Happy "2" to Max!

Max turned 2 on Sunday, and we had a big family party for him on Saturday at my parent's house. It was so fun to have my entire family there (my sister from San Fran and her kids were here!!!) and Pat's mom and sisters, too. It was a dinosaur party and Max refused to take off his dino costume (last years Halloween costume). He was so cute. We had yummy chili in breadbowls and dino nuggets for the kids. He got so many cute gifts. He truly loves dinosaurs. There was also a T-Rex pinata, which Lukas busted after a few hits. We go in order of age, so only 3 kids hit it and then it broke and everyone was sad, so we taped it up and had the kids whack it until it was in shreds. They had fun hitting an empty, taped up pinata! I usually have three different parties (a friend party, and then a different party for each side of the family). It turned out perfect this year combining it and Max was the center of attention! All the cousins had a blast running around and playing and making lots of noise. It couldn't have turned out better. And my mom and I made THE cutest dinosaur cake! I was so impressed with myself. Every cake I have ever made has been a disaster and NOT CUTE at all, so when this one actually turned out just how it was supposed to, I was thrilled! We are so glad that Max is part of our family and we love him so much! Happy Birthday to our little Maxers!

First Snowman of the Season

We woke up to a bright white layer of snow on the ground the other day. I was disappointed b/c I wanted the colorful leaves to stick around longer. I'm NOT ready for snow and cold. Ugh! Pat surprised us and came home early to build a snowman with Lukas. They had fun rolling him up and making him look like a snowman. I was nice and warm inside!

My Afternoon with Max

Lukas is at preschool and today I decided to spend some time with Max instead of running my errands. It's been a fun couple of hours. Here's the rundown:

• Max took the salt shaker and decided to decorate the table with it's contents.
• Max got into my bag and took out my lipstick and a glue stick, stuck his finger in BOTHand smeared them all over my coffee table and his cute vest/jacket he was wearing, not to mention his face.
• He also grabbed some sticky tack and chewed it, then spit it out in pieces all over the floor.
• We played on the chalk board and had the same conversation for 5 mintues. It went like this: Max would color/scribble and then turn to me and say,(he stutters a little bit) "Mommy, wha wha wha wha wha what do you think?" I'd say, "I love it". Then he'd say, "Too much. Scrub it." So I'd take the eraser and wipe it off. Then it would start all over again.

I'm sure glad I can spend time with my little Max. He cracks me up. Here are some other cute things he's said today (with a lisp and a stutter).

• "Mommy, I I I I broke off lollipop. I I I I I broke something". (He was actually playing with a little globe).
• "Lukas at prekool." (preschool).
• "It snowing outside."
• "I freezing."
• "Draw me." (He put his back up against the chalk board so I could trace his shape.)
• "Pumpkin maaaaaaaaaaaad!" (Lukas learned a cute poem about emotions at preschool and Max copies him.)
• I I I I I I wanna play."
• "I go with you."
• "C'mon, I I I I I I show you something cool."
• "Le le le le le let's go see 'em".

And Max wants to blog, so here's his contribution. 000.'000000 i00000000011111111111111111111111 111111111u uuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuu1111.2 m,lm, jhg67ph9te i ox

4jhmvo;py9 fdg/ .................................. l;q[pqwop40okfm spoair9k-0krw0o dopw2005rf0-g 6 g [[ o.ittgjfuuto nu-iuk llllllllllllll2+47**/9-+69999999999999999999999996+ +++ .+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Trials

I know we all go through our own trials and I do not want to be one to complain. Vent is more like it. I'm struggling with my kids these days. My sweet Lukas is turning into a 'sass'er and he (I'm embarrassed to admit) is spoiled. He freaks out when he doesn't get what he wants and he gets mad. He'll slam things down or hit things or pound his fists on the table. And he'll run out of the room saying "I'm not going to be your friend any more." Or occassionally he'll say, "I'm not going to be your son anymore!" He is so disrespectful to me sometimes, it makes me cry!! He demands things, like at the store he'll say, "Mommy, buy me a toy or I'm gonna be sad. You need to buy me something right now." Little stinker. Like I'm gonna fall for that one! I know he can be so sweet and he is happy a lot, but it's these other times that really get me down. And my Mr. Max is cute as can be, but is so busy and gets into things quicker than I can keep up. I was on the phone with my mom today and had to call her back several times b/c Max dumped out a packet of RED Kool-Aid onto the floor and somehow it got wet and he got it all over his hands and face and was walking around the house leaving his mark. Then he and Lukas were fighting and Lukas pushed him off the coffee table (that he shouldn't have been standing on) and cut his lip. I'm tired just explaining it all. Bedtime is a whole other issue. They share a room and now that Max is out of the crib it takes a least an HOUR to get them to settle down and go to sleep. Then half-way through the night, little feet find their way into my room to wake me up...EVERY NIGHT. I feel like I am doing something wrong. I can see the way that I handle things is rubbing off onto Lukas and the way he reacts to situations. I'm trying so hard to be a nice, happy mommy, but after hours of whining and crying and chasing after trouble I just can't take it anymore! I love my boys so much and I want them to have a happy childhood and grow up to be responsible adults. Then again, I want to be happy. And right now, I'm just drained.

Spooky Walk

My Dad had the luck of being born on Halloween AND being named Jack. He is a good sport and they always go all out for Halloween. For the past 2 years since they moved to Woodland Hills, Utah (on 5 acres of wooded forest) they have organized a Spooky Walk for the family. Last year it was so scary all the kids were in tears. This year, they decided to do a fun version for little kids and a scary version for the big kids and adults. There were things flying through the trees, crawling up from the ground and popping out to scare us! It was so fun. No kids cried this year and in fact, most of them wanted to go through it again. It was so incredibly awesome, I don't even know how to describe it. My mom was a witch and she had the best cackle I've ever heard. Pat was the Wood Keeper with an axe and a vengance. He scared the bejeezers out of the 2nd group. Besides the Spooky Walk, there was great Halloween food and fun activities (cookie decorating, bobbing for apples, ghost stories and well, the BYU game was on and then the U of U was on to distract Pat mostly...Darn football!). We had so much fun, we didn't want it to be over. Great Party Nana and Papa!!!! And Happy Birthday to Papa Jack!

Claytor

When Pat and I were first married (almost 6 year ago, can you belive it?), we lived in Sugarhouse and attended a married student ward (YAY Univeristy 23rd!!) It was one of the BEST wards I have ever been in. We met several dear friends there, the Lantz's to name one. So it was Clayton's b-day yesterday and we met them at the park for a quick party. It is always so fun to see them and be around their fun, sincere, happy personalities. It was a perfect afternoon with the leaves and the incredibly warm weather. The kids were sad to go when it was time to leave. We need to see you more Lantzers!! Happy b-day Clay-tor!

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is by far my very favorite holiday. I just love the weather and the leaves and the oranges and browns and the pumpkins. I LOVE IT! It was a very fun night. We had the Norton's over for dinner and trick or treating. The boys had such a fun time going from door to door saying "Trick or Treat". They each got so much candy! It was fun to run into neighbors and friends along the way. I wish I was a better dresser-upper. I never know what to be now that I'm all grown up. It's fun to help the kids though and they loved being super heroes. I'm sad Halloween is over.

Carving Pumpkins

We sort of waited 'til the very end to carve our pumpkins. My sweet neighbor and I got together with the kids (while our husbands worked late into the night and left us as single moms home) to carve up our pumpkins. Max wasn't interested AT ALL, but Lukas drew his own face on and then I carved it for him. He loved squishing the insides and getting messy. Holden liked to color his pumpkin and we all had a good time! Thanks Whit!