Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point...

Here are a bunch of animals...ha ha ha...or should I say family! We had a fun family night out with Grandma Nettie, Grandpa Randy, Uncle Brian and Aunt Ashley. We first had some yummy chili and cornbread and then we headed off to Thanksgiving Point. We ended up doing the Cornbelly's actvities.

Here is our little Big Horned Sheep.
Aunt Ashley and Uncle Brian
This was hilarious. The family is always intrigued with Alayna's ability to be a good leader and director. Or in other words...bossy, in a nice way of course! But this was a tractor that she insisted on driving us all...the funny part was she went to each of us individually instructing us where to sit and to "Sit Down!" We just had to laugh at our little boss.
Here we are trying to stay warm while watching the Pig Races.

Oh...a family picture...don't those snow bunnies look so happy?

This was a riot! Alayna was making snow corn angels. It really was so adorable.

There was a huge hay stack with tons of different wild slides that we went down. Jake LOVED the slides! The entire way down you could hear him say, "Weee - Weee." So cute!

We had to take a large group picture of course! If you can't tell it was FREEZING!! It was a super fun night for all. After we left Jared and I were so COLD and FREEZING we stopped at Maverick for some good ole gas station Hot Chocolate! We lucked out any hot drink size .99 cents! Oh, we had hoped it would be SO tasty...but it was so gross! Oh, well it was hot and it thawed our hands. Thanks for all the fun, Sukers!

Joy School yet again...

Well, last week I forgot to take pictures of my cute Joy School kiddos. Last week was a raging success. We learned about food from the earth and where we get it. So we made homemade butter and whole wheat bread. It was a HUGE success, because of a great recipe! (Thanks Emily!!) I sent mini loaves home with all the kiddos and they got to try their yummy homemade butter.
This week we learned about who we share the earth with and about going GREEN! Yeah, it's never to early to teach kids about recycling. (Don't think I'm over the top, it was just a cute activity!)

Here is Alayna showing off her picture of who she shares the earth with.

Olivia and Alayna showing their "I can Recycle" plates.

We also made animal hand puppets. She was super excited about her silly bunny puppet. It was cute, because we then sand, "Old McDonald had a Farm." It made for another successful Joy School day. Next week is our Halloween Party! Fun.

What kids must think...

Kids must think that life just isn't fair! Late Saturday night the upstairs and the downstairs tenants decided to make a run to the new Iceberg in Herriman. So we returned with yummy shakes and the best onion rings. As we gathered around the table enjoying our late night treat and enjoying the peace and quiet of sleeping children, a child woke up and caught us! We all sat their silently, looking around at our somewhat rebellious behavior, wondering how it might look to him. Conner was struck with a little "That's not fair!" in his eyes, but he didn't say anything. He just walked past us as we were struck with almost embarrassment. We felt so bad having him have to watch us enjoying life so much, and knowing that he couldn't change his lot. He had to go back to bed. He didn't say anything. Shandra and I said, "Conner, we will save some for you tomorrow!" We new it was an empty promise, but we felt it needed to be said. He lingered at the top of the stairs as we talked and laughed.
Watching him watch us from up above, down on our little party, I had to snap a picture to document my childhood memories of the unfair lifestyles between parents and kids. I have SO many clear memories of the "kid table" and the "adult table." The "munchie runs" to the store for just the Uncles and Aunts...and not the kids. I can't forget the kid cereal and the dad cereal, the kid popcicles and dad popcicles! There were so many, I can't list them all!
For those of you who know my personality you wouldn't be surprised that by my very young age of 4 or 5 I'd hold such feelings, that "Life is unfair for kids and parents can do so much more!" But let me tell you, I still am enjoying the fact that as a mom I can eat sugar cereal anytime I want!
Anyways, this was a fun moment for me to remember how it feels to be a kid. I hope that I have learned to include the kids on some of our super fun adult parties. The second best part of the night was we introduced "Ticket to Ride-Europe" to Todd. It was a fun competitive game (for us all but Todd) to try and win, Shan came out the winner - but Jared's streak of the "longest train ever!" has continued about 8 times now! I lost so bad I couldn't even be upset. Either way, it made for a great relaxing night!

Staying busy this week...

We have another stow away for a few days. Andrew has stayed with us while his parents were partying in California. He and Jake have had lots of fun playing catch with footballs, basketballs, etc.
Yesterday, the sun was shining so much I couldn't stand the thought of staying in doors. So out we went to the park. We met up with some cousins and the kiddo's had a blast! Well, not really a blast trying to pose in a picture. But we had to take one.

Here are my triplets. Isaac, Andrew and Jacob. I was watching them for a few hours and this was their favorite activity. Sitting on the bench and watching the neighbors dogs. They were in a trance.

This was my favorite, because the boys are anxiously making their doggy sounds and pointing, and then suddenly the dog started coming closer towards them. You can sense in their body language they were overly excited!

Here is Miss Alayna playing sweetly in her toy house out side. She's been a good trooper the past few days. She's had two baby brothers that I've had to tend too before her. She really is so patient and willing to wait a little extra until it is her turn for attention. We really haven't been up to much...having three kids really has kept me home for the nap schedule or too the park. Other than that, we've just been doing the kid thing. Thanks heavens for this beautiful weather it's kept all these kids sane the past few days!

"The Witches have Arrived!!"

The gang...every year we go for FHE to Gardner Village to visit the witches. Honestly, it really isn't that exciting of an event. There is nothing really to do other than walk around and FREEZE! All the stores have so many little trinkets that we can't take the strollers in and especially we can't take the running kiddo's. So besides keeping up the tradition, we go.

This year we decided though that we are going to bring Hot Chocolate and Donuts next year to livin up the party! Because we all want to buy the SUPER expensive hot chocolate and we are always tempted with treats at their bakery. So to save us money, next year we will plan ahead better. Don't get me wrong, I love this tradition, it's something different and out of the house and it kicks the Halloween festivities off! I'm just shocked each year how cold it is! Why does it have to turn so cold so quickly??

Our little twins...Jacob and Isaac sporting their twiner coats for this year.

Trying to get a family shot...(Jared had to work the late shift tonight, so he missed the yearly tradition. Sorry, hun...at least you didn't freeze!)

Alayna and Aunt Krista trying to scare us like all the witches!

Do you think they were warm enough? This is probably torture for these little babies? Oh, well they were troopers.

Alayna is showing off her new cute coat. Thanks to Grandma Nettie who gave it to her. She LOVES the polka-dots and it fits her perfectly. It really is a HUGE improvement from her old coat she was going to have to use. So this is a good excuse to not have to buy a new one this year. Thanks.

Our handsome little man...

Yeah, these pictures are really just for me to remember how cute our little guy is. We dressed him up in his new 18-24 month old clothes. We thought he looked like a handsome "twin" (referring to Angela's boys...who are always decked out from head to toe! Everyday, no joke!) So we thought we should take a picture to document that he has at least one handsome outfit and new white shoes (that won't last long!).

Oh, he LOVES his football!

Hats and balls are his two favorite things...next to me of coarse!

Something to remember...

(Kierra age 8, Olivia age 5, Alayna age 3, Grandma Lou (we will keep that a secret!))

They braved the freezing cold weather and trudged out to take pictures of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. We've been wanting to take some pictures of the kids in front of it while it is still under construction so in 20 years they will have proof they saw it being built.

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

Grandma Lou and Papi are great to always make memories happen with our cute little kiddos. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Joy School

How many of you did Joy School when you were 3 or 4? Well, I did. It's where a group of mom's in the neighborhood start their mock preschool group. In our neighborhood we have a group of 5 kids (soon to be 6). Each mom takes a month (I am this month!), then during that month, we teach three lessons (one a week), then the last week of each month is a field trip or party for each month.

The joy we are studying is the Joy of the Earth. It was so fun to teach the kids simple joys that come from the earth. We talked about our senses, went on a nature walk, we had earth bags, where we collected things they found from the earth (rocks, grass, leaves, flowers, sticks, etc. )

We then came inside and learned about the letter "

C." They colored a few pictures- a candy corn for the letter "C" and a pumpkin for the color "orange." We then focused on using our other senses such as smell and taste. I had them sample different items like...salt, sugar, cocoa, lemon juice and smelled different herbs. I then had them taste peaches, pears and an apple, since they grow on trees that are also found on the earth.

Later, we talked about the four seasons. We then took our cool nature binoculars and went searching for signs of Fall. It was fun to have them yell out at different times when they noticed leaves changing colors, pumpkins, dead flowers, brown trees, etc. I had so much fun teaching these cute little kiddos! I decided to take a few pictures so we can compile them at the end of the year and make a video or something!

A personal favorite...

I don't know if you're like me, but I look forward to conference weekend. It means, pajama's, good food, lazy days, being spiritually fed and spending two straight days sitting next to Jared under a blanket. I honestly think it should be every other month. But that's just me!

This conference time I took the counsel that was written in a previous Ensign article, to write down questions or concerns that you have. I did this. I had a few things on my mind that I was thinking about, and it was amazing how several talks referenced my thoughts. This is something I love about being taught by the Spirit. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (http://www.lds.org/) I am thankful to be taught personally by the Holy Ghost by this it testifies of the Lords individual love He has for me. It's so individualized and it uplifts me personally. I am so thankful to know personally of the Lord's love for me and His desire to have me become more like Him. This is something I have realized more and more every day. How life is a journey and that it requires continual effort and humility to become like Him.

Anyways, I LOVED this General Conference time...again as usual. I loved that as speakers would come on, Alayna would say, "Mom, do you love this man, too?" I soon realized I have favorites. Hey, it left an impression on her, that some you need to be really quiet and reverent and not ask Mommy or Daddy questions. It was a fun teaching moment for her. This little girl sat through all four sessions. (Well as good as a little 3 year old can!!! It encompassed a lot of back tickles, coloring, candy corns, books, scrapbooks, and yes, more candy corns!) Her favorite part was during the songs so she could stand up and dance to them. I loved over hearing her sing a few words and then here her say, "I know this one Mommy, I do!" Little kiddo's are so young and impressionable. I just love that.

We enjoyed having Brian and Ashley come and spend the day with us on Saturday. Thank you for being so willing to hang with us! Even though you knew we had kiddos. I hope they weren't too distracting for you! (I thought for a three year old Alayna did great! We had Jake nap both sessions, from 10-2 and 2-4 - Somehow it worked!!!) I hope you all enjoyed the good food and relaxing weekend. Jared and I both enjoyed it immensely!

It's time for a haircut!

For those of you who see Jake on a regular basis, you know that his hair has been the talking point. It has recently grown several inches and its out of hand! As cute as the shag hair is, I had to even his hair out. Jake has these two wild calics in the back of his head forcing his hair into a mow hawk. Cute, but crazy. The top part of his hair grows ten times faster than the sides and back. So it was time to even it all out.

He's thinking..."No, not my hair!"

"As long as I hold a ball, you can cut my hair!"

"Oh, what a handsome kid!" See short hair isn't so bad! He looks very handsome. Way to sit still little Jakey.

Our nightly activity...

Yesterday, I posted the messy pictures from dinner and nothing has changed yet today. They have continued to be messy and slimy. So this has become the nightly ritual. I like it though, because then I get to lather these boys with baby lotion and snuggle them! That's the best part of my day. So here is to bath time!

Jake & Isaac...Cute little guys. I just wanted to show Shan how cute her little fella is. And also to let her know that he is still SMILEY! What a handsome kid.

This picture just makes me laugh. Jake has recently discovered the habit of biting. It's a horrible habit, but here they were actually both laughing and smiling at each other and I promise...Jake was pretending to eat Isaac. Even though the picture looks like he is out to bite him. The picture was followed with the sound of..."Ummm" (like he just took a bite..but didn't actually bite him!) I just love that I caught that "bite" face on camera. Shan, he has no bite marks, yet!

Here's another video. (They are really meant for Shandra...since she is missing her little buddy!)

This video is specifically for Aunt Lisa. Alayna was on a kick tonight. She wanted her turn on video...so this was all candid. So Aunt Lisa you should feel extra special! Enjoy.

Dinner...it's supposed to be in your mouth!

Mixed Berry Yogurt on his head! It was slimy and disgusting!

Trouble...I just had to laugh and pull out the camera...I figured he was already messy...why clean him up?

Here's another little glimpse of dinner tonight! Shan, do you miss the mess? I doubt it!!! Don't worry Todd, I put down a plastic tablecloth to catch all the food that gets thrown off of their highchairs! Tonight was a complete joy...thanks to Dad and Mom coming to save the night. Oh, and Emily!! Thanks to all who came to rescue an inexperienced mother of three! (I did have to bring dinner to a family in the ward though...and my hubby was off on a bike ride with his buddies...so the night turned out to be rougher than I expected! But I survived all kiddos in bed by 7pm! I LOVE early bedtimes!)

3 & 1/2 days down and a few more to go!

"Hi-ee" is the first thing we get to wake up to when we get Isaac out of bed! He's such a happy cuddly little guy. Look at that adorable smile.
I would have to say that Jake is filled with "trouble" - he's up to something! But we sure love him!!
"Where's Isaac? I know he's coming..."
"Jake where are you, I know your coming?"

I just wanted to post a little video for Shandra who is missing her little guy. I have been telling her how cute our little guys are and how much they tease each other. I caught some pretty silly moments in the backyard today.

So after watching the video who is the whiny child and who is the silent tease? Either way, they both are a tag team! They are always watching where the other is at. I wonder if this is how mothers of twins feel? Are you always breaking up fights? I would assume you would be, because Jake and Isaac are as close as brothers. I really have had a great time with them. Those cute moments just melt my heart! How about for the semi-loud singing girl child in the back ground? I think she misses her cousins, what do you think?