There is nothing better than mini-vacations...especially when you find SUN!

That's right, we were all up in arms with the rain, clouds, wind, snow and nothing fun to do...so what did we do? We decided to hop in the car and head down to St. George to 80 degrees of warmth, SUN and swimming. Seriously, this kid couldn't have been happier about the little mini vacation. I really keep asking myself why I live where I do? Because seriously, we are happier in the SUN and with a pool nearby!

Caleb's new favorite scooter! He wouldn't share with anyone! Good thing he has birthday coming up in a few weeks...I learned two new great summer toys for him!

Thanks to ALL my sisters wanting the same exact FUN holiday weekend we headed down to where we all have connections to stay with people. We lucked out having so many swimming options. But thankfully my sisters family neighbors had this great pool that they welcomed all 8 adults and 20 kids to come over and go swimming! It was AWESOME! The best part was they lived right next door so all the little babies could take great naps while we were over the fence swimming. It was so MUCH fun!!Ice cream poolside is the best way to enjoy them!

Jake is totally proud of his Spiderman floaties he found!

There really is nothing better than cousins having fun together! This morning we played very competitive games of steal the flag and kick soccer before our afternoon filled with sunshine. After our last day of sunshine we had to pile back in the car to return home to our daddy! Jared was gone in Elko, NV once again for work for the full week so we were VERY excited to be home with him again. Thanks to all for such a great mini-vacation!!!

(Sadly, my shoulders are totally sunburned...since when does 30 SPF sunscreen not work for me?? Unreal, I feel like a teenager all over again in so much pain! ahhhhhh)

What have I been up to?

It's been two years since we moved into our house and let's just say there have been a few areas that have driven me crazy since the very beginning. So with the spring weather in the air and spring cleaning I couldn't help but seize the moment and make a few changes!

Let me introduce you to my new office...I should have taken before pictures, but I was TOO excited to have the old Target bookcases removed from my sight! After a date to Ikea and me explaining my reasons to Jared of why this change is a MUST we were leaving with my new vision in place. Our beautiful office furniture is just that, darling to boot but not functional at all. Since I am a girl who enjoys things to not just be functional but cute too, I new this would be just the trick. I needed some baskets that could hold all my camera gear up and away from little kid hands. Since I spent all night last night doing the book case, I have yet to start on the actual desk. I'll give you the entire office makeover once it's done. Not to mention the new family photo that will be hanging above this bookcase. Anyways, decor and organization must be brought to a stop since I'll be chasing sunshine for the next few days!

Project #2: Laundry Room. I don't know about you, but my laundry room was filled with ???? (Fill in the blank? ANYTHING but NOTHING all at the same time!) So, this room really gave me anxiety, from laundry baskets, to messy counter, etc. I finally had had it! I also got at Ikea matching smaller laundry baskets to place on the counter which will inevitably help me NOT put anything on the counter that doesn't belong! We now have a laundry system. The kids can help sort the dirty clothes, then empty the dryer and put them in the coordinating baskets. I have always felt super privileged to have such an amazing counter in my laundry room, but it hasn't been used to it's full organizing potential until now! I love it!

Project #3: Bonus Pantry
Way back two years ago when we walked through this house I fell in love with this extra pantry in my kitchen! It's amazing! It has the tallest ceilings and deep shelves all the way up. I first started with some food storage in here, then arts/crafts for the kids, then pots/pans, etc. Then I finally had had enough. I decided that whatever my method was, wasn't working. So I pulled out my measuring tape and began to utilize ALL of the space I had in the most effective way. On the same date to Ikea, we stopped at Walmart to find the perfect totes that would fit perfectly on those deep shelves. YEAH! We were totally successful and found just enough for what I needed. Yesterday morning the kids and I spent organizing, cleaning, de-junking and making our once "Oh, so MESSY" pantry super clean, not to mention with labels on everything!! With us cleaning the laundry room counter, I had to find space for all my "fancy" dishes, so up to the top they go. I know this breaks every single earthquake safety rule...but they are up and away for now!

What else have I been up too, well the usual messes around the house! Thanks to Jake finding our Easter eggs, he's been playing "Easter Egg Hunt!" all day long! I decided today I'm waiting for them to be home from school to pick up their own mess. I'm tired of doing it for them. Not to mention, I have my own piles of messes to still clean up!!
There is something that is so exciting about spring cleaning, I can't wait till Saturday because Jared will be home and we will clean out the garage! I hope the sun will shine on that day!!!

Kids, Kids, Kids

Caleb is himself, messy, into everything, talking a TON, learning to climb even higher than he has before, and honestly being so dang cute! I am loving the aspect of him learning so many new words on a daily basis. He's finally starting to repeat any word you tell him to, then it sticks, and he continues to say it. It's just such a fun age. But yet still an age filled with trouble and curiosity.

Thank you Brian and Ashley for sending such a FUN box for Jake to play in. Let's just say this provided hours and hours, day after day of fun for them. I finally had to toss it in the trash when they were sleeping, because I was finding balloon pieces all over my house!

Alayna is in heaven whenever the sun is shining! We are appreciating the few glimpses of sunshine we get in this ridiculous spring weather!

We've Had a Birthday Shout Hooray!

We'd like to sing to you today!

One Year Older and Wiser too!
Happy Birthday...To Alayna!

She's the BIG #6 this year. Let's just say that this young lady looks forward to each holiday, family tradition, family parties and HER BIRTHDAY all year long! She is a party girl through and through. Whether she is planning a party for someone else or her own birthday party, she's always thinking about what should be done at the parties. It actually makes planning for her really easy. She covers ALL the details and has so much fun thinking about all of them.

This year it was a little different, or is should have been. Her EXTRA BIG present (Which normally isn't given) was a week long trip to Disneyland with her cousins in February 2011. She had the BEST time of her life and enjoyed it because it was for her birthday present.Today came and she knew she was receiving a few presents from her Aunt & Uncle, Grandparents, cousins. But she really wasn't expecting anything from us. So with just a few simple gifts, a Tinkerbell watch and Minnie Mouse socks to remind her of her trip she was thrilled. When the night was over she said, "I really got so many presents Mom, that was so nice of you because Disneyland really was supposed to be for my birthday!"

Thankfully at Christmas I put away a few gifts for her birthday because like always we give too many at Christmas. So without spending any extra money we looked like we got her some presents. Either way, for me birthdays aren't about the presents it's about making the child feel SPECIAL all day long. Let's just say, she had a GREAT birthday.We started the day out with her little cousins over for Joyschool, but we played birthday games for a little party.Then it was off to Kindergarten. She was so excited because she could pass out her little pencils and erasers to all her kids in her class. Then, I was able to come in and volunteer today, so she LOVED having me there! It is always darling to see her in action at school. She is one serious little girl!(Her Grandpa Randy let her pick any toy in the store...drumroll...a Pillow Pet! She finally got one, she's wanted one for SOOOOO long! Too bad I'm too cheap, they have yet to go on sale anywhere! She picked a darling bunny and she hasn't let it out of her sight yet! She LOVES it!!)
Then it was home from school, cake decorating (Thanks to my sisters and neighbors!), pizza party, playing outside, watching Tangled, playing more pin-the-nose on Flynn Rider game, so fun! Anyways, it was a VERY whirlwind of a day but the best part was in her prayer tonight she thanked Heavenly Father for having so many wonderful family members who love her so much and helped her feel special today! I couldn't agree more.
Thank you to everyone for the phone calls, visits, and sticking through a very long party! It meant the world to her.She blew out all her candles, and I told her "I hope you made a good wish!" She said, "I did, but I can't remember what it was for?" Until next year...

Milestones...

Jared said that he was so taking a picture of this milestone in our family. He even said, "This is totally blog worthy!" So with his encouragement and determination to take a picture of the moment his car hit 200,000 miles...here you go! Wish us another 5 years with this car, we need it to last just a little while longer!

Conference Weekend...Besides conference being fantastic, relaxing, inspiring, uplifting, filled with fun food, family and new activities. We managed to head out to the park in between sessions on Saturday. For our first family kite flying activity of the year. Sadly it might be the last because by the end of the afternoon, Jake's kite was broken and Alayna's flew off the string and went far away into the depths of a neighborhood. Jared even tried to drive and find it but had no luck. Thankfully I got them for $1 at Walgreen's. This activity was well worth the $2 I spent!The kids had their kites they were dying to go out and use. Thankfully it was just the right amount of WIND to send their kites soaring. Watching the kite crash to the ground.

Jake was SUPER determined to keep his kite up HIGH in the sky!

"Socks"

Okay, let me explain. We tried to get rid of one bad habit but yet he has started another. Some how Caleb is unable to STOP sucking his thumb. I thought that if we took away his thermal blankets all together it might help him stop. Well, little did I know that when I put him down for a nap that he has taken to his socks.

Seriously, this kid finds any sock anywhere...the funny part about this ridiculous habit is he sticks his fingers inside the sock and sucks his thumb. Really?

You try and take them away and he hides them or he runs away!

Or he wears them on both hands...Seriously, now I'm counting down the days till we only have flip flops around so there won't be any socks to be found!!! If only he wasn't so dang cute!

This picture is for me to always remember Caleb's favorite spot in the house. This kid loves to hang out behind the couch and sit on the window sill. He has a great view of the entire family room and kitchen, and I have to admit he entertains himself really well back there! At least I know he can't be getting into to much trouble back there!

Happy St. Patricks Day

Seriously, this year the leprechaun did his best visit yet! We just LOVE this holiday around our house.

Oh how we love him

Let's just say that this kid has won all of our hearts. Could it be the fact that he requires SO much extra love and attention? It could be, but overall I find not just myself loving on him, but his sister and brother too!

It could be that he loves to wear a superman cape around the house...I also think his little Sunday shirt is too cute!

Not to mention Gr. S bought all three kids these adorable towels. They are Christmas Elf towels and the kids love them! This is Jake thinking Caleb is a "cool" dude!

Goofy as always. His newest line of the week is..."I funny!" "So funny!"

Update on life...

Here's to Jacob's favorite blanket. His wonderful Aunt Ashley sewed him this darling flannel blanket. She gave it to him as a baby and it quickly became his favorite quilt. He has loved this blanket in more ways than photos can share. He has carried it around, brought it every where with him. And he wouldn't fall asleep with out it. Well, he loved this blanket so much that the entire back fabric wore through and the batting soon became something I was finding all around the house. So needless to say, I tried to save this blanket. I cut around the edges, I tossed the matted batting, and back flannel fabric. I had high hopes to sew on a new back and start from new. Well as I examined the blanket closely I realized the front was not more than months away from falling apart as well. I decided to sew Jake an entirely new flannel blanket. I thought he'd love it. Well, after weeks of me trying to get him to love this new blanket, he wouldn't. I realized that this little dude, and taken out his old blanket from my sewing area. He had been sleeping with it. Even though it is even thinner now than ever, he won't get rid of it. So Ashley, I had to have him take a picture with it to show you how it's one piece of flannel but he won't get rid of it. He loves it too much!

I don't know why I'm smiling, because I really shouldn't be...but this is a picture to remember our little Blakey in the hospital with RSV. He was there for about 4 days, I thought it was great that I got him to sleep, until the machines started to beep and Shan quickly alerted me to the fact his heart rate had dropped dramatically. We quickly woke him up and got him back to normal rates. This was not fun for this sick little guy, but we are so grateful he has recovered so well.

Here are the matching monkies while Shan and Todd were in the hospital with Blake. They INSISTED on wearing the very same clothes...shirt, pants and socks. They would leave them out for me to wash them each night...so by morning they could wear it all over again. Jake would say, "But Mom, Isaac and I want to be matchies because we love to be just like each other!"

Here's to my continued friend. My NEW laptop is SAFE behind this gate. Yes, you heard me correctly I have invested in a new laptop to replace my old yellow one. Nothing fancy, sad to say I didn't buy a Apple. Oh, how I wanted too. I was so close, and then Jared said no. So much for my new years resolution of owning one. He talked some sense into me and I decided to wait a little bit longer. Oh, well there is a time and season for all dreams! But, I just wanted to point out in this picture that Caleb is such a smart little dude. He has become frustrated with the gate that he finds any KEY possible, runs to the gate and tries to unlock it. It's adorable, because he still can't get it! YEAH!!! Yeah, for cameras, laptops, and all electronics staying safe for a few more days! :)

My New Best Friend

Let me introduce you to yet another "Caleb Proofing" measure that has had to take place in our home. Let's just say that a decorative archway to an OPEN office is nice for adults, but for a WiLd little soon to be two year old has NOT been fun. AHHHH After my laptop and hard drive has been YANKED to the ground, Camera's attacked and ALL the books on the bookshelf brought to the ground, I FINALLY convinced Jared that it was no longer an option. I didn't care how much $ it would cost to rip out this archway and build french doors or how unsightly another gate would be in our house, I no longer cared. It was a MUST. So you better believe me that this became Jared's first priority on his day off.

When Caleb woke up from his nap he found this new gate keeping him out of yet another location he once roamed free.

Not a very happy little guy.He has spent several minutes over and over again trying to push every screw, button, plastic piece, the wall mounts, etc. To figure out just exactly how it opens. AHHH, now this is a sigh of relief. I really should post a smiling happy me on here because that's exactly what I am doing, smiling. I no longer will have to worry about him entering a non-kid-friendly room. All the electronics will stay in place, safe and sound....now I think it's time to purchase a new lap top! Let's just say I will feel safer buying a new one now that the old one (thanks to Caleb) has seen better days...and especially knowing it can be kept locked in a cage! YEAH!
(*I think my broken laptop could be the reason I can't get pictures to upload correctly anymore??? Annoying!)

Hello Sunshine...

Well we have returned once again from our favorite trip of the year...Indio, California! We love the sunshine and completly relaxed week of life. We wake up run, eat breakfast, swim, eat lunch, nap time for babies, lay out by the pool, swim, eat dinner, put kids to bed, play games, then sleep. Then the next day is exactly the same...soaking in sunshine!!! Some may think this gets boring, but let me tell you it's a kids heaven and a parents paradise. We loved every second of it!
Caleb loving "motor boat motor boat"

Everyone is ready for nap time!
The kids favorite lunch time games on the grass...red rover red rover...
Happy Birthday to Jared...I got him some sushi for lunch on his birthday!
Our annual trip to Pat & Oscars in Temecula! We love this place...not to mention the great conversations!
A few boy cousins soaking in the sun at the playground.
Happy 32nd Birthday to Jared!
For the first three days of our trip we ALL sleep at my Aunt & Uncles house in Temecula...Let's just say it's a tradition, not matter how many people are there...it's literally every room filled with air mattresses and people! During dinner on our last night this is how we found Jacob while waiting to get is food!! I think it's an indication how loud it must have been!!
So, this picture is hilarious. We were eating dinner at Pat & Oscars...and let's just say that Caleb had been a nightmare all night...he was LOUD, WILD and being naughty! There were not enough hands to hold all the kids, and he was pulling and throwing everything in sight. I think I was on the verge of a breakdown...but that's another story. So after a few minutes I was talking with Shan & Todd across the table from me. And I said, "Oh, dinner really hasn't been that bad!" So come to find out in all of Caleb's ornery frustration he had wheeled himself by kicking and throwing a tantrum to a different location. Let's just say I didn't even realize he was missing...bad parenting I know, but it gave us a few minutes of peace and quiet. He doesn't appear to be to damaged by the experience. He actually was happier!!

Well it was a great trip once again! I can't wait till next year, I think I'm planning on going for two weeks next time! Bring on the sunshine and flip flops!!!