Birthdays, snow days, last minute get-aways

I love routine and schedule, but every once in a while our predictable little life gets a little more exciting :) And it amazes me how just a few thoughts said out loud can put in motion something big. A couple weeks ago, Tyler and I were just having a normal conversation about our Oregon family and how much we miss them and wish we could see them. I realized Tyler had some time off around his birthday and said what if we go, just us and Luke? Next thing we know, Tyler found some SUPER cheap buddy passes from a friend that works for Delta, my mom so sweetly agreed to take Cole and Kate for a few days, and we were on our way to surprise our family! It was a much needed breather and I came home feeling recharged and so blessed.

But of course, because I blog so much (ha) I have tons of other pictures to show you as well! And when I uploaded pics this time, they decided to put themselves in really random places throughout the post and I am definitely too lazy to spend time dragging them all in chronological order. So get ready for some bouncing around :)

Luke is almost 9 months old and could not be any more sweet. I still think he's too good to be true. He likes being in his walker but mostly just because of all the fun buttons and things he can push. He still is not interested in moving around, crawling and even rolling over are just not important. Which I am totally fine with, I love that I can sit him down with some toys and not have to stress yet about where he's going and what's going in his mouth. 

 Here he is just a couple days ago, notice the haircut??!! Here's pre-blueberries...

And post-blueberries. 

 Here's some more of those berries, just in pie form. This was my 23rd pie for February, I'd never made blueberry before and thought we'd try it. It was ok. Cooked blueberries are not my favorite.

 Doing some tummy time. He can rotate a complete 360 degrees in this position however!

Here's what Kate's been up to, my little troublemaker :) She was putting on makeup, once again (I thought we were past this? It has been a few months).

Helping with the laundry! He's great at pulling things out of the basket, now I just need to show him how to fold. Look how long his hair was!

 This girl. One minute I'm so frustrated with her because she's doing something she knows she shouldn't be, and the next she's being miss adorable. She makes me so happy!

I never get over how happy I am when I see my kids voluntarily sitting down and looking through books.

Kate took this one of Luke after she gave him the toy knife. He loved the bouncer for the first 7 months and now it's just too restricting for him. Time to put some baby things away!

These two have been pretending together so cute. Kate is finally old enough to keep up with Cole's crazy role-plays and pretend worlds, which is a credit to her smartness because sometimes I struggle. One day Cole had the idea to create a power-pack like Ironman's and tape it to his chest, then wear it all day and people wouldn't even know that he really was Ironman. He brought me the tupperware lid and I convinced him taping it to his shirt would be more comfortable. Then of course Kate wants in on the action. So here are my normal kids...

 And here's my superhero, power-packed kids! Those faces crack me up.

 For Valentine's day, I made my sweetie a bouquet of bacon roses! So easy and a fun surprise.

 Kate loves painting.

 Luke loves daddy. Whenever Luke sees him, he'll look at him with this anticipatory smile like he knows he's going to do something loud or funny or crazy, and he always delivers. It's so cute.

My Valentine's day present: a working fridge! We were fridgeless for 8 days, thank goodness it was cold outside and we could keep some things out on the back porch. My wonderful handyman husband did some research and figured out the part that was broken and then fixed it. But then he went a step farther and fixed the water/ice dispenser while he was at it! Which hasn't worked the whole time we've had the fridge, 8 years. I'm so grateful for him and all his handi-ness. It has saved our family so much money.

This was the pie I made for February, Chocolate Walnut. It tasted like a yummy brownie in a crust, we loved this one! Looking at it though reminded me of the pie from the book/movie The Help. I am happy to say mine had no special ingredients, other than lots of love.

Another blueberry-eating shot of Luke. This is his favorite face to make!

Brother love.

Cole discovering what happens when wet lips meet a dry ice cube. Don't worry, Tyler is right there to help him, I knew it was a one man job so I thought I'd do something productive.

While we were in OR, Janale took some great pictures of the kids (of course, she is so gifted). This was Luke's first time seeing a real kitty!

That hair was so out of control!

 What beautiful weather we had!

 So great to see Jolene and meet sweet little Quade.

The boys had fun making a huge bonfire, and Luke was happy to share Eva's wagon while we were there, they loved riding around in it.

 Little Quade.

 It doesn't get much better than bathtime with babies.

 The first cut of hair! Goodbye mullet. No going back.

 More bonfire.

Car cousins at 9/8 months. How cute are those matching outfits? Thanks grandma!

Beautiful baby boy!

This was on our flight to OR, he did so great. I was a little worried, it was way past bedtime but he fell right asleep no problem. What a champ.

Taking a break from OR pics, this is what my kitchen looked like for a few days around V-day. So glad it's all put back together.

He was just having an awesome curly hair day and I had to document it.

Another one of Kate's!

We had a great time playing at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, Kate could not get enough of the grocery store area. I love how she loaded up her cart, there was zero room left. Wonder where she's seen that done before...

 At the real grocery store getting groceries, I walked there with three 4 year olds, one 2 year old and Luke. It was awesome!

Making cookies with our gal pal Ellie bellie.

TP took the older kids hiking one day, they have no idea how lucky they are to have him as their dad.

 This is in the middle of February. It was quite sunny and beautiful, so Kate wanted to have a pretend picnic of course! And our buddy Bennett decided to mow the snow. Spring fever!

 Love her.

 Helping grandpa feed the horses while visiting.

 For Tyler's birthday, the kids decided to get him each a game from DI that they could play with him. They found this fishing game and it's earned its $2 already.

 We also went hiking for TP's birthday week. Fun!

Birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

 Steak! Yum!

 Ok, back to Oregon. I loved seeing Eva and Luke play together, I could have watched them for hours.

We went for a little ride while we were there. These two boys have too much fun together, it's great.

TP's birthday breakfast. Thank you Dari-Mart and Janale!

 Getting ready for his big elk hunting trip this fall! So excited.

 On the plane ride home. Such a good little traveler. I loved all the comments on the plane, "Oh your little girl is so good! She's so beautiful!" You totally get used to it after 8 months.

Super grandma! She's in heaven.

How cool is this! Right after our plane took off, we could look down and find Rod and Lisa's place! Neat.

 Such a proud moment in my life - when my baby can sit up in the Costco carts and I don't have to bring the car seat in! Good job Luke!

I don't know if I can fit one more picture on here! See you next month.

Where the camera sits

One thing I am proud of that I am pretty diligent about is keeping the camera ready to go and easily accessible for any moment that calls for remembering. As I looked through the pictures for this post from our last couple weeks, I noticed a common thread (and I have noticed this before, but really): probably 80% of the pictures I take (in the winter time especially when we are inside more) are taken in the living room area, and usually include one of the couches in the shot. I realized anyone who reads this blog probably assumes we live in a 50 sq. foot space and never leave home :) I keep the camera right in the kitchen, easy to grab, and then I put it right back after I take the picture. I have been using my phone for pics when we are out and about, so I need to start adding those to the blogs. So...we really do leave the house and living room, but I'm not so great about capturing those trips to the store and library because my camera is not sitting there.

A couple of things we've been up to or I've been thinking about lately:

• We house/child sat for a family last week. The parents left for vacation and left us with their home and 4 children, we just moved in for 6 days and kept things running. They are a really great family and fun kids, we had a super week. But I am so glad I only have 3 kids and not 7!
• Have you read Cheaper by the Dozen? It's what the movie is based on, but so different and realllly a great book. Just recommending.
• Tyler has had new responsibilities at work this past month and has been having crazy hours - 5 am - 1:30 pm every day except days off, Weds. and Sun. That ends this week, but it's been different to have him going to bed the same time the kids do and having the evenings all quiet and lonely :( But it's been good for him at work to do what he's been doing!
• We cut out Luke's night feeding (wow that was easier than I expected) and he sleeps clear through the night now. Which doesn't mean I do, Cole usually is up to go the bathroom and is going through a scared of the dark thing right now so I get up to and walk him. But yay for Luke! :)
• Found a race for us to do: a midnight half-marathon on the Legacy trail on my birthday! Excited to have something to look forward to and train for, and although I do love my treadmill and watching the Biggest Loser, I can't wait for some warmer mornings so I can get running outside again. I've been quite the nancy this winter, it's just way too cold for me this year. Must be getting older.
• Missing my family lately, wanting a trip to Neola or Oregon like, tomorrow. 
• So grateful for: warm, cozy bed, libraries, a husband that can change oil and take care of my car, healthy kids, clementines, opportunities to serve, and a life full of love.

Here's the latest. I dare you to find a picture not taken by one of the couches. :)

Funny faces.

 Just waking up.

I still make a pie every 23rd in honor of my darling and our anniversary date, this month's was Caramel Apple-Pecan and it was super yummy. I am definitely not a great food photographer.

We have still been getting pounded by the snow, this last storm brought a fresh 8-10 inches to our already high level of snow. I took a picture of our backyard before bed one night because the trees looked so beautiful.

Here's the morning after. I went outside to shovel our driveway before Tyler got home from work and put Luke in the bouncer so he could be a part of the fun. He loved it and stayed cozy warm!

Sorry it's sideways, I had to add it. Cole threw a baby snowball at Luke right before I took it.

 Cole recently had a PJ Party at school, he couldn't have been more excited to go.

 More brother love.

I mentioned this last post but we were so stoked for Kate to be done with diapers we threw her a potty party (with the motivation being a whole day with not one accident). We turned the music super loud and had a dance party which in our house is the kids running around dancing in their undies and us shaking it fully clothed with Luke laughing at everyone. Then we had her favorite dinner which this night was stroganoff. I had made her a cake that said Way to go Kate with frosting undies and lots of sprinkles. It was a fun way to show her how proud of her we are.

This was a funny day, I came out of our room from putting Luke down for a nap and Kate had conked out while Cole was on Tyler's phone, it was just so unusual because my kids neve just fall asleep, it's always in their beds at the right time with things in the right place. I love how sweet she is with her baby.

 Can't kiss those cheeks enough. Kate was taking pictures and said, "Mommy, give Luke some sugar!" haha.

Look at that hair flip! :)

And for the last living room picture...this was fort day and we put up the little tent and created a fort. Hours of entertainment I tell you. And I discovered Tyler's clamps that he uses for his wood projects are super handy for holding down blankets.

Ok there were a few of the kitchen or yard area! This week my plan is to take not one single shot in the living room! Wish me luck.

New year, new post!

So my new goal is one blog a year! YES! 2013 is DONE! I have long since given up feeling guilty about not blogging as often as I wish I had time for, but hopefully this year I can make more time to share our life with those we love, especially those far away. I am always thinking about you and wishing you were a bigger part of our daily lives so it is a worthy goal. But when the choice is between blogging and something of more "value" (like playing with my kids or me getting some exercise), I'm going to choose the other every time. I just haven't felt like I could make the time. Even now, Luke is waking up from his nap in the other room and Cole is restlessly wanting to look at something else on the screen. ANYWAY, confession is over, let's just hope I can do more this year!

I'm not even going to try to account for the past several months... so here's some recent things we've been doing.

The kids are huge into taking pictures around the house of everyday things, our phones and cameras are full of shots like the following...

 Usually a blurry close up of some random object. It's kind of fun to flip through and see what caught their eye. One day I found one of me sleeping on the couch, I don't ever even remember falling asleep on the couch in the past 3 years.

Lots of this has been going on, wrestling and being goofy especially when daddy's home. The other night at dinner I was asking the kids questions to see what their first response would be, I said "Who is funnier, mommy or daddy?" They both quickly said "DaDDY!" Then Tyler, not wanting me to feel left out, said "Who is cuter, mommy or daddy?" And Kate without hesitation said "ME!". Haha, we couldn't stop laughing.

Can't stop looking at this cute little face either, although his little-ness is slipping away each week. Luke is 7 months and such a joy. He is calm and mellow, content and playful. He loves it when Cole and Kate talk and laugh with him, and he can keep himself busy and content when there is times the other kids need me or I have to do house things. We have moved him into his crib in the big kids room and it's been great! First week rocked, and now we're going through a little phase where he wants to wake up early and that gets the other kids up too, but we're hopeful that will soon pass. We love having our room back though.

This bouncer has supplied all three of our kiddos with hours of entertainment. He loves to kick and bounce himself and watch everything from this view.

My three boys after taking a wonderful Sunday nap, could you tell?

Maybe the BIGGEST most exciting thing that's happened at our place in the past several months is Kate is now POTTY TRAINED!! Woohoo! We've brought out the potty and talked about it and tried it all before, but she's always not been too interested until a few weeks ago she said Mom, where is my potty? And I got it out and she went and has been awesome ever since. Here she is with her big girl undies on, feeling so proud :)

We had the biggest snowstorm of my life last week, a good 17 inches over two days. They even cancelled school that first day which I have never seen. It was super dry and powdery which is great for the resorts but we couldn't even pack it to make snowballs/snowmen. Bummer.

The view down our street.

The kids had a blast being pulled around on the sled - that's our good friend Ellie in the back.

Tyler then hooked up the sled to the truck and we pulled them around the church parking lot till their toes froze off. Cole still wanted to keep going, even after a couple face plants.

Gotta go potty!

It seriously was surreal.

Love him.

 Tyler and I loved running the Beat the New Year 5K in SL on New Year's Eve this year. Rod and Lisa were in town so they babysat while we went down and froze. It started at 11:30 and the point was to finish the 3 miles before midnight, and we did it! It was 16 degrees but not too bad once you got warmed up. We got our game faces on pre-race.

 Here's just two of my faves from Christmas, I couldn't resist. Look how grown up Kate looks baking with grandma! So cute.

These two are such good buds, I love hearing them laughing and growing up together. It's so great to have a built in friend all the time at home.

I'm excited for this new year and all the opportunities to grow I know it will bring. I'm looking forward to a couple half marathons, hopefully one mid-March to get me motivated through the winter and then one after summer. Also excited for a couple trips to Oregon, one for a wedding!