Some of their Favorite Things

The boys are so funny lately. They are definately really getting into certain things. Aiden's thing lately are those little color books with the stickers. He loves to do the stickers. He usually gets more on himself than in the book, but he loves to pack around a color book and a crayon.

Brock is also into crayons and color books. He usually has a crayon or a marker (color wonder markers are my favorite) in one hand and a file folder game in the other hand. He doesn't really like to do the file folder game the correct way. He likes to color on them with his crayon. I figure that's alright though, since they are laminated, the crayon wipes right off.

Collin is into cars and basketball and balloons. He loves any ball and is liking to race cars down the car ramp. They are all so fun to watch play and be adventurous. They love to have me blow bubbles and they love to pop them. They laugh and giggle and run all around. They are so darn cute. Another like of all of them is Little People. You can't go wrong there. We have so many, that they get them all out and just enjoy playing with each other.

Life is still crazy and busy, but I am used to it like that. Paige is doing really well in school. She loves science and to do experiments. Her reading is improving a lot and it is fun to listen to her read to the boys. Kayla is loving preschool and wants to go all the time. She wants to constantly play games with me and we are trying to find other things to keep her busy. I just can't believe how fast all of my kids are growing up and how much they change all the time. They are all at fun stages.

I got a new calling in church. I have been doing the ward bulletin for Sundays. I have only had to do that every other month and it has been nice. I am now the Primary Pianist. I think that is one of my favorite callings. I love to be in Primary with the kids and I love to play the piano, so it is a perfect combination. I am just glad the boys are in nursery now, so I can actually play the piano. They are doing pretty good in nursery, but they still have some moments. Last Sunday, Brock wasn't having a very good day. He would start to cry when Matt or I would leave, and then there was a chain reaction with the other two. Pretty soon all three were howling. It is sad, but kind of funny at the same time.

I am looking outside at the snow right now and I am wondering if Spring will ever come. I am really starting to get Spring Fever. I am tired of snow and cold and I am ready to break outside and start letting the kids play outside. Hopefully it will happen sooner that later.

Catch Up

I just realized it has been over two weeks since I last blogged. I just haven't had the time to sit down and do it. (not that I'm busy or anything) My three 19-month old helpers are always so helpful anymore, that I am doing more clean up and pick up than anything else. They open any and every drawer and empty the entire contents out. They also love the garbage. Gross. I can't stand when they get into the garbage. My new solution for keeping drawers closed is yardsticks. It helps some, but it still doesn't make them childproof.

They love to dance around and listen to music. They love Kung Fu Panda and the song from Madagascar. I videoed them the other day just so I could always remember how darn cute they are. So I thought I would share it with everybody.

I took them in for an appointment the other day and they got weighed and measured. Aiden is 24 lbs. 3 oz. and is 30 3/4" long. Brock is 22 lbs. 14 oz. and is 30 1/2" long. Collin is 23 lbs. 10 oz. and is 31" long. They are all very close in size.

We have had a fun weekend. On Friday I got a delivery for Valentine's day. I was kind of excited. Matt usually doesn't send me flowers, so I was pleasantly surprised. On Saturday night we took all the kids, yes I said all the kids, out to dinner at Winger's. The boys have never eaten at a restaurant, so it was a new experience for them. They were really good and we survived, so it was fun.

Today the girls and I went to Idaho Falls. I had a few things I needed to return and then we went to Sam's Club and did some stocking up. It has been kind of nice having another day to just do whatever and have everyone home.

New Do

This morning was a big deal in the eyes of Paige and Kayla. Paige has been wanting her hair cut for awhile and we finally convinced Kayla to get a haircut. They were super excited for the big event. Paige ended up cutting about 3 inches off. Kayla just got a trim, but we added bangs. I was sick and tired of the big flock of hair that was always hanging in her eyes, so we took care of that. They both look so much better, especially Kayla. She looks like a whole new girl and so much more grown up.

Before......

And after..........

The other morning when the girls were getting ready to leave for school and preschool, the boys were really wanting to go. They got their hats out and were putting them on. I couldn't pass up the photo op.

They are also really cute reading their books. They all get a book and sit on the bottom step and read together. It is priceless.

Snow Fun

On Tuesday the girls were getting their snow clothes on so they could go over to the neighbors house and play outside. As they were doing this the boys got their coats out of the closet and were getting mad, because they wanted to go too. So, after I got the girls ready I went downstairs and found three odds and ends snowpants to put on the boys. After about 10 minutes of getting them all ready, I took them out and put them in the sled and took them for a ride around the circle.

Brock, Collin and Aiden all bundled up for the snow.

Collin, Brock and Aiden (As I pulled the boys they all would start to lean back, so poor Aiden was always getting laid on and squished at the back.)

Collin, Brock and Aiden

They loved it. When we got home I started taking them inside and they got mad. So I took them out and let them sit in the snow. They didn't know what to think at first, but then they started touching it and they had a fun time. They loved it so much, that we went out again yesterday. This time around I put my snow clothes on and I went sledding down the hill Matt built outside with each of the boys. They giggled the whole way down.

Back to Reality

I think I am finally back on schedule and back into the swing of being a mom. Taking a week off does wonders for me, but not for my kids. The kids did so good while we were gone and were in such good hands between Grandma and Grandpa Ricks and Nielson (thanks you guys). Grandma and Grandpa Nielson even taught them all to go down the stairs. Yeah!! Now we are gate free and can get up and down any stairs without straddling a gate.

When I got the kids up on Sunday, they all just stood in their cribs and looked at me like "who are you?" It took them a few minutes, but they finally warmed up to me. Now the problem is, they don't want anyone but me. If I leave, they start to cry and think I am not coming back. I hope they get adjusted soon. It makes me feel loved and who could not love these three little faces.

Last Monday, Matt had the day off, so he started a much awaited project. He tore the carpet out of the kids bathroom and put in a wood floor and a new toilet. It took him a few days, but he finished and it looks marvelous.

Before........

And After..............

On Tuesday, Kayla started preschool at the college. She was so excited and she asks every day if she can go. Two days a week are just not enough for either of us. It is just nice for her to have something to do.

Cancun - Day 7

This morning we got up and packed and headed back for Cancun. When we finally got to the airport, we returned the rental car and got shuttled over to our terminal. I was so glad we got there early, because we waited in line to check-in for over an hour. The line was forever long, and I don’t think I have ever waited in that long of a line in an airport. After we finally got checked in and through the security, we realize our flight was about 30 minutes delayed. So we got some lunch and then waited to board.

I am actually writing this while flying from Cancun to Salt Lake. Matt and I have both had an incredibly fun week and it was fun to just spend time together without the kids. Don’t get me wrong, we have missed the kids more than I can tell you. It is the first time I have ever left the boys and I can hardly wait to kiss them and hold them. I know my life will be back to normal tomorrow with all the hustle and bustle of life, but that it is what I live for. I love my kiddos and this vacation has made me realize how much I do enjoy being a mom and taking care of them.

Cancun - Day 6

We got up and went back to give the Family Ruiz Pech a letter and a picture on our way out of Izamal this morning. Then we hit more backroads and drove to Ek Balam. Ek Balam is ruins, similar to Tulum and Chitzen Itza. They were just disco vered not many years ago. So we were able to get out and climb on top of some of the ruins and it was gorgeous. It was actually the first day that the weather was actually hot and humid, so I finally got to experience true Mexico heat.

After Ek Balam we headed to Vallodolid. We checked into our hotel and then walked around the town and went to some of the shops. We got drenched with rain, so that made the weather even more sticky. After that we drove to a little town outside of Vallodolid, called Uayma. It was one of Matt’s favorite areas. We stopped and visited Hermana Florentina and her family. Then we also visited the Family Vargas. On the way out of Uayma we were able to also see the house Matt lived in while serving and living in Uayma. They live in such humble circumstances, it is incredible.

We went back to our hotel and ate dinner and then walked around Vallodolid at night.

Then he was able to get in touch with another person he was able to baptize on his mission who had moved to Vallodolid. So Marcello (that’s his name) came to our hotel and picked us up to go visit with him and his family at their house. They were so nice to invite us in and it was fun to meet his wife, Carolina and his son Randy and daughter Stephanie. Him and his wife both speak English, so we were able to talk in English. It was nice to finally understand a conversation. We actually stayed at their house until almost 1 a.m. talking. It was fun.