The Birthday Boy

It is hard for me to believe, but my oldest son, Keaton, turned 6 years old today! It is crazy how time has flown since he was born. Chad and I had wanted children from the very first, but it took us 1 year to get pregnant with him. Needless to say, we were thrilled! I had such a wonderful pregnancy, and easy delivery. To top it off, he was such a mellow, happy baby. He has been such a good little boy since, and I am so grateful to have such a sweetheart as my firstborn. He is a big help to me and to his little brother and sister.

I love how he has to kneel next to me during family prayers, or his feelings get hurt. I love how into Star Wars he is, and how animated he gets when you get him talking about it. I love how quiet he is, but then he has a really high-pitched squeal of a laugh when you get him going. I love how he admires his Daddy and tries to be like him, from eating like him and dressing like him on Sundays. I love how well he plays with Sam and Emmi and doesn't always ask to play with friends because they are his best friends. I love how good he is at puzzles, the computer and video games; he is constantly amazing me. I love his big blue eyes and the little freckles I am starting to see on his nose.

Today, in Kindergarten, Keaton's teacher spotlighted him and I was able to be there and get it on video. She did a very job and I can tell by Keaton's smile that he felt very special. Happy Birthday Keek! We love you!

This last week...

The kids looked so cute on the way out the door to church. We finally got Sam to wear a tie! :)
We got to see my big brother "J" in the play "Beauty and the Beast". He played Belle's father, Maurice and was excellent as usual. My kids were so excited to see J up on stage and actually sat and watched the whole thing!
Keaton got to open a few presents a little early, and eat this cool Hulk cake that my Mom and Dad bought for him. While we were at it, we got to spend some time with my family (minus Chad and J) and have some pizza. Needless to say, it was a great time.
Chad spent the last half of the week in Houston on a business trip. Because I wouldn't see him until very late on Valentines Day, he surprised me with these roses by mail. It was very sweet, and aren't they beautiful?!
We sang Happy Birthday to Keaton and Mccall (my niece) who are only 13 days apart and are turning 6 this year. That's Chad's brother Tyler, his girlfriend Nicole, and my father-in-law Kirk in the background.

Shake what ya mamma gave ya...

Lately we've been watching the Chipmunk Adventure quite a lot. It seems to be Emmi's favorite movie. Every time I ask the boys if there is a show I can put on for them, she is quick to say "munk" and runs to find the case. She especially loves the the songs and will start to groove at the very first note. I had to get her cute dancing bum on video and I hope it puts a smile on your face too.

1 Girly Girl and 2 Silly Boys

Recently I bought myself some new nail polish. A few hours ago Emmi found the bottle and seemed very curious about it. So, I took the opportunity and painted her toes. It wasn't the cleanest job I've ever done, but I was so happy that she would let me. I used to paint her chubby little toes when she was just a few months old and how I loved it! Tonight I wish I could have videotaped her smug little smile when Chad started whistling at her. Too cute!As I was trying to get a good picture of Emmi and her beautiful feet, the boys were trying to get some camera time. The picture above of Sam is priceless. When I showed it to the boys right after, they got a major case of the giggles. Sam says he looks like one of the Chipmunks and Chad says he looks like Sponge Bob. (Hmmm can you tell what we watch a lot:) So Keek laughed and laughed...and Sam posed again.

If you like omelets...

then you have to try making "Ziploc" omelets at home. First, a BIG thank you goes out to Grandma Thornock for sending me the recipe, thanks :) All you do is get a large freezer Ziploc, break 2 eggs and put inside. Close the top so you can shake and mash with your fingers until they are mixed well. Add your favorite ingredients. (Chad and I put green onions, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese in ours.) Close and shake again. Make sure all the air is out of the Ziploc. All you do is put it in a pot of boiling water for 13 min. exactly. You just cut the bag or open the top and it slides out beautifully. Chad and I were amazed at how light and fluffy they were, and ohhhh so good. You have to try it!

Our first visit from the...

Tooth fairy happened this past week. Keaton started telling me his tooth was "wiggly" and kept playing with it. Of course Chad started to tease Keek when he found out, saying that he could yank it out for him if he wanted, which I could tell scared my poor little guy. So I told him to wait and in a couple of days it would fall out and sure enough, it did. Thursday morning it fell out and that night when I was at Aerobics, Chad helped Keaton put his tooth in a little envelope and under his pillow before he went to sleep. It was so cute to see him run towards his room that next morning fast as lightening, when I asked him if the Tooth fairy had come. The Tooth fairy had come and had left him one dollar and 2 quarters in place of the envelope. (What a nice tooth fairy, huh? :) He was so excited to show Chad his treasures when he got home from work. (And Sam was beside himself with jealousy. He kept touching all of his teeth, seeing if they were loose :) Chad asked Keek if he wanted to give 10% of his money to our Bishop for tithing and Keek got really excited about that. Sunday morning before church I had Keek help me fill out a tithing envelope. I let him put the money and slip inside and write his name on the outside of the envelope. The cutest part was that he kept telling me that he had to put the envelope in his shirt pocket. Chad always puts our tithing envelope in his shirt pocket before church, and I guess Keaton knew it. He was sad that it didn't fit like Daddy's did, but he got over it and held it in his lap during the Sacrament meeting. The whole time he sat by me and asked if it was almost over. He just couldn't wait to give it to the Bishop. Keaton is such a good boy and I was so proud of him. I hope that this will help him grow a testimony of paying his tithing at an early age and make him want to continue to do so in the future.

A Brand New Year

There isn't a better way to start out a new year, then to get together and catch up with old friends. Chad and I were able to go out to lunch with Sara, her hubby Pete, and their sweet baby Hailey before they flew back to Virginia. Sara and I cheered together in Junior high and have been good friends ever since. We have managed to get together only a few times since she has moved, so it was a real treat for me to see them and chat for a few hours.

At the start of a new year, I can't help but look back and be grateful for all of the wonderful things that have happened in our family this year. Here are just a few highlights I'll remember:
- My first trip to Portland, to see Chad's Grandparents.
- Taking the kids to the Rexburg, Idaho Temple open house.
- Chad and I's first trip to Hawaii.
- Keaton playing his first year of T-Ball.
- The boys loving their first year of swimming lessons.
- Finally getting grass in our backyard, Wahoo!!
- Trading out our Suburban for a minivan (wait, maybe that's a bad thing :)
- Keaton starting Kindergarten who is now Cute Mister Smartypants.
- Sam starting his first year of Preschool (which gives nice breaks to his Mama).
-And probably the best thing of all, da da ta da-
Sam getting potty trained! That's 2 down and 1 to go!

Looking ahead, here are a few things that I am looking forward to in 2009:
- A weekend trip to St. George, just me and Chad.
- Another year of T-ball, swimming lessons, with maybe adding soccer lessons for Sam and dance lessons for Emmi.
- Completing the deck, and landscaping in the backyard.
- Finishing my medical transcription training and getting a part-time job, working from home.
- Now, this is NOT an announcement right now, but maybe we'll be adding our final baby to the mix.
- Start working on finishing the basement. (That's more like wishful thinking)

Whatever does happen, I am excited for a new year, and all the experiences it brings. How about you? What are you looking forward to?