Weekend at Papa's

Mike had to work all weekend so me and the kids took advantage and went to Price for a couple days without him. We got to hang out with everyone, go to a Bday dinner for Papa Kevin and spend some much requested time with Papa Ringo and Grandma Judi. We also got a little spoiled and got to go for my favorite dinner (Plain Jane at the Cowboy Club). The kids loved playing with their cousins and I even got to sneak away for a few hours on Saturday night to visit with a couple old friends from High School and watch one of them play in his band (The Gypsee Goat Herders) at Balance Rock in Helper. It was a really good time with good music and catching up. It was a nice trip but we were equally as happy to be home awaiting meeting back up with Daddy when he finally got home late Sunday night.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè

Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Dragon. Last night at Caleb's school they had a Chinese New Year Celebration. All of the dual immersion students sang us some songs. We also got to listen to a parent play a Chinese instrument, watch some cute little Chinese dancers and of course the traditional dragon dance. We didn't stay for the little activities afterward this time except the Chinese market where each of the kids got to pick a prize. Zaric and Zaden picked out necklaces with Chinese symbols on them. Caleb picked out a pencil with Chinese writing on it and they all got some Chinese candy. It was a fun night, even if us adults didn't understand a word they were singing :).

4 month Checkup

This afternoon was Faith's 4 month well baby check up. Since Mike was home for the holiday he opted to keep the boys for me and I took her alone. She was Miss Popularity from the start. Everyone in the waiting room remarked on how cute she was, a nurse came over from getting another patient to talk to her and check out her hair bow, and 3 kids in the waiting room were playing with her. It was almost sad when they called us back, the kids looked sad to see her go.

Once in the back she weighed in at 13 lbs 14 oz and was 24 inches long. The doctor looked her over and declared her still perfectly healthy and told me to enjoy her . I assured him I have been and will keep doing so. He also asked me if she ever quits smiling. I replied, "no, not really." She got 2 shots in the legs and one oral immunization. She was pretty pissed off at the shots but got over them quickly until the nurse that gave them talked to her then she let her know exactly what she thought of her. The nurse laughed and then left the room so as not to upset her again and she calmed right back down. Overall it was another great appt.

Na Na Na Na Batman!

Zaden has been obsessed this weekend with the notion that he is Batman. He's been wearing this cape almost constantly, even to bed once. He's telling me he's Batman and jumping off the furnature and doing summer salts which is his idea of flying. He even asked me tonight to take a picture of Batman. He's so much fun and I'm so excited to see their little imaginations finally starting to take flight.

Shirts Round 2

We all liked the shirts so much that I made some for regular every day wear as well. Caleb asked for Spiderman, Mike Superman and the twins are going to rock some Batman (their favorite lately). I also made some cute onesies for some people having baby boys in the next couple of months as well as another Batman for a cousin (by request). It's been a busy weekend making T shirts. A friend came over yesterday and made 8 of her own for her girls as well. Looks like I started quite the project. I have a feeling it's not over yet.

Disney-Bound

We've officially booked and started planning our first Ouren family Disneyland trip for this summer. We are going to hit up Sea World in San Diego, Legoland in Carlsbad and then of course Disney, Disney, Disney! We are so excited and I decided we all needed somewhat matching shirts for at least one day there. I came across this idea on Etsy and of course replicated it with my own funky styling. The boys are all the same. I'm not sure if they'll endure my torture with dressing alike for more than 1 day so I stopped there (for now) but little Miss Faith got 3 new shirts for starters. Minnie, Ariel and Tink so far. I still need to make something for me to match Faith and decide if the boys need anything else. So much to do between now and then. I love it when something like this motivates me to turn the creative juices on.

Night with T Rex

Last night Caleb got a special surprise. A date with Dad to go to Night with T Rex at Thanksgiving Point. This is a special event after the museum closes and he got to go with just him and Dad for some one on one time. They got to watch a movie on the 3D Mammoth screen, go on a scavenger hunt, tour the museum, build a 3 D puzzle of a dino, make a plaster cast, use a paleontologist drill to clean a fossil, make a petroglyph, and play in the 2 sand areas of the museum. They didn't get home until late but from the sounds of it this morning he had a blast! The first thing he did when he got up was come tell me about it and show me all the stuff he made since he got to bring it all home.

The twins, Faith and I hung out at home and had popcorn of our own and watched movies. I'm so glad Mike and Caleb got out alone and had a good time and thanks to Mike for humoring me and taking the camera along. :)

Preschool Double Trouble

Well the day arrived. Both sooner and later than I wanted it to. The twins officially started preschool. Just one day a week for now until they get more used to the idea. I tried and tried this morning to get them to stand still for a good pic and this is what I got. Of course they were so confused with the idea they kept putting on their coats and backpacks and taking them back off for about 40 minutes before we had to leave so these pics are before we were totally out the door (hence the dirty face on Zaden). I was a nervous wreck imagining these monkey climbing on things and having major meltdowns about new people and new places. So I got there 15 minutes early and walked them in to talk with the teacher ( Miss Karen, Caleb's old teacher) and catch her up and tell her who's who. Well they ran right in and went right to playing with the toys and talking up a storm. When I told them I was leaving and Dad would be back to get them when it was over they didn't bat an eye. Just went right on playing. Miss Karen reported to Dad that they did just fine for a first day and they were happy when he picked them up. I asked what they did but all Zaden kept telling me was, "Yes." I guess that's a good sign. Next time in 2 weeks because of the Monday holiday. Hope they are just as excited to go back then.

Baby Doll

Grandma Judi picked out this little dress for Miss Faith for Christmas. It's so stinking cute. I had my eye on some like it earlier but never bought any so I was so excited to get it. I had fun this morning dressing her up in it and taking a few pics. She's such a little doll in it. Who knew having a girl would be so much fun?

SNOW!

Snow in the valley has been pretty sparse if not non-existent for us this year. So when it finally snowed even just an inch or so on Friday night/Saturday morning the boys were all too happy to run out and try out the new child size snow shovels I got them and help Dad shovel the driveway. Of course they spent more time playing and throwing snow than actually shoveling.

Even though I totally fine with no more snow I am glad they got to play in some this year and even hope for a couple more storms for their sake.

Bringing in the New Year

With the exception of my Cowboys losing last night, I have to say 2012 is starting off on the right foot. Yesterday we spent even more time at home playing with all of our new stuff. But we also got a visit from Papa Ringo and Grandma Judi plus Uncle Ryan and family. We got to go to lunch with them and then open some more presents they got for everyone. Then we spent the rest of the night watching football and playing with the new stuff.
Plus little miss Faith decided she would start off the year by rolling over. She finally made it from her back to her belly. It's fun to watch her figure more stuff out but also sad that time is slipping by way too fast. Cheers to celebrating more milestones in the upcoming months.

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year! 2011 was a great year for my family. With the addition of the littlest Ouren, it couldn't have been any better. My resolution for 2012 is simple; to write down 1 thing each day in a notebook. Something that made me happy, made me smile or something that I am just thankful for in general. So even on the crappiest of days I am forced to write and remember something positive.

Here's looking forward to a whole new year of fun, family, friends and memories.