Valentines Weekend

For Valentines I suprised Tony with a day of fun on Saturday.  My parents watched the kids and we headed to Ogden where we started out indoor skydiving!  We didn't get a single picture because you can't have any loose items (including a camera) when you're in the wind chamber and I didn't want to bother any strangers to try to figure out which of the 8 people we were (since we were all dressed the same!)  It was so much fun, though.  There were 3 other couples that were in our group.  We all took a turn going for just 1 minute, mostly just getting used to the positioning and the air.  Then on the 2nd turn the helper guy had the air guy turn the air up and we went flying high and he got us spinning around and dropping and flying...it was awesome!  I had my hair in a ponytail, tucked into the helmet, and when I came out I had hair coming through every little hole on the helmet....it was very windy! :)  We both had a good time and are seriously considering doing the real thing one day!

Next we went down to the indoor surfing where we had 1 hour to surf.  I could not catch my balance to surf for the life of me and ended up falling several times before I finally gave up and went to the other side where you body surf or knee board.  I got on my knees and did good for a second until my board went sideways and I went flying, smacked my elbow, the board hit me in the eye, and I lost my swimsuit bottom for a second!  I decided after that that I am not a surfer and decided to watch the rest of the time.  Tony started out shaky on the surf board but by the end he totally got it! 

We were supposed to go rock climbing but it was too long of a wait so maybe one day we'll go back for that.  We went to lunch then headed back home to get the kids.  It was such a fun day date and a fun change from the regular old dinner & a movie date that we usually do!

On actual Valentines Day I let Tony be in charge since it was his turn. I was pleasantly surprised!  He bought me and Macie red roses and me my favorite perfume!  Then he took me to dinner at the Bonsai, which is probably one of the best restuarants EVER!  We hadn't been there in years and I had forgotten how incredible their food is!  Highly recommended if you haven't been there- it's like the Tepinyaki/Benihana experience, only better!  It was such a great Valentines!

Video of Paxton's First Steps!

My Kids Are Growing Up TOO FAST!!!

Wow, I'm pretty sure I just posted his 9 month update but he's already 10 months!  Paxton FINALLY started sleeping through the night about 2 weeks ago...there's still been a few nights that he's woken up, but I think he's getting more consistent.  It's funny that as soon as I quit nursing him he started sleeping...I think he liked the comfort of his mommy in the middle of the night...but as sweet as that is I am happy to be getting a little more rest!  (I hesitate to post this because I'm scared I'm going to jinx it and he'll go back to his old habits!) 

Anyway, we are officially done nursing...I was a little worried he'd struggle since he's very attached to me, but he's done great!  It was super gradual, so I don't think he really even noticed.  He finally started eating solid solids, meaning, small pieces of table food.  It's funny, he's very picky about what kind of babyfood he'll eat, but if it's real food he's happy to eat it no matter what it is!  He has yet to dislike anything I've given him.  I think he sees his sister eating and gets a little envious so he's willing to take what he can get! 

As for milestones, he started walking a week before his 10 month birthday, way too soon if you ask me since he's just a little baby....but I guess I should have known better than to think I could hold him back!  He just wants to be big!  He loves to play games, dance, and discover new things.  He is saying "Go", "Uh-Oh", "Dayn Doo" (Thankyou), "Dada", "Mum" or "Mama" and "Dow" (Down).  On our road trip on Saturday he also started saying "Geh Ow" (Get out)...he now says it when he wants to get out of his crib or is somewhere he doesn't want to be!  Sometimes he'll just repeat something I say almost clear as day!  It's so fun to just listen to him "talk!"  He knows the meaning to a lot of words, too, like when I ask him where Moose or the doggie is he'll find Moose (yes, I realize how confusing it is for a child to be learning words and have a dog named Moose!)  

 Well that's all the bragging I have for him this month...I'm sure we'll have lots by next month! :)

As for MACIE....I don't do monthly updates about her so I feel like I've left her out a little!  She is doing so great in preschool and she absolutely loves it!  When she first started I was more interested in her learning social skills since I felt like she knew a lot of the things they were supposed to learn this year.  But she continues to surprise me with things she is learning.  Every month she comes home with a new poem that she memorizes...her most recent one is Hickory Dickory Dock.  She was pretty good at recognizing and knowing the sounds of her letters when she went into preschool but a few weeks ago she was writing the letter M on her paper, she asked me what the rest of the letters were in her name and as I said them she wrote them out...A, C, I, E...it was awesome!  My kid can write her own name....I had no idea!  When did she learn that?  She also knows her numbers and can write and recognize them as well.  And lately she's been into rhyming which apparently is a big sign that she's ready to learn to read, so I'm going to try to help her with that since that's not something they will be doing this year in preschool.  I'm not sure how to teach someone to read, though...English is such a crazy language with so many exceptions...not sure what to do!  She is getting so mature...sometimes I look at her and wonder how she got to be so old!  I love having conversations with her...she always makes me laugh.  She is such a great sister...she helps me out more than I could have ever imagined.  She watches Paxton so well and if he goes near the stairs or picks up something small she is right there saving the day.  She loves to try to carry him around, even though he is almost as big as she is! 

Anyway, I love these kiddos and I wish they'd stop getting so big!  Why can't they just stay little?!

Look Who's Walking!!!

My BABY started walking about a week ago at just under 10 months old!  I've known it was coming since he's been climbing up on things and moving like crazy since I can remember, but I wasn't expecting him to walk so soon...I feel like he's too young!  We were down in our living room watching TV and he was standing against the couch.  All the sudden he let go and took 2 steps to me.  I couldn't believe it, so I told Tony to watch and he did it again.  Then we kept sending him back and forth between us and he just started taking more and more steps!  I recorded it on my phone but I need to figure out how to get the video from there to here, so we'll see how that goes!  Anyway, he is getting more and more confident everyday and it won't be long before he's RUNNING!  

Day Trip

Tony's grandpa (Orvel) has had one medical issue after another in the last several years!  This man has survived a few heart attacks, and more than one kind of cancer! His doctors told him about 2 years ago that he had a few months to live, and here he is, still truckin'!  He ended up in the hospital a couple of weeks ago but since they live a few hours away we couldn't make it there right away.  So last Saturday after he got home we took a day-trip to see him and Joyce.  We left around 10am & got there around 1pm.  Joyce had made us lunch, then we just hung out and talked with the 2 of them for awhile.   Macie got a little bored since it was too cold to play outside, so she had kind of an attitude...that's why she isn't in the picture below....she REFUSED to have her picture taken!  Orvel was really happy that we had made the trip...he kept saying how glad he was that we brought the kids for him to see.  We haven't seen them since September so the kids have grown a lot since then, especially Paxton!  Anyway, we ended up leaving around 4pm and were home around 7pm.  The kids did pretty well for being in the car for so long...I ended up putting Paxton in the front-facing carseat even though he's a couple months shy of being old enough. He has literally outgrown the weight limit for the baby seat and his poor little legs get so crammed when he's faced backwards in the big carseat, plus I wanted to be able to see him and hand him things as we drove.  He loved it, too!   

Anyway, I kind of thought going down that it might be the last time we saw Orvel, but he seemed to be doing so well I can't imagine he's going anywhere anytime soon!  He was talking about getting his strength up enough so he could go drive their new car!  

Grandparents are so great!

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning we got up and ready and waited for the kids to wake up.  Macie woke up and before she even came in our room she peeked down the stairs at the tree then ran in all excited and said "Santa Came!"  We got Pax ready but Macie was too excited so she stayed in her pjs until after presents.  Macie got a couple of new movies, a playdoh cake making set, a couple of games, and some stocking stuffers.  Paxton got a helicopter.  Santa hides their big present and sends them on a treasure hunt...he left Macie a polly pocket princess castle and Paxton a Little People airplane.  Pax wasn't too into the whole present thing...he was more interested in climbing the stairs as soon as we weren't watching him! 

Pax got some binkies in his stocking...this look says it all!  
"Really Mom, binkies for Christmas?!"  Haha!

After we opened presents at home we headed over to Tony's parents' house to open presents with them and eat breakfast.  We hung around and played games for awhile, too. Thanks Grandma Dixie & Grandpa Dennis for a great Christmas!

Macie got a princess snuggie (and some other things) from Lexi....she LOVED it!  And I have to admit I've actually borrowed it a few times...it's pretty cozy!  As much as I make fun of them, I think I might want one!  :)

Savannah & Grace opening their presents....Macie & Paxton had their names....we got Savannah a Leapster and Grace a princess purse set.

This is my favorite face of Paxton's....he knows it makes us laugh! 

Kaden was so into his new Nerf gun that he didn't even notice me taking this picture!

After spending the morning with the Davies we went over to my parents' house.  We opened presents with them then hung around and played games for awhile & gave Paxton a nap.  Later on my mom's family all came over for Christmas Dinner. 

Crew & Halle opening their presents from Macie & Paxton....we gave Crew a kids digital camera (he LOVES to take pictures, and he absolutely loved it!) and Halle got a Rapunzel Barbie, and then we got them both a LeapFrog movie.

Dad opening his presents with Granny & Grandma

Macie got a Leapster Explorer from Grandma Thelma & Grandpa Gary...she kind of knew she was getting one but she was still way excited!  She's wanted one for so long and she loves it!

All the grandkids in their jammies from Grandma & Grandpa Hutchins.

My cousin Dillon has these ridiclous guages in his ears....I love to make fun of him!  He looks so goofy, but he's such a good kid you can't really get too mad at him!

Charlene & Pennie's kids (my cousins)....I can't believe how big everyone is!  I remember when Christmas used to be so chaotic because we had all these little kids running around crazy!  What good kids they have all turned out to be!
(Kody, Joey, Dillon, Stockton, Mack, Nick, and of course Molly laying across them all!)

What a fun Christmas we had!  If only the snow would have come sooner (or later) so we could have had a white Christmas...but I can't complain about having a nice day in December in Utah!  We'll take what we can get!  Christmas has so much more meaning now that I have kids.  They make it so much more fun!  But I am glad Christmas comes once a year...we were all worn out the next day!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve night we went to my Granny's house for dinner and presents.  I look forward to her lasagna anytime she's willing to make it...it's THE BEST!!!  We hung around for awhile then left so we could stop by Tony's parents' house to open our Christmas eve jammies.  Then we went home so we could get to bed early so Santa could come!  Macie was SO excited for him to come that she absolutely could not fall asleep!  It took her a good hour if not 2 to finally fall asleep! 

 (I didn't get very many pictures)

Mackensie, Pax & Crew

The kids in their jammies!