Somewhere Special

Today, we were scrambling to get going on a few errands, including Fashion Place Mall where the boys got to meet the Easter Bunny. I really wanted them to move quickly to get ready, and as I rushed to get them going, I explained where we were going a bit absentmindedly, in my efforts to get them more excited to go out.

"Where are we going?"

Trying to think what else I need to get, "Umm... somewhere special."

Lance asked, "Are we going to the Kingdom?"

Got my attention. "What Kingdom? The Celestial Kingdom?"

"Yes."

Although it sounds great, "No, why did you think that?"

"Because you said we were going somewhere special."

"Aww!" (*Hugs*)

How sweet is that? I tried explaining, a little better, what we would be doing today. I hope the mall was special enough. Hey, we went to the grocery store after, where the boys each got a balloon!

Happy Birthday to Me and Cami :)

Today marks my 31st birthday and Camille's 11th week. How 'bout that?


This is me with my party hat. (Protecting my IV- I had tons of blood transfusions) I guess you could say I partied from the start!

But what a great day! Mandy upstairs threw me a party and I was surrounded with wonderful friends and my mom, who brought a delicious lunch along with baby pictures of me!

(Photo compliments of Lance)
Check out this apron! Jeni made it - It matches Cami's Camo booties (that she also made). Can you see them? Or are they too well hidden?

What a blast! I'm so grateful for friends and family that made today so much fun!

Tickle Me Pink!

We went to our favorite Kiddie Kandids, the one in Layton (they still keep Evan's photo in their show album), a couple weeks ago. The photographer, Nicole, did a great job. A few of my favorites:

Taken just the day after she turned 2 months old. I cannot believe this smile!

I plopped this blanket on her for a minute and Nicole snapped another one! I don't know which of us had more fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My Mom got Cami this festive shirt! I think she likes it, Mom, thanks! Our family has Irish ancestors from my mom's side, so we've got to celebrate! (I think any reason to celebrate is a reason to celebrate these days!)
Jace is wearing a white shirt with just a little bit of green on it "... so I can trick people". Lance is SO excited to just be wearing green (and yellow, he said, 'cuz it's his favorite color) to preschool, Kyle will hopefully learn about the color, Green. We'll be celebrating tonight with appetizers: chips & guacomole, and main dish: Corned Beef, Cabbage, red potatoes, celery (for looks, anything else I can find that is edible and green -any ideas?), and Pistachio pudding for dessert.

Jus' Hangin' Out

By the way, Cami's 9 weeks today :)

I had to post this one. Even though Cami doesn't seemed too thrilled, I love the expression on Lance's face!

First Day at Gramma's

Gramma and Cami share a laugh. (well, almost... she's not laughing yet, but she might as well be!)

WHODUNNIT?????

I was looking at some pictures on my camera tonight when I came across a few mysterious ones that I don't remember taking...

WHO??????!!!!!

The night light must have some significance. Mom takes it away when removed from it's spot.

By the time I saw this one of Jace and Lance, I couldn't stop laughing. I guess this is life through a toddler's eyes!

8 Weeks

Camille got to celebrate her 8 weeks birthday at the temple today. Today, in my head, I called these her "travel clothes". A friend gave me this dress, the darling leggings, and another talented friend made the booties that match the bow. Did I mention how much fun it is dressing my daughter?

I Love to See the Temple

Guess where we went today? It was the Draper Temple Open House! Jace was so excited to go inside the temple, knowing that he has to wait until he is twelve years old to go inside one that has already been dedicated. His favorite room was the Celestial Room. ( I got to read his journal entry about it.)

Lance carried these 2 papers with him throughout the tour and all the way home. He even took his nap with them and they are beside his bed tonight. On the way to the temple, while I was driving and holding the map with a picture of the temple on it, Lance asked if he could have the picture. I tore it off and gave it to him. He held on to it from that moment on. He also got a brochure with the same temple picture as well as some of the rooms inside the temple. His favorite room? "The water room!" (baptismal font).

The only way this trip was made possible was by Jared's parents and sister. That's her son sitting by Jace. (Right) Jared's mom carried Cami throughout the tour and I wrestled Kyle while making sure that he got to "I DO DAT!" up and down the stairs without any help unless he held people up behind him in which case led to a very frustrated Kyle.

"We're on the BUS!" Over and over Kyle repeated enthusiastically. I think this was Kyle's favorite room. We parked at a nearby church and rode a REAL BUS (!) to the temple.
I'm so grateful that we were able to be a part of this event. I hope the boys remember this in years to come, even if their favorite room was in a bus.

More Pink...

"Mother, why, oh why must you take so many pictures of me?"

"'Cuz it's so dang fun, even when you're not smiling!"

Kyle occupies himself so well when we're having photo sessions. His favorite thing right now is trains, as well as any type of transportation, including buses...

Together... My Favorite Place to Be!

Kyle was holding Cami and requested to have this picture taken.

Jace did NOT request this, but I thought it was so cute! He's reading "The Hobbit" now. Do you think that's okay?

Lance took this:

Sleeping beauty with blogging fanatic

Good Advice

I get these emails from "Love and Logic Institute, Inc." every week or so. This company offers advice on parenting in a more loving and, well, logical way.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. It's actually pretty funny. I can't wait to do it with Jace, Lance, and even Jared. (Not to pick on Jared, he's gotten a lot better after he gets home now that he's in his OB/Gyn rotation and does tons of surgeries that are really quite fascinating and he loves to share. I think this might be the one he decides on.)

Anyway, the email was like this:

Dear Jenny,

When you get home from a long day at work, do you want to be pummeled with questions about your day? Most of us don't and our kids don't either. Here, Jim Fay shares a different technique you can use when you get home. Try it tonight!

Getting Kids to Talk About Their Day Conversation between a parent and child:

"Hi, Jamie. How was your day?"
"Okay."
"How was school?"
"Fine."
"What did you do today at school?"
"Nothing."
"Well, you must have done something."
"Just regular stuff."
"How was your lunch?"
"I don't know. Okay, I guess."

Does this sound familiar? Would you like your kids to be just a little more talkative?

Experiment with this:

Dr. Charles Fay calls this the "30 Minute Rule." It's based upon the fact that kids watch our every move, copying us in their subconscious drive to learn how to be big.

For the next 2 months, avoid the temptations to ask questions of your kids during the first 30 minutes after they come home. Instead, talk with excitement or enthusiasm about your own day instead.

Examples:
"It's good to see you. Guess what I got to do today… And not only that, I learned…and I heard…and I couldn't wait to tell you about it. I hope you had a great day."

One of these days you'll get a surprise; it will sound like, "But Mom. I've got to tell you what happened today." By the way, this works great with spouses.

Thanks for reading,
Jim Fay

Like, Totally...

"Lance, you have long eyeslashes."
"That's because I'm, like, handsome."

7 Weeks

At 7 weeks, Cami's personality is coming out. Look at this clown! She began cooing this week. It is endearing!

Her brothers continue to not get enough of her :)

Ribbons and Bows

I went to a bow making party tonight and had so much fun enjoying good company and good food. Oh, and we made some bows, too. These are my first bows that I made for Cami. They are a design I copied from a very talented friend. She is so creative! We need to do this again!

6 Weeks

This afternoon, Jace and I had fun dressing Cami up. My good friend, Jeni gave us the dress. Cami still needs to grow a little more to fit into it, but I just wanted to try it on 'cuz it's so cute! I can't wait 'til it fits! Okay, I can wait...now's fun, too! So I did the dress, and Jace put the bow in her hair (Elmer's glue - it works great!)

Jace's efforts on making her smile: "You want me to what?"

I think I see one coming!

There it is!

Camille's Blessing Day

Blessing Day went wonderfully. Cami and I were able to share a quiet moment together that morning before church. It was sweet. And Jared gave a beautiful blessing.

My Parents

Jared's

My Mom (this is for Gramma 'cuz she asked for one!) and also my sister, Aunt Jamie

I am amazed that we were able to fit everyone comfortably in! I could barely fit in the boys' room to get this photo!

How 'bout this for a great family photo? I love these expressions! This was after all the guests left and Cami hadn't eaten since that morning before church. She was so good all day!

Waving goodbye and thank you for coming!