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!!!

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!

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

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!

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"

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!