Alexia is here!!

Alexia arrived on October 10th. She was 7lbs 14oz and 20.25 inches tall. She is such a blessing! She is healthy and strong, a great eater and sleeper! I can't believe she is finally here! She is beautiful! if I do say so myself :)


My sister-in-law practiced taking pictures of her, these are a few of them. Isn't she just an angle?
I love her sooo much, and could not be more thrilled that she is part of our family!

Ethan's 2!! Happy Birthday!

Ethan turned 2 years old! Sometimes I forget that he is only two, he is always trying and most of the time succeeding in keeping up with Kaleb. He loves anything to do with balls, throwing, catching, kicking, running, chasing, etc. He loves doing everything himself. His most common sentence is "DO it." So for his birthday cake we made a basket ball. He loved all the attention and opening presents. We practiced blowing out the candles, so he did it in one blow. Because we already have more balls then we need, Matt and I decided to make blocks. The boys love making houses for all their toys and even forts for them to stand in. For his birthday he chose to go the the McD's playplace. They had a blast!
Thanks to everyone who made his seconds birthday special! We all love Ethan's smile and up beat personality! Love you soo much Ethan!

Summer Excitement

We have had quite the summer fun. It all began after our move from our first house together to a bigger place so we could spread out a little. Then we headed for the mountains in UT where we went camping with about 25 family members for an extended weekend. My boys LOVED camping and everything that went with it, the dirt, rocks, the food, hiking, fishing, camp fires, shooting guns (marshmallow guns and a few shots from the paint gun with dad's help), games and most of all, all the boy cousins to play with! (7 boys to e exact) I hardly saw Kaleb all weekend because he was always off somewhere having an adventure with Spencer and the other boys.

After our adventures camping me and the boys headed to Denver to visit with my sister for a couple of weeks. It was so much fun just hanging out with them. Mason has his dad's social personality, and loved having two boys to play with (most of the time). we went hiking a couple of times, went to the zoo, played games, watched movies and played in the back yard, enjoying the 80 degree weather and the showers that come almost everyday for about a half hour. Amber has a vegetable garden we watched grow and a trampoline that Kaleb and Mason would jump on for long periods of time. We set up a blow up pool where we all jumped in a couple of times to cool off. On the July 4th weekend, we threw a bbq party with a few of their friends, where we had great food and company. It really is great to have a sister that will take you in for a couple of weeks and make you feel so loved and welcome!

The next thing my Boys discovered was how much fun a parade can be. I tried to get them excited for the annual Tri-stake Pioneer day celebration but until we were about a half hour into it, my boys did not seem amused. Once they discovered that most of the people on the floats either shoot you with water or through candy they were hooked. After a hat full of candy, the parade was over and it was time for the other festivities. After digging for gold (finding pennies in a pool of sand), doing a spunge toss (through a wagon wheel), and a snow cone to cool off, we headed inside the church to see what other fun we could find. Most of all Kaleb wanted a spider web painted on his face, so after standing in line for about an hour, he was happy as a clam and we ready to go, but through some encouragement we made butter, a spinning toy, candles, and tried some great harvest bread. It really was a great celebration!




In between we have been finding ways to get out of the house. My boys love going to the pet store and choosing a puppy to play with. Of course Kaleb always wants to bring it home, then for the next few days he tells everyone he is getting a puppy for his birthday, I have no idea where he got that idea, because it is not happening, we are going to leave the animals at the pet store until my boys are old enough to take care of one.
We also did the summer reading program through the library. I was always kind of currious how much I actually read to my boys and without changing it too much we managed to read for 1200 mins this summer. My boys love going to the library and picking out books and playing in the kid area. That makes me so proud!

Every once in a while we go the chucky cheese to get some wiggles out put still stay cool. I signed up to be a part of their email club, so they send coupons for tokens and such which makes this outing not too expensive. It is nice because they have climbing for Kaleb and all kinds of ball games for Ethan. We love to take Tiffany and her kids with us between the six of us, we have quite the fun time.
Another outing that I like to do, is take my kids swimming at the M hotel pool. It is free for locals 21 and older and kids 6 and younger, so it does not cost a thing. The pool is really nice because it is rectangular shaped with lots of stairs and shallow areas for the kids. Over the summer my boys have learned to love swimming and they both with the aid of floaties like to float in the deeper part now too.
Another fun activity that has helped fill our time is our ward playgroups. Over the summer they changed it up, since going to the park is a little hot. One of the places we discovered is the Natural History Museum. I was a little sceptical because some museums to young children is very boring, but we ended up staying for about 2 1/2 hours and Kaleb still did not want to come home. My boys especially love the 35 foot long t-rex! It had a button that when pushed the t-rex would roar and move! Kaleb also spent quite a bit of time driving a submarine. There really is some cool things to see!

It's A ....

Were Having a ....Girl!!!! I am still in shock! Heavenly Father has given me just what I wanted, two boys who can be best friends and a little girl to spoil with hair bows and nail polish! There were so many nights that I stayed up worrying that I would never get to experience pinks and purples, bows and bracelets, princesses and dress-ups. I had almost resigned to the fact that my life will forever include mud, cars, swords, and bugs, because I thought that there is no way that I will get what I asked for three times in a row. But I know that Heavenly Father knows me better than anyone on the face of this earth, including myself, and He knows what I need and what will help make me experience joy to its fullest. And I guess in this one department, I asked for the right ones.
A little angle princess is on her way to be a part of our family, and I could not be more excited to share this life with her!

Craziness!

Everything comes in threes. When anything bad happens something good also happens. And my life has been about change lately. Last summer my grandmother found out she had a cancerous tummor in her brain. She survived therapy and treatment and the doctors thought she was fighting it. About a month ago she took a turn for the worse and started sleeping most of her days away. She slowly lost speech and other cognitive capabilities. Then she slowly slipped to the other side about two weeks ago. She was ready to be on the other side with her husband and other family that preceded her in death. So, this put my parents primarily in charge of everything. It has been a whirlwind for me just trying to help my parents arrange everything and get everything squared away. Who knew it is so much work when someone passes away. The services turned out beautiful and all my family was able to be there in salt lake city. I stayed for a little longer and had a long overdue visit with my cousin. We had a lot of fun visiting and playing games. She has two boys about the same ages, and mine did not want to go home, they had so much fun.
So, with this series of events leaves my grandma's house open. So Matt and I jumped at the opportunity and are going to rent her house. It is more fit to our family and with our house in the financial state it is in, we saw this opportunity as an answer to our prayers. So Kaleb can't wait to live in our "bigger" house!
So the third and most exciting change is .... I am Pregnant! Yes, we are surprised and thrilled to be welcoming our third child into our family. Kaleb has been excited from the day we told him. But he already has a lot of questions I am not sure of how to answer already, but so far so good. Matt and I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father sees fit to put into our care yet another sweet spirit into our family unit!
Amongst all the chaos, my boys have grown closer to each other. Everyday they seem to get along and play together a little better. They have so much fun laughing and making faces at each other. Kaleb has had to learn how to be a good example to his brother and Ethan has started copying everything he does. Ethan really tries to keep up with his brother and someday he will! But to add to the craziness we had a round of the flu come through our house. And thanks to my pregnant self I could not clean up the messes without adding to it, so poor Matt has had to belly up to the bar and clean up some things he normally would not come close to with a ten foot pole. And to be completely honest, Matt has been very supportive, loving, and understanding through the whole thing. I really could not ask for a better husband.
Wow, with that being said, and you all up to date (I think that is all), I am going to bed, I am exausted as usual and have more long crazy days ahead. so tah tah for now!

Singing (ok waving and smiling)

Today Kaleb got up and sang his first song in sacrament meeting. That is something that I have always looked forward to as a mother is watching my children sing. Granted Kaleb did what every other sunbeam does, He proudly walked up to the front, squeezed to the front, then did nothing but smile and wave the whole time. It still made me so happy to see him so excited to get up there and sing. I look forward more of these sweet moments in the future :)

Thanks to those who showed love and support from my last post , I received some good ideas and am working on some of them. Thanks again!

Help!

I need your help. I am bored! (yes, this is not going to be uplifting) I feel like I am stuck in a rut. I have tried some things but just cant seem to move forward. I go to sleep every night with either a kids song stuck in my head or a list of chores that I did not get to that day. I feel like I am going through the motions but inside I am bored. Even my scripture reading and prayers have become empty and dutiful. I feel like I do the same things every week. The only breaths of fresh air that I get are time with my Mom and my two friends Tiffany and Dawn. Things really have calmed down. It seems I have nothing on my calendar other than to take Kaleb to preschool and go grocery shopping. It does not help that we have no extra money either.

So, here is what I need from you... any suggestions? books? hobbies? service ideas? activities to do at home? If you have some free time call me. Lets hang out, I would love to get to know some new people. I sometimes think that all other full time mothers have a secret that I haven't figured out, because I either spend most of my time cleaning or I am bored looking for something other than cleaning to do, and everyone else is sooo busy in order to do anything with them you have to scedual two weeks in advance. I really don't understand. I find myself taking naps just because I don't have anything else to do. What do you do with your spare time? How do you fill up your days? What are you so busy doing? Do you need an extra hand? I'm not even sure anyone even reads this anymore, but If you are please help me? Any information or suggestions would be helpful!

1 and 1/2 years and not a minute younger!

I Cant believe it! my baby will be 1 and 1/2 years soon! I love him so much! He marches to his own beat which has been a change of pace for me. He has so much character and zest for life. He takes to the time to observe what is going on around him, especially when older children are playing. He is so willing to try new experiences. He can be so full of energy and laughter, but we when we run into someone he doesn't know and he wont even look to them because he is so shy. When you tell him to stay out of the street, he runs faster. When you ask him to stop banging the cupboards, he bangs harder and faster. When you put him in time out he makes the best of it by either making funny noises to get Kaleb's attention or simply bounces up and down just because he can. He is definitely smart, I have seen him out smart Kaleb :) For example one time Ethan was playing with the football, he waltzed into the kitchen where I was making dinner and set the football down so I would pick him up. Kaleb being the three year old that he is, decides he wants the football simply because Ethan wants it. When Ethan sees that Kaleb has the football he begins to cry. After a few moments when this has not worked Ethan moves on and walks in the other room to find a new toy(or so it seemed). Obvious to me from the kitchen I hear from Kaleb in the other room. "NO give me Lightening McQueen (Kaleb's favorite toy in the whole wide world) OK... FINE.... I will trade you the ball for Lightening McQueen" A few seconds later Ethan comes back into the kitchen with the football ready to play catch with me ;) This kiddo knows what he is doing. For Christmas Ethan got the set "Your baby can read" I have not been the best at doing the books and word cards, but they love watching the videos. Since then his vocabulary has blossomed. He now not only understands almost anything you say but he has begun to repeat alot of words. His most commonly used word though is "this," he has found that it is easier to point and say "this" than to try and pronounce the correct word. He is so stubborn sometimes :)
One of my favorite things I love about Ethan, is even though he loves to race and move and wiggle, he always finds time to give me hugs. Sometimes he just warms my heart, he will be busy playing then all of a sudden he will climb up on my lap, give my a hug and a smile, then he will turn around, climbs down, and returns to playing. In my mind that is his way of saying "I love you mom" Being a Mom is definately the best job in the whole wide world! I feel so blessed to call Ethan my Son!

Happy Birthday MOM!

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We have had a fun January and I can't believe it is almost February! Here are some of the pics that I took at Duck Creek. We have been enjoying the 60 degree Vegas weather by practicing riding bikes and going to the Park. The weather could not be more perfect! And spending time with Family!
Today is also a special day, because it is the day many years ago that my sweet mother came into this world. And as I contemplate about all the love and dedecation that went into rasing me and and my sisters, I am so deeply greatful for all she has sacrificed on my part. Now I have been a mother for a little over three years not only am i greatful for all she has done for me but all that she continues to do for me almost daily. My children love their Yaya so much! It is so true, that once you are a mother you will ALWAYS be a mother. Words cannot express the love and gratitude that I feel in my heart for my sweet, beautiful Mother. I Love you! Thank you for all you do! I am so greatful you were born to be my Mom.
To celebrate her birthday we went to one of her favorite restaurants RED LOBSTER. My boys loved all the fish on the walls and of course the tank full of lobsters. Of course the food was delicious and the company was even better. I love my family! My aunt Susan and Uncle Dave have been in Vegas helping with my Grandma(they were across the table from each other in the back of the pic). It is so miraculous that she is still here! My grandma over came a fast spreading brain tumor that was cancerous. The doctors gave her three months to live in September. As of two weeks ago she was declared tumor and cancer free. If that is not a miracle I don't know what is. It is because of all the prayers, love and support of family and friends and of course the blessing of advanced medicine. Family is simply divinely inspired!
Speaking of family... I dont have any pics but it has also been great to see Rachel a lot lately. I think it is wonderful that she came in town this last weekend and all those that live in the valley made time to come together to see her. Even Megan who is nine months pregnant made the thirty min drive. Isn't family great!

Duck Creek Fun

Over Martin Luther weekend my family and around 30 of my relatives drove to a cabin in duck creek. It really was a perfect weekend. What more can you ask for then to be surrounded by those you love, eating great food and snacks, playing games, snowmobiling, sledding, white elephant gifts, movies, and talking until all hours of the night!? It was soooo much fun! Another cool part is among all the 12 children that were there NONE of them were girls. (There is a girl on the way and another unknown baby on the way) So all of these little boys ranging from 1 to 7 had a blast playing cars, monsters, throwing balls, and all those fantastic things boys like to do. And of course playing in the snow that was so high the boys could climb onto the roof with no assistance. The men decided to join in the fun and built a tunnel slide in the snow! There were also some enthusiests that did some cross country skiing! And then there were those that sat back, relaxed and read a book by the fire. There was something for everyone!