January 2013

2013 is slipping away and I haven't even posted anything about the year!  Once a month posts are all I can hope for right now, so let's play catch up!

January started out right with a New Year's Eve Party at our good friends, the Randall's, house.  We had so much fun.  The kids got to stay up until midnight(or pretty dang close), which they loved.  They next day they didn't love it so much, but one night a year won't hurt.  We got up early the next morning to hit up the Rose Parade.  We love this tradition.  We are pretty spoiled and get to sit in great seats with great friends.  

The boys at the Rose Parade with "grandpa Craig"  and buddies, Warren and Vincent.

We spent the night at my parents' house New Years day and went on an adventure with good friend, Lorraine and her kids. He parents live right next to mine so we get to see each other and hang out with our kids.  Lucky us!!

Our walk turned into a wagon ride down a hill to the fire station where we got a little tour.   

This is what happened when we took down our Christmas decorations.  Luke had an absolute meltdown!  Every ornament we took off the tree, he would put right back on.  He was sobbing and singing Jingle Bells at the same time.  It was the saddest and funniest thing ever. Poor guy.  I don't like it when Christmas is over either!

We got a little taste of winter here when it snowed for a few minutes!  We were in church when it happened so we had to head outside (during class) to play!  We couldn't miss the only snow day we would have for the next year or two!

The snow didn't last long.  January in CA did not disappoint.  It is one of my favorite months of the year.  It is usually bright and sunny and clear most days.  Which makes it perfect for orange picking!!  Oh, how I miss those oranges already.  There is nothing like a fresh orange off of a tree. 

Family Bowling Trip

Over the Christmas break, we went bowling with the whole family ( still playing catch up). Good times were had by all!

He can fit in bowling shoes!

Sweet uncle Ty and the big Ry

Michael practicing being a dad.

Too much fun for Luke

He is so good with babies.  And he is single.

Our Baby is Growing

Since it has been 6 months, it is time for an update on Jace.  

To say that this little guy has me wrapped around his little finger is an understatement.

 He is such a momma's boy and is the most attached of all my boys so far.  At 6 months, he already cries when anyone else holds him.  Which isn't good, for example, when I am giving a talk in church and a sweet lady from our ward tries to help out and Jace is screaming and I can't concentrate... but despite that, I don't mind one bit.  He wants me to hold him all the time and is the happiest most content little guy if I am. 

 He has a quick smile for everyone and a sweet demeanor.  His dark brown eyes are enough to melt all people who glance his way.

 He has rolled over multiple times, but doesn't do it regularly.  He would rather be held.  

He can sit for a short time and seems to like being able to see what is going on.  

He loves food.  He has eaten everything I have given him with no problem.  Especially sweet potato fries. 

He does NOT sleep through the night.  I take that back... he will sleep most of the night IF he is snuggled in my arms.  And I let him.  See, I am a sucker for this kid.  He is only a baby once, I say. 

 We love this little guy so much.

Three Babies in the Tub

Jace

Luke

Ryan

Power of Moms

Last weekend, Brett and I had the awesome opportunity to go to a Power of Moms Couple's Retreat. 

I went to a regular retreat last year, but going with Brett was even better.  Not only did we get Cafe Rio, but we were able to discuss and plan for the most important thing to us: our family. Great things can happen when you are on the same page as a couple.  I was so happy he went with me!  He was even excited about it too.  He is a good man.

Anyway...

 We discussed these four areas:

1. Marriage/Parenting Partnerships

2. Family Culture- traditions and values you want your family to have

3. Family Legal Systems - rules and consequences

4. Family Economy - how you teach about work and money

We were given a lot to think about during this conference and spent the whole hour long car ride talking about how we want to implement our ideas into our family life. Our boys are at the age where they are starting to push boundaries and test limits.  After attending this conference, we realized that we do not have clear and visible rules and consequences for our kids.  It is our goal by the end of the month to have a set of rules posted in our house(among other things).   

What I loved most about this conference and what I love most about the Power of Mom's is that it is parenting with a purpose.  The trainer and co-founder, April Perry said that a lot of the time there are behavior problems or chaos in the home, it is because there is not a plan in place to control it (or you have a two year old).  I totally agree.  My most stressful days are when I have no plan and things just see, to fall apart.  My most fulfilling days are when I have specific plans and goals.  Life is more orderly and happy for me and my kids.  

Moral of the story is:

If you have't checked out Power of Mom's - you should!  It is a great resource and provides wonderful ideas for mothers. 

Handsome Boys

It's Beginning to Look A lot like Christmas( one month late)

December was such a fun month!  We did  an activity every day... well, almost.  Lucky for me, my boys are still young enough to be excited about everything so it didn't take much to make them happy.  Here are a few pictures from the month

At Bass Pro Shop visiting Santa

(even though I didn't even take a picture of the boys with Santa)

 Side note: Jace seems to be in his PJs most days.  Third Child Syndrome strikes again!

Decorating the Tree

Family Party By the Tree 

The idea was to play a game, read books, make peppermint milk shakes and watch a movie by the tree.  It didn't really happen that way. A crazy two year old, crying baby and greek frozen yogurt instead of ice cream derailed things a bit.  Next year we will get it right!

Christmas Lights

  There is a street near our house that goes all out with lights.  It is so fun to go there ( along with the rest of the city) and look at the lights with a cup of hot chocolate in hand!

 Gingerbread Men

Ryan made a rocker, fireman, baseball player and a cowboy.  Creative little dude.

 Cookies with Christie and Grammy

First Day of Winter 

We hung snowflakes, ate powdered doughnuts and went pretend sledding.  Fun day!

Disneyland with Grammy

I haven't been brave enough to take my 3 kids ti Disneyland alone.  My sweet mom agreed to come with me so i could take the kids there during Christmas. We had a lot of fun. Disneyland is extra magical at Christmas!

Me and my sweet Luke on Winnie the Pooh

The boys with "Wreck-it" Ralph

This charcter would not leave Jace alone! She kept tryong to shove her sweatshirt string in his hands - or mouth.  not sure. either way it was creepy.

This was ryan's first time on splash mountain .. i thought this picture was hilarious because you cant't see his face but you can see the terror in his hands.  He said he will go on it again... after his mission.

My mom and boys. She doesn't even look close to being a grandma!

Ryan turns 5

Man oh Man does time ever fly.  I feel like Ryan was just born, but there he is;growing up and holding my third boy.  I could not have dreamed up a better first born.  Ryan is sweet, thoughtful, obedient, loving, funny , determined and fun to be around.  He really thinks about things and seems to understand quite a lot.  He is so helpful with the other two boys.  He loves to "babysit" Jace.  

I didn't feel up to planning a fancy party so i suggested to ry that we have a "late-over"  We had a few friends over at night and it was perfect!  We had dinner ( take out chick-fil-a) and then let them be boys. We made marshmallow shooters and set up a tent outside. Brett was the champion of the night and pretty much ran the whole show. 

Total Fun.

 I love my big boy more than words can say.