was such a cute pirate.  Once he got over the fact that he was not Spiderman or a Power Ranger and Steve talked him into the pirate outfit he had picked for him, he was having fun.  I have never been a big Halloween fan, but I really enjoy watching the boys.  So I get into it for them.  Next year I promised them I would dress up.  And for the record, I will be picking the costume this time.  I tried to let Steve pick one for me this year and there are no words to describe the several small pieces of fabric that claimed to be a costume.  Oh, honey!  Always trying to get me to show a little more skin.  

Landon's official Spiderman pose!
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me" Cohen sang that over and over.  Too cute!
Getting our beard painted on.
Check out this Wonder Woman cutie Landon nabbed at Trunk or Treat.  So fun!

Landon's 5th Birthday

Wow, we really had one heck of a birthday week for Landon.  He got to have a small party at the park with two of his friends from school on his birthday the 23rd.  We had sandwiches and treats and they played for a few hours and had a blast.  Then we had a pizza night with a bunch of other friends that night because that was his request for a birthday dinner.  To top it all off, he had a Superhero party with his friends on Saturday the 25th.  They got to dress up, make their own capes, hit a pinata, and have cake.  He was on cloud nine all week. 

Landon with his friends at pizza.

Landon with his school friends at the park.  These boys are so sweet.

The kids at the superhero birthday party.

We love this group.  Look how well behaved they all were.  What kids sit still while another one opens gifts?  We are grateful that he has such awesome friends here.
His one cake.  I was supposed to make 3 small cakes, but time ran out so I only got to do one.  Spiderman and Superman got tossed because they seemed much harder than this one.

You think this group of boys like Spiderman?  Landon has been obsessed for almost 2 years.  I am beginning to think it isn't a phase.  Too cute!!!

What an amazing birthday.  I can't believe my boy is 5 already.  He is such a great kid.  We have enjoyed having him in our lives and we are grateful for his sweet personality. Happy birthday buddy!