First Game

Logan had his first game a few weeks ago. The game was a bit chaotic because the other team only had two players, but they all had fun!

He's getting ready to attack
He was out run :(

It was great! I cannot believe he is old enough to play but he loves it.

Sisters

What more can I say? They are adorable and make me smile!

Soccer!

Logan has loved sports since the day he was born. I believe one of his first words was balls. The first song he learned to sing was about balls and his favorite toys as an infant/toddler were... you guessed it, Balls. He could play throw and catch for HOURS. Well after 4 years of waiting, he is FINALLY old enough to play a sport. This is his first year of soccer and he loves it.

The kids are warming up, he is in Orange.
And he's off!

He keeps pretty goood control of the ball too.

He is smiling from ear to ear.

Every practice and game ends with a smile like this. He just loves it. I am so thankful he is finally old enough to play. Even in the insane wind and freezing cold, he still loves to get out there and play.

Outside, We're Going Outside

It was a rare day where the sun was shining and the weather was warm enough to go out an play. So, I sent the kids out to play while I made lunch. Haylee was begging for a picnic, so we took it to the driveway.

We had gone out that morning to Walmart. I hardly ever go to Walmart anymore since there isn't one just up the road. So while we were there, we picked up Subway. The kids LOVE the meatball sub.

Here is our Sassy who is now shaved. We took her to the groomers because she was in serious need to grooming. Well, the groomer came back with disappointing news that the matting (that she had when we got her) was too bad and she would have to be shaved. It was really sad, but she is beautiful and it will grow back.

I was thankful for this sunny day. We all needed a little sunshine and a picnic.

Burrito baby

Some days, you just wanna curl up nice and warm and sleep. And somehow Laycee figured out a way to wrap her little body into an even smaller blanket. I love her!

Vegas Wedding

In December, my sister Linzi got married in Las Vegas. We stayed at the Stratosphere and rode in the limo over to the chapel.

It was a cloudy day which was kind of sad.
In the evening, she had a reception at the top of the Stratosphere. It was amazing! The food was delicious and there was so much of it. The wedding cake was beautiful and the view was amazing.

They make a cute couple.

Here is the view from outside on the ledge. It was freezing and super windy, but you have to go outdoors and see at least.

It was a great weekend. Dave was home with the kids and I was able to head out on my own. It was nice to have a weekend with my family and see my little sister get married!

Mommy, Watch This...

Lately, all I hear is "Mommy, Watch this" or "Mom, did you see..." I think cheerleading really spurred a natural interest in acrobatics for Haylee. So, she practices cartwheels and round off all day. The other day, she decided she wanted to try a backbend. After a couple days of trying, she is getting pretty good at them! Look and see!

Valentines Day

For Valentine's Day, we were lucky enough to get a special surprise from a friend. She brought this beautiful piece of work as well as valentines and cookies for the kids.
Since we are homeschooling, the kids don't have "school parties". So, we made our own. They decorated boxes a couple days ago with the stickers my mom sent them for Valentine's Day. Then we made valentines added some candy and today in the mail, they received Valentine's from Dave's parents. It was so fun to watch them dump out their goods after a Family Home Evening lesson on love. It was a great evening. I hope all of you had someone to spend some love with on this special day!

Birthday Fun

So I finally got it. Here is a video of the kids birthday fun! Laycee wanted Taco Bell for lunch, so we went to Taco Bell. Then we went to Charlie Safari which is so fun now that they added the bounce stuff! They have an adults only group so since I was still sick from the D&C, I got to sit in the dark room and sleep while Dave played with the kids. Then for dinner Logan chose Charlie Steakery. We came home for cake and ice cream and presents. It was an amazing day!

Laycee's Cake

She wanted a princess cake; but she got a Polly Pocket cake instead.

Such big smiles. I love her little lopsided mouth.
She's so excited

Looks to see who is singing.

Blowing out the candles.... which took 3 tries and some help

All DONE!

I finally got the video to upload, so tomorrow come back to see what they did for their birthday.

Logan's Birthday Cake

Logan wanted a cars cake... SO, I made him a cars cake lol. He LOVED it.

He watches anxiously
Isn't he so excited?!

Now blow...

Ok so it took two tries

He loved it. Up next... Laycee

Name Calling

Really, I am gonna be the one calling names if I don't successfully finish a post. I have been trying to post for days in my limited time, but each time something happens and I lose the whole post. I have pictures of Laycee and Logan's birthday that I have been trying to post as a video, but its just not working. I suppose I need to find the time to make it work. ANYWAY...

Name Calling
I hate name calling. I am very sensative about it. I have worked hard to prevent name calling situations. I have encouraged the children to say that someone is "acting" mean and not that the person is mean. They can say that each other is acting a certain way because don't we all act off sometimes. But I don't like them to call each other names. Well I have almost successfully made is through 3 children. Minimal issues with name calling. And then I have one... sigh. The favorite name calling word is... BABY! And the culprit... guess guess... oh yes, Laycee! She is constantly calling everyone BABY when things don't go her way. Needless to say; she has been standing in the corner a lot, spending lots of time saying sorry, and giving lots of make up hugs. Oh dear, what will I do with her?

Pick Me Up

After a long week, today I needed a pick me up. I wanted something that would bring some hope that spring is on its way and so is the hope that a new season brings. It is dark, dreary and rainy today, so when I saw the Tupils in Costco, I knew that is just what I needed! I hope they give you the pick me up you need too!

4 Years Old

Some days, they just both want to be held, even at 4. This is a rare situation. Almost never do they both want to cuddle at the same time. Today was a bittersweet day for me. I dread each year Laycee and Logan grow a year older because that means I am a year closer to an absence of little children in my home. It was even more so this year since yesterday we lost our 5th baby. Through each day, I am infamous for saying... "I can't wait until they can..."

1. They can sit up, which happend at 7 months.

2. They can hold their own bottle, also 7 months.

3. They can eat real food, baby food started at 8 months.

4. They can crawl... oh 11 and 12 months.

5. They can walk... 18 months.

6. They can talk... finally age 2.5-3 they could really talk.

7. They can buckle their own car seat... just started doing that.

8. They can dress themselves. We have finally learned and almost perfected this skilll.

9. They can unbuckle their own carseat... maybe one day.

10. They can read their own books. Oh reading is not so far away!

11. They can help with chores. Surprisingly they do help with chores.

12. We can go out to eat without spilling drinks everywhere... lol maybe one day.

The list goes on as a mother can't wait until their little children can accomplish the next task. I do not miss the endless hours of washing bottles. I do not miss the crying that never stops because as soon as I calm one, the other starts in. I do not miss the garbage of diapers that is always full. I sometimes look at families with two or three little children and suddenly I realized; that is not me anymore. I do miss the constant loves and irritability because I just need a bit of space. They are so independant now. I do miss watching as they toddle across the floor excited by everything they see. I do miss the way they could be distracted by almost anything.

When they turned one, I was happy the first year was over. When they turned two, I just couldn't wait until they could grow up just a bit more. When they turned three, I realized they were really growing up. This year I can't believe how they have changed. In some ways I wish I could go back, but in the end, I again can't wait until they grow another year older.