Things I don't want to forget and some I do

It seems like so much has happened and I haven't been as good about updates.

-We are so blessed that our kids are good travelers. All those trips back and forth from Tucson and Phoenix paid off. They enjoy just looking out the windows.
- Maeley has always been bothered by my brother Tyler. He teases her and she doesn't like it. Before Tyler's wedding reception there were family pictures. Miranda gave Maeley her bouquet to hold. That did it for Maeley. She loves her new Aunt Miranda, and she even says she loves Tyler now too. Apparently all it took was for him to marry a nice girl.
-I love to hear from our kids how much they love their grandparents, aunt's, uncle's and cousins. I know our kids miss everyone of them.
-4 of the 5 of us have been sick with a stomach bug. Zoe got sick while we were in Gilbert. On our drive home we stopped in Grants, NM for dinner at McDonald's. After 20 minutes on the road Maeley threw up in the car. We obviously stopped quickly got her changed and the car cleaned up. Luckily I gave her a grocery bag to throw up in if she needed it which she used about 5 more times before we got home. Poor Chase sitting next to her didn't like that she was throwing up. That night Chase woke up and threw up all over his bed. Then Wednesday night Derek got sick and missed work Thursday. Derek definitely got it the worst.
-I'm so grateful Derek will cup his hands for the kids to throw up into so there is less mess to clean up. By the way, he was also the one to clean up after Chase in the middle of the night. That's probably why he got sick and not me.
- Zoe is obsessed with polka dots. I don't know where it started but she points them out everywhere. I realized why she loves Minnie so much...because she wears a polka dot dress of course.
-Zoe talks a lot and isn't afraid of trying to pronounce a new word. However she will not say her own name.
-Zoe asks us "What is this" quite often now. Hopefully is does not go through the why stage because that drives me crazy!
-We got the kids new chairs at Ikea for their desk in the loft. They love them. Maeley chose pink, Chase blue and Zoe green.
-I think we have a plan for the backyard landscaping. I'm so anxious for it to be done. The large sandbox that is the entire backyard is annoying. It's springtime which means its windy here and sand is blowing everywhere. Sand is brought into the house from the kids and after bath the tub looks gross. I can't wait for grass!
-We've been in our house almost 7 months. I love our home!
-I get to register Maeley for kindergarten next month.
-I get to fill out an application for Chase to attend preschool here also next month. There is a screening process and then a lottery. I hope he gets in. He really wants to go to school.
-Zoe is terrified of bugs. Flies, ants, spiders, crickets pretty much any creepy thing. She screams, cries, and clings on to you and won't let go. After two mornings in Gilbert where a fly landed near her breakfast cereal we tried to tell her they are nice bugs. She doesn't by it. However when she sees a bug while she's screaming she says, "nice bug", as if she's trying to convince herself. It's kinda funny.
-Maeley got a new workbook. I really have to pace her or she'll want to finish the whole book at once. I'm so glad she loves to learn.
-Maeley and Zoe love Fancy Nancy. Maeley has been into the books for awhile but now Zoe is too.
-Chase got an I Spy book and is very good at it.
-Maeley scratched Zoe on the neck Friday. Now Zoe points to it and says, "Ouch, bad sister."
-Zoe still remembers that I took a bite of her cupcake at the wedding reception and still calls me a bad mom for it.

I'm sure there are things I forgot to write about but at least I got some things written down.

Here are some more pictures from Gilbert.

Holy cow when did she grow up?          A picture of just Derek and I doesn't happen often.

 Although Zoe was a grouch I really like this picture.

Chase would not smile for the camera until I said, "You do not get a cupcake unless you smile."

Can you tell they were sick of pictures?

Fun trip to Gilbert

This past week we went back to Gilbert because my younger brother Tyler got married. As with any trip to Gilbert there are so many things we want to do or people to see but we just don't have the time for. This trip was no exception.

Zoe found this rocker at the Jones' house and loved that it was just her size. She requested that I take a picture.

Maeley is growing up so fast. She is such a sweetheart.

What a handsome little guy, although he prefers to be called cute.

One of the few happy shots we got of her. She got a short nap and woke up very grumpy.

Even with Zoe being grumpy we tried to get a family picture. This was the best we got.

Jacob and Devan with Chase, Zoe and Maeley

I can't believe how much Jake has changed. He is way taller than me now and he's only 14.

Our kids were spoiled by them. One evening we had gone over to my sisters and they came home with many little toys and stuffed animals. No wonder our kids love them so much.

Boston                                                Zoe trying to push Chase.

When Zoe was given a cupcake and had her first lick she was a happy girl. After awhile of Zoe just looking at it, I took a bite. Zoe told me, "Bad Mom".

I'm not sure how many cupcakes and candy they ate at the reception but they loved it and kept going back for more.

Derek and I weren't very good at taking pictures. We managed to not get a single picture of Tyler and Miranda. Pretty pathetic.

Crash landing

Saturday afternoon Derek and I were organizing the garage. We had moved our vehicle out of the driveway so the kids could enjoy riding their bikes. Our neighbor two doors down was in his garage as well so we had made our way over there and began talking to him. We had gone in their house to see a project they had done to their stairs. When we got back out front the kids rode their bikes back into our garage. Shortly thereafter we saw Zoe riding her little bike down the driveway. Derek started running for her, once she hit the asphalt she flew over the handle bars crashing face first.

This was taken a couple hours later, after she'd had a nap.

She had a big fat lip. Poor kid. The swelling didn't go away until Sunday afternoon. Its looking much better now, mainly its just scabbed over now.

Zoe is an adventurous kid. I'm sure their will be many more scraps to come.

Maeley the photographer

Yesterday morning Maeley hosted a hat party. She's had one before but it got interupted by a Skype call. Obviously everyone must wear hats. I loved how she told me there was going to be "food" and music by Violet (Zoe's stuffed animal dog). I started taking pictures of the kids. This then started Maeley taking pictures of me with Chase and Zoe then on to her dolls. She loves taking pictures. She has her own digital camera but it goes through batteries too fast.

 She followed Chase under the bed.                                             Rebecca and Paige

Rebecca

(the other doll was named Rebecca after this doll, its her favorite American Girl doll)

 Self portrait- I love this! It makes me laugh.

 This is the foot of her bed. I'm actually surprised there's not more dolls and stuffed animals up there.

Rapunzel, she can't wait for Tangled to come out on DVD later this month.

This picture was taken by Zoe. Well really a group effort, Zoe holding the camera while I pressed the buttom.

It was fun to watch Maeley turn the camera and move closer and farther back to get the shot she wanted.  I didn't want to show her how to zoom in and out. I just can't believe how grown up she's becoming. It's wonderful.

Random pictures

 Last Friday Zoe fell asleep late in the afternoon. Her position is very strange and she's really not supporting her head.

 This is a close up where you can tell she has an over bite. I don't know how that can be comfortable.

For Valentine's Day we let the kids help dip strawberries in chocolate. They loved doing it and eating them after.

I love this picture! She is a complete nut! First off the bunny mouth is to a Mr. Potatoe Head and she's covering her ears because Dad was using the saw building the scaffolding.

 These kiddos love their dog although Lola looks kind of annoyed. I was shocked I got the kids looking at the camera at the same time on my first try.

Chase got new church clothes and he looks very handsome in them.

Maeley was so excited to bring some scriptures to church, these are now hers with her name inside. That made her one very happy little girl.

(our Primary puts a penny in a jar for everyone that brings their scriptures then when they have enough they buy a year subscription of the Friend for someone who does not get it)

 Maeley riding Zoe's toy. Maeley gets it, Zoe not so much.

 Zoe would ride this to the bottom of the driveway where I had to stop her or she would go into the middle of the street. She did this over and over again.

Chase posing for a picture. Its been nice that we are warming up and can spend more time outside.

Project In Progress

Since Melanie posted about my current shenanigans on her other blog, I figure I won't double her efforts, but simply redirect you over to there.  We will post before and afters when done.

-Derek (yea, sometimes I blog, but don't get used to it)

Playing video games

Maeley and Chase love their Leap Frog Explorers they got from Christmas. There are chores that have to be done before they can play and rules to obey.

 I think its funny the way Zoe is always sitting next to one of them watching every move.

Last week Chase had put his Explorer down and came down stairs where Derek and I were. Wondering where Zoe had gone Derek found her in her room with the door locked playing his video game. She really thinks she's as big as her brother and sister.

Decision made

Yesterday I took Chase and Zoe to get haircuts. Zoe ended up getting an all around trim. She just didn't have enough hair in the front and sides for a bob cut to work. So pig tails it is for awhile longer. I'm really hoping this hair cut will spark some growth. Thank you to all of those that had suggestions, I really appreciated it.

Zoe's hair

I do not know what to do with her hair.

 Her hair is stringy, super fine, and not growing in the front.

She most definitely has the baby mullet going on. Look how long her hair is in the back. I put her hair in pigtails every day. It's the only way to make her hair look decent.

When her hair first started growing in the back I trimmed it several times. Once I figured I could do pig tails I haven't trimmed it since. Her hair isn't long enough in the front/sides to do a cute bob haircut. I'm terrified that if I take her in to get a trim all around that she will look like a boy.

If any of you have any suggestions please let me know.

ZoZo

Zoe is at a great stage. She repeats almost everything you say. She is just so eager to learn new words. I just love listening to her. Her voice when she prayers is my absolute favorite, its just so sweet. Zoe does get into trouble often though. She wrote on the nightstand in the girls room and it will not come off. I need more spray paint to fix it.  Yesterday she was trying to get in the cabinet with all the books and broke one of the doors off and it cannot be fixed. We ended up just taking the other door off. I'm affraid that the books will be thrown on the floor even more than they were before. Zoe loves books. She enjoys sitting in front of the cabinet and looking through book after book. If I read to her she won't let me stop. She just gets another book and another after awhile it gets old but I'm glad she loves them.

Zoe loves Lola. She actually fell asleep in this position, Lola too.

One thing that she does often that always makes me laugh is, she will jump on the couch while singing "No more monkey's jumping on the bed" until I tell her to stop.

Chase

For Christmas Chase got a bucket of soldiers. FYI he only calls them army guys, not soldiers. He loves these little guys. He sometimes just carries them around in the bucket where ever he goes. A few weeks ago he was sad because Maeley wasn't being nice to him. I was doing my hair and makeup so I told him to set up his army guys in my bath tub. I helped him set them up around the sides and the bottom. He had so much fun doing that. Now he will set up all the army guys just about anywhere. This particular day I had been mopping the kitchen/dining room floor so I moved the benches out.

Maeley's creativity

Yesterday afternoon I I decided to draw out my ideas I have for the fireplace area.

You see the shelves are ginormous. No joke. To fill those shelves takes so much otherwise things just get lost in there. It was fine with our Christmas decor but not now. I hate them. Seriously! And the only place our TV fits is mounted on the wall above the fireplace. 

This is what I came up with. Note: I do not draw well but it gives Derek the ideas I was thinking of, which is pretty much the same as him.

 Maeley watched me do mine and decided to draw one herself. I think its funny because she drew a cactus next to the stereo. She thinks we should have one. I say "No thank you".  I love her details. I just drew rectangles for picture frames but she drew people in them.


 Then she proceeded to her bathroom. I'm not sure why the shower is in between the vanity and toilet but she again did a great job with detail. Except she added a Mickey face on the shower curtain which isn't there but we are planning on putting a couple Mickey Mouse decor in there. She really is picking up on interior design. I love it! Just a couple weeks ago she said, "Mom, I know you and Dad like to paint because it makes our house pretty. I like to be good for you while you paint." I just gave her a huge hug. She totally gets it.  Oh and last summer she actually drew a floor plan of the house we were living in. I was shocked. It looked great for a 4 year old. I'm thinking she must have seem me on the computer looking at houses and floor plans when we were house hunting. It will be interesting to see what she chooses to do when she grows up.

We are freezing!

This morning we woke up to -6 degrees once you factor in the wind chill its much much colder. Ouch. I've stayed in doors without stepping foot outside for a couple days now. The kids enjoyed some play in the snow Tuesday but not for long.

This was the only picture I got with the 3 of them. Chase came inside immediately after this picture was taken. Its funny because he's our child that can tolerate the cold weather the best however he doesn't seem to like snow.

Maeley came inside about 2 minutes after Chase. Zoe however did her little skip around the backyard a few times singing a little song enjoying herself. I think she might have stayed outside longer if someone was with her.

We ended up getting about 3 inches of snow. Not much but that's okay. I've enjoyed having the blinds open the last several days just enjoying the snow. It's so beautiful. And I was beginning to think winter was over. For awhile we were in the high 40's low 50's. When it's not windy its not too bad.