Golden Gate Bridge

Maybe some of you've heard but we have been having unusually warm weather here in Nor. Cal. and so this last Sunday after church instead of naps we loaded up the car and headed into San Francisco. We hadn't checked out the Golden Gate Bridge yet so we were excited to see it up close. Kinda looks like the background is fake in some of these pictures...I think that'd be an elaborate blogging ploy even for me :)

A few sillier pictures: Kennedy showing us how old she is, Aly actually looking at the camera and smiling (not normal) and Kohen doing some sort of defensive moves....


We did walk across the bridge for part of the way but the sun had just set and it was getting chilly fast and the coolness of walking across a bridge quickly diminished into being just cold and hungry. We got the idea though. Great bridge...Great day....

The Darndest Things...

Kohen's 1st Day of Preschool

Random:

The other day I discovered where Kohen had missed a bit in the bathroom. I told Nathan I would get Kohen and he could you know, go over the basics of aim/clean up again because as far as I'm concerned that's Nathan's jurisdiction. So I go get Kohen and he gladly comes back to the bathroom and Nathan says, "Hey bud! Let me show ya something cool!" and they lean in and Nathan shows Kohen what happened and how to clean up after himself. Kohen gets right in there and cleans it up telling us he's "Sorry 'bout that"...so cute. Then before he leaves the bathroom he turns to Nathan and asks, "But why did you say you had something cool to show me?".... Okay this doesn't really sound that funny but Nathan and I laughed so hard because um, good question Kohen, why did your Dad say that??? Cleaning up rogue pee off the bathroom floor does not = COOL. 

Other Cute Things Said Lately:

I find Aly sweetly wiping and playing in the dust on our piano.

Me: Aly, what cha doing?

Aly: I jus' payin in da snow!

Aly found a pine cone at the park and she was carrying it all around calling it her 'baby'. Kennedy thought this was pretty cute and told me, "Mom, Aly thinks it's a baby but it's really an Acorn-el."  (I'm pretty sure that was hybrid for Acorn and Kernel)

In the car lately Aly will cry out in frustration when light shines on her that "Da sun is lookin atta me!" 

Kenna: Mom, what's a Migraine?

Me: It's a really bad headache.

Kenna: (pause) Is that how you fell in love with Dad?

Snowboarding '09

Reason numero uno I will not apologize for a 1/2 dozen pictures of generally the same thing is because I haven't gone snowboarding in probably 4 years and who knows when I will get to go again so I would like pretty much all of it recorded for posterity. (above: Brandon & Tara, Amber & Mike, Nathan, Kysa and me. Most of my BILS & SILS)

Okay, so as much as I want to lie right now I'm just gonna be straight with you...I am not an amazing snowboarder. oh close your mouths, like it's that big of a surprise. Between being preggers with babies and then nursing said babies how often do mom's really get to go anyway? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I have the potential to be a good snowboarder if I got a little more practice. I haven't even gone more than 7 or 8 times. At any rate I was super excited when my FIL and most of my BILS & SILS decided to go up to Bogus the night before our fam left to come home. The company was great, the snowboarding came back to me fairly quickly and those things helped all of us to ignore the lame-o conditions: crazy wind, no real snow- in fact it was largely ice as far as my backside could tell. Night skiing is cheap and that's about the only good thing I have to say about it right now :)

As a blogger, for better or for worse, you have moments in your life where you think, "this would be the best blog..." Well, our first run was down Showcase and about half way down I find I've inadvertently been left behind. No big deal, I'm taking my time enjoying myself and focusing on not catching an edge because I swear 1/2 of Showcase was straight up ice, quite crunchy. There is another lift half way down that wasn't running but you kind of have to keep up speed to get over a little incline there and I was avoiding speed at that point because of the ice. Well I was a little too cautious and I slowed so much I couldn't make the small hill. I try jumping, I try shifting my weight quickly, I'm goin' no where. Before I know it I find myself crawling (no simple task with a snowboard attached to your feet) towards the lift area where there is a fence I could pull myself along on and get over this teeny incline and back down the hill. It can be described as none other than a blogging moment. All these more experienced people screaming past this ol' mother of 3 whose crawling along like a bafoon, in the freezing cold at night...I was laughing so hard at myself I was snorting. It was only a few minute ordeal but man if you could have had that on tape...blogging gold I tell ya.

Anyway, the night was a success even with the bogus Bogus conditions which prompted Nathan to vow to take me somewhere "real" to see what it's like to snowboard on snow vs. ice and the CAT tracks that are 75% of the runs up there I swear...again, my sore backside doesn't lie. *sigh* It's always fun to hang out with fam, especially doing something fun like this.

Christmas Highlights 2008

Highlights of Christmas 2008!

*We wrapped up a live lobster for the White Elephant exchange at the annual Wilcox-side Christmas Party.
*Making Unicorn Princesses (from The Office) with my SILs to give to our husbands. "Her Horn Can Pierce the Sky!"

*We met up with cousins at a Carl's Jr. one night. Having witnessed some extremely GROSS stuff go on in the play places I don't usually let my kids play in this one but I full on made my kids wear mittens while they played. Yes I did. And the gloves were black when we left *yucky shiver*
*The FESTIVUS MIRACLE! that was my sister Natalie and my BIL Robert surprising us on my parent door step all the way from Florida. Yay! Best surprise ever!
*When Natalie took her sweatshirt off and had a strapy tank top on and Aly admiringly told her, "I like-a your soup!" (swimsuit) lol
*On Christmas Eve day Kohen couldn't find his stocking and Nathan discovered his solution hanging with the other stockings on the fireplace. This kid is a problem solver...
*Kohen was also EXTREMELY concerned Santa wouldn't know where he was so Papa John came up with this Santa sign to clear it all up. Kohen was so relieved.
*Acting out the Nativity scene at Bonnie and Norm's house on Christmas Eve with almost all 18 grandkids participating.
*Watching Kohen holding his new baby cousin Davis and listening to him teach Davis all about Pirates, including how they say "arrghh". (notice the pirate he whipped out of his pocket and is holding about an inch away from the baby's face)
*"Tricking" Santa (tracking Santa) by GPS before bed on Christmas Eve.
*Christmas morning when the phone rang and it was my brother Justin, on a mission in Taiwan, speaking Chinese to Nathan.

*This picture has been 18+ months in the making with Kenna trying to convince us she was deserving and old enough for such a doll. Apparently it was worth the wait...

Update On Aly P.T.

Success!!!! and failure. I gave up (at least for over the holidays) for about a dozen reasons, most of which are sitting, soaking in the laundry room sink. She never did have luck with #2 but Nathan comes home and in less than 24 hours he's helped Aly conquer this challenge on the first try- where as I had been sitting 45 min+ in the bathroom reading books etc with no luck. So when the unexpected happened tonight before bed we threw an absolute party- all of us crowded in the bathroom afterwards and Kennedy, Kohen, Nathan and I were cheering, clapping and chanting, "ALY! ALY! ALY!" The girl was absolutely intoxicated on all of the positive attention (stark contrast from the negative kind she got when we were rushing to get out the door to a Christmas party tonight and find Aly had rubbed A LOT of conditioner all over her head and shirt...I performed the fastest re-bath/dress/hair you've ever seen, it was like I was working the Pit in a car race 'vvvvt', one pig tail in, 'vvvvvt' 2nd one in...).
I had promised Aly a surprise for when this big moment occurred so I gave her this most adorable clock that is a replica of the one I had and loved as a child. I found it on clearance one day at, yep, Target. It was well received as you can see. At any rate- can you tell why I wanted Nathan's help for this stuff?!

T.M.I. im"PLY"ed (Pun intended)

I just want to say for the record: I had a plan. I had a well timed and thought out plan but apparently Aly couldn't wait another 2 1/2 weeks. She just had to exert her agency at the most inconvenient time you could conceive to try and potty train.

In mother's circles everywhere when the dreaded and feared topic comes up an oft repeated phrase is, "YOU have to be ready," implying the mother. Having done this song and dance twice before I know these words to be ones steeped in wisdom. That would be why I haven't really tried to P.T. Aly. Sure she may be 'ready' but she is also smart as a whip and strong willed- like most 2 year olds- and I had a sneaking suspicion she may try to teach me a few new lessons. So Nathan and I devised a plan. He would be home for a stretch after Christmas, we would be through traveling for a bit and as a team we would put Operation P.T. Aly into effect.
So this last week with Nathan out of town we were watching one of Aly's friends from church who is newly P.T. When this little girl went potty Aly wanted to go too and I thought nothing of it since she will go before bath and bed, etc. What I wasn't expecting was the absolute meltdown she was threatening when I tried to put her diaper back on. Aly was NOT having it. I kind of sat there stupidly on the floor of the bathroom trying to mentally digest what was going down. At 6pm on a Thurs. night with Nathan a world away and we are leaving for my Mom's newly re-carpeted house in a week- Aly wanted to start wearing panties. Insert mental swear word here. Totally begrudgingly I got the girl a pair of panties and she had success for a couple of hours before bed- which was just long enough to remind me of how exhausting the vigilance of potty training can be. Friday morning I totally woke up with a P.T. hangover. Yeah, I didn't know there was such a thing either but apparently I had worried and fretted and dreamt about it all night. I laid there in bed trying to ignore the headache I could feel coming on, cursing my daughter for her desire to be self-sufficient and independent and trying to focus my positive thoughts on getting her to wear a diaper that morning when I went in to get her. What? That was my plan okay? Pretend the whole thing never happened. It was a solid plan I felt. Then we could do a re-do after Christmas on my terms. But it didn't go down how I'd visualized (proving the "Secret" is a joke) because Aly took one look at me casually holding a diaper and said, "I want pan-ees. I not wear diaper." Mental swear word again. There's been a lot of that going on the last few days.
Anyway, she has had some success but she is still having lot's of 'spills' as she calls them and (and she is still holding #2) it made our already difficult weekend considerably worse. I.e. our Ward Christmas party was largely spent running back and forth to the RR. Maybe I'm just not remembering accurately how the other two did but I know Kohen only really had one day with accidents and that was it. That and the time he peed in my mouth...At least Aly hasn't done that, though there's always tomorrow. It takes 'em a while to get the hang of it right? I really just can't remember. Just picture yourself trying to do all the seasonal and Christmas-y stuff this time of year is stuffed with, while trying to P.T.- and please pity me...

Santa 2008

I don't know if you remember last years post with Santa but Aly was not all about sitting on Santa's lap. So I didn't force her this year because I don't want to permanently traumatize her...though she kind of seems to already be. Check her face out in the picture (try double clicking on the pic to make it big). And that was as close as she was gonna go. period. Kennedy was thrilled that Santa told her he 'knew' she'd been good, which in her mind confirms she is getting her "Molly" doll. And Kohen explained what he would like and then was sure to tell Santa he would be in Boise. He is super concerned Santa won't know where he is. The aftermath of Aly's brief Santa meeting is that now Aly repeats over and over, "I not like Santa" all the time. She says it with such sincerity I do believe she is telling the truth. I wonder if a present from him would help :)

Almost Didn't Happen This Year

You know, the whole 'Oh Christmas tree' or 'boughs of holly' evening where you put up your tree. It almost didn't happen. I put up a little tree for the kids to put little ornaments on but only being home 2 1/2 weeks before we left again for the holidays and Nathan being gone over half of that- didn't bode well for the big tree. Last minute we gathered around- I handed out ornaments as fast as I could to 3 eager little children and Nathan helped them hang a few higher up and kept Aly from poking her eye out. I so wasn't looking forward to this job this year (as told by the neglected branches sporting the "just outta the box look" and the haphazard sprinkling of ornaments) but I am still surprised how much fun we had and I am so glad we did it.

I got out my Barbie ornaments this year. I am sentimental about these little things. Growing up my Dad gave me (and I believe his mother) a collectible Barbie ornament each year for, well 6 years. I don't think it was meant to be that big of a deal but hey- you give a girl a pretty present...I think it had to do with being the only one to receive a special gift each year. I really did feel special. I doubt my Dad meant it to be anything remarkable but each year when I see these pretty ornaments I can't help but feel that way.

Care To Listen?

I would like to request permission for a mini-vent. I don't know if anyone is still reading at this point but I am going to assume permission granted. There is a day every month nearing a certain time of month when I get ridiculously emotional. Three months in a row now I have actually cried on this day. I hate that. It is so stupid. I know why it is happening and I think that annoys me even more to think that the reason I am crying (something I rarely do, minus this day) is because of dang hormones. I mean, so what does that even mean? Does that mean my feelings aren't real? Kind of I think.
Take today. I woke up on a Sat. morning and bounced happily out of bed. Let's stop right there. See that? Bouncing out of bed? That is not normal. For several hours as we did Saturday morning chores together as a fam I practically whistled around the house. That's not normal either. Then around noon the clouds rolled in. I read something online and totally got my feelings hurt (and no, it was not you). I stood there in the kitchen and totally wanted to cry. I mean really wanted to. But then a light bulb went on and I realized it was hormone induced and that was it. I told myself 'Stiff Upper Lip' (not to be confused with "Stick Up Your Lip" like Kennedy thought the saying was) and refused to cry. I am not going to let some breaking dam of hormones make me cry over stupid stuff anymore. It is stupid. Now the uncontrollable laughing that happens sometimes, that can stay...

On a brighter note. This is my favorite picture of the month. Nathan was playing "Oh Holy Night", our favorite Christmas song and the kids were dancing. If I could choose one thing to be amazing at it would be singing. I love, love, love to sing but it isn't anything that anyone would love, love, love to hear. I'm best in a choir if you know what I mean. I once dated a guy who was an amazing singer. I couldn't sing around him. It would be like me showing up to the Indie 500 in a Dune Buggy. Comical. Anyway- I have a point, I swear- I married Nathan obviously, and I am free to sing to my heart's content and believe you me, I do. I never feel judged or inadequate, in fact I think Nathan might actually be hard of hearing. Here's why. He really. Really. loves me to sing. Especially when he plays our afore mentioned favorite Christmas song. I am blushing even writing this because I know who reads this and you are probably scrolling to the top to make sure it is me writing it. But Nathan will insist and even coax the kids into coming and and asking me with big doe like eyes if I will come sing the song. It makes me feel good. Even if Nathan is the only one in the world who enjoys it -and he very well may be- I love him for allowing me the freedom to sing without shame in our home.
And I am posting the picture a second time because I really love it that much.

Gingerbread Cookies

I was grateful when I got a call from a friend to come let Kohen and Aly decorate some gingerbread cookies with their little friends. Anything to avoid household chores, right? So Kohen was the oldest one there and probably the only one who was interested in decorating AND eating the cookies. I always love his little creations.

After the decorating the 3 little girls and Kohen went off to play while the mom's got to talking when Kohen rang the Aly Alarm. He is so helpful like that. It happens probably several times an hour Kohen will start shouting, "ALY'S INTO TROUBLE! ALY'S INTO TROUBLE!" And off I will go to find whatever mischief she has gotten into. Anyway, I was more than a little concerned to hear Kohen say that when we were at someone else's house. I discovered Aly applying butt balm to her lips/face and she had also wiped it all over a book case.

After the clean up the girls were all playing princess and it was Kohen's job to come wake them all...Had to include it because of where Aly's finger was.

Thanksgiving Day

~Kohen got up early and went Turkey Hunting~

His quote of the day came as he watched my mom rinsing the turkey and the turkey's 'cavity' *yucky shiver*...she was filling up the turkey with water and Kohen was like, "Why are you putting water in there? Does he need a drink?"

Kennedy and Aly with their favorite Uncle Shayn. Poor Shayn, he brings out the rowdy in my kids...and then is too nice to make 'em settle down.

Aunt Ashley with Kohen- Ash made a ton of yummy food which of course solidifies her place in Kohen's heart- which is obviously, found through his stomach.

After dinner we headed to Jeremy and Polly's house to hang out and play with all the Jensens' and let the kids run wild with their cousins. And of course, eat some more :)