Perfect Christmas 2012

Thank you Misty for capturing this perfect picture of our Christmas. Santa had lots of toys and surprises for the kids. Thanks to lots of family we had a really great Christmas.

An Angel

Dear Misty, talk about an angel in disguise. You're probably one of the reasons I am still sane.  We will never forget the night I went Christmas shopping for a few hours.  When I walked in the door you were cleaning up Jaida's throw up off the floor (yuck) and then headed to the couch to clean up Joey's throw up (it was everywhere - the couch, wall, tv stand and tv). As I walked in to help I noticed Kylan squatting on the floor. He was sitting in diarrhea, all over the floor because I forgot to put a diaper on him!  What a mess! The next time I left Kayla threw up. You cleaned her up and did her hair. And I think the last time Monty and I left to go to a movie Keira cried almost the whole time.  Too bad every mom can't have some one like you. :)

Most Annoying

Dear Keira, Horhey, Sammo and Ling, lets see who was the most annoying last night... Keira, you were up and down all night and if I didn't have you snuggled right up to me you were awake and crying (when I write it like that you weren't annoying at all).

Horhey, I think that this is how Jaida wants to spell your name - poor cat. You kept jumping up on the bed, climbing on top of me, laying on my belly, and licking my face and hair. I kept shoving you off the bed listening to your claws rip at my blanket.

Ling, you also had to be sleeping right on top of me and at 5:30am when you heard Monty outside shoveling snow you barked and barked and barked until he came in and smacked you.

Sammo, there was only one time that I woke up and you were digging at the blanket. When I let you under you layed down right on my feet and wouldn't budge. Were you scared of the rumbling snow plows? Who knows.

Special Teachers

Dear Jaida, you have one of those special teachers that everyone wishes they could have just once.  After the Newtown, CT school shooting Mr. Greenalgh sent home a letter. This is what he wrote:

Dear Parents,
As the events of the last week have unfolded, our hearts have been saddened by the tragic events that took place in a town that is very similar to ours. It is unimaginable, the grief and broken hearts that Newtown is facing at the present time. As a school, I hope you understand that we, as a school and a district, will do all that is possible to try and secure the safety of your precious sons and daughters. Spending 6 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week with them cultivates a close bond that is very similar to our own children at home. Please rest assuredly that our staff will do everything possible to protect them from harm. We thank you for trusting them in our care. It is a privilege to teach your kids and build positive relationships. The rewards to us are immeasurable, and the joy that they bring to us are life enduring. May this Christmas be special to you and your family.
Steve Greenalgh

Boxing Practice

Dear Joey, holy cow I can't believe how good and hard you can punch!  It was fun watching you punch dad's hands with the boxing gloves until you missed and hit Keira in the forehead. 

Dancing at Seven Months

Dear Miss Keira, you can't hear it in the video, but we had Christmas music playing in the background. You were on your hands and knees and when I asked you a question you started bobbing your head up and down and kind of bouncing on your arms. I think you might have been copying my heading moving up and down but we'll just say that you were dancing to the music!

You're The Best

Dear Kayla, last night you threw up while I was gone.  Misty got you all cleaned up and even blow dried and styled your hair.

Dear Jaida, the other night Misty was supposed to be writing a paper for finals but instead she came and got you, took you to her room and had you play the ukulele with her. You were down there until bedtime singing and playing. What an awesome Aunt you have!

No Sitting

Dear Keira, you want to just stand now and fight us when we try to sit you on the floor, it's pretty funny. :)
Last night you got to spend a few hours with Misty while I went shopping.  From these pictures she sent me it looks like you had fun!

Dear Santa

 Dear Santa, I want a lap top. Love, Jaida

Dear Kylan, my camera wasn't fast enough, but you would NOT sit on Santa's lap.  Wish I'd gotten a video, you wouldn't even take the sack of candy from him, I had to give it to you. Thank goodness Keira sat willingly! :)

Dear Kayla, you were way to fast and I wasn't able to get your picture with my crappy camera phone. You told me that you asked Santa for a pony. Santa said that you might get into a bit of trouble with your mom and dad but he would first ask your mom and then he'd see what he could do.

Dear Joey, after I got everyone into the car I went back looking for you and you were standing in line to sit on Santa's lap (you kids were seriously in 50 different directions all night). You asked Santa for a toy gun and were very disappointed when you looked into the sack and there was only peanuts, candy canes and an orange. I told you that you tell Santa what you would like and then he tries to bring it to you for Christmas. So then you asked how Santa could remember that you wanted a toy gun. Well because Santa has a perfect memory, of course, and all those elves and lists to help!

Crazy Sleeper

Dear Kayla, I don't know why I don't have my camera out everyday! Last night you decided to sleep in the giant stocking you found yesterday.  The night before that you strapped yourself in Joey's car seat walked around for a bit like a turtle and then got in bed (shell side down). Then next morning you said you had a terrible dream and kept waking up and got out of the car seat - I would have had nightmares too sleeping like that.  The night before that you slept all night in your roller skates! What will tonight bring? :)

Major Tickling

Dear Kylan, you and Keira got to stay home with me while the older kids went to Grandma's and Dad went to a funeral.  You were so fun and helpful the whole time! You played with Keira while I worked, you cleaned up her spit up without me asking, you got to paint and then got paint all over Keira and the carpet when showing me your painting - you just ran to the kitchen, grabbed napkins and cleaned it up.  At dinner, even though we were at a play place you just sat and ate your food, and played with Keira. We read books, watched Wild Kratts, decorated the house, chased each other around the house and did some major tickling.  I loved my nice quiet 24 hours with you!

Missing Out

Dear Monty, while you've been gone you've missed out on sick kids, doctor visits, poopy diapers, school visits, clogging practice, me doing clogging chugs, baby crying all night cuz we lost her blanket (just kidding, I don't think that's the reason), obnoxious dogs, annoying cat ripping up wrapping paper while trying to wrap a present, dirty dishes, cereal for dinner and the neighbors moving. You also missed Kylan and Keira being up at 11pm, me doing the dishes, Keira spitting up and Kylan cleaning it up for me. You missed Kayla yelling out the window as she, Jaida, Joey, Misty and Dusty, were driving off, "Bye Kylan, we're off to have lots of fun!" I was trying to keep him happy that he was staying home. Later on I told Kylan I couldn't find Keira's blanket and he went and hurt himself getting into the crib and getting another one for me (sweetest kid ever!). I'm sure it's more fun reading about what you missed. Let's not make it a habit, okay?

Scary Spider

Dear Kylan, this morning you brought me this sucker and said, "Oooh, I want the spiderman one, its so scaarry!" I had to do a double take to see how scary it was.

Hurt Feelings :(

Dear Kayla, I went to the school to pick up Jaida and saw you sitting in the corner of the playground. I walked over to you and you immediately started crying saying that a girl hurt your feelings. I felt so sad and couldn't even give you a hug because the fence was between us. We talked the whole rest of your recess and two cute girls came up asking if you wanted to play (which you didn't because you were still so upset). Its hard watching things like this happen to your little kids. We talked about what you should do next time and so far its been a good week (also its lucky that you forget about things like that easily), way to bounce back Kayla!

Jaida's 5th Grade Program

Dear Jaida, can you see yourself in this picture? You're the third one in from the right. Cool and terrible picture I know, it's the best one I have.  Great job at your program, you sang like a pro and really looked enthusiastic singing, "America Rocks!" (insert sarcasm) You have one of the best teachers ever and are having a great year!

You have been sick since Friday and today stayed home from school. When you're throat was hurting you so bad you told me you could also feel that it was bleeding. Today you said that when you get a sore throat you get slits up at the top. You couldn't even move this morning so I took you to the doctor and he said you had a viral infection and just had to push through it.  It was great because as soon as you knew that it was nothing serious you became a lot more lively. Isn't it good/bad what our minds can do?

Understood?

Dear Keira, you are crawling all over the place! You crawl to us in the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedroom and when you get to us you try and stand up.  You are already standing up in your crib and on toys! I think you might be getting a tooth because you stick out your tongue a lot. You've started eating really good  and hardly making a mess, yay! I saw the picture below and thought of you. :) And then I thought of all my kids, and then I thought, "Joey is still this way." Ha!

Kayla's Leg Protection

Dear Kayla, last night you went to the store with me and you were in shorts! You told me that your legs were super, duper, luper protected and that they knocked out cold weather air.

I let you get a treat for being so good and just sitting in the cart the whole time. You picked Tic Tacs and ate them all in about 30 min. I hope they made your breath fresh all night.

I Didn't Believe It

Dear Keira, you are growing waaaay to fast!  The other day Dad said you had pulled yourself up and were standing in the crib.  I didn't believe him until I saw you doing that very thing last night.  I snapped a bunch of pics because you were so happy/excited!  Big Girl!

Crowded

Dear Joey, Keira, Sammo, Ling and Jorge! When you are ALL piled into my bed, if you wouldn't mind distributing yourselves evenly over the bed instead of everyone on my side that would be great. One of these days I'll be able to capture a pic.

Fuzzy Stuff on Fire

Dear Joey, tonight you ran into the house twice yelling, "MOM! You gotta see this!" The third time you came into the room and saw me feeding Keira so you started telling me how cool it was that this black thing dad had was making sparks really fast and lighting the fuzzy stuff on FIRE! You were so excited that I had to come and watch. You and dad were sitting on the front porch lighting dryer lint on fire, it's 35 degrees out and all you had on was underwear. Brrrr and cool.

Our Next Christmas Card?

Miss K, how can I not post these pics?  You crack me up! I let you walk around the house playing with our new wreath for quite awhile, but I had to take it away after you tied it to you to use as a tail and then somehow squeezed it around your waist as a hoola hoop/skirt, I'm not sure what you had in mind??

If I were to use this as our next Christmas card photo I think I would definitely choose the "Lion" one.

Reminders

Dear Kayla, every once in awhile you like to remind of that time that I got so mad at you! This is how it went down today.

"Mom, remember when you got SO mad at me and yelled and yelled? You were helping me with my homework and I kept asking you the same question over and over and over and then you got so mad and went cuckoo coconut crazy mad (picture arms flailing in the air)! And Dad, he stayed down there and helped me and I asked him the same question over and over... and he did nothing!"

This probably happened about the second week of school, who knew it would make such an impact.  Thank you for reminding me that I always need to work on my patience.

Kylan & Croup

Dear Kylan, Thanksgiving eve you got the croup. :(  You were so sick and we almost took you to the ER. Dad wrapped you up and took you outside for a bit and we were able to make it through the night at G&G's. The next day I was holding you on the couch. You were sooo sick but all of a sudden you burst out in a raspy voice, "Hey, this crazy! Here's mah numba!" Oh, too funny! You and Joey sing the girls' clogging song nonstop, even when you're sick.

Friday night I took you and Joey to get an ice cream cone because you had to miss Zhoni's birthday party. I asked if you wanted an ice cream cone and you said no but that you wanted to see the Dr.  That was weird, I've never had any of my kids ask for that instead of ice cream.

To get you to eat and drink more I bought you yogurt, jello, popsicles, chocolate milk and orange juice - talk about a splurge, Joey is having a ball. You on the other hand only want water! However I made meatballs for dinner and you had two helpings.  Sensible child...

Peace Jaida

Dear Jaida, for some reason you are the cause for a lot of contention and chaos in the family. Misty took you to see Grandpa Fielding in the hospital in Orem and it was nice and quiet and peaceful... Tonight you were teasing Kayla and making her scream and cry, then you were making weird, loud noises for no reason. Then you started teasing Kylan - copying the way he cried and he started crying even harder. To be fair we were all baaaing like a sheep and making fun of Kylan's cry but you wouldn't stop. At dinner time you were almost crying trying to explain what your lunchroom job for the day was??

You also have your sweet moments. The other day I was walking up the stairs holding both Keira and Kylan, you turned around and said, "Here I'll take Keira." You held her, talked to her and played with her for quite awhile. It will be a long time before I forget that.

Now that I write and read this I think that Joey is growing up to be just like his "twin", watch out!

My Beautiful Cloggers

Just look at my beautiful cloggers that don't look anything at all like sisters. ;)  You two did great today at your first performance of the season!

6 Month Crawler

Dear Keira, you decided that at six months old you wanted to crawl. Happy Six Months Old! You are crawling and it is so fun to watch! You'll have to excuse all my loud talking in the video and you don't actually start your crawling 'til almost the end. :)  You have been practicing ALL day so really this video is old news and you're way better 12 hours later.

You can also sit up by yourself for a few seconds, you should start practicing that now. In the pic below I couldn't get a good steady shot because you kept moving around so much, but you were watching everyone run around the house in this pose - you stayed this way for quite awhile too, cute little thing!

 

Nuggle

Dear Kylan, we've figured out that you don't say 'sn' words - you just leave off the 's'.  Sometimes I think you do it on purpose to get a laugh out of us.  The other day I wrapped you in your "nigh, night" and told you I wanted to snuggle. You kept saying, "No, I nuggle you." It's not as cute reading it as hearing you say it.
nuggle = snuggle
no = snow
neak = sneak ("I'm neaking", as he tip toes around)
nake = snake

Lost Vegas?

Dear Joey, you can't stop thinking about Las Vegas.  Yesterday I asked what the funnest thing you've ever done was and you said, "Go to Las Vegas." Then you said, "Go to the museum at Las Vegas."  Yesterday morning you said to me out of the blue, "Mom, why do they call it Las Vegas?  Its just sounds lost...
Maybe some people don't know where Las Vegas is so maybe that's why its called Las Vegas." Funny boy!

Crawl, Sit, Pull

Dear Keira, all you want to do is get up and start playing with everyone else.  You are trying so hard to crawl and could care less about sitting up - that just means you're sitting there instead of laying there and you want to MOVE!  Oh, and you looove to pull hair. :)

Hiding?

Dear Jaida, did you know that we can all still see you in this picture? ;)

Power Outage

Dear Joey, this morning the power went out from 6-11am. I think you were awake for ALL of it!  It was fun at first and all of you were running through the house with flashlights. But for the last two hours all you did was cry because you wanted to watch a cartoon, you wanted a cooked waffle or hot this or cooked that...ulg!  I cannot imagine having the power out any longer than that. How are the people on the East coast even coping?

Jaida's Got a Big 'Ole Heart

Dear Jaida, yesterday Kayla told us about some boys at school that were calling her 'baby, baby lion.'  Kayla was extremely upset and crying and you were furious and upset too! Your mind was going a million miles an hour trying to think of a way to go to her playground during one of Kayla's breaks (but then you mentioned something about not being very intimidating). After awhile you started crying and I thought it was because you didn't want to do your homework but really it was because you felt so bad for Kayla. You pretty much cried yourself to sleep. I love you for being so protective of Kayla and having such a big heart!

Pig Snorter

Dear Joey, Misty took you to take pictures and you love telling us that she took you to some train tracks where no trains go.  Just look how cute you are! I just might post all the pics they are so cute.  Some of the funny things you do now: Always ask for water with ice in it, love being only in your underwear because your clothes are too hot, you are about the only one that can make Keira laugh, you love playing cars with Kylan, you love teasing Kylan, you always have to have me fall asleep by you, you want us to get a CTR van (from a story we read), are always looking for Honda's, Chrysler's and Trailblazers because that's what we have, you always have a nervous habit going on - clicking your tongue, chewing on your shirt, snorting like a pig.  I just love my big cuppa Joe (unless you are snorting like a pig).

Legpits

Dear Kayla, some of the stuff that comes out of your little mouth could make me laugh for months.  This morning you were talking about putting lotion on or something and you said you got it in your leg pits. Hahaha, I had to think about that for a minute but now I just can't stop laughing about it. Leg pits, hahaha, did you know you had leg pits?  I have leg pits. LOL! Is LegPits two words or one?

Kayla's Baptism

Dear Kayla, you had the most special day Saturday. You were so excited! We wrote down all your thoughts about Saturday and as you were going down in to the water you said it was warm and cozy and you wanted to dance and bounce off the walls - I'm glad you held back. :)  I missed your confirmation because Kylan was making so much noise, and no one could tell me what Dad said because they couldn't hear. I'm sure it was great. You are getting so big, responsible and smart, can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

School Please

Dear Jaida, yesterday the school nurse called saying that you had a fever of 100 degrees and that you had a sore throat. When talking to you I could tell you were feeling okay and you even said you didn't want to come home.  Dad brought you some Tylenol and I never heard another complaint.  I'm so glad that you love school!

Miss Jaida

Dear Miss J, you have been quite impressive lately. For Halloween you pretty much made your bat costume. You sewed the bat ears and then sewed up Kylan's Pirate costume. For your school's Reflections contest you crocheted a small bowl with flowers in it. You brought home your report card the other day and you have 93% and above in all your subjects, 101% in spelling! In your Primary class you were the only one that knew the name of "the brother of Jared." (thanks to Scripture Scouts) I said Monty, ha!  In the picture above, you raked a track through the leaves that everyone went racing around on and in Vegas you made sure to watch out for Joey and Kylan. I've said it before but I love that you're getting older, more responsible and are so creative!!  You even started giving me crochet lessons!  Love ya Miss J!

Happy Halloween 2012

I know that only Jaida is pictured but all my other pics of the kids got erased. :(
Dear Miss Jaida, you made a great bat this year!  Glad you had fun running around the carnival with Kassie, and thank you for looking out for Joey.

Watch Movies With Kayla

Dear Kayla the butterfly, you are the best to watch movies with.  Last night we were watching The Incredibles. You laugh out loud, vocally get scared, jump up and down with excitement and say off-the-wall comments during any movie and in all the right places.  Thanks for making movies funner to watch! :)

Time To Crawl

Dear Miss Keira, you don't want to slow down for one second.  You just mastered rolling over and are now trying to get up and crawl. Just look how cute you are!

Playin' With The Boys

Dear boys, you love playing with Miss Keira! Today was especially fun considering it was Crazy Hair Day for all the girls.

Rockstar Day 2012

Dear Jaida, you rocked it!

Dear Kayla, I left you alone in the bathroom for five minutes and you gave yourself the tiger stripes I  said you could not have. I washed them off. I let you get away with a lot of things...this was not one of them. Much better:

Crazy Hair Day

Loved doing your crazy hair this year girls! :)

Holy Tantrum!

Dear Joey, I don't know that I have ever been more embarrassed than when we went to the parade today. Everyone was having a great time until it was time to go. Kayla and Kylan sat in the stroller and you wanted IN! You cried and cried and cried and when the light turned green we started to cross. I'm trying not to hit anyone with the stroller and when I look down you are still crying but you're holding onto the stroller, laying down! I am DRAGGING you across the road and of course there are a ton of people around because the parade just got over! I could see people pointing and laughing. I had to push the stroller and hold you up as we walked across the next cross walk. I ended up carrying you on the stroller handle like a sack of potatoes - you crying the entire time. The picture above is when we got back to the van. You just laid yourself on the sidewalk and cried until I picked you up. Have you ever been so horrified that you're speechless?

Happy 8th Birthday Miss Kayla

Dear Miss Kayla, Happy Birthday! (on the 20th) We had tons of fun in Vegas celebrating your birthday. You guys played at the Children's Museum for about 5 hours and when I asked what your favorite thing you did there you said, "The elevator." On the way to the museum we were looking for a McDonald's and after listening to Dad yell over and over at the GPS you finally asked, "Dad, is this your worst vacation ever? I've kind of lost my appetite, can we just go to the museum?" Hahaha, hilarious! We went swimming, walked through the casino to eat at their buffet, ran around like crazies in the hotel rooms and finally went to Chuck E. Cheese. I hope you had a great time and will remember more than just the elevator.

Goats, GoNaughts and Fawfights

Sorry for the sideways video...
Dear Kylan, you are at that age where you say the funniest things.  The other night we were playing with a flashlight that makes a ghost. You kept saying, "Get the goat, get the goat!" I was laughing so hard. :)
You say gonaughts (polka dots), fawfights (flashlight) and ear muffins (earmuffs).  Ah, I need funny stuff like this everyday!

Shake

Dear Kylan, yesterday I was doing dog tricks with all of you (for raisins of all things).  I said to you, "Shake!" You started shaking your whole body.  We all thought it was pretty hilarious! :)