Gymnastics Christmas Performance

The Girls have been taking Gymnastics since September.  They love it!  We are so happy with this program, the teachers are experienced and know what they are doing and the girls are having so much fun.  They had a cute Christmas Performance!

*The Best Kids*

I just wanted to write a bit about how grateful I am for the Best Kids in the world.  How did I get so lucky to have such great kids.  Sure they are stinkers quite a bit of the time...LOL.  But, they are super Fantastic! 

Alley- I don't know where this girl came from... =), Well, I know she is a lot like me, but also different.  She is so out going and brave and smart and I don't have to push her to do much of anything, she WANTS to do it.  She likes to read and do her homework and always gets 100% on her spelling tests.  She is a great student.  She practices her piano without me asking her too.  Lately she started writing in her journal every night before bed.  It's so cute to read about her day and at the end she says "Made by Alley."  She does a lot of these type of things because she wants too.  Such good habits that I hope she keeps.  Alley loves to sing, which is fun for me.  Every so often I like to play the piano and sing and sometimes Alley will sit by me and sing with me, which is fun. For a few fast sundays now she has become more interested about testimonies and she has got up the last 2 fast sundays.  The first time with my help and this last sunday she went up all by herself.  She forgot some of the things she wanted to say, but she did great!  Then she came back and started writing her testimony down on paper so she could remember what she wanted to say for next time, Here is what she wrote, "I like to share my testimony and that I know this church is true and I love my family and I'm glad we have prophets so we can follow them.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.  She is an amazing 7 year old.  She cannot wait until she is 8 and can be baptized. 

Ashlyn- She is so funny.  Such a stubborn little girl at times.  She is opening up a little more.  Her teacher says she even raises her hand to answer questions at school.  I was more like Ashlyn as a kid.  Very Shy, wouldn't speak to anybody I didn't know and hardly spoke to those I knew.  I wouldn't go 10 feet from parents when we were out and about.  Ashlyn is a little more independent in that way, but shy.  But, not shy at home. ;)  She has such an imagination.  She likes Gymnastics and likes music class, She likes to practice the piano sometimes, it has to only be when she feels like it.  She knows what she wants to do and when.  =)  Ashlyn loves to write and try and write letters and different words she sees around.  She loves going to school!  She is great at doing her homework.  She always wants to do it and is always worried about when she is suppose to take it back.  She most always completes the whole packet of homework on Monday when it isn't due until Friday.  She is such a cute girl!

Ammon- He is so smart.  He is so good at puzzles, it only takes him once to see how it goes and then he pretty much has it down.  They say if you are good at puzzles you will more than likely be good at math, so hopefully he'll be good at math.  =)  He really does amaze me at how smart he is sometimes.  He always talks about "when he's a dad..."  He says that so much.  "When I'm bigger..like a dad...."  That is his big thing lately about talking about when he's bigger.  Ammon loves Batman.  Ammon gets in trouble all the time. =)  Hopefully he'll get over that soon now that he's out of the 2's =)  We'll see.  He is so funny he tells me all the time that his favorite color is Yellow.  He loves yellow.  If he sees yellow he says, "that's yellow, yellow is my favorite."  One night he told me he had to wear yellow jammies to bed because yellow is his favorite.  So many times he'll come to me and want to sit and he says, "Mom, your my best friend."  He's so sweet.  He says it all the time.

Adler- He is running now.  He is so fast getting around everywhere.  Ammon was jumping up and down today and Adler kept trying to jump too.  He'd bend his knees and try and lift his feet off the ground.  So cute.  He just melts my heart lately.  I just try and watch what he does more and watch him interact and do things.  He's so stinkin cute!  He is growing up so fast.  He laughs so easily and it's so funny to watch him and hear him.  He gives great kisses and is so cute when he hugs he pats your back.  He gets his little heart broken if you tell him no.  He falls to the ground and cries forever.  Once he starts crying it is loud and he doesn't stop.  He can't handle being told NO.  He is into everything.  He has thrown so many things away.  Sometimes I see him do it and If I don't go get whatever it is at that moment I forget and it gets thrown away for good.  Now that the Christmas tree is up the ornaments have been taken off so many times.  He has thrown a few away too.  He plays in the toilet, climbs on top of the toilet, is into every cupboard.  Whenever I clean something back up he does it again or is into something new. I remember the other kids being this way too.  He seems worse, haha... or maybe it's just cause I have forgotten.  He climbs into the drawers and throws things out, he tries to climb on the couch, he climbs onto Ammons bed and runs around, He climbs up on his little ride along tractor and stands up on the seat like he's doing an amazing stunt and smiles so big.

I just love my kids.  They keep my up at night, they are always sick, they fight and get in trouble =)  But they are awesome and I am so lucky and grateful to be their mom.  They make me better and teach me many things each day!  

Happy 3rd Birthday Ammon!

 This is what Ammon was doing right as guests were coming to Party!! =)

 He was excited about his "Bat Wing" jet that Uncle Shannon and Aunt Rocki gave him.  Mommy & Daddy gave him a Bat Car and he got an outfit from Papa & Nana.  Now he can't wait for that Bat Cave, or "Bat Castle" as he calls it from Santa!!  He is all about Bat Man.  I have no idea where that came from.

                                                             ~Make a Wish~

                 This is just a funny picture of Him and his "Girlfriend" Sydnee.  They are so cute!

                                                     Ammon- almost 2 years old

                                                                     1 year old

                                                               10 months old

                                                                  7  months old

How cute is our Boy!  (Looks like Adler in some of these pics)

 I can't believe how big he is getting.  He is so fun! 

Happy Birthday Ammon!

All I want for Christmas....

Is my 2 front Teeth!

          They are starting to look a lot a like, but so different too!  It's crazy!

          This is just a Random picture from Thanksgiving...."Life Size Jenga"



In need of a Craft night ladies?

This is my New Adventure!  I had thought about how fun it would be to have a Girls Night Out/ Craft Group for years now!  My sister has done it and has some amazing crafty talents and it was so much fun.  Times can be busy I know, but I think it is so nice for moms to take a break to be able to get together with friends and even make new ones, and come out of the night with something beautiful, fun and an accomplished feeling & something to show!  Something amazing to display in your home or a great gift to give that you made with your very own hands.  It's a great feeling!! 

I am a crafty addict I do admit it whole heartedly. =)  So, when I saw this opportunity I didn't hardly think twice.  I think I always thrive to be a part of a COMPANY, but be my own boss of course! (I found the perfect thing for me when I found "Let's Play Music", I figured if I ever had a real job other than being mom it would have to do with Music or Crafting....my 2 big passions)  So, now I feel like I have it all, with things that fit perfectly with me! And fabulous companies to back me up other than the stress of doing it all by myself!!  AND This is what I needed to kick me into my Girls Night Out Crafty Dream!! 

Since I love creating all kinds of things, I usually do it for other people which I LOVE!  But, I hardly ever make anything for us or our home.  So, I thought it would be fun to hang out with friends in a relaxed fun setting (with food of course *wink*) and create something for me & My family!!

This is a new fresh company that is just getting started and I am so happy to be one of the beginning demonstrators to be able to host a craft group! And how cool that I don't even have to worry about putting the kits together, it's all there ready to go and new trendy kits are added monthly. 

It is my goal for the New Year to become one of the Founding Leaders! 

*Whoever is in my group gets the preferred pricing on all kits when a group orders 10 or more kits! 

*Come craft with my group each month or just order from me and do it on your own time.

*You can even Host your own group in your home and get your kit for FREE.  You can host your own group every month with my help and get a kit for FREE every month.  FREE decor for you home, or amazing handmade gifts... how cool is that!

If you are a stay at home mom and are in need to do something to make a little extra cash maybe this is for you as well.  If you love to craft & think this is something you would enjoy- go for it!  It's free to sign up until January!!  I would love to make you a part of my team and be your sponsor.  I LOVE to help everybody learn to craft and make beautiful creations and I want to be able to help others help their families as well!! 

 Let's create a team, I'd be happy to be your sponsor!  You can see more info at Makia Creations (pronounced Make-ia) 

*Remember, if you want to hang out with me and be a part of my craft group call me or email me. If you do want to host your own group please contact me. I will help and I can get you preferred pricing on all kits.  Now is a great time to do some Christmas Crafts.  OR if you really love this opportunity, like me, I can help you sign up as a Demonstrator or if you sign up on your own add me as your Sponsor and we can work together!
(please still call me for all your Tutu & Jewelry creations =)....I Love doing them in an easy going kind a way!!) =)

(If you watch the video don't forget to pause my music at the bottom)

Don't you think this sounds like so much fun?  What's your feedback?

HaPpY HaLlOwEen!

The Halloween festivities for us started with the annual school Pumpkin Run.  Ashlyn won a pumpkin, she was pretty excited!  Here are the top 20 Kindergarten girls pumpkin winners....Ashlyn is there in the middle of the front row.

 Here are the K girls running their little hearts out....it is soooo far, I didn't think Ashlyn was gonna make it, but she pulled through!

 Here is Alley's race, she was doing so good!  I saw her slow down toward the end....that is a long way, and she ended up being #21 to finish.....Aww, darn it, Just missed it!  Oh well Alley, you did Great!

 I think the girls were happy that Dad was able to take a little bit from work and stop by to see them run!

               Then, we had a little fun with Trick or Treating/Trunk or Treat. 

Here is our little "Robin"

 The "Bats."
 Pink "Bat Girl" (of course it has to be pink) & "Batman" (Ammon has to be Batman everyday...not sure when that phase will stop...haha, he gets mad when his batman capes are in the washer, his friend Sydnee tells her mom she isn't scared of anything because she knows Batman will save her...Batman Ammon that is! =)

         *Alley the Rock Star*

  She was excited about the little bit of makeup she got to wear

 

 Our cute kids

       MuWaahaahhhaa......

 Super Scary I know....

  Artie & I went to a fun Halloween party the night before, so we dressed up 2 nights in a row.....

we had a fun time with it!  We wore the same costumes like 2 years ago, maybe next year we'll figure out some new costumes.



Adler is ONE!

I can't believe my little guy turned ONE!  His birthday was on Oct. 21.  We had a little get together with family the next day!  Here he is as a new born....awwww...not that long ago.  My little Pumpkin!

 He pulls this face most everytime he sees me pull out the camera.  He doesn't like the flash...haha, and his hair was looking a little shaggy, so I figured he needed a big boy haircut for his big day!  I've trimmed it up before a little bit, but it was really starting to get long again....

 Getting long...and of course he closed his eyes...LOL.

 It's a pain in the butt to try and cut his hair, it still needs to be a little shorter, next time I'm taking him to Jenna or Mindy...haha.  He is the squirmiest of all the kids.  Little stinker!

 He was enjoying the sucker....yummy!

His cake was sooo cute, thanks to my fantastic friend, Natalie!

 So cute cupcakes too!

 He is always pulling this face!

 Close up of the cupcakes...they were really cute!

 The kids and I made some "mummy dogs" to go a long with our light dinner before the cake and icecream...kinda funny!

*Weight:  20.3
*height: 28 inches
*he has 7 teeth that are broke through and almost 8

*wears 9-12 month clothes, most 12 months are still a little big

*He is walking all over, started like all our other kids at 10 1/2 months, but never took more than 8 or 10 steps until the last month or so.  Everytime he would start walking he would laugh hysterically and then fall over.

*doesn't say much, but can say mama, dada

*waves bye-bye & blows kisses

*giggles all the time at his brothers and sisters

*Sleeps through the night and takes 2 naps during the day

*goes to bed at 8 pm and wakes up at 7 am

*Loves to eat and is a bottomless pit.  He likes fruit cups, chicken, spaghetti, ham, cheese, any kind of noodles, he eats about anything we eat.

*trying to break him of nursing,....blah, wish this was easier, it's no fun when he's awnry all day long because of it.   He uses a sippy cup only, doesn't like cows milk much yet, but likes juice.

*Likes to play with his toys, read books and push things around all day.  Climbs up on anything he can and is such a little monkey.

*will not lay down for more than 3 seconds to get his diaper changed.  This is the thing I dread the most, I am not fast enough!  He will not stay there, he'll turn right around and crawl off as fast as he can poopy bum and all...Argghhh!  I try to give him toys, anything to keep him there...it worked for like a day, but no more!  I need to invent a changing thing that you can lay anywhere that keeps them strapped down...haha.
*He is always on the go and doesn't stay put long.

Adler you are so cute! You are such a happy boy who loves to play and go, go, go, go!  We love you so much and can't believe you are already 1 and walking everywhere.  Where does the time go!  You are our baby and will always be!!

*A Shout Out to MOMS*

Okay, so I was looking for an important journaling I did along time ago and I came across this very old post when Ammon was just a baby....haha, I'm a big dork, but seriously, now it's all this X 4...and Artie wonders what in the heck I'm doing all day....haha.  It's a little different now, the kids and I are in different stages of life than this, but it's still just as hectic. So, here ya go:  A Day in the Life Of Me
No, No, NO, NADA....no more than 4 children...how do other people do it?? LOL.  I feel a little insane most days!  How 'bout you?

Ammon (or should I say "Batman")

Well, Sorry no pics at the moment! But, I wanted to write a little about Ammon.  He is quite the Character.  I can't keep track of the millions of funny things he says everyday.  He has quite the personality and imagination.  He can be a little stinker somedays, but he is the coolest and funnest little kid ever! 

First, I wanted to remember the results of his last Kidney tests.   His recent tests on his Kidneys were just a couple weeks ago, it had only been a few months since the last one, but the Doctor wanted to do a test every 3 months to keep a closer eye on things. They can change fast. So, we had his routine Ultrasound, which is starting to get Way to hard to do. Every since his Mag 3 Renal Scan he does not like going to the Doctor...who can blame him! He is starting to realize how not fun it is when he has to go to the doctor and he his starting to be really difficult and cries and doesn't want to do it and it just ends up being exhausting and I am just holding him there, trying not to let him move so they hopefully can get some good Ultrasound pics and measurments they need. So, not a fun thing to look forward too. Thank Goodness the ultrasound tests aren't as painful as the others, just uncomfortable. The Doctor was happy with this last test. Not too much change and the Hydronephrosis had gone down a little in both kidneys, which is at least good. Nothing else had really changed. The Right (Ectopic/Pelvic) Kidney is only functioning 21% but with the Hydronephrosis going down I guess it doesn't look like it is causing too many problems for the other Kidney as of now. He said we don't need to come back this time until 6 months. (Ammon's last test & results)

Here are the written report results of the most resent ultrasound.

Findings: The right Kidney measures 4.4 cm in length. The right kidney is located within the pelvis. There is malrotation of the right kidney noted. The previously described cystic lesion of the right kidney most likely represents the renal pelvis which has significanly decreased in size compared to prior examination. There is mild prominence of the right renal pelvis.

The Left Kidney measures 8.5 cm in length. Mild left hydronephrosis identified. The bladder has a normal appearance without mass, deverticulum or calculus.

Impression: Right pelvic kidney, which demonstrated mild hydronephrosis which has significantly decreased compared to prior examination dated May 28, 2010. Mild left hydronephrosis which has also decreased compared to prior examination.

*He is 2, he'll be 3 in December. 

*He is loving Joy School and loves his friends. 

*He loves Nursery & his Awesome Teachers! 

*His Best Friend is probably Sydnee.  They just love eachother and it is so cute.  He calls her Honey and tells her he'll miss her when she leaves.  They are just so cute with eachother and they think they are so big!

*He can count to 13 and knows his colors pretty well.  He always tells me his favorite color is Yellow.  One night he requested that his P.j's had to be Yellow!

*He loves puzzles and does so good at them, even harder ones, once you show him a couple times he can then do it on his own. 

*He loves to look at books and I always catch him tracing each letter with his finger. 

*He loves to play the Wii or Computer games.  He loves to play Starwars and He likes to play Playhouse Disney, Starfall  and do the ABC's (love this one especially because he is learning a lot when he plays).

*He thinks he's batman...haha, he always pretends he is Batman.  My good friend, Natalie (Sydnee's mom), made him a Batman cape and he loves that thing, for the first couple weeks he wore it all days, to bed, to the Doctor...everywhere! Of course he is going to be Batman for Halloween and we just got his costume and he never wants to take it off.  He wears it outside and pretends he is fighting off the bad guys, He told Syndee he would save her from the bad guys...LOL.

*When he's asking a question to somebody he'll ask the question and then say "Huh, Punk?"  (Nice, where do you think he got that???  Daddy!)

*Okay, this is bad...haha, but he says "Damn" like Waaayyyy too much!  It just flows naturally out of his mouth! haha... So Sad! :(

I'm sure there are so many things I am forgetting to right down.  I need a digital video camera to record his funny's!

We love you so much Ammon, you are such a Joy to have in our home!!