Babies!

Oh how this boy loves babies!  He's just like his Daddy.  Here he very carefully arranged them so all the babies would be on his lap, and he's singing "I'm trying to Be Like Jesus" which happens to be his favorite bedtime song.

A Trip, as told from Maeli's Seat...9 photos of 115

Oregon

The kids and I headed off to Oregon to help take care of Grandma Terry--who fell down the stars and broke one ankle and sprained the other really badly.  Turns out we weren't really very helpful, luckily my in-laws live very close to my parents and took the kids a lot so that I could actually get some things done for my mom. 

We did have some fun in Grandpa's hot tub though

And I got my mom's upstairs bathroom amazingly clean...of course, she can't go upstairs for quite some time, but I'm super proud of her tile!

While we were there my Great-Grandma Opal died.  She was 101, so although it wasn't really a surprise, it was kind of sudden, which I guess is good.  Jeremy was out in Oregon helping his Dad with some projects, so we were both able to go to the funeral.  Because Grandma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and therefore was to be burried in clothing one would wear in the Temple; I was given the honor of helping to dress her for burial.  It was an interesting experience, and although I'm not sure what I expected, it was nothing like I anticipated.  I'm greatful that I had the chance to say good bye in such a humble way.  There was a mix up with some of the clothing that had been selected, so Grandma Opal was burried in my Temple Dress, in exchange I kept the little suitcase that she had used to carry her temple clothes in.  I feel like in addition to being family, that she and I are linked in a special eternal way now.  She was a great lady, full of fun and life and even in her last years she was able to remember pretty much everything that was going on with everyone.  We gave our daughter the name of Maeli Opal because of my Grandma Opal and the kind and gentle woman that she was.  I look forward to the day when the two of them will get to really know each other. 

I also stole her desk before anyone else could claim it!

Odds and Ends

My "Better After" Chair I redid for my mom--we call it the "a little too happy" chair,  and I totally LOVE IT!

The kids and I had a living room camp out while Jeremy was at a Scout Training over-nighter.  They really liked watching the fireplace as we went to sleep.

Maeli has been passing all her pre-school knowledge on to Tucker.  Here they're practicing sitting in your chair during story time.  Tucker might need to go potty...

My sweet husband finished the ribbon holder he started for me at Christmas.  I showed him one that I wanted off etsy and told me what it would cost to make one compared to what they were selling it for.  I think mine turned out even cuter and I love the paper on the back panel. 

Big Day!

All set for Kindergarten Registration!

Two!

My Baby turned two! Here's a bit about Riker:
He loves Lightening McQueen with a passion!  If he knew what it was, he'd a tattoo of him across his chest, but this will do for know.  Also, he still hates pants.  

He loves Maeli, not quite as much as McQueen, but she's very high on the list!

All Super heroes are "Batman" and all Batmans are "to the rescue" (as in Buzz Lightyear to the rescue) He loves super heroes because Tucker loves super heroes and Riker wants to do, be, say, and love whatever his brother does.

We were in Oregon for his birthday, so he actually got to have a party with cousins and everything!  He loved the attention.

He got a ton of new cars...AWESOME!

He is fearless, especially if his brother will do it, Riker will be right behind!

He is my most destructive child.  He's not just bust, he actually destroys as he goes.  He loves pulling things off of shelves and throwing things, dumping things, and jumping off of things.  Shown here, first he pulled out some shoes, then he climbed on top of the shoe thing so he could jump off.  Luckily, the coats thwarted his efforts long enough for me to save him from a broken neck. 

His favorite thing in the whole world:  Daddy!  We call him at work daily so Riker can say "Hi Daddy!  Six.  Love you.  Bye Daddy"

What to do when Dad gets out the Nerf Guns...

 Take cover in any way shape or form....Riker prefers to hide in a tub with a basket on top to protect his head...brilliant boy!

Since We Had Some Time...

Jeremy thought he should learn how to sew. First lesson: how to turn on and thread the machine and sew straight lines....I've now taught him everything I know. He made what has become the carpet in Maeli's doll house, but is actually a heating pad...pretty impressive.

Birthday Boy!

A Birthday Extravaganza - In No particular Order:

My grandparents sent some money to Tucker for his birthday, so we used that to go toward a new trampoline. He's an energetic boy and I already think its the best money we've ever spent. And my couch is thankful too!
He was pretty pumped that his happy birthday was finally here and woke Dad up early to come see his special present in the living room. We figured it was easier to give him the trampoline that morning than to try to keep it hidden since we had to put it together the night before.
Grandma Terry sent some presents and one of the big hits was this Toy Story play set. They've been playing in "Andy's Room" quite a bit lately. And there are enough pieces that everyone gets a bunch so its easy for sharing-Way To Go grandma!
The second he opened his super hero shirts he had to put one on! Check out those muscles! Its a good thing he got three because its all he'll wear now!
Despite having so many helpers, he did get to open a few of his own presents!
He had his Doctor's Appointment to see if he was big enough to really be 3. Dr. Hall gave him the green light, but thought he might be a little too cute--I agree!
He measured up to all of our expectations! 37" and 35lbs. This is a perfect boy!
Tucker was very adamant that he wanted Brownies, not Cake for his birthday. We had some friends over to help us eat our Sundaes! And engage in some Nerf Warfare!
We sure love this boy!

Drive-In

So we had this brilliant idea: Spend the day letting the kids earn pennies by doing chores, being nice, sharing, etc. As well as loose pennies for fighting, sassing, and not eating dinner...you get it, right? We let them know ahead of time that with their pennies they'd be able to by treats after dinner. So at the end of the day, Maeli and Tucker each had one, and Riker had 2. (Jeremy actually did the most chores and had quite a stash).

So then we dressed up our laundry baskets like they were cars, and we drove them to the Drive-In movies!




When the snack shack opened, everyone brought their pennies and chose what they wanted. Everyone did great with this except Maeli. Early in the afternoon she decided that she was only going to want one treat and therefore wasn't doing any more chores and she would be just nice enough to keep her penny....she was pretty sad that she couldn't have chocolate AND a sucker.

Honestly, it was by the far the most enjoyable movie night we've ever had at our house. The kids couldn't touch each other so no one was fighting, Jeremy and I didn't have kids all over us, and everyone say through almost the entire show...I think we'll be doing this again!