Walkin' Girl: 12/10/08

I can't believe she's so little and walking! My baby is growing up, and yesterday Kelton asked me to have more kids because he loved Christmas. Not sure what they have to do with each other, but he wants "a lot and a lot of boys".

This little girl sure gets around, and now turns and runs if she has something she's not supposed to have. She also loves to hit people or bite them and hear them say oow! and then she laughs. She's halarious and loves to play on-one-one where she belly laughs if you head butt her back in the tummy or body. I thought she was kissing my knee the other day to realize she was head-butting it. She brings our home a ton of smiles and bright days.

Choffin Family Christmas 2008

All the boys together. All getting so big!

Ryun, Beau, Corey and Dad

Chase, Jacob, Kyle, Kelton and Bryce

Jacob took this lovely picture no one was ready for!

Lindsay and Rylin, Vanessa and Taelin, Kimber

Katey, Mom and Talea

We just love this girl! Kyle and Courtney together. We are excited for them and how happy they are together. Girl, I already love you like a sister, so I just hope someday soon you will be!

Overall, we had a great Christmas. I'll post a slideshow in the gifts...too many funny pics of the kids to post one at a time! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Our Busy December

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kelton (4 1/2) , Chase (2 1/2) and Taelin (11 mon) Jansen

So far, Christmas prep has been fun. They all love wrapping gifts, rearranging presents, making cookies, attempting snowflakes, delivering cookies, shopping for needy families and decorating the house. Kelton is SO excited for Santa to come...we try to remind him of the real reason of Christmas, and I think he's gotten that its Christ's birthday, but not much else. Not giving up! They are so surrounded with Santa, gifts and what they want; sometimes you have to repeat the real reason even more.

Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year with your families!

ALLERGY FREE!?!?!?!

Those of you who know us well, know that all of our children have multiple food allergies. Kelton is milk and eggs (and many environmental that he takes shots for) and Chase is peanuts, milk and eggs. So, needless to say, that when Kelton got his testing when he was 1 yr., and then again about 3 1/2 (things sprouted even more the second time), we were advised to get our kids tested at age one. With Chase, I went completely off of eggs, since I can't have milk anyways. He still fussed and had some issues, then we found out it was also peanuts. Taelin always seemed alright. She has a rash from birth so at 2 weeks old I omitted peanuts and it seemed to clear. I have been without eggs or peanuts for a year and when she got tested yesterday, I didn't see the usual welts that come from the ichy cries! She only had ONE 3+!! tabacco (which the boys have 4+ of and so do Jake and I)....Can you believe it?!?! She had tiny reactions to tomatoe, potatoe and pork, but they weren't even on the scale of anything to worry about!

SHE'S ALLERGY FREE!!! Here is our 20% chance baby!

They are watching her closely in the next year to make sure that she isn't just a late bloomer.

So were not introducing her directly to any eggs, milk or peanuts until at least 18 months. But, just the idea of handing my baby a regular icecream cone, or mac and cheese is so strange since I'm always so guarded. With me and allergies, if I know it will hurt my babies, I can't bring myself to put anything in my mouth close to what they could be allergic to, but today I ate POTATOE SALAD GUILT FREE (and a peanut butter sandwich)!!!!

Here are some of her pictures from the office on my camera phone. And yes, that is red punch and yes, she did get it all over my white shirt when she spit later. can win 'em all.

So...you think YOU can dance?

This little boy never ceases to crack me up. He's so intense on so many levels, but keeps me going with his funny phrases and jest for life. He has always known what he wants and expresses that very clearly, even if others don't think it's "cool". He knows who he is, and has just an amazing sense of self. I kept replaying the car commercial since he was so stinkin' funny!

Videos of Florida

Chase and Taelin played this game for about 25 minutes or more after dinner one night in Florida. They are playing so well together lately, its SO nice!!

The Power Of Prayer

For those of you from good ole' Belfair, Washington, and that have now moved out across the nation, or those still in Washington, and remember the Ruddy/Sides family, please keep them in your prayers. The mother, Cheryl is very ill. Please give your prayers for her family at this heart aching time.

My mom has traveled to Tempe, AZ. to see her one last time, and to be with her family. Cheryl is an amazing mother, wife and friend. Kind and always light hearted, quick to laugh and to ease worries. Such an phenomenal woman. Her battle with cancer will soon come to a close, so those of you who have been privledged to know her, and even those that have not, please pray for her family. Comfort I am sure is greatly needed.

For now, all our love and prayers to her children and husband.

Remembering All the Times

"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still loves you."

After my first semester in college, coming home from Christmas Break, my plane had been cancelled, so I ended up not getting home until really late the night before classes began. We had two new roommates that semester. It was within the first hour of being in the same room, that I felt something tell me that I needed to be her friend, except I kept calling her Mary, no good. Gotta remember the girl's name if you want to get to know her!

Little did I know how much we would go through, how many times we would cry, eat green pepper pizza (1/2 no cheese) like 42 times, watch each other get our hearts broken, take road trips to college, and eventually marry the men of our dreams and have baby girls just days apart. Marie, thank you for knowing me, the real me, and still loving me. Here's to you!

February 2004

Dropping Marie off at the MTC to serve in the Ventura, Ca. Mission (spanish speaking). I am about 4 weeks from delivering Kelton.

August 2006
Marie's wedding in the Orlando Temple...just weeks after Chase was born.


November 2007

Pregnant together in St. Augustine, Florida. Marie due Dec. 22ndish and Vanessa due on January 5th. Someone actually asked us if Jacob was "responsible" for both of us. What a stupid stupid man that was. We just rolled our eyes. I think he was drunk.

May 2008
Our baby girls, Taelin Marianne (born on Jan. 8th) and Emilia Claire (born Jan. 5th)



November 2008

Our girls again, getting so big. It was fun to dress them up alike. I think they'll be great friends! We got to spend the day with just the girls at Marie's house. It was so fun to just hang out.

November 2008

Marie and I at the Jacksonville Zoo, just after this picture, Jacob didn't realize that his mom was slightly moving down the ramp in her wheel chair and we thought she was going to crash into a crowd of people watching the howler monkeys, but it was funnier to see Jacob's expression than anything else...we laughed so hard that whole day.

Thanksgiving in Florida

Thanksgiving Trip to Florida

We arrived in Florida on Friday evening, and settled in for the night quickly, we were all exhausted from the 13 hr travel from start to finish. Saturday, we got up early (for us). Marie, Aaron and Emilia met us at Jacob's parents house and we all went to the Jacksonville Zoo. We spent nearly 6 hours there! Sunday came church, and Kelton actually went to Sunbeams! Monday came, and after we put Chase down for a nap, Jake and I ran to the outlet mall. After we got back, I did some baking for Lois and Jacob helped his dad pull down a tree limb that was hanging in their pond. Tuesday, I took off to Gainesville with Taelin to see Marie and Emilia (born just 3 days earlier than Taelin) for the day while the boys all went to the arcade and other "boy" stuff, including re-painting Oma's patio furniture. Wednesday, uncle Nathan (Jacob's younger brother) came up from Orlando later that night we attended, "Walking with Dinosaurs" the show, the boys LOVED it. Thursday, we headed to the early Turkey Bowl, and Jacob and Nathan had a lot of fun, while Opa played with the kids and Taelin and I got to watch. We ate yummy food, and desert. Friday, hung out and went to the beach, usure we wanted to even deal with the crowds, that night Jacob, Doug and I got schooled by Nathan and Lois in Yachtzee. Each day we were there, the kids got a gift from Oma and Opa (christmas celebrated then). So, Kelton knew that there was a "present" each day, and by the end of it, Taelin had the unwrapping down! Saturday we did some last minute packing and headed off to the airport for the 12 1/2 hour trip back to Idaho! Loved the trip, but oh so glad to be home.

November Dinners

So, before we took off to Florida, the beginning of November we had the missionaries over (the boys loved it) and had a family sunday night dinner at our house since my family went out of town for a basketball tournament for Kimber. Everything was yummy, and the kids loved making the turkey cookies, fun and yummy! Taelin is also starting to walk with things, no independent steps yet, but she's adventerous! She's also halarious lately with funny smiles. I have also been working on art projects for christmas gifts, and chase has loved getting my craft paints out each day. Here are some random shots of November! Oh, and did I mention Kyle's new girlfriend, Courtney. We all love her, and she's stinkin' halarious, gorgeous, and she can definitely hold her own in our loud family! :)

Make Up Your Mind!?!?

Alright...so anyone that knows me well, knows that I can't make up my mind very easily. Just getting dressed and having to make a ton of choices takes me forever. I like to overthink everything (a time or two) and not make rash decisions, because I know I'll regret them, it's just how I am built. I know, I know. So, the whole private thing. I have adjusted some of my settings, so random people can't find me from google and stuff, and so far I haven't had anymore weirdos entering from random places across the nation. We'll see if that keeps up...but if I see it again, I'm going private. So, leave me a message with your email anyways on this post or the last, so that I don't loose you! Thanks! And I promise, that's my final decision!

Really going Private

Alright everyone! I'm giving everyone a heads up, but I need to go private. Since I posted the LiveFeed to see who was seeing the blog, I really have NO idea who is seeing this and figured I have to protect my kiddos while sharing fun experiences with those close to us, and those that are close to our hearts, but not our home! :) Please leave a comment with your email on this! I'll leave this on the top of the posts for a while, since we'll be headin' off to Florida soon, I won't post for a little over a week! SO, comment away with your email addresses so I can invite you! And Grma Johnson, if you are still having issues, I will set something up personally for you to get in! Please email me if you have any questions!

11-07-08 Vests Gallore!

So, old navy had their outter wear 50% off. So,

you'll see with our Christmas card, how we all match...but the kids were too cute not to post. And might I mention that my sweet little red-headed baby girl, looked so grown up that day (I crunched her hair in the back, so hard to see)! The boys love matching, and the cutness factor for us was just too much for us to pass up!

The boys loving the swimming pool, and so many people to jump into! Kelton was so proud that he could touch the bottom and didn't need anyone. The best part of all, was having Grandma and Grandpa Johnson there to visit with! It was SO good to see them, Talea was literally jumping up and down for half the day...we love you guys so much! Already missing you!

10-30-08 Swimming with Grpa and Grma Johnson

So, Grandma and Grandpa got to come and visit, and came to the Best Western so the kids could swim! Kelton and Talea could touch the floor, although they almost drifted off a time or two! :) Chase loved swimming with Grandma Choffin, and Taelin just loved chillin' by the side eating Rylin's shoe. Here is where I lost my camera...but alas it was found! :) yay!

Sorry, not sure why they are so small, but gotta run! Lots more to post soon! And on Friday, we'll be in Florida!

10-29-08 My Soccer Playing Dragon

While Kelton was having his preschool lesson, and Taelin was sleeping, Chase and I got to play. I think he's the cutest running around...so sometimes I kicked the ball just to watch his cute little body run!

Yes, this is a normal day!

So, yesterday I got a call, and yes after a week, the hotel found my camera! Yahoo! I knew it was there...and now I am so happy! Thank you Judy for offering a replacement, I was almost ready to come on over. But, by tomorrow we should have some more creative interest instead of just my words! :)

Kelton was lagging most of the day, but didn't seem to be totally different. Figured it was just sleep. My kids have been thrown for a loop with this daylight savings time thing. I had cable guy here from 1:00-2:00ish, another dsl guy here to get all of his stuff from 2:00ish to 3:00 and so I escaped to the basement to watch the boys as they worked around Karl (the guy finishing our basement). That's why I didn't have someone that I didn't know, it's too creepy thinking about some weirdo downstairs when I have to jump in the shower (since sometimes it doesn't happen until 11:00 or so).

Kelton asked me to put something closer to his eyes so he could read (i mean really close), so I think he might need glasses. Chase loves to cook lately, so he always sits on the counter next to me, but lately he's been climbing the pantry shelves for oreos. He was yelling yesterday, "maaa! daak (dark) ere (here)!" yeah...then begged for oeos.

Taelin pooped like 6 times, and is still teething. That girl keeps growing and growing too.

I've been planning some crafts with a couple of my friends to pass out to our families for christmas time. I guess I won't go into detail b/c there might be people reading this that will get things! :) Let's just say a lot of planning and workin' things out for one night of "gettin things done!"

Later that night Kelton was up throwing up, I was up until 2:30, and took a nap till 4:00, and then I think he was over the worst of it. He's just not a "loud" vomitter, so its scary to think that he could choke and we would never know! :)

So, an average day in my life. Not to mention, cleaning, cooking, naps, diapers, school work and managing the caios of fighting children and being a good wife. Wew....raise your hands if you think you need a vacation (but would know that everything at home would be taken care of without having the guilt of leaving and not sure what you will come home to!) :)

Lovin' every minute of it!
~Vanessa

Missing Camera! :(

My grandparents visited us when they got a small vacation from their mission to see family. We went to their hotel to swim, and I was taking pictures and video galoure....set my camera on one of the chairs and with the hustle and bustle of leaving, can't remember what happened. I'm almost having panic attacks each day that I can't find it! I HATE loosing things! I've even returned to the hotel and it hadn't been turned in.

So, no cute halloween pictures from Kelton's preschool party or the night of. Well, until I find it! Cross your fingers for me and maybe even a silent prayer. Gotta have one before all of these holidays or I'm going to cry.

10-10-08 Miss Taelin

My sweet Taelin. We had her pictures taken since we had some free sheets. Of course, it wasn't the right time for her that day, and to tell you the truth, the lady was even dull for me to want to smile. Luckily we brought along monkey, and got a couple of good shots. She's normally so expressive, that why it surprised me so much to see her so different. Maybe next time we'll go with Hilary, who takes fabulous pictures. :) Enjoy everyone! She's getting to big, I'm afraid they don't stay this size for very long.

Frustrated But Cute

I LOVE YOUR BLOG AWARD!

Here are the rules: I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others.The questions are as follows:

1. Where is your cell phone? bathroom

2. Where is your significant other? work

3. Your hair color? blondish

4. Your mother? thoughtful

5. Your father? hardworking

6. Your favorite thing? family

7. Your dream last night? dreams?

8. Your dream/goal? celestial

9. The room you're in? living room

10. Your hobby? learning

11. Your fear? unprepared (sorry hiliary, it was too good not to steal)

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy

13. Where were you last night? home

14. What you're not? selfish

15. One of your wish-list items? mission

16. Where you grew up? washington (state)

17. The last thing you did? baked

18. What are you wearing? jeans

19. Your TV? recording

20. Your pet? none

21. Your computer? fun

22. Your mood? busy (chase is on my lap instead of sleeping)

23. Missing someone? always

24. Your car? minivan

25. Something you're not wearing? makeup

26. Favorite store? Michael's

27. Your summer? short

28. Love someone? forever

29. Your favorite color? blues

30. When is the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? Saturday?

this is hard...I'm not one of few words....so give it a try and have fun with it! :)

Here are the seven people I'm tagging for the "I Love Your Blog" award: 1. Marie Rogerson 2. Erika Young 3. Katie Brodniak 4. Jenny Place 5.Emily Hendrickson 6.Paije Abplanalp

Growing too Fast!

Taelin is getting too big lately! She loves to crawl all around the house, especially the kitchen. Her favorite now is to get up in standing positions all around the house and get "stuck" since she can't get down.

Yes, they are doing yoga with me! The love generating that psychic heat! :)

Painting pumpkins this year...too cold to do carvings (they just cave in and curl). And this way...NO KNIVES! Chase's ended up pink and blue and kelton's completely black.

Chase at Kelton's preschool field trip, riding misty. He was so excited he said his first sentence ever, "ma, doe see hoose, now!"

Kelton riding Misty. When he was asked if he'd ever ridden a horse before, his reply was, ...but bigger ones!" He even relaxed his left arm dropped on his side with the right arm on the horn. My little cowboy!

(p.s. the towel is for their allergies, instead of undressing and baggin clothes, just bring a towel to do the trick!)

HEAD IN THE GUTTER?

Last time I was proud of my "gardening", and wrote the title as "getting my gardener on", Jake thought that that was meaning I was "getting it on with a gardener"....anyone agree?!? Those who know me might know that I am just a tad bit naive, but I wanted that to mean that I was getting my gardener grove on. Tell me what you think!!! (I know there are secret people out there that visit this blog but never leave comments...)

So, I've been canning lately, my first year all by myself without my mom's wisdom/hand. So, without too many mistakes, applesauce with my friend Danielle on Saturday and today and Salsa with my friend Kristy a couple of weeks ago and then today by myself. I'm very happy to say that I have actually eaten these things and they aren't too bad! Kinda cool.

All for now, Vanessa

Myths about the Healthy Foods!

Loved this website that shares the healthy foods that really aren't...and those that we steer clear from that are alright. Yay for Bacon!!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1600119196/bctid1606785709

Lindsay's House

Oct. 8th and 9th: At Lindsay's House

Sorry, the photobucket wouldn't load it after I added the text. I"ll do it up above!

Since Mom, Dad and the clan are in Sacramento, visiting Uncle Chas and family; Lindsay needed someone to watch Rylin so that she could go to classes. She's taking a full load of classes, so we got to hang out with Rylin for 3 fun days. Monday, Rylin came to us, and then on Wedneday and Thursday we went to them, and spent the night. It was funny to see Rylin and Taelin interact. And when Lindsay got home, it was sooooo good to be able to sit down and talk to her alone, something we haven't done in a while.

10-02-08 Those darn tires!

Chase got wet, Taelin got walked until she cried, and Kelton got those darn tires!

Washin' the car is fun, hard work...but Kelton sat at the tires for just over an hour and man did they shine! Wew! They were so nasty b/c of the brakes in the front, and he made them look like new! Great job buddy!!!

9-30-08 THE DUCKS

So, we've caught up with our long time friends, the ducks. The last couple nice days of the warm weather, we just had to get out and get that fresh air before it was too late! It was fun, the bread went quick and their comments cracked me up.

P.S. yes, this is the last day I would let Kelton wear this outfit! I promise!

9-28-08 SWEET 16 KIMBER!!!

Kimber doesn't look so excited, b/c I scrapbooked and wrote a poem for her horse that passed away, and it made her cry and remember her. I'm sorry I didn't give it to you later!

yummy white cake with strawberry mousse inside birthday cake! great job mom!

So, can't stinkin' believe my little sister that I remember bringing home from the hospital is 16 now! Holy Cow! She is a beautiful woman, mature beyond her years and very thoughtful and caring. She is funny, outgoing and one heck of an athlete. She's scares boys off the court and can out pitch any other chick in the state of Idaho. No joke. Kimber, I love you.