Will turns 2!

    So the smallest Allen in our family turned 2 a couple weeks ago. Cute Will had a great birthday. We took a trip to Walmart to get balloons and cake and then met up with dad at Toys R Us and then lunch at Mcdonalds. Will had so much fun at Toys R Us! For the first time ever at a store, I let him walk and roam around. He went from aisle to aisle just jabbering and talking and squealing at each toy he played with. He stayed close by me -thanks goodness- I had subluxed my patella the week before and this was the first since it happened that I had really walked around for any length of time and my leg was killing me. Hence the store bought cake and last minute gift. Since our boys have a million toys (not really- just seems like it) we had a tough time deciding. We picked out a scooter. He has tried to ride the kids scooters when we are outside and he just gets frustrated that he can't quite get the hang of it. So a cute 3 wheeled scooter was chosen in hopes that he would be able to learn to ride it soon.
   Will is over all a pretty mellow kid - as you can tell in the pictures- he was thoughtful as he opened his presents. His trains from his Aunt Helen and Uncle Bob were a hit and he was pretty content and could have cared less about the next present. After some coaxing he ripped into the next one and was pretty excited about the scooter. Big smiles and a little babbling( now that's excitement!).

    Cake was next- he loves to watch Super Why on PBS. It's pretty cute to see him get up on the couch so fast and funny to watch him get comfy and of course the blanket on his lap is a must. He's pretty particular. I love listening to him yell his letters at the TV as the super team solved the problem. He only knows how to say A and E so those are repeated multiple times throughout the show. So of course I made his cake into a super why cake and he loved it. More jabbering. He loved blowing out his candles so much that we relight them a couple of times. His excitement was bigger with each lighting of the candles. After cake was a little practicing on the scooter. The next day he had a break through and had the scooter down! Scootin' around the house like it was no big deal. He learned it quick! What a cutie! Such a blessing to our family- He is the calm after the storm (Owen) and I so need calm. He is an sweet spirit in our family and has such an easy going personality- except for when we're at church- we're still working on going to nursery. It will get easier but for now we are just enjoying every stage of this cute little kid to the fullest. He is loved more than he knows!

ETHAN!

      I can not believe that I am the mother of a fourteen year old! And what a handsome one,  might I add. This cute boy is funny, querky, skinny as a toothpick, obsessed with different things daily, happy to be getting an A in math! (lots of hard work) , Doctor Who watcher and extreme couponing addict, science minded, amazing piano player and composer (makes up the most creative songs on the piano and then we all get to hear it full force for weeks to come!), Band geek, Geocacher, Rocket builder, priesthood holder, supreme wrestler of his brother, and just all around great kid! We are so lucky to have him in our family! 

      This year Ethan's birthday came around while we were on spring break. Lucky boy. Thought that we would celebrate it in Vegas but since we headed home early - he spent it in the car. Poor kid- didn't complain at all. The next day Ben and I took him to Hobby Lobby where after getting submerged in all the model rockets, one was finally chosen, extra engines and all. Ethan spent the next couple days glueing and cutting and building those two rockets and on Saturday between conference sessions we headed out to the field near our house- and with our friends - Aaron and Andrew Hill - we were able to launch Ethan, Jakes, and Andrews rockets. The boys loved it! The little kids did too. (they loved running out in the field to find the launched rockets) We were lucky enough to  have that small window of good weather and then it went bad, fast, we ran back to the house, just in time as the rain and wind really picked up and just in time for the next session of conference. Worked out perfect. The boys were hooked and can't wait to do it again. 

Totally takes after me- costco chocolate cake- YUM!

It's about time!

Busy! Busy! Who isn't right? It's about time I did a catch up on the blog. We have kept busy with a variety of fun activities while we patiently have waited for the nice weather to arrive.

The kiddos found that puzzles were fun again.

Will is slightly obsessed with Geo Traxx and Thomas trains right now. He is forever building or driving a train. Most of the time he has both tracks out at the same time.

We did a little laying outside- sledding and backyard fun. Will loved to be pulled around on the sled by his brothers and sister.

Some of the time you could find Will in our bed reading or watching George or Super Why (his favorites TV shows). Sippy cups are never far away!

Valentines days was exciting. Owen had his first Valentines party at school. We made cute valentines with one of his favorite things. Sticky Hands! Jocelyn made her valentine box and again we made her cut valentines. Riley was easiest- no box this year and he settled for ninjago valentines. What an easy going kiddo!

Will refuses to eat in his high chair for lunch and sometimes breakfast. He thinks he's a big kid and wants to watch whatever Owen is watching on the Ipad.

Owen participated in Itty Bitty Ball. I hoped it would wear him out. No such luck! Found out he is a little ball hog while playing soccer!

Jocelyn and Jake played indoor soccer this year. Jocelyn did Futsal with her outdoor team and Jake played with the Lehi rec team. He knew a few players and both him and Jocelyn were able to increase their skill level. They are both amazing goalies and defenders!

Self explanatory- easter bunny didn't come til 5 am to our house, forgot half the stuff and kiddos were up and down all night. It doesn't help that I worked all night and was exhausted! You would have thought it was Christmas! We had a quiet day with yummy ham dinner and pie.

This week is spring break. I had a great idea to go to vegas just for a quick getaway. It was a little rough. Vegas is a little overstimulating for Owen. You would think that with all the walking we did he'd would have been worn out- so not so! But we did have fun at the M&M store, circus circus and a quick stop by the Gold and Silver Pawn shop for Ben and the boys. The weather was amazing and now we are back home to yucky weather. Still, we had a lot of fun!

Christmas Day...

I have to admit, I wasn't as excited about Christmas when the season began. The looming thoughts of me working another Christmas Eve were just plain depressing. It would be my 3rd or 4th year in a row- working Christmas Eve. That's just the way it works with my shift- if the holiday falls on my day it's mine- unless, I find someone to cover the shift. So seriously, who would want to work Christmas Eve? and I also felt guilty even asking someone to give up their time so I can be home with my kids and Ben. Arrrggh. It didn't help that the kids kept complaining about it! They weren't even the one working! They just didn't want to wait for me to get home to open presents! So anyways the season started off a little rocky until the night my co-worker called and offered to work my shift. A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! She is single and had just got back from a big vacation and she needed the money! YEAH! So after a little crying- for joy- of course, I was well into the mood whole heartedly! Christmas Eve, Ben's sister Bonnie and her family came over for dinner and presents (we had their names this year). After they left the kids each got to open their jammies and we tried to read the christmas story and then settled down to watch a cute christmas show. Cookies of course were set out and glitter thrown on the front yard and everyone was off to bed and asleep by 9- not kidding, even Ethan and Jake!  

Poor Will was not impressed by his jammies and was pretty mad when I put the on him. He got over it and they are now his favorite pair.

Jocelyn was sooo excited that not only did she get jammies but also her AG doll did also. She had been looking at the catalogue for weeks and noticed the matching jammies. She loved that they match.

The kids were up pretty early - about 4ish and I sent them back to bed. They lasted till about 6:30 and we just couldn't hold 'em back. Our big family gift this year was a trampoline. The kids can't wait for it to warm up. As for each of the kiddos - I had them  fill out  a christmas list that had four entries-

1. Something I need...

2. Something I'll read....

3. Something I'll wear...

4. Something I really really want...

Santa stuck to that list within the limits that mom and dad set also and each kiddo received pretty much what they asked for....

Ethan has asked for a metal detector for 2 years in a row. he finally got one and has made use of it by throwing money into the backyard and then searching for it. He also asked for The Candy Shop Wars and a remote control helicopter.

Jake - Oh Jake- he could not make up his mind!!!! Even up to the week before Christmas - and I had to  tell him time was up! He ended up with a camera(like a gopro) and the Scorch Trails and of course, legos! Something he added a couple weeks before Christmas.  I almost made it through a Christmas without legos!!! 

Jocelyn- She also kept changing her mind- An AG scooter or pet?! One thing she didn't change her mind about was a sewing machine. She would not stop talking about getting one. She was a very happy girl with her AG scooter, sewing machine, Princess Posey book and a huge surprise- 2 new American Girl Dolls. I told her it was definitely a girls Christmas ( last year santa brought a lot of boy toys- legos, more legos, and tons of nerf stuff, she wasn't too happy) She really doesn't get spoiled- it's a boys world around here. She deserved the new dolls and I love how she has already planned to visit the AG store in Seattle when we go up there this summer for the family reunion. She has started saving up her money. I can't wait to take her. We spent enough time at the lego store this past summer!

 

Riley stuck to what he initially wrote down on his list. He so badly wanted an outdoor basketball hoop and a Star wars book, that was it. He was excited to also get a new Hero factory guy, Ninjago guy and

new shoes. His ninjago season 1 on dvd came in handy for the 2 days he was home sick from school!

Owen wanted dragons and a viking helmet and a new bike. He was pretty cute when he woke up and wanted to ride his bike. He was so excited while he was looking through his stocking- everything he pulled out put a bigger smile on his face. So Cute!

Will had no interest in his own stocking or even opening his presents when it was his turn. He just wandered between everyone and checked out all their stuff. After a yummy breakfast -pull apart bread and hashbrown casserole- he was all about presents. It was just his way of doing things on his own time like everything else he does! He seemed happy with his buzz lightyear ship and new shoes. Although he now hates those shoes and won't let me get near him with them!

It was a great Christmas for all. We had a great Christmas dinner and later headed to my parents for some pie. We visited and watched Mr Krugers Christmas. I am so grateful for being home for Christmas Eve and spending the day with my family. I loved watching my kids get so excited because they got the things they wanted and I love that they expressed how grateful they were. It was such a good day. I can't help but express my love of the Savior and his birth. He is the real reason we celebrate this day. I am so grateful for my family and a wonderful Christmas Season.