Hawaii Vacation Part 2

Flying on a plane with 4 kids, ages 8 and under is tricky. You get A LOT of looks like "please don't sit here!" or comments like "well, dont you have your hands full!" Seriously, the last comment we have gotten at LEAST 20+ times! :) Its just a nice way of saying it though, so we don't mind. The funniest comment I think we've gotten to date was on the way to the airport with our TONS of baggae, carseats, carry-on bags, children, strollers, and medical bag, that a girl  in her 20's (who was on the hotel shuttle with us) said, "I will NEVER complain about traveling again." We laughed, cause honestly, its a juggling act full of loaded arms, fingers white with tension for the bags they are carrying, and lots and lots of patience.

 I'd like to consider my kids seasoned travelers. They know the drill, they remember the funny lady on the instructional video, they know when to board and when the put their tray tables up and in the right position. They know they get gum, and no matter what I always pack too few diapers. Seriously one time I took 12!

They did great, Evan was a little monster, but hey, he's 19 months. My boys turn into monsters at that age and soon reappear as sweet little boys again around 2.

The first few days we just hung out with the Allred's! It was so fun to let the kids adjust their time schedules and enjoy our great friends! We each have kids the same ages, but opposite sexes: Dakota and Kelton are (8), Sailor and Chase are soon to be (6) - these two sets, the boys are just 2 months older than the girls almost exactly! Taelin (4), Tagert (3 1/2) just 6 months apart and then Evan (20 months) and Pepper (9 months)

Hawaii Vacation: Part 1

We flew out of Salt Lake City, so we took off a few days early and decided to check out the new Church History Museum and let the kids see the new exhibit on the Book of Mormon. Kelton's and Evan's favorite part was the chickens that clucked when you took the eggs out. It was so fun to see our friends the Lundgren's, they're kids are so darn cute and getting so big! It was a nice way to start the vacation. the kids went into the spash park at the gateway mall and we met for lunch and then a park later. Altho the kids didn't sleep well in the hotel, it was still nice to get a extra day in of adventures...and mommy got a nap :)

You Gotta Move it Move it, April 21, 2012

When I held a baby girl in my arms, I guess I knew this day would come. A day of glitter and hairspray, of tights and ruffled tutus. So, on April 20th we had her first dress rehersal and I got to see all the excitment that comes when little girls get to become little glitter queens.

With just the right amount of glitter, makeup and curls, we entered the world of dance. She loved that night, and it was fun to see her work all year and perform in front of a huge crowd. She did great (thank goodness for those blinding lights)! Great Job Taelin!

ballet: dolly dance with me

Tap: You gotta move it move it

 Taelin watching the performance and loving every minute of this glittery night

 She did so well for her first recital ever! I loved how she watched for Ms Jill to give her directions and almost had it memorized. She was so happy!

Oma, Opa and Corey came to watch her the night of the performance. She was so happy to have guests come and watch her, she looked for Daddy and waved during the finale. :)

Kelton's Baptism

What a wonderful day filled with family love and support. Kelton was baptized with a few friends, Ridge and Kenadee. Jacob baptized and confirmed Kelton a member of the church, and both Grpa Choffin and Opa Jansen were the witnesses. Grpa Johnson, Uncle Ryun, Opa, Grpa, Joshua Muffler and Bishop Mallard stood in the circle to give Kelton the gift of the Holy Ghost. Kelton came out of the water and said, "ahhh." it was cute. Kelton said that the band on his jumpsuit was itchy and tight, and he was glad to get his suit back on. Mommy gave the baptism talk, and Ridge's mommy gave the Holy Ghost talk. It was very fun to have all the three baptism kids get to see each other baptized. Kelton had guests there like Ashley Ray, Joshua Muffler, the Koplin Family, and other ward members. What a special boy and a special day!!!

Easter weekend!

We had a great weekend with family here for Kelton's baptism. It was wonderful. We made cookies, played with balls on the trampolein, ate yummy food and the kids had a great time coloring easter eggs and hunting over and over again. It was heaven. Except that we were sick, so we didn't go to church (only Kelton cause he had a talk and was welcomed in sacrament meeting) and nothing got set out for Easter Sunday (mostly cause Mom was sick) until about 9:30 am. They still loved their baskets. And we loved including Talea (sorry beau and bryce) in our traditions. They all did great finding eggs, and I'm pretty sure I didn't hear, Easter Bunny the whole weekend...which is totally ok with me. :)

Coloring Eggs! Each of the kids got 4, Chase burned thru his and started swiping Evan's, but we didn't notice. So then we had to show them how to do multi colors, and mixing colors to just keep their little hands entertained. :) They loved love loved it!!!!

easter sunday :) handsome boy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!! April 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Daddy!!! We love you!!!! and chocolate cupcakes :)

Spring Break in Utah

Aunt Lindsay is expecting her third baby in Oct, and snapped her achilies tendon. So, for our spring break, I loaded the kids in the car and we headed to Roosevelt Utah! We got to hang out with grandma/pa and the family too! :) It was a fun week. Then off to head back home for Conference and Daddy's birthday!

My Big 8 YeAr OLd BoY!

Kelton turned 8!

As a child, I always remember waking up and not feeling "different" on my birthday. I didn't feel older, I didn't feel like it was any other day, because most people celebrate their birthdays later in the day...so I had this idea that I wanted Kelton to wake up and feel like the day was different. Special. I decorated his bed and he is always so sweet to comment on the special little things we do for him. He said, "I was like wooh, there's a lot of decorations around this bed!"

Jacob worked swings this week, so we kept Kelton home from school for an hour and had a family breakfast (cupcakes!) and juice. He opened his gifts from us, and then we headed about our morning "get ready" routine. After school we had a basketball party at Leo's Place and the kids had a blast! We left straight from Leo's Place and Kelton got to attend his first scout meeting! What a big special day he had!

On Sunday we had a family dinner and Oma and Opa gave him their presents. He was very happy to have more cupcakes, icecream and enjoy the attention. He always (since he was 2) would direct his happy birthday song. I'm not sure he even remembers that he does it every year, but without fail we have a cute video of the birthday morning song and he was conducting away :)

Tae Bug

MY SILLY SILLY GIRL - I.LOVE.HER! We did several shots, and she kept choosing different faces, she makes my world dainty, sparkly and a little dramatic.

February Randomness

Catch up time!! Ahh! I can't believe its been 4 months since I've last posted! So, here's going to be the marathon of postings! :) Sit on the edge of your seats, or sit back, or you might just have to do both since your butt will get numb after reading all of these updates.

Evan is becoming such a character lately! He follows his clone (daddy) around all the time and loves to watch and mimic him. In the mornings and after naps he takes FOREVER to wake up, and then is soo happy it makes him the best snuggler in the world! he usually comes to our bed and just hangs out till we want to get out of bed (seriously AMAZING). He's been sleeping through the night for a long while now, and I'm not sure if i'll ever be able to go back to what I vaguely remember as nights of constant interuption. We still have sick weeks where we give breathing treatments all night long, but that isn't all the time, so I'm soaking all this up until we get pregnant again...which according to Taelin should be soon and twins. One boy, one girl. She's got it all planned out. Evan has been teething so we do lots and lots of smoothies, since he doesn't eat anything. He downed a green smoothie from Jamba Juice one night instead of icecream...so I guess as long as its all 'whole foods', but this kid is kinda picky...we have to force feed him one spoon and then he'll eat it all! Oh, and he got a haircut....he looks so old! What a big boy!

Chase before his little concert, he was such a ham! got all silly singing those songs and made a few mothers giggle behind me. I was so surprised at his candid humor!

Kelton and his friends after a classroom concert about farmer themed songs :)