"Foto" Friday

Happy Birthday Aspen!

I cannot believe Aspen is 5! We have made so many wonderful memories in the past five years, but I can still remember the first time I held her in the hospital, the first time she said mommy, the first time she attempted jumping, and now she is reading and helping her little brother "grow up." Aspen, I love you so much! I hope the next five years go by a little slower. I am so blessed to be your mommy. Everyday I thank God for choosing me to be the one to raise your sweet soul! Love you!

Some of Jacob's funniest

Here are some of Jacob's cute moments. As I went through his I realized that I didn't have as many as with Aspen. This made me a little bit sad and disappointed in myself. Jacob is very bright and a lot of fun to be around, so why wasn't I there to notice the cute sayings in his life? I realized a couple of things while thinking about this: 1. I had a lot of "alone time" with Aspen as Jacob took his naps, and this was when a lot of her funniest moments came out. 2. I need to make more time for "alone time" with Jacob as he continually wants to play with his sister and rarely asks for me. New goal... make more time for Jacob and I. I love you so much little man!


May 26, 2009-

Jacob called is belly button, his “belly buddy” today. :)

Sunday August 15.

“If pirates smoke, they will go to timeout.” Aww if all life’s negative consequences were timeouts. :)

Sunday August 30, 2009.

Susan is explaining to Jacob about going to a state park. Jacob says, I want to see an animal. Mommy says, I bet there will be chipmunks, or squirrels, Jacob interrupts, “or tigers!”

November 19, 2009.

We baked cookies today and after Jacob had two and I told him no more, this is what he said while standing over the tray of cookies. J: “Can I smell the cookies?” M: “Um sure.” He leans over and smells them on the pan. J: “Can I smell a cookie in my hand?” M: giggle “No you can’t.” J: last attempt “can I just have a little piece of a cookie?” M: “ No way little guy.” With a kiss and little tickle he was lifted off the chair he was standing on and successfully distracted. Love him!

November 24, 2009

Jacob woke up way too early today. (Coughing/hearing daddy leaving for school) He came in my bed with me to “cuddow” and rest for just few minutes before the inevitable “I want lunch now” (he calls breakfast lunch). Jacob randomly got up and closed the bathroom door, and as he came back to bed he said “I just closed the door.... It was freakin’ me out!” then laid with me and cuddowed. :)

Some of Aspen's Funniest Moments

We try to write down some of the funny things our kids say. I was recently rereading them and thought I just HAD to put some on the blog. So here ya go. (A post of Jacob's funniest to follow)

August, 2008.

Aspen had a friend she was playing with outside. When I told Aspen to come into the house, her friend followed her. I explained to her friend that she needed to go home and ask her dad before she could come inside. The first never came back. Aspen inquired why her dad might not let her play with us? I said, “Well, her dad doesn’t know us. How does he know we will be good to her? How does he know he can trust us? How does he know we will not be mean to her.” She responded, as though this was a ridiculous question, “Because we're not pirates!”


September 23, 2008

“Mommy, it is nice to have someone with you when you are alone, isn’t it?” And she smiles at me as we make stew together while Jacob is napping.

“Mommy, if you let me take these carrots into my room, I will let you....it’s the thing you’ve always wanted...I will let you not clean or work EVER again. I will do all the cleaning (with a big smile).” Aspen is not allowed to have snacks in her room before bed because of the mess on the sheets etc. She is quite the bargainer. It did not work though. WHAT A QT!

November 9, 2008.

“I am gonna tell you what dough (bread dough) tastes like... water. Okay. It tastes just like dough... and a little bit like water.”

November 11,2008

I overheard (okay I listened for a second) Aspen’s personal prayer tonight after I put her down.

“Dear Heavenly father, I am so sad that Jacob is sick. I hope he gets better, and I hope I don’t get sick...” The rest I could not hear. Oh so cute.

November 29, 2008

Aspen was trying to make a deal with me about her watching a movie. I was reading, and I didn't hear her, so I said, “okay Aspen, will you repeat that.” She said, “What does repeat mean?” I said, “oh, say it again.” She paused for a second then said, “What does repeat mean?”

January 29, 2009

“Guess what, I know that Jacob isn’t a vampire, because vampire’s drink blood.” Dad, “And Jacob doesn’t Do that.” Aspen, “No, Jacob just drinks water.”

April, 2009.

Aspen, explaining to me that she is hungry says she wants some ham. She says, “Dad, I really want some ham. I could eat a whole lot of ham. I could eat a whole pig!”

April 11, 2009.

“I was explaining to Aspen how proud I was of her. She has been doing a great job of taking care of Jacob in various ways (holding his hand while he crosses the street, encouraging him when he is afraid to go down a slide). So I was telling her how proud I was of her and she turns to me and says, “so, do I get a treat,” and I say, very cleverly, “no, you just get my love”, and she pauses, and says a moment later, “that’s a treat!.”

April 16, 2009.

Aspen and Jacob were watching home videos on the computer. Aspen turned around to look at me and said “Mom I wish I could go into that video (it was one of her as a baby).” I said “I know that would be fun wouldn’t it.” Aspen eyes got big and bright and in a pleading tone she asked, “Mom can I please?!” I said “Can you please what?” “Can I please go into the video.” I smiled and said, “ How are you going to do that?” Aspen replied, “Just break the glass... Please mom can I?”

I was putting Aspen to bed tonight and right before we were to sing songs she winks at me. I said “Wow, I didn’t know you could wink!” Aspen said “what?” not knowing that she had done something cool, and she did it again. I said, “Yes that is winking.” She looked at me with those gorgeous bright eyes and wanting to impress me again she said, “Look! I can wink with both eyes!” And then she proceeded to blink her eyes and looked at me in anticipation of my awe. What a QT!


09-13-2009
Aspen asked me (mom) what conceited meant. I told her it meant that you think you are better than other people. Aspen responded later that evening with “Mom, I am just a little conceited.”

11-23-2009
Aspen is really struggling to fall asleep. I went up to see if I could help. Here is our conversation.
A: I just can’t fall asleep. I tried reading books and my body just won’t go to sleep.
M: Aspen you just need to try and trick your body into thinking it is tired. Just lay down and relax.
Earnestly and seriously, Aspen replies : “I did try to trick it," and with a slight whisper she says, "but I think my body knows I am trying to trick it!”
LOVE HER!

Classic

Did you know that Michael is a very talented rollerblader? When he was a teenager he would compete in local competitions and often win them. He did all the speed skating, dancing, flips, and ramp jumping! The first place we met (only realized this later in life) was when we were both 14 and at Classic Skating our local skating rink. Michael's first gift to me was a pair of blades and rollerblading was a favorite pastime when we were dating. That said, it was my turn to plan our anniversary this year, and I decided it was time to put those blades back on! We went to a local skating rink here in Des Moines, and we had sooo much fun! Michael was fabulous! They didn't have a ramp, but it was so fun to see him do all those tricks he used to do to impress me when we were dating. On a side note, who knew that skating rinks were all the same?! It was crazy but this place smelled exactly the same, was also a bit grimy, and had the exact same carpet (dirty with confetti and balloons pattern). After the skating we went golfing and then dinner. Pretty low key and cheap, but soooo fun to be able to spend so much quality time with my best friend.

6th Anniversary

YAY! I can't believe it has been six years already! Here are some pictures I really like of Mike and I with the exception of one, but I had to include our first date... See if you can guess which one it is! Oh man, I sure hope you can tell ;). I feel so blessed to be married to Michael. He is almost my opposite in every way, and I think that is why our love is so strong. Yin and yang! I wanted to say something really profound, but with Jacob playing with the vacuum on and Aspen swinging on the office chair (that I am sitting on), my concentration is less-than-ideal. Simply put, I love you Michael, so very much! Happy Anniversary!

Halloween 2009

We had a Halloween Party tonight at Michael's school.  The kids were soooo excited to dress up for it! (especially Aspen, because she really wanted to wear makeup)  In Des Moines the actual trick-or-treating happens the night before Halloween, and trunk-or-treats happen on the night of Halloween, and our kiddles got to go to a Halloween party tonight!  That is three nights of Halloween!  Not sure if we will recover from this weekend but..... Bring it on!

Here's to Remembering

Tonight I cleaned up junior Picasso's watercolors, a pirate's secret couch-cushion hideout, and the pirate's kitten's blanket fort, a marching band's instruments and music CDs, a SCARY ghost's clothes (daddy's t-shirts and socks), junior Babe Ruth's baseball and bat (and tee), a mother kitten's babies and blankets, and a fairy princess's gown.   As they all lie upstairs asleep, I pray to Heavenly Father that I will remember the incredibly grateful feeling I have right now, especially during the times when remembering is so hard.

(and yes, those are bobby-pins hanging from Aspen's ears :) )

Pumpkin Carving Time!

Dum... da da da Dum..... Dum.. Dum.. Dudum...

Even Superman needs to rest. :) Is the Superman theme song playing in your head too now? This is his costume for Halloween, and it is only off of him long enough to wash it. The other day Jacob asked me "What does Superman do, Mommy?" I told him Superman is pretend, but he saves people from being hurt and flies around. Jacob ponders on this for a moment then looks at Michael and says, [so]"Daddy, what do you do?"

Aspen's Teeth

Aspen is 4 years old and already loosing teeth. About a month ago she smiled and I noticed that behind one of her bottom teeth was a very large adult tooth! We then noticed her tooth in front of it was loose and a week later it was out and the new tooth was moving up in its place. A few days after that elated, Aspen came up and told me she had another loose tooth. Sure enough she had another loose tooth and a brand new one already out behind it, waiting to move forward! I thought this was crazy early, so I called the pediatric dentist. He said that because she had all her teeth at ten months old, that it was normal for her to loose them early. OK- I am really going to say it.... Wow they grow up FAST! (The pictures are out of order. The first is on the only one I could find that showed both her new bottom teeth (click on it for more detail ;) ). The second one is when she lost the first one. If you click on the picture you can see the adult tooth still needing to push forward where the old one was- sooo fun!)

Blueberries for Jacob

Mommy upstairs making her bed + Jacob in the kitchen looking for a snack = Blueberry DISASTER! His cuteness saved his life that day. ;)

Naki Maile

Last Friday our good freind Naki Maile passed away very unexpectedly. For us he left a legacy of service, genuine kindness, and a love for his family that radiated whereever he went. I will honor you, Naki by trying to live by the example you set.

Naki was 32 years old. He left a beautiful wife and 6 daughters between the ages of 9 and 1. Their family has set up a fund for donations, and if any of you would like to donate, please do. No amount is too small.

Abby, our prayers for you will not cease for a very long time, and we are only able to stop the sadness and tears with comfort in knowing you will be united with your sweet husband in heaven and be together for eternity.

Here is their family blog:

http://sixmailechix.blogspot.com/

Here is the fund:

http://www.nakifamily.com/

Pumpkin Patch Time

Its that time of year again! We went to a little farm just off the freeway to pick our pumpkins. It had a petting zoo, blow-up toys, a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin cannon, a hay ride, pony rides, a hay-bale maze, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate etc etc. Needless to say- it was so great to be together as a family and enjoy this muddy but great time!

Hair cut

The tangles were getting out of control! So I decided to cut another 4 inches off Aspen's hair. Yes, I said I cut it! We would usually go to a stylist, but trying to stay in budget, I did it myself. Not too bad! I would also like to take a moment to thank Curious George, for without his distracting abilities this would not have been possible. :) Jacob got a little trim too, but I couldn't get a could picture at the time- He was a great sport though!

Sunday afternoon walk

One Sunday afternoon we went to one of the many state parks out here. Beautiful scenery, Michael with us (he is usually at school or studying), and Jacob with a stick in the "wilderness" makes for an AWESOME Sunday!

Howell's Family Farm

I LOVE that Iowa is full of farms! This is one that we went to that had so many things for the kids to do! I think I missed pictures on about half the little activities. We all loved the baby goats running around waiting for you to feed them. The rabbits were the size of a medium sized dog! They were very freindly too! There was also a massive "sand box" completely full of corn! The kids played in that the longest..Note to self for next year- That corn is REALLY messy!