Easter

I am so behind that I am a little out of order here. Easter this year was so fun for the kids. On Saturday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's annual ward easter egg hunt. Last year Collin was so shy and wouldn't run out and get the eggs. (Of course then it was all over and they were all gone before he realized that he didn't have any). This year they all had fun running around gathering baskets full of eggs then decorating sugar cookies and blowing bubbles. Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to dye Easter eggs. Sunday was a great day at church then back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for lunch/dinner and more Easter egg hunting with the cousins. The kids sure have fun hanging out with the "cousins" and playing outside at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Collin is 5-March 24th

WOW time flies!! I can't believe baby number 2 is finally 5. He is so excited to start kindergarten and keeps asking every day if he gets to go. To think he started out such a shy little boy. When he first started to go to nursery at church he would scream (literally) for the entire time. We would have to sit in there with him and he would hang onto us the whole time and barely play. Now if you know him he is almost the class clown. He is the one in Primary raising his hand for every question. Even at the Primary program his class did sign language and he was up there doing the actions like it was his second language. Collin is such a joy to us (yes he can be a little whiny sometimes), but he is so smart and such a good brother and friend. It is so nice to see how kids grow up and you finally realize that they know how to play together and be friends and help eachother out. And for his birthday Grandpa made him a baseball cake. Grandpa has a new hobby (for the last year anyway) where he makes homemade ice cream birthday cakes. Collin was so excited and it was nice that the whole family was able to get together to celebrate this year.

T-Ball Season 2008

Well, baseball has begun. Paul is in heaven to have his first son start off playing the best sport known to man! Collin is such a cutie. The little boys out on the field are actually doing well and trying hard. Of course a lot of times they can been seen kicking at the dirt and everyone running for the same ball, but all in all we love it. Of course Paul and his patience is funny. He is more into the bigger boys playing and tries to watch them in between cheering on Collin. We'll get him out there coaching before we know it and he can keep working on his patience skills. Poor little Logan though is beside himself that he doesn't get to play. Even at practice he is always steeling the batting helmets, bats, extra gloves and balls to play by himself. He always wants to have his turn! Oh well, we know he'll be amazing once they finally do let him out on the field someday.

Seattle-Spring Break 2008

So I had been promising Alexis that we would go and visit Aunt Mimmie and Ryan in Seattle ever since they moved there a year and a half ago. I left Collin and Logan home with Grandma Franks and just took Alexis and Slade. We went for over a week and had a blast. It was so weird to be without my crazy life for so long that I must admit I was dreading having to come home. Slade is such a good baby and with Alexis and Ryan playing nonstop Kim and I had so much fun. We went up to Bellevue shopping (and eating), to the movies to see Horton Hears a Who, out to eat some more, and to downtown Seattle to do some more fine dining and shopping (again). And while I don't condone it in anyway, I was realizing how nice it could be sometimes to be a Polygimist. Always having someone there to watch the kids, bathe the kids and help clean and cook and feed babies at the same time. Anyway, in between all our play time we talked non-stop about the baby boutique that Kim is going to open and all the fun ideas we have that I know she is going to do so well. I am just jealous that I can't move up there to help her out and partner with her. Well, here are a couple of pictures from our trip! Slade on his first plane ride (that he could comprehend) and the kiddos on the water downtown.

Potty Training

I don't think there is anything I dread more than potty training. I hate feeling like my life revolves around the toilet. All you start to talk about is pee and poop and all that does is gross me out. So on Thursday, February 21st (I know late as usual) Logan kept trying to poop in his diaper. I kept catching him do it and so I kept putting him on the potty. The second time around he was sitting there for a few minutes and went pee pee. He was so excited that he jumped off and had to get on his big boy underwears. After that he kept dropping his drawers and running into our bathroom (apparently the only one he will use). I then started thinking what have I done? My sister Kim was coming into town in 3 days and I was supposed to be running around to get things ready to throw her a surprise 30th birthday party. Anyway, we ended up staying home and practicing our new skill. So here we are almost 2 weeks later and it's time for our setback. Logan has done so awesome. Granted we have had a few accidents, but for the most part he loves being a big boy and showing off his Nemo and Buzz Lightyear underpants. Kim and I even drove over to Los Angeles last week for a few days and he didn't have a single accident in the car. And for 2 days with Grandma Franks he only had one little half accident. Now here we are and by 8:30 this morning we have pooped in our pants twice and peeped 3 times. Oh what a day. This too shall pass right?

Valentine's Day

Collin and Alexis were so excited about Valentines Day this year. Every time we went to the store Collin would look through all the Valentine's and pick out actual presents for his friends. I kept trying to explain to him that we just needed to pick out a box of cards, but he didn't think that was good enough for his friends. He was especially particular with a very special present for his favorite person Rilee Warner. Rilee babysits for us sometimes and on a few occassions Collin has told us he is in love with her. I told him that he can't be in love with her but he can like her and no kissing until after he gets home from his mission. He said, "Oh yeah mom, I forgot." Anyway, he was still very excited to get her something and so we picked out a box of Spiderman Chocolates that he liked. He did try to convince me though that the biggest heart box of chocolate would be better and maybe he should get her the Dancing Princesses because he knew she liked them the most. Anyway we delivered them on Valentines Day and when her brother opened the door he handed him the box and ran away. When I asked where Rilee was he said he didn't know that he just gave them to her brother and ran away. So basically he is shy about it.
Well, for dinner we went to my mom's for he usual Valentine's Day spaghetti (she makes it every because it is red-I didn't remember the tradition, but I guess my sister did). When we came home that night there was a special Valentine from Rilee left on the doorstep. It was a tin heart box that said "Hot 4 U" with red hots in it and a cute note. Collin was thrilled to say the least. Alexis was also very generous to the family. Mama took her shopping for Valentine's and she gave us all a heart box of chocolates and Slade a little teddy bear. She wrote us notes and thank you notes and drew us pictures too. Anything reason to be crafty is a good thing right?

About Time

So I keep telling myself I will start my blog tomorrow. That I will have more time after I finish the laundry and mop the floor.....Well, if that were the case I don't think I would ever get anywhere so I guess I might as well get started.
When I was trying to think of a cute log in, all I could think of is something "sparkly". I am always telling Alexis that "Life is Better With Sparkle" since she is opposed to wearing anything that doesn't have some form of "bling" on it. Oh the life of a girl! I of course am the one at fault for it since I am always trying to find a way to decorate things. Alexis is such a girly girl and loves to get dressed up. Even to go out and ride her bike, rollerblade or practice her Heeley's. Alexis loves to dance and is in the Dynamite Express dance team at Dance Connection II. She especially loves to tap and tumble! She seems a little reserved at first, but loves to perform! She also loves her friends. All 500 of them. She never wants to leave anyone out and after the birthday party list from last year I am hoping we can shorten it a little this time!
Collin is also growing up so fast. He is such a character! He is going to be 5 next month and I can't believe he will be off to Kindergarten. He LOVES to go to preschool where he is learning so much. Ms. Stacey is wonderful with him and he loves being around all of his friends. For the boy who screamed every time I tried to take him to the gym as a baby and then screamed for the first 6 months of nursery (literally at the top of his lungs the whole time), he is so outgoing and loves to hang out with his friends and make new ones at the park.
Now my precious Logan. He's 2! Need I say more, except that he is such a handful. He always thinks it's his way or else. Don't take his toys or look at his toys or do something that he doesn't approve of. If only I had all the time in the world to spend with him he would be unbelievable! He loves to read and can practically recite all of "Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo" by himself. We could read all day! He just wants someone around to give him constant attention. He is also my early bird. He is up about 6 and if you don't catch him quick enough he is off to wake everyone else up too since he doesn't want to be alone. (I keep thinking I might get lucky enough to sleep when I am dead-ha ha!) Right now is my struggle with him, but I know in a couple of years he will be amazing!
And then I have my little Slade. What a precious gift from heaven! He is the happiest most loveable, curious thing. At all of 8 months he is so far ahead of the others. When is started scooting at 5-1/2 months I thought there is no way he should be movings around this early. He would even get up on his knees and rock back and forth and I though yeah right. Then, by 6 months he was actually starting to move is skinny little twigs. Of course now at 8+ months there is no stopping him. He is constantly on the run looking for the other kids.
Well, here is the start...now on with life!