Bubba turns 5

 All decked out in his new suit and ready for church. We let him open a few gifts before church.

 Lego Table!! He spent hours playing with this!

 He loves dusty!

Blue and orange "dusty cake"

This boy has been such a fun addition to our family. He has also been a challenge and finds just the right way to push everyones buttons.  I guess you could call it one of his talents.  He has the funniest personality, and I could totally see him being a class clown.  He is also very logical and wants to understand everything. Some of his favorite things to watch are the Discovery Chanel and National Geographic shows. He also Loves the show Modern Marvels.  He is always building things and enjoys using "tools" to work with.  I remember the day he was born being so surprised that he had blond hair! I don't know why that shocked me, because Jon was very blond when he was young.  But I remember him looking up at me with those baby blues and being so excited to have a little boy.  He has brought so much joy to our lives and is the best cuddle bug! I have always loved to snuggle up next to him and take a nap.  Even at the age of 4 this would happen every once in a while.  We love you Bubba!  

Christmas

We have had so much fun this Christmas break so far!  Jon was able to take all of last week off, and the kids were in heaven.

 Matching Christmas PJ's! Our Christmas Eve tradition.

 American girl doll bed and armoire 

 I love how excited Noah is in this picture even though it's his sisters toy!

 Cheese!

 Hazels Cinderella horse (Sorsie)

 By far Noah's favorite.  Leap Pad!

 Hazel was opening everything she could get her hands on, whether it was for her or not!

Halloween 2013

The costumes of choice this year, A pirate, A ducky, and Little Red Riding Hood.

Despite the rain, we ventured out and went trick or treating.  I remember growing up and going trick or treating in snow, so I guess it could have been worse!  Jon was also on call and working, but he was able to sneak away for a couple hours to see the kids in their costumes and help with trick or treating. 

Now, we just need to get rid of all that CANDY before I gain another 5 pounds from eating it! 

Ferocious Fours!

This little 4 year old has gotten the best of me.  I am puzzled with how to get him to respond, listen, obey, help, be nice, ok....pretty much everything.  He thrives on getting me upset and also bothering his sisters.  Whether I respond or not to his antics, he continues with them.  He really doesn't respond to anything I have tried. I think I have tried 4 different kind of reward systems and I just can't find anything that motivates him to be good.

I feel as though I am failing as a parent. The only thing that gives me hope, is that he is pretty well behaved for other people and at school he is doing great! He even got the "Gold Thumb" award twice for having a "thumbs up day".  I am so desperate for a change. I am thinking about trying this: http://talkingtotoddlers.com

If only children came with a manual.
I know there is a sweet little boy in there, becuase I catch glimpses of him every now and then. I love how he calls me Mamma. He is my best sleeper. He goes to bed so well almost every night. and still takes naps!


"When we truly behold our little ones, we behold the glory, wonder, and majesty of God, our Eternal Father. All children are His spirit offspring. We have no more eloquent testimony that our Heavenly Father lives and that He loves us than the first raspy cry of a newborn child. All babies have faith in their eyes and purity in their hearts. They are receptive to the truth because they have no preconceived notions; everything is real to children. Regardless of physical limitations or the challenge of circumstance, their souls are endowed naturally with divine potential that is infinite and eternal."
Elder M. Russell Ballard


I love this quote. It reminds me that he has "purity in his heart and a divine potential that is infinite and eternal".

Fun in the Sun

Jon had a conference in San Diego last week and I was able to tag along! It was a quick 4 day trip, but so relaxing and so much fun!

 First thing we did after renting our car was drive to the beach!

 Mormon Battalion Visitors center.  Very cool place and lots of amazing faith building stories!

 Old Town! Awesome Mexican food!

 Beautiful Temple right off the interstate. Sadly we didn't have enough time to go inside!

 Indoor go kart racing! These go karts go 35 mph and the track is a tone of hairpin turns and it is just straight up crazy!! We met up with our friends the DeMills and Mortensens and a fellow resident Madsen.

 Our hotel was right by the Marina!

 Aboard the USS Midway.  Very thankful for those who serve our country! Thank you!

 Lookout from the Midway!

 This was a statue demonstrating how they ok'd take off. Jon had to try it out!

 "The Kiss"

 "Our Kiss"

 Beautiful Coronado beach. It was a little chilly our last evening there.

 We watched the sunset, until we really got cold! Then we walked around and picked out our future beach house. (We Wish)

 I got a pedicure while I was there too!  Too bad sandal season is well over. Especially since we got SNOW here today!

Famous Hotel Coronado!

Soccer Stud

 Noah has enjoyed playing his first organized sport this fall. He is doing awesome and picking up on the game really well.  He is starting to score goals and pass the ball to his teammates.  We are so proud of him.

 He loves to kick it really hard, and sometimes because they play on a such a little field that can be problematic. But he does a great job!

He was lucky to be on a team with a lot of his close friends.