We FINISHED

We did it!!! We finished the Book of Mormon as a Family!!! And we did it in 3 mos.

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful, relaxing Easter full of Candy, Good Food, General Conference, and NAPS.

Our neighbors had their annual Easter Egg Hunt which we nearly missed because I couldn't find Easter baskets, or winter coats. We woke to snow and insane wind gusts. I sent the girls while I wrestled with my wild man. They came home with loads of Candy and nearly frozen.

Jappy had his final weigh in at the gym. He has lost a total of 30 lbs. in 3 mos. We are so PROUD of him. We're sure he wasn't the biggest loser but we don't care. He's looking good and feeling BETTER. He's decided that he isn't done losing weight and wants to continue his diet and exercise. We have really noticed a difference in him, and hope he doesn't lose the fire.

The kids are tired of being inside, and are at each others throats as a result of it. We've had to have LOTS of conversations of loving one another. We are more than READY for the SUNSHINE.

My little prince of darkness (I mean that in the most loving way) seems to find more and more trouble. He's a handful!! We are lucky to have two girls who love him and love to help. There was truly a reason I had him last. YIKES. He pushes anything he can to counter tops, tables, sinks, or water of any kind, so that he can get what he wants. I have had small pools of water in the kitchen, from the fridge water, and LARGE pools of water in the bathroom causing us to call an electrician because NONE of our outlets worked. With how curious he is about everything he better turn out to be a genius and make lots of money and take care of us. It's the least he can do.

While I blogged he figured out the microwave.

Spring Break

Spring Break was uneventful. The week went by super fast. We got some spring cleaning done and did a few fun things. We spent the night out in Arbon, and went to church and had good food and great company while we were there.

Jessi and Jay having a mid morning snack together. Jay trying on every pair of shoes in the house. He preferred the DIRTY ones.

We took the kids roller skating one night. The girls are getting good on skates. Mady especially. She zips right around the rink. Brooklyn's still cautious but is getting more comfortable with it. Jay liked watching everyone around him until he noticed the games. Then all he wanted to do was "drive"

We did a mutual activity at the rec center where we harnessed up all the youth and they rock climbed the night away. It was a really fun activity and all the kids enjoyed it. (It's hard to please teenagers, we were so glad they all partcipated and had fun) Jappy came to help with the activity so the kids also had a chance to climb. They loved it, and we had a hard time getting them to leave. I couldn't get a good picture of Mady. She was a climbing machine.

19 mos.

My baby is 19 months He is fully of energy and mischief.

What he's up to: Toothbrush's, it doesn't matter who's it is he uses it. Fascinated with the toilet and throwing things in it. He likes to watch America Funniest Home Videos on mom's lap. Started going to nursery Sometimes willingly and sometimes forcefully. Pretends he's a dog. Pushes chairs, stools, and toys around to get up on things; counters, tables, window sills. He can barely reach the counters, and is constantly getting a hold of cups, knives, scissors. He doesn't get very far as we are right there with him but he tries. Loves baby girls. He's a lover. He wants to be outside, and screams when he has to come in. He loves anything Round or resembles a bat. Loves to empty my cupboards and climb in. When he wakes up in the morning he yells for his daddy to come and get him. He loves to hold the shower head while in the shower and hates getting out. Constantly getting bumps and bruises. He needs a football helmet and pads to wear constantly.

He tries to read and pray. He will fold his arms and babble over whoever is praying . It's adorable!! It makes us feel like were doing something right. He loves attention and DEMANDS it(especially mom's attention) He's slightly spoiled.

Favorite Foods: mini marshmallows, chicken, cereal with strawberries, banana, apples, steamed veggies, anything sweet

Dislikes: milk, he's pretty picky, food that he likes one day he won't like the next.
What he's saying: momma, daddy baby, cheese hi, uh oh, apple, ball, cracker, kitty, fishy, two, nana, Jay, Mady, uh-oh He's trying to talk but it just comes out gibberish.

We LOVE our googly bear. He is such a fun boy, and keeps us on our toes.

We've made it through Birthday's, Mini trips to Salt Lake, and Holidays.

Our Bug-a-Boo turned 6. We celebrated as a family, with balloons,tea parties, and ice cream, and mini carrot cakes with her class. She is such a sweet daughter who has a tender heart, and genuinely cares about everyone.

My brother and his wife we're in Salt Lake a few weeks ago and we decided to meet them there. We stayed the night at Amber's and let the kids play and run wild. Then Saturday we spent the morning at the Children's Discovery Museum. If you haven't been there with your kids get there. It's Hours of FUN. We had a great time playing with all kinds of fun things. Jay enjoyed having free reign of the place.

We hit some fun shopping places and then met Jared and Grandma for dinner. Then we headed home. It was good to see everyone and spend a little time with them. We are so Excited for them to move closer!!

Mady ringing up uncle Shaggy's groceries, Jay piloting the helicopter

The kids thought the helicopter was cool until it starting making sounds like it was starting. They BAILED out of it so FAST. It was hilarious.
Lunch
We celebrated Valentines with Heart shaped pancakes and eggs and pink smoothies. Heart shaped cookies and chocolate dipped strawberries.
For the girls valentines this year I made pink play dough and cut them into hearts for the kids. Brooklyn's class LOVED it. They got to play with their play dough during school and they thought it was the best day EVER. I'm glad that the Holidays and Birthdays are done for a few months. It will be nice to have a little break. Until April At least Mady turns 8. Everyone mark your calender for the first Saturday in May. She'll be baptized that morning.

I don't know where the time goes. I can't seem to get a chance to update. We are all doing well. Our days are filled with school, extra kids, work, volunteering at the school, homework, church and church activities, service. Along with the normal cooking laundry and cleaning.
Jappy has had a great month with work. He got on a top 20 list in the country for the most business. He has joined a weight loss competition at the gym. It lasts 12 weeks and he's done really well so far. He's 3 weeks into it. We are so proud of him, He's eating healthier and at the gym 6 days a week. We are seeing a difference in him. I hope he keeps it going, even after the competition.
Mady turns eight in April. Jappy and I felt is was important for her to read the Book of Mormon before she's baptized. We have read every night in hopes to finish within the 90 days. We are on track. It helps to have a goal in mind. Brooklyn gets frustrated when we read. We've had to make some adjustments for her. I found a great picture book that goes right along with what we're reading. It's perfect for her, and helps the rest of us visualize what's going on. Jay on the other hand just likes to distract the rest of us. He throws EVERYTHING! I forgot about this stage. He's also started to experiment with biting. That's been painful for all of us. No matter how we try and punish him he smiles at us or will give us a look like "That didn't hurt" or "oh well" He's going to be tough to discipline.
We still don't have a renter for our house in Hayden. Anyone looking for 4 bedroom 2 bath, Big fenced yard, and 2 car garage. Send them our way. We might be moving back into it and selling our house in Pocatello, if we can't get someone in it. I really don't want it to come to that. I love our house, and where we live now.
We have had a couple of Reality checks in the last 2 months. We have had close friends have near death experiences. Two of them being young moms with babies at home. And recently a friend who had a heart attack and has miraculously pulled through by the power of the priesthood. It has made us appreciate the times we have together. Makes us realize we need to have things in order. And tell people how much they mean to us.
It has made me think of the last time I had an encounter with each of them, what I said or what we talked about, or what it felt like to shake there hand.
I want to try harder to make others feel like I'm invested in them, and that I really do care about them and their family. It's good to have a reality check once in awhile. But I don't want it to happen for awhile.
So everyone Stay healthy, and Safe.

The calm before the storm

Our Holiday weekend was fabulous, and relaxing. The week after....... NOT SO MUCH
We made a trip to Coeur d'Alene to clean our house there. The renters finally moved out (After living rent FREE for 2 mos, and Trashing it) Aren't Renters LOVELY?
We have a company that is SUPPOSE to check on it, but obviously that wasn't happening. What am I paying them for?? SERIOUSLY.
We got in late Wednesday night and spent Thursday and Friday literally scrubbing every wall and surface. Then Saturday we painted almost every wall and surface. That's not counting the holes, door hanging, and sheet rocking my dad fixed, leaking sinks, Uncle John fixed All 3 of them, and All the windows that Aunt Mae cleaned. It was Truly Disgusting, I will never understand how people could live in such FILTH.
Thank goodness for my mom who had our kids all day, or it would have taken us 3 more days. It was a grueling 3 days, and we still didn't get everything finished.
We could NEVER express our GRATITUDE to everyone who worked tirelessly with us. We were VERY tempted to Sell it. I don't want to have to do this again. But after visiting with our Realtor decided to rent it out again. We will be taking more of a hands on approach with this next renter, and property management company.
Our girls told my mom one day "This is our worst trip to Coeur d' Alene, cause we haven't gotten to spend anytime with Grandpa" So sad I would have to agree with it being our worst trip there. We didn't get to play games, or see any friends, or do anything fun.
We owe our family a ton. After we left on Sunday, they finished the house during the next week. We are now ready for someone to move in. Someone CLEAN PLEASE!

My Dad: I think the paint fumes were getting to him:)
Aunt Mae : The BEST Cleaner and window washer I know