A Few Observations

As our first week of school and potty training draws to a close I have noticed a few things about my life that I would like to point out.

1. My house doesn't seem so small when all the kids aren't home.
2. My house is a lot more quiet when all the kids aren't home.
3. Running errands with only Josh is fun and almost even enjoyable, it gives me time to have some very commical conversations with him.
4. It seems like school goes on forever some days
5. I am excited when my kids come home
6. I love to hear about their days, well really it is just Brooklynn's day because Tyler 'forgets' what he did all day for 7 HOURS - Go figure.
7. It is so much easier to keep things clean
8. Potty Training is going quite well, he is starting to get it. Well at least the #1 part, we are trying to bribe him with a toy for the#2
9. I haven't found potty training as frustrating so far with Josh. He is resistant but compliant all at the same time. We'll see how it continues.
10. Potty Training is the one thing as a mother that I GREATLY DISLIKE
11. I do love having a schedule, now I just need to put my workouts back into it.
12. Reading Scriptures in the morning before we go out the door is so much better than jamming it in at night when we are all ready for the kids to be in bed.
13. And LASTLY, Brooks playing soccer was perfectly cute last night and she loved it and she did really well for her first practice and for never having played before! Yeah Brookie!

Bring it on! A Schedule, School, Potty Training and Back to the Gym

Today was a big day at our house, we officially have a schedule to stick too. Thanks to the first day of school, mommy no longer gets to sleep until 8:00. I guess I will just have to deal and besides it is well worth it and the kids were more than ready and very excited to start another year of school. Here is the run down.

It all began with Tyler - wait no stop that is not true, but we'll start with him anyway. School started at 8:25 and this morning. We were invited by one of his friends to walk. This is a pretty good walk as the school is about a mile from our house. Brooklynn was not happy about the walking, but really had no choice but to come along. Although a little nervous yesterday, Tyler was ready to go and worried (as usual) about being late (he gets that from me). We arrived right on time and he headed off into Mrs. Merlo's class. I really don't know what to expect because I am not familiar with any of the 2nd grade teachers, but he came home happy and excited! I actually, for the first time, felt a little sad and almost got choked up this morning. Each year gets harder and harder for me to send him off - I guess maybe it is because I know school get more and more challenging. The only sad thing about this year is that none of the friends Tyler was hoping to have in his class are in his class, but he has already made friends with some 'new' kids and I know he will have a great year. He is such a nice and smart and amazing almost 8 year old!

This is the 'I don't want to walk picture' it was super funny. As you can see, she wasn't ready for school yet!

Brooklynn is where the day really started AT 4 AM, she was wide awake and it took her a good hour to fall asleep only to really wake up at 6:45. What is with that girl? Anyway, although we had a rough start to the morning, she was super excited to head off to Kindergarden. I was very impressed with how few times she asked this morning if it was time to go yet, she was most patient. Once we got to the school, I parked the car and she said, "Okay mom I'll see you later!" What? She didn't even care to have me come in, of course I informed her we were a few minutes early and she would have to wait and that I would be taking her to her classroom. We were pleased to find out that a little girl from her pre-school class is in her class. It was so fun to watch her comfort her little friend who was very nervous and teary. She put her arm around her and was just the little mother she is always wanting to be! I am so excited for her and can't wait to see how things go! Her class this year is very large around 30 kids, it should be exciting!





As for the Potty Training - we are going for it - I think! No actually today went pretty well. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I kept my cool - most amazing really and Josh did great. We'll see if it lasts! He was a good boy today and didn't really mind not having anyone around to play with. Let's just hope the potty training goes quickly and painlessly! Just as a side note in the car today Josh looked up at me and said, 'Duper Duper' Translation - Super Duper. He has been watching some Barney lately. It was super funny and he also thought he was quite clever and cute.

I threw this in because it is one of his new favorite things. Besides it's funny.

And of course, with a schedule it means it is time for me to get back in the gym on a regular basis. I have totally been slacking this summer and am feeling the results of that. I am back at it for reals people!



That is it for us people! Enjoy!

A Few Things We've done lately.....

We have been busy and not busy the past two weeks. And here are a few pictures! We went over to our friends Jeremy and Talli's for Sunday Dinner and we all had a good laugh watching these two in the backyard. At first Josh was not wearing girl clothes and was just walking next to Megan, he then fell onto the slip'n slide that had not dried out yet and we had to change him into this lovely ensemble. Tyler hated him in the girl clothes and kept telling us that it was freaking him out! HaHa, regardless Josh and Megs had a great time riding around the back yard, that is until they hit this wall.This picture is my favorite, I just think it is so funny!

Shaver Lake

Steve decided that we needed a trip up to the mountains to a place near by called Shaver Lake. He went up to 'check it out' and then we all went up the next day. The kids helped daddy build a fire, we cooked some hotdogs for lunch, went for a dip in the lake and then headed home. The kids thought it was fantastic and everyone had a great time. Despite what Daddy thinks, this mommy had fun! Steve was so intense on his fire that it put a big smile on my face!!!

This is while the kids were waiting and helping Daddy find some kindling.

The fire maker.

Josh thought this ride back to the car was pretty fun.

NEWPORT BEACH

This past week Steve had to head down to So. Cal for work, luckily because the kids aren't in school yet, we were able to go with him. While he was working during the day the kids and I went over to Ryan and Nicole's to play. I hope Nicole took some pictures because I totally didn't. The kids went swimming and played, we went to Castle Park and even walked to the Frozen Yogurt place. It was fun to see them because it has been a few months and baby Grace is cute and growing way to fast.

After Steve would be done work we would play, we went swimming at the Hotel one night and then of course would watch the Olympics - we are sooo fun! The next evening Steve took us to a really cool beach in Laguna, it was right down from the most beautiful hotel called the Montage Resort and Spa - I would love to stay at this place it was incredible! Anyway, the beach was really fun, my only complaint was that there were some strong rip tides. We even saw the life guard go in after a girl. Brooklynn and Josh were very timid of the water and just played in the sand. Steve and Tyler had a great time in the water and exploring the beach and the rocks nearby. It was a fun couple days and a good way to finish up our summer adventures and get ready for school next week!

Only a few more play dates and swim days and then Tyler starts 2nd grade, with turn 8, start cub scouts and then get Baptised at the end of September. Brooklynn will start Kindergarten, soccer, and I think I am going to put her in a dance class. Bring on a schedule baby I am ready for it!This is us on the walkway in front of the cool hotel and above the beach. Steve was mad and said I didn't take enough pictures of us 'making memories' Haha.

This is by one of the fountains at Fashion Island

Tyler would totally be a beach bum if we live in the OC

Me and my cutie Tater

I love this picture for some reason.

The look on Brookies face is just soooo, HER! I love it.

Canada 2008 - Finally!

As I'm sure most of you can tell, I have not done much blogging lately. I'm not really sure why, but today I am back with it. We have had a great summer and since I have not mentioned our trip (me and the kids) to Canada, here it is.

• Flew to Canada and upon arriving drove right out to the Cabin. YEAH!
• Had a wonderful week at the Cabin with Marilee and kids, Julie, TJ and their kids and Nana and Granddad.
• We spent some time on the lake
• Josh went on a tube ride with me
• Tyler learned to water ski!!! Yeah Tyler, it was super cute and it only took him three times. He never stood up, but was more than comfortable riding around on them while squatting! It was so awesome
• Some of us went on a small hike right in bear territory, thanks to Granddads Blow Horn we all felt somewhat safe. We were really supposed to go on a different hike, but we didn't find the right trail until after.
• Brooklynn and Josh and Garett had strep throat, they were all very sad for a couple of days!
• We made smores by the fire
• Basically it was just all a great time!
• The kids and I went back to Calgary and spent a few more days at Nana and Granddad's
• We went to the mall, the movies, hung out with friends, saw some of my cousins, jump on the trampoline, watched Granddad on the golf course, played and just had a great time!

Brookie, ain't she so cute! She loved the boat, but wouldn't try a tube ride!

Josh was in heaven throwing rocks while we waited for the boat to pick us up!

Even though he didn't want to, I put him in the tube with me. He was so mad at first and kept yelling at me 'NO', but that made me laugh and then he finally started laughing. He even said he wanted to do it again!

Me, wake surfing!

Tater Driving the boat, well kind of - he would not put his hands on the steering wheel!

Brooklynn and Bridegette - Brooks loved her

Granddad took the boys golfing - they had a great time!

Me and my boy on our hike!

The sista's

Here are the two that head up this group! Thanks for being so great!

Ty getting ready to try skiing!

Marilee's students, most of these monkey's got up too! Marilee with Amber, Jackson, Garett, Natalie, Spencer and Tyler

Tyler is just so cute, I had to take this one!

What? A picture with me in it. Now we all know why I stay behind the lense! HAHA!

Tyler, Jackson and Annie

Nothing like eating a really good Smore!

On the mend from Strep Throat!

Bridgette and Avery our very wonderful and amazing Babysitters/Helpers!

I hadn't seen rain or a rainbow in months!

My cute little kids! I love them!

All in all, it was a great trip. It is always so nice to go 'home', it is so beautiful there and the kids had a great time. I loved spending time with my sister's, we had some good laughs! I will post a few of the best pictures from our time - Enjoy

A Little About Josh

My little baby is getting so big! Everyday he becomes more and more like a big boy and it makes me so very sad, but excited all at the same time. He is so fun to have in our family and keeps us all laughing. He is like his Daddy in that he LOVES to get a reaction and LOVES to make us all laugh. He is so sweet and snuggly too and although he wasn't an exceptionally lovey baby, he is as a toddler. He is also totally a mama's boy and doesn't like me out of his sight. Going to nursery at church has become an ordeal because he doesn't like it when I leave him. Hopefully this phase will pass. In the last couple of weeks he has learned how to say I Wuv OOOOOO! and boy does it give my heart a tickle. He will even say 'I wuv ooooo too' It is so dang cute and he will randomly come up to me durning the day and tell me he loves me. He also loves to give me hugs and will come over and say 'a hug' of course how can I resist and then because I used to tell him to sqeeze me tight he will now say, 'Queeeeeze' at the top of his lungs and sqeeze me tight. It is one of my favorite "mom" moments these days.

Two nights ago I woke up at around 2:30 and realized that Steve had fallen asleep on the couch with the TV on. Being the wonderful wife I am, I got up and came out to turn it off and try and get him off the couch and into bed. When I came around the corner I could see some really blonde hair sticking out of the recliner. Steve was still dead asleep on the couch and Tater was watching some dinosaur show on Discovery Channel. (BTW he has been asking to watch Dinosaurs since then). He was wide awake and just having his own party in the middle of the night. When I put him back to bed I noticed that he had moved his pillow over to Ty's bed and had tried to tuck in with him. As it turns out he is my kid that loves to sleep with someone right next to him. We have randomly found him sound asleep next to Ty a few times.

Alright I will stop rambling on now, but I just had to get those stories written down before they slipped my mind. Also, my picture from Canada are coming, I just have to find the time!!!!