Bounce U

We have gone to Bounce U a couple times in the last month and had a blast!! They have two big rooms full of inflatable FUN!! 

Here is Austin going down the big slide. All the kids love this one and do it over and over and over again!!

However, Klayton might have easily broken the record of the number of times going on the slide in a row. He didn't leave the big slide for at least an hour. This is one happy kid!!!

On the other hand, Kayla is NOT a fan of the inflatables. As soon as we enter this place she tightens her grip and protests every time we go near them.

Kayla does however love the trampoline spiderweb toy.

Connor loves it too and can climb his way up to the top.

Here's a kid group shot

(with an extra kid who I guess wanted to be in the pic too)

And after 1 1/2 hrs of fun and exhaustion, nothing tastes better than an McDonald's ice cream cone.

YUM YUM!!!

A Girl's Best Friend

Brady really is a sweet dog. On occasion he will sneak his way into the kid's room and sit on their beds and when he does Kayla takes full advantage of the moment. She turns Brady into her playmate.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

One of our goals this year is to make sure we have family home evening EVERY week. Last year we did FHE but weren't always consistant about doing it weekly. This year I am aiming for no misses. I will admit that doing FHE for a 4 year old and a 2 year old is rather tricky and sometimes I wonder if it is really worth it. In fact, I even question if they are really listening to what I am saying. But I know they hear me when I say "FHE treats" because I get a big reaction from them when I say those words.

Well today Austin told Craig: "Daddy, I love Jesus" which was then followed by "Jesus loves the little children like me."

Moments like those are so encouraging because it reminds me that they are listening and they are learning. I am reminded of the talk from Elder Bednar (you know the one).....

"Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

1/16/2011

Snow!!

We finally got our first snow!! It started on Sunday January 9th and Austin couldn't wait to go outside and play in it.

Here he is trying to catch some of the falling snow in his mouth.

Within no time Austin was asking "can we go sledding?"

By monday afternoon we had enough snow on the ground that we built a Mario Snowman. And again Austin was asking all day long "can we go sledding?"

It stopped snowing monday night and so the next day we promised Austin that we would go sledding. So after Craig got off work we found a hill close to our house that had enough snow that we could use. The kids LOVED it and had such a fun time.

Mikayla actually suprised me....each time she went down the hill she was screaming with delight.

The hill was small enough that the kids could both walk up the hill easily and sled down it by themselves. They didn't want to stop but it was freezing cold outside and getting dark so we weren't able to go for too long. Hopefully we'll get more sleeding snow soon!!

Kids at Play

 I just never know what to expect from these two kiddos

 but it sure is fun watching them.

Mean Mommy

Austin started this new thing.....whenever we would tell him "no" and not let him get what he wanted then we would say "Mommy (or Daddy) you are mean!"  After several times of hearing this we decided to take action. We reminded Austin about all the nice things that mommies and daddys do and that if he was going to call us mean then he would have to sit in time-out (if he is calls us mean then we might as well be mean right? :)

So the next time he used those words he went to time out.....and since then he has been more thoughtful about what he says. There has been several times when I've told him no that he has said "Mommy you are m...." and then quickly corrects himself and says "Mommy you are nice."  In fact, as I am doing my typical "mommy taking care of her kids" duties he will say "Mommy you are nice."  So today while the kids were being watched by their grandma he told her "I have a nice mommy. She let's me watch movies. She let's me play with toys. She takes me to McDonald's."  I will say, it's much better being called a nice mommy!!!

Comfort Objects

I'm sure every kid grows up with a comfort object. This was mine...a blanket that I got when I was a baby. I used that blanket so much that it is worn thin and coming apart at the seams. In the open side of the triangles I would pretend that there was candy inside that I would eat. And when I was about 6 years old I told my mom that I was going to keep my blanket forever. She asked "but what about when you get married?" to which I responded that I would fold it up and put it at the bottom of the bed.  Well, it is folded but has a special spot up in my closet.

Here are my kids' comfort objects:

Austin has been attached to his pillow for about 2 1/2 years now. He always drags it out to the couch when he watches TV. When he lays down to go to sleep he will take his hand and gently stroke the right side of his pillow. He doesn't let anyone lay on that part of his pillow because as he says "that is where I rub." We even replayed his bedding with Mario bedding for his birthday yet he still continues to sleep on his Cars pillow....just doesn't want to give it up!!

Mikayla would always sleep with Elmo and her blanket (which is actually Austin's baby blanket). She has decided that Elmo is no longer necessary but she must have her blanket when going to sleep. Maybe I should teach her about the "candy in the triangles."

Merry Christmas To All

It seems like Christmas came and went so quickly this year. Here are a few pics of the kids from Christmas Eve:

The kids wearing their new pajamas. Kayla was super excited about the Strawberry Shortcake pj's (they both love watching Strawberry Shortcake). And since Austin had like 4 pairs of Mario pajamas already I opted for the "on sale" (aka cheap) pj's I found at Walmart. His reaction---he wanted to wear the strawberry shortcake ones (lesson learned...just buy another pair of Mario ones).

Our cookie plate for Santa and his reindeer.

Our Nativity story---I'm sure every parents goal and the trickiest part of the Christmas season is trying to remember and emphasize the true reason we celebrate. This year Austin knew more of the Nativity story than last year so I guess that means we are making progress.

And then Christmas morning arrived.....we woke the kids up at 7am and Austin hurried down the hallway with excitement to see what Santa had brought. Austin's first words....

First let me explain...several months ago we got this pink bike at a garage sale knowing that Kayla would grow into it. Well it became the bike that Austin actually learned how to ride (pedal). However Kayla also likes to use the pink bike and "rides" by using the tops of her feet to push herself forward (she actually gets going pretty fast too). So there is always competition about who gets the pink bike.....they will tease each other saying "I get the pink bike" (in the tune of nanny nanny boo boo).

So Santa being as smart as he is, knew that in order to keep our kids off the naughty list, Austin needed his own bike. (we put the pink bike out also just so there wouldn't be fights about the red bike) 

Now back to Austin's first words:

"Look Kayla....its a pink bike" 

 (uhh what? do you not see the new red bike?)

Austin did make friends with his new bike and a couple days after Christmas it was warm enough that we went riding down the street.....and there is no more arguing over bikes. Hallelujah!!

Kayla enjoying her doll house

Austin and the red tank that he wanted sooo badly. We saved it for last and as soon as he saw the wrapped present he knew exactlly what it was!!

Our kids are so lucky to have so much family here in town that also want to share Christmas with them....so the day becomes a busy one as we go around town to visit grandparents houses.

The kids and some of their cousins giggling as Craig
plays them like a piano.

It was a great Christmas and we are so grateful for all of the many blessings that we have been given, especially our Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!