St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day
I know I'm late but blogging just hasn't made it on my to do list for a few weeks! Ah. But don't you worry the holiday was celebrated and I was SUPER pleased with how it turned out this year.

Here is Caleb finding the treats at the end of the leprechaun trail.

You betcha green milk and Lucky Charms!

Oh, the three little green monkies.

Here is Alayna after celebrating a FUN St. Patrick's Day at Preschool. All in all it was a great day to have the kids have so much to be excited about. I know that some of you are not pleased with how much we celebrate this day, but come on join in the fun it really makes the grey clouds in March seem okay!

Cute Smiling Faces...

This is Tulip Head

This is Mr. Standing baby

The love of God

I find myself reading the Conference Ensigns over and over again. For many reasons I enjoy a quick read and an uplifting message. I find myself reading a column or two from one talk in the morning then finishing the talk later on at some point along the day. I find as I do this I recall thoughts and feelings and impressions regarding the gospel topic throughout the day. At night as I kneel in prayer I find myself either praying to have more of that trait or thanking the Lord for recognizing such blessings in my life. I know that the words of our living Prophet are true just like all the other leaders of the church. I can not begin to express to you the peace I feel when I do as I have been instructed. It's amazing how our faith and love in the Lord is questioned from one challenge to another.

This quote is one that I have come to love and cherish on so many levels over the past year or so. I am grateful I have taken the time to read from the Prophet's words in the Ensign, because it has given me comfort and peace.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

I attended my cousins homecoming from his mission on Sunday and he read aloud this scripture that I greatly needed to hear...Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-23...

22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

During these challenges and trials in our life, whether it is our trial or simply on the sidelines I have learned this. That we have recieved a great gift, that of a witness from the Lord himself of so many truths. It is our responsibility to remember the witnesses He gives us even during those challenging times. I know that God lives and that He does love me. Because I have received of this witness through the Holy Ghost and I have felt peace. For this I am deeply grateful.

We're Back!

Let's just say we loved all two weeks of the sunshine in California! Do we really have to wait another few months to return to sunshine? I sure hope we get a little more sun here in Utah. The kids had a great time swimming, swimming and swimming some more! We played for one week in Indio just swimming and playing. Then the second week we went to Oceanside. Where we went to Disneyland for one day...thanks to volunteering we got a free day! I loved it even more because it was all free! YEAH. The next day we went to San Diego for some yummy lunch and enjoy La Jolla Beach. The next day we just played at the beach in Oceanside ALL DAY LONG. Alayna left the beach singing, "Fun, Fun, Fun, this is so FUN!" I questioned her what is more fun, Disneyland or the beach. She hesitated and said, "Mom I do like Disneyland...then went back to singing, the beach is so Fun, Fun, Fun!" I haven't finished uploading all the hundreds of pictures I took, but until I get to that I will blog a few more. Until then enjoy the blue sky, palm trees and swimming pictures!!! We are happy to be home but we really could have stayed a few more weeks.

Mr. Trouble, Jr.

I think it was about two years ago that I made a post entitled Mr. Trouble at that point I was referencing Jacob. This time it is Caleb's turn! Funny how all little kids experience all the same things. This particular morning I was stuck on the couch on my lap top needing to finish my Deals to Meals job...needless to say Jared was at work and the three monkies were doing what they do best...Needing my attention. So of course when I can't give it to them they try new things. Jared on his way out the door did the best he could to "baby proof" the house. He pulled our green chair in front of the entry way to keep the baby from crawling into the office, he shut our bedroom door, secured the stair gate and picked up everything off the floor. On his way out he said, "The only thing left for the baby to do is climb up the stairs!" So within 5 minutes of Caleb exhausting all of his other options in the front room he quickly made his way to the stairs. No more than one attempt he was up and away! I realized I needed to run for the camera to document this occasion! (Yes this is another messy face picture! I don't think I have taken one picture of him with his handsome clean face!)

Extended Family Home Evening

Our entire extended family decided to get together for a little FHE at the church. Something our family enjoys is playing volleyball at the church. So that is what we did. We had all the extended family gather together with dinner and some good ole volleyball. It was a delight to have so many family members there.

Here is Grandpa playing with Caleb. This is my dad's dad and he is 88 years old. He has always had such a love for all these little babies. I was able to catch on video Grandpa getting Caleb to giggle. It was a precious moment.

The Volleyball Players

Oh, and here is the engaged couple in action. I have a better picture of the two of them, but I thought this was cute. Kath and Duane finally recieved the temple papers to get married! Yeah!!! They are so perfect for each other and I can't think of any two better and deserving singles to have found each other. Prayers are answered and miracles are still happening! March 26th is their official sealing day. We couldn't be happier for them!

I can't resist sharing these adorable pictures of the little man. Not to mention and document that he has two teeth. He is also 9 months old. He is crawling EVERYWHERE, he pulls himself up to a standing position off of anything, we have had to lower his crib down to the "big boy" position. He enjoys eating real food. He started enjoying real things like, sandwiches, pieces of fruit, etc. way more than the mushy baby food. It makes life easy when I can just plop him in his high chair and he does his own thing. You know when he wants more because he will "smack" his lips together and look straight at you until he gets your attention. And when he is finished the hands go up and his head turns back and forth and his jaw is locked shut! As you can tell from the picture he is a normal baby...messy!

Here's to Success and Failure...

Early bed times and reading with my kids are the best part of the day! So these moments are "successes" around here! Cute kids huh! As some of you know I have been working a few nights a week (in my home) but it required my kids to go straight to bed which would always limit our "talking & reading" time. I happened to be on a walk with Alayna and I was telling her how I wouldn't have to do that anymore and she said, "Oh, fun mom that means we can just snuggle and talk and read books together...I know, I will set up a special blanket and all of us can just snuggle and read together!" I couldn't have been happier with her reaction. Each night she now says, "Mom can we talk?" You know that as a mother you can't ever resist a time when your kids just want to sit and talk with you. I just love this snuggly girl.

Then I think I have passed off the success of enjoying to bake with the little monkies. Thanks to our great neighbors who have been delivering truly the most heavenly sugar cookies this holiday season to us! YUM. (And I don't like sugarcookies or frosting...but let's just say they are DELICIOUS!) So we had to get the recipe and have friends over to help bake them. I love this picture because if you notice in the background there is Jake literally climbing on the table, feet up surfing through all the different cookie cutters! They were in heaven...let's just say clean up wasn't so heavenly but it did allow them to have hours of FUN!

Here's to the failure part of the day...I was baking Grady my bro-in-law some birthday cupcakes...He and I share the LOVE affair with German Chocolate Cake. So I was SO happy to volunteer to make it for him. When I didn't have a box cake I decided to get on my fav website, the food network of course and try out a recipe I once saw made. Let's just say the recipe appeard to good to be true. By the end of the cookie day, cleaning and making this cake I was completely DONE! At his party later that night I told him I would owe him a great cake and one with the heavenly coconut frosting! So much for trying...*I must admit though it wasn't the recipe that was wrong it was me...I realized that later!* So I guess I will try it again!!!

The next success was a bridal shower for my aunt. We had it on Saturday morning and it was SO much fun. I was just so happy to have all the family around to celebrate in her special upcoming day! Not to mention the muffins were a success! I just love it when recipes DO actually turn out.

It's official!

He's on the move! Let's just say we have had to officially put up a stair gate and be aware of what's on the floor. This kid goes everywhere. He crawled into the kitchen and poked his little head around and gave me a look like, "This is so great...I can chase you when you leave me!" He has been found eating bouncy balls, any piece of paper, and pretty much any toy, cord, my lap top and ANYTHING else found on the ground! Oh, the joys of our baby being mobile. Good thing he's so cute.

Crazy about Noodles...

There was probably a reason that Jared served his mission in Italy...because he LOVES noodles. Not to mention that he has shared that love with our kiddos. If you were to ask them what they would like for dinner they instantly say noodles. They really couldn't be happier about eating just plain noodles. Jared happened to snap these silly picts about the kids enjoying their noodles!

Jakey

Caleb is LOVING real food. This kid really eats anything and everything...if you can't tell I think he didn't get a bib put on during this meal! Oh, you have to love messy, slimy, slobbery, dirty little babies!

Alayna

Daddy and Caleb having a fun night together!

Another Preschool Fieldtrip

Here's to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Let's just say Alayna learned a few things about fossils and trying to say all the Dinosaur names. I was able to pawn of the boys to other people so that I could go and just enjoy her. I think the highlight of this for me was actually our car ride down alone. No radio, no other kids, just she and I talking. I took the advice from a dear friend who is famous for asking her kids questions. I thought, now is a good time. So I said, "Alayna if you could change one thing about preschool what would it be?" She paused and thought for a moment, "Well, there is something a little hard for me." Oh, what is it? I asked. She said, "Well, cutting on all the lines is a little tricky for me!" I told her that is so good to know because we can practice that at home so it won't be so hard. After we discussed that I asked her what her favorite part of preschool was and she said, "Playtime...can I say that mom?" Of course! But then she said reading the books, and learning to write. She's so open and willing to share her thoughts and feelings and I just adore taking the TIME to actually visit with her. She's my special little buddy and I really enjoy just taking one on one time with her.

She's posing in front of her picture she colored. Hers is the top picture...I helped draw the outline of the picture and she colored the bodies, teeth, eyes, etc. I think she did a pretty good job. Her teacher saw this and said, "I can't wait for you to see her alphabet dictionary at the end of the year because her pictures are so detailed and darling, she takes her time and really does such a good job." I couldn't agree more this little girl can take an entire morning to work on one picture.

She's trying to scare Jake with this picture.

Now this is where we spent the majority of our time. We rolled up our sleeves and played in the sand and water. She was in heaven. She and I worked together to build our little dinosaur world. We had a great afternoon together. I love spending one on one time holding hands, teaching her little things and just praising her for how wonderful she is. These are the moments I am continually reminded how much I love being a mom.

A little Daddy kid time...

Most of you know that Jared is a Utah fan and our kids are BYU fans. Some would wonder how this can actually happen in a family, but when you have such persuasive Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents than kids can look up to them more than their parents. I dare say I also encourage a little BYU brainwashing from time to time. Sorry, I love the morals and I will encourage them for my kids. Anyways, Jared, Todd, my Dad, and our friend Paul and all the kids went to a BYU basketball game.

Alayna was in heaven...Thanks to Brian and Ashley who provided Alayna and Jake with their t-shirts and pom-poms they looked like your regular BYU fan. Jared's response when he saw them all decked out was, "Of course you would wear those shirts...and what is in her hair?" Hey, the kids wanted to look like real fans and they did! Jared said he cheered for the BYU team but he just couldn't quite pull himself together to sing, "Rise and Shout the Cougars are out!" Alayna told me, "Mom, dad didn't even cheer for them, he hates BYU...he ONLY likes Utah!" Jared keeps trying to tell them he likes BYU but I don't think his convincing is working.

Jared LOVED watching how the kids slowly lost interest in the actually game and began doing gymnastics on the railings. I can tell you that if I was there I wouldn't have allowed this...did he not realize the concrete steps below her head...possibly the fact that she could have fallen off and rolled down the stairs? Apparently not! Oh, well I was just pleased he humored me and took the camera, and actually took pictures!

Now, let's just say that this picture will be framed. Let me introduce you to one of the littlest but biggest BYU fans. This kid references BYU anywhere from sitting on the toilet going potty, to the color blue in his dinner plate, a blue fork, his blue jeans, blue shoes, blue coat, the list could go on and on. And all of these things are referenced the same..."Mom, I want the BYU football blue ____." Jared said that Jake wanted to take his picture by a BYU football "Y" and Jared was pumped that he found this one just on his level. I think because of this picture I want him to grow up and play football for BYU. Seriously, I can see it on the news already when they interview him and say, "How long have you wanted to play football for BYU?"

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yeah, for birthdays! I think I look forward to this day all year. I don't mind getting older because I think I gain a tad more credibility and learning to be more mature. But birthdays have to be once a year because of the great food and birthday cake! Bring on Tuacano's and German Chocolate cake! YUM YUM YUM
*This is my sister Krista celebrating her birthday that was just four days earlier! Happy Birthday to you too!!!

My newest projects...Good Bye YELLOW!

Okay, do you all remember my BRIGHT YELLOW kitchen. Well when we decided to paint it about 7 months ago I thought it was going to be that perfect buttery pale yellow color that would be super adorable and easy to decorate. Well was I wrong. This kitchen gets a little TOO much light to let that pale "MELLOW YELLOW" hang out. So I was in search of tips, color and new decor.

Well, at Jared's work Christmas party this year at Noah's, I fell in LOVE with the paint. I asked around and found out the color and company. I have been told by several people that blue in the kitchen area is a major NO NO. Well, since when have I listened? Oh, never! So I thought I painted the kitchen 7 months ago, here's to trying something new and if I hate it again I can repaint...right? Well, this time I honestly LOVE it. It came on a tad darker than I thought it would so other than it being a little dark I absolutely LOVE it. The camera can't capture the right shade of color, so you will just have to come and see for yourself. I know, a blue kitchen! AHH

The first picture makes it look like a baby blue...which it's not. This picture is fuzzy but it gives more of the color, it's a light blue grey...I love it!

But here are my PRIDE AND JOY! The blue really brings out all the adorable BLACK that I have in furniture and accents, so I had to come up with some curtains...Here they are. I painted the kitchen and then immediatly headed to Hobby Lobby for fabric. I have been working hard ever since! I am just waiting for Jared to hang up my curtain rods so I can actually see all my hard sewing work come out. I can't wait to show everyone my finished project...maybe tomorrow. But yes, this is the reason why I haven't blogged for ever...I have found myself sewing...Oh, how I love to sew! :)

Funny kids...

I apparently haven't taught Jake clearly enough where these go!

Hey, it made for good pictures!

Here is Alayna wanting to be like Jake.

Does it get any cuter than seeing a kid praying? Not to mention that he has his underwear on wrong! Funny kid.

Here's to wishing and hoping...

Here are a few pictures of a little guy that is just wishing he could crawl...Thankfully he has yet to master that technique because we haven't solved the dilemma of a stair gate! We have a banister so we can't do the regular pressure kind, and we aren't to thrilled about drilling holes in the banister...any suggestions?

He's getting close!

He is 8 months next week and I can't believe how fast time flies. Today was a big day for him his very first tooth came through...maybe that could explain the extra crying and drooling? Oh, the joys of teething!