Things I've learned

As I look back over the past year I am pondering on the things that I have learned and what I can do to not repeat the mistakes of the past. I've also been thinking about my new years resolutions but you all will have to wait in anticipation for my next post for that. I know you can't wait well too bad. So here I go

Things I have learned

1. the main thing is when I am calm my children do not stress me out as much. needless to say I've discovered that if I lose my cool at everything I will get the same in return from the kids. I have not mastered this one. If any of you have please let me know, that way I can put your photo up in my house.

2. Selling a house/condo is no fun. Maybe if we had tried to sell this condo when we bought it it would have been fun, that was when houses were selling in days!!! we are on 1 1/2 years. It gets harder with more children, to keep it clean. plus the motivation to keep the house clean when no one comes is also a big challenge. But I am working hard at becoming a better housekeeper. If we were rich rich rich I might consider a maid, just for the dishes and floors.

3. Kids do not always learn the first time. Lets just say the saying that if you touch a hot stove and burn yourself you will not do it again. Not that my kids have touched a hot stove but. . . I guess this can be good because they are "getting back up on the horse" much to my fear.

4. Annmarie will do things just to make me nervous. this goes along with the one above.

5. Sleep is very very necessary. After having Jeffrey this year I realize how crabby I am if I do not get my 8 hours of sleep at night.

6. I will be sad when Will decides he no longer needs a nap. Everyone in the house goes down for a nap at 1pm. EVERYONE. I will be very sad to lose my afternoon naps when Will no longer needs one. OK some days I do not nap, but I get one about 80% of the time.

7. It is nice to have someone to share crazy child stories with.

I sure that I have learned other things this year but the lack of brain cells I have left are making it so that I cannot remember them and will probably repeat these mistakes again next year. Like the spelling mistakes I make on every post even though there is spell checker.

Here is a photo just for the sake of feeling the need to always post with a photo. Will has turned into the photographer. He took this one and is getting better every time he uses the camera. Thank goodness for digital cameras and the delete button. Plus now there is proof that I do exist and I am not just a robot typing these stories

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We hope that you all had a wonderful day. We had a great one. Will was very much into the Santa aspect of Christmas this year. I think that the "polar Express" movie had a lot to do with that. Surprisingly the kids all slept in until 6:30. This never happens but of course when we think they will be up early they sleep in. They were all very excited for their stockings. Annmarie loves that Santa always brings her chocolate. She did not want to leave her stocking to open presents. Will on the other hand wanted to open all the presents.

We have started a new tradition on Christmas Eve, dog pile Daddy. Jeffrey even got in on this one. He sure is trying hard to keep up with the other two.

Will and Annmarie got these awesome rain boots from their cousins, and since they knew it was going to rain soon (the next year or so) they feel that they must wear them everywhere.

Jeffrey got into unwrapping a little but he wanted to eat all the wrapping instead.

Chris and Steve Graham worked hard at making dinner today. We bought a deep fryer for the Turkey. . . we will never cook a turkey another way again it tasted sooooo good.

After dinner and naps Jeffrey decided that he wanted outside the house (we were surprise at the Graham house.) This is how Jeffrey has learned to get outside. We did not show him he learned by watching others, the dog, Will, Annmarie, and Matthew. Nice huh. Disregard the sound I was on the phone and am getting used to this camcorder stuff.

Christmas Trips and Swimming Lessons

******* THIS JUST IN *******

Jeffrey just took his first STEPS!!!!!!!

This past week we have been visiting a few Christmas sites around the Vegas Valley. To start off we went to the Belliago on Monday night for Family Home Evening. Each season they decorate their indoor garden with beautiful smelling and decorated things.

They had a huge Christmas Tree, Santa,

penguins,

and huge Ornaments.

My kids loved it. Will especially liked the ornaments.

Thursday night we went to the "Magical Forrest" it is at a charity and the decorate and have fun things to do. We got free tickets, this is why we went. There was a huge Slide.

Sadly the batteries died after this shot. Will and Chris are at the top coming down.

Will Loved it Annmarie wanted to go but we couldn't leave Jeffrey alone at the bottom of the slide. After the slide we rode a carousel. Annmarie kept yelling Ye Haw Partner. So cute. Will was waving to everyone and saying I'm going up and down. I think he is starting to move out of his shy stage. I kind of liked it but oh well. Then was the most anticipated moment of the whole trip. A Train ride. Will and Annmarie have been talking about riding trains for weeks. this is thanks to the Polar Express movie. Will kept saying All Aboard. It was fun the kids enjoyed it. I was really glad that we got free tickets because I'm not sure it would have been worth the price. But I am also a little cheap.

Wednesday was the kids last day of Swimming lessons for a little over a month. They have loved them as have I but I was glad today that I could wake up and drag them to the gym instead of Swimming. I actually took pics of them swimming this session. I actually see progress which brings me hope that maybe this summer will not be that bad. We shall see.

Another day another. . .

Well as it seems things are bound to repeat themselves. Like Saturday, I went to the walmart Grocery store (I know all you walmart haters, it is the closest plus they price match. I am not willing to go to 3 stores with 3 kids) As we walked in there was Santa sitting on a bunk of 12 packs of Coke. They were talking free photos with Santa. We did it. Of course my kids did not smile but once the photos were over they started chatting with Santa like he was a good ole friend. Fast forward 8 hours our church Christmas party we had a special visitor, yes it was Santa. Jeffrey thought it was great he smiled and loved him. Will and Annmarie would only stand by Santa after they got their gift from Santa. you'd think that since they had been introduced already that they would not be scared of him. (photo from party at the right)

Second repeat. Well Annmarie has a habit of fall down while walking or falling off things. She has fallen off our big chair many times. So I am still at a loss as to why she keeps climbing up to the top and tries to sit on the very top. (our chair rocks and reclines). So while I am helping Jeffrey with something I turn and look/hear Annmarie trying to head the ground like one would head a soccer ball. Needless to say she was a little hurt, no blood so it can't be that bad right. Well she actually lets me keep ice on it for the entire 20 min. I look at the spot it is red about the size of a quarter. I was thinking that's not so bad. about an hour goes buy then I am putting her hair back in a pony tail and see this HUGE egg that has formed. Really it is the size of a Large, not Medium or Extra large, egg.

Later that night she was climbing on the chair again. Do they Learn???? Feeling like the mother of the year, I often feel this way when things happen or I am feeling lazy, I let her sleep in our bed with us. Well Chris was at work until 12:30 and put her back in bed when he got home, but she came back at 4:15. Needless to say there is a reason I do not let our kids sleep in bed with us. We have a Cal. King bed you would think that would be big enough for 2 adults and 1 2 year old. Well when she sleeps sideways or feels she must have her crazy hair right in your face it makes for a very small bed. This morning it was not as big but the bruise is forming, Yes I took pictures I guess it goes back to HS when I would take photos of my bruises. My favorite one ever was when I had a one on one breakaway (I was a goalie) against Sarah Popper. I saved the ball and she cleated me, but that left one great bruise. I know I am sick and twisted.

Jeffrey's latest is standing on his own. I love to see his arms out like he is balancing on a high wire and his face has so much concentration on it.

He also grunts, it reminds me of when I would punt the ball my mother would sometimes grunt. At least it is a family trait. He is walking along everything he can find including siblings or anyone who will sit still long enough for him to attack them. This also happens with food. I often hears screams from the older two when Jeffrey takes food from them.

You would think they would learn but I guess not. His other thing that I love is his Bear crawl. He gets on his hands and feet and crawls around.

Some help

I found a Christmas CD from a few years ago that is just a piano. Which made me think of how much I really enjoy hearing the piano. I am looking of other great Piano Cd's. I know about Jim Brickman, and possibly John Tesh (not really piano but. . . I have had a hard time listening to him since he commentated on women's Gymnastics in the Olympics BAD!!) so if any of you (come on Nicolle you've got to know some) of any Cd's mainly piano but can do others let me know please.

Funny Moments

Were to begin. . . Lets start with Jeffrey

Sunday night the Grahams were over and they brought Rice Crispy treats. One of the kids let there treats on the ground. First lets say Jeffrey will crawl etc up to someone and then take whatever is in their hands. Will and Annmarie do not enjoy this trait of his. So I was thinking he is being so quiet where/what is he doing.

He is sitting in the middle of the floor eating a big rice crispy treat. the photos show his excitement and how much he is enjoying the food.

Annmarie she loves to sing. But she is in the I do it my self stage. Her favorite song is popcorn popping. But she only sings the first few lines. The way she sings is so cute and she will sing one line over and over "I looked out the window and what did I see popcorn popping on the apricot (it sounds nothing like how it is suppose it) tree." She has also started the "I so hungry" while rubbing her tummy. Monkey see monkey do.

Will where to begin. I have been trying to tell him that Christmas is Jesus Birthday. I did not think he was catching on because his favorite shows all have Santa episodes and he has discovered that he brings gifts.

So as we were setting up the Christmas tree today (sad day. . I finally gave up the fight (for now) and we bought a fake tree :( When we were all done decorating the tree. I must put in a sales pitch for the shatterproof ornaments, they are great!!!

Will and Annmarie are looking around the tree and Will starts singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. So cute. He sang it for 2 min. at least somethings get through maybe not how we planned but they are listening.

I had to included this photo of Jeffrey. He actually looks like he is cleaning the floor. He loves that vacuum.

Christmas Songs

I love Christmas songs. Maybe because I feel that I can only listen to them 1 month a year. but I must say there are some songs that I do not like. SO I want to hear from you all your least favorite songs. For example last year I made the mistake of telling someone that I enjoyed Clay Aiken's O holy night, this person then proceeded to tell me that they cannot stand the way he sings the song. So I want to know what song by who, and why you don't like it.

The song I dislike with a passion is about the girl and guy who used to date. then saw each other in a parking lot. It was snowy and they drank beer in the car. Yeah I have a friend who loves this song. I think this is not a Christmas song, and I cringe every time I hear it. Someone said it was Auld Eny Zine (yeah great spelling) but I don't think its right

On the other had my list of favorites is great. Mary's Boy Child by Boney M has to be my favorite. Don't know it? it is the first song on my play list.

So lets here your least favorites and Favorites. Don't worry I will not judge you on your song choices

Family, Friends and more Family

OK last weekend the kids and I (Karen I know you were thinking Chris was writing these blogs) went to Arizona with Bette and her son Matthew. My parents and A sister and her family were coming into town so we had a big gathering. The kids had a great time playing with cousins and seeing their aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Being the wonderful photographer that I am I managed to get 2 photos of this entire weekend. and yes they were of the same thing.


As you know Thursday was Thanksgiving. We went to the Graham's (Bette). Our kids slept during the meal which was a wonderful blessing. we had fun, played some outburst and had great laughs, and some sorrow when ASU lost to USC. But there was much rejoicing on Friday when LSU lost in overtime. You've got to find the happiness in life somewhere, and a team losing is what it was for us.


One of the funny moments from the day was Annmarie coming up to me and asking for a drink. look at the photo below and guess if I gave her a drink.




On Friday we went bowling with the Grahams. Will and Annmarie think that this is the coolest thing ever. Whenever they see our bowling shoes they put them on and say they want to go bowling. So needless to say they were very excited.




I think the best part for them was their shoes. Annmarie actually got a strike, I never knew that a ball barley moving could knock over all the pins.




Yesterday we got have a great experience. Chris's Sister, Michelle, was sealed (our church believes that when you are sealed in one of our temples then you are married to that person for eternity, not just until death) to her husband Rob. The kids got to see one set of their great grandparents, and their Grandpa Scott and Grandma Carmen. We got the opportunity to take a 4 generation photo of the boys.







Needless to say I felt like Koni when taking photos Will was not happy to be there.





We think we might use this photo for our Christmas cards, not sure any opinions?


We had a great time seeing more family and loved being there for Rob and Michelle's very special day.


I put up my Christmas houses with the help of the kids





and cannot wait until next week to go buy our tree. I love the smell of Christmas tree's more than most things. (lilacs and fresh cut grass are my other favorites)


Will's laughable moment: as we were driving in the car Will and Annmarie now tell us when we can go (green light) and stop (red light) he starts telling the other cars what to do. "Lets go car." I know that I never tell the cars what to do while driving so this must be a trait he picked up somewhere else. OK not really I know this comes from me.

Jeffrey

Someone once said that your 3rd child has to be good. In my case so far this is true. But as I am discovering that since Jeffrey has become mobile he is getting into more and more places he is not suppose to be. he has 2 favorite places in our home. First off under the computer table.

I'm sure that all those cords and ends of plugs are so exciting but I cannot figure out why. His second favorite place is our bathroom. If the door is ever left open he makes a beeline for it and then proceeds to climb up to the tub.

Once he has viewed everything in the tub then he decided the toilet is the next place he needs to go. Needless to say I love that he does this. NOT (wow how 80s is that comment). Over all he really has been a great kid. I just have forgotten (yeah because it has been such a long time since I had a kid crawling). I think that he has discovered that when I take photos of him he knows it is because he is doing something that he shouldn't be doing. I know I am a terrible mom who does not take photos very often.

In other news . . . um life continues as normal.

Was the shower worth it

Needless to say my kids have not done this before while I was in the shower. Jeffrey was napping and the other 2 were watching TV. This is the normal routine when I take a shower. But what happened today was anything but normal. a picture is worth a thousand words.

Yes those are fruit loops and it was a huge bag.
In answer to my own questions. Yes the shower was worth it, it always will be.

Amazing Race

Since there has been little of note in our family since the last post. OK Halloween. we went to the Graham's house and went around their street. Will and Annmarie caught on very quickly what to do. The problem is I'm not so sure we can walk around a neighborhood without them thinking they need to get candy. OH we had our first every garage sale. I must say it went very well. But the items we did not sell, we decided to put them back in storage for a few more years. Wait!!! we took them to the salvation army. (they are the closest thrift store)

OK enough chit chat. ON the the important details The Amazing Race. Once again I will say how grateful I am for DVR. This allows us to watch this when we want (today at 3pm). After watching the first show I must say this season might be entertaining, but when is it not. I was happy to see the first group out, that guy was really annoying. We don't know what their real names are yet, were too lazy so we just made up our own/borrowed nick names. so here are my top 7 in order of how I think they will finish. if you watch you need to list your top 7 as well. This way in 10 months when the show is over (OK not really more like 5ish) we will see who was smartest.

Karen's list
1. Brother and Sister team
2. The hippie dude and his girlfriend (I was kind of thinking about the all star race where Eric and Danielle won even though they were newly dating, same philosophy here)
3. The father and Daughter - I'm probably wrong but I like them so far and today I might want to see them do well
4. The cheater and his girlfriend. I almost though they were gone with their donkey but surprisingly not
5. The grandson and grandfather. cool idea they are another team like the dad/daughter. but I couldn't put both in the top 3.
6. The sisters. Not because I like them but because I think they will do better than the others
7. The goth couple. when it came down to it they looked best of what I had left.

I would love to hear what you think.

Trunk or treat

Last week (Thursday) our church had a trunk or treat (kids trick or treat in a parking lot to people they all know). They had a great time. after the first few cars Will decided that he did not want to be slowed down by Annmarie and Jeffrey so he kind of moved a head.

I was not to concerned because Matthew was who Will ended up catching up with. Annmarie love the fact that if she said Trick or treat she got candy. After the trip around Will and Annmarie both decided that they needed to go back to visit a few more cars. What am I teaching my kids here, go and ask people for candy and they will give it no matter how many times you ask. Well the most difficult time the kids have had is the fact that they cannot eat all the candy when they want. maybe there will still be some left by next week.

Wills moment of crazy: When people ask what he is for Halloween he says "not a pirate. I'm a COWBOY!" the he tells everyone else that Annmarie is a lady bug, and Jeffrey is a Chicken.

Happy Birthday Annmarie!!!

Annmarie celebrated her 2nd birthday today. We had a small little party at home last night. Our friends the Grahams were here to help add some excitement to the party. We continued her traditional birthday cake with the cookie cake. This was inspired last year by my good friends Annmarie and Robin. She said she wanted purple and orange frosting. Sadly the place did not have purple (OK what is red and blue?) so I went with green and orange.

She loved the cake. At one point Annmarie, Will and Matthew were all sticking their fingers in the icing and then licking it off. Then it was time for presents. It seems each present she got was perfect for one of the 4 kids in the room. Since all 2 and 3 year olds know that all new toys are really for themselves and not the intended recipient. Chris got her what she has been dreaming of, a Buzz Lightyear. It is so funny to see her carry him around, and repeat what he is saying. The way she says Cowboy is hilarious.

Matthew seemed to like the Little Mermaid phone the most. It has a nice little purse like carrying case that it came with. Will loves the Toy Story figurines. Even at church today he couldn't grasp the concept that these toys were Annmarie's and not his.

Jeffrey loves the vacuum that he thinks is some kind of ride/push behind toy. Hey I guess they were all happy and that is all that matters.

After the crazy party Will and Matthew decided that they needed to get into bed, together. It lasted about 1 min, but it was long enough to get a photo.

Annmarie's latest thing is to sleep on the floor by the closet and Jeffrey's bed. She got a new bed and now she likes to sleep on the floor. Go figure, maybe she really likes the rug.

Will's funny moment of the day: Today after dinner we made cookies. they were all made and the last few were sitting on the hot pad on the counter. Will goes to the oven, turns on the light, opens it. Then grabs the hot pad and says the cookies are not done and places the hot pad with cookies back in the oven. (thank goodness the oven was no longer warm) Then pulls them back out and says the cookies are all done.

Swimming Lessons

The past few weeks the older 2 kids have been taking swim lessons. I was lucky because they canceled the mom and me class. Since you are not suppose to take lessons until you are 3 I was hoping they would let Annmarie take the level 1 class with Will. To my delight she got to. The best part is they are the only 2 kids in the class. The next session does not start for another week so hopefully they don't loose all their "skills" during that week. Here are some photos from lessons.

Will is being the helpful brother holding (dragging) Annmarie to lessons

You cannot really see but they had goggles on. Will thought he was the coolest kid ever.

Jeffrey was a great sideline kid. He sat in his stroller and on my lap during all the lessons.

Check out my Slide Show!

Aunts, Cousins, Grandma, and Uncles

NOTE*** will ad photos later something wrong with website.

This past weekend we had to opportunity to see family. Will and Annmarie had a great time playing with their relatives. Jeffrey was surprisingly nice to Vern, baby Vern that is. He did not even try to use him as leverage to stand up. It was fun to see the kids interact with their cousins. We do not see them very often. Drew has become a favorite babysitter, too bad he lives so far away. the older 2 just chased him around and always wanted to play with him. It was so nice to see them playing with everyone.

There is not much else to report. lets see. oh the Will and Annmarie are taking swimming lessons, and loving it. The best thing about the lessons, there is no one else in their class!!!! they get all the attention from the teacher. Which is good since Annmarie still thinks she can jump into the water whenever she wants and needs no help. Not quite true, she still needs help. Hopefully someday she may have some fear of the water, but that is not today. another bonus to swimming lessons is the that it really tires the kids out and they take great naps on lesson days. As Kim (my sister) would say this is a tender mercy.

We are doing great, and were happy to have a little extra family time this weekend.

I almost forgot. Will and his friend Matthew always do something . . . crazy, but it is funny in the aftermath, so I think I will start adding our "adventures" at the end of each post.

Both Will and Matthew are potty trained or in the process. Yesterday the kids were playing under the tramp. We went to check on them. Both boys had their underpants off. Matthew was saying cucky (Their family's term for gross, which my kids now say all the time) and Will said he went brown potty (his words for poopy). needless to say we cleaned the kids up, and went on a search to prevent other mishaps. It may not seem so funny, but it really was. Considering that Will thinks that if he is outside he can just go to the bathroom on the grass. Don't believe me? just as Kim or Kindy. On many other occasions we have found Will, Matthew, and Annmarie "feeding" one of Bette's birds. Yeah that bird looked real hungry in a cage that was no longer straight up, or had the water or food where it belonged. On a really cute note. Will and Matthew we laying on the couch sharing Matthews blanket the other day.
I love my kids and love the adventures that they bring into my life.

Will's Birthday

Sophia, Maya, Will, Matthew, Annmarie

What a crazy day. It started off with Basketball for the girls in our ward. I am the coach. not sure how much you can actually teach when you only play 3 times but whatever, After basketball was naps then it was time for the MAIN EVENT! Needless to say once again I attempted to make Will a cake. I even did a practice one this year it it turned out OK. But when I went to make the real one. lets just say the icing did not do exactly what I wanted it to. So My good friend went a bought a cake that the kids seemed to enjoy much more. When we finally got to the cake (we did pizza, and playing outside first) Will loved the decorations (cars).

He even new that he needed candles and that he got to make a wish. I will attribute this to The Allen house where will got to see this happen twice.

After we sang Will blew out the candles with much help from Matthew (his good buddy). Then as we were removing the candles Will and Matthew decided that they needed to lick the balloons on the cake.

So as it ended up the kids got balloons and cake. I think most only ate the balloons. Then more outside play, gotta work off all those calories (sure). Then back in for presents. a few of his favorite presents.

Toodles ears (from mickey's Clubhouse), a UPS Truck

a spaceship,

and a new bike.

Annmarie wanted everything that Will got and gladly plays with his new presents when Will puts them down. All in all it was a great time. Nothing to exciting but we had a good time. Thanks to the Grahams for letting us invade their home (like this is soooo unusual).