Oh my gosh, this face! Ooooooh!

I just told my sister that it's a good thing he doesn't live here or I think I just might accidentally squeeze him to death.


Gabe at 6 months


Sportin' his new hat for upcoming family photos...




Oooh, I can hardly stand it! Waay too much cuteness going on in those pictures!

Happy Happy Birthday, Carrie dear...

Thank you for being my best friend since I was 13 months old, even though Mom tells us that I tried to seriously hurt you many a' times by flipping you out of your infant seat. (I don't believe her)



I'm so grateful for our bond of sisterhood, the deep connection we share and the fact that we still talk 3-4 times a day on the phone despite living thousands of miles a part.

Thank you for my three devastatingly-handsome nephews, and for being the amazing Aunt "KiKi" that you are to my children. Boy do they ever love you. They walk around on their play phones often, pretending that they are talking to you---telling you about their day. No joke, and I just love it.

I admire your strength to move away and start a life for yourself in a new place. I admire the courage it took to support your husband in going after his dream job. I admire your willingness to be unselfish of your time and get down on the floor with your kids to play with them often. I admire how compassionate and considerate you are of others. I also appreciate how supportive you are of me, and the confidant you are for me.

I'm just grateful for you and I love you so much, it's hard to put into words. I remember once in my teens, I wrote a note to Mom and Dad on your birthday, thanking them for having you. Man, am I ever still thankful!




Happy 30th Birthday, my dear! The nice thing about getting older, is knowing that you are following right behind me! So welcome to your thirties, glad to have you here with me! lol


xoxo

totally unrelated: doesn't the above baby picture of me look like Chase? In this picture we are the same age. I know most everyone says Chase looks just like Aaron, but I've always said he looks more like me in my baby pics. Usually people laugh when I tell them that, but come on now, he looks like me, doesn't he?

Today I...

fed Leda and Chase popcorn for lunch.

And I drove through Taco Bell so I could have a big old Diet Pepsi. It's hot out and I'm not motivated to do much that requires effort.

Anyone else?

Chase's birthday party.

Here's a list of things that you may not find interesting, but I want to remember about the night:

-Elmo cupcakes I made were a hit (way easier than a cake)...but why does Elmo have to be red? Red frosting does in fact, stain everything!
-Hawaiian Haystacks (one of Chase's favorites) were yummy even though an hour before serving dinner, I realized I'd forgotten to even start the rice cooking. Oops! But the backup minute rice that Aaron so kindly picked up from the store on the way home from work was not needed...yay for a speedy rice cooker.
-The two gifts Chase received (play food and tap n' turn bench) were much appreciated and loved. Thanks Grandma(s) and Grandpa(s)! Aaron and I were glad we kept the gifts to a minimum this year. A 2 year old only needs 2 gifts.
-Spencer didn't want to give Chase a kiss on the cheek...even though we always get a sibling picture taken that way. Spencer says that five year olds don't kiss baby BOY brothers.
-We were happy to have Luke and Johnny (our neighbors) join us for the cupcakes!
-Chase was afraid of the table set up and would only sit next to the table if he was on my lap.
-Leda still doesn't understand that the world doesn't revolve around her and that Chase's gifts were for HIM and not HER.

Aaron's birthday card to his son, with love.

Bubs is TWO!

I can't believe it! I know people say that about their kids getting older, but I really mean it, I just don't know where two years have gone!


Those of you who know me, know that Chase hasn't been my easiest child. lol. He came out screaming, and didn't stop until he was almost a year old, he's my most stubborn child (okay, like his mom AND dad) and now I realize why it is that he was born 15 months after his sister...it's because he couldn't stand the fact that his siblings were getting all the undivided attention from me, his mother! He is the ultimate "Momma's boy" it's a little ridiculous. But all those things said, I of course could not begin to imagine what my life would be without my green eyed, toe-head!




When he looks at me with this face, and his gorgeous eyes with freakishly long blonde eyelashes to boot, I just melt...and I'm SO grateful that he's mine. I love that he says "Momma" 92 times a day, and that I am clearly his favorite. I love that he has to sit on my lap, and my lap only for family prayers, and that I have to be the one to sing, "I am a Child of God" to him before bedtime. I love that he has to ask where each of his siblings are before taking a nap and that he calls his big sister, "La La" instead of Leda. I love that he's the only one these days to run to the door to greet his "Dada" when he comes home from work. I love that his Dad and I are the only ones that can understand the way he speaks right now and that we know that "bah" means "Yes" and "TeTe" means "thank you".



He was born just shy of 10 pounds with huge chubby cheeks...was nicknamed Chubs, that somehow morphed to Bubs or Bubbies, and today we celebrate the intense, sensitive, hilarious and beautiful spirit that is our Bubs. We LOVE you!

And because I'm proud of this montage, and feeling a bit guilty for not creating one for his second year of life, here's the one from last year for your viewing pleasure if you're bored ;)

What a year! We LOVE you Chase!

Grandma's weekend getaway

This post is long overdue...with all the excitement about starting Kindergarten, I forgot to document this special weekend!

Grandma spoiled Spencer rotten the weekend before Kindergarten started. She whisked him away to a hotel by Disneyland for two days, where they enjoyed many things together, just the two of them: the breakfast buffet, the hotel pool, the TV in the hotel room, new art supplies Grandma bought him, the shuttle to and from Disneyland, and of course Disneyland itself! Grandpa joined them at Disneyland when he could, and I know Spencer enjoyed the time alone with his grandparents.


He had SUCH a great time. In fact, so much so that he didn't at all like that his Mother, Father and siblings joined them on their last day at Disneyland. He was seriously SO disappointed to see us show up and ruin the fun he was having alone! lol

Thanks so much Grandma! We really do appreciate you taking the time to make these special memories with Spencer. xoxo



Doesn't this just make you want to be a kid again?

Heaven!

I'm in heaven....or I see the light, or something like that, because...

I ONLY HAVE ONE KID IN DIAPERS!

I haven't had one kid in diapers since I only had one kid! lol

Even with her condition, she's doing exceptionally well. I'm so proud of my girl!

My sister's married to an officer...

and a gentlemen of course, but more recently an officer!


We are so proud of Philip and his accomplishment with recently becoming a Deputy Sheriff with his local Police Department in UT. It's something he's always wanted to do, and has worked so hard these last few years to get to this place. We couldn't be more proud of him, so I had to give him a shout out on here! Whohoooo! My brother-in-law is a cop!


Spencer now officially thinks his uncle is cooler than his Dad, lol.

Wish me luck...

I'm potty training this one.



Most of you know that Leda was diagnosed with Toddler's diarrhea (click HERE if you're curious about it) and so we've put off the potty training thing for a while, but from what I've read and what her GI specialist has said, it's totally possible to train a child with this condition, so we're going to give it a whirl. I know she can do this.

We're armed with the goods and rewards for both potty and poop (thanks Target)


Man, princess underwear is SO much cuter and more fun than Star Wars and Spiderman ;)

Heeere we go!

Kindergarten part two!

His first official day. He was READY!


He wanted a picture taken of his backpack. Who knew this item for school would be such a big deal?


He's looking a little nervous (though not admitting it) while sitting on the wall waiting to go into his classroom. At least he's in the same class with his friend Logan (to his right) from church. Also in his class (also from church) is Maggie Roberts (not pictured) so Spencer's set with some built-in friends already!


Even though this wink wasn't on purpose, it still makes me smile. I know I'm biased, but I think he's such a cute kid ;)


He got to be first in line by the way he was sitting and thought that was SO cool! That's his teacher Mrs. Brown who he says, "is nice"...he's already a man. He doesn't elaborate much for me. lol

He had a great day! From what I got out of him, his favorite was playing at recess; though didn't get a turn on the bikes as the line was too long (bikes?!), he loved eating his lunch with friends, got to read some books, color, and earned a stamp on his hand for being a good boy today. He can't wait to go back tomorrow!

And for those that wonder how I did today, well, I'm pretty proud of myself. I got choked up as he walked away, but I didn't bawl-----until I got home and talked to my sister on the phone. She simply asked how it went and that's when the tears flowed. Maybe something about hearing my sisters voice in combo with realizing my "baby" is old enough for Kindergarten. But don't worry, I pulled it together. Here's to a great year!! I'm so excited for him!

Kindergarten part one

Today was just the parent instruction day where we went to school with the kids for an hour, but nevertheless, it was still a big day for Spencer and his new backpack! I'm so glad we live across the street from the school and don't have to deal with car traffic.



He did get to hang out in his classroom for a bit by himself while we were "instructed". (It's a lousy shot, but the best one I got while standing at the door trying not to be annoying as a first time K-mom---he's in the back)



K is for Kindergarten...look at this grin!


Part two tomorrow: the BIG day where he gets to go four hours by himself AND bring his lunch box. He can't wait!