All about......pee

I feel like my life lately is revolving around certain people in this house and their potty issues.  One thought that it was just WAAAYYYY too far to go up that whole flight of stairs; thus peed in my basement.  The other one is in the midst of potty training.....enough said.

 

I was so mad I got him soapy water and made him clean it all up

New undies!!  She's so excited that we pee through change about 4 pairs a day...

On a merrier note....

We have been having some fun this Christmas season.  We've seen Santa, made gingerbread houses, had a few parties, and went to the Thanksgiving Point lights.  I'm just waiting for the Temple Square lights to have drive-through, it's the way to go...

 This was how Marley was the whole time, hanging halfway out the window

 Getting hot Chocolate after with my family

Tate was too focused to look up for a picture; he even had to do all the frosting himself

Our Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was with Jordan's family this year; we ate a lot, played some games, and went to see "Wreck-it Ralph".....it was a fun day!

  Our family.....minus Tate.  He wouldn't get in the picture

 Scoping out the ads...I've never even shopped black Friday, I just like looking at the deals

 I was shocked Marley ate a roll (and played with the rest), and Tate ate some turkey.  For them that's pretty good--Thanksgiving is basically pointless for my kids.  They both hate potatoes and gravy, don't usually eat meat unless it's a nugget, and don't eat stuffing or vegetables.

 Jordan holding Bergan for the first time....no really.  He doesn't do babies.  But he couldn't resist that cute chunk forever:)

This is what we did for "black Friday"... got out all the Christmas stuff!  The kids loved decorating the tree, even if most of my ornaments are within a one foot radius near the bottom.

Thankful Tree

Like most people, I want to teach my children to be thankful for the things they have.  So this year we started doing a "Thankful Tree" for the month of November, writing what we're thankful for each day.  I've made Jordan and I do it along with the kids.  But of course, Tate and Marley have some of the best answers.

 (friends)

 I mean, who isn't grateful for waves and kitties??

(mom and dad)

(Utah, our pet lizard)

Star Wars Halloween

Tate decided for some reason he wanted to be Darth Maul this year for Halloween.  And since this is probably the last year they will allow me to "match" them, Marley was Princess Leia.  We have usually gone to our parents homes the past few years, but Tate was so excited to go trick-or-treating with his friends, so we stayed home.  The kids loved it!

 At the ward trunk-or-treat.....our previous ward never did these so this was our first experience.  Fastest way to get some candy, and the fastest way to go through a huge bag of candy in like 10 minutes.  Craziness.

Carving pumpkins for family night....who am I kidding, we are terrible at doing family night.  This just happened to be on a Monday so I deemed it FHE.

We braved Gardner Village for the sole purpose of getting pictures with the witches.

Disneyland!!

We just got back from 8 awesome, yet exhausting days in California with my sister and my parents.  Vacations are fun but I think I came back more tired than when we left.  We (me and the kids) flew out on Saturday and Jordan flew out the next afternoon because he HAD to go to the Utah vs. BYU game the night before.  So that first day we just chilled and went to the beach; it was Marley's first time there and she loved it!  I think she loved being able to get as muddy as she wanted without getting in trouble!

Macy and Marley rolling in the muddy sand 

 On Monday we went to Disneyland!  It was so freaking hot we almost melted.  And Tate whined and threw so many fits I almost gave him away to a stranger.  Each ride was his "favorite" and he only wanted to do that ride all day.  He got a little better each day so by the end of the trip he wasn't too bad;)

 The kids loved meeting the characters too.  And for Halloween the park was all decorated, and some of the characters were dressed up.

 On the rapids before getting soaked.  Tate was in heaven because he could go on almost every ride.  The only thing he couldn't do was the roller coaster in California Adventure.  So he felt super cool being able to go on the "big" rides.

Waiting in line with our sweet glasses

 On Wednesday we took a day off from the parks and went to the beach again.  It was so nice to get away from crowds and relax.

 yep, we are those parents that let their kids get their faces painted.

 Marley just about died seeing Minnie Mouse.  Minnie came up and gave her kisses and hugs, it made Marley's whole day!

 The three amigos.  They were so silly most of the time, they would hold hands and sing songs, and just act so wild and hyper. (By the end of each day we wanted to tape their mouths shut:)

Everybody went home a day earlier than us, so we drove to Sea World our last day.  It was fun, but I think we were theme-parked out by then.  So we only did that for a half day.  It felt good to go home, but it was also a little depressing to get back to reality....and having to start cooking food again:(

But we all loved it and hope the next time we go it can be with my whole family!

Family Pictures

 So we finally went and got family pictures done....I've put it off for 2 years (Marley was only 4 months old at our last one) and here are some of my faves:

In other not so exciting news....

 Tate started soccer again, and in this league there is a game AND a practice every week.  Most people think, duh, no kidding.  Me who does not really enjoy sports?  Ugh.

 We have the best neighborhood.  Every summer they do a party with a parade for the kids, a bounce house, and the firemen come.  So while the kids run wild, us parents get to relax and chat!

 Tate getting to spray the fire hose

 

Tate with his new friend....Tate!  They're the same age but my Tate is a whole head taller

Lastly, I can't forget the Moo! She refuses to nap these days so falls asleep in random spots..

(Pre) School Days

Raise your hand if you're excited to go to school?!  No? Nobody?

(p.s...he really did love it, I think he was just a little nervous before going; and he was being a stinker for any pictures:)

Zoo....check.

 You know how sometimes you go do things just so you can say you did them?  The Zoo is one of those for us.  If we make it once a year I feel good. My kids like it, but I think they worry more about the train and merry-go-round than the animals.  And half of the time it's just too bloody hot....so I'm a bad mom I guess. Oh well.

 With Meg and her girls by the sea lions/seals...whatever

I will say though, that the new bear area is pretty dang cool.  The kids loved how the polar bear can swim right up to the glass and stare you down.  I love Marley's face:)

A new little Love!!

 Jordan's sister Krystal had a baby girl last week and I am so excited!!  Marley finally has a girl cousin on the Love side, and there's a new tiny baby around to love and hold...then give her back;)

 

Me holding miss Bergan Cluff after she was born!  I know I look freaky...I was a little too excited and also tired; it was late

Once they got home and settled we let the kids go see their new cousin for a bit.  Tate was so enthralled by her and couldn't stop staring at her.  He did ask me "When are we going to get one of these?"  So I might run to Costco this week and buy one.

The Ranch

 We did our yearly Ranch trip with my family last week, and like always it was awesome!  Each year gets better because with the kids getting older, they go do their own thing and explore more.  So it leaves me to swing out on the porch for hours on end:)

4-wheelin'

Brooke was so cute and did all these fun Olympic crafts and games for the kids since the opening ceremonies started while we were up there. (them with all their "torches" they made)

Of course a little hot tubbing

we took the kids to the fish hatchery nearby--I think it's gross because there's just millions of stinky fish everywhere, but the kids loved it!

My little cowgirl going on a hike

Tate found a horny toad while there and named him Utah (?)

Utah came home with us and now lives in his own cage on my counter....we'll see how long that lasts!