Three Months ...

I just noticed I haven't posted anything on the blog in 3 months. Where the time goes, I have no idea. I don't think people really read blogs anymore, but I am going to pretend people read mine, and update it!

It amazes me just how much my kids are growing up on me. Jake is becoming more and more independent every single day. Second grade means a lot for him. It means no more kissing mom before he gets out of the car. It means friends are a bigger deal to him. It means, he has to look good when he goes to school, hair has to be combed, pants have to be fresh out of the drawer and shoes... only certain shoes are acceptable! I love that he is taking such an active role in his preparation for school.

Joe has a one liner at least once a day. One day he tells me, "Mom, I am a little kid, I know everything." The next day he is telling me he doesn't like Courtney's attitude! I love it. How grateful I am to be home and raise my little people. Joe is doing very well with preschool. He loves his Teacher Becky, and truly gets upset when I don't let him go because of illness or whatever. He has a new friend at preschool that I have heard is quite the good match for him. His name is Drew and Joe talks non stop about him, and of course Maddux!

Courtney is growing up before my eyes! The older she gets the more she becomes just like her mother! She is very opinionated, and don't mess with her book of coupons because let me tell you, she will let you have it! She is more and more attached to her "babies" and will not go to bed without at least one or two around her. She is talking a lot more. Her favorite word is Stuck! She doesn't say no or yes... rather she shakes or nods her head. She keeps me on my toes. I am loving this stage with her just about always... the grocery store is not one of the times!

Justin is enjoying his new car. He got rear ended on Halloween. That was tough. Brand new car, 8 weeks old and .... CRUNCH! I really think this is our trial in life. It is the one way that Heavenly Father keeps us from putting our material possessions too high on a pedestal. Justin was pretty bummed about the whole situation. If he had been driving the civic I am sure duct taping it back together would have been acceptable, but with the new car the thought of bondo was just too much! Luckily the car is back and looks wonderful! Kuddos to Hinckley Dodge Body Shop!

I am crazy keeping up with the family. I love what I do. I love being mom! I love it so much that I have borrowed children everyday! While it does exhaust me, frustrate me, and cause me moderate headaches at times, I wouldn't trade being home for anything. I am grateful that Justin has a job that allows us to have me home! What a blessing!

Big Changes...

Crazy how time flies!

It seems as though Summer just started. Now it's over! Bummer! On a lighter note the boys are in school and love it for the most part.

Jake started 2nd grade (am I old enough for a second grader?) on the 29th of August. So far he is diggin' it. He has a good buddy Jayden in his class, and that makes the world a better place! He loves his friendship with Jayden. They both love to ride their bikes to school. They love to play Wii... typical Boys!

Jake has loved his new school at Fox Hollow. I thought he would struggle with the change in schools. Turns out, it is me that is struggling with not knowing anyone at the new school! Go figure! The homework Jake brings home is quite a bit more than last year. He doesn't love the homework, but he loves reading each night. At least he likes that! He is reading his first chapter book, and he loves it! He is reading Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary.

Joe started his second year at preschool! That kid is a character and a half! In the first week, he walked down to the preschool room called out to the teacher "Teacher Becky!!!!! The MAN is here!" (The Man is a title he earned last year.) He then proceeded to point to himself and say, "I am THE MAN!" Goodness... he gives us a good laugh! And a run for our money!

Courtney and I are enjoying some running time together while the boys are at school She is quite lost without the chaos in the house. But we are having fun playing dolls!

Pictures to come!

New Funny...

It seems as though Joe provides quite a bit of humor in our house... I thought I would share the recent conversation.

The other night we were driving home. Justin said something and Joe says...

"What in the Hell is that supposed to mean???"

Dad's response, "What did you say????"

Joe says rather emphatically... " I said, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?"

Video of our fun in July!

A little Late...

I have really neglected the blog lately. I have read other blogs, but not really taken the time to update mine. My kids are so precious to me, I need to share the memories we have made!

At the end of June, the boys finished up Baseball. It was such a fun sport to participate in. Jake and Joe both did really well. By the end of the season Jake was able to hit, do some fielding and even catch a few balls. Joe was all about swinging that bat at the tee. He really enjoyed it! He became more familiar with what to do, where to run, and some of the rules! I had a great time watching the boys! It was quite the riot at their games.

It is hard to believe Jake is already done with first grade. He had a remarkable year! I am so proud of my Jake! He started the year at a level B in reading. He finished the year at a level I! Very VERY impressive! He loved his teacher Mrs. Jacobson, I loved her too! She was great to work with him, and let me help out in the classroom as well!

Joe finished his first year of Preschool in May! He absolutely LOVED Teacher Becky and often asks why he doesn't have school! I am so excited for him. He really loves to learn and he does so well in the classroom setting! He is getting so close to starting to read! I don't want to push it too much since he is only 4, but I know when I do, that kid will take off!

Courtney is growing up ever so quickly! I often tell people that she is a little "hot head" like her mother. The older she gets the more this rings true. Just this week, I had made waffles for breakfast. I had cut hers up and put it on her tray with some syrup. She grabbed a piece or two and was going to rub them in her hair. I said, "Courtney, Uh-Oh, No No!" She looked at me got a huge pout, burst into tears, and then proceeded to throw her waffle pieces on the floor. I tried hard not to laugh, but I struggled not to. I am truly getting a taste of my own medicine! She decided to walk in the past week and has really taken off. She loves to walk around the house in her pink sparkly jelly shoes, they make little clink-clink sounds when she walks on the linoleum and that just gets her going!

With the baseball season keeping us running like crazy, it came time to quit my little job. While I was sad to call it quits, I am so happy to be able to enjoy being home with the little ones and not worry about whether Justin would be home in time for me to head to work. It has been great to be able to have spontaneous outings for supper, or going out with friends... I missed that being at work!

Justin is doing great as usual at work! He started running in January, and he has become quite the animal! He ran the Salt Lake Half Marathon in April and finished in 2:02. He ran the Wasatch Back Ragnar in June, and smoked it! He ran over 18 miles with an average of 8:50 miles! HOLY COW!!! I am so proud of him!

He's SEVEN!

Crazy to think about how fast time flies by. Kids do that to ya. I don't think I ever aged so quickly before my kiddos blessed my life! Seems as though just yesterday my Jakester was just learning to hold his own bottle, walk, and talk... now he is all big boy! We had a special celebration with my little dude on his birthday. He picked going out for dinner at Chili's. He was super excited that Gramma Sue and Grampa Alan were coming. He was thrilled to hear that Allysha, his beloved cousin would be there too! It was almost too great for him! After supper we headed back to our house for his cake... the one he picked out all on his own... ICE CREAM cake from ColdStone! He received so many wonderful gifts from my side of the family that night! He was so incredibly happy!

Shortly thereafter we.

held a party with daddy's side of the family! My goodness he came out like a bandit! He was loaded with a new summer wardrobe and plenty of his favorite toys and StarWars characters and paraphenelia. He loved having all of his aunts, cousins, Gramma Martie, and Grampa Roger over! He stayed up past 11pm! He was so excited! He truly was on top of the world!

ILast weekend we had a little outing with a couple of friends. Jake picked his buddies from school and baseball, Zack and Greyson, and of course Allysha and Joe to go to Planet play! They had a riot! It was fun to see him go to town on all the rides and games.

I am so proud of Jake. He has grown up so much! He is a caring and compassionate little boy who wants to make sure everyone is happy! He loves his family and his friends. He loves Heavenly Father and His Gospel, and loves to say his prayers! I am so grateful for his influence on his younger brother and sister, and also the great example that he is to me!

I love you buddy!

The Big Split...

I did it. I made my decision. I am going to stick it out this time. No more looking back the future is brighter now... that's right folks I have made a choice to divorce FACEBOOK! I know I will miss it. We had good times. I enjoyed the companionship of all my cyber friends. Late night chats with my good friend Kristi, catching up with old friends, checking out how all my friends have changed, oh and who doesn't love checking out the old pictures people post. As if that wasn't enough to miss... what about Bejeweled... Bejeweled, and BEJEWELED! Whatever will I do to fill the time I wasted with you Bejeweled? I will have time to finish my laundry, maybe time for yard work even.

Believe it or not, it has been a tough 36 hours. For some strange reason, I thoroughly enjoy reading updates. Random silly updates, serious updates... it occupied my time. While I loved the factors above, it caused a lot of turmoil. Things written don't always come across as you mean them. The human factor was missing. I think I made the right choice. As Turtle would say, "I don't have a Facebook account, and look, I AM STILL ALIVE!"

I think life will be better after facebook!

A Year Old! ALREADY!!!

Courtney Turned ONE!!! What a fun year we have had with Sister Sue! She is so much fun! She is growing up so fast! She has her own little personality and I love it! She is a bit of a Hot Head! If she doesn't like something, she will definitely let you know! She loves to play with Magellan and her two big brothers! She loves to play in Tupperware (just like Mommy!) and loves to eat! She loves to play in her hairbows, and remove her socks and throw them! She enjoys watching others pick things up for her, so she can throw them all over again! She loves her dolls, and particularly loves dishes!

At her one year appointment she weighed 17 lbs 6oz. and was 27.5 inches long. She is very skinny and petite!

I am so grateful for this precious baby girl!

My big 4 Year Old!

I can't believe it. Joe is FOUR!!! For the couple of weeks leading up to his big day, I begged. I PLEADED! I BRIBED Joe to stay three! Unfortunately, he didn't agree, and the boy turned FOUR! He is such a happy little four year old! To celebrate his big day, we let him pick a friend to go to Chuck E. Cheese. He took his favorite buddy Maddux. Those boys had so much fun! They enjoyed riding rides together, playing games, and of course hanging out with Jake and his good friend Jacie (Maddux' older sister.) It was so much fun watching the kiddos have a blast!

For Joe's Birthday, we had family over for cake and ice cream, and of course spoiling 101. He received so many nice clothes, a Leapster from mommy and daddy, and lots of fun new toys and gadgets!

Joey is growing up so fast! That little boy has eyes to melt your heart! He has a tough side and a sensitive side, and I just love him to pieces! He loves to learn, show off what he knows, and play with his big brother Jake! He is a great little helper to his baby sister, and the family dog! I am so proud of my little Joe Joe! Love you!

Recent Funnies!

I have to share this moment, because I am still giggling, and it happened a few days ago! It is definitely share-worthy.

Tuesday Morning Jake and Joe had gotten in trouble, for what I don't remember, but they got in trouble. As soon as they were allowed out of their time out, both the boys came into the kitchen where I was cleaning up. Here is how the conversation went.

Jake: " Mom, I love you so much. I love you more than Ice Cream!" (I am thinking in my head, wow that means a lot, have you ever seen how fast Jake can devour Ice Cream???)

Joe: " Yeah, and I love Daddy more than a fork!" (that's touching, who knew this kid was attached to his utensils?)

Jake: "Yeah, well I love Daddy more than CHICKEN!" (Jake won't eat chicken.)

Joe: " Yeah, well I love Mommy more than Chicken!" (Joe refuses to eat chicken too!)

It was so funny to hear these two "one-up" eachother. Oh the memories!

The Holidays!

Isn't it amazing how fast the Holidays come and go? I prepare a good portion of the year for Christmas. Between Turtle's and my family, we have lots of people to remember and think of, so it really does take a lot of time to prepare for Christmas morning, or in our case, Christmas WEEK!

We had a lovely December. Jake was out of school nearly the entire month, and I just loved having him home. I loved having all three of my kiddos together all month. Jake and Joe are good buddies. Best of friends some would say. I love that they can play just about anything together. Jake is ultra patient and wants to show Joe all the cool stuff like Lego Indiana Jones and Star Wars...(I wish I thought it was as cool as he does!)

The week of Christmas was pretty hectic. We had neighbor gifts, gift wrapping, last minute shopping for the boys, working late, family parties, along with some babysitting here and there... it was crazy, and exhausting. But it was all a lot of fun.

Christmas Eve we decided to stay home. Turtle and I decided that our tradition will be to stay in on Christmas Eve, read about the birth of our Savior, play games, and just enjoy the spirit of Christmas in our home. How lovely it was! It was quiet, relaxing, and fun to spend time together.

Christmas Morning the boys were stoked! They all had fun opening presents. They were royally spoiled, but the joy on their faces was priceless. Jake's favorite gift by far was our family gift, the Wii. He loves it, and would play non stop if I let him. Joe was thrilled with his Buzz and Woody Characters. Turtle and I both said we would not spend much on each other, thinking eachother would follow the plan, we each splurged! Turtle with a T.V and I with a Camcorder! Oh my!

Shortly after the morning gift exchange, the Grandparents came over and had breakfast with us! How fun! The children were all so excited to see them! In the evening we went over to Turtle's parents for another gift exchange. It was lots of fun, and once again my children were thoroughly SPOILED!