Four Months

Click to Enlarge

Don't Blink

It's doesn't seem like it was so long ago that this little one

was her age.  

I love these two babies of mine.

Pinewood Derby

With Papa's help, Tyson built his first Pinewood Derby Car.  He learned how to use the tools, sanded it down, and painted it.  He was so proud of his car.  He was so excited to race it!

Tyson's is the blue car

Preston and Nolan ran amok during Pack Meeting so I didn't get to see much of the racing action.  

The Eyes Have It

Swoon

It's a Girl's Life

We've never had so much pink in our house before!  We are all venturing into the world of butterflies, flowers, dolls, and princesses right along with Miss Lila.  

Head Wounds Bleed A Lot

The quiet of the afternoon was shattered when a toy and Preston's head ran into each other.  I'm still not sure how much help the toy had from Nolan's hand.  The details are a little fuzzy.  Preston came running up the stairs, "Mom! I'm bleeding!"  And he wasn't kidding.  He had blood running all down his face.  It looked a bit scary.  Thankfully it was just a tiny cut that closed on it's own quickly.  And with the addition of a Phineas and Ferb band-aid, life was good again.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This sweet baby girl is finally too big for the bassinet and ready for her big bed.  She's growing up so fast!

Jr. Jazz

Tyson played his first season of Jr. Jazz.  The lucky kid had his dad for his coach and his best friends on his team.  Dan is a great coach.  All the kids loved him.  They had a great time and all improved their basketball skills.  Tyson can't wait for next season!

Old Man

January was a busy month thanks to basketball season.  We almost didn't have time to celebrate Dan's birthday.  Luckily his assistant bought him a cake and balloons.  The least I could do was light it on fire and let the boys sing.  

Spic N Span

I've discovered something funny about my kids.  The more they clean, the more they like it.  And the more they WANT to clean.  They were having the time of their lives cleaning this bathroom.  This was after they had cleaned their toy room, their bedroom, and their own bathroom.  They wore me out!

As Soft as a Baby's Bottom

My parents have this super soft alpaca rug.  It's a tradition to strip all the babies down to their diapers and let them enjoy the feel on their skin.  We've been doing it since Tyson was a baby.  Lila and I were visiting Papa for his birthday when she got her first turn on the rug.  She liked it.  

Sicker Than A Dog

The New Year began with Tyson getting sick.  A nasty cough and a high fever earned him a trip to the doctor.  He earned the award for the highest fever of the day with a temp of 103.9.  He was a champ and wore this mask almost all day everyday for a week so no one else got sick.  He was especially cautious around his baby sister, which I was very grateful for.  Other than missing the first few days of school he was no worse for the wear.  

Facebook Statuses of 2012

January 8, 2012

I was just about to sit down with Nolan (23 months) to read him bedtime stories when Tyson (7.5) came in the room, "Don't worry Mom, I'll put Nolan to bed tonight." He took Nolan on his lap and read him three Elmo books. When he was done he lifted Nolan up into his crib and said Good Night. Both boys went to sleep with big smiles on their faces. I love my boys.

January 18, 2012

Just when you think you've seen it all. . . . you walk into the kitchen to see your almost-two-year old sitting on his plate with his pants around his ankles.

January 25, 2012

Tyson is still at school. Preston is at a birthday party. Nolan is taking a nap. I am alone. That doesn't happen very often.

February 13, 2012

Today was the second time I've taken my child to the pediatrician for a well-check and discovered he has a double ear infection. I had a hunch, but he had no symptoms.

February 14, 2012

Growing up I never understood why my parents didn't do much for each other on Valentines Day. Now I get it. When you are loved, appreciated, and adored 364 other days of the year this one silly day doesn't seem to matter as much. I've got that X4. My cup runneth over.

February 17, 2012

One morning Nolan woke me up early. It was still dark and I was still tired. I said "Go back to sleep dude. The sun isn't even up yet." To which he responded, pointing to himself, "Son up! Son up!"

March 6, 2012

After living here for 6 years I just got a visit from the Welcome Wagon. I guess better late than never, right?

March 12, 2012

"Mom, I don't like crust. It tastes gross like burnt peanut butter or dead people." Preston age 4

March 17, 2012

My kids are dressed in green. They designed their own leprechaun trap. And they are now eating a completely green lunch. They are happy and it took zero extra effort on my part. Win-Win

March 19, 2012

Just took three little boys to the dentist. By myself. One has molars coming in. Another has molars falling out. And we are still at zero on the cavity count. Where's that Super Mom cape? I deserve it now.

March 22, 2012

According to Nolan we are either having 'emo' or 'email' for breakfast. And it's delicious.

April 16, 2012

I have come to the conclusion that the only way to have children and/or a full-time job AND still have a clean house is to hire help.

April 16, 2012

Preston: Nighttime is the only time we don't have to wash our hands, right mom?
Me: No, you still need to wash your hands at night.
P: Grrrrr. . . . . . But what if we are in China? Do we still need to wash our hands then?

April 17, 2012

I'm making a tutu today. It's the first one I've made in years. In fact, it's been years since I've made ANYTHING cutesy or crafty.

April 21, 2012

I'm stocking up on flip flops, baseball hats, sunscreen, and popsicles. Warm weather, here we come!

April 21, 2012

It's been two weeks, but I think I finally found the last Easter egg.

April 27, 2012

I was just unexpectedly given three child-free hours, a car without car seats in it, and permission to do whatever I want! My mind is reeling.

April 30, 2012

There is a good reason why I never go to the gym. It's 9am and I've already done 15 flights of stairs. And my day is just beginning.

April 30, 2012

Eight years ago today I was sitting on a windy beach in Southern California waiting for the phone call that would change my life forever. Two states away a beautiful, courageous woman was giving birth to the little boy who would become my son. Happy Birthday Tyson! The world became a better place the moment you took your first breath.

May 1, 2012

I spent years as a cub scout den leader. Today, for the first time, I sewed patches on a scout shirt for my own son. It felt like a rite of passage.

May 4, 2012

This must be my son Tyson's favorite weekend of the year. Today is Star Wars Day (May the fourth be with you). He celebrated by participating in a Light Saber fight in his school's talent show. Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. In honor of his heritage we will be celebrating with a fiesta following his baptism.

May 6, 2012

I gained an extra child for the week, our good friends' three year old little girl. My boys are thrilled at the idea of having a sister, even if it's just temporary. She looks a little less sure about all these new brothers. :)

May 8, 2012

FACT: I'm officially addicted to Indexing 1940's census records. 244 names done since last night. Now time to download the next batch.

May 13, 2012

My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the mothers who went before me, my own mother and my grandmothers (and their mothers . . . .), gratitude for the woman who made me a mom for the first time eight years ago, gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who allowed me to become a mother three more times. But under it all is an underlying current of pain, love, and compassion for the countless women who are hurting today. For so many women, for so many reasons, today is a painful day. Please know that my heart and prayers are with you today. You are loved more than you can ever know. Your tears are numbered.

May 17, 2012

This is the part of the day when I wish I could just wiggle my nose and have my children asleep in their beds, the dishes done, the kitchen floor swept and mopped, and a bowl of popcorn appear in my hands. It's not too much to ask, is it?

May 19, 2012

My three boys seems to think Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve Sarajevo sounds a lot like the Star Wars music. They've been blasting it all morning and having a giant light saber fight in my kitchen.

May 20, 2012

I'm considering hanging a sign around my neck that says "Wednesday" since that's the answer to the question that everyone keeps asking.

May 30, 2012

Nolan (2) loves to help with the laundry. He begs to help take out the garbage and scrub toilets. Why do children have to outgrow this stage?!?

June 7, 2012

For my own sanity and survival I instituted a new summer rule. "No one is allowed to talk to mom, especially to ask her for something, before 8am." This morning the rule was broken by two children. My two year old needed help with his shirt when he decided to get dressed all by himself. And my 8 year old was DYING to show me the long list of chores he had already completed.

June 11, 2012

Last night Dan asked the boys, "What do you love about your mom?"
Tyson said, "I love mom for who she is."
Preston said, "I love mom, whoever she is."
Apparently I need a little more face time with my middle child.

June 22, 2012

Logging in to Pinterest is a lot like walking into Walmart/Target/Costco. I have to work really hard to remember why I went there in the first place.

June 26, 2012

I woke up at 5am to the sound of a small child crying. When I went to his room to console him I found that he still asleep. I kissed his head and said, "What's wrong sweetie?" He replied, "I want to help you with the laundry." I chucked and promised he could help me in the morning. And with that he settled back into a peaceful sleep.

July 3, 2012

There a new wildfire. In Alpine. It's low in the foothills near homes. I don't have a lot of info, but I can see the flames from my kitchen window. Please pray for the firefighters and the people living in Alpine.

July 3, 2012

As this fire climbs the mountain I'm starting to worry about any people who may have been hiking or camping in that area. I spent quite a bit of time in those foothill as a teenager.

July 4, 2012

Nothing says "Happy 4th!" quite like finding a giant bowl of Easter candy hidden in your cupboard.

July 14, 2012

While we were out of town last week our freezer stopped working. We came home to a lot of bad food. It was unfortunate but I'm mostly mourning the loss of 2 cases of Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwiches. Feel free to send condolences . . . . .and ice cream.

July 17, 2012

I'm sitting here comparing ultrasound pictures between my three youngest kids, trying to figure out who this little girl looks like. In the first picture she looks like Preston. And in the other shot she looks like Nolan. Either way it's safe to say she's going to be cute!

July 18, 2012

I now have complete strangers stopping me in public to ask if I'm having another boy. It's happened several times this week.

July 19, 2012

Tonight is the first night of all three boys in one bedroom. Wish us luck!

July 26, 2012

I must be deficient in adult conversation. I enjoyed that phone survey with my insurance company a little too much. It was just so lovely to speak with a grown up.

August 11, 2012

Convo this morning:
Dan: Today is our anniversary isn't it?
Me: Yep.
Dan: 12 years. Weird.
Me: I know. It just seems like a regular day to me.
Dan: We must be getting old.

Happy Anniversary to my one true love. You have my whole heart for my whole life. I love this life I'm living and I owe it all to you babe.

September 4, 2012

Back to School season has been a breeze for Tyson, Preston and me. But today, as I pulled into the driveway after dropping Preston off for his first day of Preschool, Nolan said in a sad little voice, "Our friends are gone."
"Our friends? What friends?" I asked.
"Tyson and Preston," he replied. "They are my friends and I miss them!"

September 5, 2012

All these years I mistakenly thought the kids couldn't hurt my Willow Tree figurines. A word to the wise: They don't fare well as swords.

September 17, 2012

Just when I think my life is slowing down in time for this new baby's arrival I look at the calendar and realize it's not. Not at all.

September 28, 2012

I want to introduce you to someone special. Miss Lila Jane was born at 7:44 this morning. She's 6lbs and 18 inches. I am so in love . . . and tired. :)

October 4, 2012

I find it extremely hilarious that four days postpartum someone, using my old email account, set up a Match.com profile. I am now getting emails with "Premium Matches selected just for me." Sorry boys. I'm sure you are nice. I'm just not that into you.

October 5, 2012

Happy one-week birthday to my little princess! How can one week seem so long and so short all at the same time?! Today was going to be her birthday. I'm so glad we got a bonus week with our little sweetheart. She brings us all so much joy.

October 19, 2012

Don't you just hate it when you are sitting on your couch, minding your own business, when you feel like someone is watching you. And when you look out the window you see the hairy face of a strange male staring at you. One with four legs, a full rack of antlers and a tail.

October 25, 2012

It's the Happiest Day of the Year for some little boys I know. Daddy promised to make a snowman.

November 6, 2012

Ugh, you know your kid is sick when he puts himself down for a nap. Praying it's short lived and mild.

November 17, 2012

Dan took the boys to a movie, so Lila and I are having a Girls Night. I thought it was about time I introduced her to the Gilmore Girls.

November 21, 2012

When I first learned I was having a baby girl I couldn't stop myself from buying little dresses. Lots of little dresses. And now, with her first Christmas coming up, it's taking all the will power I have not to buy her lots and lots of dolls.

December 5, 2012

I take it Nolan isn't a fan of pulp in his OJ. He keeps calling it "Juice Boogers".

December 14, 2012

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until my son walked in the door from school today. I am so glad to have all my babies home with me again. Today is a sad, sad day.

December 17, 2012

Nolan (2.5) has been complaining that his stomach hurts this morning. To top it off he bonked his head on the wall. I'd feel bad for the poor kid, but instead I can't help but laugh. He keep rubbing his belly and patting his head.

December 21, 2012

Every night I ask Nolan what we should have for dinner. And every time his answer is the same, "Milk, beans, and something that I can't say."

December 24, 2012

Good Luck Santa. We already got the greatest gift this year! — 

December 27,

We've created a monster! Nolan won't drink his milk unless it's spiked with egg nog.

Lila ~ Three Months

Click to Enlarge

Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We were all able to stay healthy for a few days, long enough to enjoy the holidays, nothing short of a miracle.

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is opening new Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve. 

Ninjago Pj's for the older boys, and Santa jammies for the two littles.

Next the boys set out a plate of goodies for Santa.  A few cookies, some candy, and skim milk for Santa. Tyson thought he'd prefer the skim milk.  They also set out plenty of carrots with brown sugar dip for the reindeer.   After singing some Christmas songs together and watching a video about Christ's birth on lds.org the boys went quickly to bed. 

Several hours later Santa Came! Bikes, scooters, dolls, and presents galore! 

 Stockings!  Having enough stocking to fill a couch brings me so much joy. I love it!

Santa really came through for these Ninjago loving boys. 

Nolan scored with this bowling alley.  It's a big hit with the whole family.

Lila's First Stocking

Santa spoiled this little lady too.

A Special Visitor

You know how I said we never made it to visit Santa for the first time in 8 years.  Well, I couldn't let that happen!  Especially on my baby's first Christmas.  So I pulled some strings and chatted with Mrs. Claus.  I explained our situation.  She was dying to see Miss Lila too, so she told Santa they had to make a special stop on Christmas Eve.  They stopped by our Family Christmas Party.

Tyson said he wanted a Lego set. . . . or maybe a bike.  Indecisive right until the end.

Preston explaining in detail exactly which Lego Ninjago set he wanted.

Nolan had us all in stitches when he enthusiastically asked for socks and underwear.

Mrs. Claus was in love with Miss Lila

Santa thought she was pretty great too.  

A Christmas Dress

One of the highlights of Christmas this year was Lila's Christmas Dress.  I couldn't wait for her to wear it.   

She got so many compliments at church.  Even from complete strangers.

One sure fire way to get this little girl to smile is to tell her how pretty she is.

Have I ever mentioned how we hit the jackpot with hand-me-downs? 

Elf in Disguise?

You know how Vampires sparkle in the sun?  

Well, I'm pretty sure this is what happens to an elf in the sun.

Angels

Sasha and Lila

I believe there are angels among us.  

Send down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hour.

To show us how to live

To teach us how to give

To guide us with a light of love.

A Girl and Her Boys