I couldn't resist

There is a picture of Derek and his younger sister, Kim when they were really young with underware on their heads. So when Zoe put Maeley's panties on her head and Maeley joined right in I couldn't resist. I had to take a picture.

Maeley decided she had to try out Chase's underware on her head. Chase had some on too however he took it off before I could get a picture with it on.

These kiddos have so much fun together!

Packing

Well I offically started packing last night. I haven't accomplished much. It's almost a week away. Doesn't seem too far off but at the same time it does. The anticipation is awful. I just want it to be over with. I hate moving. I'm really really tired of it. And to think about doing this again in a few months or so is depressing.

The kids are excited to pack up their toys. They can't wait to be in a house and have a backyard again. Also Derek has been working on the house in the evenings. The kids (especially Chase) what to go with him. I think for 2 reasons, they miss their dad and so they can ride their bikes in the backyard. I'm thankful they are going to Gilbert during the move. It will be so much easier without them. And it will be a nice break for Derek and I, if you can call that a break. I hope this week goes by fast!

Silly kids

I love this picture purely for Chase's facial expression. Chase was so mad at Zoe because she was in the way and kept pressing buttons.

Zoe really is this silly. There is never a day she doesn't make us laugh. She is wearing Chase's Spider Man backpack. I should have taken a picture from behind. A backpack with a head, arms, and legs.

Maeley just had to get a picture taken too. In the second picture she was twirling around.

And Chase still won't let me take a good picture of him.

Chase has been very talkative lately. Yesterday we went to pick up Derek at work and because he wasn't ready yet I let the kids out and we just walked around a little bit. Right by our car was a huge puddle. A Hummer and a another truck drove through it and made a big splash. That apparently was a huge thrill for Chase and he keeps talking about it. When Chase gets excited about something he talks loud and fast. Sometimes its hard to understand whats he's talking about. He does the same thing when he mentions that Grandma is making him a robot blanket.  

Wish list

Since I first discovered Knock off Wood Derek and I have decided to make a couple projects after we move. Actually he's pretty much decided that we are making our furniture from now on. He loves building and being hands on and well I've caught that bug too and can't wait to get started. So I'll make a list of projects I want to build.

Frist a bench for our kitchen table.

image from Pottery Barn

Ana's plans for this can be found here

 King size Farmhouse bed

image from Knock off wood

This is her actual bed. I just love it!

plans found here

I love my formal China. Love, love, love it. So I want to display it eventually.

image from Knock off Wood

I really like this one but I'd like to add glass doors.

And chairs for the kids

image from Land of Nod

plans found here

My list could go on and on. I'm not sure how much we will build or when but we are for sure doing the bench soon.

Pictures

I realized that I don't have many pictures of me with the kids. I'm normally the one behind the lens. Today I decided to get pictures with the kiddos. Unfortunately Maeley and Chase wanted nothing to do with getting their picture taken. Good thing I can count on Zoe.

Maeley took this picture. I love Chase in the background.

Zoe is a bit under the weather. She seems to be getting the cold Derek has.

Maeley and Chase looking at a Curious George book together.

And Zoe being silly like always.

Lately it seems like there is so much stress. Stress coming from multiple areas. It's wearing me out. Can't wait for the this move be done even though there will be another one before the summer is over.

Joy

There have been many special moments lately that makes me want to freeze time.

Too bad I've forgotten most of them.

Yesterday while the kids and I were at Target Maeley says to Chase, "Chase I love you." Chase replys, "I love you too." Maeley then says " I love you lots of days" and Chase says the same back to her. They don't always get along, and sometimes (like today) can't agree on anything. So when they do get along well and express their love for eachother its special.

Also yesterday I was tucking Zoe into bed for her nap. I told Chase he better come get his blanket. Chase comes in and says no I want Zoe to sleep with it. That's a huge deal for Chase he loves his blanket. Then Maeley and Chase had to hop into her bed and give her hugs and kisses before she took her nap.

Sunday was a wonderful day for Derek. Zoe just couldn't get enough of him. She just wanted to snuggle with with her dada. I think she's becoming a daddys girl. Zoe has such a big heart.

Today the kids and I played with the legos. I keep them up high in the closet or else there is a huge mess daily. So sometimes they get forgotten about. Chase was eager to play with them today.

Maeley and  I built this tower. She calls it her trophey.

Maeley and Zoe were fighting over it. Zoe lost so we built her her own "trophey".

Chase made his own creation and loves it.

These kids make me so happy.

Maeley's hair disaster

Saturday afternoon Chase and I were snuggling on the couch and we just so happened to be talking about hair. My guess is that intrigued Maeley into cutting her own hair. Why do girls have to do this? I stopped her from cutting more but the damaged was done. Luckily her hair was pulled up so she mainly cut the hair underneath.

This is the amount of hair she cut off.

She was definitely upset after she saw what she'd done.

She cut it so short. There really is no way to fix it. I've kinda played with it seeing if adding bangs would help. Nope its makes it so much worse.

Like I said luckily it was mainly the hair underneath so I can hide most of it. I can't pull her hair back anymore without it is being obvious. Maeley says she can just wear hats. And that's exactly what she did when we went to Target this morning.

I know I should have expected this from her. She's always testing her limits. But I'm still upset that she did this. I love doing her hair and now I can't do anything but put a simple bow in it to try and conceal the damage. I'll get over it eventually.

Playing in the snow

 My sister, her boyfriend and 2 boys came to visit this past weekend. Once they got here we headed up to Mt. Lemmon to play in the snow. I love it up there. This time Zoe had a great time and Maeley and Chase cried, a lot.

Derek, Jacob, Zach and Devan

Maeley, Zoe and Chase

They sat in these chairs pretty much the whole time. They were freezing.

Zoe loved watching her Dada!

He's so handsome!

Laurel was being attacked by everyone else.

Ha ha ha. Derek got her good. Part of the snowball got stuck in her ear. Its was pretty funny.

Cute kids and a little catching up

Maeley and Chase were on the patio blowing bubbles and Zoe thought is was so much fun. She kept laughing. It was hilarious to watch her. She is definitely a goofy girl.

This picture proves that Chase needs a hair cut. Lately Chase is the hardest kid to take a picture of. He almost always hides from the camera.

Zoe and Maeley ready for church. I know there is awful shadowing in these pictures but I was too lazy to get the external flash out. Like I've mentioned before we have awful lighting in this apartment.

Maeley was playing dress up and Zoe had to join in the fun. Zoe loved dressing up and was upset when I finally took it off because we had to go somewhere.

Zoe has fallen asleep in the high chair twice this week. I think I may need to move her nap time up.

Maeley laid the sleeping bags out so they could all have fun.

Chase is hiding under his.

Isn't she just so beautiful? I can't believe how grown up she's becoming.

Zoe was in the back ground thinking I was taking a picture of her and giving her cheesy smile.

A little catch up:

We are moving. No we have not been transferred yet. Our lease for our apartment ends next month. They wanted to raise are rent substantially for a month to month lease. Lucky for us someone in our ward just bought a house in our ward boundaries to rent out. They are willing to work with us and allow us to go month to month. In return we are helping them get the place ready which means a long list of projects. Derek and I are very anxious to begin. We love projects! The kids are more than excited about having a backyard. We were over there Saturday and Zoe ate a lot of dirt. This is going to be fun.

For Sale

We are selling Derek's truck. I know it's kinda cheesy to post on here but oh well.

2002 Chevy Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab

5.3 L V8 automatic transmission with under 110K miles. Power windows, power locks, power mirrors. Tan cloth interior with bench seat in front. Center seat in front folds down to a console. Truck has offroad package (not Z71) which includes skid plate and limited slip rear differential. Tool box with keys and bedliner. BFG All-Terrains with good tread. Truck runs great.

$8,900

Growing up

I feel like Maeley is growing up way too fast. Really all of them are but Maeley sure has blossomed recently. 

Maeley posing for a picture.

She is so cute, silly and sweet. Oh, but she can be very bossy too.

Lately she spends about 90% of her awake hours drawing. She has quite the imagination. I love to listen to her stories behind all the pictures. The kitchen table is always topped with paper, markers and crayons. She definitely prefers drawing with markers over crayons. I am very thankful for washable markers.

Our walls are being overtaken by her drawings she insists on tapeing up everywhere. My favorite drawings are the ones of our family. She almost always draws me holding Zoe. She also draws a lot of pictures with the "big mountains". I think she may love going up Mount Lemmon more than Derek and I.

Maeley is also becoming very independent. She now makes her own bed, which she does a pretty good job. And she has begun washing dishes. She has just started so I don't allow her to wash the breakable stuff but I do save all the kids dishes for her to wash. Chase even helped rinse the other day. She's learning that if she doesn't do a good enough job I will but them back in the sink for her to wash. She's doesn't complain. She loves it and thinks it fun.

I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time.

Love you little Miss Maeley.