You should see the Dog...

Our wonderful neighbors watched the boys yesterday while Mark and I went to a funeral and when we returned...this is what Kaze's binki looked like...but he WILL NOT give it up! They have two dogs...and one of them is obsessed with plastic :) He looks a mess in this picture but we thought it was funny. Two scars, two scraches, a black eye...and a severely messed up binki (with nipple still intact I mind you). We thought it was funny and looked like he got in a fight with the dog...and WON!!!

I have two more binkis somewhere in this house but after tearing it apart...I simply cannot find them. Oh boy!

The project pictures...

WOW!!! It has been a really busy month. I feel like every day I am go, go, go. Tyce's school, Church, Church callings, Enrichment activities to put together, programs to put together, Christmas trees to put together, doctors visits for vaccinations, MOMS Club Newsletter and of course, playing with the kids, cleaning, cooking and my hubby of course! It has been a lot of fun! I love being busy. I love being creative! I love making memories with my family!! So...here are some highlights of this last month...





Mark built this bed for Tyce!!! It is a Christmas/Birthday gift from Mark's parents but Mark got to build it. It has six drawers that are painted Tyce's favorite color of blue. Tyce is so excited to have this bed! It was made with love and is so sturdy...my GRANDCHILDREN will sleep in this bed!



This is the tree MOMS Club did for the Christmas Tree Jubilee this year. The theme was the New Moon movie from the Twilight saga. I got to be in charge of the "vision" and shopping for most of the ornaments. It was SO much fun and we brought in $600 for the Weber School District!



I made about 2 dozen of these mini "books" to put on the tree!



Just a closeup of some of the beautiful ornaments!

I will get some pictures up of the boys soon...I just realized that I have slacked on pics this month. I promise to do better!

MUAH...HA...HAAA...

We had a really fun Halloween. Beautiful weather and happy boys! They loved being outside in their costumes. We did some trunk-or-treating and some trick-or-treating. Rang doorbells, gathered LOTS of candy and just had a great time together as our little family of four. We saw Grandma and Grandpa Jensen and the Nielsen family. It was a great day!



I love these boys...



I am Buzz Lightyear...I come in Peace!



Kaze the spider!



Mark's Pumpkin...



My Pumpkin...HOWL!

Kaze's Birthday Party...

We had a wonderful time. It was 74 degrees and sunny! The kids played well together! We got to see McKelle (Tyce's Birthmom) and her boyfriend Tyler. Tyce actually talked to her this year...which made her day I think! There were hugs and kisses and stories to read. Of course, I didn't get a picture of the two of them...how is it that I always miss that opportunity? I will NOT forget next time. Kaze got some really good toys and is happily entertained as we speak! Tyce loves the new toys too...he just needs to remember that they are Kaze's toys. OI! The cakes turned out awsome...If I do say so myself! I love this part of my kids' birthdays. It is a tradition I take from my mom. Awsome, unique cakes! So...here are some pictures! I hope you all enjoy. Thanks for everyone who came. We love you all!



The cheeser birthday boy. So cute!



Just some of the "Loot"



Playing with Grandma Janet's gift! He loves this one...but not as much as the Winnie the Pooh card :)



This card played the "Winnie the Pooh" song. It was his FAVORITE present even though it was just a prelude to the actual present!



I made two of these for our guests...chocolate and lemon!



Kaze's very own Cake!



Diggin' in!



The final result!!! I LOVE this part of 1st birthdays.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAZE!!!

To Kaze:

I can't believe it has been a year since you came into our family. You came into this world a perfect little baby! I was so blessed to have the opportunity to grow you in my very own tummy. It was something I was told I would never be able to do...but you let me do that for you. Those nine months were an amazing experience for me but this last year was even better. You are truly, through and through, a Mama's Boy! We call you my "growth". You have wanted your mama and no one else for 12 wonderful months now! You have now began to walk and you are finding your freedom. You are realizing that following Dad and your big brother around is more fun than hanging out with Mom. I am happy to see you grow wings and open your heart to others that love you so much...but I will always cherish this first year of your life. You are, and have been, a great sleeper. Your first animal sound was in fact...a Monkey! You are so proud of yourself when you do that sound and get this big scrunched up nose smile on your face. It makes us laugh...you make us laugh. You are LOUD! You like to hear your own voice in the loudest way possible...usually a scream. We don't like this so much...please stop! Your brother is your best friend and has always been so excited to have you in our family. He has never (for very long) been jealous of you. He loves you so much...look up to him. He is a good boy and will help guide you in the right path.

Kaze, Heavenly Father loves you very much and he has a plan for you. Follow the council of the leaders of our Church and follow your parents. Take a serious approach to school and get a good education. Prepare to serve a mission...it will help you grow and become the Man you are suppose to be. We love you very much! Have a great birthday and we are excited for the MANY birthdays to come.

Love, Mom

Flashback and Comparison...

This is me at I would guess, about 3 years old or so and my handsome Dad with a rockin' beard! Look closely to my expression on the second picture...and then look at the picture of Kaze below!





And Kaze...

Pumpkin Man!!!

Just down the street from our home is a fruit stand/pumpkin patch. They have all kinds of fun "natural" decorations there and at Halloween time...they do the "Pumpkin Man"! This is when the owner dresses up in overalls and a flannel shirt with a hollowed out Jack-O-Lantern on his head! He sits in the corner and the kids talk to him...some are VERY suprised when he TALKS BACK!!! Yes...some kids go running to their mommy's and hide behind their legs but do my boys? Of course not...they are too adventurous and curious for that nonsense!! I think at their age...I would be scared out of my mind but Tyce runs up to him and "helps" him up off the haystack and talks to him. Kaze just looks and looks and does a little talking of his own! The kids even get to put the pumpkin on their head. I missed my picture op this year but yes...Tyce did put the pumpkin head on! After the "show"...the kids pick a pumpkin from the pile of wonderful pumpkins! We will soon have a family home evening and decorate our pumpkins. Tyce want to open his up and feel the goop inside. He says that "this year...I will touch the yucky stuff"! We had nice weather and it was a good day!



The "Pumpkin Man"



Taking off his head...



See...he is just a "real" man!

All That's New...

I think it is time for an update!!! Our year is just flying by and it is making me a little sad to be honest. Kaze just began his 11th month on this earth and Tyce is dangerously close to 4 years old. I am beginning to realize just how fast their childhood is going to go and I am just trying to soak in the memories of them as my babies. The next few months are bound to be crazy busy with a 1 year old birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, a 4 year old birthday and Christmas...ALL in 3 months! I remember when Tyce turned a year old...I had been planning his party for months! Well...Kaze's has snuck up on me so fast that now I am scrambling! I have two very important things decided though...It will be dinosaur themed and it will be in our backyard!!! I am so excited to have a child with a birthday that will more than likely be outside every year! Poor Tyce...we are stuck inside for his until he has sledding parties! This year...he has decided Chucky Cheeze (smiling on the outside and saying PLEASE NOOOOOOO on the inside). That place is pure craziness. But it is HIS birthday.

Another bit of exciting news...Tyce started preschool a couple weeks ago and is doing so well. He loves it. He is making friends, learning how to write his name (he can already spell it). Yes...I am bragging. He has memorized two books. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss and Are You My Mother (can't remember the author)...but it is a very long book. He does really well. He has his first Primary Program for church coming up in a little over a week and already has his line memorized. I just hope he remembers it when he gets up there. No worries though...his teacher will be able to help him if need be. He is a good boy and makes me very proud! I love him to bits. I am so lucky to have him!







And Kaze! Well...he is still not walking. He is close but just won't get the nerve to really go for it. I am anxious for him to walk because he is still putting everything in his mouth. Now...I realize this may not be the case with Kaze but when Tyce started walking...the putting stuff in your mouth thing stopped because he wasn't right there on the floor anymore. So...here is hoping because I am pretty sure he ate a part of a dead grasshopper at the park yesterday. I try not to think of it but it is seriously grossing me out...even right now. Yuck! Kaze has 8 teeth and I am sure more are coming. He is starting to copy our sounds like HO HO HO!!! (santa of course) and HOO HOO HAA HAA (a monkey). He is quick to smile and loves the camera. He is just a joy and I love him very much!







Mark and I are really good! Mark is working, which is a blessing in this economy! I have been applying for a part time seasonal job to get us some extra Christmas money but so far...nothing much is happening. I have applied a few places but there are a lot of people out there needing jobs...anything! So...I will be patient. I have already decided that I want to have a "Homemade Christmas" this year. It will be fun! I want to re-do the boys' rooms in an outdoorsie theme and will make their comforters and re-paint their names that are hanging in there. New sheets (I will buy those...I am NOT making fitted sheets). I think it may be a good idea to also do something more geared to the true meaning of Christmas and bring into it the gifts the three wisemen presented to Jesus at his birth. The three gifts represented something needed, something spiritual and something wanted. And of course...Santa will also pay a visit and leave a stocking full of goodies and a gift. I think a stocking and 4 gifts for each child is plenty. They get so much from grandparents, etc. And with Tyce's birthday a couple days before Christmas...it can become a bit overkill as far as gifts are concerned. So...maybe it is time to tone it down on our part. We'll see!

We still LOVE where we live and have the most amazing neighbors who have been teaching me to be an expert Canner and we have put up peaches and spaghetti sauce with pears and grapes to come! We are in a routine that allows for a clean house and family dinners and plenty of time for everything else. I am just happy right now! Life is good and I am blessed!

Day 2 and 3 of the Washington Trip!

Day 2 was fun! We went to Danielle's house after a relaxing morning at Grandma's house. Danielle did my hair, which turned out way cute and we had a yummy dinner. Then I went to the Pub for my high school reunion. It was really fun to see some people I haven't "talked" to for years. Many of them I have kept in touch with through facebook and myspace. But there is no substitue for one on one...actually talking! It was fun and 1am is quite a change for me and I was definately tired all day on Day 3.

Day 3. We went to the park for some visits with friends and then home for naps. Then it was off to Grandma Gerry's house for a visit with family that I miss very much! My Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Bill were there as well as Aunt Mina Jo and Uncle Dave. My sister and Cousins Amy and Ryanne! The boys loved the attention and Grandma loved seeing the boys play! Tommorow we are going to Church with Grandma Lenk and then some good time with my mom! More pics to come!



Johanna is one of the most stunning women I know...beautiful and sweet to boot!



Me and my best girl Ali! I love her!



Cory Lake and myself...I have known this guy since Kindergarden.



Cory, Me and Nicole!



The Kluse's...one of the cutest couples ever! I can't wait to meet their new baby boy!



1am sister love!




Puppies!!



12:30am...I happened by the first place Mark and I went on a date! Good memories!

Day 1 of the Washington Trip...

I will be recording our time in Washington mainly to give my hubby a picture show every few day! Today was a great and busy day and we still managed to get everyone napped for ever nap and bathed and fed all throughout the day! So...here is our day in pictures...

After Kaze's morning nap...we went to see Aunt Danielle for a minute because we had some time before our picnic in the park with Jessie, Lindsay and our SIX boys! We went to Howard Amon park and played on their awsome playground and in the splash pool. The boys had a lot of fun and it was so great to see Jessie and Lindsay again...it had been years! Kaze even ate a good chunk of dirt...YUM! Apparently, he didn't want his applesauce :)





After the park...we drove to Ritzville to meet my mom, who is currently working in Spokane, to play at whatever park we could find and have a meal together. We found a cute little park that happened to be next to the community pool. So, of course, we went swimming or should I say we had planned on TYCE and KAZE to swim. All was well until Tyce jumped off of the diving board one time and one of his water wings came off. He was fine and staying above water but couldn't get to the side of the pool himself so since I was holding Kaze...Grandma Janet jumped in FULLY CLOTHED to save the day. Tyce thought that was pretty funny and said that his grandma was silly to go swimming with her clothes on. He was unphased though. He wanted the water wing back on and wanted to do more "tricks" on the diving board...so...away we went. We just checked the water wings more often after that!

It was a good day and the boys were good and exhausted after a good day and a good meal with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Mike!

We'll see what tomorrow brings! The plan is for a quiet day at home until after naptime and then off to Aunt Danielle's house for some dinner...homemade playdough and of course...she is going to cut/color and style my hair! I love that my sister is a cosmotologist!! It should be fun. The boys will stay with her for the night and after I put Kaze to bed...I will go to the first part of my 10 year high school reunion...a night out with friends. Ali will be my date since Mark had to stay home on this trip! Should be fun...or interesting? We'll see!