American Girl Store, LA

For spring break this year Jeff and I decided it was finally time to take our little family to Disneyland.  We were lucky enough that Jeff's sister Amy was willing to come with us, because it was so nice to have another set of hands and let's be honest the kids all love their aunt Amy and she spoiled them while she was with us.    Before we headed down to Annaheim we had a day in LA and Madie and I finally got to visit an American Girl store.   Madie has been waiting and waiting for the day when we would be some where near an AG store and when we started planning this trip I told Jeff that we had to stop in LA and go to the AG store.  So glad we did it was so fun to see all the stuff in real life and not just in the catalog.   Madie also chose to have her doll Bailey's ears pierced.   Here are some of the pictures from our trip to the American Girl store.

Baby Boy is 4

  You heard my right my baby boy turned 4 years old at the end of January.   How time flies when you are having fun.  I have to say that I have been so much more relaxed with Owen than any of my other children.  I think with the first one everything is so new and overwhelming at first.  Then the more you add the crazier it gets and let's be honest the whole first year for me is not that great, but ever since we got over the one year hump life has been so much better.    Four years old?  I just can't even bear to say it.  There is something about three that still seems babish, but four, now that just sounds down right too old if I do say so myself.  

Owen has been such an easy going little boy and has had all of us wrapped around his little finger since day one.  He has a happy, joyfulness about him that just radiates and draws people in.   People are drawn to him.  I don't know if it's that little body, that little voice, those dark brown eyes, or his dark hair, but people love to talk to him and I rarely go out without someone telling me how cute he is.   Okay I guess that sounds braggy, but he is such a people person and such a big personality in such a little body.    Speaking of little bodies, I took him to his four year check up and he is in the 13% for height, so yes he is a "little" boy.

It feels good to have a happy bookend to our family, and end on a happy note.  With all the anxiety I felt with babyhood it feels freeing and liberating to be over that and just enjoy the time that has followed.   I just wanted to write down the following story about Owen because it still makes me laugh to this day.   In the fall around Halloween time Owen and I were at the store.   Owen was super excited about being Batman for Halloween and was totally into Batman at the time.  He was literally doing Batman moves around the store and pretending to get people that were walking around the store.  Good thing they thought it was cute and didn't get bugged that he was doing it.   So we walked up to the checkout counter to buy our items and of course he does a Batman move to the girl at the counter.   She chuckled and asked him about Batman, he told her that he was going to be Batman for Halloween.   We finished with the checkout and I was grabbing the bag to go when the checkout girl said to Owen:  "Have fun being Batman".  He looked at her for a minute like he was trying to figure something out when, he finally said to her "have fun being a girl".   It was hilarious and the checkout girl instantly started smiling and laughing and went over to the other checkout girl and told her the story.  They both looked over with huge smiles at him.

Here are some things about Owen:

• He says "wait" all the time, it's his way of saying stop when he wants to tell you something.
• His favorite stuffed animal is Baa Baa the sheep and they are best friends
• Loves playing stuffed animals with Landon, his other best friend.
• Loves Batman and other superheroes
• Likes playing Little People
• He likes to "whistle" by putting his fingers in his mouth and going whoo whoo, since he can't really whistle.  
• Loves playing on the ipad, especially Papa's Freezeria
• His favorite movies right now are Monster's University, and Despeciable Me 2.
• He loves preschool and is the shortest one in his class.
• He is a candyaholic.  He prefers having a candy over most other treats.
• He does not like chocolate?   I have wondered could he really be mine?
• Loves to play outside, ride his bike, dig in the dirt.   He loves the outdoors.
• Cries when he doesn't get his own way (it is rare when he doesn't get his way)
• Loves to give hugs, kisses, and snuggles
• His favorite meals are fettucine alfredo, macaroni & cheese, and biscuits & gravy
• He loves fruit (berries, oranges, & pears are his faves) and  he likes yogurt with granola on it too.
• Is a pretty picky eater in general.
• When he says he loves me it melts my heart.   
• Loves to read books.  He loves the llama llama books, chicka chicka boom boom, and books about cars & trucks.
• Is very into trying to stand on his head and do tricks with is legs in the air.
• Knows most of his ABC's, his colors, shapes, and can count past 20.
• He is left handed, but uses his right hand at times.
• Has a great imagination and likes to make up games to play with Landon.

I truly feel blessed to have this little guy as a part of our family.   It was so hard when they told me I was going to have another boy, I have to be honest it took me over a month to really get over that I wasn't going to be having another little girl, but man, I wouldn't change things for the world.  he brings our family so much happiness and I feel like he has made me a better, happier person.  We love you Owen.

Landon is 6

I won't even start to apologize for the fact that Landon turned 6 last may and here were are and I am just barely starting to write this post, but I guess better late then never.   Landon had such a great first year of school.   I was so worried about how Kindergarten would go knowing the delays that we were dealing with, but he did so wonderful.   We started off the year in Extended resource.  Let me also start by saying that we really struggled wether we should do all day Kindergarten with him or not. In the end we decided it was worth the monthly payment and I totally feel like it was the best decision.   So back to what he was getting at school.  Because he was in extended resource he qualified to have an aid in the classroom.   Landon was with a group of about three other boys who all needed extra assistance so the aid was there to help all of them.   Landon loved school, don't get me wrong at the end of the day he was emotional and tired when he got home, but he loved it.  Landon was the first to recieve the Character in Action award for the year.  He was also pretty popular it seems, we joke how Landon had more Birthday party invites that year than any of the other kids in the family.  As the year progressed we were more than happy to see Landon making huge strides and he was even reading by the end of the year.  When we attended our last IEP meeting of the year they said they felt like Landon had progressed so much that they wanted to move him up to resource and that they didn't think he needed to be in extended resource anymore.  It makes me tear up thinking about how far he came from the beginning of the year.  Landon's birthday fell right around the end of school and it was great to see him learning so much.   It's hard to believe that he was 6.  I can't believe how fast he is growing up and what a sweetheart he is.   Walking down the hall with him at school you see how loved he is, you couldn't walk down without a bunch of the staff saying "Hi, Landon".   Everyone said what a sweetheart he was and how he made them smile.   Landon played soccer in the fall for the first time and loved it.  He was super fast and loved to be right there by the ball.  It was extra special because Jeff was his coach and it was neat to seem them have that with each other.  Here are just a few things about Landon.

-his favorite stuffed animal is his Puppy
-has the best smile, it lights up a room
-has the most beautiful big, hazel eyes
-loves super heroes
-is a good eater, he will try things the other kids won't
-he might be small, but he is growing taller
-loves to laugh and smile
-loves to be outside
-got a new bike for his birthday
-loves to ride super fast on his bike
-loved playing soccer
-his best friend is Owen
-loves to be sneaky (he is often found sneaking in the pantry)
-is the only one of the kids that has freckles
-Is a good helper.  He especially loves helping Jeff outside
-is great friends with is cousin McCoy
-took swimming lessons over the summer and loved it
-he is a great reader
-makes friends easily
-is rarely found under his covers when I check on him at night
-he is a totally snuggle bug.

There are so many things about this boy that I love.  He has such a sweetness and innocence to him.  Even though he still has times where he gets easily frustrated he is improving so much.   Our life just wouldn't complete with out him.  He helps me to be a better person and mother.  Landon I just can't wait to see how you keep growing and learning.  I feel so blessed to be your mom.  I love you with all my heart.

Madie is 11

Well my blogging has totally gone by the waste side, so I am trying to make up for lost time by at least writing something about the Birthdays that have come and gone. I guess later is better than never. Madie turned 11 in April, and it's killing me how time is flying so fast these days. I am so proud of the wonderful young lady that Madie is. She has always had her own ideas about how she wants to do thing; Barbies, I don't think so, dressing up as a princess, I don't think, those were never important to her. She isn't all wrapped up in what everyone else is doing, she is true to her self and what she likes, and for that I am very grateful, I am happy she feels confident in who she is and what she likes and doesn't like. Madie has a sweet personality and is concerned for others. She is a perfectionist, which can be good or bad depending on the situatuion. She is a good student and knows that school is important and takes it seriously. This last year was her last year in Elementary school, and it really made her sad. She loved being at the same school as her brother and was very nervous to go to Junior High. I am not going to lie and say that I am so excited about her growing up, it is extremely bitter sweet. She is not only the oldest which makes her the first to do things, but she is my only girl, so her growing up makes me feel sad because she will be the first to leave, and I love having her around. Here are a few things about Madie at 11:

 -Madie is a reader. She read all the Harry Potter Series, Percy Jackson Series, and The Kane Chronicles, Just this year. She loves having her nose in a book
. -Likes to play soccer and gives it her all.
 -Still into American Girl and her doll "Bailey"
 -She is creative
-Loves to play with her brothers, especially Ethan and they have many games that they play regularly together that they have made up themselves.
 -Is a snuggle bug. I love that she still loves to have a good snuggle with me and doesn't seem embarrassed by me yet.
-Is a good student. I mentioned this before, but she is very proactive and isn't afraid to ask questions until she understands.
-Loves her friends. Madie has a cute group of friends and she loves to hang out with her friends and have various friends come over.
 -She is a good friend.
 -She is loyal
-Madie wants to do everything right the first time and can get discouraged when she doesn't
-Is still taking piano, and has really improved this last year. I love hearing her play.
-Is a good swimmer, last summer she really took off in her swimming and is quite the little swimmer.
-Doesn't want to grow up. While most little girls only want to grow up, my Madie doesn't. She likes things the way they are and doesn't want them to change.
 -Loves to watch movies
-Loves, loves, loves, bread
-Has a sweet tooth like her mother
-Not a fan of rice, but loves noodles
-still sleeps with her blanket every night, and her poor blanket is starting to wear out.
-loves to listen to music and dance around the house.
-Madie is a good helper and being the oldest lends itself to helping mom & dad a lot, she is trustworthy and you can count on her to get things done.
-Loves to ride her bike and was super excited to get a new one for her birthday
-Likes building with Legos, and really loves her lego friends sets.
-Is a little thrill seeker and loves Lagoon. Wicked and Colossas being two of her favorite rides.
-Dreams of going to an "American Girl" store and bugs us about going to one all the time.
-Has been loosing teeth right and left, now they just need to grow in


 I wish one was closer to us. So in love with this girl, and feel blessed beyond words to have her in my life. I thought my life would be full of daughters, it didn't turn out that way, but I couldn't have asked for more, she is wonderful and it is an amazing experience to have her in our home and to watch her growing and developing into such an amazing person. We are so proud of you Madeleine and love you with all our hearts.

Owen is 3

Our little Owen celebrated his 3rd birthday at the end of January and the awesome mom that I am I am now just getting around to blogging about it. What can I say about Owen other than he is a Joy. He brings so much happiness and love to our family. Three years have flown by and I need it to slow down because this stage with him is so fun I just want to eat it up. Here is what my little love is up to these days: -Loves playing little people with Landon -He wants to drive a digger, garbage truck, school bus, or fire truck when he grows up -Gives the best hugs and kisses -Tells me "Be Happy Mom" while sweetly smiling at me -His sheepy stuffed animal "Baa Baa" is his favorite stuffed animal and uses him as a pillow at night -Talks a lot, and I mean a lot. I am sure he is our best talker at this age and sometimes I am surprised at the grown up things that come out of his mouth. -Has his sister and mom wrapped around his little finger -Is a ladies man already. This kid makes woman swoon, and I am not kidding, we can't go anywhere without ladies oogling over him -His brown hair and brown eyes make him look like a junior Clark Kent -He is super duper ticklish, you name it, it's ticklish. -Loves to watch movies and knows how to get the TV & DVD player going all by himself -He says "Pcause" instead of because, and it's adorable -He is either best friends or worst enemies with Landon, not a lot of in between. -He loves giving thumbs ups and knuckles and looks adorable doing it. -Owen is only in the 10% for height, so it's a good thing he is so cute, because he's going to need all the help he can get reeling in the ladies -Looking at books is a favorite past time. He loves all the Llama Llama books, and books about things that go -Owen can count up to ten, knows his colors, shapes, and almost all of his ABC's -Wants to be one of the big kids and tries super hard to keep up with his sister and brothers -He just moved into a big boy bed and is doing great, now we just need to get him potty trained. -He is going to be a lefty. He Can use his right hand when eating, but when it comes to writing he's a lefty all the way -Whispers "I Love You Mom" to me and makes my heart melt -Has a great imagination and is often pretending to be a super hero, fire fighter, or driver -Looks adorable even when he is pouting -Likes to pretend he is asleep -Hides from daddy every night when daddy comes to take him to bed -Loves the bath and getting water all over the place -He is a picky eater -His favorite dinner is Fettuccine Alfredo -Loves animals -Likes to tell me about what he is going to do when he "gets bigger" -He does good at nursery, and his teachers tell me he actually pays attention during the lesson portion -Caillou and Daniel Tigers Neighborhood are two of his favorite shows. -Likes to play Lego's with is brothers -Helps himself to the ipod and loves to play Angry Birds & Angry Bird Star Wars. He gets mad when he doesn't kill Darth Piggy -Owen loves to sing and is often found singing I am a child of God or his ABC's. -He even sings in the store and makes people smile. -Still let's me rock him to sleep at naptime -Sings along to the songs on the radio -Does not like chocolate (makes me wonder sometimes if he's really mine) -Is told often he looks just like Landon. -When he has an idea he says "I know....let's" -Every night before bed we read books in my bed and after he picks his books, he comes in holding the book behind his back, he says "mom close your eyes" and says itabe itabe itabe, and then pulls the book out from behind his back. Owen is such a special little boy. He just radiates love and people are so drawn to him. He has a big personality in that little body. He is thoughtful, and has a mature spirit. He is inquisitive and is always asking questions. I truly feel blessed to be his mother. He truly brings our family such happiness. We Love you Owen and I guess it's better late then never to post about you.

Happy Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween everyone. I am Glad another Halloween is done, the costumes stress me out. This year as you can see we did "The Wizard of Oz". We had the Lion costume already from our other son and I have been telling the kids for a while now that as soon as Owen could fit into we would do "The Wizard of OZ". When I pulled it out I realized that Wow he already fits in to it, so this is the year. It all came together in the end and I guess that's all that matters. We had a great time taking the kids out trick or treating and the weather here was divine, no coats and we didn't all freeze. I hope you had a great night as well.

Eight is Great

Ethan turned 8 a few weeks ago and he is super excited to be getting baptized this coming week. It's hard to believe he is eight, it seems like just yesterday Madie turned eight and here we are doing it again. He had a great Angry Birds birthday party and invited some of his friends from school and church. I will post pictures from the party later. Another fun thing about turning eight is that he now gets to start scouting and attended his first pack meeting the week after his birthday. The first time we started to get ready to go to scouts he was not excited and said he didn't want to go. When I picked him up I asked him how it was and he said "it was awesome". Needless to say the next time we went there was no complaining. Ethan also started taking piano lessons, so now him and Madie go together to piano lessons. I also forgot to mention that Ethan is now sporting glasses. We had his eyes checked over the summer to find out that his eyes were bad enough that he needs to wear his glasses all the time. He has been a trooper about it and has been super great about wearing them and not even complaining about it. Here are some fun facts about Ethan: (I am having a temporary problem with loading them, so the pictres are small, until I can fix it).

-Ethan is in 2nd grade -is playing soccer -loves Legos especially super friends -always has his nose in a book -or he is at the counter drawing -Ethan has a silly personality and loves to joke -has a good group of friends at school -started playing the piano -has a great imagination -loves Angry Birds -sleeps with tons of stuffed animals every night -loves to play with his siblings -Ethan is a good friend -Is starting to be more adventurous about trying new foods -takes more hot lunch then the other kids -has the same 2nd grade teacher as Madie did -loves to watch Scooby Doo -Ethan grew to be a more confident swimmer this summer

We love our Ethan so much, and it is fun to see him growing up to a fun and handsome boy. Happy 8th Year Ethan. I can't wait to get out and take some Birthday pictures and some baptism pictures too.