Chris' 26th

Chris' birthday was February 20th. We had a ton of fun. I cleaned and washed, inside and out, Chris' Mercedes for a little gift and so we could go out in style. We went out with McKendra and Tyler. My sister, Sara, watched the kids so we could go out. We went to "Avatar" in 3D IMAX, then to Texas Roadhouse. Afterwards, we came home and took some pictures...

Things got crazy. This was my idea :) The boys DID NOT want to participate, but surprisingly did! McKendra and I were dying from laughter. Remember when this was super cool to do? It was when my older sister, Melanie, was a teenager. Or maybe it was just a joke, but I was so young that I thought it was cool.

When McKendra and I were roomies, we took cheerleading pictures one night with our PJs on, retainers in, and hair in side ponies. We cant find the pictures, but this brought back some funny memories. Our husbands were wondering why we thought we were so funny.

My adorable hubby.

The next night was a Sunday so we had some neighbors over for desert.

It was really fun. We have the BEST neighborhood. We couldn't invite everyone we wanted to because our house is not made for parties. We just love EVERYONE that lives around us. If you want a townhome with the best neighbors, live here! It was SO loud with everyone practically yelling to talk so the girls went downstairs.

Rob, Chris, Sam, Jesse

Me, Sarah (who went into labor that night!), Rachel, Ashlie

Parker, Sam, Chris

Matt, Seth, Collin

Dani, Aubrey, Brittney, Dareth, Erin, Me, Missing Meggan

Birthdays are so fun! I love showing Chris how much he means to me on his birthday. I hope he had as good of a time as I did. It was so fun to go out without the kids and feel carefree, like before we became old parents. He means everything to me and brightens my life with his enthusiasm. He is the most optimistic person I have ever known! He is my opposite and totally perfect for me. He is my strength. He is always striving to be better and I'm thankful for that drive he has. I get to know him and love him more with every year. This is the 9th year we've shared together! We have two adorable kids that look just like him and I LOVE our family we've started.

Valentines Day

This year Addysin was old enough to enjoy Valentines day so we went a bit over the top. Holidays are so fun with her getting older. We made cookies for her friends with a couple other treats. I was putting her to bed one night before valentines, after a tiring day for me, so I could finish her valentines. I know, I know. Why would I make her Valentines without her? Because thats what tired moms do so they can go to bed. Well she insisted on not going to bed so I let her come down. It was so much fun doing it together. She was overcome with happiness the whole time.

Example of the plates. The name cookies were snickerdoodles, and hearts were sugar with lemon icing.

Her signature

Valentines Day! Off to deliver the treats.

First stop. This is how she handed them off to her friends. Usually they knew we were coming and her friend would answer the door. She would immediatly shove it at them, they would take it, and walk away. It was funny to watch over and over again with different friends. She loved the Valentines she got in return. She had to have them at the table with her at every meal for the next week.

Chris' family grew up with the "Secret Sweetheart" and luckily she made it to our house this year! She rang our doorbell in the afternoon and when Addysin answered the door there were two gifts outside! The kids were excited about their new stuff. This picture was taken with my phone, poor quality.

Caiden got a football that isn't foam and cannot be ruined by his teeth.

Addysin got a leotard and Pocohantas story book.

It is my year to plan Valentines and our Anniversary. Since it was on a Sunday, we went to Zuppas the night before and I tryed to make a Grand meal the day of. After church and between each Valentine delivery, I spent the whole day making this beautiful meal. Dont let looks decieve you. It was actually not as good as I had expected. Fabulous huh? My neighbor made it much better on a different occasion.

It was a fun Valentines day, but mama over extended herself and it was exhausting.

Lunch Date and The Un-Birthday Girls

While Chris was out of town at the beginning of February, I had Joanna and Becca- with their girls- over for lunch. It is WAY too hard going to lunch with two kids, and then to try and have fun... well thats just not gonna happen. So we had a lunch date here. Caiden ended up taking a nap the whole time, which was a joy, so it was a girl party.

Addysin, Ella, Evelyn

I made this cake for fun, no reason besides we were having company... and I'm a chocolate addict, seriously. All of the girls thought it was a birthday party though! It was completley adorable. We put a candle on for each of them and we all sang. They were so into it. I was crying with laughter, it was hilarious!

For Caiden

I did these letters (painted and covered with scrapbook paper and embellishments) last April for Caidens room. I've never loved them.

I got these shelves for $5

Chris was in Texas for work at the beginning of February for 10 days so I finally got around to this project. It took me about 11 hours to deco podge the letters! Well, I was also taking care of the kid's needs at the same time, but it was an ALL day project. The next day I panted and tried to distress the shelves, which I basically hate the way they turned out so that'll be another project, ugh.

What I put on the letters is meaningful and I hope he always keeps these them.

Jump On It!

On Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM, Jump On It has "Mommy and Me" time. It is free for parents, $3 for the first child, $2 for each additional child. Our neighbor Sarah told us about it and we went together. There are endless trampolines connected to each other, and three blow up toys with slides. We stayed for about and hour.

Cool guy. Its impossible to get a smile from him.

Afterwards they rode the Carousel. Caiden honestly held this exact position the entire time. When some other kids ran over and jumped on, he still didn't move a muscle. Just looked out of the corner of his eye at them.

Addysin: 3 Years

Addysin turned three in december, but I have never got around to writing down some things about her. Here it is. She is such a girly-girl. No tom boy at all. She is my little mom/tattle-tailer. She is always yelling to/about Caiden, "That's dangerous!" "Dont spill your drink!" "Caiden's gonna fall!" "Caiden's making a mess!" "Caiden, NO!" She is very neat and clean. If I tell her she cant sleep in our bed because its messy, then she wont want to. But the next night she will tell me she cant sleep in her bed because its messy. She still comes into our room in the middle of every night and to my side of the bed to climb up because she knows Chris is a zombie when he's asleep. She loves watching TV and most of the funny stuff she says and does is a copy from a show. She is a copy cat, thats for sure. She is careful, and timid. She isn't potty trained and refuses to be. She loves to wear panties, pretend to go on the potty, wipe, flush, wash her hands, but WILL NOT go 1 or 2 in it. She can be dead tired, but never wants to go to bed at night. She is super well behaved, and VERY obedient. She is the pickiest eater I have ever seen in my life. She loves sweets, treats, chocolate, cookies, ice cream, etc. She loves to play with friends. She can be the leader or the follower. She really is a princess at heart . She started Primary at church in January and does really well. She says, "In primary, I sing and say prayers." The teachers tell me that she "shhhhh's" all the boys and tells them to be reverent, but by the end of the class she is copying them :)

Stats

(at 3 years+ 2 1/2 months)

Weight: 31 lbs.- 44 %tile

Height: 37 inches- 39 %tile

Head Circumference: 19.5 inches- 91 %tile

Some random cute pictures  that didn't make their own post. January- February.

Re-arranging the pantry. She loves stacking and lining things up. She is our OCD child. I love it. She will be a big help when she can actually organize, instead of mixing things up.

Our princess trying to be a tough girl.

Addysin loves her brother, when he's not messing up her stuff. She loves to pose for pictures and he definitley does not.

Eating on the go. If thats the only way she'll eat, I'll let her choose where she wants to. Sometimes she just stands in the kitchen.

She is the typical older child that copies the baby for attention. Like so... Caiden fell and was struggling to get up. Addysin sees the photo shoot going on and conveniently poses in the picture.

Common phrase, "Take a picture of me, take a picture of me!" 

Cleaning up after Caiden. Loves to help me, which isn't really a help, but I let her think she's doing a great job before I suggest that I finish up.

Loves a good beach party in the bathroom, in February.

She is obsessed with washing her hands. She uses this bucket to make her taller for everything in the kitchen. Helping me make sweets, eating from the counter, washing her hands, dishes, etc. She just draaagggs it from the pantry, all 20+ lbs by herself.

She hates naps. She will be in her room for almost the full nap time, then come out and tell me, "I woke up!" which is what she says after a real nap or in the morning. She is trying everything to get out of naps, but then....

she crashes at 5 PM in a weird place. Like Caidens rocking chair.

Caiden: 18 Months

Caiden turned 18 months February 11. He started nursury at church (Halelujah!!!). He is my tough little boy that needs his mom for reassurance, sometimes. Mark my words, he is going to be a sports fanatic. He instinctly loves all sports balls. He is super tough and loves an adrenaline rush. I kept thinking, "why does he do things again when he got really hurt last time?" Well, I just figured it out. He loves adrenaline and has no fear. I have to protect him from himself and the thoughtless things he does. When he is catious or scared I get a huge kick out of it, because its so rare.I'm pretty sure this is a permanent personality trait that he isn't going to grow out of. He still puts everything in his mouth, due to teething. He has all of his teeth, minus his 2 year molars and bottom fangs. He loves to snuggle, loves to be bad, loves to ignore me, LOVES to be outside, and is a great sleeper. 7:30 PM-8 or later in the AM. Two hour naps.

Stats

Weight: 24.63 lbs.- 33%tile

Length: 32.8 inches- 67%tile

Head Circumference: 19.5 inches- 91%tile

Here are some randomly taken pictures since Christmas that are cute and didn't make their own post.

Our neighbor brought this back. It wasn't set up, and caiden never really liked it when we used it for him, but he sure loved it when it was returned to him.

Panting like a dog. He learns his tricks from the doggie behind him.

He has always loved being under tables.

Making messes, favorite pastime.

Hanging on my leg, second favorite pastime.

When things dont go his way...

Maybe if he wore this around, he would have less "goose eggs" on his head.

He NEVER smiles for pictures so I love this one.

For a short time, thank goodness, he would walk around going "ahhhhh", with his eyes closed to be funny. He would run into things, get hurt, and do it again. Thats Caiden for ya.

Getting into trouble, and loving it.

Thank you for the help, Caiden.

He gets these out of his crib and walks around the house with them.

Making Addysin MAD! Changing stations, messing things up on the TV. He loves to be mischievious.

"Am I in trouble?"

My two Alfalfas. Ready to go out on the town.