Friday, October 19, 2007

Blog slacker

I wish I was better at staying up on blog posts...I was really hoping to use it as a journal/scrapbook. We've had so much going on lately...blogging has fallen to the bottom of the to-do list. We just finished out yard (yay!)...now we'll plant tulip bulbs in the flower beds and wait for Spring :). We also redecorated our front room...new furniture...another yay! And...I moved my preschool downstairs. I knew it was inevitable...but I wasn't sure how to use the space without it being finished. I'm actually pretty pleased with it. And so far the kids like it as well. It saves me a ton of set-up and clean-up time and it's a lot more space than I'm used to working with. There are a few more things I want to get put in place and then I will officially file for my business license and start accepting more students.
Carter is getting more mischievous the older he gets. Anytime it's quiet and I'm working...I know he's up to something. I've been surprised lately at how he puts things together in his head. He talks all the time and is forming longer and longer sentences. Today I found him with the cookie bag...which he managed to get off the second from top shelf in the pantry. How? By stacking a box of pasta cans, a waffle iron, and his bathroom stool. Tonight about 30 minutes after Ty and I had put him to bed, he came out running-full speed-with a big grin on his face. We couldn't help but laugh. When we picked him up to put him back in bed, his jammies were all wet. The culprit was his humidifier which he somehow figured out how to empty water from. And, he had an ace bandage wrapped around his left leg which he would not let me take off. Where does he come up with this stuff? He definitely keeps me on my toes.
Taylee's little personality is coming out a lot more also. She has a....strong personality. When she wants to be picked up, she'll use her legs to arch her back up....all the way out of whatever she's sitting in. That's along with the squeals. She sure loves her brother. Whenever he walks anywhere near her, she'll start smiling and breathing fast. I show Carter how excited she is to talk to him and he says "no." He does love to sing to her though. Everytime Carter sings ABCs or I am a Child of God, Taylee will sing along. She makes any noise she can during the song. Maybe they'll be the next Donny and Marie Osmond :)
I sure feel blessed to be their Mommy. I've been reading a book about holding onto your kids...it's part of the attachment parenting movement, but not extremist. It mainly talks about how our society has turned into a peer orientation society and how to keep your family focused on family while still encouraging healthy relationships with peers....basically what the Proclamation to the World teaches. With Carter getting older and more independent, I'm realizing how I need to be really praying and thinking about the decisions I make with him. It's a big responsibility. And he's a great kid.
Here are some pics from the past few weeks...some things that have been keeping us busy.

Yes...she's our princess




And a genius...she taught herself to drink from a cup :)



Uncle Chris surprised me for my birthday...and showed up from Idaho for my surprise party. Carter looked quite small in his Uncle's shoes


New bedding for the Taylee




Daddy's new job...and his "I'm kind of a big deal around here" t-shirt he got from his work banquet


Carter and Daddy konking out together



Carter's new bike




Carter getting into the A&D ointment and smearing it all over himself.


PLaying during General Conference


Last car wash of the summer...and Carter's cute little footprints on our sun visors

Saturday, October 6, 2007

BYU Football and New Mexico trip

Lynsey and Peach bought us All-Sport passes this year and we've had a blast at the games. The first game was SO HOT! By the end of the game, I had stripped the kids of almost all their clothes...just onesies left. Both of them were red and sweaty. I felt bad....but I think they had a fun time. Taylee was so patient and Carter...well, he found ways to keep busy. We missed the Air Force game to go to Lagoon for Tyson's work banquet, but then made the road trip to Albuquerque for the BYU/NM game and to see the Gibson family. We were worried about the 10 hour trip each way (and we were only staying one day), but the kids were amazing. Carter was an angel the whole time and Taylee only got upset the last couple hours of the leg home. It definitely helped to have Sara along. I LOVED getting to hang out with Janae and the kids had a blast together. I miss the days when all of us sisters lived close in Provo. In Albuquerque, Janessa and Craig got us tickets to the BYU tailgate party. Being in New Mexico's home territory, it was nice to be around so many BYU fans. Tyson and Craig also got to attend a fireside by Bronco and some of the guys the night before the game and they really enjoyed that. The game was a blast. There were some hostile NM fans for sure (it was their homecoming) but all in all people were pretty nice. The weather was beautiful and once again the kids were pretty good. The game started late, so by 9:30pm (with 4 minutes left in the game and after review a BYU touchdown taken away) Carter had lost it. I began walking back to the car with him...not sure yet if we'd won or not. We ended up taking the win and getting home safely. Thanks Janessa and Craig for a super trip! We'll have to do it again soon.

BYU vs Arizona


All decked out







A win for the Y


Road Trip
Taylee taking a car seat break at a bathroom stop


Carter got to choose a treat at the gas station...gummy sharks.





We made it! Janessa had yummy homemade pork salads waiting



Taylee was so excited to be out of the car...she konked right out


Carter found Mommy's mascara while taking an afternoon nap. I went in to check on him and he had it all over his eyes. He was quite confused when he woke up with black eyes.



BYU vs New Mexico

Taylee had fun playing at the tailgate party


Grace meeting Cosmo...Carter was hiding behind Tyson


Blue snowcones...


Grace and Abby wanted to join the BYU cheerleaders while they were doing their stunts...Janessa and Craig have to be quick on their feet







Taylee loves to eat Daddy's hair









Look at that gorgeous sky



Abby kept herself busy during the game by decorating her face with M&Ms...whatever works.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

It's Back!

I finally have the internet...just hooked up today in fact. All is well. Seriously-I was really missing having internet in the home. I am sooo behind on pictures. We have done so many fun things since I have been able to post. We went to Albuquerque for the BYU/NM game and visited with Janessa and Craig and the girls. They're been some FUN BYU games (and hot ones too...) We went to Lagoon and Carter LOVED the rides. We got a surprise package from my best friend growing up, Adrienne: a beautiful quilt for Taylee and jammies for Carter. A visit from Uncle Chris on his way up to BYU-I and lots of just hanging out and being silly. I'll be posting pics once I get everything downloaded and kids to nap.