Maggie made Valentines

If your have been the recipient of one of our handmade cards, I hope you have taken note of the beautiful paper.  I bought this wonderful two-hundred-pound-one-hundred-percent cotton paper for a project but I soon discovered it doesn't feed through my printer or any printer for that matter... so we use it for our card business.  Don't worry if you haven't gotten a card, we still have over 80 sheets left.

First Disneyland

It was Maggie and Henry's first time at Disneyland back in February.  I am glad they got to share it with family. We had a huge group that materialized as if we had been planning it for months.  I am so glad everyone came out.  My only regret is that we didn't take a group picture.

I am not crazy about Disneyland but maybe that's because it's not linked to my childhood.  Sara loves Disneyland and I am sure if we lived in California we would have a season pass.  Maggie was an inch shy of some of the rides like Splash Mountain but I think she enjoyed chasing Tanner and Chase around more than any of the rides.

Catching up

Last time we were in the hood was for Tyler's blessing.  Good times!

Henry's first steps

While our friends were visiting on Saturday, Henry took his first few steps.

Henry's fall

Last week while I was reaching over the shopping cart to get some cabbage, Henry leaned forward while simultaneously Maggie gave the cart a push forward, catapulting little Henry out of the shopping cart.  I watched it in slow motion as he free fell to the concrete floor several feet below. He landed perfectly flat on his back, while his head never touch the ground.

It was horrifying to watch but I knew it could have been fatal.  The fact that he didn't even get a bruise or scratch on his head is nothing short of a miracle.  Only a few hours later he was playing with his sister like nothing had happened.  The grocery store attendant was very helpful.  I had to file a report, which felt like an application for the worst-parent-of-the-year-award, but at least I wasn't rushing off to the hospital.  We are all very grateful Henry is still alive and healthy.

PS. Yesterday, I shot pictures of him falling onto the bed.  In light of this story in might not seem like fun but unlike the event at the grocery store, Henry was contagiously laughing which put a big smile on my face.

Wrestling with Mom

At some point in our life, I hope Sara gets the opportunity to do this all day long.  Being a stay-at-home parent is a lot like WWF wrestling.  It's nice that Sara comes home everyday at 5 pm so that I can tag her into the arena.  I don't know how single parents manage.

Bird Viewing Preserve

Maggie refers to today as No-TV-Friday.  Yesterday our friend, Adam Hebdon, paid us a visit.  He told us about an interesting study with children and TV.  According the study, for every hour of TV a child watches their chances of getting Attention Deficient Disorder increase by ten percent.  Okay, that's just another reason we have No-TV-Friday.  It's actually harder for me to get through Fridays than for the kids.

But rather than focus on what we don't do on Fridays... I am turning it into Field-Trip-Friday.  Today we went to the Bird Viewing Preserve.  It was fun.  I felt like a speed walker coaxing a turtle along. Henry crawls faster than Maggie walks.  I try to turn everything into a race, so that we can actually cover some ground.  She is a good runner but when she is walking everything becomes a detour.  Anyway, we had a nice picnic with the birds... or as Maggie calls it a "nic-nic".

Some of Henry's favorite things

Some of Henry's favorite things are: climbing over people, crawling up stairs, pulling cans out of the pantry or pulling bottles out of the refrigerator, playing with spoons, and pushing the off button on the stereo.  He also likes to grab anything that spills and has a fascination with mechanical things.  Yesterday he pulled our printer apart, breaking the ink cartridge and getting ink everywhere.  He likes to playing with the vacuum and electrical outlets.  Of course, I am always pleasantly surprised when I find him playing with with his toys.

Apples

Since Mom goes to work late on Tuesday we can enjoy a longer breakfast together.  Some of our favorite cereal mixes include: Chocolate Cheerios, Chex, Fiber One, Rice Krispies and Oatmeal Squares.  Maggie's favorite thing is an apple everyday.  Henry likes to eat a Trader Joe's yogurt.  Sara like green smoothies with spinach and avocado.  And I like my eggs!

Eating things

Henry prefers to feed himself, while Maggie still asks to us to spoon feed her.  Baby food is almost out of the question since nobody wants to clean up that mess and Henry refuses to be spoon feed.  Occasionally he will let me feed him yogurt but in general he would rather be eating grapes and frozen peas and anything else he can wrap his small fingers around.

No more pull-ups

 

It has now been a few months of no pull-ups for Maggie.  I never thought I would be so happy; it's one less major expense and one less cleaning project.  She really enjoys her new independents and often refuses any help unless its a difficult button.  Okay, there are still a few cleaning projects but to have only one baby's diaper to change is like being in heaven.

My favorite letter

Most people have a favorite number or color but what about a letter?  Why not, I always assumed that everyone's favorite letter was the same letter their name started with.  Mine has always been "S" but Maggie favorite letter is "J", that made me start to thinking... what's your favorite letter?

Maggie's Dora Pink Party

birthday mail

Turning three was fun. I got this awesome bandage from wrestling with my Dad the night before. My plan was to wear it my entire Birthday but Dad pulled it off while I wasn't looking.

Bandages

For Christmas Maggie got Dora the Explorer bandages.  They certainly didn't last long.  Unfortunately, she did a similar thing with a role of postage stamps. 

Henry climbed in the toy box

These days we have Henry sleeping in our room.  I hooked up the Ipod to our stereo so we could play white noise at the night.  Henry is such a light sleeper and it helps him sleep longer.

Happy New Years!

A New Years goal: Spend more time with family!

Our New Years Party was uneventful. We could hear the fireworks from Las Vegas outside but we were too lazy to walk outside to see them, instead we watched them from our TV inside. Which seems really strange and kinda funny to me.

I am still brainstorming for goals... but I do plan on writing down some small and accomplish-able goals. I also decided to factor reality into my process, since in I know in a week or two week at best there will be lack of desire and complacency. Maybe I will post some of my goals to hold myself more accountable:)

Two days to Christmas

Maggie had so much fun with Grandma and Uncle Jonathan... despite our plea to extend their stay they were under the heavy spell of Aunt Michelle.  It is true her house is pet friendly and the food is better... and Grandma and Jonathan will get there own room BUT... well, I guess I see why they left... rrrr!!

8 Days to Christmas

An amazing thing about Sara is her willingness to give, even at the cost of her own ambitions.  Our wedding announcement is the perfect example of that.  I had this crazy idea and instead of shooting it down, she let me wield the sword.  I know she would have rather had something simple and legible but she wanted me to have something I wanted, even at the cost of her own ideas. When I think of great gifts, this type of self sacrifice is the key ingredient.  That is to say, not all great gifts come wrapped up in a box.

9 Days to Christmas

Maggie and me came up with some great homemade gifts this year.  We ran around like crazy today trying to finish up Maggie's gift to Taya.  Maggie was so pleased with the results she asked if we could make one for her too.  Sara is also in for a real treat this year but we can't really talk about that.

10 days to Christmas

I hope my little count down isn't making anyone nervous but I guess if you have time to read the blog then your done with the Christmas cards and presents...right?  The best part about living in Las Vegas is the steady stream of visitors we get.  We only wish we had more room to host people.  Although I think we have hosted over ten people in single night.  Hey, pioneer families lived in a single room so we feel like we are richest people on the face of the planet.

Eleven Days to Christmas

All our homemade gifts are starting to arrive from amazon.  We got two packages today and one yesterday. We are still waiting for our Christmas cards to arrive from the printers.  Hopefully, they arrive before Christmas.  We still don't have a single present for the kids but we have time... right?  Well, I found this picture of Sara and Henry in the archives... and I thought why not just squeeze it into the post.  Christmas season is way too busy... I guess this picture serves to remind me what it is all about.

twelve days to Christmas

Since Sara and I return from our honeymoon, we had to make uncomfortable changes and life plans have been altered... and the struggles have only increased.  There are days when life seems hard and nothing seems to be going according to plans.  But I think we are equally committed to the struggle... and that creates the greatest bond of trust... that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Back in October

Stairs are synonymous with dirt, tape, boxes and sticks.  I can't think of a kid that doesn't like them.  Maggie had fun with her cousins getting dirty with chalk art on the sidewalk.  They drew some real master pieces.

Feeling generous

I decided I am a picture hoarder.  I don't know if anyone realizes just how many photographs I have been meaning to get around too.  I have even more that I intend to nothing with.  I guess I finally decided I should start publishing in larger blocks.  So here is the rest of Thanksgiving in Vancouver.

Fall in Vancouver is beautiful

Running the stairs

Okay, I didn't run as many laps as the girls because I was setting my camera but I was sore for days afterwards.

Henry update

 Henry is eating solids.  For starters, rice cereal, spaghetti squash, carrots, banana and cheerios.

Maggie and Henry playing around

Thanksgiving in Vancouver

We always love to visit my sister and her family.  It is nice to have family close to Taya, who has lived in the northwest most of teenage life.  On the last day of our trip the clouds parted and we were able to get some pictures outside.

My boss has been hassling me about posting to the blog... rrrrr!!!
(images provided via skype conversations)

Never enough

Salmon for dinner again... yummy, we love it when the Grandparents visit... it is always a good excuse to break out the salmon.

Treasure trove

The kids were tireless on Halloween.  Maggie went trick-or-treating with her friends, Anna and Hannah.  Anna was so good with Maggie and led her around most of the night.  They loaded up with a treasure trove of candy.  We had to empty her pumpkin so that she could continue stuffing candy in it.  To her dismay we dumped it in the back of the stroller.  Like any mad pirate, she ran after her treasure and kept stealing the candy back.  We had to remind her several times it was all hers (at least that portion that wouldn't be pillaged by her parents).  Two hours later...they were still running like energizer bunnies.  They would have keep going but we ran out of houses in the neighborhood

Now I am thinking about starting my training for next years marathon.

Truck or Treat

Rrrr little pirate and doggy!

Henry's first Sunday tie

We finally got Henry a collar shirt for all the ties Aunt Carly and Cinnamon gave him.  He is growing fast.  Currently, he can roll across the room and stand on his own while holding onto the coffee table.  He is a very curious and likes to people watch.  If a stranger makes eye contact, he is bound to give them one of his big smiles.

Donovan family vacation

We were feeling like Vegas when the Donovans came to visit us as part of their vacation destination.  It is true that we are fun and feed everyone yummy food.  We played Simon-says and I threw the adults with my first set of instructions, granted I had given the boys some prior training.  Who knew Simon-says could be so fun!

Clarke

I have so many great memories of my brother, Clarke.  He was the big brother I aspired to be.  I used to try to squint like he did when surveying a room without his glasses.  He taught me it was not cool to run while walking across a busy road.  Whenever he gave me a ride to school he would make sure to drive his jeep up on the curb, like he was dropping off a rock star.  Clarke was a great big brother and he still is.  If I have mechanical problems or anything is broken, he is the first person I call.


Happy Birthday!

Carly

Happy Birthday Carly Jane!

One year Carly gave a special birthday post to everyone in the family when it was their birthday. I loved it! Stanford came up with the idea recently to do the same thing and it just so happens that Carly's birthday is the first to fall in line.

I can't say enough good things about my sister Carly. What I love most about her is her cheerful disposition. Ever since I can remember Carly has looked at the bright side of things. Even during hard times she focuses on the good and does not complain. What a remarkable gift she gives to herself, her family, and friends by choosing to be cheerful!

Carly is also quite the creative girl. I am in love with all her creations and love to get a handmade gift from her. I treasure them all. She definitly got my mother's gene when it comes to sewing and creativity. I know the hours she spends thinking about & researching what she wants to make for someone and the hours she spends creating it. My sister is truly talented!

Carly also has a deep love for the gospel, and for her role as a mother, wife, sister, friend. You inspire me to be a better person Carly! We sure do love you around here and hope you have an awesome birthday!!!

Maggie sleeps anywhere

Have you ever been force to sleep in an airport terminal?  Somehow I don't think it would be a problem for Maggie.  Lately, she has been falling asleep in the most awkward places, especially on a Sundays when nap time is pushed back several hours.  Last week she crawled up on the baby changing table and fell asleep.  The other day, in the middle of lunch she curled up on her chair and fell asleep.  When I tried to coax her to her bed she insisted that she needed to finish her lunch, so I replied that I would put her lunch in the refrigerator for later, but she insisted on eating.  Only after a few minutes I returned to find her asleep on her bed and her plate in the refrigerator.

It's the journey not the destination

We try to get out to the park in the morning.  Lately, it has been in the cool 70s with the recent rain.  I put Henry in the bike trailer and Maggie rides up front with me.  The Pittman Wash next to our house is adjacent to several parks that we like to visit, so it is a convenient setup.  Along our ride to the park, Maggie wanted to go down a look at the rocks in the wash.  Obviously, this was a nice detour from our usual routine.  Maggie had so much fun that we spent our morning playing in the mud and didn't even make it to the park.  Henry, who was wrapped up in a blanket, quietly slipped into a long morning nap.

Double the pleasure

The great benefit about living in between family is you get two visits instead of one.

Ten points to know if you're a baby whisper

You owe the little sanity you have left to a fifteen dollar exercise ball.

You can't remember how the baby's diapers got changed.

You sing yourself to sleep with a  lullaby.

You wake up in the night when your baby cries, only 50% of the time.

Your bounce in place even when your not holding a baby.

You think staying at home with the kids is harder than going to work.

You know the nipple flow rate of your baby's bottle.

You believe you are bilingual because you understand your baby's cry.

You can hear your baby crying even when she is not.

You could carry at ten pound bag all day and not even notice it.

Finding general conference

Las Vegas has large community of Mormons, which is not surprising since it was first settled by Mormon pioneers in the mid-eighteen hundreds.  Mormons account for about 12 percent of the population in Southern Nevada.  Due to the significant number of members living here, LDS general conference can be heard on local radio and television stations.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) broadcast general conference twice a year to members around the world.  It is a chance for anyone to hear the words of living prophet of the Lord.  I have been tuning into all TEN HOURS of the broadcast for years.  General Conference has become increasingly more important to me but every April and October, I find myself searching the internet trying to find the best place to tune into general conference. This always seems to be a fruitless endeavor since many of the keys words are common search terms.  I typically end up frustratingly thumbing through the stations until I find it.

Of course, the easiest place to find the broadcast is on the Church's official website but the online streaming video can be choppy due to the overwhelming demand.  The following are some great resources I found for watching the conference:


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints official website.
BYU Broadcasting and TV for online streaming.
Bonneville Communication, for local listing of radio, TV and cable stations.