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!

r



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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!

Our Christmas season so far :)

Playing in the rain with their cousins!
It is so fun to have family so close!
We love Papous! and it is fun to have him around so much too, the boys just adore him!
My mom and Stacy waiting to play more games
They are making a Kaleb Sandwich! Kaleb thinks this is so funny!
They LOVE Playing in the rain and it makes it even better to have cousins to join you! We got three days of rain in a row, wow, i does not feel like vegas weather but I like it. It makes it feel more like Christmas!
Our Beautiful Christmas tree, just waiting for christmas!


We have been enjoying lots of hot chocolate and treats during this chilly time of year!
Look they are both happy to see Santa this year! Hooray! We got the chance to see Santa three times this year! Wow what lucky boys to have mother that takes them :)

My sisters are in town all this week so it has been lots of fun working on projects, playing games, and playing with the kids. It is so fun so see these boys begin to interact as they become old enough to understand friendship! Kaleb and Ethan really enjoy playing with their cousins who are so close in age to them!

Christmas Symbols (This is worth your time)

Thrilling Threes

I am grateful for Kaleb. Often we have uplifting and interesting conversations. I want to remember some of them so here is an example of how some of our conversations go:
K: did heavenly father give me my fingernails?
Me: yes, sweetheart he did
K: so he gave me my milk too?
Me: yes heavenly father gave us everything we have
K: so heavenly father gave me my Lightning McQueen car too!?
Me: Yes Kaleb heavenly father likes to share with us and he lets you have your cars and your trains and games and even Ethan was given to us by Heavenly Father
K: and he gave me blocks (big smile)
Kaleb really does make me laugh everyday. He is such a good boy and is so smart! I Love him so much. It is fabulous having him a part of our eternal Family. I love you Kaleb! Thank you for coming to our family, it has been a wonderful three years and I look forward to being your mom for the rest of my life!

I am back!

The boys birthday party!
Relaxing watching a movie with family
Playing in the rain with his best friend
Ethan has a look of miscieviousness
One of their favorite pass times "Mr. Potato head" and family
Wow, it has been a long time. I finnaly convinced Matt that I could not live without the internet so here I am. I dont even know where to start. My family is doing wonderful! Ethan has been walking since september and Kaleb is completely potty trained! Kaleb also started preschool in oct and loves going with his best friend. Matt is keeping as busy as ever with getting licensed. And I have started couponing so we will see how that goes so far so good. Today i spent 78 on 130 worth of groceries.
I have over 100 pictures on my camera since the last time I blogged so here are a few to start with.