My Monster

Does this look like the face of a MONSTER?

 

I know it might be hard to believe, but this sweet little face...those puppy dog eyes...those chubby cheeks...that bald head... is hiding a huge MONSTER!!

Seriously, all day long, Leah goes from doing one crazy thing to another.  She NEVER stops!!  She might go from getting into my mascara, to climbing on top of her changing table, taking off her diaper, wiping her bottom with 15 wipes, then getting off the changing table and pulling out 5 outfits and putting one on (without a diaper but she might throw on some underwear) to getting into the kids bathroom and dumping out the whole bottle of soap down the sink, to going downstairs and getting in the pantry and getting out the Cheerios and then pouring them in a bowl then spilling the rest of the box on the floor, to climbing up on the counter to get a cup and fill it up with water from the sink, to then spilling it all over the floor, to cleaning it up with the closest towel she can find, to getting into the fridge and getting an apple and taking 3 bites, to going to find a step stool so that she can reach my purse to get out a tube of lipstick (and not cheap stuff) and putting it all over her lips and cheeks, to running upstairs to sit on the toliet all by her self, then goes back in her room to change her outfit again......

And this is all in 10 minutes time!!

(like when I am in the shower)

You might think I am exaggerating, but I am not.  Ask anyone who has watched her.  This is what my whole day is like, no joke!

Then you say...."Well, at least you can rest when she takes a nap..."

The follow pictures are how I find her during her nap time:

These pictures were taken 2 days in a row during nap time.  She has climbed out of her crib and who knows where her pants are or diaper for that matter...Seriously, on top of the changing table....really?!!

Now I know some of you are thinking..."at least she is napping..." 

Well, she doesn't do that much these days.  When I put her down she will get out of her crib after 10 minutes or so and open her door just a crack sneak out and close her door.  From there she will go into Travis's room and close the door behind her so I won't know she is there and quietly play.  Seriously, a sneak at 27 months!  You might recommend that I put those things on the door nobs so she can't open a door...they don't work with her. 

I MIGHT NOT SURVIVE RAISING LEAH

HELP!!!!

Christmas TIme

Christmas has come and gone, but I figured I needed to document it (all for me, since this is the only  place I record anything...sad I know). 
On Christmas Eve we went to the annual Spongberg-Fernley party.  It was fun as always.  Everyone was there...even those from Australia, Florida & Seattle.  The first picture of all the kids in matching jammies. 
On Christmas morning we told the kids that we would not go downstairs to open presents until 7:00.  Travis and Sara were watching the clock and at 7 on the dot, we woke up Leah and went downstairs.  Isn't Christmas morning the best!!  The kids grabbed their stockings and went to town.  It really seemed like Leah knew what she was doing too.  The kids had so much fun and seemed to be happy with their presents.  Leah kept disappearing with some candy from her stocking and would go to the table to eat it (you can tell in her picture that she has a mouthful of chocolate).  After all the presents were opened we went into the kitchen to get some breakfast and Travis noticed that there was a trampoline in the back yard.  You should have heard him!  I wish that I would have recorded it.  It was wet as could be on the tramp but that did not stop them from jumping on their new trampoline.  Later, Jay's parents and brothers came over.  It was really nice.  The kids loved jumping on the tramp with their uncles!  For dinner my family came over and spent the evening (no pictures). 
Christmas time is my very favorite time of the year.  I am so sad that it comes and goes too quickly!!

Merry Christmas

We hope you all had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's a GIRL!

It did not even cross my mind that I could have a girl.  I think that I am still in shock!  1 boy and 3 girls...3 GIRLS....my oh my.  On the bright side, at least I don't need to paint the pink room! 

8 Years Ago Today

I Married My Best Friend

She's going to be a...

in May!

Happy Birthday Leah!

2 Years Old
For the last couple months she has claimed to be 2. Now she is!

How is my baby getting so big?
Where is her hair?
How did she get the funniest little personality?
Why will she not smile for the camera?

She had 2 little birthday parties...one in LB and one in C-bad.
She didn't like everyone singing "Happy Birthday to You".
She loved to sing it to herself...don't think there is anything cuter than that!

She really "gets" the opening present thing...Christmas is going to be great!!

At 2, Leah is into...

• Elmo & Micky Mouse
• Loves to sing (primary songs, Hanna Montana, By Baby Bunting, Twinkle Twinkle & ABCs)
• She doesn't know how to walk...only RUN (she is making up for lost time)
• Loves Gymnastics!! (she tells everyone she sees "gymnastics")
• Loves books & dolls
• Puts on make-up everyday!!
• Wants to do anything her brother and sister are doing
• Love to talk on the phone
• Always asks to go "shopping"

We love this girl!

Back to School

Walking to school the first day

Playing with his old Pre-K friends who go to his school

Sara posing for her first day

BFF

Trying out the rocking chair in his new class

Summer's over! Back to real life. Routines start again. Hallelujah!!!

Travis is finally in kindergarden!! Was I sad? Not a single bit!! Was he nervous? Not at all! He is loving school. He has gotten a "green light" award everyday for good behavior (yes, I am talking about Travis :) ) He has a good teacher. Unfortunately, he did not get into the school that I wanted him to go to (5th on the waiting list), but oh well. Maybe next year? Since school started they have been working on routines (definitely not academics... colors and the alphabet). Trav is a smart kid! Reading is one of his favorite things to do. He has gotten into The Magic Treehouse books. He also loved to do math "homework". I will make 15 or so math problems (like 56+43) and he thinks it is so fun. Let's hope he always feels this way about homework!!

Sara is back to preschool 3 days a week. I LOVE her preschool. Two of her good friends are in her class this year and she is so excited!! My little girl is a social butterfly! She is getting to be a great little artist. Rainbows are her favorite to color. Sara is starting to write words too. I can't believe she will be in kindergarten next year!!

Off to Paradise

with no kids!

Stay Tuned

It's been a while but we're back!

Here is the latest shot of the kids before church last Sunday. Not very often can I get all three of them smiling or looking at the camera in a shot. It was my lucky day. In case you are wondering, we are doing great! We have had a very busy summer. Thought we would have lots of time, but it seems that we are just as busy as we were during the school year.

Stay tuned to see what we have been up to.

Spring Break in Arizona

For Spring break we went to Arizona.  Jay had some work to do there, so he decided to take us with him.  We had a fantastic time.  We were there for 7 days, and I actually wanted to stay longer.  The kids had a blast!  Our resort was perfect for families and can't wait to go back!  

Travis LOVED going on the waterslide!

Sara loved swimming with her "Arizona friend" Mariah.  

Leah was a waterbaby!

Easter Morning

We left a note for the easter bunny at home telling it that we were on vacation.  He found us.  The kids had a great time on their egg hunt. We went to church and then had a fabulous breakfast at Corner Bakery.  I think we tried 1 of everything!!  YUM!

Travis and Sara

Leah

The kids did lots of crafts while we were there.

  Everyday I had something different for them to do. 

Other fun things we did: shopping at the mall in Chandler on a rainy day, seeing the Easter Bunny, eating at Cafe Rio (didn't know you only had to go to AZ to eat there-worth the drive just for that!), playing at the park, eating lots of Corner Bakery (did I say lots?  I do have 3 extra pounds to show for it!)

They were perfect travelers.  Thank goodness for DVD players!

Who knew family vacations would be so fun? 

Can't wait until the next one.

Going Private

I am not a fan of private blogs. I'll admit it, I like to look at "a friend of a friend's blog" and I don't mind if "a friend of a friend" looks at my blog. I think that it is a great way to stay in contact with friends, reconnect with old friends and get to know new people.

BUT...yesterday I had the feeling that I really need to go private for a while. With all of the No on 8 stuff going on, I have to do it. My husbands company is under attack and they have been getting hundreds of threatening phone calls and emails. They are even boycotting and picketing in front of several of his stores. His name is on several lists floating around cyberspace and we feel that this extra layer of security is needed for the time being.

If I don't already have your email address leave it in the comments (even if you are a friend of a friend of a friend).

Thanks & Sorry (seriously, this is so annoying!).

She Turned One!

November 1st, my baby turned 1.

I can not believe it! She is growing up way too quickly!

We are so lucky to have Leah in our family.

She loved her cup cake.

She ate it all!

My parents and Jay's parents came over for some pizza and cup cakes.
I felt so guilty that I didn't do some "big" party for her. I know that she doesn't know the difference, but I do (I even cried about it afterwards!).

Leah is starting to stand all by herself.

We don't have to worry about her walking for a while.

Her other favorite things are:

playing with her brother and sister, anything with daddy(she lights up when he is around!), crawling to the stairs (both up and down, keeping me on my toes!), ripping up magazines, clapping, and putting her arms in the air when you say,"How big's Leah...So BIG".

Halloween Fun

At the Pumpkin Patch

Carving Pumpkins with Dad

Travis was not very pleased with his pumpkin. He drew what he wanted Jay to carve, but Jay had to modify it a bit. Travis thought that he had a weird looking pumpkin, but we told him that it was a really scary one.

Ready to TRICK or TREAT!

The Strawberry, Sleeping Beauty & Darth Vader

We had a great Halloween. The kids had a party at their friend's house in the afternoon and then Trick or Treating and playing with lots of friends that evening.

Hope you all had a fantastic Halloween!

Happy Halloween!