Potty Time!

That's right we have begun potty training. Asher is doing really well. He's been sitting on the toilet for a few months, nothing consistent and usually not productive, but then he started informing me when he was peeing and pooping and then began waking up dry... so I guess that means I have to be ready too. The first day was amazing and then pooping had to happen. It was a wonderful experience!  (I hope you can feel the sarcasm!) I walked into his room, with him standing in a puddle of poop! I took him to the tub as I tried to figure out how to begin the clean-up. He had his underwear down and around one ankle as he lifted his foot and began shaking his leg to get them off. I've never seen poop in so many places at once! In my hair, down my shirt, on the wall on the opposite side of the bathroom... everywhere. Good times!
He does look cute in his undies though! He insists on wearing them backwards so the big picture is in front where he can see it. He really is doing well since the christening of the bathroom.

Let the drama begin

Everyone has told me girls are really dramatic and I didn't believe this would happen, not to our sweet Evie, but oh, I was wrong.  She's upset because I insulted her with a bottle when I should've know that is NOT what she wanted!
She is doing a lot of fun stuff. She is now able to stand by herself for about 2 min, and she has tried to take steps a few times, but since she has not successfully landed I don't know if this counts as "first steps".  She mimics us by trying to put on necklaces, her hair bows, talk on the phone and points to pictures in the book like we do. She loves to put things in and out of other things. She loves water. We've taken her to the pool a couple times and she wiggles all she can to be as much in the water as possible. She still loves to play games with Asher, like throwing her bottle and him fetching it, although he doesn't like this game nearly as much as she does.

Watermelon

Who doesn't love watermelon? But seriously most of us wait until it's been sliced! I started to cut the watermelon and left for a second, and this is what I came back to! Silly boy.

Wonderful Dads!

I just wanted to tell Brian that you truly are an amazing dad and we love you so much! I appreciate all you do for our family. You are a hard worker, basement finishing, sprinkler fixing, child chasing, church calling fulfilling, story reading, child and wife hugging fool! We love you and appreciate all the sacrifices you make for us.  Here are a couple of the many sacrifices you make regularly for us:   -Driving the not so nice car so we can use the other   -Helping me clean the house after your full day of work.   -Always reading stories with the kids at night so I can work on other things   -Giving up any and all spare time you have to be a wonderful husband and dad   -Never thinking twice to change a poopy bum!   -Being OK if we go to Wendy's for dinner, because I don't want to cook!   - And spending time with us, even at your golfing expense- We love you daddy!

I also wanted to tell my dad that I admire him and all he's taught me.  I remember if my dad could tell something was wrong he'd ask me "what's your biggest concern in life? What can we do it fix it?" That would always help me put everything in order in my mind and help me address what was most important. It was amazing he could recognize this in me even if I didn't know I was particularly upset.   -  Asking regularly, "has anyone told you they loved you today?"   -Telling me when I was a teenager, "if your going to sneak out of the house at night will you leave me a note so I know where you are?"  -Flirting with my friends- crazy dad!   -Teaching me how to be independent.   -Always taking care of me; warming my car on cold winter mornings, carrying anything that needs carried, (even now he carries the kids or diaper bags), opening doors, ect.  -Being truly Christian; doing good to others, helping those in need, being kind and sincere in concern, and always being willing to comfort.  -He taught me to follow my heart.  -Thanks for being such an amazing dad! I hope that I'm able to magnify these values you've taught me-

Garden-

We've finally finished planting the garden. We have spinach, peas, beans, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower ... I think that's all, besides our peach, apple and pear tree and grape vines, of course. What was I thinking? I'm excited to eat all this fresh produce and share with everyone who will take it, but what in the world am I going to do with the rest of it? If nothing else the kids had a blast in the dirt- Sorry dad, I mean soil.

Evie-

Evie is always SO happy! We noticed after she was in bed asleep, she was poopy. So we took her jamas and diaper off to change her and she was smiling even before her eyes were open! Happy girl!
She is starting to dance now. I love this stage. If she hears even 3 beats she immediately recognizes it's music and starts bouncing and her arms are up like she's conducting It's my favorite!

Hats

Asher came running out of his and Evie's room saying "here she comes mama!" Evie crawls out of her room with her hair bow box on her head. Asher was so excited of his accomplishment and Evie was thrilled Asher was playing with her! Asher still loves his goofy hat and insists he wears it to bed, to the store and of course when he watchs goofy-

River trip

 We have a friend named Jason. There are many great things about Jason; He visits me during the day with adult conversation, and he shares my passion for Albertsons chocolate chip cookies, and he has a raft! This last weekend we left the kids with grandmas, (thanks Cindy and mom!), and went to Moab area river rafting! I love to do this, but haven't been able to go as much as I've wanted since I've been pregnant with August babies. We do the west water run, which is MUCH MORE than a little white water, and sometimes the daily, which is a much more relaxing than the first.  Jason is always very prepared and so he wouldn't let me get on the raft until I could tie this specific knot, (I don't remember the name of the knot- Jason would be so disappointed!). I had to be able to tie this knot with my eyes closed, behind my back and from 3 different angels! No fooling around! The water was really high and Jason was nervous which made me nervous since he's the expert. It was a crazy ride, but we all lived!          

Bubbles!

It has been so nice out! Here are a few pictures of us doing yard work and playing.

The Big Day!

Tuesday was a very special day. My dad went to the temple and received his endowments! I will always remember it and feel blessed I was able to be a part of this important event. A small miracle happened that day. Brian was my dad's escort so he had to be there at 6:30 am. We drove together and I wasn't sure what I would do for the next hour, but Brian insisted I go in and wait in the temple. Instead of waiting in the foyer, which I was planning to do, Brian said, just show them your recommend and wait inside.  I went in to appease Brian and when they scanned my recommend the worker told me it had expired 3 weeks ago. My eyes immediately welled with tears as Brian asked what we could do to make it possible for me to be there with my dad. They explained there was nothing that could be done because I would need to go through a bishop and stake president interview. I walked away crying and so discouraged. I can't explain how sad this made me. I kept trying to remind myself it didn't really mater, he was there and I would be waiting there when they were finished. But despite the silver lining I really was so disappointed. Somehow while I was loathing in self pity, Brian was able to talk to the assistant temple president and explained the situation, that my dad had come from North Dakota, and my brother had been here from Iraq so we had been so busy it didn't even cross our minds. The assistant said, "this may be the exception to the rule, but I'll have to talk to the temple president first". He agreed this was an exception. They were able to get hold of my bishop at 6:30 am and the stake president were I had a phone interview with them. It really was a miracle they were able to catch all 3 people to make this happen. I'm so grateful I was able to be apart of this day with my dad. What a blessing. Way to go dad! I love you!

Our Family Date

It is so nice out! All the tulips are blooming and the grass is so green. We decided to take advantage of our spring fever and go to temple square where the flowers are always so beautiful.  The tulips smelled so sweet!  Of course we had to take full advantage of the trip and ride trax, because that's Asher's favorite part.  It was a happy Friday night!

She's getting so big!

I heard Evie growling, (she's a great growler), in the other room so I went to pick her up from her nap and she was standing! She now pulls herself up! She still doesn't crawl, she pulls her body with her arms, dragging her poor limp looking legs behind her, but I guess she thinks she's big enough to stand. Who am I to get in the way? It goes so quickly!

The things they say!

You never realize the things you say or how mean they are until your 2 year old repeats them to you! His new thing is telling us, "don't sass" if we raise our voices, and he told me today, "you're driving me crazy!" Geeze, I'm mean! The other day I was telling Asher to get off the table and he wouldn't listen, so I stated, "I said no!" He reminded me of everything else that is a no, "... and don't hit friends and don't go in the road...hand...adult, and don't go outside when you in the shower, and don't hit Evie, be nice and don't touch it hot and don't .....". I guess the things we tell him do sink in! He is super fun right now, OK and sometimes a huge headache, but either way his personality is exploding out of his little body!
I have to update ... today I was rushing Asher so we weren't late and he turns and looks at me, points his finger and says, "don't hit your mother!", He obviously doesn't know what that means, but I have to admit I broke into a smile!

Soda

Asher wants to say the prayer every chance he gets- but he will only repeat what he is really grateful for. For example "thank you for Asher and Evie and mama and daddy and daddy", "thank you for friends, don't hit them". Once he starts with his thank yous, we just quit talking because he'll continue. "...and the chair and the blanket and the hammer and the pillow..." The other day he was thankful for "Grandma Cindy, Papa, Grandma Kris and soda"! And he does love his soda!

Sergeant Toffer!

Toff is on a leave from Iraq for the next 18 days. I didn't realize how excited I was to see him until at the airport when I hugged him and my eyes welled up with tears. It's so nice to have him safe and know where he is for the next 2 weeks. In my mind he's immune to everything going on over there, but after his platoon was hit and 4 of his close friends lost there lives and others seriously, permanently injured, I realized how real this thing is. My mom said "the hardest part is knowing that the mothers of the men that died prayed for the same thing I do." My prayers are with those families that are hurting for their loss and for Toff that he will remain protected both physically and emotionally. WE LOVE YOU TOFF!

California!

We went on a family trip to Disneyland! Asher LOVED it! Asher has insisted his name is Goofy for the last month so we were excited for Goofy to meet Goofy. He loved the pirates ride, (pirates say yo-ho if you're wondering Asher will tell you).

Evie was just excited to be out and about and have so much to look at.

We also had a ton of fun going to the 3-D movie, the beach, and SeaWorld. We were so glad Brian's mom and step dad were able to come with us. 

It's a miracle

Asher randomly told us today he wanted to hold Evie. We dropped everything and grabbed a camera, since this NEVER happens. They are so cute together- Hopefully this will become more of a regular occurrence!

What a day!

By 11:00 this morning I had changed 4 poopy diapers, cleaned the toilet 2, (from potty accidents), given four kids a bath and fixed 4 little girls hair. What a morning. The day followed suit with 4 more poopy bums. Yikes! Whoa is the life of a mom! At least any mom with 4 kids under 4 years old! Good thing I'm not the mom to all, just the aunt that has sleep overs with the cousins. It was crazy, but a lot of fun! Thanks Klare for sharing your girls! Four beautiful blue eyed babes!

Kmart

I took the kids to Kmart the other day and Asher kept playing with the curtain at the photo booth. "I want to play with it".  So, I decided we would! This is my favorite.

Future Money Maker

Asher is obsessed with the guitar!  As soon as Brian gets home he pulls him to his guitar, then Asher grabs either his sesame street guitar or his new pink ukulele and they "jam-out". They sit across from one another and Asher insists they play with the "guitar face" which is sticking your tongue out and making an angry face.  If Asher's not playing the guitar he's playing the drums.  He's a natural!  His favorite song to sing is "everybody", which is singing everybody's name he knows over and over.  He makes Brian play fast- which also means loud.  

Our Sweet Smiling Evie

Evie is so sweet.  She is always singing and smiling.  Her entire face lights up when she smiles as she crinkles her nose.  When Evie is really excited or happy she loves to flap her arms.  So when Asher plays with his ball every time he kicks or throws it, or on the rare occasion Asher decides to play with her or even acknowledge in a positive way she's there her arms start going.  Then you know she's thrilled with life.

Occasionally....

Every once in a great while, Asher will play with Evie. These are a few, well honestly the only shots I have of them together.

Asher and Daddy

Asher is also obsessed with daddy. He wants to do everything with him, whether it's ficking (fixing) the house, or always sitting on top of daddy, they might as well be connected at the hip!

Sleeping Beauty

Evie loves to sleep! (wonder where she got that from?) Twelve hours a night equals mom's dreams come true! She sticks her two fingers in her mouth, grabs her blanket and pulls it over her face.