Life with a big sister.

We have been sick over here this week. I don't feel like doing much at all except existing. I am pretty sure that the germs stick around further into the year in this damp climate. I don't remember sicknesses being around this long in California. I could be crazy, just feel that way. The kids have had to play together and entertain themselves quite a bit (don't mind their hair that is not done). Their new favorite thing to do is to dress up together. Only problem is, we only have girl clothes so far. He will probably kill me when he gets older for posting this, but figured you all might enjoy a good laugh at his expense. 

 Ella loves the Ladybug girl series. She has learned a lot from her books. Like how to add some rain boots to an outfit.

 (Below he is wearing Ella's shoes. Just to clarify that his feet are not that big. =)

 Emily and Darren were so kind to send Ella a TON of new dance clothes. She was SO excited and cannot wait to model them in her class. =) Thanks guys! Here is Carter and Ella modeling a few of them. Haha.

 This was our Buzz Lightyear costume that Ella and I made. This is our first boy costume. Nice, huh? =)

Guess I better get some boy dress up stuff. You wouldn't believe the pictures I have of him thus far.

And this is just because he's cute. =) Finally a picture without his "picture" face. 

Twins?

Carter has really liked dressing up lately. Girl shoes and all. Amongst his new favorite is this monster costume. Are these two twins or what? Well, she's more feminine looking if i do say so myself. And also older in her picture. But you get the idea...they look alike. =)

Neverland

(Photo courtesy of Martina and Jeff=)

Whenever my kids watch Peter Pan I begin to think that Neverland is THE best idea. These kids are growing way too fast. I have realized that if we really are done having kids, I will have no more babies. My "baby" is not so babyish anymore. I have some rough days with them, I will say that. But I have loved being able to stay home with them, despite those days. Now if we could go to Neverland and keep them the ages they are.

I have a reading girl! Ella has been quite the little school girl these days. I have been doing a little "pre-school" thing with her 3 times a week right now. She goes to dance to get some social interaction and I haven't wanted to pay for real preschool at this point (especially since she will have to wait another 2 1/2 years until Kindergarten if we stay here). Lately, she waits all day until we lay Carter down for a nap. Then we start our pre-school. She calls me "teacher" and wants me to call her "student". It is like playtime in a way, but I am okay with that. =) She has been learning to write all of her letters and numbers. And guess what, she has also been reading! She has read a couple of little books all by herself! These mostly consist of 3-4 letter words (with no ridiculous English rules to them), but it's a start! She can sound out simple words and has been doing it non stop! She is thrilled with her new found skill and cannot wait to be off an reading more difficult books on her own. Not to mention that she cannot wait to write emails to her cousins (Patrick has made her very excited about this thought). The fun begins! On another note, she is loving dance class (unless she is too lazy that day). She has her first recital coming up in June and cannot wait for that (picture above, don't mind the leotard under her costume). She is picking up tap like a pro and loves ballet (although she needs a bit of help in the graceful department =). She thinks I have no idea what I am talking about when I try to help her. Irritating! Such is life! The other above pictures are of her a few weeks ago. It was her first talk in Primary! She was the first Sunbeam (3 year old) to be asked to give a talk. She thought that was pretty cool! She did an excellent job and was so proud after. It was cute! She really is such a hoot these days! Definitely her fathers daughter. She is coming up with funny comments all the time. Oh and the sassy nature about her. If I say, "Ella, don't talk to me like that." She will swing around and say, "Don't talk to ME like that." Oh man. There are times I want to laugh, other times I am furious with her. You know the way it goes with girls. Only nobody told me it started this early! She does love her brother though. Such a good sister. She holds his hand everywhere we go and it always taking care of him. All in all, I just love this little girl. Now I just want her to slow down her growing up. We are about to move her into a big bed. Her toddler bed is getting snug. She comes in to my bed every night lately because her bed is "uncomfortable". I am pretty sure soon she will look even bigger to me at that point.

Oh my little guy. He is getting so big all of a sudden! He climbs, jumps off stuff, makes HUGE messes, gets into everything, and throws cute (sometimes) little tantrums. He is such a momma's boy lately, and I have to admit I like it. Until Sunday when he won't go to nursery that is. He is talking a lot now. Nobody would be able to understand him except us, but he says a lot of words. He will try to say any word you ask, only sometimes it just comes out with the first syllable. He loves his sister. He copies everything she does. He wants her approval and follows her around like a little duckling. It is so cute. I love that they are having so much fun together. Most times. Other times, Carter torments her. He will steal her toys and run. He hits her, sits on her...you know brother stuff. I can't help but wonder how they will get along as they grow. Carter has 4 teeth and 1 1/2 molars on top now. On the bottom, he has two. What is that about? On the top he looks like a big kid, and on the bottom like a baby. So weird. Hope they grow in at some point! He is a little crazy, and little naughty. He knows before he goes in his diaper and tells me almost every time. In fact, last week he told me "poop" and I asked if he wanted to go on the potty. He said yes, so we decided to give it a try. He sat down and went poop! Then stood up like it wasn't any big deal, looked at it and smiled. Yay for Carter! On the other hand he brings me a diaper and wipes when he wants to be changed, then runs away and laughs. So, not saying he is potty training or anything but it was a positive thing! Who knows, he may be four and still in diapers. =/ Just loving this little guy though. He is such a little man. Well almost. He LOVES shoes. A little too much. He wants to try on every pair at any store...no matter what size. He steals visitors shoes to try them on. He wears my shoes and Brady's, though his favorite shoes are Ella's dress shoes. Ho hum. It is cute and scary. Kid is going to have a shoe fetish when he grows up. We just bought him new shoes and he wears them all day every day and shows everyone he sees. Cute boy. Everytime you pick him up he wraps one arm around your neck tight, making you never want to put him down! It's rough. =) Boy do I love him. Hope he stays small for a bit longer.

How well do you know your husband?

1. Sitting in front of the TV.. what is on the screen? Colbert Report most of the time, but recently Portlandia (stupid show!)

2. You're out to eat what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Caesar if the offer it.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Tomatoes (such a shame).

4. You go out to the bar. He orders...... A Ginger ale, or a Rootbeer if we are at BJ's. =)

5. Where did he go to high school? Bear Lake High School

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10 1/2

7. If he were to collect anything, it would be...... Skis.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? He doesn't like sandwiches all that much, but probably a spicy italian of sorts.

9. He could eat--- barbecue --- everyday.

10. Favorite cereal? He will eat anything, but likes Cinnamon Life. (Not sure if he has a favorite though)

11. He wouldn't be caught dead wearing..... Anything preppy.

12. Favorite sports team? He doesn't watch sports, therefore, has no favorite team.

13. Who will he vote for? Who even knows, depends on the time.

14. Who is his best friend? I like to think it is me. =)

15. What is something you do that he wishes you didn't do? Tell him he isn't funny at times. =)

16. How many states has he lived in? I have no idea. Idaho, Utah, California, Oregon, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Connecticut (not sure if he actually LIVED there), Brasil (not sure how many states he lived in there).

17. What is his heritage? Danish, Welsh

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday... what kind is it? Red Velvet or chocolate lush.

19. Did he play sports in high school? Yep. A few. Basketball, Football, Track....mostly just played at the pad with his band from what I hear. =)

20. He could spend hours...... Skiing, Kiteboarding, reading the news, or Brewspacing.

One Strong Girl

Just when you need something to make you feel better about your life. I logged on to facebook sometime last month only to see an update from a guy named Jim Bennet (he worked at my high school). He was updating on his sweet little girl who had been in a terrible skiing accident. I don't know the exact details of what her condition entailed, but I do know this. She suffered from a broken back in several places and needed surgery to put it all back together. She was at the time paralyzed from the waist down. I don't actually know his daughter personally, but what I do know is that she is one strong girl. She has since been feeling her bladder and begun physical therapy to regain her walking abilities. She has a long road ahead, and may or may not walk again. This little girl has made me reflect on my own life. I too suffered from a broken back. How blessed I was to avoid surgery. How blessed I was to not be paralyzed. How blessed I am to have family and church members that supported and helped my family in so many ways. How blessed I am to be able to heal and return to my normal life. I still have quite a bit of back pain (need to do physical therapy myself) but I will no longer complain about it. This little girl named Abby has changed my outlook on my challenge. They are having a benefit for her on Wednesday, March 16th in Utah. For those of you who may know her and are close by, attend if you can!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=146036805459343 . If you are having a downer of a day, just think about this little girl that has kept a smile on her face despite her difficult trials.

More California.

Kai and Ella. =)

Picking Lemons with Jaycilynn and Marco!

I have known Marco since he was Carter's age. Man they grow fast!

Love these guys. =)

Dancing it up on the boat.

Nothing better than playing at the park. Especially the teeter totter with Papa!