Chase

See all the dirt on him.

Chase is a sweet heart most of the time. Recently he started begging for things. For example, this morning he was saying, "puhweese Mama I want to go to Disneyland" over and over again. All while he is trying to get me to put his shoes on. As if going to Disneyland only takes putting your shoes on and getting in the car. I only wish.

He is fully potty trained now! Wahoo! I was worried last week because he got diarrhea and thought he would regress but surprisingly he did very well. Its so nice only have one child in diapers.

Chase's favorites, or so he says:

color: red

food: oatmeal

movie: Night at the Museum

Place to visit: Gilbert

activity at home: playing with his trucks

activity away from home: playgroup

game: "Let's go Fishin"

Disney character: Mickey Mouse

Maeley

As you can see, Maeley was in a playful mood. She has so much energy. I was going to ask her what her favorite things are, but she's too wrapped up in watching a TV show. Maybe later.

Edit: 9/30/09

I finally got some answers from Maeley

Her favorites:

color: pink

food: cereal

movie: she first said Mr. Incredibles then said "the dancing and singing guys" (aka Newsies)

place to visit: Gilbert

activity at home: stories on the computer

activity away from home: playgroup

game: Princess memory game

Disney character: Princess Aurora

and she still loves her little stuffed animal dog named Dooly

Not much has changed for her since the last time I did this.

Mount Lemmon fun

Saturday morning Maeley was drawing a picture of the "big mountains" and mentioned how she wanted to go back. It didn't take much convincing for Derek and I to agree on going. We love the cooler weather up there, the fresh air and just getting a break from the everyday routine.

silly picture

cute picture (okay so maybe they are both cute)

They had a great time running around

We didn't tell Maeley to be silly, she just is.

I wonder where she gets it from (see the first picture)?

I love my kids!

We took a quite a few pictures so you'll see more of the kids individually throughout the week.

Theater seating...baby style

Wednesday Derek needed to take our Expedition to mutual so we took the car seats out. Whenever we do this the kids always play around with them. I decided to let them watch a movie, in their car seats. I think they felt special.

My knight in shining armor

Yes Zoe has a dirty face. She apparently wasn't washed up after dinner. If you click on the picture to enlarge it you can she her one tooth on the bottom.

Zoe loved getting kisses from the puppet.

Monday was a bad day, a very bad day. For whatever reasons the kids were just extra difficult. After dinner I began doing dishes. Derek started talking to Maeley in Cookie Monsters voice and Maeley loved it. Derek can do an excellent impression of not only the voice of Cookie Monster but they way Cookie Monster talks as well. That changed the mood for the evening. While I was cleaning up the kids were being entertained by Dad and enjoying every minute of it. Especially Maeley and Zoe. Unfortunately we don't have a Cookie Monster puppet so Derek used a turtle instead. That didn't matter to the kids.

Thank you so much Derek! I love you!

Our new dog

Okay, so maybe we don't have a new dog, but apparently Zoe thinks she is one. Last week while I was on the phone with my mom I found Zoe in Ella's cage. Silly girl. She was having a great time.

Potty Training Chase

Monday evening Derek was changing a very gross diaper of Chase's and told Chase, "I really don't want to put a new diaper on you. How about you go on your potty and wear big boy underwear?" Chase said "Okay." Since then he has done very well and even goes by himself without any help. Today while at church we put a diaper on him but told him to let us know if he needs to go. He did and he came home with a dry diaper. Today he hasn't had any accidents. I'm so proud of Chase. He's such a good boy we love him to pieces.

Random pictures

I thought I'd post more pics of the kids for their grandparents.

Cool Dude! One day this week Chase wore his hat and sunglasses all morning long, indoors.

Doesn't Maeley look so much older? She's growing up way too fast.

Zoe wearing a flower clip her Aunt Kari made her. Seriously for my brother's wedding she wore a headband all night up until the very end. Now she immediately takes it off. It's so frustrating because she looks so darn cute wearing one.

Derek was making dinner last Sunday and the kids wanted to be close. Zoe wants to be a big kid now. She always goes over to the frig and pulls herself up and plays with the magna doodles.

Chase and Zoe wanting to snuggle with Dad. I think Zoe's facial expression is cute. They are all watching TV by the way.

Inspiration

Lately I have been a kick on wanting to learn how to sew. I have never before been interested. I mean why should I? My mom has always been around to make and fix things as needed. But now it's different I really want to learn. Actually I was very tempted to buy a sewing machine a couple weeks back but decided to wait. I don't want a basic sewing machine with just a small amount of stitches. I want to be able to machine quilt and embroider. Because of my mom I have enough quilts for an army but one quilt inparticular I want so bad. But I want to make it.

Isn't it just so freakin' cute? I love love love the colors. It has given me inspiration, and Derek too. We already have a chocolate brown couch/love seat and light blue curtains. Now all I need to do is throw a little red and green into the mix. But I would love nothing more to have this quilt lying on the sofa for a splash of color and for me to cuddle with. I enjoy snuggling up in a blanket, and so do our kids.

I found this quilt on a blog called Simplify. A link I found on one of my friends blogs (thanks Stacy)! This girl is my age and so talented its amazing.

Ward BBQ

Last Friday we had a Ward BBQ. Now that I am on the activities commitee I need to be there. Before I got this calling we rarely if ever went to church activities. It's good to get out of the house and mingle. We had a good time.

Zoe and Dad

I love this picture!

Chase and Maeley enjoying the slide. (If your wondering whats on Maeley forehead its ketchup)

Chase carried his little Clifford dog around for the first little while.

Zoe being entertained by the lid to her sippy cup.

This picture is so cute. It looks like she's flying.

What a cute picture of Maeley and Daddy.

Primary Program

On Saturday Maeley went to the church for a rehearsal. It was so strange leaving her and going home. Yesterday we sat close to the front so we could see her. We were only about 10 ft in front of her. I fed Zoe right before it began so I wouldn't miss anything. And how did she do? As well as excepted for a 3 year old. When it was her turn to say her part she said it loud and we could understand her (not sure about anyone else though). Derek and I just laughed, it was pretty cute. Then after about 5 minutes she needed to go to the bathroom. That was really my fault. I completely forgot to make sure she went before sacrament meeting started. I was in a hurry to feed Zoe and get back in my seat. She then did not want to sit with her class so came to sit with us. After a short while decided to go back up and sit. She never would sing. It was fun watching her from our seat. Chase really wanted to go sit with Maeley. He thinks he much older than he is. Once Zoe saw Maeley sitting on the stand she was excited. I would have loved to get a video of Maeley, but not really appropriate at church. Darn it.

On another note, Chase was so eager to get to nursery that he booked it out of sacrament. Derek and I couldn't follow him because there were people in our way. He made a wrong turn and got lost, luckily Derek found him and took him to class. What a silly boy. He loves nursery.

Cute kids

Zoe is pulling herself up on everything. Last night she even let go and stood by herself for about 5 seconds before falling down. She's trying so hard to be big like Maeley & Chase.

Today they have enjoyed playing on the top bunk.

Maeley loving on Zoe.

Zoe's smile is priceless. I love my kids!
Maeley's hair on the other hand is wild.

This week has been rough getting back into the daily routine. I think Zoe was the happiest to be home while Maeley and Chase just want to go back. They get spoiled by everyone so I can see why they love it so much. Derek and I are getting to the point where we miss being around family. Derek misses most the projects that go on. Luckily for him my parents, or shall I say my mom was very eager to get things done. Curtis was married Saturday and by Monday they had the carpet torn out and walls repainted. Derek was able to help my dad and my brother Tyler install new carpet. Something he's never done before. I love how Derek jumps in to help and enjoys learning something new. We don't know how much longer we will be in Tucson, nor do we know where we are going after this project is done. Sometimes is exciting thinking of the possibilities and sometimes its just frightening.

The wedding

On Saturday my youngest brother Curtis got married. It's hard to believe he's married now. He married his high school sweetheart, Kylie. They've been through a lot together and you can tell are happy to be married. Welcome to the family Kylie!

They are moving up to Montana this week.

Curtis, Kylie and the rest of our family minus Damon, Taylor, Jacob, Devan, Heidi and Boston

My sister Laurel, this picture cracks me up

Zoe looked so cute all dressed up.

Chase enjoyed playing on the slide especially with my Uncle Mel.

I failed to pack our battery charger and of course our battery was low so we don't have many pictures. I always forget something!

Feeling better

The past few days have been rough. We have all been sick with the cold. Chase & Zoe definitely had it mild, just a slight runny nose. Luckily Zoe never got too bad we felt like she needed to be put on breathing treatments. Derek, Maeley and myself however have had it much worse. Derek went to work in Tuesday but after only a couple hours came home and stayed home yesterday too. We all seem to be doing much better today. Maeley still has a cough and she has a squeaky voice, but its cute. Now hopefully we all continue feeling better as we leave tonight for a long weekend in Gilbert.

Finally

Zoe got her first tooth today! Poor girl this tooth took about 3 weeks to finally cut through. I'd love to take a picture but there's no way she'd let me. I can barely get my finger in her mouth.