Warm Weather

We are loving the fact we live at a house with a fire pit in the back yard again.  We have used the pit quite a bit.  One Saturday back in March it was kind of a nice day so we decided we could play outside after been cooped up inside all winter.  We had a fire and roasted tube steaks, aka hot dogs, and made some S'mores.  Sawyer was not a fan of the s'mores.  He is like his mom, they were a little messy for him.  He took one bite and the marshmallow slid out and on his jacket and his fingers.  It was a bit of an ordeal for the little guy, he hates to have his fingers dirty while eating- again like his mom.  He needs to get out more I guess. hahaha. Jaylee was pretty content to just sit in her stroller and watch us mosey about.  

The trees that surround the fire pit are awful, shhh don't tell the land owners.  The trees have thorns on it and the trees were sprouting tons of little branches.  It was basically a death trap over there until I came over with my hatchet.  I took out most of the branches and Travis got the rest.  We can now go back there without getting snagged on something or getting our eyes poked out.  Thanks heavens. 

Monore Easter

Here in Monroe the town has a great little Easter Egg hunt.  It happened to be on a Thursday since it was Spring Break for all the school kids.  I was not too excited about a weekday hunt since I would have to wrestle my two little bundles of energy.  It all worked out though, fortunately, even though Jaylee was in dire need of a long nap she wasn't too bad since we were outside.  

This year Sawyer was really excited about getting the eggs and he did not get his bucket stuck on his head thank goodness- last year he put his bucket on his head right before they said go and the handle got stuck under his chin. It ruined the whole hunt for him. The city divided the kids into age groups.  Thank goodness things have advanced since I was a child.  The town Easter Egg hunt was survival of the fittest and very traumatizing for me. When they said go Sawyer ran out really far missing a million eggs but he knew what he was doing I guess.  He ran out and started collecting eggs and working backwards to ensure his bucket was full.  The town had empty eggs for the hunt and you turned them in for a prize bag.  To a 2 year old he thought he won the lottery, he got a pencil in his bag. He was so excited.    

After the hunt we had to play at the park.  There was a bounce house and a inflatable slide but I figured  those would have been a death trap for my little 27 pound child. We played at the park for about an hour and Jaylee decided she NEEDED a nap NOW! Sawyer got to see the Easter Bunny and he went right up to him and jumped in it's arms.  Too funny.  Last time he saw an Easter Bunny he was terrified.    

Sawyer had to dress like Poppa with his cowboy boots and his hat that Poppa gave him.  

Left all the kids in the dust 

He insisted on having the bag in his bucket.  A lot of the kids just had bags to collect their eggs.  I guess he didn't want to feel left out. 

She was so tired she fell asleep like this on the way home. No I do not gag her with her carseat she is teething and chews on EVERYTHING she can get a hold of. 

St. Patty's DaY

Top of the Mornin' To Ya Lad.  We had a great St. Patrick's Day, but lets talk about the events leading up to this lucky day.  The Sunday before, the 10th, I started to feel icky.  I didn't know what it was for sure I just didn't feel very good.  I thought I was tired so Travis' took care of the kids and I slept.  It was like heaven for the hour I napped.  I miss napping, why didn't I take more advantage of naps before I had kids?  Monday I felt awful, like just got hit by a bus awful.  Travis came home a little early to take care of me.  I had a chest cold and I wanted to cry because I am still nursing and there aren't many over the counter medicines to help relieve the symptoms.  Tuesday I went to the doctors to appease Travis.  It was a good call.  He gave me some medicine to take.  When I came home, Travis let me sleep.  Okay really I laid down and my head was saying get up but my body was not listening.  Travis took the kids in to get my medicine, have I mentioned that Travis takes excellent care of me?  Later that night I got a fever and slept and was delirious the rest of the night. I slept on the couch because that is where I fell asleep and I was not moving.  

Wednesday, I had an awful cough.  It was one of those coughs that is not productive and it was just so annoying.  Anytime I drank anything slightly cold I would have a coughing fit.  Or if I breathed too deeply I would have a fit.  The only thing the cough accomplished that day was to help my ab muscles develop.  They were so sore. 

Thursday I woke up and felt pretty good.  The cough wasn't even half as bad as it was the day before.  I could drink cool water- thank the Lord above.  I got out of my pajamas and my kids did too.  Such an accomplishment. They also both had mild fevers.  I was so worried I infected them with that monster bug that I had.

Friday I felt so good the kids and I went down to Piute to watch my nephews wrestle.  It was fun to get out of the house and see my sisters.  Sawyer was beside himself that he got to see Sam and Spencer.  There were so many kids there it was a little overwhelming. 

Saturday Travis woke up early and went ice fishing to catch dinner- not even kidding.  He came back with 50 perch and a speeding ticket.  I had to go grocery shopping to get some stuff for the big fish fry we were going to have .  We called my sisters and Grandparents to come on down for the delicious fish that Travis caught.  Tammy, Dave and Nathan stopped by on their way home.  It was nice to see them.  Sawyer loves to have people come and play with him and it was nice to visit with Tammy and Dave. 

Travis started filleting the fish.  It took a while considering there were so many fish.  I got the rest of the dinner ready because I do not touch the fish- they stink. Vanessa and Grandpa entertained the kids while Grandma, Mariah, and Jared went into Wally World- dodged a bullet there, hahaha.  When the shoppers were on their way home dinner was just getting finished, thanks to Krista and Travis for getting the fish ready.  

It was fun to get together with everybody again.  The food was great and the company was good too.  Travis made an amazing cobbler for dessert.  I can't wait for summer. 

Krista stayed at our house to partake of our annual Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner.  Sawyer had a little mishap at church.  We had to sit in the metal chairs because it was a mission farewell.  He was minding his own business eating his goldfish crackers when he leaned too far forward.  He slipped backwards through the hole, the fish went flying.  Thankfully, there was an attentive guy behind us and caught Sawyer, he was just a little rattled.  

The corned beef did not turn out as good as last year, I was a little bummed.  I think I over cooked the meat.  It was a nice relaxing day that was like good ole times in Logan every Sunday.  I miss Logan, have I mentioned that? 

We love our Daddy

I love my food but I am extremely messy, hence why I eat in the bathtub. 

Nuzzle Noses for Grandpa

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was a family affair this year.  We decided that we would spend the night together and appreciate all those whom we love.  

In preparation I made a cheesecake again.  I have an amazing recipe but I have not perfected it yet and the top of my cheesecake keeps cracking.  I guess I will just have to make more to determine what I need to do differently.  While cooking I had a little helper who unpacked all of my new Rubbermaid containers and arranged them on the counter. My other little helper played quietly in her jumperoo.  

We decided to go bowling for some family fun.  Sawyer is getting to be quite the bowler.  It was league night so we had to be off of our lanes by 7.  We played two games.  The first game Travis and I bowled pretty normally for us.  The second game Sawyer beat us.  It was a bit pathetic.  The bowlers from the league were probably laughing at us.  One older gentleman actually commented on our "amazing" skills and how he would like the little one on his team.  I was a little embarrassed at my performance.  

We went out to dinner at the South China Restaurant.  It is a lovely Chinese/American place.  The place was packed and we got there just in time.  After we got there, a huge line formed.  We all know the baby does not like waiting in line.  

We came home to eat the cheesecake.  It was delicious!!! 

Bring On 2013

We rang in 2013 with a bit of celebrating. We hit up the bowling alley for a little family fun.  My mom and sister Krista joined us in the fun since they were headed back to Ephraim.  The more the merrier right?  We had a hard time keeping Sawyer around our lane since there was a carousel with horses in the arcade section.  There were quite a few people who had the same idea as us so the lanes were pretty busy.  When we finished our games we were pretty hungry.  We had heard the grill at the alley was a pretty good place to eat so we thought we would try it out.  The people were not lying about the food, it was pretty good.  

We got home and bathed the kids thinking that we would watch a movie and share some bubbly (Mormon bubbly that is- sparkling cider) to ring in the new year.  However, we each put a kid to bed and ended up falling asleep with the kids.  I woke up at 11:50 pm.  Travis was sawing logs in the bedroom so I waited until midnight gave him a kiss to wake him up and fell asleep myself.  Times sure have changed as we have gotten older.  I would not have been caught dead going to bed  on New Years without some major celebrating, now I could barely keep my eyes open.  

On New Years Day the Yardley's always have a great big pasta dinner provided and all homemade by Uncle Dale and Aunt Anona's family.  I haven't been since before Travis and I got married.  I was so excited to be closer to family this year so we could go over to it.  This year did not disappoint with the food and company.  I believe there were over 50 people that came to the dinner.  That is a lot of pasta. I need to learn how to make the pasta and sauces.  

Kids

Our kids are growing like crazy, doesn't every parent say that?  It is amazing how fast these little ones change so quickly, you forget as you get older that at one time you changed and grew quite rapidly.  Now days the only growing I do is out and not up like the kids, which is not what anybody wants to do.  Here are some much needed stories and updates of the kids.  

During hunting season when Travis was cuting up my deer Sawyer just had to be part of the action.  He decided that he needed to cut his playdough to be just like daddy.  For a while afterwards even he kept asking to cut the deer. 

Sawyer learned some Christmas songs this year.  He really liked Jingle Bells.  He could and now can still be heard singing "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle Bells".  When you ask him to sing 9 times out of 10 he starts singing this. One time in church during the holidays we were all singing a song.  Travis and I could hear "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells".  We looked over and it was our little Sawyer.  His song was nothing close to what we were singing but he was doing a very good job singing along in his own tune. 

Sawyer loves horses, no surprise if you have ever met the kid.  He loves to go to Poppa's and ride horses.  One day I came in and Sawyer was trying to get Jaylee on all 4's so he could ride her. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I ride sister?!"

Sawyer's new saying is "Are you kidding me?"  Travis hit Sawyer playfully and he turned to Travis without missing a beat "Are you kidding me Dad?"

Jaylee started teething at 5 months with her two front bottom teeth.  I was not prepared for this.  It was a little rough at first with nursing but she eventually got  the hint that if you bite no more food. She now has 7 teeth and she will be 8 months on March 7.  Her bottom 2 teeth came in and then two top teeth came in but they aren't her front teeth they are off to the side.  She is a our little vampire baby.  

Jaylee has been sitting up by herself since she was about 6 months old.  She rolls all over the floor. I am a little worried that she won't crawl because she gets where she needs to be by rolling.  She always rolls into the most awkward places.  I found her behind our fireplace one day.  I seriously left the room for two minutes to change laundry and she was in the middle of the room.  I heard her squawk and I then I heard Sawyer over comforting her "Don't cry baby." I came in and she was behind the fireplace.  Don't worry we don't use the fireplace at all- EVER!!! 

I know I am a bit of a clean freak.  I need stuff put away and cleaned, if it isn't I get a little testy- Just ask Travis.  I am rubbing off on Sawyer.  I spilt some cocoa powder on the counter when making some hot chocolate.  The next thing I know is Sawyer had gotten the broom out of the pantry and had it up on the counter trying to clean up my mess.  He is such a good little helper. 

For Valentine's Day Travis brought me home some flowers and the kids some balloons.  I could see when he pulled up in the driveway so I told Sawyer to go answer the door.  He opened the door and was so excited and shocked by the gifts he exclaimed "Merry Christmas"

We were at the library getting our weekly books, if you ask Sawyer we were at the "Raspberry", and he likes to pick out books and sit on the couches while I pick the books we get to take home.  He brought a book over to me that was about dragons.  I asked him if he wanted to get it.  He swiftly put it back and told me "No, it is dangerous Mom".

I got Travis a harmonica.  We all love to play it.  Sawyer loves anything that makes a lot of noise which makes Jaylee happy too.  We asked Sawyer what he was playing,  he said a Har Moc a da.  He is pretty sure that is how you say it too.

This pictures is exactly what I would have been doing at this age, thumb in the mouth with my silky corner from my blanket.  

I not to big momma see.  

Rolling everywhere makes it hard to change this little ones diaper. 

Such a great helper putting up the Christmas tree.  He was so proud of his decorating.  I loved how it was all in one spot.  

This boy is so observant.  I was taking my toenail polish off one day and I got interrupted.  I heard Sawyer go in the bathroom and he was really quiet for awhile.  When I opened the door this is what I found.     

We started solids with this little one.  She is really hard to feed because she wants to eat what we are eating but hasn't quite figured out that she needs to chew and then swallow.  She gags herself a lot.  She doesn't like baby food that much her tongue also gets in the way.  It is so long she doesn't quite know how to work it.  Most food ends up on her bib but we try.  

Here is proof of the bottom two teeth. 

One day I was nursing the baby.  I knew Sawyer was in the kitchen which is one of his favorite places to play these days.  He loves to play in the sink and push his stool around to see everything on the counter.  He had been quiet for a minute so I went to see what he was up to.  Turns out he found the cake.  He decided to eat all the frosting parts off the cake.  When asked what he was doing, "I eating cake mom",  like duh!

We were all eating ice cream cones so we decided she would have a cone herself sans ice cream.  She ate every last bit that didn't fall on her shirt or the floor.  

What I see you use it, why can't I?

I like Rice!

These two just love each other so much.  They melt my heart when they play and interact.