What we've been up to in December!

Christmas has come and gone and we did quite a few things leading up to it to help get us in the mood! We went and saw Santa early on to avoid crowds and crazies! We had plans to go see the lights downtown but that didn't happen! Dave and I were able to go to the Music and the Spoken word the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archuleta! I loved it!

We also read a lot of christmas books! My plan was to wrap them up and put them under the tree, advent style and read one every night but that didn't happen! After we read "how the grinch stole christmas" that was pretty much Sarah's favorite having one of these helped a little!

(a plush Mr. Grinch)

We decorated "ginger bread" houses, I hot glued graham crackers together and ta-da! Sarah lasted for only a little while before it was her nap time, So I finished hers and Dallin decided that there needed to be a lot of "snow"!

Dallin had his Christmas program at school, me being the Mother of the Year I didn't bring my camera or anything! I actually didn't have my camera around for most of the Holiday season this year.... shame on me. I'm working on getting a copy of the Program, I'll keep you posted! The one picture Dave took with his phone pretty much sums up the program, he laid on the floor for most of the program, or his teacher Jenny was holding him down, until he announced "I have to go potty" which brought the entire program to a scream hault! And was also the funniest thing ever! They were all so cute and did a great job! Dallin didn't really sing but at least he stayed in the front of the room without me! He is making progress!

We Decorated our Christmas tree!

On one of our "we have to stay inside because of the weather..... mom is going crazy" I pulled out the boxes I got from my moms work and we made houses, complete with christmas lights, a fireplace, and of course a satellite dish to watch TV.

And last but not least........... drum roll please! Dallin fractured his arm! Just in time for christmas! his has a buckle fracture on the dorsal radial.... blah blah blah medical junk he has a cast now! Poor guy seemed fine, but kept asking for an ice pack so we went in to the Dr and sure enough a fracture. You can't see it very well on my picture but it ends where the cursor is pointing so about 3/4 the way across the bone!

He was such a trooper and when the Dr was pushing on it and moving it, asking him if it hurt, he was the strong silent type. Then when I asked him if it hurt, his reply was a whispered "yeah!" He had a hard time choosing wither to have a green cast or an orange cast. Such hard choices when you are 3!

All in all we had a wonderful Christmas and tried really hard to help Dallin and Sarah remember that we are celabrating the birth of Christ. Translated into toddler= Jesus' Birthday which equals presents. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you the best for the New Year!

Santa or Baby Jesus?

Merry Christmas...... well I think it's merry!? My kids don't look to thrilled!

So I had this whole story planned out for the revealing of the picture with Santa, we take the picture, put it on our christmas card, wait about 3 days for everyone to get their card and then put the picture with Santa on the blog! But since my sister beat me to the punch and put it on her blog I didn't want to feel like a scrooge and have everyone think I'm hoarding the picture by not giving it to them! Patience my family a live photo is coming in the mail! But here is a sneak peek of things to come!

They both had a hard time expressing any words at all to santa, it was quite comical! Dallin all week told me he wanted an ice cream maker. But the minute he saw the big guy he had nothing to say. Sarah was just cautious the whole time. Didn't even really want a candy cane at first! They were just content to sit on his lap and pick their noses while I was trying to take a picture! I don't think they quite make the connection that the guy in the red suit brings the presents! We need to pull out some more Christmas movies!

However they are both very aware that this is the time of year that Jesus' has a birthday and we all give each other presents for his party! We have 3 nativity sets and they both know where baby Jesus goes and who he is. I'm grateful my kids know the true meaning of Christmas, half way at least!

On the flip side Dallin is totally taken by the commericalism of it all. Everything he sees on TV or in a newspaper ad he thinks we need to buy it for Christmas! Great! Maybe when you're older and have your own money you can buy it all!

I have a few more updates on what we've been doing to prepare for Christmas so stay tuned!

creepy, crawly things..... or not

We thought we had bed bugs, so the exterminator came and sprayed. Then the doctor told us no its not bed bugs; it's scabies, Pretty nasty things if you read about it. But oddly enough Dave was the only one with symptoms at first. Then strangely Sarah got a rash but more like a diaper rash. We tried desitin, aquifer lotion, the pesticide cream given for Dave's scabies. Nothing worked. Last night she was up until 2 in the morning, with what I thought was gas (which she did have gas too) but she was just scratching and scratching. Which Dave actually noticed because I was too tired and was giving up the good fight by 1 or so in the morning. Finally gave her some benadryl. Off the dream land finally.

Fast forward to today. first off I'm very thankful there was an opening at the dermatologist (because I totally spaced the appointment on Tuesday), we went he said I believe you have none of the for mentioned diagnoses. The weather is dry, does eczema run in your family? She has eczema. So Grandma has eczema and Sarah's rash looks nothing like it. I expressed this, but he said it can look different on every person. So we got some Rx strength itch cream and some hydracortisone liquid syrup and off we went. Slathered in creams and lotions with medicine given Sarah still didn't want to go to bed. Tonight it was because she was being a defiant 2 year old, not because of the itching. Thank goodness!

Our Pirate Sarah "arrrrghhhh"

We are also starting to think that Dave was not bit by bed bugs or scabies. But it was stress, expressed through a rash. Or because he spilled some diesel fuel on his arm. Not so sure anymore. I guess it's Dave's turn for the doctor!

That's what's been going on at our house. What's been going on at yours?

what is it about being three...

What is it about being three that can make a kid so incredibly cute and have such unique and wonderful qualities to them?

Let me explain....

On Saturday we went out to lunch and at the Lion house they gave each child a balloon. Even after tying the balloons to the wrist of each child the moment we walked outside Sarah's balloon drifted up into the heavens. I swear in slow motion she raised her hands to the sky shouting "Nooooooo!" and would not be calmed until she had another balloon. While daddy and her were inside getting another balloon Dallin having seen the entire event take place. His little eyes started to well up with tears and got the pouty lip. He then told me he didn't want his balloon anymore. He couldn't explain to me why he didn't want it but I knew that it was because he had such great compassion for his sister that if she didn't have a balloon then he didn't want one either. At the time I was feeling overwhelmed because of 2 crying children I hadn't really realized what had happened. That Dallin was really showing great love for his sister. Sarah went home with two balloons that day. (with a death grip I might add)

There are times he will ask me "are you ok mommy?" while I'm doing simple tasks such as sitting. "are you ok sitting there mommy?" it's a little hard to explain how he says it but it is very cute none the less. Today it was "are you ok driving mommy?" It doesn't stop with me he needs to make sure everyone is ok. Especially Sarah!

Dallin and Sarah fight. Its a fact of life. We are trying hard to learn not to fight, or hit, or bite or you fill in the blank. Yet other times they are so good together. Take sunday night both of them sat in "mommy and daddy's" chairs and started singing together. (see video below)

So to my sweet boy I say... Keep being sweet. You have so much compassion please don't ever lose that.

princess sarah

Sarah has been a little into princesses lately and it's been fun. I made her some skirts for her birthday and found her a pair of play dress shoes. she thought she was such a big girl wearing her heels and dressed like a princess. I really can't get enough of how cute she is. Once she learns how to run in these heels watch out! Granted doing all this while playing with the girliest remote control car to be found! Her disposition lately has been that of a true two year old, one minute the happiest girl on the planet and then watch out if you cross her! Screaming, hitting you name in. I'm still trying to figure out how to keep her happy with out spoiling her!

She has such a sweet spirit about her. She has been very willing to kneel for family prayer and fold her arms. When Dallin votes that it is Sarah's turn to pray she then has nothing to say! She is so loving toward everyone. If you ask her for a kiss she will pucker right up and not only give you one but two or three or four if not more kisses. One day we were out to dinner and she kept kissing me it was so funny. I would turn my head away and and she would take her hands, turn my head, and plant a big wet one smack on the lips! I could not stop laughing!

She's giving him a big ol' kiss (if you couldn't tell)

She has been loving to count and this is usually how it goes.

me-"one"

sarah-"two"

me-"two"

Sarah-"three"

me-"three"

Sarah-"seven"

me-"four"

Sarah-"seven"

me-"five, six"

Sarah- "eight, nine, seven, eight!"

me-"ten"

Sarah-"TEN" "yay!" clap, clap, claps her hands with so much excitement that she did it.

I'm a proud mama.

Happy Halloween!

Sarah the Cat

Dallin the Pilot

Aren't we cute!

Happy Halloween!

It's my birthday....

Sarah is now 2 and she is such a sweet girl. Here is a little tribute to our little Sarah daBear.

Granted she won't sit still for a moment so I could just take her picture!

Or turn around and look at me for that matter.

She had to ask me why this was such a big deal.

Then she told me. It's my birthday.... and I'll cry if I want to.

copy cat Sarah

Lately Sarah as been chatting up a storm, usually copying what everyone else is saying. She usually puts an inflection on her voice at the end of each word/ sentence that she is saying and it's in a higher pitch!

bee-ball

bee-bot

cri-kets

She calls Dallin - "sarah" or yells out, "grumpas where are you?" she loves her brother and is always wondering where he is. For the longest time when you would ask her if she wanted something she would say "okay" and now she says "yeah"

She will Say "I love you" or "I love you too"

I wanted to capture on film some of the things she says, obviously she is being directed by me to say these things! And is just copying what I'm saying! She is so funny We love her so much!

If you are having trouble seeing this video or any pictures while receiving this in your e-mail click here to go to our actual blog for your viewing pleasure!

Dancing....

Ok so I know this is side ways. But the one that I shot the right way has a nude Sarah Dancing around and I didn't want that all over the internet. I shot this from my phone the other night when we were playing wii dancing. Now Dallin always wants to play the dancing game even at home with just some music on. Too cute. Don't mind Sarah screaming in the background either it's just because I wasn't paying attention to her. Now for your viewing enjoyment.... Dallin!

( you will have to go to the actual blog to view this video, those who recieved this by e-mail probably can't see it.)

what we've been up to lately...

So we've been a little busy lately, first I got strep throat AGAIN, so I had my tonsils taken out! That hurt just a little, worse off it put me down and out for about a week and a half. Thanks to my mom we survived. I don't know what we would have done without her. Dallin went swimming at preschool, thankfully his swim teacher is now his preschool teacher so he had a blast! Here's a little picture preview of what we've been up to lately. We are also getting ready to go to the cabin (my grandparents cabin in Heber) for conference weekend, it's all Dallin can talk about. I'm sure we'll have a great time.

I've created a mini me!

Had a little bit too much sugar after dinner last sunday! Or they were just being crazy, but I love this picture, it's classic.

We painted our toe nails, yes even Dallin.

How can anyone resist this face even when it's covered in blue frosting. I love this girl.

First Day of Pre-School!

Today is Dallin's first day of Pre-school! I really think that I was more excited than he was! Granted he didn't cry when I left him. Neither did I. I actually had a party in my brain thinking of the peace and quiet that is waiting for me at home! Ok really it was fun to see him be shy when he first went into class. I don't know if I'm just a bad mother or something but crying was not on my schedule today! I just don't seem to be the sentimental type, yet I cry on other occasions. Anyways back to Dallin, I don't think he knows what kind of fun he is in for just yet. I think if he doesn't have a good day we'll go get slurpees, ok we'll probably go get slurpees anyways! Congratulations Dallin for starting preschool!

Eating a good breakfast before school is important, so is looking GOOD!

I love GIANT backpacks on little kids!

Sarah was feeling a little jealous and insisted on having her own backpack, very cute If I say so myself.

And off he goes.

(it's only 2 blocks don't worry)

Tree House Museum

A few weeks (Ok MONTHS) ago on a friday night we ventured up to Ogden to the Tree House Children's Museum on friday nights it's $3 for kids and $1 for adults to get it. My friend had blogged about when she took her kids there and I thought it would be fun to go on a little adventure to somewhere new. I really enjoyed this museum because of the size. It was small and I didn't feel like I was going to loose my kids if they ran off because I could see from one end of the building to the other, yet there was a lot packed in there, and a second floor. Plus at one point Sarah got to the front door and one of the workers stopped her in her tracks and wouldn't let her leave. That was pretty re-assuring for me. Was it worth the drive up to Ogden? Yes. Was it worth it enough to make it a regular thing? No, but every once and a while would be fun.

Some of the favorites were this horse that was the rodeo arena, Sarah did not want to get off.

But she also liked these horses that were all over the city.

Dallin put on a little show for me... and I do mean little, he lost interest pretty quick!

We looked at every tool on this wall!

There was a big map of Utah, with a trivia game and you had to stand next to the picture with the best answer. I thought this picture of Tooele was just funny!

I swear we have these trains at home, why more interesting somewhere else?

My swimming fish

So in JUNE Dallin had swim lessons for the entire month! He loved it. Really loved it. He took to the water.... well like a fish. On the first day he was dunking his head under the water and we couldn't him to stay above the water after that. It was fun for Dallin to make some new friends, and me too.

He was especially fond of his friend Katie. Who happened to be the only girl in his class!

He learned lots of swim strokes and important skills. He class focused on how to "save your life if you fall in the water" but put in terms a 3 year old can understand. The class was mostly to help him not be afraid of the water. Which he was by no means afraid of the water. He would go under water and hold his breath at every chance he could find. He will jump off the side of the pool with no fear. At first he had a hard time propelling himself forward but he got the hang of it after a while. The best part is even now a month later he still remembers the things he learned.

It worked out great that grandpa Jakeman was able to be there for the last day of swim lessons and so he jumped in the pool to help Dallin perfect his skills. It really worked out great because I ended up being pretty sick that day. Strep throat of all things. So grandpa took over for the day and mommy was able to rest. (Thanks again, that helped me so much) It looks like swim lessons will be in the future for both kids next summer, Sarah had a great time in the pool too on the days she got in the water. Future swim team? who knows.

Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day!

2010

We enjoyed breakfast at the church and then drove our car in the "parade" All dressed up as pioneer children. What a fun morning!

Grandpa

We sure do miss this guy! We had so much fun with Grandpa Jakeman while he was here. While I wasn't feeling well (turns out I had strep) it worked out just perfect because my dad was here specifically to spend time with Dallin and Sarah and that's just what he got to do because I was feeling awful. We had grand plans to do all sorts of things but plans changed and we had just as much fun.

Grandpa went swimming with Dallin on his last day of swim lessons (more on that later!)

Both of them received a birthday/christmas/grandpa is going to spoil you present! We went to breakfast with Grandma Anthony, Tiffany and Elliot at Liberty Park, I didn't even know they had a cafe' there, it was good!

We made it to the zoo and had a blast!

I miss my dad when he is gone, I love the way he plays with my kids and has such a great time. He is caring and thoughtful. Next time I'll have to see if he will fly me and the kids out to his house for a visit! Now that would be an adventure, or maybe he can just stay for more than the weekend. Either way I don't see him often enough, its a little hard living on opposite ends of the country. I love you Dad.

Swings and Slides

Its been so nice out lately we've been going to the park about every other day. The other night we happened to go when there was a concert of some sort going on at the other side of the park so it was nice to have some music in the back ground. Good thing we weren't actually there it would have been way too loud! Sarah every so often would stop playing and start dancing, totally random.

The swings are ALWAYS the favorite part, we could stay on them the entire time and no one would be the wiser; Dallin and Sarah would come home not even caring they didn't do anything else, especially Sarah.
Its crazy to think that last summer Dallin would NOT go on this slide but this year he headed straight for it. Sarah also dived right into it (she's younger than Dallin was last year) Its amazing how different my kids are yet how similar they are in other things.
We (meaning I) tried to stop for a nice photo shoot but Sarah had other plans, there were people on bikes, roller blades, the concert across the way, and of course dogs walking past. She could not sit still to save her life. So this is what I get! But this is always true the two of them can not sit still for more than 5 minutes. Am I doing something wrong? is there something else I can teach them? I don't know but for now kids will be kids and stopping in the park for a photo that probably only I will love is not the most important thing. I love taking them to the park to see the joy on their faces about all the amazing things around them.

The zoo

We've been to the zoo a lot this summer already and we are loving it. We broke down and bought a season pass... the best idea ever. We went for a cousins birthday party, and a couple times just for fun. Its been nice to go for just a few hours and not feel bad because I know we can just come back another day.

You don't know how hard it was to get this picture!

I'm looking forward to taking them to the Indianapolis zoo, (whenever we make it out there, looks like it might be later rather than sooner) I think they will enjoy that one even more, I think the Utah zoo is pretty small compared to others but for our little people its a good size.

My two little monkeys!

Dallin likes the Elephants and Sarah likes the Giraffes. They really both enjoy all of the animals it makes it really fun to visit the zoo. Sarah can say a lot of animal names its pretty cute, I need to get some video of her talking, she is quite the talker.

Enjoying some animals of the non living kind! We love the zoo!