Potty Time

I guess you never know how your kids will respond to potty training and honestly I thought Jaxon was going to be a booger about it. Much to my surprise, he has been pretty responsive so far. We haven't been too consistent but he has gone a few times a day for the last few days. At this point I'm glad to even him him sitting on the potty, as I recall that Carter was freaked out by it (go figure). Jaxon even went #2 yesterday. I honestly thought he hadn't gone so I told him to get off and we'll try again later. Then he yells (literally, he has a stadium voice) at me, "Mommy, mommy" pointing to the bathroom. Sure enough...there it was. This is definitely the start of hopefully a great thing!

Thanksgiving, Christmas Tree found, Countdown Madness, and the $32 edamame

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year. We were so lucky to have family close and able to have it at our house this year. We are so grateful for those who traveled to be with us and it was so fun to have Matt's mom, dad, and grandma stay for the weekend. Greta did aerobics @ 7 a.m. so I woke up for that and then I had to run to Wal-Mart to pick up a few last-minute things. (I made sure to thank the people working there too..) When I returned home JoAnn was already in the kitchen working on the fixings for dinner. We had fun cooking and literally cooked until 4 p.m. I guess that is just the nature of the holiday and it seems like it wouldn't be the same if you weren't in the kitchen all day! I was really ambitious (and actually followed through on my ambitions) and made some placemats, place cards, and napkin ring holders. I put cleaning assignments, bingo cards, and a word search on the back of the laminated placemats for some after-dinner fun. We had a great time!

!

It has been a tradition to go and cut down Christmas tress in the past but this year the day to pick up the permits slipped by us and we unfortunately were not able to get one. I have been searching KSL.com for a someone selling their's and the day after Thanksgiving I found "our tree." It is a 9-foot fake tree with 1500 lights on it and it took about 30 minutes to set up and no stringing the lights (my least favorite part, although Matt has done it in the past). I really miss the "Christmas Tree Smell" but not pine needles all over my house, saggy branches, and bare spots. I guess I will just have to buy the Christmas Pine scent for my candle warmer! We decorated our tree for FHE on Monday and the boys had a lot of fun. I just love Christmas!

also made a magnetic "Boxed Christmas Countdown" to put on our fridge. The kids have loved this new tradition. In fact, they love it so much that they have been waking up at 6:30 a.m. running into the front room begging to open the box for the day. I usually give in and they are eating their small treats for an early breakfast. Isn't this was memories are made of though! :)

Last story for the day...Last night we were fortunate enough to go to the "Forgotten Carols" in SLC. We got a sitter for the kids and went to Pei Wei for dinner before. I ordered some noodles (of course) and edamame. They brought out the edamame first and we start munching on it. I had probably eaten about 5 or so and I "suirted" (for lack of a better term) out one of the soy beans and propped on top of it was a little caterpillar (not exactly sure what it was but something that definitely used to be alive). First I almost passed out and then I almost lost it. Matt showed it to our waitress and asks, "Is this supposed to be in her." She looks at it and says, "Uh, no. I will tell my manager." Then asks me, "Do you want some more?" Hmm...let me think about that for a seconds...NO!!! After we had finished the rest of our food (which was bug-free) we asked our waitress to just give us a refund for the edamame. When all was said and done, the manager actually ended up comping our entire $32 meal. It was pretty disgusting, and not really their fault that this little bugger was hiding in my edamame, but it was great of them to do that nonetheless. The Forgotten Carols were really fun to see and thanks again Dustin and Amy for the suggestion! Happy Holidays!

Boys will be Boys

Cute pilgrim hat Carter made @ preschool

So lately Jaxon and Carter have been playing together really well, although the majority of their time spent together consists of wrestling, bantering, or hiding under blankets together. I'm glad they are becoming good buds. On Monday I was getting myself ready in my bathroom and the boys were playing in my bathroom. Carter did something he wasn't supposed to and so I said, "Carter, stop or you will go to time out." Jaxon chimes in right after, "One, two, go to time out!" I had to laugh. I was trying to be serious, but couldn't. Jaxon is a hoot. He honestly is so independent and moves chairs around in the kitchen to get where he needs to go. It is such a switch from Carter who is the complete opposite and wants me to do everything for him. Here are a few fun random pictures of the boys.

I've been Bugged!!!

Matt graciously bought me a Bodybugg for my birthday! Recently I have constantly been complaining about how I want (and need) to lose weight so I think Matt did it mainly to shut me up, but on the other hand because he loves me. After finding out how much they cost, I was very tempted to send it back trying to talk myself into the fact that I don't really need it. Well, I probably don't really need it, but I have slowly fallen in love with it! If you don't know what a Body Bugg is, they wear them on Biggest Loser and they keep track of calories burned per day. This enables you to create a "calorie deficit" so that you can lose weight. One of their slogan's is "We take the guesswork out of losing weight." They really do and so far for the past 4 days I've been able to create that "deficit" so I'm on my way to my January 27 goal date! I'll keep you updated on how it goes!

the official picture

This is the picture that Kosy took of us after we "claimed" our prize to Disneyland!

So I promise I never win anything....but this time I did!

I got the weirdest and craziest phone call at 7:15 this morning. First of all, the caller ID said "Sports Radio" and so I thought it was some solicitor and I shouldn't answer this but decided to anyways. I'm sure glad I did because we won a family four-pack vacation to Disneyland for Halloween Time! I couldn't be more excited!!! I entered about 5 times in the same day and won! We are so excited. The boys are going to love it, especially because Jaxon is obsessed with "Mamo" or in other words Mickey Mouse!

Carter's K'nex

Last year right before Christmas we found some Kid K'Nex at Costco for really cheap. We already had enough for Christmas for the boys so I bought it and then saved it until Carter's Birthday. A few weeks ago I found a few additional sets to add to his Collection at TJ Maxx yet again for really cheap. (Have I mentioned that is my favorite store?!?!) He has loved it and is getting really creative building things. He usually makes "whatever he wants" (like the train above), but there are a some patterns he can follow to make various animals and trains and such. At first we had to help him but today was the first day he was making all of them all by himself and I was very impressed so here they are!

Jaxon Highlight

I think Jaxon gets funnier and funnier every day. He is definitely my little firecracker! It seems like everyday he starts saying or doing something new. Some funny happenings this week:

1. When we got new bunkbeds for the boys, Carter didn't want to sleep there so daddy put blue rope lights under the top bunk so it would make it more fun. Daddy couldn't leave Jaxon out so he put some around Jaxon's crib as well (not ready to actually move him into the bunkbed!) On Tuesday when I put him down for a nap I kept hearing this "click-click-click" and then Jaxon would yell, "Yay! Mine!" Well, Matt had put a timer on the lights so they only come on at night and Jaxon rigged the system! He had figured out how to turn them on and off and so was yelling "Yay" everytime they would go on.

2. We were reading "Go Dog, Go" the other night (one of my favorite books BTW) and Jaxon started saying, "Go Dog, Go" except it sounded more like "Dog, Dog, Dog."

3. Jaxon has fallen in love with "Mum" or (Gum). I try to get him to say G G G Gummm! but he doesn't quite get it yet!

4. He is also a little monkay. My friend and I went to a home decorating store (note to self...bad idea with 2 kids under the age of 4! I'm glad and surprised we didn't break everything in that store) Jaxon kept picking up glass balls and saying "balls" and tossing them up! Yikes! Then he climbs onto this glass shelf, sits down, and says with his head crouched over..."Hi."

5. Whenever he leaves the room or goes downstairs, he says, "Bye, bye." I will have to record his voice, because it is such a cut little voice.

6. Matt stores his new (and expensive) bike in the laundry room now. Every time Jaxon walks by he has to say, "Mom, bike...dada!"

7. Jaxon will also yell something if he has to repeat himself. Usually, "mom" if I don't answer him the first time! See - little firecracker!

I'm so grateful for Jaxon. Even though he keeps me going constantly, he makes life fun and interesting! Love you bud!

Happy 7th!!

Matt and I celebrated our 7th anniversary this year! We have had many ups and downs (more ups than downs)! I love Matt with all my heart and am so grateful for EVERYTYING he does for me!

We were able to go to my parents' cabin at Sundance and have a great home-cooked meal of Cheddar Bay Biscuits (like Red Lobster), crab legs (Matt's favorite), the jumbo-est garlic shrimp I have ever had, peaches, and Cold Duck (like Martinell's). After stuffing our faces with seafood, we walked up to Stewart Falls and enjoyed the beauty of Sundance. Then we headed back to the cabin for some Veg time. We watched Fast and the Furious (I know super romantical, huh!). I fell asleep but what else is new!!

Thanks again honey for 7 great years. Love you to Reese's pieces! These are the flowers Matt gave me.

I took about 10 pictures and none of them did them justice! I love the red vase! (and the Gerber daisies of course!)

Summer Fun

I can't believe the summer has flown by and school is a mere 3 weeks away! We have had such a great time and have been super busy that time has really gotten away with me.

In June, Matt and I had the opportunity of driving (a long 15 hours) to Bellevue, Washington to participate in the North Face and Gore-Tex Endurance Trail run. Matt did 30 miles and I did 6. It was one of the prettiest and funnest runs I have been on thus far in my running career (that sounds silly). We had such a great time having an all-adult trip. Matt finished his 30-mile run in a little less than 6 hours! I'm amazed that he could do something like that. Carter and Jaxon were able to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Hill for a few days, and Grandma Jo came down to watch the boys for a few days as well. What would we do without them?!?!

Looking lovely after our race!

Next, was Boise where Matt participated in his first IronMan! Wow! He did amazing and actually beat out his boss, who has done a few before. Matt has this amazing endurance and drive inside of him, and I'm so jealous of it. I always tell him that I wish I could stick his mind in mine so I could do something like that! The boys and I had fun swimming, watching daddy, going to the zoo, shopping a little, and I was happy to find a place called an old favorite Pizza Pipeline where we got some cinnamon breadsticks that are made in heaven! It was such a fun mini-vacation!

My brother Dustin came home the middle of June and that was such an experience. He was seriously the last person from the plane to come down the escalator. Everyone kept saying to us as we were holding the welcome-home signs and balloons.."Oh, he's coming." "He looks like such a great missionary." He really was a great missionary, but we have loved having him home. Carter and Jaxon just adore him! He has turned into the dating machine, so any of you single ladies out there....

At the end of June we went to Lake Powell with my entire family. We had so much fun! There is nothing greater than lounging around, relaxing, sleeping, taking naps, waterskiing, wakeboarding (which I tried this year), and did I mention taking naps. It was a little nerve racking with the little ones, and they were not allowed to leave the houseboat without a life jacket on. Jaxon, AKA the daredevil, loved his life jacket and was made if we tried to take it off (whew!).

A week later, we made our way up to Wyoming to celebrate July 4th. Matt did yet another race as he participated in the annual July 4th half-marathon. I was going to walk with Matt's sisters but then I came down with a chest cold a few days before and almost passed out the morning of the race, so I passed. Matt completed it in an 1:40. He is seriously an animal! The boys had fun watching fireworks and Jaxon actually fell asleep during the huge Dr. Bill's fireworks show. We had fun visiting with Matt's sisters from North Carolina and Tennessee and Matt's brother Jeff. Carter was able to participate in Grandma Jo camp the week after we left all by himself. He was really nervous to stay by himself but once we left, he was really good and had a ton of fun. It seemed like he never wanted to talk to us when he called and one time I asked him how he was going and he told me 2 things and then said, "Bye" and hung up the phone!

Jaxon has been doing this lately...lying down and throwing tantrums

Jaxon loved riding Grandpa's horse nugget! Carter would barely get near him at first but finally did after everyone had taken a ride.

We have been home ever since. We have taken a few mini vacations here and there, but it has been nice to be home. The chaos all starts again as my Christy and her family come this Thursday from Texas for Cody's farewell (he is going to Santa Maria, Brazil). She is staying for a week and a half. Cody speaks on Sunday and then leaves on Tuesday (I can't believe it). We are home for a month and Carter starts preschool and then we are headed to Texas for a 11 days to have some fun out there!

Jaxon is really starting to talk and communicate. He counts with us when he is in trouble and is really growing up. We bought the boys a bunkbed and ever since it has been set up Jaxon wants to sleep in it, but Mommy is not quite ready for that step yet! He yells for me the minute he wakes up and now has started to yell for me when I put him down! Maybe I'm not so excited that he has found his voice. He is funny too because he always says, "Oh" (like Oh, I get it). Whenever I say things like, "Jaxon, we don't hit." Jaxon says, "Oh" (as if he didn't already know). "Jaxon, please dont spill your water on the floor." "Oh."

Carter honestly looks older and older every day. I have to remind myself daily that he is only 4 and not 6! In fact, when we were in Wyoming, Matt's cousin said, "How old is he? He is just a giant!" He is really tall and all the pro BB players better watch out, cuz he could be good! He loves to play with friends and wakes up every day asking who he gets to play with today.

Matt's work has slowed down for a little bit but it looks like he is picking up again with the close of summer. He stays busy with work and has now become Jaxon's "favorite." Every day when he Jaxon wakes up he says,"Dada?" I tell him he is at work. and Jaxon says, "Oh." :) Matt is looking forward to buying his first tri bike in a little bit. He also took Carter on a fathers and sons campout this weekend and had a lot of fun there!

I have been starting to run again and I am doing the another half-marathon in Logan at the end of August. I have found some great running partners and we are up to 8 miles so Go us!

In the midst of all this, we are about 75% done with our yard. Despite a few swamp issues and a garden area that is not quite complete, it has come along pretty good. I'm glad to have it almost completed! Now we just have to maintain it!

My 7-pound weight loss!!

As I noted in my previous post, 2 weeks ago I started trying to shed a few pounds and have already lost 7 pounds! I must just be one of those lucky ones who loses weight really easily.

So not really. As good as this may sound, unfortunately it is not completely true! When I started my attempt at weight loss I didn't bother to weigh myself. I thought, "I feel like I weigh ________? (Sorry for those of you who were excited to know how much I weigh :) so I entered it in the system. On Thursday I went to Matt's work to use the "Super Scale" which tells you your weight and body fat percentage. When I stepped on I was surprised to see that I weighed 7 pounds less than I thought I did. (This was also good news to me!) As I entered it into the system, I saw the prompt that said "Congratulations! You lost 7 pounds!"

So, call me crazy because I didn't really lose 7 pounds in 2 weeks, but if nothing else it is good encouragement to keep going and reach my goal weight. Plus, now to get to my goal weight I only have to lose 13 instead of 20! Go me!

What really matters to me.

Superficial. That is the best word I can use to describe things that have been of the upmost importance to me lately. We have been working on our landscaping and getting our house in order. I have also started Weight Watchers and been working towards shedding a few pounds. As I have reflected on this past month, I have definitely gone into some self-reflection. What really matters to me? If I had to sum it up in 1 word, it would be....FAMILY.

Last Sunday I literally freaked out. (Matt will attest to this.) I childlishly threw my plate in the sink and stormed off. I left Matt standing there with his hands in the air saying, "What is the matter with you?" This question has stuck with me all week. "What is the matter with me?" I think it all goes back to the superficial things in my life. I have been concentrating more on these things that truly do not make me happy then enjoying those people who DO make me happy.

My boys and husband bring me so much joy I can't even explain it. Even though I get frustrated (really frustrated at times) they are the ones who pick me up off the floor. I was having a really bad day a few days ago and I could not stop crying. Carter came up to me and gave me a hug and said, "Mommy, why are you crying all the time today?" The members of my family are the only ones who are perceptive to my feelings and why not dedicate most of my time and efforts to helping and loving them.

So move over housework, landscaping, losing weight, and work - I've got some people to take care of.

And in case you forgot what the kiddos look like:

fun with cousins from Texas - we had so much fun and we wished they lived closer (hint, hint).

St. Patty Day pancakes

Little Jax

We all scream for ice cream!!

A big shout out!

I wanted to wish my Little Bro a happy birthday today! Elder Duster Buster turned 21 today! Happy Birthday Bro! He is serving a mission in Zadar, Croatia and just got called to be District Leader! Can't wait to see him in 3 months!

Too much of a good thing?

Back in September when I was in Texas visiting Christy I helped her do a little decorating around her house. We found so many cute decorator pieces that had words or quotes on them. I found myself "drawn" to them but had to restrain myself as Christy's husband Greg didn't want words and sayings all over their house (although we did end up getting a few). I guess I really like sayings and word art, and as I looked around my house this morning I found out that I think I'm borderline obessessed with them. What do you think?

Randomness

It seems like every day just flies by. We are enjoying life and just puttering a long. We are so blessed to have family close by and such a great ward. Matt and I went to a Ward Valentine's Party for the adults and we played the Newlywed game. They had 2 rounds and in the first round we got 2nd place and then the final round tied for last! We had a blast!

Here are a few random pictures of us from the past month or so.

Jaxon tuckered out after a long day of shopping.

My grandma always told me about how she used to let her kids play with rice. What a good idea! While I was making rice, I let the kids play with rice and bowls and measuring cups and they had tons of fun! What a good idea! Thanks grandma!

Carter is getting really good and fast at riding his bike! He is anticipating warmer weather so he can go outside! He can even put his helmet on all by himself! I can't believe he is going to be 4!

This is kind of embarassing, but I want to remember it so. The other day Carter and I were in the bathtub and Carter goes, "Eww gross! Mommy, what is that on your legs? Don't touch me." I guess I had not shaven for a long time and so my hair on my legs was super long! Needless to say, I shaved right them!

Blog Catch-up!

As I sit here staring at my computer screening trying to decide how I'm going to catch up on my blogging and give an update on our family, I have come to a solution. I'll simply list some of the highlights of the last month and a half of our blogging break. These are not in chronological order, as I'm just typing them as the thoughts come to me! :) Enjoy!

1. Matt's parents came down from Wyoming to spend Christmas with us. We are so lucky!

2. Grandpa Shane made Santa (and mainly us) his famous Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies on Christmas Eve. They are seriously amazing, and I've tried about 10 times and just can't make them like he does!

3. We were able to talk to Dustin (In Croatia on a mission) on Christmas. He got his release date of June 5 (I think)! I can't believe he has been out for a year and a half!!

4. We were able to visit Temple Square and Zoo Lights with my family. While at dinner, Carter fell off the bench and whacked his nose. His nose started bleeding and would not stop. Matt and I had to take him outside and litterally hold him down so that we could pinch his nose to get it to stop bleeding. I'm sure everyone thought we were abusing him, as they would walk by and say, "Is he okay?" Then some of the store owners came out and said, "Can we help you." We finally did get it stopped (way trauamtic)!

5. I was able to catch up with some old friends from high school who have moved away but came back for Christmas. Thanks for taking the time to hang out gals!

6. We have gotten tons of snow this winter, and I got to shovel my driveway 10 times so far this winter. This made me grateful for living in AZ! On the other hand, I love seeing my kids playing in the snow and all bundled up in their snow clothes and boots!

7. I've been able to get most of our boxes put away (even though I love the fact we have an unfinished basement and every time I don't know what to do with something, I just say, "I'll put it in the basement!") Needless to say, half of our boxes are in the basement!

Another perk of having an unfinished basement!


8. Matt and I got called to teach the Sunbeams in our ward and Carter gets to be in our class. They are all so cute!

9. Jaxon started saying "hot" and waving his hand up and down! Too Cute. I'll have to film it and then put it on YouTube. If anyone knows how to do this, I would love a tutorial! Also, I'm learning that Jaxon is my little firecracker! He throws tantrums and he is only 14 months old! I'm really scared for the terrible two's!
10. Carter got a bike for Christmas and loves riding it around in the basement (another reason I love the unfinished basement - so my kids can expend some energy when its too cold to go outside!) This also makes me realizing that he's not going to be my little boy for very much longer! :)


I'm having blogger's block now...I'll try to get back to it sooner than later!!