If she asked for a pony today . . . I would get her one

First random "cold" weather getting ready to go photos. notice the "gang" signs.

Annmarie has been the most amazing child today. She cleaned up her room without me tell her every little thing to pick up. She was only asked once to help clean up. She has listened well, and even helped me fold the laundry (towels). I needed to write this down since it seems I mostly write about her faults. I love her and am so grateful for how helpful she has been today. Hopefully a little of this day will continue into tomorrow. Lately she has been picking out her own outfits. here is one I actually got a photo, What is missing is her pink striped jacket. Nice huh

We went to savers (goodwill type store) today a found some new games. Annmarie found this fishing game. They have loved playing it. Their "fishing" is a little suspect but hey what do you expect.

At night when I have been putting Jed to bed I often find Jeffrey in the best positions. I have taken a few photos and wonder to my self how can anyone can sleep this way.

Jed got 3 month photos taken here are photos of the photos. He is one of the 4 cutest kids ever.

So cute

So I do not have photos but I could1 not not tell you how cute Jeffrey has been lately. He is really starting to love Jed. Jed was a little crabby and Jeffrey was the only other one awake so he started to play rarrr with him. Jed just looked at him and laughed and laughed and laughed. This went on for about 2 min. The other day Jed was laying on his play mat and Jeffrey went and laid down next to him and started to hug him and play with him. I love watching Jeffrey realize how much fun he can have with Jed.

Jed has grown so much lately. I was worried because he is still in 0 - 3 month clothes. BY this time all my others were almost in 6-9 month clothes. I finally noticed yesterday that he is getting a little rounder in his face. It is weird to have a "normal" sized child. Hey I really have enjoyed him staying small for much longer than the others.

Exciting news of the up coming week . . . the kids start their swimming lessons!!!! yeah for Ryan Swift!!!

Where does the time go!

OK so life just got a little bit crazy the last few weeks. But hey we are so glad to be back into the swing of things. Will started pre school again. He loves it. Another exciting thing coming up for the oldest 3 is they will be starting swimming lessons next week. Thanks to a wonderful friend, her husband will be teaching my kids swim lessons!!!! yeah, plus Jeffrey will get his own lessons from him, he is a rock and just sinks. So hopefully this summer will be a little bit easier on me in the pool. Yeah right I am crazy water mom. I hate kids in the pool I'm always so afraid one is going to drown. I think only when my kids are all . . . 37 will I no longer get worried about my kids in the pool.

A little while ago we had a big babysitting night at my house. I got 2 cute photos of Annmarie and Sophia eating popcorn and watching a movie

While Will and Mya were playing PBSkids.org (love that site)

They had such a good time.

Well Will got a hold of the camera and yes here I am. He is getting pretty good.

We are having playgroup at the church this month since January is usually a cold month. . . yeah like 73 is cold (that is the temp as I am writing) So we have been providing the dodge balls. I love to see the kids run around like crazy. Chris too

A little while ago Jed decided that he thinks his play mat is way more fun when you can actually grab things. My how fast they grow up.

Last weekend The kids and I went down to AZ. I realized that I have not been out of Vegas since our family reunion in July!!!! The kids had such a great time playing outside (80 in AZ). The older two really loved playing with their cousins. The cousins were very kind (especially the ones older than my kids) to put up with all the playing my kids did with them. Saturday afternoon we went on a hike to Silly Mountain. Grandma was kind enough to watch Jeffrey and Jed. Needless to say I rediscovered why I do not hike mountains. I received a gene of my fathers. I do not like heights!!!!! Thank you to Scott and Kim for their wonderful help. I would have gone back down the Mt. The hike happened in the afternoon. Annmarie slept for 20 min on the way there and Will crashed when we got back in the car to go back home. So before you see the photos below remember what I have just told you.

The mt we hiked in the background. See the happy kids?

At the top, Annmarie had just fallen and Will had fallen about 30 times before (OK a little exaggeration, but his biggest fall came at the end of the hike he biffed it on some rocks and had a pretty good sized cut on his wrist.)

Mom!!! why did you make me do this terrible thing?!?!?!?

Kim got a photo of all of us at the top maybe the kids looked a little happier in it.

We had a wonderful BBQ after at Kari's house. Vern did a great job with the stakes!!!!! gotta love good food.

Jeffrey managed to get a little sick while there. I should have realized something was up when he slept in until after 9am. He is doing better and will soon be back to his terrorising ways.

Jed had his 3 month photos today. He looked so cute in them. It was so hard picking which one's I wanted.

Some random items so I don't forget them

- Saturday when Chris and I went to the Temple I actually put on a dress, not a skirt and shirt, Will goes "Mom you look beautiful" That just made me smile he is such a good kid.

- During Christmas Annmarie really go into saying Merry Christmas. When I will give her a hug and tell her I love you she would say "Merry Christmas mom."

- When asked what he wants to do/eat/anything Jeffrey answers "Ahhhhh." like he is thinking and pausing to think about what he wants most. Hilarious.

- Jeffrey walks up to you raises his hands into the boxing position and says "fie, fie"

- Jed rolled over in bed a few weeks ago but yesterday he rolled over in front of me. I guess this is the beginning of the end.

New past times

Well thanks to some great presents for Christmas the kids now have new favorite things to do.

Candyland - Will and Annmarie love to play this. They now want to get all the pink cards and don't care where they finish. Annmarie can often be found playing this alone.

Puzzles - Annmarie is so addicted to them. She will do them over and over and over. It is so cool to see her mind work as she puts the pieces together.

Any random object - here it a dinosaur but it has been dice, cars, boxes. Will loves playing with anything and making them talk to each other etc. I love that he has an imagination. It is so crazy to think he is getting to the stage I used to see Drew (nephew) in what seemed like a few years ago. Laying on the floor just playing with toys.

Jeffrey is loving the "old" toys that the other kids are not big fans of anymore. Here is his fisher price fence crown.

A new addiction

OK many of you already have this addiction. I have recently discovered it. It is Facebook. Wow is all I have to say. Why is it addicting? I have no idea but hey I have found a lot of people I went to HS with and a few friends from College (but I really already know where most of them are) If you have time and are prepared for the consequences do it. If not stay away.

Other than that we had a wonderful weekend. Our friends the Batemens went to the temple for the first time and were sealed as a family. What a wonderful experience. Words cannot express what I felt there. I came out with more love for Chris and the kids. So grateful that I will be with them for eternity. Huge huge thanks Grandma Carmen and Aunt Angie for making it possible. The kids had a blast with you guys and want you to come back soon!!!

random video and photos

Here is a video of Jeffrey and Will boxing on the Wii. not sure if I ever posted it but it sure is funny.

So we recorded Hercules a while ago and the kids love watching it. Will and Annmarie always pick some to "be" as they watch the movie. Will managed to pick the muses. here are the opening credits. He is dancing with them. I turned it off too soon because he started to sing the high notes at the end of the opening song with arm motions and everything. So funny. I love my kids!!!!

Here are some photos from last night

Annmarie, Jeffrey and Gideon played trains for about 15 min. So nicely too I might add.

Here is Jed's new toy. Thanks to the Murdock's.

We never got a play mat with any of the other 3. I love this thing, and so do all the kids. Jed too. Will picked him up one time carried him to the couch and then went and played down under the "tent" as our kids call it.

New Years!!!

Well last night our house was the place to be. We had the best party ever. . . not really I was asleep by 10:30. Yeah I have never been a huge fan of this "holiday." I guess it is because I am such a morning person and the chance to sleep in is nonexistent. As I was reading Kindy's blog with her new years resolutions I was thinking about mine from last year. I went back on my blog and found them. I did really good, minus the sweets part. Hey I spent more of the year pregnant what did you expect. I like posting them because I feel more accountable. I will also add some for the kids (mostly to help me encourage their behavior.)

1. Be back to 10lbs above my pre pregnancy weight. (yes I know the exact number but you all do not need to know it.) this is a purely selfish reason. We are going back to Victor in July for Robin's wedding and I want to look good. After all it has been almost 4 years since I have been back.

2. Read entire New Testament. Mainly I want to make sure I read every day, but that is a little shady I need a tangible goal.

3. tell my kids and Chris I love them at least 3 times a day.

4. Get my year in review done by Jan 15 (just for you Kim)

5. Save enough money to pay cash for the entire Family vacation in July.

Hope that you all pick attainable New Year goals and achieve them.