It's Santa Claus!

Two Santas in One Day!

(Left) The boys at the annual Chevron Christmas Party. Jared's Dad retired from there, but why does he always dissappear when Santa comes?

(Right) At our ward Christmas party, as Lance approached Santa, he said, "You're the bishop."

It's Beginning...

To look a lot like Christmas...

Kyle: I WILL get this one ON!

Not the Child

Tonight, when we got home, Lance was trying to open the door on his side to get out of our white sedan. We were trying to explain to him that he needs to get out on the other side that we had opened for him because the doors have child-proof locks. On our walk inside, he asked,

"Where's the child?"
I told him that HE is the child, and that the lock is there to keep him safe.
He exclaimed, "I am not the child! I am a Child of God!"

Got Dominoes?

If you don't got 'em, then make 'em.

I think that's Jace's motto. These are made from magazine paper and tape, two things that Jace could not live without.

So the list begins...

20 days left!

Hinges

Tonight, I guess I made a sound as I was picking something up off the floor in the kitchen, because Lance said,

"Mom, you can't bend very well." (I think he may have heard me say this before.)

I agreed with him and ask him if, next time, he would get it for me instead.

He said enthusiastically, "Ya, I don't have a baby in my tummy!"

Primary Spotlights

Lance and Jace filled out their spotlight papers today for Primary. Here's what they said/wrote:

Lance:

What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
"Play with balls and make music."

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"A policeman."

What is your least favorite chore?
"Extra chores that we get when we're not making good choices."

What is your favorite candy bar or treat?
"Chocolate."

What are three words to describe you?
(Mom's words:) Helpful, Expressive, Energetic

Where is your favorite place to visit?
"Zoo and the cabin and a lot of places that we go to!"

What is your favorite thing about Primary?
"Singing songs."

Who is your favorite prophet (modern or from the scriptures)?
"President Hinckley"

What is your favorite primary song?
"Listen to the Still Small Voice."

Jace:

What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
Sports

What do you want to be when you grow up?
a Scientist

What is your least favorite chore?
mopping the floor

What is your favorite candy bar or treat?
Snickers

What are three words to describe you?
Kind, Happy, Athletic

Where is your favorite place to visit?
The cabin

What is your favorite thing about primary?
singing

Who is one of your favorite prophets (modern or from the scriptures)?
Joseph Smith

What is your favorite primary song?
Book of Mormon Stories

When was a time you served or showed love to someone?
my brother

The Next Day...

Maybe the napless day was worth it. He's been taking naps ever since.

Simple Things in a Can

Yesterday was a bit of a rough day. I depend too heavily on naptime for my break to unwind, get things in order, and think. Since Kyle has began climbing out of his crib up to Jace's top bunk bed to get into the fish tank next to that, Jared took the crib down. We moved Kyle's mattress to the other room, on the floor.

For the first week, he slept quite well in it... or off it.

But on this day, he decided that he would explore his independence and go without a nap. He played, got up, went back down after being spoken to sternly by his mother, only to repeat the process. It was a constant battle. I was exhausted by the end of this day, if you call 4pm the end of the day. By that time Jace, Lance, and Kyle were all beginning to ask for a snack, but, like I said, I was done. I opted to skip the snack and go straight to dinner, kitchen closing soon after that. I grabbed a couple cans of Campbell's Chunky Vegetable Pasta soup and Voila! Dinner's done.

So you can imagine how my heart melted when Lance had his first bite and exclaimed, "Wow! Mom! That is so good! How did you make it?!"

I don't know why I didn't discover this soup thing a lot earlier. Lance was still pleased even when I told him it came out of a can. How sweet it is to be with someone that can appreciate the simple things...

As for my little no-napper? He was in bed early, with not too many complaints.

A Day at the Cabin

Jared just completed his surgery rotation at the VA hospital (3 weeks) and Primary Children's Hospital (the last 3 weeks). This is pretty much what we saw from dad during the last six weeks... (Ya, Kyle! See if his nose goes, "Honk!")

Jared actually REALLY enjoyed this rotation, despite the lack of sleep. He got to do a lot of stitching up after surgeries, and he said that there were times when the surgeon was trying to find something inside, and Jared wanted to just get in there and find it himself! It was a fascinating one for him... I can't wait to find out what he decides to do.

For the next 6 weeks, Jared will be in his Psychiatry rotation, otherwise known as Psychation. (He went duck hunting this morning.)

And since Jared gets the weekends between rotations off, we decided to take a trip to our 2nd home this past weekend...

Houdini... or not?

Yesterday in church Kyle did another "Kyle". We were reverently enjoying our sacrament meeting when I looked down to see Kyle's one arm and head stuck through the hole in the back of the chair. He was pretty content, but seemed a little uncomfortable. I tried to gently help his head back through the chair, but it didn't quite fit. "I think I've done this before," I thought, as the friends behind us shared a laugh with me, all to Kyle's expense. He's just so funny in these situations. He doesn't seem to let the idea that he is stuck get to him. So he is still sort of laying there, arm outstretched through the hole of the chair beside his head, reaching for his car that he must have dropped before this ordeal. I asked Lance to get Dad. Dad looked over and laughed. It's just so hilarious, seeing Kyle quietly sitting there in that awkward position. Kyle is such a good sport. I wished that I had my camera, even though it would have been a bit inappropriate.

With Dad's help, we were able to get Kyle safely and, for the most part, quietly, out. I wonder what's next for this little Houdini, or not.

Wanna Kiss?

Consider yourself kissed!

Happy Halloween!

Whew! What a fun-filled week!

... It began when I found this spunky spider strutting around in my living room...

...Jace wasn't seen as much this year, possibly because he was hiding behind an alien mask and it could have to do with the fact that he was off with his friends at most of the events. The carnival at the school was different this year. He hung out with his buddies instead of mom (sniff*sniff)

...Kyle was a bit scared of his caterpillar costume at first. But it only took once for him to learn that it's fun to wear the costume; candy goes in the bucket each time he wears it!

This was another attempt at a Halloween picture. I think Lance is putting his contact lens in.

The Halloween events included: a carnival at Jace's school on Friday, Trick or Treating at Officers Hollow on Sat (below, I love this picture!) Jace also went but, again, he was with his friends.

Dinner and games and GREAT prizes, here at Shoreline. Jace and Kyle won $20 at Build a Bear for their costumes!

The U of U did a party where Lance got to paint a pumpkin. I don't think he enjoyed it at all.

After which we headed over to Sherrie's to carve pumpkins. Lance is de-gutting his pumpkin of seeds, a project he took quite seriously. He ended up taking off his shirt "so my sleeves won't get dirty"

Dalton and Jace and their works of art.

Last night, we went to a trunk or treat party put on by the ward. Jace and Dalton decided to be soccer players this time conveniently enough for their soccer game to follow. I think they had more fun handing out candy then getting it! Isn't that how it should be?

Tonight, we had a few neighborhood friends over for a movie night. Kyle is making a better door than window and loving the extra attention.

I feel like this Halloween was well spent. Tonight, after the party, Lance asked me, "Why is my costume in the hamper?" I explained that it's time to wash it; Halloween's over and we won't be wearing it any more this year. "Oh." was his reply.

Mom's Stars

Ah! I miss my blog! It's almost like a friend that I haven't seen in a long time. Life has just gotten a little busier lately. I cannot believe I only have 9 weeks left of this pregnancy. It's been great so far...

So, today my patriarchal blessing was once again confirmed. My children brought me great honor. It was the primary program at church, and Jace and Lance stood up there and spoke completely from memory! It was so fun to hear them practice during the week and look forward so much to this day. On the way to church they recited their parts again and their eyes danced with anticipation.

So when their turn came,

Lance said: "The Prophet holds all priesthood keys. The Lord tells the Prophet what He wants us to know. "

Jace: "In the Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith testifies, " And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He lives! For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father- That by Him, and through Him, and of Him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. I know that Jesus Christ lives today. He will come again. "

Kyle got a turn, too. (Finally! After all his frustration what with his brothers going up without him! He couldn't wait to run up those stairs and perform!) All the nursery children got up to sing several songs, including, "I Am a Child of God". He knows this one, but only sings a few of the words. He did a lot of smiling and looking cute, though.

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

Kyle receiving a gift. Look at him! I can't believe he's two! He looks like such a little boy. Where did my baby Kyle grow?

Lance lit the candles

Two can be a serious age. It's an age of a lot of experimenting and learning. Kyle contemplates this while his friends sing "Happy Birthday" to him. I don't know! We got no shots of him smiling at this moment! There must have been some serious thinking going on.

Kyle played it smart this year. He blew out the candles just before the song ended, beating his friends who were ready to help him.

Ah! Mmm! Love those Mommy-made cupcakes (Thanks, Betty Crocker!)

This must be Kyle's puzzled face. Maybe he's wondering when Christi's gonna try one of these delicious cupcakes (Thanks for taking the pictures, Christi!)

Stuck!

This morning, we were at Jen's house enjoying ourselves. Lance and Kyle were playing on the patio with Kaya. We were visiting on the steps when I glanced over and saw Kyle standing there looking at me with his head through the bars. He looked like this:

He was trying to pull his head through, but it wouldn't go. An alarm sort of went up in my head and I thought, "This might be serious." I got closer for a better look. I tried pushing his ears against his head to make it go through easier. We tried turning his head downward, upside-down... the head wouldn't budge through. Christy had been walking by and came over to check it out. She mentioned that we might need some butter. Jen came back with the butter. I heard someone say something about calling 911. Then we began talking about how much the kids would love to see a real firetruck pull up right here! I know Kyle would love it.

All this while Kyle stood calmly listening to all of our ideas with his head stuck through these bars; I couldn't believe how totally fine he was with this.

Then in the midst of our creative ideas ( I was beginning to wonder if it would be that difficult to just get a tool to cut one of those bars off - Jen, maybe we could weld the bar back on!) Kyle reached for a toy that Christy was holding. He couldn't quite reach it, so he stepped through the bars, as we watched with wonder, sucked his tummy in, pulled his shoulders through, and lifted his other foot through, at last to reach the toy. The genius was free!

I can't even tell this story without cracking up. I think Kyle deserves the "Gotcha!" award. I had him climb back through just to get the pictures (with Jen's camera - thanks, Jen!).

Little clown!

How to Get What You Want...

This morning, after a shower and getting ready for the day, I came into the kitchen to find this little one saying something about wanting milk. It was then that I found a jug of chocolate milk already pulled out of the refrigerator and set on the table by little hands. He may as well have put the cup there, too! Kyle got what he wanted this morning. Could you say no to this?

I'm so Cool

Check me out! I can wear my shades indoors and still see!

How to be a Monkey

First, grab a banana and peel it.

Next, chomp the biggest bite you can out out of it.

Monkey business is serious. Chew with your mouth closed, and no monkeyin' around.

Unless you like See-food! Ha Ha!


Gotcha!

In the Limelight

With 2 brothers gone to school and the house all to himself (well, except Mom, and she's always there!), what's a guy left to do? Kyle has a few tips in the following posts.

Just Chillin'

Brothers spending quality time together ... I love it.