Baby LOVE

Whenever these two get together there is a lot of kissing. They must really like each other! Preston likes to use his tongue and Elise likes to suck his nose. It's pretty funny to watch!

13 Months

Preston turned 13 months old today. All I can say is that this little guy is fun! His personality is shining forth so much lately and he has such a cute one. He gets a funny embarrassed face that we all love when you focus all your attention on him. He can tell you what a doggie says and what a lion says. He loves to play and loves his sister. He calls her "Bwee" and he calls for her whenever he wakes up from a nap. He has 8 teeth now and he loves to eat anything off the floor. (he doesn't like eating in his high chair.) He does everything but walk, but is slowly getting more comfortable with the idea of trying it on his own. He has mastered going up the stairs but he thinks I am playing a game when I try to show him how to turn around and slide down. He just tries to run away from me faster when I try to teach him that. He loves the pool and splashing. He really loves doll's right now and he sleeps with one of Brooke's every night and he kisses and plays with it all day. It really is sweet to see. He is also becoming more vocal and will do a high pitched raspy scream if you do something he does not like. He has found the roll of toilet paper and it has become a new favorite activity for him ( and me, always love rolling those things back up!) He really is the perfect little boy and I want 5 more just like him!

Dance Recital 2011

Brooke had her first official dance recital this past Friday. She was so cute and she had a great time. I couldn't believe how grown up my little girl was and had a bit of a Mommy breakdown after I got her all dolled up for the event.

She did a great job. I hope to have the video posted soon. (Still trying to figure that one out!?)

She is going to be too beautiful for her own good when she gets older. Just look at those features. This is when my Mommy meltdown came in full force. (Is this still the same baby girl I had just a few years ago? How did she grow up so fast?)

Her class before the recital.

They danced to Little White Duck. She was supposed to have 2 dance #"s but only one ended up happening. Kinda bummed about that one.

We gave her lots of love afterwards. She was not in a picture mood.

We ended with a special dinner at Red Robin. We are so lucky to have such a fun girl in our lives!

Best friends!

These two couldn't get any cuter together! We are so grateful for good friends!

Popsicle Pool Days

We have been having fun with pool #2 (the first one got a big hole in it from our crazy Fontana winds. ) Popsicles have become an everyday occurrence and Preston finally got his very own the other day. To say he liked it is a huge understatement. It was so cute to see him sitting in his chair just hanging out eating his Popsicle. Brooke likes to dip hers in the pool (disgusting!)

Oh how I love summer time!! Oh how I love these kids!!

Preston's B-Day Pics

It has taken forever for me to get these up. We had a nice little party for Preston with just family. We enjoyed one another's company and had fun talking about how much Preston has grown. It was a great day, and I am so grateful everyday for this little boy in our lives!

The cake was a big hit. He tried to put his face in it but only ever dipped his nose in. The highlight was when he pushed it off his high chair. :) Brooke had no problem finishing what Preston couldn't.

Love all of our family! Thank for making the day special!!

Presents... He loved taking tissue paper out of the bag. He still doesn't quite get wrapping paper. He loved everything and has been playing hard!

what can I do??

As I sit here writing this Brooke is screaming in her high chair. She hasn't eaten anything I have made for days. She has always been terrible with food but she started to get better and now in the last week and a half it seems she is worse than ever. All she ever wants to eat is milk, cheese, gold fish, any treats, Nutri-grain bars, fruit and a few vegetables. If I only gave her these things she would never have a problem eating food. The problem is, is that she is 3 and I think she should eat whatever we are eating and if she doesn't want it then she can eat nothing. Brooke happens to be just about the most stubborn headed girl I know though, and not eating to her is a very viable option. She will wait until I break down and give her one of "her" items. I try not to, but when she's around friends who are eating something or you have a party it seems like it is so much easier to just give her the other items to avoid the huge fit she will through if I try to get her to eat what we are having. I am a very consistent with her and food so I thought we would have broken this cycle but it just seems impossible. I am at my wits end. She doesn't eat, it makes me want to hurt her. She asks for something and I make it and then she says no she doesn't want it before even trying it. If I force her to eat it, her mind is already made up and she will gag and through it up. I just want to cry and have someone fix her. 99% of the time that I am upset with Brooke it is about food. Help me! I need any suggestions we have tried just about everything I can think of; positive reinforcement, sitting until she eats it all, not giving her any food until she eats what we gave her the first time.etc....I really can't handle this any more. AHHHHH.

Birthday Boy

My sweet little guy is ONE years old today. I love him so so much and every day just gets better and better. He really is the sweetest, nicest, best baby boy. He has grown up so much this past month. He stopped scooting so much and just crawls now (which I never thought would happen.) He says "hi, bye, mama, dada, daddy, baby, uh-oh and yeah." He especially likes to put his hand up to his ear like a cell phone and say "hi." He loves to clap and loves to grab our hands and make us clap. He has started to pull himself up on furniture just in the past couple days. He loves to play with his sister, and has learned all sorts of fun things from her (like screaming and being loud.) I am so looking forward to seeing how his sweet spirit and body continues to grow and develop. Happy birthday my little man! So glad you were brought to our family. You make everyday brighter and better!

What we've been up to...

It has been so nice and warm the past few days so we went and got ourselves a kiddie pool. The kids love it, and even though the slide is a bit hard to do because it is inflatable, it has been a lot of fun. All we need are some friends to come play with us. This will probably be our new daily activity so come on by and join us!

Dress Up

This little girl has cotumes on now about 75% of the time. She loves playing dress up! The other day she asked if I would do her makeup with real big girl makeup. So on went the blush, mascara, and lip gloss. Here are the results. I'm glad we have a lot of years until she starts wearing makeup for real! Love that sweet face!

Easter 2011

We had a great Easter this year. We got to do many Easter egg hunts before Sunday and lots of other fun Easter activities. Easter day we went to church and enjoyed the company of my Mom, Step Dad and The Oka Family. It was a great day and it was so nice to remember all that Jesus went through for us, and realize once again the great love he has for us all.

Finding the Easter baskets Easter morning.

Lunch on Sunday with The Oka's and The Hayden's. We did an activity with the girls called "resurrection eggs." We could have waited a few more years to do that one, but I think they learned a little bit.

Some pics before church. This is the only spot in the house where we get some light in the morning, so not the best background but some super cute kids.

April Fools

For April Fools I made sushi and cupcakes...

The sushi is obviously candy, but the cupcakes were meatloaf with mashed potato frosting. Brooke was so excited that she was going to get to eat a cupcake for dinner.

As soon as she took one bite she said "Think it's mashed potato frosting?" So funny. Our Niece Kayla was with us and got a kick out of them as well. Preston was just happy to have some food.
I thought they tasted pretty good, even though it was hard to get past the fact that they looked like cupcakes and were supposed to be sweet.

Dance Class

Brooke has wanted to do dance class for some time now. I have tried to teach her things, but I'm Mom and it just doesn't quite work the same as having a real dance teacher. I put her in the city dance class because to me it is all about fun the first few years. It was funny because when I got there and saw all the little dancers my teacher side came out and I felt immediately that I needed to go get my ballet shoes on and get them dancing. It was weird being the observer and not the teacher. Brooke did great and it was fun to see the things I had taught her come out as her teacher was surprised that she knew what first position, pique, sashe, and many other things were. She loved it and didn't ever want to take her "ballet dress" off.

When we first got Brooke her ballet shoes and leotard she wold not take them off for 2 days straight. Even when sleeping. It is so fun to see her get really excited about something that I love.

Seattle Day 5 & 6

We decided not to do the Space Needle. It is $20 per person and it is small. So we lovingly looked at it and then headed over to the tallest building in Seattle, The Columbia Building. We ate breakfast at the Starbuck's on the 40th floor and enjoyed the views. Then we went all the way up to the 86th floor. It was crazy to be up that high. The views were amazing. Seattle really is very beautiful.

After that we went and watched some movies. We saw the Adjustment Bureau and we also saw Unknown. Neither of them were all that great to me but they were okay. I'm more of a romantic comedy girl...

Day 6 we were off to the airport. We enjoyed our last few kisses without the kiddies and enjoyed watching the landscape change as we flew home.

We were so excited to see the kids. 6 days was too long. I would say 4 would be perfect. Thank you so much Lana and Eric for watching them, they had a great time and love you guys so much. We owe you big time!

Thanks Hubby for such a fun trip. I loved getting to spend some extra time with you!

Seattle day 4

Day 4 was my favorite day. It started off with a Chocolate Tour. It was delicious. We learned everything there is to know about growing, harvesting, making, and eating chocolate. It was hilarious because the tour consisted of Jason and I and then a large group of ladies celebrating a birthday so Jason was the only guy. The ladies were so fun to watch and hang out with. Jason was a great sport and fit in just perfect with us ladies. Thanks honey for being so much fun no matter what I put you through :).

We also got to drive through some parts of Seattle and see the Fremont Troll under the bridge, the space needle, and a bunch of cool looking houses.
After our Chocolate tour we hung out and took a nap and then it was off to Red Mill Burger. This place was voted best onion rings and burger in the country so I knew we needed to stop there. It was delicious! The french fries were not good though. But the rest was a really good , nothing fancy just made really well.
That night we took a bus to the Tractor Tavern to see 3 new contemporary artists sing. It was so cool. By far my favorite thing we did. We heard Laurn Pritchard (didn't love), Brendan James (loved!!) and Matt White (he was okay). I liked the Matt White song on the McDonald'scommercial ("and love, such a funny game we play"... you've heard it, right?) and that's how I found it. It only cost $20 for both of us and was a really intimate concert. Totally cool. We also made it home alive and not mugged. We had to take the bus all the way back to Seattle at 11:30 at night and then walk several blocks back to our hotel. Thank goodness we were okay :).

Seattle day 3

Day 3 started off with a delicious breakfast at a little whole in the wall restaurant.

Then we walked to the sports complex and past Quest Field. Afterwards we visited Safeco Field (where the Seattle Mariners play) for a tour. It was pretty awesome and I totally want to go tour Dodger Stadium now.

Jason was in baseball heaven.

We got the cutest older man who has a serious love of baseball to give us the tour. He was the best part for me.

I thought this baseball bat chandelier was pretty cool. It lights up and flickers every time they score.

I loved this picture of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. I want it for a sport's themed room. I decided Lou Gehrig was really good looking and have a crush on him now. (don't tell my husband :))

In the clubhouse.

In the interview room.

Dugout.

It was so fun to be with my hubby on this date. He loves baseball and it was so awesome to see something that he is passionate about. He wanted to go hit some balls so bad just to see how far he could hit them on the field.

After our tour we walked back to our hotel and realized we had left Jason's sunglasses at the team store. After calling and seeing if they had been found we went all the way back (not a short walk, I was complaining because my feet were hurting). After that we just hung out all day. I really loved getting to give all my attention to Jason. At home he is my #1 but the kids are always are in need of something so it was nice to just be with him. I sure am a lucky girl!

Later that night we headed to a karaoke bar because I have always wanted too. We found one and started walking to it, but we both got a bad feeling and decided to turn around. I'm so glad we are guided by the spirit and are kept safe by his promptings. We just had a nice night at the hotel relaxing. It was a great day.