Potty Training and growing kids!

This is how I usually find Jake these days! He can strip in 10 seconds! He decided he no longer likes diapers so whenever I am not looking the child gets naked. Now most parents might be excited about this but I am not so sure! He has not got the idea of #2 and goes in the diaper and then takes it off and hands it to me or my Mom. Yesterday he took one off and there was just a little pebble size poop in there and it fell out on the bathroom floor. So he proceeds to pick it up and had it to Grandma! My Mom screamed and was laughing her gusts out and I started the bath water. Then the other day he had taken his daiper off and was headed for the potty but he started peeing befor he got there. He was trying to hold it in with his hand as I picked him up and went running for the bathroom. He left a trail from the family room to the bath room. Fun stuff! In church on Sunday my Mom tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out to me that Jake was at the end of the row with his pants down to his ankles. I am sure the people behind us thought that was great. So..... am I ready for this, not really, but I guess he is. I thought I would try this spring after he turned 2!
Yes he is sitting backwards! That is the way we had Aydon do it until he could learn how the aim a little better. So I clean pee off the tiolet and not me!!!

He is getting so BIG! I can't stand it. I feel like it was yesterday that I about died when I found out I was pregnant with this little guy. Little did we know that he would be the best surprise we have ever had! We love our little Jakey.

Jake runs to Aydon and Lauren every morning before school to give them hugs and kisses. He wraps his entire body around them. It looks like Aydon is struggling to hold the little tank. Then he stands ot the window blowing kisses to them.

The weather has been FABULOUS and we have taken the opportunity to use my parents spa in the evenings. I have to have one of my own. It feels wonderful to get in there and relax. Even with the kids splashing around. Jake loves the jets! he humms as they hit his back. I didn't get in this time, I got to be the towel girl.

Our Little Sunbeam and other Randomness

Little Lindsey is now a sunbeam! I can hardly believe it. I feel like I had her yesterday, but that is how I feel abou all of our kids. She loves it BUT only if I stay with her the entire time! Church is now from 1-4 which is nap time for Jake. Danny stays in nursrey with Jake or brings him to the car because he is so tired and I stay in Primary with Lindsey. WE LOVE IT!!!! But with a little more encouragement I think Lindsey will be fine! Her teacher is wonderful and Lindsey can't wait to see her each week. So we are crossing our fingers!

We have had a great couple of weeks with beautiful weather, lot's of fun park days with friends and over all just a feeling of gratitude for our blessings, namely the four little munchkins. One of my friends Raimi has alot of great quotes on her blog, I especially like this one:

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have." Those certainly are word worth aspiring for. We have such wonderful family and friends and we truely are so blessed. Have a Fabulous week!

A Joke I found on Sugardoodle.... I thought it was pretty funny.

Once upon a time there was a non-conforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly started to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to earth in a barnyard, almost frozen. A cow passed by and pooped on the little sparrow. The sparrow thought it was the end. But, the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. Warm and happy, able to breathe, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by and hearing the chirping, investigated the sounds. The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird and promptly ate him.

The moral of the story:

1. Everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy.

2. Everyone who gets you out of the crap, is not necessarily your friend.

3. And, if you are warm and happy in a pile of crap, keep your mouth shut - much like life.

A fresh start!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Life is busy especially this time of year and things finally feel like they are settling down, a little. Atleast enough to sneak in a post. We had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends that we love and thinking of thoughs who are far away. This year has been different than any other year for our family for so many reasons, some good, some not so good. But we feel so blessed for all that we have been given, trials and all. I love the New Year, I feel like we get a chance to start over with anything and everything in our lives. Danny and I sat down yesterday to right our new years resolutions and let me tell you we finished off with 5 sheets of paper. Will we be able to stick to them all, who knows but we sure are going to try! We had things ranging from going to the Temple monthly , no soda, to making sure we have a regular date night! The best was planning all of the trips we'd "like" to take. Think big right. But most importantly we would like to get settled in roseville again!

This is Lauren sleeping Christmas Eve. She likes to put her head bands over her eyes to get her "beauty rest". She says and does some of the best things ever! She always keeps us laughing.

Here's the munchkins before we let them go to see the fun things Santa brought. Poor Lauren woke up first and had to wait "Patiently" for the rest of them. I get so excited to see there faces.

Jake ran for the stockings first and he would have been completely happy if Santa only brought play dough and bubble gum!

Lauren was very happy to get a guitar. She is the greatest air guitar girl I know. If there is ANY music playing anywhere this girl is out of her seat and rockin out!

Santa brought Aydon a new bike but he was more interested in what new video game came his way! Gotta love it, or hate it depending on who you are. I am more of a non lover!

Lindsey became a new Mommy of her Baby Alive. This is the greatest doll. I have enjoyed being a new "Grandma" too. I just read on my sister in laws blog about the baby alive her daughter got from Santa and I was dying laughing. She got the one that poops and she is having a great time with it. Needless to say I am happy to have only a peeing baby! Her name is Ella Bella, just like her other babies!

Jake finally made it to his toys! We got him a Thomas the train track mostly because Aydon LOVED Thomas when he was little so we thought Jake would too! He did but he doesn't like him to stay on the tracks. He tried to make him go around the toilet and in the bath tub. I have a feeling we are going to go through alot of trains. We went to my sisters house for the afternoon where the paper flew and the kids enjoyed playing with thier cousins. Family is the greatest blessing in the world and I am so grateful for them all. We are all so happy and relieved that Jeff is doing so much better. He is going in for surjury on the 7th and we expect him to be 100% soon!

We had a great 12 days of Christmas with lots of crafts and baking and fun family time.

Ornament night, where we gave the kids theirs for 2008. Aydon was Mater from the movie Cars because of his cute teeth. He is a great sport about it. He loves to say the line " She just likes me for my bOdy!" Jake got Lightening McQueen from Cars as well because he is a speed racer... that child is so fast and can turn a room upside down before you can get off of your chair to stop him. Good thing he is so dang cute or we'd sell him!!!LOL Lauren got a Hannah Montana guitar ornament because she is our little rock star! And Last but certainly not least Lindsey got an Aurora Princess because that is exactly what she is .. a PRINCESS with an attitude. When ever she wants something from Lauren she says" Princess should share" however that rule doesn't always apply to her.!

Pajama night was fun for the girls because who doesn't LOVE HM3! Troy is SOOOOO cute! (Lauren and Lindsey both have a crush)

We hope this Holiday finds you happy and healthy. We love this time of year when everyone is a little kinder and we can remember the reason for the season. We love you all and we hope this next year brings wonderful blessings to you all.

A post for Jen!

Jen, I hope these are the pictures you had in mind. Let me know. I can't find any others that have costumes. Let me know if they print off ok.

Family Traditions!

Well a new post is long over due and this one requires some participation. Last night at 10pm (way past the kids bed time and mine!) we put up the Christmas tree. We "traditionally put it up the day after Thanksgiving, but this has not been a normal year for our family by any means. We are at my Mom's house right now for the next few weeks and so it felt like I was a kid again to be here with her. We always play Christmas music (usually the old Alvin and the Chipmunk CD). We got everything put up and turned out all of the lights before we turn on the tree lights. The kids ooh and aah and so do the adults and at that moment, for me at least, it feels like Christmas! SO here is where you come in. We have alot of fun family traditions for instance a family photo. Which we have not done yet. There is always some one doing their own thing in each picture so we just pick the best and go with it. Any how I will list some of ours and I would love if any and all of you would share your favorites so that we might be able to pick up something new this year. My sister in-law Jenni had a few on her blog today that were fun. We usually give the kids their Christmas pj's on Christmas eve, but this year she gave them to them on Dec. 1 so they can wear them all month long. Good idea. I haven't purchased all of ours yet so we will be a little behind on that but were planning on it.
* We get each of the kids a personalized ornament to hang on the tree with their name and the year on it. Then each year they have several to hang of their own.
*We have a girls baking day at my Mom's usually mid December with all of the women in our family (little girls included) and we all bake tons of yummy goodies and then split it up and take to our friends and neighbors. Of course we keep plenty to eat ourselves. I always enjoy that day with just the girls.
*Danny LOVES hot Chocolate more than the average person. So each year I make his Mom's mixture of Oh so yummy Hot cocoa and every time we go out looking at Christmas lights we fill up are thermos and bring it along for the ride.
*As far as gifts go, we get each of our kids 3 gifts representing the gifts of the 3 wise men and stocking suffers.
* We have a Christmas Eve party at mine or my sisters house were the kids open all of their gifts from extended family members. We read the Christmas story Luke 2 before any gifts are opened. We pick 2 kids to be "Santa's Helper's" and they pass out all of the presents under the tree. They LOVE to do that and it keeps everyone under control.
* I love all of the food we have on both days! On Christmas Eve we do every kind of hor d'oeuvers (how in the heck do you spell that) and sweets, hot cider and hot Choc. and Christmas Day is like Thanksgiving all over again. Turkey, ham, stuffing cranberries the works. My mouth is watering just thinging about it.
* We are doing the 12 days of Christmas where each night we will suprise the kids with doing something new.

Anyhow, those are a few of the things we do I'll add more later but he natives are getting restless and one is stinky. I hope your holidays are getting off to a great start! Don't forget to share your ideas.

VOTE YES ON PROP 8

I have not been in the blogging world since we moved however I found this on my friend Laura's blog and I have been looking for something in regards to PROP 8 and I thought this summed it up pretty well. Now my feelings about this are pretty strong, so those with heart condition please exit to your right.
I have been so completely bothered by this entire thing. Disgusted is probably a better word. We already voted on a similar Proposition and because some judge in SF of all places decided it was unconstitional, we are paying tax dollars to vote AGAIN! The only thing unconstitutional about it is that ONE judge decided our votes didn't matter the first time. Iappologize if I am not being politically correct, as to not offend those who don't support this Proposition yet they certainly don't care if they offend us. They have their opinion and I have mine (of which you are about to hear.) Look at what is already going on in Mass., the law suits against a church because they wouldn't perform a wedding ceremony for a gay couple. WHAT! Now we have to change our religious beliefs to catter to others. News flash " START YOUR OWN CHURCH". I can handle this stuff because I am old enough to make a decision for myself as to whether I agree or not, but when they want to teach it in our schools and involve MY children, then they are COMPLETELY crossing the line. Thank you, but I will decide what to teach my children and the day that is taught in school will be the last day my children will be attending. Danny's cousins niece came home last week and said her teacher had read them a story about the "Prince and the Prince" the last page had the the men kissing and " Living happily ever after". She is in 1st grade!! They say that it won't hurt the kids to know about these things, ARE YOU FOR REAL PEOPLE! Some teachers group just spent $1 million dollars against prop 8, we can't afford to buy books for our school libraries and we have cut most of the extra programs in school, but hey let's waste a MILLION dollars on opposing prop 8. What a great idea!! Really, I don't understand what in the world is going on and with our society. Lets not allow the PLEGE OF ALLEGIENCE to be taught in school any more but let's teach about Homosexuality and Gay marriage. Does anyone else find this as rediculous and disturbing as I do. THE SUPREME COURT JUDGES NEED TO BE FIRED!!, and put somene in that has our countries best interest in mind instead of trying eliminate everthing this county was founded upon. I feel like homosexuality is being shoved down my throat and frankly I am ready to vomit. They are trying to force us to accept and approve of what they are doing. Whether this passes or not, right is still right and wrong is still wrong! I have family and friends that are gay, do I love them, ABSOLUTELY, do I agree with them, no! If anyone was offended by what I said I am sorry, but that is the nice version of how I feel about this whole situation. Everyone has the right to choose what they are and that is great, however I have a problem when their choice is being forced upon us and our society. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and it's time we are louder than they are!

So read on and spred the word! If you don't agree then I will race you to the pole!!!!!:



" Voting YES on Proposition 8 is something I feel very strongly about. The last thing I want is for my children to go to school and be taught that same-sex marriage is the same as marriage between a man and a woman. I hope everyone is registered to vote and realizes the huge impact this could have on our families, our religion, and on our society if this proposition doesn't pass. I am trying to spread the word in any way that I can, and I would love if you would take the time to go and check out some of these websites for voting YES on Prop 8......

http://www.preservingmarriage.org/http://www.protectmarriage.com/

Some Facts About Prop 8:

*Having tolerance without condoning.We can love someone while still maintaining and advocating our standards and beliefs.

*Unless Proposition 8 passes, California society will soon undergo a profound change in its basic understanding of marriage and family life.That will affect everyone in numerous ways. Over time, greater acceptance of nontraditional marriage will be demanded of all people. This could impact the ability of any religion to teach and practice its beliefs.

*Proposition 8 will not hurt gays.In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits.

*Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt children.If gay marriage remains legal, public schools will put it on equal footing with traditional marriage. Children will likely receive “age appropriate” information about sexual relations within heterosexual and homosexual marriages.

*Failure to pass Proposition 8 will hurt churches.The court’s decision will inevitably lead to conflicts with religious liberty and free speech rights. Society will become more and more hostile to traditional beliefs about marriage and family.Here's a video for more information about Prop 8.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL, PLEASE VOTE YES ON PROP 8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!