Spring Walla Walla Trip

I know that people think I was crazy for driving this long, 18 hour, trip but let me explain. We had just moved, we were exhausted and then for the next 3-4 weeks between Colby and I and the kids we were all sick. Like stay in bed, don't sleep at night sick. I was to my point. I guess I needed my Mom but also the kids needed to do something different to get out of the house. We stayed for about 4 days and just enjoyed being around family.

My brother Carl let Jayden ride with him while he was working the pasture.

Here are the kids enjoying the llamas.

This is my parents with my sister, Shauna's, three kids and mine. This pic was about as good as it got. I was laughing so hard a lot of the other pictures were fuzzy :)

Getting into the new house

I know that it has been three months since the last blog. I don't really have an excuse except life. It has been so busy lately. So.. I have to get caught up.

Kylie and Jayden posing for Valentines Day 2011.

So we are starting to settle in the house at this time but I was tired and didn't want to unload another box with the kids awake so I got out the camera. Jayden saw me lifting the heavy boxes and wanted me to know he was a big boy and could help me whenever I wanted. He flexed so that I knew he was serious and I got a photo.

We got a new fridge for the house. I caught Kylie trying her best to open the door. She hadn't figured it out yet but an A for effort! It only took her about 2 more days to get it figured out.

Here are the kids hanging out behind the couch. Still to this day it is their favorite hiding spot.

My Musically Crazy Past

I was driving in my lovely minivan yesterday and the station had on its "retro" lunch hour and what was playing? Vanilla Ice - Ice, Ice, Baby. Did I know most of the words? YES! It was so funny and it put me in memory of growing up.

I am starting to feel old. I wonder sometimes that people have no idea who I am talking about when I talk about music I liked when I was young. I remember going to the local music store on Main Street in Walla Walla and Mom letting me buy records. I know I had a Samantha Fox record. (Look her up if you do not know who I am talking about). Then when the records started going away I had tape after tape. I even remember listening to the top 40 count downs on Saturday morning and recording my favorites on my tapes off the radio.

Where did I start musically? I have always been one of those people that don't really have a favorite type. It depends on my mood. I have always been into music and so after you learn of my music history I hope you still want to be my friend :) The pics aren't really in order but it is still a bit of a biography. Hopefully this makes you smile and start singing when you read it like it does for me!

Lets see, it started when I was young and would go to my friend Lydia's house and she had the best windows. We were the most famous Solid Gold Dancers and in those window reflections we could hear the cheers. My Mom did not like their "immodest" outfits but I loved them so much she let me watch that great show.

I was really into Milli Vanilli in elementary school. I remember a D.A.R.E. officer using their music to motivate us to stay clean. Can't deny I was sad when I heard they were fake. I remember I stayed up late to see Leno where they were on after all heck broke loose.

When I was twelve I got to go to my first concert. I went with Molly and we went and saw Debbie Gibson. I remember we were able to worm our way to the front and Debbie touched my hand. I couldn't believe it! For the next little while when I practiced my piano I was her. For those who don't know who she is she was really big at the time. I liked her and Tiffany.

I know I am talking about music, but during this time movies were a big part of my music loves as well. If you don't know what movie this pic belongs to then I am so very sorry. Top Gun, the volleyball scene, and it's music will always be one of my favorites. GO ICEMAN!

Another film I watched over and over. I could do the dance moves and sing along with the movie at the end prom scene like a pro. Again, windows came in handy. :)

Dirty Dancing, another music/dance classic that I can't believe that my Mom let me watch at such a young age. We had a talent show in elementary school that we performed a number from this movie.

I LOVED these gals! Manic Monday, Walk like an Egyptian, etc. I had their tapes and tried to do my hair like the lead singer.

This guy right here is still to this day, one of my man crushes. I had a really cool babysitter who would turn on her tape of Living on a Prayer and we would get hairbrushes and stand on the coffee table (sorry Mom) and would sing at the top of our lungs. Bon Jovi ROCKS!! (Colby is not a fan :)

I just look at this picture and his music comes to mind. Too legit, too legit to quit... You got to pray.... I am not much of a dancer but I could imitate MC Hammer's shuffle across the stage and the running man pretty good. Yes, I did own some pants like his. Not metallic but still not so cool now. I can say that my bud, Molly topped me and had a whole wardrobe full of them.

This was a great album. It was back when she wore the stiff suits, was not too weird and sang a little bit more rock. Black Cat was by far my favorite.

I am a sucker for harmony. When I was younger, and trying to learn alto, I would listen to them and try to sing the different parts. I thought I was a fan until I went to college and one of my roommates put me to shame. She had a BoysIIMen themed room.

Can anyone say anything bad about this group? Aerosmith was one of my favorites. My dream when I was younger was to go to one of their concerts but I never got a chance. Bummer!

O.K. George Michael has since this time gone a little crazy and Gay. But when I was younger I was OBSESSED with his song, "Faith". I can, to this day, still sing every word of it and it is still well played on my ipod.

At this last Super Bowl, Black Eyed Peas performed but there was a cameo by one of my favorites during their performance. Slash! I was so excited until Colby's younger sister had no idea who I was talking about. Slash was the guitar player for Guns N Roses. Only the best hair band back when. Axel Rose and the crew were awesome. It helped that they sang a song called, "My Michelle".

I mean the list goes on and on.

Def Leppord - Pour some sugar on me

Los Loboes - La Bamba

Martika - Toy Story

LL Cool J - Mama said knock you out

Bell Biv Devoe - Poison

Sinead O Connor

En Vogue

Starship

ACDC/Metallica

INXS

Roxette

Salt N Pepa

Billy Idol

Cyndi Lauper

As you can tell, I was not a fan of New Kids on the Block or groups like that. I had a lot of friends that were so no hating going on :) I hope you enjoyed my history and know that when "I like big butts" is playing, I am singing along!

Cowboy Up!

What do you do on a Saturday morning when you just want to play with the kids? You get out the cowboy hat and take pictures. It was so funny!

Kylie the cowgirl!

Again with the muscles, what is it with you boys? I was laughing so hard and Kylie was laughing because she thought they were making funny faces. It was a great morning!

Journal Entry for me

So, this blog is for me. Not that I don't mind sharing but my blog is the best I am doing right now to journal. Warning: A lot of bragging ahead. I felt like I wanted to do an update on the kids so I can track their progress better. I think this will be fun!

JAYDEN

Age: 3

Weight: 32 lbs.

Height: Tall

Shoe size: 10 Toddler

Personality:

Jayden is such a good kid. He is one of those kids who just wants to be good and please you. He is a big helper, he puts soap in the dish washer, he empties out the clean clothes of the dryer, he likes to wipe off the table and he is the best dust pan holder around. He is a good big brother because he tries to protect Kylie and he lets me know if she is doing something she shouldn't. The other day I heard him threaten to put her in time out! He is not very good at sharing right now but he solves this by "trading" his toys with Kylie. He finds her something else she might like and then takes the one he wanted from her. What is funny is that usually Kylie doesn't mind.

He loves to talk (a lot) and is already is a master negotiator. His understanding of things is almost creepy, if he doesn't understand he will ask until he does. When he finally gets it, it sticks. He loves to sing and is very good at rhythm. If he sees something cool he will sing about it. In fact he is very animated, he doesn't hold back on how he feels and tells you all about it. He loves the song "Down" by Jay Sean. If he likes a song on the radio he will tell me to turn it up loud and then will shake his head. If he doesn't like it he asks me to change it to a better one :) I think music will be one of his joys.

He is my picky eater. Texture is a big deal for him. Of course his favorite things aren't very good for him. He likes chicken nuggets, root beer, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, etc. You get the idea. In fact he LOVES chocolate! He likes to drink milk, man he is a milk boy!

He is really into trains, tractors, trucks and airplanes right now. He can tell you which one is which and why they do this and how the work. Yesterday he was telling me all about the motorcycle engine. He told me it is like a car engine but smaller and takes gas. I have no idea where he learned that! He wants to go to school so bad so that he can ride in a bus. I have learned that if we are in the car and he screams with excitement, not to be worried, because it usually means he sees a tractor or truck he likes.

He loves books. We go to the library often and it is fun for him. He like to read them to me by explaining the pictures. He counts to 20 and knows some of his letters but he is getting really good and adding things. He likes to watch on T.V. - Umi Zumi, Dora, Go Diego Go, Mickey Mouse club house, and Max and Ruby. He watched the movie Transformers with me the other day and that is now a favorite, he tells me I need to be careful or the bug in his toys will transform and get me!

Right now it is really important for me to know that he is a "big boy" and that he has lots of muscles. When I try to treat him like Kylie (or a girl) he doesn't like it and he lets me know. He can almost dress himself and we are working on potty training. He is not very interested in that. Lets see, what else? He likes to dance and jump off things and he really enjoys being outdoors. He likes to play hide and seek with Daddy. He is my gear, fix it man. We got him a bike and he likes to ride it but he turns it on it's side and "fixes" it more.

In a nutshell, I LOVE HIM LIKE CRAZY! It is so fun to watch him grow and learn his personality.

KYLIE

Age: 1

Shoe size: 6

Favorite things: Cats (animals in general), eating and shoes.

Personality:

It is so much fun because Kylie and Jayden are quite different. Where Jayden likes things a certain way, Kylie is more laid back. She is a lot of fun, and man can she tease. She likes to take things she is not supposed to, when you are not looking, and then run and hide with them till you find her. She is pretty independent and a lot stubborn (just to be stubborn). She will do things when she wants to and in her own way. She likes to cuddle and put her head on my shoulder. She is a great sleeper and actually doesn't mind being in the crib. It helps calm her down.

She loves cats. At this point all animals, except lions, talk with a meow. She can roar like a lion pretty good. She likes to surprise you and roar. She loves to read books, I will sit on the couch and she will bring me book after book to read. She is starting to talk and says a few words regularly. No,Mommy, Daddy, train, ball, balloon, cat, cookie, juice, bottle and shoe. Now that doesn't mean she doesn't know how to communicate. She can grunt and scream with the best of them. Usually loudly. She loves shoes, she will wear anyones shoes around and loves it. She likes to pick out her own shoes to wear everyday and does a pretty good job at it. What is funny is that in the house she likes to wear shoes but when she rides in the car she is always taking her shoes and socks off.

She is not really a girlie girl. She will sit still and let me do her hair but then she likes to pull it out. I think that is part of the teasing mentioned above. She doesn't like dresses or baggy clothes because they get in her way of playing. Right now she really likes to play with her stuffed animals, cars and her Weebles toys. Actually she likes to play with anything Jayden is playing with, she loves to follow him and do what he does. She is very ticklish. She is an observer. I don't know how to explain it except for when you look in her eyes you can tell she is picking up and observing everything. When I go to the YMCA she will sit on the stairs of the playground and just watch the other kids. She is not a fan of men, in fact she will step away and stare them down or put out her hand and say No.

She is such a good eater. In fact she would eat every second of the day if I let her. If it is really good she hums um mm while she eats. She is not as much of a sweet eater like Jayden, she likes more of the crackers and chips. In fact she puts a lot of stuff in her mouth that isn't even food, I have to watch her :)

Kylie is a bit more graceful then Jayden. I think she is going to be quite coordinated. She is my trouble maker and I pray often she uses her drive and determination for good. I love her so much and can already tell she is in our family to bring us joy and balance. I can't wait for her to be able to talk more so I can listen while her and Jayden share there special play moments.

Yes, it snows in Pueblo!

This was our first snow storm. It was about a week before Christmas and it snowed that night. In the morning Jayden comes running through the house yelling, "Mom, it snowed, it snowed. It is Christmas." Before breakfast he wanted to go and play in the snow. At least he let us dress him first. :)

We only got a couple of inches but that didn't matter to Jayden. Kylie did not like it at All! She cried and we had to bring her back in but we got a picture first.

The latest storm happened this last weekend and Colby and I took them outside to play while it was still snowing, before it got dark. Kylie liked it this time.

Kylie and Jayden went down the slide, with the snow it was a fast ride :) We made tons of snow angels!

This is this last Monday morning. Kylie was throwing snow on the window trying to get me while I was taking some pictures!

We made a huge snow pile on the deck. It wasn't great snow for a snow man but a pile was just as great. This is the smaller version, they jumped on it so many times the snow was getting scattered. Jayden is on the pile showing me his muscles!

Oh My Gosh! First of all Kylie posed for this picture and she smiled. That is amazing! After Jayden was on it she wanted to get her picture taken.

Kylie taking the dump truck out in the snow to play with.

Jayden and Kylie playing with the trucks in the snow. Kylie would push snow to Jayden and he would scoop it with the bucket into the dump truck. I love it when they play so good together.

Christmas 2010

So this year, I was awful about pictures during Christmas. To be honest the morning was so crazy we were glad we got some before Jayden opened every present. It was SO FUN this year. Kids this age make it a blast. Can't wait for next year.

Jayden and Kylie in front of the tree the day before Christmas.

The excitement of figuring out this gift played music. It is still one of their favorites.

Jayden opening his Thomas the Train lego set. He was excited!