St. Patrick's Parade

This year we decided to accept the invitation and walk in the St. Patrick's Day parade at the Gateway with the Salt Lake Mother's of Twins, so we got up early and got the kids ready and headed downtown to find parking and beat the traffic. We got there pretty early and took a bit to walk to the starting line and find the group. Once we did though we were set and had fun just hanging out and waiting. Then once it was our turn off we went walking and waving to people. They wouldn't let us throw candy...booo! Mike pulled the wagon with the twins, I pushed Faith in her stroller and Caleb rode his scooter. Zaric had a bit of a rough time in the middle and had to be carried for a ways but overall I think they enjoyed it.

After the parade when we finally got back to our cars, we decided to use up a groupon I had and went to NYPD pizza for lunch. Then it was back home for a while to relax before we headed out to take the kids to see The Lorax. Then it was back home again for some Green Eggs and Ham for dinner and the kids all wanted green milk with it. It's wasn't a perfect day for sure and we had many fits along the way but it was pretty darn good.

Spring Park Trip

After I left work today, I couldn't help but notice what a beautiful day it was outside so after I picked up all the kids we came home and called Daddy and asked him to come home and play with us. It was time to knock on of those items off the seasonal bucket list: Play at the Park. As you can see from the many pics, it was a huge success and just what we needed. The kids all loved it and Faith discovered sand and sticks. She was pretty excited and curious about both of those. It was a nice outing and I hope we can do it again soon.

6 Months!

It happened and much too fast! Miss Faith is 6 months old. That's half a year old! How can that be? She's so much fun and most of the time a very happy and active baby. She loves to grab things and sitting on her own. She also thinks her brothers hung the moon and loves watching them run around and play but loves it most of all when their attention is on her.
She weighed in at her appt today at 15 lbs 5 oz and was 25.5 inches long. She was super good at the appt and thought the paper on the exam table was the best new toy ever and played and played with it until she ripped it to shreds. She was only mad for a short time after her shots and we don't have to go back until 9 months now! So no more shots for at least 3 months. Whew!

Most of you have seen these pics on Facebook recently. But I love them so much I just had to share them here too.

We can't get enough of this baby girl, even on the crabbiest of days, which yes she does have .......occasionally.

New Nephew Shower

My sister Tracey is having a baby! In about a month I will have a new nephew to love and spoil. We spent this weekend giving her a shower in Price. But first of course, we planned and created. She loves frogs so we went with a frog theme and Mike helped me make these cute invites.

And water-bottle wraps

And I made a couple of these topiaries

We had a cousin of ours make cupcakes and I made cupcake pics to put in them.

At the shower we munch on a yummy lunch of soup and salad. Then played one game. It was a stumper.

Then it was time to see all the tiny goodies for this baby boy.

I think she made quite the haul and this is going to be one stylish little dude.

This is Why!

When I tell people that my child can speak Chinese and that half of his everyday curriculum is taught in it, I often get weird looks. On numerous occasions, I have been asked, "why?" They don't seem to get this little blond haired, white kid that speaks Chinese because he doesn't fit some sort of mold. I am so glad he's a part of this program and I highly recommend it to other families.The video is kinda lengthy and although Caleb isn't in this one, we did spot his current teacher and some of his class mates.

If you are interested to see what Utah is doing with this program (did I mention they are on the forefront of a National movement?) take a look.

Twins- Then and Now

THEN

NOW

I started the daunting task of going through dressers and closets this weekend to start getting rid of the clothes the kids have grown out of and making a list of what they need when we came across these hats from 2009 when they were mushrooms for Mike's 30th Bday party. They were so thrilled and have been wearing them almost constantly the last 2 days. I was so glad I decided to take a pic of them together tonight. My how they've grown!

Bucket O' Seasons

This year we want to make sure to get in lots of family activities so on one of my crafting weekends, we did a variation of the "bucket list" ideas ala Pinterest and made us a seasonal bucket list of all of the stuff we want to get done in each season. Some of the stuff are things we do every year so they'll be able to be reused over and over and some are some new additions. Since it's March now, we are starting with the Spring list. I think this is a fun way for the kids to keep track of what we have done by taking the clothespin off when we complete something and dropping it in the bucket. It's also a good way for them to stay excited about the things we still want to get done. And since these activities are pre-thought out we won't be sitting around wondering what to do. Ideas will be right there in front of us. So here's what we have on our Spring bucket list.

• Go to the Zoo



• Go to the Tulip Festival



• Plant flowers



• Family game night



• Ice cream date



• Play at the park



• Fly a kite



• Make a craft



• Go to a movie

Can't wait to get started. maybe we'll even try to knock one of them off of there this weekend.

Crafty Weekend

It's been a busy but productive weekend here. On Friday Mike was in Vegas for work so I got to take my boyz out to dinner at McD's and let them run off energy in the play place then settle in at home for some movie watching time where we watched Mr. Poppers Penguins until Dad got home in time to tuck us in. Then Saturday started the real fun. I had an appointment to get my hair dyed and cut in Lehi so decided to stop at a place called The Wood Connection in Murray that I had been hearing lots about on the way. The place was packed with people so we didn't stay as long as I would have liked too but I did come out with a few projects and after getting my hair done and going out to dinner with some friends I started the first one. This fun St. Patty's sign.

This morning after the craft store opened I went and picked up what I needed to finish the St. Patty's one and start 1 of the 2 Easter projects I picked up. Mike helped with this one while I went to my monthly craft-date with my friend Becca Y. He had it all painted and ready for me to add the sparkle when I got home.

At Becca's house we made a couple tutu's. Here's the one I made for Miss Faith. I still need to do some finishing work on it but I've been wanting one in these colors for her so I am super excited about it.

And we made a few bows. Here's the 4 I got done today.

Amongst all of that we dealt with sick kids (off and on) and laundry and the normal household stuff that drags us down. It's always so much fun to put some of that off once in a while though and just have some creative goodness.

Ouren Updates- Feb 2012

It's time for this years first installment of Ouren Updates:

Caleb- Caleb is already 2/3 through his 2nd grade year! He's learning so much and loving to read and write and draw. He's great at just about everything at school and came home with another report card of straight 5's (A's) last week. He's really enjoying math at school and is doing things like multiplication and fractions already. At home he's still the ring leader of trouble and loves to play in his room, watching his tv or playing with his DS or his Lego's or his Star Wars stuff. He love to drive his brothers crazy and make his sister giggle.


Zaric- Zaric is pretty much 100% potty trained now. He's still working hard with his speech and we can see improvements all of the time. He seems to be enjoying going to preschool and gets excited to show us his work on the days he goes. He's a great helper around the house and loves to help clean. He loves playing with his Zaden and listening to them talk to each other is a hoot. He still loves cars and trucks and is really starting to get into costume play with Zaden, wearing capes and hats while they play. His favorite thing is Milk. He asks for glasses of Milk all day long and can't seem to get enough. He's also been a huge movie watcher lately wanting to watch Mickey Mouse episodes or Spongebob or Jake and the Neverland Pirates on DVD. He's finally getting an interest in things like learning his letters and numbers.

Zaden- Zaden is pretty much potty trained as well. He still has a few accidents here and there, but that's improving. He's such a funny kid and loves to talk and talk. He's getting into the 1,000 questions a day mode and asking all of the who's, when's and how's on many things. He loves preschool and gets excited to go on the days when we tell him it's preschool day. He's learning lots of his letters and can count to 15 now. He loves walking around and counting things and pointing out numbers to us wherever we go.

Faith- Little girl is 5 months now. She's really close to sitting on her own and is eating solid foods 1-2 times a day. Her favorite seems to be pears right now. She loves to play and use her hands. She can roll over from her tummy to her back and is really close going the other way. She loves laughing at her brothers and still loves snuggling with Dad at night. She's getting more of a personality all of the time and her inner-diva is definitely starting to show.

Mike- Mike ( as always) continues to work hard and roll with the punches at work. He recently orchestrated the IT portion of the office relocation and spend tons of time taking care of all of the little and big issues that went along with it. He's been putting in tons of hours both at the office and at home. We miss him when he's not here but really appreciate all he does for us. He's looking forward to things slowing down at work and hopefully getting some time to himself to play some games or do some art.

Me- I'm still working part time for the college. For the most part I like it. I've been doing some High School FAFSA nights lately and those are a nice change. I continue to craft a little here and there when I can and have been keeping myself busy planning a baby shower for one of my favorite people and starting to plan for the twins 4th Bday coming up quick. I've also been busy planning our big family vacation coming up and getting all of the little details in place. I love being a mommy and wife even on the days they drive me bonkers and look forward to them every day and the way they make me laugh and teach me what loving someone is all about. I'm very lucky.

Valentine's Bliss

Today has been one of the best Valentine's Days ever. Mike and I decided to take some time off and spend it together for this quarters day-date. We started the morning with little gifts for our little Valentine's and each other. Faith got some personalized bloomers and a headband.




The boys each got new shirts and some Star Wars candy dispensers.

Of course Mike spoiled me and I got some flowers and my pink Cowboys jersey.

I went the corny route for his again (I can't help myself). I got him a hand-stamped spoon that says, "You're my lucky charm" to go with his breakfast. He seriously loves cereal.

I did go to work for a couple hours while Mike got the kids off to school and the babysitters. Once I got home, we started date-time. First he gave me a massage here at home that was heavenly. Then we set off for our first stop-Bowling. We bowled 2 games and laughed a lot at how terrible we've become at it. He kicked my butt both times. Then it was time for stop #2- Lunch at Iggy's where we enjoyed some appetizers and burgers and drinks. Then it was time for stop #3- next door at the movie theater. We saw "The Vow", it was good and made me cry a little. Then we made a quick stop at the store to get stuff to make chocolate covered strawberries per Caleb's request. After we picked up Caleb, we made one more stop before getting the littles to pick up a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's.
I don't think I could have asked for the day to go any smoother than it did. What a great day! Hope you are all having a great time with your Valentine's.