Chase's "Bertday"

Our little Mr. Chase turned three years old a few weeks ago. He kept saying "It's my bertday!" He was in heaven having a day all about him. It worked out nicely that Robert was able to have the day off work. We went out to breakfast and had Chase's favorite food: pancakes. Then we went to his favorite place: the zoo.

 

 Here's a picture of Carly just because she's cute. :)

The week before his birthday Chase started playing T-ball. Oh my. It's adorable and hysterical. He has no clue what's going on but he loves it! Anyway, he had a game the night of his birthday so we had cake and ice cream at the park after his game. He of course had a Lightning McQueen cake (which I didn't take a picture of) and every single gift he got from everyone was some sort of Cars paraphernalia. No joke, every. single. one. He LOVES Cars.

 

 

Chase's Birthday Questionaire

Favorite food: Pancakes

Nickname: Chaser, Chaser boy, Boogers, Buddy

Favorite fruit: Oranges

Favorite snack: Fruit snacks

Favorite movie: Cars and Cars 2

Favorite TV show: Little Einsteins

Favorite toy: Lightning McQueen

Favorite things to do: Run, play cars, yell at Carly

Greatest accomplishment: Jumping off the fourth stair into the basement

 

Special things about Chase

• He will ALWAYS have a toy car in his hand and 99.99999% of the time it is one of his 7 Lightning McQueen cars. But he literally always has a car in his hand. And most of the time one in each hand.
• He calls a shopping cart a "trolley" like he's from England or something. 
• He says remarkably good prayers. He amazes me with the profound things he says in them.
• At least one hour per day, I can't stand him. This sounds harsh but there is about an hour per day when he is just down right awful. He whines, throws fits, cries, etc for no reason whatsoever (at least not any reason I can ever figure out) and then he gets it of his system and he's great. So annoying.
• He is the cutest thing. Everything out of his mouth is adorable.
• We always say he beats to his own drum. He lives in his own Chase world and just does his own thing. But I find it adorable.
• He is very very sensitive and sweet. Very tender. This can make discipline difficult sometimes. He doesn't like anyone to be upset with him.
• Loves his sisters but also yells at Carly pretty much constantly. She seems to always try to get his stuff. He does not appreciate it!

We love our boy soooo much and are so glad to have him in our family. He is such a special boy.

 

Happy Birthday Little Man!



Last first day of Preschool

Emily had her last first day of preschool this week. This is her third year of preschool. I'm getting a little tired of it (I'm such an awesome mom!) but she LOVES it. It's hard to believe how fast this girl is growing up.

Brigham City Temple

On Labor Day we went up to the Brigham City Temple open house. It was insanely busy. But I guess that's the way it goes when we have to do everything on holidays since Robert doesn't get any other day off work. Every time we go to a temple Emily's always disappointed that she doesn't get to go in. So she was so excited to get to in this one! We invited Robert's family to join us.

The line when we got there. The gray building in the middle is where you enter the parking garage, weave Disneyland style, and eventually enter the temple. We waited about an hour or so before actually getting in the temple. Maybe longer.

The fountain is on the opposite side of the temple grounds from where you enter the temple. You can see the line in the background. When we were done it was apparently a 2 and a half hour wait. I guess we'll be grateful for the wait we had.

 

Cute cousins!

As we were waiting in line for the bus to go back to the parking lot, a family from my in-laws ward was just gettting off the bus and heading to get in line. They asked us if it was worth the wait. We weren't quite sure what to say! It was of course beautiful but it was also super hot and we had 5 young kids so it made it a bit of a challenge. Overall we were glad we went and Emily was glad to finally see the inside of a temple. If you go, make sure to ask to see the brides room. I think it was the highlight for me but it's not on the tour, you have to ask.

My Baby is 1! *tear*

Little Miss Carly Rae turned one year old last week! So crazy. I love first birthdays. For some reason I just feel like it's such a milestone. Maybe more for the parents than anything. Woohoo I survived the first year and my kid is still alive!

On her birthday she got balloons in her bed......

And a new baby doll!

She was pretty happy about it too!

This little firecracker is such a joy. She really is such a good baby. Some special things about Carly:

• Such a good sleeper!!! This I think was the one thing that has kept me semi-sane with having three young kids. Especially in the beginning. She has slept through the night since she was born. No joke. At the hospital I would send her to the nursery at 10 pm with the request to have her brought to me when she woke up so I could nurse. I wouldn't see her until 7 am. Bless you Carly.
• She has 4 teeth. Two on the top and two on the bottom. So cute.
• She has a reverse mullet. Her hair is super long in the front, almost to her chin, and then doesn't even reach her neck in the back. Kind of bizarre.
• She isn't walking yet but walks along furniture and can stand on her own for long periods of time. Just hasn't taken any steps.
• She is such a happy and friendly baby. She will pretty much go to anyone which is so unlike the other two kids. They weren't so friendly as babies. And she smiles all the time. The only time she cries is if she pooped her pants or she's tired.
• She is NUTS about food. Oh. My. Gosh. She goes absolutely bat crap crazy over food. If you have something you better be willing to share. Don't even think about sitting at a table unless it's to eat. She's eats everything.
• Loves to dance! If I tell her "dance Carly" she'll start to bounce up and down. And she always dances whenever she hears any music. Adorable.
• She's super affectionate. Loves to snuggle and give hugs. I don't remember any of our other kids being so affectionate.
• She folds her arms during prayers. It makes me smile. We say "time for prayers" and she immediately folds her chubby little arms. She also folds them after every song in sacrament meeting. She always thinks a prayer is coming. Or maybe she's just hoping. :)
• Now after sharing all these sweet nice things about her I have to say she can be down right mean! Maybe it's a third child thing. She gets this look in her eye and she will crawl right over and smack you in the face, pull your hair, scratch you, whatever she feels necessary. Because she gets this distinct look on her face it makes me think it is absolutely premeditated. Such a stinker! She can definitely hold her own in this family but it makes me a little worried if we ever have a fourth kid.

Some pictures from her Little Lady(bug) party

Trying so desperately to get that bow out

You can't just have plain water bottles. That would be absurd. Or is it absurd to have decorated water bottles? I get confused.

Banner and tissue paper pompoms I made. Says "Happy 1st Birthday"

Ladybugs on a log. Man I thought I was so clever to think of this! Craisins instead of raisins. Haha! Not really that clever.

Present time. Lot of things that play music. She loves=I hate.

Cake! I thought she would go bananas over her cake seeing that she loves food. But she just ate it like a normal baby. Maybe it's because she had previously eaten 2 rolls, half an apple, and about 10 grapes.



I had to include this one because it is very rare to get a picture of the faces of these two! Chase and his cousin Kylie have become quite good friends.

Sleep Habits

Every night before Robert and I go to bed we check on all the kids to make sure no one is going to fall off the bed or suffocate or anything. And I swear, every night they are in the most bizarre positions. So I decided to document them. These were taken over three consecutive days and I was standing in the same spot every night. I don't know how they ever get any sleep. And how do we not have more falling off the bed incidents?!

He apparently found a sippy cup somewhere and decided to spill it all over his bed. And then lay right on top of it.

Under her is her comforter, pillow, ladybug pillow pet, and puppy.

Carly's pose of choice.

Crazy kids!

Randomness

*Emily made her first competition dance team! Woohoo! She's so excited. I'm excited too.

*Did anyone watch the show "The Week The Women Went?" I want to go on that show. Mainly just to get a break for a week. But the premise is that all the women over age 18 in the whole town leave for one week and chaos ensues. My favorite line from the first episode was from a dad with two kids. 9 year old son has severe ADHD and has to have his medication very regulated, which his wife always takes care of. Then they have a 7 year old girl and he said "She's a drama queen. And there ain't no medication for that." Haha.

*Michelle Obama is my hero. I just love her. Not even for political reasons. I just think she's an awesome lady.

*During the Olympics I got barely 5 hours of sleep per night. And thanks to Carly it was not consecutive. Ever since they ended on Sunday I've been sick. Lame.

*Is summer over yet? For reals.

The end.

A few months ago we were up at the Capitol to try and take some family pictures. Let's just say it didn't go so well. But I love these ones of each of our kids. They are so true to each of their personalities. Emily is the bubbly happy one. Chase is the more quiet and reserved one. And Carly is well, a baby, but she is always taking everything in. Very observant with her wide eyes. I love these kids!