Sunday, March 25, 2012

Young Women's Weekend

Last year Mark and I were fortunate enough to take the young women to SLC to see conference and this year they asked us to go with them again. It was amazing. It was also the opening weekend for the new City Creek mall so we went there and it was mayhem! All my years in California I never went to a mall so crowded. But it was super fun. Several times throughout the day I had the overwhelming feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Especially at conference. I love the way it feels to be there when the prophet walks in. It was nice to walk around with Mark and not have to continually be counting heads too.  (You can see the temple in our sunglasses. <3)
Our day away would not have been possible without help from our amazing family members. Miss took Weston and Saydi for most of the day and then brought them home where Mark's mom had been watching Jonas all day. Poor Jonas bawled the entire day. I felt horrible when I found out. More for Marlene than for Jonas because that is rough to put up with. But she was great and Jonas survived! Weston and Saydi had the absolute time of their lives. Miss was Super Aunt and made play dough and helped them color paper Easter eggs. They played outside for hours and had so much fun jumping on the trampoline. Here are some pictures of the fun that they had. This one has to be my favorite. The absolute adoration on both of their faces is priceless.
 Such cute kids! I know I'm biased but really. All my sisters have adorable kids. I was worried mine wouldn't hold a candle to them but so far they are turning out ok. ;)
 Cute girl! Saydi thinks so too. She just saw this picture and said, "Look at my hair. Is pretty." She is such a girl!
 Aunt Bea came by for a while too and Saydi sure loves playing with "Waywee" (Maylee).
 Being silly!
 Adorable boy. When they got home Marlene said Weston was just talking non-stop and telling her anything and everything about his day.
Words can not express my gratitude for family that is willing to help so that Mark and I can help serve in our ward and have time for ourselves too. It was so nice to not worry about the kids and just enjoy myself. I hope our ward keeps going because I want to keep going too! 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Funny Stuff

My kids make me smile. Sometimes I randomly find a silly grin on my face and realize I've been smiling like a fool for who knows how long while I've been watching them play. I'm sure no one else finds my kids as amusing but on the off chance, here are some of my favorite pictures of late.

Weston and Saydi came in from playing outside and when I walked by the window I noticed there was something strange in my yard. Turns out, Weston made this "bridge" from all the scrap wood we have behind our shed. Ha! He's a resourceful little boy.
 I put Jonas in Weston's chair tonight just for fun and he looked so adorable!
 The second picture I tried to take turned out like this though:
 At least I caught him! =)
 The kids always sit on the coffee table when they play Mario Kart. I put Jonas down then went and got something and when I looked up I saw this:
They hopped down there to sit by him! So sweet. Love those three.
 I frantically grabbed a bib to put on Jonas the other night because daddy started feeding him orange food with a white shirt on. This is what I grabbed. Ha! Hopefully I'm not causing confusion in his little brain. ;)
 Occasionally I go check on Jonas and find him sleeping this way. I have no idea why but it cracks me up. Like he's trying to escape or something.
And last but not least, making Jonas laugh. Has to be my favorite thing. Please ignore the horrendous thumping and shaking of the camera. An elephant was jumping around. Or wait...that was just me.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Winter Wrap Up

I think spring is officially on it's way and we are glad! I do love winter but as my kids get bigger I am finding a lot more joy in the outside months. These two have been outside every day, even if we do get another batch of snow, and they ask me every day if they can wear their new sandals and summer clothes. Almost!
Looking back over the winter though I can hardly believe how much they've grown just in those few months. Here are just a few tidbits about what they're all up to.

WESTON
This is the exact same thing his daddy does when he's trying not to smile - sticks his tongue in his cheek. Makes me smile. =)

Weston is learning so much and he loves preschool. When he started in September he couldn't even write his name. He pulled this diddy out of his hat the other day while we were coloring at home. So proud! 
He knows his alphabet and the sounds all his letters make. He is great at grasping concepts and has recently shown us he is very adept with technology. No one has to show him how to do things. If he sees you do something once or twice, he'll know how to do it too! He's starting to get to the age where silly things are the funniest things. Like green teeth from a Fun Dip valentine.
He loves to take care of Jonas and Saydi is definitely his best friend. She can make him roll on the floor in laughter, just from pulling a funny face. (Her faces she makes ARE pretty darn funny!)

SAYDI
Saydi loves to yell "cheese!" any time she sees the camera out. The last couple months I have found myself just staring at this little girl and realizing, there is NO more baby in her. She is 100% little girl and I enjoy that even though it is hard to see her baby-ness fade away.
I've also learned not to underestimate her. I gave her my mascara today to play with since she was being especially whiny, thinking she wouldn't screw the top off because she never has. Well, I turn around right as I see her offering the open wand to Jonas to suck on. Mishap prevented. But then she turns around and looks at me and this is what I see:
 And in case you're wondering, yes, it was waterproof. =/ She is all girl and even though she enjoys doing "boy" things with Weston she enjoys girl things more. She is so independent and will often wander away from playing with cousins, friends, or even Weston just to go do something by herself. She has insisted on teaching herself how to get dressed from head to toe all by herself and most days it's helpful. Except for when she puts her jacket on upside down and refuses to take it off to let you help her fix it.

She is such a good helper and loves to play with her brothers. She is developing quite the funny bone and loves to entertain us all and make us laugh. She can be so silly and have Weston laughing his head off but she never breaks character - just keeps on being silly.

JONAS
I don't know why but I find it quite hilarious to put Saydi's things on Jonas. Headbands, sunglasses, etc. It always makes me happy. =)
 He liked it too, but only for a little bit.
 
 I attempted to teach Wes and Saydi how to play hopscotch the other day and once Jonas woke up he decided it was game over and made a mess of it. He was so proud! And yes, there is a good chance he's eating food off the floor in this picture. It's his favorite thing to do and no matter how clean I think the floor is he always finds something.
 Baby J is growing up so much! He pulls himself up on everything and is starting to figure out how to "cruise". He sometimes lets go and tries to stand on his own too but I think it will be a while before he stops bouncing long enough to stand up. He still only has two teeth but has had the runny nose for four months. Not kidding here. He goes to bed at 7 and wakes up at 6 with two naps still. It is great! Lots of work but it paid off. He still doesn't say any words but he uses his voice constantly! He likes to growl and if you growl at him he'll do it back. He also figured out he could be LOUD and likes to do that too. Makes me smile every time. 

I sure do love my kids and the joy they bring me. I've been in a bit of a funk lately, probably getting spring fever, and it helps me to have three such fun, happy spirits running around me all day. When Mark and I got married I never thought we'd make babies this adorable, but it makes me even more grateful I said "yes". ;)