.

The true meaning of Christmas

2008-12-21T09:14:00.001-08:00

This holiday season I was feeling a little overwhelmed, and well a little bit cranky. On top of all the Christmas craziness I just got called to the primary presidency (like a week ago!). Well, the other morning I just happened to pick up the december Ensign and read just about the whole thing before I could put it down. The stories brought tears to my eyes. The overall theme was giving to others and being selfless. It really made me stop and think about the "true meaning" of Christmas. Christ gave us the ultimate gift of service. I got excited to serve those children in the primary! It also made me stop and think that I need to spend more time with my family. So I decided to spend the day doing fun things with my kids, and having a day where we could just relax and feel the Christmas spirit. We listened to Christmas music and decorated gingerbread houses, all the while staying in our pj's. I hope you all kind find the time to serve others as well as spend time with your families, for this is the true meaning of Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As you can see Alexis has already sampled some of the candy!

The finished product. Alexis did the whole design, I just did the frosting!

Tommy kept wanting to pull off the candy and eat it!

A party fit for a princess!

2008-11-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Alexis had her fourth birthday. I can't believe my baby is four! Right now she is obsessed with Disney Princesses so naturally she wanted a Cinderella party. I had the girls dress up like their favorite princess and the boys like knights. They decorated crowns with jewels, played pass the glass slipper, and the "real" Cinderella graced the party with her presence. Alexis had a ball, no pun intended! I am surprised I survived it as I had 15 little princess and knights running wild around my house! But it was worth it to see the smile on my little princesses face. Unfortunately my husband was on picture and video duty- so we got more video than pictures- no pictures of the real Cinderella- total bummer!

The birthday girl opening presents in the morning-notice Tommy crying in the background because the presents were not for him!

The party decorations- I made those star wands out of rice crispy treats!

The rice crispy wand

Making jeweled crowns

Alexis' very first real birthday cake- up until now she has been allergic to it! I don't know who was more excited for the birthday cake she or myself (I live for birthday cake!)

Happy Birthday Alexis!!

I'm baaaack!

2008-10-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, I thought I was going to give up on blogging, but what the heck I'll give it another try! (Jamie this is for you!) A lot has happened since I last posted, but I won't bore you with all of the details. I think I will choose a few things here and there and then hopefully continue on! One major thing that has happened is that I got braces- yes folks braces! Man, do these things STINK! As a teenager I refused to get them and now at 28 I am suffering through them for two years- yikes! Oh well, I just keep telling myself the result will be worth it! I'm still debating whether to show a picture as I look pretty ridiculous! Anyway here's what's been happening:

Alexis' first day of Ballet- which she loves! After every class she shows me her new moves.

This is Tommy's favorite thing about Ballet. While we are waiting for class to get over he hides in the middle of all of them!

Alexis' first day of preschool with her buddy Micah- she was pretty nervous, but now she loves it!

ok here is one with the braces! This is at Alexis preschool fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch. we had such a fun time and even got a tractor ride, Tommy was in heaven!

We took the Kids to the Treehouse Museum's Enchanted Forest a week before Halloween. The kids had so much fun, except Tommy couldn't sit still long enough to hear all of the stories! This is where I kept finding him:
On the his favorite thing there- the fire truck!

These are some of the fun things they got to take home from the night at the museum! (giving their best gurrr faces!) They had such a fun time- I highly reccomend going next year!

O.K. there are more pictures, but I think I have to save them for another day. Few, I did it! Man I have been putting this off for so long- It feels good to be back!

C is for candy factory!

2008-07-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

The other week my sister and I thought we better get going on our ABC project and took the kids to the Sweets Candy factory for a tour. Yes, we are only on the letter c, but you know how it goes-summer gets busy yada, yada! But let me tell you, we had so much fun! I highly recommend going! I took Alexis when she was about eights months, but this time was so much more fun! First of all you get to wear these awesome hair nets that definitely fulfill your lunch lady dreams! Next you get to watch a little video explaining a little at what goes on at the factory. You then get led around the factory and get to see how the candy is made, and if you are lucky you get to taste some of the candy fresh off the conveyor belts. We came on a good day because we got to taste the orange sticks, chocolate covered marshmallow bears, and candy corn flavored taffy! (yes they make the holiday candies like six months in advance!) I have a killer sweet tooth that has been passed on down from my mother to me and then onto Alexis so- WE WERE IN HEAVEN! The air was filled with the smell of chocolate that permeated into our nostrils! It was like watching an episode of the food network's unwrapped, but in person! You end the tour by taking a spin around the candy shop, and naturally spending a fortune on candy because you just can't help yourself! I think we have finally now recovered from our sugar coma!

The lunch lady hats were a huge hit, and caused hours of laughter!

Tommy, Alexis and their cousins Kate and Jack

I just had to show this picture of Alexis the first time I took her!

can you believe how chubby she was?!

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

We had a great time this Fourth! We started the festivities with the Kaysville parade. Alexis and Tommy loved it! Alexis scored on the candy, mostly because her cousins so graciously shared theirs with her. She wasn't quite fast enough-though she did catch a weird looking chicken thing off the Bukos truck that some crazy lady tried to steel right from her hands, but Alexis held on tight as I gave the lady the stink eye! We then went to Oakridge Country Club for dinner and fun. We even got to ride the golf carts! The kids got a huge kick out of this, and Tommy turned out to be a good driver- go figure! We played so hard that the kids couldn't stay up for the fireworks- maybe next year! But Nate and I had a great view of about three different shows from our front and back yard. A perfect end to a great day!

Tommy enjoying his first parade

The infamous chicken!

Hanging out at the parade

Tom Dog enjoying dinner

Alexis with her Little Mermaid balloon

Crazy drivers!

Quest for the Best!

2008-06-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Today the kids and I made our favorite Sunday treat-COOKIES! I admit I have an adiction to baking cookies. Some people meditate or do yoga to relax-I bake cookies- or brownies or cakes, whatever I'm in the mood for! So today I felt like chocolate chip. I don't have a favorite recipe so I just used the one on the back of the chocolate chips bag. Well I was sorely dissapointed-they came out flat as a pan cake. I have tried several recipes for these glorious cookies and I can't come up with a tried-and-true. You know the cookie that is not too cakey and not too flat-just right. So if all you bakers out there can help a girl out, I would love your favorite recipe! We can even turn it into a competition-the winner gets bragging rights! And I promise I will try them all because cookies are my crack! (just kidding- well maybe not!)

p.s you can leave your recipe on the comment section or email me at bestchocchip@aol.com

the dissapointing result-though they still tasted good, but did not satisfy!

Latest and Greatest (it's about time!)

2008-06-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad blogger- shame on me! A lot has gone on since the last post so I will try to catch up without boring everyone!

First of all Tommy has finally started walking! It's the drunken sailor walk mixed with a little prancing of the feet- I love it! He thinks he is hot stuff- which he is!

Next Nate and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on June 7th. Wow how time flies. I still remember Nate trying to hit on me at Church and thinking he was the most handsome man I had ever seen! I feel so lucky to be married to such a great man, and am very grateful he is such a wonderful husband and father. I love you Nate! I wish I had pictures of our wedding on my computer but our scanner isn't working. So you get a repeat of this picture from our cruise. I realize that we have very few pictures of us together- how sad!

Next Alexis started and passed her first level of swim lessons! She was a little reluctant to go but as soon as she saw her teacher and got in the water her fears went down the drain! She went crazy! She was always asking "what's next teacher?" I was so proud of my little Bobo. Now every time she gets in the bath she likes to show me her new "moves!" Her personal favorite is floating on her back, but my favorite is her awesome belly flop! Tommy was seriously upset that he couldn't get in the water too, but was easily bribed with multiple packs of fruit snacks!

(I don't know if she was more excited about passing swim lessons or getting a treat!)

(Notice the mouth packed full of a whole bag of fruit snacks!)

Two saturdays ago I was able to get together with some of my childhood friends. It brought back so many good memories. I spent many days and nights with these girls playing night games, watching movies- I remember watching "The Labrynth" for the first time at Brooke and Ambers house, talking about boys, trying to stay up all night at sleepovers, the list could go on! It was so good to see all of them, and to see how their lives have turned out. All of them have turned into wonderful women, and I am in awe of each one of them. I really miss those times we shared as kids. I will always have fond memories with these girls. Thanks Brooke for welcoming us into your home. For those girls who live in Utah we should get together more often. And for Amber I will have to settle being updated by reading your blog, but please call me anytime you are in Utah and we can catch up. Yet again I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics of the festivities, sorry!

Lastly we have really been enjoying the begining of summer now that the weather has gotten better (what's with the cold rain?)! Last Friday I bought the kids a blow up pool. They had so much fun swimming in it that after I had dried them off and got them dressed they wanted to just go stick their feet in- you can guess how that ended up!

Learning the ABC's with pizzaz!

2008-05-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

My sister Kim and I are both trying to teach our kids the alphabet. So she heard of the idea to make learning fun and memorable by having a day for each letter of the alphabet. So for example on day "B" you would eat bagels, blueberries, etc. You would go to a place that starts with B like a bakery or bookstore. And you would work on writing the letter B and saying it's sound throughout the day. We also decided to take it one step further and make a look book of each day we do. We are going to collect memorabilia and pictures from each day and put them in a book so our kids can look through them and see the letters and all of the fun stuff we do! We decided if we did two letters a week it will keep us busy the whole summer. You can get really creative with the activities you do, and you can come up with a lot of things that are free!
So on Wednesday we stared with "A" day and went to the Aerospace museum at Hill Air force Base. Admission was free and the kids loved seeing all of the real airplanes. There are even flight simulator games the kids can play, and paper airplane making contests. After the museum we ate at Artic circle- notice the A in Artic circle- and had apples for afternoon snacks. It was a really fun day- but both of us forgot our cameras! So no pictures of this day, hopefully I won't forget again! But here are some cute pictures of my kids anyway! Have fun learning!

What happens at dinnertime when Mommy is not home!

Alexis the cool ballerina!

Vroom,Vroom, Beep, Beep, CRASH!

2008-04-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

Do you remember those "Little Tyke" plastic cars from when you were little? Well, I do! I never actually had one of my own, but I secretly coveted one. So when one of my friends got one for her kids it brought back serious feelings of want! So I found these beauties on the Walmart website and never looked back! It's so fun to watch the kids zoom around the house (they will be exiled outside as soon as the weather is warmer)! When Alexis isn't looking Tommy will try to hijack her pink car- for some reason he always likes Alexis' stuff better! I don't blame him that pink and blue car is a beauty. I seriously love reliving my childhood through my kids!

Treehouse Museum

2008-04-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

On Monday my friends Jamie, Becky, and Michelle and I, along with our excited kiddos, took a trip to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. It was too funny to see how Alexis ran from each exhibit with an excited fervor, never stopping to take a breath! And when she couldn't find her friends she made new ones! Tommy had so much fun playing with the trains and his favorite thing- the BIG fire truck! He did freak out though at the big stuffed dinosaur (thanks Jamie!) I highly suggest taking your kids! Mondays from 10-12 am parents are free and kids are $3. Don't you just love a great deal?!

Tommy and his best buddies Abby and Bryson (too busy to look at the camera!)

Tommy navigating the huge map of Utah

The future President?

Alexis sailing on the Mayflower

I couldn't get the kid off of this BIG fire truck!

Alexis jamming on the bongo drums in a life-size tee pee

Cruise to Me-hi-co!

2008-03-18T14:19:00.001-07:00

This last week Nate and I left the kiddies with my parents and took a cruise to Mexico! Mind you this was the very first time I have ever left the kids- the only other time I have been away from Alexis is in the hospital when Tommy was born! I braced myself for hysterics but as we boarded the ship all I felt was excitement! We had such a great time- I have never been so lazy in my life! We would wake up around 9:00 am, eat breakfast, lay out by the pool, eat lunch, lay out by the pool, eat ice cream, read a book or two, maybe have another ice cream, head to dinner, and return to our room where our bed had been turned down for the night with little chocolates on our pillows and towels formed in animal shapes! We also toured Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. I'll tell you I could get used to having all of my meals cooked for me and having a maid service! At the end of the week I was ready to see the kids and be back on land- although I will miss the soft serve machine and told Nate that once he hits it big we should get one for the kitchen!

Puerto Vallarta

Mazatlan

Cabo San Lucas

At Dinner on the ship

View from our balcony on the ship

Thomas' One Year pictures

2008-02-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

So here are Tommy's one year pictures actually taken at thirteen months- but whatever! I want to thank my very talented, awesome, and generous friend Jamie for taking and editing the pictures! I must say-though very biased- he is completely adorable and very handsome!

Spring Fever!

2008-02-15T09:25:00.001-08:00

Raise your hand if you are soooo sick of winter! That's what I thought! These days we have been having to get creative to keep our selves busy. . . The laundry basket is the new "it" toy.

Making my favorite childhood treat Frosted Graham Crackers has kept us busy for awhile and satiated our sweet tooth. It's really easy just make your favorite frosting ( butter cream, cream cheese, etc.) and frost between two graham cracker squares making a "sandwhich." I recommend putting them in the fridge for awhile to harden the frosting up a little. My personal favorite is chocolate butter cream- it tastes a little like smores without the marshmellow.

We have taken several trips to Target which just results in me buying something I didn't really need! So, I'm running out of ideas. What do you do to keep yourself and your kids entertained on those cold, snowy, boring winter days? Well, for now we will have to make do, but until spring

comes I will be dreaming of this . . .

Happy First Birthday Tommy!

2008-01-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Tommy's first birthday. I can't believe how fast this last year went, and how fast my baby has grown! We had our families over for cake and ice cream. Tommy didn't quite now what to do with all of the attention! He was a little timid with the cake at first, and then he really got into it by smushing it in his hands and pretending he was rubbing in lotion (it's so funny-whenever he sees me rubbing lotion on my hands he rubs his hands together too!) I just want to tell my sweet little boy how much I love him, and how grateful I am to be his mommy.

Here are a few things about Thomas at age 1:

He loves to cuddle and when I pick him up he always gives me pat on the back

He always has a smile (well, almost always) on his face and loves to laugh

His favorite toys are cars and he loves to drive them on the ground

He also loves to look at books and point to the pictures

He is a very good eater and will eat just about anything I put infront of him

His hair has awesome body and will not lay down no matter what I try!

He finally started crawling on new years eve!

Most of all he is a little angel who brings me so much joy

I love you Tom Tom!

The Birthday Boy!

Not quite sure what he should do . . .

Now he's got the hang of it!

Opening his super cool digger truck!

Taking the truck for a spin just he before he tipped over!

Mele Kilikimaka (very belated!)

2008-01-16T20:37:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was so fun because it was Tommy's first one, and it he had a great time with the wrapping paper! I ( "Santa") did indeed get Alexis what we call a "pogo stick ball." At first sight she did not want anything to do with it, it was not indeed a "stick", but after telling her that Santa thought this one would be a little safer she warmed up to it! The day after Christmas my whole side of the family flew to Maui. It was my first time to Hawaii, and we had so much fun! The Kids were in heaven! It was a little overcast and rained a couple days, so we didn't come home with a tan, but we did come home rested, relaxed, and in need of a vacation from our vacation!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth and a pogo stick?

2007-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

It looks like Tommy has gotten an early Christmas present! His top two teeth have broken through, which is a sigh of relief because we had a few sleepless nights full of inconsolable crying! He also has gotten his bottom two teeth and his two incisors. This is completely foreign to me because Alexis didn't get any teeth until she was about 13 months! Tommy is really funny right now. Instead of crawling he steam rolls wherever he wants to go, and he is super fast too. Watch out or you will get run over! He is constantly giggling and thinks he has a funny sense of humor- he laughs at all of his own jokes!

The other day I asked Alexis what she wanted Santa to bring her and she said she wanted a "cogo stick!" I asked her "what's a cogo stick?" "You know Mommy, you jump up and down on it?" "Oh a pogo stick!" I'm not sure what to do with that one. I think she is too young for a pogo stick-heck I don't think I'm coordinated enough for a pogo stick! She has her heart set on it, so if anyone has any ideas! I thought maybe one of the balls you sit on that has handle so you can bounce on it ( I have no idea where to find that! And time is running out! ).

Well, I hope Santa brings you all everything you are wanting. Most of all I hope he brings us all peace, love, and happiness! Merry Christmas!

So Thankful

2007-11-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Ours was peaceful and quiet! It was just my little family and my parents. The siblings were all at their in-laws. I try to be grateful everyday, but I love this holiday because it reminds be of all I have to be thankful for. I am so thankful for all of my many blessings. Most of all I am so thankful for my little family. Without them I would not get to experience the kind of joy that words cannot describe.

My two little pumpkins (thanks to Nanna for the darling pumpkin hats!)

My biggest blessing.

I just couldn't resist!

"Mommy, Iv'e grown up!"

2007-11-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

Big news!!! It all started the other day when I was enjoying a piece of cake and Alexis asked if she could have a bite. I started to give my rehearsed answer "sorry sweetheart you are allergic to this, but maybe you can have cake when you grow up." But then I thought "what the hey" I'm in a controlled environment, I know where the Benadryl is and gave her a tiny bight. Nothing happened! Then I gave her an even bigger bight. Nothing happened! Then she proceeded to devour a whole piece and NOTHING HAPPENED! Not a hive in sight!!! Alexis was on cloud nine. It was like seeing a one year old eat their first birthday cake, of which I never got to see her do:(

So today we went to lunch with my friend Jamie and her twins and Alexis got to eat her very first donut! She pressed her cute little nose to the display case at Tasty's and with the biggest smile on her face picked the white cake donut with sprinkles. I was a proud mama! After eating her donut I asked Alexis if she had a tummy ache or felt itchy, and her comment to me was . . . . "no mommy, I've grown up!"

An early Christmas present for you all!

2007-11-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoy!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9557467470

Alexis' Birthday/Halloween Party

2007-10-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Alexis' party. I had all of the kids dress up in their Halloween costumes. It was wild and crazy, but I think she had a pretty good time!

Happy Birthday to my "Little Princess!"

2007-10-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

This post is a couple of days late, but I just wanted to wish my Bobo a happy 3rd birthday (October 26th is her b-day)! I can't believe my baby is 3! My how time flies! I am so happy that she is a part of my life. I feel so lucky to be her mommy!

Fun at the pumpkin patch!

2007-10-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Friday I took Alexis and Tommy to the local pumpkin patch. Something about visiting the pumpkin patch every year and picking that perfect pumpkin gets me in such a happy Halloweeny mood! It was so funny to see Alexis having so much fun running wild through the fields in search of her perfect pumpkin ( she face planted it a couple of times, which added to the amusement! She was o.k!) Tommy enjoyed being held by his mom and watching his sister go wild! I now officially have the Halloween spirit! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Best Friends

2007-10-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to giggling coming from the baby monitor. I crept into to Thomas' room and found Alexis and Thomas laying together in his crib! She had pulled up a chair and climbed in with him. They were laughing and having a great time. It just melts my heart to see my two babies becoming best friends.

Today's "Happy Thing"

2007-10-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

So, in the previous post I wrote about doing something everyday that makes me happy. For today's "happy thing" I decided to make my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies. I absolutely love to bake, which can be bad because I am the one in my house who usually ends up eating it all! But, that's neither here nor there, it makes me happy! I thought I would share the recipe for "The Best" Oatmeal Cookies. That's what they are really called, and not my biased opinion! Enjoy! (and don't feel bad if you end up eating them all by yourself, they are just that gooooood!)

"The Best" Oatmeal Cookies

3 eggs, well beaten

1 cup raisins

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

1 stp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

2 cups oatmeal

Combine eggs, raisins, and vanilla and let stand for one hour, covered with plastic wrap. You can't skip this step because this is the secret to making the cookies "the best!" Cream together sugars and butter. Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and soda to sugar mixture. Mix well. Blend in egg-raisin mixture and oatmeal. Dough will be stiff. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 4 to 5 dozen.

My "Happy Things"

2007-09-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

So, lately I have been feeling down. I don't know if it is baby blues, stress, or hormones, but I havn't been able to shake it. Sometimes I feel like I have lost myself amidst my mama duties. I have lost track of what makes me me. But, the other day my mom gave me some great advice. She said to try to do something everyday that makes me happy. Even if it is something little like reading my favorite magazine or taking a bubble bath. So, I'm going to take her advice. I am really looking forward to discovering myself again. But for now here are a few pictures of my sweet, beautiful children, who are my ultimate "happy things."

My celebritiy look alikes!

2007-09-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

I found this fun website off of my freind Becky's blog. It's totally funny to see who your celeb look a likes are! I'm laughing so hard because growing up people always said that I looked that girl from Full House (Jodie Sweetin)! Hopefully I'm looking more like Kate Hudson these days! See who you look like, you'll get a kick out of it! (Apparently I'm married to Jared Leto and Richard Gear!)

Got Milk (allergy)?

2007-09-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am freaking out!!!! When Alexis was about six months old I found out she had allergies to wheat, eggs, and tree nuts. I was devastated. I soon found out how hard it is to feed and take care of a child with food allergies. I have to bring her own food to most places we go IE: restaurants, family parties, outings, nursery, birthday parties (not to mention she can't eat the birthday cake like all of the other kids). I love to bake, so it breaks my heart when I make cookies and I have so say no to her.

When I became pregnant with Thomas I crossed my fingers that he would not have any allergies. Now that I am introducing solids to him I am very cautious. But the other day Nate gave Tommy a bite of his milkshake, thinking "this should be o.k. because we don't have any milk allergies in the family." Tommy proceeded to break out in hives all around his mouth. Then yesterday I had Tommy on my lap while eating a bowl of cereal and accidentally dropped a little milk on his ear. His whole ear became red and broke out in hives! I'm not 100% sure that he is allergic to milk, but it sure is looking like it! Oh man, here we go again!

Does anyone out there have a child with a milk allergy? Do you have any insights or advice?

Messy Eater!!!

2007-08-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Tommy is starting to eat baby food, and loves it!! It is so hard to keep him clean while feeding him though. He has a hard time keeping it in his mouth because of his tongue constantly hanging out! He also tugs at his bib and tries to eat it which just makes a bigger mess! So I've resorted to feeding him naked!

Family Fun!

2007-08-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest pictures of our little family spending time together. The first are of us at my Sister-in-law's parent's pool. We had so much fun swimming! I put Alexis and Tommy in floaties, and they spent the whole time just hanging out in them. Tommy loooved sitting in his floaty-he would kick his legs a million miles an hour then stop and giggle, and start all over again! I'm so happy that both of my kids love the water!

The next pics are of our fam at the Cherry Hill miniature golf course. It was so funny to watch Alexis try to putt the ball. She would swing and miss for awhile, and then just put her ball in the hole. Nate and I would putt, and before we could try to make it into the hole she would pick up our balls and put them in for us! Tommy had a great time being pushed around in the stroller and watching the spectacle! After the raging game of golf, we enjoyed pie and ice cream at the good old Pie Pantry. I love spending time with my little family!!!

Swimming: ( I love the picture of Tommy eating my face!)

Golfing: ( I love the one where Nate is showing Alexis how to putt!)

Happy Birthday Nate!!!

2007-08-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Yet another birthday post! I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my awesome, handsome, smart, loving husband! Nate isn't much of a b-day person, ( he doesn't use the day as an excuse to indulge like me!) but I hope he has a great day. I love you Nate!

3 years away from 30!!!

2007-08-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

Monday was my 27th birthday, and thanks to all who made it a great one! I started off the festivities on Saturday at a birthday party that my sister-in-law Lara threw for my sister, brother, and myself (we all have July b-days). We had a BBQ, swam, and had a cannon ball contest at which I failed miserably! My little niece Sophia picked out the Birthday cake, and let me say she did a fantastic job! On Monday my mom took my sister Kim and I out to lunch at Cucina, while the kids stayed at home (heaven!!). We also consumed our annual birthday treat, chocolate mint cookies from Schmidt's Bakery (double heaven!!!!). My mom also threw in a little treat of our choice from JCrew (thanks Mom!). Latter that night Nate took me to dinner at Biaggis, where I had more excellent food and more dessert! Overall, I had a wonderful day. It is so nice to have one day of the year where you can milk eating good food, consuming large amounts of dessert, and receiving special treatment for all it's worth ( oh come on, you know you do it too!)!

The Duffin and Preston clan in the pool.

(notice my nephew Matthew's fingers in his nose, nice!)

The beautiful princess birthday cake!

Happy Half Birthday!

2007-07-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

This week Thomas turned 6 months old. My how time flies! My little bug is getting so big. Right now Tommy loves:

sucking on his fingers
playing with his toes
hugging his big sister
putting anything and everything in his mouth
being held by and snuggling with mommy!

Happy six month B-day Tom-Tom!

Back to school!

2007-07-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

This past week Nate found out that he has been accepted to the Westminster MBA program! He has been debating for awhile if he should go back to school, and finally decided to do it. I am so proud of him! I might be a single mother for about two or three years, but it will be worth it in the long run! Congrats Nate!!!!

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" . . .Vacation Disaster!

2007-07-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday our family embarked on the Romney family's first vacation with the kids. It started out great (Alexis and Thomas were angels on the airplane) and quickly went down hill. When we landed in Las Vegas we stepped out of the plane into an inferno, it was 115 degrees! I don't know what we were thinking booking a trip to Vegas in the middle of July! Anyway, we made our way to the hotel which was on Lake Las Vegas, about 30 min. from the strip. It was a nice resort on the beautiful lake, with two pools and Fisher Price welcome toys waiting for the kids! As the day wore on we explored the little village around the lake, cursing the heat. Poor Alexis's face was as read as a cherry and she complained the whole time that it was "toooooo hoooooot!" It took us an hour just to find somewhere to eat because of Alexis's allergies and everything decent was closed. We finally settled on a pizzeria where Thomas proceeded to fling ketchup all over the front of Nate, who was already steaming from hunger and heat (if Nate is hungry, hot , and tired you should steer clear or face the wrath!) We finally got back to the hotel where Alexis proceeded to barf all over the bed she and I were sharing. I guess gummy peaches, chips, and french fries were not a great idea to feed my 2 and half year old! But, that is not the half of it! The next morning ( after a restless night of cleaning up throw up and trying to keep Thomas asleep) Nate took Alexis to the pool while Tommy and I were napping. They were having a great time until Alexis decided she wanted to play on the playground near the pool. Before Nate could warn her she took off down the slide. Nate then heard the most blood curdling scream. Alexis had stopped on the slide and her little bum was burning from the extreme heat. By the time Nate got to her she had burned the skin off her right bum cheek which we found out later was a second degree burn. Nate brought her back to the room and tried to comfort her while I went to get help. Which is what we did not receive! They brought two band aides to the room, what the heck! I said "can you at least give us something that will cover the burn?" I called my brother in law (who is a doctor) and he said that she should be all right, but should not go swimming anytime soon. After we got things under control we decided "to get the heck out of Dodge!" We had had enough! So we hopped on the next plane home, which was unfortunately not until 9:55 p.m., and did not get home until 1:30 in the morning. After all of the "festivities" Nate threatened that we are not going on another family vacation for the next ten years! And you know what, I think I just might agree!

p.s. How the heck do you guys make family vacations work?

Alexis and Tommy at the airport pre-disaster!

Tommy checking out the hotel bed

Alexis at FAO Swhartz in Cesar's Palace while we were waiting for our flight home (she was such a trooper!)

Fourth of July festivities!

2007-07-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

The fourth of July was a fun filled day for us. Unfortunately I forgot my camera for most of the activities! Nate did get a few pictures of Alexis at the Kaysville parade. Alexis enjoyed the parade until she got sprayed with water and decided it was time to go home! We then spent the afternoon swimming with my family and BBQ'ing. After that we went to Nate's sister Jenny's home for more food and fun. By the time 8:00 came around Alexis and Tommy were really pooped! Needless to say they didn't last long enough for the fireworks! I hope you all had a great Fourth!

Hanging out in their jammies before the parade

My little "firecraker!"

Waving her flag at the Kaysville parade

I've Been Tagged!!!!

2007-06-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

So here are all of my favorite "4's"

4 Jobs I've held:
1. Front desk clerk at North Canyon Swim and Tennis Club
2. Dental Assistant (grossest job ever!)
3. Sales associate at Banana Republic
4. Manager at Pottery Barn Kids

Movies I can watch over and over:
1. The Notebook
2. The Holiday
3. Better Off Dead
4. The Devil Wears Prada

Places I've Lived:
1. Bountiful
2. The Avenues
3. Holiday
4. Fruit Heights
(hmm, never left the good old state of Utah!)

Favorite TV shows:
1. Gray's Anatomy
2.The Office
3. The Bachelor ( I can't get enough of those girls making fools of themselves!)
4. So You Think You Can Dance (totally obsessed, don't make fun until you watch it!)

Vacations I've been on:
1. Cancun
2. London/Scotland
3. Lapaz Mexico
4. Hawaii (not yet but will be soon!!!!)

Favorite foods:
1. Anything Italian
2. Anything Mexican
3. Cake with lots and lots of frosting
4. Neilsons Frozen Custard raspberry concrete

Favorite websites that I visit daily:
1. My blog
2. My Email
3. My friends and family's blogs
4. ebay

Places I'd rather be:
1. On a tropical beach laying in the sun
2. On an all expense payed shopping spree
3. Italy ( I've always wanted to go)
4. At a day spa getting the works ( massage, pedi/mani, facial, etc. . .)

Blog Buddies that I want to tag:
1. Becca
2. Sarajane
3. Cami
4. Camille

It's so fun to get to know people better this way, so keep on tagging!

Summer Fun

2007-06-28T09:09:00.001-07:00

I love summertime, especially now that I have kids! It's so fun to take them swimming. Alexis pretends she is the "Little Mermaid" and is really doing well in the water. Tommy is not quite sure if he likes it or not, but I think he is warming up! Happy swimming everyone!

Alexis and her cousin Kate at the pool

Tommy's first trip to the pool

washing off after swimming (Tommy's first big-boy bath!)

Here we go again!

2007-06-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I started Tommy on rice cereal. He loved it! It was a little hard to get in his mouth because of his tongue constantly sticking out! He was born with it sticking out, sleeps with it sticking out, and is constanty wet because it is always sticking out! Anyway, I was so excited that it went fairly well until he developed a rash all over his chin and tummy. Since Alexis has horrible food allergies I thought "here we go again!" I'm not sure if he is allergic or just has sensitive skin. I hope it's the latter because I have had such a difficult time with Alexis' allergies. Well, please pray, knock-on-wood, and cross your fingers for me!

Tommy enjoying his first solid food (notice the tongue!)

Tommy's rash (poor kid!)

p.s. has this happened to anyone else?

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

My internet has not been working for two weeks so this is a belated "Happy Father's Day" to Nate. Who would have thought that the man who was afraid of babies would grow to become such a wonderful father. So, thank you Nate for being the man and father you are. I appreciate all that you do for our family. I love you!

Just hanging around!

2007-06-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

So here are some of the latest pictures of Alexis and Tommy. Lately Alexis has been riding her bike and is constantly running around in her "gobbles." She and Tommy love hanging out together. Alexis has become a wonderful big sister, and calls Tommy her "best Buddy!"

Alexis in the backyard

Alexis wearing her "gobbles"

Alexis and Tommy hanging out

Alexis loves holding her "best buddy!"

I'm a big girl!

2007-05-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

The other night I went to feed Tommy and found the poor kid had moved himself to the bottom of his bassinet and was crammed sideways. I felt so bad that in the morning I broke the news to Alexis it was time to move out of the crib and into her big girl bed. She was a little distraught and kept saying "maybe later mommy." I stuck to my guns and made her sleep in her bed that night. Overall it went pretty well. I did have to play lullubys and sit by her door until she fell asleep. She even sleept through the night without falling out or waking up. That was the first night. . . . The next night she cried until she fell asleep, and woke up at 5:30 in the morning and ran into my room and yelled "mommy I'm awake!" That did not go over well! Well, slowly but surely she is becoming acusstomed to her big girl bed, and this morning she even slept until 8:00! I can't believe at how fast she is growing up. My little BoBo (the nickname Nate gave her) isn't so little anymore!

Alexis begrudgingly passes the crib onto Tommy!

Chubby Babies!

2007-05-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

Monday I took Tommy to his four month well check. And not to my surprise he is taking after his sister Alexis! He is in the 50th percentile for height, 75th for head, and 85th for weight! He is my little bean bag! At this age Alexis was 10th percentile for height and 90th for weight! I have no idea where my chubby babies came from, but boy do I love it!!!! There is nothing like hugging a plump little person. I love that my babies are healthy and thriving. My mother in law jokes that I have cream for milk! I thank Heavenly Father every day for my beautiful, healthy children and for the wonderful opportunity to be a mother.

Alexis at four months

Tommy at four months

what our family has been up to!

2007-05-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

This coming june will be the Romney family's six anniversary. I can't believe how time flies. In these six years we have gone from two to four. Alexis Julie Romney was born October 26, 2004.

And two years and three months later Thomas Park Romney was born on January 17, 2007. We have lived in a duplex in the Avenues, an older home in Holladay, and now we are currently living in a house we built in Fruit Heights. Nate has changed jobs four times, and is currently working with Capital Development. I'm crossing my fingers that he will finally enjoy this job long enough to stay for awhile! I am enjoying being a stay at home mom, and I don't miss the work field one bit! I am so thankful for all of my blessings. We are all healthy and happy; Nate and I are enjoying being the parents of two beautiful children; and we are surrounded by our friends and family.

2007-05-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

So, Here it goes. . . .

I have been reading my sister-in-laws blog lately, and have been inspired. I love the idea of being able to express myself and keep in touch with freinds and family at the same time. So here begins the Romney family blog. My little family consists of me (Lindsay), my husband Nate, Alexis ( 2 1/2), and Thomas (4 months).
It is to fun to see how my kids personalities are forming. Alexis is a spit fire! She loves to sing, dance, and be the center of attention. She is a typical two year old. She fights for power, and won't take no for an answer. If I say no she will go to everyone in the room until she gets the outcome she wants. She is so headstrong, definately like her daddy. I love everything about her. She is the sunshine in my life. She is so smart, and is very aware of how others are feeling. If I am sad she gives me a hug, rubs my back and says "It's o.k. sweetheart!" She says the funniest things. The other day it was hailing, and Alexis comes running into the bathroom where I was getting ready for the day and yells "Mom it's raining popcorn!" I couldn't stop laughing!
Thomas is my little sweetheart. He is so mellow, and is content with just sitting on mommy's lap. He is so happy. I love the way he looks at me and smiles when I come to get him out of his crib in the morning. I love the way he feels and smells. I love everything about him too. He has been in my life such a short time, but I feel like I have known him forever. He is starting to giggle, which just melts my heart. I can't wait to get to know him better and see and experience each stage as he grows.
It's amazing at how fast my kids grow. My good freind Jamie gave me a childrens book called Let Me Hold You Longer that talks about holding onto to the "lasts" of each stage of your childs life.
" Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave me to your past,
and I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts . . . ."
When I firt read this book I sobbed (though my hormones were still reeling from childbirth!). My kids are growing up so fast. Though I look forward to each stage of their lives, I sometimes wish I could keep them little forever.