Sunday, December 30, 2007

Conversations with the 3 year old

Jordan and Madison can be terribly good friends, or worst enemies. The other day it was the later of the two.



Jordan came in crying to the kitchen: "Madison says she doesn't love me!"

Madison: "I don't love you. I only love 4 people. Mom, Dad, Taylor and Reagan. That's it."

Mom: "Madison, that's not very nice."

Jordan: "She doesn't love me! sniff sniff, sob"

Madison: "Well, I just don't love him because I only love 4 people."

Dad: "Madison. That's not nice! And Jesus said to love everyone."

Madison: "Well, *I* never heard him say that."


So, while we work on our "loving each other" skills this week, I thought I'd post proof that Madison and Jordan really DO get along... and despite what Madison says... she loves him. ;)




Christmas afternoon:




Thursday, December 27, 2007

He's such an fantastic role model

Taylor badly wanted Santa to bring him a Rubik's cube for Christmas. He did - placed it neatly in his stocking, so it was the first thing Taylor "opened".

Said Rubik's cube was mixed up fairly quickly. Taylor handed it over to Brian, who, in a matter of minutes had it all figured out.

I scoffed because I can't figure out a Rubik's cube if it's been turned twice. But I mixed it up and tried anyway.

I failed. The Rubik's cube was a complete mess and Brian took the thing to fix it yet again.

While Taylor and Madison were out playing in the snow, Brian got to work.



I was busy in the kitchen with Reagan and Jordan was thrilled to be over at a friends house.

During one of my trips to check on the outside players, I notice Brian playing with the Rubik's cube... UNDER A TOWEL.

I pulled the towel off his lap to find THIS:


Yes people... that is the Rubik's cube IN PIECES. He takes the dang thing apart and puts it all back together again.

In other words: HE CHEATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And he had us all amazed at his wonderful talent of getting the Rubik's cube back into formation!

WHAT DID I MARRY?????

It was a Very Merry!

We had a nice storm on Christmas Eve, but braved the weather to get to Grandmas house anyway. (Hey... gotta get the new PJ's! TRADITION!)

Grandma had a great spread on for us and we enjoyed watching "A Christmas Story". (The kids now have a better understanding as to why we have a leg lamp next to our Christmas tree...)

Upon arriving *safely* at home, the kids went outside to spread their Magic Reindeer food. We then left Santa a plate of English Toffee (Brian made it of course), and a carrot for each of the reindeer. Tried to get a great shot of the kids in front of the tree, but *someone* wasn't cooperating.

Christmas morning was delightful! Brian made a great breakfast for the extended family, the kids had everything their little hearts could desire gift wise, and *I* managed, somehow, to sneak in an hour nap in the middle of the day. BLISS!

Here! See our festivities for yourself!

Click to play Christmas+2007
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My favorite project this year: Bows and bow holders for my nieces!






Thanks everyone for a fantastic Christmas!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Organ Open House

We sat down last night and tried to figure out just how many years this has been a family tradition. The jury is still out, but last night most likely was our 21st year sharing and celebrating with family and friends.




My Mom spends the evening making rolls and keeping everyone happy in the food department. My Dad stays on the organ all evening, playing sounds of Christmas.

My favorite pictures from last night:






It's so nice to see family and friends that we don't see all year, but magically we see at the Christmas Open House. Christmas can now begin now that we've had it!

The kids went right up to bed when we got home. They were exhausted. Brian took the camera into the boys room and took this shot of Jordan with his Curious George:

Someone get that kid some PJ's! (I'm so glad it's Christmas Eve and new jammie night! ;) )

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

'frah-gee-lay.' It must be Italian!

The view from our front window:



And the "leg lamp" in all it's glory inside the house, next to the Christmas tree.




Brian's cousin got this as a gift from a friend, and conveniently they didn't have room in their house for it. ;) I was so stinkin' excited to borrow it this year and display it proudly! The only problem with it is: the "leg" doesn't light up, so it's not as visible from the street as I'd like it to be.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Moo Madi Moo is MOOOOODY.

This is what a grouchy girl looks like just days before Christmas.

You see... we want to open our gifts NOW. She feels she deserves to open them today because she was nice and bought her brothers and sister presents.


If looks could kill...

Man... it's rough being a 3 year old.

Yogurt

Madison didn't like her yogurt, so she left it on the stairs. (Leaving it on the stairway is a logical place in her eyes. Nevermind that the trash can is NEXT to the stairs...) Anyway, Reagan found it and I don't think she's ever enjoyed food so much! Next time we'll try and eat it at the table though! (Which won't be near as fun I'm sure...)



Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Tree

On Saturday, Jordan Madison and Reagan decorated the Christmas tree. (Taylor was busy learning how to play solitaire with Brian... card games trump Christmas decorations I suppose.)

Reagan is fascinated with the tree. She moves the ornaments all around the bottom half of the tree where she can reach. When she's having a "grumpy moment", I need to just flip on the Christmas lights and she gets all excited to start reorganizing everything.

Once upon a time, I wanted my Christmas tree perfect... now with the kiddos around, I could care less that the top looks nice and the bottom is all in an ornament frenzy!

We also went over the church for a Christmas brunch. Santa was there and the boys were excited.

Taylor sat on his lap and asked for gamecube games.

Jordan's turn came and Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas.
Jordan: "Surprise me".
Santa: "I don't know what surprise me is!"
Jordan: giggles
Santa: "BOO! Did that surprise you?"
Jordan: giggles
Santa: "Oh I KNOW what you want for Christmas! *singing* All I want for Christmas is my too front teeth!"
Jordan: giggles

Madison wouldn't smile or talk to Santa until the last second before booting her off his lap. She turns and says "I want littlest pet shop and barbies" and hopped right down.

Reagan didn't scream for a whole 2 seconds, but then it started and she will never sit on Santa's lap again I fear.

They gave all the kids candy canes and a small gift. Taylor got some Lego's, Jordan a coloring book and Madison a doll. Madison opens her gift and says: "HEY! I told him I wanted littlest pet shop, not a dolly!!!"

Anyway, here are some photos of the kids on Santa's lap and decorating the Christmas tree. the first photo is a movie.

Enjoy!

Click to play Christmas+Tree+and+Santa
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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas Dance Performance





Madison and her cousin, Lauryn are in dance together and they recently had their Christmas dance program.

Brian was busy trying to watch Taylor, Jordan and Reagan while I was backstage, so the video isn't that great and it comes in two parts. (Reagan was *really* being wiggly)

Madison is in the very middle (just to the right of where the back drop "splits"... she's easy to spot because she's doing the right dance steps. ;) ) Lauryn is second in from the left. Sometimes it looks like she's the end kid though because of where Brian had the camera.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

They're coming to take me away, ha ha!

Since the last post, 3 of the 4 children have come down with the flu.

It started out with Jordan calling me from school: "Mom, I don't feel good".

He's a GREAT sick kid. He just lays on the couch, drifting in and out of sleep... I started to feel lucky that it was him that was sick because, hey... I can still get so much accomplished when it's JORDAN that's sick.

He puked right before bed, poor little guy.

Then Reagan puked IN my bed, poor little gal. (But mostly poor me as I notice that I've done most everyones laundry EXCEPT *my* sheets. Friday is bedroom day, therefore sheet washing day and I now realize I should have put my sheets as a priority LAST week.)

Reagan fell asleep, but then woke up puking again. (It is now sheet and towel laundry day.) Madison comes into my room at this point with a fever and talking all weird about how we had to buy her baby sister from the hospital.

I hope to not have to update this post and include Taylor in the fun. I'm hoping his bed on the top bunk keeps him out of germs way!!!

Once again, the tree sits "naked".

I'm so ashamed to admit that my Christmas tree STILL hasn't been decorated.

We made it a tradition long ago to go out and get the tree right after Thanksgiving, and I'm wondering now why the heck we even bother if it sits there. Should decorating the stinkin' tree really be this difficult?

My excuse this year is: The tree skirt isn't done. Now, I don't know why this matters because we've NEVER had a tree skirt for our tree.

Also, it was Jordan's birthday on Monday. I'm a total looser mom for not posting anything about it, but there isn't much to post since we spent that evening at MADISON'S dance recital. I was planning on having a party for him with family on Friday since somethings been going on every day this week, but he's not feeling well. We told him that instead of a BirthDAY we'd have a birthweek. I've tried to do something a little special for him each day: Monday we had cake (thanks to my mom - she made the cake for after the dance recital...) Tuesday I took him to lunch and Wednesday we had family movie night and made homemade pizzas. I think that people with December birthday's TOTALLY get forgotten. I haven't even taken a photo of him now that he's SIX.

Reagan is still sleeping horribly. (Oh really? It's 1:11 AM while I'm writing this... I'd much rather be sleeping but she has different ideas.) I can't really pass her off to Brian at all in the middle of the night because the poor guy has to be to work at 6:30 AM. Not that he took her much before he had to be up early, but he did every once in awhile.

I started making my nieces gifts last night for Christmas. I'm totally excited about it, but obviously can't talk about it here since Stacie is one of my few frequent readers. Can't wait to post pictures of the finished product though! Need ideas for my nephews... just can't think of anything to make for them that they'd actually enjoy, and I don't want to be the aunt that gives totally lame gifts.

Okay, this is totally a whine of a post... but given the hour I think it's deserving. Reagan is finally asleep in my arms but I doubt I'll be able to fall asleep anytime soon... especially now that I have all these "to do's" running around my head.

Do you think it would be too obnoxious to start decorating the tree now at 1:17 AM?

Thursday, November 29, 2007

I'm an Auntie again!

Hooray! I'm an aunt again!

I don't have much info on my new niece, but I know she's here and I can't wait to see her in the morning!

A few days ago I decided I wanted to make a baby blanket for Stacie and "new baby". It took FOREVER trying to find the right fabric - I had something VERY specific in mind. I finally found what I wanted last night and spent today making the baby "quilt".

Since Stacie won't be home to read my blog before I go up there tomorrow, here are the photos!


Front of the quilt:


Quilt Back


The quilt in all it's glory! Isn't it lovely?



In a bundle for the NEW "bundle"!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Thanksgiving Babies!

In 2006, we took pictures of the 3 babies born that year: Andrew, Reagan and Lance
Here's what they looked like then:


(Lance, Andrew, Reagan)



And here's what they look like now!


(Lance, Reagan, Andrew)



Look how big our little "turkeys" are! :)

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving Eve

The house is filled with yummy scents this evening - preparations underway for a fun Thanksgiving feast tomorrow afternoon!

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving I decided to sit down with each of the children and ask them what they were thankful for.

We start with Madison!

Madison? What are you Thankful for?

Reagan letting me play with her.
Dance!
Preschool
Miss Terri, Miss Karen and Miss Lisa
Lauryn and Carrice to play dress up
My dance costume
Food
Helping Dad upstairs in my closet (we enter through her closet to our new upstairs master bedroom that's being finished... I thought this deserved some explanation!)
Helping Mom change Reagans diapers
Reagan learning how to walk
Playing on the computer

Jordan? What are you thankful for?

School
Playing
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Every Week
Toys
Our bodies
Halloween
For being Thankful
Helping Dad
Heavenly Father
My sisters and my brother
Playing with Reagan
for us to learn
for us to be smart
Being Healthy
Being like Jesus one day

Taylor? What are you Thankful for?

Animals because they provide food.
Food.
All Holidays
Every Day
Our Family
Cub Scouts
School
Church
Heavenly Father
Jesus
Scriptures
Fire - it's very important to us - it heats up food and can melt metal
Time
The world
Science
Math
School
Trees and plants - our environment - some plants produce food.
Cloth - because it makes it so we can wear stuff and be comfortable.
Clothes like shoes and underwear
Shelter and our house
The Pilgrims and the Indians
Museums because they are a good way to learn
Chairs - because it's nice to sit down
Rocks - They make arrowheads out of rocks and that's cool
Exercise and playing because you can have fun and exercise at the same time
Instruments - they make you not bored.

I'll take liberty at writing a few thing that I'm sure Reagan is Thankful for:

Mom (I'm confident of this one, because it's about the only thing she yells all day long...)
Dad (He's a fun guy to hang around!)
Taylor, Jordan and Madison (Because when they're gone, it's BORING around here...)
Dogs!
NURSING!
Comfy spot to sleep between Mom and Dad every night!
Forward facing car seat!
Baby Einstein videos! (Put this one down on Mom's thankful list too!!!)
Mom's arms and hip
Showers
Being outside
Her Dolly stroller
Two quick 15 minute cat naps each day
Enough hair for two tiny little pigtails

I'm thankful for everything on these lists, but more so, I'm thankful for the precious kids that MADE the lists. My life would be so dull without them! Most of all, I'm thankful this Thanksgiving season for Brian. I'm so terribly lucky to have such a hardworking, thoughtful, POSITIVE and understanding companion! He deserves every good thing in this world plus a little more!

Happy Thanksgiving from our "thankful" little family to yours!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Elf Yourself

Just having a little fun at my children's expense...

Click HERE!

Thursday, November 15, 2007

"She's our baby turtle!"

The children were playing so well together in the living room this morning. The giggles of all four were so sweet!

Deciding to check up on them, I walked into THIS:



They explained that Reagan was their "baby turtle"... (the basket is her "shell"). "Baby turtle" didn't mind any of it. In fact, I think she was angry when the game was over. ;)

Brown Day




It was "brown day" at preschool this week. I have too much fun dressing Madison up, especially making the matching hair bows...

The kids were asked to bring something brown for the poster. She chose to bring CHOCOLATE.

Smart girl!

Check out the way cute tights!!!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

"Back and Thorf"

The kids were itching to get outside today - so they went. And they went without their shoes on too.


You see... we have this "problem" at our house regarding shoes. Mainly the problem is we can never find them. All this despite my efforts to have a central location, dedicated just towards shoes.

We have a large "shoe bucket" in the living room. Mostly it's just a place where shoes we don't ever wear hang out. That, and occasionally if someone has lost their keys, you might find them there.

Shoes that are just left in the living room or family room get dumped in the shoe bucket.

Each of the children have a "bin" under their dressers for their shoes only. This usually contains 1 shoe (the other nowhere to be found) and hidden pieces of pizza crust or apple cores that have been there for months. (Evidence that I'm an evil mom and despite the fact that the kids are pretty much welcome to eat when their hungry around here, ESPECIALLY Apples, I never feed them enough. The kids must sneak food up to their rooms and hide the remaining pieces in their shoe bins.)

Jordan couldn't find his shoes before school and so the logical thing to put on was the snow boots. (See... the snow boots haven't been worn since last year, so they are BOTH in the shoe bucket in the living room... easy to find.) He just didn't understand why I wouldn't let him wear them. (Nevermind the fact that there is NO snow on the ground and the high today was just over 60.)

So I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that when I told Madison to go back in the house today and get some shoes on that she showed up in her purple snow boots.


We put Reagan in the little car and Madison started pushing her back on forth... And as she did this, she sang out "back and thorf, back and thorf".


"Forth" I say "fffff like fffffish"


"THorth" says Madison.


"No... FFFForth like FOUR fffff" says I.


"Forth!" says she


"Good Job!" I beam


And she begins again rocking Reagan back and forth in the car saying "Back and Thorf, back and thorf"...


P.S. YES. Reagan IS still in her pj's at 4:00 in the evening. She's been in them all day. No - she is not wearing shoes. In fact, she's not even wearing the pj bottoms. Yes again... that *is* dirt all over her face. I.don't.care. :P