Happy Belated Halloween!

Can't say it was the best Halloween ever but no Halloween is the best ever to me. I'm just glad it is over and I pretend I love the holiday for the kids. Although I do like the candy so I guess it's not the worst. We had a ward trunk or treat that night that was a lot of fun.

Jonas was a good boy and only went around once and then went and passed out candy. Bella probably went around the cars 5 times. By the end of it she said her bag was to heavy to carry. Bella had a dance performance for the retirement home. She did really good but we are always running late that I didn't get to paint her face but she was still cute.

We finally got around to carving pumpkins even though Branon and I weren't too excited about it but we had been promising them for days and finally got around to it on Halloween.

Jenna loved it and kept putting her head in her little pumpkin, and trying to eat it!

This is why it is good to have pets!

The other day while Jenna was taking a nap, I too wanted to go lay down for a few minutes. Before I can Bella comes to me and says "Mom will you play dolls with me?" Bella mom wants to go lay down for a few. Bella says "but I have no one to play dolls with." I feeling a little gulity I really should go play with her but then I see the cat and I tell Bella, I bet Daisy would love to play dolls with you. Bella looks at Dasiy and says "Oh mom, she told me she wanted to play dolls with me." This made me so happy!

Here are a few recent pictures of Jenna. She has been nothing but trouble lately but very cute so it's all worth it. I would write more update but have to go pick up Jonas and we still don't have internet so I'm at the library doing this. I'm still hoping one day soon the interent will come soon.

Wondering where I have been?

Me too. It's almost been 2 months since I've posted and let me tell you why. It's called dial-up. I no longer get on the Internet and I found out a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to get cable Internet that I won't be able to get anything different until October. At least I hope, the guy told me that my neighborhood should be getting new cables and I would have to wait. I'm crossing my fingers that is just a month away.

Let's see the last time I posted I was in Alaska. I had a blast up there and one day I will have to post pictures but that will have to wait until I get that Internet. We came home and did a week of swim lessons. I was lucky because I could go while they had their lessons and Jenna got to have fun in the kiddie pool. That girl has now fear. She kept trying to go into the big pool. Plus she had so much fun walking in the kiddie pool that she sometimes would go under since she would scream if you tried to put any kind of float device on her. Don't worry I was right there to grab her and she didn't mind at all going under. So you would think washing her hair in the tub wouldn't be so hard.

Then we went to Lake Tahoe for my family reunion. It was such a blast! I love that place. It's a lot of fun when your kids have other kids to play with. We stayed a couple days after everyone left and Jonas kept saying "I have no friends to play with." We did a lot of fun things while we were there but my kids favorite was playing at the beach. I was telling my aunt how we have bad luck with cars, and literally that afternoon a bear broke our driver's window and climbed right in and made a mess of our bag of pretzels. I should be lucky that the only damaged done is the broken window and the mess left behind. So if you are in Lake Tahoe make sure you don't leave any food in the car.

School in now in full swing. Jonas so far is doing much better than last year although this morning was a little rough but hopefully it was just one morning verses 180. Bella started dance today and of course she loves it. I also have her in two different pre-schools one that I will be teaching every 6 weeks. I figured it's only every 6 weeks. I thought I could never teach especially pre-school aged but I figured it probably is the easiest since they don't care if you mess up.

Jenna is getting bigger and into more trouble but is so cute. I knew as soon as she figured out how to walk it would be more trouble. She is now climbing on the couch and running and jumping on it. Her favorite thing to climb is the table. She can also reach the edge of the counter so I'm learning really fast to move things where she can't reach.

Hopefully you have survived this post and sorry that there are no pictures I will try to post those next time.

Guess who can walk finally?

Jenna! She was my earliest crawler but my latest walker. I thought she would for sure beat Bella who didn't walk until she was 15 months. She was just like her as far a standing up in the middle of the room just waiting forever to take that first step. Could even move her legs up and down, and only take one tiny step and then fall down and start crawling. Jenna did that for a little while and all I wanted her to do was walk so she could stop getting all her cloths, hands, knees and feet all dirty. July 5(16 months) she just started to walk from one room to the other. It was so funny to see her do it, and she thought she was pretty cool. I wasn't sure how she was going to do with us going to Alaska(we have been up here since the 9 and go back tomorrow, that's why I have been able to post some. Once we get our Internet up and running I will have to post about our trip) but she is becoming a speed walker now and before long I'm sure she will be running, in fact she already has tried. Here are a few pictures of her taking more than one step.

I love her face, she really has the cutest expressions.

I'm doing it.

I finally made it.

Yes I can!

Birthdays!

For those that don't know we have three birthdays within 5 days of each other and sometimes those birthdays fall on Father's day. It's one big party that week and I feel like it cost just as much as Christmas.

Mine came first, on June 21, which fell on Father's Day. You are probably wondering what kind of cake that is. Angel food cake and I just love to eat it plain. Branon had a Family Reunion that weekend in Tropic(it's close to Bryce Canyon) so we came home that day and had foil dinners in our backyard with Branons brother's family. I feel like my birthday is just another day and I don't make it that big of deal. It is more fun to spoil the kids on their day. They don't get the royal treatment like I did growing up. I remember for my birthdays we would get our special box of cereal which was usually Lucky Charms. My parents had red dishes that were only used on special occasions and so we would get those red dishes. My mom would also make our favorite dinner. Are you wondering how old I am? It's my last year in my twenties. I'm going to be living it up this year.
Jonas's birthday is a couple of days later on the 23. Branon had to end up working that night so instead of being alone we went up to Loa and stayed with some friends. We got pizza and a cake and went to the park. I didn't realize this until after he had is birthday at the same place and wore the same outfit. Oh-well! This year however was a lot more chill we made a bigger deal last year. He had more friends and did the whole Star Wars theme.
A friend asked him how old he was now and he said "I'm still 5, until I blow out my candles and then I will be 6." He says he wants to stay 6 forever and doesn't want to get older.

Finally there is Bella, whose birthday is the 26. I love this very cheesy look. As you can tell she was very excited about her birthday. When Jonas woke up that morning she told him "It's my turn to have a birthday now." I guess it works to have all our birthday's close. We didn't do to much for her birthday. She just had her new friend that lives down the street come over to have cake and ice cream. She is now 4!
When I went to do there well check ups the doctor asked if my husband was tall. Go figure, Jonas is still way over 100 percent in his height. Most people thinks he is 8. And Bella is 95 percent in her height.
Now in less then a couple of weeks we will be celebrating another birthday, Branons! Jenna is just the odd one in our family. I joke with Branon that we are going to have another baby so it could be close to Jenna's birthday. He just laughs, because he knows that will never happen!

Our New House

I am finally updating this blog, and it will take a few post to update the month of June. It was a crazy month and am glad it's over. We had to be out of our Loa house May 29 since we had our renters that needed to move in that night. We closed on our new house June 3 so we had to move all our stuff in storage for a few weeks until we finished doing things to the house. We stayed with Branon's brother in St. George and just traveled up to Parowan everyday to do the work. You ask what we did? There was popcorn ceilings that we got rid of and that what so much work put glad we did it before we moved in since it made a huge mess. There was wall paper downstairs and that took a few days to get off, then we painted the whole house. We are replacing the whole downstairs floor. We have two rooms done, and we have the hall way and family room to still finish.

This is our backyard and one of the reasons why we liked this house we because of the trees.

Our front. I know you are thinking a split level, not my favorite but the appraiser told us that our house was the "deal of the year in Parowan" so we couldn't be too picky!

Jenna giving you one of many looks.

Bella got hold of scissors the day before we moved. She cut some hair on the top of her head really really short. It what you call unfix able. I took her in and had a few inches cut off and her bangs cut shorter. I think I like shorter hair, and she already needs to get it cut again.

We do not have Internet at the moment and that is one of the reason's why I haven't updated sooner but hopefully we will get it soon. That is something I can't live without!

To the best sister

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!

I know you are probably loving me for this picture but it's the only one I can find on this computer because the other one is packed away. We look fat because we are, but it's because we are pregnant. I have the best sister anyone could ask for. She is not only my sister but my best friend. After our mother died she took the roll as mother and of course I wasn't very nice about it at all, actually I was quite mean to her. Now that I'm older, not wiser but older I look back and appreciate everything she did for me and know that she was just looking out for me because she loved me. I think our relationship grew stronger after she had brain surgery. My dad came home from the hospital and told me that she wanted me to come visit her. I remember being touched by that because I said some pretty harsh things to her before her surgery and was surprised that she would even want to see me. She is such a wonderful example to me and look up to her so much. I don't think I could be as strong as she is for everything she has gone through. Thank you Katie for being a wonderful sister and hope that you had a wonderful Birthday!

Where did my brain go?

Okay I wasn't born with a lot of brain, being the last kid I got all the crappy left overs that you would give to a pig. I know this because all my older siblings are very smart. Then what brain I do have I think after 3 pregnancy's I don't have any left. So tonight I had Jenna in the bathtub, and I was pulling my hair back, then I look over and she had pooped a whole lot in the bathtub. Not only did she poop in the bathtub but she apparently ate it. Seriously happen all within seconds. Got her out and it takes forever for the bathtub to drain so you would think "put a diaper on her". No didn't do that. Almost have the bathtub cleaned out before I hear a lot of cussing in the other room. Branon came in the kitchen and slid and almost feel on his face. Yea, slid on Jenna's poo. I'm still in the bathroom and here comes Jonas saying he has poo on his hands and on his socks. Really how much poop can there be? It was all over the kitchen floor, down the hall, and in Jonas and Bella's room. Apparently she has really bad diarrhea. Branon was so awesome and cleaned it all up. After it was all cleaned up we had a good laugh about it and will know next time to put a diaper on her, which I should have done in the first place.

Moving to the big town

We are moving and some it may come to you as a surprise and others not so much. We are known to move a lot and let me tell you it's one of my favorite things to do! I really should be a pro at it by now but I hope I can be a little more organized this time and have it go smoothly. Right now we are living in Loa, a population of 500 people we are moving to

Parowan.

The population is 2700. Branon applied for a job in Panguitch called Silverado Ranch. It's somewhat similar. Right now he works for a wilderness program and only works with the kids for 6-8 weeks. This place is a Therapeutic Boarding school and the kids are their usually at least 12 months. Parowan is 15 minutes North of Cedar City so we will be a lot closer to convenience but still have the small town which I have grown to love.

I will miss Loa a lot. I have made some really good friends that I hate to leave behind but I still plan on coming back to visit. When we first told our children they were not too excited but know they have no choice. I don't think it really phases them until we actually move. Bella says she wants to move our house. Really! That is one thing I won't miss, our next house will have two bathrooms something I'm going to look forward to.

Bucket Head

Here are some recent pictures of Jenna. It amazes me how different personality each kid comes with. I have to say Jenna is in one of my favorite stages. She doesn't walk yet but getting close, but she can speed crawl. She got tubes in her ears about a month ago, but that seemed to not work. The last few days have been extremely hard with her and finally yesterday I could no longer take her screaming. I held off a little thinking she couldn't have another ear infection but of course a double ear infection. My kids get there teeth a little later then normal, she has 4 on top and 3 on bottom and I noticed she is getting her molars in. I think that has to something to do with the extra fussiness and ear infection so I can't wait till they all break through.

The other day she put the bucket on her head and would talk and she thought she was so funny. Then she started to crawl and would run into the wall, the dog, and table. You would think I would have charged our video camera since I missed out on Jenna's birthday but that would have been another good video.

This is what Jenna loves to do most, go and pull Bella's hair. When I tell her "NO" she looks at me and starts to laugh and does it again. I think she also likes to get Bella's reaction. Bella has to put her toys up higher too because she starts to freak out when Jenna comes close to them. I can tell these two are going to get along very well!

I just loves this picture so I had to post it!

Popcorn Bead

This is a $65 bead.

Last Monday I was looking in Bella's ear and noticed there is something wrong here. I asked "Bella did you put something in your ear?" "No" was her reply. I asked if her ear hurt and she said no. Then on Tuesday I decided to take her to the clinic since I needed to take Jenna in and see if she still had an ear infection. The Doctor looked in her ear and said yes there is definitely something in there. She tried to get it out while Bella screamed bloody murder, and no success. She told me that I will have to go down to Cedar City(2 hour drive one way) to go to a ENT specialist to get it out. I asked her again did you put something in your ear, again she said no. I asked her "Did Jonas put something in your ear?" Of course she said "Yes". I had Branon ask Jonas if he had put something in her ear. He told him that Bella put a popcorn seed(kernel) in her ear and that she tried to get him to put one in his ear. Then the next day(Wednesday) Branon, Me, Bella, and Jenna took the 2 hour drive and went to the ENT specialist and he had the right tools to pop it out. She didn't scream has hard thank goodness. I told them that they were going to have to strap her down because the way she was at the clinic. After we got home I asked her if she put that in her ear and she finally said "YES". I asked her if she is going to ever put something in her ear again. She is such a smart girl because she said "NO". Jonas wanted to see what was in her ear and I told him that it wasn't a popcorn seed it was a bead. Then he told me, "Mom I said popcorn bead not seed." Whatever it was, it was expensive. Jenna still had an ear infection so we at least made more of the trip and did her pre-check up to get tubes in her ear. So on Tuesday morning she will be getting tubes in her ear. Hopefully this will help the process to walking. She is now 13 months and isn't even close to walking. Bella didn't walk until she was 15 months old but she had to get tubes in her ear too. Two weeks after she had tubes in her ear she started walking.

It's funny that Bella is wanting to be the big sister now and want to hold her. Bella did not want to touch Jenna when she was a little baby. Now that Jenna is on the go she hates it when Bella tries to hold her down. I have hope that those two will get along.

I love this expression of Jenna. I love this age when they are showing more of their personality.

"I want this for Christmas"

If I could go back 5 months and teach Bella that you don't get everything you want, and you have to work for things you do want, I would. Instead when we were in the toy aisle when she wanted something I said "maybe for Christmas". That would avoid the total melt town and she would agree to that. Now that it's March and we go down the toy aisle, all I hear is "I WANT THIS FOR CHRISTMAS! I WANT THIS FOR CHRISTMAS!" I get a lot of looks and laughs on that one. Oh and I love commercials on Nick, and she gets mad at me if I don't see what she wants for Christmas.

Picture this

1 adult, 8 kids(5 and younger), 1 dog, 2 cats, many many toys, in a 900 square foot house. Yes I watched kids last week and survived. It actually went really well because all the kids got a long but it's something I couldn't do day in and day out. Two of the women that babysit weren't able to do it for a couple of days so I help out once in awhile for those that need help. It was hard on the second day though because Bella was really sick and wanted to be held. I finally took her to the doctor and she had a high fever and a really bad throat. I requested the magic shot since I have to hold her down to take medicine. The next day she was up and playing again.

The pictures are flip flop because I forgot that the last picture you add goes first. You can guess what one I took while I had all the kids.

Update on Jonas

I just wanted to thank you for all the comments, it's really helped. I called the special ed teacher who works one on one with Jonas and told her what his teacher had said and was concerned that we should do more testing. She told me that she would talk to both teachers and then call me back. After a few days she called back and told me that both teachers weren't really concern and what Ms. Davies was telling me that she is more worried about Jonas socially( I guess I wasn't understanding her). If you know Jonas he gets in his own world and makes these noises(there hard to explain but it sounds like he is playing cars crashing) and doesn't care who is around. So she is worried that the other kids would make fun of him. He also has a hard time focusing but they don't seem to be concern about that right now. After reading that post it made it sound like I don't like his teachers or at least the morning one and I actually like both of them a lot. Ms. Davies the morning one I feel like she has helped him catch up tremendously in ways that I don't think any other teacher can do. I am doing much better since that post and am working more with Jonas one on one time.

Happy Birthday Jenna

I can't believe you are 1! This year has definitely gone by too fast. The past month I have been dreading for this day because you are the last I don't want you to get bigger. You are not walking yet but that doesn't keep you from anything. You are a speed crawler, when you see something you want in eye view, you are there tearing it up. I think your favorite thing to do is scream and you love to hear yourself do it. When we were at a basketball game and in the bathroom you started screaming and thought it was funny to hear it because it made an echo. You love Bella and Jonas and love to play with them, Jonas especially loves to make you laugh but can be a little rough at times. Bella as well likes to make you laugh but she gets so mad at you when you start to go after her toys. You have been such a joy this last year and I'm looking forward to the next year.

Jenna had no problem digging into her cake. By far she was the funniest to watch and of course my video camera was dead. All the kids laughed so hard and I think she really liked being center of attention. Jenna would flare her arms all around and cake and icing would go all over. Of course she had to do her crazy loud scream. One day I will record it and post it.

Behind on blogging

I really have gotten behind on blogging, the outside world, and cleaning of my house, and taking care of my kids. I have been busy reading, reading, and reading. January I spent too much time reading and so I'm going to take a little break from the books and start working on the stuff I told myself "there is always tomorrow". A few weeks ago, Branon was gone for the weekend at a basketball tournament so one of the other coaches wife decided to take the kids to Richfield and go bowling.(note to self never take the kids bowling unless husband is with and the kids have food in their tummy). Our plan was to get there early enough and do bowling before lunch and then do our ritual Walmart shopping. Of course we leave late and then we hit traffic. No it's not the traffic you think of when you are in the city, it's called cattle traffic. I have no idea why I didn't take a picture of it because I've never seen so much cattle on the highway before. Now that I've lived in the country for a few years I know how to handle it but the city folks they get scared and have no clue how to drive in it. So if you are ever in cattle traffic you just honk your horn over and over, and pray that they don't run you over. The kids surely enjoyed looking out the window at seeing them poop in their face. So that even made us more late and by the time we made it bowling our kids were very hungry and whiny, although the pictures really tell a different story. After bowling we went to pizza hut and once the kids had food in there belly's it made the Walmart trip not so bad.

(I think Jonas forgot he was bowling, and tried basketball instead)

Jenna wished she was big enough to go bowling

For some reason Bella is famous around here for her butt crack. I wonder why!

This is what happens when ..........

I'm not watching my children. I heard laughter and thought, Wow Jonas and Bella are getting along, what a miracle. Knew I should of checked on them then but I didn't so I walked in on this. I don't know why Bella likes to ruin her toys by putting them in the water, but I thought it was funny when he got goggles and put his face in.

Now that Jenna is very mobile and fast it's hard to keep up with her. She loves to get into anything she can. Her favorite, the dishwasher and cat food.

Our trip to Captiol Reef

I should say our drive instead of trip, because it's only 3o minutes from where we live. You would think I would go more in the summer time when it is not so cold but for some reason I take the drive more in the winter. This summer I'm really going to try harder to go more. It's paradise for Jonas but the problem with him that he goes a lot faster then I and Bella so I'm affraid he is not going to be careful and end up going off one of the cliffs.

The deer in park our very tame and they don't care if you drive right up to them.