Happy Birthday Little Man!

Jack is a terror, we all know it! That being said, he is so loved in our home! Especially by his sisters, which is a miracle considering the torture he puts them through. He loves to pull their hair, jump on them, and hit them with his bat. I tell them boys do these things out of love! And they love him right back. Ever since he was born, they are absolutely smitten with him. They truly enjoy playing with him and watching him grow up and learn new things, like "time-out" :).

Dave and I have had our share of hard times with him (me more than Dave!) but we are so grateful to have him in our home and family. We feel like he definitely completes our family (well, Dave does anyway, I'm on the fence!). It's so fun to watch how different he is from our girls, and to see just how much a little boy can be like his daddy!

This week we celebrated Jack's 2nd birthday. His actual birthday was the 20th, so on that day I took cupcakes to the gym for him to share with his little friends that he spends each morning with. Then, after school we took the kids for a swim and had cupcakes after dinner.

The real party came though on Sunday when all of our in-town family came to enjoy dinner, Rock Band, gifts and cake! We were so happy to have everyone here to celebrate our special little boy with us!

Once Again...

It's been a while since Rian's last hate note. However, tonight she was sent to bed early for misbehaving today. She begged and pleaded but I stood my ground. While she was in bed, she wrote me this note...

"Mom I will never speek too you ugen I will gest (just) writ on papr so I can tok too you. Nabee (maybe)."

I love these notes, they go straight into her "memories box" in my closet! Ironically, this comes just one week after receiving a wonderful message from her school teacher. Ms. Neal called to tell us what a wonderful, bright, helpful and great kid Rian is. I wonder if she has another student named Rian?

First day of school...

Today was the first day of school for my kids. It's an especially big day for them because we have moved them from the charter school that they have attended and loved for the past 2 years back to Barbara Robey Elementary. Although we will definitely miss Carden and the girls are sad to not be in class with their cousins, we decided that this was a move that would be good for our family. Both of the girls have wonderful teachers that I couldn't be more pleased with! We were extremely lucky to get the teachers that we requested, so that Dakota could be in class with one of her best friends, Willow, and Rian with her good friend Brady, who she went to Kindergarten with. I know that this was an answer to my prayers, the transition would not have been possible otherwise! Both Dakota and Rian woke up excited and ready to go today, I am very proud of them. Here's to a great year girls!

Our Amazing Vacation- Bainbridge Island 2008

My favorite memories of our summer vacation at Bainbridge Island...

• Getting off the plane- oh that Jack!
• Waking up to "Downtowners" pastries (thanks dad!) and late night runs to "Mora" (an absolutely fantastic little ice cream parlor)- it's a wonder I didn't gain 30 lbs!
• "R & R" on the bay. Sudoku + a big Diet DP + Jack napping + 70 degrees out = heaven!
  
• Taylor (the newest addition to our ever growing family) is blessed outside by her father and all the men in the family, it was truly beautiful!
• Town & Country Market Clam Chowder - YUMMY!
• Late night games. Brett and I dominate at Spades!
  
• Dance Party on the patio at dawn, what fun! Thanks Rian and Aunt Bree.
• Our rainy boat ride to Poulsbo. Kids went for Ice Cream, adults warmed up with Hot Chocolate!
• Crabbing! I think we ended up with something like 30 crabs for our July 4th FEAST!
• 4th of July- Family photoshoot, Fireworks, Crabfest 2008 and Oreo Shakes.
• Watching the 3 toddlers on the beach throwing rocks.
• Day trip to "Point No Point" beach.
• Dakota learning to wakeboard!!! (See video post below)
• Geocaching in the Grand Forest. The kids found amazing treasures.
  
• Girls trip to Seattle for a day of food and shopping- thanks mom!
• Wakeboarding. Despite water temps in the low 60's, it was actually really fun!
• Date night with Dave. Fish & Chips at Doc's Marina and "Hancock".
• Watching Dave attempt to clear the wake and the girls "boob tubing".

Cameron's Wakeboarding Video

Koty's first wakeboard

A garage sale of sorts...

Today while Cameron was here playing, he and Rian decided to have a garage sale to make some extra money. They gathered some things from the playroom in a box and headed outside. Note that it is nearly 115 degrees today with an "excessive heat advisory/warning". I went out to check on them minutes later and they were headed to our neighbors house carrying their box. I asked where they were going and they answered "to your other neighbor's house". I said "other neighbors?" and they replied, "yeah, we already went to the Zimmermans' (our good friends just next door). I explained to them that in a garage sale, you simply set your stuff out and wait for people to come to you. So they did. After a few minutes, and some seriously red cheeks, Dave asked them if they were done yet. He wanted them to come inside so badly that he offered them $10 for everything in the box. I told him that was ridiculous and there was no way we were giving them $10. His reply- "I talked them down from $50!" So, for his $10 he got an old toy that doesn't work, an old gift bag and some random snacks from our pantry! And we wonder why we're broke!!

Rian's Big Birthday Bash

Rian knew when we signed up at Lifetime earlier this summer that it was the place that she would have her birthday party. It was lots of fun for her and her friends. They got to swim, have pizza and cake by the pool and of course open presents! Then some more swimming until the sun went down. A special thanks to all of her friends that could come and wish her a happy birthday!

Our little graduate...

We are so proud of Rian! She has come such a long way. The first couple of months in kindergarten were hard for her. She had her share of meltdowns, even being sent to the office once for screaming at the whole class to "be quiet so I can think!", and such a fear of being walked in on that she wouldn't use the bathroom. She quickly got over those issues and climbed her way to earning a spot as one of the top in the class. She is reading beautifully and knows many math problems. She even gave me a "test" the other night, which I got a "Z+" on (all of my answers were correct, but I wasn't supposed to circle them!). Great job Rian- we are proud of you!!!

Rian with her classmate and very best friend, Ava. Also with good friend Brady, and cousin Cameron.

11 Years & Counting!

Happy Anniversary, baby! I love you!

...and my life is complete!

My poor daughter. All Dakota wants right now is a dog. She begs us morning, noon and night. She can literally think of nothing else. She has had her dad sign a contract promising to get her one if he makes "alot of money" next year (that amount never was specified-he's found a loophole), she checks craiglist daily and has even searched "cheap dogs for sale" on google. I have tried to explain to her that the price of the dog isn't the entire issue, but she doesn't quite hear me. So today she drafted herself a "to do" list. And here it is...

• Go count money
• Go on craigslist
• Look for dog
• Beg dad for dog
• Get the dog
• Show Kailee
• Run away with Kailee and the dog (when asked, she told us this actually meant run away from Kailee's little brother because he always bugs them)

I explained to her that if we did get a dog, we would probably just go to the pound and try to rescue one. So, being the little perfectionist that she is, she came up with a new "to do" list...

• Go to pound
• Find a dog I want
• Go home and play with the dog
• Find a place for it to sleep
• Find a few things for the dog
• Name the dog
• AND MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!
  

Tonight when we went into her room for scripture and prayer, she was listing all the things a dog would need so that she knows just how much money she'll have to earn. It's so irritating, but she is starting to wear me down. I'm about to give in just to shut her up!!! Unfortunately, Dave isn't quite there yet. He isn't home enough to get as annoyed as myself. Any suggestions?

Happy to be a Mother!

"Making the decision to have a child- it's momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."
-Elizabeth Stone

Happy Mother's Day!

What a weekend!

This weekend, my sister Megan and her husband Chris welcomed a new baby to their family! Because my parents were in Virginia celebrating my baby sister's graduation (CONGRATS, BREE!), I was chosen, by default, to go to California and help out with my 2 year old neice, Emma. The flight there was very difficult. Jack wasn't quite cooperating for the 30 mins that we got to sit on the plane waiting for them to change the busted tire (apparently they don't notice those things until you are already boarded!). He decided to take out his aggressions on the pour souls around us. First repeatedly and violently kicking the seat directly in front of us, and the legs of the two wonderful people on either sides of us (I really couldn't have asked for nicer strangers to sit next to). When I tried to restain his legs, and arching his back and screaming at the top of his lungs didn't work, he decided to chuck his FULL bottle of milk over the seat and at the heads of the men in front of us. I was literally dripping beads of sweat by the time we took off! He absolutely crashed as soon as we hit the air and slept the entire flight. I didn't dare move my body an inch for fear of waking him up, so by the time we landed I couldn't feel my arm! So worth it! Here are pics from our time in Cali...




Now for the trip home... much better! I let Jack run crazy for about 30 minutes through the terminal. He tripped a few people but I just didn't care at that point. He did great on the plane and I was feeling better about myself as a mom. People on the plane gave me lots of nice compliments and the flight attendant even gave me "kudos". We landed around 8:30pm and as I walked through the terminal with my head held high and pride in my face I glanced over to see my handsome husband and two beautiful daughters. Oh no wait, those are orphans. No no, they are my daughters! Picture this... hair not combed for 3 days, wearing their JAMMIES, Rian with a tattoo on her forehead (thanks, mom) and NO SHOES!!! I was so embarassed I couldn't even make myself greet them with a hug and kiss. I walked 5 feet behind them the entire way out to the garage. Oh, and Dakota had to use the restroom before we left- gross!

"I wanna be a cowgirl..."

Okay, okay... I know it's been a while, but I lost enthusiasm for blogging when only a couple of people saw my April Fool's joke ON April Fool's Day (or even within a week for that matter!). Although it's been a crazy month, really nothing blog-worthy. Until this weekend, that is!

So we have these completely awesome neighbors (most of you know the Zimmermans :). Well, they are Dakota's idols because they have horses! So they've been wanting us to come out and let the girls ride and this weekend we finally found a time that worked for all. Here are some of my favorite shots...

Dakota (with Kailee)...


Rian...


Jack...

Jack was absolutely terrified of the horses when we first arrived and wouldn't even let us put him down. After a while though he started to enjoy himself and the freedom of his surroundings. He even stuck his tongue out and repeatedly spit at the horses imitating what he thought they were doing everytime they neighed! Tammie gave him a carrot to feed to "RadRod" but as you can see in the middle picture, he thought it was a snack for him! However, as tasty as it might have been, he wasn't about to fight for it!

We are so grateful for the Zimmerman's, they are awesome neighbors and wonderful friends. Thanks for the fun night!

A BIG Surprise!!!

What happened to Easter???

Yes, we actually did celebrate Easter, and it was wonderful! We went to my parent's house for a MASSIVE egg hunt and a wonderful dinner. Then we spent some sweet time visiting with Dave's parents at their home. My camera, however, decided to hide from me for the day (I actually mistakenly left it home) so I borrowed my mom's. I took lots of really cute pictures, not only on Easter but over the next couple of days as well while we had some family in town. Well, now my crazy parents have gone and run off to Bainbridge again. So I'm not quite sure when I'll get to see, or post, those pictures. But I will, just as soon as possible.

P.S. See mom, if you had a blog of your own, you could just post them for me!!! :) Just kidding! Have a great time and don't forget to bring home some of that yummy crab!

A Special Day

Dakota's baptism was a wonderful day. All of our in-town family came to support her in her decision to be baptized. Some of her very good friends (Kailee, Kiley & Willow) were also there & joined Rian, & Dakota's cousins (Jasmyn, Cameron, & Elizabeth) in singing "I Am A Child of God" to her. Dave did a beautiful job baptizing & confirming her. Afterwards the family spent some time together at our house for lunch and desert.

Sunday was a big day for her as well. In sacrament meeting she asked Dave if she should bear her testimony, he told her she would know if she should if she had a feeling in her chest. As soon as he said that, she immediately went to the stand & did it! With her stage fright & anxiety over being in the spotlight, I was shocked to learn that she did this (I, of course, missed it as I was chasing Jack through the halls). We are very proud of her. She is a sweet girl & a wonderful example to her sister & brother.

Happy 8th Birthday, Dakota!

That's right, she's 8! I can't believe it. The poor thing was as sick as a dog most of last week and still on her birthday. She managed to enjoy herself for the most part despite fighting off a fever and yucky cough. She had her favorite breakfast (French Toast) and opened her gifts from mom and dad. She then went on a special shopping trip with grandma and for the most part, enjoyed Cameron's birthday party, but came home in tears (sorry, Jacy!). Her baptism is going to be this Saturday, March 1st @ 10am- and of course we would love all of our family and friends to be there!

A Valentine's Day Poem by Dakota

Who cares about May it's Valentine's day.
No time for a nappy, it's time to be happy.
I hit my knee I'm not full of glee.
But I am fine, my Frankenstine!
Do you like me or do you like she? Let's see, me!
Today in May I play but the day is gray.
But Happy Valentine's Day!

The Wrath of Rian

Rian was in one of her special moods today. She became upset with Dakota and I because she didn't get her way. I sent her to her room and while she was there, she put her thoughts down on paper...

Translation- "Dakota is not a good sister and my mom is not a good mother". Now, while I am happily impressed with her progress in school, I'm not sure this is the best use of her new skills! She did later apologize and attempted to throw the note away so that I wouldn't see it. However, I told her I had already read it and asked her if I could keep it so that one day when she's a mom and her daughter tells her she hates her, she can see that she once felt the same way towards me!