Friday, December 31, 2010

Picture Overload

Once again I tried to do a photo session with the kids and since it is so cold outside I had to make a really lame photo set in the house. I always get so stressed out when I do sessions with the kids because I try so hard to do a good job and it seems everything always goes crazy. My kids hate it and are difficult. After spending about an hour trying to get everything set up and do Lily's hair she was in a bad mood and Jake was ready for a nap. Here's what I got.

Lily started out expressionless
then switched to this. At least she is expressing some emotion.
Finally she snapped out of it and was great the rest of the time.







Jake was NOT a happy camper

Jacob was trying to make him laugh. He was thinking about it in this one.
Almost got him.......
but then we lost him.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Kat's Birthday

Kat turned 27 this week. I failed to put a post up about it, but we did capture some of the action on video. Rather than posting them here in our tiny little window, I'll just provide a link. There are three videos, one of the kids chasing each other around, one of Kat trying to blow out her candles, and a very long one (15 min) of us decorating the tree. Don't feel the need to watch these, they're for us, but if you want to watch, feel free.

I love you, Kat. You're still as beautiful as the day I met you. <3

Boards

Jacob has been studying for boards like mad the past couple months. Whenever he was home (which was rare) he was cooped up in the bedroom with his laptop studying studying studying. The kids always wanted to go play with him and I would tell them they needed to leave him alone so he could study. A few days ago Lily told me she had a big test coming up that she needed to study for so she needed to be left alone. Then she shut herself in her room for quite a while so I finally went in to check on her and found her actually studying.
This was the test she had to take. Looks pretty complicated if you ask me.
I am happy to say that Jacob completed his boards today (well actually yesterday since I am noticing now that it is after midnight) and he feels pretty good about it. We will find out in a couple weeks how he did. Congratulations Jacob. Thanks for all your hard work.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Watch it on youtube to see the whole screen.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Psion Beta!

Well friends and family, I've finally done it. I published Psion Beta. I'm very very very excited about it. It represents years of hard work. When all was said and done, I decided to stop looking for an agent/publisher for this particular book and do a Print-on-demand service. This doesn't mean I won't continue to look for an agent, but not for Psion Beta. If you're interested in purchasing it either in paperback or for your Kindle, you can do so HERE.

I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement. If you purchase the book before Christmas, you get $5.00 off. Just a bit of an incentive.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

J's first time playing in the snow

Tonight I had to go out and shovel the driveway because our plow guy never comes and I was worried Jacob wouldn't be able to get in when he got home. It was Jakes first time playing in the snow and he pretty much thought it was the coolest thing ever. Lily helped me shovel. I don't know why she chose to dump the snow in a big pile right behind the car but it was nice of her to help. Lily has been so excited for it to snow so she could make a snow angel and a snowman. Today It finally snowed enough to do that. Although we didn't get to the snowman because it was late, she still had fun rolling around in all the fluffiness.
Jake does not have proper gloves. He just has little knitted mittens and when they get wet he takes them off. I had to take him inside three times to put socks on his hands and he screamed each time thinking it was time to go in. His poor little hands were bright red ice cubes and he looked absolutely miserable but he still did not want to go inside. I practically had to drag him in after about 45 minutes of play and he kicked and screamed and cried and hung on the door for about 20 minutes till I forced him in a warm bath.
After his bath he put Jacob's boots on and was ready to go out again. He was not happy when I told him it was bedtime.
I wish I would have gotten a video of him first stepping outside. He just giggled and giggled as he tried to walk through the snow that came almost to his waist. I didn't think to grab the camera till we had been out there for a while.

ps. After we went inside the plow guy came. I was so mad but at least the kids had a good time.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

New Camera

Kat got her big Christmas present early. An HD video camera. We've taken a couple of fun videos with it, which we will now share with you. I would actually go to youtube to watch them rather than trying to watch them on the blog.


Friday, December 3, 2010

Smartest Decision Ever

Sorry no pictures. I just wanted to write down something I've been thinking about lately so I don't forget it. When Jacob and I were car shopping for our mini van, one of the big questions we had to ask ourselves was "Do we want a DVD player in the car or not?"

Jacob convinced me the answer was absolutely not because cars without it were obviously cheaper and our kids get enough movies at home but then we started to find some that had a DVD system that looked awfully nice and tempting. I started to really think how nice and fun it would be to have one and eventually our answer turned from absolutely not to whatever it doesn't matter as long as we get a good deal. We then narrowed it down to two cars.

One was just a basic car with nothing special and the other had a DVD system, leather seats, sun roof, automatic power sliding doors and you get the idea. The problem was they were the same price. The latter just had more miles on it. Then my husband did something horrible to me and said "I don't care. You choose. Just let me know when you make a decision."

I battled that decision in my head all day. I called my parents and tried to get them to make the decision for me but they just encouraged me to be smart about it. So I took off my worldly prideful thinking cap and put on my wiser intelligent one. I decided (with the help of my mom/Jacob) that with the economy headed the way it is it might be better to get a car with less miles in case we can't afford another one for many many years. I also realized that a DVD player would be a bad idea because no matter how much I told myself it would only be used on longer drives that eventually I would get used to it being an easy solution to a stressful situation and my kids don't need TV at home and on the go. I remembered family road trips as a kid and how we talked to each other and sang songs and laughed and played; and I wanted it to be that way with my own kids. So I chose the boring car (and I think Jacob was hoping I would pick that car because he was against a DVD player from the start).

A few days after we got the car I was driving to the store when Lily started to sing Families Can Be Together Forever in the back seat. After she said "Mom I want to be a family forever. Do you want to be a family forever?" I told her yes and she said, "Do you think Dad wants to be a family forever?" I said that I knew he did and she decided that Jake probably did, too. It then hit me that so many of the precious conversations that I have with my kids happens in the car and that if they were too busy watching a movie that those precious moments would come to an end. I know this is already so long but I wanted to record another quick conversation I had with Lily tonight as we were driving to pick up Jacob.

Lily: Mom what is Christmas really all about?
Me: (shocked at her question and trying to think of a simple way of explaining it) It's about Jesus and remembering all the wonderful gifts he has given us.
Lily: Oh because Jesus died for me and then he came awake, and that's why we have the bread and water at church.
Me: That's right because he loves you.
Lily: Yep, he is my brother and I gave my tithing to him at church.
Me: Yes you did and why did you choose to do that?
Lily: So that he can build Temples and churches and help people. Can I talk to him?
Me: Yes. When we say our prayers we talk to Heavenly father and Jesus and we can feel them talk to us through the Holy Ghost. Do you remember the Holy Ghost from your nursery class lesson?
Lily: Yes.
Me: That was a great question you asked Lily.
Lily: Thanks mom.

Now back to the car story. I'm not trying to say that people who have DVD systems in their car are dumb and ruined for life I'm just saying that for me and my family not having one was the smartest decision ever.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

28 Weeks

I realized I hadn't taken a profile shot since 18 weeks so I figured I better just do it. Sorry for the grumpy face. My photographer was teasing me as per usual.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Jake's Prayers

We have started including Jake in our family prayers. He normally goes to sleep before we get around to doing it but now we make it a priority to do it before he goes to sleep so he can learn. Afterward Jacob helps him with his personal prayers and this is how it goes every time...

Jacob: Ok Jake say Heavenly Father
Jake: No
Jacob: Thank you for mommy
Jake: No
Jacob: Thank you for daddy
Jake:No
Jacob:Thank you for Lily
Jake:No
Jacob: In the name of Jesus Christ
Jake: No
Jacob: Amen
Jake: Amen

He is very good at keeping his arms folded and he is surprisingly pretty quiet and still during prayer time. He loves to be a part of family prayer but he struggles a little with his own.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I Think We're In Trouble

Today Lily picked up her play phone and started talking to her friend Jack's mom. She didn't sound very happy. Her conversation went like this....."Hey Stacey, you better bring Jack over here RIGHT NOW. And tell him to bring his Woody and Buzz. Now bring him over to my house and HURRY QUICK!" Then she ran to the bathroom and began putting on some of my makeup in preparation for Jack's arrival. When she was finished she came to me and said "Mom I think Jack is going to love all these wonderful colors I put on my face." I can't say I'm looking forward to the teenage years with this girl. apparently she felt Jake needed some too.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Lily stuff

This is just my attempt to corral all these Lily stories/quotes into one place.

Today:
Jake had a nasty diaper, so I hid under a blanket while Kat changed him. Then Lily joined me underneath and said, "Daddy, I'm staying away from that dangerous poo!"

Lily: I want to go to the Temple.
Kat: No I'm sorry. You are going to stay here and play with grandpa.
Lily: But I want to go get married in the Temple too.
Kat: And who would you get married too?
Lily: To Jesus.

On the airplane Kat was getting close to landing in Cleveland so you could see all the trees and their pretty colors. Lily turned to the man sitting behind her and said..."Look at all those pretty trees. Heavenly Father made them."

Lily had a conversation with her cousin Jack in Utah about superheros.
Jack: "Well my favorite is Spider Man and Iron Man."
Lily: "Well my favorite is my dad."


Lily was upset that she didn't get to ride the ponies at Patterson Fruit Farm so when we got home she grabbed her little toy horse and said angrily, "Hey mom, do you see this horse? I can't ride this horse because its bum is too small and my bum is big and this horse can't even walk. I need a horse that can walk." Then she proceeded to demonstrate how impossible it was to ride the horse.


One night as Kat was getting her ready for bed she found her sitting on the couch with her head down and she was sniffling. This was their conversation:
Me: Lily what's the matter?
Lily: I just want my friend Jack.
Kat: I'm sorry buddy Jack is on a little trip with his mom and dad right now but he'll be back soon.
Lily: But I just love him.
Kat: I know you do sweetheart. He's a good friend isn't he?
Lily: Yeah.
Kat: Well lets go get ready for bed and we can talk about it some more.
Lily:(as she is walking to her room) I just love him so much.
Kat:(after we brush teeth and are in her bed) ok lets say your prayers now.
Lily: I just want to talk about Jack.
She then proceeded to tell Kat what her favorite thing was about Jack (She likes to play with him at her house and he makes her laugh) She hoped that while she was trying to go to sleep that maybe he would open her door and surprise her. Nobody ever told us it started this young.

Kat made toast for the first time in the new toaster tonight. This is how it went....
Kat:"Lily do you want jam or butter?"

Lily: "Jam."

Kat: "Are you sure?"

Lily:"Yes" So I put jam on her toast and she says "I wanted butter."

So I eat the Jam one and make her a butter one. Lily: " Bust I wanted jam." It's a good thing she's not running for president because she is a major flip flopper. The toaster is awesome though.


One night Kat made pancakes for dinner and somehow messed them up. She me Jacob that she destroyed dinner so we needed to move on to plan B. Lily looked at her then put her hands on her hips and said "You have got to be kidding me."

I know Lily, how do you mess up a pancake?


When Lily watches a show she always stands with her face literally 3 inches from the TV. Kat tells her to move back because Lily will hurt her eyes. Today she found a brilliant solution to the problem. She wore her sunglasses.


"Mom I'm a dinosaur with a HUGE appetite, but don't worry I'm just an herbivore."


One time Lily named Jake, "Lucifer."

Trying to get Lily to branch out and try a different fruit other than a pear.

Jacob: Lily, do you want to try this plum, it tastes like a pear.

Lily: That's not a pear.

Jacob: I know but it kind of tastes like a pear, do you want to try some?

Lily: No. Dad that is not a pear.

Jacob: I know it is a plum but it kind of tastes like pear.

Lily: Hey mom, that's not a pear. It's a plum.


Kat's story:
Part of Lily's prayer last night: "Thank you for my daddy. (a high five is exchanged between Jacob and Lily) Thank you for my mommy. Thank you for BYU." (another high five is exchanged)........Sigh.

Conversation Kat had with Lily while tucking her in bed tonight:

Lily: Mom do you have a baby in your tummy?

Kat: Yes I do.

Lily: Dad doesn't have a baby in his tummy because boys don't have babies in their tummies.

Kat: That's right, and why don't boys have babies in their tummies?

Lily: Because they have WAY to much hair on their tummies.


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Trip to Utah (or at least one tiny part of it)

I recently took the kids to Utah to see my little bro get off his mission. It was so nice to see family. We had a lot of fun. I pretty much forgot my camera everywhere we went but I did manage to take it the day we went and rode my sisters horses. (keep in mind it was my really cheapo camera) My sister has 5 horses and I was so excited to go ride them. I used to go ride them once a week before I got married but I don't think I've seen them since. Lily was super excited as well. Here is Jake chillin in the back of the truck. He loved petting the horses but if they got their faces too close to his he freaked out so he liked to just watch from the truck.

Lily hugging Bonnie with my mom. Bonnie is one of my favorite horses. My sister had her bridal pictures taken on Bonnie and they were beautiful. She is such a sweet horse.
Above is Valentina. Lily really liked this horse and kept saying it was hers. Below is Lily riding Cinco. She doesn't look happy in this picture but she was so excited to be on such a big horse all by herself. Cinco is the horse I used to ride back in the day. Her mom is a tiny little pain in the bum horse named Bambie but luckily Cinco is a sweetie.
These are my sisters two little boys Ty (on back) and Cody (in front) they are so stinking cute and they make me smile a lot. Lily LOVES playing with them and talks about them all the time. My sister recently had a little girl named Grace and I am SO HAPPY I got to see her while she was still so tiny. She was a doll.
Ok so I pretty much look like I'm on drugs in these last two pictures but keep in mind I was soooo tired. I hadn't been sleeping at night thanks to Jake. He had a really hard time adjusting to his new bed. This is Lily and I on Dakota. My sister says this horse is a fruit loop and after riding him I will agree. He doesn't like to listen very well. He also thought that Lily had such a nice looking head of hair that he diced to take a bite of her long pony tail.
Jake LOVED riding. He was so chill and relaxed the whole time but when you tried to take him off he would get so upset.
Thanks for the fun times Becca and Ryan. I hope we can do it again.
PS Jake may or may not have thrown a lot of grain on the ground while chillin in the back of your truck:) Sorry about that.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Discoveries in Solitude

Kat and Lily and Jake have been gone for the last week and a half. I thought I'd share some of the things I've discovered about life since I've been alone:

1. When you go to bed alone and wake up alone, life is like one long day.

2. I wash and fold clothes much faster than Kat.

3. I don't know how to work the dishwasher.

4. Writing happens when little kids don't need books read to them.

5. My kids actually miss me when I'm not around.

6. Socks can be left on the floor for a few days and then gathered up at laundry time.

7. I'm lazy about cooking. My lunch for the past few days has been cereal, plums, yogurt, carrots. Dinner: string cheese, milk, pizza, or plums.

8. After about three days of no wife, dreams start getting really weird.

9. It's nice to come and go as you please.

10. Being a family man is the best way to live.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Patterson Fruit Farm

Yesterday we went to a cute little farm. It was our first family outing in a long time. Jacob thought it was extremely over priced and maybe it was a little but it was still fun to get outside. It was basically just a bunch of slides although the kids really enjoyed them. Above are the kids and I sliding on the big one.
Here is Lily just looking cute
This is Jake falling down a slide
Lily and Jake in an Indian teepee
Jacob pushing the kids on a cart
Jacob and Lily walking through a corn maze that was extremely muddy. We had to cut through the corn to get out. Jake fell down a couple times and we all got pretty muddy.
Jake hiding in the corn

My favorite part about the farm was the all you can eat apples. They were so fresh and sweet.
Here is Jake (the hater of food) taking a bite. I was impressed that he even took a bite.
Here he is spitting it out and getting ready to wipe it on his shirt
And here he is throwing it in t he trash

Monday, October 11, 2010

They Didn't Get it From Me

Don't get me wrong, I love books and I love reading, I just can't sit and read for long periods of time. It takes me at least a month maybe more to finish a book. Jacob reads all the time and can sit and finish a book in one sitting. I'm pretty sure my kids got the ability from him. They will sit and read to themselves FOREVER. I'm always so amazed at the attention span they have when it comes to books. Jake especially pretty much reads all day long and that's not an exaggeration. He brings me one book after the other non stop. This morning we read 9 different books several times each all with in the first hour of his waking up. If I am doing something and can't read to him then he will go sit and read to himself. I can always tell when he is reading Cinderella because when it gets to the page where the step sisters are ripping her dress I hear a big gasp from the other room. Many times he gets so excited about a certain part of a book that he comes running down the hall with the book yelling "Mommy mommy" because he is just so excited to show me what is happening in his story. I can also tell when he is reading his dinosaur book because every page he is so amazed and yells "DINOSAUR" in his most monstrous sounding voice. I'm pretty sure he will be smarter than me by the time he starts kindergarten.
Lily also loves her books and has memorized so many of them that she reads them to us. We are going on vacation soon and she is having a hard time deciding which books she wants to bring on the plane with her. This particular night I put her to bed at 8:00 and then at 10:00 I found that she was still awake. She told me she had been packing her books and had them all stacked up and ready to go to grandma and grandpa's house. We still have almost two weeks until we leave. Many times I find her reading in bed when we think she is asleep which means she has been reading in the dark. I'm not quite sure what to do about that.

And here they are reading together. It was one of those moments where the house gets too quiet so you get nervous but I found them like this which is usually the case when the house gets quiet but not always.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Attempted Photo Shoot

I decided to try another photo session with the kids and although it turned out differently in my head I still managed to get a few good ones. I hate that when I edit them they look ok in the window I'm editing in but when I put them on the blog they don't look as good. Oh well I tried.

And yes Jake has the same facial expression in every picture




Lily's eyes looked really neat in this one but like I said it looked different in the editing window. If you click on it and make it bigger it looks better.
All these poses were her own doing