Christmas please come soon!

The kids have been out of school since Friday and are so stir crazy.  We have had quite a week with both the water heater and furnace going out on us and one of the kids having to have their face superglued together after their sibling got mad and through a matchbox car at them.  I really hope the next few days speed by.  On a positive note, Pyper lost her first tooth so we get a visit from Santa and the Toothfairy in the same week! 

Happy Birthday Pyper!

We celebrated Pyper's 6th birthday this weekend. She took charge this year and planned every detail. She assigned certain people to bring very specific food. She told her dad where to place every decoration. She planned her outfit and she decorated the cake. I loved it! I just sat back and took my orders along with everyone else!

Here are 6 things I love about Pyper...

1. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. Pyper has always been really good at reading people and doing exactly what she needs to do to work them over. Her older sister has never really been able to do this and gets really frustrated when Pyper works her magic.


2. She is my frilly little princess. She is almost always in a a petti skirt (or 3). She comes home from school and changes immediately into dress up clothes. I keep thinking she will outgrow this stage, but based on her recent birthday purchase of the most ridiculous Belle doll, I think we will still be going strong for a awhile.


3. She is stubborn. Man alive that girl will stick to her guns until you are blue in the face. I have to be very careful to choose my battles with this one because she can go on forever. (That is why she wore the most outrageous outfit ever to school on non-uniform day last week). She can outlast me in an argument almost every time. I am sure this will be beneficial for her in the future, but it is sure hard to parent her.


4. She is very caring and empathetic. Pyper loves with her whole heart. I love that she takes such good care of her little brother. She feels so bad everytime he gets in trouble. He can always talk her into helping him with his chores and giving him hugs. She is the first to notice when someone is having a bad day and tries to help in whatever way she can.



5. She has the cutest little speech impediment.  She couldn't hear really well for about a year so she leaves off the beginning sounds of a lot of her words.  She is in speech therapy right now and I can tell that it is slowly getting better.  I know this is best for her in the long run, but I am really going to miss how she says "pider" instead of "spider" and how she would tell everyone that she was "Sive years old."

6. She has no patience.  Literally none.  If there is something coming up (like her birthday) that she has to wait for, she will nearly explode with excitement.  She can't stay focused on a boring task like cleaning her room for more than a minute.  She is just a little ball of energy.

We love you Pyper!!  Hope you enjoy being six as much as you enjoyed being five!

Getting in the Thankful Spirit

We started a new tradition this year for thanksgiving.  We have a giant glass bowl in the middle of a wreath and everyday each member of the family writes down something they are greatful for and puts it in the bowl.  We are supposed  to wait and read them on Thanksgiving day, but I have to admit that I take a peek every once in awhile.  Some of them are illustrated and some of the spelling is amazing.  I love it.  One of the girls will help Asher and then he will add a little scribble.  So cute.  I can't wait to read them all!  I would love to hear others ideas for getting in the thankful spirit, so send them my way!! 

Happy Halloween

The kids got Halloween pictures taken last week.

My little Alice.

The Queen of Hearts.

And even though I tried to convince him to be the Mad Hatter, he saw the Thomas costume and it was all over.

Happy Halloween!!

Asher's Birthday

Asher and his Thomas cake!

Wow it has been a long time and I have some catching up to do.  Let's start with Asher's 3rd birthday.  I think this has been the hardest birthday for me to get through so far.  Asher is my last baby, there are no more planned for the future. 

I look at him now and he is no longer a baby or toddler.  He is a boy.  He has lost that awkward toddler walk with his little belly poking out.  His  body has thinned out to big boy proportions.  He talks to much and says the most grown up stuff.  I terrifies me. 

Yesterday I was spelling something to London so he wouldn't understand and he turned around and said "Secrets secrets are no fun, secrets secrest hurt someone."  Guess I can't get anything by him anymore.  He started preschool one day a week. I thought it would be so nice to go to the store without any kids and have 3 whole hours to myself.  Instead I felt so lonely and cried the whole way home.  I am going to miss my little shopping buddy.

Opening presents.

Since Asher is 3, here are 3 things I love about Asher

1. He is always looking out for his sisters.  Today he went downstaitrs with Pyper because she was afraid of the dark.  He held her hand so she wouldn't be afraid.  What a sweet guy.  His sisters adore him as well and will do anything to help him.



London and her original Thomas shirt she made just for his party.  I couldn't be mad that she ruined this shirt when it was so cute!



2. He is all boy.  Sometimes it drives me a little crazy that every object he picks up is a gun and he has to make very loud sound effects to accompany every car and gun that he plays with.  He runs full speed every where he goes with no fear for injury and he always has some bruise or goosebump on his head.  He now knows when we go to the toy store when we are in the pink aisle and will yell "No girl toys!"

3. He still let's me snuggle him at night before he goes to bed and will sing "You are my sunshine" to me if I catch him in just the right mood. 

Back to School

I know this post is very late.  We have had some internet issues around here and needless to say, Qwest is not my friend,but internet is working intermittently so we will give this a try.

My girl's started school a few weeks ago.  London started the 2nd grade. She has a man teacher who plays the guitar and loves to do art projects.  She is in heaven.  She might have a little crush.  I am so glad that she loves her teacher. 

Pyper started kindergarten and she loves being able to walk into school with her sister and tells me about all her adventures.  She feels so grown up.  She told me I am not allowed to help her into the car when I pick her up.  She can do it by herself.  I am the only mom sitting inside the car and not getting out to open the door for their excited kid.  I feel very lazy sittng in there while she struggles 2 or 3 times to get the door open by her self, but I am trying to let her have this independence and I am trying not to cry when I think of how grown up she is.

One of my favorite moments everyday is watching these two sisters hold hands as they walk up to the school everyday.  I am glad they are together.  They even see each other for a moment when they are coming and going to recess.  When Pyper told me she saw London at recess on the first day, I said "Let me guess, you two ran up and gave each other great big hugs."  Pyper responded with "How did you know that mom?"  I know because I see how much these two love each other and watch out for each other and I think this is going to be a great school year.

Family Pictures

We were so lucky to have Jen take our family pictures last week.  The kids had so much fun and want to go back to the location every day.  Please check them out here and leave a comment.  We get a free picture if we get 20 comments!  Thanks Jen!

It's been nice...

Having Kevin home for the last six weeks has been nice. (For those of you who didn't know, his company closed down their SLC office at the end of June.) We have gotten lots of projects done and gone to Yellowstone twice not to mention lots of boating and hanging out. But I have to say that I am really glad that he got a job, and he is back to work this week. It has just reaffirmed to me that God is aware of us and our little problems. The fact that Kevin got such an amazing job in this economy is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you for all of those who have kept us in their prayers. Here are a few pictures from our summer vacations!

4th of July

We had an awesome fourth full of water fights and fun with cousins.   Hope yours was amazing too!

Where did June go?

This month has flown by and now summer is 1/3 over and I have yet to post anything. So much has happened the last few weeks I don't know where to begin. Kev and I went on an awesome cruise to Mexico to kick of the summer. It was a gift from his parents and the whole (adult) family went. It was amazing! (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

London and Pyper started soccer the week after we got back so we have been busy with that. We went to the princess festival in Lindon. If you have a little girl, it is a must. They met all their favorite princesses and went on an amazing adventure! (Thanks Grandma Dorothy). We have also been swimming and visiting the library. (London has been reading constantly. She can always be found tucked away with a book in her hand.) Now if I can only get them to sleep in. Any time past 7:00 would be great. Isn't that what summer is for? I tried to get sleeping beauty to talk to them about the importance of sleep but so far they are not taking the hint.

We also welcomed a new member to our family. Holden Lloyd was born on father's day to my brother and his sweet wife. He has had quite the struggle to get her. His poor mom had to stay on bedrest practically her whole pregnancy and had to stay almost 5 weeks in the hospital before he was born. He was born at 27 weeks and is just 2lb 5oz, but I got to meet him yesterday and he is amazing. You can tell already that he is such a fighter. Can't wait until he can come home and meet the whole family. It is amazing to see Rachel's strength and her amazing testimony during this whole ordeal. I am so lucky to have such an amazing sister-in-law. For more of her story click here.

I don't see summer slowing down anytime soon, but I will try to post a little more frequently.

Land of the Free

These last few months at school London has been learning about the beginning of our country. It is amazing to see the spark in her eyes as she tells me about the founding fathers. I thought I would help her out a bit so we have been watching a series called Liberty Kids at home. I had no idea how much of an impression this would have on my children. I went outside to call Pyper in for lunch the other day and she was sliding down the slide yelling "Give me liberty or give me death!". Asher was right behind her chanting "Death, death death!". Whether this was in answer to her demand or him trying to copy her I have no idea.

Later that afternoon there was a Boston tea party reenactment on the swing set and aldo of Paul Revere's ride. Pyper could be heard yelling "By sea, by sea!" while London jumped on her "fast horse" to tell the colonists that the British were coming.

I have been having doubts about the state of our country lately. It seems that our nation is forgetting it's roots. We are forgetting that our country was founded on a belief in God and that hard work and determination is what got us where we are. It seems now days that everyone expects a hand out and we have to tip toe around so as not to force our beliefs on anyone.

It has given me hope to see how my children cling to the stories of the beginning of our country. It is like they can feel the truth and rightness of it. It has restored my faith in what the future holds for them and for our country. This year London memorized the preamble to the constitution. I had no idea she was doing this and it brought me to tears when she came home from school and recited it for me. I cannot thank her teacher enough for instilling in her a love for this great document. Here is a little video clip of her reciting it.

Changes

So there have recently been some changes in our little family. Kevin's work schedule changed and they were unable to accomadate or crazy schedule so we faced the decision of finding someone to care for the kids or me staying home during the days. I am sure you can guess which one we chose. I gave my notice and one week ago I started staying home full time.

I have mixed feelings. I will miss my friends and co-workers of 11 years. I have been at JVMC for my almost my entire adult life. They were there for my wedding, the birth of my kids, they were my family and I will miss them greatly. (I am still taking call, but there aren't that many people around at 2 in the morning, and it is the social aspect of work that I will miss the most.)

I do love being home all the time with my little munchkins though. And I have seen my husband more in the last week than I have since we were newly weds. We have dinner together every night now as a family and it is really nice. I seem to have a lot more patience now that I am not working. Hopefully I can make it through this little identity crisis, and if any of you are up for a play date, we are now available 6 days a week!! Here are some cute pics from the kids Easter shoot. How could I not love being with them more?

Happy Easter!

Easter is fast approaching. We were lucky enough to have Jen Tate take some Easter pics of the kids. If you would like to see a preview click here. I am quickly becoming addicted to her pictures. (And she is so affordable I can indulge a little more often.) We are on spring break but check back next week to see more!

Post Op

Little Pyper became my first kidlet to have surgery today. It was very minor. She just got tubes in her ears, but surgery is always a little stressful. She was very brave. You can definitely tell she is my middle child and uses any opportunity to get her parents undivided attention to the fullest.

Primary Children's Medical Center was AMAZING! I don't know why you would go anywhere else when you have this awesome place so close. Pyper went to a class the night before where they talked the kids through everything.They gave them a tour and let them play with equipment. Today when she got there she knew exactly what to expect and was not in the least bit scared. In fact she was looking forward to her ride in the wagon to the O.R. They had a life specialist that spent at least a half-hour with Pyper before her surgery. She gave her a doll in special "pajamas" just like Pyper's and they started a (real) I.V. on her doll and Pyper got to inject medicine into the I.V. Then her doll (whose name was Belle Pyper), got to go with her in her wagon to the O.R. and then to the "wake up" room. She wasn't awake more than two minutes when she reminded Warren, her nurse, that there is supposed to be a root beer slushee waiting for her. She was quite the little ham, coming out of anesthesia, thinking she could stand up and then getting all wobbly. She left with so many souvenirs, she could open a little shop.

All day I have to keep reminding myself that I no longer have to talk super loud so she can hear me. I know it is for the best, but I am really going to miss her telling me she is "sive", instead of "five", and how she loves her "samily". Today she has already started calling her little friend "Izabel" instead of "Wizabel". She is now resting in her room listening to music as she falls asleep and it isn't so loud that I can hear it way in the next room. She is going to start kindergarten in the fall and I am going to miss her! She is my little helper and always wants to hang out with me and play games while Asher takes his nap. Hopefully she will have morning class and I will get one more year of her all to myself in the afternoon. I love you Pyper!!

(picture by Jen Tate)

London is 7!

So it has been over 6 weeks since my sweet eldest child's birthday and I have yet to post anything. Pathetic. I guess it is fitting since she didn't come home from the hospital till she was six weeks old so really this is the 7th anniversary of when she came to live with us.
She is such a sweet thing. She is my biggest helper (which I know is hard for her sometimes). She often gives up things she is playing with or wants for her little brother. They are inseperable. When London is home from school you will often find Asher curled up next her while she reads to him, or chasing her around the yard. He sure loves his big sissy.
London and Pyper are either the best of friends or the worst of enemies depending on the minute, but they love having "slumber parties" on Friday nights where they watch a movie together and then sleep in each others rooms. I love what a smart, caring beautiful girl London has grown into. And she has never complained that she has to share a birthday with her dear old mom. I love you Londy Loo! Happy birthday!



Thanks to Jen Tate for the super cute pictures!

I love the Olympics!!

I am an Olympic junkie. More specifically, a winter Olympic junkie. I am glued to the t.v every night and I often shed a tear or two at the opening ceremonies. I love hearing the stories of the athletes and what sacrifices they have made to get where they are. I love meeting their families. I love the patriotism and the unity of the games. I didn't really have a great love for the games until we attended the Salt Lake 2002 games. We were only able to get tickets to a few events but we were there when the U.S women's bobsled team won the gold and it was amazing. We spent every moment we could downtown and attended a medals ceremony. Somehow my brother-in-law scored us seats to the paraolympic opening ceremonies and it was life changing. Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying the games. I bawled like a baby at this commercial last night.



I also want to wish my friends sister good luck! She is a skeleton racer and I am sure the whole family is nervous after the accident on Friday! Good luck Noelle Pikus Pace!! She has an amazing story! She missed the last Olympics when she was hit by a bobsled and her leg was broken. We are rooting for you!!

Meet Mushu!

So I have so much blogging to catch up on. There is Christmas and birthday's and our sweet dog Yoshi having to be put down, but here is the newest member of our family. Isn't he the cutest. I promise to blog more soon!