Sunday, March 30, 2008

3-30-08 Sunday Fort

Hopefully our last Sick Sunday for a while! The boys are almost over their gooupie noses and eyes, and their coughs are still there but hopefully by next week, those will be gone too! Since we were home from church today, we had to figure out something that would keep the boys "sabbathly" busy and not fighting. Church videos lasted the morning, but then after Chase's quick nap, Daddy built them a fort (which as we speak Kelton is adding to)! Boys are super fun!



3-23-08 Post Egg Hunt Party

Kimber dancing with Kelton to Butterfly Kisses

Rylin taking a treatment and Chase giving her kisses. He loves her so much!

Someone put "Footloose" on, a family favorite. Chase, loves music...so he started jumping around, and all the kids were line dancing. Great Sunday activity, but hey- they had a good time and we were all together.
Rylin a little confused at me putting the camera in her face. Cute girl!!!

Vanessa and Taelin hanging out (when we weren't getting pelted with broken egg halves from the flying fan), we weren't in the right spot. With the angle of the fan, we were always getting hit!

Ryun, Beau and Bryce throwing eggs from the balcony down to the fan, then eggs would go flying! Then the kids would run around and pick them up. They did this for a good 45 minutes- as Jake and Lindsay tried to get good pics of it. It was fun.

The kids dancing again to footloose, someone restarted the cd (chase- he loves those buttons!)

Corey and his friend Terrant (flew in from Wisconsin for his spring break) just "chillin'" and being stupid as soon as someone goes to take a picture!!!

3-23-08 Easter Egg Hunting!

Easter Morning, the Easter Bunny had fake eggs with goodies in them hidden around the house (some looked like balls). Chase loved the ball ones, and they LOVED their fun baskets with silly string, church shirts, eggs, popcorn, bubbles, spiderman for kelton and a soft soccer ball for chase. Taelin got some really cute clothes and baby lotion. The first pictures are of the easter morning. We got dressed and went up to grandmas by 11:00, fed the boys lunch and then went to church at 1:00. The boys had snotty noses, so we didn't stay for their classes. Later, we had a ham Easter dinner and because we still had quite a bit of snow in Rexburg, we went to Lindsay and Ryun's house just down the street for an Easter Egg Hunt (our first ever indoors here in Idaho). Only select people played- but it was super fun to watch the kids run around and look for them, Kelton and Talea were the funniest. We always play girls against boys, and this year Kelton and Talea would run around to where they had hidden their eggs and show the other where to find them! It was cute to watch and see how excited they were to help each other!









Saturday, March 22, 2008

3-21/3-22 EASTER FUN!!

We have had so far a very fun Easter Weekend! Tomorrow we are going to Rexburg for church and Easter dinner and a hunt. Sorry the pictures aren't in order, again- I'm still trying to get a hang of this whole blogging thing. The first pic is of the easter eggs the boys colored in the later pictures. We colored eggs last night after dinner, and Chase was in heaven! The boys still have colored hands, and Vanessa finally got the hang of reading directions and not putting in too much water (it's our first time doing this with just our family). The boys LOVED doing the eggs- but Chase screamed the whole time they were drying. The picture of Jake and Taelin is literally what they did while we were coloring eggs (and yes, he is watching Sesame Street very intuitively). I just tried to monitor and really let them have fun...even tho we ended up with green and blue fingers!
We talked and discussed with Kelton what happens on Easter and with the Easter Bunny, etc. Then this morning we went to the local park for the local radio stations big Egg Hunt. They ran like crazy and I think got maybe 8 eggs total. Chase got 2 and Kelton got a bunch, although he was throughly scared the whole time because of the craziness. It was freezing, so Taelin and I were in the car right in front of the action. We were there 30 minutes early, so we brought some chairs and blankets from the car. It was definitely a new experience!
HAPPY EASTER!
















Week of 3-17-08 ~ Everyday is Something New!

Here is finally a good smile on the camera! She had just woken up after a huge nap...so I grabbed the camera quickly! Beautiful little girl!

I took the kids to get their pictures on Wednesday, and this was her outfit. By the time we finished with the boys and the cousin group, she was completely done! But, this is her super cute outfit bought by her great grandpa otto. The shirt under it is white with red poka-dots and lace on the edges! Little girl clothes are super fun!

She changes so much, here are so more smiles for Grma Choffin. Taelin was just talking and smiling at her forever, so I had a chance to stand off to the side so she didn't see the camera! She's so funny about seeing it and getting all serious!

3-18-08 CUT IT OFF!

Jake has been asking me to cut my hair, but when I'm pregnant my hair grows out really nice and thick- so I always grow it out...then by the time the kids are 2-3 months, my hair is back to being thin and limp and although I was loving it... I did it for my husband. So, here it is. I even went for the haircut that him and my mom thought would be cute on me, but what I was REALLy scared to do.
I am still trying to get the hang of styling it...but I'm getting better. I was in the chair for 2 hours since the girl was a newby...she did a great job though- and Lindsay and Talea were there to help out with Taelin...Lindsay got hers cut way cute too. Well, here's to loosing close to 11 inches of hair or more!


Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Happy Birthday Kelton

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

3-16-08 Silly Chase

Chase now LOVES to wear underwear, so we practice on the potty (he's only 21 months) every once in a while, and sometimes we wear underwear over our diaper. Kelton got this wheelbarrow for his birthday and Chase is just in love with wheelin' it around. He also started this lip scrunching thing too...he cracks us all up! We love you!

3-15-08 My Birthday Boy! Big #4!

This is Kelton's Joy School birthday hat...and he LOVES it! He wore it most of the day- and called himself the king. He kept singing to himself "happy birthday" and talking in the 3rd person! He is SO big, and was SO excited to have a party with all of his friends!

Kelton LOVING his presents...he lined them all up and keeps them all close at hand each day since then. Luckily Chase was napping during the party (not planned, but it worked out) because there was not fighting. Chase was able to wake up in time to still play with my family and really enjoyed all of the balloons.

Kelton asks me to read this book now every night. He asked me, "Mommy can we read my new scriptures now?" We bought the distribution centers picture packets and have been doing that for scriptures each night, and Kelton is really remembering the stories now, and Chase has something to look at. He really likes the "mean brothers" of Nephi and Ammon and as always, Chase loved the ball (liahona).

Kelton and his new bike. He was scared to drive out the drive-way (because of the steepness) but he rode to his friend Logan's house just down the street and did great!

Kelton got a spiderman cake (his themes were Spiderman/Transformers/Ben-10) and Transformers (my bad drawing of bumblebee)...but I thought I did a good job on the webbing for the spiderman cake- the candle was SO heavy tho. The cake was "red" and both made egg free (non-flavored gelatin)! It was fun for him and he LOVED to be the center of attention for that day! After his party was over he said to me, "Man, mom, I guess my party is over." I said, "Yes, buddy, it's over." and he replied, "Oh."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!!!

3-16-08 Little Miss Taelin

This is proof that I really try to get smiling pictures of Taelin on a regular basis. This girl is so intrigued with the camera, that as soon as I bring it out, she gets this furrowed look on her face and her eyes get all buggy. Not sure why- must be the pretty chrome.
Anyways- every now and then I actually get one, and halves, but I really do try!!!


Friday, March 14, 2008

3-14-08 Playing Together

3-14-08 Ice Ice Baby

Anyone want the baby?

Everyone LOVES to hold baby Taelin now that she's old enough to not slump over...and now she is just growing way too fast! She loves to play with her swing toy, look at her mobile and talk and coo at anyone with a big grin. The boys just love to sing to her, which she really enjoys!




3-5-08 Bye Bye

Grandpa is leaving today...the boys all came into my bed and decided to wake up their sister. Good thing they were all happy at least! The picture below is of the boys waving bye bye to Grandpa...they waited there for 5 minutes until they were sure that he wasn't coming back.





3-4-08 Playing with Rocks and Grandpa

Daddy always brings the boys a gift home when he travels alone...so this time he picked up some cool colored rocks in a pouch, and this is Chase making up his own game with Grandpa Jansen. He played this for like 15 minutes- going from one pocket to the other!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Time is flying!!

Lately, I've been having a major reflection on time and how it flies! I can't believe that Kelton is almost 4, Jake is almost 27, Chase is almsot 2 and we've almost been married for 5 years! When spring comes, these fun dates just fly by us. I am feeling reflective and realizing that my kids are growing up way too fast, and that although most days seem to go by slow, the months are flying and years are going even faster! Why can't these little ones be little longer? Why can't they grow slower now and then faster as teenagers? :) I'm sure that time will feel like it can't go fast enough.
So, I'm making a stand to really embrace everyday and not worry about the stupid things that I get caught up in, like laundry and dishes and making sure the playroom is all cleaned up. What really matters is enjoying this time with them, teaching them and making sure that we laugh everyday. I know we have fun, but I want to have a lot of fun, and put my heart where I know my real treasure is, in them.
Hopefully I will post soon some fun pictures of us doing our new activities. Something fun and new that's special...because they are so important to me.
Anyone have any great tradition ideas? We have a bunch during the holiday season, but we are encouraged to create wholesome recreation as a family...and besides family home evening and pancakes on saturday morning, I'd like to add some fun traditions.
We hope everyone is well and doing great! Keep in touch, because we LOVE hearing from all of you and how your families are doing!!!
Love, Vanessa

Ball

Oreos

Boys Playing-Dec. 2007

Monday, March 10, 2008

Videos

So, I've finally been able to figure out how to quickly add videos- it's through photobucket. SO much easier! So sorry that it's taken me forever to figure all of this out! Glad for those of you who have stuck it out there with us! Here's the boys in a few videos from our digital camera, they crack us up- and we hope you enjoy them! All our love, Vanessa and family!

Daddy and Taelin

Taelin and Daddy, what a pair! She sure loves to give him big smiles and cute coos! This is right before bed, and he's trying to "work out" any more poopie before the last diaper goes on!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Lovin' this bathtub!

The best tub ever! This tub is amazing! I've never really been into baths before, but man- if this can't relax you, then nothing can! It's been nice to find something in the home that will relax me after a long day...so I'm super grateful for a loving husband that knows about this place and although he teases, lets me escape here quite often for "mommy time"

Sunday, March 2, 2008

3-2-08 Crazy Boy Chase!

Chase is my little crazy man lately. He's into everything, jumps off anything, and climbs and climbs! His favorite is the table, the couch and the stairs. He used to be so calm..and he still has moments. Such a sweet little boy though, and tries to explain himself in a lot of babble. He is also REALLY into hats lately, and always is finding one and putting it on some funny way to keep me smiling all day. Tonight he was just climbing everywhere, after a late nap. Then he'd pose some funny way, and I'd try to get it on camera. He's also into barely sticking out his little tongue, look close and you can see!