Monster Mash

Some funny Halloween Humor


Monster Mash

How to mess up TOAST

This morning Taylor came to me with a sad look on her face wondering why she hadn't been fed yet. I asked her if she wanted waffles, toast, eggs... TOAST! Okay, in the toaster goes the bread. The toaster finishes, add some butter, cut off the crust, fold it in half (just the way Ryan told me she likes it) and off she goes with the toast on a plate to watch some cartoons. A minute later she comes back and hands me the toast. A few minutes after that she convinces Ryan to help her. I hear, "You want some toast" from the other room. The toaster sounds, Ryan butters it, cuts the crust off, folds it in half and... she eats the entire thing. Really? I still don't know what exactly I did wrong, but then I decided I could take it two ways. I could be hurt that she doesn't like how I fix toast or I can realize that I now have one less thing "I" am in charge of in the mornings :)

Splash Pad

We were very excited when we heard that there now is a water pad at one of our favorite local parks. So far we have spend three afternoons there and will have to go many more times before it closes for the season. Jena LOVES the water and Taylor is a little more timid. Jena runs right in the center, while Taylor circles around to find a "safer" path. There are spinning pinwheels, water guns, pouring buckets... spraying water everywhere. Then if they get tired of the water they can play on the playground and we barely have to adjust our seats to keep an eye on them. It could only be better if it was in our own backyard :)

Hopefully the water won't get me here :)

Family Hike

Ryan has really enjoyed taking Jena hiking lately. So this morning (since it was before 7 a.m. and everyone was already awake) we decided to take the whole family. I had Cody in the sling and within 100 steps Taylor was on Ryan's shoulders. We were quite the sight for the serious runners, mountain bikers and horseback riders also on the trail. We didn't get as far as they normally go, but there were enough birds, horses and dogs to keep the girls happy.

but of course, even the dirt...

and sticks make them happy too!

So, lets go that way!

Just a few new PICs...

Our little kids!

Mommy and Cody

Almost got the smile...

Fatherly Love and Forgiving

Since my parents bought season tickets in LA, we have been lucky to see them quite often. Though the time was short, we had a great day hanging out with them. Ryan and Jena have been going on special daddy daughter hikes in the hills near our house. This week Grandpa went with them. They were gone for almost two hours and Jena hiked the whole way. She's our little trooper!

James decided to not go to the play and stayed with us instead. The girls and Cody love their uncle James.

As to the forgiving part of this post...

Today, Ryan decided to take Jena home teaching with him. The family he was visiting have an 8 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. They are always very sweet to Jena and she loves going to their house. Before Ryan left to go he told Jena that they were only staying a short time and that she shouldn't cry or throw a fit when they needed to leave. Well, they had their visit, but of course, Jena was not ready to leave when it was time. As the tantrum was being thrown Ryan took her to the car. On the way home he was explaining to her how she should act, why she shouldn't cry and that he was a little disappointed in her for acting that way. She replied, that Sister Nichol told her in church today that if she did something wrong, she just needed to say sorry and you (daddy) needed to forgive her.

She definitely understands the concept of forgiving... I wonder if the behaving lesson sunk in as deep :)

First Day of PreSchool

Today, Jena had her first day of Preschool. Ever since Joy School ended she has been very excited to start a new school. She headed off with her backpack and snack inside. We can hardly believe how big she is getting...

But before we could get to her classroom, she had to try out the playground...

After meeting her teacher, the first thing she wanted to do was play with the blocks.

Three hours later, Jena and I had a conversation in the car that went something like this...

Mommy - So how was your day at Preschool?
Jena - We got to put marbles in the marble jar.
Mommy - Was that if you were good today?
Jena - Yeah.
Mommy - What else did you do?
Jena - I drewded a dinosaur. Look Mommy look. Then I drewded a snowman and I drewded a butterfly.
Mommy - Did you get to paint?
Jena - Yeah, I got my hands really dirty.
Mommy - Did you eat all your snack?
Jena - No, I got full. I did eat the cheese and crackers. I dipped the crackers in the water and it was really good. I like water with crackers, I love it.
Mommy - Did you get to play on the playground?
Jena - The merry-go-round?
Mommy - No, the slides and swings.
Jena - Yeah, we went outside and I rode a bike. There was a bike that was mine and I rode it. Mommy, I'm hungry. I have a snack here in my backpack. Oh, carrots, I like carrots.
Mommy - Did you like your teacher?
Jena - Yeah, she's a good one. She let me play and eat my snack.
Mommy - What was your favorite part about preschool?
Jena - Going outside.
Mommy - Do you want to go again?
Jena - Yeah I do, when it's Monday again.

What and exciting day and what a cute little girl!

Summer Fun

Ryan was out of town for a few days and luckily Jeanette came to safe me from madness. It was great to spend a week together and to find out we are more similar than we knew. It is an interesting thing to have your little sister of 12 years become a friend instead of a little girl that use to flirt with my friends :) One day while she was here we let the girls play with bubbles. Then the bubbles turned into a sticky mess and we needed to wash off. Usually the girls play around the water, but today Jeanette convinced them to run through it. Jena loved it, but Taylor needed a little more encouragement.

Jena thrilled to challenge the water

Taylor still not convinced to try by herself

All three girls in the sprinkler

Mommy and Cody hung out in the shade watching the girls in the water. The crazy thing is that he's going to be running with them before we know it.

3 1/2 Men and 2 Little Ladies

Grandpa, Jeffrey and Jonny stopped by last weekend. We all stayed up way to late playing games, telling jokes and making cookies. I love these guys and girls and especially this picture.

Bubbly Toes

We finally got out the baby tub and Cody had a proper bath. He seemed to love the water and smelled even more wonderful than he normally does...

and nothing could be cuter than a dinosaur hooded towel.

Family of Five

It has been a little quieter now that we are back to our five... even though we can hardly believe we are now FIVE! Cody is a really sweet baby and the girls seem to like him quite a bit (at least most of the time). Jena is turning into a very good helper and enjoys being in charge of a few things. Curious Taylor likes to point out Cody's features and pat him on the head. She also likes to try out all the baby gear to see how it works. We are very blessed to have three crazy kids and we are excited to see where this adventure goes.

Our Little Boy

We love puzzles and at least it is one thing that is relatively quiet :)

Week Two with Three...

Grandma Sue came to help out next and while she was here we also had a few visits from the Rochelle's family, Grandpa Rod, Parker and Bailey. With all the fun happening and the many cameras flashing... we realized most of the cameras weren't ours... so the pictures are really limited to show the party that really went on. Jena and Taylor loved having some cousins around. One night Parker and Bailey slept over. The two of them and Jena talked and talked all night while Taylor slept near by. It was quite the picture with four little beds side by side. We also had a BBQ to celebrate Grandma Sue's Birthday. The kids tried to go to the park, but soon came home to play in the sprinklers and attempt to play dress-up with what limited masculine dress-up clothes we have (Sorry Carson). We had a great time and appreciate the many tasty dishes and desserts that showed up too. Hopefully Sue will be able to take some time to recover now :)

After a night of play, this is where we spend the day...

or at least after a show or two.

Taylor's new favorite seat

Another sleeping Cody picture

Rochelle, We will have to get some of the pictures you took too.

Welcoming Little CODY!

Cody arrived earlier this July and we are sure excited to have him in our family. Since then there have been many visitors and family to help out. The first week my mom and sisters came. Jeanette and Grandma watched the girls while Mom and Cody were in the hospital. Then Jennifer took over for Jeanette and kept the girls busy so Mommy could try to rest. The girls loved having their Grandma and Aunts around (even though Jena doesn't call them her aunts because ants are little and they are bugs). Thanks for all the help and for cleaning the house!

Jeanette and Cody

Jena meeting her new little brother for the first time!

The proud DADDY

Our Little Man!

Jennifer and the girls at the park

Everyone has been very sleepy since Cody arrived... Lets all take a nap!

Celebrating Jena a Little More...

The girls decided to spend the morning of Jena's Birthday at the beach. Jena loved the water. Her favorite thing was to run towards the water and then change directions as the wave came towards her. Such sweet simple joys.

Our Water Baby!

Taylor preferred to stay a little farther away from the water. Her favorite thing was to stomp on the castle that Aunt Jennifer kept trying to make. She would see it forming, pick up her little leg, aim and smash the sand. The funniest thing was the pause right before the strike.

Our Beach Bum!

Jena got quite a few books for her Birthday and would sweetly ask Jennifer to read to her over and over again.

Daddy with the Birthday Girl! We love our little Jena and can't believe how big she is getting already.

Jena's First Friend Birthday Party...

This was the first year we invited some friends to help celebrate Jena's birthday. Neither of us had thrown a kids party so I searched the web for all sorts of ideas. We finally decided on a Garden Theme. There were flowers and butterflies all over. We painted flower pots, decorated gift bags, played games, ate lunch and cupcakes, searched for toy lizards and frogs, planted seeds and lastly gave out live lady bugs to put in a bug container... Needless to say Mom, Dad and Aunt Jennifer were completely worn out and we now know a lot more about how to plan and throw a Birthday Party!

With all that said the one thing we lacked doing was taking enough pictures. Next time we might have to plan a little less and enjoy the time a little more because that was one crazy party!

Easter Celebrations!!!

We had a great Easter at Grandma Sue and Grandpa Rod's home. The girls loved searching for eggs and it seemed like there was an unlimited supply.

Jena can't find the eggs fast enough

Once Taylor found out that there treats inside the eggs she was a maniac and tried to collect every egg possible. It was very cute seeing her shake each egg with excitement.

Grandpa helping Taylor find a few eggs just out of her reach.

We also took a little trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields. It was an awesome sight, but I think the girls just wanted to play on the playground.

Grandma and the girls

Easter morning was full of more eggs to find and baskets full of treats. Taylor was content eating marshmallow bunnies, while Jena looked at every little item in her basket. She was especially excited about all the chocolate.

Not the Easter bunny, but even cuter.