Teddy's Birthday and Alan's Blog Debut

For Ted's birthday we took a trip to Tilden Park to ride the steam train. Cameron and Jake love their cousin Alice. They all held hands to watch out for danger.

Here is the darling birthday boy. You don't get cuter than that!

Here is his proud father, my oldest brother Alan.

The train ride was really fun. As soon as it stopped Cameron and Jake asked if we could go again.

Alice was so happy she performed her two handed dance for all.

Happy Birthday Teddy!

Christmas Songs

Jake is really into Christmas songs lately. Last Sunday, the Primary kids got up to sing. During the chorus the kids sang, "Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing..." and Jake kept saying, "They said Santa. They did. I heard them. They said Santa. Those kids did that." I think he thought they were singing "Oh Santa" instead of "hosanna."

His favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells, and he can sing the whole thing. If you sing it with him, you have to sing "O're the fields we go. Laughing all the way. HO HO HO," because that's what Santa says. He will stop the whole thing and not move on until you get that right. I love my silly Jake!

Christmas Party

Ben's whole extended family has a Christmas party every year with food and Santa. This year it was complete with yodeling and cow bell performers. We were lucky to be able to go. Can you see the excitement on Cameron's face when Santa walked in?

Can you see the disdain on Jake's face?

Cameron was very happy for his turn to sit on Santa's lap. While we were in Texas, James and Andrew showed Cameron how cool the Nintendo DS is and he's been asking for one ever since. He couldn't wait to tell Santa.

Santa: Now, what do you want for Christmas?
Cameron: A DS
Santa: A what?
Cameron: A DS
Santa: Say that again.
Cameron: A DS
Santa: Okay (He still didn't get it.)

Last year Cameron wanted an Ipod. Now this. What next year, an Iphone? Luckily, Santa is very smart and only gives age appropriate toys. He gave Cam a new Disney storybook, which he loved!

When it was Jake's turn to tell Santa he really wants a remote control airplane, he declined the opportunity. He wouldn't even go near him. You can still see the fear in his eyes when he's checking out the present he got (which I had to hand to him).

Tyler got a turn too, along with a new rattle. Thanks Santa!

That dear Santa even let us all jump in his sleigh together!

When the fun was all over, the boys got some giant candy canes as party favors. They were possibly the worst party favor ever for two and four year olds. What a sticky mess! They loved them, of course. It was a great party!

Asleep on the Stairs???

Ben and I were downstairs talking last night when we heard a bedroom door open and footsteps upstairs. We were expecting to hear some steps coming down to find us, but it got silent. We finished our conversation and about five minutes later, I headed upstairs to find out who it was and what they were up to. I thought for sure I would find Cameron doodling on a notepad in my room or rummaging through bathroom drawers. I started running up the stairs without turning on a light, and I almost stepped on him! I was so startled to find him there I almost screamed!

When Ben picked him up to take him back to bed he mumbled, "I needed some more water in my water bottle and I couldn't find you." What a crazy boy! (By the way, he has socks on his hands because he wears them to bed with Aquaphor when his hands get really dry.)

The Innkeeper

Cameron had a Joy School Christmas party tonight. Unfortunately the camera battery died and we only got two pictures. He was the innkeeper in the nativity story. They sang a few songs and it was quite cute.

I love the creative costumes, especially Caden's shepherd staff made out of PVC pipes. Gotta love it!

Trip to Austin

We woke up at 4 am to go to the airport. Little did I know the adventure that awaited me.

It all began with this. A poor breakfast selection for a little boy who had woken up way too early.

After a two hour flight and a bunch of liquid, that innocent doughnut became deadly...all over me. Just as we landed Jake said, "my tummy hurts," then proceeded to throw up on me for about two minutes while Ben frantically searched for a bag. He was too late.

We then waited in the Phoenix airport for our next flight and I did my best to clean us up. It slowly air dried. As we were ready to board the second flight, a seat on the plane wouldn't recline, so they delayed us for a half an hour while they fixed it. While waiting in line I held Tyler on my hip, and then suddenly I felt something very warm on my side. His diaper had scooted to the side as I held him and he peed all over both of us. Oh well, right? What's pee when you are covered in throw up? Not five minutes later as I sat with him on my lap, he spit up right down the front of my shirt.

When we arrived in Austin, I couldn't wait to get into the suitcase and grab us all some clean clothes. Can you guess what happened next? Our suitcase did not arrive. Ben's did, but the one with mine and the kids clothes was nowhere to be found. They had forgotten to put it on the plane. Luckily, they located it and we only had to wait an extra half an hour to get it from a different flight. The good news is Southwest gave us a $50 dollar voucher for the lost bag. No one paid me anything for the pee and throw up.

Ben and I went to Robert and Marie's and quickly changed to go check out the UT campus. This is the only thing we took a picture of. We weren't really sure what it was or what it was for, but Ben climbed up it. I tried, but I wasn't strong enough.

The next day Ben had his interview, which went well. It helped that we had met his interviewer the day before. That night we went on a date to wings and a movie with Robert and Marie. All the kids stayed home with a babysitter, except James and Tyler.

Tyler screamed most of the time in the car, but was an angel during the movie. It was fun to spend some time out with the grown-ups.While we were there, Robert gave me a tutorial on how to make fried rice.

It was yummy, and my boys loved it.
He also made some chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. Good work Robert!

The best part of the whole trip was seeing the kids have so much fun with their cousins!I also got my girl fix playing with Jill's hair.
We had so much fun! Can't wait to see you guys again!!!!

Smith's Marketplace

The opening of Smith's Marketplace was a joyous occasion. Can't you see how happy Jake was? The whole way there I psyched the boys up.

Who would have known Cameron would get to meet a real life banana?!?

Cameron and Jake loved the mini carts and we stocked up on lots of great deals, like $1 cereal.

Thank you Smith's Marketplace for coming so close to us. We love you already.

Cam's Birthday Party

Today I had an impromptu birthday party for Cameron. Alice was in town and planning on coming over to play in the afternoon. Brooke called to remind me I was going to watch Landon and Brandon at 3, which I had halfway forgotten. I just decided right then I would have Cameron's birthday party at 3 since three of his best buddies were already going to be there. That was at noon. I called a couple more friends to see if they could come and then worked like mad for two hours to get ready. It turned out perfectly. Crayola magic modeling clay, Simon Says, foam door hangers, popcorn and a cartoon, car cakes, and a pinata...what more could a four year old want?

I ended up just pouring the candy out since the pinata never actually broke. Dallin could have done it, but since it was hanging from a chandelier I couldn't let him hit hard enough. Next time I need to find a better place to hang it...

Cameron is in the middle of this big hug. He sure loves his friends.

Happy Halloween!

Cameron was a monkey, Jake was a lion, and Tyler was the infamous bee.

Jake was really into the "roar."

The boys were very proud of their Jack-o-lanterns. (Ben ended up doing all the work).

And they had the "trick-or-treat" down thanks to lots of practice. Jake ended up getting a really bad blister from all the walking in his crocs.

Cam and Jake were happy to combine all their loot and share it with Tyler.

Who's going to be a bee next year??? Ben???