What do we have here?

Yes, it is true! I am blogging! Now don't get too excited. I am only writing this time. No pictures. I don't know if there is a way to upload pictures on to here from my iPad, but if there is, please let me know and I will do this more often! (maybe there is an app for that). Nothing too elaborate has been happening in our little family. Just normal summer time stuff. The kids are getting so big and fun! Parker constantly keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh. Peyton continues to surprise is daily with the knowledge that is in that brain of hers. I swear, I don't know where she learns half the things she knows! She is continuing to go to school 1 day a week for the summer and will start her last year of preschool in September. Parker will simultaneously start potty training then, and from what his interest level seems to be, it should be a piece of cake. Let's all say a little prayer for me! In may we went to Disneyland and had a great time (again, if I can figure this blogging on my iPad thing I will post pics). June we went to a lot of baseball games for Lance's cousin who pitches for the Giants AAA team. This month we went to 6 flags with our season passes and have been to the lake and pool several times. The kids are much better with their love of water this year. We just got home from a 3 day Family Reunion for the Lively side of the family at June Lake, CA. If you haven't been there, GO! It is absolutely stunning and the weather is perfect! While there, Parker took a nosedive over his handle bars on his strider bike (which he loves) while going too fast down a steep hill and scraped his arm and face, chipping his front tooth in the process. Being the dental assistant that I am, I FLIPPED OUT! He seems to be fine, and nothing too major (thank goodness it is a baby tooth!) but we are going tomorrow to have a composite filling put on it. No way is my child walking around with a chipped front tooth for 4 years! Anyway, that is the jest of our life these days! Trying to stay busy and having fun doing it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are a few fun pictures of my little Valentines on Valentine's day. I uploaded them in reverse order. Sorry!

This kid is always happy when he has food in his hand!

enjoying her cookie at her Valentine Party

How could he not have my heart with that face?

P1 getting ready to sing to us at her school party. Such a cute little "love bug"!

Here are my little Valentine's on Valentine's Day! Getting ready to go to P1's preschool party.

The love of my Forever

Today is our 5 year anniversary. It has definately been the best 5 years of my life! Wonderful, loving husband, who always makes me feel like I am the only girl in the world, and two of the most beautiful children Heavenly Father ever created. I feel so blessed everyday of my life. I know there is more that I can do for my family and I pray everyday that I become the wife and mother that my family needs me to be.
Now, on to Lance...He is the best thing. I am sure that most people would say that we are always nagging at each other, but that is how we work. It is amazing how much he compliments me. We work so well together and work everyday at getting better and better. He works non-stop for our little family to be happy and healthy. Seriously. Sometimes he works as much as 80 hours in a week. But he always seems to find time for us. He is a worthy priesthood holder who puts his family first in all things. I am so grateful to have him in my life and I can't wait to see what the next 5 years bring us. Happy Anniversary Honey. I love you.

Cuddle Bug

My little P2 is such a sweet boy. He makes us laugh all the time. He is starting to say new words and it is so much fun to try and have a conversation with him! He is our little cuddle bug too. He will walk right up to you, especially if you have something soft on, and snuggle right up, stick his left thumb (never his right-and this is a habit his dad HATES!) in his mouth and nuzzle his face right into your shoulder. He loves to dance and his favorite thing in the world is to get on the computer with Lance and google pictures and videos that he can groove to. His favorites are Nemo, horses (hoe-us), and the "Teach me how to Jimmer" video on YouTube. He has the cutest little gremlin smile that will light up the whole room. He is everything a happy boy should be and he certainly has my heart. Though there are days when I want to tie him up and lock him in a sound proof room, I couldn't imagine life without him. He is the sunlight of my day and I am under his little spell. I love you more than words can say my Little Handsome Bubs!

P1's Testimony

At church on Sunday, P1 was sitting coloring in her book during Fast and Testimony meeting. A young girl, about 8 years old, went up and bore her testimony and P1 looked at me and said "Mommy, I want to go up there!" I am not really a fan of parents going up and whispering in their child's ear what their testimony should be, so I was against it at first. A couple other people went up and she continued to ask if she could take a turn. I came up with a plan and asked her again if she was sure she wanted to go, informing her that she would have to do it all by herself. She told me yes, she wanted a turn. I walked up with her and say on the front row of the pews as she continued the rest of the way up the stairs. They 1st Counselor in the Bishopric pulled the step up for her and pulled the microphone down. My little peanut looked right at me and said "now mommy?" and I nodded. She proceeded to speak into the microphone "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." After that, she stepped down and went back to her seat. Nothing more needed to be said. Her 3 year old testimony was pure and simple, but exactly what SHE believes. I have never been so proud of her in my life! I am so grateful Heavenly Father has given me such a special little girl who is so smart and beautiful. I love you my little Pooks, with all my heart. Thank you for choosing to come to this family. You make us happy everyday!

It's beggining to look a lot like...

Christmas! My favorite time of year! I have always love Christmastime! The smell of the crisp clean air, cold against your face. The lights on people's houses. The smiles on their faces. The happiness you feel for a month straight! Nothing quite compares! As kid, living in Florida, it wasn't quite the same, with it not being cold, but not knowing any different made me none the wiser. It was still an awesome time. As a teenager, the season started a little earlier for me. The performing company I was in, Galena Street East, would do a Christmas Program and would begin practicing in Mid-September, early October. And then the first week of December we would have "show-week", practicing for hours everyday, into the wee hours of the morning. It was a time I looked forward to, despite the lack of sleep. This always seemed to start off my Christmas, and not having it to jumpstart my Christmas Spirit has been something that I have had to get used to.
Having my own kids has made Christmas just that much more special to me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating my house and seeing them excited for all the lights and pretty things. P1 was able to help me decorate the tree this year and we had so much fun singing Christmas songs and putting the ornaments on while Lance supervised (he put the Star on top...at least his height comes in handy sometimes!). P2 has been busy trying to control his urges to pull every ball ornament off and chuck it accross the room. There have been a couple times when this temptation was too much to bear and he has given in. I am down 3 glass ball ornaments from what I had last year. But only 3! A triumph in my book!
I have been trying hard to come up with some of my own traditions that I want to pass down to my kids for them to remember at Christmas. Everything that I have come up with has been something I feel my kids are too young to appreciate just yet, but I guess I should stop making excuses and just do it with them. Afterall, it is these types of things that they are going to remember. I know I do!
This time of year always makes me think about my mom, Tammy. She always loved Christmas as well, and her birthday was the 28th, a couple days after. I miss her all year long, but especially at this time of year. I wish she was here to share in the joys that my little ones bring to everyone around them. I know that she would have loved them and kissed them all the time. And to be able to see their faces on Christmas day would have made her happy. I still remember the smile on her face as we opened our presents on Christmas day. I am glad to know that she is watching down on us, taking part in the memories we are making.
I also love that my thoughts freely and often turn to the Savior at this time of year. Petty, simple things don't seem to be at the forefront of my thoughts, and I have time to sit and ponder all that I have been given by Him. I love that I can feel closer to Him at this time and be reminded of His humble beginning and triumphant end. "He is the reason for the season" as they say, and I am eternally grateful for Him.

Fun pictures