The Three Musketeers

I am just getting back into this blog! I have slacked BIG time and haven't recorded much about my kids. So I have a lot to share. They are all cute and getting so big.

Zoey (23 months) is growing up so much and getting so big. Sheknows exactly what she wants and how to get it. She hates getting her hair done or being told to go somewhere or do something. She wants it to be her idea. She loves dancing, eating and watching TV. Mostly shows the boys watch like Johnny Test or Phineas and Ferb. She just recently started wanting to watch Cinderella (she calls it Ferella). She love baths, even in the kitchen sink. She likes towearher "dresses" which mean her dress up dresses. She is talking a lot and can usually express what she is thinking or wants. Other times she says things like, "I don't believe it!" But it doesn't fit the situation. Which makes us all laugh and she doesn't like that so much.

Max (5) is changing and I has seen such a difference in his behavior. He adores Zoey and would do anything for her. He is always helping her and talking sweet to her. He always asks for a hug from her in the morning, which she usually gives him. They will sit together to watch a show together, or he will help her get a snack or her milk. They are turning out to be pretty good buddies. It makes my heart smile! Max is so smart and recognizes all his letters and numbers. He still fights with his brother, but when they play they get a long great. He is a good friend and so thoughtful and kind (mostly).

Lukas (7) is busy and never quits. He would stay up all night if I let him. He lost his front teeth and the big ones are coming in. He has lots of friends that are always calling and wanting to play. He loves first grade and is doing well. His teacher, Mrs. Foreman loves him and he is so smart. His favorite thing to do is draw and write. And he's quite good. He's read me a couple books that he wrote in school and both were awesome! He loves that Papa calls him an "arteest". He is a good helper and can handle a lot. He likes to complain more than Max, but I think it's his lack of sleep that steps in at this point. He is taking piano lessons and loves it. Hehas started worrying about money and is always asking how much"this" cost and to turn off the water bc the water bill will be expensive. He does NOT like bedtime and will do anything to stay up. he loves Wolfie and always makes sure he is on his bed at night. He is very tender hearted.

They are growing up to be such good kids. Kind, generous, loving, forgiving, fun, happy. I am so blessed to have them in my life! They brighten my world.

The New Addition...

Pat's poor car has been dearly missed. It has been hard to be a one car family, so we called Nana and Papa and asked if we could borrow their Pilot. It was so fun to drive and actually have room to pick up Lukas' friends and carpool. We have been searching diligently for a car and we FINALLY found one and it all worked out. So, we are the proud new owners of a 2011 Gray Chevy Traverse. My dream car! Bucket seats and all!!!!! I feel guilty driving it. I thought I'd have to way a lot longer to have it. Thanks Pat for the awesome car.

Ian, the Leprechaun

We finally got a Leprechaun that visited us this year! It's so fun to see what mischief he might construct! This year the kids got some cool toys and candy from him. Next year, they might not get so lucky.

3 Years

I can't believe it has been 3 years since my dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He is a fighter and I'm so blessed to still have him here. This year he chose to celebrate at Classic Skating. It was so much fun. The kids had a blast and I think Pat had about the most fun! It was nice to be together celebrating his 3 years of life beating cancer. We went to get frozen yogurt afterwards. I love my family and am so grateful for the time we have together.

California, Here we come!!

This was a big month for us. Pat was driving to work one morning and I got a phone call from him around 7 a.m. He informed me that he had been in a bad accident and his car was totaled. I called my neighbor to come stay with my kids and I headed over to pick him up. When I got there, he was sitting in his car filling out the report. His poor Honda Accord was smashed in half. Someone was not paying attention and rear-ended him, which caused him to crash into the person in front of him and about 3 other cars behind the guy who hit him. We are so thankful Pat is ok, besides whiplash and a totaled car. I took him home and then to the emergency room to get checked out. Nothing major or too serious. But how sad that his nice car is gone and we have a huge headache to deal with. :( To add to our busy month, we went to Disneyland for a week! We got a great deal on airline tickets, Disneyland passes, rental car and hotel. We had a blast! It was a lot of work getting 5 people packed and on a plane! But we did it and arrived in California safely and with all our stuff. We spent 3 days at Disneyland. I don't recommend it! Three days was a lot! We were exhausted every day! I think if we do it again, we'll space it out and go every other day. It was fun to be with the kids and see their excitement. Zoey was scared of most of the rides, but she had fun and was so cute. The boys couldn't wait to get on each ride and they had a great time. Max went on Splash Mountain 3 times! And Lukas loved Indiana Jones. They both went on Space Mountain and Tower of Terror, too. Brave boys! It was fun for me to see Zoey and the princesses. I am used to Buzz Lightyear, so it was so fun for me to do the girly stuff with Zoey. While we were in California we went to Burbank to visit the Lantz's. It was so fun to see them and they made us an awesome dinner. We have known them for almost 10 years now! How time flies! We also visited my old neighborhood and my old ward. Talk about some serious nostalgia!!! We went to Legoland one day, and had fun there too. However, it rained hard on us, but we had fun anyway. They boys loved building their own race car and racing it. It wasn't crowded so we never had to wait to get on a ride. Our last day there we spent at Huntington Beach and the Newport temple. It is so beautiful there and I just love the ocean. I miss living in Southern California. This trip reminded me of my wonderful childhood and how great my parents have been. I love that I was raised in Placentia and that I had so many great memories there. I hope I can give my kids such a wonderful childhood with great memories.

Jr. Jazz

Lukas has started to like basketball. It was only a matter of time...I mean, look at Pat. He LIVES for ball. So now Lukas is in Jr. Jazz and plays every Saturday. He is learning the basics and is doing great. It's fun to watch them and I can see this is in his future!

Snow in January...Finally!

This has been such a strange winter...50 degrees one day, 32 the next. Rain, sun. But no snow. That is until this weekend. We threw our snow stuff in the car and headed to Solitute to hit the slopes. Not to ski, but with our sleds. We couldn't get up the mountain, so we did the next best thing. We found an awesome park with giant hills and had a blast. The snow was pretty heavy and wet and sloshy, but it was fun anyway! Zoey tried to have fun, but didn't like it much.

Not so new, but Improved

We have been doing some updates on our house...blinds in the basement, vinyl lettering EVERYWHERE, a table and mini fridge downstairs, a desk for my craft room, Lukas' new room, fixing the carpet (basement leak), a new TV in the loft, not to mention the 90 inch screen and projector in the basement. I was getting so tired of the same old decorations and decided to try and change some things up. I am happy with the results and still have a few things in the works! It's good to document things every now and again. Here is our house as of today.