BTW...

I forgot a couple things yesterday when I posted. So I will post 2 days in a row. I think that's a record! This girl is now POTTY TRAINED!!! It took her long enough. She just was so fine going pee in her pants and something finally clicked. We are SO happy and so is our bank account!


YEAH MAKENA!!!

And this little cutie started CRAWLING last night!! It's probably the cutest little army crawl I've ever see, but now we are in major trouble because Makena loves tiny little toys now. The two don't really mix!

And she's been spending a lot of time looking like this because of the two giant top front teeth coming in. I feel so bad for her and I really can't wait for them to come in already. For my sanity as well!

And just because she's so dang cute!!! We love these girls!!!

Seriously...

It's time I start taking back control of my life and my blog. I guess having an infant will do that to you, but come on! She's now almost 8 months old. What? Yep I said it and it's been like 3 months since I updated so here we go. And yes it goes back to Easter...don't judge :) Mostly pictures because there's just too much to put up! And I won't bore you with words!

Easter (Yes I made their matching skirts, and yes she is easter egg hunting inside...it was cold)

My brother Jeff got engaged to Ashley!! Wedding next month!!!

Photo Shoots- of course!!

Sea World- My camera battery died after like 10 pictures. Dumb mistake!

Pretend City- Makena's new favorite place!

Seal & Sea Lion Rescue in Laguna Beach

We've been playing hard and the summer hasn't even started yet. We are looking forward to a real vacation up to San Francisco and Napa in just a few weeks and our booked calendar!!! Lots more fun to come!

We've been parents for....

3 YEARS NOW!!! I cannot believe how it has flown. I'd like to say I am a professional mother now, but this last birthday has shown me why I am not yet there. One good thing I had going for me was taking pictures BEFORE we left for the party:

Because any parent should know that even if it's easier and your child says they love Chuck E. Cheese DON'T DO IT!!! Because if they've ever shown any signs of fear of the previously listed mouse it will come back to bite you in the butt and craziness will ensue.
She spent 3/4 of her party like this(and this is calm):


And just spend the time making a birthday cake (yes, I wanted to have little to no responsibility for this party) because if you buy it at Target they will be 45 minutes late having it ready, therefore making you 20 minutes late to your own stinkin' party. It did turn out cute, but I have lots of resentment towards this cake.

And why do I even BUY her birthday gifts when I know that she will accumulate half of the toy department at Target? I will never understand it.
And as many of you know 1:00 church, especially on a weekend of no naps, is not exactly fun. But this was a beautiful thing. And yes that is the middle of my living room/dining room. And yes it was like 5:30 in the afternoon.

So on her actual birthday we thought we'd treat her to some family Disneyland time. Which was really fun. Kind of crowded but fun and she was happy! Isn't she a cute little 3 year old?

But then we got this wild idea to try and go to Rainforest cafe for lunch. Yes even after the Chuck E. Cheese fiasco 2 days earlier. I walked her in, showed her the restaurant and asked if she wanted to eat lunch there. And she of course said yes. So in we went and boy was that a mistake. She cried and was scared pretty much THE WHOLE TIME!! Pretty much the lamest $50 ever spent. She didn't like it and the food wasn't even that good. Parenting skill learned...NEVER listen to a 3 year old when you have doubts. Even if it is her birthday!! This picture was after we'd coaxed her into actually eating her lunch, but she still had a wary eye on that gorilla in the corner. Good times!!

And then after all you've been through to try and let her have the happ-happ-HAPPIEST 3rd birthday EVER, this is the look you get on the way to the car! Priceless. Can't wait until your next birthday Makena!

3 Months

Jade...my precious baby-stop growing so FAST! This girl has the sweetest temperament and is just such a happy girl. She hardly cries, sleeps really good and gives us all the sweetest smiles. We just love her. Time...SLOW DOWN!! Please! I sure love my girls and even though somedays I want to scream I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I am very blessed!

Follow the Star-A Christmas Post

Mary. Wow! I understand a little how you felt. I can't quite imagine having rode on a donkey for days, getting off, being denied even a room and then giving birth in a stable. I now know the feeling of a natural birth and I assure you, that is not something to be mixed with hay and cold and animals. But endure it she did. To bring a boy into the world who would be so perfect and save us all. I was able to witness that baby Jesus, my baby Jesus, last weekend at our churches presentation of Follow the Star. When I saw my baby in that stable-wailing and all-it touched deeply into my heart. How could Mary do it? I know why she did it, but it took all the strength I had to even let my baby go out into the cold Rancho Santa Margarita night and leave my arms for 10 minutes to play Jesus. She brought him into the world to let him do his work and leave her he did. What strength she had. What love. This season we think so much about Jesus and to him I owe so much, but to that mother we also owe so much. She took on the great responsibility of mother to the Son of God. She gave birth to him, raised him, taught him, and then watched him teach others and later she stood by as He gave his life. To that woman I say thank you. You are my hero. So, as I watched my babe in that cold stable, I learned even more about a mother's life and sacrifice and for that I am so grateful! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that we remember what it is we really celebrate.

It's been 2 months already???

We cannot believe that our little Jadie-doodle is 2 months old. She is such a light to our family. She is such a good little girl and so calm and relaxed. Even her doctor at her 2 month appointment commented on her calming effect. Which is great because with Makena being the whirlwind that she is the calm is so nice. At her check up she weighed in at 11 lbs. 10oz. Almost 12 pounds!! And she is 23 inches long. She handled her shots almost better than me and she is just so content. She talks and smiles and just makes me so happy. I love her and can't wait to see how she continues to develop. And I love how much these sisters love each other. Makena always has to be by her sister and kiss her and hold her, and Jade just smiles at her and gets so excited when she's around. I just love seeing the sister bond already in action. We are so blessed!

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a great Thanksgiving at my parents house. My cousin came from Utah that I haven't seen in years and we had other family there that made it really special. Makena LOVED playing with all the kids and we loved visiting with all the adults. Dinner was great, as usual...with the exception of my chocolate pie that tasted delicious, but died on the two and a half hour drive up. BOO! But we had a great weekend full of family, shopping, golfing, pictures and just hanging out. Oh and then we stayed an extra day and were there to support my dad when he was called to be the new bishopof their ward. What a huge calling, but we know he was meant to be doing what he's doing. We love you dad!!!

Jade's Blessing

So I am going to try to play catch up since I haven't really posted much lately and it's almost Christmas so I need to post all that's gone on around here. On November 22, Jade was given a name and blessing by her daddy at church. We had about 30 people here to support us and that was great. It was a beautiful blessing and we had a great time with everyone afterwards at the park. Thanks to all who came and supported us!!





BTW...this is my 100th POST!!! WOW! Just think how many I would have if I kept up with this regularly :)

Are You Jealous?

These girls....




Have the longest most BEAUTIFUL eyelashes I have ever seen. Thank their daddy for that, but I know they will get comments their whole lives because they are just amazing. And yes, I am a little jealous!




Lots to update on...sometime when I have more than just a minute!