Overheard...

Grace: "Adam! I found my Eloise movie!"

Adam: "Where was it?"

Grace: "Right by all of the naked movies!"

Naked movies = workout DVDs

I love life from the perspective of a 3-year-old. Too funny.

Stories + Pics from the Past 2 Weeks

Grace and I juiced all of the yummy Arizona citrus that my parents sent up for us, that we didn't eat. Adam and Grace were both amazed at how different fresh orange juice tastes from the frozen stuff. I used to love picking the fresh oranges off of our trees in the backyard growing up. It was fun to tell Adam and Grace all about it while we ate our oranges and juiced the lemons.

*****

I may (or may not) turn the heater on during the day just so I can keep Josh in onesies and munch on his chubby, yummy knees whenever I want to. And Mike wonders why the electric bill rose in December and January...

*****


Two Saturdays ago, I put Josh down to sleep and went to work on juicing the rest of the grapefruit. After about 30 minutes, I was surprised he wasn't screaming - he doesn't sleep well - and went to investigate. Found our bedroom door locked. Grace (who is not a fan of his yelling) shut and locked the door when he began crying. By the time I found him, he was screaming like crazy. Holding-his-breath-crazy. Of course, our apartment is ghetto and the door lock is broken and won't un-lock from the outside. So, after a few calls to Mike at work (and several rounds of tears from me), got the door handle off and broke through the door.

*****


Adam passed off his 7s in addition and is spelling like a champ. Unfortunately, his teacher still isn't fond of his handwriting. Fortunately, he wants to be a doctor and they don't have to have excellent handwriting skills. So, I don't worry about it.

*****


Josh is propping himself up so well. I was worried about him because he refuses to stay on his tummy during tummy time. The first time we gave him "tummy time" - at 2 weeks - he immediately rolled over. No kidding. We thought it was a fluke, but he has done it everytime since. I love how different all of my kids are. Rolling over is a skill that Adam and Grace both struggled with, and Josh did it right away. So funny.

*****


We had the missionaries over for dinner: taco soup and key lime pie. Put the key lime pie on the counter while I finished the toppings for the soup. Turned around to find the pie had disappeared. Found it under the counter with a cute 3-year-old blondie. Whose hands were covered in whipped cream.

We skipped dessert that night.

*****


Adam had a 5-day weekend for MLK day. We went to the library and worked on his project of the month - millipedes. We got a bunch of books to check out and then my sometimes-sweet kiddos spent the day in the chair reading to each other.

So sweet.

Of course, an hour after this, they were hitting each other. But, the moment was nice while it lasted.

*****


Adam began doing his own laundry a few weeks ago. This has been one of the best things that we've ever done for many reasons. He loves having an "adult" responsibility. He takes pride in his work. He loves getting to put on a TV show while he folds. He is learning the natural consequences of going through 4 outfits in one day. He has more gratitude for the things Mike and I do for him.

I also have less laundry to do.

Win-win.

*****


Last week, Mike forgot his keys. Adam forgot his lunch. What is normally a 30-minute work and school drop-off for the boys turned into 40 extra miles and 2 hours of driving/delivering.

We've made sure to check the keys and lunch situation before we leave since.

*****


Josh "graduated" from baths in the bathroom sink to the kitchen sink.

He's probably not going to love his nose some day.

But, it's my favorite feature on him. Seriously. So stinkin' cute.

*****


Rain? In Las Vegas? We got almost an inch in one day. Which is more than we got all of last year, from what I hear. Crazy fun!

*****


My brother came up for work. But, he took some time to sleep on our couch, play with Adam and Grace, and hold Josh.


We heart our families.

*****


Josh began smiling this week. This is a sleeping-smile (haven't gotten a picture of the real thing yet). But, his smile is the best thing ever. I can't even describe how happy it makes me feel.

*****

And now you're caught up on us and our stories!

For 2 Pieces of Gum

For the small price of 2 pieces of gum I get to mousse/gel Grace's hair, curl it into ringlets, and have it fall down each Sunday morning, resulting in a slightly-curled-under look that is loads of improvement over her crazy bed-head.

New Year's Resolution 2011: Stop Bribing Children

Thanksgiving Visitors

During Thanksgiving weekend (yes, as in almost-two-months ago... whoops!), Mike's sister, Kelli, her husband, Patrick, and their super-cute girl, Joslyn, came to Vegas and we got to spend some time with them!

We went to Cafe Rio, M&M world, and saw the lions at the MGM Grand together. The trainers threw meat at the sides of the glass enclosure, and the lions would go and eat it off. Grace got it thrown at her face twice. She loved the lion that close!

We got to watch Joslyn that night and we got a small taste of what having a baby would be like.

Adam was not thrilled that Joslyn preferred the t.v. off during his video game time.

Joslyn even test-drove the port-a-crib for Josh.

We love visits from family!

Her Stash

I recently noticed that Mike's half-drunk caffeinated beverages have been disappearing.

I also recently noticed that Grace has had a hard time going to bed.

It turns out that there is a connection.

Little sneak.

So THAT'S Where They Go!

Digging for dinosaur fossils...

... with our spoons.

This may explain where they all end up at. :)

The Influences of My Sister

My super-cute sister, Kayty, came up for a visit earlier this week.


As a result of her visit:

- Grace's hair was highlighted pink

- We were spoiled with mucho goods - including a pinata - from Party City (Adam and Grace think her job is awesome - it even beats when Daddy worked at an ice cream cone factory)

- Mike showed off his feminine side

- I have a new addiction to Glee

Miss you, girly!

Grace's First People Drawing

Grace drew her first "real" drawing the other day of a person.

She sat down while we were coloring and said, "I'm drawing a picture of Adam. Here is his big head. And now here is his big nose!"

I looked and it was an actual drawing. So cute!

And her commentary totally cracked me up.

1 Month

Weight: 10 lbs 8 oz

Height: 22"

Have I ever mentioned how much I really, really, really love babies?

How much I love munching on chubby knees and cheeks?

How much I love smelling them after their baths?

How much I love rubbing soft baby hair?

Because I do.

New Year in Primary

Sunday began a new year in Primary!

Grace is a new Sunbeam! She loved it!

Adam is a CTR 6. He had a fun day, too.

I loved being able to be in Primary on Grace's first day. It's been so fun being in there and getting to watch their sweet testimonies grow each Sunday. I love it!

Happy 2010!

We played some Wii.

And ate some snacks.

And went to see the fireworks. Seven of the big casinos on the strip do a really cool simultaneous firework show from the tops of the buildings at midnight. We drove down and tried to get close (but not too close). We ended up watching them while we drove.

And then we let off these super-cool confetti poppers that my sister got for us all over the car.

We came home and had some hot chocolate before heading to bed.

And sleeping in late the next day.

Happy 2010 everyone!