Happy Birthday Carson!

Our son is lucky to have his birthday on December 26th so we will get to make Christmas week extra special from now on. I can't believe how fast our first year went with him! We celebrated with a couple families and our signature chocolate cake. He had a great time. He ate pizza and wore a cool "Fun to be One" hat (I'm sure he'll hate me for it later)...

He ate cake...

He played with friends...

He opened presents...

He is such a fun little boy. I can't believe he is already 1! We love you Carson!

Christmas Fun

We started the week off with Kendall's Christmas Program at her school. They combine the 2 classes and went through Christmas traditions in different countries. Kendall was in Mexico. She loved her part and did a great job.

Like most of you we open up new pajamas on Christmas Eve so that they can look extra special for Christmas morning photos. I usually get them their favorite trend for the year like HSM3 or Princess. Carson got his first pair of big boy Spiderman pj's. Next year I think I'm going to do what my friend Laurie does and get them matching pj's. Her pictures looked great.

We had a great Christmas morning. I actually woke up earlier than the girls this year (thanks to the alarm clock Matt forgot to turn off) and got to listen to them run downstairs before "waking us up". It was awesome! I'm going to try and do that every year. To hear the pure joy in their voices was such a gift for me. Because we know so many people who have been affected by the changing economy we decided to teach the kids a lesson and had them only request 2 really special things they wanted from Santa this year. It was so neat to see their requests change and all the thought went into making out their lists. Kendall wanted a bed for her American Girl doll and a Hannah Montana guitar. Jayden wanted a Nintendo DS and a Hannah Montana keyboard. I think we are going to start our own band soon! Carson didn't care but Santa brought him a train that helps him learn his numbers, colors and he can push it while he learns how to walk. This was also a lesson for Matt and I because it reminded us that the kids don't need a million things to be happy. We are always fairly good at making sure they remember the true meaning of the season. We hope you had a great week like we did.

Merry Christmas!

You got to love the Santa picture. Carson didn't love it so much but we always take it anyway so the kids can laugh at themselves later on in life. Jayden screamed like this for at least 3 years. Kendall never really had a problem. Looks like Carson is following in his oldest sister's footsteps.

We didn't get family pictures scheduled this year before Christmas because I wanted to wait until Carson turned one and do it all in one sitting fee. So we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prospero Ano!

Winter Workout

Gyms, we don't need no stinkin gyms! This is how I worked out on Friday....


We got 10+ inches and we don't have a snow blower nor do we pay someone to come plow are driveway. All I needed was a shovel and a driveway and I got in my daily workout. It took me a good hour to do it and I will say Matt helped out with the bottom of the driveway after the city plowed our street. That is the worst part to shovel because they pile it nice and high for you. The snow was heavy and thick so I was pretty proud that I did it for myself. We are supposed to get 8 more inches on Sunday so I guess we'll get another good workout in. Katrina, I really could have used a friend like Keith on a day like this :)

Your Blog is Fabulous

My friend Laurie gave me this award! She gave it to me because we have the same blog background and I have one of her favorite songs on my playlist. She forgot to tell me which one though. I love Laurie because she is always smiling. You can tell she lives her life to the fullest and loves her family. She is a great example not sweating the small stuff and making the really hard stuff look easy. Thanks for tagging me Laurie!



Here are the rules for receiving the fabulous award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.



I’m addicted to...

01. My Family...Matt says I'm too hard on myself but I lay in bed at night wondering if I'm doing enough or too much of something. I think every parent has those moments but as the kids get older I really feel the pressure to arm them with the knowledge they need to lead a successful and productive life. I always want to be the example and that is a lot sometimes. I just love them all so much!

02. Reading... the bigger the book the better sometimes. I have to make sure I don't let it take over my life because that can happen to me very easy and then I really worry about my number one addiction.

03. Working out...You would think that I would look a little more in shape but I feel really lousy if I don't get it in at least 3 times a week.

04. Trying to be on time to things... this is one of the things I really want to change about our family. We always joke that we are the "Late Lindsey's" and I'm starting to hate it. I really believe that if you are late for everything besides a paying job you are telling people their time isn't as important as yours. This is hard to achieve sometimes with taking 3 children all by my self sometimes but we are getting a lot better.

05. Blogging/Facebook... I think blogging more that Facebook but I do love to see what comments people make and what my friends are doing at that moment. It is such a great tool to keep in touch with friends and family who live so far away. For me that is everybody so I can't help but to check at least once a day on what everybody is up too.



First I want to say that the following people are some of my amazing friends that I have been lucky to meet in my life (or be related to) and I love them dearly. Their blogs truly are fabulous! It says 5 but I really had to do 6
my 6 blogger awards go to...

01. My cousin Amy (even though she probably won't read this because she is too busy) because she is a brave young woman who ventured out of Arizona to start her career/life. Also because I think she is a talented writer and should really consider writing a book someday

02. Carla Rivera because she is always my friend not matter what. She motivated me to run a marathon with her and that is something I should have done for her. She is a great example to me on many things. I wish I could document every moment in my life like she does.

03. Katrina Mang because she always has a great comment for me. She is a good listener and one of those women that is "down for the girls" if you know what I mean. I also love that she had her children so close in age yet always seems to be organized. I wish I could do that. I think my favorite part of her blog is the quotes her children say.

04. Melissa Nelson because she is so creative and loving. She teaches preschool from her home, started her own clothing company, has a family/3 small children, and still finds time to run 3 blogs about all her talents. Reading what she does inspires me to work on the creative trait I lack in my life.

05. Jaime Mitchell because she too is a talented friend and great photographer. I love reading her blog and seeing all the beautiful pictures she posts. She is the kind of friend who shows up on your door with a recipe for dinner and all the contents to make it for no reason at all. Enough said about that!

06. Wendy and Brian Jones because they were still are friends after everybody and I mean EVERYBODY moved away. Also because they tastefully and respectfully used their blog to show their political views this year. It was a great debate tool for all their friends and cool to see how ever body felt about such a historic political year. They also blog together and I think that is too cool.

Ward Christmas Party

We may have a small ward that needs lots of service but we sure know how to throw a Christmas Party. It's always fun without any drama except for the kids and their reenactment of the Nativity Scene. Jayden was an Angel and Kendall was a Shepard. They always have a good time doing it. Last year I was severely pregnant with Carson so it was kind of cool to see how far we have come in this community in the year we have been here.

We also had a visit from Old St. Nick. Since there aren't that many kids in our ward he got to spend extra time with each one of them and hear about EVERYTHING they want for Christmas. This was also Carson's first visit with Santa. The picture tells you what he thought...

What We Do All Day

It's time for another volume of "What We Do All Day"! Carson is so fast these days and his sisters love to encourage him to crawl. We just found out that he has gotten so good at it that he can go up a whole flight of stairs with out tumbling down (so far) as well as putting on his stealth mode so no one knows he is doing it. Trust me you don't want to know how we found out. I'm glad I'm not posting about a trip to the ER. Mom, I promise I'm putting up a gate and I do watch my child :) Now that I have figured out his pattern of attack, I have to stop whatever I'm doing and run and get him before he makes his climb. I just had to get this on video before we install the gate and ruin all his fun.

Most of you who know me know that I'm planning on running the Dallas Marathon in December 2009 with my friend Carla. I think I better get to work on getting in shape soon. Can you hear how out of breath I am? I blame it on the cold I have. I'm pretty proud that I can run just over 3 miles in 25 minutes. Now I just have to be able to run 23 more in a row! Ahh!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We have a lot to be thankful for, especially with everything that is going on in our country right now: our health, our children, our families, our friends, a steady job (people always need food). The list could go on and on but I think these are the things we are thinking about the most. We spent the weekend celebrating with friends who have become our extended family since we have moves so far away from home. We had such a good time. Matt of course had to work on Black Friday and that could be whole other post about the crazy stories he came home telling. Let me tell you there are some really crazy ones! At the end of the weekend we were all pretty exhausted. Especially Kendall...



This was just after lots of turkey on Sunday. She said she was cold (I swear mom I turn my heater on for my children) so she put her jacket on and then fell asleep! We hope you had a blessed weekend with the people you love.

Cousin Amy

My beautiful cousin, who just moved to Chicago, decided to stop at our house on the way to her boyfriend's family's house in Boston. They were traveling there for Thanksgiving and we were glad to have them for the 17 hrs that they got to stay. She is always fun to be around and the kids love her. Here she is working her magic and putting Carson to sleep...

We also got to spend more time with her boyfriend Mike, that we love to harass. He is always a good sport about it. He even held Carson! I made him take this picture to prove to all the family back home that kids do like him! After spending more time with him I don't think I can randomly tease him anymore. He is a pretty cool guy. Thanks for coming to see us Cousin Amy! We love you!

Artists and Biters

Lately I have been really struggling with Kendall to contain her creative juices to paper. She insists on coloring on anything that is near the pen/marker/pencil in her precious little hand! I don't think she intentionally wants to color on things she shouldn't, it's just a really bad habit she has gotten into. Here is some of her latest artwork.


My carpet...

Her sister's bed...

Her closet...

My table...

Thank heaven for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser because it really is magic.

We have managed to get through our first 2 children without them hitting or biting others. Let's just say the 3rd time is the charm. Does this adorable little boy look like he would bite you?

He has six teeth now and loves to use them when he is excited about something. Mostly on me and occasionally on his sisters. Never on other children and never on Matt. It must be some guy code. At least he doesn't bite just to bite yet and I hope it never gets to that point.

What We Woke Up To...

Our first real snowfall is here! We have had some dustings but nothing that stuck. It's always beautiful to see snow on the ground the first few times. Then I feel like all I see is white for the next 5 months and I start to look like The Hulk pumpkin we have outside



I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everybody! This year we have a Gabriella from High School Musical 2. Isn't she beautiful? :)

 

Please meet Sleeping Beauty. She has awakened from her nap to take on the block and see if she can get the most candy. Isn't she stunning? :)

 

Next we have the Incredible Hulk. He is in search of his first candy bar. He can't be contained! Everybody run!

 

I have proof that Elvis is still alive and he's right here in East Amherst, NY. Shhhh. Don't tell anybody :)

 

Now the Sicky Witch of the East. She is on the mend but you never know what she has spiked the punch with or put in your Stew. :)

What We Do All Day

Sometimes as a stay at home mother I feel like I have to justify my daily duties to people who may have not experienced staying at home with kids. The question has never been posed to me in an "I don't think you do enough" kind of way, more of "don't you get bored?" or "I would be bored doing that all day" kind of way. So for all those who have never wanted to or yet had the chance to experience being a stay at home mom this is what I do all day right now...

This is my son trying to leave the scene of the crime. One of my beautiful daughters decided to leave the tissue box on the floor for some clever reason I'm sure and he found it. Carson LOVES to tear any sort of paper especially toilet paper. That usually means I'm tearing him off the toilet then immediately scrubbing him down for germs! He is definitely not interested in any of his toys, just things that will make Mommy chase him. Chasing him is half the day along with getting everybody dressed, on the bus, to preschool, feeding the pets, cooking meals, cleaning, gymnastics, naps, going to the gym, laundry, changing diapers, putting together school projects, play dates with friends, etc. Someday I'm going to write down every single thing I do in a month and hand it to my oldest when she gives me the "why can't you do what I want right now" look. I know I'm blessed to have the opportunity to stay at home with my gifts and do all these things for them. I wouldn't go back to a paying job for all the money in the world right now and to all those who are still curious, I'm never bored!

Spoth's Pumpkin Patch

Jayden's school is really getting into the season and wants their students to decorate a pumpkin like a character in their favorite book. So off we went to the local pumpkin patch to get the perfect pumpkin. These kind of places are always fun. Just one more reason to love living in New York in the Fall. The changing leaves are like one last gift of beauty before all the snow hits. Jayden insisted her sister and brother do this with her so we found 3 perfect pumpkins and so meet Fancy Nancy (Jayden's)

Sleeping Beauty (Kendall's)

and Incredible Hulk (Carson's)

All is original artwork courtesy of Daddy with painting in between the lines by the kids.

The Things You Do For Love...and the PTA

Jayden's school has a big Country Fair every year that is their main fundraising event. They ask for volunteers to bake things for the bake sale and the "cake walk" (every kids wins a cupcake-my kind of game) so I found the cutest way to incorporate the season from a recipe online.

I'm pretty proud of how they turned out. After I made them I wondered why I didn't think of this myself. Oh yeah, it's because I'm not that creative!

The Sound of Music...

The girls have just been introduced to one of my favorite movies of all time, The Sound of Music. They don't get to watch all of it, just the cool singing parts but this is what they do all day now...

They yodel! I promise that is Apple Cider, not Sangria :) Then Carson puts his own spin on things...

Their laughter is one of my favorite sounds!

The Great Wolf Lodge

We decided to take advantage of our Columbus Day holiday, go to Canada and stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.I can't believe just 30 short minutes (if the border isn't busy) from our house is one of the coolest things to do as a family. The Great Wolf Lodge is a fun-filled indoor water park along with an arcade, miniature golf and spas for both adults and little girls. We had so much fun as a family and realized we should do things like this more often. The only thing I regret is that I forgot my camera so all I have are the pictures I could take with my phone. Please ignore my finger in the picture above, I'm still getting used to that camera!

Jayden was such a big girl and went down every slide they had at least once. She even went down what I called the "toilet bowl" slide 4 times. It was pretty fast but she loved it. Kendall was brave for her age. She doesn't like to get splashed in the face too much so only went down the big family slide and the kiddie slides. Carson also went down the family slide and was scared. I know, we're terrible parents, but to our defense everybody there said it was tame and the lifeguards let us do it so we thought it was okay. He survived though.
The rooms were really cool. Here is what the girls got to sleep in. I wish I would have taken a picture of the girls faces when we walked in the room. They haven't been that excited since the Jonas Bros. concert.

I'm not as cool as all my fellow bloggers and I don't know how to use the links thing where you can click on a word and it will take you to the website. I do encourage you to go to: http://new.greatwolf.com and check it out. They have numerous locations. Who knows, there may be one near you!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I just had my 32nd birthday yesterday so, thanks to my friend Melissa, I decided to take my RealAge test. I'm really...25.9! I think I could have been younger because I didn't take my resting heart rate correctly. I would suggest going to the site realage.com it's a pretty interesting test.

As for my day, I had a great day filled with lots of calls and emails from my family and friends. Matt and I worked out and then I got showered with beautiful dresses from some of my favorite stores and went jeans hunting. That was interesting. I got to take a night off from cooking and cleaning and that was the end of a perfect day.

A Beautiful Gift

My grandmother had this quilt made for Carson and it came out just perfect! The lady who made it did a great job. The picture doesn't really do it justice and it even has some Denver Broncos patches on it. Here is my cute grandmother...

All of the grandkids like to tease each other about being her favorite for all the various reasons. Now I can claim she loves me more because she loves my son the most! However, I really think she loves us all for our own unique abilities. One of the things I love most about her is that she has a gift of making you feel like you are her favorite every time you are with her. Thanks Grandma. I love you!

Happy Birthday Kendall

Our "baby" is 4 today. She was born on Mexican Independence Day but when I was pregnant with her we liked to refer to it as Kendall Independence Day since I was finally induced. Here are some things that make Kendall who she is:
1. She loves to just be at home with her family.
2. She has never let size matter. She is by far our bitty baby of the pack but is definitely the most brave. We will often hear her sticking up for her bigger sister when they are playing with other children. She will try anything exciting at least once usually.
3. She has the most infectious laugh. She can get a whole room of strangers going if they hear her.
4. She is polite, even when she is defying you. Right now her favorite response is "No Fhanks" when you are asking her to do something for you.
5. She loves to pray and I learn so much from her when she does! She is always the first to volunteer in any situation.
6. She has the most beautiful head of hair. She has so much that I've often considered letting it grow a little more and then donating it but want it to be her choice.
7. She has a quick wit about her. She'll surprise you with her humor on a daily basis.
8. She is easy to please.

I could go on and on but just wanted to give you some of her highlights. Happy Birthday Kendall! Your family loves you so much! Look how much you have grown...