Cleaning time!

This is what happens when I announce "OK everyone, time to clean the living room!"
Maybe I'll find some enthusiasm under that pile of clothes over there...

Jumpin Jack

Jack is getting brave with jumping.  Makes me a little nervous but he has the best time.

Too blessed to be stressed

We've had some big things hit us lately.  Right before Christmas our transmission on the van broke and they had to totally rebuild it....cha ching.  Then this sewer problem we dont even know how much it is going to cost, but we are hoping it is just the very expensive fix, not the super duper expensive fix.  And HOPEFULLY not the very expensive on top of the super duper expensive fix.  Plus we have to fix our carpet.  Brian and TJ had to cut out a bunch of the padding because it was not drying and STUNK SO BAD.  Oh the joys of home ownership.  But you know what?  It's not going to kill us (Thank you Dave Ramsey!)  Sadly we'll probably have to wait a year to finish fencing in our yard and buying a play set.  I've had to give up my DoTerra (which Brian is happy about) and it's okay.  We're healthy (besides a few runny noses), we're happy, Brian has a fantastic job, we have the absolute BEST families, we're going to Arkansas soon, and life is too good to stress about things you can't control.  Live is good.  :)

Grandma's Visit!

Brian's mom came to visit after Christmas.  We all loved it!



I failed miserably and did not take any pictures.  I'm pretty sure I misplaced my camera.  HERE are some pictures Sandy took while she was here.  It was nice relaxing and having someone to talk to during the day :)  I'm a lucky girl to have such a great mother in law.  Also, while she was here we did something we have NEVER done before! We left the kids with Grandma and went out overnight.  And you know what?  I wasn't even worried, because they love Grandma.  Brian and I went up to Salt Lake and went to the Melting Pot.  It was delicious. We did the 4 course meal and it was so fun!  Super expensive but hey, did I mention we went for our 5 year anniversary?  Ah!  5 years!  Then we went to the Anniversary Inn to the Mississippi room.  It was cute and nice and we had fun watching TV lol.  The bed however was NOT comfortable.  Brian fell asleep pretty quick but I was up till about 3.  I think I cannot sleep on a queen size bed anymore.  And my pillow top mattress has totally spoiled me.  And the lobby was upstairs and it was SO loud when anyone walked around.  I was super frustrated.  The hot chocolate and cinnamon roll they left in the morning was yummy though.  And overall it was great.  It was great to get away for a night and the kids were pretty good too.  Sandy also took us shopping and got us some jeans.  That was amazing because all my jeans had multiple holes in them.  I have to say though, jean shopping is not my favorite. Frustrating!!  And she also brought Christmas gifts, I got a KINDLE which I don't think I put down for the next 3 days.  It is so fun.  She brought Claire some makeup which Claire absolutely loved and Jack got some Thomas toys.  He is in love with Thomas.  We had a GREAT time.  We can't wait until you come back!  Thanks so much for everything you do for us, we love you!

Christmas Pictures

We were super spoiled for Christmas this year.  And after a month of kids and cats, the poor tree wasn't decorated as nice. :)

 Claire's Santa gift

 Jack's Santa gift

 Claire loved it and had to draw on it right away

 Claire was so cute the whole time.  She kept oohing and ahhing and saying "I LOVE it!"

The kids loved Christmas and were so excited about everything they got.  We were too :)  Thanks everyone!

We had egg muffins for breakfast, per tradition.   And then fingerfoods for dinner.  We also went over to M'Kay and Angie's that evening to visit.  Christmas gets better every year!

Before Christmas

So yes, I am very very behind.  Sorry.  I was just going to let it go but thought I should suck it up and do it :)

Putting up the Christmas tree

Jack was doing funny things when I told him to smile

The best picture I could get of the kids after we decorated the tree

Jack loved the nativity set...sadly it did not live to see another Christmas :(

Just taking pictures

 Our kitty cats.  We love them.  They are SOOOOOO good with the kids

Jack starting to do something he knows he is not supposed to

Yup, playing on the computer

He loves tormenting his sister with those tongs

Looking at ads

We went up to temple square to see the lights.  I've never been to see them before.  It was COLD.  We didn't stay very long.

Pictures before church

Claire and Jack had fun decorating my face....

Jack falling asleep eating

Making Uncle Mike proud

Jack loves jumping!!

Life is wonderful

Sewer clogged up outside the house for a second time after it did in November. City is coming to put a camera down to see what is going on. Glad we bought that carpet cleaner. I probably sucked up a few gallons from the carpet here.

Sigh.

And as an update there is a chunk of metal about 50ft away from my house that they can't get out. They will probably have to tear up the street to rip out the pipe.  The Guy thinks it is part of the original covering to the pipe access.  Another wonderful present from the previous owners.  Orem policy is that its the homeowner's responsibility before the connection to the main sewer line so I get to finance this public works project.

Cats

This is what is left when you leave a plate out with some butter on it and have cats apparently...

Chillin on the couch

We're totally not all saying pooooooooop in that last one. Jack had quite the diaper.

Here is something from Claire for you because touch screens are irresistible:
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