Evelyn has a new favorite word. She likes to shout this word out - often very loudly - many times a day. Contrary to what you may be thinking, this word is not 'NO.' Evie's new favorite word is 'MINE!!!' And EVERYTHING is MINE!
Eileen is now down another tooth. Sigh... what happened to my little girl!! We were reading scriptures tonight and she held out her hand to me to show me a little white thing and a new gap in her mouth.
The kids gave me a scare yesterday. I had just laid Evie down for naps, the older kids had gone outside and I had sat down for lunch. I finished eating and went to check on them and couldn't find them. I called their names and looked around the back yard, then upset that they might have gone to the neighbor's yard with out telling me, I looked over the fence... still nothing. I was starting to get really nervous now. I called after them again and then decided to try knocking on the neighbors door. After 10 minutes of panic filled knocking (well it may have been less - but it felt like more...) the door was finally opened and my kids were found. I sent them home - quite upset with them. We went inside and had a long talk. I told them how worried I had been and how it was my job as their mommy to keep them safe and I couldn't do that if I didn't know where they were. I told Eileen that she was not old enough to go places with out telling me. She asked when she would be old enough. I told her 18.
On Thursday, I got a very exciting phone call. Dan called to tell me that one of my sister-in-laws was at Denver Airport with a 3 hour layover. I immediately hustled the kids into the car, called her and headed her way to pick her up for lunch. It was SOO good to see her again. She is an amazing person, and is one of many reasons why I have missed being able to see as much of Dan's family as we would like to. We had a wonderful lunch together and then I dropped her back at the airport. She will have another long layover on her way back home, and I am already looking forward to the chance of seeing her again.
We got some long expected letters in the mail. We applied to have our kids go to a Gifted school in our area. We took them in for evaluations and have been waiting for months to find out if they got in. The number of applicants meant that the letters were longer in sending than they had anticipated. We finally found out that both girls had been accepted to the school for next school year. We are relieved and very excited for them both.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Crazy Conference
This has been a busy week!! It has been spring break for Eileen which meant the added craziness of one additional child around all week.
We had preschool this week on Monday and Thursday (Thursday was at our house) we had doctors appointments, piano lessons, visiting teaching, choir practice, friends coming over to play, and easter egg hunt, breakfast with some new friends in our ward, General Conference, and dinner at a friends house. Ok - I'm tired again just typing it all...
Eileen's friend Morgan came and spent the day with us on Thursday - she is a sweet little girl and the girls all got along well together and played well together all day.
Friday was an Easter egg hunt with a large group of kids. The kids had a blast they loved finding the eggs and even Evie got into it! Trying to keep them from eating all the candy all at once was much more difficult.
This weekend was General Conference weekend - a chance for those of us in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to listen to the words of the Prophet and Apostles. This happens twice a year and these weekends are always a source of comfort and peace and lead to a renewing determination to be a better wife and mother. After this last week, I really needed it.... It it so nice to be reminded of His love for me and His understanding with my weaknesses and His willingness to help me when I need it. It is nice to be reminded of what a wonderful man I married and how amazing my kids really are. It makes it much easier to keep myself from yelling at them when they get into things they know they shouldn't get into AGAIN!
Anna watching Conference on my computer. She especially loved to hear the choir sing. In addition, we were invited over to have breakfast with some friends. They have 6 kids and between our two families - it was about an hour of chaos! We also went over to another friends house for dinner after Conference on Sunday. She made Navajo Tacos - VERY yummy!! This is a yearly tradition that she does, and I was so excited to be part of it this year!
On top of all of this, we have had sick kids most of the week, Eileen and Anna have been complaining of their tummy's hurting and Anna has done some throwing up. I keep telling them that sweets and candy won't help - but it doesn't seem to stop them from sneaking candy anyway....
We had preschool this week on Monday and Thursday (Thursday was at our house) we had doctors appointments, piano lessons, visiting teaching, choir practice, friends coming over to play, and easter egg hunt, breakfast with some new friends in our ward, General Conference, and dinner at a friends house. Ok - I'm tired again just typing it all...
Eileen's friend Morgan came and spent the day with us on Thursday - she is a sweet little girl and the girls all got along well together and played well together all day.
Friday was an Easter egg hunt with a large group of kids. The kids had a blast they loved finding the eggs and even Evie got into it! Trying to keep them from eating all the candy all at once was much more difficult.
This weekend was General Conference weekend - a chance for those of us in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to listen to the words of the Prophet and Apostles. This happens twice a year and these weekends are always a source of comfort and peace and lead to a renewing determination to be a better wife and mother. After this last week, I really needed it.... It it so nice to be reminded of His love for me and His understanding with my weaknesses and His willingness to help me when I need it. It is nice to be reminded of what a wonderful man I married and how amazing my kids really are. It makes it much easier to keep myself from yelling at them when they get into things they know they shouldn't get into AGAIN!
Anna watching Conference on my computer. She especially loved to hear the choir sing. In addition, we were invited over to have breakfast with some friends. They have 6 kids and between our two families - it was about an hour of chaos! We also went over to another friends house for dinner after Conference on Sunday. She made Navajo Tacos - VERY yummy!! This is a yearly tradition that she does, and I was so excited to be part of it this year!
On top of all of this, we have had sick kids most of the week, Eileen and Anna have been complaining of their tummy's hurting and Anna has done some throwing up. I keep telling them that sweets and candy won't help - but it doesn't seem to stop them from sneaking candy anyway....
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Party Time!
This week has been fun - Becky came over on Wednesday to hang out and we had fun - then the boys came and met us for lunch! Weather has been beautiful so we have spent our afternoons outside and playing. The kids are loving digging in the dirt and playing with neighbors. Choir was on Wednesday also and we are getting close to concert season again. I really enjoy singing with the choir and I am really looking forward to the concerts!
Friday, Eileen's friend Morgan came over to spend the night. The girls had a blast playing together and stayed up late coloring and playing. They get along so well together and Morgan is such a nice girl. Eileen really loved it! They played all the next morning together and then Morgan had to go home. But Eileen is looking forward to having her come over and play during spring break.
Saturday afternoon - while my piano was getting tuned (YEAH!!!!!) I took the older kids to the thrift store for some shopping. We actually found a nice one and found some really cute stuff - unfortunately I over estimated Eileen's size on a lot of them - but she will grow into them eventually! Got lots of new pants and shirts for Aaron (who is too tall for everything he has even though it's all still too big around the waist....) and Mommy even found a couple things. The poofy dress below was one of our finds - and Eileen loves it!
It's funny how you often hear your self reflected in the words of your children. On Saturday during baths - I was helping Aaron and he was washing behind his ears. He sat there cleaning them for a minute then said "There we go" in the exact same inflection I would say it in - cracked me up to hear my cute little mimic! Aaron is also in a "Mommy has to do everything for me - Daddy is not allowed to help me at ALL!!!" stage.... It's nice to be loved - but it can be a tad exhausting too :)
Evie has a couple new favorite things to say now - this week she has been saying "Uh-oh" a lot. The funniest part is that she will do something like this a lot - pick up her plate look at it - hold it out - say uh-ohhhh - then drop the plate!!! LOLOL we're trying to let her know that the uh-oh comes AFTER the 'accident'!!!
A lady in our ward asked me to prepare a musical number with her daughter for a single adult fireside - she and i practiced this week and sang tonight at the fireside. Her daughter has a beautiful voice and it was a lot of fun to sing with her - it was easy to blend with her and she's just a really nice person. The musical number went well and so now we are doing it again for Easter Sunday in our ward. :)
Friday, Eileen's friend Morgan came over to spend the night. The girls had a blast playing together and stayed up late coloring and playing. They get along so well together and Morgan is such a nice girl. Eileen really loved it! They played all the next morning together and then Morgan had to go home. But Eileen is looking forward to having her come over and play during spring break.
Saturday afternoon - while my piano was getting tuned (YEAH!!!!!) I took the older kids to the thrift store for some shopping. We actually found a nice one and found some really cute stuff - unfortunately I over estimated Eileen's size on a lot of them - but she will grow into them eventually! Got lots of new pants and shirts for Aaron (who is too tall for everything he has even though it's all still too big around the waist....) and Mommy even found a couple things. The poofy dress below was one of our finds - and Eileen loves it!
It's funny how you often hear your self reflected in the words of your children. On Saturday during baths - I was helping Aaron and he was washing behind his ears. He sat there cleaning them for a minute then said "There we go" in the exact same inflection I would say it in - cracked me up to hear my cute little mimic! Aaron is also in a "Mommy has to do everything for me - Daddy is not allowed to help me at ALL!!!" stage.... It's nice to be loved - but it can be a tad exhausting too :)
Evie has a couple new favorite things to say now - this week she has been saying "Uh-oh" a lot. The funniest part is that she will do something like this a lot - pick up her plate look at it - hold it out - say uh-ohhhh - then drop the plate!!! LOLOL we're trying to let her know that the uh-oh comes AFTER the 'accident'!!!
A lady in our ward asked me to prepare a musical number with her daughter for a single adult fireside - she and i practiced this week and sang tonight at the fireside. Her daughter has a beautiful voice and it was a lot of fun to sing with her - it was easy to blend with her and she's just a really nice person. The musical number went well and so now we are doing it again for Easter Sunday in our ward. :)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Runny Noses and Running Kids
We've had some sick kids all week - with noses running freely - but in the true spirit of kids - that doesn't slow them down at all. I managed to have a sore throat and some congestion for a few days, but we all survived with the house in one piece. On Saturday the kids met the kids who live (at least part time) at the house on the other side of us - and they have a little girl about Eileen's age - so the girls happily spent HOURS playing together outside and running through a hole in the fence between the two yards. They enjoyed themselves so much that Eileen had a TOTAL meltdown when we told her she had to come in and have dinner. She was so upset that she didn't even want to help make cookies and barely enjoyed watching the Barbie movie after....
Evie has learned the noise the camera makes when it turns on and immediately looks up and says CHEESE!!!!! every time, so it's impossible to get a candid shot of her anymore! LOL
Aaron is so fun right now (except when he's in the middle of a ROYAL PAIN sized tantrum) he is so sweet and loving. We were out together - just the two of us and he says "i love you mommy" and i say "I love you too Aaron" And it's so sweet and simple and perfect.
While Eileen was in the middle of her meltdown on Saturday, Anna in one of her not-so-rare moments of thoughtfulness and kindness traded plates with her so Eileen could have her favorite plate. It just warms my heart to see those little acts of kindness and love - and she is so good at giving them. She also said some very sweet prayers this week while we were sick - "please bless that my nipples (sniffles) will go away and bless that aaron's nipples(sniffles) will go away too." Ahhh - the sweet loving innocence of a child.... :P
Eileen is officially down one more tooth - she has lost 5 and has one more that is well on it's way out - I can't believe how big my baby girl is getting!!!
Evie has learned the noise the camera makes when it turns on and immediately looks up and says CHEESE!!!!! every time, so it's impossible to get a candid shot of her anymore! LOL
Aaron is so fun right now (except when he's in the middle of a ROYAL PAIN sized tantrum) he is so sweet and loving. We were out together - just the two of us and he says "i love you mommy" and i say "I love you too Aaron" And it's so sweet and simple and perfect.
While Eileen was in the middle of her meltdown on Saturday, Anna in one of her not-so-rare moments of thoughtfulness and kindness traded plates with her so Eileen could have her favorite plate. It just warms my heart to see those little acts of kindness and love - and she is so good at giving them. She also said some very sweet prayers this week while we were sick - "please bless that my nipples (sniffles) will go away and bless that aaron's nipples(sniffles) will go away too." Ahhh - the sweet loving innocence of a child.... :P
Eileen is officially down one more tooth - she has lost 5 and has one more that is well on it's way out - I can't believe how big my baby girl is getting!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Welcome Home Baby!!
That's right Dan is home and our family is whole again. I have learned some things in the last 2 weeks....
1. That I am less likely to be miserable with missing him if I keep myself busy.
2. I am better able to keep busy if I assign myself jobs.
3. The kids can be motivated into doing their chores with dry erase markers and treats.
4. The kids all want daddy desperately when he's gone, then want me when he comes back
5. Little girls need daddy's.
6. Little boys do too - even if they don't want to admit it.
7. The Lord will strengthen me - as long as I don't sit around moping. :)
8. When you least expect it - prayers are answered.
9. 2 weeks is WAY TOO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dad was in town for a few days this week - the kids enjoyed seeing him - and I enjoyed having some adult conversation - he was working most of the time - but since we are a bit further away now - we will take whatever we can get. Plus his coming motivated me to get the spare room cleaned up - finally.
The kids were great this week - they did all their cleaning up and everything (with out too much fuss) and earned themselves a special occasion - with cookies, and a movies. Plus they got to mark off their done chores - which was a reward by itself. :)
Evie has a favorite book - it's a cookie monster book - and since it's only about 6 pages long - she actually sits still for the whole thing. I try and do a cookie monster voice when i read it to her - and I think that's her favorite part - because sometimes she will just pick up the book and walk around with it while making grumbly 'me want cookie' type noises - it's soo cute!! She is really starting to talk alot now. She can point to and name all her face parts, and has a few other words she uses regularly. She's a lot of fun when she isn't cranky because she misses daddy. :)
1. That I am less likely to be miserable with missing him if I keep myself busy.
2. I am better able to keep busy if I assign myself jobs.
3. The kids can be motivated into doing their chores with dry erase markers and treats.
4. The kids all want daddy desperately when he's gone, then want me when he comes back
5. Little girls need daddy's.
6. Little boys do too - even if they don't want to admit it.
7. The Lord will strengthen me - as long as I don't sit around moping. :)
8. When you least expect it - prayers are answered.
9. 2 weeks is WAY TOO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dad was in town for a few days this week - the kids enjoyed seeing him - and I enjoyed having some adult conversation - he was working most of the time - but since we are a bit further away now - we will take whatever we can get. Plus his coming motivated me to get the spare room cleaned up - finally.
The kids were great this week - they did all their cleaning up and everything (with out too much fuss) and earned themselves a special occasion - with cookies, and a movies. Plus they got to mark off their done chores - which was a reward by itself. :)
Evie has a favorite book - it's a cookie monster book - and since it's only about 6 pages long - she actually sits still for the whole thing. I try and do a cookie monster voice when i read it to her - and I think that's her favorite part - because sometimes she will just pick up the book and walk around with it while making grumbly 'me want cookie' type noises - it's soo cute!! She is really starting to talk alot now. She can point to and name all her face parts, and has a few other words she uses regularly. She's a lot of fun when she isn't cranky because she misses daddy. :)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week One
One week down - one to go. We survived the first week and even had some fun doing it. We managed to keep ourselves busy with friends. The kids were all (except Evie) sick Sunday night - so Monday we all stayed at home while mommy did laundry. The kids were all bouncing off the walls by the afternoon, and didn't throw up again during the next day. So Tuesday, Eileen went back to school and the rest of us went to the little preschool group we are doing with some other ladies in the ward. The kids have been loving it and since all the moms are there to help it has been pain-free, plus once we finish the preschool stuff - it morphs into a play date. :)
I told the kids at the beginning of the week that if they did all their chores during the week and did their extra chores on Saturday, then they could choose a treat to make and eat Saturday night. So they faithfully and even excitedly did all the work I asked of them so they could mark off their chore chart. (HAHA - it's amazing how much easier life is for me when they do this stuff with out me having to ask them 5 or 6 times a minute.....)
Wednesday, my visiting teacher came over to watch the kids for me so I could go to choir - and she brought her 3 little boys with her so the kids had fun playing and watching a movie and I had a wonderful time singing.
Thursday Becky and family came over and we all had pizzas and fun. The girls really get along well together and they all had fun playing and making their pizzas.
Friday was a big day for Eileen. She had her first sleep over with a friend from school. After school - she went there and spent the night and I picked her up the next morning. She had a lot of fun, and was very well behaved. She told me all about how much fun she had and all the things their family does differently (mommy, they don't like catsup - but they still have some)
Saturday rolled around and we did all our cleaning and playing, then Grandpa stopped by to let a friend borrow the red truck. Then he stayed and played with us for a bit then took us out to dinner at a place called Casa Bonita. It had Tex-Mex food and a wild west diving show... don't ask - i didn't see it.... we were seated in the back corner - but Grandpa walked the girls over to watch it. They got a kick out of it. It was a fun place and the food was good. Evie ate more of it that all the other kids combined. They they had sopapillas. Then of course the promised treat for all their hard work and cooperation this week - they got to have pudding and watch a movie.... are they spoiled or what!!! :)
Go figure - but in all of this we still managed to miss Dan, but at least we weren't bored and self-pitying the whole time :) Just one more week to go....
I told the kids at the beginning of the week that if they did all their chores during the week and did their extra chores on Saturday, then they could choose a treat to make and eat Saturday night. So they faithfully and even excitedly did all the work I asked of them so they could mark off their chore chart. (HAHA - it's amazing how much easier life is for me when they do this stuff with out me having to ask them 5 or 6 times a minute.....)
Wednesday, my visiting teacher came over to watch the kids for me so I could go to choir - and she brought her 3 little boys with her so the kids had fun playing and watching a movie and I had a wonderful time singing.
Thursday Becky and family came over and we all had pizzas and fun. The girls really get along well together and they all had fun playing and making their pizzas.
Friday was a big day for Eileen. She had her first sleep over with a friend from school. After school - she went there and spent the night and I picked her up the next morning. She had a lot of fun, and was very well behaved. She told me all about how much fun she had and all the things their family does differently (mommy, they don't like catsup - but they still have some)
Saturday rolled around and we did all our cleaning and playing, then Grandpa stopped by to let a friend borrow the red truck. Then he stayed and played with us for a bit then took us out to dinner at a place called Casa Bonita. It had Tex-Mex food and a wild west diving show... don't ask - i didn't see it.... we were seated in the back corner - but Grandpa walked the girls over to watch it. They got a kick out of it. It was a fun place and the food was good. Evie ate more of it that all the other kids combined. They they had sopapillas. Then of course the promised treat for all their hard work and cooperation this week - they got to have pudding and watch a movie.... are they spoiled or what!!! :)Go figure - but in all of this we still managed to miss Dan, but at least we weren't bored and self-pitying the whole time :) Just one more week to go....
Sunday, February 27, 2011
On Our Own Again
Well - it's official - Dan is out of town again. :( We miss him - and always do - but we have tried to plan enough amusements for ourselves to keep us busy.
This week has kept us busy with friends and each other. Eileen has been very dilligent in practicing her piano each day. She loves to do it, and is so excited about it. She loves her teacher and wants so much to make her happy and proud. She is such a sweet little girl!! Tonight after the others were in bed - she and i sat at the piano practicing and singing and then sat and read scriptures together for a bit. I am so blessed to have her.
Anna hasn't been feeling well this week. She has been complaining of growing pains, diarrhea and throwing up... but she has no fever and generally acts completely normal and fine.... Saturday morning she had her meeting at the school we hope to get her into next year. She seemed to enjoy herself - and came back happy and excited. Now we just have to wait.... (i don't like waiting....) She has generally been a sweet and helpful girl and it's fun to watch her wanting to learn the piano too - and sometimes Eileen will teach her some. :)
Aaron is funny - he seems to be trying to test me to see if grumpiness works to get his way... and over the last week or so has been pushing it more than usual - and finding (to his detriment) that it doesn't. Fortunately, if I ignore him for a few minutes - the attitude changes. :)
Evie is such a character. She misses Daddy a LOT when he goes away and get's very clingy with me like she is worried that I will go too. She has gone into nursery at church just fine the last couple weeks - but this week, she looked around after a couple minutes and realized I wasn't there and just screamed inconsolably. I went in and sat with her - and while she was contest mostly to play and eat her snacks - she needed to come and sit with me and hold me every few minutes - and when i had to go help Anna who was feeling sick in the bathroom, she was not a happy camper. I love the snuggles though :)
The weather here has been great and we have taken advantage of it with trips to the park and playing on the playground after school - it's nice to be able to run around and play outside.
Our most exciting news of the week is the offer on our house. We are excited and hoping that things work out!
Haha - I took pics this week - but the camera's batteries are dead - so i need to charge them before i can post them :P Sorry!!
This week has kept us busy with friends and each other. Eileen has been very dilligent in practicing her piano each day. She loves to do it, and is so excited about it. She loves her teacher and wants so much to make her happy and proud. She is such a sweet little girl!! Tonight after the others were in bed - she and i sat at the piano practicing and singing and then sat and read scriptures together for a bit. I am so blessed to have her.
Anna hasn't been feeling well this week. She has been complaining of growing pains, diarrhea and throwing up... but she has no fever and generally acts completely normal and fine.... Saturday morning she had her meeting at the school we hope to get her into next year. She seemed to enjoy herself - and came back happy and excited. Now we just have to wait.... (i don't like waiting....) She has generally been a sweet and helpful girl and it's fun to watch her wanting to learn the piano too - and sometimes Eileen will teach her some. :)
Aaron is funny - he seems to be trying to test me to see if grumpiness works to get his way... and over the last week or so has been pushing it more than usual - and finding (to his detriment) that it doesn't. Fortunately, if I ignore him for a few minutes - the attitude changes. :)
Evie is such a character. She misses Daddy a LOT when he goes away and get's very clingy with me like she is worried that I will go too. She has gone into nursery at church just fine the last couple weeks - but this week, she looked around after a couple minutes and realized I wasn't there and just screamed inconsolably. I went in and sat with her - and while she was contest mostly to play and eat her snacks - she needed to come and sit with me and hold me every few minutes - and when i had to go help Anna who was feeling sick in the bathroom, she was not a happy camper. I love the snuggles though :)
The weather here has been great and we have taken advantage of it with trips to the park and playing on the playground after school - it's nice to be able to run around and play outside.
Our most exciting news of the week is the offer on our house. We are excited and hoping that things work out!
Haha - I took pics this week - but the camera's batteries are dead - so i need to charge them before i can post them :P Sorry!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Love is in the Air....
Heehee - we had a fun and busy Valentine's Day. I woke up to heart shaped biscuits and a super yummy breakfast! Followed by the usual errands - grocery shopping, laundry... - and then we picked up Eileen from school for her first piano lesson. She is very excited about her lessons and loves her teacher! Then we came home and put the wonderful lasagne Dan had made in the oven. Dan came home to a yummy dinner - and a giant heart shaped cookie. I also made heart shaped cupcakes for the kids. A fun and love filled day :)
Well - after a day like that you would expect things to slow down some... of course not - Tuesday the weather was just beautiful so we made a lunch and met a bunch of the other gals from the ward at the park for playing and fun - after exhausting ourselves for the better part of the morning and afternoon - we went home. Then after picking up Eileen from school - we hung out there and played on the playground for awhile. Then in the evening we drove downtown to P.F. Chang's for a delicious dinner with a bunch of the guys Dan works with and their families. Since there were other kids there - the kids were happy and entertained - and we were among good company - but we got the kids home late and to bed late.
Wednesday was the usual play outside and my having choir practice in the evening. A nice break for me :) I am really loving the music this season!
Thursday was emptier than originally planned - Becky was going to come over and play but her older daughter got Strep and she couldn't :( but she was missed. Despite that - the afternoon got crazy - Anna had an appointment at the school we are trying to get her into for next school year. The appointment was a hour long - so we went back to Eileen's school so she could go to the book fair and spend her chore money. She loved walking around and looking at books - and eventually picked out a barbie book and a pen. Then we went back to pick up Anna and then home for dinner.
Friday morning I went visiting teaching and then home - at which point a pounding headache kicked in and I just struggled to stay awake. I finally took a nap during nap time and Dan came home early enough to pick up Eileen from school - so i napped until almost 6 - and still had no problems going to sleep that night....
Saturday was our normal cleaning day and boy did the house need it!! We worked all morning until the house was at least a bit neater - and then Dan ran off to do oil changes and other errands. In the evening I made chicken noodle soup which we promptly divided into two containers and took to one of the women I visit teach and a new family just moving in the ward. The kids ate left overs while i delivered - then Dan went and helped them move stuff into the house while I got the kids to bed. We finished an exhausting day with both Dan and I ready to go to bed at 9pm.
Sunday we got up for church - wrestled 4 wiggly kids through Sacrament meeting, taught a R.S. lesson and had ward choir. Followed by Home teaching for Dan and a bit of scrapbooking for me. Finally dinner and to bed with 4 cranky kids!
Now if you made it this far and aren't exhausted - I'm amazed - I'm exhausted just writing about it... But in spite of it all - it's been a good week. We know we love each other, we know that God loves us and we are (mostly) healthy and happy!
Evie has learned to say cheese this week - she thinks it is the funnest thing in the world - and any time I get the camera out she hams it up and says "cheeeeeeeeeeeeese" over and over again. It's adorable and I find myself taking tons of pics just because she is so CUTE!
Well - after a day like that you would expect things to slow down some... of course not - Tuesday the weather was just beautiful so we made a lunch and met a bunch of the other gals from the ward at the park for playing and fun - after exhausting ourselves for the better part of the morning and afternoon - we went home. Then after picking up Eileen from school - we hung out there and played on the playground for awhile. Then in the evening we drove downtown to P.F. Chang's for a delicious dinner with a bunch of the guys Dan works with and their families. Since there were other kids there - the kids were happy and entertained - and we were among good company - but we got the kids home late and to bed late.
Wednesday was the usual play outside and my having choir practice in the evening. A nice break for me :) I am really loving the music this season!
Thursday was emptier than originally planned - Becky was going to come over and play but her older daughter got Strep and she couldn't :( but she was missed. Despite that - the afternoon got crazy - Anna had an appointment at the school we are trying to get her into for next school year. The appointment was a hour long - so we went back to Eileen's school so she could go to the book fair and spend her chore money. She loved walking around and looking at books - and eventually picked out a barbie book and a pen. Then we went back to pick up Anna and then home for dinner.
Friday morning I went visiting teaching and then home - at which point a pounding headache kicked in and I just struggled to stay awake. I finally took a nap during nap time and Dan came home early enough to pick up Eileen from school - so i napped until almost 6 - and still had no problems going to sleep that night....
Saturday was our normal cleaning day and boy did the house need it!! We worked all morning until the house was at least a bit neater - and then Dan ran off to do oil changes and other errands. In the evening I made chicken noodle soup which we promptly divided into two containers and took to one of the women I visit teach and a new family just moving in the ward. The kids ate left overs while i delivered - then Dan went and helped them move stuff into the house while I got the kids to bed. We finished an exhausting day with both Dan and I ready to go to bed at 9pm.
Sunday we got up for church - wrestled 4 wiggly kids through Sacrament meeting, taught a R.S. lesson and had ward choir. Followed by Home teaching for Dan and a bit of scrapbooking for me. Finally dinner and to bed with 4 cranky kids!
Now if you made it this far and aren't exhausted - I'm amazed - I'm exhausted just writing about it... But in spite of it all - it's been a good week. We know we love each other, we know that God loves us and we are (mostly) healthy and happy!
Evie has learned to say cheese this week - she thinks it is the funnest thing in the world - and any time I get the camera out she hams it up and says "cheeeeeeeeeeeeese" over and over again. It's adorable and I find myself taking tons of pics just because she is so CUTE!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tired of Snow
LOL - ok - I'm just not a snow person - I'm a sunshine and water person.... Now you may think - well what are you doing in Colorado!!! Well - I knew what i was getting into when I moved here - and it really hasn't been so bad - but I'm ready for spring!! (LOL - regardless of where I live - I usually am by this time of year) Anna has spent most of the week saying "Mommy I really want to go to the playground today" Well - the playgrounds are still covered in snow...like everything else.... thankfully it's getting warmer right now and should continue to do so - either way - we are going to the play ground this week!
It was nice to get some cleaning done this weekend - Afterward - the kids decided that since their toys were all put away, they were going to play with the shoes instead.... What followed was a good solid 45 minutes of putting on shoes and gloves that were too big. Eileen insisted on having all their pictures taken.
Our ward choir sang this week - for the first time under my direction. It was exciting and scary at the same time - LOL - i haven't been that nervous about a musical number in a long time. :) They really did well and I'm looking forward to many more.
I had a friend come over this week - I've been seriously missing my bff and crafting buddie from Texas and going stir crazy with all the snow. Now when we moved here - accepting a job from Dan's cousin - I was eager to meet his wife - he has such a fun and unique personality - that I just knew I was going to like anyone who could put up with him! I do like her - and have been meaning to invite her over for awhile now and finally managed to con a phone number out of Dan. It was great to have adult conversation! Her husband asked what we were going to do? LOL - well nothing of course!!! We worked on projects and sat and talked and ate lunch - but really - that's it - and it was great - the kids played happily and ooh-ed and aah-ed over her baby. Evie was so cute - she kept bringing the baby her binky and toys and anything else she thought the baby might want. Such a sweetie!
It was nice to get some cleaning done this weekend - Afterward - the kids decided that since their toys were all put away, they were going to play with the shoes instead.... What followed was a good solid 45 minutes of putting on shoes and gloves that were too big. Eileen insisted on having all their pictures taken.
Our ward choir sang this week - for the first time under my direction. It was exciting and scary at the same time - LOL - i haven't been that nervous about a musical number in a long time. :) They really did well and I'm looking forward to many more. I had a friend come over this week - I've been seriously missing my bff and crafting buddie from Texas and going stir crazy with all the snow. Now when we moved here - accepting a job from Dan's cousin - I was eager to meet his wife - he has such a fun and unique personality - that I just knew I was going to like anyone who could put up with him! I do like her - and have been meaning to invite her over for awhile now and finally managed to con a phone number out of Dan. It was great to have adult conversation! Her husband asked what we were going to do? LOL - well nothing of course!!! We worked on projects and sat and talked and ate lunch - but really - that's it - and it was great - the kids played happily and ooh-ed and aah-ed over her baby. Evie was so cute - she kept bringing the baby her binky and toys and anything else she thought the baby might want. Such a sweetie!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time Together
This has been a fun - but cold week. We had sub-zero temperatures for much of the week and Eileen even had school canceled for 2 days because of it. As if that weren't bad enough, she had Thursday and Friday off for in-service - which means that she only had school for one day last week. Now she's saying stuff like "I like home better than school" and I'm thinking "how and I going to survive summer vacation...."
Dan has been rather sick most of the week - he spent most of the day on Tuesday in the bathroom and was uncomfortable for the next 3 days. Thankfully he managed to pull out of it long enough to go with me on his surprise date Tuesday evening. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and saw James Blunt. It was a fun evening and the show was great - he only did a few songs - but he's a great live performer. I had won seats and passes on the radio! (LOL - I know - I never win ANYTHING!) So it was very exciting to win and to go and to be with Dan. A big thanks to Tina for watching the kids for us.
We took Eileen to the dentist to get her crazy tooth pulled out (she wouldn't let daddy touch it) and now she looks even more beautiful! We took her for her 6 year old pics on Saturday and she just had a great time hamming it up for the camera - she's so photogenic and sweet! After - she and I had lunch together and she went shopping for crayons, then we went to the library to read for a bit and then to a scrapbook store just for fun.
Dan has been rather sick most of the week - he spent most of the day on Tuesday in the bathroom and was uncomfortable for the next 3 days. Thankfully he managed to pull out of it long enough to go with me on his surprise date Tuesday evening. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe and saw James Blunt. It was a fun evening and the show was great - he only did a few songs - but he's a great live performer. I had won seats and passes on the radio! (LOL - I know - I never win ANYTHING!) So it was very exciting to win and to go and to be with Dan. A big thanks to Tina for watching the kids for us.
We took Eileen to the dentist to get her crazy tooth pulled out (she wouldn't let daddy touch it) and now she looks even more beautiful! We took her for her 6 year old pics on Saturday and she just had a great time hamming it up for the camera - she's so photogenic and sweet! After - she and I had lunch together and she went shopping for crayons, then we went to the library to read for a bit and then to a scrapbook store just for fun.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Yey for Daddy!
Well we managed to survive without daddy - but we are very glad he's back! On Wednesday, Aunt Tina came over and watched the kids so I could go to choir practice. As usual practice just sped by and before I was ready to go home - it was over and I had to go home. :(
Dan ended up staying a day longer than originally planned - so by Friday night the kids were rather cranky. After the kids refused to clean up - preferring instead to whine and complain and play, I put all the toys that were left out into the sewing room. Eileen broke down in tears and cried inconsolably for about half an hour. When I tried to talk to her about it - she told me that she was sad because I'd snatched a toy from her - we talked a bit more and she told me that she wished we still lived in Texas where we didn't have a sewing room - I told her that even in Texas - if she didn't clean up - we would put her toys where she couldn't play with them. So she told me she wished we could move so that we wouldn't have a sewing room - I told her that even in another house she would still have to clean up her toys. So she told me she wished she had different parents - I told her than even if she had other parents, she would still have to clean up her toys. She said Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't. I told her (while trying VERY hard not to laugh too loudly) that even Grandma and Grandpa would make her clean up toys. Then I told her that my mommy and daddy had made me clean up toys when I was little - and I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa Jones made daddy clean up his toys when he was little. She didn't believe me - so we sent Grandma and Grandpa Jones an e-mail asking them. Then she told me that she would never do that to her kids.
On Saturday - we took Eileen in for testing to try and get her into a gifted school near by - we had to get up earlier than normal to make it in on time - I warned the kids about this - and Eileen told me (after she had been complaining about her tummy hurting for awhile) that the reason her tummy hurt was because it knew it was going to have to get up early tomorrow - LOL - I wish I could claim that excuse.... :)
But now daddy is home and everyone is happier - except Aaron - who is the only one of my kids who seems to prefer me to Dan. Oh well - they might prefer Dan now - but the balance will even out some day.
Eileen has a tooth in front that has needed to fall out for a long time - unfortunately - the adult tooth grew in behind it and so it doesn't want to come out. Well now it's just dangling by one tiny bit - and it's GROSS - so just to warn you - if you are squeamish - you may not want to look at this...
And this picture sooo doesn't do it justice - it's MUCH worse....
Dan ended up staying a day longer than originally planned - so by Friday night the kids were rather cranky. After the kids refused to clean up - preferring instead to whine and complain and play, I put all the toys that were left out into the sewing room. Eileen broke down in tears and cried inconsolably for about half an hour. When I tried to talk to her about it - she told me that she was sad because I'd snatched a toy from her - we talked a bit more and she told me that she wished we still lived in Texas where we didn't have a sewing room - I told her that even in Texas - if she didn't clean up - we would put her toys where she couldn't play with them. So she told me she wished we could move so that we wouldn't have a sewing room - I told her that even in another house she would still have to clean up her toys. So she told me she wished she had different parents - I told her than even if she had other parents, she would still have to clean up her toys. She said Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't. I told her (while trying VERY hard not to laugh too loudly) that even Grandma and Grandpa would make her clean up toys. Then I told her that my mommy and daddy had made me clean up toys when I was little - and I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa Jones made daddy clean up his toys when he was little. She didn't believe me - so we sent Grandma and Grandpa Jones an e-mail asking them. Then she told me that she would never do that to her kids.
On Saturday - we took Eileen in for testing to try and get her into a gifted school near by - we had to get up earlier than normal to make it in on time - I warned the kids about this - and Eileen told me (after she had been complaining about her tummy hurting for awhile) that the reason her tummy hurt was because it knew it was going to have to get up early tomorrow - LOL - I wish I could claim that excuse.... :)
But now daddy is home and everyone is happier - except Aaron - who is the only one of my kids who seems to prefer me to Dan. Oh well - they might prefer Dan now - but the balance will even out some day.
Eileen has a tooth in front that has needed to fall out for a long time - unfortunately - the adult tooth grew in behind it and so it doesn't want to come out. Well now it's just dangling by one tiny bit - and it's GROSS - so just to warn you - if you are squeamish - you may not want to look at this...
And this picture sooo doesn't do it justice - it's MUCH worse....
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Bye Bye Daddy!!
Well Dan is off to Washington DC this coming week - he took off Friday - right in the middle of everyone being sick - at this point - I'm just glad that he and I seem to have managed to avoid it. The older girls were throwing up (in fact I had to pull over on the side of the road on the way home from the airport to let Anna throw up on the side of the road) Aaron has been running a fever and is just generally cranky. Evie had a mild fever - but mostly she's cranky that Dan is gone - she is such a daddy's girl. Aaron kept waking up and coming downstairs last night - when I got up in the morning he was asleep on the floor just inside my room - and apparently he talks in his sleep and snores lightly. :) He's such a cutie. I found him like this. I"m standing right in front of the door to our room.
I had my first day as ward choir director here and was very excited by the turn out! LOL - in other words - people actually came and sang - and they were wonderful! Odd how I can love music so much and be fairly confident in my ability to perform and yet be so NOT confident in my abilities as a choir director. But in spite of that - the amazing people who came made it a success - so I'm looking forward to this! 
I had my first day as ward choir director here and was very excited by the turn out! LOL - in other words - people actually came and sang - and they were wonderful! Odd how I can love music so much and be fairly confident in my ability to perform and yet be so NOT confident in my abilities as a choir director. But in spite of that - the amazing people who came made it a success - so I'm looking forward to this! 
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I have a 3 year old again!
Well our little boy (I NOT LITTLE!) ok our big boy is now officially 3. Poor kid he had kinda a lazy birthday - after all the excitement of the holidays - the last thing I wanted to do was plan a big party, plus we had 6 inches dropped on us the day before. So he got to pick his birthday dinner (I WANT ENCHILADAS!) He got a truck birthday cake (THANK YOU DADDY!) He had some friends over in the morning to play - which exhausted all three of the younger kids, so they all napped!! Then after dinner he opened his 2 presents - a remote control truck and some flurp (I MAKE FART!!!) yes - that's right - Dan and Eileen picked him out this gloopy substance that makes farting noises.... Then all 4 kids fought over the remote control truck and we sent them to bed.... Happy Birthday Buddy! A couple days later another BIG truck came in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Jones. Hehe - it's a good thing he likes trucks - since he now has like 6 more of them than he did a month ago, oh well - better he plays with those than barbies....
Friday night our Bishop and his wife and kids came over to have dinner and play. We all had a great time! Eileen made dinner for us all - she was going to make it Thursday - but some other friends of ours dropped off pizza for us, and I hadn't stopped at Costco for necessary supplies, so we told her she could make dinner for the Bishop instead and she was VERY excited. She was so proud of herself and dinner was yummy!!
Friday night our Bishop and his wife and kids came over to have dinner and play. We all had a great time! Eileen made dinner for us all - she was going to make it Thursday - but some other friends of ours dropped off pizza for us, and I hadn't stopped at Costco for necessary supplies, so we told her she could make dinner for the Bishop instead and she was VERY excited. She was so proud of herself and dinner was yummy!!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Let it Snow!
It's been snowing all day - there's got to be at least 6-8 inches out there on the ground. It's gorgeous - just don't make me go out in it.....
We drove to church this morning and as we turned on to the main road near our house we spun out - fortunately we were going less than 5 miles an hour and there were no cars on the road.... how did we spin out going 5 miles an hour?? I don't want to know....
Eileen got a cookbook for Christmas - she is so excited about it - she keeps asking to cook something - so this week we let her choose a meal and cook it. All by herself she chose to make mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes and snap peas (because - as she says - they are her favorite kind of peas.) So Tuesday when she got home from school we started making dinner. We put on our cute aprons (THANKS MEGAN!) and got to work. Eileen read the recipe, measured everything, stirred everything and spooned everything - mommy handed her ingredients and measuring cups and did the oven parts. She was amazing - and the food was wonderful! We couldn't get enough! She was so proud of herself - I hope that making and eating healthy food are always something she enjoys.
It's been a pretty easy going week for us - we are enjoying being snuggled up at home and taking it easy as we ease back into normal, post-holiday life.
We drove to church this morning and as we turned on to the main road near our house we spun out - fortunately we were going less than 5 miles an hour and there were no cars on the road.... how did we spin out going 5 miles an hour?? I don't want to know....
Eileen got a cookbook for Christmas - she is so excited about it - she keeps asking to cook something - so this week we let her choose a meal and cook it. All by herself she chose to make mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes and snap peas (because - as she says - they are her favorite kind of peas.) So Tuesday when she got home from school we started making dinner. We put on our cute aprons (THANKS MEGAN!) and got to work. Eileen read the recipe, measured everything, stirred everything and spooned everything - mommy handed her ingredients and measuring cups and did the oven parts. She was amazing - and the food was wonderful! We couldn't get enough! She was so proud of herself - I hope that making and eating healthy food are always something she enjoys.
It's been a pretty easy going week for us - we are enjoying being snuggled up at home and taking it easy as we ease back into normal, post-holiday life.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
And More Christmas
This week has been fun. We spent Monday playing with toys. Tuesday, Dan and I took the kids down to Frank and Tina's to spend the day and the night. They had fun playing and eating goodies and making new friends. Dan and I loved having a day to ourselves. We started our day together with a trip to the temple. We loved participating in a sealing session and serving others! It was an unforgettable experience - our sealer was awesome! After - we finally managed to make it over to the Denver Art Museum to see the King Tut exhibit. It was an amazing experience. To imagine what it was like to live back then - and to wonder what their lives were really like. After we went out for dinner to a small pub near Dan's work - the food was excellent! Then we went home where we enjoyed our evening together and enjoyed even more a chance to sleep in the next morning. We then picked up the kids and went to go pick up Grandpa and Grandma Cox from the airport. We loved having them stay with us for a few days. We got to celebrate Christmas all over again - including a new camera for me!! Dolls for the girls (which they have spent the rest of the week dressing and undressing) New suits for Dan (they were buy one get one free so he got 2!) And noisy trucks for Aaron.
For Christmas Eve we went to Grandpa's house - we had a great time making hats - playing with balloons, eating yummy food, blowing noise makers and doing the traditional puzzle. :)
Saturday we took Grandma and Grandpa to the airport and today we enjoyed our first week of having church at 9am instead of 1 pm! YEY for not having church during nap time!!!! :)
For Christmas Eve we went to Grandpa's house - we had a great time making hats - playing with balloons, eating yummy food, blowing noise makers and doing the traditional puzzle. :)
Saturday we took Grandma and Grandpa to the airport and today we enjoyed our first week of having church at 9am instead of 1 pm! YEY for not having church during nap time!!!! :)
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