Preschool Graduation

Macey graduated from ABC Preschool this past week, and kindergarten can not come soon enough for her (mom is not so excited). She has had such a fun year, Avery (her cousin) was in her class, and she loved Ms Angie, and Ms Barbara as her teachers. She said the funnest things about school were going to see the dinosaurs, playing with bubbles, and making stone soup. Angie told me that Macey is the mother of the group (no surprise - when Macey was 2 she would go around in Nursery and wipe the other kids mouths off at snack time). She's as bossy as her own mother too.

1st 1/2

Somehow Carol talked me into running a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles), and by some miracle I finished it! Last Saturday, Carol and I went and ran the Ogden 1/2 Marathon. It was my first race, and I loved it! The course was awesome, the whole atmosphere was just awesome. The night before we finally went to bed around midnight, and I swear as soon as we closed our eyes, the alarm was ringing (at 4:15-I can't believe I woke up that early to go running). We loaded the bus at 5:00am, and when we arrived at the starting line, we got to wait 1 1/2 hours in freezing cold weather. We were all huddled up against each other freezing, trying to steal a spot closer to the fire (that was probably the funnest part). The race started at 7:00, the first 10 miles were not too bad, but the last 3 kicked my butt, I really wanted to quit, so I was really glad that Carol was running with me and made sure I finished the race. I really wanted to finish under 2 hrs, and that was the goal (um run 13 miles in under 2 hours - I was not too confident in myself), so I was totally excited when we finished at 1:48 (I think it was closer to 1:49, but I'm sticking to 1:48). There were 1295 women running the 1/2 and we came in 89th, pretty cool.
Nancy (Carol's aunt who also ran the 1/2), Carol, and me

MOAB

A few weeks ago we went to Moab with my family. Macey was packed about four day in advance (as long as we are going somewhere that girl is happy). We had a blast, it was so fun to go and spend time with the family. On Friday we went 4-wheeling for about 4 hours, and on Saturday we rode about 48 miles. Every time we stopped Macey would switch riders, and Caleb hung out inside Grandma's coat (it was a little cool, not the beautiful weather I expected from Moab), he went the whole day without making a sound. My kids loved it! The scenery was amazing, and it was great to just go and relax. The car show was also that weekend so at nights we went and sat on main street and watched the old cars cruise up and down the street.
Michelle will probably not be too happy with me posting this picture, but it's too great not to. Saturday afternoon, Michael and Jason took Steve, Dave, Michelle, and Dad on one of the harder rides in the jeeps. It was raining and blowing, and I guess they were trying to find whatever they could in the jeeps to stay warm, this is how they looked when they came back (rough ride!)

Virus

My computer caught a nasty virus and has been down for about a month but with the help of a computer genius (no not me) it is back and working! Now life can get back to normal.

Windy Day

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick and tired of the wind. It started out to be such a nice day, and then the wind has to come and ruin it, my patio furniture is blown across the yard, and dirt is flying everywhere. While we were eating dinner today, Macey started singing this little song that we sing a lot at our house, it goes something like: wind wind go away we don't want you here today. Macey and Caleb want to play so never come here again! So it's another day cooped up.
Macey has been sick the past couple weeks, which the wind has actually made it kind of easy to hang out and watch movies with her, and a good excuse to just be lazy. I hate when my kids are sick, but I won't complain about getting to just sit and hold them. Along with being sick, her lymph nodes swelled to the point that I decided to make a trip to the Dr's, where he was quite impressed by the size of them. She's been on Antibiotics, which has helped, and luckily an abscess had not formed. Thankfully, she's pretty much back to her little self again.

Macey has really amazing teachers at church, and it's been really fun to hear her tell us what she's learning in class. On the way home she was telling us that they learned about promises. We asked her what does it mean, and she said "well I told the class that I promised that I peed in the shower this morning, and Caleb pooped in the bath, I promise." So I wonder who learns more, the kids or the teachers?

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Stevie! Steve is officially part of the 30'something' club! Making him older today than he was yesterday! It's not very uncommon for Steve to work a 10 hr day and then come home and ask what we would like him to fix us for dinner. He really does take good care of us. Happy Birthday to the most amazing husband and father. We love you!!

Celebrate!

Happy 1st Birthday to our little Buddy! Caleb has brought complete JOY, Happiness, and Excitement to our home this past year. We love you so much!

Skiing

Thanks Mom and Dad for treating us to an awesomely fun and relaxing day of skiing. Thanks also to Sommer for watching Caleb and taking such great care of my little guy. We were able to have a girls day out at Sundance, and take Macey skiing for her 1st time! She was lucky enough to get a private ski lesson for the #1 ski instructor in the state! It took a little coaxing to get her to go on her 2nd run, but after that she went run after run, for 4 straight hours! She kept saying "let's go through the trees...I like to go fast...lets go on bigger runs..." What a little dare devil. Well, she was until she took a pretty good biff, after that she played it a little safer. She was awesome, I could not believe how amazing she was. I was just a little PROUD of her! Mom was a really good sport too, she hadn't been for a few years but she still went and had fun with us, and kept going even after some snowboarder plowed into the back of her. After, we were treated to dinner at an awesome little Mexican restaurant in Midway, which was really good! When we got home Macey was giving Steve some pointers on "french fries," and "pizza." It was a really fun fun day!

Snow Fun

We're always happy when Michelle has a day off from work because then we get to hang out with her, and she motivates us to do something fun!
After...treats at Great Grandpa's house. He's always good for nuts, chocolate covered raisins, and cookies(yum)!

My own Cinderella

Me: Thanks Macey for washing the dishes, that is really nice of you

Macey: anytime Mom, anytime. Mom if you too tired and need a break you just ask me and I'll do them. Anytime, anytime.

I'll probably need to hold this against her 10 years from now!

She told me that she needed to dry them. Ok Great. So then I found her in the kitchen blow drying my dishes...

Walking!

Caleb is WaLkINg, breaking 2 teeth on top, and doesn't stop eating (he's starting to figure out that there's better stuff out there than baby food)!!
Coach Macey's been giving Caleb a few tips on walking



While Caleb's been learning to walk, Macey's been learning all about Bump,Set,and Spiking! This girl has natural talent! All-Star? Definitely!!

What've we been doing?

Caleb has this little obsession with putting things into a bucket and then dumping them out, and starting all over again. I was doing some ironing (yes it happens occasionally) and found him putting clothes into the bin, taking them out, and doing this over again. My Grandma brought over some cinnamon rolls the other day and I had them sitting on the counter. Caleb was in his seat and I had turned away to grab something (briefly!) Macey must have placed the cinnamon rolls within reach because when I turned to take notice Caleb had grabbed one, had both fist full and was stuffing it into his mouth as fast as he could. I just let him go at it, like I could really get him to eat some peas after that mouth full of complete goodness.

Macey's glad to be back to school, 2 weeks is enough break for her. She said her first (I think) naughty word, and while I wouldn't have minded *#$&, or @^$# so much, what she did say was a little more offensive. So after the 9th time saying it (I can't blame her for it being stuck in her head since you hear it constantly on T.V. and from people) I stuck to my word and she had to put soap in her mouth. After she was like "Mom that was like yucky," that's the point.

A look at 08

Just a few things that happened this past year:
* Caleb arrived on 3/4
* Steve turned the big 30 on 3/8,(officially making him an old man!)
* Steve went to work for Western Petroleum (days off spent at All-Star)
* I have a new calling as Relief Society secretary, and am loving it!
* We've lost (killed) 2 kittens, and given away a dog (maybe animals aren't for us)
* Macey turned 4, going to Miss Angie's pre-school and Loves It!
* Started our blog!

Christmas 2008

So I'm still on a Christmas break, but I'm now rededicated myself for all of my readers (all 2 of you). I know that Christmas is long past but I'm still posting a little bit about ours so my kids know that we celebrated! Christmas this year was really fun because Macey understood all about Santa and was really excited for him to come, but we also got to sleep in until 8:00! She added another stroller and baby to her collection. The wheels on the stroller kept falling off, apparently it's a stroller for slow strolling, not running! With a lot of hot glue those suckers have not come off since. I highly recommend this stroller, takes lots of impact and the wheels are made to stay on! Caleb received his two bottom teeth for Christmas and also spoiled with an ATW, which of course Macey also claims as hers. He loves that thing, I have to occasionally hide it or I would push him all day long in it. Not that I wouldn't love to push him in it all day, but circling the kitchen and family room gets kinda old. We had a great Christmas, and were spoiled by family.
Macey and her babies

Caleb in his new red riding machine

After Sunday dinners at grandma's it's a given that Macey will go put on some music and we'll all have to dance (mostly watch her dance!) She'll dance on grandma's big red rug, jumping from each triangle on it, and watching herself in the fireplace glass the WHOLE time.


Caleb trying to get to the ornaments he can reach. Macey is actually the one I have to keep an eye on. I went to plug in our lights the other day and there in the back of the tree was a stash of ornaments.




This is his little smile that he does after he's just done something he's been told "no no" to.

Thanks

Thanksgiving came and then somehow half of December is gone without much notice. It seems that since Thanksgiving life has been a lot busier, I'm not quite sure what we've been doing, but it's definitely busier. We had Thanksgiving at my Mom and Dad's home. Mom fixed an amazing meal, we pretty much just had to show up and eat as much as we could, which somehow I managed to eat a lot!! Mom so graciously gave Macey some outside lights for the house, so after much begging, pleading, whining, puppy dog faces, Steve caved and put up lights. I love to look at the lights and it's amazing how they add to the spirit of Christmas, so it's a fun to come home at nights and see our house lit up. I felt like I have so much to be grateful for this year and am so appreciative. I have an amazing husband, two great kids, we are all healthy, jobs, a home to live in, the gospel. I could go on and on, I simply feel blessed. Grandma Kathy made a Christmas bag for the grand kids that was full of little presents to be opened throughout the month. Most are little things, like a puzzle, or a box of brownies to be made and shared with the neighbors. It's been fun to look forward to the evenings and reading a poem or story to go along with the gift and then doing to activity with it. One was a book that we read together, another was a movie for family night. I wanted this year to place more of an importance on the spirit and meaning of Christmas, then just on getting gifts. This activity has been fun for us because we've been able to spend time as a family doing them. I love the age that Macey's at right now because she's excited about everything, looking at lights, making treats, being happy with just a little things. It's a great age! I realized though that it's almost the 25th and we have not made near enough treats, so the goal this next week is the make many many yummy goodies, and then take them to my sister's home(I will make you cave!)

CALEB
was sick a couple weeks ago so we took him to the hospital and after a looooooong wait it turned out not to be an ear infection like I thought but just a little virus, so we are still waiting it out. At nine months he tipped to scale at 17 pounds 11 ounces, and I still need to measure height (don't forget, mom please write a sticky note for me!). He crawls all over, stands up to things, but appears to have no desire to walk. He melts my heart, and I'm sure that he'd melt yours too. He loves his hugs and kisses, cuddles at intervals through the day, and is getting quite accustomed to falling asleep in Mom and Dad's bed. He also likes to be down playing, doing his own thing. He'll get on the floor and follow behind Macey, being her little shadow. The other day he was on a patch of tile by our back door, and was playing with a bouncy ball. It would bounce then land on the carpet and stop. He was quite amazed by this and played for about twenty minutes doing this. I love this kid and the simpleness of his play.

MACEY
is four. Need I say more! She is still our energizer bunny, that never seems to stop. I try to keep up but then after ten minutes, I'm ready for a break. Miss Angie is her preschool teacher, and she loves it. Every day she ask if she can go to school, if only she could keep this excitement for the next 13+ years! Avery is in her class which makes it all the more fun. Macey loves her little brother and still refers to him as "son", she packs him around, dotes on him, smothers him in kisses, pushes him in the stroller, tries to feed him, and most of the time he has a big smile on his face and loves the attention. I love their little relationship, and bond that they have together. The other day my Mom treated Macey and her parents to Bolt while she watched Caleb. It was fun to have just "Macey Time". On the way home Macey was talking to us, and it made me realize how big and grown up she is getting, and while on a daily basis we still have debates and the trying to reason with a four year old (I rarely win), I realized that I need to soak up all of that girl I can, I love every bit of her, and I don't want to miss out on one little important thing she has to say!

Baby Legs

I love my babies little Baby Legs! There awesome, couldn't survive without them (ok maybe I could). No more skinned knees, trying to wrestle getting pants on and off during diaper changes. Caleb wears these about every day, he even sports a cute pink pair every now and then! If you're the last to know about a great product like myself and don't already have a pair of these for your baby, then get a pair. You won't regret it, promise! They are super easy to make and you can watch a tutorial here. Or if your super lazy and have 0 talent then buy a pair here! I have a feeling that Santa is going to stuff Caleb's stocking with these!

Stars

I think that these stars are really cute and have made several as you can see! My house is star'd out, but that's ok, she says that one can not have too many stars in their home! I'm loving Modge Podge lately, and am realizing the endless possibilities of it! Our ward made these for our Make-it Take-it and were a big hit.

Peace...

Thank you to the nap fairy for bringing complete, uninterupted peace to our home today! I really don't think that there's anything sweeter than the sight of kids sleeping. I've thought about taking a nap too, but then I decided to get caught up on some bloggin, did a load of laundry, made my bed, picked up the everyday this-and-that's around the house, ate lunch (not just a candy bar and coke!), and now I think I'll go and find some recipes to send to Aunt Janae that she's been requesting for about 6 months now! Come to think of it I'm kinda tired maybe a nap instead!!


I have to make quick mention of my new and cute bench that my father-in-law made. I like to think that he made it just for me, but I think the actual fact of it is that it was just sitting there and my sweet husband snatched it up for me! Now instead of sitting on the stairs to put shoes on we can sit on our too cute bench! I Love It!

8 Months

My little guy is 8 months today and changing each day. He's definitely a true boy; he loves his ball and I think that he'd be pretty happy if I gave him a steak and some potatoes, even if he had to gum it for a couple hours. Here's 8 things about you "Calem:" 1. You're crawling and have been for a good month, most the time you just want to be down crawling, checking things out 2. Your first words were ba for ball and bababa for bottle, and just yesterday you started saying mamama 3. You're starting to hold onto objects and stand up 4. You love to play Pat-a-Cake
5. You'll only let mom put you to bed 6. You sleep best when cuddled up next to someone (mainly me:)) 7. You're still so easy going and so happy, everyone always says that their going to steal you, and I can't blame them for wanting to! 8. Macey is usually the one who gets the biggest smiles from you.