Kids helping me make a cake

No Kirk didn't grow a beard, this is cake batter. I always let the kids lick the beaters when I'm through mixing.

Well, I can't believe it's already March. February just flew. The countdown is on for the baby's arrival. I'm only about a month away from my due date. Today has become a surprisingly laid back morning. I got up and did my daily routine, and was about to get Kate dressed for dance, but I couldn't find her leotard anywhere. This is the third one we've lost. It's so frustrating. She likes to wear them around the house, but then takes them off, and I have no idea where they end up. I swear there's a black hole in our home because I don't know were so many things go to! Since I couldn't find her leotard, and we were going to be late anyways, I just decided to bag dance, we stayed home made Kirk a birthday cake. I'll just freeze it until Friday. As you can see from the picture the kids really enjoyed this activity!

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Kate posing with our attempt at making a snow sculpture. We got so much snow that day that I couldn't resist!

Kate and Kirk making sugar cookies (don't worry the dough they were playing with did not become cookies)

Well, I was just sitting down getting ready to steal a few minutes on the computer to update my blog, when the kids who were up in the kitchen discovered my scriptures that were hanging out on the table. I stopped and listened to them. Kate was pretending to read the scriptures into Kirks ear, and he was repeating what she was saying like he was giving a talk in primary. It was so darling. I think she said something about Jesus, and being nice. Then she just came down and asked me to read her a scripture. I was amazed that a 4 year old would be interested in reading a book with no pictures. Anyways I thought it was sweet. We've had a busy week, I can't believe we are approaching the end of February. Valentines day was fun. It was nice that it fell on a Saturday. We sort of made it into a family day. I played out in the snow with the kids, and then almost burned the house down broiling some steaks. I think our oven got a little too toasty, some grease from the steaks flew up, and the next thing I new, the oven was flaming! Talk about flame broiled. I immediately pulled the steaks out. They were really rare, but that's how I order mine so I didn't mind. Then Dan and I planned to put the kids down, and watch a romantic movie. Ha ha, that was a really ambitious plan. The kids cried and cried so we gave and let them watch it with us. The sappy romance soon put them to sleep so in the end it all worked out. The night before Valentines we made sugar cookies. The kids had a blast frosting them. Kate said "This is just like painting". They turned out really good, we gave them to grandparents, and neighbors. Well I think that's the most recent events going on with the mower gang. Good news, I only have 45 days until my due date. I can't believe it, I've got such a long ways to go, and I'm already so miserably uncomfortable. I just keep telling myself, I'm only going to get bigger, so just brace yourself for a long month and a half. It's really not that bad, but being able to bend over is kinda important when your a Mom, and it's becoming more and more of a challenge. Well that's all for now.

Kate showing her the Valentines she got at school. This year I paid $2.50 for a box of valentines, I thought it was outrageous (come on it's only card stock)! So I went to two other stores in search of something cheaper. To make a long story short, we ended up going back to walmart to purchase the $2.50 ones. Being the cheap mom that I am; I picked up some valentines a few days after valentines day for $0.60. Hopefully that will prevent another valentine's fiasco!

Our traditional Valentines breakfast complete with Pink heart shaped pancakes, sausages, and juice.

Snowy, sick day

Well, just last week I was telling Dan how fortunate we were this year that the kids hadn't gotten sick yet. It was the first year that I didn't get them into the doctor for their flu shots. We've been so well, I hadn't been sick, and the kids have been healthy as horses. Well I guess I spoke to soon. Monday night Kirk started to come down with a fever, and chills. Then this morning Kate woke up and said that her head hurt. I felt it and she was definitely warm too. I gave her some children's Tylenol, and told her she could spend the day in bed and stay in her P.J's. She said " can I watch swan princess in bed too". I figured why not. Watching movies is the only upside to being sick, I'd might as well make it as fun as possible. So I took a picture of the kids in bed watching the movie. Kirk isn't really sick anymore. His fever is gone. He's just taking advantage of the movie perk. Today after I gave Kate the medicine she said "I told you I would get sick, but I didn't even share a drink with Kirk". She was really worried about catching kirk's fever, and I told her she wouldn't get sick as long as she didn't share a drink with him. So much for that theory. It's so hard to keep illness contained to just one person in the family. If anybody has had any success with that please share your secret. If one person gets sick over here we all end up with it. I also took pictures of the kids sleeping on the floor. Kirk is going through this weird phase were he refuses to sleep in his bed. He wants to sleep on Kate's floor every night. I don't think he's slept in his bed for about six months. I'm hoping he out grows it, but I'm actually starting to get a little worried. Maybe once the baby is in his room with him, he'll want to sleep in there. I guess I like to pick my battles, it's not hurting anyone to let him sleep on her floor, so why not. Kate just recently got a sleeping bag from her grandma Black. It's a high school musical one. So she also is sleeping on the floor on the other side of her bed. I had to take a picture, because I think that it's hilarious that their beds take up so much space in their rooms and they don't even use them. And so it is with kids. I've found sometimes it's the simple things that make them the most happy, and they are content with so little, even with sleeping on the floor. Just one more thing, yesterday the kids were coloring pictures and Kirk very proudly lifted up his drawing to show me. I said "oh that is so cute Kirk", he promptly replied "It's not cute mom, It's awesome". I could help but start laughing. Were on earth did he learn the word awesome. It's funny to me that he is already understanding the difference between girly cutesy words, and boyish ones. He really is growing up to be such a cute little guy. Everything with Kirk is exciting. He has so much energy and enthusiasm with everyday little things. I am loving this age that he's in right now.

Last week we were able to attend the Draper Temple open house. Kate was really excited to go. I had told her earlier in day that we would be putting on our very best Sunday clothes to go to heavenly father's special house. Later she got really upset that she couldn't find her "fancy" Sunday shoes. I told her that her nice school shoes would be just fine, but she was still really disappointed about that. We made it down to draper, and I was so impressed with how organized the church was. Everybody was of course volunteering, standing out in the cold directing parking, and assigning buses to shuttle us up. It is a beautiful temple. The kids really enjoyed seeing it. Kirk loved pointing out all of the pictures of Jesus. I'm so grateful that we are sealed together as a family, and that the temple makes it possible to live with each other forever. I love my family, and I was grateful for the experience of walking through that sacred building with the ones I love. If anybody is interested in going to the open house, it is going to last through March (I think, you can still get reservations). check out the churches web site. http://www.lds.org/ to find out more.

Having fun the the Hawaii sun!

Dan and I at the Luau, the plants and flowers were gorgeous, it gave us inspiration to spice up our back yard

Dan and I ready to hit the ocean with our snorkeling gear and find some fish

I feel totally spoiled. Dan and I were able to go to Hawaii last week with his parents, and brothers, and sister-in law. It was the most fabulous trip. I totally allowed myself to be lazy, sleeping in everyday, laying out in the sun, and of course eating. I love sea food, and the fish in Hawaii is as fresh, and as good as it gets. It was a good pre-baby vaction. The weather was just gorgeous for the first few days. We went snorkeling as you can see from the picture. I loved seeing all of the fish. I was amazed at how many there were right off of the shore line. We didn't go out far, because I'm totally afraid of under currents. I think the fish must get fed, because they weren't shy of us at all. On the days it rained we drove around the island. They actually canceled school one day because of high winds! Can you believe that? I wondered what the locals would think about some of the weather we endure! We found an awesome beach on the north side of the island called secret beach. You have to hike down to it. It was beautiful, and the waves were huge! It was fun to watch them. We also drove to up to a famous canyon. They call it the grand canyon of the pacific. I was sitting in the back of the van and the road was really windy. I'm not usually one who gets car sick easily. All of a sudden I started to feel sick, I told Dan's brother to pull over, we were in a mini van so I couldn't open the door until the car was in park. Not a good feature to have when your about to upchuck your lunch! Fortunately I made it out of the car, and threw up right as a big tour bus drove past. I wondered if I had caused some people to loose their lunch as well. I've only thrown up from being car sick one other time in my life. I was actually pregnant that time too, to pregnancy must be culprit for it. Anyways we made it up the canyon, but it was so cloudy that you couldn't see a thing. It gave me a creepy feeling knowing that there was a huge drop off, and all I could see was white. My mom watched the kids for us while we were gone, so I knew they were in good hands, but as the week drew to a close I couldn't help but miss them like crazy. When we got home I couldn't believe how cute our kids are. I think when you live with your children everyday, you take the little darlings for granted. As much fun as it was, we're really happy to be home.

The whole gang. Micheal, Dan's parents, Shaun, Annoel, Robbie, and me and Dan. There were about three people taking the picture at the same time, so no one is looking in the same direction! Oh-well, it's tough getting a family picture.

Christmas Joy!


This year has been a wonderful Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at my grandma Black's house. She is 97 years old and still going strong. My Grandma is so amazing, she even made treats, and cookies for us. We had an aw some dinner with my older brother and his family, my little brother and his fiance, my aunt and uncle, and their two sons. After dinner and visiting we all went to Dan's parents to visit. We exchanged gifts, and the kids acted out the nativity. The kids had fun. Kate was an adorable angel, and Kirk loved pretending to be a cow. Then we headed home to get the kids in bed before Santa came. Kate kept looking out the van window to watch for Rodolph's nose. When we got home we were kneeling in the living room for family prayer, when there was a loud knocking noise from the wind. We told the kids that Santa was trying to get in to leave their presents. I've never seen Kates eyes so wide. She ran up to her room and jumped into bed. Kirk slept on Kates floor. The next morning we were pleasantly surprised that the kids slept in until 8:00. They were so excited about Santa. The first thing they said was "did Santa eat his cookies". We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family to share this special time of year with. We are especially grateful to our Savior Jesus Christ. I love this time of year when everyone strives to be a little more giving, and a little bit better. May we always keep the spirit of our Savior in our hearts and homes.



Kate got a bike from Santa Kate and Kirk with their great Grandma Black

Kirk got a Darth Vader Costume he wears Kate and Kirk in front of the Christmas tree!

It all day everyday!

HO HO HO! Tis the season to be jolly!

I've enjoyed this season so much this year. The kids really get the whole Santa Clause thing, and are bouncing off the walls with excitement! Kate has been doing her count down till Christmas chain faithfully everyday. Here it is with only two days left before the big day. I feel like I'm pretty ready for it. I ventured to Walmart and Sam's club to do my last and final shopping for the Christmas festivities. Last night Kate had her Christmas dance recital. She looked adorable. At this young age they don't do alot of dancing, but she said that she had fun being on stage. Tonight we are having some of Dan's high school friends over, so I'm in a cleaning frenzy. I think it's good, because I would have taken a week off from cleaning. I think having people over is really good motivation for me to get into gear and pick up the house. Another Christmas miracle is that the kids have never played so well before. With only two days before Christmas I've reminded them that Santa knows when they fight. Well I'm so grateful for this time of year. I'm also so grateful for my wonderful family. I've been so blessed. Merry Christmas to all.



Kate in her Dance recital Costume! It's so darn cute!




Kirk shortly after devouring a chocolatey treat. He love's Chocolate, must take after his Mom