Dressed up for church

Because next week is General Conference our kids wore their Easter clothing to church this past Sunday. We tried to take pictures before church but I forgot to charge the battery so we had to wait until we got home which was after 5pm. The kids were tired and we were starving so this is what we got.

Maeley is so grown up.

The many faces of Chase.

I love these cute kids! 

Surprise Gilbert trip

Last Wednesday Derek had some training for work in Phoenix. It just so happened to also be my moms birthday. So we drove up there Tuesday night and the kids and I did some shopping (without success) while Derek was at work. My mom had a sewing class so we had to wait until later in the afternoon to go to my parents. She was very surprised to see us all there. Laurel and I managed to get my borthers there and keep everything a surprise. It was a lot of fun seeing almost everyone, just missing the Trejo's.

This was the cake Laurel made. My mom loves to quilt so this was very fitting.

The night before my brother Tyler and his friends put some wheels on a couch. So my dad took the kids for a ride. They had a blast.

Once the kids realized what a great slope the driveway had they got out this bus and had a great time. Zoe loved it!

This is my parents front yard. Oh how I miss green grass and beautiful green shade trees.

Sorry but Tucson is not pretty.

Dress up time

Maeley and Chase found the tub of old Halloween costumes while I was trying to put things away. These costumes are now something they do almost daily and love it.

They all had a great time dressing up together.

The cow costume Zoe wore last Halloween was her favorite. When it was time to take it off she would cry then carry it around the house as if it were a blanket. She would also moo like a cow while wearing it.

It was so darn adorable.

Fun without the parents

So much has happend in the 2 weeks since I last blogged. We have moved and are getting settled. There is a lot to write about the house but I'll do that soon. For now I wanted to post pictures of the kiddos while they were away. For those who didn't know the kids went up to Gilbert for a week while Derek and I did work on the house and got moved in and somewhat settled without the kids. It was a blessing not to have them around. By no means did Derek and I get a break. But we did get so much more done than we could have with them here. A big thanks to my Mom and Dad and Kari and Marc for watching the kids.

Uncle Tyler with Maeley, Zoe and Chase

(Tyler is my younger brother)

Maeley making a cake with Aunt Laurel

They made this on Thursday and Maeley wouldn't eat it until she brought it home and showed me which was Saturday. Maeley loves to bake.

Zoe and Devan

Chase loving this truck he got from Jacob and Devan

Boston, Maeley, Devan, Zoe, Jacob  and Chase

It was so strange not having the kids around. Especially going to church. So many people stopped us and asked where our kids were. A week was a long time and we are so happy to be together again. It was a relief knowing they were doing so well and having fun though.

Zoe's growing up

I know on yesterday's post I commented how Zoe is becoming very independent. Well today was a great example of that.

She climbed on top of this toy so she could see what I was doing on the computer (which has been hooked up to our TV lately).

Later she noticed Maeley and Chase using stools on the patio so she was going to do it too. She went into the bathroom and tried to pick up the white stool. Of course it was much to heavy for her and cried so I took it out there for her. She was so happy to be able to see over the wall. She stood there for probably 20 minutes. I realize this isn't the greatest picture however I like it because this is what Maeley and Chase are doing anytime I let them on the patio.

Then Zoe wanted to sit on dad's chair at the table so she could color just like Maeley. She really enjoyed herself and did not want to get down.

After lunch Maeley and Chase wanted to blow bubbles. Chase ended up giving Zoe his bottle and Zoe knew exactly what to do. She put her hand in the bottle, grabbed the wand and started blowing. I love seeing her do something for the first time. You can just tell how excited she is.

Late in the afternoon Maeley asked if she could dress up in one of her play dresses I said okay. Next thing I hear is Zoe grunting and pointing to the Tinker Bell dress. She loved wearing it.

And lastly our next door neighbor has a fish tank. The kids love going over there and feeding the fish. Well I've never let Zoe do it but today she was determinded to. She's watched how its done and so it was her turn today.

Little Zoe is growing up way too fast. Luckily she still loves to be snuggled. She comes up to me many times during the day with her blanket and I know what she wants. For me to wrap her in it. 

While I was on the patio I got some cute pictures of Maeley and even one of Chase.

Miscellanous

After Valentine's Day I found a box of Valentines with suckers for 32 cents. So once in awhile they get one and they love them.

Zoe has learned how to climb the bunk bed ladder. She is so proud of herself. I on the other hand have to remember in the morning to take the ladder down so she doesn't climb up there and possibly get hurt.

She thinks she's as big as Maeley and Chase.

Zoe came over to Chase and started tackling him. It was pretty cute.

Lately the kids have done things that I don't want to forget.

Last night I told the kids that if they ate their dinner they could have a cookie. (We had baked cookies earlier in the afternoon for dad to take to mutual.) Chase was being difficult and did not want to finish. This is not unusual. If he doesn't like something he will do everything in his power not to eat it. He really has become quite picky. Anyways, after he shoved his BBQ chicken sandwich into his empty cup then preceeded to throw bits of chicken on the floor, I had had enough. I threw the food in the trash. He came to me a little later asking for a cookie and I explained why he couldn't have one. Well he then went to the trash pulled out his sandwich and ate it. So gross, but too funny.

Also yesterday Derek was saying goodbye to us as he was leaving for mutual, the kids practically were yelling how much they love him and miss him. It was so cute. I think everyone in the nearby apartments heard the kids as this was taken place outside. Even still it was so adorable.

Maeley lost her priviledge of Dooley (her little stuffed dog which she loves so much) a few nights ago. Derek had placed him on a shelf in our room and I can't help but think of Toy Story 2 when Woody was shelved. Anyways, Maeley has this problem, she carries that dog around with her so much and he gets lost and becomes upset at bedtime when she can't find him. So the deal was to get him back she has to leave him on her bed. Well she did just that and still somehow that dog is missing. I watched her everytime she was on her bed making sure he didn't go anywhere. He is still missing, something tells me Chase may be involved. with the disappearance. I think its time this dog gets put away for good. That is if we can find him.

Apparently Zoe has been watching me pack and label the boxes with a marker. Now whenever she gets hold of one of Maeley's markers she goes to a box and starts drawing on it. Zoe is becoming more independant lately. The past couple days when I am putting her down for a nap she says, NO. And today she was playing with Maeley's little broom and Maeley came up and took it from her. I have never seen her get so mad and upset. She was screaming/crying and bright red in the face. I could not get her to calm down that I put her down for her nap early. She woke up a happy kid though. 

Derek has been super busy at the hosue trying to get it ready to move in next week. I appreciate all of his hard work and the others that are spending many hours over there. I can't wait to have this move behind us and be able to spend time as a family again. Chase was crying when Derek was leaving tonight. That kid misses his daddy. The kids are leaving Saturday. I'm worried about how Zoe is going to do. This is her first time being away from us for more than a few hours. I pray she does okay. I'm really not worried about Maeley or Chase. They will have so much fun playing with everyone else. Maeley is so excited because my sister Laurel who makes the awesome fondant cakes has invited her over to make a cake. Can't wait to hear about and see pictures.

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.