Christmas Fever

How adorable are these kids? So, now that Halloween is over, it is like Thanksgiving doesn't exist and we are going strait into Christmas...because of PAUL! He is seeing Christmas stuff and hearing Christmas music and freaking out. He is soooo excited. And he knows that Katie's birthday is right after Christmas, so he keeps calling her Santa Baby. It's really cute. Oh and by the way, David Archuleta, I LOVE your Christmas album!

Halloween

A week later and finally cute Halloween pics. Here are the kids in the costumes I made for them. Paul was a "scary ghost" and Katie was a "cute pumpkin."

So exciting!

At the pumpkin patch.



Marius with Katie.
Family Reunion at American West Heritage Center - Logan, UT

Running the Lavender Days 5K in Mona, UT in July.
Fun with Dad at the park and with cousins in Gramma and Grampa's backyard.



Here is some of what we've done all summer and this fall in no particular order. FINALLY! I sat down at the computer for a few hours and fixed the problem so that I could import all of my "new" pictures. I'll never let that happen again.

Applesauce!

My friend, Jesi, and I spent about 18 total hours cutting, washing, boiling, mushing, and canning apples to make yummy applesauce yesterday. It was a very sticky process, but we had a blast. Special thanks to other friends who lent us the tools we needed, IFA for having inexpensive jars, my dear land-lady for allowing to pick all the apples from the tree in our backyard, and my super-husband for taking a vacation day from work to watch our kids and my friend's kids so that we could do it all.

Children are an Heritage of the Lord

(Lovingly written by yours truly, Laura Jensen)

Twas the morning after another long day and inside the house,
the baby was stirring; At work was my spouse.
The crying began. I covered my head.
I thought to myself, "Please go back to bed."
Next, a knock at my door, then open with a creak.
The toddler was up and to my side he did sneak.
"Mama, pee-pee!" in my ear he did yell.
One whiff with my nose and sure was the smell.
Out of bed I sprang and stripped him til bare.
Now the baby was screaming, while I clutched wet underwear.
Into the tub I whisked the small tot,
then soaped, rinsed, and dried while he squirmed, sobbed, and fought.
Fresh undies, some shorts, and on with the top.
The babe was hysterical, around her crib she did flop.
I snatched her up, she let out a sigh,
then sniffled, and quivered, and rubbed her red eye.
I made up a bottle quick as an elf.
"Maybe I'll get a nap today..." I lied to myself.
Now the infant was happy sucking away.
I turned to the toddler, "What do you want for breakfast today?"
A banana, some cereal, or oatmeal is offered at most.
But what does he want? Pancakes and cheese toast!
"No sweetie, not today. We have to leave soon for the gym."
But getting my body back after two babies doesn't matter to him.
Crying and fits, "I don't WANNA go there!
I want go zoo!" My nerves begin to wear.
I give him a banana that's a little bit riper,
then go to the baby to change her saggy diaper.
The bottle goes empty, the wailing ensues.
I head to the garbage to trash the refuse.
My foot finds something warm on the carpet with a SQUISH!
"Anything but that!" is my no poo-poo wish.
I slowly look down with hesitation and fear.
It's only a banana! "Thank goodness!" I cheer.
A wet rag and some cleaner take care of it well.
Some days are heaven and some days are hell.
However, this day is not the worst I've had.
No, in fact, today is really not half bad.
So, the hours they go, we somehow get through.
We go to the gym, the store, and library, too.
Daddy gets home, the house is a mess,
and I really never had a chance to shower or dress.
But, we are all happy and healthy today,
so I guess that we MUST be doing okay.
The kids eventually tire after the evening gets late.
Finally it's good night, and to other moms the same fate!

Yucky weekend

We all had the flu BAD this weekend. I had it so bad, I had to go to the InstaCare and get a shot in my hip to make me stop throwing up, then they prescribed me some pills that they give to chemotherapy patients to help with their nausea. Paul was throwing up in just about every part of the house. Jeremy was doing fine until this morning. Surprisingly, and thankfully, the baby has not been affected as of yet. I hope she won't get it because this would just wipe her out. Today I slept most of the day away. This evening, we all felt well enough to go outside for a walk in the cool air. It was nice to breathe freshness. The house felt so stale. Belh. What a weekend to be sick. This was the nicest weekend--weatherwise--in a while. Sad we missed out. Also, as soon as I can get my computer to let me upload more pics from my camera, I will be able to update more about fun stuff we've done lately.

Longing for Freedom

She likes to move it! Move it! She is crawling all over now, a little untraditionally, but she gets around. She tries to stand in the middle of the room ALL the time. I think that that is why she screamed her first two months...she was frustrated at not being able to do anything. Now she is pretty mobile and only screams when she has tried so long and can't go on any longer. We really like this little girl.

Summer Fun

We have some real cuties in our family. New pics finally for your viewing pleasure. You will see Katie's little teeth, 4th of July outfit, cute smile, and happy in mommy's lappy. She is sitting up really well and scooting around. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth. She can't quite crawl regularly. You will also see Paul's mohawk, having fun with sparklers, snuggling with sister, and others. Jeremy and I went on an anniversary day trip in Sevier county. We went to the Big Rock Candy Mountain, some old mines near Marysvale, Cove Fort, the Fremont Indian Reservation, and a couple other stops. We, of course, make sure that we take time to read to our little tikes so that they are super smart. But, what loving parent would do less for their children?

Okay this will make you laugh!

So, during the sacrament today, while it was being passed, Paul was getting fidgety. Jeremy leaned over and told him to be quiet and think of Jesus. So, Paul talks out really loud and says, "Jesus Christ died! Michael Jackson died!" We were shaking we were laughing so hard! It was a good thing we were sitting in the back. Only a few people heard it. For all the adversity that children give, it's times like this that really make being a parent awesome!

Here's one for your Funny Bone

I have a real love for genuine humor. This lady is a great storyteller. Here is a good one. The best one though, you will have to search for. It is a sound file only. I couldn't find it on video. But search for Jeanne Robertson 7-up pound cake and you will be able to listen to that funny story. Enjoy!

Seriously, so blessed

Some of you may have already seen this blog. My sister, Andrea, introduced me to it. Anyway, it is pretty much a mockery of young Mormon wives and mothers and their "blissfully happy and perfect lives." It is pretty funny. Anyway, just thought I'd pass it along to you all so that you can see for yourselves how ridiculous the entries are, but how you ALL know people like this. :)
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

May Mayhem

This video gives a good picture of what we did on our trip. Some exciting things left out were that Paul got stitches on his head and we found a really awesome lizard skeleton nearly whole! We had a lot of fun and wish we could have done so much more. I guess we'll have to plan another trip. :)

A tooth!

This morning when Katie got up, she gave a big smile and there was a teeny little tooth on her bottom gum. I tried to get a good look, but every time I touched her lip, she stuck her tongue out. :) So, I felt around in there and sure enough there was a sharp little guy right there. I was pretty surprised since Paul didn't get his first tooth until he was 10 1/2 months old. But, then again, Katie has been doing EVERYTHING faster than Paul did. I gues that just reinforces my opinion that girls are more efficient than boys. :) When the tooth comes in a little more, perhaps I can snap a photo if she doesn't keep sticking her tongue out. PS - We are having a very relaxing and fun time in San Diego so far. Just sitting and visiting and playing in the backyard has been a blast for me. Disneyland on Monday was fun. Paul had a great time despite being sick, and we look forward to JEremy getting here on Saturday and going to the SD Zoo. I have some cute pics, but can't post any until I get home next weekend.

San Diego Here We Come!

The kids and I will be in San Diego this weekend and are staying for two weeks! Jeremy has a week-long class he has to take at Utah State and then he will join us in SD for a long Memorial Day weekend. I hope to post some good pics when we get back.

Easter and treats

We went four wheeling above Richfield last weekend. That was a nice treat for Jeremy and I.


Paul ate a smoothie with me the other day. He can be so funny at times. He is such a ham for the camera. :)



We had a fun easter. It lasted a few days with egg hunts and parties here and there. At our house easter morning we kept it simple. Paul found eggs that we had dyed at a friend's house and we had baskets with juice boxes and cracker snacks mostly. There was a small bunny and chick in each of their baskets. Katie's basket was purely for a photo opportunity since she is not into the candy or juice thing yet, but she did look darn cute holding the baby chick.

quick update

The faces of Katie. Sometimes she smiles at us, but usually she looks like this or she is sticking her tongue out and kind of staring. :)

March Madness

We have done a lot in the last few weeks. Jeremy had a beard and then we shaved it off little by little. Here are some highlights from that experience:








Here are some of my favorite pics from the last couple weeks. Katie is smiling a lot more and has calmed down so much. She sleeps completely through the night as of a month ago. However, I lost the bottle battle. She will only nurse. She hates the bottle. Paul has been adventuring out around the house more since it has been pretty nice springlike weather here in Provo.
I also was in a guest star in a low budget family movie for my sister, Ashley's wedding. The costume is gone, but here is my hair.