January 2013

January was a cold, hazy, and snowy month.  The beginning started with a lot of leftover snow from December and it stayed so cold that it never melted.  It was also so cold that we had nasty haze that gave the Northern Utah the worst air quality in the US for several weeks, it also caused a lot of health problems for a lot of people.
We beat the cold and boredom by finding new things to play and do.  Zack used an ace bandage to be a ninja.  He also decided to wear a tank top even though it was below freezing outside, silly boy. We had a couple of play days at McDonald's play land just to get out of the house.

Will is such a cute, fun boy.  He has so much energy and uses most of it to torture Addi.  We're working on where he exerts his energy but just love him to pieces still.  He is now fully potty trained, even at night!  We just waited until he was ready and then it was less than a week until he was done with diapers.  He's had a few accidents but is so great about going potty most of the time. Yahoo!

After watching an episode of 'Sid the Science Kid' Zack and Will wanted to make a fort.  We used the love seat, chair, folding table and a lot of blankets to make it.  It lasted a few days and the kids enjoyed it.  Addi even joined in the fun, she wasn't afraid to be in it at all.

Will brought all of his stuffed animals and blankets into the fort one of the days.

Addi just has so many cute faces, we love them all.  She is such a sweet heart!  She is now walking around a lot of the time.  She still crawls but we're sure within the next couple of weeks she will be walking all of the time.  She no longer has blue eyes.  Her eyes are hazel like her mamma but still under the right light conditions they do look a little bit blue.  She almost has all 8 of her front teeth.  A couple have pushed through but the others are still just right there pushing.  She also has a couple of her molars starting to push but it doesn't seem to effect her too much, she is still just a happy girl most of the time.

Here she is taking some steps just a couple days after she took the first ones.

Addi loves her ride on shopping cart and does great with moving around, that is when Zack and Will aren't bugging her.  Will rides it almost as much as she does and even pushes her off of it to ride it.  Zack mostly just pushes her around and she doesn't always enjoy it.  

Just a cute video!

 On February 1, Zack didn't have school due to Parent Teacher Conferences, so we took the kids to Cabela's and the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point.  We had a lot of fun and the kids loved seeing all the different animals and dinosaurs but their favorite parts had to be the 'create your own dinosaur' and the sand and water pit, which were both at the museum.  We spent probably more time at those 2 activities than we did in the rest of the museum.  Addi did not want to be held or be in the stroller so we helped her walk and then finally let her crawl but made sure to watch her closely and wash her hands when we were done.

 Here Zack and Will used sand and water to simulate what possibly happened on the earth to bring the dinosaurs to extinction.  Kip had fun with them making dams and breaking them.

the Day After Christmas

That's right 6 inches of snow!  On December 26 we woke up to probably 3 inches of snow. We were planning on going around to all the aunts and uncles houses but then Zack had a fever of 103 degrees and Will had a fever of 101 degrees.  Kip decided to go by himself and had a lot of fun.  When he came home Jaki went out to clear the driveway and there was 6 inches!  It wasn't done snowing yet either.  By the time she had cleared most of the driveway there was at least another inch on the driveway already.  She called it quits for now and headed in.

 When we woke up the next morning there was a little more than 4 more inches of snow.

 Zack was feeling better and didn't have a fever so he came out and helped for a little while.  He kept complaining because the snow was so bright it was hurting his eyes.

We measured how much snow total and that's right, there was 10 1/2 inches from 24 hours!  It was fun but Jaki was glad Kip was off work so she could get the driveway cleared.

 It snowed a couple more inches on Friday December 28, so that put us up to about 1 foot of snow in just a couple days.

On Friday Zack and Jaki went out and played in the snow.  They tried to make a snowman but the snow was just too powdery but they made snow angels and tubed down the hill in the backyard.

We've had quite the week of sickness though.  The kids have all had fevers off and on since the 26th.  Jaki went to a birthday party for her mom on Saturday the 29th and while she was away Will started complaining about his ears hurting.  We had a rough night with Will and Addi not sleeping well so we decided to go to the doctor today.  It turns out Will has a double ear infection and Addi has an ear infection.  Zack just has a really bad cold.  Poor little kiddos!

Christmas 2012!!!!

 Here is after Santa  dropped off gifts.  Zack was very excited for his Talking Eagle Castle with a lot of weapons, knights, a big ogre, a dragon and even came with a dvd of fun stories with the castle and other Imaginext characters.  He also has a large Ninja Turtle coloring and activity book, a Phineas and Ferb popcorn tin, a lot of candy and Captain America, Hulk, and Iron man action figures.  He loves all of it.
Mommy and Daddy gave him a few pair of pants, some pajamas, socks, underwear, shirts, and a set of army men with guns.

 Santa left Will a very large Batman, Batman's cap and mask, a Hulk mask, building block table, Jake and the Neverland Pirate sword, a CAT dump truck and a bulldozer, a lot of candy and a Phineas and Ferb popcorn tin.  The Batman is almost as tall as Will.  He loves it!
Mommy and Daddy gave him a Mickey Mouse jacket, a few shirts, a couple pair of pants, and a set of police men with guns.

 Santa left Addi a push or ride-on shopping cart, a shapes picnic basket and a giggle and move elephant thing.  She loves to walk behind and ride on the shopping cart but Will and Zack are constantly fighting over it...
Mommy and Daddy gave her some cute clothes, black boots, and Mommy even made her a nice big soft blanket.

Here are all of the gifts from Reed and Nada for everyone, minus the Kava bowls that were brought out later.  Everyone loved their gifts.

 Zack got a spider-man shirt that is a little big on him but he loves it.  He's wearing his Christmas pajamas, they have race cars all over them.  Zack was very excited about everything this Christmas and it was just so much fun to have that spirit in our home!

 Addi is still figuring out how to unwrap presents.  She needed a lot of help still but loved to rip the paper.  When she opened her big blanket, she laid right on it.  Her Christmas pajamas are pink with santas, reindeer, and Christmas trees all over them.

 The whole family in front of the Christmas tree.  Pretty good picture!

 Grandma Valerie and Grandpa Jeff gave Addi this cute little tutu.  She was so cute playing around in it and loved to just play with the pieces of the skirt.

Will was quite a bit of fun this year.  He was excited about all of it and definitely was more excited because of Zack's attitude.  His Christmas pajamas have different construction equipment all over them.

Christmas preparation

 We enjoyed setting up the whole house for Christmas.  Jaki put up the lights with Kip's help.  We had the tree in the front room so that little babies wouldn't hurt it.  We thought Grandma and Grandpa Spencer would enjoy a picture of their house dressed up for Christmas.

Will just loves making funny faces for the camera.  He is such a messy eater still.  Love him!!!!

 On December 23 while Addi was napping and Jaki was finishing up wrapping Christmas presents, Kip and Will took a little nap together.  Will fell asleep on the couch and then moved down to snuggle with Kip.  Zack was watching TV.

 Gotta love Zack, he wants pictures taken of him but won't smile...

We just love Addi's little noises and faces.  She loves saying 'Oooo' and has just the cutest lips!  She also says 'ow' when she pinches someone else or herself.  She is getting so close to walking but just not there yet.  She stands for long periods of time and walks all around furniture and with toys and chairs when she can.  She loves to be down and playing except, of course, when her brothers are torturing her.  She is just a happy little girl.  She is finding her voice and she lets you know when she is not happy.

 
Here is Addi playing with her toy, that we bought as her present from Grandma and Grandpa Spencer.  Now that Jane is mobile, she and Addi are starting to play very well with each other.  Above is a close up picture of just her present.  It's a cute little tea set that sings or says different things when you push the button on the teapot or pour with it.

Addi's 1st birthday

December 1, 2012
Happy 1st Birthday Addi!
We started the day off with a visit with Santa and a couple of his reindeer at the Pleasant View City Offices.  The boys thought it was fun to see the reindeer up close.  Will wanted to ride them but of course that wasn't an option.  There were a few fun things to do while waiting in line(we waited in line for about 45 min).  We saw the reindeer and then there was a cute photo opportunity(below).

Our 3 little elves!

It was a little chilly so Addi stayed warm snuggled up with mommy in her coat and blanket.

Zack and Will were actually pretty good while standing in line for that long.

We didn't even try to have Santa hold Addi, we just had Zack hold her.  She didn't even cry once.

The boys were able to do a bean bag toss and go fishing to get small candy prizes.  They also colored Christmas pages and Zack made a snowflake that he gave to his mom and said "here, Mom, I made it just for you!"  What a sweetheart.

We had a double birthday party with cousin Cambree who turned 3.  We invited Grandma Valerie to come and join the party at Christy and Ryan's house.

Addi didn't quite get that she was supposed to open the presents but was happy when Mommy would hand her a new toy or clothes.  Her favorite things by far were her 2 new dolls.  She knew just how to love them.

Addi got several very cute new clothes, 2 dolls, a purse with accessories, a headband and some hair bows.  She also got some money from Grandma and Grandpa Spencer so that we will can go pick out a gift for her from them. Thanks everyone! It was a fun crazy night with all the cousins.

Here are a few links of video of Addi with her cake.  We hope they work, if not let us know and we'll try something else.

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 She wasn't quite sure what to do with it at first but once she got a taste of the frosting, the cake had no chance of survival.

 This is her funny pose that she does all the time.  She lifts up her chin and just sticks it out as far as she can, so funny and cute.  She was thoroughly enjoying the cake by now.  As usual with a 1 year old we had to give her a bath when the cake was gone.  She was in a sugar coma!

 We had dinner with the Cullison's on Sunday December 9, where we celebrated Addi's birthday again.  She and her cousin Zane were playing very cute for most of the night.  They both really enjoyed climbing all over these little couches.

We've had dinner at the house and at Jim and Amanda's house, with the Cullison's a couple of times, while Jaki's dad is recuperating from surgery and hospitalization. Plus there's just much more room for the kids to play here and at Jim and  Amanda's.

Addi got another cute outfit and 2 pair of pajamas.  She still didn't understand the opening of presents and this time her cousin Hallie helped her out.  She also got a pink princess rubber duckie and a little people tractor with a farmer and cow.

We let her enjoy some more cake,  she knew what  to do this time and didn't get quite as messy(there wasn't near as much cake or frosting this time).

Will just wanted a picture of his tongue, silly little kid!

Thanksgiving festivities

 Thanksgiving was fun and full of family.  We started off with watching the Macy's parade and then headed off to have lunch with the Spencer family.  We were at Lois and Ed's ward building. Here are a few pictures of the festivities.  Our family ate at a table with Sally and her kids.  Bryce stayed at home to sleep since he had to work that night.  Trevor and Justin's family ate together.

Here is (from left to right)Bentley, Cace, Will, and Jane.

 Above, from left to right, Addi, Zack, Bentley, and Cace.

Here's Noah and Kanyon eating while the rest of their family is still getting their food.

 Here are just a couple pictures of the whole group in the gym.  It was nice seeing the Spencer family and sharing the holiday with them.

After lunch at the church we headed back home to grab a few things for dinner with the Cullisons.  Kip dropped Jaki and the kids off at her parents and went to see 'Red Dawn' with Trevor.  Kip quite enjoyed the movie but it made him want to prepare more for if something crazy like that were to really happen.

These are just a couple of pictures of the beautiful sunset from Friday November 23.  The sunset was much prettier than these pictures could capture.

Saturday November 24.

 Jaki's mom came over at 7 am to watch the kids so we could go Christmas shopping.  We got most of it done and didn't get back to the kids until about 2 pm.

Even though Jaki hasn't run much since her appendectomy in July she decided to sign up for the Ogden Santa Run(5k).  She only had about a week to prepare but was able to beat her last 5k time.

The run is on Washington Blvd from 22nd to 28th street, back to 22nd and then 28th, then from 28th to the finish line which is down 25th street.  Jaki finished 107 overall, 22 in women age 25-29, 89 in women overall.  There were a total of about 1200 people participating, so she was in the top 10%!  Her finish time was 28:36 which was beating her last 5k(the Pleasant View Founders Day 5k), by just under 4 min!  Way to go Jaki!

 The race started at 4:30 pm just to finish a few minutes before the Ogden City Light Parade and then the lighting of the Christmas Village on 25th Street.  We stayed for the parade where our friends, Colton and Teresa and their kids, joined us.  We opted out of going to the lighting of the christmas village since there was a huge crowd.  We will probably go back as a family night in the next couple of weeks.  After the parade Colton and Teresa and family came to the house to play games and let the kids play.

It was a busy fun day and by then end of it we were all tuckered out.  Will fell asleep on the way home at 7 and the rest of us were in bed by 11.

Here's the family, minus Kip, watching the sun set and getting ready to watch the light parade.