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

Party Time!

Today P1 had her first party at school. It was a "Harvest Party". The kids sang some "spooky songs" and had a little show for us. I have to say that I think it turned out pretty cute! I loved watching my little sunshine up there singing her heart out. I had many parents come up to me afterwards and tell me she was the best little singer up there. She sings ALL THE TIME at home and knows so many songs! It makes me so happy to see her growing and blossoming in her class. I am so grateful for the little things in life, and watching me daughter grow up is definitely one of them!

Each parent was responsible to bring something. Here is my 'fruit platter'. Pretty cute idea eh?

Wedding Bells

This weekend we went to Amador County for Lance's Cousin Beth's Wedding to David. It was so much fun to see family and just relax for a couple days! The vineyard where the wedding was held was beautiful and the company was even more enjoyable! I made P1's dress and P2's vest for the wedding to attempt to match Beth's colors of Black, white pink and orange. It was my second undertaking of sewing, and I must say, they came out quite well! The entertainment for the wedding was a belly dancer for about 20 mintues. The kids LOVED her! P1 went up and danced with her, and P2 was quick to follow. He was GLUED to her moves! Like father like son, I guess!


One of the reasons I love being able to go to weddings is that I am reminded of why I chose the husband that I have and all the reasons I love him more everyday. Thank you for being you, honey! You make my life happy.
(Scroll down for a video of the kids dancing with the Belly Dancer)
PS I tried to upload some pictures but Blogger is uploading only half of them. Anyone know how to fix that?

Time for school! Time for school!!

Friday was Peyton's first day of Preschool. The class that Lance and I decided to put her in has a 2/3 year old class and also a 4 year old class. We went last year and put her on the waitlist (it was advised we did this earlier than later as many parents up here place their children on this particular waitlist when their child is BORN!! - needless to say, Parker is already on this list!). The school that we had her on the list for ended up losing their teacher and the rest of their staff, and to make a long story short, we moved to the new school with the teacher. We were told that we had officially made it on the list, but a week later we got another call informing us we had been taken off and made 1st alternate because they needed to make room for children who needed this as a daycare as well. Tick. Me. Off. Being the pesky mother that I am, I called back a week before school started to see how her 1st alternate postition was doing, and they let me know that she was actually bumped up on to the "active list" that morning (huh...wonder what would have happened had I not called!).
At the end of all the hoopla, Peyton is officially going 2 days a week (Wednesdays and Fridays) from 8:30-12. I took a couple of days to prepare her, telling her that it was just like going to Nursery. She would have a teacher and make new friends, and have lots of new toys to play with. She seemed excited. Friday morning came, and I have to admit, it was hard for me to wake up so early! I haven't had to set my alarm for...I can't even remember the last time I set my alarm! 7:30 came, and I think I made a routine that will work for us. I did have to wake both kids up though! We walked her to they school (it is .17 miles from my house from my door to the door of the school) and I signed her in. She kind of got a little pouty face as I said goodbye to her, but then she looked around and saw all the other kids and the TOYS! She bravely looked at me and said "Ok mommy! This is just like nursery! I will see you in a little bit! I love you!" and off she went. Part of me was glad she was so brave, and part of me wanted to hide and watch her play for a little bit! So back home Parker and I went, and got ready to go for our run. It was nice to just have time for me and him. He seemed a little lost without his "pooks" with him, but after awhile he was happy to have me all to himself and vice-versa! It is gonna be an interesting year but I am ready for it, and I think both kids are too!