Jump In The Drink

Potty Training

2012-01-10T14:15:00.004-07:00

Week One down for potty training Tannen. And what an eventful week it has been. I really don't like potty training, but I really don't know who does. We started on the third. I had quite a time trying to convince him that we were all done with diapers. But finally he was put into the underwear and was fine with it. The first day was about half the time getting it on the toilet and half the time missing. It has stayed about the same the whole week. But now he really knows when he needs to go. We have yet been able to get him to do a #2 on the pot. Usually I try and take him every hour, and he is able to squeeze out something to make me satisfied.

But today was almost comical. He just peed his pants and after he does that I take him into the bathroom to see if he needs to go anymore. Well I sat him on the toilet (his preferred way of going) and told him he needed to pee on the toilet. So he gave me a small tinkle. Then he gave me three more tinkles (really they need to be called tinkles because they were so small). Then he decided to stand up and turned around and lifted the toilet seat, and said something about daddy. I decided to start count how many times he would pee. I reached 10 and was amazed at how many times he could pee/tinkle. Especially since he just peed his pants. Then we hit 20 times he would tinkle in the toilet and was astounded that he carried that much pee in him, and kept asking him if he had anymore pee in him. We finally hit 28 times and he had decided he was all peed out!! 28 times can you believe it?? He washed his hands and I told him to get some new underwear. He told me that he peed on the floor in his room. And then when I was chasing him down to get said underwear on he said he peed on the floor in the front room. (Yes he really did tinkle a little on the floor.) I finally got his underwear on and he said he peed again in his underwear. I could see a small damp spot on it. And in the time it as taken me to type this he went on our deck and peed there as well.

If you're counting that would be 32 times!! I'm afraid we just aren't going to run out of pee anytime soon.

Landon Turns 9!

2012-01-04T15:23:00.006-07:00

We get done celebrating New Years and Landon's birthday always sneaks up on us. Since Marcus had the day off, Landon was able to open his presents in the morning. He got some scouting stuff to move up into Bears, and he got a new bike.

Landon ready to go

Cars Wii game from gma and gpa

I really just love looking at his expressions when he opens a present

Bear book for scouts

Very happy about his scouting stuff

This present has a note from us to pick out a new bike. We got it on video, it was great watching him.

We were able to take him shopping and get a new bike that is green and gray. He was really excited about it. It has been sunny so he has been able to ride it every day. When we got home from getting his bike the kids and Marcus got to Skype Grandma and Grandpa Simons for his birthday while I made his birthday cake. A chocolate one of course because he is my child. For dinner he requested chicken and broccoli dinner with sparkling cider. It was pretty low key day. He rode his bike and played his new Cars game on the Wii.

Landon's chocolate cake

That night he was ready to start working on his Bear.

Happy birthday to my clever, high strung, smart, book lover, challenging, perfectionist Landon. We love you!

Kylie Turns 7!!

2012-01-04T14:47:00.007-07:00

Kylie had been bugging me since Thanksgiving to go to Grandma's house. She has always been a grandma's girl with both of her Grandma's. So I talked Marcus into taking Thursday and Friday off and going up to Grandma's house. We packed up Thursday morning. Kylie got to talk to her Grandma and Grandpa Simons who are serving a mission in Poland. I made Potato soup and bread for dinner. We played games opened presents and ate cake. She got to play with her cousins all day, so I think she had a fabulous day.

After playing chubby bunny at her cousin Karlie's party, Kylie wanted to play for hers.

Ben and Naomi. Such a funny and yet gross game!

Lined up to play Chubby Bunny

We had an obstical course where you spin three times, run, lift a weight, run and pop a balloon, and run back to your team.

Kylie wanted a vanilla cake and icing for her birthday. My mom mentioned a cream cake with pinocch frosting. It sounded great to Kylie, so Grandma Vernae made her one, colored green per Kylie's request.

And blow

Ready for a piece?

Kylie got the first one

I think she liked it!

And so did her cousins.

Happy Birthday my beautiful, kind, helpful, snugly Kylie bug. I can't believe you are 7 now!

Chirstmas 2011

2012-01-04T13:52:00.002-07:00

We displayed all of our presents up on our shelves so the kids could look at the presents and know they had them but not touch them or open them. We have always had to hide the presents and just pull them out at night right before bed so they wouldn't get into them. Right before bed we read the Christmas story out of the Bible. I really loved it because I have been so wrapped up about telling the kids that we celebrate Christmas and give gifts because Jesus gave us the greatest gift so we could live with Heavenly Father and him again. I really forgot about Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem and the Shepherd, and wise men. It was such a good reminder, and I am glad we do it every year.

Tannen and Landon were very happy to help out

Christmas morning just dying to open presents!!

We had a very fun Christmas this year. Church started at 8:30 that morning so we didn't have the kids open any presents until after Church got over. We came home and some of us just put our pajamas back on for the day. What is Christmas if you don't get to hang out in your PJ's all day? This year I went with the theme for my kids "Something you Want, something you Need, something to Wear and something to Read." It ended up working out really great and I like how balanced it felt. Not too much toys but a little of everything. Santa filled their stockings and brought candy too. The kids had a great day. Landon and Kylie got some Wii games that they played with. And Tannen got a little computer that he dragged around with him all day long.

Stockings from Santa - they stayed upstairs so the kids couldn't see them before church.

I love looking at the face expressions

Our Tree all ready to go

Kylie got a Webkins - just what she asked for.

Tannen had a great time eating all his candy

Coming downstairs to open presents

Kylie got a new coat

Landon got HP activity books from Aria

Little miss opening a present. Tannen is waiting so patiently for his turn on my lap.

Aria got a dress from Tannen

Tannen opening a present - I love Landon's expression.

Landon opening his sled from Gma and Gpa, and Aria swiped the frog Kylie got Tannen.

Kylie, Tannen, and Aria opening their sleds from Gma and Gpa.

Must have been a good present

Aria got boots, gloves and a hat (everyone did too) as they went perfectly with the sleds they got.

Tannen testing it out.

The after math - can you see my new pots and pans I got for Christmas??

I love looking at the happy chaos and mess from Christmas. Check out Marcus' new boots!

The kids loved it. The Want was Wii games, computer, and Little people castle. The Need was boots and gloves. The Wear was new coats, except Tannen he got footy jammies. The Read was books - of course. We also found an air hockey table for the kids. Landon and Kylie took the sleds out twice to our little park by our house. They took Tannen out once with them. They are still so excited about it, and are waiting for a big hill to get lots of snow so we can all go out as a family. For dinner Marcus and I cooked Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya that was heavenly and so healthy too. We had a happy and merry Christmas.

On the Twenty Fourth Day of Christmas

2012-01-04T13:50:00.001-07:00

On the Twenty Fourth Day of Christmas my mother had us read

The Christmas Story in the Bible

On the Twenty Third Day of Christmas

2012-01-04T13:49:00.002-07:00

On the Twenty Third Day of Christmas my mother gave to us

A Special Lunch date as a family to the Noodle Co. and Coldstone.

On the Twenty Second Day of Christmas

2012-01-04T13:48:00.001-07:00

On the Twenty Second Day of Christmas my mother had me run

The gifts to our neighbors,

On the Twenty First Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:36:00.001-07:00

On the Twenty First Day of Christmas my mother gave to us

A Christmas School Party

On the Twentieth Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:34:00.003-07:00

On the Twentieth day of Christmas my mother had us open

A book to read with mom

On the Nineteenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:32:00.001-07:00

On the Nineteenth Day of Christmas my mother had me do

A special service to each person in the Family

On the Eighteenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:31:00.002-07:00

On the Eighteenth Day of Christmas my mother had us drive

And look at Christmas lights in our pajamas

On the Seventeenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:29:00.001-07:00

On the Seventeenth day of Christmas my mother had me go

Get ready for my school teacher's present

On the Sixteenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-21T17:23:00.002-07:00

On the Sixteenth Day of Christmas my mother had me make

Homemade Fudge (mmmmm)

On the Fifteenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-15T16:45:00.003-07:00

On the Fifteenth Day of Christmas my Mother had me create

Christmas Trees

On the Fourteenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-15T16:44:00.001-07:00

On the fourteenth day of Christmas my mother had me sing

Christmas Carols

On the Thirteen Day of Christmas

2011-12-15T16:41:00.004-07:00

On the Thirteen day of Christmas my mother had me drink

Another cup of Hot Cocco

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

2011-12-13T13:49:00.003-07:00

On the Twelfth day of Christmas my mother had me build

A SNOWMAN

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

2011-12-13T13:44:00.002-07:00

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my mother had me do

Decorate Cookies

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:42:00.001-07:00

On the Tenth Day of Christmas our Mother had us help

Make cookies

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:41:00.001-07:00

On the Ninth Day of Christmas our mother let us go

To the Ward Christmas Party

On the Eight Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:39:00.003-07:00

On the Eight Day of Christmas our Mother had us write

A letter to Santa

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:36:00.002-07:00

On the Seventh Day of Christmas our mother let us drink

A cup of Hot Cocco

On the Sixth Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:35:00.002-07:00

On the Sixth Day of Christmas our mother gave to us

A Present

On the 5th Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:31:00.001-07:00

On the 5th day of Christmas our mother had us do

Wrap a present

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:28:00.002-07:00

On the Fourth day of Christmas our mother let us do

Watch a Christmas Movie

On the Third Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:25:00.002-07:00

On the Third Day of Christmas our mother had us make

Christmas Candy - Kylie choose Yule Logs

On the Second Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:23:00.002-07:00

On the Second day of Christmas our parents gave to us

A pizza party with our cousin Corynn babysitting us.
(We had Marcus' work party that night)

On the First Day of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:20:00.002-07:00

On the first day of Christmas my mother had me make

Snowflakes!

24 Days of Christmas

2011-12-11T11:06:00.005-07:00

I am getting really addicted to Pinterest. It is a wonderful site pulling ideas off everywhere on the web. I love it. I have gotten some really great ideas, and recipes. I found one that had a Christmas advent calender. Instead of treats everyday she had a fun activity to do for her daughter. But since I am lazy and don't have tons of time for crafting I decided to just let my kids make a count down chain till Christmas and every link that they take off there is an activity for the day. I am trying to make really easy ones on the days they have school. But so far they have loved it. Here is where we are today.

This is Landon's chain hung down the hall

And this is Kylie's chain hung down the hall.

Lots of Random Photos

2011-12-11T10:24:00.006-07:00

Very Loose Tooth

Shoulder Rides

Don't worry the tooth came out. She pulled it out herself.

Dancing

Crazy Dancing

Dinner - the most awesome Chicken Enchilada Tortilla Soup.

Brother and sister

Still vacuming

She seems to have a mohawk a lot. I think they are leftover pony tails

Cousins

And he is just so cute!!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-11T09:59:00.004-07:00

I don't have pictures from Thanksgiving but aren't these leaves just beautiful for Fall?

This year Thanksgiving was fun - except we didn't eat any turkey on Thanksgiving. It is the Simons turn and Marcus' parents are on a mission in Poland. Hollie decided to host this year, and since Robert had to work on Thanksgiving we had it on Friday. No new story on the Simons side. We have had it on Friday more than on Thanksgiving. Marcus ended up not feeling great that week. We were hoping to stay a couple of days and do some playing. In hosting, Hollie asked everyone to bring their favorite food except me, I was in charge of the rolls requested by Kara and Kimberly. On Thanksgiving day Marcus and I and the kids just hung out and didn't do much at all. It was actually really fun. I made my rolls - they turned out very nice. And then I decided to make pork and steak fajitas with leftover meat. They were A-MAZING!! I told Marcus it made me want to make out with my food. They didn't need cheese. Just a little sour cream. As a side note Marcus and I usually eat the same amount of food. He isn't a big eater, and I can if I want, eat an insane amount of food. But I ate two fajitas, and Marcus ate THREE!! I couldn't believe it. He told me he was making out with his food.

I decided to try out the Black Friday shopping. I stayed up till 10 and went to Walmart. The parking lot was packed. I had to park in a whole different store parking lot that was a block away. I was in and out so fast. I was to my car by 10:20. I made some awesome buys too. I decided to try the video games first, because that was what I really wanted and I figured they would be gone. And I was right. It was a mad house by the games. I got two, and then I hurried to the toys. There wasn't anymore elbowing at the toys, so I was able to just walk around and grab what I wanted and I got everything on my list. Then Friday morning I woke up and hit a couple of other stores, but just at 9:00. There wasn't anything enticing enough that I thought wouldn't be there later in the morning.

Then Marcus and I packed up the kids and headed on over to Hollie's. We had a great time. The food was fabulous and the kids were good. It was so nice just to relax and eat and let the kids play and eat some more. We got to skype with Marilyn and Floyd. And as a side note. Since everyone brought there favorite foods, there wasn't a green vegetable or carrot to be seen.

Halloween

2011-12-11T09:42:00.006-07:00

Trying for a nice picture

But really this is how it is

Aren't they so cute!

My lady bug was able to eat a ton of candy

My cowboy loves candy

I don't know why the kids' faces seem dirty from this shot.

Candy really does make you fly!!

Buzz Lightyear eating candy

Spider Fairy - her face wasn't dirty but it had a ton of sparkles all over it

Cowboy

Well I have a moment, and I thought I would try and update. I finally found the Halloween pictures. The kids had a great time. A couple of days before we had a neighborhood Halloween party at our house outside, and in our garage. There was fun games for the kids - a treasure hunt using our little pumpkins with the clues written on them and glow sticks at the end for the treasure. They came in handy after it got dark. We had a cupcake walk, and a candy corn ring toss. There was lots of great snacks. It was cold, but one of our neighbors brought over a HUGE propane heater and set it up in our garage. So we all stayed warm. There was pumpkin carving, but most adults wanted to visit and most kids wanted to run around and play. I put it together with my neighbor Donna, and everyone had a great time.

On Halloween Landon dressed up as a Cowboy, Kylie as a Spider Fairy, Tannen and Buzz Lightyear, and Aria as a Ladybug. They were so cute. We took them around the neighborhood, and they got to knock on doors. Then we came home and had our Papa Murphy's pumpkin pizza, pop, and candy. Then we went upstairs and watched some Halloween Cartoons.

Birthday, Anniversary, and Fall Harvest

2011-10-23T14:44:00.003-06:00

So a couple of weeks ago I had my birthday. I turned 31! Young - Old who knows. All I know is I had no problem turning 30 last year, but then for the rest of the year it hit me that I wasn't getting any younger. I am still young but realized that I really am going to age and hit middle age and old age someday. I think when you are a kid it takes so long to grow up you wonder if you really are and that is how I feel about growing older too.

Aside from that string of random thoughts I got to go up to my Grandparents house in Mackey for my birthday. It was so great. They have only seen Aria once over Easter, and it was good to see them again. I hadn't been up to their house for a couple of years. Justin came up, Candice lives there, and Rochelle came up with her family for the day too. Of course my parents came. It was a great time. I loved watching and hearing my kids do the things that I used to do when I would visit my Grandparents Ranch. There was hay jumping, horse riding, kitten hunting, bbqing, treats - always lots of treats, and unlimited cousin playing. Justin thought we should always go up that weekend every year - and I think it sounds like a great idea too. Plus you can't beat that my Grandpa's birthday is the day before mine and my mom always makes me a treat - I always seem to request Mississippi Mud too.

Exactly two weeks after my birthday is my Anniversary. We celebrated 11 years this year!!! Go us. I was able to get my niece up here and babysit my kids. Marcus and I were able to go out to eat and then do some shopping. It was so much fun. She said that the kids were great. And they were so excited to have their cousin come over and play with them. Now I just need to figure out how to get another date soon.

At the beginning of the growing season we just bought our house. So we didn't have much time to plant anything in our garden. I was given 8 tomato plants so I thought I better do salsa. I got some pepper plants and onions. Then because they are easy and I was low on time we got three different pumpkins and planted those. Now it is harvest time and boy have we harvested and worked hard. We ended up with a ginormous pumpkin patch. The kids were so excited. I had 4 huge pumpkins that the seed could have gotten up to 100lbs. They didn't but were big. Then we got 25 jack o lantern sized pumpkins and grow well over 100 small mini pumpkins for decoration. I picked one of the medium size pumpkins and baked it and made pumpkin butter, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin bread and even froze extra pumpkin. Then since we had so many we set up a table and had the kids sell pumpkins. We sold the huge ones for $2 the regular ones for $1 and the mini's for $.50. I told the kids that they could use the money for Christmas presents and if there was any left they could just split it. They earned $34!! I was very impressed. We still have over 100 mini ones left though.

Then I have had tons of tomatoes and have done several batches of salsa. I have made over 80 pints of salsa. I made 28 pints of spaghetti sauce (and need to do another batch). We had so many tomatoes that last week we decided to pick all the red/orange ones, all the white ones, and even tons of the green ones. We picked so many we filled up our entire wheel barrel full of tomatoes. I even heard if you hang a plant upside down in a cool place that the tomatoes will turn red well. So we even have a plant hanging in our garage. We still have green tomatoes out in the garden. And tomatoes strung across my shelves in the kitchen.

Just this last week I have been doing gobs of canning. I bought 60 lbs of grapes down in Brigham City and made 10 gallons of grape juice and grape cocktail. 7 Cups of grape jelly, 11 pints of applesauce, 44 pints of salsa, about 8 dozen chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and 4 gallons of potato soup that I freeze. It has been tons of work, but I love looking at the bottles and seeing all my hard work. Fall really is my favorite season, and you can see why.

Just the Two of Us

2011-10-23T14:35:00.003-06:00

Sometimes when it is just you two you must find something to entertain yourselves with. So you sit here and I will push you around.

We have gotten into a great routine around here. Tannen and Aria have really started playing together. I still get a lot of Tannen sitting on Aria too, but maybe I always will. Somedays they seem to get tired of it, and Tannen doesn't know what to do. But then school gets out and if we are lucky Kylie will take him in her room, or upstairs and play with him until bed time. I love days like that. Especially since Tannen has really gotten more naughty since he doesn't have bigger playmates for most of the day.

Meet My Newest Niece

2011-10-23T14:21:00.003-06:00

Here is Jayna Faith and the rag flannel blanket I made for her. Aren't they both adorable!!

And the little burp cloth I made to go with it.

Hollie got to FINALLY adopt her little girl that she had been waiting FOREVER to get. It was an emotional journey for her. And I enjoyed following along with the parts that she shared with me. Jayna came along in August and about two weeks later I got to meet her over Labor Day. She was so teeny tiney!! Of course the Aunties stole her and we let our inner Anne Geddes free. Jayna is adorable. We tried putting her in a bowl and taking pictures. But the bowl was too big because we could fit a pillow, and the blanket I made for her. So we were on the hunt and got the bowl my sister in law keeps her keys in. It was perfect. We fit her little 6 lbs (she started out 5lbs 5 oz) into the bowl.

School Starts

2011-10-23T14:06:00.002-06:00

Landon and Kylie all ready for their first day of school. And Tannen really wanted to be with them too.

Landon starts 3rd Grade

Kylie starts 1st Grade. Someday Tannen will go too - but not too soon

All ready - lets go already

Landon and Kylie started a new school since we moved this summer. They were nervous about it. But we were able to tour the school the day before and check everything out, and even meet their teachers. Then that evening they had back to school night and we did it again. Kylie got to have lunch at school and was so excited. We walked the mile to school and when I picked them up they chatted and talked so much they kept telling each other that it was their turn to talk.

I have been very impressed with the new school. I really do think it matters where you live. We only looked at houses that the school had high ratings on. This is a new school it is only their second year, but we checked out the schools around and where the neighborhood used to go and they all checked out high. When I dropped the kids off 5 minutes early just about all the students were already in their class and the halls were empty. That would have never happened at our old school even on the first day. Go Heritage Huskies. And so far two months later into the school year the kids have been doing fabulous.

Aria's 1

2011-10-23T13:46:00.005-06:00

I haven't blogged for awhile, so I thought I would steal away some time and get updated on the main events that have happened since August. The main event was Aria's Birthday! She turned one and we finally have a summer birthday to celebrate. We were all so delighted about it that we went swimming for the day. We went to the aquatic center and the kids had a blast. I even got Landon to jump of the diving board. After we went swimming we took the kids to eat at the Center Street Grill. Then it was getting late so we actually ended up just going home and putting the kids to bed. The next day was Saturday so we woke up and did presents with Aria. She had a great time opening, and had lots of helpers too. Then we had cake. In someways I couldn't believe that a year had past. And yet it was a very difficult year having a baby when my other baby was only 18 months old. I was excited to reach the milestone and tell myself that I did it, and looking back things did get easier. We love you our beautiful little YaYa.

Getting ready to open presents

Her presents really are bigger than her.

A very fun sorting ladybug that sings. All the kids enjoyed playing with it. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Can't be a girl and turn one without a doll

And it is a good doll

She got a ladybug, a pink ball, a sorting ball, and a doll for her First Birthday!!

Pink Raspberry Chocolate Cake

Mmmm

She loves her new toys.

Drama for the YEAR or DECADE

2011-08-24T16:51:00.007-06:00

This was the drama of the year. The sad this is the Saturday before Tannen sliced his finger with a knife while I was in the shower, and Marcus was gone. There was lots of blood and freaking out from Kylie and me. Thankfully Tiffani ran over and glued him back together, and his finger still is healing up all right. But that isn't even the big story.

I did email my family after it happened and this is the email I sent.

Hi all I thought I would inform you all of yesterday (August 4th) events over here. In the morning around 11:00 I was hanging out on the computer and the kids were behind me in my Family room hanging out. Tannen was playing by the window, and it was open. All of a sudden I got up and asked Landon where Tannen went because I couldn't see him. He said that he fell out the window. My heart jumped and I screamed and ran out the back door and he was laying down and had fallen about 7 feet and landed on the window well ledge and wasn't crying. I ran and picked him up and checked his stomach and he wasn't cut or anything but he finally started crying. He must have had the wind knocked out of him. I grabbed my phone and call the pediatrician and they told me to go to the ER because he could have internal bleeding. Marcus was in Kaysville for the day in meetings. I asked Landon what had happened and he said he was sitting on the ledge and the screen fell out and he fell down. I saw my backyard neighbor spraying her lawn and ran out and told her what happened and asked her to watch the three other kids. She took them and told me to just leave and that she would take care of them.

I jumped in the car and tried calling Marcus but he didn't answer, so I texted him 911 and he call right away. That is when I lost it and burst into tears. I told him what happened and said the kids were taken care of and I didn't know if he should come or not but I was going right up to the ER. He said he would leave right then and come. I swear that was the longest 20 minutes of my life. It seemed the traffic was going so slow and none of the lights cooperated for me. And Tannen sobbed the entire time. We finally got there. The lady at the desk was on the phone so I got my insurance card out and set it down. She asked why I was there, and I told her then she asked for a nurse right away. They were all busy so the Dr. came right up and told me all the nurses were busy so we would just have to settle for a Doctor. As he was walking me back a nurse came. I asked if I could request Tiffani (my sister who is an ER nurse) as my nurse and they told me she was off for the day. But after finding out she was my sister they kept telling me how much they loved her and saying they would take really good care of us so Tiff wouldn't beat them up.

We were in the room and they looked at him. He got a robe and a movie Finding Nemo. The Dr. talked to the radiologist and decided to do a chest x-ray and a CT scan to make sure he didn't have any internal bleeding. They called it a minor trama and went through the routine work of giving him an IV, taking blood samples and such. He got some oral tylenol too. I called Marcus to let him know what was going on, and he had called a few times trying to see if I made it and what they were going to do. They took a chest x-ray on him and he sat so good for them. He's blood work came back and they said that everything looked really good. Then they drugged him up to make him really relaxed so he would hold still for his CT scan. That was when he finally stopped crying. I got to go in and hold his hands and there was a computer right by me so I could see the scans as they did them. It was pretty neat. They did a front scan of his abdomen, and then put some contrast through his IV and did cross sections of his abdomen. They wheeled us back to the room and Marcus was waiting.

I guess between the crying and the story Marcus thought Landon had fallen out of the window and thought it was upstairs in our bonus room, except there isn't a window well under that window. Tannen wanted Marcus so Marcus came over. I called Rochelle and told her what had happened because we were planning a cousin swap that day. I tried calling Tiffani but she didn't pick up (she was taking a test). Then Carol called me because it was there year anniversary and was wondering if we could watch the kids. I told her we were in the ER with Tannen and if everything checked out good I was fine watching her kids. She felt really bad and told me that after hear that she felt like she needed to be watching my kids. Marcus and I were waiting for the results of the CT scan. Tannen was groggy and kept nodding on and off on my lap. Finally the Dr. came in and told me that everything looked good. He has bruising on his abdominal muscles but no bleeding and there was no more damage any deeper in the tissues and organs. They told me just to alternate between Tylenol and Motrin the next two days, and to just have him take it easy. He had fallen asleep on me and they wanted to wait and see if he would wake up and come out of the medicine they gave him.

So we hung out for a little while. I called Rochelle back and told her everything was good and that we could still do our cousin swap. And that if Naomi was here I would be able to baby Tannen more. She told me she had called mom, so I called her back to let her know everything was good too. Then Tiffani called me and said that the Dr. had called her and told her she need to call me. He had told her what had happened. She had just finished her test and offered to come up and see us. I also call Carol back and told her that everything was great and that we could watch the kids for them. Tannen was woken up and came out of it. Tiffani came up and got him a popsicle that he loved. She helped us check out and we headed home. Marcus got more medicine and I went home and got the kids. Tannen was very clingy all day long and wanted to have either Marcus or I hold him. Marcus also went out to the store with Aria and got four packs of clips for the windows so they would only open so far. They actually ended up being too small, but I am sure we will find the right size. He also got a cover for our sump pump that will bolt to the floor so we won't worry about that either.

We are doing good today. Tannen slept all through the night. I thought he would wake up being sore. He has bruising on the side of his face and on his right arm and hip. But the bruises are already fading today. We are doing well. Marcus took the rest of the day off yesterday and should only work half a day today. I swear we have guardian angels watching over us and taking care of our kids. I think they must be really busy looking out for them.

Here is his fall

The day after Marcus took the too small latches and bought these. They were great.

After all the bruises showed up we really think he landed on his side and rolled on his stomach before I saw him. Because the bruises ran from his temple on the side of his head all the way down to his hip. Poor baby, he was cranky and weepy for a few days, but now all the bruises are gone and he is fine. I have to admit Marcus went out of town last week, and between the knife and slicing his finger and falling out the window I was really scared to be home all by myself. But we escaped without incident.

A little of Summer

2011-08-24T16:38:00.003-06:00

Here are some of the more random stuff that we have done this summer. Some of the more detailed ones I will give separate posts for. We had lots of cousin swaps. We were able to send Landon to Joshua's house. And Aubrey got to visit us. We had a great time. Another weekend we got Naomi and Gabby, and sent Landon with Ben. And just last week we sent Kylie to Karlie's house and I got to have just three kids. Earlier I was able to have Alyssa come over and spend the night too. I hope the kids loved spending time where their cousins, I enjoyed having them spend time here.

Naomi, Gabby, and Kylie. We had the JUB summer party and they had face painting.

Tannen, Kylie, Aria, and Aubrey sidewalk chalking. What is summer without sidewalk chalk?

Ahh the lazy days of summer. Aria fell asleep in her high chair.

What was left of the chili Aria had for lunch.

Cooking

2011-07-29T18:40:00.003-06:00

I guess I was feeling ambitious today. I made 24 cups of homemade Raspberry freezer jam, 12 loaves of homemade bread (8 wheat 4 white), 27 banana muffins (hey the bananas were going and the oven was already on, and I was planning of freezing them and letting the kids have them for breakfast for school), and about 7 quarts of homemade cheesy potato soup that will also freeze. I will have run 3 loads of dishes, and spent 8 hours in the kitchen. Thank goodness for naps, movies, and Friday because Marcus came home a couple of hours earlier today. My house is trashed but that is okay, my freezer will be full. Today I have my niece over and I swapped out Landon. It has been lots of fun for Kylie. I think it ends up being just as busy but there isn't the fighting that I usually have. Yay for cousins and a day of cooking. I think I will snuggle my littlest and put my feet up.

Buck Family Camp Out 2011

2011-07-24T12:13:00.006-06:00

We had a great camp out this year. We just came up for the day on Friday - so we had day camp. We were able to make it up for breakfast and stay until dark. The kids has such a great time. There was unlimited fun, dirt, sticks, rocks, talking, playing, four wheeling, great food, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I loved it and it was worth all the dirt my kids seemed to bring home. We are excited for next year - but I can't guarantee that we will brave up and spend the night.

Dirt Dirt and more dirt - with some fun.

Aria had a great time in the dirt. I pretty much didn't even try to take the sticks and rocks away from her. So she had more that just great pancakes, and cookies.

The face says it all.

I just don't think I could come up unless I knew Naomi was going to be there. She is the best babysitter, and would trail Tannen, or hold Aria for me.

Boys going for a ride. Tannen LOVED it!!

Having a great time.

Still sweet as can be with her dirty hands and face.

Never get enough of the cousins

I took Aria on a ride, and she had such crappy naps that day she fell asleep.

Miss Aleah we love you

Marcus told her to do something fun

I can't get enough of my lady bug

Glued to Naomi and the four wheeler

I think he sat on here for about a half an hour. And then Marcus took him for a ride, and the key was put in the ignition, and Marcus grabbed a helmet and Tannen turned the key, pushed the button and it started right up for him. That's just how I make them- smart and loves wheels and motors.

Aunt Sara at the bonfire with the cousins.

I must have been saying something interesting.

Landon with Benjamin - they played with his BB gun pistol, and had lots of fun.

Slip and Slid

2011-07-14T16:16:00.001-06:00

I love how happy Aria is

Everyone must help

I pulled out the Slip and Slid for the kids yesterday. It was a really long day, because Marcus ended up working 16 hours, and I knew I had to do something in the evening. The kids had a great time playing, and it was the first time getting Aria into a swimming suit. Of course I find her adorable as always. Landon wanted to play on the playstation first, and then came out. But Aria was cold and came in so I didn't get any pictures of him. We had a pizza party and I made peanut butter candy after.

Aria is 11 Months Old

2011-07-14T15:59:00.005-06:00

I can't believe my baby is 11 months old. The time has flown by!! She is a jabbery little bug. She loves to giggle, climb up and down the stairs, and she does a good job of it too. She is getting good on eating solids. She claps her hands, and loves it when I sing"Insy Weensy Spider" "Popcorn Popping" "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Patty Cake" or any hand motion song. She has been sleeping FINALLY thru the night, and occasionally still wakes up once. I love you R-ya-ya or Ya-ya (as Tannen calls her). So here are some pictures of my adorable little baby.

She loves that doll and carries her around upside down, and suck on her feet when needed.

She can still pull faces and be cute - I love her little tongue.

I swear she is going to be into yoga when she is older. I am always finding her in this position. Usually her forehead on the ground too.

Of course sucking on a rock. I can not keep her out of them.

A Little bird told me....

2011-07-14T15:55:00.001-06:00

We have had two swallows move in on our light by the garage door. I noticed it one day thinking they built that nest really fast. It is pretty fun so see them fly by a lot. Only they don't like it as much when we are around. Hopefully they will lay their eggs and we will hear little baby birds. The kids think it is pretty cool.

Thief

2011-07-14T15:27:00.002-06:00

This is not the work of a 10 month old, 2 year old, or 6 year old. This is the deliberate work of my 8 year old. He has been stealing my books forever, and has struck again hiding my books under his bed.

Children

2011-07-07T23:55:00.005-06:00

This is really just random thoughts that I have been carrying around with me for the last year or so.

Sometimes I wonder if I am odd or weird. So many people I have talked to really seem interested in foster care when their kids get a little older. I have know a few people who have done it and it sounds so hard. I think they are some of the most wonderful people I know and anyone who would bring children, not theirs, into their home is one of the most selfless things a person could ever do. I just don't think I could. I really have no desire, and figure I have a hard enough time keeping up with my own kids I just could never bring myself to do it. Which leaves me to wonder if I something is wrong with me.

It also seems to be at odds with the HUGE mothering instinct I have for children. Especially kids who need a mom or some extra love. I have puzzled over what I could do instead of actually bringing more children into my family. I remember after Katrina hit and there was so many displaced people that I called a number to see if there was anything I could do to help. If I could give someone a place to sleep and food to eat for a week or so. But if I remember correctly I think they wanted a longer time period, or we were just poor college students and didn't have the room in our small house. I also did have my friends husband live with us for a couple of months in the winter before the family moved over so he wouldn't be living out of his car. So there seems to be a strong desire to mother and help and take care of those that may need it.

I have come to the conclusion that I may not have the patients or the desire to have any more kids of my own let alone someone else's, but my kids seem to make friends with children that seem to need a little extra love. So my goal is to be kind and smile and complement the kids that come through my yard or door. And just hope that it is enough for now. I have found that even the kid that seem annoying or a trouble maker are sometimes the ones that really could use a smile and a kind word. Sometimes they just seemed craved for attention and love. And when you get to know them they don't seem quite as annoying, or you understand some of the trouble they cause. I have seen that when I am nice to them they seem more drawn to me and to my kids, and I am okay with that. I don't have a problem setting up boundaries, and rules. I don't mind sharing a little of my love to them either. We had a friend last year who wanted to come over and play on Christmas day. I told her it was going to be a family day, but I wondered if she was just so excited for Christmas, or if she was craving something different. Marcus also seems to fix up bikes and tires for friends too. I also don't think that every child that passes through needs some love, but it never hurts right?

In A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Sara a very rich little girl tells Becky a poor serving girl:

"Why," she said, "we are just the same-I am only a little girl like you. It's just an accident that I am not you, and you are not me!"

And that is how I feel about children in different situations. We are all just the same and God loves us all that same as well. So why should I pick and choose just to love the easiest of kids, and not all of them that seem to pop into our lives.

Must be Sisters

2011-07-06T16:08:00.000-06:00

Kylie 2005 - Boise, ID

And six years later

Aria 2011 - NY, NY

Fourth of July Weekend

2011-07-06T11:10:00.003-06:00

There was some of this - notice Landon with the BB gun

Lots of craziness

Of course Fireworks

And lots of cousins too

We had a great fourth of July Weekend this year. We started off playing in McCammon and got to go four wheeling all day long. We got to borrow my dad's four wheeling - which was totally awesome. Matthew brought his and Travis has a dirt bike. They got to go on a few runs, and the girls got to go on a couple of runs, and the kids all got rides too. It was awesome. We had great BBQ and company. We came back late Saturday night, and made it to church on Sunday. We mainly hung out. Then on the Fourth we did some yard work and relaxed. Then that evening we had a BBQ at Tiffani's house. The kids had a great time and the food was awesome of course. Tiff made strawberry milkshakes from her strawberries. They were so good! She had to study and had already studied all day. So we headed home around 9:00 and put Tannen and Aria down. Then we let Landon and Kylie stay up late and do fireworks. It was a wonderful weekend that I wasn't ready to see end. Happy Birthday America - we love you!!

Smile

2011-06-22T15:09:00.003-06:00

Aria finally cut a tooth!!! So I seriously never had a baby wait so long to get a tooth. Landon and Kylie both got their first tooth when they were 6 months. Tannen was 8 months. Aria is now 10 months. She had been walking for a good month before she even got her first tooth. Silly girl. I started wondering if she got skipped over with teeth, and that maybe she would never end up with any teeth. I knew she would get a tooth, but if I am honest those thoughts did cross my brain. So yay for Aria and her first tooth - it cut through yesterday the 21st. I would love to get a picture of it but she barely lets us look in her mouth. I haven't even seen it, but just felt it with my finger checking up on her gums.

Thank You Letters

2011-05-23T14:01:00.002-06:00

So I had the kids write thank you letters to their teachers last week for the end of the school year. Kylie wrote one that expressed lots of love and thank yous. Very much to her personality and then drew a picture of her and Mrs. Broadbent. Landon very much wanted to type his. I also had to explain to him in depth why he had to hand write his signature above his typed name, and not just type it when you have a typed letter. In school his teacher has been trying to teach them to be descriptive. So his letter included that as well. I love looking into his eight year old head. This is what he wrote - font and everything. It brings a smile to my face.

Dear Mrs. Wright,

Thank you for teaching me wonderful things. You have taught math nicely. Your brain has taught reading smoothly. You have taught science really good. You are a good teacher.

From Landon

Growing Up

2011-05-19T10:21:00.002-06:00

Tannen has been taking off his diaper and peeing on the floor. It is driving me nuts, and I am not sure if I should try and potty train him or not. He still seems so little. But I have offered to let him sit on the toilet if he wants to and go potty. Well just today he peed on the floor twice, and he was about to take off his diaper and do it again when I offered him to sit on the toilet. He smiled the whole time but never went pee. So I put his diaper on and sent him on his way. He then started to take off his diaper again. I asked if he wanted to sit on the toilet and he nodded, so I put him on again. I don't think that he was relaxing enough so I asked him if he wanted to stand up and pee like Landon. He nodded his head, but nothing came out. So I grabbed Landon (he is home sick today) and told him to show Tannen how to pee standing up. So he did, and then magically Tannen peed in the toilet. So maybe I should reevaluate potty training Tannen. He obviously knows when he needs to pee, but maybe it is only fun right now and he will change his mind.

Aria keeps practicing walking, and she is getting better. I think it will take her at least a month for her to really figure it out. But she has been standing up all by herself. She has been able to do this for about two weeks, but now she is getting pretty good at it.

Yesterday everyone stayed home. Four of us had been throwing up, and no one felt good at all. I think we are starting to feel better. Marcus when to work today. But it was miserable yesterday. Marcus and I both felt really sick. It is hard to take care of your family when no one feels good. We watched a lot of Netflix, and the kids played on the Wii too. Our house is TRASHED!! Hopefully I can start to get it put back together. We are still waiting to close on our house. It is taking longer and hoped for, and I am pretty frustrated, but not a whole lot that I can do.

VACATION

2011-05-15T18:20:00.006-06:00

Marcus, Aria and I went on vacation last week to visit Heather. I haven't seen her in almost two years because they move out to Pennsylvania so she could go to PA school. I got Marcus' parents to watch the three older kids so we could visit and play for a few days.

We flew out early Tuesday morning and got to Philadelphia around 4:00. I was also able to see Teresa who has been living out there for a few years while Glenn does dental school. We stopped over and had a Philly Cheese steak - and it was good. Then we got on the road to Heather's house. She lives in a really small town about two hours away.

On Wednesday we got up and Heather, Jaron, Marcus, Aria and I went to New York City!! I was very excited. We drove and parked in New Jersey, and took the Path train to New York. I loved it. I was initially pretty nervous to go. We got there around noon at ground zero. We walked around took a ferry out to Staten Island, shopped in Chinatown. Where I got a great little red bag that the lady tried to tell me it was a Versaca. Which didn't matter to me, because I must live in a hole and I didn't know what a Versaca bag was anyways. But it is really cute. I also got the kids NYC tee shirts. We rode the subway, got on the wrong side of the street, and started heading the wrong direction, went to Times Square in the evening and loved the lights and the energy of it. We ate at a local Italian restaurant, and headed back home. It was great because Heather's brother live in NYC and we could call him anytime we needed. We got in at midnight.

Thursday Marcus and Jaron went golfing and Heather and I hung out. That evening we went out to a Japanese Hibachi grill. It was SO AMAZING! I loved it. We brought Aria with us and the Japanese women were going crazy over her. They kept coming over to touch and hold her and would give her a bottle and rub her back. They would pick her up and have her wave and say bye bye mommy. We hung out that evening just chatting.

On Friday Jaron went to work and we were planning on going to Hershey PA, and amish country, but Ashton got sick and so we stayed home. Heathers kids played with Aria a lot and she started taking more than one step. I think one time she took about 5 steps. So now we have a little walker. I am sure it will take her a good month of practice to get it down. She turned 9 months while we were gone. But Kylie took her first steps and learned to walk when she was 9 months old too. It was really interesting be back east because babies must not be that common. Everyone stopped and commented on how cute Aria was. Even if people didn't stop and talk, they always looked and her and smiled as they walked by.

On Saturday we flew home. We were hoping to check out the Liberty Bell, but missed it because we didn't get out soon enough, and had a ton of traffic in Philly. Marcus and I got stuck in Denver for four hours, but we finally made it in SLC around midnight and spent the night at Hollie's where our kids were. We woke up today and drove the kids home. It was really great.

NYC lights in Times Square

Marcus, Aria, and Wendi at Times square

Jaron and Heather waiting for the subway

Marcus and Aria in the subway

Aria, Wendi, and Heather on the ferry to Staten Island. You can see NYC skyline really small

Statue of Liberty, we got to drive by on the ferry

Aria was such a little trouper. We brought a carrier all around NY and she took her naps in it too.

More NYC skyline

Ground Zero, where they are building the memorial.

Mascara in My pocket

2011-04-29T10:03:00.003-06:00

So while you are getting ready in the morning, and almost all your make up and hair is done but your mascara - which is in your hand almost ready to apply - you of course get interupped by your 6 year old telling you that your two year old is in the paint. Crap!!! So you hurry and pick up your 8 month old off the bathroom floor so she doesn't crawl and get into something naughty while you are gone, and stash your mascara in your pocket. You find your two year old painting himself and the kitchen chair - which of course is fabric with the painting box that was left down on the kitchen counter by his dad. Who of course pulled it out to help build and paint your 8 year old's first pinewood derby car. Which looks totally awesome. So you carefully take the paint brush away from your two year old and carefully pick him up - because you are finally showered and dressed and you don't want to do that again today. Then you dump him in the tub - clothes and all and first try and wash his hands. Then you work on the shirt so you can take off the shirt and on to the pants and rinse them really good in the tub. Drain all the blue water and rinse the tub and fill it up. Then after he is totally striped down you enroll your 6 year old to watch him in the tub. Check on the baby who is crawling around and heading towards the bathroom with your 6 and 2 year old. Grab diaper wipes, because lets face it they wipe off way more then bums, and start to clean off the chair. But soon you figure out you better just stick the whole chair in the tub to get it clean. Then you proceed to look at the paint bottle that he got into and need to call poison control just to be safe because your two year old also has a blue tongue. Whew he is going to be fine. The two year old is done in the tub, so you must wrap him up and lotion and put cream all over his body because he has eczema all over him, and has really dry sensitive skin. So onto the second set of clothes. Which reminds you that you really need to do laundry because it is laundry day and you will soon run out of clothes the rate the day is started. You get him entertained, check on the baby and make sure the bathroom door is shut. Then you wheel the kitchen chair which is still blue into your bathroom to spray off in the shower. Once that is done, and amazingly enough the blue is gone, you rinse out the shower because it is now blue. You still haven't had breakfast, so you cook up oatmeal and slice an apple on top because you are trying to be good. The two year old insists on you sharing so you scoop up some and put it into his bowl. You eat. The baby is hungry and so you get her a bottle and sit at the computer to waste time, but enjoying watching the royal wedding, and dinking around because you needed a break. After a while you get up and notice a lump in your pocket and remember you still haven't put your mascara on. So you zip in to the kids bathroom and apply it. And hey since it has been sitting in your pocket for over an hour it applies and goes on really smoothly. You leave the kids' bathroom and unfortunately leave the door open. As you head over the the computer to write a witty post about your day, your two year old seems to move fast and your six year old is telling you that he has got the body wash all over his hands and is pouring it in the garbage. Thankfully he only got his hands, so you clean him up again, and send him on his way, with the door shut. You go write your post, (really to show what such a typical day looks like in our house and it is only 10:30) which took too much time, and you realize that you need to start the laundry.

Oh well my mascara looks great.

Easter 2011

2011-04-26T19:36:00.007-06:00

Easter: The girls got dresses and new church shoes. The boys got swim trunks, Tannen got sandles, and Landon got a skate board.

Coming out to check out the loot. Tannen and Aria slept in

Hey look what I got

Treat hunting, with Kylie jumping

Kylie dancing in her new dress and shoes

Tannen putting treats in the bowl

More Treat hunting

Aria checking out her basket with the help of Kylie

Aria and her new shoes

My Grandma Woodbury, my mom (Grandma Vernae), Aria (isn't her dress so pretty), Me, And Kylie. My four Generation picture that I have been wanting for a while

The annual Cousin Easter Egg hunt begins

Landon in thought as to where the next egg will be hiding

"Oh look an egg on the swing"

Tannen Hunting with Mom

Gonna get it

Aria playing while the kids hunted - and she has the cutest new Easter shoes

Standing

Just the cutest thing ever!!

We had a great Easter this year. We started off on Saturday having the Easter bunny coming Friday night. The kids were very excited. They got up at 6:30 and glanced at their baskets, and really went right to work hunting down all the candy the Easter bunny hides throughout the house. Then we hurried and packed up and headed out to Pocatello. We got to relax and visit, and the kids got to soak up cousin playing. We did our annual Easter egg hunt with all the cousins. We provide a dozen eggs for each of the kids, and with everyone putting in there is always a lot of variety. They kids got toys, money, and of course candy.

We had an Easter dinner. The weather was so nice we got to eat out on the patio. My Grandma and Grandpa Woodbury were able to drive down and see us for a few hours. It was wonderful to see them. My grandma told Aria that she was the reason they came all the way down. They hadn't met her yet. Of course my Grandma held her - she loves the babies. Tannen hung all over my mom which was easier for me than keeping him out of everything. I don't know if my mom would agree. But she has said "It is hard not to love someone who loves you and wants you all the time." I love visiting with my family, and seeing my nieces, and nephews. They are what keeps the world moving too me.

Busy Busy Busy and a house

2011-04-26T19:14:00.006-06:00

So life has been so busy lately. The lack of posts is probably due to so much going on. As by my previous posts there has been a mission call for Marcus' parents, so of course there must be a grand get together. Aria has started crawling, and keeping me on my toes keeping the floor clean and her out of things she ought to say out of. Landon started counseling at school. We have figured out that a short temper, perfectionist, very smart, and anxiety causes a difficult, stubborn kid at home and school sometimes. It has been helping me the most meeting with the counselor getting better ideas on how to work and manage him. Marcus took his PE Exam and was are still waiting for the results with fingers crossed. That in itself was highly stressful because he studied every other night for two months and the last month practically every night. I have to say I am so glad he finished school, because it was hard. So please please please pass so we don't have to do it again.

The weekend he took his test we finally put in an offer to a house we wanted over a year ago. It was a short sale last year, and we had an offer in. It ended up foreclosing and so we have been for it to come on the market again. When it did in January it was over priced so we had been waiting for the price to drop into our price range. It finally did. We put our offer in and after going back and forth quite a few times five to be exact they finally accepted our offer. We are planning on closing in the middle of May and painting and cleaning and moving in at the end of the month after school is out. We are so excited. Here are some of the before pictures. When we move in I will give after pictures.

The front of the house, we need a better picture. This was over a year ago, the first time we looked at it.

Upstairs bonus room

Living room

Kitchen (obviously)

Laundry room

Living room

Kitchen with a peep hole into the living room

Stairs up to the bonus room

More kitchen

Cuz I'm Cute

2011-04-26T19:11:00.001-06:00

Snuggled in a warm load of laundry right out of the dry and ready to be folded

Simons Family 3/11

2011-04-26T19:09:00.000-06:00

Poland

2011-04-26T18:41:00.004-06:00

Marcus and Kylie playing around before pictures

Sweet poser

Marcus and Wendi's Family 3/11

In March Marcus' parents got their mission call to Warsaw Poland. They are very excited. To celebrate and give them a send off they rented a cabin and we all got together. Marcus' brother from South Carolina flew out with his family. All seven siblings and their families were able to make it and play for a weekend. There was lots of four wheeling, pool, xbox kinect, food, and cousin playing had by all. It was a wonderful weekend.

Swim Lessons, and Crawling

2011-04-26T18:26:00.003-06:00

Aria started crawling when she was six months old, but just a week before she turned seven months. Pretty crazy if you ask me. But the whole month she kept getting up and rocking back and forth so I wasn't surprised when she finally figured it out. She has been pulling herself up to standing from the couch and cruises along it as well. I don't think walking will be too far after. Not surprising because Kylie took her first steps the day she turned nine months. And my little bugs seem to like getting around.

My little lady crawling around.

Landon and Kylie got to take swimming lessons this winter. I signed them up at the college, and they had a great time. It was fun to do it in the middle of winter and break things up. Besides sometimes summer seems so busy. I was impressed with the college more than I was with the community pool lessons that they took last year.

Landon Swimming

Kylie Swimming

Roller Coaster

2011-04-12T09:22:00.002-06:00

So life has been compared to a roller coaster before, but.... Have you ever felt like in life you were on a roller coaster and it keeps going up and down, and the ups are amazing and the downs are so frustrating, and they keep coming. And you keep going up and down. I just feel like I would like to jump off and throw up. Then take a nice long nap and then get back on.

I'm Free

2011-02-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

So I had Kylie outside playing and Marcus was taking Landon to scouts and I had to go to the bathroom really quick so I brought Aria with me. When I came out I found the front door open and looked outside and this is what I saw.

Apparently he likes mom's hat and Landon's boot.

Happy Valentines!!

2011-02-13T18:20:00.002-07:00

I made sugar cookies today for valentines day and wanted them to look like conversation hearts. I think they turned out pretty cute, but maybe I think they are cuter than they really are. But hey Marcus said they tasted good, and my kids like them.

Catching Up

2011-02-12T21:24:00.002-07:00

It seems that I am finally getting my feet under me. Having four kids has really thrown me for a loop, but now things are feeling much more under control. I think it is getting used to everything. I feel like I am getting a good routine down with the kids. Aria is much more reliable for sleeping. She is still not sleeping through the nights, but I know when she is going to get up, and go down for naps. Tannen is Tannen and busy as ever, but we are managing him as well. Aria can sit very well on her own and enjoys playing with toys. Tannen understands us very well and is working on words very well. New words are clock, sit, k (okay), boo (blue's clues), pointing to Aria's bows and saying cute.

I am really just surprised that it has taken me so long to adjust. Four kids is a lot, but I think having the last two 18 months apart has been really tricky. As hard as it has been I really can't regret it, or wish it was later. Marcus and I felt before we were pregnant with Aria that if we were going to have another one we rather have the baby sooner then later. Today she is 6 months old. I love that we got to have her. She completes our family perfectly. I also have a lot of people ask me if we are all done. And I respond with a resounding YES!! It feels right, and that is what both Marcus and I want to have. Our max number of kids was always four, never more.

I thought about what if I just had two kids. It would have been easier to haul them around, they would both be in school now, and it just sounds easier. But I just can't feel bad or regret having four. I love each of my kids, and they bring joy to me. I love having a big family. I love that everyone has a brother and a sister. I love that they get to share rooms right now. I love working on homework, reading and volunteering at school. I love rocking and snuggling and smelling milk breath. I love watching my kids grow and mature. And seeing the beginnings and the potential for whatever they will become. I love my kids. They complete me, and make me a better person. I am my worst with them, when I yell and am tired of waiting, and when they don't listen. But I am my best with them to when I get to snuggle up with them on the couch or bed, when we get to play cards, when I tell them sorry, when we just hang out and talk and giggle, when they let me wrap my arms around them and love them when they are happy, sad, frustrated. silly, mad, or affectionate. I get to give them the best of me, and I get the best of them too.

I love you Landon, Kylie, Tannen, and Aria!!!

Tannen's Second Birthday

2011-02-06T17:14:00.005-07:00

Scraping the bowl

I'm always on the table

I'm ready

"Chooo choo"

Trace my hand daddy

Hey whats that?

Opening presents is the best

Tannen with his new toys

Two

Make a wish

Tannen had his birthday last week. He really didn't know it even though he was told happy birthday and sung at all day long. Even Landon first thing in the morning said Happy Birthday to Tannen. Landon and Kylie were really excited for him.

After we got Kylie to school I let Tannen help make the cake. I just did a box cake. I got my apron, and then Tannen insisted on one. I put his on and set him at the table. He pointed and patted the table until I set the bowl there too. I let him mix up his cake, and he was really cute to wait until I added everything. I had to take a turn to mix, and boy was he mad. I gave him back the whisk and let him mix it again. Then it was time to pour the batter into the cake pans. I gave him the whisk to eat but he was so mad that he couldn't mix anymore so he wouldn't eat it and just kept trying to get in the pans or bowl to mix. But we did get the cake put together, and then he got his nap.

The party didn't get started till daddy got to come home early at 4:00. I was finally able to get the floor mopped and cleaned, so when Marcus came home we were able to start. Actually Landon and Kylie were playing outside so we hung out and waited. Then we took the family out to Chili's. Always an adventure. I shared my dinner with Tannen and he ate a ton of food.

We came home and Grandpa Simons was 15 minutes after us. He came by to drop off his present and watch Tannen open his presents and have cake. Tannen opened his presents and then we had cake. He ate so much for dinner he turned his nose up at the cake. He threw his fork at Grandpa and was done. He loved playing with the vacuum he got for his birthday. And Landon and Kylie played with his other toys. I swear he said grrpa for Grandpa that night. And Grandma and Grandpa Simons got him some Baby Einstein DVD's and he was watching them and said kitty and another word. Happy Birthday my little two year old Tannen. I love you!!!

The Goings Ons

2011-01-28T12:00:00.003-07:00

This year has started out really great so far. Here are some of the things that we have been up to.

Marcus is getting ready to take the infamous PE exam. He is all registered and has ordered and received his study book and materials. This is what we have been waiting for since he graduated college. He will have to take an 8 hour test on April 8th. After that he will be able to get his license and then will be able to have his own stamp to put on plans that he designs. We are very excited. He has been studying every other night for a couple of hours to get ready. I am really praying that he will pass his test. Marcus also got a pay raise mostly for the cost of living, and his boss told him after he passes the PE they will reevaluate things and see if he gets another one. Hears to hoping. Marcus also sold our first truck last week. He was a little sad to see her go, but it made the most sense to sell the truck instead of the car. We got more money out of it and she had more miles and needed more maintenance then the car. Plus the car gets better gas miles then the truck. We are happy to put the money towards the boat, and are hoping that by spring with help from taxes we can have her all paid for too. Yes trucks and boats are girls, just ask Marcus.

I have been working on keeping up with the kids. I decided around November that I was going to wait until Aria was 5 months to really buckle down and try and lose my baby weight. My body really hates to lose weight while I am nursing. But it doesn't seem to have too much of a problem after I stop. I didn't think I could coop with trying to diet and exercise until the holidays, and birthdays were all over with. I planned on giving it three weeks of being really good, and if the weight didn't come off I would try again in a couple of months. I am happy to say I have started lost 8 lbs. And have found much more energy than I had. I am still not exercising yet because I have been to the chiropractor with problems in my back, ribs, shoulders, and neck and he really doesn't want me to start yet. But I am not supposed to be lifting my kids much but what can you do? I was also release from my calling in December since the president moved and am very relieved to not have to worry about that either. I can't believe it is taking me five months to adjust but I feel like I am getting closer to where I want to be with taking care of the family and having energy to do what I need.

Landon has enjoyed being eight. Over the winter break I let him read the second Harry Potter book. We are taking them nice and slow since I need him to grow up a little more before I am ready for him to read book four and up. He is fine with it and enjoyed reading it. He has also enjoyed starting cub scouts. This week he got his first merit badge in art, and was very delighted with it. School is going fine. I think the teacher would like him to listen a little better, so I am hoping he works on that. He as also been a little behind in his math times test (so has the rest of the class). We are working on playing games and flash cards so he can get those math facts memorized. Interestingly enough is he score 100% on his math tests. So he understand the concepts just fine, he just has to memorize them so he is faster.

Kylie has been doing well. She loves school and makes friends wherever we go. She has started to show some sass and attitude about helping out or cleaning. But for the most part she loves to play outside with friends and doesn't mind doing her homework. We have been able to get the girls to share a room and she loves it, unless Aria is napping and she isn't allowed in. Kylie has also decided to grow out her hair. I think after watching Tangled over Christmas break and seeing her cousin Madalyn with hair to her waist she thinks it looks so fun. But everyday she whines about brushing her hair I threaten her that I will cut it off. So now she is pretty good about getting her hair done.

Tannen is still and busy as ever. He likes to climb on the table and eat everyone's food. He loves it when I cook and hold him, or stand on a stool to watch. He is constantly in my spatula, spoons and bowls trying to mix something up. He has been talking more too. Some of his words are mom, dad, eggs, nana (banana), Aryah (Aria), Lana (Landon), nigh nigh (night night), and sit. He does a lot of comunicating with humming and pointing and head shaking. He points to his diaper when he is poopy, to the fridge when he is hungery or thirsty, he waves hello and goodbye, puckers up for kisses, at bedtime and when someone leaves, folds his arms during prayers, does popcorn popping with his hands, or points to the family home evening chart when we start to sing it, he gives Aria her blanket, and gets his when he wants a snuggle, he also likes to pat the couch or a chair if he wants to you sit down. He understands everything we say and says yes or no to us with the ahh hua, or uh uh.

Aria is such a well behaved little lady now. I can't believe the difference two months has made. We aren't haven't endless crying anymore. She still doesn't like a binky but things are much better. Except she won't take a bottle well anymore. She loves to play with her toys and eat them. She has done some more rolling over, and really can push up onto her hands when she is on her stomach. She has been sitting all by herself for a few weeks now. We started her on solids this week (I posted pictures earlier). She giggles and loves it when the kids entertain her. She is really grabbing at everything. When I nurse her she likes to put her fingers in my mouth. She really loves Tannen and I can tell they will be good little friends. Landon and Kylie have started to want to hold her and play with her more because she is so interactive now.

Aria Starts Solids

2011-01-28T10:25:00.002-07:00

Grabbing the spoon

Eating rice cereal

Aria started solids this week. I am glad I waited until she was 5 months for a little bit. She did really good with it and was able to suck up the food pretty good. We didn't get any big faces pulled so she must like rice. She also really like grabbing the spoon a lot - just like Kylie did. And after getting used to eating she would start to shake and wiggle and kick because she was so excited for the next bite. I love that after doing it three times already the novelty of watching each child start something new never wears off.

Temple Square

2011-01-28T10:05:00.003-07:00

Salt Lake Temple and the family all bundled up

Landon and Kylie

We had been meaning to make it to Temple Square for a couple of months, but it just seemed so busy and hard. After meeting a guy from Nevada in SLC to sell our truck we thought it was the perfect opportunity to get up there. The kids had fun. We especially liked the Church History Museum with the new interactive children's section. I really like our tour of the conference center, but we had to cut it short for the kids. Marcus kept commenting that taking our kids places is like herding cats. And it is the two oldest that make it the most difficult sometimes. But hopefully the kids will look back and remember some of our adventure fondly.

Landon's Baptism

2011-01-28T08:45:00.006-07:00

Landon

Landon and Joshua future missionaries

Almost ready

Dad and Landon

Mom and Landon

The six of us

Mom and Dad with Landon

Simons parents

Four Generation of Simons

Landon had a nice Baptism. He was baptized on January 8th. He was able to have his own baptism and get baptized in the tabernacle. He was able to have both Grandma's and Grandpa's come and his Great Grandpa Simons, his Uncle Grant and Aunt Hollie and their boys, his Aunt Tiffani and her kids, and his Uncle Justin and Aunt Sara and their kids.

We had a nice short program.

Grandma Vernae played the piano, and Aunt Hollie led the music.

Opening Song: I am a Child of God
Opening Prayer: Grandma Simons
Talk: Grandpa Simons
Baptized by his Dad
Confirmed by his Dad. In the circle: Great Grandpa Simons, Grandpa Simons, Uncle Grant, Grandpa David, and Uncle Justin
Closing Song: Away in a Manger
Closing Prayer: Grandpa David

After that we went to lunch at Old Grist Mill. I was so burned out of Christmas, Kylie's Birthday, New Years, and Landon's birthday that I just didn't have it in me to organize a luncheon. We were also able to get him his own set of scriptures with his name on them. He was pretty excited about it because he had been asking of a quad for a couple of years. Landon had a great day, and I hope it is one he won't forget.

Landon's Birthday

2011-01-28T08:27:00.004-07:00

We might be a little late on posting this but here it is. Landon had a great birthday. It was on Sunday so he got to open up his presents in the morning. We got to go to church and then come home and eat and have cake. He wanted a triple layer chocolate cake, and I had no problem making him that. It was really good too. Except I ran out of coco and had to borrow some from the neighbors. He had a great day. Since he turned eight he really got a lot of church stuff. A new suit, scout uniform, we were able to get him a webkins, and a gameboy game. On Monday we took him out to eat and he picked Texas Roadhouse. It wasn't as crazy as we thought with four kids, but we did have pretty low expectations.

Opening presents

He needed a new webkins. A gecko he named Geico

Presents

Blowing out the candles

Almost ready

The boys enjoying the cake

Winter Picture

2011-01-05T11:00:00.003-07:00

Here are my beautiful children. Man I love them!!

Aria

Tannen

Our back drop

I had been meaning to take the kids' pictures for Christmas presents and wanted a winter background. Marcus has the perfect back drop for me. It was gorgeous up their and I wanted the trees coated with snow and frost. The kids were really pretty cold, but we got one decent shot.

We took the kids pictures on our way up to Pocatello, on New Years Eve. We went up to visit family and play for our New Years. Justin came up and Laurel was up. It was lots of fun. We had hoggies, fruit, chips, salad, and cake. We played scattegories, and Apples to Apples. I let Landon and Kylie stay up with cousins to bring in the New Year. It was their first time. Marcus fell asleep with Tannen, and didn't get back up.

Kylie Turns 6

2011-01-05T10:31:00.003-07:00

Kylie had a great 6th birthday. She was able to play all day. I made pancakes for breakfast and thought she was having a pretty good day so far. But she complained to me telling me it was supposed to be a special day. I started listing the things she had gotten and did and asked her how she wanted her day to go. She told me it was supposed to be like Christmas where she wakes up and opens her presents and eats cake. I told her sorry but dad was at work. But at the end of the day she loved her birthday.

Kylie ready to open presents. Daddy was able to get off work a little early for her.

I think the bag is about as big as her.

So happy for a Tinkerbell movie

And of course she needed a webkins

Kylie with all her loot

After she opened all her presents she choose to go to McDonalds. I think she likes to play in the play area, and get a toy with her meal. It was her third year in a row to go.

We came home and had her kitty cake. It didn't turn out. I heard that you could add jello to a cake to give it flavor, so I tried strawberry. The cake turned out flat and Kylie didn't like it. But Landon did. I put whip cream on the cake because it was so sweet, and it seemed to melt. Oh well I made another one 4 days later for Landon's birthday that turned out great.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-05T09:55:00.005-07:00

We had a fun Christmas this year. We got lots of presents, a new camera for mom and dad, a Wii, science books and experiments, Tangled Barbies, brooms, and plush toys that sing. We had a ham and augratin potatos Christmas Eve, and were able to hang out and play all day Christmas. My parents came up for a couple of hours to visit and see the kids.

Our poor little Christmas Tree (I must say that every year). Tannen enjoyed picking and pulling it apart. We had the kids help clean and clean the house, and then they got to place all the presents around the tree on Christmas Eve. (They were in my room so Tannen wouldn't pick and pull on them.)

So excited they can hardly contain themselves

We let the kids open one present that I picked out for them Christmas Eve. Of course it was the traditional pajamas, but they also came with robes. Don't you just love Tannen's face and how much he loves his little sister.

Christmas morning. The too littlests didn't end up sleeping all that well. So there were a few false alarms for getting up. I let them get up around 8:00. They got to check out there stockings first and see what Santa brought them.

Zuu-Zuu pets!!

Tannen still a little sleepy and not sure if he is ready to look in his stocking.

Aria gets a present too. Don't you just love her cute little hat from Grandma Simons

Tannen loves to get into my cleaning stuff and help, so he got his own little broom and dust pan to help.

Kids digging into presents.

Tannen opening the book he got from Grandma Vernae. It is a monster story that she recorded reading it to him. He likes it, but I wonder if Landon and Kylie like it better. They kept playing with it after he was done.

The aftermath. Here is a pile of our trash that Kylie is enjoying playing in.

This is how it is

2011-01-05T09:40:00.003-07:00

Marcus was taking pictures of us dinkin around on the couch. I suppose I don't have to post these pictures. The kids are just in jammies, and I don't have makeup on or my hair done. But here is a window into our life, just as it really is.

Tannen and Landon wrestling, or Tannen hitting Landon and Landon blocking it.

Kylie smiling as always

Kids all piled on top of me. (Landon got to read the second Harry Potter book. We are pacing him because I am fine with the first three, but not the later ones. He got to read the first book over summer break.)

Tannen bugging Aria. He now likes it when he pats her hands together for her and I sing "Patty Cake" for him. Tannen is pantless because I think we are in the beginning stages of the "naked stage". I find it weird when some kids don't go there this stage, all my kids have.

"Cheese" as usual.

A Pre Christmas Visit

2011-01-05T09:15:00.005-07:00

We love spending time with family. A week before Christmas Carol and Travis were able to come up and visit Grandma and Grandpa, and of course we had to come to see them too. There was lots of games, laughing, playing, snow, and fun had by all. I was able to go on a nice long walk with Carol too. It was a great break to get out.

Karlie and Kylie are only 9 months apart and are glued at the hip whenever they are together. I love it!!!

Landon climbed up the apple tree. But only because Gabe climbed it first and was really high. The competitive little stink I have had to climb higher than Gabe. I don't know if he did, but he was proud of himself.

Watch out Uncle Matt will get you.

Kylie, Karlie (see they really are attached at the hip), Gabe, Landon, Mason, Aubry and Sage in front. Aren't they so cute!!

Travis' signature pose with the head tilt and everything, but you gotta love his hat hair. Don't worry Floyd had it too when he took off his hat.

Uncle Matt and Eden. I hope that Aria and Eden will be as good friends as Kylie and Karlie.

Perfectionist? Who Knew

2010-12-16T13:47:00.002-07:00

I love Family Home Evenings. My kids love it and it is a great time to be together and talk about everything from manners to Jesus. This week being close to Christmas we had a lesson on giving a gift to Jesus by being nice to others. We decided to draw names and try extra hard to be nice to that family member. It is a secret and then we will tell who we had next week. Odd thing is I ended up with Marcus. As I started to think on what I could do I was actually really puzzled. I fold his clothes cook dinner etc. and am a fabulous wife ;o). I was thinking if I got one of the kids I could help them with chores more, cleaning rooms making beds and the other things that they are in charge of doing. But with Marcus I am practically in charge of running this house. If I need help with something he is always willing but it seems that it is my job to keep us up and going.

As I was thinking about it I was surprised to relalize that I have already given my family all of me. I do the cooking the cleaning, get the homework done, the chores policed, volunteer every Friday in both of the classrooms, all the shopping, groceries and christmas, and birthdays, get up at night with the baby, feed her rock her, wipe boogers and tears and bums, make homemade bread, pay the bills, and anything else that needs to get done. When I need a break and time to myself Marcus is always willing to pick up the pieces and keep us moving. He is there for me when I fall apart, when I need extra arms, more sleep and a listening ear. It takes both of us to take care of this family.

I have always had a philosophy in life that I have always wanted to live with no regrets. I wanted to look back on my life and know that I did the best that I had with the circumstances I was given. If something was wrong in my life or my child's it wasn't from the lack of effort on my part. In school I always wanted A's. I suppose I want the same in life knowing I gave it my 100 and 10 percent. I never thought I was a perfectionist. I am a fast cleaner, really only caring if it looks clean to me. Many times just doing things and being done because it was good enough. I remember growing up and cleaning the way mom told you to. She was the perfectionist. And as an adult doing it different. I don't get on my hands and knees to mop. The bathroom isn't scrubbed down with ajax every week. But I suppose I must be a perfectionist when I look at my approach to life. I want the 850 credit score someday, being in the 800's isn't enough. I want the right cash reserves the debts gone, and a happy balanced life.

But I suppose I shall come back down to my life and for this week give Marcus a back rub, knowing I have given my family everything else I have.

I'm a Stinker

2010-12-06T11:08:00.004-07:00

How's my mascara look?

Peek A BOO

Tannen is a little stink pot. Everywhere I turn he is into something. I used to think that he wasn't as bad as Landon, but now I don't think so. He is constant and persistent. He will use anything and everything to try and climb onto my kitchen counters. We can't keep him off the table, and he is constantly trying to steal the kids' food. But we love our little stink pots, they make life interesting.

Tumbling

2010-12-06T11:02:00.002-07:00

We put the kids in tumbling again this year. They had fun again, and looked forward to their Wednesday's so they could go in the evening. This is the last day when they get to show us everything they learned.

Landon balancing

Kylie balancing

Tannen kept trying to get on the mats.

Not sure what is going on but Kylie is laying down

Showing off their hand stands. Kylie and Landon are on the ends.

Pictures

2010-12-06T10:50:00.003-07:00

I haven't been the best blogger so I am trying to catch up. He are some of our randomness from the last month.

Kids being silly after putting up Christmas

Feed Me Daddy

Tannen loves being a big brother

Landon Getting Ready

And Throw

Sweet sisters

Smile from Aria - she is almost 3 months here

Landon and Tannen having a great time on bikes. Landon discovered he could give him a bike ride. Before the snow flew they had a great time together.

Happy Halloween

2010-12-06T10:37:00.002-07:00

Landon's mask fell off

Darth Vader in Action

Our cute little cowboy

Little Miss Tinkerbell

Our Halloween was fun. We got to have a pizza the shape of a pumpkin, and we made homemade rootbeer with the kids. They thought it was awesome. Marcus took the kids out trick or treating. It was raining a ton. Good thing they had umbrellas. Tannen was even able to ride on Marcus' shoulders and got to pick out some treats. They made a haul and were only gone for about 20 minutes. Marcus said that they got a small handful everywhere they went and living in town homes makes it go by fast. I stayed home with Aria while she slept. They got to watch a Simpsons Halloween, and called it a day. Between a Halloween costume birthday party, a school carnival, and dressing up for school they got good use out of their costumes this year. I was able to go and help out in Kylie's class for her Halloween party. It was lots of fun this year.

Chatting with Kids

2010-12-06T10:03:00.003-07:00

So last night I sent Landon to bed. I don't know why it hit me as funny but he told me. "mom it smells like poo in here." I told him "it probably is poo." Poor guy has live with the changing table in his room.

I was snuggling up Kylie yesterday while Marcus, Tannen, and Aria took naps. Landon was on the computer. I was having a conversation with her that went about like this.

Wendi: Kylie I love having you. You are going to be my girl forever.
Kylie: Not forever, pretty soon I am going to get big and leave.
Wendi: But you will still be my girl.
Kylie: Well I am going to get big and have my own girl.
Wendi: Can I hold her when you have her.
Kylie: Yes, but it might be a boy.
Wendi: That's okay, I love boys too.
Kylie: Ya, my boys are going to be little stinkers and get into everything
Wendi: What if you have a little girl and she sneaks and write all over herself in markers.
Kylie: Oh, I will keep a close eye on her.

Can you tell what goes on over here? Tannen really is into everything. We are constantly locking up rooms. I just wish that I could lock him up sometimes in a padded room and let him go crazy with nothing to climb up on and stick anything into.

Aria is being such a better behaved little girl. She has really slowed down on the crying. I found a little tickle spot under her chin last night. And she is starting to reach and grab and things. So exciting.

Giggles and Falls

2010-11-14T18:42:00.003-07:00

So Aria just giggled at us for the first time today. She is so adorable. I love it and it was my favorite part of the day.

On to other news. My life wouldn't be complete without each child of mine to fall and need x-rays. So last Tuesday Kylie and Tannen were in the boys room playing. I was in the front room with Aria pacing because yes you guessed it she was crying. I heard Kylie say Mom I need your help. So I went in. I saw Tannen on the floor trying to stand up to me and crying when I walked in. I panicked and picked him up. After getting the story from Kylie with both my babies crying I found out he climbed up the changing table and crawled onto the dresser and jumped off. I had Kylie run over to two neighbors houses but they didn't answer the door. I called the doctors office and they told me they could get me in in five minutes. I called Marcus and asked him to meet me at the pediatricians office. I knew I couldn't take care of three of the kids by myself, and I needed emotional support.

We got there and right in. Our Dr. came in and joking asked who was in charge of these kids. I was so torn between wanting to cry, and just going along and joking with him. So I joked with him. It really reminded me of my mom when she would use humor growing up to help in a hard situation. I still remember when I was nine and fell on a pipe while sledding, and had to get nine stitches in my leg. My mom was with me and while they were giving me shots in and around the cut she was making faces at me making me laugh and cry at the same time. So thanks mom for letting me see the humor in life. He felt both of Tannen's legs and said that he would need to have x-rays on both of them. We went to Radiology and waited. Marcus went in with him and I hung out with the girls. They took tons of pictures and I could hear him cry the whole time.

While I was sitting there it took me back to Kylie. When she was 20 months old she fell off one of our chairs climbing up to Marcus. The metal chair landed on her finger and ended up shattering the tip of it and ripping off her nail. I was told she could end up losing the whole tip of her finger. It was tramatizing for me. But with a blessing and a good surgeon her finger and nail are fine now. (It is just slightly pointed and the nail looks like it it missing just a small part.) Then I remembered when Landon was about 4 and he fell off the counter/refrigerator and smashed he teeth in and the roots punctured his gum's and we had to hurry into the dentist.

Anyways after the radiologist we went back to the doctor. He said on his right foot right by his large toe a bone looked like it could be slightly off and bowed up. And on the left leg on his long bone there was a dark line in the scan. But he couldn't tell for sure if they were broken or not. But the treatment would be the same. Shoes on all the time he walked, and Tylenol and Motrin. So that is what we have been doing. He cried all day and wouldn't walk. I think half the time he cried because he couldn't walk. Then by that evening he limped around. He is still limping around, and a little more grouchy but who can blame him. He did come home and take a three hour nap after. We got Kylie to school late and I took a nap too. I was just so emotionally wiped out. And no it hasn't done anything for his taste for climbing up stuff. He still does. So now I guess I will just wait and see what Aria has in store for me.

Island Park and Yellowstone Vacation

2010-11-08T09:25:00.009-07:00

In October we were able to take the family up to Island Park and Yellowstone. Last year over Christmas and pretty much through December and January Marcus had a HUGE project and work and work and we didn't get much of him. To say thank you they gave him a two night stay at a bed and breakfast in Island Park. So we finally decided to go and take the kids when they had their fall break from school. Landon and Kylie both really wanted to see Old Faithful, so we thought we better take them to Yellowstone while we were so close. It was a great, fun, crazy vacation. The first one with all six of us together.

We left after tumbling got over on Wednesday to spend the night at my parents house. We thought taking two hours off our drive up to Island Park would help. It was fun. We got there and put the kids to bed and got to chat with my dad. We got up pretty early, because Tannen is a morning bug. It was October 14th, and Marcus and mine 10 year anniversary. Love you baby!! We got ready and left. Since Aria is so little we decided to wander our way up to Island Park. We were not in any hurry, and knew we would have to make lots of stops for feeding and such.

We drove up and found Yellowstone's Bear World over by Rexburg and decided to take a stop and play there for a couple of hours. It was around 10:00 or 11:00 in the morning. We had a great time there.

What is Bear World without bears? It was really neat, they let you in gates and you get to slowly drive around and look out in the fields where the animals were. They had elk, deer, wolves and of course bears.

Having a snack

I knew I had wild animals for kids.

More bears

They also had small carnival rides that you could play on that were part of the ticket price to get in. Since it was a Thursday and in the morning there weren't a lot of people there. My kids didn't wait in line and pretty much took the operators and told them which ride they wanted to go on next.

Tannen enjoyed the train ride.

But his favorite was the car rides.

Here we all are at Bear World. They had a petting zoo also. The kids got to feed ducks, pigs, goats, and got to pet them also. Tannen like to chase the animals around. And the pig liked to follow us around after we feed him hoping for more food. I did buy fudge there and it was delicious.

We stopped off in Rexburg for lunch, and got to drive by the new Temple. It was very beautiful, and another good break for the kids. We made it up to Island park probably around 4:00. We checked in and let the kids play around on the grounds at the bed and breakfast. Then we decided to go our for dinner. After that we made our way back and put the kids to bed and hung out. Aria wasn't a good sleeper and she cried really late into the night.

We woke up once again pretty early and set out on Friday for Yellowstone. We left probably before 8:30. The kids were very excited because they really wanted to see Old Faithful. They thought it was pretty neat to drive through three states in one day.

Right when we got into the park we hadn't driven very far and there was a huge pile of cars pulled of to the side. We decided to follow the crowd and see what was going on. There was a large herd of Elk that everyone was stopping to look at. They were just peacefully grazing, and we were able to get out of our car and get some pictures. What is Yellowstone without the animals?

Landon and Kylie standing close to the elk.

We didn't get too far and I was able to see some bison. Marcus pulled over and we got a picture, but we were not interested in getting out of the car. We were chatting in the car with the kids and Kylie asked if it was a boy or girl bison. We said it was a boy. Looking later she spotted another bison and informed us that it was a girl one. We asked her why and she said "You can see it boobs." We chuckled as it was another male, but as you can see they really are pretty top heavy.

Firehole Falls

Bison on the road. It actually kind of freaked me out because they started jumping and bumping into each other and I didn't want them to kill our Yukon. They were very close to us.

Fountain Paint Pots. They were very fun to look at. But the kids did notice how much they stunk. They would hold there breath when the steam would blow over by us. And of course there was much discussion on farting and such. We also had great snacks, as you can tell by Landon they liked their tongues changing colors.

We were able to go on small detours in the car and not get out. We took the Firehole Lake Drive and I was able to nurse Aria in the car. The kids enjoyed looking at the geyers, but we didn't see any erupt on that drive.

We made it to Old Faithful!!! The kids had such a long wait to see Old Faithful. After which Kylie informed us that it sucked. The wait was so long and the geyser didn't go off for very long.

They built a new visitor center at Old Faithful. We were able to walk around and read. They also had interactive stuff for the kids to play with. We stopped off for lunch here and stayed for a little bit. The kids were able to pick out a small souvenir. Landon was able to get a small pocket knife. Marcus was in charge of deciding that it was allowed. And Kylie picked out some twisty up crayons to color in the back seat. She was given a coloring book to help her stay entertained on the drive at the beginning. Landon got a really neat 3D book on animals.

More bison by the road. There was big grassy fields and large herds of animals out grazing.

Walking Walking Walking, we did a lot of walking. On our way to the Artists Paintpots.

Wendi and Aria, I think she is asleep at the Artist Paintpots

I this was a mud paint pot. This area was really neat. There was a long walk to get to it, and then you hiked up the stair way to look over the area. But when you were at the top there was a variety of pots and colors and it did look like an Artists Paint board.

Landon loved loved loved Yellowstone. He loved being in a huge volcano, and learning about it. During the walks and trip he decided to be a scientist, because he thinks like one. He kept spouting off information that he made up about geysers and such. We had to tell him to preface everything he said with his own hypothesis. But that he was free to make any assumptions that he wanted.

Tannen cute as ever.

Our last stop was the Norris Geyser Basin. They had tons of geysers to look at. What seemed amazing to me was being able to walk and just a few feet away there was another one that seemed totally different. The day was really nice, just jacket weather, but by the last stop it started to sprinkle and rain. We were worn out and exhausted from all our adventures. It was 6:00 by the time we left Norris.

Cutie patutie

Family picture taken by Landon.

On the way home there was a huge herd of Elk again, except this time they were on the move on the side and crossing the road. Tons of people were pulled over and trying to walk up close to get pictures. Marcus the brilliant person that he is just drove stopped in the middle of the road real quick (it was stop and go anyways) and snapped a picture of the male. Then he was watching all the female where they were heading and drove up where no one was and pulled over and waited for the male to come. We got a pretty cool video of him running up into the trees. Then we drove off, and tons of cars behind us went off chasing the male.

We stopped in West Yellowstone for dinner and headed off to Island Park. We got back late and put the kids to bed. Aria was a stinker again, but I gave her to Marcus instead.

We got up again early, but really hung out in the morning not in any hurry. After we had us all packed and loaded we headed on out to make a nice long wandering way home. We stopped off at Big Springs in Island Park and the lady at the bed and breakfast gave us some bread to feed the trout. It was a rainy day so I took Landon and Kylie and Tannen out in the rain to feed the fish. The trout were huge and would almost jump up in the water to get the bread after it had fallen. If the fish didn't get it the the ducks waiting behind the fish would. I thought it was interesting that the ducks didn't get any closer to the trout. Marcus thought it was because the trout might nibble their feet to fight them off. I had Tannen on my shoulders and would give him pieces of bread to throw in. After a few pieces of being dropped in they stopped coming down and he started eating them.

Then we stopped off in Mesa Falls. It was gorgeous. But it did make me nervous of the height.

Had to sneak in a picture of Marcus because he always seemed behind the camera.

Cheese!

Landon really likes his pocket knife, can you tell?

We continued on our adventure and decided to stop in Idaho Falls and show the kids the Temple and Falls. Landon and Kylie best buds aren't they cute!!

The Girls

We then decided to eat in Blackfoot since Rochelle and Brendon always talked about Rupes. We got directions from them and ate their. And it was delicious. We then stopped off in Pocatello at Rochelle's and looked at Halloween costumes. Marcus filled up on gas and stayed in the car because Tannen had fallen asleep. Then we journeyed on down to McCammon and stopped by because it was Marilyn's birthday. We hung out and had cake. Then we finally made it home. It was late but the kids had a wonderful time.

Share a Smile

2010-10-26T08:13:00.002-06:00

Here is my little Aria and her adorable smile!! I knew I would get around to posting it sometime. I went off milk for a week and it didn't seem to do much except the last couple of days she seemed a little better. We saw her Dr. for her two month appointment (she weight 10lbs 10oz) and he said he thought it would be more a coincidence that she was getting better. I tried milk again on our vacation to Island Park/ Yellowstone (more to post on that later) and she still seemed about the same. I think she is just in the Purple crying phase - look it up if your interested, and she will just slowly get better. Which I think she has over the past couple of weeks.

Last week was an up and down sort of week. Heather bugged be about happy pills. Some call them crazy pills, but I call them happy pills, because when I start on them they throw me through the roof and I am a 10 on happiness. I have been worried about taking them unless absolutely necessary because they don't know what it does to the baby when you nurse. After reflecting on the week and having a long discussion with Marcus I decided to try them again. I took one and then ended up with strep throat this weekend and stopped because I was so miserable. I think I will start today with it, as I am feeling much better, my throat is still sore but not as bad. So hears to a good week on happy pills and maybe I won't feel like I am drowning in my own busy life, or maybe I will just drown with a smile on my face.

As a side note that really made me think about taking pills. Last week Landon was sick and stayed home from school. I was sitting down nursing Aria and Tannen was being himself, happy, buggy and into stuff. I don't remember yelling or anything, but feeling overwhelmed - a typical feeling over here. Landon said "Mom you seem to be having a hard time." Me "Yes I am." (here is just the sweetest boy) Landon "Is there anything I can do to help you?" Me really taken back. I became thoughtful about it. Part of me thought yes quit bugging your brother, etc etc. But he is sick I really shouldn't have him do anything for me. I don't remember thinking or noticing those kinds of things as a kid. Maybe I could stay off happy pills for a year but would I be hurting the other kids with a really irritable mom. (I don't get all depressed and suicidal, I just get really short with my kids, irritable, and don't like to touch or be touch by my kids. Which is really big because I love showing love though touch.) Then after all my thoughts I looked over at Landon and he was playing with Tannen. I love that kid.

On a happy note I set Aria down on her tummy this morning on my bed and went in my bathroom to brush my hair real quick. When I came out she was on her back again. I was pretty excited for my little roll over bug. I will just have to keep an eye on her for the next time.

Story of my life

2010-10-07T09:52:00.003-06:00

I just can't believe how busy life got. I think it has to do with having two kids start school and having a baby all at the same time. I think I am trying to adjust to having more then just a baby, but having to get up at 7:00 in the morning to get Landon off to school. And he needs someone to keep him going all morning long. "Eat your food, you only have 10 minutes left until you need to get dressed. Hurry and get dressed. Hurry and get your shirt on. Don't forget your homework folder." It goes on all morning long until he is out the door. Then a couple of hours later I do it again. Kylie doesn't seem as bad, but it also isn't 7:00 in the morning trying to get her ready. But we have to do lunch and pretty much change what she put on in the morning because it is weird and doesn't quite match. Then we need to get her hair done. Lots of time Tannen sits by us and pulls her hair or bugs on her. We get her our the door and then it is time for Tannen to take a nap. And hopefully Aria too. For a while I was taking naps with them but the last couple of days I have been low on sleep so then I can't fall asleep. I get too worked up and have been trying to think soothing thoughts but they always seem to get interrupted with other things.

Plus I think something is off with Aria. She cries constantly. I was reading about colic, and they say it is for three hours in the evening but if they are crying all day long it could be something else. She is really bubbly in her stomach. I have tried mylicon drops, working with peppermint drops, and now I am going off of all milk products. I read and a friend told me that she needed to go of milk because her baby was so fussy. The baby could have an allergy to the milk protein. Next week she has her wellness visit, and hopefully by then I will know if me going off of milk has helped. I really think she is a happy little bug, but I only seem to see little pockets of it. She has been smiling for the last few weeks, and the last week has been doing it daily. She is also really close to giggling. She is starting to use her little voice besides crying and I love those moments. But wish I got them more than just moments. As a side note why do people bug you when your baby is crying and ask you what is wrong? Is she hungry, tired? Don't you think I would feed her or put her to sleep if that was the case? She is just fussy and I can't do anything for her except hold her. Do you just want me to leave?

Marcus this morning was amazing for me because I haven't been able to nap at all this week. When it was time to get Landon up for school I had already been up for an hour with Aria I asked him if he could stay a little bit and take all the kids and get Landon out the door so I could sleep. I was so tired and scared I wouldn't be able to take a nap today, I just couldn't face the day. He did and I was able to sleep an extra hour and a half. It was wonderful. I woke up to a trashed house (I went to sleep in a trashed house), but somehow it seemed okay.

Then after naps Tannen wakes up and gets snuggle time. We hang out and wait for the kids to come hope. Then we need to look over school work, do homework, try and clean. Let the kids run around outside, get dinner ready, eat, play a little more, and get ready for bed. All the while doing this with a fussy baby and a little toddler who has a knack for getting into everything you could possibly imagine, seriously.

Last week was my birthday and I didn't even seem to have time to figure out what I wanted to do. It was the big 3 0!! We had Aria's blessing on Sunday. Then I had to do a huge activity for Relief Society on Wednesday. (My calling is a whole other long thought. Just this week so far I have had two meetings in the evenings to go to. 2nd counselor in Relief Society is so busy!) The activity turned out really nice. The next morning I still just had no energy to think about what I wanted for my birthday. Marcus had been bugging me what I wanted for my birthday for the last couple of weeks, and I have been too stressed to worry about it. I told him after the activity I could think about my birthday. Marcus called at 4:00 and told me that work was doing free flu shots. I hurried up there. We waited for a while because all work employees brought there families. Then Landon pretty much ran away because he was so scared. I think he would have been fine if we could have just walked right in and had it done, but the longer he thought about it the more worked up he got. We were there for about an hour and a half, and I left really mad with Landon. We didn't have time left for anything else that night. We just needed to eat dinner and put the kids to bed. I was hoping to take the family out to eat, even though it would be crazy and then the kids wanted to buy me presents. Marcus came home with Landon and he had bought me earlier in the day a huge gorgeous boutique of flowers because I hadn't come up with anything. We order in Olive Garden and ate and sent the kids to bed. I decided I wanted some fun hair products and a haircut. So Marcus told me to go shopping and get some. I did, and was happy with that as long as I can get my haircut sometime soon. He still wants to get me more stuff. But for now I am fine. I have decided with the money from parents that I now live in an area that has snow half of the year and so I need some really great trendy boots.

Anyways I really don't know where I was going except there is a small view of my life right now. And Aria is crying again so I better go. Sometime I will get up the pictures of Aria smiling - she is really cute.

Aria's Blessing

2010-10-02T18:30:00.004-06:00

We blessed Aria last Sunday September 26th. We were very happy to have family come and share the occasion with us. Marcus was able to bless her. My mother in-law wrote down the blessing. We were able to have Grandpa Simons, Uncle Matt, Grandpa David, Uncle Justin, Uncle Brendon, and Uncle Brandon in the circle.

Blessing for Aria Wendi Simons given by her father Marcus on September 26, 2010

Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Holy Melchezedik Preisthood we give a name and a blessing for Aria Wendi Simons. We give you a blessing that you will have strength in mind, body and spirit. We bless you that you will know our Heavenly Father’s plan for you. We bless you that you that you will recognize the spirit in your life and heed its promptings.

We live in a great day and age. We bless you with the spirit to understand Heavenly Father’s will for you.

We love you and we give you this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

I love the blessing. She did cry the entire time (and she hates binkis), so it does seem shorter than the other kids. But Marcus figured Heavenly Father knows what he wants to bless her with, and it isn't the only time he can give her a blessing. My mother in law thought that it was short but was full of important blessings.

After the blessing we all headed down to Adams Park for soup, rolls, veggies, fruit and desserts. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Rochelle, Justin, Tiffani, Candice, Marilyn and Floyd, Hollie, Matthew, and Kimberly and all of your families for coming and sharing the occasion with us.

And thank you to Aria for coming and being apart of our family. We love you so much and are happy that you complete our family for us.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-09-22T08:34:00.003-06:00

Life has been so busy since Aria has come. We have done Dr. appointments, waking up at 7:00 every morning, homework, bread making, cookie making, grocery shopping and getting case lot sales, school pictures, book orders, library visits, play group, lessons, talks, tumbling class, walks, 2nd grade, kindergarten, snuggles, crying, throwing up, laughing, and lots of family time.

School for 2010-2011

2010-08-25T08:22:00.004-06:00

Kylie had her first day of Kindergarten yesterday the 24th. She has been ready for so long and so excited to go. She came home and was so happy. She made a new friend, loved her teacher Mrs. Broadbent, and had fun at school. She told me school was the funnest place. I am glad that she has loved it already. She really didn't seem that nervous. But she did tell us she was. I am hoping that she has a wonderful first year of school.

Landon had a great first day of school last week. He started on the 18th. He had one boy that was in his class from last year and other than that has a whole new class. His teacher is Mrs. Wright and so far we are doing good. He came home and was very happy after his first day of school. He gets to walk to school with a friend and walk home with him too. We are really hoping for a better year than last year in the friend department. Only time will tell.

It was weird yesterday to have my two oldest gone. Tannen was down for a nap as soon as we dropped Kylie off. And I snuggled up Aria and took a nap with her. It was so quiet. I think it has been a few years (4 1/2) since all kids at home took naps. But I will take it and sleep too. Here's to a good school year.

Our Last and Littlest

2010-08-18T10:25:00.006-06:00

Just before we left for the hospital

Getting weighed

Wendi and Aria

Marcus and Aria

Feed Me

Kylie and Aria

Landon and Aria

Just too busy at the hospital

Snuggling with Tannen

All dressed up

Small little leg

We finally got our little girl here. I was induced on Thursday August 12, 2010. We are supposed to call between 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning to see if the hospital can fit you in. I woke up at 4:45 and couldn't go back to sleep because I was too hyped up about finally having my baby. My mom had come down Wednesday night to stay with the kids. When I called in the morning they said they had 9 scheduled inductions that day and that I would be #4 on the list. They had a couple of medical induction and one from the day before that they couldn't fit in. Still feeling pretty good that I would get in sometime that day I laid in bed for a little while and then was up by 7:00 having breakfast. Tannen was up too snuggling my mom on the couch. I ate and packed up a bag for us. Then around 8 I decided to go back to bed. Marcus was up by then taking care of kids. I fell asleep finally and thought maybe they would call around 10. Right around 9 my phone rang and they asked if I could be in by 9:45. Of course I could. I was really excited and told Marcus. We finished getting ready and packed and off we were to the hospital.

We got the the hospital right on time. We were checked in and then given a room. I had talked to Tiffani before I went in and told her all the IV's I have had in the past were crappy and hurt the whole time. She pointed out a good vein and told me that would be the one she would do. I told my nurse and she used that vein. And of course Tiffani is brilliant and it was the best IV I have had. I was hooked up and had pitocin going at 10:20 am. I was really surprised because with Kylie and Tannen I was induced and it took about two hours before I was on the medicine. I started out at a 2 and 50% effaced. My doctor got there around 11:00 and checked me. He said I was at a 3 and 60% effaced and broke my water then. Marcus and I talked and played Uno. Around 12:00 I was check and was around a 4. Things were progressing great. I decided to get up and walk around. Marcus always like to tease me and says that I am the only lady he ever sees walking around the halls. But I told him he is usually in the room with me the whole time so what kind of judge is he. I had a nurse come in and tell me that the Anesthesiologist was going to go up for a Cesarean and he would be leaving around 1:00 and wouldn't be back for 1 1/2 hours. And if I wanted my epidural before we should let him know. After walking around my contractions really started to hurt so I decided to have an epidural. I was really nervous because the one I had with Tannen really hurt and I cried afterwards. He gave me my epidural around 12:20 and it was awesome. I was so relieved that it didn't hurt like the last one.

I was checked close to 1:00 and was at a 5. Marcus went to get some lunch. I got a new nurse at 3:00 when they were changing shifts. She checked me right around 3:15 and I was at a six. She told me to let her know if I had any deep pressure and that I might be ready. I remember telling Marcus that according to the book after you hit a seven you can get to a ten really fast. After about 10 minutes I started feeling really strong contractions - even with my epidural I could always feel the tops of them, but they never hurt. The nurse came in after about two and asked if I could feel them. Apparently the babies heart beat would drop when I would have a strong contraction and we thought I was ready to push. She checked me and I was. They got everything ready and called the doctor. He had three patients in that day and had just barely finished delivering his second baby.

I pushed just a couple of times and she came right out. She was born at 3:51 pm. We named her Aria Wendi. She was 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. She was my shortest labor 5 1/2 hours. (Landon was 16 hours, Kylie was 6 1/2 hours and Tannen was 8 hours.) She is also my biggest but we cooked her the longest. Landon was 15 days early with my water breaking and was 7lbs even. Kylie was 5 days early and my littlest at 6 lbs 10 oz. And Tannen was 6 days early at 6 lbs 14 oz.

We stayed at the hospital for two days and came home on Saturday. My mom took Landon and Kylie with her back home and then my mother in-law came and got them from her and had them for a couple of days. She is staying with us this week to help out. Marcus has been great. He stayed with me the whole time at the hospital and took care of us over the weekend and took Monday off and half of Tuesday.

So far Aria has been a great little sleeper because she is always sleeping. But man when she is hungry nothing seems to settle her down but to eat. The kids love her. We weren't sure about Tannen because at the hospital he was too distracted to even notice her. Way too much fun stuff to get into. But when we got home he held her and never wanted to give her up. Landon came home from school and the first thing he did was get Aria and hold her. I love it and am so happy to have her.

First Tooth

2010-08-10T09:47:00.004-06:00

Kylie finally lost her first tooth yesterday. It has been wiggly for the last month or so. Yesterday she came and asked if I could pull it out. It would wiggle really far one way but not the other. So I told her she needed it to wiggle more the other way. She was playing and quite obsessed with losing her tooth. Finally she came inside because it was just hanging there and I hurried and yanked it out. The tooth fairy came last night and she was so excited. "It works" is what she told me in the morning.

She's coming!!

2010-08-09T08:42:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I went in for my Dr. appointment and he was checking me for the first time to see her position and if I was dilated (which I wasn't). He said the words I was so worried about hearing. She is breech. I thought nooo I don't want a C-section. I have kids starting school and I have to be up and going and don't have time to recover from surgery. I felt like I was just going to squeeze by with a vaginal birth. She is due the 16th and school starts the 18th. He took me into the ultrasound and checked her position. He head was actually down by my left hip and bum by my right ribs but her foot was sitting in the pelvic. She was transverse, and according to my doctor not able to deliver her vaginally. He said to wait and see what she would do the next week. I also told him all my babies were always a little sideways but that they turned head down as I progressed. I think the biggest problem was the foot. He told me he thought he could move her head down and then break my water if she didn't move on her own.

The next week we went in and he checked me with an ultrasound right off and she was head down and was just in the position we needed. Whew I was relieved. Of course there was a part of me that wanted to go that early if he could move her head and it would all work out.

I went in last week on Friday to be checked again and I am happy to report I am dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced. I also asked him if he would induce me. The week seemed really full at the hospital but they were able to schedule me in for this Thursday. As long as they don't have a million ladies go into labor.

Yesterday I thought I was going into labor. I contracted for two hours and it didn't matter if I was laying down or walking or anything. But then they all just stopped. So here I am waiting for Thursday to come (only three more days). And it would be just great if she came sooner too. Thursday gives me 1 week before Landon starts school, and two for Kylie (kindergarten starts a week later).

The Little Things in Life

2010-07-22T15:45:00.005-06:00

Tannen has been a climber the last couple of weeks. He has been completely wearing me out. It doesn't help that for our kitchen table the chairs have wheels on them. I don't mind him on the table really. It just seems inevitable like the rest of my kids. But he keeps getting on the counters and it is driving me nuts. Marcus and I are brainstorming on how to hook the chairs to the table so he won't move them around.

A couple of weeks ago we were driving up to my family reunion. We grabbed the kids lunch in the car. For their toy they got a pack of playing magic cards. They were playing with them and all of a sudden

Kylie says: "Hey its a boob card."
Wendi: "What?"
Kylie: "It's a private parts boob card."
Marcus looks back at the card: "No it's a spade card like a shovel."
Kylie: "It's a private parts boob card."
Marcus and Wendi: "No it's a spade card."
Kylie: "You mean our private parts are called spades?"
Wendi exasperated: "No the card is called a spade, like a shovel, not your private parts."
The light finally goes on in Kylie's head. But we had a great laugh about it. And now you really want to go look at a spade card don't you?

So Landon has become obsessed about hair. You know lemonade stands that kids set up. He told me last night that he wanted to have a stand to brush hair. I thought it was pretty funny. He has been talking about it all day today. To be fair he get on kicks all the time. He also wants to be farmer because for a field trip he got to milk a cow. He informed me this week he needed to be a farmer for his kids. He is planning on having tons of them since I won't have anymore. And his reason is he needs enough food for them so he is going to have a farm. Marcus got to come home early from work today. I told Marcus about the hair stand and he wasn't thrilled. Later Landon fixed one of the neighbor kid's training wheel that was coming loose and then ask Marcus for the wrench. He told him no and then after Landon left the room decided he could keep it. He said it was better than a brush. So now they are out in the garage working on the Truck.

Which brings me to my next subject. We bought a new vehicle. We really needed one seeing as our little girly is due in 4 weeks. I had a friend tell me about a guy her uncle used to be partners with. He will go down to auctions to find you a car that you want and charges a finders fee, but basically you are getting the car for trade in value price. She gave me his number last Monday. I called him Tuesday. He went to the auction on Wednesday and found us just what we were looking for. We drove it Wednesday night and bought it Friday. It felt pretty crazy. Our requirements were pretty specific. Marcus only wanted a Chevy Suburban, or a GMC Yukon XL. The same car. We had to have it under 100k miles, and I had to have captain chairs for the second row. I didn't want kids climbing all over the bench and couldn't flip it up with big car seats all over it. Apparently those are pretty hard to find, and they only make them in leather. I also wanted a DVD but it wasn't mandatory like the seats were.

We took a Monday off of work about a month ago and went to SLC to look at the cars we had pulled up on KSL. It is about 3-4K less over the mountain then it is herefg. We almost bought a Suburban but ended up not doing it. It squeaked and we didn't like the dealer. So it was really nice when he found one so darn fast. We ended up getting way more then we were hoping for. It is a '04 Yukon XL Denali. White with leather, captain chairs, DVD, navigation system, sunroof, and completely fully loaded. Any option you could ask for it pretty much has. We don't even know how to work most of them. But we like it. It fits us perfectly and we can haul all the kids and the boat. It will be a gas guzzler but that is just the way it is going to be. I have to say I love not having to bend over to toss Tannen in the middle of the seat (we have to separate Landon and Kylie).

Marcus is fixing up the truck so we can sell it. It has over 200k miles and our car is in waaay better shape. So Marcus has been driving the car to work everyday. We decided to use the money from the truck towards the boat and hopefully in about 6 months the boat will be paid for. Now all I have to do is figure out how to pay for the Yukon off early.

I have been nesting a lot lately. Just don't necessarily have the energy for everything. It is nice not to worry about a car anymore. But I have been shopping for baby and school stuff. I am trying to get the kids in a different school. Over all last year I didn't like the experience and after researching it Bridger was about the worst school for behavior issues. I have ordered, shopped, and sorted and gotten just about everything we need. All that is left is shoes for Landon. He wears them out like crazy. I can't believe I am going to have a little 2nd grader and my little Mae is going to be in Kindergarten. She is so excited!!

A Family of Water Skiers

2010-07-07T11:39:00.005-06:00

Kylie on water skis. She was the most adorable little thing on them. She tried first and didn't get up. She didn't want to try again but I really felt like she needed to. So I bribed her with a starburst. And what do you know she got up perfectly except she didn't stand up all the way. Here is some video of her first run!!! I had a permagrin watching her and still do when I think about it. She did one more run later and got up and did the same run. She totally loves it!!

Landon on his first try. He got up on his first time trying but didn't stay up very long. I really tried to get him to get up again but he wouldn't do it. Kylie had gone first and you can't have your little sister show you up. So he said he would try later that day. He did and was awesome. I don't have video of it but I do have a picture. He also was losing his trunks and pulled them up and still kept going. It was a good thing we had Uncle Daniel in the water to help them start off. Aunt Kimberly was holding the other end of the rope with a handle. Aunt Ginger was our photographer. And I was in the water for moral support reminding them what to do.

Marcus is my biggest ski bum and I love it. This is the reason why we have a boat. I love watching him water ski. Here is a video of a run with him on the ski. This was part of our Simons Reunion and we all had a great time. I will hopefully get some pictures from Kimberly who took a ton of them. Then we can get those posted as well.

Swim Lessons

2010-06-22T10:44:00.002-06:00

Kylie treading water

Landon waiting his turn

Landon swimming out to his teacher and flipping over

Landon's head under swimming back

We did swim lessons for the first time this year. They were every day for two weeks. The kids had a wonderful time learning. I am sold on doing swim lessons because I think my kids will do something that there teacher tells them to do, and getting over their nervousness or fear of it. I was amazed that they ended up swimming without plugging there nose and swimming with their head right in the water. I think I could teach them those skills, just not in two weeks.

I do plan on working with the kids now and I have a list of the names of the things they were learning so we can practice together. Some of the things they learned were hum bubbles, bobs, jellyfish floats, front float, tuck floats, glides, strokes on front and back, and rolling over in the water.

No Training Wheels

2010-06-22T10:18:00.003-06:00

Kylie starting out on her bike without training wheels

Good thing she has daddy's help

We decided to take Kylie's training wheels off of her bike. She was interested in learning but a little apprehensive. We had to buy a new tire for her back will because it was bare. We couldn't find a white tire. Then we decided to get her pads. They now have a set with gloves in them. Which I thought was really cool. Landon didn't have those when he was learning. She got all geared up and then Marcus worked with her for about 45 mins. to an hour. She didn't seem to be go very far and had a hard time with the balancing. But I figured it would take awhile to figure it out. Thinking Landon learning in two days was really fast and unusual.

We took a break for a couple of weeks in practicing. Life just seemed to be busy. Then last Thursday the kids were hanging out and I suggested that they go out and Marcus could help Kylie on her bike some more. He didn't have very much time because he had his softball game. So he got her balanced and started and off she went like she had been riding a bike for awhile. It was crazy. She still had a hard time with starting but after about 30 minutes really was getting it figured out so she could go by herself.

Here is a short video of her riding.

So I guess I have two crazy kids. Or maybe it is typical and lots of kids learn that way. We were trying to decide where she all of a sudden had her balance. Marcus wondered if it was the two weeks of swimming lessons. And I wondered if it was practicing on the neighbor's scooter.

No More Bottles

2010-06-16T08:04:00.004-06:00

Little bug with his sippy

Yesterday was the day to take Tannen off bottles. I have been thinking about it for a while. But had a harder time with it because he didn't drink sippy cups very well, and he has been so little for his age that I didn't want any of his food sources to go away. I decided I was just going to do it. He only had a bottle of water yesterday morning and then for the rest of the day he just had his sippy. I had to buy two more of the Nuby Sippy Cups. As they are my favorite for switching and he seemed to lean more towards them. I thought it would take a good week to adjust and that morning and evening when he gets his big snuggles would be the hardest. But he did fine. He resisted a little but eventually just took the sippy. Yay no more bottles - at least for a few months. (Two more months until my due date!!)

Birthday Birthday Birthday

2010-06-14T08:52:00.004-06:00

Marcus' birthday was Friday June 11th. We thought we would drop kids off at my mom's and get a hotel and play Friday and Saturday. Tannen is crazy about my mom, and wants her constantly. Probably because there is something that reminds him about me and she will carry him until his heart is content.

But first in the morning Marcus worked his typical half day on Fridays (he works four 9's and a half day on Friday - perfect for an early weekend). The kids slept in and then we had swimming lessons at 10:30. We had to get back for my Dr.'s appointment at 11:45. Marcus was a little late getting off so he meet me at the Dr's and then took the boys. Kylie wanted to hear the heart beat. I ended up waiting for a while and was there for an hour. But everything looks good and he said I was having a boring typical pregnancy. Just what he wanted. He said I didn't want to be one of his interesting cases, and I heartily agreed. We made it home, had lunch and then the kids got to wrap up their presents. They hid them and play hot and cold so Marcus could find them. They seemed to get a kick watching Marcus look for their presents. We finished cleaning up the house - not much because I had my book club here the night before. And packed up.

We made it to my mom's house around 4:00 and got the pack n'play all set up. I was pretty anxious after we dropped them off. I have never left Tannen for more than a couple of hours, and definantly not over night. Marcus didn't seem to conserned about it. I think guys get used to leaving kids because they can be gone all day and sometimes over night from their kids. I wasn't worried about Landon and Kylie at all.

Marcus and I checked in and then went out to eat. mmmm Texas Roadhouse. Then we went to Prince of Persia. It was pretty good. I did get tired of all the fighting but hey what do you do, besides Marcus liked it. It was late when we got out. We ran to Winco so I could get some food seeing as I have to eat something right before I go to bed. I was really looking forward to no kid noises and sleeping in as long as I wanted. But unfortunately I woke up at7:30 to go to the bathroom and then couldn't go back to sleep because I was starving. I finally went down and grabbed breakfast and was too awake to fall back asleep. It was nice to take as long as I wanted getting ready in the morning though. No one to cry at the door or ask permission for something.

We went to a gun shop and looked at pistols forever. But hey I learned a lot. Then we shot some and Marcus ended up ordering a Springfield DX 9mm. He had a permagrin on his face and we went to lunch. We were kind of not sure what to do with ourselves after that. We looked around in stores that our kids always run through. Then we decided to pick them up. I was happy to find that Tannen didn't miss me at all. He was delighted to hang out with my mom. We then headed out and stopped in at Marcus' parents house. They made bbq and a birthday cake. I hit a wall on the way over after getting up so early and probably wasn't much for conversation. We made it home around 9:00 and I crawled into bed at 10:00.

Happy Birthday Marcus - I hope you had a great two days!!!!

Really Random and Long Thoughts

2010-06-10T08:29:00.002-06:00

Random thoughts.

So far the kids love swimming lessons!! They are usually vying for my attention in the car to tell me everything they did. Yesterday Kylie said after we were getting close to home, "It's my turn to talk cause Landon talked most of the time." I love it. I am really hoping that we can make it to the pool, or at least out in the lake so they can practice what they learned.

Yesterday I got to have Rochelle's boys at my house for a little while. It was so much fun. There was a lot of boy playing (trains, game boy, football throwing, toilet tag, etc). At some point outside there were a couple of boys that came to play too. The whole while Kylie is a great sport and enjoys playing these games but I kept thinking I am so glad she is getting a sister. We had our Lunch 'n Munch group on Tuesday and out of at least ten kids Kylie was also the only girl. Around our house there is tons of boys to play with but we never seem to see any girls outside. She needs a girl to paint nails with, play dolls and do extremely girly things with. Thank goodness she has a lot of girl cousins to satisfy her until her sister can help too.

Random thoughts about Landon. He has always been my most difficult child. Sometimes I have to tell myself that Heavenly Father wouldn't give me anything I can't handle so help me out please. Lately I have really thought that each child is so different. Sure all my kids are monkeys that climb into and up everything, and are really busy bodies. But I also feel that what is the most effective parenting for one child is totally different for another. So lately I have been praying that I will be able to know how and that I will be able to parent each of my children so they will reach there fullest potential. I can see in each of my children them being a whirlwind for good or bad. Does every parent see that in their children?

So I have also been thinking that Landon might be more like Marcus in some ways then I previously thought. Marcus for the most time is a very quite guy. He is not good a expressing his sympathy. I know when I had morning sickness he felt bad, but he really couldn't express it well enough for me. He just really would agree with me that he hoped I would stop being sick. We can have conversations about things or ask how food, day, opinion on different things and he will use one word - fine - to describe a multitude of emotions. Most of the time I can really drag things out and he can really open up to me. We have great conversations and he can really chat and go on for a long time - which I love.

But now looking at Landon I wonder if I have a hard time seeing that he feels bad when he does something wrong because he doesn't express them in a way that I understand. When he hurts someone I don't see sympathy from him. I remember when he was two and my mom came to visit she said he really tightened up when Kylie cried and would hit her because he was frustrated. He can't stand it when one of his siblings is struggling and runs out of the room with his hands over his ears and leaves. I think he has a hard time cooping. But it looks like he just leaves. Earlier this week Kylie shoved a bead up her nose pretty far. As she was crying and panicking and we were trying to get her to blow it out, Landon ran for the front door with saying I can't handle it. She finally blew it out and was fine - except for a sore nose. We had to call Landon back in the house, and he told us he was praying by the door. How sweet is that! But he has always been a very serious boy. I remember as a baby it was so hard to get him to laugh. And watching my niece Savannah giggle just to get attention and couldn't believe other babies could do that.

Anyways most of this is random thoughts I have had. But I have to say I don't think it is a boy vs girl thing. Even though Kylie is very emotional and cries in movies and books already. I always thought my dad was very sympathetic. Maybe because he was dad, but I remember him always putting and arm around me, or letting me snuggle him when I had a bad dream. Or saying something nice when he thought the rest of the family was teasing too much. So is there a way to teach kids sympathy, and how to be more expressive of their emotions. Or do they come a certain way that that is what you get?

On a lighter note I have 10 weeks left. And I finally relented in letting Landon read Harry Potter. He has been bugging me for over a year. I had him read me a page out of it, and he pretty much could read all of the words. I decided to call my MIL to see her opinion about it. I was fine with the first HP book, but not nessarlily the others right now. Marilyn was a school teacher and principle so I thought she would have a good idea. I asked her what she thought and on the fly gave me the idea to let him read one HP book a summer. So that is our plan. Landon readily agreed to it. I also told him if he doesn't know a word he needs to come ask me so he can learn it. I don't know if Landon will always be an advanced reader, but I am still working out the difficultly of what to you do when you child can read way above his age group, but isn't mature enough of the content level that he can read.

Awards, Games,Marriage, Molars, and Sugar

2010-05-28T09:10:00.003-06:00

Landon's school year is winding down. Next week is the last week of school. He is very excited to be done. And I am excited to not have to drag him out of bed every morning. Last night they had an Awards Ceremony and Landon received the Excellence in Reading award. We are very proud of him. He has been off the charts on his reading and at the top of his class all year long. Good job Landon.

Marcus just started up softball season. His work put together a team for city league and they played their first game last night. He did great as always. He plays left field and both times he hit he made it home. I love watching him play and thinking to myself, "That's my husband". He is a great ball player. I will have to get pictures of him posted sometime.

Kylie and I had a very cute conversation yesterday and this is how it went:

Kylie: Mom do you think I am going to marry Alden?
Wendi: I don't know, do you want to marry him?
Kylie: No, I am going to marry Avery.
Wendi: How come you want to marry Avery.
Kylie: Because he looks so handsome.
Wendi: Is he nice?
Kylie: Yes he is very nice. He doesn't hit and he is always good in Primary. Plus he is almost as handsome as daddy.

I hope she always measures up the boys to her daddy. How could she ever go wrong.

Tannen has been working on cutting three molars. And let me tell you he has been cranky and has not been sleeping well at all. But last night he slept through the night again. I felt so good when I woke up. I am sure he will get up tonight, but I will take any chance I can get to sleep good.

Lastly I have been feeling wonderful since I have gone off sugar. I wasn't sure if I wanted it to work or not, because I really like treats. But I feel so good I am not even tempted or crave sugar anymore. Yay!! I have 12 more weeks to go. Which feels really crazy and that it is coming up fast.

Today is a New Day

2010-05-24T09:31:00.003-06:00

So I am feeling very motivated this week. I am hoping and praying I can do better. Maybe my house will stay clean longer then the one day once a week that I can manage to get it clean. I do have to say in my defense that this pregnancy and hypoglycemia has derailed me.

About three weeks ago it dawned on me that feeling faint and dizzy and laying on the couch every morning for about 2-3 hours so I wouldn't black out was not normal. I remember feeling similar with Tannen's pregnancy but not everyday. So I called my Dr. and he told me I probably was just hypoglycemic - just the opposite of diabetes with low blood sugar instead of high. It really only happened in the morning, but it was all morning, so he told me to eat right before I went to bed and at night when I woke up. I have been doing good eating at night and then early in the morning or first thing in the morning I have been drinking juice to help my shaking. I have to say with this pregnancy and Tannen's I kind of hate eating. I hate that instead of my stomach growling I get shaky, and feel sick.

I have been doing lots better. I no longer want to faint but still get tired and most mornings still need to take a break on the couch. Hence why my house has suffered because I find most of my motivation to clean in the morning. I had my appointment last Friday and talked to my doctor more about it. He said I should eat the simple sugars when I am shaky and then I need to eat complex sugars, like a bowl of pasta for dinner. I am going to try harder this week for that. He also mentioned that sometimes my sugar goes really low because I had too much sugar earlier and it was trying to compensate for it. Surprise to me because I thought I should be eating more sugar (dang it). So this week I am also committing my self to no treats and see if it evens me out more. I have done it before so I am sure it won't be too painful.

So here's to a better week. And I am for sure going to actually fold all of my laundry that I wash today, instead of letting it sit in the laundry baskets clean until the next laundry day. And I am going to keep up on dishes every night instead of the next morning, and maybe lock my busy boy Tannen out of the bathrooms so that I can clean them and they will stay clean.

Boogers

2010-05-21T19:03:00.001-06:00

Kylie with a tissue.
Marcus: Are you going to throw away your boogers?
Kylie: Why does it gross you out?
Marcus: yah
Kylie: They're just juicy ones.