turkey, gingerbread and a whole gaggle of geese

For Thanksgiving we went up to my parents condo and stayed the weekend. It was nice to get away from home and the kids loved being spoiled by Aunt Shelley and Grandma!

The pictures are all out of order....

Doing gingerbread houses at Aunt Teri's. (All modesty aside--my kids are so cute!!)
Who knew Teri's chairs could be so fun?
Max, Easton, Keagan

The gingerbread man that Easton did all by himself!

Our gingerbread house

licking the whipped cream spoon after the pies were dolloped

My sister, Shelley, helped Easton and Keagan make cute turkey hats.

Then she helped Easton model--this is her rendition of a turkey--Easton thinks she is crazy! :)

Keagan tried to master the stairs at the condo--we don't have stairs at our house, so she doesn't quite know what she is doing, hence the head first move....

King of the mountain at the park

There were probably a hundred Canadian geese outside the condo everyday. Easton always wanted to go chase them and loved to watch them fly away.

Pictures

So, today my mom and I went to look at the proofs for the pictures Parker and I had done. (I won some free Christmas cards from Kathryn Michaels Studio) To be honest, I was a little nervous about them--I didn't love the ones we got last year from a different chain studio. I love these ones! There were about 8 shots that I wanted, of course I couldn't choose all of them, but they were all so good! I am so excited to get the prints. Kathryn is going to email me some proofs to put up on the blog too. YAY!

Easton's a BIG Boy now!

Well, we finally buckled down and got Easton a big boy bed. Actually, it has been sitting in our garage for 4 months now, but we needed a railing and bedding. So, Parker put up his bed a week ago and it has been....interesting. Easton was so excited and picked out his quilt and wanted to help Parker set up the bed. But, then it came time to actually sleep in the bed. He has gotten better, but he was very nervous at first, so I had to lay with him for a few minutes. The first night I had to go to the restroom, so I told Easton I was going to use the bathroom and I would be right back. It worked! He didn't cry or get out of his bed. So, every night since, I have had some excuse why I can't lay in bed with him all night.

He does come in and wake us up early. For most people, you would groan and say, that is not early-- (7)--but for us, (we are NOT morning people) it is too early. So, maybe that is why I am exhausted all the time lately....

I do not regret putting him in a big boy bed, because he is old enough and Keagan needed the crib and it gives me a little extra cuddle time with my boy who is growing up too fast. The other night, as we are laying there in the dark, he turns to me and says, "Mom, happy Halloween." (Halloween has now been over for a couple of weeks.) "Happy Halloween to you too." He then said happy Halloween to all the family members. It was so sweet.

Lazy Days....

Our house has been filled with germs for the past couple of weeks. The cold started with Easton, passed onto Keagan, then me and now Parker has it. Can I just say, it makes me EXHAUSTED! It is hard when I am sick, but sometimes it is harder when Parker and the kids are sick. I still have to take care of them all, but now with the whining. But, hopefully, it will be gone soon....knock on wood. So, we have had some lazy days and somehow that makes me more exhausted....

tub time hanging out with Daddy

after a successful art project--don't worry, it is non-toxic

does she look like the joker??

Easton was quite a bit cleaner with the finger paint

Tagged by Emily

4th folder, 4th picture

As you can see from the date stamp--this is an oldie, but a goodie.

This is from almost two years ago, when Easton was just 9 months. We went out to Virginia for Christmas and he got to be spoiled by his Oma and Opa, and he got to meet his great-grandma and great-grandpa. He is in a laundry basket (the clothes were clean) and he thought he was the king of the show--hmmm...he still thinks that....

I tag whoever wants to do it--no one ever does my tags, so anyone who is up for it--do it! :)

post halloween fun

The night after Halloween Parker and I went to a party thrown by some neighborhood couples. It was so fun to go and interact with adults--the kiddies got to play with Grandma. :) We, unfortunately, didn't stay as long I would have hoped--I wasn't feeling too great. And I have been sick with a cold for the past couple of days. But, it was fun to go for a couple of hours. It was a costume party and this was all we could come up with--maybe we can do better next year...

And yes, all of this was in our closet.....
This has to be the CUTEST gangster you have ever seen!

his "gangsta" face

ya, he knows he is cute!

Witches and Goblins and Dragons and Flowers....

Easton has been so excited for Halloween. I am not even sure how he learned all about it, he was too little last year--he has been telling me for a month "Halloween is coming." So this morning I was so sad when he woke up with a cold. So, it hasn't been the best Halloween, but he had fun anyway. We went to my dad's office and they have a costume parade. Easton's favorite was the guy who dressed up like Kung Fu Panda. He was not sure of the witches and Keagan would not even look at anyone that had their face painted!

Right before trick-or-treating. Easton was so polite and said "Thank you" after anyone gave him candy and the little old ladies in our neighborhood thought he was so cute when he would breath fire on them. (he is a dragon)
My little flower--afraid of the leaves

the dragon loved them!

at the costume parade

Molluscum, Molluscum, go away....

come again--never! Duct tape, you ask? The doctor told me there is no medication that the FDA insures for this virus that Easton has, but he said I could try duct tape....

Will a two year old keep duct tape on his face? Only for about ten minutes. (He didn't leave the one on his nose alone....) The other option would be to burn them off, but with Easton being so little, I don't want to do that. So, I guess just wait it out--which the doctor can only give me an estimate--a few months to a few years. (He has had them for almost a year already.) My sister-in-law said to try a cream with silver in it that her doctor prescribed for her kids, so I might see if our pediatrician will prescribe it for me.
Even with the stupid bumps, he is still so handsome!

and a cute one of Keagan, just for fun.

If you have not yet decided...

who to vote for--please let this be your deciding factor!

Jesus Woves Me!

After seeing a picture of Jesus---

Easton- Mom, Jesus.

Me- Yes, that is Jesus.

Easton- Jesus woves (loves) nee (me).

Me- Yes, Easton, Jesus loves you.

Easton- Jesus woves Keagan.

Me- Yes, Jesus loves Keagan.

Easton- Jesus woves...(he then proceeded to tell me everyone in the family--even my sister's dog, Sam.)

Me- Yes, Jesus even loves Sam.

Parker's 8

he didn't agree with mine....so here is his

8 favorite T.V. shows:

1) It's always sunny in Philadelphia
2) The Sopranos
3) Sons of Anarchy
4) Lost
5) 30 Rock
6) The Unit
7) 24
8) Family Guy

8 Things I did yesterday:

1) Actually woke up for church
2) Took a Sunday Nap
3) Killed it in Madden football 09 for xbox 360
4) Watched Mongol
5) Watched my Sunday morning Political shows (Powell is the man)
6) Cooked experimental Quiche
7) Played with my kids
8) Relaxed

8 things on my wish list:

1) Condo on Cocoa beach
2) Handball court
3) Free Golf
4) Own my own restaurant exclusive to family and friends
5) I'm a good Dad
6) I'm a better Husband
7) I'm a good friend
8) Debt Free

8 favorite Restaurants:

1) Chefs table
2) Carrabba's
3) Mimi's Cafe
4) Magelby's bar & grill
5) Tucano's
6) Market street grill
7) Bombay House
8) Peter luggers (The best steak in the world)

and you wonder why debt free is so important!

tagged by Tiff

8's

8 Favorite TV shows
*The Office
*The Closer (summer show)
*Monk (summer show)
*Privileged
*Heroes
*House
*30 Rock
*90210 (I know, I know!)

8 Favorite restaurants
*Carraba's
*Bombay House
*Brick Oven
*Spaghetti Factory
*Zupa's
*Mimi's Cafe
*Sonic --love the hamburgers
*Los Hermanos

8 Things I did yesterday
*woke up WAY too early
*taught our Primary class for the first time
*tried to get 7 eight year olds to be quiet during Sharing time (didn't quite happen)
*took a Sunday nap (love 'em!)
*ate Parker's experimental quiche for dinner
*changed numerous diapers
*put Keagan's bed down to lowest notch
*watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Easton

8 Things on my wish list
*be out of debt
*get more in shape
*lose baby weight and then some
*Easton's molluscum bumps gone
*healthy, happy kids
*make friends in my neighborhood and ward
*somehow teach my husband to do the dishes without me asking
*a dust-free house

There was also 8 things to look forward to, but most of my wish and look forward to would be the same.

I tag Emily K., Tristin, Amanda, Ali, Trisha, Alayne, Jamie, and any of my sisters- if they would do it.

dirt, dirt and more dirt

On Friday, my mom and I went down to the sand dunes. My sister, Laura, and her family were down there for the weekend. Easton and I took a little ride on one of their 4-wheelers and he loved it!

Go Easton!

I didn't take Keagan on the 4-wheeler, but she sure wanted to go!
The sunset with all the dust. --if you pretend it is fog, it is quite cool, I think.

Holy Cow - I Won!

So, a little while ago there was a post on my friend's sister's blog about 25 free Christmas cards from a photographer, Kathryn Michaels, in SL. I entered, not thinking I would win, but thinking it would be fun if I did and I WON! I am so excited, especially after I went onto her site tonight! I am going to call tomorrow to make my appointment!

Thanks Supermom and Kathryn Michaels!

Keagan's Birthday Party

We had Keagan's birthday party today and if I do say so myself, she looked ADORABLE! The top half of her outfit is from Grandma and the bottom half is from Oma. She was a little nervous about the shoes (I never put shoes on her in the summer), but she did really good with them. She couldn't crawl very well with the jumper and she kept squawking at me when her knees would get stuck, but she looked so cute!

I got pictures of her before the party started, because I knew she might not keep her piggies in her hair, and she pulled the ribbons out after everyone got here.
Easton and cousin Gage were big helpers with the presents.
she loves her new baby doll from Laura's boys (notice the car--not a present, she just somehow got it out of Gage's hands-which never happens!)
She got this cute stroller from my sister's boys too. She isn't quite sure if she wants to push it by herself, but will do it with help.
She was kind of timid with the cupcake. But, after I helped her for a second, she dove right in.


Evidence that Daddy was there!
Mommy too! (we are always behind the cameras, so I had Parker take one of me and her and vice-versa.)

some cute pics of Ashley, Shelley and Keagan on the family blog

Birthday Cupcakes

The first video is of us singing to Keagan. I, not thinking, blew out the candle towards her and I think she got scared. The second is of her eating it, or thinking about eating it....

12 reasons I love Keagan

1- Her smile
2- Her pretty, red hair!
3- How she growls at random times--especially in Relief Society
4- How she holds her arms up as I pass--and knows I will pick her up
5- How she will cuddle for a few minutes and I can just hold her--only started recently
6- How she loves to brush her hair
7- How she loves to give kisses
8- How she talks on the phone
9- I love that she is SO ticklish
10- I love that she thinks Easton is so funny
11- How she knows how to hold her own against Easton
12- How she does girly things--even when playing with boy toys, somehow she makes it girly

Happy Birthday Keagan!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl! I can't believe a year ago, I was in the hospital with this little one! She was 2 weeks early, yet apparently very ready to come (7 lbs. 15 oz.).

We went in for a regular check-up and my doc checked me and said, "I'll meet you down at the hospital in a few minutes." (I was at a 5) I called my sister, who was watching Easton for us, and she thought I was kidding at first, but I finally convinced her to get a hold of my mom, who was out of town. 10 hours later, our sweet baby girl came into this world!

She was our surprise baby, but she has been the best surprise we could have hoped for!

We love you, Keagan!!

Home from the hospital--2 days old.
2 months
4 months
7 months
11 months

Easton's new phrase...

"Ya, Mom, I know!"

"Easton, Daddy is home."

"Ya, Mom, I know!"

"Let's wash your face, it is dirty."

"Ya, Mom, I know!"

"I love you."

"Ya, Mom, I know!"